ACC: Gregg Brandon
ACC recruiting needs: Coastal Division
DUKE
Defensive linemen: Redshirt juniors and seniors comprised the bulk of the two-deep depth chart in 2009, and the recent dismissal of backup John Drew plus the graduation of Vince Oghobaase makes it a position of concern. The interior line needs the most help.
Running back: The Blue Devils never quite got their running game going in 2009 and will have to start to make a push at this position to help break in new starting quarterback Sean Renfree. Re’quan Boyette will have to be replaced.
Offensive line: In looking ahead, the Blue Devils will have six redshirt juniors or seniors up front in 2010. While that’s good news for the immediate future, Duke needs to work ahead for what it will lose in 2011.
GEORGIA TECH
Defensive backs: The biggest loss is obviously safety Morgan Burnett to the NFL draft, but the Jackets need to look ahead. Safeties Mario Edwards and Dominique Reese will be redshirt seniors this year, and cornerback Mario Butler will be a senior.
Defensive linemen: For the second year in a row it’s a concern, and thanks in large part to the NFL draft. Derrick Morgan will be missed, but overall this group needs an upgrade.
MIAMI
Offensive line: Three starters will have to be replaced, including the Canes’ top veteran, Jason Fox. Both guard positions are also short-timers, as Orlando Franklin and Joel Figueroa will both be seniors this fall.
Linebacker: Darryl Sharpton is the lone senior departing, but this unit could use more depth. It’s been a problem since Randy Shannon took over. And while the staff has made progress, injuries have continuously depleted the group.
Secondary: The Canes will have to replace Chavez Grant and Randy Phillips, and DeMarcus VanDyke will be a senior. Miami improved its interceptions in 2009, but not by much, ranking No. 87 in the country with nine. Of course, it helps to get pressure up front to force quarterbacks into those mistakes.
NORTH CAROLINA
Offensive line: This is where the Tar Heels’ offensive improvement needs to start, and it didn’t help that this year’s unit was battered and bruised most of the season. Two starters will have to be replaced this year and five more of the top players in the rotation will be seniors in 2010.
Linebacker: UNC needs to reload at this position, and it's taking the right steps in that direction with this class. Although Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter elected to return, it’s only a matter of time before the talented seniors have to be replaced.
VIRGINIA
Quarterback: The Cavs have a lot of questions about this position heading into 2010 and beyond. The good news is that Michael Strauss has already enrolled this semester, so he’ll get an early start with spring ball.
Playmakers: Vague, yes, but it’s exactly what this program needs. Part of the reason Gregg Brandon’s spread offense didn’t work was because he didn’t have the personnel to execute it. Virginia will lose its most versatile player in Vic Hall, will have to replace fullback Rashawn Jackson, and needs more than just Mikell Simpson.
VIRGINIA TECH
Linemen: The Hokies will need help on both sides of the ball, particularly interior defensive linemen. Six of the eight players on the 2009 two-deep defensive line were either juniors or seniors. Starters Ed Wang and Sergio Render will have to be replaced on the offensive line this year.
Defensive backs: This unit will be hit hard with departures in the next two seasons, as starters Kam Chancellor and Stephan Virgil have to be replaced in 2010, and Rashad Carmichael and Davon Morgan will be seniors.
Quarterback. With Tyrod Taylor being a senior next year, the staff will have to look ahead. There’s a lot of inexperience and question marks behind him. The one thing they don’t need in Blacksburg? Running backs.
Talk about an omen of things to come.
It was another trying season in Charlottesville, but one that was too difficult to ignore. Virginia (3-9, 2-6 ACC) ended the season with six straight losses, a finish which cost Al Groh and all but two of his assistants their jobs. In typical Groh fashion, though, there was a point during the season when it seemed as if Virginia might rally, just as it had done so many times before. After opening the season with three straight losses, Virginia used its bye week to regroup and reeled off three straight wins to suddenly jump back into the Coastal Division race. It turned out to be a fleeting moment, and the Cavaliers were exposed once they faced better competition.
Much of this year’s struggles could be attributed to the sweeping offseason staff changes, in which offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon was hired to implement the spread offense. The change didn’t work, as Virginia didn’t have the personnel to execute it.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Jameel Sewell – He rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown against rival Virginia Tech, and finished the season with 1,848 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He completed 53.8 percent of his passes. He had his 10th 200-yard passing game against BC.
Defensive MVP: Nate Collins – He finished second on the team with 77 tackles, but led the defense with 10.5 tackles for loss, had six sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Turning point: After evening their record at 3-3 following an 0-3 start, the Cavaliers surrendered an 18-play, 82-yard, 10:47 third-quarter scoring drive by Georgia Tech to allow the Yellow Jackets to pull ahead 20-6 in what had been a close game. Georgia Tech won 34-9 and UVA did not win again the remainder of the season.
What’s next: Former Richmond coach and UVA defensive coordinator Mike London has officially taken over and faces the difficult challenge of regrouping the fan base, filling the seats, recruiting and beating Virginia Tech. No pressure.
Clemson is baffled.
Virginia is in this game, tied at 14.
Al Groh and offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon are reaching into their bag of tricks. They're finding ways to use the athletes they have. Too bad they waited until now to do it.
Following an 0-3 start which could be attributed in large part to a young team trying to transition to a new offense under first-year coordinator Gregg Brandon, Virginia coach Al Groh’s job appeared to be on the line. The season opening loss to William & Mary was the ACC's most embarrassing defeat of the first half of the season. But the Cavaliers started to see progress in their loss at Southern Miss, and continued to build upon it during the bye week. The result was an upset at North Carolina that translated into a three-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s showdown against Georgia Tech. Groh has developed a reputation for his comebacks, and so far, this year is no different as the Wahoos are currently undefeated in conference play and in the lead in the Coastal Division -- an unfathomable scenario at the end of September. But Virginia has yet to prove itself against top competition, as their wins have come against opponents with a combined 10-10 record, none of which have winning records in conference play. Although Virginia still has something left to prove on the field, it has certainly proven its resiliency and determination off of it.
Offensive MVP: Jameel Sewell. After missing last season for academic reasons, Sewell has made a comeback both on and off the field as a leader this fall. He extended his passing streak without an interception to 109 in a win over Maryland last week and moved career total to 4,611 passing yards. He has completed 55 percent of his passes this year for 1,093 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions, but he is also the team’s third leading rusher despite the fact Virginia is 118th in the country out of 120 ranked teams in sacks allowed this year.
Defensive MVP: Ras-I Dowling. He’s been at his best lately, as evidenced by his career-high nine tackles, including a sack, in the win over Indiana. He also had his first interception of the year and had another negated by a penalty. He’s tied for third on the team with 31 tackles. He also has a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Virginia's not over yet (but it's over)
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Virginia's offense is bad. There's no other way to say it.
Is this the payoff for firing your son? Because Gregg Brandon certainly hasn't been able to work much magic in Mike Groh's absence. What started out as a respectable game against TCU has turned into an embarrassment, as Virginia trails 30-0. Virginia can't even get into the red zone, a place TCU might as well set up camp.
The Cavaliers are 2 of 12 on third downs and 0 for 2 on fourth downs. They have 72 yards of total offense. Jameel Sewell has been sacked seven times. Road trips to Southern Miss and UNC loom. It looks like it will get worse before it gets better. Duke won today, officially stepping over Virginia at the bottom of the ACC.
Did you see how empty Virginia's stands were late in the fourth quarter? Doesn't bode well for Al Groh's support group. And if Virginia keeps this up, he's going to need all the help he can get.
Virginia's offense continues to struggle
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
There was so much hype this summer surrounding the mystique of Gregg Brandon's spread offense. Well, the Cavaliers' fans are still waiting to see it. Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, Virginia has just 54 yards of total offense. TCU's defense deserves some credit, and the game is hardly out of hand, but Virginia only has 10 passing yards. For the second straight weekend, Virginia is depending too heavily upon its defense.
The ACC put another thriller on display Thursday night in Georgia Tech's 30-27 win over Clemson. Here's a look at what else is on tap in the conference this weekend:
- Maryland defensive coordinator Don Brown took full responsibility for the Terps' implosion on defense last weekend against Cal. Brown told The Washington Post, "I am completely responsible for it. I am accountable for it."
- Virginia Tech's defense wasn't entirely flawless, either, though it was hardly the debacle Maryland had. Sometimes, though, it only takes five plays to turn a game.
- Maryland's Brown wasn't the only coordinator in the ACC to come up short in his debut. Things didn't turn out as expected for Virginia offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon, either.
- Despite the loss to Baylor, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe still sees reasons for optimism - and no reason to shake up his lineup.
- NC State wide receiver Jay Smith knows he dropped a big pass in the end zone against South Carolina, and he's working hard to make sure it doesn't happen again.
- Does Boston College have a new star in the making at linebacker? It will if 18-year-old Luke Kuechly continues to soak up information from Mark Herzlich and Mike McLaughlin and play like he did last weekend.
- Miami receiver Travis Benjamin doesn't hold a grudge against Florida State for not recruiting him. He just wants to beat the Noles. And this year, he helped do that.
- Will the Canes have better luck against Georgia Tech this year than in 2008? Miami coach Randy Shannon doesn't even want to think about last year.
- The public arguments between FSU president T.K. Wetherell and the NCAA are getting a little bit embarrassing.
- Virginia Tech punter Brent Bowden is in his third season as the Hokies' top punter, and he's aiming to make it his best.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich
There's been a little shakeup this week.
1. Georgia Tech (1-0) -- The Jackets were one of the few teams in the conference to take care of business against a nonconference opponent, though they did have some kinks to work out against Jacksonville State. Still, they’ll need to up the intensity level a notch for Thursday night’s game against Clemson.
2. Miami (1-0, 1-0 ACC) -- The Hurricanes put on a fantastic show in their 38-34 road win over FSU, and quarterback Jacory Harris showed both his durability and his calm in the clutch with that 40-yard pass play to Travis Benjamin that set up the winning score. This momentum can go a long way with a bye week to prepare for Georgia Tech. Because of the way they struggled defensively against the Jackets last year, though, I couldn’t give them the top spot just yet.
3. Virginia Tech (0-1) -- Don’t write off the Hokies just because they lost to Alabama. In case you forgot, they won the ACC title and the Orange Bowl last year with the same offense. And Bama is the No. 5 ranked team in the country. Not William & Mary. Still, after watching Miami’s offense it’s hard not to wonder how good the Hokies could be if they could air it out like that. And that’s why the Canes have moved up the ranks, thanks in large part to Mark Whipple.
4. Florida State (0-1, 0-1) -- So close. It was so close. Christian Ponder threw for 294 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and added a rushing touchdown. He put his team in position to win and FSU proved it’s got a few receivers -- and a tight end -- who can catch the ball. If the defense catches up to the offense, the Noles will be tough to beat, but clearly they’re the best team in the Atlantic Division until somebody proves otherwise.
5. North Carolina (1-0) -- UNC’s offense looked good against The Citadel, but it will face a bigger challenge on the road Saturday at Connecticut. The defense reinforced what we already knew -- it’s very good. Not until UNC plays Georgia Tech, though, will we really know the Heels’ place in the Coastal Division.
6. Clemson (1-0) -- The Tigers still have some questions on offense, and we’ll learn more about it on Thursday when they face Georgia Tech. Clemson came out with six defensive back and only one traditional linebacker against Middle Tennessee, and that’s a scheme that obviously won’t work against the Jackets’ spread option.
7. NC State (0-1) -- This is a better team than the one that showed up against South Carolina, but it can’t afford until the second half of the season to show it. Quarterback Russell Wilson needs some more time to set his feet, and his receivers need to help him out a bit. They’ve got to start running the ball more effectively, though, to open up the passing game.
8. Wake Forest (0-1) -- The Deacs hurt themselves with four turnovers in their loss to Baylor, but it’s important to realize that Baylor is a much improved team from a year ago. Still, more was expected from quarterback Riley Skinner, who threw three interceptions, and the defense still has some questions to answer.
9. Boston College (1-0) -- Before we go crowning them champs of the Atlantic, the Eagles will need to play some tougher competition before their true potential can be evaluated. They deserve credit, though, for thumping Northeastern and proving they’ve got a capable offense despite such inexperience at quarterback. It was a great head coaching debut for Frank Spaziani.
10. Maryland (0-1) -- Yes, Cal was a better team, but Maryland’s weaknesses up front on both sides of the ball were exposed, and those are problem areas other teams will prey on. Quarterback Chris Turner was sacked six times, and the Terps’ new defense allowed almost 600 total yards.
11. Duke (0-1) -- The Blue Devils didn’t look like the improved team they had spent all summer talking about, and didn’t give the effort coach David Cutcliffe said was needed to beat FCS defending national champion Richmond. The Blue Devils have tough road trips to Army and Kansas looming.
12. Virginia (0-1) -- At least Duke lost to the best team in the FCS. Virginia lost to William & Mary, and turned the ball over seven times in the process. The Cavaliers will host No. 17-ranked TCU this weekend, and will need much more from Gregg Brandon’s spread offense.
Virginia staring down possible 0-4 start
Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich
Things aren’t going to get any easier for Virginia. In fact, Saturday was supposed to be the dress rehearsal.
If the Cavaliers continue to play the way they did in their 26-14 season-opening loss to William & Mary, UVA could very easily be looking at an 0-4 start.
No. 17 TCU is coming to town this weekend, and in case you haven’t noticed, the Mountain West Conference is to be taken seriously. The best news for Virginia about its next opponent is that the Horned Frogs lost seven defensive starters from a group that was one of the best in the country last year. In addition to TCU, Virginia then has to travel to Southern Miss, before finally getting a bye week to regroup before traveling to North Carolina.
The question is, how will Virginia respond to one of their most embarrassing losses in recent history?
“We’ll see,” said coach Al Groh. “A lot of it has to do with the resolve of the players to fix the things that led to a less than desirable start.”
Groh has since spoken to all three of his quarterbacks -- Jameel Sewell, Mark Verica and Vic Hall -- and said that there were a few plays each one of them would have liked to have back. Sewell accounted for three of the team’s seven turnovers, and Virginia averaged just 4.2 yards per pass. While Virginia appeared to start out in a better situation than it did a year ago because there were more options and experience at quarterback, it wasn’t exactly the debut Groh was looking for under first-year offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon.
“We have a lot of plays there at that position we need to improve upon,” Groh said of quarterback. “Our hopes were for a lot more positive performance offensively. We’re far from satisfied with what we got."
With the lineup that’s still ahead, there’s no way they can be.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Gregg Brandon and his new spread offense couldn't even put up enough points to beat William & Mary. Virginia lost 26-14. That's worse than NC State losing to South Carolina, and Wake Forest losing to Baylor. It's worse that Virginia's loss to Duke last year. This one will resonate for a while, and the calls for Al Groh's job will get much louder much faster.
Virginia just reached a new low, and it brought the ACC down with it. And it's only the opening week.
With Duke currently trailing Richmond, the ACC can't even seem to get an edge on little guys. Fortunately for the conference, Virginia Tech is putting up a fight against Alabama, albeit without a touchdown, but hey, that's what the Hokies do -- win with defense and special teams.
At this point, the ACC will take it anyway it can get it.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Each team has one area, one phase of the game, one position group -- something -- that will help determine how its season unfolds. Here's a look at the keys to the season for each team in the ACC:
BOSTON COLLEGE -- The Eagles need to find a dependable leader at quarterback, somebody capable of managing the game without losing it for them. The rest of the pieces are in place on offense for the Eagles to have a respectable season, but they need to find their identity.
CLEMSON -- Considering much of the same talent returns from the team that received so much hype a year ago, it's up to the new staff to do what their predecessors couldn't, and contend for the Atlantic Division title. How first-year offensive coordinator Billy Napier and coach Dabo Swinney fare on the sidelines will be key.
DUKE -- Pave the way for quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and Re'quan Boyette. The Blue Devils have two standout players on offense, but they need the supporting cast. It should be a receiver-by-committee effort to replace Eron Riley, and if three new starters on the offensive line can give Lewis and Boyette the timing they need, the Blue Devils should surprise some people.
FLORIDA STATE -- The offensive line should be the best in the conference and could be one of the best in the country, even though there's still not a senior in the lineup. With so many questions on defense, this unit will be the anchor and help the offense ease the burden of a defense in transition.
GEORGIA TECH -- If the Jackets make a seamless transition on the defensive line, where they lost three NFL-bound starters, there's no reason Georgia Tech shouldn't be atop the Coastal Division standings again. With 19 starters returning, the only pieces that are missing are up front.
MARYLAND -- The Terps will fare as well as their offensive line, and it's a group that has 27 career starts up front. They lost five of their top seven linemen from a year ago, and the success of veteran quarterback Chris Turner and running back Da'Rel Scott will hinge upon the blocking and protection they get up front.
MIAMI -- Starting off strong and keeping Jacory Harris unscathed in the process will keep the Canes in the running to win the Coastal Division. Following the transfer of both backup quarterbacks, Miami can't afford to lose Harris, nor can it afford to lose its first four games.
NORTH CAROLINA -- Finding receivers and a cohesiveness on the offensive line would make Carolina a complete team. The Heels have a championship-caliber defense to work with, but replacing their top four receivers from a year ago could take some time.
NC STATE -- Staying healthy has been one of the Pack's biggest obstacles, if not the biggest, and before the season even started they lost their best player in linebacker Nate Irving. Cornerback DeAndre Morgan will miss the opener with an ankle injury. NC State is a better football team, but nobody will know it if key players continue to go down.
VIRGINIA -- Find playmakers, starting with the old Mikell Simpson. It's cliche, yes, but the Cavaliers lost their top five pass catchers from a year ago, their leading rusher and their top three linebackers. Gregg Brandon's spread offense will only be as effective as the players who execute it, and if Simpson returns to his 2007 form, he could be an X factor for this team.
VIRGINIA TECH -- Keeping Tyrod Taylor healthy is the only way the Hokies will challenge for their fourth ACC title since joining the conference. None of his backups have any collegiate experience, and Taylor's backups were needed a year ago. While some fans might not exactly miss Sean Glennon, he did win them an ACC title.
WAKE FOREST -- Find stability on defense. The Deacs can survive without the likes of Alphonso Smith and Aaron Curry because they've still got solid veteran players. If everyone knows their role, plays assignment football and doesn't try to do too much, Wake will win with a group effort.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Here are five things that will play a role in the ACC's conference race this fall:
1. Virginia Tech's backfield. How the Hokies recover from the season-ending injury to star tailback Darren Evans will go a long way in determining their fate on the national stage, and it starts in the season opener against Alabama. They've got reasons for hope in Josh Oglesby, David Wilson and Ryan Williams, but for the most part, their talent is unproven. Until Tyrod Taylor and the receivers show the passing game is a dependable option, it's going to be up to the young backs to make the difference.
2. Health of starting quarterbacks. Tyrod Taylor. Josh Nesbitt. Chris Turner. Jacory Harris. Christian Ponder. Russell Wilson. Riley Skinner. They're all backed up by players who have yet to take a collegiate snap. NC State's situation should improve with Mike Glennon, and expectations are high for E.J. Manuel at FSU, but some teams -- like Maryland and Wake Forest -- would experience a significant drop-off if their starter went down.
3. Georgia Tech's defensive line. It's the biggest question the Jackets are facing this fall, as they have to replace three of their four starters up front who combined for 87 career starts. Those within the program seem confident the previous backup experience of the new starters will help make for a smooth transition. With a league-high 19 starters returning, it's the only unknown for these Coastal Division contenders.
4. Coach/coordinator changes. The entire package at Clemson is worth watching, as Dabo Swinney was promoted from wide receivers coach and Billy Napier, at 30 years old, is now the offensive coordinator. At Boston College, first-year coach Frank Spaziani has his hands full, and introduced first-year offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill to a team that lacks a starting quarterback. At Maryland, Don Brown's defense is sure to throw several ACC offenses off-kilter, and there's a buzz around Miami's offense that has been lacking now that Mark Whipple has arrived. And the Canes will have their third defensive coordinator in as many seasons with John Lovett. Virginia will unveil a spread offense under first-year coordinator Gregg Brandon.
5. New faces at receiver. The ACC has something it's been missing, and that's quarterbacks with experience. Problem is, many of them don't know who they're going to be throwing to. Virginia lost all of its top receivers, and so did NC State. Maryland said farewell to Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Clemson to Aaron Kelly. Duke lost Eron Riley and Wake lost D.J. Boldin. The list goes on. Beyond Clemson's Jacoby Ford and Georgia Tech's Demaryius Thomas, the ACC is lacking many proven receivers. Several schools -- like Miami -- have a long list to choose from, but who will separate himself?
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Another Monday, another day of links. Here we go, ACC fans ...
There wasn't too much to like from BC's quarterbacks in the first scrimmage, leaving coach Frank Spaziani still unsure of who his starter will be this fall.
BC receiver Clarence Megwa's comeback story has been put on hold, thanks to an injured right hand. The Eagles still have a leader at receiver in Rich Gunnell, who was named captain, making him the first receiver captain in 19 years.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney thinks the benefit to keeping C.J. Spiller on special teams outweighs the possibility he might get hurt.
UNC has some problems on the offensive line, and it's going to force some players to tackle more than one position.
Virginia's new offensive coordinator was used to being in the spotlight as head coach at Bowling Green. Now Gregg Brandon's role has changed, but it's just as important.
FSU's receivers could be a lot better than people expected a few months ago. Andrew Carter of the Orlando Sentinel gives a worst case/best case scenario for each player.
The injury to Georgia Tech backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw is significant enough it could play a role in the Coastal Division race, writes Tony Barnhart.
Wake Forest might not be ready for Baylor yet, but quarterback Riley Skinner is.
Former Maryland backup quarterback Josh Portis has found a new home in California, Pa. It might not be the biggest town on the map, but it offers Portis a chance to play.
Former NC State player Edrick Smith was killed in a car crash early Sunday morning.
Virginia OC Brandon says Cavs have personnel for spread
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia quarterback Vic Hall compared it to Texas Tech. So did cornerback Ras-I Dowling.
Gregg Brandon, though, speaking publicly for the first time since he was hired, compared his offense to Bowling Green's.
After all, that's where he came from, and that's what Virginia's offense will look like this year.
"It's kind of a different system than what Virginia is going to be used to," Brandon said.
Fans will see an up-tempo, no-huddle offense designed to get the ball to the perimeter quickly, open up the running lanes and rack up yards after the catch. Brandon wants to get the ball into the hands of players who can break tackles and yes, he said, Virginia has the personnel to execute his version of the spread offense.
"We're not thin at receiver, but we're young there," he said. "Those guys will continue to mature and grow. ... But we're certainly good at running back, quarterback, our offensive line, four of those kids have started. We're pretty solid that way."
The depth chart, though, has yet to take shape, and that's only because coach Al Groh and his staff want to take their time in evaluating the players and give them all ample opportunity to compete for the jobs. During the spring, the core of the offense was installed. This summer, Brandon has opened the playbook more, and said he was impressed by how much the players retained from the spring.
He still has to find a quarterback, though, and at the end of the day, Groh will make the final call. One thing is clear, though -- this offense is best-suited for a quarterback who can run, and that puts Hall and Jameel Seweel at the top of the list. Hall ended the spring as the No. 1 quarterback.
"The offense is built for a quarterback who can run," Brandon said. "Sewell, Hall they're pretty nifty on the perimeter. Marc's [Verica] not as quick, fast as those two guys, but he can make a guy miss out there and get yards. The system is predicated on reading defenders and exploiting what they can do. I can tweak and fit the system to the talent I have at quarterback, and that's what I'll do, but the element of a quarterback running, that's one of the X factors of the offense. A lot of defenses don't account for it, so it's like a 12th guy."
Receivers coach Latrell Scott said about eight different receivers caught the ball in Virginia's scrimmage on Saturday, which was closed to the public, and he's excited to lead a group that will be featured more in the new offense.
"You have the ability to have anywhere from one to five kids on the field at one time," Scott said. "It's a lot of responsibility. A lot of work was put in by those guys, and they're proud of it, just the ability to spread the ball around. ... It's fun for me."
Of course, the players weren't the only ones who had to learn the offense.
"The schematics of it, I had never been in a wide-open offense like this," Scott said. "It was a little bit of an adjustment for me, but Gregg did a great job of teaching us the offense. He allowed us to do some of the things we had done, and we brought some experience from ourselves. We always want to make sure we feel good about what we're teaching them."
And how quickly they can learn will make all the difference in how the 2009 season unfolds.
Virginia motivated to avoid repeat of last season
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia coach Al Groh looked at his watch, sarcastically noting that it's 2009, not 2008, and that's what he wants to talk about.
You can't blame him.
Last year was a rough season for Virginia, as the Cavaliers dealt with the academic suspensions of two key players in quarterback Jameel Sewell and cornerback Chris Cook, there was no experienced quarterback to turn to in the season opener against USC, two players were arrested for trying to steal beer from a bar refrigerator, and a four-game losing streak capped the end of a miserable season that could have been salvaged but instead ended one win shy of a bowl bid.
"The 2008 team had to endure more things probably than any team that I've been associated with," Groh said. "And to remain strong in the face of all of that, they did that, and for that I have a great appreciation for what they did. It's like in boxing. The less amount of body punches they can take over the course of the fight, probably the better off you are and the fresher you are at the end. That team and those players took some body punches and they shook them off, but they still take their toll at certain points. Right now we've been free of those particular things."
And it's made a difference.
In fact, the entire program looks different -- literally. New linebackers, new receivers, a new offensive coordinator, and a newfound desire to win some football games. While Groh doesn't want to spend too much time dwelling on the past, it's served as an inspiration to his team this year.
Senior linebacker Denzel Burrell said he can still picture the disappointed looks on the faces of former linebackers Clint Sintim and John Phillips, and how heartbroken they were after Virginia Tech ended their season with a 17-14 loss.
"To me that's all motivation," he said. "We want to get out there and prove ourselves and prove everybody wrong. We want to make our fans happy, our coaches and ourselves."
Defensive end Nate Collins agreed.
"No one wants to have that season," he said. "No one wants to end the season without making a bowl game. That was a huge loss for us. I feel like everyone on our team realizes that. No one wants to be in that position again. No one wants to be home for a whole month in December when you're watching all these bowl games, teams you might have beat during the season, and you're like, 'We're better than them.' Everyone is buying in. we want to have a better season and I feel like we will have a better season this year."
The reality of the situation is that it's a work in progress, and nobody knows how Virginia will look until it takes the field on Sept. 5 against William & Mary. Outside expectations are low because of the high amount of transition the program is going through. Offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon said some players have learned his offense quicker than others, but the staff has yet to determine who its starting quarterback will be, let alone the wide receivers. Still, those within the program believe they have the pieces in place to improve upon last year's 5-7 season.
"We've got something to prove this year," said offensive tackle Will Barker. "I think we've got all of the right guys and the right system to do it."
At the very least, they've got the determination.
"What I like about the players so far is they have demonstrated a very strong resolution towards what they want to get accomplished," Groh said. "We see ourselves making a lot of progress in developing the mental strength that's necessary to have the resilience and positive energy and confidence to take on all the things that happen during the course of a season."
So far, Virginia is already ahead of where it was last year in that the Cavaliers are only answering questions about football -- not distracting off-field issues.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
