THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 1996 TAG: 9611050451
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 70 lines
Tiki Barber, Virginia's Heisman Trophy candidate, has not watched a complete NFL game on television this season, but that doesn't mean he isn't interested in the pro game.
Barber said Monday that playing pro football ``is something I want to do, and I hope to do it for a long, long time.''
While Barber admitted he doesn't know how the pros view him, he expressed confidence he can do well as a pro.
``You have to be able to catch, run, and block on the next level, and I can do all of that,'' Barber said.
Barber said he felt he would be capable of negotiating his own contract, too, if necessary.
``Having an agent sometimes creates problems,'' Barber said. ``The main reason you would want an agent is for marketing purposes, after you've signed a contract.''
NO PASSING GRADE: Barber received a lot of good-natured kidding from teammates after he completely botched his first passing attempt of the season against Duke.
Barber faked a run, pulled up, and had receiver Bryan Owen wide open but over threw him.
Barber said it was embarrassing to watch film of the play.
``There was no one within 15 yards of Bryan. I could have thrown it underhanded and got it to him,'' Barber said.
It was no joking matter to coach George Welsh, who called the play for the first time this season.
``We should have scored. Tiki could have shot-putted the ball to the receiver,'' Welsh said.
BOWL UPDATE: Unlike pre-Alliance years, there is relatively little bowl talk among the Cavaliers.
Under the present system, the ACC is obligated to send teams to one of the major bowls, the Gator Bowl, the Peach Bowl, and the Carquest Bowl.
Loses to Florida State and Georgia Tech spoiled Virginia's chances for one of the major bowls and there isn't much difference in the other three bowls.
``We really don't have a choice, so it is not something we think about. Our goal is to win the remaining three games and see what happens,'' defensive tackle Todd White said.
League sources speculate that if Virginia beats Clemson on Saturday the Cavaliers have a good chance of making a return visit to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
AILING QB: Clemson quarterback Nealon Greene is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.
Greene suffered a left shoulder sprain in the Tigers' win over Maryland last Saturday.
Clemson offensive guard Glenn Rountree has a hip pointer, but he is expected to play.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Barber and linebacker Jamie Sharper are semifinalists for the Football News' offensive and defensive player-of-the-year awards.
Barber leads the ACC in rushing (129.3 yards per game) and scoring (11.3 points per game.)
Sharper leads the Cavaliers in tackles with 79, including 56 unassisted.
Sharper also is a semifinalist for two other awards - the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the defensive player of the year and the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.
TIME SET: ACC officials announced a 3:30 p.m. starting time for Virginia's game against North Carolina on Nov. 16.
Both the North Carolina and Clemson games will be televised regionally by ABC. by CNB