Story Links
Aug. 11, 2004
Day one for the Virginia Cavalier football team and only 24 days remain until the season opener with Temple. Prior to his first team meeting of the fall camp, head coach Al Groh spoke to the media.
ANY SURPRISES HEADING INTO FALL CAMP?
“We are like Holiday Inn…there are no surprises. Everyone is healthy and ready to go.”
DID PUNTER SEAN JOHNSON SPEND THE SUMMER KICKING IN CHARLOTTESVILLE AND WHAT IS HIS PROGRESS?
“We thought it was fair that he spend some time at home. Since Sean was gone for two years on the mission he didn’t need to be here. But he did come down from time to time. He’s in good shape and ready to go.”
Note: Johnson originally joined the Cavaliers in 2000 as a walk on and did not play in 2001. He missed ’02 and ’03 while on a church mission.
SINCE YOU AND MARSHALL COACH BOB PRUITT ARE GOOD FRIENDS, DID THAT PLAY A ROLE IN AHMAD BRADSHAW’S TRANSFER THERE?
“Yes…our friendship was a factor.”
HAS SHANNON LANE MADE THE MOVE TO WIDE RECEIVER FOR GOOD?
“Shannon had a very productive high school career at wideout. We didn’t really see everything we wanted to see this spring from him at corner.”
Note: Lane, from Salem High School in Virginia Beach, was an ’03 redshirt, and in high school one of the top 20 wide receivers in the country.
ARE THERE ANY FRESHMAN THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THAT LOOK OR ACT LIKE THEY ARE READY TO PLAY RIGHT AWAY, LIKE PHILLIP BROWN?
“We want all our guys to carry a winning demeanor, not just the freshman. It will be interesting to see who emerges during practice, but there are a lot of things they have to adjust to…like the speed of the game for one. The young guys can’t have a stick your toe in the water attitude, they have to dive right in.”
HOW WAS THE OFFSEASON CONDITIONING PROGRAM AND HAVE YOU SEEN ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES?
“We have had a terrific off season. Evan Marcus did a great job with the guys. We are looking for power and explosion. We wanted to build strength and when the guys were tested several of them have achieved their personal best. For example, Kai Parham had a great off season and should be ready to go.”
WHAT WILL BE YOUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS TODAY?
“When we meet with the team we will give them direction. We will break down what we want to accomplish and emphasize you don’t win games or make plays with your mouth.”
HAVE YOU DETERMINED THE NUMBER OF QUARTERBACK SNAPS EACH PLAYER WILL GET IN THIS CAMP?
“(Marques) Hagans is ahead of the pack. Unless some of the other guys do something to move ahead Hagans is the guy right now. A player can eliminate himself very quickly by missed reads, fumbles, dropped snaps, that kind of thing.”
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE FIRST DAY THAT YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
“This is the most fun part about the job. A coach gets the greatest amount of satisfaction from being on the field. I am very charged because this is the next one.”
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT AHMAD BROOKS’ OFF SEASON DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS MICHAEL JOHNSON’S?
“Brooks had a terrific off season. He has been working very hard to refine his game, trying to get things right and do what he is supposed to do. He made a lot of progress in the spring.”
“Michael had a good level of success with the track team this past spring and that was good for him. Competition is good for anybody.”