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6 FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2003 Linebackers draw from added bulk, experience BY MICHAEL CLARKE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR After finishing last or next to last in all but one defensive cate gory in the ACC in 2002, North Carolina will have to improve on all fronts if they hope to not finish at the bottom of a much tougher conference this year. A huge part of that improve ment depends upon the play of a linebacking corps that contributed to an average of 221.2 rushing yards allowed per game last season last in the ACC. A lack of depth, multiple injuries and abundant inexperi ence left North Carolina’s line backers unable to stop the run or put much pressure on the quarter back in 2002. “Last year is last year,” said mid dle linebacker Doug Justice. “We’re going to forget about it. We’re going to move on. This is a new year. We’re going to do differ ent things this year with our defense. “We’re going to play hard for four quarters, close, and finish.” This team’s linebackers enter the season with more experience and are more imposing physically after a greater commitment to conditioning over the summer. “We’ve got more depth, we’re a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger,” said defensive coordina- A otil l ” Downtown Chapel Hill • 942-PUMP 1 06 W. Franklin St. (Next to;Hes Not Here] . Mon-Sat 11 30am-11 30pm, Sun 12pm-11,30pm www.yogurtpump.com wVVpnit' DTH FILE PHOTO/BRIAN CASSELLA North Carolina linebacker Doug Justice finished second on the team last year with 97 tackles and will anchor the unit this season. tor Dave Huxtable. Some of this depth comes from the addition of several freshmen linebackers who will get playing time right out of the gate. Most notable among these is Melik Brown w'ho has competed to put his name at the top of the depth chart at the strong-side linebacker position. While these freshmen will get playing time and probably will make a difference at linebacker this season, it seems most likely Football 2003 that many of them will begin their collegiate careers on special teams. UNC coach John Bunting is drawing from his own experience as a collegiate and professional linebacker to determine a timetable for inserting these freshmen into the starting lineup. “I think all of them are going to be excellent,” Bunting said. “They are going to touch the field right away, there’s no holding them back. They might end up being starters before it’s all over. Right now I project them to be core spe cial teams players and that’s saying something.” Regardless of who begins the season as the starters, Huxtable figures the Tar Heel linebackers to be greatly improved. “Our linebackers are much bet ter after last season,” he said, “and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.” Contact the Sports Editor at sports@urw.edu. HOMEMADE MARGARITAS MOJITOS HOMEMADE DESSERTS AND ICE CREAM w. DTH/GARRETT HALL Junior defensive tackle Chase Page said he hopes a year of experience will help the North Carolina defensive line improve against the run. Increased expectations for improved defensive line BY WILL ROBINSON STAFF WRITER The word “redemption” is the motto for the entire North Carolina football team this season, but it may apply most to the defensive line. A look at last year’s ACC defen sive rankings reveals one thing: the Tar Heel defense has everything to prove. Run defense, last. Scoring defense, last Opponent third-down conversions, last. The list goes on. Unlike last season, however, the unit has experience and depth to go along with the motivating bitter taste of last year’s humble pie. “Now that they’ve been out there, they’ve experienced it, tast ed it, I’m expecting a lot better per formance and a lot better results this year,” said defensive coordina tor Dave Huxtable. With no seniors left in the unit, a tandem of juniors will be counted upon for leadership: tackles Chase Page and Jonas Seawright and end Jocques Dumas. Page, the line’s leading return ing tackier, started every game last season. Seawright is a menacing presence at 6 feet 6 inches tall, 326 pounds and continues to improve Slip Daily (Ear lirri in Huxtable’s system. “Jonas Seawright has come a thousand miles,” Huxtable said. “He’s moving much better and again is working hard at what we’re teaching." At end, the 6-foot-6 Dumas could be poised for a breakout year after a strong close to last season. Freshman Kyndraus Guy has been a preseason surprise at the position. “They’re talking about not red shirting (Guy),” said junior Madison Hedgecock. “As of right now, I think they’re going to play him. He comes off the ball harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.” Page believes cohesion will be the biggest factor in the defensive line’s success. “Last year, a lot of times we had young guys out there who didn’t really know what they were doing,” Page said. “If one guy messes up, it ruins everything, so we’re trying to get everyone to buy into the sdieme. “If we do what we’re supposed to do and play real hard, I think it’ll work out.” Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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