Know Your Enemies 4 (Coastal)- Virginia

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Offense

The big news this offseason in Charlottesville was the hiring of spread guru/offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon, who has probably realized by now that he has the hardest and the easiest job in the ACC—at the same time.

The easy part is this—He’ll be working to improve the nation’s 105^th best offense, which is kind of like working to improve Shaq’s free throw percentage (Coach: “Hey Shaq. Shoot some free throws some time”).

The hard part? Almost all of UVa’s decent offensive players from 2008 won’t be around this fall to help Brandon in his new job. The Cavs lose their top rusher Cedric Peerman (774 rush yards, 7 TD), their top three receivers (Ogletree, Covington, Koch), and their top TE (John Phillips). Mikell Simpson, their top returning rusher, averaged just 3 yards per carry in 2008 and their top returning receiver (Jared Green) topped out at 144 yards last fall.

Just to show those feisty Virginia Tech fans that my hatred of bad offense knows no biases or boundaries, I’ve compiled a two-fact list of UVa’s offensive woes from 2008.

–          Oklahoma had 75 more TDs than UVa in 2008

–          UVa scored 3 points against Duke.

With those gloomy statistics in mind, it’s easy for UVa fans to despair until lacrosse season.  But fear not, Cavalier brethren. Jefferson once promulgated:

(say this aloud with aristocratic accent)“My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.”

At the very least, Brandon will have the surprise factor on his side for a few reasons. First of all, he’s an offensive guru. Gurus wouldn’t be gurus unless they were constantly tweaking their offensive schemes, and Brandon’s lit up some defenses at Bowling Green, no doubt. Second of all, no one’s quite sure who will be seeing the snaps at QB. It’s a three way race between slow-mediocrity (Verica), fast mediocrity (Sewell), and the greatest QB in Virginia High School history (Vic Hall).

Seems like an easy answer to me, especially after Hall ran for over 100 yards in Blacksburg last fall. But—as our friend and advisor Thomas Jefferson once admonished—“No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right man in the right place.”

Don’t put it past NFL mastermind, sweatshirt maestro Al Groh to give Sewell (2007- 12 TD 9 INT, 114.9 passer rating) the majority of the snaps, even though Hall has looked exceptional at QB. Hall might have compiled 13,770 yards of total offense as a high school QB (good for 5^th all time…in the nation), but he doesn’t look like a QB. Hall might have racked up 104 career TDs and 2 state titles, but he doesn’t weigh enough.

Why not keep him at cornerback where he can use his talents to NOT even make honorable mention all-ACC?

Expect lots of option and screen passes to both wide receivers and tailbacks. There will also be a lot of rollouts to use Hall’s athletic ability and keep taller defensive ends from batting down his lower throws.

If Brandon and Groh decide on Hall, the young receivers step up, and Mikell Simpson regains his superb 2007 form, then this offense might surprise some people and finish in the top 60 in the country. Otherwise, things are going to be Al-Groh sweatshirt ugly.

QB- Vic “High School” Hall of Fame (16 rushes for 109 yards; 0 for 1 passing)

Is it me or should Al Groh be charged with something for not giving Vic Hall a single carry before their season finale vs. Virginia Tech? Hall finished with 109 yards on 16 carries that game, an unbelievable total against a Bud Foster defense. He’s quick, he’s fast, and he can throw. The only knock on Hall is his height (he’s 5’9”), but UVa’s last respectable QB was 5’10” Marques Hagans, so that shouldn’t be a deterrent.

QB- Jameel “When it comes to Secondaries I don’t” Sewell (2007- 2,176 yards, 12 TD 9 INT, 114.94 QB rating)

Sewell is a decent running threat, but his passing skills are questionable at best. I’m not sure if he will ever be a threat in the air—-he has a low career completion percentage, and that’s saying something because UVa rarely throws the ball down the field.

QB- Marc “Vertical” Verica (2,037 yards 8 TD, 16 INT, 110.9 QB rating)

Vertical Verica actually had some excellent performances—he had an amazing 1.5 minute drill to force overtime against UNC (I still have bad dreams about this), and he also led UVa to wins over good ECU and Georgia Tech teams. For a while, I thought he was a solid ACC QB—but then he threw 4 INTs in a 31-3 loss to Duke. He’s slow, and he doesn’t make up for it with his arm. He’s got no chance at starting or playing much in 2009.

The passing game does not look promising for the Cavaliers, but fortunately the ground game has been a tradition at Virginia since the 18^th century (the campus is even called “grounds!”). Jefferson once said, “No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth.”

I’m no Jefferson scholar, but I think that translates to: “I prefer watching teams that average more than 3 yards per carry on the ground.”

RB- Mikell Simpson- (262 yards, 3 ypc, 3 TD; 2007 stats-972 total yards, 10 TD)

Simpson stepped in for relief duty in 2007 and put up phenomenal numbers, but after the return of Cedric Peerman in 2008, he disappeared, averaging only 3 yards per carry and becoming a non-factor on offense. I think he could really thrive in the spread system though. He’s fast, he’s a great receiver out of the backfield (402 yards receiving in 2007—he’ll line up in the slot sometimes in Brandon’s system), and he should be upset about his subpar 2008 season.

RB- Torrey Mack (former 4 star recruit and Super Prep All-American)

According to Cedric Peerman, Torrey Mack is the “heir apparent” in a tradition of strong UVa running backs that includes Tiki Barber, Thomas Jones and Terry Kirby. If Simpson struggles again, Mack could be the number one guy at tailback.

WR- Jared Green (12 catches 144 yards TD)

Green caught 4 passes for 28 yards in the Spring Game. He had a good showing against USC last fall and should emerge as the Hoos’ top pass catcher.

WR- Kris Burd (65 yards)

Burd had 4 catches for 50 yards in the Spring Game.

WR- Staton Jobe (17 yards)

Jobe finished with 163 yards in 2007, but finished with just 1 catch in 2008. Look for him to become a shifty possession receiver that fits well into Brandon’s spread scheme.

WR- Tim Smith (4 star recruit, class of 2009)

Tim Smith might just be explosive enough to break into the starting lineup this fall.

WR- Dontrelle Inman (former 3 star recruit; 181 yards in 2007)

Inman snagged 2 catches in 8 of UVa’s 13 games in 2007.

Note: Javaris Brown, Matt Snyder will also see some action in the multi-wide receiver sets

TE- Joe Torchia

Torchia is a big target at 6’6 255, but he’s probably not gonna torchia downfield.

Offensive Line

Will Barker is a probable first round pick. Other than that, no one stands out in particular. Nonetheless, this unit was actually pretty decent in pass protection in 2008. They must improve in the running department though, or the spread offense will be a widespread disaster.

DEFENSE

“Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government” —Thomas Jefferson

Virginia allowed just 333 yards per game last year, good for top 40 in the nation. The Cavs lose a lot of talent on that side of the ball though, and should struggle this year, especially against the run. Look for the Cavs front 7 to be conquered by all sorts of running backs this fall.

Defensive Line

DE- Matt Conrath

Conrath returns after starting as a redshirt freshman last fall. He finished 2008 with an impressive 7 TFL and 3 sacks. Not bad for a freshman.

DT- Nick Jenkins

Jenkins also started as a redshirt freshman in 2008. Jenkins racked up 25 tackles and 2 TFL in his freshman campaign.

DE- Nate Collins (36 tackles, 3.5 TFL)

Collins moves from DT to DE in 2009 to give the Cavs more experience on the starting line.

NOTE- John-Kevin Dolce (9 tackles 6 TFL 5 sacks) will also see action.

Linebacker- UVa loses its three best defensive players—all from the linebacking corps—in Clint Sintim (11 sacks), Jon Copper and Antonio Appleby.

OLB- Denzel Burrell

Burrell had a pretty unspectacular 2008. Although he started, he had just 48 tackles and no TFL, sacks, or INTs.

LB- Darnell Carter

ILB- Darren Childs

LB- Cam Johnson

*Terrence Fells-Danzer could also be a major contributor at this position. Word on the street is that this group of LBs, although it lacks the big names and the experience of last year’s group, could be one of the fastest UVa linebacking units in years.

The jury’s still out on all of these guys. I’ll post more when I know more.

Secondary- This secondary will be the strength of the defense, especially if Vic Hall is still playing at this position. Dowling and Cook are both top-level ACC corners, and Minnifield, who was a solid starter in 2008, will likely see most of his time in nickel and dime packages.

CB- Ras-I-Dowling

Dowling certainly makes my ACC All-first-name team, but the 6’2 Cav Corner was also good enough (5 TFL, 3 INT) to earn a spot on the 2^nd team ACC defense.

CB- Chris Cook

Cook is also 6’2, giving the Cavs a giant set of CBs. He sat out 2008, but was an effective starter in 2007.

CB- Chase Minnifield

Minnifield had 25 tackles and 2 picks in 2008.

S- Corey Mosely

Mosely chalked up 46 tackles last year.

S- Rodney McLeod

McLeod switches from CB to S after ending 2008 with 17 tackles and 2 TFL.

—-Tarheel TDs

UVA fans! Look out for more UVa information here on Tarheeltds! blog. I will have an in-depth UNC-UVa game preview later in the fall that you won’t want to miss!