Pirates Kick Off 2011 With First Practice
August 05, 2011 | Football
Aug. 5, 2011
Post-Practice Interviews
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina Head Football Coach Ruffin McNeill officially opened his second season leading the Pirates by conducting the team's initial workout of the 2011 campaign Friday afternoon at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex.
ECU will follow Friday's practice, which was conducted in shorts and helmets, with single workouts through Tuesday, Aug. 9, before turning in the first of four scheduled two-a-day periods next Wednesday.
"There was normal first-day excitement and nervousness," McNeill said. "It's great for us as coaches to get around the players and see all the progress they've made during the off season."
The Pirates are slated to put on shoulder pads for the first time Sunday before following with full gear Tuesday per NCAA rules. ECU's preseason practice schedule closes Sept. 3 when the Pirates host Southeastern Conference foe South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The 7:00 p.m. contest will be broadcast regionally on FSCarolinas.
East Carolina began Friday with a 6:30 a.m. conditioning test conducted by Assistant Athletics Director for Strength and Conditioning Jeff Connors.
"The team did great," McNeill said. "The guys were physically prepared and the test went fantastically. I'm blessed to have Coach Connors and his staff here."
For the afternoon practice period, the Pirates focused on tempo and schematic understanding. Unlike last fall when the players had just one spring period under McNeill and his staff, this season's group has had a full year to learn from the current coaches so the comfort level is much higher.
"Our tempo was much better than a year ago and it will improve each day," McNeill added. "All of our quarterbacks, Dominique Davis, Brad Wornick, Rio Johnson, Shane Carden and Cody Keith, have been exposed to the offense. I'm expecting the offense to be much faster and quicker, as is [offensive coordinator] Lincoln Riley.
"Defensively, I thought we picked up very well from where we left off in the spring."
Prior to a Saturday afternoon workout, the Pirates will conduct their annual media day activities inside the Murphy Center. McNeill will provide his annual season-opening address that will outline the latest roster additions and deletions, personnel status and possible position changes.
Notes
Freshman offensive lineman Michael Jenkins, who prepped at nearby Farmville Central High School, replaced Anthony Garrett on the 105-man roster. Garrett is still rehabbing from a right knee injury suffered August 11 during last year's fall camp ... Junior defensive back Cody Lyon was also added to the 105.
2011 ECU OFFENSE ... AT-A-GLANCE
Scheme: Spread
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 20/14
2010 Rushing Offense: 118.9 (99/10)
2010 Passing Offense: 318.7 (8/2)
2010 Total Offense: 437.6 (25/4)
2010 Scoring Offense: 36.7 (16/4)
() National/Conference USA rank
2011 ECU DEFENSE ... AT-A-GLANCE
Scheme: 3-4
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 23/12
2010 Rushing Defense: 226.7 (117/12)
2010 Passing Defense: 252.1 (107/9)
2010 Total Defense: 478.8 (120/12)
2010 Scoring Defense: 44.0 (119/12)
() National/Conference USA rank
2011 ECU SPECIAL TEAMS ... AT-A-GLANCE
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/2
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 4/2
2010 Field Goals/Game Average: 1.23 (42/2)
2010 Net Punting Average: 36.2 (68/7)
2010 Kickoff Return Average: 20.2 (95/10)
2010 Punt Return Average: 10.8 (30/6)
() National/Conference USA rank
