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Virginia hopes to hit the ground running this season
By JOHN GALINSKY / Daily Progress staff writer
Aug 16, 2002
On paper, the strength of Virginia's offense looks like the passing game. The Cavaliers have an experienced quarterback. They have one of the nation's top receivers and a solid supporting cast of wideouts. They are young at tailback and on the offensive line.

Nevertheless, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said, one of UVa's top priorities this season will be establishing the ground game.

"We envision running it much more and running it more effectively," Musgrave said.

Musgrave and coach Al Groh certainly would like more offensive balance than the Cavaliers showed last year. In a decidedly pass-happy attack, they shattered the school record by throwing 451 times, gaining more than twice as many yards through the air (2,868) as on the ground (1,272). In fact, they finished dead last in the ACC (and 101st nationally) in rushing offense, averaging just 106 yards per game.

The overall result also was subpar: Virginia finished eighth in the ACC in both yards (345.0) and points (20.8) per game a year ago.

Much of that had to do with circumstance. It wasn't by design. Going into last season, the offensive gameplan centered around tailback Antwoine Womack, who injured an ankle in the first quarter of the opening game and never regained full strength.

Without Womack, the running game was largely ineffective, so the Cavaliers went with what worked. Usually, that meant throwing the ball to Billy McMullen, who wound up with a school-record 83 receptions and 12 touchdowns in a 5-7 season.

McMullen returns for his senior year having "improved every phase of his game," Groh said. The No. 2 and 3 wideouts, junior Michael McGrew and sophomore Ottowa Anderson, also have made big strides since last season.

Likewise, junior quarterback Matt Schaub has progressed after splitting time with Bryson Spinner last year. Coaches say he is reading defenses better and making quicker decisions.

"Just from the experience of starting the number of games he did last year, he's more familiar with defenses and what they're trying to do," Musgrave said. "He's also more familiar with the offense. He's watched a lot of film. He looks very confident."

The offensive line is young and inexperienced. The only senior is right tackle Mike Mullins, who didn't enter the starting lineup until the final month of last season. By his side is right guard Elton Brown, who also started the final four games as a true freshman.

Junior Kevin Bailey should be among the nation's top centers, Groh said, but the new starters on the left side, sophomore guard Mark Farrington and redshirt freshman tackle Brian Barthelmes, have not played in a college game. The backups, including true freshmen D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brad Butler, also lack experience. Same with the top two tight ends, sophomore Patrick Estes and redshirt freshman Heath Miller.

But the coaches say they are pleased with the first-team unit.

"I think the offensive line has played well," Musgrave said. "It is looking like one of our strengths."

The Cavaliers intend to run with authority, but they aren't certain who will be handling that duty. Alvin Pearman, who led the team in rushing (371 yards) as a true freshman, is back. But he is being pushed by sophomore Marquis Weeks, who has been impressive during preseason camp. And thanks to a recruiting bonanza at tailback, the Cavaliers have a number of true freshmen with the ability to play immediately. Wali Lundy and Michael Johnson, in particular, are likely to see action.

Groh said he is leaning toward using two or three tailbacks in each game, at least early in the season.

"We have a number of highly competitive and very skilled players at that position," Groh said. "We plan on utilizing that depth."

McMullen thrived in last year's offense, which came as a dramatic departure from the George Welsh era.

"With Welsh, we were a run, run, throw-deep type offense," McMullen said. "Last year we were a pass-short, run, pass-short, pass-deep type offense."

McMullen is sure to see a fair share of passes come his way again this year. But if things go according to plan, there will be more balance and a better overall attack.

"We would like to be able to run the ball more and be able to win the time of possession," Musgrave said. "We want to be able to do both [run and pass] effectively. We don't want to be predictable. If we can do that, I'll be happy."

 

 

Brooks Fuming Over Contract
by Associated Press
August 15, 10:27 AM

THIBODAUX, La. -- Aaron Brooks, the New Orleans Saints' starting quarterback, is unhappy that he makes less than most NFL quarterbacks, let alone his own backups.

He's also unhappy that management hasn't done anything about it yet. Brooks and the Saints are trying to renegotiate his contract, which currently pays Brooks the fourth-year minimum of $450,000 this season.

"I don't think they should have waited to renegotiate my contract," Brooks said Tuesday. "I don't accept that they had to get the others done first. I'd think they would want to keep me happy and show that they appreciate me, but they haven't done it."

Brooks, who is entering the final year of his contract, stayed out of training camp for the first three days to show his unhappiness.

His salary makes him the third lowest-paid starter in the league. He will also make less this season than 34 players on the Saints roster including No. 2 quarterback Jake Delhomme ($563,000), and third-string quarterback Jeff Lewis ($550,000).

New England's Tom Brady will make $432,873 this season and Mike McMahon of Detroit will make $337,666.

Mickey Loomis, who took over as the general manager in May when Randy Mueller was fired, said he needed to sign the team's draft picks and extend coach Jim Haslett's contract before concentrating on Brooks.

"I don't accept that," Brooks said. "I just know there's no reason for not re-negotiating with me."

Loomis said he talked to Brooks agent, Andre Colona, earlier this week, but nothing was worked out.

Brooks wouldn't speculate on what the was causing the impasse.

"You need to ask them that," Brooks said. "Ask them why they're not showing me respect after all I've done for them."

The starter for New Orleans since taking over for Jeff Blake in the 10th game of the 2000 season, Brooks led the Saints to the only playoff victory in team history.

Last year he was less successful late in the season, when the Saints lost the last four games of the season.

Brooks threw 13 interceptions and only seven touchdowns while the Saints were outscored 160-52 in those four games.

"I learned from that," Brooks said. "I'm a lot better quarterback this year. I know now that I can't be responsible for every player on the team. I just have to do my job."

Brooks completed 55.9 percent of his passes for 3,832 yards and a team-record 26 touchdowns last season. He also set team records for rushing yards by a quarterback (358) and total yards (4,190), but threw a total of 22 interceptions.

This year the 26-year-old Brooks seems more mature and more in charge on the field.

He said he has learned not to rely on one or two receivers as he did last year. And he likes the offense he's running, one speeded up with the addition of No. 1 draft pick Donte Stallworth and free agent Jerome Pathon at wide out.

"What you're seeing is a lot of players getting smarter, including me," Brooks said. "We didn't always play smart last year."

Putting his unhappiness over his contract out of his mind is not always easy, however.

"It's hard," Brooks said. "Sometimes I'll be out there and it flashes through my mind."

 

 

VIRGINIA FOOTBALL
Canty likely can't play vs. Rams

By DOUG DOUGHTY
THE ROANOKE TIMES

   Chris Canty, the most experienced member of an inexperienced Virginia defensive line, remains hobbled and is expected to miss the Cavaliers' opening game against Colorado State.

    Canty, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound sophomore, will likely be replaced at defensive end by freshman Kwakou Robinson, a Parade All-American last season.

    Robinson was listed on an updated depth chart Thursday at 6-4 and 322 pounds, down from a reporting weight of 335. The likely starter at the other defensive end is Brennan Schmidt, a 6-3, 274-pound freshman.

    At nose guard, the Cavaliers will go with 6-5, 282-pound Andrew Hoffman, who was redshirted last year after playing 65 plays in 2000 as a freshman. Canty played 200 plays last year as a redshirt freshman.

    After Canty suffered a broken right leg April12 during spring practice, it was thought that he would be available for the opening game. He has been in uniform at practice but has not participated in recent contact work.

    "The phraseology I got was that the healing process is moving along," head coach Al Groh said.

    Groh had reported earlier in the week it was unlikely that freshman linebacker Kai Parham, who has had back problems, would play against the Rams.

    Robinson is one of four 2002 recruits who could see playing time on the defensive line, along with 6-5, 272-pound Braden Campbell, listed as the backup to Schmidt; Ronald Darden (6-4, 313); and D.J. Bell (6-4, 305).

    Groh said he had noticed a big difference in Robinson's play and attributed it to "a combination of keeping his weight down, two solid weeks of intense practice and greater familiarity with what he's doing."

    MORE ON BROOKS: If All-American linebacker Ahmad Brooks meets NCAA eligibility requirements and enrolls at Virginia at midyear, he would be the first UVa football recruit to take that route since Moe Anderson in 1995.

    Brooks arrived at Hargrave Military Academy on Wednesday after his first choice, Fork Union, said he could not be relieved of his financial responsibilities if he left after the first semester.

    "Saturday, Virginia called and said, 'This young man can be admitted at UVa during January and what is your policy about a young man leaving?'" Fork Union coach John Shuman said Thursday. "I said, 'Here's our policy: You've got to stay the whole year. You've got to make the commitment. If you're looking for a half-year, you should call Hargrave or Milford [Conn.]. They're a little more lenient.'"

    Anderson played at Fork Union but did not go directly from Fork Union to UVa. He was not in school during the fall of 1994, when he made the required test score, then enrolled at UVa in January.

    "What do I know about it?" Groh said when asked about Virginia's philosophy on midyear admissions. "I know everything about it, but I'm not going to disclose any of it. To my knowledge, there is no written policy of any sort."

    John Blackburn, UVa's dean of admissions, is out of town until the weekend and was not available for comment.

    ODDS 'N' ENDS: Keenan Carter, one of two ineligible UVa signees at Fork Union, was disturbed by reports listing his weight at 390. Carter may be closer to 370, Shuman said. ... Long snapper Ryan Childress from Shawsville is one of as many as six UVa walk-ons who will receive scholarships, Groh said. ... Reserve fullback Ben Vincent, who played on special teams in 11 games last year, was the most prominent of three walk-ons who left the team.

 

 

Groh well aware of Brooks decision

By DOUG DOUGHTY
Exclusive to roanoke.com by 5 p.m. Thursdays

Reporters accustomed to speaking almost daily with Virginia football coach Al Groh took note Monday when a phone rang in the background and Groh excused himself.

"Anybody want to take a guess who that was?" Groh asked when he returned to the teleconference.

"A prospect?" one of the reporters responded.

"Bigger than that," Groh said.

On Thursday, one day after prize UVa recruit Ahmad Brooks arrived at Hargrave Military Academy, a reporter began Groh's teleconference with the observation: "So now, we know who was on the line Monday.

"You got it," Groh said. That was the closest Groh came to identifying the caller and may have explained why Groh's phone was ringing at a time when his secretary usually holds calls.

Clearly, Brooks' decision not to attend Fork Union Military Academy came with Groh's full knowledge. Brooks might have stayed with Fork Union if he didn't know that Virginia would take him after one semester at Hargrave, provided he has the necessary standardized-test score.

Brooks would be the first scholarship athlete to enter UVa at mid-year since football player Moe Anderson in January 1995.

"Can you tell us what you know as to whether fresmen can enroll at mid-year?" Groh was asked.

"What do I know about it?" Groh said Thursday. "I know everything about it, but I'm not going to disclose any of it."

In the absence of UVa Dean of Admissions John Blackburn, who was out of town, athletic director Craig Littlepage said Virginia's practice has been not to admit first-year students at mid-year but he does not know of any written policy.

"To my knowledge, there is no written policy of any sort, one way or another," Groh said.

GROH HAD SAID AS EARLY as last spring that Virginia was prepared to accept Brooks as a "partial" qualifier. It's hard to say that was an exception, although the Cavaliers hadn't taken a partial qualifier in more than 15 years.

I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong, but I believe that 1986 signees Johnnie Wilson and Darrell Wynn did not meet NCAA standards for freshman eligibility. (Wilson later gained a fifth year of eligibility on appeal).

In 1987, Herman Moore signed with UVa after being told he would be accepted even if he didn't qualify. Virginia Tech, his other finalist, was unable to get that issue clarified by signing day. Moore eventually met NCAA standards and graduated, although he played only three years, having sat out the 1987 season as a redshirt.

There may have been other cases, as in Brooks', where potential partial qualifiers were accepted but then met NCAA standards. UVa fans may remember the case of Kevin Coffey, a 1996 signee whose initial eligibility was not approved by the NCAA Clearingouse until he was already in school. If the clearinghouse had not cleared Coffey, UVa would not have required him to leave school.

On the other hand, 1999 signee Art Thomas was in Charlottesville when he learned he had been rejected by the clearinghouse. Thomas went to Fork Union, stayed an entire year, signed with UVa in the winter of 2000 and is a starting cornerback as a junior.

In 2000, UVa signee Hikee Johnson did not get past the clearinghouse. Johnson was a non-qualifier, which meant he could not play in the ACC, so he paid his way for one year at West Virginia.

FANS MIGHT HAVE SEEN the handwriting on the wall before Groh said Thursday that 6-foot-7, 290-pound sophomore defensive end Chris Canty will not play in the Cavaliers' opening game Thursday against Colorado State.

Canty still is not 100 percent after breaking his right leg in the spring.

Expected to start in Canty's place is 6-4, 322-pound Kwakou Robinson, a 2002 Parade All-American. In all likelihood, Robinson will be joined in the starting lineup by redshirt freshman Brennan Schmidt at the other defensive end and sophomore Andrew Hoffman at nose tackle.

Of the seven able-bodied scholarship defensive linemen who should be available for the opening game, four are true freshmen: Robinson, Braden Campbell (6-5, 272), D.J. Bell (6-4, 305) and Ronald Darden.

The others are Hoffman, Schmidt and seldom-used fourth-year junior Justin Walker, listed behind Hoffman on the depth chart released Thursday. Walker has never played in a college game.

GROH SAID WEDNESDAY that 6-5, 265-pound true freshman D'Brickashaw Ferguson is pushing redshirt freshman Brian Barthelmes (6-7, 286) at left offensive tackle. ... Third-year sophomore Jay Dorsey has had a good camp and has made his first appearance on the two-deep as the back-up to senior Chris Williams at safety.

 

 

U.VA. NOTES

Aug 16, 2002
 

OUT OF ACTION: An inexperienced defensive line probably will be without its most seasoned player when Virginia's football team opens its second season under coach Al Groh next week.

Groh said yesterday that he doesn't expect defensive end Chris Canty to play against Colorado State. The teams meet Thursday night in the Jim Thorpe Classic at Scott Stadium.

Canty, a 6-7, 290-pound redshirt sophomore, broke his right leg April 12 during spring practice. He was cleared last month to practice and went through early drills with the team, but he spent more time on the sideline as two-a-days progressed.

The Cavaliers' defensive linemen have one start and 26 career stops among them, and that start and 23 of those stops belong to Canty. Starting nose tackle Andrew Hoffman, also a redshirt sophomore, made the other three tackles. Hoffman redshirted last season.

THE REPLACEMENTS: In Canty's absence, his starting job will go to redshirt junior Justin Walker or true freshman Kwakou Robinson, a Parade All-American in 2001. Walker has been in the program longer than any other defensive lineman but has yet to appear in a game.

"I think in some of these positions where we have an either/or situation," Groh said, "we'll probably go through Sunday's practice and make some judgments after that" about who'll start against CSU.

The U.Va. players' updated heights and weights were released this week, and Robinson is listed at 6-4, 322. He reported heavier than Groh wanted but has dropped some pounds and improved his conditioning.

"I noticed a big difference [Wednesday], as a matter of fact," Groh said. "I think it's a combination of having the weight down, two solid weeks of intense practice and then a greater familiarity with what he's doing. Some of the tentativeness has been wiped off."

NO HARD FEELINGS: After he learned that U.Va. would admit Ahmad Brooks at midyear, John Shuman, who coaches Fork Union Military Academy's postgraduate football team, recommended that the Parade All-America linebacker consider Hargrave Military Academy.

Brooks, who signed with U.Va. in February but failed to meet NCAA eligibility requirements, had planned to attend FUMA this school year. Fork Union doesn't release students after the first semester, but Hargrave agreed to do so with Brooks, and he enrolled there this week.

"We've got to stand by our commitment," Shuman said yesterday, "and this is what we do."

Shuman said a U.Va. football administrator called him Saturday afternoon to let him know the university would admit Brooks for the second semester if he'd received a qualifying standardized-test score by then. Upon hearing that, Shuman recalled, "I said, 'Don't check him in here.'"

Brooks was USA Today's defensive player of the year as a Hylton High senior in 2001.

"It's sad that we're not going to see Ahmad Brooks and [former Hopewell High star] Kareem Taylor play together" at FUMA, Shuman said, "but we're not hurting."

QUICK LEARNER: Groh estimated that 16 newcomers - true or redshirt freshmen - will play against Colorado State. That group is likely to include fullback Jason Snelling, a June graduate of L.C. Bird High. Snelling and sophomore Brandon Isaiah are battling for the No.2 job behind starter Kase Luzar.

"I think it's fairly even right now," Groh said. "Maybe Brandon has a little bit of a lead doing certain things, but Jason's got some strengths, and once he smooths out the rough edges and gets used to being on stage, he's going to make a good contribution for us."

HONORED: Before he became a star defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers, Henry Jordan was an outstanding wrestler at U.Va. Jordan, who died in 1977, was among seven Cavaliers named to the ACC's 50th anniversary team announced yesterday.

A graduate of Warwick High in Newport News, Jordan wrestled at Virginia from 1953 to'57. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He was not, however, named to the ACC's 50th anniversary football team.

The other U.Va. wrestlers on the 50-man squad: Derek Capanna (1985-89), Steve Garland (1996-2000), Jim Harshaw (1994-99), Mike Krafchick (1990-95), John Matyiko (1986-91) and Matt Roth (1994-99). Also on the team is Lenny Bernstein, Virginia's coach. Bernstein, who wrestled at North Carolina, won ACC titles at 142 pounds in 1986 and'87. - Jeff White

 

 

Virginia's Pearman turns doubts into fuel for success
Ex-Country Day star's size raises questions
LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
Staff Writer

He has three college football seasons left, but Virginia running back Alvin Pearman already has his eyes on his next career.

"I would love to do ACC football games as an announcer," said Pearman, a former Charlotte Country Day star. "I like to speak and I like to hear myself talk. And I want to do something with football when I get older. I've been around it all my life."

Pearman takes public-speaking classes and has considered majoring in broadcasting.

For now, the press box is a ways off. Pearman, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound sophomore, will be counted on to produce big numbers for the Cavaliers, picked to finish eighth in the nine-team ACC.

"We're expecting a highly productive season from him," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "He's a highly competitive and very skilled player."

As a freshman, Pearman led the Cavaliers in rushing (371 yards), all-purpose yards (1,167) and punt-return average (9.1). Against Wisconsin, he returned the opening kickoff 61 yards.

Pearman was named second-team freshman all-America by The Sporting News and Virginia's rookie of the year. Yet he says he still reads and hears he's too small to be the feature back in a major Division I program.

"I use that as fuel," he said. "I have a big drive within myself to be the best that I can be. Even now, though, there are doubters. It's the same old thing. `Is he big enough?' But you know what? It doesn't matter to me. I guarantee you I've got the biggest heart on the field and I'm not intimidated by anybody."

Pearman has dealt with this kind of criticism before. There were questions in high school about his size and the competition he played as he set Mecklenburg County rushing records at Country Day. Because of his size, he said, many major colleges shunned him.

The Cavaliers have had success, though, with smaller running backs. Pearman's number at Virginia is 21, the same as former Cavaliers All-American Tiki Barber. At 5-10 and 200 pounds, Barber was a New York Giants second-round draft pick in 1997.

Pearman said he would love to follow Barber to the NFL. But if not, he'll turn to television.

"With broadcasting," Pearman said, "I could focus on the sport I love and do something where I could make a living. This football thing doesn't last forever. It's fun to play but it'll be over and you've got to have plans for the future."