I suppose this would have been the shiny object in the room to distract us had the NIT decided not to include UNC. And depending on how things go tomorrow night, it still might.
UNC opened up spring football practice today otherwise known as the Bryn Renner Watch. I am not sure there is a whole lot to talk about outside the QB position. Most of the defense has returned and should be beastly. All of the key personnel returns to the skills positions including a healthy Shaun Draughn. So all eyes will be on the QB position to see whether T.J. Yates can improve his passing accuracy or if the coaching staff decides to move on with Renner. It is highly unlikely those answers are forthcoming over the next few weeks but that won’t stop us all from speculating.
UNC will have its spring game on April 10th and it will be televised on ESPN.
Butch Davis spoke with the media today. Tar Heel Blue has the audio here. Inside Carolina has the quotes.
IC also has the spring depth chart. You will note that UNC already has two offensive linemen injured. Nothing like getting a jump on the season.
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Thanks for the football thread. Incredibly, this is BD’s 4th season and I think it is a key to Carolina football moving to the next level. (That would be TOP 15 and contending the ACC in my view).
Butch has already made some comments that TJ is the leader. A new and improved O-Line, proven running backs and some very good recievers should give TJ all he needs to succeed. I don’t think we will see Renner unless Yates chucks away a couple of wins early on in the season.
Gaskins (knee) will get some work this spring but not any contact. Pelc is having shoulder surgery. However, the outlook for the O-line is excellent as Jonathon Cooper will anchor from the center position.
The defense will be tested early with the LSU and GT games. In a way I’m glad those games are early since LSU and GT will be playing a lot of new players. The defense should hold both these teams to under 14 points and give the Heels to set the tone for a possible great season.
I’m pretty excited about the season though as THF mentions his accuracy is the area of concern we all have at present. It’s pretty nice to have a break before we play GT as well since anyone with more than a week to prepare seems to destroy them, UNC included in the 2008 season.
I’m hopeful that we can be ranked in the top 20 throughout the year and win early. Hopefully we catch LSU and GT ill prepared with new players so early in the season. You really have to consider this the first true season of the program having run through most of the previous regime’s players. I’m excited about the coming season and have my tickets for LSU as well as the season set.
On the ticket front, once they build the end zone, bluezone, it will free a number of very nice tickets and improve the lot of everyone. So if you are thinking about season tickets, this would be the year to get them with an eye to improved seating shortly thereafter. I benefited from a student section move and went from looking into the sun to a nice shady seat on the 35 home side.
Go Heels!
While TJ Yates isn’t the best quarterback in the world, I can’t help but wonder how he would do with a different offensive coordinator.
I sincerely hope that this is the year we return to prominence in football. I very much want to see UNC recognized as a two sport power and not just as a basketball school. I think the pieces are in place and that we are moving in the right direction. Hopefully this year will be the tipping point for us to get there.