University of North Carolina Athletics
Hedgecock, Richardson Find New Homes
April 6, 2004 | Football
April 6, 2004
NOTING THE HEELS' SPRING PRACTICE -- A number of Tar Heels moved to new positions or returned to old ones this spring Two of the most noteworthy changes were Madison Hedgecock moving from defensive end back to fullback and Tommy Richardson from strong safety to Sam linebacker.
Hedgecock originally played fullback and was a stop-gap measure to help fill a woefully thin DE position midway through the 2002 season. But the Heels suffered on offense without a lead blocker and spent 2003 playing two tailbacks in the backfield together, one as an undersized blocker. Hedgecock is an ideal physical specimen for fullback, and, with three years of playing experience, has developed sound assignment consciousness.
"What we did with two tailbacks last year was remarkable," John Bunting says. "But we don't want to live on that. Madison gives us some blocking presence we've missed."
Richardson has primarily been a special-teams contributor in his two seasons and is a step slow to be a great safety. At 6-1, 225 pounds, he's not the consummate linebacker, either. But he's intelligent and delivers a lick.
"Moving Tommy has been a stroke," Bunting says. "He's one of our smarter players and one of our tougher players. So we need him on the field."
"He's one of our best 11 players, and he's a mature player," linebackers coach John Gutekunst says. "He gives us some quickness and speed at linebacker, and we need that. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but neither is Derrick Brooks."
Other changes have included:
* Jocques Dumas from defensive end to tight end. "He may have found a home," Bunting says of the 6-6 senior. "He's really good blocking. He's got those long arms and can dominate people."
* Chase Page back to defensive tackle after playing the last three games of 2003 at end. Defensive line coach Brad Lawing says Page improved significantly this spring, and offensive line coach Hal Hunter, whose players had to compete against Page every day, noticed the improvement as well.
"I expect big things from Chase this fall," Hunter says. "You usually don't see an experienced player make that much progress. He was tough to handle this spring."
* Melik Brown from defensive end to middle linebacker.
"I've seen signs of Melik being a really big-time player," Gutekunst says. "In fairness to him, since he's played some as a down lineman, he's never known what the ideal weight for him is. But I see spurts of brilliance. He's at the bridge, and now we've got to get him to cross it."
* Rashaad Tindall moved from safety to wide receiver and defensive tackles Kendall High and Mickey Rice moved to the offensive line.
Two priorities on offense this spring were to find replacements for graduated guards Jeb Terry and Jupiter Wilson and identify a backup quarterback to senior Darian Durant. Consider Item 1 accomplished, Item 2 still murky.
Red-shirt freshman Charlston Gray was one of the most improved players on the team as he stepped into Terry's vacated spot at right guard. Meanwhile on the left side, Kyle Ralph solidified a role he shared with Wilson as a co-No. 1 player.
"Charlston has come on fast this spring," Hunter says of the 6-3, 300-pound Texan. "He's very athletic for a big guy. He really moves his feet and he plays hard. I'm looking for big things from him.
"Kyle has played well for two years for us," Hunter says. "He was neck-and-neck with Jupiter, and in a situation like that, you give the starting job to the fifth-year guy. Kyle will be solid for us."
Another lineman who's made noteworthy improvement has been Steven Bell. He has gained 25 pounds in the off-season and has played primarily as a backup to center Jason Brown. "He could find a place on lot of teams in the country," Hunter says.
Junior Matt Baker played well throughout most of spring ball as the No. 2 quarterback. He has a strong arm and is athletic enough to create some gains when protection breaks down. But he struggled Saturday in the Blue-White Game, hitting five of 13 throws for 32 yards and two interceptions.
"We need to find out who the backup quarterback is, that's obvious," Bunting said. "Matt did not have the kind of day he'd like I'm sure. He's thrown the ball well all spring. But he did not have a great day today. Give credit to the other people who intercepted those balls."
Freshman Roger Heinz is challenging Baker and completed half of his 18 throws in the spring game but also had two interceptions.
"Baker has the ability to make all the plays," says offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill. "His problem is not physical. It's doing everything other than the mechanics of throwing the ball. It's running the team, making the checks, finding his receivers, those kinds of things."
INJURY UPDATE - Receiver and return specialist Mike Mason broke his jaw the first week of spring ball but will make a full recovery for August. Jon Hamlett, a rising sophomore tight end, broke his leg and will be sidelined from conditioning drills for four to six weeks. Cedric Holt returned to limited action after convalescing from a broken foot suffered against N.C. State last September.
