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East Carolina 2010 Defensive Analysis
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Prologue
Friday, July 2, 2010
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By Ron Cherubini
Staff Feature Writer |
↑ DEFENSIVE TACKLE ↑
- Josh Smith (SR): Without equal, Smith is
the most experienced returner, having seen action at defensive tackle
and defensive end. He has been the model of consistency on the defensive
front and he plays with the expected savvy of a rising senior with 24
games under his belt. His 44 tackles (6.5 for loss), and 5 sacks stand
as a testament to that consistency and Smith is expected to be a
stalwart on the defensive front this season. As expected, he emerged
from spring atop the defensive tackle depth chart and no changes are
expected for the fall.
- Antonio Allison (JR): Allison was too good
to redshirt in 2008 and with the defensive tackles ahead of him, that is
saying something. He was off to a great start in his sophomore campaign
with 6 tackles in the first two games before he was lost for the season
to a foot injury. So, after rehabbing, it is no surprise that he has
rebounded well and sits atop the depth chart at nose tackle following a
great spring. He has all the tools to be another great Pirate defensive
lineman, but he still has to prove he can handle a full-time role. He
should be a very good man over the center this season — maybe not a Linval Joseph or Jay Ross yet, but
he has great potential.
- Diavalo Simpson (TR-JR): Simpson, aka
Boogie, came into the program as an offensive lineman but because of his
athleticism, he was moved to the defensive side of the ball and has not
disappointed in his new position. So good was his spring that he came
out on the depth chart at No. 2 behind Smith. He is very agile and fast,
though he does not quite have the wingspan one would like from the
position. He can play it though and should be a good fill-in when Smith
needs a breather.
- Robert Jones (RS-SO): Jones was a rising
star in 2008 after a true freshman campaign that saw him get action in 9
games and record 4 tackles with 2 sacks. He was primed for plenty of
reserve time in 2009 before an injury sent him off for a redshirt
season. Jones, once fully recovered, should be in the mix and will provide
high quality depth at the position.
- Michael Brooks (SO): Of all of the
defensive tackles, Brooks may be the most reminiscent of the likes of
Joseph and Ross. An All-Conference USA freshman selection, he was outstanding as a
true freshman, playing in 13 games and making 24 tackles (3.5 for loss)
to go along with 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. When he spelled Ross
or Joseph, you had to look closely to ensure that a reserve was in.
Brooks has star potential and when fall comes around, it will be hard to
imagine him not being in the lineup.
- Jimmy Booth (RS-FR): The local Rose product
will seek his first deep taste of action in 2010, competing for a
reserve role.
Position Analysis
– The defensive interior was dealt a blow when junior stud Linval Joseph
opted to forego his senior season for the NFL, a move that has panned out to
be the right one for the highly-drafted nose tackle. However, that and the
loss of all-league tackle Jay Ross may not have the cataclysmic effect that
it may seem to warrant on the surface. If there is a position with a lot of
depth and talent, it is the nose and tackle positions. Smith, Allison,
Brooks, Simpson, and Jones all have game experience and have shown they have
the ability to make big plays. Though PT was dominated by Joseph and Ross,
Pirate fans may be surprised when the play over the center and in the
interior is much stronger than it may show to be on paper. In fact, if Jones
can return to his freshman form and Booth has moved along well in the
system, it may create an opportunity for Smith to move out to end at times,
helping to bolster that unit. Brooks, who is rehabbing an injury, was
nothing short of stellar as a true freshman and will only get better. The
future for this unit looks outstanding, barring injuries.
Next
Page:
Linebacker
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07/02/2010 05:11:14 AM
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