Sewell enjoys a long leash
For the first time since 2006, Jameel Sewell did not have to look over his shoulder.
From Kevin McCabe to Pete Lalich to Vic Hall to Mark Verica, Virginia’s fifth-year quarterback has almost always had footsteps and whispers in the background.
There was always reason for Sewell to feel uncomfortable about his starting status, something that was not the case last week as he worked from the opening whistle to the final snap in a 30-14 loss to Texas Christian.
Sewell, the likely starter Saturday at Southern Miss (2-0), said it benefited him emotionally to know that he would remain in the contest for the duration.
“I think it helped me a lot, just them believing in as far as the coaching staff,” said Sewell. “I played very poorly [against William & Mary] and just to have them start the game with me and have me in when things didn’t go well, that meant a lot.
“It helped me with my confidence and what I need to be working on.”
Sewell was spotty at best in the first three quarters against TCU as the offensive line broke down on a consistent basis, leading to eight sacks and the recurring act of the quarterback picking himself off the ground.
The Richmond native took the high road after the loss, failing to blame those in the trenches or the obvious inability of the pass-catching targets to get open.
For now, Sewell can take an odd comfort in knowing that Hall, his roommate, remains doubtful with a hip injury and that Verica appears a non-option in the eyes of the coaching staff.
Sewell just wants wins, something he expects soon.
“I’m not going to predict wins or anything, but we’re capable of competing with anybody,” he said. “We’re going to win some games. We’re definitely going to do that. There’s no doubt about that.
“The guys we got, nobody is going to back down. Everybody is willing to work.”
Sewell certainly sounds like a leader, although he was not voted as a team captain.
It was something that Virginia (0-2) coach Al Groh discussed in the months that preceded his return to the university following his one-year absence for academic infractions.
“We had a number of conversations about football, life, things on and off the field … particularly that position, that is so well known, none of them are just a helmet,” Groh said. “They are a real person in there, and so there are a lot of things about being the person who is much more significant than just being the player that will hopefully show up a lot more in the performance than the player talk does, that the person shows up a lot more.”
Sewell hopes that what he showcased during the better moments of the loss to TCU gave offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon and Groh a better idea how he can be used as a dual threat. He has rushed for 75 yards and passed for 200 more in a dismal offense.
“I showed them that I can do anything that they ask me to do pretty much,” he said. “If they need me to run the ball, I don’t care — I am going to do it.
“If the team needs me to do whatever the coach asks me to do, I am going to do it. That’s just about it.”
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The O linemen now in place were not recruited for or acccustomed to this offensive scheme. They do look befuddled at times. Patience is all I can reccomend.
What does salary have to do with anything? If the school reduced his salary to $100,000, would it be ok to win 5 - 8 games every year?
Unfortunately, Sewell still has the same “fog” that Groh refered to a few years back. He does not seems to have vision of the pass defense or see over his linemen. Please notice how successful he is outside the pocket but gets sacked or turns over the ball from the pocket (not just this year but 2 years ago). Not much vision to toss the ball down field like in the two mercy scores durng the TCU game *against the second string). However, we should FIRE GROH. With a 2 million dollar salary, he should produce 9-10 win seasons every year like most $2MM coaches do (or get fired).
Awesome point Eternal Hoo. I am so tired of the people on here who make comments that seem to know nothing about football. The coaching is not the problem. The players, especially the offensive line are not getting the job done. The defense has done a decent job, but when they are on the field for 70 - 80 plays every game, there is only so much you can expect from them.
Laugh it up now hoodo. Sewell is not to blame for the issues UVA has displayed so far. Take a good hard look at the O-line and see how they grade out for the first 2 games before you dismiss Sewell. Brandon calls the plays that he thinks the players in place can handle. If he has no confidence in the O-line, every play will be a Sewell run option as we have seen so far. NONE of the runners have performed so far, including Sewell; and that is NOT because they have no talent. If you say you are a UVA fan, stop the negativity and start asking the question of what needs to be done to get the BIG UGLIES competent to block in the new offensive scheme.
Sewell is a joke. With sewell and groh 0-12 sounds about right.
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