|
|
By Joe Overby
SouthernPigskin.com ACC Columnist
SouthernPigskin.com ACC Columnist Joe Overby reports on the North Carolina Tar Heels from ACC Media Days. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan of us on Facebook at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Back in April, the buzz surrounding the North Carolina football team largely centered on the success of its nationally televised spring game as expectations swirled for what perhaps could be the most talented bunch of Tar Heels since Mack Brown was at the helm.
Turn the calendar to July and the attention toward the UNC program is of a completely different hue.
Talk has instead turned the Heels' off-the-field problems, namely the NCAA's investigation of possible violations involving agents.
Admitting the news caught him a bit off-guard and that the attention has been a "little annoying," Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates insists the Heels' focus has remained on getting ready for training camp and the season, which kicks off Sept. 4 against LSU in Atlanta.
In fact, the Tar Heel QB is pining the training camp to begin.
"I cannot wait for training camp to come," Yates said emphatically during the 2010 ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C. on Sunday. "Training camp has a little bit different feel other than regular spring practice or even during-the-season practice. We're always together non-stop, 24-7. So it's kind of a special time for our team to make strides. And I think everybody's real excited to get back to it."
As far his personal feeling toward the hectic environment of the last few weeks, Yates said: "It's a little frustration (to me) because it's obviously a distraction to our football team, a distraction to our football program, but we're going to get by it, we're going to get over it and I think in a couple months, it will be forgotten about," he said. "We'll be in the heart of the season."
The media attention to the matter has been heavy, but Yates insists that while it's difficult to avoid, the Heels have maintained their focus.
"Sometimes it's kind of, obviously, hard not to see some of it that's going on (or) hear about it, but the majority of the guys are trying just to stay focused on getting ready for training camp," Yates said.
Defensive end Robert Quinn deflected notions about the team being distracted, and talked more about the team's excitement for training camp and the season.
"We're just really looking forward to training camp, getting back to the ... football mind-set of grinding and coming together as one brotherhood. And we're really looking forward to the season," Quinn said.
When asked if the attention has been distraction, Quinn said, "No, like I said, we're just really looking forward to the season and we're going to take it game by game."
.....
Share your thoughts on the SouthernPigskin.com Message Boards or email Joe at
|
Comments
That’s what I was hoping to hear. I’m looking forward to hearing news from practice rather than the NCAA. I still think UNC wins Sep. 4. Kuat can’t wait!
Kuat should be Just....darn Blackberry.
Make Yourself Heard
|
|
