Cavaliers report: Notes, quotes

March 26, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Inside slant

SPRING OBJECTIVES
Virginia has a lot of work to do in the spring after losing several key performers on both sides of the ball. Some, like DE Chris Long, were seniors in 2007, but in addition, LG Branden Albert opted for the NFL draft and five others, among them QB Jameel Sewell, CB Chris Cook and DE Jeffrey Fitzgerald, were academic casualties. Only two starters return to the offensive line. New defensive coordinator Bob Pruett, the former Marshall head coach, must replace six lost starters on defense, including all three front men in the 3-4 scheme.

BUILDING BLOCKS
QB Peter Lalich saw action in eight games as a freshman in 2008 and will be the starter. He completed 57 percent of his passes for 321 yards and a touchdown. TBs Mikell Simpson and Cedric Peerman, the latter returning from a foot injury, are a good, solid running back tandem. With the return of Kevin Ogletree from a knee injury that cost him all of 2007, the Cavaliers have two dependable receivers with him and Maurice Covington. Linebacker looks especially solid on defense with the return of Jon Copper, Clint Sintim and Antonio Appleby, all returning senior starters.

SCHEDULE SITUATION
The Cavaliers will get a good idea of how they stack up after opening the season at home against national title contender Southern California on Aug. 30. The Trojans are one of eight bowl teams from last season on this years schedule. The Cavs get Richmond at home the following week and then go to Connecticut on Sept. 13. Their first conference game is at Duke Sept. 27.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I don't get frustrated. Frustration doesn't accomplish anything. We've got a formula in place for what we believe and how we operate, which we are always self-checking and quality controlling, and with that in mind, we're going about our business on a daily basis." -- Coach Al Groh, on dealing with the unexpected personnel losses during the offseason.