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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 |
→ SAFETY →
- Bradley Jacobs (JC-JR): Quietly, one of the
most important developments in the spring was the instant emergence of
the junior college transfer strong safety. With holes at both safety
positions, but top talent at the corners, the Pirates desperately need
players to step up and Jacobs gives the Pirates a polished, experienced
safety to fill one of the vacated spots. He had an incredibly
impressive spring and grabbed the SS position. Jacobs should be a solid
safety for the Pirates and maybe even one who patches the big hole left
in the wake of Van Eskridge’s departure.
- Derek Blacknall (RS-JR): For Blacknall,
there has been pressure from his redshirt freshman year to earn a
starting position at safety. He made noise as a redshirt freshman at
corner but since then has been a safety who was expected to be a
starter. This spring, he earned that role and he has all
the tools, talent, and even some experience to help round out what
should be a strong Pirates secondary. Blacknall has been here before,
though, having earned a starting role only to lose it to another player.
This time around, he should be better positioned to lock the job down.
- Devon Wallace (RS-JR): Wallace headed into
the 2009 as a reserve at free safety behind Eskridge but appeared to be
a rising talent. Yet, when it was all said and done, he saw action in
only 5 games and registered just 2 tackles. He was a special teams
talent in 2008 and contributed as well in 2009, but this is the season
he needs to establish his worth if he hopes to make a run at the
position. It appears that Blacknall has the edge on Justin Venable, and Wallace
is a distant third, so that may be a tall task, but nothing is certain
until fall camp concludes. That said, Wallace does have the abilities to
play strong safety as well or even corner if it gives him a better shot
at playing time. As a junior, though, Wallace will at least provide
experienced depth in 2010.
- Justin Venable (RS-SO): When Venable came
into the program, it was known that the tall, rangy safety was a
playmaker who can cover the field. He got onto the field in 5 games in
his position last season and produced 5 tackles and a forced fumble. He
was also a regular on special teams for the Pirates. He had a great
spring and finds himself at the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at free
safety in the spring. Venable’s style is typical of the old guard
Pirates who focus little on flash and more on fundamentals and
soundness. As a reliable back up in 2009, Venable was good. As a guy
with a full-time role, there are still question marks, but he does have
experience under his belt and appears ready to push Blacknall hard, which
will benefit the entire unit.
- Jack Schultz (RS-SO): Last spring, Schultz
surprised the Pirate Nation by making some noise and making the depth
chart at Strong Safety. A former walk-on, Schultz had another strong
spring and again finds himself on the depth chart behind the transfer
Jacobs. Schultz has earned his way after establishing himself as a solid
reserve in 2009, posting 3 tackles and an INT in 9 games for the
Pirates. He is fundamentally sound and understands the position and how
it fits into the schemes. He is a gamer and has the attitude that every
play is a privilege. He clearly has talent and this go-round should see a
steady uptick in his participation.
- Rahkeem Morgan (RS-Fr): Morgan had a
standout first season on the field in 2009, racking up 23 tackles
despite nagging injuries. He is a dynamic playmaker who can play any
position in the secondary. Which position he will play is the question,
but rest assured, he will see playing time for the Pirates as his
ability to change a game on a play are too great to leave on the
sideline.
Position Analysis
– The bad news is that the Pirates have to replace two incredibly talented
safeties in all-everything safety Eskridge and one-year stud Levin Neal. The
good news is that the corners are stacked with talent and the talent pool
for safety isn’t empty. JUCO transfer Jacobs appears to be a legitimate
big-time safety and displayed it in the spring. Blacknall has been nipping
at the starting job since he came into the program and this should be his
year. With experienced reserves in Wallace, Venable, Schultz and Morgan, the
numbers are good and, with the lockdowns on the corner, the safeties will
need not do more than their jobs, which should help the unit to remain one
of the better ones in the league.
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07/02/2010 05:11:18 AM
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