By
Denny O'Brien
©2007 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
ESPN is notorious for
overcooking its programming menu. Expect nothing less when its trucks
dock in Blacksburg this weekend.
If the self-labeled
“Sports Leader” insists on over-dramatizing its coverage of dominoes and
the Spelling Bee, you can bet it will do so tenfold when East Carolina
and Virginia Tech battle this Saturday.
It’s just a shame that the
match-up itself will likely receive only a small fraction of the pregame
spotlight.
No doubt, most of the
storylines this week will focus on the April 16 tragedy that shocked the
nation. What’s more, many will editorialize that Saturday is considered
the final step in the healing process for Hokie Nation.
Not that ESPN is the lone
guilty party. Every major national outlet is sure to be represented at
Lane Stadium, each unoriginally and unashamedly driven by the same
motive: Deliver a column or feature that pierces the hearts of the
viewing public.
It’s the American Way.
If the motives for
attending were genuine, much of the media coverage would center on
Virginia Tech’s vaunted defense and its reckless reputation on special
teams. Instead of questions about emotional recovery, the Hokies’
prospects for a national title would be the underscoring theme.
And perhaps scenarios in
which Virginia Tech might stumble would at least receive lip service.
Fat chance of that. The
only preceding coverage of ECU for this game is its role as the
sacrificial lamb for the Hokies’ pent-up emotions.
Naturally, we can’t expect
ESPN or any other media outlet not to touch on the April shootings. The
timing dictates that they must.
But to leverage that
horrific event for financial gain would be an absolute prostitution. And
to suggest that Saturday is the final step in the healing process is
completely insensitive to the family members and friends closely
involved with the shootings.
If ESPN is genuinely
serious about making a positive impact with its GameDay coverage, it
will do more than make Blacksburg the dramatic backdrop for the season
opener. Donating all of its ad revenue for the broadcast to the Hokie
Fund would be an admirable move.
Opportunity knocks
With all the media
attention surrounding Virginia Tech’s return to the gridiron, ECU will
share perhaps the biggest stage in its history. Though it won’t rank
among the most important bouts in Pirate lore, it likely will grab the
brightest spotlight of any ECU game to date.
And while the Pirates
enter the game a decided underdog, the opportunity to make a statement
can’t be overlooked. Avoid turnovers and special teams miscues, and
there’s no reason ECU can’t at least be competitive for much of the day.
But to do so, the Pirates
can’t get overwhelmed by the game’s emotion and festivities.
“The stage keeps getting
greater and grander,” ECU left tackle Josh Coffman said. “Every year
since Coach (Skip) Holtz has been here, it’s been a bigger game to open
the season.
“There is going to be a
whole lot of hype and emotion going into Virginia Tech. But we do have
to keep our emotions in check and realize that, despite all that, it is
just one game.”
With North Carolina,
Southern Miss, and West Virginia to follow, the Pirates must keep plenty
of emotional fuel in reserve.
Musical chairs
Pay special attention to
ECU’s depth chart along the offensive front. Chances are, it will look a
little different when the Pirates face the Tar Heels on September 8.
If history is any
indication, look for line coach Steve Shankweiler to constantly swizzle
the two-deep chart. In less than a year, Coffman has gone from right
guard to right tackle, only to experience another change by drawing the
left tackle assignment this Saturday.
“It is a little different
because you get into that comfort niche, because you get used to playing
next to a certain player,” Coffman said. “It’s like a security blanket,
but with Coach Shank’s system, you can’t get comfortable. You’ve got to
be ready in case you have to move.
“Yeah, there are going to
be guys in new positions and flip-flopping around. But we’re going to be
solid.”
That perhaps is the
biggest question heading into the 2007 campaign. If Coffman’s prediction
holds true, ECU, at the very least, should land in another postseason
bowl.
