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2004 football review
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Cavaliers tight end part of vanishing breed

By WENDELL BARNHOUSE

Fort Worth Star-Telegram


Tight ends who can catch passes all over the field and also block are a vanishing breed. Most teams use their tight ends either as a third offensive tackle or designate an oversized wide receiver as a ``tight end.''

Put Virginia's Heath Miller on the endangered species list. He's an old-school tight end.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior is a two-year starter who helps make the Cavaliers' offense effective. Miller's ability to block helps the running game , and his pass-catching ability provides a dangerous receiving threat.

Miller's teammates call him ``Big Money'' for his clutch catches and ``Baby Shockey'' for his combination of size, pass-catching and blocking ability.

``Heath Miller's the best tight end in the country - hands down,'' Virginia senior offensive guard Elton Brown said. ``Double team him and he'll catch the ball. Triple team him and he'll catch the ball. Throw the ball up and he'll catch the ball. People see all that, but behind the scenes he's a great run-blocker, too.''

Last season, Miller had 70 receptions for 835 yards and six touchdowns.

When he arrived in Charlottesville three years ago, Miller was a quarterback. But during his redshirt freshman season, he moved to tight end and spent practices on the scout team tearing up the Cavs' first-team defense.

``I think that it helps that I've been on the other side (playing quarterback),'' Miller said. ``It helps me get a feel for the open spots in the defense.''

Virginia coach Al Groh, who said he can't remember seeing Miller drop a catchable pass - in practices or games - has been impressed by Miller's position switch and how quickly he has developed into one of the nation's top tight ends.

``It's been quite a transition for him,'' Groh said. ``He's one of those guys who really takes to coaching. If a coach points something out to him during the course of a drill, on the next repetition he's trying to do it that way. And by the second rep, he's making progress on it.''

Virginia Cavaliers Conference: Atlantic Coast

Coach: Al Groh (22-17 in three seasons, 48-57 overall in nine seasons)

2003: 8-5, 4-4 in tied 4th

Bowl: Defeated Pittsburgh 23-16 in the Continental Tire Bowl.

Why Virginia is No. 15: The Cavaliers have one of the most versatile and athletic defensive front sevens in Division I-A. Their offense has potential to be productive. Best-case scenario: Junior quarterback Marques Hagans brings a scrambling dimension to the offense and some big-play wide receivers develop.

Worst-case scenario: The quarterback position becomes a season-long problem and the inexperienced secondary is riddled by the top quarterbacks in the ACC.

Starters returning: 7 on offense, 8 on defense Key players: Junior QB Marques Hagans, sophomore QB Chris Olsen, junior RB Wali Lundy, senior RB Alvin Pearman, junior TE Heath Miller, senior OG Elton Brown, sophomore LB Ahmad Brooks, sophomore LB Kai Parham, senior DE Chris Canty, junior K Connor Hughes.

Cheers: The Cavs have stockpiled and played talented young players who have gained valuable experience. Lundy and Pearman form a dangerous combo at running back, and Miller helps the running game with his blocking, and the passing game with his receiving ability. The defense is one of the nation's best.

Jeers: The quarterback situation is in question, with Hagans and Olsen battling for the starting job. The receivers, aside from senior Michael McGrew, are untested. The secondary is talented but inexperienced, particularly at safety.

It all means: Even with the ACC strengthened, Virginia should be in position to challenge for the top spot and perhaps a BCS bowl.

Datebook: Nov. 6 vs. Maryland. These are two of the ACC's up-and-coming programs. The Cavaliers play host to Miami the following week. Should Virginia win both games, an ACC title is possible. Figuring: Running backs Wali Lundy (a junior) and Alvin Pearman (a senior) have combined for 3,112 yards rushing, 196 receptions and 40 touchdowns catches for 1,682 yards and 40 touchdowns in their careers. Extra points: Groh coached Wake Forest from 1981-86. He left the head coaching job with the New York Jets to return to his alma mater. During his NFL career, Groh was an assistant coach under Bill Parcells. ... Virginia returns all five starters on the offensive line, plus Miller, who often blocks like an extra offensive tackle, not a tight end. ... Senior Ottowa Anderson, the team's top returning wide receiver, has been suspended for the season because of off-field problems. ... Excitement is high in Charlottesville. The school has set a season-ticket sales record, with more than 37,000 sold. ... Six Cavaliers have earned their bachelor's degrees and are in graduate school this season: Canty, linebackers Dennis Haley and Jon Thompson, fullback Brandon Isaiah, wideout Michael McGrew, and safety Marquis Weeks. ... Kicker Connor Hughes made 23 of 25 field-goal attempts and all 40 of his extra-point kicks.

2003 STATISTICAL RANKINGS OFFENSE

Rushing 32 Passing 82 Scoring 48 Total 55

DEFENSE Rushing 67 Passing 63 Scoring 26 Total 67
08-09-2004 10:51 AM
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