CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
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One-on-One with the
Pirates
Monday,
August 22, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
Q&A
with Andrew Bodenheimer
By
Ron Cherubini
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
Quietly,
while East Carolina star receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis were
building towards 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2010, wideout Andrew
Bodenheimer was making a name for himself as well. A physical receiver who
prides himself on pushing through a single tackle and getting to the sticks,
Bodie, as he is called, knows that his number will be called more this time
around.
Almost assuredly, Bodenheimer’s role
will expand. He finished 2010 strong, real strong, as he got a handle on the
offense and his role within it. He is ready to be primetime alongside Lewis
and the emerging talents on the inside. And, he knows that the offense is
primed and expecting to show improvement on a record offensive season.
Andrew was kind enough to sit down
for a chat with Bonesville to share his insights on the upcoming season.
Andrew Bodenheimer (19) in action (ECU SID
photo)
One-on-One with Andrew Bodenheimer
Q:
While Lance Lewis and Dwayne Harris were grabbing all the headlines in 2010,
you were quietly putting together a solid season, developing a reputation
for making clutch grabs and getting physical for YAC. Talk about how you see
your role on this offense?
A: Basically, I know I have to be
more of a leader this season on and off the field. I need to do the little
things – watching a lot of film, working on my routes – becoming a more
reliable target for Dominique (Davis). Doing whatever the coaches want me to
do whether that is to be a leader or to step up and make the big play.
Q: Last year it was pretty obvious
that you got stronger down the stretch of the season. What do you attribute
that to?
A: Just working hard and having more
confidence in what I can do. Expecting the ball to come to me every time and
doing the things I need to do off the ball.
Q: Coach (Lincoln) Riley has said
that he expects to see improvement in the offense from year one to year two.
What in spring did you experience that might support that premise?
A: Definitely we push our concept
every play, whether we get the ball or not, things like open-field blocking.
We are all working extra hard and doing the extras that will make this
offense better this season.
Q: Personally, what areas of
improvement did you focus on in the spring for your game?
A: My consistency and my stamina.
Things that working with Coach (Jeff) Connors have really improved for me.
My route consistency is better. I don’t get fatigued. My blocking is better.
Basically, I am focused on consistency and that is what the coaches want
from me.
Q: What player on this team do you
most respect and why?
A: Definitely, probably a tie
between Dominique (Davis) and Emanuel Davis. Emanuel has been here and has
been a playmaker for a long time here. He is a soldier out there. He is
someone I definitely respect out there… he is a playmaker. It is always a
challenge going up against Emanuel. And Dominique, he has only been here two
years but he has emerged as a big-time player and our leader. He pays
attention to the details and leads us like a quarterback should. He gets on
us when he needs to and he is also inspiring. He encourages but when he sees
something that needs to be corrected, he lets you know and we work to
correct it. He is a true leader.
Q: Talk about your thoughts of the
upcoming South Carolina game?
A: It is a great, great challenge
and we are excited about it. We are never afraid to play anybody. We work
and the coaches tell us not to worry about the team we are playing. Whoever
is in front of us is who we are going to go after. That is who we are going
to try to beat. Coach always tells us to not worry about them, but to worry
about us and what we do and take care of our business.
Q: Personal expectations this
season?
A: Help out the outside receivers by
doing the little things I need to do on any given play. Making the blocks
and when the ball comes to me, catching it. When a big-play comes, make the
play.
Q: Dominique pointed out that while
fans see us scoring 30-40 points a game, but what he saw last year in film
was that it should have been 50 a game if he had just hit the wide open, big
play guy. Do you feel like you guys are all in sync this time around?
A: Dominique is definitely more
comfortable with this offense… it shows. He is seeing the whole field and so
far in camp, he is hitting the open guy. We are all working hard in ensuring
that we are where we need to be on any given play… we are all much more in
sync this time around. We are very tight and all on the same page already.
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