ECU Football Preseason Camp Notebook #5
August 09, 2005 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? After preparing for its first full-pad workout with four introductory sessions to open preseason camp, a strong mid-afternoon thunderstorm delayed East Carolina's practice for another 90 minutes, but once the Pirates opened their drills at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, the intensity remained the same.
After being cleared to begin work when lightning left the area, the Pirates turned in a spirited two-and-a-half hour practice which completed first-year head coach Skip Holtz' final installation process. ECU wrapped up the workout with another 30-minute team session that produced a 19-of-32 combined passing effort by quarterbacks James Pinkney, Kort Shankweiler, Rob Kass and Brett Clay.
"I can't ask for anymore intensity and I think we're learning how to practice together in earnest," said Holtz. "This was the last day of installation so now we can move ahead to our two-a-day schedule where the challenges become greater"
Holtz also indicated that the top three Pirate quarterback candidates would be identified by rank prior to the start of practice Wednesday morning in order to increase the amount of repetitions for each player during the remainder of camp.
"We need to zero in on the quarterback position," Holtz explained. "I want to be in a situation to say who our No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 players are and move ahead to get those guys ready to play a game in less than 25 days."
The Pirates will work in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets during the scheduled two-hour morning session before returning to full gear in the afternoon.
NOTES: Holtz also recognized the performance of his freshmen class at the close of practice Tuesday, saying that "they have surpassed all expectations thus far" ? Kass (5-of-10), Clay (5-of-9), Shankweiler (5-of-5) and Pinkney (4-of-8) helped the offensive unit gain a slight upper hand during the team portion of the workout ? One of Clay's completions was a 55-yard effort ? On the other hand, key defensive plays were turned in by Herman Best (interception), Travis Williams (interception) and Matt Newman (fumble recovery) ? ECU also worked briefly on its two-minute offense with all levels of the depth chart during the closing stages of the simulated scrimmage ? Junior receivers Brian Howard and Will Bland each caught a pair of passes ? After heading into their first two-a-day practices, the Pirates will begin preparing for the preseason camp's first intra-squad scrimmage scheduled for Saturday afternoon ? The contest, closed to the public, will be followed later in the evening by a public event - the annual "Meet The Pirates" Night at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium ? Wednesday's Practice Times: 8:45 a.m. ? 10:50 a.m. & 3:50 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.
