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CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
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One-on-One with the
Pirates
Sunday,
August 28, 2011
By Ron Cherubini |
Q&A
with Hugh Parker
By
Ron Cherubini
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
 Camp
reports seldom yield a lot of information, but back in the spring, the
reports dropped a name that surely had East Carolina fans digging back into
the media guide to figure out who this Hugh Parker was. Inside the program,
however, offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley knew a few things about Parker
and was eager to see how the transfer from Wingate might manage the center
position. Preparation and Opportunity met in the spring and Parker seized
the moment… and the center position.
His teammates call him smart and physical. Those are two ingredients key to
the one position on the line that makes everything go. Parker is healthy, he
and Dominique Davis have worked hard over the summer to build a rapport, and
the senior assures all that he is up to the task.
Hugh was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share his
insights on the upcoming season.
Hugh Parker (62) in action (ECU SID
photo)
One-on-One with Hugh Parker
Q: It seems a safe bet that many
fans had to check the roster a few times when they
heard that you were coming out of the spring as the
top center heading into the fall. Can you talk a
little about your path to ECU (transfer) so fans can
better understand the who of who our starting center
may be?
A: I started out at a Division II
school in Charlotte called Wingate but I transferred
here my freshman year. I have been on scout team for
three years… very much a role player. Just kind of
came into camp knowing that last year there were a
couple injuries and then a couple things happened
with some guys and I had the opportunity and I took
it and now I am the starter.
Q: Coach Riley said he was really
impressed with your work in the spring and then,
boom, injury. How are you health-wise as we approach
the first game of the season?
A: I do still have a couple nicks
and bruises from the spring but for the most part I
am back (to 100%). I am good to go.
Q: Talk about the role of center
in this offense. Coach Riley said that of all the OL
slots, this is the critical one. Do you feel you and
Dominique Davis have a good rapport?
A: I am really used to going
against our defense and playing in the spread so I
was ready to step in. I was not as good in the old
offense (under Skip Holtz), but this offense is a
good match for me. It caters to the offensive
linemen, it is simplified, and I really enjoy
playing in it. My role… when Dominique makes the
call, I then do a line read and make a call based on
how they are lined up – their formation – and I will
then make the calls to the guards or tackles to let
them know what they need to do either with me or
without me as far as pass or run blocking.
Q: Coach Riley pointed to the
center-quarterback exchange as being a weak point in
the spring and something that must be perfect going
into the season. How is that relationship building?
A: Me and Dominique have gotten
into a lot better sync. We have worked very hard on
it this summer and now in the fall. I have changed a
few things in how I do what I do and it has gotten
very good. It is very important that we have this
down and I think we are doing well there.
Q: You worked against these
defensive linemen during scout all the time. Do you
see a difference in them this year?
A: I really do feel like the
defensive guys have really picked it up (from last
year). Especially in the 3-4 which is much better
for the D-line and linebackers and you can really
see how the speed helps. They are more aggressive,
too, and that makes them much better.
Q: What player on the defense
would you hate to have to work against for four
quarters?
A: I would say Michael Brooks. We
play against each other all the time and are
battling every day. We butt heads a lot and he is
good, real good. I really respect him a lot.
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08/28/2011 02:48 AM |
