University of North Carolina Athletics
Wednesday Practice Notes
August 16, 2006 | Football
Aug. 16, 2006
By Adam Lucas
Wednesday marks the last day of two-a-days. They used to be a regular feature of college training camps but have been significantly scaled back by the NCAA. Somewhat surprisingly, though, the players don't mind them. "To be honest, two-a-day days seem easier than one-a-day days," Hilee Taylor said. "In two-a-days, the day is broken up more and the practices are shorter. In two-a-days you have more action. Everybody wants to play football rather than look at it."...It seems like a minor detail, but Taylor has been on the practice field--rather than in the training room--throughout camp. He's carrying his 250 pounds easily and says he feels better than he ever has in his college career. "I feel a whole lot healthier right now," he said. "Coach Connors told me if I could ever make it to a certain weight, I'd be healthy, and he's been proven right." Taylor might be the squad's best hope for the emergence of the much sought-after pass rusher...
It's been difficult to get a full read on the tailback situation because Ronnie McGill's repetitions have been limited during the first part of camp. Running backs coach Andre Powell says he's trying to get four tailbacks ready to play--McGill, Barrington Edwards, and Justin Warren would be the obvious choices to be the first three. The fourth will come from the pool of Anthony Elzy, Richie Rich, and Johnny White. "Early next week I want to feed Ronnie a lot of reps," Powell said. "The first two backs will get 60 percent of the carries and the other two guys will have to split the other 40. Then, a couple days before game week, we'll pull back with Ronnie."...
Bunting had high praise for one side of the ball after Wednesday morning's session. "Our offense today in the team period did as well as we can do in terms of efficiency," he said. "We used the 25-second clock, we were on time, stayed on-side, and didn't have any procedure or pre-snap penalties. I was really pleased with that."... Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti's father has been a regular practice attendee. The elder Cignetti racked up over 200 victories as a college coach...Another former coach spotted at practice this week is former Carolina defensive backs coach Ron Case...Calvin Darity got some work with the first two offensive line units at guard...Kareen Taylor celebrated an interception by Jacoby Watkins by removing John Bunting's floppy hat and placing it on top of Watkins's helmet...
Yellow jackets apparently love FieldTurf--and Corey Holliday. The pests are infesting the practice field. One was particularly enamored with Holliday on Wednesday morning. There was a rumor it was due to Holliday's "Driven" by Derek Jeter cologne...The practice field had some new graphics on Wednesday. Four new signs were added: "Hard and Together," which will be placed next to "The Only Way We Know How." There's also a sign that reads "The New Blue" plus one that says, "Effort--Energy for your teammates--Everyday."...There's a close race developing for the most asked question of John Bunting in his post-practice meetings with the media. Early on, the quarterback situation was the clear leader. Now, however, the ol' "Can you talk about Hakeem Nicks?" question (sorry Mick) is gaining ground. Bunting raved about the freshman again Wednesday. "He is a relentless worker," the head coach said. "We hadn't had the chance to see it (before camp). I was told that by (Charlotte Independence coach) Tommy Knotts and I believe in Tommy Knotts. So when he told me that about him, I took him at his word. And it has happened. I don't think it's going to change."
Exactly how quickly will the change of possession be made now that the clock will be started on the ready for play signal rather than on the snap? Probably not as quickly as some doomsaying coaches are predicting. "I met with the supervisor of officials and he told me there will still be plenty of time to exchange offensive and defensive personnel and get them out on the field," Bunting said. "It should not be a problem." Tomorrow's scrimmage will include a full officiating crew to try and closely simulate some of the timekeeping issues...There are two practices today. Which means, of course, that we'll have more reader questions tonight. Send in your questions now.
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.
