Coaches look for answers

O'Brien, Davis welcome Wolfpack, Tar Heels to fall practice today

N.C. State's Tom O'Brien and North Carolina's Butch Davis have hired coaching staffs, met the alumni and recruited. They've conducted spring drills, held summer camps and thumbed those last "HOW R U?" text messages to high school players. Today, it really begins.

O'Brien will take to the field in Raleigh and Davis in Chapel Hill as preseason practice opens for the Wolfpack and the Tar Heels. On what could be a scorching day, the sweat will flow, coaches' whistles blow and intensity and focus be demanded.

A year ago, Chuck Amato was coaching the Pack and John Bunting the Heels. Both were fired, and Davis and O'Brien have excited their respective fan bases.

But preseason practice often is about answering questions. So it will be with the Pack and Heels.

NORTH CAROLINA

Practice starts: Today; closed to public

First game: Sept. 1, vs. James Madison, 6 p.m.

Ticket information: www.tarheelblue.com

1. WHO WILL START AT QUARTERBACK?

Redshirt freshman T.J. Yates emerged as the starter in the spring game, but coach Butch Davis has made it clear that the competition -- which also includes sophomore Cameron Sexton and incoming freshman Mike Paulus -- is wide open. Davis said he would like to narrow the candidates to two within the first 10 days.

2. HOW IS DAVIS' HEALTH?

The coach, who had a cancerous growth removed from his mouth in March, finished precautionary chemotherapy treatments in May. His hair is growing back, and he says he is cancer-free. He worked with a trainer throughout the summer, walking up to four miles a day, and repeatedly has said he feels great.

North Carolina

3. WHO WILL EMERGE AT RUNNING BACK?

With the graduation of Ronnie McGill and dismissal of Barrington Edwards, only eight tailback carries return from 2006 -- seven by walk-on Justin Warren and one by sophomore Richie Rich. Rich and Anthony Elzy are listed as co-starters, but Johnny White, Anthony Parker-Boyd and incoming freshman Ryan Houston will compete.

4. HOW MANY FRESHMEN WILL PLAY?

Coach Butch Davis likes playing guys early, he said -- but only if it's in their best interests, meaning only if they get to play a significant amount of snaps. There are some potential impact players in the Class of '07, including defensive tackle Marvin Austin, wide receiver Greg Little, quarterback Mike Paulus and tailback Ryan Houston. But with a new coach, everyone will be competing for playing time.

5. CAN CONNOR BARTH STAY PERFECT (AGAIN)?

The senior -- who cut his trademark surfer locks over the summer -- was the only kicker in the country with a 1.000 field-goal percentage last season, going 10-for-10. Davis said he thinks the Wilmington native has the leg to play in the NFL; if the Tar Heels are in close games, Barth will have a chance to prove it.

N.C. STATE

Practice starts: Today; closed to public

First game: Sept. 1, vs Central Florida, 6 p.m.

Ticket information: www.gopack.com

1. Will Daniel Evans start at QB?

O'Brien says he may wait until the week of the opener before choosing a starter but also says a decision could come sooner. Judging by the spring game, it's Evans' job to lose. But Harrison Beck, a transfer from Nebraska, may be the best athlete at the position. Redshirt freshman Justin Burke may be the smartest.

2. WHAT ABOUT THE KICKING GAME?

The graduation of John Deraney, left, meant State lost its place-kicker, punter and kickoff man in one fell swoop. O'Brien seems set to turn the punting over to a junior college transfer, Jeff Ruiz. Place-kicker Josh Czajkowski, a redshirt freshman, was solid in the spring.

3. HOW WILL O'BRIEN HANDLE THE MCCULLER SITUATION?

Offensive lineman Jeraill McCuller faces charges of driving while impaired, speeding and reckless driving, and he is due in court in early September. Coach Tom O'Brien arrived at NCSU promising strict discipline but has not said what disciplinary action he will take with McCuller, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound sophomore who should start at right tackle. Should be interesting.

4. WILL THE OFFENSIVE LINE BE A PROBLEM?

The Pack has lost senior tight end Anthony Hill, out for the season after knee surgery. McCuller's status may be in doubt. For the Pack's running game to click, it needs its best blockers on the field. Marcus Stone moves up to No. 1 at tight end, but he's a converted quarterback. The backup at right tackle is senior Garrett Kline, who has not played a snap at NCSU.

5. WILL THE PACK MIX UP ITS DEFENSIVE FRONTS?

O'Brien and defensive coordinator Mike Archer know the answer but aren't tipping their hand. State plans to open in a 4-3 front, but Archer is a 3-4 disciple, and defensive end Willie Young is capable of dropping back off the line into a 3-4 look. Let Central Florida coach George O'Leary worry about that one.