Story Links
Aug. 4, 2003
I thought you might want to read my answers to the questions that have surfaced over the last couple weeks. Naturally, it’s all about Cavalier football right now and I get them everywhere I go…the golf course, the store, the Tiger Fuel Markets’…even church. Wahoo fans are stoked and the “434 Nation” is ready. One explanation….since I’m an Oakland Raider fan, the “434” reference is the same as the “510 Nation” reference….i.e….the Oakland, California area code. Follow? Okay, here we go…
How good are the Cavs gonna be?
Normally, the true Virginia fan answers this before I do….however people want to know how good we’re going to be. Now there is really no way I can answer this in the time they want to spend listening. So I say “pretty good”. I figure that is a safe way to dodge the question that normally makes me break it down into several segments…..injuries, offensive line, running game, wide receivers, linebackers, the kicking game. How I break it down depends on the time I have to really answer. UVA’s 2003 football team is going to be good….very good. There’s added speed, the defense should be better, Matt Schaub has such a grasp of the offense it’s scary, and the Al Groh system is so entrenched now that this will soon be one of the nation’s elite programs when you consider the school, the location, the league, the opponents, the exposure, and the stadium. Man…. this is one great place to follow college football….and one great place to play.
I heard we lost a few guys academically, is that true?
Tough answer for me, but I heard through the grapevine the football players who were in summer school all passed and did exceptionally well. The Cavaliers are lucky to have someone like Kathryn Jarvis, the Associate Director of Academic Affairs, keeping tabs on the players’ grades. Coach Groh monitors the players’ academics and school work as closely as he charts Florida State’s 3rd down tendencies. Everything seems to be fine on the academic front.
Will the loss of (offensive coordinator) Bill Musgrave hurt the Cavs?
Musgrave was great and I loved him. Soft spoken, terrific teacher, and a brilliant football mind. But if you’ve ever been in a football “war room” game plans and practice sessions are a coaching team effort. All of the offensive coaches have practice and game plan input. The head coach is very involved in the offense and Coach Groh and new coordinator Ron Prince have a terrific working relationship. College coaching staffs move on despite the loss of one of their brethren. Game day calls, strategy, weekly practice sessions will move forward. I don’t anticipate any kind of drop off.
Can I get Florida State or Virginia Tech tickets?
Yeah, if you know a season ticket holder…or if you buy season tickets….which are still available. Single game tix for the FSU and Hokie games are sold out, but there are just a few season tickets left.
What is Coach Groh going to do with (Ahmad) Brooks?Note: Brooks, the first year phenom linebacker, was sentenced to 6 months probation following an incident in Northern Virginia.
Coach Groh might…and the operative word here is “might”…address this with the media in the next few days, especially during his teleconferences and press conference media day. The question is going to be asked….but knowing coach Groh he will try to keep this as hush hush as he can. There might be a game or two probation for Brooks, but since he was released on probation in a court of law, Groh might elect to let it go…for now. It’s a Virginia football family issue and will more than likely stay that way.
Mac….are you looking for a fun year?
Should be a bunch of fun.