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                So today I’m going to address the 5 main Virginia players that are in the 2009 NFL Draft; OT Eugene Monroe, OLB Clint Sintim, RB Cedric Peerman, TE John Phillips, and WR Kevin Ogletree.  All of the players mentioned are seniors with the exception of Kevin Ogletree who was only a junior. Being from Al Groh’s system these players have the distinct advantage in the draft as Coach Groh is extremely well respected in NFL coach circles. These players also have almost perfect character and have never had a problem in their tenures at UVA. So let’s get into the projections:

 

Eugene Monroe:

Offensive Tackle       6’ 5” 312 lbs

Projected Selection: Top 8 pick

                 Monroe is the latest top offensive line prospect to come out of UVA. At 6-5 312 Monroe is a behemoth of a man and could easily anchor an offensive line for years to come. Along with Branden Albert, Monroe led one of the best left sides in the country during the 2007 campaign, and if Albert’s first round selection was any indication, Monroe will be taken very high in this draft. Monroe may go as high as 2 to the Rams, but is more likely to go 6 to the Bengals or at worst 8 to Jaguars. Pay attention to the Seahawks at 4 as a possibility too.

 

Clint Sintim:

 Outside Linebacker         6’ 3” 253 lbs

Projected Selection: 2^nd-3^rd Round

                 Sintim is without a doubt a tenacious pass rusher coming off the edge in Coach Groh’s 3-4 system. Look for Sintim to go to a team that runs a 3-4 versus a team that runs a 4-3 as his coverage abilities have come into question of late. Sintim reminds me of a Joey Porter type player who can be the emotional leader of the team and has a nose for the quarterback. I’d look at the Dolphins or the Niners in the second round, or potentially the Patriots. If he’s available in the 3^rd round I would love the Redskins to pick him up.  Good thing we traded for Jason Taylor and don’t have a 2^nd rounder, which is probably the pick the dolphins will use to take Sintim, which is a perfect fit.

Cedric Peerman:

 Running Back      5’ 10” 211 lbs

Projected Selection: 3^rd Round

                Peerman turned in the fastest 40 time at the combine, which shocked me. As a prospect I did not expect Peerman to move up the board as fast as he did. Peerman is an ordained minister so character issues are completely out of the question with him. Peerman is probably a strong 3^rd down back option, or a nice speed back to compliment a big bruiser. Here’s looking at you Cincinnati in the late 3^rd round.

 

John Phillips:

 Tight End                    6’ 5” 251 lbs

Projected Selection: 5^th Round

                Phillips is a steal in the 5^th round. UVA’s offensive deficiencies have dropped his stock way way down. As far as a prospect goes however I think teams are really missing the boat on this kid. He catches almost everything thrown his way and blocks very well. While not a monster prospect Phillips will definitely be a serviceable and reliable tight end in the NFL for years to come. As much as I hate to say this, look for the Patriots or Eagles to take a peek at him in the 5^th round if they haven’t already addressed tight end.

 

Kevin Ogletree:

Wide Receiver        6’ 1” 196 lbs

Projected Selection: 4^th Round

                I didn’t quite understand why when Ogletree entered the draft but he has certainly proven me wrong. While I’m sure the 4^th round isn’t quite as good as where he probably wanted to go Ogletree worked hard just to get to that point.  Ogletree is a perfect slot receiver to any team that needs an upgrade in that department. I’d draw comparisons to a Santana Moss type player. I’d look at the Ravens or the Steelers in the 4^th round, with the Titans as a dark horse.

 

Anyway this will all end up being proven wrong in the end but I wish all these players the best of luck. As finals approach these entries might be a little more sporadic but hopefully I’ll be able to keep up. Football talk will start soon, as well as baseball, lacrosse, and yes lyle, tennis.

Return to Traditions

As some of you know the University of Virginia is a very unique place, packed with weird traditions, secret societies, obscure names, and people clamoring to live in rooms with no A/C or bathroom. This extends, or at least used to extend, into athletics. When Coach Groh and Athletic Director Craig Littlepage came to UVA they seemed to start a war on tradition. Previously football games included traditions like “Guys in ties, Girls in Pearls” which meant that student would dress up to go see football games. This tradition dates back to when UVA was an all male school and student would bring dates to football games. Virginia also used to have the pep-band play at home football games. The pep-band was not your generic college football band by any stretch of the imagination, playing modern style music as well as UVA drinking songs such as rugby road. Upon entering the scene Littlepage and Groh quickly put at halt to this. In his attempts to make football into a national power Coach Groh initiated the “Sea of Orange” which was meant to eventually overtake the previous tradition of dressing up for games. Littlepage has also pretty much banned the pep-band from all sporting events in favor of the new, generic, marching band. Now UVA looks pretty much like every other school in the country on a Saturday afternoon.
But this movement toward the generic may be stopping. In the recent elections a referendum was offered that would take the money that is used to fund the free power of orange t-shirts in favor of providing the student with better access to water during the sweltering August and September games. While this seems like an innocent enough vote if you read between the lines it is a call from the students to return UVA sports to their traditional state. While I don’t think the pep band is ever coming back you can see from this vote that the students would like to see the traditions return, and I’m fairly certain the alumni would too. Imagine if you came back to your alma mater and everything was different from when you had been there. If the old traditions are going to die out let them die out naturally, don’t force new ones on fans like raising that stupid power of orange flag.
The reason I’m writing this today is that I think the new coaching hire is also indicative of something along these lines. Look UVA is a strange place with strange customs; it only makes sense to have a strange offensive strategy. The hiring of Coach Bennett, at least I feel, helps to emphasize the uniqueness of this school which has disappeared from the football program. This school prides itself on being out of the ordinary, especially academically, and I feel at least that the sports should reflect that. Bring back the old traditions and you’ll see people in the seats. Football games aren’t just about wins and losses, it’s the entire experience, and part of that is weird traditions that build the community as a whole. Yeah people might think we’re weird for doing all of this stuff, but at least it unifies everyone in our own obscurity.