|
CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
-----
|
 |
One-on-One with the
Pirates
Sunday,
August 21, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
Q&A
with Justin Dixon
By
Ron Cherubini
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
 When
Justin Dixon came to the East Carolina football program, he did so as a
rare, consensus, elite-level prep prospect. Widely regarded by recruiting
services as a top 25 linebacker nationally, Pirate fans and coaches were
eager to get him on the field and it didn’t take long, as he stepped into
the rotation at defensive end as a true freshman. And, as a true freshman,
he played remarkably.
That Dixon was moved to defensive
end at all is a testament to his physical strength and football IQ. At that
position – the first time he had played it – it was clear that he was,
really, the biggest force on the defensive front, particularly in regards to
getting pressure on the quarterback. When he was lost for the season in the
fourth game of the year, also lost was ECU's pressure.
Now, with the 3-4 installed, Dixon
has been moved back to his natural position at outside linebacker and he is
100% healthy again. Without a doubt, Dixon is a premiere linebacker and will
be something to watch as he and his retooled defensive mates set out to
resurrect the Pirates' defensive reputation.
Justin was kind enough to sit down
for a chat with Bonesville to share his insights on the upcoming season.
Justin Dixon (5) in action last season (ECU SID
photo)
One-on-One with Justin Dixon
 Q: You had a pretty nasty injury
that cut short your ECU debut in 2010. Can you give us an update on how you
are feeling?
A: I am 100%... my knee feels good…
I feel good. I have full use back… full movement. I have full strength back,
full speed back. I’m ready to go.
Q: Back to OLB, physically are you
where you want to be to play that position versus what you were doing to be
a DE?
A: I am… definitely and I didn’t
drop any weight getting there either. I got a little stronger, got a little
bigger and I am stronger mentally. I am cool with whatever position they
want to put me at, so it wasn’t like I wanted to be a linebacker.
Linebacker, defensive end, I am ready to go whichever position, but right
now, I am back at linebacker right now and working hard there.
Q: What did you learn playing DE
that can apply to this position in this defensive scheme?
A: Definitely the pass rushing
techniques. I am still responsible to rush the passer (at OLB) so that
(experience) definitely helps me going into this season. I’m not at
defensive end now, so I am standing up, but the hand movements, pass rushing
drills, they all will help me with my role this season.
Q: You and your teammates really
experienced the worst case you could have last season. How do you
individually approach this season and what are you and your teammates
talking about in regards to improving?
A: We have to be on the same page,
be in each other’s corner, stay together as a unit and be a smart football
team. Do the little things that make you better. When you watch film… you're
never perfect and you do see those things that you are like, ‘Why did I do
that?’ But if we keep going full speed at all times we will be OK. We are
all human, so there will be mistakes, for sure. We have to all be there,
100% on every play, and that will minimize the mistakes that hurt us the
most (the big plays).
Q: What player on this team do you
most respect and why?
A: Hmmm. There are a few guys I
really, really respect. I respect Dominique Davis… he’s a cool guy. He came
and gave me words of encouragement when I needed it and he’s definitely the
leader for this whole team. Our defensive guys look to him too, you know. He
is our quarterback. He’s the leader.
Q: What player on this offense would
you hate to have to play defense against?
A: We got Dominique Davis, we got
Lance Lewis, Reggie Bullock… that whole wide receiving corps really. But
Davis, man, I am glad I don’t have to chase that guy around and if I was on
the other team, I wouldn’t want to play against that guy.
Q: Talk a little about the impact
that Coach (Jeff) Connors has had on you and the defensive guys?
A: Coach C has got my knee back to
100% and he has me and the whole team stronger and better conditioned. He is
a great guy, cool guy, who knows how to work with each of us. And,
definitely, when you look around, we all look better, stronger and on the
field you can see that we are playing smarter and tougher. He is very cool
guy.
Q: Personal expectations this
season?
A: We want to win Conference USA.
That is what I want to do, and go to a bowl game and win it. We as a team
want to win the conference and win a bowl game. That is the goal.
E-mail Ron Cherubini
Ron Cherubini Archives
08/22/2011 03:28 AM |
