University of North Carolina Athletics
Former Tar Heels Begin Quest For Super Bowl Title
January 4, 2007 | Football
Jan. 4, 2007
By H. Brock Page
With the NFL playoffs starting this weekend, (and with the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers, including UNC products Willie Parker, Jeff Reed and Greg Warren watching from home), it's time to take a look at Carolina's former players in the NFL vying for the Super Bowl. There are 12 teams in the playoffs, and eight of them have former Tar Heels on their rosters.
COLTS: Jeff Saturday has been the starting center for sometime. This is not easy with Peyton Manning audibilizing seemingly every play. It takes a center that is smart, disciplined and strong. Manning has been spoiled over the past few years with Saturday successfully handling difficult snapping chores. Dexter Reid is listed as the backup at one of the safety positions, and the way the Colts defense has been avoiding tackles lately, maybe Reid needs more playing time. Reid was a warrior for the Tar Heels defense from 2000-03.
COWBOYS: Notice how the Cowboys defense has struggled lately? One guess is that the Dallas defense really misses standout Greg Ellis, who was lost to injury midway through the regular season. Ellis gave the Cowboys a stout run-stopper who also put a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterback. Tony Romo starts at quarterback, Drew Bledsoe is the backup (one would think), and former Tar Heel QB Matt Baker is the third quarterback.
GIANTS: The Giants have two former Tar Heels on the roster, but only one is listed on the depth chart. Jonas Seawright has been the primary backup at one of the defensive tackle positions all season. The Giants like depth on the defensive line, and Seawright has given that as a rookie. Tommy Davis in on the Giants roster as a practice squad player.
RAVENS: Jason Brown, a reserve offensive lineman in 2005-06 as a rookie, has been the Ravens' starter at left guard most of this season. In one of the greatest efforts ever by a Tar Heel offensive lineman, Brown led the blocking in Carolina's biggest upset ever, against Miami in Chapel Hill two years ago.
CHIEFS: Ryan Sims has struggled the past few seasons at defensive tackle for the Chiefs, but perhaps things will be better now that Kansas City seems to have shored up its defensive shortcomings. A backup on the defensive line, Sims can still give Kansas City valuable depth.
JETS: Wallace Wright, a former walk-on at Carolina, is listed as the third wide receiver, backing up Laveranues Coles at that position. After getting called up from the practice squad in November, Wright has played in five games and made six tackles on special teams.
SEAHAWKS: Over the past eight NFL seasons, defensive tackle Russell Davis has been a valuable but underrated member of the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. Davis was a warrior for a Cardinals defense that wasn't very good, and now he brings stability to the Seahawks defensive line, which spearheads a very good defense. The Seahawks went to the Super Bowl last year, and any run to the Bowl this year will require strong play from Davis and the rest of the Seahawk front four.
SAINTS: Former North Carolina letterwinner (2000) Jamal Jones joins a Saints receiving corps that has stunned the league with its productivity, hooking up with Drew Brees on a regular basis for big plays.
