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EARLY
BIRD 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2008 |
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EAST
CAROLINA PIRATES |
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OFFENSE
- 10 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 9 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Jason Simmons-FB, Brandon Simmons-RB,
T.J. Lee-WR, Davon Drew-TE, J.R.
Kraemer-TE, Stanley Bryant-OT |
DEFENSE:
Zack
Slate-DE, Khalif Mitchell-NG,
Pierre Bell-OLB, Jerek Hewett-CB,
Leon Best-SS, J.J. Milbrook-SS |
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Team
Defense |
The
No. 1 scoring defense
in C-USA returns
nine starters. Getting
stud LB Quentin
Cotton back from
a knee injury would
put this group over
the top. |
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Offensive
Backfield |
Rob
Kass is set to take
over full-time duties
at QB. They need
more out of his
passing game to
legitimize this
ranking. Getting
one of the RBs to
take command is
necessary for running
consistency. |
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C
Sean Allen |
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DB
Van Eskridge |
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*
DEPTH CHARTS were only designed
as a simplistic gauge for listing
players that departed and players
that received the most playing
experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes
the importance of missing personnel
data not listed such as redshirts,
transfers, injuries, incoming
recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with
our full 2009 Preseason Preview
due out this coming spring. |
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EAST
CAROLINA 2009 DEPTH
CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Patrick
Pinkey-Sr |
Rob
Kass-Sr |
FB |
Kevin
Gidrey-Jr |
.. |
RB |
Norman
Whitley-Jr |
Jonathan
Williams-Jr |
WR |
Alex
Taylor-Sr |
Jamar
Bryant-Sr / Joe
Womack-So |
WR |
Dwayne
Harris-Jr |
Darryl
Freeney-So |
TE |
.. |
.. |
OT |
Terence
Campbell-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Cory
Dowless-Jr |
.. |
C |
Sean
Allen-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Doug
Palmer-Sr |
.. |
OT |
D.J.
Scott-Jr |
Travis
Melvin-Jr |
K |
Ben
Hartman-Sr |
.. |
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EAST
CAROLINA 2009 DEPTH
CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Scotty
Robinson-Sr |
.. |
DT |
Jay
Ross-Sr |
Robert
Jones-So |
NG |
Linval
Joseph-Jr |
.. |
DE |
C.J.
Wilson-Sr |
.. |
OLB |
Cliff
Perryman-So |
Dustin
Lineback-Jr |
MLB |
Nick
Johnson-Sr |
.. |
OLB |
Jeremy
Chambliss-Sr |
Chris
Mattocks-Sr |
CB |
Emanual
Davis-So |
Travis
Simmons-Jr |
CB |
Dekota
Marshall-Jr |
Darryl
Reynolds-Jr |
SS |
.. |
.. |
FS |
Van
Eskridge-Sr |
.. |
P |
Matt
Dodge-Sr |
.. |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS |
12/9/08
Go ahead and laugh at our now-famous
Early Bird “Dark Horse”
pick, a slot is designated for
teams that few (if anyone) will
give top 25 consideration to
when it counts in late August.
Two years ago, NationalChamps.net
struck gold with the pick of
South Florida (climbed as high
as No. 2). Last year may have
been the pick of the decade
after nailing upstart Ball State
with this honor. This time around,
the choice seemed a little more
obvious since the Pirates have
already proven worthy of "Upset
Alert" status after opening
the 2008 campaign by beating
both BCS heavy hitters Virginia
Tech and WVU. However, head
coach Skip Holtz found that
winning games with a target
painted on the chest was not
so easy. They held on to win
the C-USA championship, and
all now know that ECU football
can play with the big boys.
Oh, and eighteen starters are
back. Whether or not head coach
Skip Holtz remains is the key
variable; his stock has risen.
Given his return, the No. 1
issue will be finding someone
to step in for quick-footed
QB Patrick Pinkey. Soon-to-be
senior Rob Kass started seven
games in 2007, helping to give
the Pirates one of the best
rotating QB systems across the
land. For this bunch to really
take that next big step forward,
more has to be accomplished
in the passing attack. The experience
at receiver is substantial enough
to warrant higher expectations,
and one of the running backs
needs to rise up to take command.
A veteran offense line will
return all of its parts, so
anything is possible. The best
defensive player, Quentin Cotton
at linebacker, injured his knee
in mid-September and was done
for the season. This helped
dash their ’08 dreams,
but hopes are that he could
return with an extra year granted
by the NCAA (a long shot) along
with senior leaders C.J. Wilson
and Van Eskridge. The experience
factor on both sides of the
ball runs deep, so no more sneaking
up on BCS-aligned foes like
the Hokies and Mountaineers.
Both want a shot at redemption,
and each will get a chance as
the non-conference schedule
continues to be a devastating
cannon ball headed toward this
Pirate’s chances.
1/23/09
QB Patrick Pinkey has been granted
an extra year of eligibility
by the NCAA.
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EAST
CAROLINA
2009 SCHEDULE
Sep.
5 Appalachian State
Sep. 19 at North Carolina
Sep. 26 Virginia Tech
TBA at West Virginia
TBA UCF
TBA Southern Miss
TBA UAB
TBA at Memphis
TBA at Marshall
TBA 3 C-USA West Opponents |
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