A few surprises on depth chart
Glaspy, Jackson named starters in secondary; Davis to appear in court today
By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
August 30, 2006

On a team with an “Average Joe” approach to the season, perhaps it’s only fitting that a few non-household names snuck their way onto Virginia’s depth chart for its opening clash at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Of course names such as Ian-Yates Cunningham, now the starting right guard, or Jordy Lipsey, the new center, and the likes of Byron Glaspy and Jamaal Jackson, the appointed starters at safety, have been tossed around before, but it stretches deeper.

For many Cavalier fans, the names Cain Ringstaff and Mike Robertson are mysteries. Don’t be shocked, however, if both play against the Panthers at Heinz Field.

Ringstaff, a redshirt freshman, is listed as the backup fullback, while Robertson, a junior, is listed second on the depth chart behind Kevin Ogletree at one of the two wide receiver slots.

Looking for a reason? Virginia coach Al Groh said it was “dependability,” which “is a skill as much as other circumstances.”

“Cain Ringstaff had a great camp. He’s got toughness, good skills,” Groh said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “He’s a [UVa fullback Josh] Zidenberg-type of player with a Zidenberg-type of record.

“Josh had an excellent high school record of achievement. Cain also does at Richlands. He’s used to playing in big games and they have a good program down there. He’s a very dependable player.”

Groh added that the same can be said for Robertson, who has appeared in three games during his career.

“Mike’s always been a dependable player. He has a real good trust factor with the quarterbacks,” Groh said. “Where Mike is supposed to be, Mike is.

“That’s a very valuable asset for a receiver, particularly early in the season, things are a little bit jumbled around somewhat.”

Court time

As was first reported on DailyProgress.com on Tuesday, new light was shed on the situation surrounding former UVa wideout Theirrien “Bud” Davis on Tuesday.

Davis is due in Albemarle County Circuit Court today at 2 p.m.

The 20-year-old from Bowie, Md., was arrested by University police in March and charged with stealing items from the UVa Bookstore with the intent to sell them, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

Davis, who was entering his third season with the football program, withdrew from school on Monday, citing “personal reasons,” according to a UVa press release.

For his career, Davis made three receptions for 54 yards.

Groh did not elaborate on Davis’ departure on Tuesday but said it was an “issue that Bud’s been dealing with for a while.

“We have been in conversation with him over a period of time, and I think we’ll just leave it as a personal issue,” Groh added.

Virginia also lost offensive lineman Eddie Pinigis early in training camp when he quit the team citing playing time issues. Pinigis later transferred to Liberty.

That was not the case with Davis.

“If it was a playing-time matter, [Davis] probably wouldn’t have withdrawn from school,” Groh said.

Senior and fellow wideout Fontel Mines said it was tough seeing a friend leave school.

“It is hard just saying goodbye to a teammate, especially if he has been around for a couple of years and you’ve developed a friendship with him,” Mines said. “It is always hard, but I’m going to keep in contact with him.

“I am just going to pray for him and hope everything works out.”

Boot scootin’

Despite the loss of Davis, UVa could receive help at wide receiver in the near future.

Senior Deyon Williams, the teams’ leading returning receiver, has shed the protective boot from his right foot. Williams underwent surgery on a stress fracture earlier this month and Groh said he is “really not sure” when he’ll return, but progress has been made.

“[Williams] was out throwing passes the other day, catching them when they were thrown back to him,” Groh said. “As you can imagine, whatever else follows from this point on, at least in the short term, that is good for his morale.”

Groh is also expecting Tulane transfer Carey Koch to continue to get extra work at wideout.

Koch, a sophomore, has recovered nicely from a pair of hamstring injuries that slowed him in preseason.

“He’s moving in, getting more time and we expect as things progress, whatever he plays this week whether it is five plays, that’s more than was expected,” Groh said. “He’s got good skills. He learns well.”

Surprise, surprise

The decision to name Glaspy one of the starters at safety surprised more than a few on Tuesday.

Glaspy might have been the biggest doubter.

“Actually, right now I am starting in the nickel package, but the regular safeties are Nate [Lyles] and Tony Franklin again,” Glaspy said when told of Groh’s announcement.

Think again Mr. Glaspy.

“I didn’t know that,” Glaspy chuckled, “but maybe I am.”

Glaspy and Jackson are expected to split time with Franklin and Lyles, who remains at 100 percent in his return from surgery on a neck injury suffered against Georgia Tech last year.

“I didn’t pay much attention [to Lyles’ play without shoulder pads] for two days, but as soon as he put his pads on there was a Nate Lyles sighting, and he’s been the same player ever since,” Groh said.

With all four players available in the secondary, Groh has more depth at defensive backs than in years past.

“I wouldn’t say that we are ready to sing Jingle Bells yet,” Groh joked when asked if it was like an early Christmas present. “We’ll save the hymns and that for Christmas Day.”

Just for kicks

If you went by the depth chart, it would appear that junior Chris Gould will get the first shot at kicking field goals and extra points for the Cavaliers, with sophomore Ryan Weigand starting at punter.

Groh might have a different plan, but don’t try getting the answer before Saturday’s game. Gould remains an option at punter, a position he has held since late in the ’04 season.

“I probably have [decided on a punter],” Groh said, “but I don’t know that I have necessarily told anybody that.”

Extra points…

… Expect Eugene Monroe, Virginia’s starting left tackle, to be at 100 percent. The sophomore missed spring practice after he dislocated his knee, and the coaching staff monitored his progress early in training camp. “We were able to stop that management policy here, I’d say 10 days or so ago, so he’s up to taking everything every day,” Groh said.

… Look for sophomore Andrew Pearman to get the first crack at returning punts. Not only is he first on the depth chart but also Groh said he is “dynamic,” and has “good athletic sense.” Should Virginia fans expect the same type of production from the younger brother of Cavalier great Alvin Pearman? The elder averaged 11. 2 yards on 28 punt returns at UVa in 2004. “You will see some of the same traits in him,” Groh answered. According to the depth chart, Cedric Peerman is listed as the other starter returning kickoffs. Seniors Michael Johnson and Tony Franklin are listed as backups. On punts, Emmanuel Byers and Johnson are listed behind Pearman.

… Don’t be shocked if sophomore Olu Hall gets redshirted this season. Groh said the outside linebacker would not travel this weekend and that he would like to give him a “real foundation” at the position. Last year, Hall played on the nickel package.

… Former UVa defensive end Vince Redd has officially transferred to Liberty but will not be eligible to play this season. Redd will have one year of eligibility remaining in 2007.

… Lipsey may have had the best training camp of any player, Groh said.

… As of Tuesday, Groh said that he expects one true freshman, defensive lineman Nate Collins, to travel to the season opener. Also, fullback Kevin Bradley is likely to be left off the travel squad this week, which came as a surprise to his roommate Clint Sintim.

 

THE SKINNY
Richmond Times-Dispatch Aug 30, 2006

Outlook: A fifth straight winning season is a realistic goal for the Cavaliers, but they're a year away from challenging for the Coastal Division title. Another trip to a third-tier bowl might be a good accomplishment this season. Coach: Al Groh, 63-66 in 11 seasons overall; 37-26 in five seasons at U.Va. 2005: 3-5, 7-4 (fifth in Coastal Division, beat Minnesota 34-31 in Music City Bowl) Starters returning: 15 (seven on offense, seven on defense, one specialist) Top player: Sr. CB Marcus Hamilton (second-team all-ACC in 2005) Offense: New coordinator Mike Groh's top wideout, senior Deyon Williams, is out indefinitely with an injury, which won't make new QB Christian Olsen's job any easier in the early going. Virginia may have the nation's best set of tight ends, and there's depth and talent at tailback, too. Injuries on the seniorless line, however, could be catastrophic, and the receiving corps needs to boost its production in Williams' absence. Defense: New coordinator Mike London's two-deep includes only two seniors: Hamilton and safety Tony Franklin. That bodes well for U.Va.'s defense in 2007, but this season may be a struggle. The secondary is deeper and more talented than any of its predecessors during the Groh era, and junior end Chris Long has All-America potential, but opponents may be able to exploit Virginia's inexperience up the middle in its 3-4 defense. Specialists: "I'd probably rather have Connor Hughes than almost anybody [who's gone from 2005], for what he did for the team," Groh said. Hughes, U.Va.'s all-time leading scorer, handled field goals and extra points, jobs that junior Chris Gould is likely to take over. Gould will kick off and, if Ryan Weigand falters, might continue as the Cavaliers' punter, too. The bottom line: 4-4, 7-5, tied for third in the Coastal. November isn't likely to be pleasant for U.Va., which will face Florida State, Miami and then Virginia Tech, but the rest of the schedule isn't too daunting. - Jeff White

 

STEPPING UP
Mines embraces leadership role for young Cavaliers
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Aug 30, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE On a football team notable for its lack of experience, senior Fontel Mines' importance was magnified when classmate Deyon Williams underwent surgery this month to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

Mines, a Hermitage High graduate who, like Williams, started at wide receiver last season, figures to play a larger role in Virginia's offense while his friend is sidelined. Mines knows he has to contribute more in other ways, too, said John Garrett, who coaches the Cavaliers' wideouts.

"Certainly, just innately," Garrett said, "he's thinking to himself, 'You know what, I'm one of the veteran receivers, and a veteran receiver is down, so I kind of got to step it up. I got to lead the way in [drills] on how to do things, I got to lead the way in my effort, I got to lead the way technically, I got to lead the way in meetings.'"

Garrett said he sees "a great approach by Fontel -- really not a change from before Deyon got hurt, but just the same I'm-going-to-work-hard-every-day-and-improve attitude."

When U.Va.'s players met late in the spring to vote on team captains, chosen from the offense were Williams and senior quarterback Christian Olsen. Had Mines been selected, no one around the program would have been surprised.

"They're just good friends to start with, and it's almost like when the players elected Deyon, they elected Fontel, too," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "There's that same kind of compatibility of ambition and thought and style with those guys."

Mines and Williams entered U.Va. together in 2003, and each played as a true freshman. A broken collarbone marred Mines' 2004 season, but he caught 28 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns last season, finally emerging as a prominent part of U.Va.'s passing game.

In Virginia's upset of No. 4 Florida State, Mines had a career-best five receptions for 49 yards. In the Cavaliers' comeback win over Minnesota in the Music City Bowl, he caught four passes, including one for a TD late in the third quarter.

With his muscular frame (6-4, 220 pounds), Mines could almost pass for a tight end, and he's an ideal complement to the sleeker, faster Williams (6-3, 196). Now, however, with Williams out indefinitely, Mines looks around the huddle and sees less-experienced receivers: juniors Emmanuel Byers and Theirrien Davis, sophomores Kevin Ogletree, Andrew Pearman and Maurice Covington.

"The receivers, we just got to embrace the challenge," said Mines, who's caught 41 passes for 481 yards and three TDs as a Cavalier. "We've got to be ready to step up and fill the void."

Mines, 21, is an anthropology major who also considers himself a student of football.

"Coach Garrett once told me there was a quote by Jerry Rice that says he's in search of the perfect practice and the perfect route and the perfect game, and he never finds it," Mines said. "That's the kind of work ethic I want to have."

At Hermitage, where he also starred in basketball, Mines was honored each year for perfect class attendance, so his sense of responsibility was well-formed long before he arrived in Charlottesville. Even so, his work ethic has improved since he's been at U.Va.

"I think it's something that you develop throughout the years," Mines said, "being around certain type of guys, being around the NFL products that we've put out, and knowing what you have to do to get to that level."

Mines is one of three Hermitage graduates on the team at U.Va., along with defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald and quarterback Jameel Sewell, both redshirt freshmen. Mines' closest friends include Fitzgerald's brother, Justin, a junior wideout at Ohio University.

"I've known Fontel since I was in the first grade and he was in third grade," Jeffrey Fitzgerald said. "He's just taken me under his wing, helped me get through a lot of things and just looked out for me.

"He's always been very responsible. So I knew coming into it I had somebody I could always look to as a role model and for guidance."

 

'06 schedule is Cavaliers' biggest ally
BOB LIPPER
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST Aug 30, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE So now it's Year 6 of the Al Groh era, the year in which everyone this side of Groh's tax accountant gets a mite fidgety.

Relax. It's just football with sticker shock. Besides, the way some folks are sizing up Virginia, you'd think the Cavs' offense and coaching staff bolted town, the defensive heavyweights got NFL fever or eviction notices and the latest recruiting class couldn't run gassers past the admissions office.

Oh.

OK, things are a little unsettled in C'ville. Five months ago, in fact, upon punting Ahmad Brooks, Vince Redd and Tony Franklin from the squad (Franklin has since been granted a pardon and plugged into the secondary), Groh allowed that U.Va. was in "a rebuilding circumstance" -- rebuilding circumstance being Groh-ese for, umm, rebuilding.

This does, however, beg the question: Rebuilding from what? From five losses, fifth in your division and another (yawn) low-rent rendezvous at another third-rate bowl? At some places, that doesn't prompt rebuilding, it incites rebellion.

Meaning these Cavs are destined for rocky shoals and a stay-at-home postseason? Not necessarily. This is the ACC remember -- the league with a thin upper crust and a soft middle and Duke forever handy to cure all ills.

Ergo, seven or eight wins are within Virginia's reach. If, on the other hand, Christian Olsen is Matt Schaub Ultra-Lite at quarterback, the running game doesn't materialize and the defense is as vulnerable as the 2005 edition was -- if, in other words, Groh's program is dipping southward the Cavs could stall at four wins and kindle an offseason of gnashed teeth and introspection.

All things considered, let's accept the best-case scenario. For openers, other than November, the schedule breaks nicely for Virginia. Plus, the nonconference portion of the itinerary is fairly tame stuff. Put those two factors together, and a return appearance in the Socket Wrench/Dot.Com/Dobro Bowl would seem to be in the offing.

It comes down to a 15-day stretch in October, when the Cavs meet fellow mid-pack ACC residents Maryland, North Carolina and N.C. State -- all at home. Enter that phase with four or five wins -- doable -- and U.Va. has a chance to shape a cushion against the closing November gantlet of Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech. And if Miami comes to town eliminated from national-championship contention and disgruntled, well, Cavs rooters can dream, can't they?

The opening six outings include three gimmes -- Wyoming, Western Michigan, Duke -- and minimal heavy lifting. Saturday's opener at Pitt is dicey but not unattainable. Georgia Tech on the road looks like an 'L', but the Cavs are 3-0 against Reggie Ball, so there's hope. And East Carolina is a second-echelon Conference USA entry.

Beyond that, a major push in the ACC will have to wait.

"It's an elusive thing for every program," said defensive end Chris Long. "When coach Groh came here, he was poised to take steps forward. It's a process. This year, we're poised to take those steps, but every team in the ACC hopes to do that. The thing about this league is a team that finishes 7-5 is a player or two away from being in the Peach Bowl or in Jacksonville."

Jacksonville is the site of the ACC championship game. The Peach Bowl is the listed destination for the league's non-BCS runnerup. Virginia won't make it to either of those venues -- but it should play somewhere in December. If it doesn't, Groh might be checking his rear-view mirror all the way to the bank.


 

U.VA. NOTES
Richmond Times-Dispatch Aug 30, 2006

OFF-THE-FIELD TROUBLE: Former Virginia football player Theirrien "Bud" Davis faces a felony charge in Albemarle County. Davis, a reserve wide receiver in 2004 and '05, was arrested March 28 and charged with stealing property -- textbooks -- worth at least $200 "with intent to sell or distribute," Capt. Michael Coleman of the U.VA. police department said yesterday.

The incident allegedly occurred March 2 at the U.Va. book store. Coleman declined to disclose additional details.

Davis, a junior from Bowie, Md., practiced with the Cavaliers for most of training camp. U.Va. announced Monday night that he'd withdrawn from school "for personal reasons" and was no longer on the team.

Asked yesterday about Davis' departure, Virginia coach Al Groh said, "This has been an issue that Bud's been dealing with for awhile. We've been in conversation with him over a period of time, and I think we'll just leave it as a personal issue . . . If it was a playing-time matter, he probably wouldn't have withdrawn from school."

The Times-Dispatch could not reach Davis for comment yesterday.

CHANGE OF DIRECTION? Since returning to his alma mater after the 2000 season, Groh hasn't hesitated to use players not long removed from high school or prep school.

In 2001, Groh played six true freshmen. He played 14 in 2002, seven in 2003, 10 in 2004 and 11 last season.

The Cavaliers have 16 scholarship freshmen this season. Only one of them -- defensive lineman Nate Collins -- is likely to be on the travel squad for U.Va.'s season-opener Saturday night at Pittsburgh, Groh told reporters yesterday.

History suggests that Groh will use more true freshmen as the season progresses. In 2005, for example, U.Va. ended up using four true freshmen who didn't play in the opener: linebacker Aaron Clark, defensive end Alex Field and wide receivers Maurice Covington and Kevin Ogletree.

ADJUSTING ON THE RUN: With Davis gone and all-ACC candidate Deyon Williams sidelined indefinitely, U.Va.'s receiving corps isn't as deep as it looked a month ago. That means larger roles for several players, including junior Mike Robertson, who on the depth chart distributed yesterday was listed behind Ogletree, the starter, at the position Williams played.

Robertson, a Blacksburg High graduate, came to U.Va. as a walk-on. He's now on scholarship.

"Mike's always been a very dependable player," Groh said. "He's got a real good trust factor with the quarterbacks. Where Mike is supposed to be, Mike is, and that's a very valuable asset for a receiver, particularly early in the season, when things are a little bit jumbled around somewhat."

Groh was asked yesterday about the impact of losing Davis and Williams. The latter had surgery Aug. 11 to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

"Well, we certainly would like them back, especially Deyon, he's our leading producer coming back, but it is what it is," Groh said.

"Deyon's not with us, we're not really sure when he's going to be back . . . We just have to try to build a plan around the things that these current players can do. But this is a circumstance where a lot of times players get the opportunity to surprise you, and often times they do, and careers are made that way."

Ogletree, Groh said, has as "much skills as we've had at that position."

As for Williams, he no longer has to wear a boot on his right foot, Groh said. "He was out throwing passes the other day, catching them when they were thrown back to him. As you can imagine, whatever else follows from this point on, at least in the short term, that's good for his morale."

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Junior defensive end Chris Long, an all-ACC candidate, was credited with 10 tackles for losses last season, including two sacks. He'll be disappointed if he doesn't record more sacks this season but says he's not focused on stats.

"Really my main goal is to just -- it sounds very cliched -- to hustle and get to the ball 100 percent each play," Long said. "Because I believe that making plays with take care of themselves when I get around the ball. I believe that when you're around the football, good things happen, so I'm really going to try to improve on that."

STAYING HOME: Neither junior Kevin Bradley nor sophomore Olu Hall is expected to travel with the team to Pittsburgh. Bradley, a fullback, was a special-teams standout in 2005, and Hall was a reserve outside linebacker.

Bradley and Hall are practicing with the team, but academic issues have kept them from being cleared to play this season, a source said. Each has a redshirt year available. -- Jeff White
 

Groh: Pitt looked like good foe for Cavaliers
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Of the non-conference football games that Virginia has played during Al Groh's coaching tenure, only a few were scheduled with Groh's knowledge.

One of them was the Cavaliers' 2002 opener against Colorado State. Another was this year's opener Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pittsburgh.

More typical, according to Groh, was a recently completed series with Syracuse that was booked long before his arrival in 2001. In comparison, UVa and Pitt agree on this series until the spring of 2004.

"As we surveyed our roster as it might be at this time, we didn't know who would be filling the spots, but we knew who would be moving out, the [D'Brickashaw] Fergusons and the [Wali] Lundys and those guys," Groh said Tuesday.

"We thought that playing a team like Pittsburgh, a BCS team that had a long record of success, and playing them on the road would challenge our team in about every way it could be challenged this time of year, short of calling up the national champions."

The Colorado State game was a little different. Virginia met the Rams in the Jim Thorpe Classic, a special 12th game that had been approved by the NCAA.

"You had a chance to sign up for it in the spring," Groh said. "It was like, 'Look, you can play one of these teams and you can play it at home.' Of those teams that were proposed to us, [Colorado State] looked like one of the most difficult opponents."

The Rams defeated UVa 35-29 when then-reserve quarterback Marques Hagans was stopped short of the goal line in the closing seconds.

"Then, we played Florida State the next week," Groh said. "We came out of those games 0-2 and then we won six games in a row. We still believe that the level of competition those young players played right away helped expedite their development."

The ACC determined that Pitt and UVa would meet in the opener, but the Cavaliers always knew it would be an early game.

"We had just played them in the bowl game, so we knew what kind of talent they had," Groh said. "Both teams were hunting for a game and it seemed like a good match. It's not nine hours away. We can expect a good following."

Davis done

Junior wide receiver Theirrien "Bud" Davis, whose departure from UVa's football program was announced Monday, was arrested March 28 on a felony larceny charge. The case was continued twice before it was waived June 22.

Groh would not discuss the Davis situation other than to say it was not related to playing time. Davis played in every game for the Cavaliers in 2005.

Personnel matters

Former Blacksburg High wide receiver Mike Robertson, a walk-on who was awarded a scholarship prior to last season, debuts on the UVa depth chart, listed as the backup to sophomore Kevin Ogletree.

"Mike's always been a very dependable player," observed Groh, who said he expects Robertson to see playing time Saturday at receiver. "He's got a real good trust factor with the quarterbacks. Where Mike is supposed to be, Mike is. That's a very valuable asset for a receiver."

n Another newcomer to the depth chart is No. 2 fullback Cain Ringstaff, a walk-on from Richlands. ... Only one of the Cavs' 16 true freshmen, defensive lineman Nate Collins, is on Groh's tentative travel list.

Sad story

Pittsburgh has been auditioning two walk-on place-kickers after doctors declined to give medical clearance to senior David Abdul, who had June surgery to repair a heart valve.

Abdul kicked against Virginia in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl but missed the entire 2004 season after sustaining a broken leg in an auto accident. He was found to have a potentially life-threatening heart abnormality after it was detected first in his twin brother.

UVa kicking

Groh still hasn't committed to junior Chris Gould as the Cavaliers' place-kicker or to Ryan Weigand as the punter, although Gould will handle kickoffs.

Gould will probably not handle both jobs. If he punts, senior Noah Greenbaum would handle field goals and extra points.

New area rep

Former Cavs standout Mike Frederick stepped down as associate director of the Virginia Athletics Foundation to enter private business. Frederick will be replaced as VAF's representative in the Roanoke-Lynchburg area by ex-Cavalier pitcher Shooter Starr. ... UVa baseball coach Brian O'Connor will address the UVa Club of Roanoke in a program from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Boxtree Lodge in Vinton.
 

Panthers still searching for identity
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 29, 2006

The Dave Wannstedt era of Pitt football started with great fanfare and excitement surrounding a home opener against Notre Dame on national television.
With Mike Ditka and Dan Marino on the sideline, the Panthers were pounded in a 42-21 defeat that was the first of three consecutive losses in a disappointing 5-6 season.

When Wannstedt's second season opens against Virginia at 7 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field, the Panthers are hoping not to treat members of their 1976 national champions - who will be honored at halftime - to a similar experience.

"I just don't want to make them mad," fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler Palko said. "They were upset, getting embarrassed like that. I just don't want to embarrass them."

Wannstedt believes Pitt is poised to take a step forward this season, his second as head coach at his alma mater. The Panthers are more comfortable with their coaching staff and its schemes and have a better idea of what to expect.

"It's definitely a different atmosphere around here," said Palko, who was named to the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, presented to the nation's top quarterback. "Last year, everything was in fast forward. There was so much hype around coach, excitement around the program. Everything happened so fast, then it was like wham-bam, we're 0-3."

Even so, Pitt remains a team searching for its identity. Wannstedt has stressed his desire for teams that can run the ball and stop the run with equal effectiveness. After finishing seventh (out of eight teams) in the Big East Conference in rushing offense and rushing defense last season, the Panthers are still trying to define themselves.

"It's a work in progress," Wannstedt said. "We have a real clear picture of where we're going and what we're going to become, but it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, but if you would call our players in and ask them what the foundation of this team is, what our philosophy is, man for man they would know."

One thing the Panthers know well is their opponent.

"We've looked at them all summer," Palko said. "We're getting sick of watching their film."

The Cavaliers also are searching for an identity after losing their leading rusher and passer to graduation and star linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham to early entry to the NFL. To compound matters, leading receiver Deyon Williams is out with a stress fracture in his foot.

Senior Christian Olson, who was 7 of 11 for 71 yards last season, takes over at quarterback. Jason Snelling, who rushed for 325 yards at fullback last season, is the starting tailback. The top receiver is senior Fontel Mines, who had 28 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns.

Even so, Wannstedt is wary of Virginia.

"Virginia is a very talented team," Wannstedt said. "They did graduate some people - everybody talks about who left and who didn't - but all you have to do is go back a couple years in the recruiting manuals and it's real obvious the type of talent they've recruited down there."

Wannstedt is trying to emulate Virginia coach Al Groh's approach by returning to his alma mater and restoring it to glory with high-caliber recruiting, a pro-style playbook and an emphasis on recapturing its proud history.

"One of the things we have going for us more than most programs in the country is the tradition of the school," Wannstedt said. "We have to play on that and bring that alive."

It starts Saturday with Virginia, with the 30th anniversary of Pitt's most recent national champions on the sideline - including offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh - and serving as a compass for a team with 14 freshmen on the two-deep chart and still searching for its identity.

"Having those guys back and having them be around, we should understand what it was like to have Pitt back in those glory days," Palko said. "I know coach Wannstedt will remind us all week about that.

"Hopefully, we take that personally and set our standards to try to become that level of team sometime soon."


 

Virginia's Long steps out of father's shadow
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As players and fans mingled at Virginia football's photo and autograph day this spring, one young, starry-eyed fan walked up to the big guy wearing black standing behind one of the players extended his hand and said "Hey, I know you."

"Oh yeah?," was the response from the big guy with the movie-star looks.

"Yeah, you are Chris Long's father aren't you!"

At last, the son has arrived.

Chris Long is a standout junior defensive end for the Cavaliers, but he also is the son of Howie Long, who played 13 seasons in the NFL for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He always has been an excellent athlete but, no matter what he has accomplished, he always has been referred to as "Howie Long's kid."

But he may be beginning to carve a legacy of his own and one day may be the more famous of the two.

"I don't know that I've gotten to the point where people know me more than my dad or that I ever will or even want to get to that point," Chris Long said. "The cool thing is my dad was actually happy that someone referred to him as being my dad instead of the other way around. He always tells me that it is my time now, but I really don't mind that people talk more about him."

Long might have a famous dad, but people know his name because of his deeds on the field. A returning starter, he was named a preseason first-team All-American by Street & Smith's and to the watch list for the Hendrick's Award for the top defensive ends in college football.

When the Cavaliers come to Heinz Field Saturday night to play Pitt, the Panthers will have no problem identifying Long. The Panthers' offensive line has watched plenty of film of him and was impressed.

"He is not just their best defensive lineman, he is their best defensive player period," guard John Simonitis said. "When you watch him on film, he just never quits, he never stops, he's a fighter and he's real quick off the ball. If you forget about him even once, he'll make a big play."

Long, 6 feet 4, 284 pounds, was born in Southern California, but moved to Ivy, Va., just outside of Charlottesville, when he was in elementary school. He was a star at St. Anne's-Belfield High School, where, as a senior, he was a SuperPrep All-American and the Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia. That season, he had 91 tackles, 23 for loss. But, as great as he was, he had one scholarship offer, which was the way he wanted it.

A lot more schools would have pursued him, but he made it clear early in his recruitment that he wanted to play for the Cavaliers. He also made his commitment to Virginia in his junior season -- when most players are just getting started with recruiting.

"I wanted to stay local, and I also felt like this program and school had everything I was looking for so why go somewhere else?" Long said.

Earlier, Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said that Long is so good it is clear that his father must have been working with him since he was a youth. Actually, Long's interest in playing football is relatively new.

"Baseball was always my favorite sport, and I thought it would be the sport I'd pursue for the long term," Long said. "But I guess about my sophomore year in high school, I started really getting into football, and then it just took off from there. The great thing is my dad was OK with whatever I wanted to do. He always supported me, and once I showed I was serious about football, that's when he really started to get involved and give me pointers."

Long played little as a freshman in 2004, but last season earned a starting job and took advantage of it. He started all 12 games, had 46 tackles, 10 for loss, and two sacks. He blocked seven passes. Those numbers might not be overwhelming, but the Cavaliers play mostly a 3-4 defense, so his role is different from a traditional pass-rushing end.

Long never has had the luxury of being anonymous because of his dad, but, at least last season, he was able to make a lot of plays while other teams were focusing on stopping some of the Cavaliers' other stars, like standout linebacker Kai Parham. This year, however, all eyes are on Long, but he said he's OK with being a marked man.

"If teams focus on me, that will allow my teammates to make plays," Long said. "I don't know that I'll be the focus of offenses anyway. We have a lot of great players on defense, and I am just one piece of the puzzle. The key is to win games, and that's really all I want to be known for -- helping Virginia win games."

NOTES -- Wannstedt said yesterday he expects receiver Cedric McGee (hamstring) and defensive tackle Mick Williams (concussion) to play against Virginia. Linebacker Brian Bennett (knee) originally was thought to be out for a long time, perhaps even the season, but Wannstedt said he has shown signs of improvement. ... Kicker Conor Lee was held out of practice again yesterday. "He will kick [today] and Friday, and we will rest him [tomorrow]. Two days will be enough to give us a good idea of where he's at before the game," Wannstedt said.

 

Virginia Report: Cavaliers suddenly lacking in depth at wide receiver position
By ED MILLER , The Virginian-Pilot
© August 30, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE - So much for Virginia's "deep" depth at wide receiver.

With Deyon Williams out with a stress fracture in his foot and Theirrien "Bud" Davis off the team, Virginia released a depth chart yesterday that listed Mike Robertson as a second-team receiver.

Robertson is a junior walk-on from Blacksburg who has appeared in three games without catching a pass. He was on the scout team last season.

"Mike's always been a very dependable player," U.Va. coach Al Groh said. "He's got a real good trust factor with the quarterbacks."

Sophomore Kevin Ogletree will start in place of Williams, an All-ACC candidate who caught 58 passes last year. Coaches and teammates have spoken highly of Ogletree's ability. At 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds, he's got the physical tools to be a playmaker. But he saw limited action as a true freshman last season. Five of his seven receptions last year came in a 51-3 win over Temple.

Groh said he isn't sure what to expect of Ogletree in Saturday's opener at Pittsburgh.

"Definitely, Kevin Ogletree has got to come in and prove himself," said senior Fontel Mines, who starts at the other receiver spot.

Mines will be backed up by sophomore Maurice Covington. Other receivers available are junior Emmanuel Byers, who caught 21 passes a year ago, and sophomore Andrew Pearman, a transfer from Hawaii.

The receivers will get a big test early. The strength of Pittsburgh's defense is its secondary, which returns all four starters. One of them is cornerback Darrelle Revis, an all-Big East selection last year. The Panthers' pass defense ranked second nationally in 2005, allowing 152.8 yards per game.

With Williams out, Mines said he expects Revis will line up on him.

"As a football player, who wouldn't like the challenge of lining up against a preseason All-American?" he said.

Groh insists WR Davis left for personal reasons

Groh repeated Tuesday what Virginia said in a news release Monday, that Davis, a junior, left school and the team for personal reasons, not because he was unhappy about a lack of playing time.

"This has been an issue Bud's been dealing with for a while," he said. "If it was a playing-time matter, he probably wouldn't be withdrawing from school."

Starting center Lipsey drawing rave reviews

With Jordy Lipsey securing the starting job at center, Ian-Yates Cunningham, who had been competing for the starting job there, moves to right guard. Cunningham will start ahead of Marshall Ausberry, last year's starter.

Groh said that if he gave an award for the most improved player in camp, it would probably go to Lipsey, a junior who came to Virginia rated as the top high school center in the nation.

Lipsey redshirted in 2003 and played as a backup the past two seasons. An inability to gain weight and a problem with fumbled exchanges with the quarterback had held him back, Groh said. He's up to 280 pounds now and has had no problem with exchanges in camp.

"This camp, he's showed everybody why he's rated that high," guard Branden Albert said. "He's playing very good. He's very tenacious."

Battles for kicking jobs still have to be resolved

The battle for the starting jobs at punter and placekicker will continue late into the week, Groh said.

Chris Gould and Noah Greenbaum are competing at placekicker and Gould and Ryan Weigand are competing at punter. Groh said he has a preference at both spots but has not informed the players who'll be starting.

Pearman, younger brother of former Virginia star Alvin Pearman, will return both punts and kickoffs. No one questions Pearman's speed or elusiveness.

"We want to see if he can catch the ball," Groh said.

Jamaal Jackson and Byron Glaspy, who finished last year as the starting safeties, will begin Saturday's game, though Tony Franklin and Nate Lyles, who began last year as starters, will also play. All four players had been wearing starter's orange jerseys through training camp.

One true freshman, defensive lineman Nate Collins, will travel for Saturday's game, Groh said.

 

UVa's starters at safety retain their position on depth chart
Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
August 30, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE - The depth chart Al Groh releases to the media on Tuesdays is more a general guide than a stone-cold lock for who will be starting later in the week.
Still, it was still surprising to find Byron Glaspy and Jamaal Jackson listed as the starting safeties ahead of Tony Franklin and Nate Lyles.

Glaspy and Jackson began the spring in those spots while Lyles recovered from a scary neck injury and Franklin tried to get back in the good graces of Groh, who kicked him off the team in March.

Glaspy walked on to the team following a spring tryout in 2005 and emerged in UVa's hodgepodge secondary at the end of last year, starting four games and making 20 tackles. How far has he come in the past year?

"It just seems like it's light years ahead in time," he said. "Last year I was trying to make the travel squad, thinking that was a big accomplishment for me. Now it's having a much more significant role."

Despite the starting designations, Groh expects Franklin and Lyles, who have 37 combined career starts, to get plenty of time on the field.

Depth perception

Ian-Yates Cunningham moved into the starting lineup, displacing fellow junior Marshal Ausberry at right guard. Ausberry started all but one game there last year, but Cunningham spelled him for long periods of time. Cunningham was beat out for the starting center job by Jordy Lipsey.

Other changes include the addition of junior wideout Mike Robertson, who was listed behind Kevin Ogletree at one of the receiver positions. The 6-foot-2, 199-pound Robertson replaces Bud Davis, who left the school for personal reasons on Monday.

"Mike's always been a dependable player," Groh said. "He's got a real good trust factor with the quarterbacks."

Also, 5-foot-9, 210-pound redshirt freshman Cain Ringstaff moved ahead of Kevin Bradley to be Josh Zidenburg's backup at fullback.

Just for kicks

Virginia's kicking game is still unresolved. Though Chris Gould and Ryan Weigand sat atop the depth chart at the place-kicker and punter spots, respectively, that doesn't mean they've won those jobs for Saturday.

"Anything can happen with these positions," Groh said. "We've seen it happen before. You get close to the game and one of those guys is not available because of something and all of a sudden you have to kind of go back and tell the other fella that you really did like him the best.

"So I think for right now, we'll kind of see how the last couple days play out."

Senior Noah Greenbaum continues to challenge Gould for the place-kicking duties. Greenbaum is the only player on the roster to attempt a field goal in a game, making a 41-yarder last year against Temple.

At punter, Weigand and Gould, who had a 40.0-yard average and 34.6-yard net last season, are still in the mix.

Extra points

Groh expects defensive tackle Nate Collins to be the only freshman to travel with the team to Pittsburgh. ? Sophomore transfer Andrew Pearman is at the top of the list as both a kickoff and punt returner. "He's got the same speed and same elusiveness as any other way that he gets the ball," Groh said. "We'll just have to see whether he catches it in games." ? Groh said not to read in to Michael Johnson's No. 3 spot on the tailback hierarchy. "Mike's had the best camp he's had," Groh said. ? Injured wide receiver Deyon Williams (stress fracture) is no longer wearing the protective boot on his right foot. Though still not mobile, he was catching passes on the sideline at practice recently. "At least in the short-term," Groh said, "that's good for his morale."


 

Nepotism or the right man for the job?
Joey Mancini, Cavalier Daily Columnist

I've had enough of reading articles and preview magazines that mention Mike Groh's impending demise as Virginia's offensive coordinator, in the same mold as several other sons of well-known coaches who received similar promotions.

We wondered about this in the spring, when Al Groh named his son "Michael," a former Cavalier star at quarterback, as his offensive coordinator. We kept asking at ACC media events this summer, knock-knocking at the Groh spin machine to see if he might budge and acknowledge the pressure riding on his son in 2006. We really haven't ever stopped asking, making the subject a topic of several preseason teleconferences.

I'm tired of talking about it.

In fact, promoting the younger Groh may have been the most logical decision the elder Groh made this entire offseason.

Four coaches departed Virginia last winter, including three who took head coaching jobs elsewhere. The Cavaliers were desperate for some stability, especially with several recruits reportedly wavering on their commitments. A nameless coach called the offensive plays in December's Music City Bowl win against Minnesota. And the program was headed into the New Year without a coordinator for either side of the field.

Where did Groh's program stand? Would the recruits stay? Who would Groh hire? And the message boards roared.

In college football, there are three ways to hire a coordinator, with some overlap between the options.

The first option is to make a splash, hiring an experienced NFL coach, with connections to the program, who may be on a downturn with the team currently employing him. Virginia chose this option in picking up Mike London, who was employed by the Houston Texans last year, to return to Charlottesville as defensive coordinator.

The second option is to hire an "up-and-comer" from elsewhere, most likely at a coaching position with less responsibility or at a mid-major school. This is an option the Cavaliers reportedly pursued with candidates such as Brian White, who had been serving as Wisconsin's running backs coach, and Frank Cignetti, the offensive coordinator at Fresno State.

The third option, and perhaps the most logical given Virginia's instability, is to hire an experienced coach from within your own staff.

Now, let's approach that idea of internal promotion.

In January, who was your second-most tenured coach, serving in a variety of offensive jobs while at Virginia?

Who clearly knew the program, with a keen eye on the exact plan and goals of the head coach?

Who had experience recruiting -- a responsibility requiring trust and personal relationships with 18-year-old kids?

The answer to all three questions, as you might have suspected, was Mike Groh.

Groh, entering his sixth year with the Cavaliers, has previously served as wide receivers and quarterbacks coach. Last year, he added recruiting coordinator to his resume. After years of coaching and playing experience, he knows the program inside and out.

This offseason, Virginia made one splash at a coordinator position by hiring London from the NFL to coach the defense. At the position of offensive coordinator, however, Al Groh decided to hire internally.

Barring a knock-your-pants-off candidate from outside the program, this path was the most logical.

And, if Groh was going to hire from the inside, his son Mike was the most logical choice.

For that reason, let's give the Jeff Bowden references a break and wait to see what Mike Groh does with this offense on the field. Until Groh proves to be a disastrous play caller (which he has not) or a poor recruiter (which he has not), he was the most reasonable choice for a teetering program desperately looking for a little stability from within their own ranks.

A prime difference between Virginia and nationally successful programs is coaching stability. With the appointment of Mike Groh, the Cavaliers faced a tremendous loss at offensive coordinator and plugged in a guy who knows this program better than just about anybody.

Except for the man who happens to be his father.

But what's wrong with that?