University of North Carolina Athletics
One-on-One With Brandon Spoon
August 11, 2000 | Football
Aug. 11, 2000
Earlier this week, TarHeelBlue asked all interested Carolina fans to submit questions for UNC's all-star senior linebacker Brandon Spoon. You've emailed in your questions, and now here is what he had to say. Unfortunately, Brandon's grueling schedule during two-a-days did not allow him time to answer all of your questions, but he did take a few minutes to answer those below.
Question from Jim Nichols in Ocean Pines, Md.: What is your impression of this year's freshmen and what do you believe is the strength of the 2000 edition of the Heels?
Brandon Spoon: It's still early to tell about the freshman, since we've only practiced with them a few times. But the guy who's impressed me the most, and I think I'm speaking for
the rest of the team, is Andre' Williams. He came in here in the second half of the summer and worked out with us every day, and he did exceptionally well, especially for a freshman. Even if
he was a senior, I would have thought he did real well. He's very impressive. As for our strength, I think athleticism is a big thing. Both offensively and defensively, we have some
tremendous athletes on both sides.
Question from Clayton in Jacksonville, Fla.: How important was the return of Head Coach Carl Torbush in your decision to stay for your senior season rather than turn pro?
BS: Very big. Besides being very close to him and him originally recruiting me to come here, it would be very tough for a fifth-year senior who has played a lot to have to prove
himself again and learn a whole new defense. It's just not something that would be a lot of fun when you're a senior.
Question from Chris in Winston-Salem: This year's team is returning 10 starters and is led by both you and Sedrick Hodge. Do you think this year's defense has the ability to cause as
much trouble for opposing offenses as the 1997 squad?
BS: I definitely think we do. We have two very good corners in Errol (Hood) and Rabbit (Michael Waddell) and we've got two very good safeties. With the tight coverage they can
put on, that gives us more time to get to the quarterback. We can disrupt things with our speed and athleticism and I think we can cause a lot of problems for offenses.
Question from James Conley: I'm glad you came back for one more year! Can you compare the defense from last year to what we will see this year? Will it be an open attacking style?
Stay Healthy. Can't wait to see you in the pros.
BS: It's going to be more attacking, but we've simplified a lot of things and we're building the defense around the young talent we have instead of just trying to replace our old talent
with young guys. The old defense was built around K (Kivuusama Mays) and Brian (Simmons), Vonnie (Holliday) and Greg (Ellis), and now Coach Browning is building the defense
around Julius (Peppers) and Ryan (Sims) and some of our younger players.
Question from Billy Allen in Nashville, Tenn.: Hey Brandon, good to hear you're back in the lineup. How are we this year health-wise with yourself and Ronald Curry?
BS: We're both healthy and ready to be back. This year's just going to be very exciting. We have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of talent. We really started to play like the team we
should have been last year in the last two games, and really the last three games defensively. I expect a lot, and I'm counting on this year's team to have a lot of fun.
Question the Webster family in Graham, N.C.: Just wanted to know how you were adjusting to married life and football?
BS: Married life is the best thing that's happened to me. As far as football, I'm just glad to be back out on the field with my teammates.
Question from Jeff Warren: Spooon! I'm a big fan of your game and appreciate watching someone who plays hard every down. Good luck this season. My question is, as a college
student myself, I don't feel I have much free time outside of studying. How do you manage to play big time college football and still maintain your grades? Thanks and again, Good
Luck!
BS: We're given the benefit of study hall, and tutors are available to help us when we need them. Our day is also real regimented, especially during the season, so it's something you
get real used to.
Question from Bright Lindler in Pinehurst, N.C.: Has Coach Torbush seized control of the program psychologically, emotionally and mentally? Has he made the transition from
Assistant Coach to Head Coach?
BS: I think he's definitely has made the transition. You could see it in the spring, and so far in practice he's been all over the field. He's with both sides of the ball and he's given
control of the defense to Coach Browning. But he still has so much knowledge that is he walks up and tells you something, you're going to listen.
Question for Will Dupree in Red Springs, N.C.: Brandon, was it a hard decision whether to go pro or not? How do you feel about this year's team? What is your max on the
bench?
BS: It was a difficult decision. Every kid dreams of playing in the NFL, but money wasn't the issue. Whether I play pro football or not, I'll be financially successful because I know
I'll be able to get a good job with the education I've gotten here. It was difficult just to pass up that dream and hold it off for a year, but I don't regret it one bit. I haven't maxed in a couple of
years, but I'd say about 475 or 480.
Question from Matt Wojciechowski in Raleigh, N.C.: How does it feel to hear all the fans in Kenan Stadium yell "Spoooon" when you make a great play? It sounds like a "boo" to
some people, but only the real Tar Heel fans know that everyone is yelling "Spoooon." Good luck this upcoming season.
BS: It's a rush, it's so much fun. I feed off of it. That may sound kind of cheesy to say that, but when you make a big play and get the crowd yelling for you, it makes you want to
make more and more. If I make a big enough play for the plans to start yelling, that gets the rest of the team excited too.
Question from Robert in Zebulon, N.C.: What type of special weightlifting was required to bring your bicep muscle back to its original condition?
BS: I worked with one of our trainers, Scott Oliaro, a lot. At first, I did a lot just to get my range of motion back. Then I gradually started working back with light weights and some
rubber band work, and I did a lot of work in the pool. There was no special rehab, it's just a slow and gradual process.
Question from Rick Quincy: Brandon, your injury last year was your first major injury since you have been suiting up for football. What was it like not playing for the first time in
your life? Did you get a new perspective or a new outlook? Thank you for your time. Good luck and God bless.
BS: It was really tough. It was kind of demoralizing at first. You're so used to being on top and nothing going wrong. But it gives you a good perspective and teaches you not to
take anything for granted. Even out there at practice today and yesterday, I hated sweating bullets, but I enjoy being out there and I enjoy playing. You realize how much you enjoy it and how
much you love the sport.
Question from John Kelley in Woodbridge, Va.: Hi Brandon. The players have faced a lot of adversity during the last two seasons and perhaps didn't respond as well as most fans
would have liked last season. What changes have the more experienced players and team leaders made to be able to help the team better overcome adversity if they should face it again?
BS: It's not so much that the team leaders have prepared everybody for adversity, overcoming it last year prepares you enough. I think everyone saw when we got our confidence
going at the end of the season how well things were. The older guys have the ability to help, but now that the younger guys have been through that I think it's going to help the whole team.
BS: Thanks for your great questions! I'm looking forward to the Tulsa game on Sept. 2. I hope to see you all out at Kenan Stadium!
Thanks again to everyone who participated in our first "One-on-One." Keep an eye on TarHeelBlue to see who will be joining us next Friday at 2 p.m.
