Spring Break
More experience could mean more results
Secondary will be key
Kellen Holtzman
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Sports
Senior Leon Best will fill the void by returning to corner after moving to safety last season.
"Herman [Best] is a senior and he's played both positions," said Smith. "He's just a great young man. He's always where he's supposed to be. He's the most dependable kid out of those older guys."
As of now, Best will be backed up at corner by sophomore Darryl Reynolds, who saw action in nine games as a true freshman last season. Emanuel Davis, who both Smith and Holtz cited as a player to watch, will provide depth at weak cornerback.
Senior Jerek Hewett will man the other corner spot, backed up by sophomore Travis Simmons and redshirt freshman Derek Blacknall.
Eskridge, a junior, has the free safety position locked down and will be backed up by sophomore Dekota Marshall and redshirt freshman Julian Carter. Marshall saw action in all 13 games last season, primarily at corner.
Marshall credits Eskridge in assisting to make the transition go smoothly.
"With me moving to free safety, he [Eskridge] helped me out a lot with learning the plays," said the Jacksonville native. "You know as a corner, you'll either go man or drop back but at free safety you're doing a lot of different things."
Senior J.J. Millbrook will return to the strong safety position, where he led the team with three interceptions last season. Chris Mattocks started five of 10 games for the Pirates in 2007 before missing the final three games due to injury. The junior should figure prominently once again at the position. Redshirt freshman Devon Wallace is expected to back up Millbrook and Mattocks.
"We've got talent but we're still relatively young," Smith said. "We don't have a lot of guys that have played a ton of years."
Holtz expects his younger players to push the veterans, ultimately making for a more competitive environment.
"With Travis Simmons, Emmanuel Davis and Derek Blacknall and some of the things that those guys are doing right now, I think they have really got a chance to be a much improved group back there," Holtz said. "And they are working with the experience coming back from the older guys and the athleticism and competition going on with the younger guys."
If the secondary problem is solved, ECU may find it much easier to meet those high expectations.
After all, no one has a more optimistic outlook than the players and coaching staff alike.
"Conference championship, state championship, Liberty Bowl championship," said Eskridge. "Those are our three goals. If we don't get those, it [the season] is a disappointment."
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
"Herman [Best] is a senior and he's played both positions," said Smith. "He's just a great young man. He's always where he's supposed to be. He's the most dependable kid out of those older guys."
As of now, Best will be backed up at corner by sophomore Darryl Reynolds, who saw action in nine games as a true freshman last season. Emanuel Davis, who both Smith and Holtz cited as a player to watch, will provide depth at weak cornerback.
Senior Jerek Hewett will man the other corner spot, backed up by sophomore Travis Simmons and redshirt freshman Derek Blacknall.
Eskridge, a junior, has the free safety position locked down and will be backed up by sophomore Dekota Marshall and redshirt freshman Julian Carter. Marshall saw action in all 13 games last season, primarily at corner.
Marshall credits Eskridge in assisting to make the transition go smoothly.
"With me moving to free safety, he [Eskridge] helped me out a lot with learning the plays," said the Jacksonville native. "You know as a corner, you'll either go man or drop back but at free safety you're doing a lot of different things."
Senior J.J. Millbrook will return to the strong safety position, where he led the team with three interceptions last season. Chris Mattocks started five of 10 games for the Pirates in 2007 before missing the final three games due to injury. The junior should figure prominently once again at the position. Redshirt freshman Devon Wallace is expected to back up Millbrook and Mattocks.
"We've got talent but we're still relatively young," Smith said. "We don't have a lot of guys that have played a ton of years."
Holtz expects his younger players to push the veterans, ultimately making for a more competitive environment.
"With Travis Simmons, Emmanuel Davis and Derek Blacknall and some of the things that those guys are doing right now, I think they have really got a chance to be a much improved group back there," Holtz said. "And they are working with the experience coming back from the older guys and the athleticism and competition going on with the younger guys."
If the secondary problem is solved, ECU may find it much easier to meet those high expectations.
After all, no one has a more optimistic outlook than the players and coaching staff alike.
"Conference championship, state championship, Liberty Bowl championship," said Eskridge. "Those are our three goals. If we don't get those, it [the season] is a disappointment."
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
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