Tar Heel Times

Audio: Hakeem Nicks Interview

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:36:00 -0400

Charlotte resident and Giants star WR Hakeem Nicks joined the guys to discuss the Super Bowl, his rise to stardom, and whether or not he will salsa in the end zone against the Patriots.

Coples, Brown lead next group of Tar Heels going pro

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0400

The pipeline from Chapel Hill to the NFL is alive and well, and evident at this year's Senior Bowl in the form of four Tar Heels looking to continue a new tradition. Quinton Coples and Zach Brown are joined in Mobile by college teammates WR Dwight Jones and DT Tydreke Powell. Under Butch Davis, the players got coaching from someone who had plenty of NFL experience, and it showed.

Senior Bowl: Stock down for UNC's Dwight Jones

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:05:00 -0400

The latest notes from ESPN's Scouts Inc. crew featured two former North Carolina players, receiver Dwight Jones, and linebacker Zach Brown, as both struggled on Day 3. Kevin Weidl wrote that Jones' stock went down: "Given all the issues we've seen today and over the rest of the week, Jones could end up dropping from a second-rounder entering the season all the way out of Day 2."

UNC's Coples sees a chance to bolster rep

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:46:00 -0400

Tony Pauline, draft expert for SI.com, said UNC coaches have been telling scouts that Quinton Coples played cautiously his senior season to avoid getting hurt - a charge Coples denies. Coples has had a good week at the Senior Bowl practices, beating blockers during 1-on-1 drills and looking like the kind of impact pass-rusher that draws big contracts in the quarterback-centric NFL.

Quinton Coples In All-Star Football Challenge

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:17:00 -0400

University of North Carolina's Quinton Coples will participate in the 14th annual All-Star Football Challenge, an exciting, live skills competition featuring college football's brightest stars. The program is scheduled to air Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and will have encore airings at 4:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 on ESPN.

Former UNC defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano named coach of Indianapolis Colts

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:03:00 -0400

The Indianapolis Colts have hired Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as head coach, the team announced Wednesday. Pagano spent three years as the Ravens' secondary coach before being named defensive coordinator in January 2011. He also spent two years as defensive backs coach in Oakland and four years with Cleveland, in addition to college jobs at Miami and North Carolina among others.

Video: Senior Bowl analysis by Butch Davis

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:06:00 -0400

Ex-North Carolina coach Butch Davis sits down to talk about some of his former defensive players while they practice at the Senior Bowl.

UNC players shine on Day 1 at Senior Bowl

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:23:00 -0400

Former North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples and receiver Dwight Jones were among several players who stood out on Monday, which was Day 1 of Senior Bowl preparation. Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. said they got off to a fast start, and Coples has lived up to the hype so far.

New owners for Chapel Hill's He's Not Here?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:02:00 -0400

A former UNC football player and another man are expected to become new owners of He's Not Here, the well-known Chapel Hill eatery that is perhaps best-known for its beer. The Daily Tar Heel reported Tuesday that David Kitzmiller, who took over ownership of the West Franklin Street beer garden about a year ago, plans to sell the place and move back to Canada.

UNC's Ken Browning ponders his next step

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:08:00 -0400

For the first time in 44 years, Kenny Browning doesn't know where he will be coaching football next fall. Or if he will be coaching. Or even if he wants to be coaching if the right situation doesn't come along. "I'm taking a little time," the former Northern Durham High head coach and University of North Carolina assistant said recently.

Kendric Burney Q&A

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:16:00 -0400

Former UNC football player Kendric Burney sat down with The Daily News’ sports editor Rick Scoppe and prep sports writer Chris Miller for an hour-long conversation. In a wide-ranging interview, Burney talked about the disappointment of not being picked in the NFL draft and subsequently being signed by the Carolina Panthers and later the St. Louis Rams for their practice squads.

Julius Peppers added to NFC Pro Bowl roster

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:14:00 -0400

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers on Monday was added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Voted a first alternate, Peppers will replace the Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul, who will be playing in the Super Bowl. Peppers has now been selected to seven Pro Bowls in 10 NFL seasons

Giants receivers Cruz, Nicks spell double trouble for foes

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:05:00 -0400

A New York story: Ramses Barden has the most unfortunate of locker stalls at the Giants' facility. He is situated between Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, which means he can barely towel off after practice without having 50 cameras and digital recorders invading his space. Nicks was the one to blame Monday.

Randy Jordan Returns To UNC as Running Backs Coach

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:10:00 -0400

Randy Jordan, a 1993 UNC graduate, has been named the Tar Heels' running backs coach, head coach Larry Fedora announced Friday. Most recently Jordan coached running backs at Texas A&M for four seasons. "I'm excited to bring Randy back to Chapel Hill," said Fedora. "He has a tremendous background both as a player in the NFL and as a college assistant at Nebraska and Texas A&M."

David Glenn Chats With T.J. Yates, Jan. 20

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:12:00 -0400

Among the topics they discussed: If T.J. Yates has any interest in watching more NFL since the Texans’ loss; how prepared he was making the jump to starter from third string; the pro-style offense at UNC and its impact on his transition to the NFL; Yates’ future as an NFL quarterback; the amount of Carolina blue he still wears in Texas;

Former UNC safety Deunta Williams now pursuing career in radio

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:43:00 -0400

A devastating leg injury was too much for Deunta Williams to overcome. The former North Carolina safety is no longer pursuing a career as a football player. But that’s just fine with the 24-year-old Williams. “My football days are done,” he said in a recent telephone interview. “It was one of those career-ending injuries and there is nothing I can do about that. But I have so many opportunities for big things and big projects.”

Former Tar Heel Hakeem Nicks emerging as a top NFL receiver

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:13:00 -0400

While fans in San Francisco have been celebrating “The Grab” that thrust Alex Smith and Vernon Davis to the national scene, there’s a pair of hands on the New York Giants making just as much news. No! Not Victor Cruz. Try Hakeem Nicks. The former North Carolina star came into the season as the Giants’ No. 1 receiver and nothing really has changed.

Video: Hakeem Nicks TDs versus Green Bay

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:22:00 -0400

Footage of Hakeem Nicks' 66-yard touchdown catch and 37-yard Hail Mary TD in New York's playoff win versus Green Bay.

Hakeem Nicks’s Playoff Career Is Off to Some Start

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:15:00 -0400

Eli Manning has a Super Bowl ring, but his receivers have considerably less playoff experience: Until last week, none of his three main wide receivers had caught a postseason pass. But through two games, the Giants' passing game has been terrific, and while it was Victor Cruz who'd been getting the most buzz entering these playoffs, it's Hakeem Nicks who's stood out, thanks to big play after big play.

T.J. Yates throws three interceptions in Texans' playoff loss

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:40:00 -0400

After throwing his third interception of the afternoon, Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates leaned over, rested his hands on his knees, and lowered his head. Then he trudged slowly off the field, met by a straight-faced coach Gary Kubiak. Texans running back Arian Foster, meanwhile, walked away from them and headed off for some alone time on the sideline.