Ray Arrives

GREENVILLE, N.C. - One day before a vital second scrimmage, East Carolina put in a solid day's work at the Cliff Moore practice complex.

The Pirates are getting down to the short rows now. The quarterback competition continues coming into Saturday as well as other positions on the depth chart. But before that happens, Friday was a big day for players to show their stuff.

Wide receiver/return man Lance Ray arrived at practice on Friday to begin his initial acclimation of days without pads before suiting up next week. PirateIllustrated was there when Ray put on an ECU helmet on the field for the first time upon the conclusion of Coach McNeill's instructions for the day to the team.

Saturday night is the annual Meet the Pirates night, giving the fans an opportunity to interact with the players and coaches.

Third year East Carolina head coach Ruffin McNeill along with his coordinators have some big decisions to make coming into next week. Then the schedule goes back into regular mode for the season. The players begin classes next Tuesday, a day off for the team.

The team will conduct one final practice on Monday morning to officially conclude fall camp. McNeill says the team will go through a flex period with Coach Connors and some individual/team offensive and defensive and special teams drills with Coach Doll before conducting a 40 or 50 play scrimmage. He said he might throw in a few surprise situations as well.

"It was a workman like day. We got a lot done. Working on two minute offense and defense. I like the way we interacted today, we just need to keep improveing our football I.Q. We've got to keep focusing as a team and I think we'll get that done," said McNeill, "It's a grind right now. It's harder for the big kids than it is for the skill players. The puzzle is still being put together piece by piece. I think the coaches did a good job of exposing the team to different looks from the different opponents we will face this year. We'll start on parts and bits of Appalachian State next week."

PirateIllustrated.com was there to bring you camp video, photos and the latest from Coach Ruff as our fall camp coverage continues. McNeill also talks about Dominique Davis' performance last night with the Atlanta Falcons.

PERSONNEL NOTES FROM ECU:

OLB Chris Baker (left hip), OWR Antonio Cannon (concussion) and IWR/TE Justin Jones (neck) missed Friday's workout because of injuries and are listed as "day-to-day" (questionable for Saturday's scrimmage) ... CB Leonard Paulk (right knee), DE Matt Milner (left foot) and IWR Quataye Smyre (left leg) remained sidelined and will not participate in the game.

Catch Ruffin McNeill's post practice comments with the latest along with PI-TV camp video & PI First Photos presented by Universty Book Exchange, Chanellos Pizza & High Voltage Nutrition here on PirateIllustrated.com.