GREENVILLE — Spring football is underway in Greenville. Wednesday’s practice marks the beginning of the first spring with first-year coach Scottie Montgomery at the helm.

Montgomery has a lot he wants to accomplish this spring. He said during Tuesday morning’s press conference that the team will work to become as fundamentally sound as possible during the spring training period. He also wants to see how the players and overhauled coaching staff align.

One of his biggest objectives is shaking out position battles. It’s something he’s been looking forward to since he accepted the position and immediately began looking at tape.

“We, as an entire staff, have a tremendous obligation to come out with a great evaluation of not only every player and every position, but also both units,” Montgomery said. “It will help us become exactly who we want to be as we move forward. I believe the only way we can do this is to have a comprehensive plan that is not only creative, but is also simplistic so that our players can play at the tempo we want to play at.”

ECU has its reputation of being an offensive juggernaut. The Pirates have a consistently strong receiver corps that fueled the “Air Raid” pass-first attack, although Montgomery intends on taking advantage of the weapons at running back to balance the offense.

“I think the competition level at our skill positions is one of the best competition levels of any skill groups I’ve ever been around,” he said. “… It’s really critical that we find out who the best people are, get them on the field and make sure everyone has a chance.”

The new coaching staff all but guarantees everyone will have a chance. Not only is it an almost entirely new set of eyes on the players, but by inspiring competition, Montgomery hopes to push them to the next level.

He likened it to his experiences as a wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“In 2010, we drafted both Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown,” Montgomery said. “I felt that every day they came to work, their position battle made them great. We thought we would have them ready in two years, but they were ready to go in two weeks because of that competition.

“I am trying to find ways to create more competition. You have to earn your job on a consistent basis but, when you do, it’s yours.”

On offense, running back appears to be the most competitive position on paper — even with the announcement that Marquez Grayson will no longer be a part of the team due to a team rules violation.

Anthony Scott, Shawn Furlow and Devin Anderson all return with game experience under their belts. James Summers, who was part of last season’s quarterback carousel, also proved his talent running the ball.

As if that’s not enough, Tennessee transfer Derrell Scott is slated to make his debut in a Pirate uniform. He sat out last season in compliance with transfer rules, but this will be his second spring working with the team.

The defense will be interesting to watch, too. ECU graduated three linebackers in Zeek Bigger, Montese Overton and Jeton Beavers. The Pirates also lost Rocco Scarfone, Josh Hawkins and Domonique Lennon at defensive back.

Montgomery said he was impressed with the offseason work of linebacker Jordan Williams and defensive back DaShaun Amos. But, like the rest of the team, it’s a different ball game once everyone takes the field on Wednesday.

“I can’t say enough how excited we have been watching Jordan Williams and DaShaun Amos really dominate an offseason from the standpoint of being where you are supposed to be and doing what are supposed to do as well as you possibly can do it,” he said.

“We are a little anxious because we have only seen this group of players on tape and not on the grass so we are looking forward to that on Wednesday.”

The spring is an exciting time and it’s just beginning. Once practice begins on Wednesday, scrimmages are just around the corner.