Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Aug. 25, 2005, edition 1 / Page 18
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2C SPORTS/®!it Ctiarlatte #sM Thursday, August 25, 2005 Rebuilt defense can’t afford to rest for JCSU Continued from page 1C mentally as well With so many new players on the ros ter, old attitudes have given way to a team-first mentality “The biggest difference has been attitude,” junior safety/linebacker Omar BizzeU said. “We’ve got the talent . and if everybody plays like they’re supposed to, that’s the biggest differ ence - the attitude that we know we’re going to win. And wlien you know you’re going to win it, it’s going to hap pen.” McNeill and defensive coor dinator Gr^ Richardson are emphasizing speed and ver satility. Haynesworth has also practiced at defensive tackle in Smith’s 4-3 scheme and BizzeU moves fix)m the secondary to linebacker depending on the down and distance. “Defense is speed on every level,” McNeiU said. “It does n’t take a whole lot of size to play defense with the way the zone scheme has taken over. The thing you want to do is put yoiir best people on the field.” The secondary returns the most experience with BizzeU, Geoige Pope, and De’Audre Dix starting games last sea son. The linebackers are soUd with Chris Nelson and JerreU Goodwin returning. But the line is luucli bigger than last year’s, with Haynesworth, feUow sophomore Leroy •Bradley and freshman Thelder Gamble hovering near 300 pounds each. “We’ve got some quick guys,” Haynesworth said. “We’re big and fast. We can get to the quarterback.” Their first test is Satruday, and the BuUs are excited about the possibilities of showing those changes off in a game that actuaUy counts. “We did a pretty good job (in scrimmages) but there’s always room for improve ment,” Haynesworth said. “We’re just going to get bet ter.” Said BizzeU; “Everything is new, we’re coming off with a new start, the past is in the past. We’re looking forward to a lot of things.” Notes • Edvard Jean wUl start at quarterback against GlenviUe State Saturday Jean, a senior from Philadelphia, is the only quarterback on the roster who has played in a coUege game. Freshman Carlton Richardson is the backup. • Smith is trying to break a school-record 14-game losing streak as weU as an 0-6 mark at Belk Complex. . • The JCSU coadies’ show debuted last week on WAXN (channd 64). The program, which airs Sundays at 11:30 p.m., wUl run throu^ the regular season. • GlenviUe and Smith have played twice, with the series tied at a win each. Smith won the first game 13-10 in 1992; GlenviUe won 45-0 in 1993. Peppers makes case for dominance Continued from page 1C over the last couple of weeks. It’s just a little sore,” Peppers said. “There’s no need to make it anything but what it reaUy is ... (it’s) just a Ht- tle, shght spi’ain. I’m just being a little extra cautious, just resting it with the boot.” Hence, Peppers’ anticipated season from heaven remains on course. While it was unceitain whether Peppers would play in the Panthers’ preseason game at Cleveland Friday, few would argue that Peppere resembles the best defensive player in the league in Carolina’s exhibitions. In the preseason opener, Washington tried to triple-team the 6-foot-7, 283-pound Peppers - emphasis on “tried.” And in last week’s lc»s to the New York Giants, Peppers awed everyone yet again. In single coverage against Kareem McKenzie, Peppers blew by knocked the baU fium quarterback Eli Manning, scooped the baU up and ran 29 yards foi* a touchdown. “He’s already liad about five of those since he’s been here,” Carolina safety Mike NCnter said, when asked to rank Peppers’ play days later. “With him, you expect something like that to happen. It doesn’t even surprise us any more. “When he did that, I was just like, ‘OK.’ It’s like Michael Jordan dropping 36 points; you’re Uke, ‘OK, fine, that’s a good night, I guess.’ But if it was somebody else, you’d be like, ‘Aw, wow!’ But Julius? No big deal.” Which explains why so many expect Peppers to eclipse his career-high of 12 sacks and take on some NFL records. “Maybe the expectations of me aie as high as they’ve ever been. I don’t know,” Peppers said. “They’ve always been there. It’s not something that really affects me. I try to ignore it as much as I can. But I know they’re there. As long as I go out and handle my business, I think every thing should be fine and take care of itself I’U be fine.” Obviously though, Peppero has to be more than “fine.” “I expect him to dominate,” Minter said. “I expect him to bi'eak those all-tiiue records - sacks in a season and sacks in the National Football League all-time. So the ejq^ectations are real high, and he’s going to live up to them. He’s that good. “A lot of people don’t imderstand, but he’s real smart. He understands the game of football. On top of that, he’s big and strong and fast and athletic. And when you have those things, and the dedication and the heart to get it done, that’s when you see Hall-of-Fame type players. And that’s what’s happening witli Julius light N.C. Central aims for CIAA West Continued from page 1C defense. The unit, which fin ished ei^th in Division II last year, lost nine startei's, including the top seven tack- lers. Sophomore tackle Courtney Coard and junior end Birkes Williams are the lone returning starters. Tb make matters worse, the defensive line, which Broadway thou^t would be one of his strongest areas, has been weakened by irguries in practice. Most are not too serious, but any missed practice time at this juncture is cmdal. “At this time of year, you’re concerned about everything,” Broadway said. Nesbitt ready for final finale St. Augustine’s QB Darrell Nesbitt jokingly stated that tliis is definitely his last year. The well-traveled Nesbitt was given a sixth year of eli gibility by the NCAA after breaking a finger in his throwing hand last season against Mars Hill. Nesbitt said he is 100 per cent healthy and ready to fly the Falcons to a CIAA cham pionship. “God gave me one more chance to play so this is a spe cial season for me,” he said. ‘1 think I’ll go 110 percent since I got another chance. Ill have to strive a little harder and make my teanunates better.” Like his other two TViangle counterparts, coach Michael Costa has a veteran core returning, including 18 starters and the entire defen sive unit. The defense will be the strength of the team, witli veteran defensive linemen Alex Hall, Cedric Clark, Michael Dobson and Marcus Montgomery’. Linebacker Tyrone Pettaway. whom Costa says to “keep an eye on this season,” leads a big and tough linebacking core tJiat will make it hanl for oppo nents to score. Costa said St. Aug’s (4-6, 3- 4) theme tliis year is “Keeping tradition alive in 05.” TTie football team hopes to piggyback off the successes of the worid renowned track and field prc^rain. WTith Neslatt back at the helm, anything is now possi ble. The rest of the Western Division: • Fayetteville State (8-4, 6- 1) For the past three years, opposing fans have been wait ing for Fayetteville to fall, and every time the Broncos are the last team staiiding. The Western Division champs are vying for their fourtli conseai- tive division title and fourth straight appearance in the football championsliip game. Shaw tripped up FSU in the championship game last sea son, and coach Kenny Phillips is still smarting. “In 2005, we are going to do the things that got us our first two championships,” said PhilHps who has posted a 35- 21 record in five years. In other words, don’t count FSU out. • WTnston-Salem (4-6, 4-3) TTie Rams had one of the toughest schedules in Division II last year and don’t slack off this year as they pre pare to leave the CTAA for Division I-AA status. WTnston opens at home against D-II power Catawba, then take to the road to face D-I-AA foes Howaitl imd South Carolina State. Coach Kermit Bloimt has dynamic duo RBs’ Martin Hicks (1,448 yards) and Jerrick “Jed” Bines (1,137) - Nos. 1 and 2 in the conference in rushing - returning. Blount’s bi^est losses are graduating QB Josh McGee, who is now the Ram’s quar terbacks coach and McGee’s go-to guy, WR Brandon Free. Defense will be the key for the Rams who finished next to last in total defense last second stint as head coach. • Livingstone (2-8, 2-5) Robert Massey was initially hired as defensive coordinator but took over the head roach- ii^ duties after former New England Patriots star Ben Coates bolted for the NFL. Livingstone returns seven starters on offense and defense, but its biggest loss is All-American linebacker Moises Gordon who led the Division II in tackles. Starting QB David Melton also gi'adu- ated. If given the resomres and tune, Massey can be success ful, but the operative woids are: resources and time. Whether you're visiting Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh, The Comfort Inn University is the perfect place to stay. With amenities such as a deluxe conti nental breakfast, full fitness center, outdoor pool, and free high-speed wireless internet access, we know how to make you feel comfortable during your stay. 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