Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 23, 1991 TAG: 9103230036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long
At UVa, that is not a foregone conclusion.
"They're pretty stingy with the fifth year unless you've played a lot," said Foley, a Salem High graduate. "I believe I'm the only player they asked back who didn't contribute significantly last year."
Foley was a fixture on special teams and received a varsity letter for the first time, but he did not play from scrimmage.
After working with the defensive backs for his first three years at UVa, Foley was moved to wide receiver last fall and spent most of his practice time with the scout team.
"I asked coach Welsh two years ago to move me to wide receiver," Foley said. "At the time, he said he didn't think it was a good idea. Once they did move me at the beginning of last season, he admitted, `I wish we would have moved you when you asked.' "
There wasn't much opportunity for playing time last fall behind All-American Herman Moore and senior Derek Dooley, but when spring practice starts today, Foley will be one of three scholarship wide receivers.
The only UVa wideouts who have played in a game are Terry Tomlin and converted quarterback Brian Satola. Freshman Larry Holmes has moved from wide receiver to cornerback.
Brian Haley, considered one of UVa's top receiving prospects until he injured a knee in preseason workouts, will undergo reconstructive surgery this spring and will be unavailable until at least midseason.
"I think I can play; I really do," Foley said. "Not to put anybody down, but I think I'm easily as good an athlete as some of the people who have been playing."
Foley, who is 6 feet and 180 pounds, concedes he does not have "blazing" speed, but his 4.6-second clocking for 40 yards is in the same range as Dooley.
"He's been somewhat out of position," Welsh said of Foley. "I think he's an offensive player. We probably should have recognized it earlier, but our needs were more on the defensive side of the ball. We've had some pretty good wide receivers."
Foley, who was redshirted in 1987 as a freshman, did not have an interception and was not credited with a tackle in his two years as a back-up free safety.
"There were a couple of times when I had a chance [to play]," Foley said. "At times, it was my fault I didn't make the most of it. At other times, there were personality conflicts I won't get into.
"Because of some of the things that occurred, especially two years ago, I basically gave up."
Foley's position coach was Frank Spaziani, who also served as the Cavaliers' defensive coordinator. Spaziani was relieved as coordinator after UVa's late-season collapse and elected not to remain on the staff with reduced responsibilities.
"I'll always remember, till I'm dead in the grave, a situation my redshirt-freshman year at Duke," Foley said. "That was the game Kevin Cook was hurt. [Keith] McMeans was playing corner at the time and I was the backup to Cook at free safety.
"Anyway, Cook got hurt and [Spaziani] said, `Foley go in.' I took about 10 steps onto the field and he says, `Hold on,' and told me to come off. He moved McMeans to safety, put Lance Terry at corner and I was back on the bench."
Foley was virtually forgotten until he showed up on special teams this year, getting on the field for 104 plays. It was a block by Foley that sprung Jason Wallace on a punt return for a touchdown in UVa's 20-7 victory over Clemson.
"At the beginning of this semester, I went in to see Coach Welsh and asked what he had in mind for me," said Foley, who will receive his degree this spring and plans to play as a graduate student. "At the time, he said he didn't know. He said he'd have to get back to me.
"Some of the players they're definite about, starters like Don Reynolds and [Tyrone] Lewis, they tell right away. With players like me, they have to wait and see what recruits they're going to get, how many scholarships they're going to have, who failed out. It's a numbers game."
Seven players with remaining eligibility did not return, not all of their own volition.
"I think things happen in cycles," said Foley, who was primarily a basketball player in his early years at Salem. "I would compare the coming season to my senior year in high school. You never want to toot your own whistle too loudly, but I believe I've got a lot to show."
\ Welsh said the receiver spots don't concern him as much as the secondary, which is why he has moved Holmes to cornerback and back-up fullback Jerrod Washington to strong safety. Lewis, a three-year starter at strong safety, is going to cornerback.
"It's always more scary in the secondary," Welsh said. "I think you can always find a wide receiver or two. You could even go to the wishbone. But you can't play without guys in the secondary."
Welsh said All-ACC selection Chris Slade will play one of the defensive ends in UVa's new 4-3 defensive scheme and likely will have more opportunity to rush the passer. Converted nose guard Matt Mikeska will vie with redshirt freshmen Mike Frederick and Ryan Kuehl for the other end.
The Cavaliers, who have had the same coaching staff for four years, will be getting their first exposure to three new assistants. The newcomers are defensive coordinator Rick Lantz, linebacker coach Mike Archer and offensive line coach Jim Bollman, with former line coach Tom O'Brien making his debut as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
"We're using a different language defensively, but it's the same offense," Welsh said. "I don't know if it's going to be as much of a transition as some people think, but I'm glad we don't have a game to play in two weeks."
Matt Blundin, expected to be Virginia's starting quarterback, will be on hand for the start of drills. However, All-ACC tailback Terry Kirby will not be joining the team until next week. Blundin and Kirby played for UVa's basketball team.
by CNB