Tar Heel Times

Video: Peppers pick six

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:40:00 -0400

Julius Peppers returns an interception 13-yards for a score vs. the Cardinals.

Barth family relives winning kicks

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:50:00 -0400

One of the first people Casey Barth called after booting his 21-yard game-winning field goal at No. 14 Virginia Tech on Thursday night was his older brother, Connor. "He said he was proud that I got one," UNC's sophomore kicker said. Connor, now an NFL free agent who was working out for New England at the time of his younger brother's kick, knew that from experience.

Studious Hakeem Nicks the Early Star of Rookie WR Class

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:23:00 -0400

It was the fluke catch of the week. Giants rookie receiver Hakeem Nicks caught a tipped pass that had been intended for Mario Manningham and carried it all the way to the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown against the Cardinals. It was the kind the defense can write off as pure luck. But they say luck is the residue of design, and the people who know Hakeem Nicks say that design is a huge part of his game.

Back on field, Brandon Tate wants to tear it up

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:18:00 -0400

The last time Brandon Tate had been on a football field, he was hobbling toward the sideline, his right knee shredded more than he realized. More than a year had passed since that day, a day he wondered whether he would ever play football again. Last Sunday, Tate gazed around Wembley Stadium, mesmerized by the size of the place. “That’s when the butterflies started coming,’’ he said.

Sam Aiken, Brandon Tate have hands in Patriots victory

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:43:00 -0400

The Patriots did not have a lot of options for the role of No. 3 receiver yesterday. Julian Edelman was out with a forearm injury and Joey Galloway was home looking for his reputation. Troy Brown was sitting in the Wembley Stadium stands with 84,000 other American Football fans. Bill Belichick turned his hooded eyes to special teams captain Sam Aiken and rookie Brandon Tate, a couple of North Carolina Tar Heels.

Extra Points: Lights, Camera, Cut!

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Lawrence Taylor's return to Chapel Hill was his first in more than two decades. Davis mentioned to former Tar Heel Alan Caldwell, a letterman at defensive back from 1975-77, that he would love to have Taylor return to Chapel Hill for a game or an off-season visit, and Caldwell worked as an intermediary for some time to help make it happen. Davis suggested the Thursday night ESPN game would be perfect for the visit.

Tar Heel Legend Resurfaces

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:34:00 -0400

Sources close to the Carolina football program have confirmed that Tar Heel legend Lawrence Taylor was in town last night and spent some time meeting and speaking to the team. Taylor will also be recognized during tonight’s game against Florida State.

Brandon Tate's long wait to take the field for Pats is finally over

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:30:00 -0400

Though it had been little more than a year since Brandon Tate stepped on a football field in pads, to him it seemed like at least twice that long. When you're 22, enduring the grind of rehabilitation and itching to make your debut as a professional football player, every day seems twice as long. A third-round draft pick of the Patriots' this spring, Tate tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee last Oct. 11, playing for his North Carolina Tar Heels against Notre Dame.

Wilson: Steelers' Reed disputing charges

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:36:00 -0400

In the wake of his arrest on disorderly conduct, Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed is disputing the charges. Reed's agent said that Reed will contest the citations issued to him after being arrested outside a Pittsburgh bar. The Steelers aren't commenting while they gather more information. And the league is looking into the matter.

2009 ACC Football Legends: Kelvin Bryant, North Carolina

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:07:00 -0400

Kelvin Bryant remains an All-American in every sense of the word. Nearly three decades since he shattered records and dazzled opponents as a running back for UNC, Bryant is right where he always envisioned being - back in his hometown, raising a family, active in his community. Bryant is one of this year's Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game Legends who will be honored at this year's ACC Football Championship Game weekend.

Dick Patterson set for Hall of Fame

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:00:00 -0400

After exhausting his eligibility at Pheiffer, Dick Patterson moved on to North Carolina in 1949. Before Patterson arrived the Tar Heels were somewhat of a mediocre team, but as the 1950’s rolled around, UNC found itself winning more and more, with Patterson becoming an integral part of that success. Dick was chosen by the ‘Big Five’ coaches as athlete of the week during the week of January 25, 1949.

Vonnie Holliday helping bolster defense in Denver

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:20:00 -0400

When Vonnie Holliday was shopping for a new team, the defensive lineman received all sorts of suggestions from family and friends, even random strangers. The message was basically the same: Be sure to check out the New England Patriots, they're the front runners with Tom Brady back. And stay clear of Denver!

Steelers kicker Jeff Reed cited near stadium

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:05:00 -0400

Pittsburgh Steelers [and former UNC] kicker Jeff Reed has been cited by city police for public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside a bar a couple of blocks from where the team beat the Cleveland Browns a few hours earlier. Police say Reed was cited outside McFadden's Bar about 9 p.m. Sunday. Reed kicked two field goals in the 27-14 victory. This is Reed's second brush with the law this year.

NFL Update: Week 6

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:01:00 -0400

Julius Peppers registered two sacks and forced a fumble in a 28-21 win over Tampa Bay. Hakeem Nicks continues to impress for the Giants, posting his third straight game with a touchdown. Two former Heels, Richard Quinn and Vonnie Holliday challenge the San Diego Chargers tonight.

Time for the Panthers to part ways with Julius Peppers

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:44:00 -0400

Keeping Julius Peppers for 2009 after signing him to a one-year, $16 million contract is understandable to a degree. Even the smartest franchises sometimes throw away money on personnel. But taking into account the team's 1-3 record and imposing November-December schedule, a failure to trade Peppers would be like under-cooking one chicken leg because you over-cooked the other.

Is Julius Peppers worth $1 million per game?

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:48:00 -0400

What does $1 million per game really buy? That's the question I set out to answer. To do so, I reviewed every Carolina Panthers defensive snap for the first three games of this 2009 season. I concentrated on No.90 - Julius Peppers, the player that the 0-3 Panthers are paying slightly more than $1 million per game.

Video: Nicks' first career NFL TD

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:52:00 -0400

Giants WR Hakeem Nicks catches a short pass and runs it in for a 54-yd TD, his first in the NFL.

Nicks scores first career NFL touchdown in Giants win

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:57:00 -0400

Hakeem Nicks only had one catch in the Giants’ 27-16 win over the Chiefs Sunday, but boy did the 6-1, 212-pound rookie make it count. Nicks, who missed the Giants’ past two games with a foot injury, played most of the game as the team’s No. 3 receiver and was silent until the fourth quarter, when he caught a screen pass from quarterback Eli Manning and took it 54 yards for his first NFL touchdown.

NFL Update: Week 4

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0400

Hakeem Nicks scored his first career touchdown on a spectacular run after catch for 54 yards in the Giants 27-16 rout over the Chiefs. Nicks returned this week after spraining his foot in week one. Three Tar Heels were idle this week as their respective teams were in a bye week. Brooks Foster, St Louis- Rookie wide receiver, who was the Rams’ fifth-round pick this year, is on injured reserve after ankle surgery.

NFL Update: Week 3

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:47:00 -0400

Centers Jason Brown and Jeff Saturday each anchored their offenses to collect over 100 yards rushing. Running back Willie Parker found the endzone in the Steelers' loss to the Bengals. Three Tar Heels will be in action tonight as Carolina hosts Dallas in the Monday night game. Julius Peppers and Hilee Taylor are seeking the Panthers' first win as Gerald Sensabaugh and the Cowboys come into town.