I'm actually the sports editor of The Mirror, the UNC student newspaper. We're starting some preseason coverage, something we don't normally do. But I've been waiting and waiting and waiting to get back to writing, so hopefully I can give everybody some good information. The first installment with Coach Collins can be found below:
http://www.uncmirror.com/sports/collins-running-team-hard-with-purpose-1.2540628" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I hope everybody finds this useful and informative. My assistant, Samantha Fox should also be doing some reports during the preseason, so I'll post those on here as well.
For this preseason coverage, I think we'll mainly stick to Q&As with coaches and players, mainly because I'd like to save some features and position profiles for when The Mirror starts printing again (on the first day of classes, August 22). However, if there are certian players/coaches you'd like to see for this preseason coverage, feel free to suggest names (or questions you'd like to see asked to these people) on here or you can email them to me at
[email protected], and I'll do my best to come up with something. I don't have any opposition to doing more than one per day. I will be out of town Tuesday of next week and I'm having two of my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday, so depending on how long that sidelines me, I'll do my best to get back at practice and talk to people.
Now for some notes from Saturday's practice:
WR Chris Morris had his good and bad moments. He'd catch the ball at it's highest point, but then fail to hang onto it. Sometimes this was due to good defense, I remember Chuks Nweke stripping him of the ball once, but sometimes it was just bounced off his hands. This was surprising today because Morris had done pretty well the previous two days. Morris also got some looks in the return game along with the likes of WRs Patrick Walker and Dominic Gunn.
RB John Burnley looked good on a couple of runs today. On one particular run in 11-on-11 drills, he had plenty of blockers to the right and exploded toward it. If he hadn't of tripped on the heel of somebody he was running past, he would have reached the end zone with nobody touching him. So, yes, he tripped, but he looked good on the play. While I'm at it, I suppose the offensive line should get some love here too. They gave him a large hole to work with.
QB Seth Lobato had a gorgeous pass that landed perfectly in the hands of Patrick Walker, who was double covered. Patrick caught it just inside the 10 and took it for a touchdown. I can't remember if it was 7-on-7 or 11-on-11, but nonetheless, it was impressive.
RB Travis Bernard looked decent in drills, but like many players, he was tired after the sideline-to-sideline runs (or gassers) at the end of practice. Unlike many players, Bernard has only been in the state for about a week. Coming from sea level in California, he looks to be having a tough time adjusting to the altitude (or at least all the distance running at altitude). He couldn't do the very last gasser because he was barely standing. He needed help walking to the field when all the players turned in at the end of practice. The kid is fast. Boy, is he fast. And he can stop on a dime to change direction. I hope the team is able to utilize his talents, so hopefully he can overcome the altitude. But I've been told he also has asthma working against him. I'm wishing this kid well.
That's all I have at the moment. Hopefully this is all helpful. Send comments/questions/suggestions please; I encourage it. And if you haven't already, go "Like" The Mirror on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and pick up issues on/around campus if you're close enough when classes start. Or read the issue online at http://www.uncmirror.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. There's more than great sports coverage! (Hey, I'm a company man. I have to sell the product.) Check back tomorrow for a Q&A with senior DB Elliott Dorsey. Enjoy!
PC
