BY BRIANA GORMAN

bgorman@heraldsun.com; 419-6668

CHAPEL HILL -- In Coach Butch Davis' first season at North Carolina, the defense picked off 11 passes. In his second season, the Tar Heels recorded 20 interceptions, which tied them for eighth most in the nation.

And this year, junior cornerback Kendric Burney has no doubts that the Tar Heels will improve on their interception total.

"I really believe we can get 30 picks if we put our minds to it," said Burney, a junior cornerback who had three interceptions a year ago.

Burney and junior free safety Deunta Williams are the returning starters at defensive back this season. Jordan Hemby also was a starter in 2008, but he is competing with Charles Brown for the top cornerback spot.

Junior Da'Norris Searcy will replace Trimane Goddard, who had seven picks a year ago, at strong safety. Searcy and junior Matt Merletti were fighting for the starting position, but Merletti was lost for the season a week ago when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

"I think we'll do a great job intercepting the ball this year because we're a smarter defense," said Williams, who has three picks in each of the past two seasons. "I think with everybody knowing and understanding their role a little bit better, I think turnovers, not just interceptions, but turnovers should be increased this year."

Even though UNC steadily has increased its interceptions, and turnovers in general, over the past two seasons, the secondary also will be looking to cut down how much yardage it gives up through the air.

The Tar Heels' pass defense was next to last in the ACC a year ago, as they gave up 226 passing yards per game and two teams threw for more than 300 yards.

Even though UNC's pass defense efficiency was ranked sixth in the conference, Burney still cringed when the amount of passing yards was mentioned.

"It wasn't so much the calls, it was just [that] we weren't playing our technique; we were doing our own thing," Burney said. "We definitely looked at that and that could have led to about 10 or 11 more picks if we had just played the right technique.

"The games we lost, we probably dropped one or two picks that game if everybody goes back and watches that film. We lost some games, we lost some dropped picks, so we're definitely going to clean some stuff up."

Even with so much experience returning to the secondary, it still boasts one of the few position battles during preseason workouts. Brown and Hemby are competing for a starting cornerback spot, and Davis said it's too close to say who has the edge at this point.

Williams said the competition between Brown and Hemby has only made each player better.

"It's kind of hard being a leader because you've got to encourage both sides, but at the same time it's amazing when a guy gets challenged and he does nothing but improve," Williams said.

Hemby, a senior, started all 13 games at cornerback a year ago and finished with 49 tackles. Brown, a junior, started nine games in 2007 but battled through injuries in 2008 and didn't start a game. Brown did play in 10 games, however, and recorded an interception against Rutgers and finished with 26 tackles.

"That's a tough battle; both are playing great," Burney said. "Charlie Brown has a swagger that most corners don't got. He's loves to hit. He loves to cover. He's got a mean attitude and that's exactly what we need, and that's what we were missing a little bit last year."