THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 19, 1994 TAG: 9408190754
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Marcus Jones, the huge defensive tackle for the University of North Carolina, looked at the reporter who had just asked a question like he was zeroing in on an opposing quarterback.
The question was innocent enough, and probably intended as a compliment. But it was evident Jones did not take it as such.
``Do I think we have the second-best program now in the ACC?'' he repeated. ``Is that the question?''
Well, yes it was.
Almost everyone would concede that the premier football program in the ACC belongs to Florida State, which has yet to lose a game to a league opponent during its 2-year membership and is coming off a national championship.
Almost everyone, too, would be happy having a program ranked second to the Seminoles.
But Jones made it clear he does not go along with that kind of thinking.
``I feel we have the best program here at Carolina, without a doubt,'' Jones declared.
``You look back a few years ago, you see how Carolina went through a couple of 1-10 seasons. You build yourself up and you can't do anything but get better.
``Right now Carolina is the best team in the league, and we are going to prove it this year. We had our chance the last couple of years and didn't come through, but we are definitely going to come through this year.''
Jones went on to explain that he was not just talking about being the best on the field, either. A ``program'' goes beyond that, he said, and in this regard Florida State may be vulnerable.
The Seminoles have spent the summer defending themselves against various charges of misconduct and rules violations and have suspended players for accepting gifts from an agent.
``You have to consider us better than Florida State when you look at the academics, you look at the overall program itself,'' Jones said.
``We take care of our players to the point where we worry about class and football and nothing else. I am not saying Florida State is a bad program, but what happened at Florida State would never happen at Carolina.''
Again, most people, including UNC coach Mack Brown, would not agree with Jones.
In fact, Brown and other league coaches recently admitted that all programs are vulnerable to unscrupulous agents trying to win favor with star players.
Still, Jones maintains that the environment at North Carolina is such that no player would consider accepting an invitation from an agent to go on a shopping trip to one of the local malls.
``We are disciplined on and off the field,'' he said. ``We might joke with our coaches when we see them on the field, but off the field it is `yes, sir,' and `no, sir.' ''
Some Florida State players contended that they did not think they were doing anything wrong by accepting the gifts, considering how much money and publicity they had brought to their university.
So what if they got a few jackets and a couple pairs of shoes? Don't all college players feel they deserve more than just a free education and room and board?
No, not all.
Jones said he has rebuffed agents trying to contact him, and he is happy with what he is getting.
``All I know is when I came out of high school,'' he explained, ``I had a chance to better myself. I was offered a chance to get a free education. I enjoy playing football, so that was just an extra.
``Maybe I have different feelings than everyone else, but that is the way I felt, and I still feel that way. I get a room and my meals. What else could you ask for?''
If there is anything else Jones really wants, it is a victory over Virginia this season.
Virginia, Florida State, and Alabama (in the Gator Bowl) were the only teams to beat the Tar Heels last year.
``I'd rather beat Virginia than anyone in the league,'' Jones said.
Why?
``Virginia is just always in the back of my mind for some reason,'' Jones replied.
``Maybe it is because the first time we went there to play, some of their fans called me names that I had never heard before.''
But the measure of North Carolina this season, and how much its program has improved, more than likely will come on Sept. 24 when the Tar Heels travel to Tallahassee to play the Seminoles.
The Tar Heels lost 14 starters off last season's 10-win team that finished second in the ACC to Florida State, and there are big holes to fill in the offensive line and at the receiving positions.
Again expressing a minority viewpoint, Jones predicts North Carolina will be even better this season.
``The only things Florida State had last year that we didn't were Charlie Ward and more depth,'' Jones said.
``They don't have Ward back and we have more depth this year.''
Brown, who thinks North Carolina could finish anywhere between second and fifth in the league, seemed amused that Jones and some of his other players were talking championship.
``Until someone beats Florida State in this league, they are No. 1,'' Brown said.
``But I'm glad our players and our fans have high expectations. A few years ago the only thing they were expecting is that I would be fired.'' by CNB