SAKERLINA GAME WEEK #UNC DBs and STs Preview

To wrap up the defensive previews. let's shift gears to a group that got carved up like a Christmas Ham this past year: The Defensive Backfield. Despite possessing of the most talent we've seen in half a decade, this group remains a mystery heading into 2015. Between the numerous missed tackles, blown coverages, and unfocused play (like you'll see below), the defensive backfield,in large part, contributed to a record shattering group( not a good record) in terms of points and yards allowed. There's a new sherrif in town coaching up the DBs, his name is Charlton Warren and he seeks to get the Rude Boyz playing back at an elite level.

No more of this, please. (h/t to Inside Carolina for the GIF)

Charlton Warren- Defensive Backs Coach

Warren, currently serving his first year on Carolina's staff, came to Chapel Hill alongside John Papuchis after a year at Nebraska. Prior to that one year term he served on the Air Force Coaching Staff with a number of roles including Defensive Coordinator, Secondary Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. His ties with Larry Fedora go back to the years Warren played at Air Force (1995-1998) when Larry was an Offensive Assistant for the Falcons. He's known for sure tackling and aggressive secondaries that often are known for holding opponents to low completion rates and passing efficiency. He posed the no spot was guaranteed method to all positions in the secondary this off-season and it's let to some fierce competitions for the two deep at each position.

Cornerbacks

Field Corner

The advantage to playing with a Field and Boundary Corner system is even if the Field Corner is the "weaker" coverage corner, the offense is forced to make the Quarterbacks make the tougher throws to the field options. These players generally have better range and play well in space. They also must be sure tacklers because the offense has more room to play around with the field side "space."

1. MJ Stewart (#6) 5-11 200 lbs Sophomore - MJ Stweart has one nothing but impress since setting foot in Chapel Hill. It seems like all of 2014 he pushed Walker for the starting nod at Field Corner. Now a sophomore, this is Stewarts time and many believe he has the potential to be considered among the Carolina Greats at Cornerback before it's all said and done.
2. Brian Walker (#5) 5-11 190 lbs Junior - A two year retunring starter is never a bad thing to have as a backup. Expect to see Walker often on the field serving as the Nickel Back in this defense. Walker has excellent range but must improve his physicality in his play. He often avoids contact in situations when Carolina needs him to get in the trenches. 
3. Kedrick Davis (#19) 5-10 180 lbs Redshirt Junior - Kedrick Davis seems like he's been at Carolina for year. Expect Davis to see most of his action on special teams unless one of the two above players go down.

Boundary Corner

The Boundary Corner always plays on the short side of the field. In college it's much easier for a QB to make a read and throw to the hort side of the field, which leads many offenses to have their first pass option throwing to the boundary side. Often times defenses will put their best coverage corner along the boundary which puts the offense in a bind.

1. Des Lawrence (#2) 6-1 185 lbs Junior - A two year returning starter at Boundary Corner, it didn;t appear that Lawrence had kept hold of the position one the highly toute Mike Hughes started practice. Many wondered if Warren had sent a message to Lawrence ones many saw Hughes at the to of the depth chart. Lawrence has excellent size for a corner, as he's built like a free safety. Carolina needs Lawrence to play less head games this year and to play with much more reckless abandon.
2. Mike Hughes (#1) 5-11 185 lbs True Freshman - The Freshman that the whole Carolina world has heard about is making a name for himself in Chapel Hill. Do not be surprised to see Mike Hughes on the field early and often this year. A freak athlete from New Bern, Hughes expects to contribute as well in the kick return and punt return game.
3. TJ Jiles (#37) 5-11 180 lbs Senior - Jiles has been a lifetime role player and special teamer since arriving in Chapel Hill. Kid's never lived up to the hype.
4. Malik Simmons (#11) 5-11 190 lbs Senior SUSPENDED - Simmons, who played often in Carolina's lost Ram Position the last couple of years finally is back to his more natural position of cornerback. The knuckle head did get into some trouble over the summer and has been suspended for the first couple of games of the season. 

Strong Safety

String safeties tend to be sized somewhat larger than a free safety. They're often called upon to provide run support like a linebacker yet have to have the range of a cornerback or free safety. Generally a strong safety gets matched up with a running back or fullback when in man coverage.

1. Donnie Miles (#15) 5-11 210 Redshirt Sophomore - Donny Miles saw most of his action his redshirt freshman year at the Ram position but has shifted back to his more natural fit of strong safety. Miles is a very physicl player who seeks contact and bring the wood. He saw more and more action as the season progressed and is poised for a breakout season in 2015.
2. Dom Green (#26) 5-11 190 lbs Junior - After having a monster season as a freshman, Green faced a setback year in 2014 and looks to rebound. Never one to shy away from contact, he was often found out of position and struggled in space in 2014. He's once again 100% healthy and 100% focused. Carolina needs Green to step up to assist in changing the defensive culture in the program. 
3. JK Britt (#29) 6-0 195 lbs True Freshman - Britt spent most of the Spring and Fall Camps atop the depth chart at Free Safety but his physicality gives him the versatility to play strong safety as well. 

Free Safety
A free safety tends to watch the play unfold and follow the ball. When in man coverage/run coverage the FS is often assigned the QB but when the QB remains in the pocket expect the FS to provide high or over the top coverage to another DB. Free safeties must have excellent range, closing speed and instincts as they are often called upon to make a read and then the play while covering the furthest distance.

1. Sam Smiley (#3) 5-11 190 lbs Redshirt Senior - Smiley, who's played about every position in the secondary finds himself atop the depth chart at Free Safety for his last season in Chapel Hill. Had a solid comeback year in 2014 after missing all of 2013 with a season ending foot injury. Has been called by the coaches as a sound leader of the group.
2. JK Britt (#29) 6-0 195 lbs True Freshman - Like mentioned above Britt gave Smiley a run for his money for the starting Free Safety spot. Britt has excellent range and football IQ for a freshman. Expect to see him on the field often in 2015.
3. Allen Artis (#4) 6-1 205 lbs Sophomore - Artis played in spots as true freshman most notably down the stretch. Will see lots of playing time on special teams this year

Special Teams

Place Kicker:  Nick Weiler #23 (Jr) gets the nod over  Freeman Jones #98 (Redshirt Freshman)

Kickoff Speacialist: Nick Weiler #23(Jr) gets the nod over  Freeman Jones (Redshirt Freshman)

Punter: Corbin Daly #90 (Redshirt Freshman) gets the nod over Joey Mangili (Jr) #23

Deep Snapper: Kyle Murphy #60 (Soph.) or Tommy Bancroft (Freshman) #61

Holder: Joey Mangili

Kick Off Return: TJ Logan, Romar Morris, Brian Walker, Mike Hughes

Punt Return: Ryan Switzer, Mike Hughes

Between the DBs and Special Teams, Carolina has it's fair share of problems associated in 2014. We had kickers who couldn't connect from outside of 30 yards and we had DBs who often avoided contact or whiffed entirely. If Carolina wants any kind of success in 2015, these two groups must be much improved.