University of North Carolina Athletics
Julius Peppers' ACC Media Day Quotes
August 19, 2000 | Football
Aug. 19, 2000
Media: How has preseason been going?
Julius Peppers: "I'm a little ahead of where I thought I'd be. I'm pleased with the way things have been going."
Media: What differences have you noticed with Coach Torbush at head coach and Coach Browning as defensive coordinator?
Julius Peppers: "Not a whole lot of difference, because basically Coach Browning was doing a lot with the defense last year. Coach Torbush just doesn't see us as much as he did last year. He doesn't spend as much time working with us."
Media: Does basketball help you as a football player?
Julius Peppers: "It's helped me out. Going to the Final Four and experiencing that success helped me learn how to win. I don't think it hurt me that it cut into my spring practice."
Media: Have you thought about whether you'll play both sports this year?
Julius Peppers: "Right now I plan on playing both."
Media: Did you think you were capable of playing basketball at this level before last year?
Julius Peppers: "I didn't know much about the system here before last year, but I always thought I could play college basketball. I didn't know how much I would get to play. I didn't think I'd get to play as much as I did."
Media: How much better is James Wagstaff this year than he was last year?
Julius Peppers: "He's improved a lot since last season. He's lost a lot of weight, he's moving his feet better. I think he's going to do a great job for us.
"When we first started our one-on-one drills this fall, I was beating him all the time, just doing what I wanted to do. However, the last few days he's stopped me a couple of times, so I see that he's getting better right now."
