COMMENTS (8)
Skip Holtz news conferece

Changes coming for Pirates

Pinkney, Kass will rotate at QB

By Nathan Summers
The Daily Reflector

Monday, October 13, 2008

Changes are coming to the East Carolina football team, losers of three consecutive games.

Head coach Skip Holtz promised at Monday’s weekly press conference — which came on the heels of last Saturday’s 35-20 setback at Virginia — the position battles would be heated at numerous spots on the team’s depth chart as the 3-3 Pirates prepare for Saturday’s noon home kickoff with Memphis.

The changes start at the top. Holtz said the team would resume the two-quarterback system the Pirates utilized with great success in last season’s memorable 8-5 finish.

That means season-long starter Patrick Pinkney (1,213 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions) will be reunited in a rotation with junior Rob Kass.

“Rob will definitely play,” Holtz said of the junior who last season threw for 1,164 yards and nine touchdowns after playing in 10 games and starting seven.

Holtz said what kind of rotation the quarterbacks will play — last season Kass and Pinkney alternated by play sometimes, by drive others and often by half — will be determined this week in practice.

Pinkney, a senior, has been the starter since spring practice.

“I think Patrick is the captain and an upperclassman who’s really played well, and you want to be loyal to Patrick for what he’s done for this program,” Holtz said. “But if we’re turning the ball over (Pinkney has lost five fumbles) and we’re not following the plan, then we’ve got to look at what our other options are.

“Right now, it’s very difficult to look at Rob in the eye ... and tell him that he doesn’t deserve an opportunity. I just don’t know at this point what the rotation is going to be.”

While Pinkney has been a catalyst during ECU’s three victories, the team’s losing streak has been characterized by an increasingly stagnant offense.

At Virginia, the Pirate defense swiped a pair of first half interceptions, but the offense settled for two field goals despite opportune field position both times.

“We just couldn’t get into the end zone,” Holtz said.

The quarterback change is one of many which Holtz said he’s open to trying in attempt to rekindle the spirit that carried the team to a 3-0 start.

Other areas that could stand to see changes, according to Holtz, are the offensive line, the wide receiver corps and the secondary.

Jamar Bryant status

Holtz confirmed previous reports that the indefinite suspension of wide receiver Jamar Bryant would carry through at least the end of the 2008 season.

Bryant, who was second on the team with 19 catches for 216 yards and a team-high three touchdowns, was suspended last week prior to the game in Charlottesville, Va.

“Not this year,” Holtz said in regard to Bryant’s return. “There are some variables that go into play. There are some things that Jamar has to continue to do. There are some benchmarks that he has to be able to hit in order to remain a part of this football team.”

Aching corners

A Pirate defensive secondary that was burned a handful of times by Virginia quarterback Marc Verica and the Cavs’ receivers and tight ends will likely have to take on Memphis without senior starting cornerback Jerek Hewett.

Fellow starter Dekota Marshall, a sophomore, will likely play pending his recovery this week after both players suffered shoulder injuries at Virginia.

Freshman Emmanuel Davis, who has excelled with 15 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in limited duty, will play a larger role on Marshall’s side, and sophomores Travis Simmons and Darryl Reynolds will likely divide all of the snaps on Hewett’s side.

“I think Jerek Hewett is doubtful,” Holtz said. “It would be a blow to us, (losing) our only senior at corner ... you’re potentially going to play this game with a full field of freshman and sophomore cornerbacks, which isn’t exactly the way you’d like it.”

Also questionable for the divisional Conference USA clash with the Tigers is senior left tackle Stanley Bryant, who is nearing a return from the knee injury that’s kept him out since the first half at Tulane Sept. 13.

Junior defensive end Scotty Robinson remains doubtful with his toe injury, while linemate Khalif Mitchell has been upgraded to probable with his toe injury. Joining him as probable for Memphis are senior end Marcus Hands (back) and sophomore fullback Kevin Gidrey (thumb surgery).

Contact Nathan Summers at nsummers@coxnc.com, or (252) 329-9595.