The Yahoo! Sports All-America squads were released yesterday and there was a rappresentive for North Carolina as line backer Zach Brown made the second team. The 6’2″ 230 lbs senior is one of ten players from the Atlantic Coast Conference, and the only one from UNC. Brown, who played in all of the 12 games for the Tar Heels led the team in solo tackles with 53 (out of 476), as well as total tackles with 91 (out of 868). The line backer came in second in tackles for loss with 11.5 (out of 79) as well as sacks with a total of 5.5 (out of 25). Brown was one of eight players to have interceptions this season, getting two in all (out of 13), recovering one fumble (out of 9) and forcing three more (out of 13). For someone that watched all the games, not just for this year, but for the whole time that Zach Brown has been in Chapel Hill, I find this a just reward for the young man. On the NFL web site the LB is listed as the sixth best, and this is what they are saying about him…

Brown might be the fastest linebacker in the draft, and his explosiveness makes him a desirable playmaker off the edge. He can rush or drop effectively from an upright or three-point position, which allows him to play a variety positions in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Scouts have questioned Brown’s toughness, but his extraordinary speed and athleticism are too enticing to ignore.

On the other hand the name that was missing from UNC in the Y! All-American teams was Quinton Coples. The senior defensive line man was first in tackle for losses at 13 as well as first in sacks with 7.5. Unfortunately for the 6’6″ 285 DE he just did not live up to the hype of the pre-season and that probably hurt him in the voting. From the NFL web site he is listed as the top for defensive line men, but it was not all praise…

From a production standpoint, Coples’ final season was a disappointment, but his combination of size, athleticism and rush skill stands out on tape. Although he might be a better pro as a five-technique, his ability to be effective as a run or pass defender cements his status as the top defensive end in college football.

Both young men still have one more game as their team will be playing in the Independence Bowl on December 26 against Missouri. This will be also the last game for their interim head coach Everett Withers, who is being replaced by Larry Fedora.

As I continue to deal with real life problems (which if you follow me on twitter you will know of) let me get a post about the future as far as the North Carolina football team is concerned. On NFL.com there is an article about the Top 100 prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft. At number three, the first non QB, is a Tar Heel, Quinton Coples, a defensive lineman at his last season in the college ranks. Another UNC player, also on the defensive side of the ball for head coach Butch Davis’ team, line backer Zach Brown. He is a junior, and is looked at as the 27th player. At the 38th spot, once again a defensive player, is Donte Paige-Moss, a junior DL.

In all Carolina has three players in the top 50 and another two in the second fifthy including one on the offensive side. As we all know, seeing what happened last season, all these lists are great but with plenty of games to be played, by the end of the season none of these players could be where they are now. So, while I am hoping to see more from North Carolina, I know that it will be a long time before we know if anything will be as it is now. But, as I do with all the Tar Heels, let me wish all of the players, be the ones on this list or their team mates, the best of luch for the upcoming season.

As T.J. Yates begins the next chapter of his football career as a Texans there are some quotes from his new head coach, Gary Kubiak, and the scouting director for the Houston franchise. Yates, who you can follow on twitter under the name TJ_Yates, has the following message on his twitter page: Houston Texans QB, Tar Heel for life. I am extremely happy for this young man, who no one thought would be an NFL Draft pick ljust twelve months ago, is now on his way of getting a chance to play on Sundays. Will he become a starter in the National Football League? Only time will tell, but on the other hand a lot of people figured that he would not even start last season for Carolina, so I would not bet against him!

Here is the quote from his head coach…

Dougherty: “North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates studied your offense in college. How often do you hear that?”

Kubiak: “It doesn’t happen very often any more in college, because there’s a bunch of spread football going on. Those type of things. He just happened to play for a coordinator that came from pro football a couple of years ago in John Shoop who we know very well. For him, walking in our meeting room the first day, whenever that is, and we put in ‘Flanker Drive’, which is one of our top pass plays in our offense, T.J. will know what’s going on. He won’t have to ask. So that’s a very comfortable situation, and we’re very happy to have him.”

And the quote from the scouting director…

Strahm: “Awesome young man. He’s from Marietta, Georgia. Three-and-a-half year starter, captain, natural drop-back mechanics. Got very good size at 6-3, 220 pounds. Trained in a pro-style offense. A lot of the tape work that he’s done in his career has been off of our quarterback and our system. Great, great leader. A quiet leader in that he’s more of a leader by example, about fighting through tough things. Not as vocal, but he’ll get out there and the team tremendously follows him. He’s got deep-ball ability, understands the passing game, very bright. Got great game management skills, which we really like. Led the team to eight victories this year, and you say, ‘Well, what does that really mean? He should, shouldn’t he?’ Well, you have to remember they had nine kids drafted off that team, and a lot of those kids didn’t even play this season. So there’s a lot of turmoil, and that’s when you really find out about somebody. When stuff’s falling all around you, how can you stand in the heat and take the battle and find a way to win? Well, this young man did that. Has got a big upside. He’s got a short learning curve. He fits our offense extremely well. Has a great play clock in his head. Big upside with this young man.”

I have to admit that while I can not stand the pre-season schedule of pro football, and this year there might be none, I am looking forward to seeing Yates take to the field. Maybe I am falling for a “feel good” story, but why not? Why can’t it be, that for once, the good guys do come in first? Last year, with the team surrounded by a lot of question marks and a huge dark cloud it was the senior QB that was the person that kept this squad together. So, for this old Heel, let me thank T.J. for what he did at UNC and wish him all the best at the next level!

Looking around the internet I found a couple of places that think the New York Giants hit a home run (sorry, it is baseball season) by drafting defensive tackle Marvin Austin in the second round. On SB Nation the Big Blue View has a question/answer done by the Giants’ GM Jerry Reese. Then there is a piece on Yahoo! Sports talking about the winners of the early rounds. Of course the Giants are part of that group. But first here is a question and answer I found interesting from the GM Reese…

Q: What was your impression of him when you sat down with him?

A: I think he was very remorseful. I think he was disappointed that he didn’t get to play. He really wanted to play. He made a bad decision. He really wanted to play. We were disappointed that he let his teammates down and his school down, that he wasn’t there to help them play and win more games. So we sat down with him and we interviewed him; we talked with him. The coaches talked with him. This guy is going to come in here with a chip on his shoulder with something to prove. I hope he will take it out on the opponent. But obviously, when he gets here we will keep a close eye on him like some other players we have had in the past.

And this is a small clip that I thought was interesting from the Yahoo! Sports post…

There is no doubt in my mind that Austin would have been a first rounder had he played last season. It seems that there no doubt for the Giants on that as well. Now the key will be showing to all the other teams the same thing! I am pretty sure that with a team like the NY Giants, where the defensive line seems to be a pretty special place to play, Austin is going to get a good shot at having a great career. Now, as the old cliche goes, the ball is in his court and he can begin to let the rest (aka the skipped season) go and be part of the greatest sports industry that there is.

Once again, good luck to you Marvin as you move to the next step of your football career.

In all there were nine Tar Heels that heard their names called. I have talked about the first one, defensive end Robert Quinn going 14th overall, and about the three going in the 2nd round, as well as the pair headed to Buffalo. I have yet to talk about the last three picked, but rest assure that I will do that later on today. For now I wanted to write this small post reminding all of us fans the following: let’s make sure to cheer for the nine players taken (which is the most from any school this draft), but at the same time let’s also make sure not to forget the rest! A kind and encouraging word for the players that are now going to have to wait for the lock out to be over in order to get a chance is something they might just value.

Too many times as fans we cheer for the players until they are on the court/field/wherever, but then we forget about them when they aren’t there anymore. That is not fair, not one bit, and we should remember that. How many times have we selfishly wanted players to come back so that “our” team could be better? How many times have we wanted this, that and the other from these players that now are headed to the next level, as well as the ones that are trying to get there? They have given us many memories that we won’t soon forget, let’s give them just one back, in showing them that even as they await the NFL lock out to end in order to find a team we are right there, behind them, just like when they were donning the Carolina Blue at Kenan. Being nice to someone does not cost anything, and makes both parties feel better. Let’s try it and see if I was right or wrong!

With the National Football League paving the way in it’s messy fight to see who is right between billionares and millionares we also await for the National Basketball Association to crown a champion and then begin its journey into what could be a lock out of sorts. Well, my dear NBA friends, let me clue you in on something: do not follow the NFL, they can afford not to play, they are America’s favorite sport, they are America’s past time, you aren’t, not by a long shot! Heck you are not the bride’s maid (that would be baseball), you don’t come third! Want to know where you rank? Come listen to “Pushing the Envelope” on CLNS Radio on Sunday from 8 til 9 pm EST and find out!!! And if you can not check it out live you can always head to ITunes and download the podcast. Heck, while you are at it download all the great shows from CLNS Radio! Agree or disagree with me? Leave a comment below, or even more importantly, call the show live at 347-215-7771.

Two more Tar Heels have been chosen, S Da’Norris Searcy in 4th round & RB Johnny White in the 5th, and both are headed to the same franchise, one that is very close to where I live, the Buffalo Bills. (On a side note: with a couple of friends working for the Bills I am definitely going to have to find a way to get to the pre-season camp (if there is one) and get an interview with them). With these two young men being picked North Carolina ties what the Heels did almost a decade ago in 2002 and with one more being chosen it will tie the record that was set in 1998. If this isn’t showing that the gridiron in Chapel Hill is going in the right direction I am not sure there can be anyway to prove that point.

Searcy, who went 100th in this draft, is going to fit right in with the Bills, as he can play good cover, knows how to go for the ball, and can work well if Buffalo needs a nickel back at times. One thing that is pretty amazing to me, the 6’0″/215 lbs safety was 15th in the nation in interceptions even if he did miss three games in the season due to the NCAA investigation. It’s pretty simple to believe that UNC was a Da’Norris Searcy away from winning their first couple of games, that is how much of a difference this young man could have been for the Heels last season. He will do just fine for the Buffalo Bills wherever he plays.

White, who one of the ESPN commentators said is the most under rated running back of this draft, is also going to be a good addition for the Bills. He will give them an added piece on offense, even if he might never be a starter, as well as the special teams. He can run well inside, he can catch the ball and I also believe he can block on pass protection. The fact that the running back played three different positions while in Chapel Hill should show how much willingness he has to work and be part of whatever team he is with. If there is one thing to be said about White is that if you have the “want to” a lot of good things can happen to you, for this back it happened in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Just like the first four let me wish both Da’Norris Searcy and Johnny White all the best as they begin their next chapter in their football career!

After Thursday’s 1st round of the NFL Draft, where Robert Quinn was taken 14th by the St. Louis Rams last night’s second and third rounds saw a trio of Tar Heels hear their name being called. Overall the second round was dominated by the Atlantic Coast Conference, who gave the National Football League 12 out of the 32 picked in that round. Between Day One and Day Two head coach Butch Davis provided 4 of the Top 59 picks, and has now sent 13 players to the next level since being at North Carolina. If that does not help the Tar Heels recruiting wise I am not sure anything can!

But now back to the guys that were taken. First off the board was line backer Bruce Carter (c’mon, don’t deny it, you went Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce either out loud or in your head when you saw the pick come up) at #40. The young man will be joining Jerry Jones’ “America’s Team”, where I am sure he will see plenty of action from the get go as Carter is not just a good LB but also excellent on special teams. Some people were surprised that the 6’2″/240 lbs line backer went ahead of other Tar Heels, on the other hand many also believed that he could have been a first rounder had he not gotten hurt last season. In the end it seems to have worked out pretty well for the young man and will now be headed to the next chapter of his football career.

A dozen picks later it was another Tar Heel hearing his name, as Marvin Austin was chosen by the New York Giants. I have to say this should be a marriage made in heaven, as the defensive tackle can be a great player in the middle and is going to a team that loves to work with their D Line and make them the best they can be. The fact that the 6’1″/370 lbs DT won’t be double teamed as much at the next level (at least at the beginning) should make it interesting to see if he can be a force to be reckon with from day one of the NFL season.

One thing that stuck in my mind though is that ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that he talked to three teams that took Austin off their board due to concerns/questions about his character. I guess on that only time will tell and it’s now in Marvin Austin’s hands to prove those teams wrong (or right).

Lastly, as the 59th pick overall, it was time for wide receiver Greg Little to become an NFL’er. He will be going to the Cleveland Browns, where I have to believe he will be an asset for that team immediately. Lttle becomes the fourth wide out to go on to the National Football League under coach Davis, joining Hakeem Nicks (new team mate of Marvin Austin in NY), Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster. Of all the players taken so far from UNC you have to admit the most intriguing is Little. Was a running back in high school and at the beginning of his Carolina career, then moved to wide out, of course we all know he was one of the players that didn’t play at all last year due to the “scandal” and now has a chance to put all of that aside, or better said, behind him and go and be a pro football player.

To be noted, Schefter did mention issues about Little as well, but added that teams really liked Little as a player. He too, just like Austin, can prove everyone one wrong (or right) by how he performs on and off the field.

Today at noon the draft continues with rounds 4-7. Many more Tar Heels are expected to hear their names being called. I would not be surprised if North Carolina had double digit players in this year’s draft, proving to a lot of skeptics that the program is headed in the right direction under the right head coach. Can not wait to see what happens, but for now let me first wish the trio that has been picked all the best at the next level and the ones waiting to hear their name good luck as you await to see where you are headed.

I have just put up my post about Robert Quinn, the defensive end who didn’t play last season for head coach Butch Davis, being taken 14th in the first round of the NFL Draft. But there are plenty more stories out there and I am going list what I have found so far (and will try to add as I keep finding more as the day goes on). First off UNC’s Athletic Web Site, Tar Heel Blue, as a post on it. Then Yahoo! Sports talks about it as well, as does the N.C. local web site WRAL Sports Fan. Raleigh News & Observer also has its take on the story of the DE from UNC. On the blog level, Carolina March chimes in on the happenings. And finally, at least for now, on ACC Sports there is an interview by David Glenn with coach Davis, talking about what else? The draft!

Last night, on the world leader in sports, the National Football League held the first round of their draft. Let me first say that the three day event, from Thursday (round one), Friday (2nd & 3rd) and Saturday (4th-7th) is not as much fun for me as it was when it was a Sat/Sun line-up. For those of you that tuned in early you saw that the fans let Commissioner Roger Goodell know how they felt about the current state of the league by first booing and then chanting “we want football”. I have to say that in my opinion that was not the place for it, but I am sure that I am in the minority in saying this. But, since this is a North Carolina blog, let’s check out how the first round was to any Tar Heel.

As I had checked in the last couple of days in one of my posts, it seemed that Robert Quinn would be picked anywhere from 5th to 12th, with the thought pre-draft being that the defensive lineman would be a Top 10 pick. As I watched the draft unfold I felt that he would slip as the run on quarterback came a lot sooner than most experts thought (three taken in the first 10 picks and a fourth going 12th). When it was all said and done 6’5″/265 lbs Quinn would end up as the 14th selection of the 1st round, going to the St. Louis Rams, becoming the first defensive end from UNC being chosen in the first round since Julius Peppers in 2002. Quinn will join another Tar Heel, Jason Brown. He is also the 31st player coached or recruited by head coach Butch Davis to go in the first round.

But what happened in the next few minutes would make you see how things can turn for anyone at the draft. First the quote by ESPN’s Mel Kiper…

“He would have maybe been one, two, or three overall (before the NCAA suspension). It makes sense. Its value (for the Rams),” said analyst Mel Kiper moments after the selection.

Looking back at 2009, the DE earned first-team All-ACC honors and finished second in the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year vote. CBSsports.com had him as a second-squad All-American and was a candidate for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. His numbers spoke for themselves, as the young man was ranked 1st in the ACC and 15th in the country in tackles for losses with 19.0 and was 2nd in the league and 16th in the nation in sacks with 11.0.

It was interesting reading on ESPN.com that in their opinion the Rams took Robert Quinn as a value pick, meaning that the defensive line wasn’t their top priority but felt that the DE was the best player on the board. I think that speaks for itself, and when you look at what St. Louis has on the DLine already, taking another man for the line shows that they truly believe in someone like Quinn.

With the team that coach Davis had going into last year there is nothing to make me think that Quinn could not have equaled (if not improved) the numbers from a year before. From what the head coach of the Rams said it echos what most of us that watched the young man play feel…

“(The mistakes in college) are out of character for him. This is a kid that is from a great family, and a great upbringing. He’s a quality guy there. We all make mistakes. He made one. He’s paid for it and he’s ready to move on.”

But then something else came up about Robert Quinn, after seeing it on twitter and reading it on Tar Heel Illustrated, that blew my mind…

(On a side note: If you can not follow the draft on tv check out the coverage on Tar Heel Illustrated)

“Three teams at least, including two in the top fifteen, had Robert Quinn off their board due to a brain tumor that he had in high school. There were three Doctors at least that refused to clear Quinn to their respective teams.”

That quote came from Adam Schefter, who said right after the young man from Chapel Hill was picked. I know that there is nothing to joke around when it comes to something like tumors, but I also know that no program would let any player go on the field if not 100% able to do so. I feel that in this day and age using that as an excuse is a bit of a cop out and just proves to me once again that the drafts (for whatever sports) are more of a meat market than anything else. I know I wish every single Tar Heel that moves to the next level, but here I am really pushing for Quinn to do outstandingly well, to prove these 2-3 team wrong!

Here is the rest of the NFL Draft round one…

#1 (Carolina Panthers) Cam Newton, QB Auburn
#2 (Denver Broncos) Von Miller, LB Texas A&M
#3 (Buffalo Bills) Marcel Dareus, DT Alabama
#4 (Cincinnati Bengals) A.J. Green, WR Georgia
#5 (Arizona Cardinals) Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
#6 (Atlanta Falcons) [trade from Cleveland Browns] Julio Jones, WR Alabama
#7 (San Francisco 49ers) Aldon Smith, DE Missouri
#8 (Tennessee Titans) Jake Locker, QB Washington
#9 (Dallas Cowboys) Tyron Smith, OT Southern Cal
#10 (Jacksonville Jaguars) [trade from Washington Redskins] Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
#11 (Houston Texans) J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin
#12 (Minnesota Vikings) Christian Ponder, QB Florida State
#13 (Detroit Lions) Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
#14 (St. Louis Rams) Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
#15 (Miami Dolphins) Mike Pouncey, C Florida
#16 (Washington Redskins) [trade with Jacksonville Jaguars] Ryan Kerrigan, LB Purdue
#17 (New England Patriots) Nate Solder, OT Colorado
#18 (San Diego Chargers) Corey Liuget, DT Illinois
#19 (New York Giants) Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
#20 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
#21 (Cleveland Browns via trade with Kansas City Chiefs) Phil Taylor, DT Baylor
#22 (Indianapolis Colts) Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
#23 (Philadelphia Eagles) Danny Watkins, OG Baylor
#24 (New Orleans Saints) Cameron Jordan, DE California
#25 (Seattle Seahawks) James Carpenter, OL Alabama
#26 (Kansas City Chiefs) [trade with Cleveland Browns ~ trade with Atlanta Falcons] Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
#27 (Baltimore Ravens) Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
#28 (New Orleans Saints via New England Patriots) Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
#29 (Chicago Bears) Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
#30 (New York Jets) Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
#31 (Pittsburgh Steelers) Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
#32 (Green Bay Packers) Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State

The draft will continue tonight at 6:00 pm EST on ESPN and will have the second and third round picks including an compensatory pick. Here is the draft order for both rounds. While I root for no team, other than UNC, I do enjoy things like the drafts when it comes to the middle rounds, and I am always fascinated by the New England Patriots and how they always have a boat load of picks. This year is not different as they will have four of the first 42 picks on Friday, which basically means, if no trades happen, just under 10% of the 2nd round will be headed to Boston. On the other hand, my first concern will be when the next Tar Heel will be called. I have to believe it’s going to be another D Lineman, Marvin Austin, who should be called in the mid-late second round, followed by wide out Greg Little, who we could see him going late tonight, or Saturday.

#1(33) New England (from Carolina)
#2(34) Buffalo
#3(35) Cincinnati
#4(36) Denver
#5(37) Cleveland
#6(38) Arizona
#7(39) Tennessee
#8(40) Dallas
#9(41) Washington
#10(42) Houston
#11(43) Minnesota
#12(44) Detroit
#13(45) San Francisco
#14(46) Denver (from Miami)
#15(47) St. Louis
#16(48) Oakland
#17(49) Washington (from Jacksonville)
#18(50) San Diego
#19(51) Tampa Bay
#20(52) NY Giants
#21(53) Indianapolis
#22(54) Philadelphia
#23(55) Kansas City
#24(56) New England (from New Orleans)
#25(57) Seattle
#26(58) Baltimore
#27(59) Cleveland (from Atlanta)
#28(60) New England
#29(61) San Diego (from NY Jets)
#30(62) Chicago
#31(63) Pittsburgh
#32(64) Green Bay

#1(65) Carolina
#2(66) Cincinnati
#3(67) Denver
#4(68) Buffalo
#5(69) Arizona
#6(70) Kansas City (from Cleveland)
#7(71) Dallas
#8(72) New Orleans (from Washington)
#9(73) Houston
#10(74) New England (from Minnesota)
#11(75) Detroit
#12(76) San Francisco
#13(77) Tennessee
#14(78) St. Louis
#15(79) Miami
#16(80) Jacksonville
#17(81) Oakland
#18(82) San Diego
#19(83) NY Giants
#20(84) Tampa Bay
#21(85) Philadelphia
#22(86) Kansas City
#23(87) Indianapolis
#24(88) New Orleans
#25(89) San Diego (from Seattle)
#26(90) Baltimore
#27(91) Atlanta
#28(92) New England
#29(93) Chicago
#30(94) NY Jets
#31(95) Pittsburgh
#32(96) Green Bay
#33(97) Carolina (Compensatory)