Story Links
March 21, 2007
UVa Spring Football Central
Season Ticket Information
PHOTO GALLERY: 1st Day of Practice
VIDEO: Pro Timing Day
VIDEO: Pre-Spring Groh Press Conference
A year ago Jameel Sewell entered spring practice as the No. 3 quarterback, saw a limited amount of reps and did not appear to factor as strongly into the position. What a difference a year makes. Sewell wound up starting the final nine games of the year and setting all the UVa freshmen quarterback records. After off-season surgery on his wrist, he was anxious to start the team’s first day of spring practice.
Question: How did the first day go?
Sewell: It felt really good to be back out with the team doing what we want to do and what we love. For the first day, I thought we did really good. But, that is what we expected because we put a lot of hard work in during the off-season. I thought we looked good, but we still have a lot of work to do.
Question: How different is spring ball this year compared to last year when you were playing behind some more experienced quarterbacks?
Sewell: It is different because I know a lot more stuff than what I did simply because of the game experience I now have. There are certain things that might tip me off that I didn’t know last spring. Knowing I can lead this team, that’s a new confidence factor and I know that means the team will click.
Question: Do you look forward to taking on more of a role as a leader on the team?
Sewell: Whatever I can do to help my team. If they need me to step up and be more of a leader that’s what I will do. I’m working on it. I don’t think I’ve gotten there yet.
Question: How did your wrist feel today. Coach Groh commented to the media he was not sure how much you would be able to go this spring?
Sewell: It feels pretty good, just a little sore. It would be no different than if you pulled a hamstring and sat out some. You know you would be a little sore when you came back. So, its kind of what I expected. Its okay and I’ll be able to work through it being a little sore. I didn’t throw as much. I just tried to ease back into it and not do anything to aggravate it. I am extremely happy. I did not expect I was going to be able to do any of this as quickly at all. Everything felt good.
Question: How was is after you had the surgery in late December?
Sewell: It was terrible for me the first two weeks. I don’t think I moved out of bed. The pain was really bad in my wrist. I had to come back here to the emergency room a couple of times to have it looked at. After the first two weeks it kind of eased up.
Question:Have you and Kevin Ogletree compared your surgeries?
Sewell: His surgery was a little different and he said it did not bother him as bad right after his surgery. His recovery period was quicker than mine. It is kind of weird to have your starting quarterback and your starting playmaker receiver have basically the same kind of surgery.
Question: Did the wrist prevent you from participating in the winter conditioning program?
Sewell: I could not lift as much in the weight room, so I would have to do different things at times. That was the only difference. Otherwise, I did everything the rest of the team did during winter workouts.
Question: You are in one of the new season ticket commercials. How was that experience?
Sewell: It was cool. I have not seen it yet, so I don’t know how it turned out. We (with Kevin Ogletree) just ran some plays and they filmed them.
Question: Do you have a specific personal goal for the spring?
Sewell: My goal is to basically just get better. I still need to learn to read the defenses better because they will tip me off to certain stuff and that will make everything I do easier for me. So, I’m working on knowing what the defense is going to do.