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Insights and Observations
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Henry's Highlights
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
By Henry Hinton |
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Players jockey for positions
as kickoff approaches
©2006 Bonesville.net
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The release of the first
East Carolina depth chart of the year had few surprises on it Tuesday night.
Coach Skip Holtz is no
doubt using the release of the chart to motivate and challenge a few guys
who still might have hopes of starting on Sept. 2 at Navy.
The first look at where
the coaches see things should give Pirate fans a peak at what is hoped to be
a more confident and potent offense in 2006.
At quarterback, redshirt
freshman Brett Clay is now officially James Pinkney’s backup. Clay has been
impressive in the first two weeks of workouts and has shown a particular
knack for throwing the long ball. Word is that Pinkney has looked
“Garrard-like” in the last few days. A healthy J.P. can take this team a
long way.
At running back, Chris
Johnson would get the nod if ECU lined up at Annapolis tomorrow, but there
is still time for Dominque Lindsay and Brandon Fractious to make up some
ground.
Holtz’s comments have
sounded as if he believes Johnson and Lindsay have been very close in
practice. There's has been no mention of true freshman Norman Whitley on the
depth chart, which is no surprise. But do not count him out as the season
progresses. Early reports are that he is impressing the coaches, as
expected.
At wide receiver,
newcomer Jamar Bryant is listed as the back-up to All Conference USA player
Aundrae Allison. Lindy’s preseason magazine calls Allison, who hauled in 83
catches last season, the conference’s most dangerous deep threat.
Allison had East
Carolina’s only 1,000-plus yard year in 2005 in spite of the fact his season
was cut short due to a knee injury.
Allison has no illusions
about how other teams will view him this season.
“I know there will be
times this year when I get double teamed”, he says. “Those guys (teammates)
just need to step up and make the plays like I know they can and hopefully I
can make more catches with two defenders or whatever I need to do.”
Allison also feels the
chemistry between players and coaches in year two of the Holtz regime will
pay dividends.
“We’re real comfortable
right now as far as knowing what to do on the field and being in the right
place at the right time and playing disciplined” said Allison. “The coaching
staff has us playing good right now. We’re confident about this season.”
Bobby Good is listed as
the other starting wide receiver and Devon Drew, the former quarterback, is
listed as number one at tight end.
Speaking of former
quarterbacks, one interesting and perhaps surprising spot on the new depth
chart is at fullback, where journeyman Patrick Dosh seems to finally have
found a home. After switching positions all over the field and on both sides
of the ball, Dosh is finally listed as number one on the depth chart in his
new position.
Dosh transferred in from
Florida as a quarterback and has since played at tight end, linebacker and
now fullback at ECU.
“If I ever get to coach
one day, I can do a bunch of different things,” laughs Dosh. "I’ve learned a
lot. I went over to the defensive side of the ball and did that a little
while but I’ve always been an offensive guy.
"I really feel like I’ve
found a home now at fullback.”
Dosh, a member of both
the ECU and C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll says that manning different
positions has enhanced his capabilities.
“It helps having played a
little tight end last year as far as learning the basic fundamentals of
blocking,” said Dosh.
Listed starters on the
offensive line include Tom Wingenbach at center and Josh Coffman and Matt
Butler at guard, while Eric Graham joins the only freshman listed as a
starter, Terrance Campbell, as the tackles.
The depth chart is sure
to change, but looking at the experience and skill of the first one of the
year on the offensive side of the ball makes one begin to think the Pirates
will be capable of scoring some points this season.
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This page updated
04/21/08 07:03 PM.
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