University of North Carolina Athletics
Thursday Practice Notes
August 20, 2009 | Football
Aug. 20, 2009
Turner Walston caught up with Jamal Womble, Christian Wilson and Dwight Jones after practice Thursday.
•T.J. Yates continues to develop a rapport with his pass-catchers. "We spent some time this summer really trying to develop that chemistry," said Dwight Jones. "I think we're coming along just fine." Jones spent 2007 at Hargrave Military Academy and began camp last year at Division II Valdosta State before finding out that he had qualified at North Carolina. "It made me see life from a different perspective, not taking anything for granted. Right now, I could be in Division II, but I'm here. I just really want to show the world what I'm here for."
He saw limited action in 2008 without a reception, but Jones figures to be a big part of the Tar Heel offense in 2009. "Hakeem's gone, so somebody's got to step up to the plate. We lost some good receivers, so we've got big shoes to fill."
•In the backfield, Shaun Draughn returns as the feature back, with Ryan Houston as the change-of-pace bruiser. So where does that leave redshirt freshman Jamal Womble? "I'm just looking to help out any way I can," he said. Special teams, whatever I have to do, I'm just trying to help the team win.
"Shaun's more of the speed guy, Ryan's a bruiser. I'm kind of in between. I feel like there's a lot of situations where I can get in the rotation and help the team win."
Womble said his best attribute is his ability to separate from closing defenders. "I've always kind of had a knack for breaking tackles. However you can, juke, run them over, stiff-arm, whatever you've got to do to break the tackle. Nothing's wrong with some contact."
•Attrition and injuries have been a problem along the offensive line early this season. However, Womble said he's confident in his would-be blockers. "I really don't think it's going to be a concern," he said. "Anybody that works that hard in practice, eventually they're going to go out there and they're going to hold their own. I don't think it will be a liability at all."
•The linemen will have some blocking help from the tight end / h-back position. A year ago, Christian Wilson was recovering from a broken tibia. He enters the 2009 season with a full training camp, and, aside from a fractured pinky, is healthy. "They've been using me as a `collision blocker.' I've been running from one side of the field to the other to seal out d-ends or linebackers," he said. "With my speed and my size, I can run in and get low on a d-end and push them out."
•The Tar Heels were surprised yesterday when Butch Davis canceled the morning session and took the team bowling.
"It was fun. There have been a lot of injuries in this training camp, and the guys have been working hard all training camp, since Day One," said Womble. "We're all tired, banged-up, sore, I think a lot of the players really needed a break."
So who was the best on the lanes? The offensive line, probably," Jones said. "They all looked smooth out there. I played terribly. I think I had like an 82."
Wilson agreed. "Alan Pelc. All of our linemen, really. Out of the top ten, about seven of them were linemen," he said. "Because of my finger, I was bowling with two hands, but I bowled a 107."
"Probably me, I'd have to say," Womble said, without a hint of irony. "I bowled a 51. I was in the top ten, probably."
Players Mentioned
