Yellock, Bigger Talk Defense more...

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The microwave kicked in at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex on Wednesday where East Carolina went through a two-hour workout at Hight Field.

With temps suddenly soaring into the high 80's the Pirates finally got the heat that Ruffin McNeill was hoping for.

"Thank J.C. for the hot weather today. I like it warm. It's Pirate weather today. It was a good day. Coming off a scrimmage, even though it wasn't a speedy scrimmage on Monday, this is a team that in five years they love practice and love to compete and you can challenge them."

Terry Williams will be out for the remainder of the spring camp with an ankle injury but he is expected to return this fall.

"He's a tough hombre so he'll be back but he's out for the rest of the spring."

"The defense played eleven man football and made some things happen. Offensively we're getting better as a unit up front. Shane getting comfortable with the receivers. Bryce is really coming on. Cam Worthy is doing a good job leading. Zay Jones, this unit is doing well. Jimmy Williams is back and he did well today."

Terrell Williams from the Oakland Raiders will talk to the coaches clinic from North Carolina, Virginia and some from Alabama that is coming up at ECU. Dave Magazu will speak on Saturday.

With the team's second scrimmage just three days away, the staff is doing all the teaching humanly possible. Things are starting to come together with a little over a week to go in this year's spring workouts.

ECU NOTES: Redshirt freshman tight end Darren Dowdell (left leg) and senior nose tackle Terry Williams (right ankle) will miss the remainder of spring drills because of injuries. Williams went down late during Monday's scrimmage. Sophomore defensive back DaShaun Amos (right ankle) was kept out another day but is hopeful for a return to active status later this week. Wednesday's practice was the Pirates' seventh overall and fifth in pads.

Coach McNeill recaps Wednesday's work along with linebacker Zeek Bigger and defensive line coach Marc Yellock with the latest on the Pirate defense.