University of North Carolina Athletics
Extra Points Mailbag, William & Mary Edition
September 3, 2004 | Football
Sept. 3, 2004
By Lee Pace, Extra Points
In golf it has always seemed unfair that a putt from one-half inch counts a full stroke, just as a drive of 275 yards counts a full stroke. Similarly it seems odd that in a violent game like football an injured pinkie finger could send a big, strapping, macho lineman to the bench for a whole season.
That, sadly, is the case for Tar Heel defensive tackle Chase Page.
A handful of fans have been puzzled that an injury to such a relatively obscure part of the body could send someone to the sideline for the year when what appear to be more serious problems are treated and the players are sent back into the game.
Page tore a flexor tendon in his left hand during practice Aug. 17. He had surgery the following morning. A rising senior, Page has not used a redshirt year, so he will sit out in 2004 and play in 2005.
Trainer Dan Hooker explains that a tendon is more difficult to treat and rehabilitate than a broken bone.
Offensive lineman Arthur Smith, for example, played with a broken bone in the middle of his right hand for three weeks of training camp. Because of the location of the break, trainers were able to set the bone, put the hand in a cast and build a splint to restrict the movement of the hand. Though it was uncomfortable for Smith, he was still able to play through the injury. Meanwhile, the bone mended over that period despite the stress of playing football. He just recently got the cast and splint removed and now can be a more effective blocker.
A tendon on the extremity of the hand is a different matter.
To not have repaired the tendon immediately in order for Page to continue playing football would have risked permanent damage to the structure and function of the finger. "Chase decided he wanted the finger for the rest of his life," Hooker said.
Once the surgery was completed, Page is required to hold his hand and wrist at a certain angle to allow the tendon to heal without stress. Currently his wrist and hand are in a splint to restrict that movement. It would not be possible for a defensive player to function under those restrictions.
After a recuperation period of about six to eight weeks, it would be possible in theory for Page to return for the last several games of the year. But trading a fraction of this year for an entire season in 2005 would not be a good deal for the player or the team.
I must admit by this time of the year, I am usually geared up and ready for the upcoming UNC football season. As much as I would like to be optimistic, I have many doubts about the success of this year's team. In respect to the overall talent of other teams in the ACC this year, what are UNC's chances of having a winning season and reaching a bowl game this year?
Cindy Bobbitt, Thomasville
This question is representative of many from assorted fans, all couched in slightly different approaches. The bottom line is everyone would like a prediction on the Tar Heels' 2004 season.
I have gotten this question many times over the last few months. I will repeat what I wrote in the preseason issue of Extra Points.
I believe the Tar Heels will be prolific and entertaining on offense. They have an experienced quarterback with a knack for moving the chains, a variety of weapons in the skill positions, a quality line and a multi-faceted package that will keep defenses off-balance and take what the defense gives it.
I think David Wooldridge and Connor Barth will be excellent kickers and that Jaworski Pollock, Mike Mason and others will be threats to take any return the distance. I think as the season evolves, the Tar Heels will see a lot of pooches, squibs, sky-kicks and other junk from opposing teams to keep the ball from their volatile return men.
And I believe the defense will be better. How much better? I admit to not having a clue on that one. But that's why we play the games -- to find out. To find out if Gerald Sensabaugh's smarts, maturity and heart will make a difference -- If a year under the belts of Isiah Thomas, Fred Sparkman, Lionell Green, Jacoby Watkins and others will help them make plays -- If Brian Rackley and Alden Blizzard in their third years are ready to blossom -- If Khalif Mitchell and Kyndraus Guy can turn enormous potential into game-time production -- If the changes in the coaching staff and a simplified scheme will help get kids in the right place at the right time.
The Tar Heels aside, much of their fortunes will depend on what other folks bring to the table.
Will Virginia and N.C. State have developed quality quarterbacks by the times of their meetings with the Heels (Sept. 11 and Oct. 9, respectively)? If the Wolfpack's production at quarterback is middling to that point and the Tar Heels have proven they can stop someone on third-down on defense, I like Carolina's chances.
Will Florida State get a productive, consistent and error-free senior year from QB Chris Rix?
Will Wake Forest have built a decent defensive line and be able to stop the run?
Was Duke's late-season resurgence in 2003 a blip in the charts or a true change in trend?
And how will that old rascal momentum and the Tar Heels' confidence quotient factor into this season? If Carolina could get some good fortune early, have the ball bounce its way on a couple of loose balls, get a favorable flag from the officials now and again ... then the Tar Heels could get a dose of touchy-feely momentum and ride it to bigger and better things.
In the end, I believe the Heels will play interesting football this fall, win their share of games and exhibit the kind of progress in the program's development that everyone from head coach John Bunting down have been longing to see.
With all the talent that appears to be with the defensive tackle positions, why was the decision made to move Khalif Mitchell from DE to DT after the loss of Chase Page? It seems that we have Jonas Seawright, Isiah Thomas, Kentwan Balmer, Shelton Bynum, etc. at that position. The DE seems less of a talent-laden position with Kyndraus Guy, Tommy Davis, Hilee Taylor, Alden Blizzard. Thanks for your time.
Jeremy Carver, Cary
It's a tribute to Mitchell's physique and athleticism that he can play both positions. In a perfect world, he would play end in the mold of former Tar Heels like Greg Ellis and Ebenezer Ekuban. But the Tar Heels are not nearly as deep and established at tackle as you seem to believe. They are going to make every effort to get the best players on the field, and switching Mitchell inside was the best move given the circumstances.
Defensive line coach Brad Lawing says Mitchell is doing well at tackle, that he's still learning to use his hands and will develop as the year unfolds.
Incidentally, the two-deep going into the first game on the defensive line has Tommy Davis and Brian Rackley at end and Jonas Seawright and Shelton Bynum at tackle. The twos include Guy and Melik Brown at end in base defense and Mitchell and Thomas at tackle. Hilee Taylor is an end in passing situations and could well play on Saturday in that role.
Lawing plans to roll players at all positions--to develop depth and to hopefully have fresh players available in the fourth quarter.
Greetings from Roselle, New Jersey -- Jesse Holley's home. Will Jesse be a starter for the Tar Heels this season? I am one of Jesse's biggest fans and have been watching him play sports since the age of nine! Please tell him that "Puddin" from Roselle says hello.
Carol Woodley Bennett, Roselle, N.J.
Jesse Holley is doing very well and will play a key role in the Tar Heel offense this year. He will not start, however, but will be used in a variety of personnel groups, particularly when the Tar Heels go with three or four wide receivers.
One of the positive dimensions of the Tar Heels on offense this year is that they are versatile enough at tailback and wide receiver that who starts the game is not important. For example, running backs coach Andre Powell was asked the other day who would start at tailback. His answer: "I won't know that until I know what the first play will be." One particular play call would warrant Ronnie McGill taking the field first. Another would indicate Chad Scott. And another Jacque Lewis. Same with the receivers. Just because Holley doesn't start doesn't mean he might not play a lot of snaps -- depending on what the defense is doing and the way the game evolves.
Do we have any idea why Coach Bunting closed the Blue/White game to the public and press? From strictly rumors, I hear that the defense is playing phenomenally and Coach was trying to keep the defense's play somewhat a secret.
Sean Phillips, Bailey, NC
Actually it was just one of the Tar Heels' preseason scrimmages that was closed (the Blue-White Game is the annual scrimmage at the end of spring practice each April). And no, the defense's play had nothing to do that decision. The Tar Heels are better on defense but, unfortunately, we're not talking about the reincarnation of the Doomsday Defense that he's trying to keep under wraps.
Each head coach faces a delicate balancing act in making practice available to the various constituencies he serves--from fans at-large to the news media to high-school coaches to professional scouts and so on. For the news media, attending practice is not a right but a privilege, granted at the pleasure of the head coach. I remember as a cub reporter with the Daily Tar Heel years ago getting a pass to attend a Carolina basketball practice and getting a stern directive from Dean Smith: "I allow you to come to practices for background purposes only. You are not allowed to cite anything specific you see or hear." It's not that there's anything clandestine going on; it simply a matter of keeping techniques, rituals, Xs-and-Os and personalities within the confines of the team itself.
unting has allowed certain practices over his three-plus years at Carolina to be open to the news media. It's to his benefit to let the media see that practice is structured and well-organized, that the players are coached hard but coached fairly, and it's simply good public relations to assist the media in its job of finding good stories on the team.
After one practice two weeks into preseason camp, however, one area newspaper reporter cited a trick play in his report from an open practice. Bunting and his staff were understandably irritated. At that point, Bunting decreed the next day's scrimmage closed to the media after originally saying it would be open. If the scrimmage had never been deemed open in the first place, the change would not have been worth mention.
With the opening of the season, Bunting will allow the media a specified period of access at the beginning practice each Tuesday. Otherwise, practices will be closed.
I understand that they have T-shirts for Roy Williams again this year. Why don't we do the same for Coach Bunting? I don't think that there is a coach in the country that has worked as hard as he has, and he is the type of guy that would appreciate this.
Paul B. Summey, Sarasota, Fla.
The reference is to the "Turn It Blue" campaign in the Smith Center last winter for selected games where spectators in the lower arena were given Carolina blue T-shirts.
A similar promotion is planned for the Louisville football game in Kenan Stadium on Sept. 25 when some 50,000 T-shirts will be given out.
A promotion like this needs two things: The idea and the execution. The execution takes money to finance the T-shirts. And obviously it takes considerable more dollars to outfit an entire football stadium in T-shirts than it does half of a basketball arena. FedEx, one of the key corporate partners with Carolina's athletic department this year, is footing the bill for the Louisville game T-shirt promotion.
What is the college rule regarding an offensive receiver criss-crossing pass routes with another receiver and "rubbing off" the defender in the process? And if the ball is in the air on a pass into the flats but behind the line of scrimmage, can other offensive players make contact blocking the defensive backs/linebackers forward of the line of scrimmage and prior to the reception?
Perry Collette, Atlanta
As long as the ball has not been thrown, there is no rule about "rubbing off." Receivers can criss-cross all day long if the ball is not in the air. Once the ball is in the air, the pass-interference rule would come into effect if a defender were blocked or screened by an offensive player in his efforts to intercept the ball. The second question essentially poses the issue of the screen pass. Yes -- offensive players can block downfield after the ball has been thrown to a receiver behind the line of scrimmage.
I left Chapel Hill (sniff) this summer for a job in Colorado. I'm wondering what's the best strategy for viewing Tar Heel football games on TV? My cable company provides ESPN GamePlan, but so far they only list games through the end of September. Tarheelblue.com has yet to release the TV schedule. Please help!
John Volckens, Fort Collins, Colo.
Unfortunately, none of those schedules are available yet. The TV networks will establish certain early season games they know they want to televise and a small number of marquee games throughout the season that they lock into their schedules. Beyond that, however, the times and TV availability of every game are determined on a week-by-week basis.
That's why kick-offs for only three of Carolina's games have been set: William & Mary at 1:30 on Saturday (no TV), at Virginia the following week (3:30 p.m., ABC) and at home to Georgia Tech the week after that (6 p.m., no TV).
For the rest of the year, ABC will get the first choice at designating an ACC game for the 3:30 time slot. After it picks, ESPN and ESPN2 can select a game, and those games are played at various times. After those selections, Jefferson-Pilot chooses its game for a noon start and regional showing in the ACC area.
All a fan can do is check the schedules each week and hope a Tar Heel game is, first, being picked up on any TV network and, second, if it's available in his viewing area.
That's it for this week, folks. Keep those cards and letters coming. We'll answer the best questions each Friday morning as the season evolves. Remember several ground rules. One, include your first and last names and city of residence. This cuts down on crackpots. Two, this is the official website of Carolina's athletic department. That means, per NCAA rules, there can be no discussion of recruiting except in very general terms. And three, the volume of questions prohibits individual responses.
Send your questions about Tar Heel football to Lee Pace at lpace@nc.rr.com . Please include your first and last names and hometown. His Q&A column will appear each Friday during the season.
