I thought North Carolina's defense got ran over a little bit against Virginia. They gave up over 450 yards of offense and Virginia averaged over 5 yards per rushing attempt. They were not able to mount much of a pass rush and it showed in those statistics as well.
The Tarheels were able to force their first three turnovers of the year, a fumble recovery by DT Sylvester Williams on a botched snap (that stopped a Virginia drive) and two Matt Merletti interceptions late in the game.
Showing posts with label Matt Merletti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Merletti. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Versus Rutgers- The Defense
The Tarheels run stuffers played a great game. The Rutgers offense totaled only one rushing yard but their pass defense is another story. The 'Heels are young and inexperienced in the defensive backfield and it really shows at times. The 'Heels defense also took some stupid penalties and prolonged some Rutgers posessions. It is definitely a work in progress.
The Tarheels have some serious speed at Linebacker. They remind me of the Florida State teams from 10-15 years ago. Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick were really flying around and even Ebele Okakpu went sprinting into the backfield to bring down a running back for a loss. Darius Lipford is another one with speed that came on a blitz and batted a pass down. They all got in on the act.
There were a couple of occasions in this game where the Tarheels had a chance at interceptions but flat out did not catch the ball. Matt Merletti and MLB Tommy Heffernan come to mind. They need to start creating turnovers.
The Tarheels have some serious speed at Linebacker. They remind me of the Florida State teams from 10-15 years ago. Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick were really flying around and even Ebele Okakpu went sprinting into the backfield to bring down a running back for a loss. Darius Lipford is another one with speed that came on a blitz and batted a pass down. They all got in on the act.
There were a couple of occasions in this game where the Tarheels had a chance at interceptions but flat out did not catch the ball. Matt Merletti and MLB Tommy Heffernan come to mind. They need to start creating turnovers.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Growing Pains
Todays 24-22 win over Rutgers was about as ugly a win as you can possibly get. 5 Tarheel turnovers, 3 interceptions thrown by Bryn Renner and 2 fumbles by wide receivers after the catch. the 'Heels put at least 4 other balls on the ground, the last one of those occurred when they were just trying to kneel on the ball. Yes they still have alot of work to do.
The first series of the game the Tarheels looked like an offensive juggernaut when Renner hit Dwight Jones with a 66 yard TD pass. With the exception of three or four runs, their run game was anemic. They only had a single yard rushing after the First Quarter. However, every time Giovani Bernard touches the ball, you can't help but feel something exciting is going to happen. He got the start today over Ryan Houston. The 60 yard TD run of his was a thing of beauty.
The defense has helped sustain drives by their opponents in the first two games by taking bad penalties on a couple of third and longs. Granted Rutgers had a short field to work on several of their offensive series but the 'Heel defense helped them out on several occasions. They allowed Rutgers to convert several third-and-longs. They also should have had two interceptions, one by Matt Merletti and the other by Freshman MLB Tommy Heffernan, but the balls were dropped.
The Tarheels improved to 2-0 but the offense left alot of points out on the field and I guess you could say that the defense did too. Everette Withers, in the post game interview I saw, realizes that he was lucky to get out of there with a win and that the coaching staff has alot of correctable material to work with.
The first series of the game the Tarheels looked like an offensive juggernaut when Renner hit Dwight Jones with a 66 yard TD pass. With the exception of three or four runs, their run game was anemic. They only had a single yard rushing after the First Quarter. However, every time Giovani Bernard touches the ball, you can't help but feel something exciting is going to happen. He got the start today over Ryan Houston. The 60 yard TD run of his was a thing of beauty.
The defense has helped sustain drives by their opponents in the first two games by taking bad penalties on a couple of third and longs. Granted Rutgers had a short field to work on several of their offensive series but the 'Heel defense helped them out on several occasions. They allowed Rutgers to convert several third-and-longs. They also should have had two interceptions, one by Matt Merletti and the other by Freshman MLB Tommy Heffernan, but the balls were dropped.
The Tarheels improved to 2-0 but the offense left alot of points out on the field and I guess you could say that the defense did too. Everette Withers, in the post game interview I saw, realizes that he was lucky to get out of there with a win and that the coaching staff has alot of correctable material to work with.
James Madison- Part III- The Freshmen
I was surprised to see that 10 true Freshmen got to play in the game against James Madison. That was one of the top numbers in the country. That can be a good and a bad thing. Playing the Freshmen gives them game experience but I wouldn't want to burn a potential Red-Shirt year in a blowout win and that be the only game they play all year.
Three of the Freshmen Tight Ends got to play-Eric Ebron, Sean Fitzpatrick, and Jack Tabb- and Eric Ebron really flipped the James Madison player on the interception return.
The most surprising Freshman that got to play (and the start) was walk-on Punter Thomas Hibbard. He beat out incumbent C.J. Feagles for the job although I am sure it is probably a week-to-week or maybe even a punt-to-punt competition. His first punt was downed at the 1- yard line by Special Teams stalwart Matt Merletti. Although Hibbard later botched a snap and had his punt blocked, he had a pretty good showing.
Freshmen Wide Receivers Reggie Wilkins, Sean Tapley, and T.J. Thorpe mostly got to play on Special Teams although Wilkins had one carry for nine yards.
Three of the Freshmen Tight Ends got to play-Eric Ebron, Sean Fitzpatrick, and Jack Tabb- and Eric Ebron really flipped the James Madison player on the interception return.
The most surprising Freshman that got to play (and the start) was walk-on Punter Thomas Hibbard. He beat out incumbent C.J. Feagles for the job although I am sure it is probably a week-to-week or maybe even a punt-to-punt competition. His first punt was downed at the 1- yard line by Special Teams stalwart Matt Merletti. Although Hibbard later botched a snap and had his punt blocked, he had a pretty good showing.
Freshmen Wide Receivers Reggie Wilkins, Sean Tapley, and T.J. Thorpe mostly got to play on Special Teams although Wilkins had one carry for nine yards.
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