Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Anthony Poindexter's friends in the Virginia secondary have taken to calling him ``LB'' now that he has moved to linebacker.
Wait till they hear he derives greater satisfaction from a helmet-rattling tackle than an interception.
``That's the name of the game - to tackle the runner,'' said Poindexter, a redshirt freshman from Jefferson Forest High School. ``I feel I ain't doing my job if I'm not near the play. My goal is to stick my nose in on the ball carrier every time.''
That's how it looked Saturday, when Poindexter had 11 solo tackles and four assists in a 22-3 victory over Clemson, the Cavaliers' first triumph in 19 trips to ``Death Valley.''
It was only the second start for Poindexter, who moved from safety to linebacker after an injury to Jamie Sharper. Poindexter was on the field for 93 plays Saturday, including most special-teams situations.
``He's making mistakes [and] he's getting fooled some,'' said UVa head coach George Welsh, ``but he's making a lot of plays. He hasn't been in enough games yet, but he's a football player. That's why we put him in there. He's a playmaker.''
Poindexter still was a defensive back, replacing a linebacker in Virginia's ``nickel'' package, when he recorded his first sack during the Pigskin Classic at Michigan. In his first game as a true linebacker, Poindexter caused a key fumble with a crushing hit early in the second half against Georgia Tech.
``I didn't know [Sharper] wouldn't be able to play until the Monday when [defensive coordinator Rick Lantz] called me in,'' Poindexter said. ``He said, `We're going to put you at linebacker and start you. You think you can handle it?'
``I just told him, `I can handle it. Put your faith in me.' Things have been working out.''
Poindexter was measured this fall at 6 feet 1 and 202 pounds - good size for a defensive back, but definitely undersized for a linebacker. James Farrior, the lightest of UVa's regular linebackers, weighs 229.
``It really hasn't made a difference,'' Poindexter said. ``I just have to play a different style of linebacker than they play. I rely on my quickness. As far as taking on fullbacks, they can take them up in the chest. I have to cut 'em and let somebody else make the tackle.''
The UVa staff could have predicted Poindexter would be playing by now, and he probably would have played last year if not for a knee injury suffered in the second week of preseason drills.
Poindexter underwent arthroscopic surgery the next day and presumably could have returned by midseason, but he was considered too talented not to redshirt at that point. As it turned out, the knee ``popped out'' again in the spring, requiring a second arthroscopic procedure.
``I don't believe there's any more [cartilage] left,'' Poindexter said. ``It feels good. It gets sore, [but] I think the weather changing makes it more sore than anything.''
Poindexter thinks it was more than a coincidence his knee got better when he switched from No.25 to No.3.
``I wanted a single digit,'' he said. ``I had No.25 the whole year, all the way through spring ball. But, after two operations, I was beginning to feel like it was bad luck for me. I took No.3 because it was the only available single digit.''
Poindexter's older brother, John, has worn No.2 at Jefferson Forest and throughout his career as a wide receiver at Ferrum College. John Poindexter, like his little brother, played quarterback in high school.
``I feel he could have played at this level,'' said Anthony Poindexter, who took advantage of an off day Sunday to drive to Ferrum and visit his brother, with whom he watched a replay of the Virginia-Clemson game. ``I just feel he was in the wrong position. I feel he could have been a drop-back quarterback, but he came out of a wishbone offense.''
There was no chance the younger Poindexter would be an offensive player in college.
``He's one of the most vicious hitters I've coached,'' said Jefferson Forest coach Bob Christmas. ``In fact, he is the most vicious hitter I've coached. I think what makes him so impressive is, here's a safety who can hit like a linebacker.''
Although Sharper was expected to resume workouts this week and should be ready by Oct.6 at the latest, rest assured the Cavaliers will find playing time for Poindexter.
``You've got to start Sharper,'' Poindexter said. ``He's what makes our defense go. On this level you have to play a lot of players. I figure I'll get in a fair amount.''
Welsh reiterated this week that Poindexter's future is at safety. Poindexter isn't wild about returning kicks, a task he was given at North Carolina State on Sept.9, but otherwise he has little preference.
``Just so it's not offense,'' he said.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB