THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996 TAG: 9608160742
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 66 lines
Gone are the days when Virginia opened preseason football camp with a chip on its shoulder because no one was giving it enough respect.
The Cavaliers, who begin practice today, are ranked in most preseason polls, and in both major ones - 21st by USA Today/CNN and 23rd by the Associated Press.
Maybe that isn't great, but considering the Cavaliers have holes to fill in three major areas, any ranking is impressive.
The priortity in preseason camp will be building an offensive line, where only two starters return from last season's 9-4 team, which tied for the ACC title and defeated Georgia in the Peach Bowl.
Coach George Welsh also has to pick a new starting quarterback and replace three starters in the defensive backfield.
But neither Welsh nor his players seemed to be awed by the rankings during Thursday's media day.
``I think most people think we are going to win because we have been so consistent the past several years,'' Welsh said. ``That is good. It helps in recruiting. But, really, there are no guarantees that you are going to keep on winning. You have to do it every year.''
Virginia is one of only eight Division I-A schools in the country which have posted at least nine consecutive seasons of seven or more wins.
CONFIDENT: Defensive back Joe Williams from Indian River High School in Chesapeake isn't whining, but he thinks the Cavaliers should be ranked even higher.
``At least in the top 15,'' said Williams, a junior who is expected to step into a starting role this season.
After becoming the only ACC team to defeat Florida State and tying for the title last year, Williams smiled at the thought other teams ``will be after us'' this year.
``That's fine,'' he said. ``It is a position I like to be in.''
ROWE BACK: The shortage in the defensive backfield became less critical during the summer when senior Joe Rowe regained his eligibility.
Rowe, who played in all 12 games last season, was dropped from the team after the first semester because of academic problems.
NEW DEFENSE: Tackle Todd White said there will be new twists defensively for the Cavaliers this season, but he gave no clue as to what they might be.
``If I tell you, I have to kill you, so it is better not to say,'' kidded White, one of the team's captains.
It is no secret, though, that an main emphasis will be to put more pressure on the quarterback.
QB SITUATION: Offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien said both quarterback candidates, senior Tim Sherman and sophomore Aaron Brooks, begin camp dead even.
Both candidates said they are confident of winning the job.
Meanwhile, star tailback Tiki Barber said Sherman may have the upper hand because he is more familiar with the offense and played well last year against Michigan and Virginia Tech in relief spots.
Welsh hopes to name the starter at least seven days before the opening game against Central Michigan on Sept. 7.
FROSH HELP: Blue-chip freshman running back Thomas Jones will begin camp on the third unit, but with the opportunity to compete with redshirt freshman Anthony Southern for the backup spot.
``We want to see what he can do, but I don't think he's going to take Tiki Barber's starting job in preseason,'' Welsh quipped. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``There are no guarantees that you are going to keep on winning,''
said Virginia coach George Welsh. by CNB