Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994 TAG: 9403050171
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Usually, the Cavaliers don't put on pads until the end of the month.
"Basically, I just thought I'd try something different," Welsh said Friday before leaving for an inspection of the practice field. "I think a lot of teams are going to an earlier [spring] practice. If you get anybody hurt, it gives you a couple of extra weeks for the injury to heal."
At this time in past years, the players would be running as part of their winter regimen. With UVa's spring game scheduled for April 9, they will do their running when it is warmer at the end of the semester.
"We won't finish up that much earlier than usual," said Welsh, explaining that the players will practice for a week, then break for nine days for spring vacation. "We'll do some hitting early, then take some time to regroup."
One of Welsh's chief concerns entering the spring is an offensive line with one starter returning at the position he played in 1993, center Bryan Heath. John Slocum, who started every game at right tackle, will try to make the switch to guard.
Slocum, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound rising junior, is being moved in anticipation of the return of Chris Harrison, who missed the '93 season after suffering a broken leg in preseason workouts. Harrison will not participate in spring practice, however.
A lack of depth on the offensive line was one reason the Cavaliers took a longer look than usual at the junior college ranks. Clemson signees Perez Davis and Dwayne Morgan both expressed interest in coming to UVa, but were rejected by the school's admissions department - Morgan after he was on campus.
There are no major position battles, least of at all at quarterback, where junior Symmion Willis would give UVa its first returning starter since 1990. Willis passed for a school-record 2,347 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, although his production declined in the last five games.
Welsh said there will be plenty of work for all three of UVa's scholarship tailbacks. Junior Kevin Brooks is the front-runner, after rushing for 538 yards last season, with his competition coming from sophomore Tiki Barber from Roanoke (Cave Spring) and freshman Antonio Procise.
The most notable position change involves Walt Derey, a sophomore from Roanoke (Northside), who has been touted by coaches and teammates as a future star on defense. Welsh said Derey will spend the spring at tight end because UVa has only two other scholarship players at that position.
Alleghany High School alumnus Curtis Hicks, who played sparingly at defensive end last season, will return to linebacker, where he was a part-time starter in 1992. Hicks and junior Skeet Jones provide the only experience behind a starting group likely to include sophomores Jamie Sharper and James Farrior.
Welsh has extended invitations to 11 seniors to return for a fifth season of eligibility, although Harrison and three others will not participate in spring ball. Wide receiver Andrew Dausch is playing lacrosse, defensive tackle Brendan Kilfeather has undergone knee surgery and linebacker Tom Burns is awaiting word on an NCAA appeal.
Burns is seeking an extra year of eligibility for 1990, when he played but was injured after two games. The injury came after the midpoint of the season, a sticking point with the NCAA.
Memo: longer version ran in the New River edition.