THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 17, 1996 TAG: 9609170452
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 90 lines
Is there a Barber-and-Barber offense in Virginia's future?
After twice making that suggestion himself, Cavaliers coach George Welsh backed away from such a possibility at his weekly press briefing Monday.
Welsh said after Saturday's 21-3 win over Maryland and again on his radio show that he was thinking about using defensive back Ronde Barber as a wide receiver, such as the Dallas Cowboys use Deion Sanders.
Welsh made the initial comment after watching Barber make a spectacular interception against Maryland.
``He has great hands. Maybe I ought to use him as a wide receiver,'' Welsh said.
Monday, though, Welsh said it would be too much to ask for Barber to play defense and jump to the other side of the ball to join twin brother Tiki on offense.
Ronde Barber, who has 13 career interceptions, seemed disappointed that Welsh backed off.
``I would like to do it, but I didn't really think it would happen,'' he said. ``Still, it remains an option that he (Welsh) has. I played receiver a little in high school, and I think I'd do a good job.''
Tiki Barber was excited, too, by such a possibility.
``It might make him (Ronde) a first-round draft choice,'' he said.
NO CHANGE: Welsh said he would continue to platoon quarterbacks Tim Sherman and Aaron Brooks in Saturday's game against Wake Forest.
Sherman has started both previous games, with Brooks relieving him in each half.
Welsh acknowledged that neither quarterback has been productive, but he said it's not all their fault. He put some of the blame on a young offensive line and receivers not making the right cuts.
Welsh said he may ``simplify'' the offense this week, which brought surprised reactions from both quarterbacks.
``How simple can you make it?'' Brooks said. ``The offense is pretty basic now. We're not showing much to anyone.''
Sherman said he, too, sees no reason to simplify the offense.
``We are making some minor mistakes, but those mistakes are correctable,'' he said.
BROOKS RESTLESS: It is apparent that Brooks is growing restless by coming into the games in relief of Sherman.
``We are winning, and that is the big thing,'' the red-shirt sophomore from Newport News said, ``but I expected to be playing a little more.''
Brooks said he thinks the offense would be more productive if there were more passing.
The Cavaliers have rushed 86 times and passed only 35 times in the first two games.
``That is not many passes, especially when they are split between two quarterbacks,'' Brooks said.
Brooks has completed only 4 of 12 passes and has two interceptions. Sherman is 10 for 22 and also has two interceptions.
MOM'S DAY: Welsh's 83-year-old mother, Ann, attended her first Virginia game last Saturday.
``She's been in town several times on game weekends, but that was the first time she went to the game,'' Welsh said. ``When I was at Navy, she went to several games but said they made her too nervous.''
The win over Maryland was the 100th for Welsh as an ACC coach.
TENT MEETING: Welsh, who operates the most closed program in the ACC, admits that he is concerned about having to hold his halftime meeting Saturday in an outdoor tent.
Wake Forest is constructing a new field house, and visiting teams this season have to dress at the nearby Joel Coliseum and then go to a tent at halftime.
``Maybe I ought to call and see if they can soundproof that tent so there won't be any snooping on us,'' Welsh said.
He also is considering asking for a longer halftime so he can bus his team back to the coliseum for its meeting.
ACC HONORS: Three Virginia players have been honored by the ACC for their play in the Cavaliers' 21-3 win Saturday over Maryland. Tiki Barber, who ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, has been named offensive back of the week; linebacker Jamie Sharper, who tallied 16 tackles, was named defensive back of the week; and punter Will Brice, who averaged 47.6 yards on seven punts, was named specialist of the week.
Freshman of the week is Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton, who completed 18 of 24 passes for 227 yards against Wake Forest; offensive lineman of the week is tackle Curtis McGee, who helped Georgia Tech gain 536 yards total offense Saturday; and defensive lineman of the week is Maryland's Eric Barton, who recorded a career-high 12 tackles. MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. by CNB