Covington heals, returns to field
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
October 30, 2007

The long, ugly scar on Maurice Covington’s left hand will make quite a story and might help predict snowfall decades from now.

At the moment, it simply serves as a reminder to how special playing college football remains for Virginia’s most experienced wide receiver.

Late in a game against North Carolina on Sept. 15, Covington broke a bone in his hand, a freakish accident that led to a four-week vacation and an open-ended invitation to the training room at the McCue Center.

“It killed me being out,” Covington said. “I tried to push to come back as early as I could and four weeks was the earliest, but I really did try to come back earlier.”

Unfortunately for Covington and Virginia (7-2, 4-1 ACC), the countless trips to rehab sessions were - and remain - crowded scenes.

In fact, seven players that have started at least two games in their careers have missed contests this season, a contingent that includes cornerback Mike Brown and wideout Kevin Ogletree, who are both out with season-ending ACL injuries.

“I feel for all those guys because those are big parts of our team,” Covington said. “We really need them in there. It is hard to look at them like that.”

While injuries are not uncommon in the sport, Virginia coach Al Groh has been pleased with the diligence that Covington and others displayed in receiving treatment.

“Some of them seem to be putting in almost more time than the players are in preparation,” Groh said. “They have been a big part in what we have been able to do and they want to play their role in what’s coming up in the upcoming games and they know their value to the team of their return.”

A quick glance around the team hotel this weekend proved Groh’s point.

“There were some of them [getting] five and six treatments in the hotel Friday night to either make themselves more ready or to try to get themselves ready,” he said. “That has certainly been an indication of the attitude and the willingness to do whatever it takes.”

Covington’s injury was magnified during his absence for obvious reasons. The wide receiver corps, clearly looked at a weakness on the team in training camp, was lacking experience and proven productivity.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

In the 29-24 loss at North Carolina State, five different wide receivers registered a catch, paced by Covington’s three receptions for 45 yards.

“Our receiver situation … it is what it is,” Groh said. “It has certainly come a long ways from when we started. Really it is a collective thing. Certain guys have stepped up and had their moments.

“Each one of them has had some specific moments for us, and of course those numbers are aided by what we are getting from the tight end position. Hopefully when we get Tom [Santi] back we will be able to increase that even more.”

Credit, Covington said, extends to sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell, who passed for a career-best 260 yards against the Wolfpack before leaving midway through the fourth quarter with cramps.

“Jameel picked a lot of different targets and guys came up and made big plays,” Covington said. “I think it definitely was a big game for us. We just need more as a group like it.”

Virginia hosts Wake Forest (6-2, 3-1 ACC) on Saturday at noon.

 

Cavs prep for 1 more game before bye
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
October 31, 2007

Only one ACC football team has not enjoyed the luxury of a bye week, a time to scout internally and externally, rest weary bodies and prosper in the world of recruiting.

That program, in fact, will be forced to wait until the 12th week of the season.

Yes, Virginia (7-2, 4-1 ACC) is the odd team out in the league this season. The Cavaliers have company to this point on the national stage - 44 of the other 117 Division I-A teams have played nine games thus far, a contingent that includes all the members of the Big Ten Conference, which eliminated the bye week when the NCAA adopted a plan to play a 12-game regular season.

Virginia coach Al Groh, while pointing out that the matter is not a “big deal,” said he might voice some displeasure “in passing” after the season with league officials.

“There probably should be a cut-off point by which all the teams in the conference have a bye,” Groh pointed out. “None should occur before a certain date ... like you play one game and you get it. We have had that. And probably none should occur after a certain date.”

Last year, Virginia had its bye week after its 10th game, a 33-point loss at Florida State, and responded with a win over Miami.

In 2005, which was before the 12-game season was put into place, the Cavaliers had two open weeks. The first came after the season opener and the second followed Week 8 action.

Groh pointed out that television contracts might make the ACC resistant to impose universal policy changes.

“But TV obligations and such should not sway the competitive balance,” Groh said.

Playing straight through the season has not impacted Virginia in a major way, Groh said, although he keeps a close pulse on the conditions of his players - individually and collectively.

“We’ve been pretty ready to go here every Saturday,” he said.

“Either with certain individuals during the course of each particular week or particular day, [we] have tried to pay attention to guys that we think might need it, in terms of a little bit more rest.

“Input comes in watching and they tell us a lot by how they look, and input also comes just by asking ‘How do you feel? Do you need a little rest?’ We have tried to take that as a principle thing here the last three or four weeks.”

How to win the Coastal

The standings are different yet Miami, Virginia and Virginia Tech remain in a similar position as the final month of the season arrives.

For now, all three programs live by a we-control-our-own-destiny motto.

Virginia and Virginia Tech, in fact, will be able to determine their fate in the Coastal Division title race regardless of the respective outcomes of this week’s games.

Setbacks would merely leave both programs with two losses and the head-to-head portions of the trifecta are set to take place.

The Hokies (6-1, 3-1 ACC) play at Georgia Tech on Thursday before closing out with home games with Florida State and Miami and their road finale at Virginia on Nov. 24.

The Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2) may face the toughest finishing stretch. After hosting N.C. State on Saturday and Virginia on Nov. 10, Miami closes out with road games at Virginia Tech and Atlantic Division-leading Boston College.

As for BC, it has a stranglehold on its division. Wake Forest, Virginia’s opponent Saturday at Scott Stadium, needs help to return to the ACC Championship game. The Demon Deacons (6-2, 4-1) need Boston College to lose at least two of its final four league games - the Eagles own the head-to-head tiebreaker with Wake.

Injury report

A flurry of players practiced for Virginia on Monday, which was not the case the week before.

Cornerback Chris Cook, fullback Rashawn Jackson, cornerback Mike Parker and tight end Tom Santi were active in the session, Groh said. Only Parker played against North Carolina State last weekend, but his playing time was limited to the opening quarter due to an ankle injury.

“Whether those players will be available on Saturday … we will still have to see,” Groh said, “but as opposed to standing on the sidelines, they worked.”

Santi suffered a high ankle sprain on the first play from scrimmage at Maryland, but Groh praised the senior captain for his work in the rehab process.

“The general rule of thumb on those is three weeks at a minimum,” Groh said. “He is doing more eight, nine or 10 days afterwards than most players who have gotten them are able to do.

“We are hoping to have him available, we are trying to work him into the mix, but as we did last week, we are making plans to progress without him as well.”

The news is not nearly as positive for injured tailback Cedric Peerman. The junior, who has missed the past three games with a foot injury, could miss the remainder of the season.

“I’d say that there is a chance of that, yes,” Groh said.

Peerman leads Virginia with 585 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Surgery to repair an injury that impedes Peerman’s ability to put weight comfortably on his leg remains a possibility.

“As I am told - all I think is what I am told - [surgery] remains an option in the future,” Groh said.

Scouting things out

Given the complexity of Wake Forest’s offense, being on Virginia’s scout team offense will be a tricky job this week.

So much so, in fact, that Virginia’s coaching staff started the process in a unique fashion on Monday.

“We set all those players aside for a 30-minute rehearsal against the air,” Groh said. “[We wanted] to just give them a little bit more familiarity with some of the unusual things that they are going to do.”

Virginia cornerback Vic Hall said the starters on defense had yet to face the scout team, but he expected it to be a learning experience for both units.

“We haven’t really got into it,” Hall said with a smile, “but I am pretty sure we are going to have some crazy looks.”

The scout team will be guided in practice, as they have all season, by redshirt freshman Marc Verica, who is fourth on the depth chart and did not travel to Maryland or N.C. State.

“He’s done a real nice job with that all fall,” Groh said. “His development has been apparent in what he is doing. It has been good for him.”

Extra points …

Despite some improvement against N.C. State, Virginia ranks ninth in the ACC in kickoff returns, averaging 19.6 yards per return. Mikell Simpson, who has one return for 16 yards this season, may have earned himself another shot with his improved play the past two weeks. “We have him taking turns on those units again,” Groh said. … Could Gretna have another flashy play-making quarterback in the same mold of Hall? Nick Miller, Gretna’s signal-caller, accounted for 398 yards of total offense (292 passing, 106 rushing) in a win two weeks ago against William Campbell, which boasted Peerman during Hall’s glory days. “[Miller] is good,” Hall said. The best part? “He is just a freshman,“ Hall said.

 

Long road to heartache
Peerman's 3-year quest for RB job may end as injuries hobble Cavaliers
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 - 12:06 AM Updated: 12:43 AM
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE Late in the first quarter of Virginia's Oct. 6 football game against Middle Tennessee, junior tailback Cedric Peerman took a handoff from quarterback Jameel Sewell and slashed for a 6-yard gain.

That might have been his final carry of the season.

Asked yesterday if Peerman, who hasn't played since hurting his right foot on that run, might not return this year, U.Va. coach Al Groh said, "I'd say there's a chance of that, yes."

Peerman has not had surgery, Groh said, but "that remains an option in the future."

A graduate of William Campbell High, Peerman redshirted at U.Va. in 2004. He was a reserve tailback in 2005 and '06, then won the starting job this year.

If all-ACC ballots had been cast at the end of September, Peerman would have been a lock for the first team. After struggling -- like the rest of the Virginia offense -- in an opening-day loss to Wyoming, he rushed for a then-career-high 137 yards against Duke. He followed that with 186 against North Carolina, 138 against Georgia Tech and 87 against Pittsburgh.

Peerman entered the game at Middle Tennessee averaging an ACC-best 113.2 yards rushing.

"It's hard, especially because he's been waiting a long time to get the opportunity to be the starter, and it finally came," said senior fullback Josh Zidenberg, Peerman's closest friend on the team. "And he was performing and living up to what everybody thought he was capable of doing, and then some.

"And so for the injury to happen like it did, it was definitely difficult for him, and he's had a hard time dealing with it, especially the uncertainty of not knowing how long this injury is going to take, and if he'll be able to come back or when he'll able to come back."

But Peerman, who wasn't available for comment yesterday, has "also kept a positive outlook, and he's been there still for the team, trying to keep us upbeat and focused on what we need to do," Zidenberg said.

U.Va. (4-1, 7-2) hosts defending ACC champion Wake Forest (4-1, 6-2) at noon Saturday.

When spring practice began in March, U.Va.'s projected starters on offense included Peerman, quarterback Jameel Sewell, wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, fullback Rashawn Jackson, tight end Tom Santi and left tackle Eugene Monroe. None of them was on the field Saturday night for the final 7 minutes against N.C. State, which won 29-24.

Ogletree, who had knee surgery in April, has yet to play this season and isn't expected to do so. Peerman didn't make the trip to Raleigh, N.C. Jackson (hamstring) and Santi (ankle) were in uniform but available only for emergency duty. Monroe left after hurting his right knee on the final play of the third quarter, and Sewell departed with severe cramps at the 7:09 mark of the fourth period.

Sewell is fine, Groh said yesterday, and Santi and Jackson practiced Monday. So did banged-up cornerbacks Mike Parker (ankle) and Chris Cook (knee). Groh was not asked about -- and did not offer an update on -- Monroe.

Santi, who leads Virginia in receiving yards, suffered a high ankle sprain Oct. 20 on the first play from scrimmage against Maryland.

"Obviously, some are more severe than others," Groh said, but the "general rule of thumb on those is three weeks at a minimum. He's doing more eight or nine days, 10 days afterward than most players who have gotten them have been able to do."

 

Peerman remains on Cavs' sidelines
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The Cedric Peerman picture isn't getting any brighter.

Of the Virginia football players who did not play Saturday at North Carolina State, only Peerman did not participate in practice Monday as the Cavaliers began preparations for Saturday's home game against Wake Forest.

Peerman has missed three full games since suffering a foot injury Oct. 6 in a 23-21 victory at Middle Tennessee State.

No timetable has been set for his return.

"I'd say there's a chance that he might not," UVa head coach Al Groh said Tuesday.

Groh has offered few details about the injury, other than to say that doctors tell him that it occurred in a weight-bearing area, which has slowed Peerman's recovery.

No surgery has been planned, "but that remains an option in the future," Groh said.

Peerman was leading the ACC in rushing at the time of his injury and went to Middle Tennessee with three straight 100-yard games.

Tight end Tom Santi, cornerback Chris Cook and fullback Rashawn Jackson took part in practice Monday night, which is more than they had done the previous week.

All three made the trip to Raleigh, N.C., but only would have been available in an emergency, Groh said.

Upgraded role?

Symptomatic of Mikell Simpson's performance over the first half of the season was his one-game stint as a return specialist.

UVa's staff was so underwhelmed by Simpson's 19-yard return in the opening game at Wyoming that he was moved off that unit and most other units.

Simpson re-emerged with a 271-yard outburst at Maryland and added two touchdowns -- one rushing and one receiving -- in a 29-24 loss at N.C. State.

With the Cavaliers averaging fewer than 20 yards on kickoff returns, Simpson could be re-entering that mix.

Groh's first impression of Simpson as a kickoff returner was that he lacked aggressiveness, "but we've seen some things to dispel that," he said Wednesday. "We've got him taking turns on those units again."

Situation stabilized

Virginia wide receivers have had 16 receptions for 200 yards in the past two weeks, quieting some of the speculation about 2006 receptions leader Kevin Ogletree making an early return from reconstructive knee surgery.

"I'll just say the same thing I've been saying since he's been hurt," Groh said. "Almost all of the time, it's a year-long injury. Kevin had his injury in April and it's October.

"Our position on it is exactly the same as it was when he got injured. Wherever the story got started that Kevin was ready to come back is fantasy football."

One of the hidden benefits of Ogletree's rehabilitation is the opportunity he has had to strengthen his upper body. Ogletree was measured at 6-feet-2, 187 pounds before spring practice but should be stronger and much tougher to jam next year, Groh said.

Lalich lesson

Peter Lalich's once-lofty passing percentage dropped to 57.7 after a 2-for-8 relief effort Saturday and Groh hopes that his freshman quarterback learned a lesson. Lalich also got sacked three times.

"Don't hold the ball," Groh said. "How many words is that? Don't ... hold ... the ... ball. That's something that gets said all the time [to all quarterbacks].

"That message has been completely learned by [N.C. State's] Daniel Evans. You'll see on Saturday that that's one of the principles that Riley Sinner has. That ball is gone.

"Matt [Schaub] was that way for us. Nobody could get to Matt. The protection was good; we had some good players there, but it wasn't just the protectors. Matt knew where to go with it and he was getting it out of there."

Dowling defended

Groh expressed few reservations about freshman cornerback Ras-I Dowling, who was beaten for the go-ahead touchdown Saturday but had an interception and tied a school record with five pass break-ups.

"Ras-I has very good technique for this stage of his career," Groh said. "Now, is it a veteran's technique? It is not. Those techniques will come and he'll add those to his ball skills and awareness of the ball.

"There's every expectation he'll be one of the better defensive players around here."

Odds 'n' ends

There were no residual effects of the cramps that sidelined starting quarterback Jameel Sewell for the final 7 minutes Saturday night. Sewell and cornerback Mike Parker (ankle) practiced Monday. ... There was no word on offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, who missed most of the fourth quarter with a balky knee. ... Junior linebacker Jon Copper, who is in his second year as a starter, leads all active Virginia players in tackles with 167. Defensive end Chris Long is next with 163. ... Virginia has not scored a touchdown in 13 consecutive third quarters.
 

In past 4 years, Deacons have become Demons
By ED MILLER , The Virginian-Pilot
© October 31, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE

How long has it been since Virginia played Wake Forest?

So long ago that Matt Schaub was the quarterback, Heath Miller was the leading receiver and Al Groh was in his third season as coach.

So long ago that guard Ian-Yates Cunningham, a fifth-year senior, is the only Cavalier still around who played that season.

So long ago that the notion of Wake winning an ACC championship could have been dismissed as delusional.

But much has changed since 2003, not the least of which is that Wake has gone from plucky underdog to conference heavyweight. The Deacons won the ACC title last year and are 6-2 - 4-1 in the conference - heading into Saturday's game at Scott Stadium.

"Clearly, they've established that they're the team to beat," Groh said. "And until somebody does so, they're the champions."

And a team Virginia will have to get reacquainted with quickly. In 2003, the Deacons were primarily a running team, relying on option and misdirection plays. They still do some of that but also mix in a passing game that puts a premium on quick, short throws. That's one of the reasons quarterback Riley Skinner is completing

72.7 percent of his passes.

"Those are awesome numbers in any system," Groh said.

Groh said he was also impressed by Wake's speed, which he said might be the equal any team Virginia has faced this year, and with its nine non-offensive touchdowns.

"We envy them," Groh said. "I wish we had nine of those this year."

IT'S 'PLAYOFF' TIME

Groh said the team has "rebounded" from Saturday's 29-24 loss to N.C. State, which snapped a seven-game winning streak.

It wasn't as if the team lost 50-10, he said. It was simply a case of a few of the close plays that had gone Virginia's way in previous weeks going against them Saturday.

The players said they're looking at their final three games as a three-way playoff for the Coastal Division crown with Virginia Tech and Miami, the teams directly below Virginia in the division standings.

"We still have our destiny in our hands," cornerback Vic Hall said. "It's like we're all 0-0, with a three-game playoff coming up."

RETURNER RETURNING?

After coming from off the depth chart to win the starting tailback job, Mikell Simpson may get another shot at returning kicks.

Simpson began the year as a kick-return candidate but wasn't showing Groh enough in practice.

"You've got to be pretty aggressive in pushing the ball up there," Groh said.

Simpson has shown more aggressiveness from scrimmage. The hope is that it will carry over on returns. Virginia is averaging just 19.6 yards on kick returns, ninth in the ACC.

"There's good reason to believe he could be productive at that," Groh said.

QUICK KICKS

Groh said there's "a chance" tailback Cedric Peerman, who has missed the past three games with a foot injury, won't be back this season. Simpson and Keith Payne have filled in for Peerman, who was leading the ACC in rushing when he was hurt against Middle Tennessee.... Cornerback Chris Cook (sprained knee), fullback Rashawn Jackson (hamstring), tight end Tom Santi (ankle sprain) and cornerback Mike Parker (ankle sprain) practiced Monday, but it's not clear whether they'll play Saturday.... Kickoff for the Nov. 10 game at Miami will be at 7:15 p.m.

 

Cavs' Peerman may be done for season
Surgery could be ahead for Virginia tailback Cedric Peerman.
BY MELINDA WALDROP | 247-4634
8:20 PM EDT, October 30, 2007
 

charlottesville - Virginia tailback Cedric Peerman may not play in the Cavaliers' final three games this season, according to coach Al Groh. Peerman hasn't played since injuring his foot against Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6. "I'd say there's a chance of that," said Groh, who said Peerman may undergo surgery. Peerman averaged an ACC-best 117 yards through Virginia's first five games before getting hurt. His absence has been felt in the backfield, where Andrew Pearman, Keith Payne and Mikell Simpson have filled in, and on kick returns, where backup fullback Josh Zidenberg has been pressed into duty. He earned U.Va. special-teams-player-of-the-week honors after the Cavs had 152 yards on seven kickoff returns in last week's 29-24 loss at N.C. State. Zidenberg, a senior out of Poquoson, empathizes with Peerman's pain.

"He's been waiting for a long time to get the opportunity to be the starter, and it finally came, and he was performing and living up to what everyone thought he was capable of doing -- and then some," Zidenberg said. "For the injury to happen like that, it was definitely difficult for him, and he's had a hard time dealing with it, especially the uncertainty of not knowing how long this injury is going to take (to heal) and if he'll be able to come back, or when he'll be able to come back.

"He's definitely had a hard time with it, but he's also kept a positive outlook, and he's been there still for the team and (has been) trying to keep us upbeat and focused on what we need to do."

DANGEROUS DEACONS Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner, who is completing 73 percent of his passes, is on pace to break Philip Rivers' ACC season record (72 percent in 2003). But what worries Groh the most is Skinner's quick release.

"That ball is gone," Groh said. "It might be long, it might be short. Whatever the end result of this play is, I'm not gonna get caught holding the ball."

Groh said it's a lesson backup quarterback Peter Lalich, who was sacked three times on eight passes attempts in the fourth quarter at N.C. State, could learn.

"Don't hold the ball," Groh said. "How many words are those? It's said many times on the practice field, (and players say), 'Yeah, OK, I got it.' But there's nobody hitting you."

While worried about Skinner -- "He clearly is a player that the other players draw from his presence, the confidence he brings" and the Deacons' misdirection offense, Groh also knows Wake can score in many ways. The Deacs have an ACC-best nine non-offensive touchdowns on five interception returns, two fumble returns, one punt return and one kickoff return.

THAT'S THE BREAKS While the loss at N.C. State dropped Virginia from 15th to 23rd in the BCS standings and out of the Associated Press and the USA Today coaches' poll, Groh said it didn't put a big dent in the Cavaliers' confidence.

"We were very disappointed in losing the game, but we understand why we lost the game," Groh said. "It wasn't like the score was 50-10 and (it was like), 'What happened?' "

Groh said the breaks that had gone Virginia's way in its seven-game winning streak didn't against the Wolfpack. He pointed to a play in which Chris Long, who blocked a field- goal attempt in U.Va.'s 23-21 win at Middle Tennessee, got a hand on a Pack field-goal attempt, but couldn't keep the kick from going through the uprights.

"(At MTSU), Chris Long blocks a field goal, it goes on the ground," Groh said. "He blocks another, and it wobbles through. It changed the game. It changed two games."

 

Peerman likely lost for the remainder of the season
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 31, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Cedric Peerman's season might be over.
Virginia coach Al Groh conceded as much at his Tuesday press conference, saying the junior tailback hasn't practiced since injuring his right foot against Middle Tennessee 3 1/2 weeks ago.

"I'd say there's a chance (he might not be back)," Groh said.

Though Peerman has not had surgery, it remains an option.

Groh is notoriously tight-lipped about injuries, but he said last week the hang-up involving Peerman's injury is that it is to a weight-bearing part of the foot and can't be rushed in recovery.

A William Campbell graduate who is in his first season as a starter, Peerman remains the team's leading rusher with 585 yards and five touchdowns despite missing three of Virginia's nine games.

He was on crutches with his foot in a protective boot for the Connecticut game, the week after the injury, and did not travel with the team to both Maryland and N.C. State.

"It's hard, especially since he's been waiting a long time to get the opportunity to be the starter," said fullback Josh Zidenberg, one of Peerman's closest friends on the team. "It finally came and he was performing and living up to what everyone thought he was capable of doing."

Mikell Simpson and Keith Payne have taken over the tailback duties in Peerman's absence. Simpson has 200 rushing yards in the last two games.

In other injury news, Groh said cornerbacks Chris Cook (knee) and Mike Parker (ankle), tight end Tom Santi (ankle) and fullback Rashawn Jackson (hamstring) all practiced Monday, but their status for Saturday's game against Wake Forest remains up in the air.

Quarterback Jameel Sewell, who did not play the last 7:09 against the Wolfpack because of cramps, is fine, Groh said.

Groh did not mention left tackle Eugene Monroe, who did not play the final quarter at N.C. State after re-injuring the right knee that kept him out of two games earlier this year.

Santi, who suffered a high-ankle sprain on the first play of the Maryland game 10 days ago, is well ahead of schedule. Groh said that type of injury typically takes a minimum of three weeks of recovery time.

"We're hoping to have him in the mix," Groh said. "But, as we did last week, we're making plans to progress without him as well."


 

Groh hopes Lalich learns from State game
By Andy Bitter
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 31, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE - If there's one thing Virginia coach Al Groh hoped true freshman quarterback Peter Lalich learned after being thrust into a difficult spot at the end of the N.C. State game, it was this: "Don't hold the ball."
Lalich replaced Jameel Sewell, who was battling severe cramps, with 7:09 left in the game and UVa trailing 29-24. In three drives, he went 2-for-8 for 15 yards. He led the Cavaliers to just one first down and was sacked three times.

Groh said he understood Lalich's situation. Most of his experience is from high school, where there are fewer pass rushers and quarterbacks can usually wait for receivers to get open. Not so in the college game.

"That message has been completely learned by (N.C. State quarterback) Daniel Evans. That's one of the principles that (Wake Forest quarterback) Riley Skinner has. That ball is gone," Groh said.

"It might be long, it might short, but those (are) two quarterbacks that their mentality is, 'Look, whatever the end result of this play is, I'm not going to get caught holding the ball back here. It's going someplace.'"

Happy returns

Wake Forest leads the ACC with nine non-offensive touchdowns this season, three more than the next closest team, Virginia Tech.

Those scores have come in a variety of ways. The Deacons have five interception returns for touchdowns (three by cornerback Alphonso Smith), two fumble returns, one punt return and one kickoff return.

"We envy them," said Groh, whose team is lacking in that department.

UVa's only non-offensive touchdown was on an interception by defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald against Pittsburgh, after a deflected pass took several strange bounces to stay in the air.

"We promote it hard, we work at it, we set periods aside for it, we give awards after practice for those who do it," Groh said. "I'd like to know the secret, because we're not getting the bang for the buck that we're putting into it."

Still waiting

Virginia is the only ACC team that has not had its bye. The Cavaliers don't have a week off until Nov. 17, leading up to their season finale against Virginia Tech the following week.

Groh said UVa might suggest to the ACC that no teams should have a bye before a certain week or after a certain week.

"If it was proposed, it's easy to guess what the (ACC's) response would be: 'Well, with our TV obligations, it's difficult to do that,'" Groh said. "But TV obligations and such should not sway the competitive balance of a conference."

Virginia could use a bye right now, if for nothing else to give its injured players a chance to rest. On the other hand, the late timing of their bye will give the Cavaliers two weeks to prepare for their biggest rival in a game that could decide the Coastal Division championship.

Wake Forest had its bye at the end of September.

Extra points

Virginia and Wake Forest have not played since 2003, when UVa won 27-24 at Scott Stadium. ? Tailback Mikell Simpson will get some additional looks at kickoff return during practice. In ACC games, the Cavaliers rank 11th in the conference with a 18.1-yard kick return average. ? Wake Forest is 21st in the latest Associated Press poll. Virginia dropped out after reaching No. 21 last week.



 

Peerman likely out rest of year
October 31, 2007 12:37 am
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

CHARLOTTESVILLE--A promising season for Cedric Peerman could end on a down note.

The University of Virginia junior running back may be out for the season with an undisclosed injury to his right foot, Cavaliers head coach Al Groh said yesterday.

Peerman suffered the injury in Virginia's 23-21 victory over Middle Tennessee State on Oct. 6.

He's missed the past three games, and will definitely be out when Virginia (7-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts No. 21 Wake Forest (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday at noon.

At his weekly press conference yesterday, Groh said, "I'll say there's a chance of that," when asked if Peerman will miss the remainder of the season.

Groh said Peerman doesn't have an immediate surgery scheduled, but then added, "That remains an option in the future."

Peerman had rushed for 585 yards and five touchdowns before he was injured in the Cavaliers' sixth game.

He had a career-high 186 yards against North Carolina among three straight 100-yard outings.

The Cavaliers have made up for Peerman's absence with the emergence of sophomore Mikell Simpson and the steady play of redshirt freshman Keith Payne. Either Simpson or Payne is expected to start against Wake Forest.

Peerman had just 390 career rushing yards entering the season as he served as a backup to Wali Lundy in 2005 and Jason Snelling last season.

"[His chance] finally came and he was living up to what everybody thought he was capable of doing, and then some," Virginia backup fullback Josh Zidenberg said. "So for the injury to happen like it did, it was definitely difficult."

Zidenberg said Peerman "has had a hard time dealing with [the injury]."

"But he's been there for the team," he added "He's trying to keep us upbeat and focused on what we need to do."

Late bye irks Groh

The Cavaliers don't have a week off until Nov. 17. That makes 11 straight weeks without a bye.

Groh said it's something he'll mention to Atlantic Coast Conference administrators after the season.

He said there should be, "a cut-off date by which all the teams in the conference have a bye," and that, "probably none should occur before a certain date."

However, Groh acknowledged the need to follow a schedule for television may interfere with his idea.

"With all our TV obligations, it's difficult to do that," Groh said. "But TV obligations should not sway the competitive balance of a conference."

Not so offensive

Wake Forest has scored nine nonoffensive touchdowns this season. The Demon Deacons have scored off five interceptions, two fumbles, one punt return and one kickoff return.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers have mustered just one such score: a 25-yard interception return from sophomore defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald against Georgia Tech.

"We envy them," Groh said. "I wish we had nine of those this year. We promote it hard, we work at it, we set periods aside for it, and we give awards after practice for those who do it. I'd like to know the secret because we're not getting the bang for the buck that we're putting in on it."

Freshman orientation

True freshmen Peter Lalich and Ras-I Dowling had opposite experiences in the Cavaliers' 29-24 loss to North Carolina State on Saturday.

Dowling, a cornerback, tied a school-record with five pass breakups and registered his first career interception. Lalich, a quarterback, was 2-of-8 passing for 15 yards. He was sacked three times in late relief of starter Jameel Sewell, who was suffering from cramps.

Groh had one message for Lalich afterward: "Don't hold the ball," he said.

As for Dowling, Groh said, "There's every expectation he'll be one of the better defensive players around here."

Injury updates

Junior cornerback Chris Cook (sprained left knee), sophomore fullback Rashawn Jackson (hamstring), senior tight end Tom Santi (sprained ankle) and redshirt freshman cornerback Mike Parker (ankle injury) all returned to practice on Monday. Groh said that doesn't mean they'll play on Saturday.

 

Deacons tough to defend
By Jerry Ratcliffe / jratcliffe@dailyprogress.com | 978-7251
October 31, 2007

When Navy coach Paul Johnson was asked to describe Wake Forest’s offensive style just before the two teams met a couple of weeks ago, Johnson didn’t have to ponder.

“Wake Forest looks like Air Force’s offense, only at warp speed,” Johnson chuckled.

A hodgepodge offense

Certainly there are elements of the Air Force option attack still implemented by Wake coach Jim Grobe because his roots go back to his assistant coaching days under Fisher DeBerry at the Air Force Academy.

But the Demon Deacons that will come to Scott Stadium this Saturday don’t resemble the pure option style of play that Air Force runs, or even the same offense that Grobe brought to Winston-Salem, N.C. It’s kind of like Grobe took all his offensive knowledge and put it in a blender, spitting out one of the most difficult attacks in the country to defend.

“There’s some Wing-T, some Power-I running, and some option style plays in there,” explained Virginia coach Al Groh on Tuesday. “But the option is not there as it was in the past. There’s more drop-back passing, which shows they have adapted to the personnel on hand.”

However you want to describe it, Wake’s offense is averaging 30 points a game, good enough to make the No. 21-ranked Deacs (6-2) one of the hottest teams in the country. Wake Forest’s six-game winning streak is the seventh-longest active such string in the nation.

The last time Virginia played Grobe’s Deacons was 2003, and that’s when Wake was more of a running team. Now, with Riley Skinner at quarterback, the Deacs go airborne regularly. And, no wonder. He is completing 72 percent of his passes this season.

“We used to run [the option] all the time, but we kind of dabble in it now,” said Grobe, who played at Virginia under Sonny Randle in 1973 and 1974. “Now, we try to give you a lot of sets and a lot of things to think about with misdirection ... get the ball to our playmakers, throwing to them or handing them the ball.”

Versatility to go around

He has also tried to find unique ways of getting the ball to those playmakers, such as end-arounds and all sorts of gadgets.

Freshman Josh Adams is one of those playmakers, ranked fourth in the ACC in rushing with 82 yards a game. Wide receiver Kenneth Moore, who played running back for the Deacs out of necessity last season, leads the ACC in receiving this year (60 catches, 656 yards, four TDs), and Kevin Marion, who happens to lead the nation in kickoff returns, is also a threat as a rusher or receiver.

When Grobe came to Wake seven years ago, he brought with him a philosophy all about a strong option attack developed at Air Force, but added to it at Ohio University.

He wanted to continue that kind of football at Wake, but there was a problem.

“We had a quarterback (James McPherson) who was a lot better at throwing the ball than running it, and we had a fullback (Ovie Mughelli) who was better blocking than running,” Grobe said. “I wasn’t happy with it at the time, but we didn’t have option personnel.”

McPherson didn’t have the necessary foot speed for a quarterback to successfully run the option and Mughelli, now the highest-paid fullback in the NFL, would vaporize would-be tacklers with his physical blocking techniques.

“We knew he wasn’t going to be the inside veer type fullback, so we had to find other ways to move the football,” Grobe said. “I guess you could call it forced motivation. Part of that was throwing the ball, which was a little new to us.”

Wake has run some speed option and zone option over the years, but has really kept teams off-balance with the misdirection and quarterbacks who have managed to throw the ball accurately.

Maybe that kind of innovative thinking is what has turned Wake Forest from the Sad Sack of ACC football to the 2006 conference champion, earning Grobe national coach of the year honors.

“[Wake] basically calls a pass almost anytime it wants and it’s going to be completed,” UVa’s Groh said of Skinner’s exceptional completion rate. “that’s a pretty nice feeling to have.”

Like N.C. State’s Daniel Evans did last week, and as former UVa quarterback Matt Schaub used to do, Skinner doesn’t hold onto the ball very long ... he gets it out quickly and efficiently.

If Virginia thought N.C. State’s players were the fastest bunch the Cavs have faced this season, then wait until they get a load of the Deacs. With a roster dotted with Floridians, Wake has dramatically improved its team speed over the years.

UVa defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald said Tuesday that his teammates are going to have to be conscious of maintaining their position, staying in their lanes because Wake will “reverse field in a heartbeat,” in reference to the misdirection, end-arounds, and the like.

UVa cornerback Vic Hall is well aware of the speed that Wake brings to the table, particularly Moore, who caught 30 of his passes in two games. Even though Wake has thrown the ball less than any team in the ACC this season, Moore has nine more receptions than his nearest pursuer in the conference statistics.

“I think they have the most explosive offense that we have played so far because of the speed and the looks that they have in many formations,” Hall said. “We have to really hone in and focus on the different formations that they have.”

One thing is for sure, something has to give when the two teams, each contending for a shot at their ACC division title, collide on Saturday. The winner improves its chances to be in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 1.

 

U.VA. NOTES
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 - 12:06 AM

Hoops team short-handed
Media members were allowed to watch the first part of men's basketball practice yesterday afternoon at Virginia, and the session was as notable for who was on the sideline as for who was on the court.

Among those nursing injuries -- none considered long term -- were guards Calvin Baker, Mustapha Farrakhan and Sam Zeglinski, swingman Solomon Tat, center Ryan Pettinella and forwards Will Harris and Mike Scott.

Running low on guards for fullcourt drills, U.Va. coach Dave Leitao turned to a Hall of Famer for help. That would be Virginia assistant coach Bill Courtney, who was inducted into Bucknell University's athletic hall of fame Oct. 20.

Courtney, 37, starred at R.E. Lee High in Springfield before matriculating to Bucknell, where he was named all-Patriot League as a junior and a senior. With 1,499 career points, Courtney ranks eighth on Bucknell's all-list.

Matched yesterday against Virginia point guard Sean Singletary, Courtney struggled. No surprise there. That happens to most players who taken on Singletary.

One down, one to go
Leitao's team traveled to Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday for a closed scrimmage with West Virginia University. Under NCAA rules, neither media nor fans were allowed to observe.

"Parts of it we played, parts we didn't play well," Leitao said.

WVU's first-year coach, Bob Huggins, was at Cincinnati when Leitao was at DePaul.

"We're not best of friends, but I think we have a mutual respect," Leitao said, "and again we've had some good and distinct battles in Conference USA that allowed us to have that respect."

Huggins' teams are known for playing a physical, intimidating brand of basketball, and Leitao wanted the Cavaliers to experience that.

Virginia opens the season Nov. 11 against Vermont at John Paul Jones Arena. The Wahoos' final tuneup is an exhibition Sunday at 3 p.m. against Division II Carson-Newman at the JPJ.

U.Va. falls short of mark
Virginia, which hosts Wake Forest in football Saturday, is coming off a 29-24 loss at N.C. State. Had the Cavaliers beaten the Wolfpack, they would have set a school record for consecutive victories in a season.

In a program that dates to 1888, Virginia has had five seasons in which it won seven straight games: 1914, 1945, 1949, 1990 and, now, 2007.

Wake gets creative
Virginia has scored one non-offensive touchdown this season: on an interception return by sophomore defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald. The Demon Deacons have scored nine: five on interception returns, two on fumble returns, one on a punt return and one on a kickoff return.

"We envy them," U.Va. coach Al Groh said. "I wish we had nine of those this year. We promote it hard, we work at it, we set periods aside for it, we give awards after practice for those who do it. I'd like to know the secret, because as I say, we're not getting the bang for the buck that we're putting in on it."

AD takes on new assignment
Craig Littlepage will play a different role this week at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville.

U.Va.'s athletic director will moderate a discussion of the documentary "Hoop Realities," which will be shown tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Newcomb Theater. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $3 for students.

This film is a follow-up to the award-winning documentary "Hoop Dreams," which followed the lives and basketball careers of Arthur Agee and William Gates, then teenagers in Chicago.

Agee is expected to attend the showing of "Hoop Realities" and the subsequent discussion. For more information, visit www.vafilm.com.

Littlepage, who played basketball at Penn, is a former head coach at Penn and Rutgers. He served from 2002-07 on the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee. - Jeff White

 

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
College coaches will pay a price for mouthy antics
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 - 12:10 AM

By STAFF REPORTS
NCAA basketball officials will focus on bench decorum rules this season, making sure coaches mind their p's and q's while vocalizing their x's and o's.

The bench decorum rules aren't new, but they have been loosely enforced. That will change this season. The NCAA will reward referees who are consistent in enforcing the rules. Coaches and officials who do not adhere to the rules will be penalized.

Some bench decorum no-no's include disrespectfully addressing an official or attempting to influence an official's decision, using abusive or profane language, taunting an opponent, inciting undesirable crowd reactions and coming onto the court without the permission of an official to attend to an injured player. Coaches in violation of the rules can receive a technical foul.

Here's what some state men's basketball coaches think and say about the rules:

Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech

Greenberg is taking a wait-and-see approach.

"I think that time will tell," he said. "What will happen in the middle of January and February? February usually brings out the dark side of most coaches.

"Sometimes coaches have out-of-body experiences. Some guys have it more often than others. Usually you have them more when you don't have a good team."

Greenberg said the coaching-box rule presents the trickiest problem because some ACC arenas, such as Duke's, are so small that it's almost impossible for coaches to stay in the box. "You have no choice but to be on the court," he said.

Most coaches will pay special attention to remembering the decorum rules, Greenberg said.

"It's something that I'm sure we're all going to be aware of," he said. "I'll probably think about the rule before the game and then hopefully I can behave myself during the course of the game."

Anthony Grant, VCU

"The coaching box is there for a reason," Grant said. "We as coaches need to mindful and accountable for how we handle ourselves on the sidelines. I think this will be good for the game."

Chris Mooney, Richmond

Mooney didn't believe it would have any effect on the way he coaches but is glad the rule is being enforced more closely.

"I hope, like anything else, it's consistent, especially the one about being in the box," Mooney said. "I normally try to stay in the box. I know I need to be aware of how closely they're going to be looking for things. I don't think many coaches will have to completely change what they're doing.

"I think, when you have a very good official, he usually talks to the coach. It becomes more of a commentary rather than anything adversarial. I think the emphasis is to make sure coaches have the correct demeanor on the sidelines. And also for the officials to try and encourage that communication and not to accept anything above and beyond that.

"They want to make sure that officials aren't shown up and that coaches aren't doing anything to affect the crowd."

Dave Leitao, Virginia

Leitao said he doesn't believe he'll think about the decorum rules before or during games.

"I don't think a whole lot, if at all," he said. "I think I trust referees enough that when they tell me that enough is enough that I'm smart enough to know it as well. And I trust myself enough to be not so overly emotional that when I know enough is enough, that it's time.

"I think the coaching box issue, if we're going to have it, then we could probably enforce it a little bit better. But there's a difference between coaching outside the box and berating an official or whatever outside the box. And I think that's the spirit of it, with: Let's clean that portion of it up, as opposed to start calling technicals all over the place because a guy's two or three feet outside of the box."

Dave Robbins, Virginia Union

Dave Robbins, the coach at Division II Virginia Union since the 1978-79 season, said "I hope I've mellowed a little bit over the years and I'm not as rowdy as I once was."

Robbins believes new attention to bench decorum "is good for the game," and sees it primarily as a reminder to coaches to stay in the designated coaches' box.

"When you leave the box to fuss with officials, they're going to hit you with a technical foul, though most good officials are going to warn you if they see you starting to get out of the box," Robbins said. "I guess if we want to stay and watch the game, we've all got to improve some. The young and more [active] guys are going to have to tone it down a little bit."

John O'Connor, Tim Pearrell and Darryl Slater contributed to this story.

 

Interview with Chicago Bears tight end Fontel Mines
by Wade Peery (Scribe) 4 comments
Filed Under: NFL, College Football, UVA Football, Chicago Bears

The beauty of facebook, ladies and gentlemen.

I am constantly adding Virginia football players on there, messaging them and telling them how much I support them. Well, Fontel Mines of the Chicago Bears recently messaged me back, and sure enough I ended up making a Q and A out of it.

This was a pretty big deal for me. Sure, it is a small favor to ask—but something like that can mean a lot to a die-hard Virginia Cavalier fan like me. I have gotten to meet a bunch of former Virginia legends in person, such as former Green Bay Packers tight end Tyrone Davis, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, and former number one overall draft pick, Ralph Sampson.

Even though I didn’t get to meet him in person, this Fontel Mines moment will definitely rank up there as one of my all-time favorites. Anyways, to give you a little bit of background information on Mines: he was certainly a solid receiver for the Virginia Cavaliers. And while Mines may never have won any awards or set any records during his days in Charlottesville, he was an excellent down field blocker and had a solid set of hands.

Mines finished his career with 68 receptions for 737 yards and 5 touchdowns—certainly not the greatest numbers, but not the worst either. His best season in Charlottesville came in 2005, when he caught 28 balls for 345 yards during his junior season. He caught a career-high five passes for 60 yards in the Cavaliers’ stunning 26-21 win over fourth-ranked Florida State that year.

The victory marked Virginia’s second win over FSU win a decade—a testament to Florida State’s former dominance over the ACC. My father was in the stands for the ’95 upset win against the ‘Noles, and it makes me smile to say I was in Scott Stadium for the 2005 stunner.

It was a magical night because I likely saw the best quarterback performance I will ever see in my life—Virginia quarterback Marques Hagans was a man possessed that night. The fleet-footed quarterback was running for his life the entire game, escaping a swarming Seminole defense that seemed to come from nearly every imaginable direction. He made some of the best throws on the run I have ever seen a quarterback make, and gave the Seminole secondary fits all night long, completing 27 of his 36 attempts for 306 yards and two touchdowns.

He was able to find Fontel Mines plenty of times, and I still vividly remember Mines making many impressive grabs on that evening of October 15, 2005.

Mines surprised many people by landing on an NFL roster. He turned many heads and surprised Bears’ head coach Lovie Smith with his performance in the rookie mini-camp after the 2007 draft. “We really liked what our tight ends did in camp—not only Greg Olsen, but Fontel Mines. He did a super job. He really came out of nowhere and really got our attention.”

Smith went on to call Mines the most pleasant surprise of the Bears’ three-day mini-camp: “I didn’t know much about him before he came here,” said the Bears coach. “That’s what’s exciting about these types of camps. You let the guys go on the practice field and it doesn’t matter whether they’re a first-round draft choice or a tryout player.”

Writer Larry Mayer also had words of high praise for the Richmond native, when he wrote that Mines made “several impressive receptions down the middle of the field and caught virtually every pass that was thrown in his direction” during the Bears’ mini-camp.

Anyways, let’s get down to it! I got the exclusive interview with Chicago Bears tight end, in which I asked him about his Virginia days, the decision to switch to tight end, and the Bears’ all-pro linebacker Brian Urlacher, among other topics.

Q: You've been a wide receiver for most of your football career. Many fans, including myself, were pretty surprised when they found out that you are a tight end with the Chicago Bears. Why don't you talk a little bit about the decision to move to tight end and how Uva coach Al Groh helped you in the decision-making process?

A: The choice to move to tight end came at the end of the season when I actually sat down and had a meeting with my former wide receiver coach John Garrett (current tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys) and UVA head coach Al Groh. They both came from NFL backgrounds and they suggested if I wanted to have a long NFL career the best move would be a pass catching tight end. I already had the body frame for the position, the key was to add on weight before UVA pro day and show the NFL coaches I was dedicated to the switch. Before coach Garrett left for Dallas, we worked every Tuesday and Thursday on tight end drills so therefore I would have a jump on the position going into Rookie Camp.

Q: What was your favorite win during your days at Virginia and why?

A: The best win in my UVA career would have to be the night we knocked off FSU when they were ranked #4 in the country. I had a pretty good game with 5 catches for 60 yards. The fans were amazing, my teammates played great, and it was just a memory that will always stick in my mind.

Q: You had the best game of your college career on the biggest of stages, against the Florida State Seminoles at Scott Stadium at night. Why do you feel like you were playing so well that night? Was it just something in the air or were you in the zone?

A: That night at Florida State was a night where the coaches put us in the position to make plays, and the players made them. Marques Hagans made my job a lot easier with his amazing play that night, so I just tried to be there for him and make plays when he threw me the ball. I felt like I couldn’t drop anything, the whole team was out there having fun, playing back yard football and that’s when you play your best. We forgot about the plays, the pressure, the rankings, and just went out and played Virginia football.

Q: Virginia has a prestigious tradition of the tight end position on the college football level. Did you try and learn anything from great tight ends such as Heath Miller or Tom Santi while you were in Charlottesville?

A: Once I finally made the choice to make the move to tight end, I sent Heath Miller a text message asking him advice on the position from a blocking standpoint. The best piece of advice he gave me was to "Hit them before they hit you, keep your hand inside." But our schedules conflicted so we never really got a chance to have the one on one time to work at those things. But I’m fortunate enough now to have a great teammate and friend in Desmond Clarke to teach me the ropes. He played wide receiver in college so he knows where I’m coming from and has been there and already experienced what I’m going through.

Q: I'm sure a lot of people want to ask you about former Miami tight end Greg Olsen. He did some great things at Miami. You're playing alongside him in Chicago. Do you guys have a pretty good relationship and what kinds of things has he taught you about the tight end position?

A: Greg is an exceptional player and most of all very willing to help me with my switch. From Rookie camp till now we have been going through everything together from learning the plays to rookie initiation. It’s good to learn from someone with some of the same skills as me. We both are used in the same type of way so we can grow together and someday will be a force together at the tight end position.

Q: What kinds of things are you interested in once your NFL career is over?

A: Once I’m done playing I would love to go back to my old neighborhood in Richmond and Coach. Give some kids advice and someone to look up to, let them know that it is possible to make something out of yourself. I think a positive male influence is always helpful because a lot of children are being raised in a single parent home as I was and all they need is to be pointed in the right direction.

Q: You play in Chicago with center John St. Clair, who was one of the best offensive linemen in Virginia football history. Do you guys talk about life at Virginia at all?

A: John and I have developed a very good relationship. He has made the transition to the NFL a lot easier for me. We joke all the time with the other guys on the team every week about how well UVA is playing right now. We still keep up with them every week and watch the games when possible. He actually played with Anthony Poindexter, who coached me..so that just reminds me that he has been doing this for a long time and he's very good at what he does.

Q: I bet Brian Urlacher is a nightmare to block. Why don't you talk about him for a little bit.

A: Brian Urlacher is a very humble and modest guy. He's very easy to talk to, and we joke a lot together. Going against him every week is just helping me get better and get to where I need to be to compete against the best players in the NFL.

Q: What different musicians and artists do you listen to?

A: I’m very open to alot of music, but mostly I listen to Lil Wayne, Nas, and Common.

Q: I know you're a Richmond guy and you actually went to the same high school as current Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell(Hermitage High School). Do you keep in touch with Jameel and follow the team's progress?

A: Of course I keep in touch with Jameel, we are very good friends. I try to be there for him if he ever needs someone to talk to. We come from the same type of background, so we can relate to each other. I watch every game that I can on TV. I shoot Jameel and Jeffrey Fitz(Fitzgerald) a text every now and then to let them know how well they are doing, and that the job isn't done yet and to keep working hard.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a Chicago Bear?

A: My favorite part about being a Chicago Bear would have to be the tradition, the fans here are die hard fans and they love any and everyone who plays for the Bears.

Q: Is there anything else out there you would like to say to all the Virginia football fans out there that are curious as to how you are doing?

A: I just want to say Thank You to all the Virginia Fans who supported my teammates and I through the good times and the bad times. I am working hard at keeping the trend of Virginia players to do well in the NFL alive.

Virginia Cavalier fans and Chicago Bear fans everywhere continue to wish Fontel well as he continues to grow and progress in his NFL career! I would like to extend a big thank you to Fontel for taking the time out of his day to answer a few questions from me. It means a lot and I really appreciate it.