<a href='http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2004/08/05/sports/sports02.txt' target='_blank'>Article from the Washington Daily News!</a>

Quote:Baker brings more big hits to ECU

By BRETT W. MEACH, Sports Writer




GREENVILLE -- Zach Baker came to East Carolina to simply play.

And the imposing 6-foot-2, 205 pound free safety roaming around his half of the field will certainly have that chance.

Baker, a junior who played two seasons at Pima Junior College in his home state of Arizona, is slated as the Pirates' top free, ahead of sophomore Kasey Ross and redshirt freshman Tommie Bradley.

When practice begins Aug. 10, it will be Baker showing his stuff in the defensive backfield alongside strong safety (rover) Kyle Chase.

"I came for the opportunity to play straight away," Baker said. "I want to contribute.

"It was a far move, but everyone's got to leave home now and again. When it came down to it, I knew I had to come into this system where I could come in and play straight away."

Baker's different way of saying he came to ECU to start is something the Pirates' are hoping transfers onto the playing surface on Saturdays.

The Pirates were rocked for 428 points last season, nearly twice the amount ECU's stagnant offense scored (217).

Although ECU's run defense may need the most work coming into the 2004 season -- giving up an average of 209.9 yards per game -- it is the Pirates' secondary, which admittedly got beat deep too many times last season, that needs a good tweak.

Baker may be just the man to hold the proverbial candle.

"Right now, I'm playing free safety, and I can do a lot of things from that position," Baker said. "I can blitz, play deep. Basically, my role is to play defense, know my responsibility and make plays."

At Pima, Baker gained a reputation as a hard-hitter. In his two seasons, he was twice named to the All-Western States Football League, and was a honorable mention juco All-American.

Last season, Baker made 62 tackles and had four interceptions.

"It's been a lot different," said Baker of his move from Pima to ECU. "It's been different just because of the facilities and the system, and the way it's run. It was junior college ... we didn't even have a locker room. We just changed out of our cars in the parking lot.

"This is a big step up, and I'm happy to be here."

Baker has seen his fair share of talent during his career.

He attended Sabino High School, one of the top prep programs in the highly-competitive Tucson area.

His junior season, Sabino was ranked No. 13 in the nation, but lost in the Arizona State Championship game.

Baker's senior season, Sabino went 7-3, which was "very disappointing" to Baker.

As one of a handful of transfers for head coach John Thompson this season, Baker's role may be the largest. He is already expected to be one of the biggest differences on the defense this season, playing perhaps the most wide-open position on the field.

In short, Baker's loose-cannon attitude will help, not hinder the newest product of Pirates.

"I like to do it all," Baker said. "I just like to go out and make plays. I'm going to hit you. I like to make big hits. It's a good feeling, and it helps the team out.

"When you hit one of their players hard, he's not going to want to come around anymore. He's going to be shy for the rest of the game. It's a good feeling."

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