University of North Carolina Athletics
Wednesday Evening Practice Notes
August 24, 2005 | Football
Aug. 24, 2005
By Adam Lucas
Strong safety continues to see some of the best competition of training camp, with Mahlon Carey and Trimane Goddard battling for the starting role. "In my opinion that is a heat between Mahlon and Trimane," John Bunting said Wednesday. "Mahlon's been playing quite well. He is how you build them in the NFL. Step into any NFL locker room and that's how the strong safety looks--strong, physical, and fast. He's got some football savvy and just has to continue to make the right decisions.
"Trimane also has that savvy and is well versed in what he has to do. He's also a very fine athlete and is extremely competitive. He's a smaller version of Mahlon and is extremely well versed in our defense."
No matter who wins that job, the Tar Heels should put strong tacklers on the field at both safety positions. Kareen Taylor is a headknocker at free safety, Carey has a linebacker's love for contact, and Goddard, despite his small size, continues to show a very physical side.
"Hitting is all about timing and bringing it from your hips," Goddard said. "They look at me and don't expect me to bring it to them, so while they're second-guessing about what I can do, that's when the power comes in."...
The Tar Heels got in some scrimmage time Wednesday night, as the first, second, and third teams had a controlled scrimmage, worked on a variety of situations, and did some goal-line situational drills. All activities were done with a full set of officials to emphasize the need to avoid penalties...With Rick Steinbacher moving into the radio booth this year, Carolina is losing their "get back" coach, the person assigned to keep the players not in the game from crowding onto the field of play during games. John Bunting filled that role Wednesday night. Before the scrimmage began, he announced over the practice field PA, "Everyone is to stay behind the cones (marking the sideline). If you don't stay behind the cones, you will run. This includes women and children. I will run you." No one tested him...
David Noel stopped by practice, and Jesse Holley immediately offered him his jersey. "I'll give you the shirt right off my back," Holley said. Noel declined...Durrell Mapp and Cedrick Holt had interception returns for touchdowns...Some players just have the knack for returning kicks and punts. It's starting to look like freshman Brandon Tate has that skill...
A variety of special teams roles are coming into focus as the Tar Heels near the close of their second week of camp. Andrew Wasserman continues to be the favorite to fill the holder role vacated by Roger Heinz. Warren Green is likely to be the long snapper, and Michael Murphy will do the field goal snapping.
Both players have the unenviable task of filling in for Greg Warren, who was so proficient in the role that he's getting a long look from the Pittsburgh Steelers in training camp.
"We will all be on the edge of our seat the first time the punt team goes out there," Bunting said. "But we said the same thing about Greg Warren before the Oklahoma game (in 2001) and he went out there and did a great job. Every game will be an adventure, as it was for him in his first year."
Bunting said Del Roberts is the current leader for the punt return job, while Mike Mason and Wallace Wright would return kickoffs if the season opened today. Tate has also been impressive in both of those roles and could challenge for playing time there...Two players--Tommy Richardson and Goddard--independently volunteered Wednesday that the team chemistry is the best they've seen at Carolina. Goddard is just a true sophomore, but Richardson is in his fourth Tar Heel training camp. "The camaraderie right now is great," he said. "It's the best I have seen around here. Guys know where other guys are going to be on the field and they depend on each other.
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.
