082710 RON CHERUBINI ::: One-on-One Interview with Josh Smith [fb]

One-on-One with the Pirates
Friday, August 27, 2010

By Ron Cherubini

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Josh Smith

Pirate fans, no doubt, were looking forward to seeing what the combination of Linval Joseph and Josh Smith could do on the defensive front in 2010… that is, until Joseph declared early for the draft. A good move on the NFL-second rounder’s part, but for East Carolina, it meant that Smith, the versatile senior defensive lineman, would be the lone player with deep experience left on the defensive line going into 2010. Fortunately, Smith is a very talented player who can go at tackle or defensive end. Moreover, his experience being a part of what may have been ECU’s greatest ever defensive line over the last two seasons puts him in the position of not only being the leader, but also being the primary mentor to a bunch of talented, but less experienced D-linemen. Smith is a beast at the point of attack, has the wheels to make plays sideline to sideline and will be asked to play and play and play for the Pirates.

Josh 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 defense this year based on what you are seeing on the field through summer? What differences are you seeing philosophy wise?

A: Speed… speed is the biggest thing I am seeing out there right now. We were a bend-but-don’t-break defense last year… it was “hold ’em off, hold ’em off, keep them in front of you.” This year it is “attack, attack, attack…” Blitz is our base and our base is blitz. We are just always going to be in a attack mode.

Q: You are the one guy on the defensive line who has a lot of experience at both the tackle and end position. What messages are you getting as to how you will be used this year?

A: I will be playing a 3-technique this year. We’ve flip-flopped sometimes but always in 3-technique. It will be a whole lot less double-teams and a lot more pass rush opportunities for me. I will be focused on inside work this season.

Q: Do you get the sense you will be an ironman this season, playing pretty much every defensive snap?

A: It depends right now, of course. Coach Ruff tells me he is going to use me till my eligibility runs out, so if that means I need to play 70-80 plays a game, that’s what I am going to do. It’s all about conditioning and that is what I am preparing for, so I can last a whole game. But, we have got some good players behind me, guys like Robert Jones coming back, Michael (Brooks) is getting ready to come back, Antonio Allison is stepping it up, and Jimmy Booth, so we have the option for a really good rotation if we need it which is good to know.

Q: From a talent perspective, how far away is the D-Line from the talent level that you played with the last two seasons?

A: It is really starting to come together. Just in the past three days, watching the film, the guys are using their hands, using better pad level… it is very, very comforting to see how the guys have progressed and are taking coaching. It is coming along great and I think by the end of camp, we are going to be very good.

Q: Who on the defense do you expect to be a star/stud this year that wasn’t a star last year?

A: We’ve moved Justin Dixon from linebacker to end and he is a force to be reckoned with… he is a freak, that is what I call him… I watch him and all I can do is scream “freak!” He is fast, intense and loves to hit. That is a guy who is going to be very fun to watch. Michael (Brooks) had a great year last year, but when he comes back, I think he is going to shock a lot of people. Antonio Allison has lost weight and is much faster and he also is going to shock a lot of people. I really think that a lot of people are sleeping on the amount of talent we actually have here and it is a matter of refining that talent because the guys are young. Once that happens, it is going to be fun to watch.

A: Dekota Marshall. Dekota is a name that I am always asked about. He might not be playing this year, but he lives and breathes football. He broke his leg in an unfortunate accident which everyone knows. But he works every day in pads even though he can’t hit. He works hard without a single complaint. He’s a guy that I would like to model myself after. He is just a great, great person. He is a great football player and I really hate the situation he is in. He is a guy I greatly respect and I think a lot of guys respect him for his attitude. It is a wait and see game for him because he probably won’t know anything from the NCAA until December. One of those things you gotta pray works out for him.

Q: Having played against our offensive line last year and now this year, can you give a sense of how the guys are adjusting to the new pass-first offense?

A: Those offensive linemen are awesome. You got guys there like Willie Smith, Cory Dowless, and D.J. Scott, those guys are abosolute freaks. The scheme is not as complicated as people make it sound. The guys like it a lot and it is a whole lot simpler. It is great being able to go up against those guys every day. When you go against three of the best, probably in our conference, and certainly among the best in the nation, you really get to fine-tune your game. They have really taken charge and have gotten deep into the playbook. They are going to be good.

Q: Take a look back on your decision to transfer and walk on to East Carolina and then think about where you are now. Share your thoughts on that decision and journey?

A: It was the best decision I have ever made. Would I do things the same way all over again? Absolutely. My senior year in high school, I decided not to come here because I wanted to red-shirt. I went to Navy Prep for a year to get bigger, faster, and stronger during the extra year. Then I went to Western Carolina and I really didn’t like my situation there so I decided to come here and take a shot. Coach (Skip) Holtz let me come back and I really appreciate that. I walked on here and never expected to play defensive line, let alone D tackle, but with Coach Rock (Roggeman) and those guys I got to play with the past two years, it has been the biggest blessing in disguise. I love the position and like I tell the guys, I think I am halfway successful because I am scared for my life every play. The things I have learned from being around other teams is that this is the closest team I have ever been around, including a military prep school. It is just a great atmosphere here with the fans… I really wouldn’t change a single thing and I thank God every day that I made that decision.

Q: You mentioned Coach Rock… can you share some of your thoughts about the man and his impact on you?

A: Coach Rock was one of the best men I ever had the opportunity of knowing and playing football for. He taught me a lot about being a football player but also more about being a person. I think that every day we come out here, the things we hear from other coaches remind you of Coach Rock. He had a distinct voice and sayings that no one else will ever say and those are the kinds of things you think about. I know that every game I play this year, I will have at least a moment where I will think about Coach Rock. Simple things like getting off the ball. Things like hearing his voice say “attack, attack, attack…” He was very influential in a lot of what I do. Me playing tackle was his idea and I think it was because he and I were similar. You know, a lot of people wouldn’t know this, but he went to Notre Dame as a linebacker and got moved to D tackle, just like me coming here. We have a lot of common in that sense and that is probably why he and I were so close. I really miss that man a lot and I know some of the other guys do to.

Q: Following the Liberty Bowl, most folks felt quite comfortable that our defense would be built around you and Linval Joseph at the defensive interior. Then, Linval heads to the NFL early. Can you share your thoughts on the impact that news had on you?

A: Linval was one of my best friends here. We ate together, we got haircuts together, so it is hard to lose a friend that I did so much with and was such a big part of my pregame ritual. He was my roommate. I respect Linval’s decision because he did what he wanted to do and obviously it was a good decision. I respect his decision but I miss him terribly. Linval wasn’t very vocal but he led by example and everyone was watching him because everyone wanted to be him because he was an absolute monster. Taking the leadership role on defensive line has been very challenging, particularly when I got hurt. It is interesting when you get hurt — you have to change to more of an encourager like a coach because you can’t correct guys the way you would if you were in there. You can dog guys, get in their faces, get mad at them because you are not in there doing what they are being asked to do at that point in time. Coach (Duane) Price says, you encourage and teach. That is the role I am trying to take on.