THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 7, 1994 TAG: 9409070580
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Judging from what took place over the weekend, at least three teams of local interest are in no danger of entering a golden age of football any time soon.
Just a wild guess here, but it does not appear that the Redskins, Norfolk State or Virginia are going to provide their fans with memorable seasons.
Over the weekend, this not-so-terrific trio was outscored, 123-30. It would have been worse but for two meaningless U.Va. touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
If I wanted to stretch the capacity of my adding machine, I could include Navy, which lost to San Diego State, 56-14. But that would mean trying to explain why Navy fired its offensive coordinator after the Midshipmen gave up 56 points.
Going into the game, what was Navy's strategy, score 60 and try to hold on? Makes you wonder how the defensive coordinator manages to keep his job.
Though it fell hard, Virginia deserves to be cut some slack. It's no biggie when the Cavaliers lose big in Tallahassee, Fla. If U.Va. ever wins at Florida State, somebody should investigate. Better that George Welsh and the fans worry more about U.Va.'s home game against Clemson in two weeks. This is a so-called important game that is actually winnable.
For U.Va., a game at Florida State is not winnable. It might never be winnable.
Perhaps you can understand, though, why people expected better than 41-17. Charlie Ward is no longer at Florida State, after all. What's more, U.Va. coaches told us that this would be the Cavaliers' best defense in years.
Now you know why sports writers sometimes have trouble believing what coaches tell them.
After the loss, Welsh wondered if his team is ``not so good or just lousy.''
Now there's a ringing endorsement.
It should not surprise anyone if the Cavaliers turn out to be not so good, though I'd be surprised if they turn lousy. Except for Florida State and a few other football elite, every program goes through a down cycle. Why should U.Va. be spared?
Norfolk State knows all about downward cycles. Believe me, though, the Spartans will win a few this season. A coach didn't tell me this; I trust in the law of averages.
Also, I've sneaked a peek at the
Spartans' schedule, which features six more home games.
Schedule aside, the Spartans won't get better until they learn to hold onto the ball. Memo to Norfolk State: Basketballs are for dribbling. Footballs, you tuck under your arm.
The Spartans are the low men in our tragic trio, coming in with six points for the week.
The Redskins, taking advantage of the NFL's liberal rules promoting offense, exploded for seven points, or one whole touchdown.
In the NFL's first week, scoring was up over the same week last season, 652-587. Apparently, a copy of the new rules didn't make it to Redskin Park. If they did, maybe Brian Mitchell dropped it.
Today, Norv Turner is supposed to announce how he'll use his quarterbacks for Sunday's game in New Orleans. The choice for starter should be an easy one. John Friesz is the man for now. Why the rush to get Heath Shuler behind center? If it takes Shuler until November to be sure of himself, so what?
Whenever Shuler is ready to contribute, the reworked rules will accelerate his progress. Now, if the Redskins only had some pass receivers half as good as Jerry Rice.
A little-advertised part of the 1994 rules prohibit teams from keeping the 49ers' star out of the end zone.
On second thought, that's an old rule. by CNB