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Football
Brown Will Have to Play Catch-Up
April 9, 2010
12:28 p.m.
CHARLOTTESVILLE — That Javaris Brown is one of the most talented wide receivers in UVa’s football program is unquestioned.
A high-ankle sprain marred his 2009 season, but Brown had a 56-yard touchdown catch against TCU and averaged 13.3 yards on his other six receptions as a redshirt freshman.
But the 5-11, 175-pound speedster from Macon, Ga., hasn’t practiced this spring, for reasons that new coach Mike London has declined to disclose, and Brown won’t play Saturday afternoon in UVa’s intrasquad scrimmage at Scott Stadium.
“Yes, he’s fallen behind, because of not being able to participate,” London said this week. “But it’s just one of those things. My expectations in the classroom and on the field and in the community are clear. It’s unfortunate that his situation is one that has not allowed him to get out there.”
In Brown’s absence, the reps at wideout have been divided among Tim Smith, Kris Burd, Dontrelle Inman, Jared Green, Matt Snyder, Quintin Hunter and Bobby Smith. Another Cavalier, Kevin Royal, moved from receiver to H-back this spring.
“We’ve got some guys that have picked up the slack and guys that have a chance to make yards after the catch,” London said.
“When Javaris is back and ready to go, his learning curve will have to increase, because those guys have had a spring practice [that Brown hasn’t].”