Looking around some on the internet I found some tidbits about today’s North Carolina football practice. At least the open session of it. First off from the News & Observer the report that T.J. Thorpe, who I posted about having had a foot injury, was at the practice, his broken foot in a boot. From the same article you will see of other players either not practicing or wearing the orange/red jersey, which means limited work outs. Over at the News & Record it talks a bit more about the sophomore return man and also gives the depth chart that they could make out from the thirty minutes they were allowed in. They also have a video of some of the practice…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex1VhSiRCjY&w=480&h=360]
This was the first practice in pads for the Tar Heels, which means we are getting closer and closer to the beginning of the season. Unfortunately it also means there is less and less time for this squad to hone in on what they need to do, and make sure that there are no more injuries along the way. After practice, from an article at Tar Heel Illustrated head coach Larry Fedora spoke about his policy on talking about injuries…
“He (Thorpe) is a great kid. I don’t know what to tell you because I don’t talk about injuries,” Fedora said. “Here’s what I’ll tell you about injuries. I will tell you about anybody we lose for the season, and that’s it.”
“We haven’t lost him for the season, so I don’t really have anything to say for him.”
You can take that statement by the coach either as a half full or half empty glass type of message, being that I try to be realist I will take it as a “wait and see” attitude from the man at the top. Mostly because that is exactly what anyone can really do right now when it comes to Thorpe, or any other injured player. Time is beginning to wind down for the new regime of the North Carolina football program when it comes to preparations for their first season. For coach Fedora and his staff now the focus has to be on getting the team ready to play and being able to avoid the toughest of opponents, the injury bug! Only time will tell how all of this will go, and I hope that I can keep all of you as informed as possible right here at isportsweb!