University of North Carolina Athletics
Countdown to Kickoff: Getting Drilled
August 22, 2005 | Football
Aug. 22, 2005
By Adam Lucas
The glamour part of any Carolina football practice is the "team" period, the portion that most closely approximates a scrimmage. But as with any sport, it's not always the glamour part that is the most revealing.
As John Bunting has noted throughout the first 10 days of training camp, his Tar Heels have developed a much more physical mindset. That leads to more high-impact collisions during drills and louder sounds of pads popping. There is emerging talent on both sides of the ball, and when that talent collides in one-on-one individual drills, it can be quite a show.
Here are our picks for the most entertaining one-on-one battles in Carolina practice so far.
Ralph is one of Hal Hunter's best technicians on the offensive line and was a second-team All-ACC pick last year. He's come a long way since he played as a true freshman in 2003 and was known by Hunter primarily as simply, "Cincinnati," which happens to be Ralph's hometown.
Guy, a sophomore, is poised for a breakout season under the tutelage of new tackles coach Kenny Browning, who put former Tar Heel tackles Marcus Jones, Vonnie Holliday, Rick Terry, Ryan Sims and Russell Davis into the first or second rounds of the NFL Draft.
"The thing about Kyndraus is that he is so quick off the ball," offensive lineman Scott Lenahan says. "If you don't have good technique when you're going against him he's going to beat you badly."
He's also going to let you know it--the loquacious Guy has been gaining confidence throughout camp and loves the game of football. As he gains confidence, he's been a much more vocal player.
Mason made an immediate impression on new receivers coach Dave Brock. "Mike is fun to watch in a one-on-one type environment," Brock says. "He is a difference maker because of his speed and his ability to cut it loose."
The Rocky Mount native had a good first week of camp and needs to continue his improvement in order to stay near the top of a crowded wide receiver rotation.
His best opposition in drills is usually Holt. With Jacoby Watkins still largely sidelined, Holt is Carolina's best cover cornerback. If he can stay healthy, Holt gives the secondary a pair of above average corners. He has yet to register an interception in his career--if the defensive line continues to make progress and can pressure opposing quarterbacks, look for that to change this year.
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Countdown to Kickoff: 19 Days
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The Carolina secondary vs. Matt Baker
Don't misunderstand: no one is saying Matt Baker is a better quarterback than Darian Durant. He'll have to show the same moxie on the field and in the pocket that Durant showed to be able to challenge him in that category.
But Baker has the edge on Durant in arm strength, which means the Tar Heels will be able to stretch the field more often this season.
"He's not as athletic as Durant, but he's a stronger downfield thrower," Jesse Holley says. "Matt will get back in the pocket and deliver the ball, and he's able to deliver it with more velocity. When we come out of our breaks, the ball is going to be there.
"The long outs and deep posts are something we'll be able to use more often this year, along with the out routes to the sideline."
Baker's health is of extreme importance to Carolina, so he wasn't live in Saturday's scrimmage. His main challenges have come from the secondary--the Tar Heels' deepest position on defense--during 7-on-7 skeleton drills.
Bunting's picks
"I love watching Kyndraus Guy. I love watching Kentwan Balmer against guys like Brian Chacos and Kyle Ralph. I love watching Jesse Holley against Quinton Person. I love the way Person practices every day, whether it's special teams or out there on defense."
Honorable Mention
We're giving honorable mention to freshman Nick Starcevic, who looks like he was sent from central casting to play the role of fullback. It wasn't too long ago that Bunting said the fullback was disappearing from many offenses. But the Tar Heels had a solid one last year in Madison Hedgecock, have another solid one this year in Rikki Cook, and look to be molding Starcevic for the future. What's the surest sign he's been physical enough to fill the position? Even hard-to-impress offensive linemen have taken notice.
"If I get a chance, sometimes I like to take a peek at Starcevic if we're in-between drills," Lenahan said. "I've seen him do a couple good things."
The freshman from Charlotte has been especially impressive in the Carolina drill, when running backs go head-to-head with linebackers in a blitz pickup simulation. It's a pure one-on-one physical contest, with both players lining up about five yards apart and then speeding toward each other for a crunching collison.
Another player who is fun to watch in that same drill is linebacker Chase Rice, who is listed at just 210 pounds but doesn't shy away from contact.
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. He is the coauthor of the official book of the 2005 championship season, Led By Their Dreams, and his book on Roy Williams's first season at Carolina, Going Home Again, is now available in bookstores. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly or learn more about Going Home Again, click here.
