University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday Practice Notes
August 7, 2009 | Football
Aug. 7, 2009
In his opening press conference, Butch Davis said three players did not report to the team last night: Kevin Bryant and Zach Brown were excused for personal reasons, while quarterback prospect Donavan Tate was expected to report on Saturday. Tate may have personal reasons of his own, however. The Cartersville, Ga. prospect was drafted third overall by the San Diego Padres as an outfielder, and has until August 17 to sign with the club. "Most of the NFL teams don't have their first-round draft choices in camp," Davis joked. "Neither do we."
Davis said he and his staff had several focuses for the four weeks of training camp ahead. One is to develop depth by letting younger players gain experience in practice. A second is for every player to find a role to help the team win, be it through special teams or even position changes. That was evident at Friday's practice, as Vince Jacobs has moved back to tight end after playing defensive end as a sophomore. Greg Elleby moves from the defensive line to offensive guard.
Another area of concentration during training camp is to get every player on the same page: the page that helps the team win. Media members were handed a preseason depth chart on Friday, but Davis said that was "as insignificant as you can imagine." He's trying to get every player to push himself. "If you walk off and you're a better player, that's all we can ever ask of you," he said. "We'll let the depth chart sort itself out." Davis pointed to Bruce Carter in 2007, and Cameron Sexton in 2008 as evidence that every player should prepare as if they are going to play.
Players reported to Friday's practice wearing their helmets and team-issued mesh shorts. Well, almost everyone. "First day of training camp; it's a great day to be alive," the tights-clad Greg Little announced. "It's a great day to be a Tar Heel." Davis came over and razzed Little during stretches. "What time is the cold front coming through today? Is there a blizzard warning? Anybody got an extra set of earmuffs?"
Early in practice, Davis himself threw out routes to the wide receivers, while John Shoop worked with the quarterbacks and other pass-catchers. "Catch the thing, grip and dip and rip," the offensive coordinator told his tight ends. "Five yards in your sleep!"
The welcomes and pleasantries were dispensed with Thursday night. Friday's practice was all business. Davis huddled the entire team around him to begin the session. They broke the huddle in unison, shouting, "Brotherhood!"
Turner Walston is the managing editor of Tar Heel Monthly. Get real-time UNC sports updates from the THM staff on Twitter
