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UCF midweek update
East Carolina’s defense has been trying to do more with less lately, and it seems to have quietly been working.
Many times this season, the Pirates have lined up for battle in their nickel defense, leaving senior Pierre Bell and junior Nick Johnson as the only linebackers on the field so the Pirates can load up on defensive backs.
It can be a little stressful for that tandem, especially when an opponent runs instead of passing against the big secondary, but both linebackers have excelled as loners in the middle.
“When we add another DB to the mix, it just gives me and Nick another chance to make plays,” said Bell, who has combined with Johnson to make 94 total tackles and rank second and third in that regard on the team. “It adds a lot more speed to the field, especially in our league.
“All teams want to do is sling it around in these weird formations. The added speed just helps us get to the ball faster.”
The duo has also made 13 combined tackles for loss, a couple of interceptions, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and forced two fumbles.
Johnson said the nickel look is something he Bell are suited to doing, especially against the tall and fast teams of Conference USA.
Return of J.R.
According to ECU head coach Skip Holtz, one of the rescues for the running game in the absence of Jonathan Williams could be junior J.R. Rogers, who has recovered from a nagging high ankle sprain that limited him since August camp.
Although he is stuck behind sophomore Norman Whitley and senior Brandon Simmons on the depth chart, Rogers has steadily been picking up steam in practice. With Williams out of the picture with an indefinite suspension, Holtz said Rogers is emerging.
“I don’t know if it’s because he’s got his legs under him now, but he comes out here and he’s quick … and he’s bringing an excitement and an enthusiasm,” Holtz said of Rogers, a Raleigh native who transferred to ECU in 2006 from California’s Bakersfield Community College. “He’s waited, coming from a junior college to sitting out and redshirting last year and then getting injured and having to wait through six or seven games.”
Comments
By Darcy
February 13, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
Excuse me. When we lose one we love, our bitterest tears are called forth by the memory of hours when we loved not enough. I am from Republic and now study English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “I had trouble satisfying my wife after years of marriage, but I now know that I am a capable lover.”
With best wishes :-(, Darcy.