In tuning into the Tar Heels this weekend, I had a few realizations. One, never re-heat pizza that didn’t even taste good when it was “fresh”. Two, that pizza isn’t any better cold. But the most important, though, of these realizations was simply this: we’re not that good. Explain to me how a team with average returning talent, an exodus of top talent, a track record of average seasons even starts the year in the Top 25. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Now, we simply have to accept the “reality” that actually has UNC in the Top 20, but let’s break this down a little and see what we’ve got:
A complete lack of speed on offense
No break-away speed. Period. Our WRs are backup running backs. Our running back is a former-defensive back. Our QB scrambles like an egg in the desert if someone sneezes in the student section. I’m not sure we have a member of our offense that could outrun Bobby Bowden in a footrace. This may not be a huge problem except for…the next point.
A coach that thinks we have speed on offense
Yates can’t run. Little and White (our WRs) are easily “balanced” running backs at best or possibly even power backs if lined up in the backfield. Screen passes are not going to work with this bunch. They win the matchup downfield with their power, but have to be delivered the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. Which brings me to my next point.
An uninspiring playbook and/or bad play-calling
I admit I have never set eyes on the UNC playbook; but I have witnessed the product of it. Let’s roll back a year. Start of 2008 season in which the Tar Heels surprised a number of teams with a strong start and an offense that will spring the long ball at any stage of the game (thanks for the memories Hakeem and Brandon). Then, as we hit the national stage, Butch pulls out the trusty “play-not-to-lose” playbook. We immediately lost quite a bit of punch when Tate went down, but Butch turned to screen plays (HB and WR) in hopes of tying every game 0-0. We’re seeing a similar playbook this year as we start the year in the national spotlight. I’m willing to be we have a 5-yard pass and a HB draw on the Hail Mary page of the playbook.
No fire (or an overabundance of composure)
This one is just an observation; and I do not think composure is a bad thing, but the Heels appear flat from time to time. I give them the benefit of the doubt that they are simply “composed”; but man, when you are losing, light a fire.
Some early season concerns for me:
• Greg Little has to play with passion and run people over like people of his size can do. If he can get the ball 10 yard downfield with a safety or corner back on him, he’s money. But he’s showing no fight to get there. In fact, in today’s game he actually just stopped (with the ball in his hands) on a screen play that was sniffed out.
• TJ Yates has to get better at delivering the ball with some zip and on time. He’s got a decent clock—evidenced by his pocket elusiveness; but he’s got to get rid of the ball more often.
• Development of a TE. Pianalto had a break out game, capitalized with a break down of his knee. I hope he’s ok, but it didn’t look good.
We’ll we’re 2-0, but far from impressive in my opinion. Today’s effort at UConn was uninspiring and we’re more than lucky to have won a game in which we were dominated for 98% of it. I think we’re in for a very humbling stretch of games later in the season if we can’t get this machine churning with some power.
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