Post-Spring Depth Chart

2011 Virginia Post-Spring Football Depth Chart

This was released two days ago.  After an elongated digestion period, I (of course) have a few thoughts:

• Lots of "or" popping up on this thing.  Indecision from the coaching staff, parity on the depth chart, or battles for pecking order that just weren't settled this spring?  I gotta say, it makes us look a little bit silly.  If you're releasing a depth chart, release a freaking depth chart!  I think it's a given that the post-spring depth chart is subject to change.  I'll be honest --- it's shit like this that makes us look a shade below a serious football program.
• Okay... Metheny/Rocco sit atop the QBs list.  Not a big surprise.  But as I said before, I think this is Mike Rocco's job to lose.
• Ryan Cobb has leapfrogged Terence Fells-Danzer at fullback.  With the crunch against the 85-scholarship limit, I think TFD is probably one of the 5th year seniors who won't be invited back.  That makes me a little bit sad, because I was really excited about his position switch from linebacker after what he showed last spring.
• Landon Bradley was out of action all spring, which really opened the door for Luke Bowanko to get concentrated work at right guard.  Now, when Bradley makes it back, the staff will need to decide which line is better (from left to right) -- Aboushi/Pasztor/Mihota/Bowanko/Moses or Bradley/Pasztor/Mihota/Moses/Aboushi.  I might like the Bowanko line better, as it puts big Morgan Moses at right tackle, where I think he can really flourish.  But if (southpaw) Ross Metheny wins the starting QB job, do you out Bradley on his blindside at right tackle?  This situation will be interesting to watch unfold, but having six starting-caliber offensive linemen is never a bad thing.
• Jeremiah Mathis...  I've got a feeling about this guy this season.  Just a gut feeling.  He's got an interesting skill set for a motion-type H-back, and his listing in a string of "or" at starting tight end maybe tips the staff's hand that they are planning to use him a lot this season.  It makes sense, with a new [young] starting QB --- give him as many dump-off options as possible.
• Khalek Shepherd is nowhere to be seen on the tailback depth chart.  That surprises me a little bit, I'll admit.  I thought the kid looked really good in the spring game.  Better than Kevin Parks, if I'm being honest.  (Why not throw another "or" on the board?)
• Looks like Jake Snyder won the day over Brent Urban at LDE.  Interesting.  Snyder is a try-hard type of player, whose hustle and motor I really like.  But Urban has so much size and strength.  It might be light on the pass rush, but I think that duo has a chance to be pretty productive in a heavy rotation.
• Will Hill is the 3rd guy at defensive tackle.  But where is Chris Brathwaite, and why isn't he listed?!?  Total travesty.  Brath looks like a bigger, stronger version of John-Kevin Dolce to me... which is a total compliment, by the way.  I doubt the staff will be able to keep him off the field this fall.
• I like Schautz backing up Cam Johnson.  Gotta generate pass rush pressure from the "glamour" spot of RDE, and Billy is probably the second-best rush end on the spring roster.
• The "or" at mike linebacker is probably more of a nod to the great spring Henry Coley had as it is a slight to Steve Greer's chances of starting.  Greer will start.  But Coley seems like he's really coming on.  It's never bad to have talent stacked up at middle linebacker, one of the most important positions at the heart of the 4-3 defense.
• I was [obviously] wrong about LaRoy Reynolds being slotted at sam linebacker.  D'oh!  It makes sense, though.  Roy is a natural on the weak side.  I hope we get to see him blitzing a little bit this season.  He can be like a heat-seeking missile.
• It's good to see Rijo Walker lock down that starting cornerback spot opposite Chase Minnifield.  But his battle begins in earnest this summer, when Tra Nicholson rolls into town.
• Speaking of battle...  Watch out for LoVanté Battle at strong safety.  Like with Jay Mathis on offense, I've got a good feeling about Battle on D.  There is a role for violent-hitting linebacker/safety hybrids in an attacking 4-3.  Plus, Battle will have a chance to be a star on special teams coverage units.
• Our secondary is perilously thin.  Reinforcements arrive this summer, and we'll need several true freshmen to push for spots on the depth chart.  Case in point, Drequan Hoskey is a nice prospect, but no way should a redshirt freshman walk-on be listed on the two-deep at the cornerback position.
• By all accounts, Matt Fortin is a very good long snapper.  But do you think teams will try to pressure our kicks up the middle?  At 5-11, 190 pounds, Fortin isn't throwing much of a blocking presence into the mix.
• We could easily have as many as twelve seniors in the 22-person starting lineup.  That's a pretty big number of upperclassmen, and it bodes pretty well for the season ahead.  If you can't have over-the-top talent, you want experience and chemistry.  I think we have a good chance to see a grizzled, tough team take the field this fall... with a sophomore starting at quarterback.  Ugh.