CHAPEL HILL – UNC defensive coordinator Gene Chizik met with the media following Tuesday’s practice to discuss his unit’s preparation for Sun Bowl opponent Stanford, Naz Jones’ readiness for the NFL and more.
Here are a few notes and quotes from Chizik’s interview:
*The Tar Heels held their sixth practice Tuesday, so where are they at this point as far as Stanford preparation?
“We’ve got the whole plan done, but we probably have 80 percent of it in right now,” Chizik said. “We really just started really focusing in on Stanford probably two practices ago. We’ve installed most of it, and like I said, we have probably 20 percent left and then everything after that will be going back and reviewing and polishing as we get closer to game time.”
*Stanford won’t have star tailback Christian McCaffrey, but the Cardinal will still be who they are and running the ball is who they are. However, what was so unique about him that the Heels may not have to face now?
“Just remember, they’ve got other really good players,” Chizik replied. “They’ve won a lot of games with him in limited playing time and him not playing at all as well. So they’ve got really good players everywhere. They’ve done a great job. They’ve won the Pac-12 three of the last five years, so they’ve got good players everywhere.
“But, he was a very unique player. Just really, he’s got all of intangibles of a football player. It all started with how good his dad (Ed McCaffrey) was, and just he’s got the genes and he’s just a very talented young guy that made great cuts and had great vision, great speed, a punt returner, kick returner, he did it all. So, I’m sure they’ll miss him in those regards, but they’ve got other really good players.”
*There’s no agenda as far as how the staff will handle Naz Jones’ playing time. There’s a theory that you send out departing player of his stature by keeping him on the field as much as possible, another is to let his eventual replacements get additional snaps. Chizik said the staff will coach to win the game. Period.
“This is aa very important game for us,” the coach said. “Nine wins will give us 20 wins in two years, which is huge. So our focus is just winning nine games, however we have to do it.”
*Chizik said he hasn’t talked to Jones or any Tar Heel about not playing in the bowl game.
“It’s never been a thought in his or our minds,” Chizik said. “He’s been ready to play and ready to, and he knows the importance of helping his team win this last game that he’s going to be involved in.”
*McCaffrey’s replacement at Stanford will be sophomore Bryce Love, who attended Wake Forest High School in Wake Forest, NC, which is just north of Raleigh and where Xach Gill goes. Gill, committed to play for the Tar Heels on Monday.
Chizik was asked about Love and what he brings to the table.
“Very, very talented young man,” the coach said. “He’s got great speed, very good vision, great cuts, he’s played a lot of football – he’s rushed for over 600 yards. But he’s got a lot of talent and a lot of skill at the tailback position and a lot of the intangibles that you need to catch the ball out of the backfield, they can put him out there as a wide out.
“So, like I said, he’s played a lot of football and this is his second year. Again, he’s in line with the rest of them, they’re all good players.”
