Wes Pittman quietly continued to be one of the most consistent players on the East Carolina football team on Saturday, and in doing so continued to defy expectation.
In truth, the senior linebacker who is the odds-on favorite to start on the strong side for ECU this season has turned in a body of work throughout the entire offseason that has sort of erased the odds, good or bad, that the former walk-on wide receiver would make it as a starting linebacker.
Following another sharp performance in the Pirates? second scrimmage of August camp ? Pittman wrapped up four tackles on a day when the linebackers all chipped in their share of stops ? the Raleigh native treated it as just another day on the field.
?I?ve never played defense before so I?m taking every opportunity to show these coaches that it?s something I?m capable of,? said Pittman, who also registered a sack Saturday. ?Coaches have stressed that I don?t have a lot of experience on defense and that I need to treat every rep like a game rep, and that?s what I try to do.?
Fellow senior Melvin Patterson continued to use the lingering injury to starter Steve Spence as a means for polishing his own game at middle linebacker. Patterson made a team-high six tackles, while linebackers Dustin Lineback, Matt Thompson and Kyle Tudor each added four.
While he might never be comfortable with his starter status, Pittman seems to understand the drive and the commitment to basics that it took to get him there.
He also said he thinks it helps making his debut under a new coaching staff because it has leveled the playing field at every position.
?I was fortunate to come into a system where everyone learns together, as opposed to something that I had to learn on my own from everyone else,? Pittman said. ?We?re confident. We?re a fast defense, we can get to the ball, and we can make things happen.?
Powell power
As the Pirates? young defensive line continues to grow despite being riddled with injuries, one of the necessary ingredients for success will be sophomore end Marke Powell.
Like redshirt freshman Justin Dixon, Powell has made the full-time switch from linebacker to end, and despite being one of the slew of linemen with nagging injuries during the offseason, he feels poised to make an impact.
?I?m taking on a whole different role this year,? said Powell, who played as a true freshman last season. ?Last year I was back and forth between linebacker and the jack position. This year, I?m strictly a D-end.?
Under previous defensive coordinator Greg Hudson, players like Powell and Spence routinely played the jack position, moving up to the end spot in a pass rushing role. New coordinator Brian Mitchell is taking players like Powell and newcomer Dixon and keeping them at end.
While he admits it?s an adjustment, Powell said he thinks he?s found a home.
?Putting my hand on the ground is something I?m not used to, and it?s a work in progress,? Powell said. ?The toughest part for me is just coming off on every play and dealing with a 300-pound offensive lineman. That?s something I?m not used to at 215 pounds.?
In truth, the senior linebacker who is the odds-on favorite to start on the strong side for ECU this season has turned in a body of work throughout the entire offseason that has sort of erased the odds, good or bad, that the former walk-on wide receiver would make it as a starting linebacker.
Following another sharp performance in the Pirates? second scrimmage of August camp ? Pittman wrapped up four tackles on a day when the linebackers all chipped in their share of stops ? the Raleigh native treated it as just another day on the field.
?I?ve never played defense before so I?m taking every opportunity to show these coaches that it?s something I?m capable of,? said Pittman, who also registered a sack Saturday. ?Coaches have stressed that I don?t have a lot of experience on defense and that I need to treat every rep like a game rep, and that?s what I try to do.?
Fellow senior Melvin Patterson continued to use the lingering injury to starter Steve Spence as a means for polishing his own game at middle linebacker. Patterson made a team-high six tackles, while linebackers Dustin Lineback, Matt Thompson and Kyle Tudor each added four.
While he might never be comfortable with his starter status, Pittman seems to understand the drive and the commitment to basics that it took to get him there.
He also said he thinks it helps making his debut under a new coaching staff because it has leveled the playing field at every position.
?I was fortunate to come into a system where everyone learns together, as opposed to something that I had to learn on my own from everyone else,? Pittman said. ?We?re confident. We?re a fast defense, we can get to the ball, and we can make things happen.?
Powell power
As the Pirates? young defensive line continues to grow despite being riddled with injuries, one of the necessary ingredients for success will be sophomore end Marke Powell.
Like redshirt freshman Justin Dixon, Powell has made the full-time switch from linebacker to end, and despite being one of the slew of linemen with nagging injuries during the offseason, he feels poised to make an impact.
?I?m taking on a whole different role this year,? said Powell, who played as a true freshman last season. ?Last year I was back and forth between linebacker and the jack position. This year, I?m strictly a D-end.?
Under previous defensive coordinator Greg Hudson, players like Powell and Spence routinely played the jack position, moving up to the end spot in a pass rushing role. New coordinator Brian Mitchell is taking players like Powell and newcomer Dixon and keeping them at end.
While he admits it?s an adjustment, Powell said he thinks he?s found a home.
?Putting my hand on the ground is something I?m not used to, and it?s a work in progress,? Powell said. ?The toughest part for me is just coming off on every play and dealing with a 300-pound offensive lineman. That?s something I?m not used to at 215 pounds.?
