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East Carolina 2010 Offensive Analysis
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Prologue
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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By Ron Cherubini
Staff Feature
Writer |
→ RUNNING BACK →
- Norman Whitley (RS-SR): A fresh start and
an offense seemingly tailored for Whitley’s talents appeared to be
just the recipe the team’s leading rusher from 2008 was hoping for
heading into his final campaign. Then, bam! Another major injury for the
multi-talented back, costing him the spring and an opportunity to show
what he can do in this offense. His injury could cost him his career,
but he is hopeful he can make a return in the fall. Though he was never
a favorite of the former coaching staff, no one really could deny that
Whitley is a talent and also, a solid character. Fiercely competitive
and confident, he has shaken off the naysayers. If he can come back from
his injury, his skills could land him the starting job and he could be
the exact back that Riley needs to make this system go.
- Jonathan Williams (SR): In one of the
biggest stories of the spring camp was one that wasn’t ever written. The
fact that Williams name was not in the news around the ECU program was
probably the best news the team could have gotten in the spring. The
oft-in-trouble, talented back not only kept himself out of of the dog
house, but
he also emerged as a — Dare it be written? — a leader on the team. From
all accounts, his previous hot-headed behavior was displaced by an
intense driving behavior within the huddle. Even if it has taken three
years for him to grow up, a year with a mature, focused Williams could
be an amazing one to behold. Even with suspensions and troubles, he has
rushed for 568 yards in his career, boasting a 5.1 yards per carry
average. His talent is as good as any back in the country and this
season, barring any relapses, Williams could burst onto the scene in a
way that will bring positive attention to the program. Williams won the
starting job in the spring and will be tough to displace if he keeps his
head on straight.
- Giovanni Ruffin (TR-SR): In somewhat of a
role reversal, the never-in-trouble Ruffin, who was poised to come into
spring camp as the odds-on favorite to be the starter, instead opted to
loose his head and found himself arrested along with former running back
Brandon Jackson. Jackson — a three-time offender — was booted from the
team and Ruffin was suspended. The suspension cost him a run at the job
in the spring and with Williams cleaned up for now, Ruffin may have seen
his last days already as a regular in the lineup. Still, McNeill is a
player’s coach and will give Ruffin a chance to earn his way back… it
will just be a steeper climb now, despite rushing for 308 yards (3.7 ypc average) last season.
- Michael Dobson (RS-FR): For those who
follow the program and its recruiting, it is no surprise that Dobson has
earned the No. 2 spot at running back as a redshirt freshman. He is a
player who might have seen action last season if needed but was
fortunately able to redshirt. He is a very fast, dynamic player who
Pirate fans already are buzzing about. Should Williams need a breather
or if the Pirates want to add even a little more speed, Dobson will get
his chances. Look for Dobson to get a good amount of experience touches
this season behind Williams.
- Alex Owah (FR): Though he was edged out for
the No. 2 spot on the spring depth chart by Dobson, Owah did turn heads
in camp. He has good speed and good natural instincts for the position.
Likely, he will redshirt, which is a good thing for the program.
If injuries take a toll, Owah appears ready for action and will be a
good fill in should the need arise.
Position Analysis
– Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley has made no bones about it. He would
prefer to have a guy be the running back and would prefer to stay away from
running back by committee, which has been the case, largely, in the ECU
program since Chris Johnson graduated to the NFL. While Dominique Lindsay was the
primary back in 2009, others were getting their carries as well. If there is
going to be a single player dominating the position, then Williams has established
that it will be him. From a talent perspective, he is a superior running
back, but his off-the-field track record cannot be ignored. Hopefully he has
truly turned over a new leaf. Behind Williams, there are talented backs with
question marks as well. Whitley could potentially thrive in this offense and
be the main back if he recovers from his injuries and can win the job just
before the season. Ruffin came on very strong towards the end of 2009 and
could give Williams and Whitley a run. Dobson and Owah are talented but you
would hope that they are in learning mode this season. If there were not so
many questions marks surrounding the top three backs, this group would be
considered as good as any in Conference USA, if not better. But until the question
marks are removed, the outlook is questionable as to how sustainable the
production will be.
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Inside Receivers
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07/02/2010 04:24:29 AM
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