Aug. 18, 2008

By Turner Walston

The third week of Tar Heel training camp got underway Monday, two days after a scrimmage and Meet the Heels on Saturday. Early in the session, Butch Davis excitedly moved from station to station, watching position coaches put their charges through drills.

Ken Browning encouraged his running backs to practice with more physicality. "Attack the tackler," he told Ryan Houston, who has come to be known as `Horse' on the field. The backs worked on attacking blockers and opening holes. "If you knock him back, you've created a tear," Browning said.

Davis wasn't just observing drills, however. "Try to be the next William Henderson, now," he implored Devon Ramsay, calling to mind the former Tar Heel fullback who carved out a 12-year career with the Green Bay Packers.

Meanwhile, the quarterbacks worked on their drop-steps, with Coach John Shoop emphasizing quick feet and effective ball skills. "Keep it on that pec," he told a back-pedaling Mike Paulus...

Sophomore cornerback Charles Brown is on the field after suffering an ankle injury. "It's probably around 80 percent," he said. "I still can't get that top speed like I really want to, and I guess that's my strength. It's frustrating, but it's getting better every day."

Physical reps are ideal, but Brown said he has been able to continue his growth as a player, even if it's from the sidelines. "I've learned a lot just watching practice," he said. "This has helped me be more of a student of the game, since I've been in the film room. When other corners make mistakes, I'm watching them and making sure I don't make those same mistakes when I get back."

As a freshman, Brown's speed ensured he would see the field. Through spring practice and fall training camp, Brown said his football intelligence has increased. "Last year, I just relied on pure athletic ability. Now, I feel like I know a lot about the position, and being injured, I've really just been studying, so that's going to make me better."

Brown's injury has opened the door for some other cornerbacks to see the field, he said, and that's not a bad thing. "Look for Richie Rich to make some noise at corner, he and Jordan Hemby. They're pushing me to be better. I'm looking at the competition at my position. They're playing real well right now. That's making everybody better. Me being down is helping the team, because they're out there getting the reps that they weren't getting before, and it's helping our secondary. Now, I've just got to get healthy."...

Several NFL scouts were in attendance on Monday. The Bears, Redskins, Buccaneers, Giants, Colts and Panthers were represented...The Tar Heels will not practice on Tuesday, as it is the first day of classes at Carolina. They will return to the field for a Wednesday evening practice.