Finally another practice update, relieved to see Crowley's back at it Spoiler Offense by Buck Sanders There were some slight tweaks and modifications to the offense we got to see to day, and some depth chart modifications caused by players being nicked up. Keep in mind these are basically “walk-throughs,” and the coaches obviously know the media is snapping pictures and taking videos, so take it for what it is worth. For the second practice the media has been able to see in a row (the last one was Monday a week ago) Romar Morris worked exclusively out of the slot – did not see him get a carry with the running backs. Elijah Hood initially steps out intially with the first team, but T.J. Logan also gets snaps with the first unit. Ty’Son Williams is the third back out, and works exclusively with the second team. Morris does continue to work with the running backs during certain unit drills. Kris Francis, though still wearing a brace, participates fully in every drill. Speaking of Williams, I am going on record (and it is not a stretch) that he will see the field this year, and probably get some snaps in the South Carolina game. He has been turning heads in practices and scrimmages. Given the depth at running back, it is impressive that Williams has put him into the position of being a significant contributor. You will note that Tommy Hatton isn’t on the depth chart today, Brad Henson was backing up Lucas Crowley today, which caused a ripple effect on the offensive depth chart. However, take heart, the early word is that Hatton suffered a concussion and will be back after he goes through that protocol. The change on the offensive line mostly likely to stick (my opinion) is John Ferranto working at left guard. It’s a move that makes sense, though he may also be the top backup at right tackle and right guard. Henson may back up both right guard and center. Offensive line depth has taken a hit, though so far the starters have gone mostly unscathed, except for Crowley for a practice or two, and now he seems back completely. As we have noted in the past, Bug Howard worked some today as a slot receiver, but truthfully they had him all over the field – as the third receiver out wide to the left as a flanker (he shared some time there with Mack Hollins), as a slot as a fourth receiver without a tight end on the field, sometimes with the two’s as the split end (Quinshad Davis’s spot). Unless I miss my guess the staff is trying hard to find different ways to get Howard on the field. Defense By Greg Barnes Gene Chizik ran the defensive backs through a position drill while Charlton Warren was helping with a special teams drill. That’s one of the benefits of having a rover DC. We were able to see drill progression focused on stripping the ball during the media portion of practice. The first drill was a basic three-man strip drill with the center man carrying the ball and two defenders on either side of him collapsing down to knock the ball away (either popping the ball out from underneath or slamming down on top). Once the ball was out, every single member of the secondary yelled “BALL” and the defenders scooped it up and raced back to the sideline. The next drill added more elements to the technique as the LBs and DBs combined and split into groups facing each other 20 yards apart. A coach would throw a ball the 20 yards to a single “offensive player” and two defenders would approach and attempt to trap him and strip the ball. Fancy diagram below: D D \ / O The offensive player was encouraged to get past the defenders anyway he could, so if the defenders came together too quickly, the offensive player could around the edge and get up the sideline. If the defenders didn’t close quickly enough, the offensive player could shoot the gap. On a handful of occasions, the defenders maintained proper width and were able to get a hand near the ball before making the tackle. Sticking with the physical theme of camp, the defense practiced tackling with a large (approx. 8’x6’x3’) rectangular pad to cushion the fall. In the past, we’ve seen defensive coaches have their players aim for the closest hip and power through at a thud tempo and never to the ground. With the pad in place, the defenders were able to pop the ball carrier with enough juice to tackle him to the ground, but instead they fell into the pad. In another tackling drill, Papuchis set up a tight end and a RB to simulate a game situation for his LBs. At the snap, the TE charged the LB, who had to shed the block before wrapping up the RB who was running hard out of the backfield. As we mentioned late last week, Freeman Jones was apparently atop the depth chart at PK before getting banged up. On Wednesday, Nick Weiler and Joey Mangili worked together with the ones and Will O’Briant and Corbin paired up with the twos. Both kickers connected from 39 yards out – one in the middle of the field and another from the left hash. Depth Chart Offense LT Bentley Spain LT William Sweet LG Caleb Peterson LG Jonathan Trull C Lucas Crowley C Brad Henson RG Landon Turner RG John Ferranto RT Jon Heck RT R.J. Prince TE Kendrick Singleton TE Brandon Fritts SE Quinshad Davis SE Josh Cabrera AB Ryan Switzer AB Austin Proehl/Romar Morris FL Mack Hollins FL Jordan Fieulleteau/Damien Washington QB Marquise Williams QB Mitch Trubisky RB Elijah Hood/TJ Logan RB Ty’Son Williams/Romar Morris Defense CB M.J. Stewart CB Mike Hughes CB Des Lawrence CB Malik Simmons DE Junior Gnonkonde DE Jessie Rogers DT Nazair Jones DT Robert Dinkins N Jeremiah Clarke N Tyler Powell DE Mickey Bart DE Dajuan Drennon WLB Joe Jackson WLB Cayson Collins MLB Jeff Schoettmer MLB Dan Mastromatteo/Andre Smith SLB Shakeel Rashad SLB Cole Holcomb SS Donnie Miles SS J.K. Britt FS Sam Smiley/Cam Albright FS Dominquie Green NICKEL CB Des Lawrence CB Brian Walker SS Donnie Miles FS Sam Smiley NB M.J. Stewart LB Jeff Schoettmer LB Joe Jackson DE Mikey Bart DE Junior Gnonkonde DT Nazair Jones DT Jeremiah Clarke
Too excited for the game on Thursday. Is there a game thread on TMB yet? I feel like we should make it before the SCAR crowd does.
i can make it as a bridge between the two fanbases or someone else can. i am so ungodly excited too. i have been talking so much shit to my sc friends and dont wanna look like an idiot
Keep it simple at first, something will inevitably be said in the thread that we can mold. The key is for us to have control of the thread title.
i am gonna be honest with you fellows...i am pretty excited for thursday feels good to get that off my chest
i think he houses one 50+ and switzer or romar gets a return td expecting big things dont let me down for once heels
dth football preview if anyone is interested https://www.scribd.com/doc/276618269/Football-Preview-2015#download i downloaded and printed it to read at lunch on paper like its 2004 in this bish
heading up to Chapel Hill for a wedding this weekend (on Sunday) planning on getting in Saturday evening. tell me where to get drunk and watch football. then where to eat a hungover breakfast. then where to get drunk before the wedding. TIA
others can help more but there was a good brunch place that shares an entrance with the cvs on Franklin that was serving booze Sunday morning at brunch (i know Charlotte doesn't allow that but no idea about ch) can't remember the name of the place for the life of me but the food was great
R&R. dawgonit how old are you? It will give me an idea of what to recommend. For the younger crowd the bars to head to are Top of the Hill, Bob's, or He's Not Here (My totes fave because I work there and the beer selection is good.) There is plenty of good food on Franklin, I rarely ever make brunch so I don't know what to recommend.
yeah that sounds familiar. i was way too hungover from the duke game to enjoy the bottomless mimosas but the food was tasty
i know it is kind of a chain but i enjoyed watching nfl games and a unc bball game at old chicago. they have good beer and good food
The 3 bars I listed, Crunckleton, Old Chicago (which has a million different beers), Carolina Brewery are all what you guys are looking for then. 411 West has a good brunch.
Back Bar is also good for football watching, it's sort of connected to TOPO. Half off pizza and wings between 5-7PM
apparently there is a welcome party saturday night at Spanky's - think we'll try to eat at Top of the Hill beforehand
Honestly IMO the food at Spankys is better than TOPO, but a lot of people will disagree with me. For late night food Linda's is the best.
i was drunk this weekend and thought "hmmm i would probably murder a homeless man for some biski's right now"
The Linda's combo platter, wing platter, and tender platter each have a special place in my heart. Also Wings over > Bskis
food/blueberry wheats at topo -> he's not for blue cups -> goodfellows for picklebacks -> aloha ski at bskis -> cookie of your choice at insomnia -> bed -> breadmans for brunch.