Topic: Gazette: Secondary is primary concern for ECU, Herd

[ZackUSAF82]

By Doug Smock
Staff writer

HUNTINGTON — May the least shell-shocked secondary win.

When Marshall welcomes East Carolina to Joan C. Edwards Stadium this week, the contest will pit two teams that have given up their share of passing yardage.

Then again, this is Conference USA. So what else is new?

East Carolina is not only is leading the East Division, it would play host to the championship game by beating Marshall and then Tulane in two weeks. But pass defense isn’t necessarily playing a big role.

The Pirates (6-4 overall, 5-1 C-USA) are giving up 302.1 passing yards per game, 10th in the league. Some of the bigger games against them:

• Last week, Memphis’ Martin Hankins threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns in ECU’s 56-40 win. The Tigers had two 100-yard receivers and another with 80 yards.

• In the Pirates’ last loss, 34-20 to North Carolina State, Daniel Evans struck for 335 yards and three touchdowns.

• In ECU’s 45-42 overtime win at Texas-El Paso, the Miners’ Trevor Vittatoe threw for 409 yards and three touchdowns, with backup Lorne Sam completing two for 47 more yards.

• Houston’s Blake Joseph and Case Keenum combined for 345 yards and three touchdowns. ECU won anyway 37-35.

• West Virginia threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns as the Mountaineers racked up 599 total yards in a 48-7 laugher.

Link: http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/Marshall/2007110636

[Green Dog]

Personally, I would like to see a little more emphasis put on the LB's making a tackle instead of stating the DB's need to tackle better.

How about a lineman making a tackle? It actually happens at other schools.

What happened to the attacking style defense we were promised when Dunlap was hired? We still play 10+ yards off the WR's no matter of down or distance. Kinda hard to play run support when the CB's are spread out and 15 yards deep in the backfield. Makes third downs absolutely laughable too.

Dunlap has not been as advertised. Dissapointing in a word.

Injuries? Sure, but we have been healthy (minus AM) the last few games with the same results

[goherd17]

Did you forget about Glasco being out?  we have a walkon playing one of the DT spots

[marshallisqbu]

Why do we have a walk-on playing at DT, along with other people not suited for the position?  Oh, that's right, because Snyder and Co. in all their brilliance only brought in two eligible DT's this year, one juco and one freshman that has underwhelmed. 

[Green Dog]

Did you forget about Glasco being out?  we have a walkon playing one of the DT spots

Yes, I sure did. But... Do we know if Glasco would/will make a real difference?

I haven't seen him play enough, so honestly have no idea if he's a player or not.

I know we need upgrades at talent in many positions but I still think these kids could be much better with the right coaching. I honestly thought we would see improvement with the Dunlap hire. I thought he would be able to compensate for the lack of talent with gameplanning/strategy/philosophy.

So far, its been nothing but dissapointment for me. Same ol' same ol'.

[goherd17]

Dont blame snyder for not having DT's.  If you remember we have not had a good DT since G. Mercer and when was that? 

[marshallisqbu]

Whether or not they were pro DT's, we always had enough of them.  Now we are playing an offensive tackle, a former TE, a walk-on, and a DE at the position.

[hookem herd]

Dont blame snyder for not having DT's.  If you remember we have not had a good DT since G. Mercer and when was that? 

I do blame him. He should not have waited until year three of HIS recruiting to recruit some. Everybody on this board could see the potential problem. At what point is it his fault.