April 4, 2005

By DAVID DROSCHAK
TarHeelBlue.com

CHAPEL HILL - Spring practice has come and gone. I know, so soon. And since a lot of North Carolina fans were getting ready for the Final Four during the Spring Game this weekend here's a recap of the top storylines heading into fall camp:

1. The defense. John Bunting isn't about to start doing handstands yet, but a defense that has been at the bottom of the ACC the last three seasons looked quick and aggressive during this weekend's Blue-White game. There were a combined 11 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. That's a major step in the right direction.

2. Connor Barth. Don't expect a sophomore jinx from Barth, who was cool as a cucumber last season in beating Miami in the final seconds. Barth's hair was shorter on Saturday, but his kicks weren't. He had field goals of 49 and 41 yards and appeared to be in mid-season form.

3. Khalif Mitchell. Bunting spent Mitchell's true freshman season trying to decide if he should play defensive end or tackle. He moved him inside over the weekend and Mitchell put on a show with three sacks and four tackles for loss. The 6-foot-6, 293-pound Mitchell has all the physical tools to star there, but is just scratching the surface mentally. Look out when he figures out that part of the game, his teammates said.

4. Barrington Edwards. The LSU transfer can flat-out play. He had 69 yards on 12 carries and busted a few big ones up the middle, showing some real toughness. Edwards appears to have an outside burst despite weighing 210 pounds. Looks like he has enough potential to battle Ronnie McGill for the starting job and be a solid third-down threat out of the backfield. Good find here.

5. Chase Page. The senior is back to anchor the defensive front after missing all of last season when he tore a tendon in his left hand. Page played well Saturday but was upset with himself because he had just one tackle and one assist while logging more than 30 plays. Page said he wants to be a playmaker, something the Tar Heels desperately need. That's an attitude Bunting is looking for from his defense and Page, who the coach believes can be an all-ACC type of player.

6. Larry Edwards. One of the best players on the field Saturday. The junior linebacker said he's on a mission this season after starting out slow in 2004. He looked like it over the weekend, flying to the ball and recording two sacks. Edwards is the kind of linebacker the Tar Heels have been lacking recently.

7. Quarterback. Matt Baker performed well enough to head into fall camp with the job. However, the senior held on to the ball way too long in the pocket Saturday and was called for two delay-of-game penalties, one occurring on third-and-1. In Baker's defense, the Tar Heels split up their offensive line and have several injuries there, too. Baker admitted he's got a lot of work to do before Sept. 10 opener at Georgia Tech.

8.Mike Mason. One of the fastest players on the team, Mason has gotten lost in UNC's deep receiving corps the last two seasons. He now appears ready to battle for more playing time. He had four catches for 78 yards.

9. The other Mason. That would be former walk-on Dean Mason. The junior from Charlotte doesn't even have a bio in the spring football media guide, but recorded two sacks and four tackles Saturday. Mason may be worth another look.

10. The center. Ben Lemming has struggled somewhat after switching from tackle to center, but no need to worry. That's the same move all-ACC center Jason Brown made a few seasons ago. Expect offensive line coach Hal Hunter to work his magic with Lemming, too. And Bunting can't say enough about Lemming's ability, along with the rest of the offensive line.