The Pirates didn’t always sail smooth waters last season but in the end, coach Skip Holtz’s team collected some serious booty — a 9–5 record and the team’s first conference championship in 32 years — and did it by plundering and pillaging opposing offenses. East Carolina ranked in the nation’s top 30 in eight different statistical categories, including scoring defense (21.1), most interceptions (22) and turnovers gained (33). The Pirates knocked off BCS bad-boys Virginia Tech and West Virginia and had Kentucky walking the plank in the Liberty Bowl before faltering. And with a young, deep roster, Holtz hasn’t just built these Pirates for a short raid but for a long voyage.

Quarterbacks

The Pirates got some good news when the NCAA granted Patrick Pinkney’s request for a sixth season. He missed all of 2005 with a shoulder injury but came back and shouldered a heavy load last year with a 61 percent completion percentage, 2,675 yards and 13 touchdowns passing. He’s backed by senior Rob Kass, who was serious enough about winning the job that he reported to camp 20 pounds lighter.

Running backs

The biggest questions are in the backfield, but they could all be answered if junior Jonathan Williams is back with the team. He ran into some off-the-field legal issues and was suspended indefinitely during last season. Williams’ 5.1 yards- per-rush average led the team. Junior Norman Whitley led the team with 698 yards, but he has his own issues to resolve and wasn’t with the team in the spring. Kentucky transfer Brandon Jackson was the top runner in the spring, but seniors J.R. Rodgers and Dominique Lindsay could be in the mix, too. Lindsay was the frontrunner in the spring of 2008 before he was felled by a knee injury.

Receivers

The receiving corps should be a strength for ECU. The versatile Dwayne Harris is back from the foot injury that knocked him out of the last four games in 2008, though he still caught 58 passes. Alex Taylor emerged on the other side with 23 grabs for 13.5 yards per catch, and rising sophomore Darryl Freeney averaged an impressive 16.0 yards per catch. He had 112 yards in the Liberty Bowl, including an 80-yard score. Graduated tight end Davon Drew will be one of ECU’s biggest losses. Junior Kevin Gidrey, another hybrid tight end/fullback, takes over.

Offensive linemen

If Doug Palmer, who sat out in the spring for disciplinary reasons, returns at guard, the entire offensive front is intact from last season. The unit helped produce four 100-yard rushing games by three players and allowed one sack or fewer in eight games. Holtz still put a premium on protecting the passer in the spring. Second-team All-Conference USA selection Sean Allen is solid, and tackle Terence Campbell led the team with 53 knockdown blocks.

Defensive linemen

First-team All-C-USA pick C.J. Wilson and his 10.5 sacks are back, and he’ll be on NFL scouts’ radar this fall. His 18.5 tackles for a loss tied for the C-USA lead. The Pirates are also stout up the middle with honorable mention All-C-USA defensive tackles Jay Ross and big Linval Joseph. If senior Scotty Robinson can step back in as a starter opposite Wilson, the Pirates might not miss a beat up front, and that’s a frightening proposition.

Linebackers

Nick Johnson, the team leader with 102 tackles, is back in the middle of a mostly undersized but quick linebacking corps. Veteran Jeremy Chambliss returns on one side and has the size (235 pounds) that his cohorts lack. Former defensive back and special teams standout Chris Mattocks won the other job in the spring. Sophomore Cliff Perryman will play on the outside, too, and you have to root for junior walk-on Dustin Lineback, just on principle.

Defensive backs

Senior all-conference free safety Van Eskridge headlines a strong, deep, ball-hawking secondary. Eskridge was third on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions. Dekota Marshall mans one corner, while Travis Simmons, who came on strong late, and sophomore Emanuel Davis duel for the other spot. Davis had four interceptions and made several Freshman All-America teams. Sophomore Devon Wallace steps in at strong safety on a unit that had 22 interceptions and was second in C-USA in pass defense (197.2 ypg).

Specialists

The kicking game is in good hands, uh, feet with seniors Ben Hartman and Matt Dodge. Hartman set a school record with 21 field goals while Dodge ranked 14th nationally with a 43.9-yard punt average. ECU’s special teams should again be strong. Remember, the Pirates beat Virginia Tech with a blocked punt for a score.

This preview appears in the 2009 Athlon Sports Southeastern Magazine. Click here to order yours today.

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