University of North Carolina Athletics
Camp Ends on Upbeat Note
August 27, 2004 | Football
Aug. 27, 2004
By Adam Lucas John Bunting ended preseason football practice Friday evening exactly the way he started it almost three weeks ago--by praising Jonas Seawright. The senior became the feel-good story of training camp, dropping 45 pounds over the summer and earning a place on the two-deep depth chart at defensive tackle. "Jonas Seawright stands out right away," Bunting said when asked about the surprises of training camp. "He's quicker, he's accelerating, and he's taking the coaching from Brad Lawing." Notes: It was an extremely upbeat practice Friday afternoon at Navy Field, because the entire team was on the verge of nearly 48 hours of freedom. There are no football functions for the players until Sunday evening, when former NFL quarterback Don McPherson will be in Chapel Hill to address the squad. McPherson currently works as a motivational speaker...Chris Curry has decided not to continue his football career. He remains enrolled and plans to complete his degree...Even with the lengthy training camp, the Tar Heels haven't spent much time focusing on opening opponent William & Mary. They'll save that for Monday, when they begin normal game week preparation. "Next week, by design, we'll work on the normal gameplan schedule," Bunting said. "Sometimes too much work on an opponent can get you stale." The coach has tweaked the game week schedule this year. In the past, Monday was the team's off day. This year, they will practice Monday and Sunday will be the off day...Friday was Madison Hedgecock's 23rd birthday... Although game week is almost upon them, the depth chart isn't completely settled just yet. "There are still some linebacker situations and nickel linebacker situations that aren't completely clear yet," Bunting said. "There may be something in the secondary. I think we're going to play a lot of players up front. They can all help us, even those two freshmen, Kenny Price and Kentwan Balmer."...Saturday will be the rarest of days for Carolina's coaching staff, which has worked sunup-to-sundown days over the past month--a day off. Bunting gave his entire staff the day off, what will likely be their last full day off until after signing day in February. 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.
