Cavs can be optimistic about ‘09

Virginia coach Al Groh comes from a coaching tree that believes that while it takes more than three things to have a really good football team, there are three certain things a coach has to have above all else: good quarterback play; a good kicker; and a good defense.
That’s what gives the Cavaliers’ coach hope for the upcoming season as he readies for August’s training camp.
A closer examination of Groh’s past eight UVa teams produces significant evidence that his theory has proven correct over the long haul and with three experienced quarterbacks on his roster, the prospects of better place-kicking, and the potential for good defensive play, there’s room for optimism in Camp Wahoo.
The keys to success
Perhaps Groh’s best four teams over those eight years were led by strong quarterback performance, good defense and reliable kicking.
In 2002 and 2003, Matt Schaub was nothing short of spectacular, while Connor Hughes came on strong as a kicker, and the defense was there. Schaub-led offenses compiled more than 5,000 total yards both seasons and the Cavaliers won back-to-back bowl games over strong teams from West Virginia and Pittsburgh.
UVa signed highly-sought after in-state quarterback Anthony Martinez as the guy of the future, but he failed to pan out, leaving the Cavaliers to elevate Marques Hagans to quarterback after he had played various other positions. In his first season behind the wheel, Hagans struggled some, but still led Virginia to eight wins and a loss in the Micron Bowl to Fresno State.
However, Hagans got it going his final season and helped produce 4,509 total yards and a bowl win as Hughes put together a great year and the defense was again strong.
In ’06, Christian Olsen and Kevin McCabe faltered out of the blocks at quarterback as freshman Jameel Sewell was thrust into the picture earlier than he was prepared to do.
The transition from Hughes to Chris Gould was highly ineffective, so two of the three necessary factors to good football teams were missing. Virginia played good defense and still lost, going against the old adage about defense winning championships.
Sewell came on in ’07 and Gould had a terrific year as evidenced in a good win at Carolina where he made 5 of 5 field goals. Usually, 4 of 5 is a good day, but if Gould misses one kick that day, Virginia loses.
So, with decent quarterbacking, good kicking and a very strong defense, the Cavaliers won nine games and were on the brink of winning 10 for only the second time in school history before letting explosive Texas Tech off the hook in the Gator Bowl.
Last year was another rollercoaster ride with the quarterbacking and the kicking was way off the norm. The defense wasn’t as good as the year before, but was good enough to win.
Focusing in, it seems that how the quarterback goes, so goes Virginia’s team over the past eight seasons. That’s one reason why Groh is hopeful.
With Sewell, Vic Hall and Marc Verica all returning with some experience and well suited for a spread offense, there’s a strong belief that quarterback play should be more than solid.
Robert Randolph, who took over the starting kicking duties late last season, returns but could be challenged by preferred walk-on Drew Jarrett of First Colonial. Former UVa defensive coordinator Bob Pruett swore by Jarrett, so it will be interesting to see how the rookie, ranked the No. 12 kicker in the country by Rivals last season, fares.
The defense should be solid, boasting the best UVa secondary since the Ronde Barber days of the mid-’90s, and some experience up front to keep the blockers off of some new starting linebackers. Defensive end Matt Conrath and nose tackle Nick Jenkins were expected to see only 12 to 15 plays a game last season but ended up playing 45 to 50. Their experience should greatly aid the linebackers this time around.
Special teams haven’t been overlooked and that’s a place where Groh and his coaching staff believe they can change the scoreboard. Virginia Tech scored only one more offensive touchdown than did UVa last season, but the Hokies’ “Beamerball,” helped put Tech into the ACC championship game against Boston College. Tech has more of those since 1992 than any other team in the ACC.
Virginia is stressing more production from its special teams this season and with Ron Prince back to direct the effort, the Cavs hope to spring a few surprises on opponents.
What does all this mean?
It means there’s indicators that the Cavaliers could be in store for an improvement. Certainly none of this guarantees success, but as Groh and others in his coaching tree like to say: “the best predictor of future performance is past behavior.”
If that proves true, then Virginia’s got a chance.