University of North Carolina Athletics
Bunting Press Conference Quotes
November 7, 2006 | Football
Nov. 7, 2006
Head Coach John Bunting
Opening statement:
We're playing Georgia Tech at home - homecoming. They're a team that's ranked 18th or 19th, depending on the poll. They've got some good players who are doing a lot of good things offensively right now; I think they are ranked fourth [in the ACC] in total offense. Defensively, we all know, we're all familiar with some of the good things they've done down there in the past and in the recent past. That will be something for us to contend with up front in terms of their defense, their pressures, their movements. I'm looking forward to playing them here. Chan Gailey is a pretty good friend. He's a good football coach and a good man.
On what the offensive line needs to do against Georgia Tech:
Number one is to stay healthy. Number two is to communicate better up front. When communication goes a little awry, both on defense or up front with the offensive line - or anyplace really with the offense - you struggle and you have some problems. We have to do a better job of that now. It's been stressed in yesterday's meetings with the players, and it will continue to be stressed, particularly with what we're up against with the pressure of the Georgia Tech defense.
On the status of Barrington Edwards:
He is back with the team and practiced yesterday.... I'm not even focused on where he is in terms of the depth chart. I just want to make sure he is focused, ready to play. Ronnie [McGill] will be playing as our number one [back]. Who plays as number two is uncertain. Bobby Rome got some snaps last week, did a pretty good job for us. He's getting better and better. I think the guy has a great future. We've had an injury to [Martel] Thatch - I want Barrington to be able to be ready to help us on [special] teams wherever Thatch plays. And Barrington is willing to do that. I'm sure he is and he's stated so.
On the status of Larry Edwards:
Larry went out last night and actually practiced in a green jersey, which means no contact. He will practice in a green jersey again today, meaning no contact. So it's good just to see him running around out there. As things go on, I'm real hopeful we can have him back before the season's over. But it's day-to-day with him and see how he responds.... The initial report was the one that we put out which was, basically, it's a season-ender. But knowing Larry, and getting him x-rayed, over the last two weeks we see healing. I'm not a doctor, though I hope to be one someday - just kidding. We see healing. It's going to be pain as tolerated and see how things go. We're going to progress him as he feels, how he does. Whether it's next week or the week after I don't know. I know this: he wants to play.... Knowing Larry Edwards, nothing ever surprises me with him. He's a very determined young man who wants to play. He wants to win. He wants to help the team.
On what the defense learned from playing Notre Dame and Jeff Samardzija - and how that will help with facing Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson:
Well, when you're in a three-deep coverage, be in a three-deep coverage. That's for sure. That's what we learned from Notre Dame. When we ask somebody to be in a certain spot, he needs to be in that spot. With Calvin Johnson, they also will move him around some. He is a true weapon. I think he is a step better than Samardzija, that's for certain.
On preparing to face Reggie Ball:
He's another difference-maker. They do a great job of coaching him, managing him, and then he does a great job of managing the offense. They are doing a really terrific job with some of the schemes that they use, the personnel they get in and out of with some of the runs, the quarterback runs, the quarterback draws. They are very, very efficient. Chan Gailey is a smart guy and he's been, now, with Reggie Ball for a long time. He's gotten a ton of mileage out of that guy. He's obviously a very smart player and a talented player, but, to prepare for him - he's going to run the football some and he's going to hurt you. So what you want to try to do is minimize it. And when you get your opportunities you want to hit him and hit him as hard as you can.
On his assessment of Joe Dailey's performance last week:
Joe did a great job last week eluding some pressure because he had a lot of it. And he did a great job delivering the ball downfield. If he can continue to do that, that will be really helpful. We need to do a better job protecting him. Joe is a guy who loves the game, works at the game. He had a very good week last week. Hopefully, he plays as well or better this week. That would be good for him and good for us.
On Hakeem Nicks:
I think he's gotten healthier after the high ankle sprain at Miami. Going into that game he was a playmaker, then he had a couple weeks off with the injury. I think he's healed up, and he's got a big ol' smile on his face. He wants the ball. And he's going to catch it. He's got big hands. Once again, I've described him as a warrior, and that's what he is. He's going to become a really fine, fine player.
