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I'll have a write-up on this game soon in my own thread, but I posted this article at SD back in April and it's important to remember:
Sunday, April 9, 2006
Updated: April 10, 11:35 AM ET
Change the theme of UVa's spring practice
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jorge Milian
Special to ESPN.com
Virginia hasn't won an ACC title since sharing the championship with Florida State in 1995.
Don't look for the Cavaliers to break that drought in 2006.
Says who?
Says Virginia football coach Al Groh.
The 2006 season will signal big changes for Al Groh and the Cavaliers.
"We have a significant rebuilding job ahead of us," Groh said. "We've had some losses, some pretty huge losses … "
That would be an understatement. No ACC team has experienced more offseason turmoil -- an arrest, player dismissals and injuries -- than Virginia, which ended the 2005 season on a positive note by defeating Minnesota 34-31 in the Music City Bowl to finish 7-5.
As if the departures of several top seniors, including quarterback Marques Hagans and All-American offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, weren't enough to overcome, word came on the eve of spring practice that three starters on the Cavaliers' defense had been kicked off the team.
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, safety and team captain Tony Franklin and defensive end Vince Redd were all banished for various infractions that Groh has refused to detail. Brooks and Franklin were three-year starters, while Redd made a career-high nine tackles in the Music City Bowl win.
"It's a privilege, not a right, to wear a Cavalier jersey," Groh said by way of explanation. "There are certain ways that we think are essential to put a team together. There's a right way to do that. You can't just chase talent for talent's sake. Now, it's time to move on and deal with the players and the issues that are going to be a part of next year's team."
Groh definitely has plenty of issues to deal with.
Start with an offense that was gutted by graduation. Gone are Hagans, who started every game and played virtually all the snaps at quarterback the past two seasons, tailback and all-time ACC touchdown leader Wali Lundy and three starting offensive linemen, including Ferguson.
Fifth-year senior Christian Olsen, who has thrown only 23 passes since transferring to Virginia from Notre Dame in 2003, has the first shot at replacing Hagans. He is being pushed by redshirt freshman Jameel Sewell, a left-hander.
"It's a privilege, not a right, to wear a Cavalier jersey. There are certain ways that we think are essential to put a team together. There's a right way to do that. You can't just chase talent for talent's sake. Now, it's time to move on and deal with the players and the issues that are going to be a part of next year's team."
Al Groh on the changes at UVa
"We'll start the spring with Chris Olsen; he'll be the first guy to go into the huddle," Groh said prior to the opening of spring practice on March 29.
"And that's the way it is and that's the way it's going to stay until performance by any of the quarterbacks determines otherwise.
"[Olsen] has certainly been around. He's got a good bond with his teammates, which is really where quarterbacking begins."
A bigger concern on offense will be along the offensive line, where replacements must be found for Ferguson, right tackle Brad Butler and center Brian Barthelmes. To make matters worse, starting left guard Branden Albert is sitting out spring practice to concentrate on academics while the highly touted Eugene Monroe, expected to replace Ferguson at left tackle, dislocated his left kneecap on April 1 and underwent surgery.
Defense figured to be Virginia's strength next season despite the losses of inside linebacker Kai Parham, a first-team All-ACC selection who left early to enter the NFL draft, and defensive end Brennan Schmidt, the conference record holder for career starts.
That was before the ax dropped on Brooks, Franklin and Redd.
Brooks had an injury-filled and unproductive season in 2005, but Virginia fans still remember his monster sophomore campaign when he was a finalist for the Butkus Award. Franklin started for the Cavaliers at cornerback and safety and would have added stability to a secondary that is shaky because of injuries to safety Nate Lyles and cornerback Chris Cook. Redd was expected to take over the vacancy created by Schmidt's departure.
"It's not a big issue for me," Groh said. "Those are just personnel decisions we just felt we had to make."
Groh may be faced with another one soon. Cornerback Mike Brown faces misdemeanor and felony charges as the result of a March 3 fight at a university fraternity house.
It's been that kind of offseason for Virginia. And that's just the players.
Groh was forced to overhaul his staff following the departures of offensive coordinator Ron Prince, defensive coordinator Al Golden and special teams coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. Groh brought in four new assistants and promoted his son, Mike, to offensive coordinator.
Of his new staff, Groh said, "It's a very challenging way … to break into their positions."
It may be a very challenging 2006 season all the way around for Virginia.
Jorge Milian covers the ACC for The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post.
Sunday, April 9, 2006
Updated: April 10, 11:35 AM ET
Change the theme of UVa's spring practice
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jorge Milian
Special to ESPN.com
Virginia hasn't won an ACC title since sharing the championship with Florida State in 1995.
Don't look for the Cavaliers to break that drought in 2006.
Says who?
Says Virginia football coach Al Groh.
The 2006 season will signal big changes for Al Groh and the Cavaliers.
"We have a significant rebuilding job ahead of us," Groh said. "We've had some losses, some pretty huge losses … "
That would be an understatement. No ACC team has experienced more offseason turmoil -- an arrest, player dismissals and injuries -- than Virginia, which ended the 2005 season on a positive note by defeating Minnesota 34-31 in the Music City Bowl to finish 7-5.
As if the departures of several top seniors, including quarterback Marques Hagans and All-American offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, weren't enough to overcome, word came on the eve of spring practice that three starters on the Cavaliers' defense had been kicked off the team.
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, safety and team captain Tony Franklin and defensive end Vince Redd were all banished for various infractions that Groh has refused to detail. Brooks and Franklin were three-year starters, while Redd made a career-high nine tackles in the Music City Bowl win.
"It's a privilege, not a right, to wear a Cavalier jersey," Groh said by way of explanation. "There are certain ways that we think are essential to put a team together. There's a right way to do that. You can't just chase talent for talent's sake. Now, it's time to move on and deal with the players and the issues that are going to be a part of next year's team."
Groh definitely has plenty of issues to deal with.
Start with an offense that was gutted by graduation. Gone are Hagans, who started every game and played virtually all the snaps at quarterback the past two seasons, tailback and all-time ACC touchdown leader Wali Lundy and three starting offensive linemen, including Ferguson.
Fifth-year senior Christian Olsen, who has thrown only 23 passes since transferring to Virginia from Notre Dame in 2003, has the first shot at replacing Hagans. He is being pushed by redshirt freshman Jameel Sewell, a left-hander.
"It's a privilege, not a right, to wear a Cavalier jersey. There are certain ways that we think are essential to put a team together. There's a right way to do that. You can't just chase talent for talent's sake. Now, it's time to move on and deal with the players and the issues that are going to be a part of next year's team."
Al Groh on the changes at UVa
"We'll start the spring with Chris Olsen; he'll be the first guy to go into the huddle," Groh said prior to the opening of spring practice on March 29.
"And that's the way it is and that's the way it's going to stay until performance by any of the quarterbacks determines otherwise.
"[Olsen] has certainly been around. He's got a good bond with his teammates, which is really where quarterbacking begins."
A bigger concern on offense will be along the offensive line, where replacements must be found for Ferguson, right tackle Brad Butler and center Brian Barthelmes. To make matters worse, starting left guard Branden Albert is sitting out spring practice to concentrate on academics while the highly touted Eugene Monroe, expected to replace Ferguson at left tackle, dislocated his left kneecap on April 1 and underwent surgery.
Defense figured to be Virginia's strength next season despite the losses of inside linebacker Kai Parham, a first-team All-ACC selection who left early to enter the NFL draft, and defensive end Brennan Schmidt, the conference record holder for career starts.
That was before the ax dropped on Brooks, Franklin and Redd.
Brooks had an injury-filled and unproductive season in 2005, but Virginia fans still remember his monster sophomore campaign when he was a finalist for the Butkus Award. Franklin started for the Cavaliers at cornerback and safety and would have added stability to a secondary that is shaky because of injuries to safety Nate Lyles and cornerback Chris Cook. Redd was expected to take over the vacancy created by Schmidt's departure.
"It's not a big issue for me," Groh said. "Those are just personnel decisions we just felt we had to make."
Groh may be faced with another one soon. Cornerback Mike Brown faces misdemeanor and felony charges as the result of a March 3 fight at a university fraternity house.
It's been that kind of offseason for Virginia. And that's just the players.
Groh was forced to overhaul his staff following the departures of offensive coordinator Ron Prince, defensive coordinator Al Golden and special teams coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. Groh brought in four new assistants and promoted his son, Mike, to offensive coordinator.
Of his new staff, Groh said, "It's a very challenging way … to break into their positions."
It may be a very challenging 2006 season all the way around for Virginia.
Jorge Milian covers the ACC for The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post.
