Lucy
08-16-2004, 06:23 AM
Quote:
ACC Preview: Finding a reliable quarterback a must for Groh and Virginia
By Brian Murphy
Telegraph Staff Writer
Clearly no one consulted with Virginia head coach Al Groh before filling out his Atlantic Coast Conference preseason poll.
The Cavaliers were selected to finish third in the newly constituted league, a position way too high for a team lacking a proven quarterback, Groh contends.
"It's such a weighted position on the football team. It's the most dynamic position in organized sports today in terms of how if can affect the game," Groh said.
"If you get superior quarterback play it can magnify the results that the other 21 positions might produce and it can also minimize the results the other positions would have provided."
The Cavaliers must replace two-year starter Matt Schaub, who was the league's player of the year in 2002.
Junior Marques Hagans, a jack-of-all trades during his first two seasons, will likely replace Schaub. After working at punt returner and wide receiver in addition to quarterback, Hagans will get a shot at running the team full-time.
"He has the self-confidence that he can make plays," Groh said. "His teammates have seen him come into the game and produce in pressure situations and make plays, and that's a very important thing."
Hagans will have plenty of weapons around him, including versatile tailbacks Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman. The duo combined for more than 2,500 all-purpose yards last season.
Then there's All-ACC tight end Heath Miller, who had 70 receptions for 835 yards.
Miller, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior, enters the season as the favorite for the Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end. He has caught a pass in 21 consecutive games and has 15 touchdowns in 27 career games.
"Did you see that game when we played them?" said Georgia Tech safety James Butler, against whom Miller had six catches for 110 yards and one touchdown. "He's one of the top tight ends in the nation. I'd hit this dude, I thought my shoulder was broken. As far as tight ends, as far as catching and running and blocking, I think he's one of the best in the nation."
The Cavaliers return four starting offensive linemen.
Virginia also returns eight defensive starters, including three defensive linemen and standout linebackers Darryl Blackstock and Ahmad Brooks (team-high 117 tackles). The Cavaliers bring back their top six tacklers from last year.
"We feel like we have all the pieces of the puzzle in place," right guard Elton Brown said. "Let's just put it together and win games."
For all his bluster about the Cavaliers' high selection, he acknowledged that the Cavaliers have a chance to meet those expectations. Virginia was picked only behind Florida State and Miami and ahead of Clemson, which returns quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.
"If I was in the position to be one of the pickers, I would not pick a team that did not have a returning quarterback over one that did," Groh said
"I'm not saying it can't be, but I'm not saying this is the year. We'll see. This is a team that ought to have a chance to win a goodly amount of games. What it does with those opportunities, we'll see."
By Brian Murphy
Telegraph Staff Writer
Clearly no one consulted with Virginia head coach Al Groh before filling out his Atlantic Coast Conference preseason poll.
The Cavaliers were selected to finish third in the newly constituted league, a position way too high for a team lacking a proven quarterback, Groh contends.
"It's such a weighted position on the football team. It's the most dynamic position in organized sports today in terms of how if can affect the game," Groh said.
"If you get superior quarterback play it can magnify the results that the other 21 positions might produce and it can also minimize the results the other positions would have provided."
The Cavaliers must replace two-year starter Matt Schaub, who was the league's player of the year in 2002.
Junior Marques Hagans, a jack-of-all trades during his first two seasons, will likely replace Schaub. After working at punt returner and wide receiver in addition to quarterback, Hagans will get a shot at running the team full-time.
"He has the self-confidence that he can make plays," Groh said. "His teammates have seen him come into the game and produce in pressure situations and make plays, and that's a very important thing."
Hagans will have plenty of weapons around him, including versatile tailbacks Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman. The duo combined for more than 2,500 all-purpose yards last season.
Then there's All-ACC tight end Heath Miller, who had 70 receptions for 835 yards.
Miller, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior, enters the season as the favorite for the Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end. He has caught a pass in 21 consecutive games and has 15 touchdowns in 27 career games.
"Did you see that game when we played them?" said Georgia Tech safety James Butler, against whom Miller had six catches for 110 yards and one touchdown. "He's one of the top tight ends in the nation. I'd hit this dude, I thought my shoulder was broken. As far as tight ends, as far as catching and running and blocking, I think he's one of the best in the nation."
The Cavaliers return four starting offensive linemen.
Virginia also returns eight defensive starters, including three defensive linemen and standout linebackers Darryl Blackstock and Ahmad Brooks (team-high 117 tackles). The Cavaliers bring back their top six tacklers from last year.
"We feel like we have all the pieces of the puzzle in place," right guard Elton Brown said. "Let's just put it together and win games."
For all his bluster about the Cavaliers' high selection, he acknowledged that the Cavaliers have a chance to meet those expectations. Virginia was picked only behind Florida State and Miami and ahead of Clemson, which returns quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.
"If I was in the position to be one of the pickers, I would not pick a team that did not have a returning quarterback over one that did," Groh said
"I'm not saying it can't be, but I'm not saying this is the year. We'll see. This is a team that ought to have a chance to win a goodly amount of games. What it does with those opportunities, we'll see."