University of North Carolina Athletics
Saturday Practice Notes
August 18, 2007 | Football
Aug. 18, 2007
By Turner Walston
Coach Butch Davis put his Tar Heels through what he called a "full-speed, live" scrimmage Saturday. Quarterback T.J. Yates, recently named the starter for week one, ran the show for the first- team offense.
Yates led the first team to touchdowns on two drives that began from their own 35-yard line in 13 and 11 plays, respectively. The first-teamers also scored a touchdown during a red zone scenario, from the defense's 35-yard line.
Encouraging, but Davis said the offense needs work in two-minute drill scenarios.
"We're doing a much better job at orchestrating a drill," he said. "We're not having as much success at being able to get the ball in the end zone. We're able to get the ball in field goal range, but we're not having the success getting the ball in the end zone."
Davis said the team used just three running backs today, as Anthony Elzy continues to battle back from a sprained ankle. Johnny White and Richie Rich split carries with the first team offense, while Ryan Houston primarily played with the second and third teams.
Davis admitted that there is only so much to be learned from scrimmage situations.
"It's always a mixed bag when you go against yourselves," Davis said. "Some of you are mad if the offense has a good day, if the defense gives up a little bit of something."
Still, the coach said he was pleased with today's scrimmage and the week of practice leading up to it. The best news of the day, according to Davis, was that no one was injured.
"You have to do the work. you've got to be able to go full-speed," he said. "You hold your breath when there's big collisions and tackles and stuff like that, but that's the way the game's going to be played."
Senior defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer said he felt good about this morning's scrimmage.
"The offensive line played really well. I think the running backs did pretty good. T.J. Yates played a heck of a game. Overall, it was a very good practice."
Balmer said this year's training camp has been different from his previous seasons.
"This camp has been a lot faster, it's been a lot more exciting," he said. Balmer said the depth along the defensive line has helped him stay healthier than perhaps in the past.
"We have guys that can rotate and can get in there and play," he said. "It's more of an NFL mentality. You come out here, you get your work done, you go home and you rest."
Balmer and his linemates, along with defensive line coach John Blake, closed the scrimmage session with a rowdy chant. The players and coach huddled, swayed and sang together. Balmer called the chant an "inside thing."
"It's just something we do. You'll hear a lot of it during the year," he said. "Hopefully we'll get the fans involved. It's very exciting."
And it's a way for the players to bond, he said. "We've always been close, but it's just something to bring us closer together. You see us circled up, with our arms around each other, like a band of brothers."
