Pirates Complete Last Spring Practice Session
April 13, 2005 | Football
Spring Notebook No. 14
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina wrapped up the practice portion of its spring schedule in less than ideal weather conditions Wednesday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, working for two hours in a steady rain and temperatures hovering in the mid-40s.
While the lively full-pad session completed the Pirates' weekday workout slate, it also served as a final tune-up for the annual Purple-Gold Spring Game scheduled for Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Head coach Skip Holtz and staff will conduct a player draft to select roster positions for the contest Thursday. The draft will feature Holtz and assistant coaches choosing players off the top three units with alternating picks before placing the remaining players on both squads to even out the teams.
Holtz also indicated the format of the scrimmage will resemble a true game as much as possible with the utilization of a game clock throughout all four quarters with live hitting permitted on all positions depending on the game-day injury situation. The only exception to the norm will be the elimination of kickoff, punting and return situations. If the defense stops an offensive drive, an automatic 40-yard change of possession location will be instituted. Furthermore, despite the limited personnel in the kicking game, the Pirates will attempt all extra-point and field goal tries.
"All of the injuries have really thinned us out," Holtz said. "To be honest, we have our work cut out for us to simply put teams together for Saturday. On the other hand, those injuries have opened the door for a lot of guys who have made the most of the situation and been true success stories this spring."
In addition to a handful of players who have sat out the entire spring season with injuries, Holtz cited quarterback Davon Drew (arm), linebacker Chris Moore (hamstring), linebacker Pierre Bell (tailbone) and punter Ryan Dougherty (ill) among others as questionable heading into Saturday's action.
Along with the game and festivities of the two-day Pirate Purple/Gold Pigskin Pigout Party, many former Pirate greats and current or retired National Football League performers such as Ernest Byner, David Garrard, Robert Jones and Vinson Smith will be in Greenville this weekend and present at the game.
"In all, it has been a productive spring," Holtz continued. "I wish we could start at this point again next Monday because I think everyone has got a really good grasp of what we're trying do. Other than the injuries, we just started to hit our stride."
Tickets, which are priced at $4.00 for the contest or $8.00 with the addition of a plate of bar-b-que from the Pirate Purple/Gold Pigskin Pigout Party, can be purchased at the ECU Athletics Ticket Office or by calling (252) 328-4500 locally or (800) DIAL-ECU outside the Greenville area. The price increases to $10 for both entities Saturday.
