2003 ECU Football Outlook: Defense
June 24, 2003 | Football
Part Two: Defense
The influence of Thompson's defensive mind along with new defensive coordinator Jerry Odom became apparent early in spring practice as the Pirates switched from their 3-4 alignment of the past to a multiple presentation. Making that transition are 20 returning lettermen but only five returning starters from 2002.
The Pirates' linebacking corps looks to be the strength of the unit. Chris Moore, who was a Freshman All-America selection last season, and fellow sophomore Josh Chilsom are the team's top two returning tacklers with 72 and 74 total stops apiece, respectively. Moore was on track to potentially challenge for C-USA's top freshman award before being sidelined for three games in mid-season with a knee injury. Through the first five games of 2002, Moore was leading the nation's freshmen in tackles. Chilsom also caught attention as a redshirt freshman when he totaled six tackles for losses and four sacks.
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The defensive line will be anchored by 6-7, 300-pound tackle Damane Duckett, a veteran senior who recorded 45 tackles with five for losses last year. Only six lettermen return to man the four line positions, but two (Derek Helms and Eric Foushee) are experienced seniors and another, Guy Whimper, was a C-USA All-Freshman pick last year.
Hard-hitting Richard Koonce, who pounded out 46 tackles and six for losses as a redshirt freshman last season, and fellow sophomore Sammie Walden are in competition for the starting role at the newly created bandit position on the defensive line.
"I don't think there is any question that our defense will blossom," Thompson said. "We have several guys, especially on the defensive line, that got much, much better. We've moved some people around at linebacker and will be okay there. We've still got to keep getting better in the secondary, however."
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"We will rush from the secondary and every guy on our defense has a blitz responsibility at one time or another," Thompson said of his philosophy with the defensive backs. "Pass defense starts with putting pressure on the quarterback. If the quarterback is in the pocket and comfortable with no pressure, there isn't a secondary in the country that can stop you. But by changing some people up front and cutting them loose, we'll be a better pass rushing team. We've got to be a better cover team. We've played well in the secondary this spring, but were limited in how much progress was made because of some injuries to key players."
Special Teams
For the first time in several years, ECU is completely void of experience at both the punter and place-kicker positions heading into a season. Gone are reliable kicker Kevin Miller, who finished his career as the school's all-time leading scorer, and booming punter Jarad Preston, who finished among the nation's top dozen punters in each of the past two seasons.
The punting position was nailed down this past spring by redshirt freshman Ryan Dougherty, who came to ECU as a highly touted recruit prior to the 2002 season. An All-Florida punter in high school, Dougherty averaged 38 yards on five punts in the Spring Game.
The starting job at place-kicker is a toss-up heading into preseason drills. Thompson is looking for either Cameron Broadwell or Chris Baglio, both junior non-lettermen, to emerge with the consistent leg that Pirate fans have grown accustomed to in recent seasons.
"I really believe that we have the talent to get it done," the Pirate head coach said of his team's kicking game. "We just have to get consistent. It's going to take a lot of work from the guys that we have here. But we're also going to open it up. We may bring in some new kickers to see what can happen there. As anybody will know that watched us this spring, we were inconsistent. Some of that has to do with confidence. It's an area that is a major concern right now, but I really believe we're going to get it fixed."
Getting the ball to the newcomers will be lettermen Brandon Howard and Michael Yartin, who handled long and short snaps, respectively, last season. The Pirates also bring back their top punt and kick returners from a year ago as Terrance Copper, a preseason All C-USA pick, averaged 10.9 yards on punt returns and Damarcus Fox and Marvin Townes split kick return duties, averaging 22.4 and 21.7 yards, respectively.
Schedule
While one of the most intriguing schedules in school history will provide plenty of excitement among ECU fans, the slate is not particularly conducive to the gradual development and implementation of new systems and schemes.
The Pirates jump right into the Conference USA fire with a Labor Day (Sept. 1) opener at defending C-USA co-champ Cincinnati, which will be nationally televised by ESPN.
The opener is followed by back-to-back games against teams that were nationally ranked in the final 2002 poll?at home against No. 25 West Virginia and on the road at No. 2 Miami?then a trip to Wake Forest, a bowl team in '02 which has beaten the Pirates in each of the past two seasons.
Also included on the non-conference slate is an Oct. 11 home date with in-state rival North Carolina in the Tar Heels' first-ever visit to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The home slate is also highlighted by visits from two of the Pirates' biggest rivals in C-USA, Louisville (Oct. 25) and Southern Miss (Nov. 29), along with a nationally televised midweek game (Sept. 30) against Houston.
