Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 21, 1990 TAG: 9003212096
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The Cavaliers begin drills Thursday, but Welsh already knows that Blundin, his backup quarterback, will not be there.
"Blundin is taking at least a week off," Welsh said. "I've told him to come back and see me by next Tuesday. I've left it up to him. If he's tired and his mind is not right, I don't want him out there. I wouldn't want to jeopardize him academically."
The same goes for Kirby, a leading contender to start at tailback after the offseason departure of Marcus Wilson.
"He needs some time off," Welsh said of Kirby. "I've sent for him, but I haven't seen him."
Cooke, a reserve tight end, went straight from basketball to football last spring, but he suffered a gash in his right knee last week that prevented him from playing in either of the Cavaliers' tournament games.
"I think it's important for everybody to have a spring practice," Welsh said. "Blundin had one [after the 1987 season]. Last year, he was out for a couple of days, but he was too tired. One week will make a difference this year. Basketball finished a week earlier."
The Cavaliers had an extended football season, capped by an appearance in the Florida Citrus Bowl, and the only one of the basketball players to take any time off was Kirby, who was nursing a leg injury.
Kirby's availability for spring practice took on greater significance when Wilson, the team's leading rusher in 1989, announced he would pass up his final season of eligibility and apply for the NFL draft.
"Once he declared his intentions and sent in his petition, which he has done, that was it," Welsh said. "He's leaving; we'll just have to live with that. I just feel like he [would have been] a fifth-year kid with a lot of experience. He was our best back."
UVa's tailbacks to start the spring will be Nikki Fisher, a junior next season, and Jerrod Washington, a redshirt freshman who might have been moved to defense if not for the shortage of tailbacks.
Welsh said he had met with Fisher, who finished the 1988 season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing efforts but played sparingly in 1989.
"Sure, he wants to play more," Welsh said. "He's got the opportunity now."
As usual, the Cavaliers will experiment with several players at different positions. Brian Satola, formerly the No. 3 quarterback, will play wide receiver exclusively. Trevor Ryals, a two-year starter at offensive guard, will move to center.
On defense, Virginia needs to replace starting inside linebackers Phil Thomas and Elton Toliver, as well as All-ACC defensive end Ray Savage.
Savage's backup, sophomore James Pearson, will move to inside linebacker, where he will compete with junior-college All-American Eugene Rodgers, holdovers Chris Galloway and Matt Klinger, and redshirt freshmen Gene Toliver and P.J. Killian.
Sophomore Yusef Jackson, the only inside linebacker with experience, will miss the start of drills while recovering from knee surgery.
"I've got my fingers crossed," said Welsh, who has recruited four players viewed as prospects at inside linebacker.
The top candidates to replace Savage are converted running back Benson Goodwyn, Tim Moss and walk-on Rickey Peete, son of professional golfer Calvin Peete.
There was talk of moving Chris Slade, who started seven games as a freshman, to inside linebacker or to Savage's spot. Savage had numerous responsibilities, including pass coverage, while Slade concentrated on rushing the passer as the other defensive end.
"We've talked about moving him, but [Don] Reynolds is still hurt," Welsh said. "Slade is such a good athlete, and pass rushers like that are hard to find."
Reynolds, the original starter at Slade's spot, missed four games because of a severely sprained ankle suffered against William and Mary. "It's never quite healed," Welsh said.
Wide receiver Herman Moore, who set a school record with 10 touchdown receptions in 1989, was on crutches Tuesday but is not expected to miss much time. Moore twisted one of his ankles at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, where he went over 7 feet in the high jump.
by CNB