I figure this needs it's own thread.
9/4/2010, 8pm........North Carolina v. LSU in Atlanta
Tarheels 27 - LSU 23
$200 to me
9/4/2010, 8pm........North Carolina v. LSU in Atlanta
Tarheels 27 - LSU 23
$200 to me
ppabart v. Cie Grant
- Thread starter ppabart
- Start date
Bart....Any scouting report on how the qbs & offensive line have looked so far....because their play will determine how well the Heels do this season.
Well, what i can say is that Bryn Renner is really going to push TJ Yates for the starting job. That being said, I think that means TJ will have to be on top of his game. Last year, I feel like he actually regressed. As a junior, he should have shown more maturity than he did. Now that he's a senior and been the starter for so long now, I think it's all on his shoulders. Bryn Renner actually outperformed him in the spring game earlier this year. Regardless, I think that the Tarheels QB position is looking up.
It also helps that the Tarheels are returning almost the whole offense. Obviously, that makes for potentially good chemistry. We lost Kyle Jolly at LT but in his place should be Carl Gaskins. This dude is a 300 pounder and is athletic. He's a junior too so he's been around. He sat out last year because of an ACL. Other than that, most of the guys are the same. But unlike in years past, I think the cupboard isn't bare. There are actually people pushing for the jobs of the current starters. The O-line of the Tarheels isn't small and is becoming more athletic, so I really do believe that you'll see marked improvement over last year.
That's just my opinion though. I'm obviously a big Tarheel supporter.....but I'm very optimistic about the year.
It also helps that the Tarheels are returning almost the whole offense. Obviously, that makes for potentially good chemistry. We lost Kyle Jolly at LT but in his place should be Carl Gaskins. This dude is a 300 pounder and is athletic. He's a junior too so he's been around. He sat out last year because of an ACL. Other than that, most of the guys are the same. But unlike in years past, I think the cupboard isn't bare. There are actually people pushing for the jobs of the current starters. The O-line of the Tarheels isn't small and is becoming more athletic, so I really do believe that you'll see marked improvement over last year.
That's just my opinion though. I'm obviously a big Tarheel supporter.....but I'm very optimistic about the year.
Just you wait.....Tarheel offense will impress. But you are right....23 for LSU is prob wayyyyyyy too nice.
Bart that Defense is going to be fun to watch....I'm going to try and get to the V.Tech game as I think that will be a good test against Williams(Rb)...the So I think thats his name. Bet the UNDER in the LSU game!!
O/U is high.
TJ yates is like Jake Delhomme...you hope he is neutral enough to keep you in the game but just good enough to avoid bonehead mistakes that give the game away. Although I will say that Yates took a majority of the blame last year and really it wasn't his fault. He basically had no line playing for him.
Defense obviously will be nasty. What intrigues me is 1. How well will the Heels perform with expectations this high. They haven't been in this kind of territory since Mack Brown.
2. How will they respond by the likely booting of Marvin Austin and possibly Greg Little. The loss of Little would be more of a blow IMO, he was the go-to receiver and without him Yates will be looking for a new target.
My prediction is that after Yates fucks up a few games for us Renner will get the ball. But I do agree with starting the experienced guy in a big game situation like this.
I'll be there in Atlanta, I'm pumped! Never thought I'd see the day we'd play LSU. Not the same as if their home turf but I'm excited to be playing a SEC giant like them.
Whoever asked about the O-line, should be much improved.
Rebuilding the OL
By Greg Barnes
Inside Carolina
Posted Jul 25, 2010
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? While quarterback T.J. Yates absorbed the bulk of the criticism for North Carolina?s offensive woes in ?09, a porous offensive line provided plenty of opportunities for opposing defenses to disrupt the Tar Heels up front. But those offensive line concerns may now be a thing of the past.
Following a rash of injuries and defections during the first eight months of ?09, offensive line coach Sam Pittman entered last season with five walk-ons and three true freshmen in the three-deep. The Tar Heels had lost three offensive linemen (Mike Dykes, Zack Handerson, Morgan Randall) to career-ending injuries prior to training camp, the squad?s most athletic lineman (left tackle Carl Gaskins) had suffered a season-ending ACL tear during training camp and two others had left the team (Aaron Stahl, Kevin Bryant).
So it should have come as no surprise that the results were agonizing when left guard Jonathan Cooper and center Lowell Dyer battled injuries during the first half of the season. True freshmen Brennan Williams and Travis Bond were thrust into action before they were ready, and the FBS competition took full advantage, holding UNC?s rushing attack to 239 yards on 116 carries in the first four games, while also sacking Yates nine times.
But that production improved dramatically as Dyer and Cooper returned to full health and the young players earned their stripes. The Tar Heels rolled up 238 rushing yards at a 5.8-yards-per-carry clip against Florida State before following up that performance with a 181-yard rushing display at Virginia Tech one week later.
Fast forward 10 months and the outlook along the offensive line has taken a drastic turn for the better.
Dyer and three-year starting left tackle Kyle Jolly have departed Chapel Hill, but red-shirt sophomore Jonathan Cooper has assumed the center responsibilities and Gaskins is expected to slide into the role of Yates? blind side guardian.
Yates told reporters during the ACC Kickoff on Sunday that Cooper has spent this offseason focusing on his new position and becoming the leader of the offensive line.
?He?s not really one of the big linemen, but he?s a fit guy,? Yates said. ?He?s fast and he?s very talkative. He?s the guy that keeps that offensive line moving, because he?s talking so much out there. He?s an extremely high-energy guy. That?s something you need to keep everything going, especially on the offensive line.?
Red-shirt senior Alan Pelc and Bond return to anchor the guard positions, while red-shirt senior Mike Ingersoll and Williams are expected to battle for the right tackle spot. But the starting unit only provides a glimpse into the optimism that surrounds this group heading into the ?10 campaign.
Red-shirt junior Cam Holland and red-shirt senior Greg Elleby provide plenty of experience off the bench, and a continued move towards a unified front has strengthened bonds along the offensive line.
?Not only the talent ? obviously we?re getting faster, stronger, bigger guys in here ? but just the overall sense that the offensive line is more of a unit now,? Yates replied when asked how the offensive line has improved since he arrived in Chapel Hill. ?Now they watch film together, they eat together, they hang out together ? they?re one big group. They know that we?re going to be switching guys around and there?s a lot of competition going on between the offensive linemen. They know that and they embrace it and really enjoy the competition.?
Early enrollee James Hurst highlights the three-man ?10 recruiting class, thanks to recognition as Scout.com?s third-rated offensive tackle nationally last year. Despite that ranking, or possibly because of it, All-American candidate Robert Quinn made a point to single Hurst out during spring practice.
?Before our first one-on-one, a couple of guys said, ?You?ve got to initiate him and welcome him to college?,? said Quinn, whose stated goals for this season are 27 sacks and the Heisman trophy. ?So I guess I welcomed him into college?
?I set him up to start a speed rush around the corner and then turned right into him and gave him a little bull rush just to let him know that he?s in college now, no more high school. But it was all fun and games.?
Yates is convinced that Hurst is ready to play a significant role this fall for the Tar Heels.
?If you?re coming in just a few days removed from high school and you?re going against [Quinn] in spring practice and holding your own, I?m pretty sure you?re ready to play,? Yates said. ?James is a smart guy. He knows what he?s doing. He obviously came from a great program with great coaches because the transition that he made from high school to college football? Everybody was really blown away by it.?
Things are improving along the offensive front and there doesn?t appear to be any setbacks in the near future as North Carolina currently boasts the nation?s second-best OL recruiting class in ?11, highlighted by five-star tackle Kiaro Holts and four-star guard Landon Turner.
TJ yates is like Jake Delhomme...you hope he is neutral enough to keep you in the game but just good enough to avoid bonehead mistakes that give the game away. Although I will say that Yates took a majority of the blame last year and really it wasn't his fault. He basically had no line playing for him.
Defense obviously will be nasty. What intrigues me is 1. How well will the Heels perform with expectations this high. They haven't been in this kind of territory since Mack Brown.
2. How will they respond by the likely booting of Marvin Austin and possibly Greg Little. The loss of Little would be more of a blow IMO, he was the go-to receiver and without him Yates will be looking for a new target.
My prediction is that after Yates fucks up a few games for us Renner will get the ball. But I do agree with starting the experienced guy in a big game situation like this.
I'll be there in Atlanta, I'm pumped! Never thought I'd see the day we'd play LSU. Not the same as if their home turf but I'm excited to be playing a SEC giant like them.
Whoever asked about the O-line, should be much improved.
Rebuilding the OL
By Greg Barnes
Inside Carolina
Posted Jul 25, 2010
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? While quarterback T.J. Yates absorbed the bulk of the criticism for North Carolina?s offensive woes in ?09, a porous offensive line provided plenty of opportunities for opposing defenses to disrupt the Tar Heels up front. But those offensive line concerns may now be a thing of the past.
Following a rash of injuries and defections during the first eight months of ?09, offensive line coach Sam Pittman entered last season with five walk-ons and three true freshmen in the three-deep. The Tar Heels had lost three offensive linemen (Mike Dykes, Zack Handerson, Morgan Randall) to career-ending injuries prior to training camp, the squad?s most athletic lineman (left tackle Carl Gaskins) had suffered a season-ending ACL tear during training camp and two others had left the team (Aaron Stahl, Kevin Bryant).
So it should have come as no surprise that the results were agonizing when left guard Jonathan Cooper and center Lowell Dyer battled injuries during the first half of the season. True freshmen Brennan Williams and Travis Bond were thrust into action before they were ready, and the FBS competition took full advantage, holding UNC?s rushing attack to 239 yards on 116 carries in the first four games, while also sacking Yates nine times.
But that production improved dramatically as Dyer and Cooper returned to full health and the young players earned their stripes. The Tar Heels rolled up 238 rushing yards at a 5.8-yards-per-carry clip against Florida State before following up that performance with a 181-yard rushing display at Virginia Tech one week later.
Fast forward 10 months and the outlook along the offensive line has taken a drastic turn for the better.
Dyer and three-year starting left tackle Kyle Jolly have departed Chapel Hill, but red-shirt sophomore Jonathan Cooper has assumed the center responsibilities and Gaskins is expected to slide into the role of Yates? blind side guardian.
Yates told reporters during the ACC Kickoff on Sunday that Cooper has spent this offseason focusing on his new position and becoming the leader of the offensive line.
?He?s not really one of the big linemen, but he?s a fit guy,? Yates said. ?He?s fast and he?s very talkative. He?s the guy that keeps that offensive line moving, because he?s talking so much out there. He?s an extremely high-energy guy. That?s something you need to keep everything going, especially on the offensive line.?
Red-shirt senior Alan Pelc and Bond return to anchor the guard positions, while red-shirt senior Mike Ingersoll and Williams are expected to battle for the right tackle spot. But the starting unit only provides a glimpse into the optimism that surrounds this group heading into the ?10 campaign.
Red-shirt junior Cam Holland and red-shirt senior Greg Elleby provide plenty of experience off the bench, and a continued move towards a unified front has strengthened bonds along the offensive line.
?Not only the talent ? obviously we?re getting faster, stronger, bigger guys in here ? but just the overall sense that the offensive line is more of a unit now,? Yates replied when asked how the offensive line has improved since he arrived in Chapel Hill. ?Now they watch film together, they eat together, they hang out together ? they?re one big group. They know that we?re going to be switching guys around and there?s a lot of competition going on between the offensive linemen. They know that and they embrace it and really enjoy the competition.?
Early enrollee James Hurst highlights the three-man ?10 recruiting class, thanks to recognition as Scout.com?s third-rated offensive tackle nationally last year. Despite that ranking, or possibly because of it, All-American candidate Robert Quinn made a point to single Hurst out during spring practice.
?Before our first one-on-one, a couple of guys said, ?You?ve got to initiate him and welcome him to college?,? said Quinn, whose stated goals for this season are 27 sacks and the Heisman trophy. ?So I guess I welcomed him into college?
?I set him up to start a speed rush around the corner and then turned right into him and gave him a little bull rush just to let him know that he?s in college now, no more high school. But it was all fun and games.?
Yates is convinced that Hurst is ready to play a significant role this fall for the Tar Heels.
?If you?re coming in just a few days removed from high school and you?re going against [Quinn] in spring practice and holding your own, I?m pretty sure you?re ready to play,? Yates said. ?James is a smart guy. He knows what he?s doing. He obviously came from a great program with great coaches because the transition that he made from high school to college football? Everybody was really blown away by it.?
Things are improving along the offensive front and there doesn?t appear to be any setbacks in the near future as North Carolina currently boasts the nation?s second-best OL recruiting class in ?11, highlighted by five-star tackle Kiaro Holts and four-star guard Landon Turner.
UNC will be the biggest disapointment in college football this year. BTW, who has the #1 OL recruiting class so far in 2011?
:00hour
I thought it was LSU....:shrug:
La'El Collins 5 stars OL Baton Rouge, LA
Redemptorist 6'5" 285 5 stars
Trai Turner 4 stars OL New Orleans, LA
St. Augustine 6'5" 340 5.1 4 stars
Corey White 4 stars OL Baton Rouge, LA
Capitol 6'5" 280 4 stars
I forgot - you guys don't include Tight Ends since you don't throw.
Oline and DE/OLB are the two things we've got covered
UNC will be the biggest disapointment in college football this year. BTW, who has the #1 OL recruiting class so far in 2011?
Carolina getting the 4th ranked OT in Kiaro Holts and 6th ranked OG with Landon Turner 'aint too shabby with a football program that is on a level below the upper echelon.
Hey, just the fact that UNC is even mentioned in the same sentence about recruiting along side the likes of a program like LSU is impressive to me. I don't expect Carolina to out recruit or even keep par with a program like LSU. The same would be said if the situation was reversed for basketball. Butch Davis has shown every indication that he intends to stay and he is really putting together some great recruiting classes. Just to see UNC in a top 10 with these types of programs is encouraging.
By biggest disappointment this year, not sure I agree with you there. Biggest disappointment in regards to its own fan base and their respective expectations? Possibly. But are people across the nation going to be that down if carolina underwhelm...eh, not really. They're just the bandwagon pick for breakout season among many of the 'experts'. But just having our program discussed means we are on the right path.
Send me the rivals rankings, and I might concede a little.
Of course, all this talk of recruiting rankings is cheap. Particularly when I look at LSU's 2 national titles last 7 years and 4-0 BCS bowl record incuuding a beatdown of your boys along the way. Life is good in the bayou, my man(with the obvious exception of the oil!!) Help me out here, BBC, when is the last time ND was ranked higher than LSU?
How do you like 'dem apples:SIB
