University of North Carolina Athletics
Spring Football Practice: Defense
March 22, 2003 | Football
March 22, 2003
By Adam Lucas
Tar Heel Monthly
The trouble with attempting to identify Carolina's primary areas of defensive focus in spring practice is that many of the players who will be depended upon to heavily contribute to the 2003 defense are currently finishing high school. John Bunting's Tar Heels should receive significant contributions, both on the line and in the linebacking corps, from true freshmen next season.
Yesterday, we looked at the offensive areas of focus for the spring. Today, it's time to take a look at the defensive areas of emphasis with the personnel on hand.
The health of Michael Waddell: Last year at this time there was some serious doubt about whether Waddell would go through spring practice with the Tar Heels in 2003. Had he enjoyed the outstanding year that many expected in 2002, it's entirely possible that he might have tested the NFL waters, where cornerbacks with 4.29 speed are in demand.
Instead, his season went from bad to worse. With very little defensive pressure on opposing quarterbacks, passers were free to pick apart the UNC secondary, and Waddell was the victim of several deep passes. That shook the impenetrable confidence that is a requirement for every cornerback, and Waddell looked tentative in some midseason games. He quickly discovered that things could get worse, however, as he suffered a broken leg in the Clemson game.
A healthy Waddell is a must for a Tar Heel secondary that needs him to hold down one corner spot while a handful of players battle for the other spot. If early returns are any indication, he is well on his way to returning to the form that earned him the nickname "Rabbit" in high school.
"Rabbit looks great out there," senior safety Dexter Reid said after practice this week. "He doesn't even look like he hurt his leg. I was calling him 'Michael,' because I told him I had to see him run the 40 before I would call him 'Rabbit' again, but he's done that so I'm back to calling him 'Rabbit.'"
Secondary position battles: At the corner spot opposite Waddell, junior college signee Lionell Green should provide some competition for the starting slot when he arrives in the fall. Until he gets to Chapel Hill, however, Cedrick Holt, Derrick Johnson and Jacoby Watkins have a chance to make an impression on the coaches. Holt was one of seven true freshmen to play last year for the Heels, and he started in the season finale against Duke. Watkins redshirted in 2002 but turned in the fastest 40 time on the squad, 4.21 seconds, in winter conditioning tests.
"We feel good about the way Cedrick Holt is practicing," Bunting said. "He looks really quick and has great anticipation."
One safety spot will be held down by the most indispensable defender, Reid. The other should see perhaps the fiercest position battle of the spring, as former walk-on Michael Harris, Tommy Richardson, and Mahlon Carey all try to earn the starting job at strong safety. Richardson played mostly on special teams last season but earned high praise from Bunting throughout the year for his attitude and aggressiveness, while Carey ran for 217 yards from the tailback position last season before switching to defense.
"I'm trying to learn all I can," Carey said this week. "I'm trying to take it day by day and all the veterans have been a big help."
The sophomore from Marietta, Georgia has experience playing defense, having made 90 tackles and three interceptions during his senior year for South Cobb High.
Defensive line depth: No one expects the Carolina defensive front to return to the days of Peppers and Sims, but there's a sneaking suspicion around Chapel Hill that the line may be more solid than some expect.
Chase Page and Kendall High were thrown to the lions-and Terps, Noles, and Jackets-last year and had to play the entire season as very undersized linemen. Both have added significant weight over the winter, with Page up to almost 290 pounds and High at 271.
In addition to the returnees from 2002, don't forget about the class of redshirt freshmen who spent last season on the sidelines. Mickey Rice and Alden Blizzard are both on the spring two-deep chart, and Brian Rackley could make his way onto that list with a solid spring.
"Alden Blizzard, Issac Mooring, Mickey Rice, Chase Page, all of those guys impressed me in the offseason," senior defensive tackle Donti Coats said. "The whole line has really impressed me."
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly, click here.
