By Steve Argeris / The News & Advance
Apr 10, 2002


During last season's Bryson Spinner-Matt Schaub quarterback controversy, Virginia coach Al Groh insisted that the two quarterbacks were far more alike than fans and the media realized.
Nearly everyone else saw Spinner as the new-wave mobile quarterback, running as much as throwing, and Schaub as the classic, drop-back passer.

Now, Groh says, that analysis is a bit more accurate, except that instead of Spinner, the running man is redshirt freshman Marques Hagans.

Still, "they're more alike than they are different," said Groh, referring to Schaub and Hagans. "They are both getting a lot accomplished."

Groh cited experience, height and speed as the major distinctions. Schaub, a 6-foot-5 rising junior, completed 140 of 240 passes for 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. Hagans, a 5-foot-10 scrambler, redshirted his freshman year after starring on Fork Union's postgraduate team.

"One, Matt, is continuing to progress," Groh said. "Marques is still learning the offense. Most of his experience last year was with his eyes, sitting down during meetings. Between getting Bryson and Matt ready for games, he didn't have much occasion to physically perform the offense. He is certainly at a different phase than where Schaub is.

"One of them (Schaub) can see some things the other one can't, and the other one can get some places the other one can't," Groh said.

Al Groh said that Bryce Coffee, a junior E.C. Glass product attempting to win the Cavaliers' punting job, is also getting some work at placekicker. Both Coffee and his main rival, sophomore Sean Johnson, have a chance at both positions, while freshman Kurt Smith is working exclusively at kicker.

"They're doing a nice job, actually," said Groh, referring to Coffee and Johnson.

Anybody know if Bryce Coffee is related to former UVA reciever Kevin Coffee?

Fullback Jonathan Ward, who suffered a concussion in a winter workout, is not likely to suit up for the remainder of the spring.

Ward filled in for senior Tyree Foreman at the position last season, and was the only experienced fullback on the spring depth chart. But Groh has moved junior tight end Kase Luzar to fullback this spring. Other candidates include Brandon Isaiah, Trae Toliver and Ben Vincent. The latter two are walk-ons, same as Luzar until he was put on scholarship last season.

Redshirt freshman tight end Heath Miller helped make Luzar expendable at tight end. Miller and sophomore Patrick Estes will share time at the position. Miller is 6 foot 5 and 234 pounds, while Estes stands 6 foot 7 and 247 pounds.

"As time moves on, we'll have two tight ends with good size and skill," Groh said. "All we need to do is add some kids and we'll be solid at that position for a good, long time."

PATRICK ESTES IS GOING TO BE ONE AWESOME TIGHT - END!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />