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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 |
↑ CORNER ↑
- Dekota Marshall (RS-Sr): When Marshall was
lost to a nasty leg injury in the Virginia Tech game in 2009, it was a
big blow to the East Carolina defense. He was one of the more experienced
defensive backs on the roster having started 17 games and played in 36
in his career. Marshall stated during spring camp that if he cannot go
100% then he will call football quits. If Marshall can go, he will be a
pivotal player in the Pirates' defense in 2010. Though Marshall will not
likely displace Emanuel Davis or Travis Simmons in the lineup, he has
the ability to ensure that no matter who is on the field at
any given time, the combination will be among the best in the country. Marshall also has the
ability, if he has healed totally, to move over to safety to shore up
that position. With 79 career tackles, Marshall’s experience may
prove to be critical for a Pirate defense which lacks a whole lot of
it.
- Travis Simmons (SR): Simmons is
a part of
a one-two punch at corner for the Pirates that may be among the nation’s
best. Between Simmons and Davis at the other corner, East Carolina
boasts
mega-talent. Simmons has been consistent since he came onto the scene as
a true freshman. He has a history of big plays (ala the Conference USA
Championship in 2008). He has started 22 of 38 games for the Pirates and
has 109 career tackles to go with 4 INTs. He is a true lockdown corner
and laid claim to a top spot on the spring depth chart at one corner
position and should provide all-league caliber coverage for the Pirates
again in 2010.
- Daryl Reynolds (SR): Early on in his career
at East Carolina, Reynolds showed flashes of brilliance and at one
point, it was expected that he would seize a starting corner position.
Unfortunately for Reynolds, the rising talents of Simmons and Davis
locked out all others from starting positions. Reynolds is as strong
a backup as there is and will be a valuable asset in the Pirates
defensive back third. It is hard to ignore the 57 tackles he has piled
up in his career. He is a solid corner and will contribute. Though he is
not on the post-spring depth chart, Reynolds will be in the mix for the
2010 season and will provide quality depth.
- Emanuel Davis (JR): There has been no
denying that from the moment Davis stepped onto the field for the
Pirates that he was special. An incredible cover corner who is equally
adept in stopping the run, Davis established himself as a true freshman,
garnering freshman All-America honors. He is a stud corner in every
sense of the word and provides a potent bookend to Simmons on the other
corner. The Pirates have two of the best corners in the country, perhaps
the best as a tandem. Davis had another great spring and is primed to
help carry the defense while the front seven finds itself. With 114
tackles and 6 INTs, Davis has been as productive as any corner to play
for the Pirates and he is just a rising junior. Davis should once again
draw plenty of attention in the press and on the field as teams look to
free up their best receivers by avoiding Davis.
- Leonard Paulk (RS-SO): When he came into
the program, it was expected that Paulk would eventually be a safety
for the Pirates, but with the new coaching staff, Paulk was shifted to
corner where he excelled in spring camp. He worked his way to the No. 2
spot on the chart behind Simmons, meaning he will likely be a big part of
the rotation during the 2010 season. His playing time may be impacted by
Marshall’s status, but clearly he is being groomed for the position and
the future. He will bring a bit of a different style to the corner
position, one where hard hits and aggressive man-to-man coverage rule
the day.
- Jacobi Jenkins (RS-SO): One of the biggest
surprises of the spring was the emergence of the former wide receiver
hopeful as a corner. Jenkins was progressing well, by all accounts, at
wide receiver but was shifted to the secondary this spring. Apparently,
there were no hard feelings as the new corner rose to No. 2 on depth chart
behind Emanuel Davis in just a few weeks on the job. Jenkins should
provide depth this season while he learns the position.
Position Analysis
– The new coaching staff faces the daunting task of replacing nine defensive
players, but at corner, they can build the new defense around a pair of
talents in Davis and Simmons who make up one of the best coverage tandems in
the country. Davis already has garnered All-America recognition in his young
career while Simmons has garnered championship MVP recognition. They are
flat out good and should help the Pirates cut down on the big plays while
the rest of the defense gels. With talented veteran Dekota Marshall back in
the mix after missing most of 2009 with a serious leg injury and sometime
starter Reynolds vying for more action, the Pirates have high quality depth to rotate through the
position. Paulk has paid his dues to get on the field and should also
provide a physical presence on the outside when he is on the field, and Jenkins has
already demonstrated he is a fast learner and possesses plenty of talent for
the role.
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Safety
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07/02/2010 05:11:17 AM
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