Story Links
Photo Gallery Coach Video Recap of 1st Practice
Aug. 6, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia football team began preparations for the 2007 season Monday evening with the opening practice at the McCue Center practice fields. Thirty-three lettermen, including 18 returning starters, hit the field in helmet and shorts for the first time.
“Check it off, it’s done,” Groh said of the first practice. “There are certain things that have to be done in the first practice. Now we can get to pads and it moves us all along. We were able to get some installation done. It’s like writing a very rough draft of a first story. You probably write a lot more before the final draft.
2006 starting quarterback Jameel Sewell, who had offseason wrist surgery, ran the offense for the first time since the conclusion of the 2006 regular season.
“Jameel has some things to improve on,” Groh said. “He needs to throw every day before we can get a good assessment of him.”
The team has its first open practice at 2:20 p.m. and then twice Saturday at 8:35 a.m. and 6:35 p.m.
The annual Meet the Team event is Sunday from 3-4:15 in the pergola area above the north end zone in Scott Stadium.
Notes
– Four walk-ons joined the team this season – QB Brendan Lane (Annapolis, Md./Severn), FB Curt Orshoski (Culpeper, Va./.Culpeper), OL Dave Roberts (Sarasota, Fla./Riverview) and TB William Webb (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park).
Question of the day
Newcomers: what are you most excited about entering camp?TE Tony Konstant: Just 20 days of football.
PK Chris Hinkebein: I’m excited just to get to know everybody and be a part of the team.
WR Jared Green: Just getting out there and running with the team and being a part of the tradition here.
WR Dontrelle Inman: Trying to go out and get myself a spot on the field.
OL Landon Bradley: See what I can do for the team and see where I stand.
DL Zane Parr: To work hard and hopefully be able to play this season and get better.
LB Terence Fells-Danzer: Going from high school to college, it’s a big step in my life. It’s better competition and great coaches to learn from.
OL Lamar Milstead: The level of intensity. It’s going to be a lot faster and interesting than high school camp.
LB J’Courtney Williams: Getting out there, going through the routines and getting used to playing with the veterans. It’s going to be hard but I’m looking forward to the challenge.