Cavs crave Championship
Focus on division first, then hope for Jacksonville
By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
August 22, 2005

The world of college football has an ever-changing landscape.

New players enter. Former players leave. Coaches come and go.

With new seasons come great expectations and, more importantly, a clean slate.

A new beginning was just what Virginia coach Al Groh needed after his team stumbled down the stretch a year ago. After opening the season 5-0 and climbing to No. 6 in the polls, the Cavaliers went on to finish 8-4, losing its final game for the first time since Groh took over the program in 2001.

Groh took a step back in the offseason to reassess every aspect of his operation.

“I analyzed everything from the top down,” Groh said. “This includes me, the systems and all the way down to the shoes we wore.”

Some assistant coaches were assigned to new positions. Players tried creative ways to build team unity. And all of it was done to help get the Cavaliers into a position to compete for an ACC title.

If Virginia is to advance to the ACC’s first-ever title game, it will likely require a number of players who are starting for the first time in their careers to fill the void left by a host of departures.

Seven players from the 2004 team were selected in the NFL Draft, including the leading rusher (Alvin Pearman), the leading receiver (Heath Miller) and the player with the most sacks (Darryl Blackstock).

“Would I like to have some of those players in the lineup? Sure. But there’s no sense lamenting it,” Groh said. “That’s like a dog baying at the moon.

“This year is the most intense competition for playing time as we’ve ever had. The more competition, the more positive energy you have. We have the opportunity for the baton to be passed on.”

Pass the baton? Better yet, the Cavaliers may be ready to pass the football. Everyone this side of Miami already knows they can run it.

As a unit, Virginia’s offense averaged 242.8 yards on the ground last year (ninth-best in the nation), but managed only 180.6 yards per game through their passing attack.

Senior quarterback Marques Hagans is back for a second season under center and has more depth at the wide receiver position.

Hagans, primarily a wide receiver and special teams performer as a freshman and sophomore, completed 62.8 percent of his 261 passing attempts last year for 2,024 yards. The signal-caller only threw five interceptions but Virginia ranked No. 91 in the country in passing.

Groh said he expects Hagans to be comfortable with his position having gained the experience of a full season.

“This kid generates energy and generates enthusiasm. He was a first-year starter at the position. He had his team in position to win the conference on the last day of the season. His team led the conference in offense and scored the most points in school history,” Groh said.

At wideout, Virginia welcomes back two juniors - Deyon Williams and Fontel Mines - and a senior, Ottowa Anderson, who was out last year, serving an academic suspension.

Anderson figures to not only provide depth but leadership at wide receiver, having been a part of the program for three previous seasons.

“Ottowa has been one of our high energy, highly competitive, very tough players,” Groh said. “His being back with us is very much a plus. Obviously, this is an addition to the roster but a veteran addition. He knows how we go about things.”

If the passing game comes around, it should only help the potent rushing attack, which averaged 45.8 attempts per game last year. After scoring 33 rushing TDs in 2002 and 2003 combined, the Cavaliers rushed for 34 scores last year.

Senior running back Wali Lundy, who split time with former tailback Alvin Pearman, accounted for a large part of the ground success with 864 yards (8th in ACC) and 17 TDs. Lundy has 2,619 career yards and 41 career touchdowns and needs only six TDs to set the school’s all-time record, which was set by Gene Mayer (1912-1915).

Adding further depth, UVa has the services of fullback Jason Snelling (7.3 yards per carry in ’04), redshirt freshman Cedric Peerman, a tailback, and junior Michael Johnson, a speedster who could fill a number of roles.

That quartet should have ample room to run thanks to a host of talented offensive linemen like Brad Barnes and D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

Defensively, Virginia features one of the best linebacker duos in the country in Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham.

Brooks, a Butkus Award finalist in 2004, made 90 tackles and was in on eight sacks. He has been slowed in the preseason and may miss the opener, but is expected to be at full strength when the ACC portion of the schedule begins.

Parham made 80 tackles a year ago, including 11 tackles for a loss.

Groh also welcomes back Brennan Schmidt, who is set to become a four-year starter on the defensive line, and two members of the secondary - Marcus Hamilton and Tony Franklin.

As a unit in 2004, the defense yielded 10 or fewer points in five games and registered a pair of shutouts.

The unit will be looking to add more turnovers this season. After averaging 15.3 interceptions per season from 2001-2003, the Cavaliers had only nine last year. They also forced only 15 fumbles, seven of which they recovered.

Connor Hughes, a senior, is back to handle the placekicking duties and is a candidate for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the top kicker in the country.

Hughes has made 45 of his 55 field goal attempts in his career for a respectable average of 82 percent.

Senior Kurt Smith will handle the kickoff duties, a role that he has thrived in. During his career, Smith has 81 touchbacks.

There has been a “competitive battle” in training camp between Ryan Weigand and Chris Gould to produce Virginia’s punter.

Gould took over the punting duties last season in the 10th game, which was a road win at Georgia Tech, and provided some stability at a position that struggled out of the gates.

Weigand is a junior college transfer from California and has three years of eligibility remaining.

 

Will Monroe be an impact freshman?
By Jerry Ratcliffe / Daily Progress sports editor
August 22, 2005

When you stand 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, you attract plenty of attention by just showing up. But when you show up with the tag as the No. 1 football recruit in the nation, then everybody wants to get a look to see if you’re the real deal.

Such is the case with everybody’s All-American, offensive lineman Eugene Monroe, from Plainfield, N.J. He made virtually every high school All-American squad: Parade, USA Today, U.S. Army, SuperPrep.

Practically everyone who rates prospects, ranked Monroe the top offensive lineman in the country, but four such groups, including SuperPrep and Scout.com, pinned him as the No. 1 prospect at any position in the nation. The others weren’t far behind, ranking his as either the No. 2 or No. 3 overall recruit in the land.

Reputation mirrors size

Monroe’s reputation preceded his arrival to the University of Virginia. One college offensive coordinator remarked last winter that Monroe already had an NFL body. One recruiting analyst commented that the only reason Monroe was a five-star prospect was because they didn’t give out sixes.

“I think it’s unfair to put that on a 17-year-old kid coming out of high school, especially on the line,” said Virginia assistant coach Mark D’Onofrio, who first heard of Monroe as an assistant coach at nearby Rutgers. “That’s a position where there’s still some maturity.

“They’re not going to be as strong in the weight room as they are two, and three, and four years from now. And, they are playing against men,” D’Onofrio said. “When you’re going up against 22 and 23 year olds, it’s going to be an adjustment.”

Monroe could have shown up in late July or early August with a case of the big head after receiving such high praise on a national scale. But that’s not what Monroe is about.

A class act

Virginia senior captain and defensive end Brennan Schmidt was quick to notice that Monroe was the first player in the freshman class to show up on campus, back in May.

“Eugene came in early and showed us what a hard worker he is,” said Schmidt, who goes up against Monroe every day in practice. “He doesn’t flap his mouth. He talks with his pads. Even when he’s hurting, he doesn’t say anything. That’s a sign of a selfless player.”

That’s why Monroe has fit right in with the rest of the Virginia team and coach Al Groh’s philosophy of no prima donnas allowed.

The big lineman said he just wanted to come into training camp and learn as much as possible from Ron Prince, the offensive coordinator and line coach. He’s trying to compete anywhere that UVa needs him.

Much to the satisfaction of Groh, both Monroe and freshman Branden Albert of Glen Burnie, Md., have both caught the coaching staff’s collective eyes during the past couple of weeks.

“Not only do they look quite similar (Albert is 6-7, 310), but their performances has been very positive,” Groh said. “Certainly those two guys are making us feel that we have a little more flexibility to try some other things.”

Groh said that he has been impressed that Monroe is unusually comfortable on his feet with body control for a young player who is so big. Pretty much anything he said about Monroe, is ditto for Albert.

Sometimes those All-Airport Team guys are impressive when they draw stares that is until coaches realize the body control and balance isn’t there. That’s not the case with the two UVa rookies.

They both have the control and balance. Monroe has natural pass protection skills and what Groh terms “a strong jam.”

What both the freshmen are going through right now is trying to learn Virginia’s offensive schemes, while attempting to recognize defensive schemes they must adjust to with a call at the line. There’s a lot more mental stuff going on across the offensive line than most people might realize.

“It’s been an adjustment,” said Big Gene the Blocking Machine. “Guys are stronger, faster, quicker, so you have to adapt your game. It involves a lot more technique than high school. It’s unbelievable.”

In high school, Monroe pointed out that he could just physically overpower people with sheer size and strength.

“Back then, you could be on your own. You didn’t have to worry about the guy next to you,” Monroe said of blocking assignments. “That’s where teamwork and camaraderie really helps in college ball, because when you have chemistry with the other offensive linemen it can help.”

As far all those ratings, rankings and reputation, well Monroe said he packed those up in a box back home.

“It wasn’t my goal to get the accolades that I did, but it was nice and made my family proud,” Monroe said. “Now, it’s time for me to move away from all of that, which I already have. What’s important is what I have to do in the future, not what I’ve done in the past. I have to make a name for myself again.”

Schmidt said that Monroe doesn’t play like a true freshman, that he can already recognize a lot of raw, natural talent in the guy, who seems to get better by the day.

That doesn’t surprise D’Onofrio, who started recruiting Monroe as a high school freshman and continue the pursuit once the coach moved from the Rutgers to Virginia coaching staff.

“Eugene has a tremendous work ethic and desire to succeed,” D’Onofrio said. “I remember visiting his high school and watching some of the other football prospects there playing basketball in January. Not Eugene. He was wearing a harness and running sprints. It’s rare to see a high school kid that young and that determined.”

Monroe, an A student in high school, pushes himself constantly.

“He’s smart enough to pick it up and he’s physical,” said D’Onofrio. “Once he learns the pace of this game, he’s going to be a great player here.”

Contact Jerry Ratcliffe at (434) 978-7251 or jratcliffe@dailyprogress.com.

Virginia’s potentially impactful freshmen

Name Pos. Hometown/High School

Branden Albert OL Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie H.S

Mike Brown CB Newark, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep

Denzel Burrell LB South Orange, N.J./Columbia H.S.

Aaron Clark LB Fairfield/Rockbridge County H.S.

Chris Cook CB/S Lynchburg/Heritage H.S.

Jon Copper* Special Teams Roanoke/Northside H.S.

Maurice Covington WR Durham, N.C./So. Durham H.S.

Jeffrey Fitzgerald DL Richmond/Hermitage H.S.

Olu Hall LB Fairfax/Robinson H.S.

Rashawn Jackson RB/FB Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep

Eugene Monroe OL S. Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield H.S.

Cedric Peerman* RB Gladys/William Campbell H.S.

Clint Sintim* LB Woodbride/Gar-Field H.S.

Brandon Woods WR Durham, N.C./So. Durham H.S.

* denotes redshirt freshman
 

What might have been ...
After 5-0 start, Cavs fell short in big games
By Robert Lodge / Daily Progress correspondent
August 22, 2005

A year ago this time, the Virginia football team was the fashionable dark horse pick to compete for an ACC Championship and, perhaps, the National Championship.

Playing with a roster heavily comprised of Al Groh’s recruits, fans and critics alike saw the opportunity for the Cavs to break into the upper echelon of the college football universe. After blazing to a 5-0 start and an eventual 7-1 record, it seemed early on that the dream season was becoming a reality. Then the Hurricanes ran into town.

The 31-21 loss to Miami put a halt to the promising Cavalier march, though the Cavs did still have a shot at a share of the ACC Championship entering their final game at Virginia Tech. UVa faltered in that game as well, however, falling 24-10 to the Hokies as Groh’s team limped to an 8-4 finish. The season ended with a 37-34 overtime loss to Fresno State in the MPC Computers Bowl.

In the end, all four of Virginia’s losses came in high-profile games against the top three teams in the ACC and an often-ranked Bulldogs team in the bowl.

Despite the disappointing stretch run, the 2004 campaign did give the Cavaliers an up-close look at a number of developments in the program, some positive and some negative things to build on in 2005.

In a year that was supposed to be a struggle for the UVa offense with prolific quarterback Matt Schaub moving on the NFL, the Cavs generated one the most potent offensive attacks in the country.

The offense was fueled by a persistent running attack. Behind the legs of Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman, and the strength of one of the league’s premier offensive lines, the running game chalked up more yards than any other ACC team, averaging 242.8 yards per game.

Though criticized at times in 2004, junior quarterback Marques Hagans emerged as the starter in the pocket. After he spent his first two years on the receiving end of Schaub’s throws, Hagans consistently ranked among the NCAA’s most efficient passers.

Tight end Heath Miller again proved his value to the passing game, leading the team in both total receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, vaulting him to a spot on the All-American team. He was a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

On the defensive end, the Cavaliers lived up to the immense hype that surrounded them all year, often dominating their opponent. Defensive coordinator Al Golden’s crew suffered the loss of a key ingredient early in the season when DE Chris Canty went down with a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of the year, but the unit managed to pick up the pieces and push forward.

The play of emerging stars Ahmad Brooks, Kai Parham and Darryl Blackstock anchored the Virginia defense and caused many analysts to dub UVa the new “Linebacker U.” Brooks, now a junior, found himself one of three Butkus Award finalists for the best linebacker in the nation and as a member of numerous All-American and All-ACC lists.

Yet, the successes of the past season also cast some shadows on the Cavaliers’ future. The loss of Miller, Brown, Blackstock and a slew of others to the NFL and/or graduation have taken several key components out of the team’s core. For a team oft criticized for showing their immaturity in big games, the loss of these players’ leadership may prove difficult to overcome.

The other weaknesses that showed up in big games were the play of the Cavalier secondary and wide receivers. The defensive backfield was at times suspect - teams that could not push through the middle on the ground would just take to the air where Virginia’s secondary seemed vulnerable. Similarly, youth and injury plagued the UVa wide receiver corps, which was rarely as reliable as the team’s tight ends, making it difficult for the Cavs to take a passing advantage on offense.

Those things led to an 8-4 record that fell short in the sizzle department because the 2004 season lacked a marquee win. In a year where many pundits thought Virginia could vault into the upper echelon, the failure to make the season a turning point may have been the most significant setback.

With losses to Miami, Florida State and rival Virginia Tech, the Cavaliers seemed to show an inability to hang with premier teams in the league. After falling short on consecutive seasons that were supposed to be breakthroughs for the UVa program, the media has cooled somewhat on the Cavaliers, who were ranked just inside the top 25 by the Associated Press at No. 25.

It’s now up to the 2005 edition of the UVa football team to prove them wrong.
 

Move has Golden looking forward
Al Golden changes coaching responsibilities at UVa, but doesn't leave for Notre Dame.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129
The Roanoke Times

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- At the end of the 2004 season, Virginia defensive coordinator Al Golden decided to make a move that would further his career. So, he assumed responsibility for the Cavalier defensive backs.

That wasn't the move many UVa fans had feared.

Head coach Al Groh indicated last December that speculation about a possible Golden move to Notre Dame may have been exaggerated, but, in an interview late last week, Golden conceded that it was something he considered.

"Hopefully, my next step will be to be a head coach," said Golden, who turned 36 on July 4, "and I believe I can do that from here."

That's the question he had to ask himself when the feelers started coming.

"Absolutely," Golden said. "Is it a move to make another move, or is it the right move? If it's a move to make another move, then I really don't need to do it."

Golden was aware that new Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis had interest. All Golden had to do was give the word.

"Obviously, everybody was way ahead of me, but certainly I considered it," Golden said. "I have no regrets. I love the kids that we're coaching right now. They do everything we ask them to do. There are no prima donnas."

Golden, who began his coaching career as a UVa graduate assistant from 1994-96, was lured from Penn State to be the defensive coordinator on Groh's first staff in 2001.

Over the next four seasons, Golden also coached the inside linebackers, as he had in earlier stints at Boston College and Penn State.

He didn't inquire about coaching the defensive backs until Groh already had decided to make a change.

"It just so happened that the position that was available was the secondary," Golden said, "and I told him I would like to take it."

The decision already had been made to move secondary coach Bob Price to offense, where he now oversees the tight ends. Mark D'Onofrio, who coached the tight ends last year, takes over the inside linebackers.

"I purposely didn't really ask Bob how he did things," Golden said. "I wanted to go out on my own."

However, during the offseason, Golden consulted with several college contacts, as well as first-year New England Patriots defensive coordinator Erik Mangini and with Cincinnati Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle. Mangini previously had coached the Patriots' defensive backs.

As defensive coordinator, Golden has been paying attention to the UVa secondary, "but until you get to coach that position in the meeting room every day and run the drills, it's a little different story," he said.

When he coached the inside linebackers, Golden had responsibility for two starters. In the secondary, with its four starters, he'll have even more on his plate. Groh said second-year graduate assistant Chad Wilt will work with him.

Groh and Golden had talked in the past about Golden one day coaching the defensive backs, "so, when we had the discussion [last winter], it wasn't the first discussion we'd had," Groh said.

"When you're the offensive coordinator, one of the most important factors in your unit performing successfully is the offensive line. And, when you're the defensive coordinator, one of the biggest factors is the secondary."

UVa's offensive coordinator, Ron Prince, coaches the Cavaliers' offensive line.

"If the offensive line or secondary is not what the coordinator is coaching, that's something he's always got his eye on," said Groh, who made his assistants available last week for the first time since 2003. "Most of the adjustments that are made in a game are in the secondary."

One criticism of Virginia's secondary last year was that the Cavaliers intercepted only nine passes -- six by part-time starter Marcus Hamilton and two by linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Most maddening for UVa fans has been the way Cavalier defensive backs have rarely turned to find the ball.

Golden could be overheard shouting "ball, ball," at various points during spring and preseason drills.

"They heard me saying a lot of things, some of which you can't print," Golden said, "but the bottom line is, you've got to pick a philosophy.

"The philosophy we choose is that if you're in phase with the receiver -- close enough to put your hand on the receiver -- then you want the opportunity to look back.

"And, if they're not in phase, then we'd better go for the strip and the tackle."

Before he made a name as a coordinator, Golden was known for his recruiting prowess, especially in his home state of New Jersey. That's one of the reason his potential loss to Notre Dame was seen as such a massive blow.

"Going to basketball games or attending [fund-raising] events in the spring or just being around town, I was struck by how appreciative everybody was," Golden said. "When I was here 10 years ago, there wasn't the support there is now.

"I just felt, at this time of my life, this is where I wanted to be."

 

U.VA. NOTES
Richmond Times-Dispatch Aug 22, 2005

THE LIST GROWS: O.C. Wardlow's first trip to Charlottesville apparently won't be his last. A senior at Mount Tabor High in Winston-Salem, N.C., Wardlow came north over the weekend to meet with Virginia's football coaches and watch the team practice. Not long into his visit Saturday, Wardlow became the 15th player to commit to U.Va. for 2006.

"I've always been a Virginia fan, really," Wardlow said yesterday.

A four-year starter at quarterback for Mount Tabor, Wardlow also received scholarship offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and Duke. The 5-11 185-pounder, a tremendous athlete, expects to join the quarterbacks when he arrives at U.Va. but acknowledged that he could end up at another position.

"I feel I could play receiver, too, or defensive back," Wardlow said. "It doesn't really matter."

As a junior, Wardlow passed for more than 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, and he rushed for another 500 yards. He also plays basketball and baseball and runs track for Mount Tabor.

Assuming no one who has eligibility remaining leaves after this school year, U.Va. will have seven quarterbacks on scholarship in 2006: Christian Olsen, Kevin McCabe, Scott Deke, Jameel Sewell, Vic Hall, Marc Verica and Wardlow. Verica is a high school senior in the Philadelphia area who committed to U.Va. last month.

Of Virginia's 15 commitments for 2006, only three are from players in this state: Deep Run High's Sean Gottschalk, Orange County High's Asa Chapman and Nelson County's B.J. Cabbell.

JUST IN CASE: Athletic Director Craig Littlepage didn't disclose any details, but he confirmed Friday that football coach Al Groh's new six-season contract includes a buyout clause.

"There are provisions for [Groh] to cease his employment at the university, and there are requirements there," Littlepage said, "and there would be requirements on the part of the university if it decided without cause to terminate the contract."

Those who follow U.Va. athletics will recall that the 10-year contract then-men's basketball coach Pete Gillen accepted in 2001 did not include a buyout. Gillen's deal later was restructured, and he received a buyout of approximately $2 million when he stepped down under pressure in March.

SAD DUTY: The two coaches for whom Ljubomir Stamenich played at U.Va., Groh and predecessor George Welsh, are expected to attend Stamenich's funeral today. Stamenich, a three-year starter at defensive end, died last week of leukemia. He was 26.

Groh plans to take a chartered plane to Northern Virginia. If the NCAA allows, several of the current U.Va. players who were teammates of Stamenich in 2001 may accompany Groh on the trip.

OFF TO A FAST START: Aaron Clark wasn't one of the more heralded members of the class that signed with U.Va. in February, but recruiting analysts aren't perfect. The 6-5, 235-pound outside linebacker from Rockbridge County High has shown an excellent grasp of the Cavaliers' 3-4 defense and is likely to play immediately.

"From the time he first arrived this summer, he's impressed everyone in the organization very positively," Groh said. "He's a very rugged player. . . . We would be surprised if he wasn't in the two-deep for the first game."

Virginia opens Sept. 3 against Western Michigan at Scott Stadium.

GROWING BOY: He may never be confused with former U.Va. tight end Patrick Estes, who played at about 280 pounds last season, but Tom Santi has added some much-needed bulk.

The 6-5 Santi, who as a true freshman last season split time at tight end and fullback, weighed 225 when he arrived at Virginia last summer. He's up to 242.

"I had to put a big emphasis this offseason on putting weight on and getting stronger," said Santi, who caught 13 passes for 155 yards in 2004. He's expected to play tight end exclusively this season. - Jeff White