ECU Football Preseason Camp Notebook #3
August 07, 2005 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. - For the first time this season, East Carolina headed out for its daily afternoon practice session wearing shoulder pads before the Pirates completed their third workout of the preseason camp at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Sunday.
After attending an early morning church service at the Ward Sports Medicine Building, the Pirates conducted a one-hour walk-through which was broken down into 20-minute sessions covering special teams, individual work and offensive and defensive team drills.
Head coach Skip Holtz and staff followed by guiding ECU through a traditional three-hour practice which emphasized all facets of offensive and defensive team work, including repetitions with the Pirates' new base schemes and alignments. ECU closed the workout with a 30-minute simulated scrimmage which was highlighted by strong play from the defensive unit early. Junior quarterback James Pinkney completed a position-high six passes during the drill while senior linebacker Richard Koonce recorded an interception midway through the action.
"Again, I liked the excitement and enthusiasm but we need to learn to channel the energy into the team a little better," said Holtz. "Today (with shoulder pads) was a good start, but I can't wait until we begin playing football again with full pads. I feel like we've spent the past few days evaluating a flag football team."
The Pirates will spend Monday's workout in shoulder pads and shorts before putting on full gear for the first time Tuesday afternoon.
NOTES: Senior offensive tackle James Myrick has announced his retirement from active status but will remain with the program as a student assistant coach ? Myrick, who suffered a grisly season-ending ankle injury during practice last Nov. 3 prior to the Houston game, had hoped to return to the depth chart this year, but because of the severity of the injury, rehabilitation efforts have not been as productive as hoped for ? Only two Pirates have missed full workouts thus far because of injuries ? SS Mickey McCoy (ankle) and OL Paul Walsh (ankle) ? T Chris Sellers, G Gary Freeman, C Drew Sutton, G Trey Magee and T Eric Graham all worked among the offensive line's top unit Sunday ? Senior WR Bryson Bowling suffered a right ring finger injury halfway through the practice and will be evaluated further Monday morning ? Junior Pat Dosh was moved over to the middle linebacking position Sunday after opening camp as one of the Pirates' outside linebackers ? ECU currently has six candidates rotating in and out at the quarterback position with juniors James Pinkney and Kort Shankweiler, redshirt freshmen Davon Drew and Patrick Pinkney, and true freshmen Brett Clay and Rob Kass ? All but three of the Pirates' 23-member 2005 signing class reported for camp ? OL Bryan Gibson (Fairfield, Ohio), OL Larry Lease (North Fort Myers, Fla.) and DE Johnnie McCoy (Fayetteville, N.C.) are expected to enroll at ECU in January, 2006 ... Monday's Practice Time: 3:00 p.m. ? 6:00 p.m.; Season Opener: Sept. 3 vs. Duke (1:00 p.m.)
TICKET INFORMATION
2005 East Carolina Football tickets are currently available online at www.ECUPirates.com or at the ECU Athletics Ticket Office (adjacent to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium) from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reserved season ticket packages can be purchased for $125.00 (reserved), $100.00 (faculty/staff), $100.00 (economy plan) and $75.00 (graduate plan) while single game tickets can also be obtained for $25.00 (adults) and $15.00 (12 and under). To reserve your seats, please call (252) 328-4500 or 1-800-DIAL-ECU.
