|
CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
-----
|
 |
One-on-One with the
Pirates
Monday,
August 25, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
Q&A
with Damon Magazu
By
Ron Cherubini
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
 Anyone
who watched East Carolina's special teams and defense a year ago – as
painful as it was at a times – had to notice that true freshman Damon Magazu
stood out. It was clear early on that Magazu was a player, and by season’s
end, he had earned a start and was on his way to heading into 2011 as a
starter at free safety.
Magazu is a tough player who the coaches call a “high football IQ” guy. He
already has the respect of his teammates and coaches and should become a
stalwart in the secondary this year.
Damon was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share his
insights on the upcoming season.
Damon Magazu (11) in action last season (ECU SID
photo)
One-on-One with Damon Magazu
 Q:
When you picked off that pass
against N.C. State
a year ago, you probably etched yourself into the
minds of every fan for the rest of your career here.
Talk about that play and what impact it has had on
your progression?
A: The play… it was just great to
get a (win) over North Carolina State. They are a
rival and I have a lot of respect for them and Coach
(Tom) O’Brien and that staff. They are a good team
and it was nice to get a win over a rival.
Personally, the play really meant a lot because my
team was really counting on me to step it up because
Derek (Blacknall) was out with a suspension. It felt
good that I did that. Also, you know, it was great
because my father was at the game and he really
doesn’t get a lot of chances to see me play (because
of his NFL obligations), so that was special, too.
Q: Clearly, you were contributing
big-time all season a year ago and so much so, the
coaches could not see 2011 without you in the
lineup. So, Derek was moved to corner to make room
for you. Were you surprised when you came into that
camp and how are you feeling now that you are the
current starter in this fall camp?
A: I don’t want to say that I
wasn’t surprised, but I also don’t want to say I was
surprised. I try coming out for every rep competing
for the starting job whether I actually have it or
not. That is what I have done since my first
practice here at East Carolina. Even if the coaches
say I am the starter, I am still going to compete
for it because if I don’t, someone will end up
taking my job.
Q: The coaches rave about your
football IQ. Are you a big film review guy? Talk
about how you prepare for practice, games, etc.?
A: We watch a lot of film as a
team and I try to get the most out of it as I can. I
listen to what the coaches have to say, and going
against the scout team in practice, you start to
understanding the route combinations. I learn a lot
off of film, but I feel like I learn a lot more
being out there on the field and actually doing it
hand on. When we go against the scout team, I can
actually see the route combinations technically and
I feel like I learn more that way.
Q: What player on this team do
you most respect and why?
A: Emanuel Davis because I know
that no matter (what) is going on or how he is
feeling, he is going to compete. He is not scared of
anything. (If) I was going into a fight, I would
call ED because he would have my back and would do
anything for me.
Q: What receiver on this offense
would you hate to have to cover all night in a game?
A: We have a lot of great
receivers here, so I wouldn’t want to have to cover
any of them all night. Lance Lewis, Justin Hardy,
Justin Jones… they are all going to give opponents
hell. Really, I wouldn’t want to have to cover any
of them in this offense… but I would do my best if I
had to.
Q: What is the impact of the 3-4
on the secondary? Are you seeing things in front of
you to give you confidence that the defense will be
vastly improved this year?
A: The 3-4 was definitely a good
choice for us with our personnel. We have Justin
Dixon, Marke Powell and some other JUCO guys that
came in and four D lineman that came in and I think
moving to the 3-4 took care of a lot of things that
we couldn’t do last year, like getting pressure on
the quarterback. We have a good group of linebackers
like Jeremy Grove and Kyle Tudor and some of the
freshman as well. The scheme really will help us
improve a lot.
E-mail Ron Cherubini
Ron Cherubini Archives
08/25/2011 03:11 AM |
