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Groh sees onlypositives
Rather than bemoan the end of the bowl streak, the Virginia coach believes the Cavaliers may benefit from the extra time off.Date published: 11/29/2006 By TAFT COGHILL JR. CHARLOTTESVILLE--The University of Virginia football team won't go to a bowl game for the first time since 2001, but Cavaliers coach Al Groh doesn't think that's necessarily a bad thing. While Groh's young team could use the extra practice time in December, the sixth-year coach said it may be more beneficial to get an early jump on next year's team. Groh said if the Cavaliers had won Saturday at Virginia Tech instead of losing 17-0, it would've been 6-6 and preparing for a lower-tier bowl game. He said he'd rather look ahead to 2007. "I think the prize can be a lot greater," Groh said. Groh will visit recruits who have already orally committed, and try to land a few more in the coming weeks. The Cavaliers are expected to bring back 10 starters on defense and nine on offense next season. They may lose just four players who contributed heavily to the team's disappointing 5-7 season. Groh said none of his players are expected to declare early for the NFL Draft. Junior defensive end Chris Long would be the only likely candidate, but Groh said Long's indications he will return. Following the loss to Virginia Tech, Long said the Cavaliers will be motivated by their lack of success for next season. "What you try to do all year is just take these mental pictures, watching other teams celebrate and that sort of thing," Long said. "I'll be taking a lot of mental pictures during the bowl season, and I just can't wait to get out there next year." The Cavaliers' season started on a down note when they traveled to Pittsburgh and were beaten 38-13. They then needed a missed extra point to defeat Wyoming 13-12 in overtime at home. The following week, it became apparent that the Cavaliers could be in for an even longer season than most anticipated. They used three quarterbacks in a 17-10 home loss to Western Michigan. Kevin McCabe made the first start of his career, but was replaced by original starter Christian Olsen in that game. In the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman Jameel Sewell made his first appearance, but the Cavs still fell.
Date published: 11/29/2006
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