Tar Heel Football: Top Five Post Spring Questions
By Matt Haley
Prior to the spring we asked five questions about UNC football, and while the spring game may have given us a better insight going into fall camp not everyone was able to attend the game. Today we will look at these five questions and give some insights to what was observed during UNC’s 2012 spring game.
1. How will the defensive secondary respond to the new scheme?
The Tar Heel secondary was the most maligned group during 2011 season. There was some promise as Tim Scott played well for most of the season as True Freshman and Tre Boston looked more comfortable when he transition back to safety, but losing Charles Brown (UNC’s best cover corner) and Matt Merletti the secondary is a area where some new comers can earn quick playing time. The secondary at times was put in situations where UNC utilized a 3 man rush requiring the corners to cover longer and seeing many teams converting a high percentage of 3rd downs (43%). Look for Brandon Ellerbe, Kameron Jackson and Sam Smiley to battle Jabiri Price and Terry Shankle for playing time at the corner position. Tim Scott should hold down the other side, but with a new coaching staff more guys will get looks and the competition should be intensified. As far as the Safety position goes Tre Boston will continue to get better and Gene Robinson looked better toward the end of the year. Pete Mangum showed times where he can be a solid player, but consistency is a area both he and Robinson better improve.
During the spring game the secondary looked faster than last season and this is not just related to pure speed. They appeared to anticipate plays in front of them which comes with more experience. Sam Smiley and Gene Robinson look much improved in the spring game. Jabiri Price showed the type of play that made him a top recruit coming into to UNC. This is an area that must continue to develop moving forward this fall.
2. What defensive linemen will provide the much needed pass rush off the edge? Quinton Coples was criticized for his lack of production at times, but watching replays of games Coples was clearly the focal point of chips and double teams which freed up other players to make plays. We have seen moments where Tim Jackson gives hope he can be a dominant pass rusher, but it has not been on a consistent basis. CoachVic Koenning has been known to bring pressure in a variety of forms, and he will need to identify some creative ways this spring or QBs may have all day to throw in the fall. Sylvester Williams play dictate the pass rush by occupying more interior linemen. The big fellow looked explosive in the spring and can parlay his play into a high draft pick next spring.
I still believe they will use some different personnel to create a pass rush. Travis Hughes has the potential to be a outside linebacker in the NFL in a scheme like a 3-4, but how quickly he can be comfortable putting his hand in the ground on pass situations will be key to how quickly he can provide some production in this area.
3. Will incumbent QB starter Bryn Renner be able to transition to Coach Fedora’s spread offense or will Marquise Williams have a legitimate shot and seeing the field?
I have no doubt the starting quarterback next fall will be junior Bryn Renner. After throwing for nearly 3000 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first year as a start most fan bases would be excited about his return. With the new offense many are calling for redshirt freshman Marquise Williams to get a shot as well as committed quarterback James Summers. The spring game demonstrated how far ahead Renner is of Williams, but Williams has talent and will see the field in situations this fall. The hurry up no huddle may provide more series to give the coaches a chance to utilize Williams where the pro style may have limited the possessions available. Mark it down that the only thing that will keep Renner from starting is injury or an off field matter.
4. Will the lineman recruited for Butch Davis’s Pro_Style offense grasp the concepts for the new Spread quickly enough to show gains next fall? The level of talent in the offensive line is good. The production has been suspect at times, but also keep in mind they protected a rookie quarterback who was learning how long he can hold the ball and the offense was put in many third and long situations due to conservative play calling. The offense did pave the way for Gio Bernard to gain1285 yards and 13 touchdowns. The staff will need these guys to come together quickly and if they can the “Fed Ex” ground game should get off to a fast start. The offensive line did have some pre snap issues in the spring game with false starts that must be corrected in fall camp. of course there will be a number of these for any team, but they had a major problem early on this April.
5. Who will replace Dwight Jones in the passing game? Every spring we hear how great a Jheranie Boyd looks, or Sean Tapley is showing strides in practice. Tapley showed his speed with the 55 yard TD strike from Renner which was the spring game’s longest pass play. This position appears to be the most wide open on the team. Consistency is what has been in some cases to maintain a prominent role in the offense. The player I look to first is Erik Highsmith. Highsmith has gotten better and when healthy has shown the most consistent route running abilities. T.J. Thorpe thrived on special teams and demonstrated how explosive he could be with the ball out in space.
Eric Ebron, a tight end could benefit in the spread offense espially split out with match ups on linebackers. He has demonstrated receiver skills, but possesses the body of a tight end to be a safety net over the middle more Renner. The receiving core has a lot of talent, but without Dwight Jones they also need someone to step up and be that primary receiver. This is the most interesting story that will probably continue into fall camp.
The spring game unveiled we have a lot of options, but who will be that guy on 3rd and 7 to go across the middle remains to be seen.
To listen more of the spring game coverage check out KIH Radio’s spring game recap show.
As always you can follow the Haley and MandMsportshow on twitter @MandMSportshow and you can read more articles from Haley at The Water Cooler.