University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday's Pratice Notes (p.m.)
August 20, 2004 | Football
Aug. 20, 2004
By Adam Lucas Some of the most diverse musical selections on the University of North Carolina campus can be heard at Navy Field. That was the case Friday evening, as the Tar Heel coaches ended practice slightly early and gave the players an unexpected treat. After ending practice with a special teams drill, John Bunting took the field microphone and boomed, "Let's eat some watermelon." That's exactly what the squad did, chowing down at one end of the practice field while the speakers blared the following musical acts in succession--The Black Eyed Peas, Frank Sinatra, and Chingy. It might have been a first, but the players didn't seem to mind. Notes: The pleasantries won't last long, as the Heels have a closed scrimmage Saturday afternoon. Their last two-a-day is scheduled for Sunday...Ronnie McGill was in a red jersey Friday night but should be able to participate in the scrimmage...Chase Page was back on the practice field for the first time since his injury, where he watched over the defensive linemen and occasionally provided tips with coach Brad Lawing's blessing. After one such session with Kyndraus Guy, the redshirt freshman looked at the senior with a smile and said, "I've got it, Coach."...Somebody needs to put a radar gun on defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders. The co-coordinator worked on a drill with his DB's Friday night that involved Sanders whipping footballs at his pupils, who had to make the catch with very little reaction time. Sanders, a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, might soon be pressed into service in the Cubs bullpen. Meanwhile, the secondary drew some praise from John Bunting this week. "We're focusing on playing better defense overall," the head coach said. "It starts with stopping the run, and the second thing is getting closer to the receiver or ballcarrier. If the ball is in somebody's hands we want to get close to the ball. If the ball is in the air we want to be close to the ball. The secondary is doing a much better job now than they have in the past of getting to the ball." 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.
