University of North Carolina Athletics
Media Day Quotes - Butch Davis
August 12, 2010 | Football
Aug. 12, 2010
Head coach Butch Davis
Opening Statement
"Obviously we are in the thick of our fall training camp. In the first two or three days of camp, everyone is excited for training camp - the season is just a few weeks away. Then comes the time where it is 97 degrees and it's the seventh or eighth day of practice. Some teams decide whether they are going to win or lose in how they use those practice opportunities presented to them.
I think the character of your football team gets put to the test in the middle of August. Your leaders, seniors or starters have to become the encouragers. They have to push guys past the limit of just having to survive practice and actually relish the opportunity to get better.
For the first time since I have been here we actually have legitimate position battles. Guys are battling not only to become starters, but for significant playing time. I have been impressed with the overall conditioning of this football team. The way you are allowed the practice, the speed and overall efficiency is dependent upon the conditioning of your players.
I am also impressed with our freshmen class. I think it is a talented class and some kids with an awful lot of passion to be good. They are coachable, hungry to learn and really listen in meetings. All football players are going to make mistakes, but their willingness to learn is encouraging.
Our number one priority is to solidify our offensive line. It has been a little bit of an Achilles heel for this football team over the last two years. I think we have a good nucleus of guys like Alan Pelc, Mike Ingersoll, Jonathan Cooper and Cam Holland. Those guys who played last year gained some valuable experience and have taken their game to the next level. "
