ECU was whipped in the Military Bowl by Maryland, allowing 51 points to the Terps, in what was a microcosm of their season -- a fast start erased by a defense that was too porous and an offense that simply couldn't keep pace. East Carolina ended its season at 6-7, and lost a third consecutive bowl game.
"We were able to do some things that were overlooked at times. We qualified for a postseason bowl. There are a lot of teams that would like to go to a bowl but cannot. East Carolina, our university and our program was able to. I don't take those games lightly," said McNeill. "Are we satisfied with that? No. We came here to win championships. That's the first thing I told Coach Holland and his group. We came here to win championships."
2011 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: Dominique Davis had monster numbers out of the Texas Tech spread offense in 2010, throwing for 3,967 yards and 37 touchdowns, and completing nearly 65 percent of his passes. But those numbers aren't the only reason Davis is on the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien Award watch lists this preseason. He's multi-dimensional, scoring nine rushing touchdowns last year and asserting himself as one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the country.
"The coaches and talent we have in this league are very impressive. We have an outstanding group of quarterbacks in Conference USA, including the one right here in Greenville in Dominique Davis. It reminds me of the year in the Big 12, when Graham Harrell, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy were there," said McNeill.
Davis has back his two of his top three receivers from a year ago in Lance Lewis and Michael Bowman, who both return for their senior seasons. Davis will miss Dwayne Harris, who was one of ECU's all-time greats, but Lewis caught 89 passes for 1,116 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago. Aside from Davis (third on the team in rushing), ECU loses three of its top four rushers, but has talent in Arizona Western Community College transfer Reggie Bullock, who transfers after rushing for 3,004 yards over the last two years. He should be a dangerous speed threat ready to take a bulk of the carries over for the departed Jonathan Williams. There will be good depth at the position with 5-11, 179-pound redshirt freshman Alex Owah and Michael Dobson, who got reps as a freshman in 2010.
The Pirates lose two four-year starters in guards D.J. Scott and Cory Dowless, as well as 2010 First Team All-Conference USA left tackle Willie Smith. They do get back sophomore right tackle Grant Harner, who made the league's all freshman team a year ago.
DEFENSE: The Pirates will feature three down linemen this year, and the new formation should have plenty of depth along the front line with a mix of five players who started last year and incoming recruits. Sophomore ends Matt Milner and Derrell Johnson will start off the edge for the Pirates, and junior college transfer John Lattimore is a talented prospect who will likely backup Johnson. McNeill has faith that converting a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 formation will go smoothly in 2011. "I'm confident being able to say our defensive linemen will do it well. Coach Yellock has those defensive linemen working well. He played in a 3-4 scheme during his time here. It's about teamwork and what's best for East Carolina. They'll get it," said McNeill.
No starters are back at linebacker, but juco transfer Joseph Blanks should contribute immediately at one of the inside posts. Sophomore Justin Dixon (6-1, 228) and junior Mark Powell (6-3, 220) are both returning to the outside linebacker spot following injuries that kept them out of fall practice.
Emanuel Davis, a 2010 First Team All-Conference USA pick at corner, returns to lead the secondary that gave up 252 yards passing per game last season. Davis had 54 tackles and eight pass deflections in 13 starts a year ago.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Mike Barbour had a stellar season at kicker a year ago, hitting 16-of-18 field goals, including a 52-yarder and hitting 56-of-57 PAT. ECU will miss Harris in the return game, but Bowman actually had a better return average (24.4), albeit on fewer attempts than Harris. Look for Bowman to be one of the primary specialists in 2011.
OUTLOOK: It's the year of the quarterback in Conference USA, and add Davis to the list. He's the most explosive signal-caller in the league because of his ability to scramble, and East Carolina can do serious damage on offense with Davis at the helm. Will ECU beat South Carolina, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Navy on the non-conference schedule? Not likely. But the Pirates are a contender to make a bowl again, barring another defensive implosion. McNeill's club doesn't have to play Tulsa or SMU, and has Southern Miss and UCF at home. Now that they have a restructured front seven, it should be an improved squad from top to bottom; and even though the Pirates are probably not going to play for the conference crown, for the players on this team, it's hard to fathom ECU falling short of the required six wins to reach the postseason.
