Dog Days Challenge Pirates
August 13, 2019 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Welcome to the Jungle, indeed.
If any of the Pirates harbored thoughts of easing into practice on a tropical Tuesday morning, they quickly pushed them aside as the Guns N' Roses classic blared through the speakers and ECU Head Coach Mike Houston's repeated whistle blasts grabbed their attention.
It was time for the untimid three-on-three drill as linemen squared off helmet-to-helmet with the quarterback and running back behind them. The remaining players formed a gauntlet on both sides, encouraging their respective units to come out on top.
The offense charged, the defense swarmed and everyone was fully engaged.
"The energy you need for that drill gets you going and sets the tone for the rest of practice," Houston said. "We have to play with a lot of intensity, a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm to compete at a high level and get the most out of our ability."
The Pirates split into their usual position groups, working on the usual techniques followed by the usual seven-on-seven, then full team situations. Rinse and repeat to prepare for the season-opener at NC State in less than three weeks.
"It's like 'Groundhog Day' every day out here now," Houston said. "I promise you every single player is hurting right now. None of them feel good because we are pushing as hard as we can out here. It's taking some decision making on their part to keep pushing because the alternative is tapping out, which we don't want.
"I'm very proud of the way the team stuck together and rallied around each other today. There was a point in practice where it was make it or break it with the heat and fatigue, but not only did we finish, we excelled during our red zone and special teams segments at the end of practice. I'm very encouraged by our effort and determination today."
Houston noted the defense's continued progress the last two practices. The Pirates have some depth at the inside linebacker position with juniors Bruce Bivens and Aaron Ramseur, along with sophomores Xavier Smith and Myles Berry.
Byron Thweatt is their position coach. He was on Houston's staff at James Madison in 2016 and 2017, but spent last year in Huntington, W.Va. as the linebackers coach at Marshall.
"I felt like I needed experience at the FBS level," Thweatt (rhymes with Sweet) said. "I've been with Coach Trott and Coach Hanson for a long time and I had to come back home when the opportunity came up."
Thweatt earned All-ACC honors all four years he played at Virginia under legendary coach George Welsh. He coaching career started in Charlottesville after NFL stints with Tampa Bay, Tennessee and NFL Europe. Thweatt was also the head coach at Virginia State in 2015, learning and refining his defensive system at every stop.
"It's a space game these days," Thweatt said. Nobody lines up and knocks it down your throat anymore, they all line up trying to spread the field. We are working on keying on the receiver or running back's back hip so we can wrap and roll when we tackle in space."
Smith led the defense in tackles during Saturday's scrimmage after 11 appearances and two starts at tight end his freshmen year. The new coaching staff switched him to linebacker upon their arrival.
"We recruited him at James Madison as an inside linebacker, so I was surprised when we got here to see that he was on offense," Thweatt said. "He is a natural linebacker with instincts, good hands and a good tackler. He can dominate in this defense."
Bivens missed spring practice with an injury, but has impressed the new coaches with a solid camp so far.
"Bruce brings toughness and tenacity to the group," Thweatt added. "He's making the defensive calls and checks. The guys follow his lead. Aaron Ramseur has also improved a lot. He's the most athletic of the group, and once the game continues to slow down for him, the sky is the limit."
Pre-season camp continues the rest of the week with the second and final scrimmage Saturday morning before the team conducts its on-campus media day during the afternoon and later enjoys the annual fan-favorite 'Meet The Pirates' event with the general public from 4-8 p.m.
-Steve Barnes
If any of the Pirates harbored thoughts of easing into practice on a tropical Tuesday morning, they quickly pushed them aside as the Guns N' Roses classic blared through the speakers and ECU Head Coach Mike Houston's repeated whistle blasts grabbed their attention.
It was time for the untimid three-on-three drill as linemen squared off helmet-to-helmet with the quarterback and running back behind them. The remaining players formed a gauntlet on both sides, encouraging their respective units to come out on top.
The offense charged, the defense swarmed and everyone was fully engaged.
"The energy you need for that drill gets you going and sets the tone for the rest of practice," Houston said. "We have to play with a lot of intensity, a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm to compete at a high level and get the most out of our ability."
The Pirates split into their usual position groups, working on the usual techniques followed by the usual seven-on-seven, then full team situations. Rinse and repeat to prepare for the season-opener at NC State in less than three weeks.
"It's like 'Groundhog Day' every day out here now," Houston said. "I promise you every single player is hurting right now. None of them feel good because we are pushing as hard as we can out here. It's taking some decision making on their part to keep pushing because the alternative is tapping out, which we don't want.
"I'm very proud of the way the team stuck together and rallied around each other today. There was a point in practice where it was make it or break it with the heat and fatigue, but not only did we finish, we excelled during our red zone and special teams segments at the end of practice. I'm very encouraged by our effort and determination today."
Houston noted the defense's continued progress the last two practices. The Pirates have some depth at the inside linebacker position with juniors Bruce Bivens and Aaron Ramseur, along with sophomores Xavier Smith and Myles Berry.
Byron Thweatt is their position coach. He was on Houston's staff at James Madison in 2016 and 2017, but spent last year in Huntington, W.Va. as the linebackers coach at Marshall.
"I felt like I needed experience at the FBS level," Thweatt (rhymes with Sweet) said. "I've been with Coach Trott and Coach Hanson for a long time and I had to come back home when the opportunity came up."
Thweatt earned All-ACC honors all four years he played at Virginia under legendary coach George Welsh. He coaching career started in Charlottesville after NFL stints with Tampa Bay, Tennessee and NFL Europe. Thweatt was also the head coach at Virginia State in 2015, learning and refining his defensive system at every stop.
"It's a space game these days," Thweatt said. Nobody lines up and knocks it down your throat anymore, they all line up trying to spread the field. We are working on keying on the receiver or running back's back hip so we can wrap and roll when we tackle in space."
Smith led the defense in tackles during Saturday's scrimmage after 11 appearances and two starts at tight end his freshmen year. The new coaching staff switched him to linebacker upon their arrival.
"We recruited him at James Madison as an inside linebacker, so I was surprised when we got here to see that he was on offense," Thweatt said. "He is a natural linebacker with instincts, good hands and a good tackler. He can dominate in this defense."
Bivens missed spring practice with an injury, but has impressed the new coaches with a solid camp so far.
"Bruce brings toughness and tenacity to the group," Thweatt added. "He's making the defensive calls and checks. The guys follow his lead. Aaron Ramseur has also improved a lot. He's the most athletic of the group, and once the game continues to slow down for him, the sky is the limit."
Pre-season camp continues the rest of the week with the second and final scrimmage Saturday morning before the team conducts its on-campus media day during the afternoon and later enjoys the annual fan-favorite 'Meet The Pirates' event with the general public from 4-8 p.m.
-Steve Barnes
Players Mentioned
Inside Linebacker
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Inside Linebacker
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Inside Linebacker
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Inside Linebacker
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Tuesday, April 07
