THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408150129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
This University of Virginia football team may turn out to be as good - which is to say, not bad - as the last two. But with only three weeks to go before they are thrown on the griddle at Florida State, it's easier to assess the Cavaliers' new fashion statement than to hazard a guess as to how they might fare on the field.
Dark blue is the dominant color for U.Va. this season. White helmets have been replaced by blue. The new hard hats are decorated on each side with a white ``V'' over crossed sabers. The Cavaliers will wear blue pants on the road, blue jerseys at home.
Virginia football changes its uniform design about as often as George Welsh smiles, so this is something of a big deal.
Gone for the time being are the bright orange jerseys. Now, if U.Va. honors a recent tradition of fading in the fall, critics will be less likely to compare the team to a smashed pumpkin.
At a press day held Friday, the team's new wardrobe was about all that jumped out at a visitor. Missing, for the time being, are the headliners, the household names, the game-breakers.
For a change, U.Va. goes into the season with an established No. 1 quarterback in Symmion Willis. Great Bridge junior Kevin Brooks is expected to start at tailback, but the buzz in Charlottesville is about Tiki Barber, the 5-foot-9, 179-pound sophomore running back.
Exceptional speed is what makes the Barber of C'ville so special.
``Sure, he's fast,'' said Welsh, typically downcast. ``But we have to make sure he gets loose in the secondary.''
Welsh was alluding to the relatively callow offensive line, still something of a puzzle.
``The progress of the offensive line will dictate what we can do,'' said offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien, ``because all the other pieces are there.''
A year ago, U.Va.'s experienced, capable blockers were the safety net for the fledgling Willis.
``This year,'' said O'Brien, ``we're going to ask the quarterback to help the offensive line.''
The defense may have to do most of the helping.
Virginia feels good about its defense, which is not something the coaching staff has always been able to say.
We have the word of defensive coordinator Rick Lantz that U.Va. will be quicker than usual.
Jamie Sharper and James Farrior, he said, help give U.Va. ``more speed at the linebacking positions than any place I've ever been, and that includes the (New England) Patriots and Notre Dame.''
The hyperbole cools when the subject turns to the players along the defensive line.
``They do not have dominating speed or dominating size,'' Lantz said, ``so they're going to have to do things right. But technically, this is as good a defensive line as I've been around.''
August has a way of spawning optimists in football camps. Even O'Brien was moved to say, ``I think our skill kids will run with Florida State's skill kids.''
Which begs the question: For how long?
In '92 and '93, U.Va. sprinted to 5-0 records, then stumbled against tougher competition. This year, some true tests come early.
``I think the schedule is good,'' said O'Brien, ``because the kids know that preseason isn't all drudgery. You've got to get ready for Florida State and then Clemson in the third week. They know that they're going to have to be as good as they can be early.''
How good U.Va. can be is still open for debate. At press day, the blue-and-white-clad Cavaliers looked very sharp. But, then, fashion isn't everything. by CNB