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East Carolina Pirates (2000: 8-4) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programSteve Logan has a good thing going at East Carolina. Almost every year, his name pops up for an opening at a high-profile school. One of these days, the Pirates' 10th-year coach may leave, but only if he's sure it's the right move to make.Until then, Logan will keep building one of the most solid programs in Conference USA. "I was involved in a job last year that people are suddenly talking a million dollars a year," Logan said. "I was involved in one of those jobs. I really don't want to say which one. I don't think that helps them or me. The point I'm trying to make is I've got a good job here, but the economics from time to time may be the issue that make me do something else later in my career." East Carolina would do well to keep Logan on board. On his way to becoming the winningest coach in school history, Logan has knocked off some pretty good teams along the way. Perhaps his biggest victory was over Miami in 1999. Last season, East Carolina beat Syracuse and was the only team in Conference USA to beat Louisville and Southern Mississippi. Logan took the Pirates to their second straight bowl game, beating Texas Tech, 40-27, in the first galleryfurniture.com Bowl. Through all his success, however, Logan has not been able to win the Conference USA title in ECU's four years in the league. The Pirates finished in a four-way tie for second in 1999, finished fourth in '98 and third in '97. With the return of senior quarterback David Garrard, the Pirates seem poised to make another run at the conference title. Will it be their breakout year, the year they give Logan the elusive league title? Perhaps. In any case, look for Logan's name to surface again in the off-season when some high-profile positions come open.
OffenseIn three years at East Carolina, Garrard (6-1, 249) has become one of the most feared quarterbacks in Conference USA. Logan has made a habit of putting good quarterbacks on the field in his nine years with the program, and Garrard could be the best of the bunch.Last year, Garrard moved into second on East Carolina's career passing yardage list (6,782) and is second in career touchdown passes (47) and completions (502). He may end his career with those school records to go with his record for total offense, which stood at 7,787 yards after the 2000 season. Senior fullback Leonard Henry (6-1, 197) is coming off his best season as a Pirate, and it earned him the team's most-improved offensive player award. Henry led the team with 711 rushing yards and was chosen to the all-conference second team. Sure, the Pirates lost their top three receivers, Keith Stokes, Marcellus Harris and tight end Rashon Burns, but Logan isn't about to push the panic button. The three players combined for 72 catches, 1,184 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Arnie Powell (6-5, 214) and Aaron Morris (6-0, 183) are the leading returning receivers. Both had 12 catches last season. Powell, a senior, had 218 receiving yards, averaged 18.2 yards per catch and caught two touchdown passes. Morris, a junior, had 149 yards and caught a touchdown pass. This year's line has some experience, but is still young. Senior left guard Aaron Walker (6-1, 303) started all 12 games last season and senior right guard Chris Nelson (6-5, 314) started the last five games of the season.
Defense and special teamsGone are two down linemen, tackle Devone Claybrooks and nose guard Mbayo Ahmadu, but Logan's rotation system assured their backups of enough experience.Two fifth-year seniors, Ty Hunt (6-4, 270) and Chris Howell (6-2, 295), should anchor the line. Same as last season, the Pirate linebackers are the backbone of the team, with two-time all-conference player Pernell Griffin leading the way. Griffin (6-1, 253), a senior, led the team in tackles last season for the second straight season despite playing just eight games because of a knee injury. He made 87 total tackles, including three for loss, recovered three fumbles and forced a fumble. Junior twin brothers Antwan and Anthony Adams will be key players in the secondary, although both may not be in the starting lineup. Antwan Adams (5-11, 176) should be the starter at free safety, while Anthony Adams (5-11, 188) will battle junior Jerome Steward (5-8, 182) for the starting job at strong safety. One of the biggest tasks for Logan will be replacing Stokes, a multi-talented player. Stokes was not only the Pirates' leading receiver but also their top punt and kick returner. He averaged 15.4 yards on 27 punt returns, scoring one touchdown, and averaged 21.0 yards on 24 kick returns with a long return of 52 yards.
Bottom lineLed by the return of Garrard, the Pirates should contend for the conference title again this season. Although five starters are gone from the offense, the Pirates have plenty of guys who were backups last year waiting for their chance to start.The defense should be better than last year's, which ranked fifth in C-USA in total defense. Griffin is an All-America candidate and he has a solid group around him. Once again, the Pirates will be better than OK. After coming close to a C-USA title last season, they could give Logan that elusive championship this season. |
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