U.Va. paying back Pitt?
Panthers romped in last year's opener, but a lot has changed since then
Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 - 12:07 AM Updated: 12:35 AM

PITTSBURGH AT VIRGINIA

Today:7 p.m.
On the air:TV -- ESPNU; radio -- WRVA (1140), 6
Tickets:$42, (800) 542-8821 or www.virginiasports.com

• Pittsburgh at Virginia

Three keys for Virginia

1. Harrass Pat Bostick in the pocket. Bostick, a true freshman, is expected to make his first start for Pitt tonight. He's a talented quarterback but has thrown four interceptions in his two appearances.

2. Give Cedric Peerman some help. Virginia's junior tailback leads the ACC in rushing (119.8 yards per game). The Cavaliers rank ninth, however, among ACC teams in passing offense, and Pitt figures to crowd the line of scrimmage in attempt to slow down Peerman.

3. Do a better job in punt and kick off coverage. U.Va. struggled in those areas last weekend against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets averaged 11.4 yards on punt returns and 25.8 on kickoff returns.

-- Jeff White

By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE As fans will do, many University of Virginia football supporters have been looking ahead. They see that U.Va.'s next three opponents are Pittsburgh, Middle Tennessee State and Connecticut, they note that two of those games are at Scott Stadium, and they do the math.

The result? It's been easy to find prognosticators this week who say they expect Virginia, now 3-1, to be 6-1 heading into its Oct. 20 date with Maryland at Byrd Stadium.

U.Va.'s players -- at least the veterans -- recognize the danger of looking past the next opponent. That would be Pittsburgh (2-2), which visits Scott Stadium tonight.

"I think most of the guys have a week-to-week mentality," junior linebacker Jon Copper said. "It's a one-week season. We're playing Pittsburgh, and that's what we're focusing on."

These teams met in last year's season opener, and Virginia could not have looked much worse. Quarterback Tyler Palko passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers romped 38-13 in Pittsburgh.

"They kind of embarrassed us on national TV, so we have that in the back of our minds, to try to get back and bounce back from that," said U.Va. defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald (Hermitage), whose first college start came at Pitt. "We're just looking forward to going out there and showing them last year isn't indicative of this season."

Most of the Cavaliers who started against Pitt last season returned this year. Pitt has dealt with more turnover. Palko was one of several senior standouts on last year's team, and inconsistent play at quarterback is one reason the Panthers have struggled this season.

"They had a player who most of last year led the country in passing efficiency," Groh said. "That's the cycle of college football. Notre Dame looks different without Brady Quinn. Pittsburgh looks different without Tyler Palko. We looked different when Matt Schaub left."

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt was asked Monday about his main concerns.

"No. 1, 2 and 3 is our quarterback play and our offense," Wannstedt said. "We've been very inconsistent in every part of our offense. We're trying to find ourselves, and when you're on your third quarterback in four games, that's not good."

Junior Bill Stull, who started the Panthers' opener, is sidelined with a thumb injury that required surgery. Redshirt freshman Kevan Smith started the next three games, but true freshman Pat Bostick is expected to get the call tonight.

Pitt's starting tailback, LeSean McCoy, also is a true freshman, and he's already rushed for five touchdowns. The Panthers' biggest problem has been turnovers. If Pitt can limit its mistakes on offense, its fortunes could change quickly.

The Panthers rank 11th nationally in total defense and 18th in scoring defense.

"They don't give up long drives, and they don't give up long plays," Groh said. "It's a pretty good formula."

When Virginia opened spring practice this year, its projected starters on offense included wide receivers Kevin Ogletree and Maurice Covington and left tackle Eugene Monroe. Ogletree, who has yet to play this season, and Covington definitely will miss tonight's game with injuries, and Monroe could join them on the sideline. The 6-6, 310-pound junior suffered a knee injury last weekend in U.Va.'s win over Georgia Tech at Scott Stadium.

That victory was the Cavaliers' third straight since their opening-day loss at Wyoming. Groh doesn't buy the notion that the rout in Laramie -- the Cowboys won 23-3 -- was a wake-up call his team needed.

"Sometimes you can overanalyze a lot of things," Groh said. "We just didn't play well. We've played better since."

 

PREVIEW: Pittsburgh at Virginia
Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 - 12:07 AM

Where: Scott Stadium (cap. 61,500), Charlottesville
When: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WRVA (1140), 6 p.m.; XM satellite Ch. 193, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $42
Line: U.Va. by 6
Records: Pittsburgh 2-2; Virginia 3-1
Players to watch: Pitt -- TB LeSean McCoy 65 carries, 417 yards, 5 TD; QB Pat Bostick 27-42 passing, 230 yards, 1 TD; 4 INTs; LB S. McKillop 42 tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups. U.Va. -- TB Cedric Peerman 84 carries, 479 yards, 3 TD; QB Jameel Sewell 47-79 passing, 420 yards, 2 TD, 2 INTs; DE Chris Long 6 sacks, 11 QB hurries, 1 INT.
Outlook: Can the Cavaliers handle prosperity? We'll have a better idea after tonight's game. Virginia has played progressively better since the Sept. 1 debacle in Laramie, Wyo., but it's not a dominant team. The Panthers humbled the Wahoos 38-13 in the 2006 opener at Pittsburgh and lead the series 3-1. U.Va.'s lone win against Pitt came in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl at Charlotte, N.C.

 

UVa surprisingly well-represented in Sports Illustrated's top 500
Ronde Barber rated highest among Tech, UVa products
By Doug Doughty

Some time back, I made a mental note to check out a list of the top 500 players in the NFL compiled by Peter King of Sports Illustrated, figuring that it was obtainable only on the si.com website.

While fumbling through the dozens of media guides, old People magazines, unpaid bills and other reading materials that have turned the Doughty home into a major fire hazard, I stumbled across a Sports Illustrated pullout that had the entire list.

When I started to make a list of the list of the Virginia and Virginia Tech alumni on the list, I would have guessed that the numbers would have been fairly even, although Tech clearly has had the better teams over the past decade.

Can’t say I would have predicted this:

There were only three former Tech players on the list, one of whom, No. 214 Michael Vick, is sitting out the 2007 season while awaiting disposition of federal and state dog-fighting charges.

King’s comment accompanying Vick’s rating was, “Next stop: Mark Cuban’s League.”

The next-highest rated Hokie on the list was No. 133 DeAngelo Hall, Vick’s teammate (former teammate ?) with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons say that Hall has been punished for a meltdown Sunday in a 27-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers, when he had three penalties worth 67 yards on one series, but they haven’t said what the punishment is.

At No. 394 was oft-injured Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones, whose return to action last week came none too soon for my Fantasy Football team. You could make a case that Jones has Top 100 potential if he ever could stay healthy.

Jones, a former first-round draft pick, didn’t turn 25 till August but has started 39 games in a four-year NFL career. Jones led the Lions in rushing in each of his first three seasons, was named an alternate to the 2005 Pro Bowl squad and had 61 receptions last year.

I don’t know if I would have expected there to be more than three Hokies on the list. I wasn’t thinking in those terms.

WHAT SURPRISED ME most was that there were 10 ex-Virginia players on the list: No. 95 Ronde Barber, No. 161 Matt Schaub, No. 162 Patrick Kerney, No. 213 Thomas Jones, No. 219 Heath Miller, No. 348 James Farrior, No. 352 Ahmad Brooks, No. 355 D’Brickashaw Ferguson, No. 464 Angelo Crowell and No. 484 Chris Canty.

Ex-coach George Welsh and his staff should take pride in that list. They recruited eight of those players.

Honestly, some of those players haven’t done much in the NFL (Ahmad Brooks comes to mind), so maybe it’s appropriate to cite King’s criteria.

“Importance of the position (I had quarterback, left tackle, pass rusher and cornerback at the top, but with room for the explosive player), talent level and age – with a nod to young players on the cusp of a breakout season,” King wrote.

THE ACC SPORTS JOURNAL published a list of all the NFL players from the ACC schools. Virginia had 20 and the Hokies had 18, not counting Vick. I was curious, in Tech’s case, if there were any notable omissions.

Jimmy Williams was a second-round NFL pick by the Falcons two years ago and started the final four games of the 2006 season at safety but currently is playing behind Marshall graduate Chris Cocker. Cocker played at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, also the alma mater of DeAngelo Hall.

State players on King’s Top 500 who didn’t play at Tech or UVa were No. 87, Minnesota Vikings defensive back Darren Sharper; No. 242, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress; No. 292, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry; and No. 386, Dallas Cowboys’ running back Julius Jones.

Sharper and Jones, coincidentally, had older brothers who played at UVa. The Cavaliers did not recruit Darren Sharper, who played at William and Mary, but were among the disappointed finalists for Julius Jones (Notre Dame). Curry committed to UVa before signing with North Carolina, and Burress went to Michigan State.

One of the conclusions that can be drawn is that Tech and UVa have done a good job of keeping the top prospects in the state, although five of the Cavaliers’ 10 players in King’s Top 500 are from out of state. Other conclusions would only perpetuate the old stereotypes that Tech overachieves and Virginia underachieves.

The other stereotype is that Tech players from the 757 area code – Vick, Hall and Williams – are too undisciplined to have a sustained impact at the next level. That does a disservice to Tech products like Darryl Tapp, who starts at the end spot opposite ex-Cavalier Kerney on Seattle’s defensive line.

Tapp also played at Deep Creek.

Make of it what you want. Virginia coach Al Groh, who doesn’t talk about the NFL as much as he once did, might reintroduce it to his recruiting spiel. To Tech coach Frank Beamer, it might reinforce his belief in a blue-collar, lunch-pail approach.

Most of all, it’s one man’s opinion, an educated opinion to be sure, but it’s not worth jumping to conclusions.
 

Virginia shoots for fourth consecutive win of season
After opening-day loss to Wyoming, Cavaliers look to improve overall record to 4-1, welcome Pittsburgh to Scott Stadium in only second non-conference game of 2007
Eric Kolenich, Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor

The heartbreak was so poignant, it could be seen anywhere, on a national television broadcast or behind the face mask of a football helmet.

With a 38-13 loss for the Cavaliers Sept. 2, 2006, Pittsburgh slapped Virginia its rudest awakening to start a season in recent history. An 0-1 record had never felt worse -- until maybe this year, when Wyoming blew out the Cavaliers 23-3 in Laramie.

Virginia (3-1, 3-0 ACC) never bounced back in 2006, finishing 5-7. This year, however, after three straight wins, the Cavaliers have tended to their wounds. Saturday, Virginia has the chance to reclaim dignity never attained in 2006.

"They embarrassed us on national TV," sophomore Jeffrey Fitzgerald said. "Last year was not indicative of this season."

Pittsburgh's victory in 2006 catapulted the Panthers to a 6-1 record, before losing their last five games. Virginia's matchup epitomized the problems the Cavaliers struggled with all season. The offense never got off the ground and the secondary couldn't stop the big play.

One year later, Virginia is the best it's been since beating Florida State in 2005, and the Panthers are struggling to hold on.

After taking down Eastern Michigan and Grambling, the Panthers are losers of their last two games, and have handed the reigns to true freshman Pat Bostick. Bostick will be the third quarterback of the season to start a game for Pittsburgh after starter Bill Stull was injured in the season opener against Eastern Michigan. Coming off the bench in two games, Bostick has completed 64 percent of his passes and thrown one touchdown and four interceptions.

Starting in the backfield for the Panthers is freshman LeSean McCoy, who averages 6.4 yards per carry.

Like McCoy and Bostick, Virginia sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell saw no action in last year's contest. Junior tailback Cedric Peerman got only seven touches last year at Pittsburgh.

While Virginia's veterans might look for a little payback, the younger players might side with Groh, and simply look for the win.

"We can't change the results of last year," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "But what we can do is create the results of this year."

If a drive to avenge last year's score helps this year's team, Groh will take it.

"People say 'you're in a three-game stretch of non-conference games,'" Groh said. "We got a one-game stretch with Pittsburgh. That's all we got. If you ask me what time the game the week after that is, I'd be guessing or I'd be lying."

When analyzing the work that needs to be done this week, Groh focused on the tough defense Pittsburgh imposes.

"They don't give anything easy," Groh said. "They don't give up long drives and they don't give up long plays. Pretty good formula."

So, the Cavaliers will need to win the special-teams battle to gain good field position, like they were able to against Georgia Tech.

The Panthers allowed 34 points last week in their loss to Connecticut, throwing four interceptions and fumbling the ball twice. In addition to special teams, Virginia will need to create takeaways on defense to set up short scores and quick points.

Groh doesn't care if Virginia looks better on paper than Pittsburgh -- Virginia commits fewer turnovers and doesn't give up as many points. None of that guarantees victory. Groh was quick to cite Appalachian State's upset of Michigan and subsequent fall to Wofford.

"Some teams that have size and speed and experience, don't have that feeling that they've got to prove themselves every week," Groh said. "And some teams do, and it magnifies the level of execution they can get relative to what the physical skills might indicate."

 

Cavs’ offensive line may cause problems
By DALE GRDNIC
For The Tribune-Democrat

PITTSBURGH — Pitt’s defense will be tested tonight by the Virginia offensive line, which has to be among the biggest in the nation with the starters averaging 6 feet, 5 inches and 300 pounds.

And when the Panthers (2-2) face Virginia (3-1) at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va., the Cavaliers will be a similar group to the one Pitt hammered last year, 38-13, because they have 18 returning starters.

“The key to their running game is how well you play against 300-pounders that run like skilled athletes,” Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said. “They’ll cut you and get on you, and if you’re going to stop their running game, you’re going to have to get off physical blocks to do so.”

Virginia’s O-line is comprised of 6-6, 310-pound junior left tackle Eugene Monroe, 6-7, 310-pound junior left guard Branden Albert, 6-3, 280-pound senior center Jordy Lipsey, 6-3, 298-pound senior right guard Ian-Yates Cunningham and 6-7, 305-pound sophomore right tackle Will Barker.

Pitt ranks ninth nationally in pass defense efficiency (88.70 rating), 11th in total defense (250 yards per game), 12th in pass defense (154.5), 13th in fourth-down efficiency (14.3 percent, 1-for-7), tied for 14th in sacks (3.25 per game), 18th in points allowed (16 per game) and 25th in rushing defense (95.5 yards per game).

But the Panthers will have their hands full against Virginia. Sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell has started every game, but freshman Peter Lalich has also played. Sewell has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns with two pickoffs, while Lalich has completed nearly 63 percent for 260 yards and a score with one interception.

Junior Cedric Peerman is the leading rusher with 479 yards and three touchdowns (a 5.7 average), but he has been on fire with 461 rushing yards during Virginia’s three-game winning streak.

Junior wideout Andrew Pearman is next with 46 yards on 10 carries.

The most active member of the Cavs’ defense is Chris Long, son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long. A defensive end in Virginia’s 3-4 defensive scheme, the younger Long leads Virginia and ranks first nationally with six sacks.

“He’s the best defensive lineman that I’ve seen on tape,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “He’s a playmaker. He does it all. He plays the run well. He has six sacks. He knocks balls down, and he plays all over the place. He’ll be outside as an end, and then he’ll move inside as a tackle.

“He likes to target a guy he wants to pick on, and that’s where he lines up. So, I told our offensive line that we’ll find out (today) what he thinks about them. He’s quick, and he’s strong. And he plays so hard. He’s got it all and, in my opinion, he’ll be a first-round pick.”

Virginia’s defense has 13 quarterback sacks and 23 total stops behind the line with 16 pass breakups, 10 quarterback hits, four interceptions and three forced fumbles. Eight different players have at least part of a sack.

Notes: Pitt’s captains for the game are junior tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling on offense, redshirt junior safety Eric Thatcher on defense and redshirt junior wideout Austin Ransom on special teams. ... The Panthers will vote for season captains during the coming bye week.

 

Circumstances force Wannstedt to start freshmen McCoy, Bostick at same time
Fountain of youth
Saturday, September 29, 2007
By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 

The future of Pitt football will be on display tonight as heralded freshmen Pat Bostick and LeSean McCoy start together in the backfield for the first time in their short careers when the Panthers play Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

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Scounting Report
Matchup: Pitt (2-2) vs. Virginia (3-1), today, 7 p.m., Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va. Virginia is favored by 6.
TV/Radio: ESPNU; WWSW-FM (94.5) and WBGG-AM (Fox Sports Radio 970).
Pitt: Is on a two-game losing streak. ... Defeated Virginia, 38-13, to open last season. ... Is 62-64-2 against Atlantic Coast Conference schools. ... Have only played in Charlottesville once -- in 1953 -- and won, 26-0. ... Freshman LeSean McCoy is fourth in the Big East Conference in rushing. He is averaging 104.2 yards per game. ... Freshman quarterback Pat Bostick is expected to make his first career start. He will be the third quarterback to start a game for the Panthers this season. ... MLB Scott McKillop leads the Big East with 10.4 tackles per game.
Virginia: Is coached by former New York Jets coach Al Groh, who is also an alumnus. ... Beat Pitt, 23-16, in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl. ... Has a winning record yet has been outscored by opposition. The Cavaliers are averaging 19.2 points per game but they have given up 19.8 points per game.
Hidden stat: Virginia has given up 241 yards passing per game this season.

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Pitt coaches are hoping the two give the Panthers, who enter the game reeling from a two-game losing streak, a much-needed spark. McCoy, a tailback, has already had an impact, ranking fourth in the Big East Conference in rushing (104.2 yards per game).

Bostick, from Manheim Township High School near Lancaster, Pa., was one of the highest-ranked high school quarterbacks in the country and was considered one of the stars of the Panthers' recruiting class. Coaches were hoping to bring him along slowly this year, but an injury to starter Bill Stull and a lack of production from second-stringer Kevan Smith have forced their hand.

Last week, Bostick played the second half of the Panthers' 34-14 loss to Connecticut and showed some flashes of his talent as he completed 27 of 41 passes for 230 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Bostick was put into the game when the Panthers were trailing by 20, so he passed a lot and did so against soft coverages, but he demonstrated command of the offense.

Coaches are handing the ball to Bostick tonight against the 3-1 Cavaliers, hoping he will build on the confidence he gained against the Huskies.

"I think it is going to be very interesting, it could be very fun," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "I'm excited to see how this works out, especially with Pat. We know what LeSean can do, we have seen some good things from Pat. Like I've said, it is going to be one of the most interesting games I've been a part of because you just don't know. We have a lot of confidence in Pat, but he's a true freshman so you just never know."

It might be unrealistic to expect two true freshman to carry the lion's share of the load for any team, but Pitt coaches need only to look to West Virginia to see an example of what can happen when talented freshmen are given an opportunities.

That's because in the 2005 season the Mountaineers handed keys to their offense to quarterback Pat White and tailback Steve Slaton. All they did was lead the Mountaineers to a 12-1 record that included a Big East championship and a victory against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Both were named to a variety of freshman All-American teams that season, and Slaton was the conference's rookie of the year.

Wannstedt said he saw enough good things from Bostick last week to know that his future is bright, and he will get better with more experience.

"Pat made some pretty good decisions, and he got rid of the ball a lot quicker than I thought he would," Wannstedt said. "Your biggest concern with young quarterbacks is the speed of the game compared to practice. When you're out there, everything's happening so fast, and they're changing coverage and there's a rush coming after you. You worry about him holding the ball, making a wrong decision, looking down a receiver too long and forcing a pass in there for an interception. I think he handled that pretty well; now, let's see if he can take the next step."

Wannstedt also said he would have preferred for Bostick's first start to come at home, but the bottom line is the Panthers (2-2) are running out of time if they want to make a run at a bowl game.

One thing the Panthers will have to do is protect Bostick from the Cavaliers' formidable pass rush from its defensive front seven. The unit, which has 13 sacks through four games, is led by All-American defensive lineman Chris Long, son of Fox analyst and former Raiders star Howie Long.

"[Long] is the best collegiate defensive lineman I have seen on tape since I took this job," Wannstedt said, "and they use him at every position and move him from side to side. so we'll have to account for him on every play."

 

Virginia has a line on offensive prowess
Friday, September 28, 2007
By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pitt's defensive line has played consistently well through four games. But tomorrow, when the Panthers (2-2, 0-1 Big East) play at Virginia, the unit will face what most Pitt coaches believe will be its toughest test to date.

The Cavaliers (3-1, 3-0 ACC) are on a three-game winning streak and a big reason is their talented and veteran offensive line.

The line, which has four returning starters and features five players with significant experience, is big and powerful. It is also is mobile and athletic, which means the Panthers could have their hands full trying to stop Virginia's running game.

And while size usually gives the Panthers trouble, it is the athleticism of the Cavaliers' offensive line that has Pitt's defensive coaches most concerned.

Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said the Cavaliers are able to do so many different things when they are run-blocking because their linemen move so well. That is why the Panthers not only will have to play physical football, but also smart football.

"That is a huge offensive line," Rhoads said. "The key to dealing with that offensive line, and really the key to having a chance to be successful against their running game, is how well you can defeat blocks in the open field, especially against 300-pounders that run like skilled athletes.

"They will cut you, they will get on you. If you are going to stop that running game, you will have to get off physical blocks in order to do so."

Two weeks ago, the Panthers played very well against Michigan State's offensive line which, like Virginia's, is big and experienced.

That day, the Panthers allowed the Spartans only 144 yards on 51 carries and played well enough to give the team a chance to win.

According to Pitt players, that game gave the defensive line the confidence it can play well against any offensive line they face this season.

"They are big and they are going to try to run the ball right at us, because that's what they do well," said Pitt defensive tackle Rashaad Duncan. "So far, Michigan State has been the best line we've faced, and this is the same type of situation as Michigan State was -- a nice group of big guys who can move that have played a lot of games with each other.

"But these guys move a lot quicker and can do some different things.

"But I do believe, based on how we've played so far and with the preparation we are getting this week, we'll be able to stand in there."

One advantage for the Pitt defense is it should be somewhat familiar with Virginia's offense, which -- like the Panthers -- operates out of a pro-style system based on a power-running game.

The Cavaliers' attack is led by tailback Cedric Peerman, who averages 120 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry.

One break the Panthers might get is Virginia's starting left tackle, Eugene Monroe, is listed as questionable for the game with a knee injury he sustained late in the Cavaliers' 28-23 victory Saturday against Georgia Tech.

Pitt defensive end Chris Mc-Killop said the Panthers can't get caught up worrying about which players are injured because he said he's sure the Cavaliers' backup tackle is going to be talented and physical, just like Monroe.

McKillop said the key to the Panthers winning the war in the trenches, at least on the defensive side of the ball, is to outwork Virginia. He believes they can do that.

"Like coach [former defensive line coach and current administrator Bob] Junko always says, 'We just need to keep sawing wood,' " McKillop said. "Just battle every play.

"Our overall theme as a defense this year has been to remain positive all game, regardless of the situation. That's where our focus is, that's what we can control, so that's what we're going to stick to worrying about."

NOTES -- Pitt's captains for the Virginia game are LaRod Stephens-Howling (offense), Eric Thatcher (defense) and Austin Ransom (special teams). "Austin has really done a great job on special teams," coach Dave Wannstedt said, explaining why this former walk-on was named a captain. "As you know, he earned a scholarship this year as a walk-on. Sometimes, some players get complacent, but other people take it to another level and that's what Austin did."

 

Bad memories linger for UVa after last year's loss to Pitt
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
September 29, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE - The company line at Virginia is that revenge games are overblown. It is an Al Groh precept to focus on the now and what's ahead, not past results that cannot be changed.
But last year's season opener at Pittsburgh still lingers in some of the Cavaliers' minds, especially with the Panthers on tap tonight at 7 at Scott Stadium.

"They kind of embarrassed us on national TV, so we keep that in the back of our mind," UVa defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald said. "We're looking forward to going out there and showing them that last year is not indicative of this season."

Pittsburgh (2-2) humbled Virginia (3-1) at Heinz Field last September in a 38-13 rout. Veteran quarterback Tyler Palko dissected the Cavaliers' pass defense before going over the top for touchdown passes of 72 and 78 yards. Pitt's defense exposed UVa's shaky quarterback situation, intercepting passes from both Christian Olsen and Kevin McCabe and returning them for touchdowns.

If anything, Pittsburgh now knows the feeling. The Panthers' early season offensive struggles bear a striking resemblance to those that kept Virginia in neutral all of last season.

Pitt is already on its third quarterback, true freshman Pat Bostick, who will make his first career start in place of the injured Kevan Smith (right elbow) and Bill Stull (right thumb). In two games, Bostick has one touchdown pass and four interceptions.

Freshman tailback LeSean McCoy has given Pittsburgh's offense a considerable boost, with 417 rushing yards, a 6.4-yard average and five touchdowns behind an experienced offensive line that returns four starters from last season. But the Panthers haven't done themselves or their defense, which is ranked 11th nationally, any favors with 12 turnovers in four games.

Though the Huskies beat the Panthers 34-14 last week, 17 of their points were a direct result of Pittsburgh's six turnovers.

"We can very much relate to that," Groh said. "Their defense is playing admirably ? but is being put in some very difficult circumstances by turnovers."

Virginia, which has forced eight turnovers in four games, has been opportunistic with them of late. Against Georgia Tech, Fitzgerald intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Later, in what proved to be the turning point of the game, the Cavaliers pounced on a muffed punt, setting up Jameel Sewell's game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass to Staton Jobe.

Virginia has forged its identity with the running game, however. Cedric Peerman remains the ACC's leading rusher, averaging 119.8 yards per game. But UVa will face a challenge - especially if a knee injury prevents left tackle Eugene Monroe from playing - against Pittsburgh's run defense, which is giving up just 95.5 yards per game.

Tonight's matchup is the first of three straight non-conference games for Virginia, which has won three straight since being left for dead after a 23-3 loss at Wyoming in the season opener.

Now UVa must deal with the burden of expectation. It's the Cavaliers' first 3-0 start in ACC play since 2003. Of course, that team lost four of five in the middle of the season and finished 4-4 in the conference, a lesson in the meaningless of past performance.

The Cavaliers seem unaffected by their recent success.

"I think most of the guys have a week-to-week mentality that this is a one-week season," UVa linebacker Jon Copper said. "We're playing Pittsburgh and that's what we're focusing on."


 

The Virginia Cavaliers need to extend their streak
The Associated Press

CHARLOTTESVILLE — What a difference a year makes.

Pitt opened the 2006 season with a veteran quarterback who burned Virginia with two touchdown passes of more than 70 yards. The Panthers also returned two interceptions for scores in the 38-13 victory.

The two teams meet again tonight, but this time Pitt — coming off a demoralizing loss to Connecticut — will start a freshman quarterback on the road against a Virginia team brimming with confidence after a three-game winning streak.

"That's the cycle of college football," said Virginia coach Al Groh, who added that only a handful of the nation's elite can lose an outstanding quarterback to graduation and immediately replace him with someone just as good.

While it seems unlikely that Pitt quarterback Pat Bostick will duplicate Tyler Palko's near-flawless performance of a year ago, the Panthers provide plenty of other challenges to worry Groh. Chief among them: one of the nation's top defenses.

Pitt (2-2) ranks among the nation's top 25 teams in several defensive categories, including total defense. Only 10 teams are allowing fewer than Pitt's 250 yards per game.

"Their defense is playing admirably but is being put in some very difficult circumstances by turnovers," Groh said.

The Panthers are 107th nationally in turnovers and 109th in turnover margin, and most of the points scored against Pitt this season have been set up by fumbles or interceptions. The Pitt defense has not surrendered many long drives or big plays, Groh said.

That could add up to trouble for a Virginia offense that has been inconsistent at best. The Cavaliers (3-1) opened with a woeful 110-yard performance at Wyoming and had to settle for too many field goals at North Carolina. They started strong last week with two long scoring drives against Georgia Tech, then did little the rest of the game.

The problem for Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is that his offense has been equally shaky, at one point failing to convert on 22 consecutive third-down chances.

"The area that we need to get into a rhythm or find an identity or get on track — whatever phrase you want to use — is obviously our offense," Wannstedt said.

Handing the reins of the offense to a true freshman who began the season No. 3 on the depth chart hardly would seem an obvious solution, but that's exactly what Wannstedt will do. Kevan Smith, subbing for injured starter Bill Stull, struggled against UConn and was replaced in the second half by Bostick, who finished 27-of-42 for 230 yards and one interception.

"He did some positive things, now let's see if he can take the next step," Wannstedt said.

Although Bostick enjoyed some success passing last week, it's unlikely the Pitt coaches will rely too much on his arm against a Virginia defense led by pass-rushing demons Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald.

Revenge is on Cavaliers' minds
Date published: 9/29/2007
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

CHARLOTTESVILLE--University of Virginia football players rarely admit they're motivated by anything other than needing a win.

But that line of thinking is out the window this week. That's because Pittsburgh (2-2) visits Scott Stadium tonight at 7 p.m. in a nonconference clash.

It's the same Panthers team that thoroughly whipped Virginia 38-13 in the season-opener last year, leaving the Cavaliers (3-1) motivated by revenge for tonight's game. Sixteen Virginia starters return from that shellacking.

"They kind of embarrassed us on national TV," Cavaliers sophomore defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald said. "So we kind of have that in the back of our minds, to try to get back and bounce back from that. We're just looking forward to going out there and showing them that last year was not indicative of this season."

That loss last year began an avalanche of miscues and misfortunes that resulted in a disappointing 5-7 season for the Cavaliers.

This season started out much the same way with a 23-3 loss to Wyoming, but since then Virginia has won three straight games and is feeling good about itself.

"The wins certainly put the bounce in anybody's step," Cavaliers head coach Al Groh said. "I know it put it in mine, but most particularly, I think the bounce comes from players and the confidence they get from their own performance."

One player who performed especially well in the Cavaliers' 28-23 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over Georgia Tech last Saturday is sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell, who easily had his best game of the season and perhaps his career. He was 16-of-25 for 177 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown.

He found freshman walk-on wide receiver Staton Jobe for a game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass with 8:56 left in the game.

Sewell rotates with true freshman quarterback Peter Lalich, but he may have separated himself last week.

Groh said Sewell, who has completed 64 percent of his passes during the Cavaliers' current winning streak, has made impressive strides recently.

"It's not something I have to sense," Groh said. "I think it's something that anybody who watched his performance last week can see. I know he feels increasingly confident at what he's doing."

The Panthers' quarterback scenario isn't as bright. True freshman Pat Bostick is expected to make the first start of his career tonight. Bostick replaced an ineffective Kevan Smith in the Panthers' 34-14 Big East home loss to Connecticut last week.

Bostick threw three interceptions on 27-of-41 passing for 230 yards against Connecticut.

Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt is wary of Bostick starting his first game in a road environment.

"It's a long process, but it's getting better," Wannstedt said. "Pat's ready to go out there this week and lay it on the line. I don't like his first start coming on the road, but we need it to try to win this game."

Note

Groh said on Thursday that junior left tackle Eugene Monroe, who suffered a knee injury late in the Georgia Tech game, has "been making progress throughout the course of the week," but he hasn't ruled Monroe in or out for tonight's game.

 

Streaking Cavs welcome reeling Pitt
Panthers look to true freshmen to jumpstart offense
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
September 29, 2007

Should Virginia master its last opening-month hurdle tonight, the program can enter the hunt in October as a meaningful team on the national radar.

In doing so, the Cavaliers would also exact a dose of revenge for an ugly 25-point season-opening loss last year at Pittsburgh.

That contest included two teams with quarterbacks from opposite ends of the spectrum. UVa unveiled a Christian Olsen-led offense for the first time. Pitt countered with Tyler Palko, a savvy veteran who topped the Big East charts in passing yardage and efficiency.

Neither player, however, suits up inside Scott Stadium today when Virginia (3-1) hosts the Panthers (2-2) at 7 p.m.

“That’s the cycle of college football,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “Pitt had a player who most of last year led the country in passing efficiency. Notre Dame looks different without Brady Quinn. Pittsburgh looks different without Tyler Palko. We looked different after Matt Schaub left.

“Other than for the rare program that just keeps the conveyer belt of top players going at any particular position, that’s one of the things that the cycle of college football produces.”

Riding a two-game losing streak and having lost five of its last seven, the Panthers are turning their offense over to quarterback Pat Bostick. The true freshman’s top goal in his starting debut is simple: eliminate turnovers.

Pitt, in similar fashion to the Cavaliers, would love to establish its ground attack and rely on its defense to hold serve. But the Panthers’ vaunted defense has not been able to overcome the offense’s rash of interceptions during recent losses to Michigan State and Connecticut.

Coach Dave Wannstedt has passed the blame around, putting a large portion of it on his offensive line.

“We expect to be better [on the offensive line] and we have to be better if we are going to improve this offense,” said Wannstedt, who is 13-14 in three seasons. “We just have to keep coaching those guys to get better and they will get better.

“They are just reaching for some confidence now, and the only way they’ll get confidence is to get some results.”

During its current three-game winning streak, Virginia has displayed a newfound level of composure and improvement in all three facets of the game.

Most notably, the Cavaliers have established a real running game. Tailback Cedric Peerman, who leads the ACC and ranks 16th in the country with an average of 119.8 rushing yards, has turned heads rumbling behind an experienced offensive line.

The improvements have jumpstarted a fanbase (or at least part of it), eased the pressure on Groh and given hope for a season that started so sour.

“We definitely felt a lack of respect coming into the season, but you can’t dwell on that,” Peerman said. “You can’t worry about that. If people have respect for you, it is not going to help you win games.

“We know we need to come out and prove that we’re better than everyone says we are.”

Extra points

Virginia welcomes a number of top recruiting targets for tonight’s game. Shayne Hale, a five-star linebacker from Monroeville, Pa., headlines the contingent. Hale’s teammate, tailback Cameron Saddler, is also planning to attend.

The guest list for today’s game also includes three verbal commitments for the Class of 2008: OL Aaron Van Kuiken (Cincinnati), TE Colt Phillips (Germantown, Md.) and DT Klinton Ruff (Norfolk).

 

Fitzgerald casts a Long shadow
By Jerry Ratcliffe / jratcliffe@dailyprogress.com | 978-7251
September 29, 2007

In most circumstances the defensive end playing opposite an All-American candidate would spend most of his time laboring in obscurity.

Not Jeffrey Fitzgerald.

The Virginia sophomore has stolen about as much thunder as possible from teammate Chris Long, whose name has been attached as a candidate for every award from Lombardi to Nagurski. Together, they’ve become such a lethal tandem that they must keep opposing offensive coordinators up at night.

A terror of a twosome

The Cavalier bookends have combined for 55 tackles in four games, 13 for losses, eight sacks, 15 pressures, three interceptions, five pass deflections and one forced fumble.

That’s not supposed to happen to defensive ends in a 3-4 alignment where linemen are the ones who do the dirty work and allow the linebackers to get all the glory. We haven’t heard any linebackers complaining, only opposing coaches.

Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey already knew that Long was a player his Yellow Jackets would have to deal with last weekend. He left Scott Stadium with a loss and a new respect for Fitzgerald, who snared a batted ball and returned it 25 yards for a huge UVa touchdown.

“[Fitzgerald’s] a very good player,” Gailey said this week when reflecting upon the game. “I’m telling you that Chris Long is a great player. We’ve become a society of highlighting the great player and we forget about the other good players on the team. It’s unfortunate that some of these other good players don’t get noticed for their just dues.”

No sophomore slump

While Fitzgerald may be somewhat overshadowed by Long, he’s holding his own.

He was the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, having beaten out several candidates from around the league for those plaudits. Fitzgerald’s interception - the fourth of his young career - is the most on record by a Cavalier lineman.

In fact, Fitzgerald’s four are more than the rest of the secondary combined. We’re talking about career statistics, not seasonal.

He has also scored two touchdowns, having also returned a fumble for a score against Duke in 2006. It’s all part of his good-humored rivalry with Long, who’s like a brother to him on the field.

“I knew that [Long] got his [interception at North Carolina the week before], so I one-upped him and got another interception ... and got a chance to score on mine,” Fitzgerald chuckled. “But I’m looking forward to him coming back and doing something this weekend.”

He and Long have complemented each other’s abilities for the past two seasons, but they’ve become such a force of late that offenses must beware.

Against the Jackets, Long batted the ball at the line of scrimmage, creating a pinball reaction with the ball finally ending up in Fitzgerald’s ample mitts.

It was one of those “look what I found” kinds of deals, where the big lineman caught it and saw nothing but clear sailing between him and paydirt, a rare site for one of the wide-bodies.

“I had no clue where the ball was until it popped out of nowhere,” Fitzgerald said. “I thought it was on the ground after Chris batted it, and it just popped out of the air and came in my direction. I just wanted to run and try to get into the end zone. The defense always jokes around about scoring, so it was a good feeling.”

It was a strange game for Fitzgerald, who was the player that Tech wide receiver Correy Earls collided with late in the fourth quarter, leaving Earls motionless on the field. After a lengthy time span, Earls was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center and later released.

Still, it provided some scary moments for all those who saw the incident unravel.

“[Earls] cracked back on me and my initial reaction was that he was going to try to cut me, so I leaned into it and our heads collided,” Fitzgerald said of the accidental head-to-head hit. “I was shaken up, too. I walked off to the sidelines and saw he was still down, so that also shook me up. I got word after the game that he was OK, so I was real happy about that.”

Colliding with Fitzgerald is something that isn’t highly recommended, and that has been the case since he exploded onto the scene last season as an unheralded redshirt freshman. Even the youngster was a bit unsure because he hadn’t played football in two years due to a nasty knee injury his senior season at Hermitage High outside Richmond.

But he came on so strong that Virginia’s coaching staff couldn’t ignore him.

“That’s why Jeffrey played the way he did in his first year,” said UVa coach Al Groh. “He’s got that capacity to take what he has incurred, whether it’s coaching, opponent preparation, correction from practice or games, and take that and move his game forward without much lapse time in there.”

Groh said often the difference between average players and really good ones is that the good ones “get it” and the others have to have things explained to them over and over again.

With two game-wrecking defensive ends, the Cavaliers’ defensive staff has a distinct advantage. Offenses can’t scheme that hard to choose one side from another with strong or weak formations because both Long and Fitzgerald have the skill to stop the play coming their way, making it easier for Virginia’s coaches to call the game.

That’s something Pitt will be forced to deal with tonight when the Panthers come to Scott Stadium hoping to end a two-game losing streak, which will require stopping Virginia’s three-game winning streak.

And, that means stopping Fitzgerald and Long. Easier said than done.

 

UVA FOOTBALL: The reasons
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com
September 29, 2007

WHY VIRGINIA WILL WIN

The proof is in the Peerman
Cedric Peerman has won over Cavalier Nation with his heart.
The soft-spoken, hard-hitting tailback pushes for yardage every single time he touches the football.
The stats prove it - the junior has amassed 461 yards on the ground on
77 carries during the team’s current three-game winning streak.
Peerman had 138 yards on 28 carries against Georgia Tech, a team known to be stingy on the ground.
“When he’s carrying the ball,” said Virginia coach Al Groh, “he’s carrying the flag for the team, too.”
A sizzling Sewell
After ugly results in a loss at Wyoming, sophomore signal-caller Jameel Sewell has settled into a nice groove.
Last week against the Yellow Jackets, the southpaw handled the expected dose of blitzes, completed 64 percent of his passes by scattering the ball around and accounted for two touchdowns.
“[Sewell] has definitely come a long way,” said Virginia tight end Tom Santi. “I think that is pretty obvious. I am sure [the Georgia Tech win] was a special game for him thinking about how nervous he was when he was down there on that Thursday night for his first start last year. He did a real good job.”
Bringing the bookends
Few teams can bring the pressure from its defensive ends like Virginia.
Chris Long, a senior playing at an All-American caliber, has six sacks, an interception and 28 tackles, which ranks second on the team.
Jeffrey Fitzgerald, a sophomore with a knack for finding the football, has made
25 tackles and has two interceptions, the last of which was returned 25 yards for a touchdown last weekend.
“What one of them can do from a skills standpoint, the other one can do,” Groh said. “These two guys have the equal athletic ability and game presence, so it makes it a lot easier to call the game.”

WHY PITTSBURGH WILL WIN

A two-back attack
Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt has a problem his peers are envious of. The Panthers boast not one, but two bona fide running backs.
LeSean McCoy, after serving as a reserve, is set to make his first start tonight. The true freshman has rushed for 417 yards at an eye-popping average of 6.4 yards per carry.
“He’s been great and he doesn’t talk and act like a freshman, and that’s what gives him a chance to play,” Wannstedt said. “He is more mature, he’s been more exposed to a few more things, and that all helps.
LaRod Stephens-Howling, a junior and the team’s starting tailback the first three weeks, gained 893 yards on the ground last year, including 221 against Syracuse.
Defense flies under the radar
Georgia Tech entered Scott Stadium last week drawing rave reviews for its defense and creative blitz packages.
In the eyes of Groh, Pittsburgh might offer as good a test for his offense.
The Panthers rank ninth in the country in pass-efficiency defense and 11th in total defense.
“There are not a lot of schemes involved,” Groh said.
“There’s some movement somewhat, but if you are going to move the ball against these guys you’ve got to dig them out of there.
“They have some of those 6-2, 290-pound, point-of-attack kind of guys and it’s hard to dig them out of there.”
Injuries take their toll
Pittsburgh is far from injury-free - opening day starting quarterback Bill Stull is out with a thumb injury - but the Panthers might be in better shape than Virginia.
The Cavaliers, who have been without wideout Kevin Ogletree and cornerback Mike Brown all season, play today without wide receiver Maurice Covington (hand) and may be forced into starting Zak Stair at left tackle for junior Eugene Monroe, who was the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week after the win at UNC on Sept. 15.
“It’s probably somewhat in the air,” Groh said of Monroe’s status on Thursday. “But I’m hopeful of that circumstance.”

 

Giallombardo saves UVa in front of record crowd
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
September 29, 2007

Earlier this week, George Gelnovatch started building momentum for his annual “Let’s set a new attendance record campaign.” The Virginia coach encouraged reporters to get the word out about next weekend’s home tilt against North Carolina.

As it turned out, Gelnovatch didn’t need any publicity at all. Virginia broke the record a week early - and treated soccer fans to one of the most exciting games in recent years.

On Friday night at Klockner Stadium, a crowd of 7,906 watched fourth-ranked UVa play Virginia Tech to a 1-1 tie.

“I can’t describe my feelings right now,” said Virginia forward Yannick Reyering. “It was just awesome to play in front of so many enthusiastic fans. We played a great game and deserved to win.”

It was Reyering who gave the Cavaliers a chance. The senior from Germany scored on a penalty kick to tie the game in the 70th minute.

“Whenever he takes [PKs], it’s a very good feeling because he kind of lives for that pressure,” said Virginia goalie Michael Giallombardo. “He’s great.”

But it was Giallombardo who thrived under the pressure in the overtime. With a little more than a minute left to play in the second period, Reyering was called for a handball after a melee in the Virginia box.

Virginia Tech was awarded a penalty kick. Giallombardo, a sophomore from New Jersey who is in his first season as starting keeper, lunged to his right to stop a low shot by the Hokies’ Alexander Baden.

“Imagine the pressure on that kid with a minute left to play?” said Gelnovatch, when asked about his goalie’s save. “That was big time.”

Giallombardo downplayed his heroics.

“I was just trying to read the play,” Giallombardo said. “You practice it so many times. You try and take pressure off of yourself.”

That probably wasn’t as easy as it sounds since Klockner Stadium was so loud that the press box above the field was shaking. Cavalier and Hokie fans chanted back and forth at each other all game long.

Reyering looked relieved that his misplay didn’t cost Virginia the game.

“That was the biggest save I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said.

Virginia Tech (6-1-2, 1-0-1) was the team in control during the first half. The No. 16 Hokies, who are now riding an eight-game unbeaten streak, had several quality chances but were turned away by Giallombardo. Finally, in the 34th minute, Tech took the lead off a one-timer by Stefan Hock.

“I think there was a 15-minute stretch in the first half where they were really coming at us,” Gelnovatch said. “I think we took their best shot. In the second half, I thought we were all over them.”

Virginia (6-1-2, 0-0-2) outshot Tech, 13-4, after the break.

Reyering had several opportunities to end the game. His best came in the first period of overtime. After trapping a pass at his feet, he booted a ball from just outside of the box that beat Tech goalie Markus Aigner. Unfortunately, it hit the crossbar.

“I would have been happy if I had scored on one of those chances, but that’s just soccer,” said Reyering, who is second in the ACC in goals with seven. “Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don’t. You can’t really do anything about it.

“I’m happy that the team played that well. If we do that, we’ll continue to be successful this season.”

Throw-ins

The previous attendance record of 7,807 was set in December 1994 against James Madison. … Virginia hosts North Carolina next Saturday.

 

Schaub trade was right move for Falcons at the time
By Mark Bradley | Friday, September 28, 2007, 07:49 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It looks bad now, but trading Matt Schaub wasn’t a bad move. At the time, it was a sound transaction made for the right reasons. The Falcons dealt Schaub to Houston on March 22. Would anyone have believed then that an April 20 drug arrest of Michael Vick’s cousin would, in the course of 129 dizzying days, transform the franchise quarterback into a convicted felon?

On March 22, Michael Vick had never been charged with any crime. (For all the uproar regarding the water bottle, ask yourself this: Would any NFL team have cut its starting quarterback over an incident that yielded no charges?) He had taken to a new coach and a new offense and had, from all available evidence, taken control of his career. “He’s been phenomenal,” Rich McKay said in April. “I think you guys [in the media] have put it in his head: ‘This is it.’”

Let’s recall: Pretty much everything that happened over the winter was about Vick. Bobby Petrino didn’t just sign on to coach the Falcons; as he said, speaking of Vick four days after taking the job, “That’s why we’re here.” He had long dreamed of fitting his scheme to such a stylized talent, and now he had that chance.

As of March 22, Schaub was a career backup who’d started two NFL games. This wasn’t a case of the Falcons drafting Brett Favre and giving up on him after one season and four NFL passes. The Falcons had studied Schaub for three years and this is what they’d decided: He was good enough to start (and maybe win) somewhere, but not so good he’d ever start ahead of Vick.

Schaub would have become an unrestricted free agent after this season. The Falcons couldn’t keep him with a fat long-term contract because Vick was already making his $130 million, and Schaub wouldn’t have stayed as a No. 2 because he wanted to start. So, to get anything in return, the Falcons had to move him this spring.

On March 22, they traded Schaub to the Texans for Houston’s No. 2 choices in 2007 and 2008 and a swap of Round 1 positions in the April draft. The Falcons took defensive end Jamaal Anderson with the eighth pick of Round 1; they selected offensive lineman Justin Blalock with the Round 2 pick acquired from Houston. Both are starters already. That wouldn’t seem a bad yield for a backup quarterback.

The Falcons aren’t surprised Schaub is doing well in Houston, but nobody around the team ever bought into the revisionist theory that Schaub should have been starting here. The players saw Vick on a daily basis and knew full well that he routinely did things nobody else in football could do even once. Dumping on Vick the person has become a local pastime, but let’s not forget the reason we took note of Vick in the first place: He could play the game.

And he was about to play it for a better coach in a better system, and everyone in Flowery Branch was ecstatic over the prospects. Then Davon Boddie got arrested — funny how a marijuana charge mushroomed, kind of like a third-rate burglary bringing down a president — and a search warrant for the property at 1915 Moonlight Road was filed. On Aug. 27, Vick pleaded guilty.

Recalling the Falcons’ historic lack of sagacity is a source of continual hilarity. (Dumping Favre! Drafting Reggie Kelly! Hiring Marion Campbell — twice!) Already the Schaub trade is considered the latest in the line of royal whiffs, but it must be noted that this poor result wasn’t the product of a poor choice.

The Falcons were convinced they had the right quarterback. In a weird way, the trade with Houston only underscores their belief in Vick. Had they any hint of what would happen, they’d never have traded Schaub. Alas, they didn’t know the unknowable. To borrow Tom Joyner’s question to the evangelist Juanita Bynum: “If you’re a prophet, didn’t you see this coming?”

Don’t get self-righteous and say you knew, on March 22, that dogfighting would be the undoing of Michael Vick. Because you didn’t. On March 22, nobody did.