![](../../../../images/StaffPix/RonCherubini_2009_62x100.jpg) |
One-on-One with the
Pirates
Tuesday,
August 14, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
By
Ron Cherubini
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
Of all of the players on the East Carolina defense in the past two seasons,
in terms of pressuring the quarterback and disrupting the backfield, Derrell
Johnson stood out. A menacing 260-pounder who can fly and has a destroyer’s
mindset, Johnson was moved to outside linebacker for one purpose and one
purpose only: disrupt the quarterback. It is a role that Johnson already
appears to have comfortably settled in with just the spring to grasp the
change in jobs.
Defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell could barely contain his excitement
about the thought of Johnson coming off the edge for the Pirates. Joy for
the ECU defense is likely a larger dose of pain for opposing QBs. Johnson
has been given license to wreak havoc and will be a welcomed aspect of a D
that was more than solid but lacked some in the sack department and much
more in the area of turnover creation. Johnson will have a big impact on
changing those numbers in 2012.
When asked what player he would always want to know where he is, starting
quarterback hopefuls
Shane Carden and
Rio Johnson both pointed out
Johnson. He is a big, strong and aggressive quarterback killer, ready to
make more noise than ever from the OLB position.
Derrell was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share his
insights on the upcoming season.
![](../../../../images/ECUSID/Players/Football/Action/Derrell_Johnson_action.JPG)
Derrell Johnson in action
(ECU SID photo)
One-on-One with Derrell Johnson
Q: When you learned you
would be moved to OLB, what was your initial
reaction?
A: My initial reaction
was, ‘Hey, whatever the team needs me to do, I am
going to go and work at it and do it.' So when the
coaches approached me on it, they asked the same
question, you know, ‘How do I feel about it?’ And I
told them the same thing. Once I started (getting
reps at OLB), it was pretty exciting. You know, I
had to work at understanding the coverage
responsibilities, but from the outside position, I
get to move around a lot more and definitely it is
part of the job to disrupt the backfield. I like it
because I can use my speed along with my strength at
this position.
Q: (After) a great
spring, are you getting excited about the role?
Describe the role. Do you think you will be able to
get more pressure on the QB this time around?
A: Definitely. Being
able to move around and use my speed will allow me
to get more opportunities (in the backfield). The
guys up front (DEs) are good and that helps us (OLBs)
to get into the backfield quicker.
Q: If you had to
describe the defensive unit’s mantra, what would it
be?
A: Run to the ball… run
to the ball and give maximum effort no matter what
you are doing… a drill, a play, getting water. Do
everything to the maximum. Even if you are making a
mistake, make it at 100% effort. We all are
definitely swarming to the ball and we are a faster
defense now with how Coach (Jeff) Connors has
developed us. We are all loving the aggressiveness
and pace out here.
Q: Do you find yourself
wanting to mentor the DEs, guys like Lee Pegues,
John Lattimore, Justin Dixon, etc.?
A: Those guys know what
they are doing, but, yeah, every now and then I will
work with them. A lot of times, when I am lining up
just outside of one of them, we talk before the
play. It helps because I know what they are supposed
to be doing, so sometimes we (communicate) when I am
on the side of them. I know what they are doing so
we talk pre-snap and get things straight, but
really, those guys don’t need me. They know what
they are doing.
Q: What player on this
team do you most respect and why?
A: It would be Justin
Dixon. He works hard on the field and he is
selfless. It would definitely be Justin.
Q: Why should fans
believe that this defense can become an elite unit
in C-USA and beyond?
A: This year the level
of work we are putting in is intense… greater than
we have. We believe we are a top defense, that we
can perform at that level. We know we have the tools
and that we have to take care of business and that
is how we practice, how we do everything we do. We
are playing fast, smart and are physical at the
point of attack. We talk about working hard and
having fun and if we do that, good things will
follow.
Q: Do you think this
defense can be the type that dictates the game? How
important is it to this unit to be known as a great
defense?
A: We believe that we
can control game tempo, but so does our offense. We
are prepared as a defense to step up and be the
difference maker for this team. We want the
challenge. We want to be a defensive football team.
E-mail
Ron Cherubini
PAGE UPDATED
08/14/12 02:02 AM.
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