Aug. 8, 2008

By Adam Lucas

The Tar Heels may have a built-in advantage to college football's new 40-second play clock. Offensive coordinator John Shoop spent 12 years in the NFL, which also uses the 40-second clock. "As an NFL guy, I like it," Shoop said. "It's what I've done for 12 years." Shoop added that the biggest adjustment will come after a long play or long incompletion, as players will have to hustle to get back to the huddle. To get adjusted, Carolina has been working with the new play clock since very early in training camp...The play clock is also a point of emphasis for the defense. Defensive coordinator Everett Withers highlighted the importance of running back to the defensive huddle throughout Friday morning's team periods. At one point, when a couple of defenders strolled to the huddle, he made everyone return to their previous places and then run back to the huddle...

With Ryan Houston nursing some minor nicks, Shaun Draughn was able to get some repetitions as the second-team tailback on Friday...There hasn't been much said about the fullbacks, but the Tar Heels appear well-stocked at that position. The big-play potential of Bobby Rome is well-known, and Anthony Elzy has also had an impressive camp. The most important asset for both of those players is the flexibility they provide Shoop with his play-calling, as both are comfortable staying in to block, catching passes out of the backfield, or carrying the ball...Friday was the second of five two-a-day practices, with the team returning to the practice field Friday night...

Carolina's first training camp scrimmage will take place Saturday morning. The players move out of their camp dorm on Sunday, but after that over a week will remain until classes begin. With McNeese State still three weeks away, it's a challenging time in camp. "We know everyone will be excited for the scrimmage tomorrow," said cornerback Kendric Burney. "After that, we'll have to push through a little bit. That's when you start getting tired of seeing the same guys and hitting the same guys every day."...In an effort to keep tired legs fresh, Friday morning's practice was the shortest of camp...Butch Davis will address the media after tomorrow's scrimmage...Players Burney has been impressed with outside of the Tar Heel defensive starters are Melvin Williams and Da'Norris Searcy. "I see their potential every day," Burney said. "They're going to help us when they can get on the field."...

Jones Angell, a member of the Tar Heel Sports Network, devised an ingenious way to miss Friday's early wakeup call--he persuaded his wife, Elizabeth, to go into labor Thursday night. They became the proud parents of a baby girl early on Friday morning, and all are doing well--except for Jones, who will be running the Kenan stairs on Friday afternoon as penance for missing the practice session. You can deliver parenting advice, congratulations, and/or tips on the best local convent to Jones by emailing him here.

Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly. He is also the author or co-author of four books on Carolina basketball.