I was only able to attend half the spring game Saturday so I could make it to the baseball game. It was 7-3 at halftime when I left and the final score was 20-17, which is as high a spring game score that I can remember. Here are some of my observations from the game and also about the team in general as the team closes out spring practice:
-The high score indicates the team's offense should be pretty good this year. Indeed, I think it has a shot at being the best it has been since 2005, Marques Hagans' last year under center. The Orange and Blue teams combined to pass for 400 yards. Returning starter and rising junior quarterback Michael Rocco completed 12 of 21 passes for 194 yards, no TDs and no interceptions for the Orange team. Rising sophomore David Watford, who played for both squads, finished 9 for 24 and 131 yards, no TDs and one interception. True freshman Greyson Lambert also played and completed 8 of 15 for 75 yards, one TD and no interceptions. Virginia receiver and rising sophomore Dominique Terrell, who never seemed to hit his stride last season as a receiver or punt returner (more on that later), caught three passes for 67 yards. He made some impressive moves after some catches; I hope offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is able to find ways to get the ball into Terrell's hands this year in open space. Returning receivers Tim Smith and Darius Jennings did not see a ton of balls thrown their way. I think that was because the younger receivers were being targeted on purpose to see what they could do and to get them some work. One who caught my eye in particular was Miles Gooch. The rising sophomore from Georgia has a big frame and looks like he could be a big-time receiver.
-The tight ends were impressive and the Hoos have lots of depth returning at the position. Colter Phillips and Paul Freedman are returners and in the spring game, Jake McGee and Zachary Swanson, a tight end-fullback hybrid, impressed, making several great catches. Jeremiah Mathis is also returning and made some plays last season. Tight ends used to be a normal part of the Virginia offense but have fallen by the wayside in recent years. Part of that is offensive philosophy but I think UVa will have a lot of weapons at the spot on this year's team and will be able to make some productive plays. Swanson ended up seeing time at fullback last year as a key blocker for the tailbacks so look for that to continue this season.
-I'm excited for our stable of returning running backs. First, there's Perry Jones, Superman, Mr. Do Everything. The senior can run, catch, and he proved he could pass for a TD in the Miami game last season. Kevin Parks impressed as a freshman last season and set the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season with nine. Amazing when you think about some of the running backs that have come through the program -- Thomas Jones, Tiki Barber, Wali Lundy (and none of those guys even held the old record -- it was Howard Petty and Marcus Wilson with seven). Rising sophomore Clifton Richardson can be a bruising running back and I was reminded of that in the spring game one time when he got a carry, appeared to be bottled up, and then burst through the pack beating and banging for more yardage. If he can just hang on to the ball a little better, he can be a solid contributor, especially on the goal line and short-yardage situations. Rising sophomore Khalek Shepherd didn't get a lot of carries behind those guys last year but showed some flashes and had the longest carry in the spring game -- a 75-yarder for a touchdown. He was also the team's best kick returner and I'm hoping he break one of those for a touchdown this season. The backs will also get to run behind an experienced offensive line.
-The defense might struggle early on in the season. This has been a constant theme so far in the Mike London era, unfortunately. Last year's defense took a step up after being quite horrendous in 2010 but it still wasn't great. Now this year's team lost three of four starters from the defensive line -- Nick Jenkins, Matt Conrath, and Cam Johnson, both safeties -- Rodney McLeod and Corey Mosley -- and all-ACC cornerback Chase Minnifield. Virginia does have some experience returning in linebackers Steve Greer and LaRoy Reynolds and cornerback Demetrious Nicholson. A lot of young players will be seeing tons of time in the fall and who knows who will emerge? One name to keep an eye on is Daquan Romero at linebacker. He was highly recruited out of Phoebus High School in Hampton and got to see a good amount of time last season. Also, some players who could see time weren't even on the spring roster. Don't forget Virginia trio of true freshman on defense entering in the fall -- defensive ends Eli Harold, and Michael Moore and linebacker Kwontie Moore. They could see time as well.
-The special teams might drive fans nuts for another year. If there was something holding back Virginia from being all it could be last season, it was special teams. The unit underperformed under coach Anthony Poindexter to say the least. Fielding punts was an adventure, punts and kicks were blocked or tipped, kick returns were below average, and kickoffs sailed out of bounds. There were some bad signs in the spring game. There was a muffed punt return and a long snap sailed over the head of a punter. There were a couple good things. Terrell, who fumbled or failed to catch punts cleanly last year, took a hard hit but held on to the ball and the kicking game was solid, with three field goals made. Hopefully, the special teams will be cleaned come fall because if it isn't, it could very well cost the Cavaliers a game or two in the win column.
-The high score indicates the team's offense should be pretty good this year. Indeed, I think it has a shot at being the best it has been since 2005, Marques Hagans' last year under center. The Orange and Blue teams combined to pass for 400 yards. Returning starter and rising junior quarterback Michael Rocco completed 12 of 21 passes for 194 yards, no TDs and no interceptions for the Orange team. Rising sophomore David Watford, who played for both squads, finished 9 for 24 and 131 yards, no TDs and one interception. True freshman Greyson Lambert also played and completed 8 of 15 for 75 yards, one TD and no interceptions. Virginia receiver and rising sophomore Dominique Terrell, who never seemed to hit his stride last season as a receiver or punt returner (more on that later), caught three passes for 67 yards. He made some impressive moves after some catches; I hope offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is able to find ways to get the ball into Terrell's hands this year in open space. Returning receivers Tim Smith and Darius Jennings did not see a ton of balls thrown their way. I think that was because the younger receivers were being targeted on purpose to see what they could do and to get them some work. One who caught my eye in particular was Miles Gooch. The rising sophomore from Georgia has a big frame and looks like he could be a big-time receiver.
-The tight ends were impressive and the Hoos have lots of depth returning at the position. Colter Phillips and Paul Freedman are returners and in the spring game, Jake McGee and Zachary Swanson, a tight end-fullback hybrid, impressed, making several great catches. Jeremiah Mathis is also returning and made some plays last season. Tight ends used to be a normal part of the Virginia offense but have fallen by the wayside in recent years. Part of that is offensive philosophy but I think UVa will have a lot of weapons at the spot on this year's team and will be able to make some productive plays. Swanson ended up seeing time at fullback last year as a key blocker for the tailbacks so look for that to continue this season.
-I'm excited for our stable of returning running backs. First, there's Perry Jones, Superman, Mr. Do Everything. The senior can run, catch, and he proved he could pass for a TD in the Miami game last season. Kevin Parks impressed as a freshman last season and set the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season with nine. Amazing when you think about some of the running backs that have come through the program -- Thomas Jones, Tiki Barber, Wali Lundy (and none of those guys even held the old record -- it was Howard Petty and Marcus Wilson with seven). Rising sophomore Clifton Richardson can be a bruising running back and I was reminded of that in the spring game one time when he got a carry, appeared to be bottled up, and then burst through the pack beating and banging for more yardage. If he can just hang on to the ball a little better, he can be a solid contributor, especially on the goal line and short-yardage situations. Rising sophomore Khalek Shepherd didn't get a lot of carries behind those guys last year but showed some flashes and had the longest carry in the spring game -- a 75-yarder for a touchdown. He was also the team's best kick returner and I'm hoping he break one of those for a touchdown this season. The backs will also get to run behind an experienced offensive line.
-The defense might struggle early on in the season. This has been a constant theme so far in the Mike London era, unfortunately. Last year's defense took a step up after being quite horrendous in 2010 but it still wasn't great. Now this year's team lost three of four starters from the defensive line -- Nick Jenkins, Matt Conrath, and Cam Johnson, both safeties -- Rodney McLeod and Corey Mosley -- and all-ACC cornerback Chase Minnifield. Virginia does have some experience returning in linebackers Steve Greer and LaRoy Reynolds and cornerback Demetrious Nicholson. A lot of young players will be seeing tons of time in the fall and who knows who will emerge? One name to keep an eye on is Daquan Romero at linebacker. He was highly recruited out of Phoebus High School in Hampton and got to see a good amount of time last season. Also, some players who could see time weren't even on the spring roster. Don't forget Virginia trio of true freshman on defense entering in the fall -- defensive ends Eli Harold, and Michael Moore and linebacker Kwontie Moore. They could see time as well.
-The special teams might drive fans nuts for another year. If there was something holding back Virginia from being all it could be last season, it was special teams. The unit underperformed under coach Anthony Poindexter to say the least. Fielding punts was an adventure, punts and kicks were blocked or tipped, kick returns were below average, and kickoffs sailed out of bounds. There were some bad signs in the spring game. There was a muffed punt return and a long snap sailed over the head of a punter. There were a couple good things. Terrell, who fumbled or failed to catch punts cleanly last year, took a hard hit but held on to the ball and the kicking game was solid, with three field goals made. Hopefully, the special teams will be cleaned come fall because if it isn't, it could very well cost the Cavaliers a game or two in the win column.
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