|
CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
-----
|
 |
One-on-One with the
Pirates
Monday,
August 29, 2011
By Ron Cherubini |
Q&A
with Matt Milner
By
Ron Cherubini
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
 When
Matt Milner came into the East Carolina program, he was noted as a
workman-like defensive end, a bit bigger, but with a similar motor to former
undersized but highly effective end Zack Slate. Milner, quiet and focused,
went to work and to the surprise of many, battled his way to the top of the
defensive end depth chart heading into the 2010 campaign. After a few weeks
into the season, however, with the depth chart obliterated by injuries, the
redshirt freshman Milner and his true freshman counterpart Darrell Johnson,
found themselves playing every snap, virtually, in every game. There was no
back-up, really.
But Milner, who is known to be an academic standout as
well, used the experience – albeit grueling physically – as a learning
experience and one that sets the noticeably bulkier DE up for what should be
a solid 2011 campaign. He is a playmaker from the end position and he is
convinced that he and his teammates will make enough plays this year to drag
the ECU defense up from the national cellar and make a difference in the
season.
Matt was kind enough to sit down for a chat with
Bonesville to share his insights on the upcoming season.
Matt Milner (98) in action last season (ECU SID
photo)
One-on-One with Matt Milner
Q: Not only were you thrust into
the starting role at DE, you ended playing 80-90
snaps a game. Were you surprised when you found
yourself atop the depth chart in your first active
season a year ago?
A: You know, it was a long
season… it was a tough season having to take most of
the snaps last year. Our bodies definitely felt it.
But, coming into this season, we know what we did
last season, what to expect, and we know how to
better prepare ourselves for this season. Working
this camp, we are all coming into this camp in
great, great shape and all of us are ready for this
season to begin.
Q: The off-season brought word of
a change to the 3-4. Can you share your thoughts on
this switch and what it means for you?
A: It is a little bit of a change
in technique from what we are used to playing but
the mentality of the defense is that we are all
going to get to the ball. No missed tackles. A
little change of technique, but the mentality has
not changed. We are taking it to the offensive line
every snap and we are not going to take anything for
granted this season.
Q: A lot of coaches and players
say that once a player gets that first season on the
field in real games behind them, things start to
become second nature, slow down some. Are you seeing
that yourself in your play?
A: Having last season under the
belt with all of the snaps we took in there, I feel
like it was a really great learning year. Now I can
apply what I have seen and learned in games to this
season to pick my game up. It sets things up for
this year knowing better what to expect.
Q: Are you seeing improvement
around you in terms of the guys who were thrown into
it last season? Do you see the impact of Coach Jeff
Connors program?
A: Everybody, when we were called
up at the end of practice today, it is just very
noticeable how much bigger we are… how much muscle
we have all put on with Coach (Jeff) Connors. We can
all still run and move and we are actually quicker,
too. It really is impressive to see how much quicker
and stronger we are this season.
Q: What player on this team do
you most respect and why?
A: Everybody has their role on
this team. People step up at different times and
everybody knows what they have got to do out here.
There are times when someone you didn’t really think
about will step up and make a play. That is what
this defense is about… stepping up and making the
plays. So, I have to say that I respect each guy out
here on our defense too much to say just one.
Q: What player on this offense
would you hate to have to play defense against?
A: You know, our O-line, they
give us a really great look during our team drills.
Any one of those guys… they really work their butts
off and they are going to be a great part of this
offense this year.
Q: Antonio Allison was moved out
to DE and you are getting your first look a John
Lattimore. What are your thoughts of the state of
the position right now?
A: I definitely like what I am
seeing. Last year, we were really thin at the D-end
position. This year, switching things around, we
have a lot of healthy people out here. A lot of
great players and we are all working each other
every day at practice. It is a different situation
this year and it is noticeable.
E-mail Ron Cherubini
Ron Cherubini Archives
08/29/2011 02:34 AM |
