By Scott Haynes Aug 25, 2007, 17:05 GMT
OFFENSE: The Butch Davis era now begins at UNC and the new coach's first order of business has to be to generate some kind of offensive consistency. The Tar Heels were one of the worst offensive teams in the conference last year, averaging a mere 18.0 ppg, on just 293.0 yards of total offense. The ground game managed 113.3 yards per game, while the passing attack languished at a mere 179.7 ypg. QBs Joe Dailey and Cameron Sexton both saw time under center in 2006, but neither was able to get the job done, combining for 11 TD passes against 18 INTs. Sexton is still in the mix this season, but Davis could settle on one of his talented youngsters in redshirt freshman T.J. Yates or true freshman Mike Paulus, whose brother (Greg) is the starting point guard at Duke. The receiving corps has some experience, with sophomore Hakeem Nicks and junior Brooks Foster returning. Nicks set UNC freshman records last year, leading the team in both receptions (39) and receiving yards (660), while earning some Freshman All-American accolades. Youth will also be served in the UNC backfield with sophomore Richie Rich (5-9, 190) and freshman Ryan Houston (6-2, 245) both looking to make contributions. The offensive line must replace two starters, but eight veteran linemen return, including improved center Scott Lenahan (6-1, 290).
DEFENSE: Davis not only landed talent on the offensive side of the ball, but defensively, he did well also. The team struggled in 2006, allowing 30.0 ppg, while struggling big time against the run (172.8 ypg, 4.5 ypc). Despite losing a pair of starters from last year, there is every reason to believe that the front seven will do a better job against the run. Senior tackle Kentwan Balmer (6-5, 288) is back, as well as sophomore Cam Thomas (6-3, 315), but it is only a matter of time before true freshman Marvin Austin (6-3, 295) takes over inside. The top prep tackle in the country, Austin has the ability to get upfield and make plays (31 TFLs as a HS senior, including 17 sacks). A fully healthy Durell Mapp will headline the linebacking corps. Mapp struggled early on in 2006 while recovering from a knee injury, but still led the team in tackles (87). Safety Kareen Taylor (five INTs in 2006) will be missed in the secondary, but a lot is expected of redshirt freshman Shaun Draughn (6-0, 205).
SPECIAL TEAMS: The one area that UNC needed little help in was the kicking game, as the team has had the luxury of a quality placekicker and punter the last few years in Connor Barth and David Wooldridge. The good news is that Barth is back after delivering on a perfect 10-of-10 field-goal attempts last season, including a long of 54 yards. The bad news is that Wooldridge is gone, leaving the punting duties to either junior Terrence Brown (6-3, 190), senior John Choate (6-2, 190) or freshman Jay Wooten (6-3, 180).
2007 OUTLOOK: Davis did a masterful job with his first recruiting class and that is where this team will improve by leaps and bounds over the next couple of seasons. A terrific recruiter, Davis will continue to bring top-notch talent to Chapel Hill. The non-conference schedule this year features some winnable games, starting with James Madison in the season-opener. South Carolina visits in mid-October, while the team makes trips to East Carolina and USF in September. The ACC road slate won't be easy, with treks to Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, NC State and Georgia Tech. The home schedule isn't much easier, as Virginia, Miami, Maryland and Duke all come to Chapel Hill. With just nine returning starters, there is every reason to think that Davis will give his own recruits plenty of playing time this year. That may not result in vast improvement in the win column in 2007, but this is a work in progress and UNC gaining access to the postseason may be closer than one would think.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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