University of North Carolina Athletics
Ronald Curry Live Chat Transcript
September 22, 1999 | Football
Sept. 23, 1999
Heading into this weekend's big matchup against No. 1 Florida State, North Carolina quarterback Ronald Curry dropped in for a live chat on ESPN.com on Thursday. Curry, who's also the Tar Heels' starting point guard in basketball, discussed the upcoming big game and his future as a two-sport athlete, among other things. Here is an edited transcript of the chat:
Ronald Curry: Hello everyone. It's great to be online. Let's get to your questions, what is on your minds?
UNC Matt: Ronald, what weaknesses do you see in the FSU defense and what kind of game would favor UNC on Saturday (high scoring vs. low scoring)?
Ronald Curry: I am not really sure how to answer that because I don't want to give anything away. But their speed is incredible and they can recover so quickly. We just have to take advantage of any mistakes they make.
As far as the game, I think we will have to put lots of points on the board to keep up with them. They have a great offense and we have to take advantage of their mistakes.
Born and Bred: On paper, this one looks like a mismatch. Do you feel comfortable that the game plan the coaches have implemented may be able to overcome some of the apparent shortfalls UNC has in manpower?
Ronald Curry: The game plan is strong and if we execute it they way it should be, we should be successful. We are not going into this game to not get embarassed, but to win. We won't be surprised if we win, but others might.
Barry: Ronald, I will be at the game on Saturday and would like to know if you will work mainly out of the shotgun?
Ronald Curry: We will stick to our game plan we have had in the first two games. We will put in a few new wrinkles but we will stick with what has been successful. We can't change a lot just because it is FSU. We will be in the shotgun some.
SlingBlade: RC, do you think the week off helped or hurt? How?
Ronald Curry: It has helped especially preparing for a team like FSU. It gives us extra time to prepare and it lets us get over some of the nicks and bruises we have gotten in the first two games. But we hope we don't come out rusty.
Heelbilly: Ron, would you like to run more option, or is the risk of injury too great? Good luck against FSU and the rest of the year.
Ronald Curry: I prefer to throw the ball. We don't run the option much, maybe four or five times a game. We run plays where I can throw or run with it, but I prefer to drop back and pass the ball.
John Lancaster: Is this UNC team better than last year's?
Ronald Curry: We have the ability to be better. Right now we are not. We will keep getting better and if we keep improving I think we can be better than last year's team. If they went head-to-head, I would pick this year's team.
BC from GT: Ronald, I was wondering how you think our cornerbacks will stack up with the outstanding receivers of FSU (especially Warrick).
Ronald Curry: I think we have good corners and good depth. I don't really know the defensive game plan but I have a lot of confidence in our DBs. We won't be able to stop them, we just hope to contain them because they are a powerful offense.
Heath: Do you plan on making a decision on your basketball or football future?
Ronald Curry: I plan to play both for all four years.
E Brock: How's your relationship with Luke Huard?
Ronald Curry: We don't see each other too much outside of football but we are good friends on the field. He is satisfied with his situation and he is always helping me and wants the team to win. There is no animosity between us at all and he is just getting himself ready to play if I happen to go down. He is a good guy.
Nole96: Do you, or have you ever regretted not going to FSU and the extra national exposure you would have received there?
Ronald Curry: Not at all. Coming out of high school I came out with a lot of exposure and lots of people where curious about how I would do.
eing here I will get the exposure if we continue to be the team we are capable of being. I have never regretted my decision.
Quietstorm: After your four years are up, what is your preference of sports. Are you going to try to make it as an NFL quarterback? Which sport do you have more fun playing?
Ronald Curry: I enjoy playing both sports. I am hoping that I can put myself in the position at the end of my career here that I will be able to choose if I want to be an NFL quarterback or an NBA point guard.
E Brock: Why did you change your mind after giving UVA your original committment?
Ronald Curry: I made an early committment to Virginia and there were a lot of things that went into that decision. But when I really got to thinking about it, North Carolina was a better fit for me.
The Virginia basketball program was unsettled at the time and they didn't know where they were headed. They didn't have a coach at the time and I didn't want to have a coach that might not be high on a two-sport athlete.
Coming to UNC I knew what I was getting myself into and I am very happy with my decision.
Ronald Curry: That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the questions and I hope everyone will be rooting for us against Florida State.
Take care everyone and maybe we'll do this again sometime.
