Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 14, 1990 TAG: 9004140072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Sweeney certainly was.
"I got a call from coach [George] Welsh's office," said Sweeney, a rising sophomore at Virginia. "They wanted to know what I thought about moving to fullback. It kinda came as a shock to me. I didn't know what to say.
"But whatever they want me to do, I'll do it."
Sweeney, the backup to Chris Slade at defensive end, had been hoping for a position change. But he never pictured himself as a fullback.
He wasn't alone.
"Fullback!" exclaimed Willis White, who coached Sweeney at Salem High. "He's certainly tough enough, but I'm faster than Sweeney."
Not anymore. White's time for 40 yards is unpublished, but Sweeney registered his fastest clocking this spring at 4.86 seconds.
If Virginia running backs coach Ken Mack has his way, Sweeney, who stands 6-feet-1 1/2 and weighs Sweeney 230 pounds, will be even faster by the fall.
"He may be 10 or 12 pounds out of position," Mack said. "I told him to lose some weight and work on his feet and we'll have a prospect by the end of the summer."
The UVa staff wasn't displeased with Sweeney's progress at defensive end. He had 11 tackles, including three sacks, in the Cavaliers' first scrimmage of the spring.
"We like what we've seen of Sweeney defensively and in his limited time at fullback," Welsh said. "He's a better athlete. He's quicker. We're just trying to find the right spot for him and the team."
There was a void at fullback, where Durwin Greggs and Don Bryant had used up their eligibility. Also, holdover Charles Carridine was injured at the start of spring drills.
After one day, the UVa coaches could tell that Sweeney was a natural at pass protection.
"The thing about pass protection is, you've got to be tough, and he is tough," Mack said. "Right now, what I'm trying to change is his defensive mentality, which isn't all bad."
Sweeney, who was redshirted in 1988, was a regular on special teams last season and played in every game. He was credited with one tackle and four assists in 92 plays.
"I felt I could have played more in a couple of the games," Sweeney said. "Don't get me wrong. I was happy with special teams, but I think I can play here. I really do."
Sweeney did not arrive with the press clippings of say, a Slade, but he isn't content merely to serve as a kamikaze on kick coverage.
"I wanted to come and prove that I was a good football player and that they didn't waste a scholarship," Sweeney said.
He wanted to play inside linebacker; in fact, that was his original stop after arriving at UVa, but he didn't stay long.
"That's where I've wanted to play since I got here," he said. "They don't seem to want to play me inside; I don't know exactly why. But if I went back there now, I might not get a look.
"I definitely have a defensive mentality. I love to play defense, but I'm giving it my best shot. It may turn out to be the best spot for me. You get to hit a lot of people, and I like to hit."
Sweeney said he has been told the move is permanent.
"I had him in the other day and I let him know, `It's not an experiment,' " Mack said. "Some guys know they're only going to be at a position for a week and that's how they perform.
"I wanted to know if he liked it. He said he did. So, I told him, `Since you like it and I like it, here's a list of things to work on.' "
Sweeney carried the ball four times in UVa's second scrimmage and gained two first downs. He had the opportunity to run with the ball after receptions in high school, but had not played in the backfield since little league.
"From his times, he's obviously improved a step or two," White said. "I never thought of him as a running back, but that's why Coach Welsh makes those big bucks."
NOTES: Virginia will hold its annual spring game today at 2 p.m. at Scott Stadium. However, Welsh said the Cavaliers will hold several practices next week to meet their allotment of 20. . . . Quarterback Shawn Moore from Martinsville has been elected one of Virginia's tri-captains for the second time. Also named were defensive tackle Joe Hall and nose guard Ron Carey. . . . Backup quarterback Matt Blundin, a member of the Cavaliers' basketball team, has not participated in spring practice. "He's behind academically and I think he's tired," Welsh said. "I understand. Nobody has given more to the university athletically." . . . Defensive end Don Reynolds from Laurel Park will undergo ankle surgery next week. Reynolds suffered a severely sprained ankle during the season and now has calcium deposits. . . . Redshirt freshman Gene Toliver from Lord Botetourt has been unable to go full speed because of a hamstring injury suffered in winter workouts. . . . Chris Stearns, who has started at defensive tackle for parts of three seasons, has moved to offensive tackle.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB