Preview 2017: North Carolina Tar HeelsThe Tar Heel offense that finished 13th in the nation in passing efficiency and average 32 points per game is all but starting from scratch among the skill spots. LSU transfer Brandon Harris will be in later this summer, but can he be better than he was in Baton Rouge? There are other quarterback options battling it out, but it’s going to be a fight for the gig. (College Football News)
Darian Durant savours sweet revenge with win over RidersIn the end, Darian Durant had the last word. Durant savoured that situation after the Montreal Alouettes edged the Saskatchewan Roughriders 17-16 in Thursday’s CFL regular-season opener at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. The contest was Durant’s first against the Riders since being traded by Saskatchewan to the Alouettes on Jan. 13 after 11 seasons. (Regina Leader-Post)
Five Questions With Coach PapuchisYou became a defensive coordinator at the age of 34. Now, five years later, you have been named defensive coordinator for UNC. How did you feel when Coach Fedora named you the new defensive coordinator, and what advice would you give to your younger self in taking that role? “The first time you go through any experience like that it's always an opportunity to learn." (GoHeels.com)
For James Hurst and John Urschel, Experience Is in Their FavorFormer UNC offensive lineman James Hurst lined up at left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the first undrafted rookie in NFL history to ever start a playoff game at that position. John Urschel started at right guard. Both players have been offensive line fill-ins over their first three years. And now both are contenders to take over starting roles this season. (Baltimore Ravens)
Chase Rice Signs With Broken Bow Records, Is Ready to Release New MusicChase Rice has a new label home — and plans for a new album. The singer-songwriter has signed with BBR Music Group / BMG. BBR Music Group and Rice announced the news on Tuesday (June 20). The artist has been assigned to BBR’s Broken Bow Records imprint, which is also home to artists such as Jason Aldean and Dustin Lynch. (The Boot)
Extra Points: Tailgate TimeThe UNC Athletic Department is entering into a watershed partnership this fall with a company nearly a decade old that specializes in managing and operating tailgate venues across the Southeast. Tailgate Guys, headquartered in Opelika, Ala., will begin marketing its services for tented villages and a varied menu of catering options for the 2017 Tar Heel football season. (GoHeels.com)
Cardinals rookie Lucas Crowley trying to put on weight, transition into NFLGoing into the NFL draft, Cardinals rookie center Lucas Crowley kept hearing from critics who were saying he needed to put on more weight. Crowley joined Doug and Wolf Tuesday on 98.7 FM, and said his playing weight in college ranged from about 280 to 290 pounds. Now at 293 pounds, Crowley doesn’t feel like his weight will or ever has held him back. (Arizona Sports)
Cole Beasley: Ryan Switzer has 'been a baller' so far with the CowboysCole Beasley on Ryan Switzer: Switz has been a baller in OTAs. He's really good getting off the press and beating man coverage. That's the hardest thing to teach. If you don't have that coming in it's kind of hard to make it in the NFL. And he has a great burst. We're very similar in a lot of ways and I'm very excited to see what we can do together on the field. (Dallas Morning News)
Eagles rookie NFL player comparisons: Mack HollinsPeople have compared Mack Hollins to former Eagle Hank Baskett, because of their size-speed similarities, as well as their special teams contributions. Hollins is more explosive than Baskett, and could be a special teams standout, as opposed to just a special teams contributor. The player who I think he more closely mirrors is retired wide receiver Kelley Washington (Philly Voice)
Detroit Lions' Eric Ebron: TE additions will help me reach potentialEric Ebron said having other options at tight end should help him. Last year, Ebron set career highs with 61 catches for 711 yards, but he also missed three games with injuries and couldn't play to his strengths at times because he often was the only tight end on the field. “I think it’s going to play a significant role for me to allow me to do the things that I’m best at.” (Detroit Free Press)
Five Questions With Coach KapIn working with the offensive line, how do you balance getting what you need out of spring practice with also being patient as you try guys in different positions that they haven't played before? "That's the key to spring practice. Trying to prepare the guys for what we know we need to accomplish. Then trying to prepare the guys for the unknown of what we'll face during the season." (GoHeels.com)
Catching Up With Former UNC DE Hilee TaylorHilee Taylor played with the Carolina Panthers for three seasons from 2008 to 2010. After the 2011 NFL Lockout, Taylor was picked up by the Detroit Lions. Due to a prior injury, Taylor failed a physical with the Lions and chose to retire. In 2012, Taylor signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a short time before making his way to the Canadian Football League. (Laurinburg Exchange)
Zach Brown made a Pro Bowl, so now he wants defensive MVPBack in April, then-free agent Zach Brown sat down with Redskins coach Jay Gruden and immediately felt comfortable. Brown has big goals. A Pro Bowl season in 2016 didn’t result in a long-term payday for the inside linebacker, who is playing on a one-year contract worth up to $2.55 million, in Washington. To Brown, that means it’s time to do even more. (Washington Times)
Forget waiting, Mitch Trubisky should see the field this seasonOK, play the kid. Not at the start. Let older quarterback Mike Glennon have ‘‘my year’’ and see how far he gets with that. But when Glennon screws up or gets hurt — and both likely will happen, such is the life of NFL quarterbacks — then let rookie Mitch Trubisky try to lead the Bears. But bad stuff happens in the NFL. And if it does, yeah, let’s see what you got, Mitch. (Chicago Sun-Times)
UNC football reveals Jumpman wallJordan sneaker fever has completely taken over North Carolina athletics. The UNC basketball team has been with the Jordan Brand forever, but now Tar Heel football program has made the switch. The move was announced on March 4th. UNC football has now revealed the new Jumpman wall inside Kenan Football Center. (Carolina Blue)
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| Coastal Division | ACC | Overall |
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| (16) Virginia Tech | 6-3 | 10-4 | | North Carolina | 5-3 | 8-5 | | (20) Miami | 5-3 | 9-4 | | Pittsburgh | 5-3 | 8-5 | | Georgia Tech | 4-4 | 9-4 | | Virginia | 1-7 | 2-10 | | Duke | 1-7 | 4-8 |
| Atlantic Division | ACC | Overall |
|---|
| (1) Clemson | 8-1 | 14-1 | | (21) Louisville | 7-1 | 9-4 | | (8) Florida State | 5-3 | 10-3 | | NC State | 3-5 | 7-6 | | Wake Forest | 3-5 | 7-6 | | Syracuse | 2-6 | 4-8 | | Boston College | 2-6 | 7-6 |
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