London's first task: Find some playmakers

One of Mike London’s objectives this spring is to find playmakers, of which he will need plenty this fall when Virginia opens the season at Scott Stadium.
The Cavaliers’ new head football coach didn’t exactly inherit an abundance of talent in a program that has suffered losing seasons in three of the past four years. At almost every opportunity, London has mentioned finding playmakers.
With all that in mind, we asked him what are the least number of playmakers a coach can get by with and still become successful.
Offensively, London specifically mentioned four positions: left tackle, quarterback, running back and tight end. He may have meant to include wide receiver and just lost track.
If those original four positions are accurate, then the coach must feel like the Cavaliers have a chance.
Landon Bradley returns at left tackle, where he started every game last season. There’s a plethora of running backs that London is excited about, and tight end Joe Torchia is the type of player that the coach believes can create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
Quarterback is a question mark. Or should we say, question Marc?
Marc Verica started most of the season two years ago but didn’t get a lot of time last season behind Jameel Sewell. However, Verica views the new regime as a new lease on life, but his confidence may need propping up.
None of the other QBs have played in a college game, so spring is a vital training period for them as well as Verica in terms of learning their third different offense in less than a year.
The Cavs will have a somewhat experienced line, but last season that line surrendered an ACC-high 41 sacks for 320 yards in losses.
Running backs abound, but somewhat unproven. There’s Raynard Horne, Torrey Mack, Perry Jones, Dominique Wallace (rehabbing from last season’s leg injury) and retread Keith Payne, along with incoming Parade All-American Kevin Parks.
“That could be a very positive position for us,” London said. “I see speed, athleticism.”
Defensively, the coach believes it comes down to rushing the passer and having excellent coverage guys.
“You gotta have guys that can rush and hit the quarterback,” London said. “You gotta have down guys. If you have that, then the cover guys have to be good.”
He has a good one in senior Ras-I Dowling, whom London described as “the biggest recruit we have ... a
5-star signee.”
Dowling could have looked at turning pro, but decided to return and the coach believes he’s good enough to become an All-America candidate at corner.
“I think Ras-I is chomping at the bit to play bump coverage,” London said. “To get up in somebody’s face and dare them to throw the ball over him instead of playing off of them.”
Converting from the 3-4 to a 4-3 means that some outside linebackers can become defensive ends and some DE’s can become tackles.
The Cavaliers have Matt Conrath, Zane Parr and converted linebacker Cam Johnson working at DE, although London suggested that Johnson is a turkey leg away from becoming a tackle. UVa recorded only 22 sacks last season, six of those by the departed Nate Collins. Parr (3.5), Conrath (2), and Johnson (2) will have to step it up to really pressure opposing QBs.
“If you can find those playmakers in some of those key areas, then I think you have a chance,” London said. “I think we have some of those players in those skill areas. We’ll see what happens post-spring practice.”