University of North Carolina Athletics
Monday Evening Practice Notes
August 22, 2005 | Football
Aug. 22, 2005
By Adam Lucas
Coming into training camp, John Bunting knew he'd have competition at several key positions. Larry Edwards and Jeff Longhany would compete for the SAM linebacker position, Trimane Goddard and Mahlon Carey would battle for the strong safety position, and several key backup slots were up for grabs.
The offensive line was considered relatively stable, especially with the return of Skip Seagraves--the Burlington native and Brian Chacos would man the tackle spots, Charlston Gray and Kyle Ralph would play guard, and Ben Lemming would play center.
No one seemed to remember that Steven Bell worked his way up the OL depth chart at the end of last year, eventually starting the last two regular season games at right guard. Bell had shoulder surgery on the last day of classes last spring, making his training camp condition uncertain. But he showed up in good shape and has turned into a strong competitor for the starting center slot.
"There's a big battle at center," John Bunting said. "We've got more competition than we've ever had at a lot of different positions, and that's one of them."
The key for Bell will be staying healthy. He's versatile enough to play both center and guard--and he had to do both at times this spring as several offensive linemen were felled by injuries, sometimes taking snaps at first-team center and second-team guard. The Tar Heels now have more healthy bodies on the line, allowing Bell to focus more on his center play.
With Jason Brown gone, it's a position Carolina fans can no longer take for granted. After all, the last time the Heels were breaking in a new center, the result was a 9-turnover performance in the rain against Miami of Ohio.
"The center/quarterback exchange is just one of those things that has to come naturally," Bell said. "I hadn't played center until I got here, and the first couple of times I snapped the ball it just felt natural. I don't even really have to think about it anymore."
"Steven has never had an exchange problem with the quarterback, which is good," Bunting said. "He's a veteran player who has played a lot of football for us and done a good job. Now we're going to ask him to play an even bigger role."...
Last year, Carolina had one of the best scout team tailbacks in the country with Barrington Edwards. This year, they've got one of the best two-minute drill ball spotters in the country. That's the role a perpetually smiling Ronnie McGill filled Monday night. A sure sign he's taken to his coaching role: he was sporting a floppy hat, the look favored by several Tar Heel coaches...After a morning session that lacked some of the energy of earlier practices, the intensity was back on Monday night, including a very boisterous secondary that was flying around the ball...
Reader question: It didn't look like we ran the ball that well in the scrimmage. Was that because the DL (and overall defense) is much improved or our running game is going to be a big concern this year? And with Baker going 17-26 for 172 yards, is that indicative of Baker doing really well or is our secondary going to be a question?
Carolina didn't run the ball well and that was John Bunting's immediate concern after the scrimmage. But what he saw after reviewing the tape encouraged him, as he saw a defensive line that forced the tempo for the first time since 2001.
It's too early to give up on the running backs, as Barrington Edwards got just six carries on Saturday. After a year away from game-speed football, it's unreasonable to expect him to be in peak form already, but there's no doubting he's essential to Carolina's early-season success.
As for Baker, he's had a very good training camp. So has Carolina's secondary, which might be the strongest unit on the defense at the moment. Keep in mind that Baker wore a red jersey Saturday, which meant he didn't have to worry about a blitzing linebacker blindsiding him. That gives him an extra second's peace of mind, and seconds are important in the secondary. For Carolina's defensive backs to have the kind of season Marvin Sanders wants them to have, it's critical for the front seven to generate some pressure on the quarterback rather than allow opposing QBs to pick the defense apart.
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.
