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CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
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One-on-One with the
Pirates
Wednesday,
August 25, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
Jon Williams
By
Ron Cherubini
©2010 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
More than anyone, East Carolina running back
Jon Williams knows that his off-field problems have hurt him in more ways
than can be summarized in a sentence or two. Still, the ultra-talented back
is also smart enough to know that late is better than never. With a new
coach willing to give him a chance, and a new attitude that relies mostly on
self-accountability, Williams has seemingly transformed into the antithesis
of the player who defined wasted potential for the better part of his three
seasons in the program. Now, with offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley saying
it looks like Williams is emerging as “the guy,” the once reviled talent has
become a leader on the team and a running back who is demonstrating the type
of skills that make him a potentially huge contributor to the Pirates success in 2010.
Jon was kind enough to
sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share his insights on the
upcoming season.
Q:
What can Pirate fans expect from our offense this year based on what you are
seeing on the field through summer?
A: They should expect many
touchdowns and many yards and an offense that goes all out hard every minute
we are on the field. An explosive offense and an exciting offense to watch.
 Q: Why is this offense good
for Jon Williams?
A: This offense is good for
me because it uses me in many different ways. I am blocking, sprinting out
and catching the ball, and it gets me in open space with one-on-one matchups in the running game. It also is teaching me a lot of things I need to be
able to do for my future.
Q: Coach Lincoln Riley said he
wants one guy — the guy — at RB and that maybe a couple would play. Why is
this the year for you to be the guy?
A: Because I am ready. I have
been working hard, really hard out here every day. I have my head on right… I
am ready go. That’s it, I am ready to go and be that guy.
Q: Who on the offense do you
expect to be a star stud this year that wasn’t a star last year?
A: We have some really good
young guys like Michael Dobson, at running back, who is really talented,
really talented. There are a lot of young guys that are going to make names
for themselves this season.
Q: Who on this team do you
most respect as a player and why?
A: Besides me? No,
really… Dwayne Harris. I really love the way he plays football… he does it
right. Obviously he is very talented. I really also respect Dustin Lineback
who has worked hard to be a great player. We have a lot of guys I really
respect.
Q: A lot of what has been said
in the past was about your problems off the field. So far this season it has
been about how much of a leader and turnaround you have made. What has
changed for you this season? What is expected of you this season that was
not expected last season?
A: I want to have a full
season, you know. I want to keep working hard and staying positive out here.
Keeping myself where I need to be not only out here but also in everything I
do here. To compete as hard as I can compete. Keep the hard work and keep
this good feeling.
Q: As a back who has a
reputation for breaking tackles, who on our defense would you say lays the
biggest hits on you at practice?
A: I really don’t like to get
hit so I make guys miss… so this is a hard question. Well, Steve Spence,
certainly, he is a good linebacker and very good tackler. Dustin (Lineback)
he is tough. There are others. But you know, like I said, I make guys miss
so it is hard to say.
 Q:
Is this year setting up well for you to gain back missed ground? No one
seems to question your abilities and that you have NFL-type talent. Can you
put it all together in your senior season?
A: I will put it all
together this year. I am telling you now, I am working hard to make it up to
myself and my teammates and the fans. This year I will put it all together.
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08/30/2010 12:59 AM |
