University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday's Practice Notes
August 20, 2004 | Football
Aug. 20, 2004
By Adam Lucas After nearly two weeks of unseasonably pleasant training camp weather, a typical North Carolina summer is finally creeping back into the Chapel Hill air. Thursday afternoon's workout and Friday morning's session were the two hottest practices of the year. ecause of the heat, the coaching staff has to keep a close eye on Ronnie McGill, who had cramping problems in 2003. The team went full pads Friday morning, and as a precaution McGill did not participate. "We held him out," John Bunting said. "We didn't like the way he looked yesterday." McGill's practice status for today's evening session---the next-to-last day of two-a-days---will be determined later. Notes: Other than McGill sitting out, Friday morning's injury news was good. Shelton Bynum and Melik Brown both returned to action, and the ranks of players wearing red (injured) jerseys are slowly thinning...The team will hold a scrimmage Saturday that is closed to the public. It will be the Heels' first extended full speed action of the preseason. "It's all live, all full speed," Bunting said. "We get to see everybody in action as close to a game situation as we can create. We'll throw in all the added situations that can occur in football. Goal line, short yardage, third and medium, third and long, red zone, coming out from inside the five yard line, we'll do every situation that I know of."...Bunting was positive about Larry Edwards's progress over the course of training camp. "Larry has lost some weight and is playing harder and playing a little smarter," he said. "He has a long way to go to catch up." Edwards was slowed by an injury earlier in the week but is back practicing full-speed...The Tar Heels have just one more session of two-a-days, which will come on Sunday. After almost two weeks of intense practices and constant meetings, players begin to lose that edge they had earlier in camp. "Right now everybody is worn out," reserve linebacker Tyson Graham said. "You just have to give it what you've got." The approaching season opener should rejuvenate the Heels, as just nine practices remain before William & Mary game week begins. 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.
