Versatility gives Cavs advantage
Versatility is trademark of Virginia football.
By TAFT COGHILL JR.
Date published: 9/14/2004
U.Va. coaches won't hesitate to experiment
CHARLOTTESVILLE--Virginia right guard Elton Brown has always taken pride in playing offense like a defender, relentlessly attacking opponents, no matter how big or small they may be.
After Brown viciously pancaked Temple 185-pound cornerback Andrew Turner two weeks ago, he said: "He was talking a lot. I just wanted to let him to know what 330 [pounds] felt like."
Virginia coach Al Groh has now discovered a new way to use Brown's aggressive play.
In the Cavaliers' 56-24 win over North Carolina on Saturday,
Brown was in at nose guard on an important 4th-and-inches play in the first quarter.
With the help of Brown, the Cavaliers (2-0, 1-0) stuffed running back Ronnie McGill for a loss and then cruised to an easy home win.
"It was fun," said Brown, who played defensive tackle at Hampton High School. "It just adds a different dimension to our team. I already play offense with a defensive-minded approach."
Brown isn't the only Cavalier playing both sides of the ball. Linebacker Kai Parham serves as a blocking fullback,
and defensive end Chris Canty occasionally lines up at tight end.Even 260-pound inside linebacker Ahmad Brooks doubles as a kickoff returner.
Versatility has quickly become the trademark of the 12th-ranked Cavaliers.
"Elton is one of our top players and Canty is a top performer," Groh said. "When your main line players help out like that it sets the standard for the rest of the team."
The Cavaliers' versatility isn't limited to those who play both offense and defense.
Running back Alvin Pearman runs, catches, blocks and returns kickoffs and punts.
Safety Marquis Weeks, a former running back, had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Tar Heels.
Fullback Jason Snelling can play tailback. Running back Michael Johnson is sometimes split out at wide receiver.
Players said Groh never asks who wants to play multiple positions. It's something that's understood when it comes to helping the team win.
"We've got guys like Alvin Pearman who just flat out get the job done," said quarterback Marques Hagans, who played wide receiver and punt returner last season. "It's a luxury to have all these guys who want to help out anyway they can."
Parham was a fullback, linebacker and tight end when he starred at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach.
The 6-foot-3, 247 pound sophomore has massive biceps, and is a nightmare for opponents when leading the way for Virginia's talented runners.
He was in on scores in both wins this season. His success at the fullback position comes as no surprise to teammates.
"Look at him," Lundy said. "Nobody wants to get in the way when he's leading."
Parham said his next goal is to score a touchdown himself. With the way things have gone, he'll more than likely get the chance.
"[Playing both ways] makes it fun out there," Parham said. "I know [Brown] likes strapping it up with the defense. I like playing offense. It's good for the team. It gives us the flexibility that we need."