Cavalier Training Camp Report for Aug. 13
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Open Practice Schedule
Cavalier fans have two opportunities remaining to watch the team practice during training camp. All practices are held on the fields located behind the McCue Center.
The open practices are:
Thurs. (Aug. 14)5 p.m.
Sat. (Aug. 16)8:35 a.m.
Monroe Has “Awesome” Offseason
Left tackle Eugene Monroe was the top offensive lineman in the nation coming out of high school in Plainfield, N.J. He played in every game as a true freshman three years ago before moving into the starting line-up as a sophomore in 2006. He has battled injuries during his career, including missing two games last season.
He has put forth a tremendous effort during the offseason to get ready for his final season.
“(Eugene’s) having a real good camp,” said head coach Al Groh. “He certainly has very quickly gotten a lot of the work done with his game that he was unable to do during the spring because of rehabilitating from his shoulder surgery. It doesn’t look like he’s missed any time at all.
“He’s really catching up on some things and is doing a real good job for us. He’s had an awesome offseason; he really did a great job. (He’s a) very purposeful, mature young man who is ready to go. He’s going to graduate in seven semesters; he’s really done a great job here.”
At 6-6, 315, he has the quiet demeanor of a gentle giant off the field that he quickly sheds once he’s in the trenches.
“He’s one of our toughest players,” Groh said. “When you have to try to get by him or you’re getting hit by him, I think that anybody who is across from him would have a very high regard for how he plays.
Barker Having Positive Training Camp
Junior right tackle Will Barker enters his third year as a starter after starting all 25 games his first two years. Last year he was the youngest on the offensive line, but this season he’s moved near the top of the experience scale, trailing only Monroe.
With the team having to replace both guards and the center, Barker is likely to be a key ingredient to success on offense this season.
“It’s gone positively for Will so far in camp,” Groh said. “We’re really seeing a lot of positive progress in what he’s doing. If he can catch up to the level of (Eugene Monroe) and we can have two bookends on either side like that, then obviously we’d be in a very positive position. Particularly with the inexperience in the middle of the line, Will’s continued development is going to be a very important thing for us.”