Step back likely for Heels in '09

UNC lacks what it has lacked since they began playing football in Chapel Hill, save for the five years they had Ronald Curry (who the various coaching staffs completely mishandled) on the roster: a big-time quarterback. Until Davis brings in a game-changer at the position - as opposed to the mediocre game "managers" currently on the roster - UNC will not consistently compete for anything of importance. It is the nature of the college game - unlike the NFL - that your QB needs to be able to put the team on his back and win games with charisma, athleticism and will. Look at the this year's top teams and you will see a slew of QB's that put their teams in a position to play in meaningful post-season games: Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow & Sam Bradford. Alabama was probably the exception, but their 5th-year senior QB simply couldn't match Tebow's heroics when his team needed it most, leaving the Crimson Tide out of the National Title picture. No one on the current UNC roster appears to have what it takes to one day be mentioned in the same breath as the QB's listed above. As a result, UNC can hope for 8, 9 and maybe the occasional 10-win seasons under Davis, who seems to be putting all the other pieces in place. Carolina, however, will never dominate the ACC - much less become a major player on the national scene - without a big-time QB leading the way.

Here are Mr. Giglio's own words:

"You can mark down home games with Duke, Virginia, The Citadel and a yet-to-be named I-AA team as wins but the other eight games ... are a coin toss."

So, assuming for a moment that his assessment of these games is accurate, that would mean his 6-6 prediction would require Carolina to go 2-6 in those "coin toss" games. If I didn't know better, I'd say that sounds like he's being overly negative to generate hits and comments.

People are a little to quick to throw players under the bus. Mark Paschal isn't an excuse for anything as he got hurt at the end of the season. Tate was a huge lost but he isn't the reason our "D" looked so inept. JP was on the money with the QB situation.Our loses stemmed from bad coaching. The genius that thought rushing 3 men was a good idea. That incredible scheme gave us 2 lucky wins at the end of the games we were dominating for the most part (UM and ND). Maryland and UVa just LOVED IT. WVU LOVED IT so much that they gave BD a bonus for using it, I think they put his name somewhere on the trophy. For all the NFL experience we have on the sidelines, I have yet to see a bump and run by our corners on the blitz. If you drop 8 guys and still can't cover, WHY KEEP DOING? They all claim NFL experience, play bump and run with the corners, let our safeties play over the top and patrol the middle, drop one (or 2) of the extremely athletic LBs and bring the other one (or 2) on the blitz and put some pressure on the QB so he have to make quicker decisions. No you don't do this every play but you don't rush 3 and just let the QB sit in the pocket for a hour until someone down field finally get beat on a route. This team only plays with a sense of purpose when it is behind. The minute we get up on a time, we start playing like very timid and conservative football and that is on the coaches.

Injuries were primarily responsible for the decline at season's end. The injury to Brandon Tate cost us 200 yards a game, and the late season loss of Mark Paschal took away one of our top defenders. We just didn't have enough horsepower to overcome these and other injuries along the way, although Cam Sexton filled in admirably for Yates.

I consider the season a success, and was delighted with the spirit of the home crowd this past year. I can't address the bowl game, as I was home in Ohio watching it on TV and don't have a feel for the fans' cheering.

It would be nice to see the wine and cheese fans that come out and support the Heels get out of their seats and make some noise for a change. I've been going to UNC football games for 20 years and I have to tell you I was embarrassed this past Saturday in Charlotte- but not by the football team.
I had a wonderful time and enjoyed a great game but while I witnessed a very supportive and loud group in the West Virginia fans the the Heel fans that sat in our section rarely got off their butts.
That's not how you support a football team. Even before the game, WVU fans were geared up, loud, in unison, all we heard tailgating was "Let's Go....MOUNTAINEERS..."
Folks in light blue sipped their toddies and kept their heads down. During the game WVU fans chanted in unison after every first down- first down, W - V- U! They represented, that's for sure.
I'm just saying.
If you were there you saw it too. Us fans need to man up and support the boys on the field.
Deadicated, but frustrated---

The heels REAL problems like Offesnive line and Defensive depth and speed instead of skill positions I would listen and probably agree. The fact is JP didn't mention any of the Tar Heels actual problems. For what it's worth, the Heels season was better than 90% of the Fans, media and others felt they would. I thought they would win 7 games total this year with a bowl win, so the fact they won 8 games without a bowl win speaks volumes. The Heels are right on schedule for next year where they will do about the same as this year give or take a win. The offensive line is 2-3 years away from being legit as is the defense. there is 0 depth on either side of the ball on the O-line and D-line. the D line was filled with Sophs and a True-Freshman. butch has needs coming in all areas of the team but the overall talent of the team will increase across the board proving JP is a Homer wolfpack fan trying to stir the pot.

I also like UNC's top 10 recruiting class coming in. Looks like a top 6 or 7 class is brewing for the class of 2010 as well! The Heels will be just fine!

What a poor excuse for a sports writer "JP" to stir up the pot so to speak. There is no reason to think that the Heels won't be equally as good next year. In the Coastal division, they should be better than Miami (H), Virginia (H), and Dook (H). VT (A) and GT (A) could arguably be better than the Heels especially on the road. Against the Atlantic division, the Heels should be better than NC State College (A), and BC (A), but will have a tough game against FSU (H). The Heels should win Non Conference games against the Citadel (H), East Carolina College (H), and Connecticut (A). A 4th non conference game will be scheduled which will probably be a "gimme" home win. With all of that said, the heels should finish the regular season with a 9-3 season. Hopefully, a few losses by other Conference teams will advance UNC to a first ever ACC conference championship game.

Go Heels!!!

Next year will, too. Right now UNC's recruiting class is rated as top 10. No doubt, some of those players will play. While what's written above is plausible, it isn't a certainty. As an aside, I'm interested to see what Womble can do at RB. Also, 2nd string qb may be a question. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.