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Aug. 18, 2007
The football team has its next-to-last day of two-a-days Saturday. Fans attending the morning practice were treated to a very pleasant day for the two-hour session. A second practice is scheduled under the lights at night. This was the next-to-last two-a-day; the team goes twice on Monday.
When the team practices twice in a day, the practices are divided situationally with some contact periods. “The morning is run, play action, short yardage, (and) goal line, situations like that,” said head coach Al Groh. “The afternoon is more drop back pass, third down, red zone, end of the game/hurry up offense/defense. It’s high tempo and there’s certainly a good amount of contact, but it’s not the smash mouth (type of) plays.”
Pearman Moves to Tailback
With last season’s leading rusher, Jason Snelling, moving on to the Atlanta Falcons (he rushed for 50 yards in his first start in last night’s preseason game against Buffalo), the ground game will be turned over to a group of talented, but as yet untested, group. Junior Cedric Peerman is the leading returning rusher with 390 yards, including 153 last fall. He worked hard in the offseason to get in shape for ’07 and has been working with the first team throughout camp.
One player who has made a move position- and performance-wise is junior Andrew Pearman. He saw action in four games at wide receiver before leaving the team late in the season for personal reasons. He worked out with this father, Alvin, at home in Charlotte, N.C., to prepare for his return. With Keith Payne suspended from the team at the start of training camp, Pearman was moved to tailback
“He’s a good runner,” Groh said. “He’s got a good sense of the track of the play. He sees openings well, he’s fearless and he’s got very good speed.”
Simpson Sees Action in Two Spots
Sophomore tailback Mikell Simpson added to his list of responsibilities in the spring by moving to wide receiver in an effort to maximize his play-making skills. In training camp he has alternated between working with the running backs and the wide receivers. “We have to have a plan each day on where he gets his work,” said Groh. “Some days he gets a lot of stuff when he’s out of the backfield and sometimes he gets more when he’s in the backfield. We’re trying to keep him well versed in all the different things because his versatility is one of his talents.”
Veterans Tested in New Spots
Senior safety Jamaal Jackson and junior defensive end Alex Field have spent the last few practices on the offensive side of the ball; Jackson at wide receiver and Field at tackle. Groh has made the moves several times in the past to crosstrain various veteran players so the team doesn’t get caught undermanned at a position. “We’re just trying to lay a little ground work for any contingency things that come up during the season,” Groh said.
Among the players who practiced at spots different than their normal position during their careers at UVa include TB Alvin Pearman, who practiced at wide receiver; G Elton Brown who practiced on the defensive line and WR Ryan Sawyer saw some practice time at safety.
“We look around as we get into the deeper part of camp to see where, if something came up, then someone from a different spot could do us some good (by practicing at a different position),” said Groh. “We’ll probably work it through the weekend with these crossover players.”
Saturday’s Question of the Day
What is the best food at training table?
Gordie Sammis: Mashed potatoes
Pete Bladel: Chicken. I have it every day.
John Phillips: Steak
Hall Simmons: Chicken
Aaron Clark: Spaghetti
Cary Koch: Barbecued chicken
Zak Stair: Chicken
Nate Collins: The burgers
Jack Shields: Burgers and chicken
Order Your 2007 Fan-Shirt
The official 2007 Virginia football fan-shirt is now available exclusively at the Cavalier Team Shop online and the Cavalier Team Shop at the John Paul Jones Arena. The Virginia athletics department has partnered with Nike to produce this season’s shirt. Click Here to order your shirt today!
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Heath Miller, a former UVa tight end, current Pittsburgh Steeler and member of the Cavalier Nation, sports his 2007 Fan-Shirt
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