Michael Reed Garcia from thefanaticmagazine.com talks about the upcoming Virginia football season.
With 2007 starting quarterback Jameel Sewell out of the picture due to grades, reports are that Peter Lalich will likely be the starter. The former coveted recruit in the 2007 class certainly looks the part at 6'5" and 225 pounds. How did he play in spring ball, and is this young quarterback developing the respect of his teammates?
From what I understand, Lalich’s performance in spring ball left a lot to be desired. Although he did not perform as well as senior Scott Deke, I still expect him to enter the season atop the depth chart.
Last year in summer camp, Coach Groh hinted at concerns about Lalich’s ability to grasp the playbook and command the offense. Given rumors that he is a not-so-stellar student, I expect that issue to continue to surface.
You could see it in the Gator Bowl. He looked confused in the pocket and was thinking too much; he seemed extremely uncomfortable. Whether or not he has learned from that experience and improves as a result is the real issue.
With that said, as long as Lalich maintains his confidence, I expect him to command a reasonable amount of respect from his teammates. He certainly says all the right things to the media, and I feel like his offensive teammates will be patient with a young quarterback, given how Sewell developed over last year. If he is the starter, the team will support him.
The Virginia Cavalier offense really struggled both rushing and throwing the football in 2007. They ranked 101st in the country in total offense out of 119 teams. Injuries appeared to have an effect with starting receivers Kevin Ogletree and Maurice Covington missing significant time, as well as running back Cedric Peerman, who rushed for close to 600 yards in five games before a season-ending injury.
Is Al Groh relying on the return of these players to fix the offense, or are there other adjustments he might make philosophically?
The returns of Ogletree and Peerman especially will help the offense, but let’s face it: Virginia is not a dynamic offensive force, even when fully healthy. The offense is not built around yardage, but rather on ball control and maximizing possessions.
I think the running game will be fine. With Peerman, a bruiser, returning and Mikell Simpson as an explosive second option, the Cavs have sizeable creative license with regard to running the ball.
The real concern is the passing game. With Sewell’s return improbable (but not impossible), there will have to be adjustments. This means no more option runs, fewer shotgun QB reads, and almost no sprint-out type plays. Instead, UVA will have to be more traditional in the passing game, relying on three- and five-step drops (Lalich’s specialty).
So yes, the Grohs will have to adjust how they approach the passing offense, although Ogletree’s explosiveness will help stretch the defense and make Lalich’s job (presumably) a little easier.
The offensive line appears to be strong on the edges with the return of tackles Eugene Monroe, Will Barker, and tight end John Phillips who saw snaps last year. How much of a concern is the interior of the offensive line, and will it affect a lot of the play calling?
The offensive line is at the bottom of the list of concerns right now. UVA has a history of really solid O-Lines, and with Monroe and Barker returning, that should continue to be the case. The interior line, though inexperienced, will be OK. They learned from a strong group of guys last year and should not be a weakness.
Even if they do struggle early, I don’t expect it to be much of a problem. UVA does not run Woody Hayes’ offense. The tackles and tight ends are much more crucial to the run-blocking schemes because of all the sweeps and off-tackle plays Groh calls. The only real issue here is whether or not they will be able to pass protect—and I think they will. The line is maybe the team’s strongest unit.
The Cavaliers return three starting linebackers, all of whom will be seniors. They are led by OLB Clint Sintim, who is on the watch list for the Bronco Nagurski award and led the nation in sacks by a linebacker last year with nine.
How is the defensive line looking, having to replace all three starters, and can they be effective enough to allow one of the finest groups of linebackers in the country to run free?
The defensive line is a major concern. Nate Collins is a formidable nose tackle, and he will definitely be up to the task of stopping inside runs. But I really doubt there is going to be much of a pass-rushing presence from this group.
The loss of Long hurts for obvious reasons, but unexpectedly losing Fitzgerald might be as devastating, because now there is no experienced pass rusher out of the front three.
At best, the defensive line will be able to “free up” the linebacking corps and consume blockers—but it will not make many plays by itself, and sacks are going to be the linebackers’ responsibility.
If there was a weakness in the defense last year, it was probably a lack of turnovers. Will cornerbacks Vic Hall, Ras-I Dowling, and safety Byron Glaspy's experience last year together bring out more interceptions? Is there a comfort level growing?
The defensive backfield totaled six interceptions last year. That is simply not going to cut it with the roster that returns. There is a lot of young talent at the corner position, but the guys there—namely, Dowling, Hall, and Chase Minnifield—are going to have to mature their games quickly.
There is something resembling a comfort level with those players, especially Dowling, considering that he played fantastically at some points last year (he tied for the team lead with two picks and nine pass breakups). Glaspy and Hall are solid, too.
With their collective size and speed, the defensive backs will be able to make more plays. I see more interceptions for this group, but also a lot more yards allowed through the air, because the chemistry might not be there at first, and inexperience at corner could be an issue.
USC will come to town on August 30 as one of the top-ranked teams in the country. What will the Wahoos need to do to start the season with a huge win?
It will take nothing short of a miracle for the ‘Hoos to win.
Where will the Cavaliers fit in the 2008 ACC standings, and will they be a top 25 team?
This could be a bowl team without the dismissals of six players in the offseason, most notably Sewell and Jeffrey Fitzgerald. However, those losses leave huge question marks at QB and defensive line. This, then, is a rebuilding year; the team will not break .500 in ACC play.
I hate to be so negative, but with all the personnel losses (coaches too—let’s not forget the impact Mike London had), it’s hard to see this team being as good as last year’s squad. And had it not been so seemingly charmed, last year’s team could have been 3-9—remember, it only won three games by more than a score.
I see this team going 4-8 (3-5), unless Lalich plays up to his physical capacity or the ‘Hoos are able to fill other positional voids.
I was informed over email this morning that last year's quarterback Jameel Sewell still has a chance to return. He is taking summer classes and is going to appeal to the academic administration for reinstatement. If he gets in, he will be the starter.
comments (11) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
if Sewell plays do you think that would have a big enough impact for them to be in the top tier of the ACC?
3 months ago
Garcia told me his predictions would change if he knew Sewell was going to start...I got the sense that the fans feel he is a big upgrade over Lalich
3 months ago
Sewell is not really good quarterback material, and I don't think he'll play. Lalich is one of UVAs best recruits (not saying a ton since UVA cant recruit worth dog shit anyway), and needs to start this year. they wasted last year by not redshirting him and this needs to be the year he is given control.
UVA is not a top tier ACC team. I don't think they were last year either. They always found a way to squeak by in the last minutes and win close games, but thats all it was--squeaking by. This year, without their player--chris long of course--they will not do well. Somewhere in the 5-7 to 7-5 at best range. I personally think 6-6. Last year was not a very stellar year because all their wins (except Miami) were lackluster, and their losses were a lot more pronounced than their wins.
3 months ago
Lalich is the real deal, give the kid a chance . He'll do just fine.
from 3 months ago
With all due respect tony, I think it might a little premature to refer to lalich as being the real deal. Tim Tebo perhaps, but our young gunslinger has just a little more developing to do. Once he demonstrates a solid command of the huddle, I'll strongly agree with you, however Its a little premature right now my friend. Marcus BKA HOOZILLA.
3 months ago
I agree with Tony. He is really in his first playing year. He will blossom under Groh, and he has 2 great running backs to hand off to and take pressure off of him, not alot of new starting quarterbacks in the nation have that.
3 months ago
There is a reason NFL Quarterbacks do not wear visors...it is a serious red flag when you see one...the player cares about how he looks and doesnt understand that everyone in the huddle is looking at him and his body language, facial expressions are so critical to the tempo of drives..i will also mention how distorted the vision can get...why sacrifice it...Tom Brady, Peyton Manning would rather play in there underwear then disgrace the position like that
from 3 months ago
Your absolutely right Thomas, look at Phillip Rivers, he wore his for awhile, and when he got to the pros, it was gone! As a former football player, I was a MLB and I called plays in the huddle, players fed off my facial expressions and when I look at them, not on the Oakley visor I am sporting.
3 months ago
hahaah wear more ties to football games! cavs suck!
from 3 months ago
Sure was fun watching them suck in College Spark last year, doucebag.
3 months ago
Given the series of evens that surrounded the team and the situation with Sewell academically, I think coach Groh ended up looking like a genious. I'll be the first to admit that I was extremely critical of him pulling the redshirt off of Pete, but in hind site he did the correct thing. On a recruiting note, I believe that the staff at virginia is doing a tremendous job in that area. They're not only bringing in outstanding talent on the field, they're bringing in people that are outstanding in the classroom as well. This is a true testament to the type of Coach and person that Al Groh is, and the type of representative and ambassador he is to University of Virginia athletics as a whole. The program has had a lot of bad luck due to injuries and suspensions that were totally out of his control, however like a good captain he's kept his ship afloat. Yes, this season truely brings a lot of challenges that I believe the team is up to. We have a lot of talent on offense as well as defense. Although we lossed Mike London as defensive coordinator we gained a tremendous coach in Pruett. In think a lot of folks are in for a surprise. The players know it ,and the future recruits as well as the staff are all getting on board to what coach Groh's plans are present and future. Marcus BKA HOOZILLA
write a new comment