Interview with Jerry Ratcliffe

We were lucky this week in that we managed to get two interviews with writers that cover Virginia football. Jerry Ratcliffe covers the team for the Charlottesville Daily Progress and was nice enough to take the time to answer some questions regarding Virginia, the Terps and this weeks game.

WMUC Sports: In your opinion, what has been the biggest trouble spot for Virginia this season?

Jerry Ratcliffe: Two things: Virginia's offensive line and the quarterback situation. Coach Al Groh recognized quite some time ago that this offensive line, which has three new starters (guard, center, guard) would struggle with run blocking. Knowing that he had a strong-armed quarterback who could make all the throws (Peter Lalich), and a bevy of wide receivers and tight ends, plus backs who could catch the ball, Groh put together an offense that featured the passing game.

It was somewhat similar to that of when Matt Schaub played for Virginia and broke all the school passing records. However, this scheme had more spread plays and more four- and five-wide formations than when Schaub was around. All this went POOF when Lalich got into trouble for underage drinking, broke his probation, had his "Facebook" page discovered by UVa officials and he got the boot by athletic director Craig Littlepage. Current starter Marc Verica, a redshirt sophomore, wasn't really prepared to start, but had to be thrust into the job, much like Jameel Sewell was in early 2006. Sewell, by the way, was supposed to be back for his third year as starting quarterback this season but ran into academic problems after the Gator Bowl and was suspended for a year. He is eligible by NCAA academic standards, but not UVa's. He is supposed to return to school in January.

WMUC Sports: This team is young at some key spots (QB, O-line, D-line, Secondary) and has 15 players who have made their first career start this season. How have you seen the newer players developing so far?

Jerry Ratcliffe: I guess we should label it a work in progress. Verica has a level head and is a smart kid with talent, but he has to go through the same maturation process as any young quarterback. The offensive line hasn't been very good. The d-line shows promise but might struggle against Maryland's physical running game. The secondary has been decent ... it's actually the younger players who have executed better in the secondary than most of the veterans. Dowling, Mosley, Minnifield, and Parker have been pretty good back there.

Wide receiver Jared Green has been decent (Darrell Green's son). Punter Jimmy Howell has been pretty good. There's a lot of talent amongst these younger guys, but it may be the second half of the season before we notice serious progress.

WMUC Sports: People know about WR Kevin Ogletree from previous success; who is someone on the offense people don't know about that they should?

Jerry Ratcliffe: Fullback Rashawn Jackson is decent and his backup Keith Payne, both big backs that can run and catch. Tight end John Phillips can make things happen. Cary Koch is a good possession receiver and Kris Burd is starting to come around at wide out. Maryland fans didn't see Cedric Peerman last season at tailback, but he is a tough, physical runner if he can overcome a leg injury that has hobbled him recently. He was UVa's top rusher last season until he was injured and Mikell Simpson took his place and had a breakout game at Maryland.

WMUC Sports: Where does Clint Sintim stack up with other ACC linebackers in your opinion?

Jerry Ratcliffe: I haven't seen all the rest of the ACC's linebackers, but Sintim is high quality. Groh predicted a few years ago that Sintim would be one of the best to come through the program and he's living up to that prediction. Last year he led the nation in linebacker sacks with nine. He had three at Duke and missed 21 plays when he was cramping up last week. Should have had four, but the refs blew a call. He also had six or seven pressures where he nearly got to Duke's QB.

He's a tough kid, good speed, could improve his open-field tackling a little, but smart. He was Chris Long's roommate and benefitted greatly from seeing Chris' motor 24/7.

WMUC Sports: Is Darius Heyward-Bey the biggest concern for Virginia this weekend? If not, who is?

Jerry Ratcliffe: Well, he's certainly one of them. I would thing Virginia's greatest concern is Maryland's offensive line and tailback Da'Rel Scott because if the Terps can establish a running game, the Cavaliers could be in trouble. Heyward-Bey is a guy that Virginia is going to have to pay special attention to on evey play ... they can't afford to let him burn them for a big play with his speed. Another concern is whether or not Virginia's offensive line can punch any holes in Maryland's defense. If they can't, and if Virginia can't run the ball, it could be a long, long night for the Cavaliers. Good teams can run the ball and stop the run, and thus far this season, Virginia hasn't shown that it can do either.

WMUC Sports: Share your thoughts on the rivalry between these two teams. With Virginia struggling has the luster of this game died down?

Jerry Ratcliffe: Actually, I think the rivalry is very healthy because the last two games have come down to the wire with Maryland winning here and Virginia winning in College Park.

For the longest time, I don't think Virginia considered Maryland that big a rival even though they border. Virginia had always considered North Carolina its rival because it is the oldest rivalry game in the South. For years, those two teams would play on Thanksgiving and it was a big deal. However, when Virginia Tech began pounding UVa, the Hokies became a big rivalry. Maryland was kind of there on the backburner, because, really, how many rivalries can you have? But I think it has picked up recently with Groh and Friedgen. I'm not sure how much those two guys like each other.

WMUC Sports: How do you see this game playing out?

Jerry Ratcliffe: I would say that Maryland being a two touchdown favorite makes sense. Virginia traditionally plays much better at home, but I don't know if there's enough quality veteran players on this particular UVa team to get things turned around. Like I mentioned earlier, if the Terps get the running game going early and if Virginia can't get its running game going, this game may not be close.