If Virginia is going to prove all the naysayers incorrect, well, then senior quarterback Marc Verica is going to have to pull the proverbial rabbit out of a hat: win with a young, inexperienced offensive line and a new offensive coordinator/quarterback coach.
Writers around the country have picked Virginia to finish last in the ACC Coastal division. The only way they don’t finish near the bottom of the league is if Verica (or Metheny, Strauss, Rocco) somehow put this team on their backs and march the ball down the field.
Virginia has not had much to work with at the quarterback position since Matt Schaub graduated and headed to Houston in the NFL. Sure, Marques Hagans almost single-handedly won games for the Hoos with his scrambling ability and his huge heart, but Schaub, who was an All-Pro last season with the Texans, was the last big-time quarterback to run the huddle in Charlottesville.
2010 will be economics major Verica’s senior season for the Hoos. In his four years here, he has had six 200 yard games. That’s one more than former fan-favorite Don Majkowski, and two more than my former QB coach Gene Arnette. Verica has the tools to win games. He’s exceptionally bright, very coachable, and he has a rising star in Bill Lazor orchestrating him on offense.
So, can Verica win games? Yes, if his offensive line stays healthy and gels and the fullbacks, tight ends, and tailbacks block for him. Verica must be better under duress while out of the pocket. He has made some pretty regrettable decisions under attack, and I’m hopeful that he can draw on those negative experiences and instead of throwing an ugly interception or a wobbly ball over the middle he can mange the game and limit mental mistakes. You don’t have to be 6-5 and run a 4.3 40 to be an outstanding quarterback. But you do have to be able to not repeat mistakes, quickly put bad throws aside, and mentally be tougher than anyone else out there.
Playing quarterback at a high level requires tons of film study, a decently-strong arm to make all the different throws, an ability to have your teammates want to follow you into battle, and quite a bit of luck to stay healthy. Of course, I’m simplifying the position a bit, but Verica has these skills. I’ve seen him throw some beautiful post patterns and sideline routes in practice this summer. He’s got the skills to get Virginia to seven wins (which would be a HUGE season), but man, a ton of other things have to come together perfectly in order for that to become a reality.
Ross Metheny should be the backup going in to the season. He’s had a redshirt season standing on the sidelines with the clipboard, and he throws a nice ball, but does not have a huge arm. Metheny is a classic drop-back left-handed passer, and will not amaze you with his running out of the pocket, but he very well might develop into next years starter. Let’s hope that Verica can stay healthy and let next season be Metheny’s year under center.
Lynchburg’s Mike Rocco comes from a nice pedigree of coaches. The true freshman also been one of the real surprises of the fall camp, and might become the backup later on during the season if London decides not to redshirt him. Rocco has a very strong arm, is a hell of a leader on the field, and could also play safety for the Hoos. I think he will redshirt this season, but could very well be the starter opening day next year.
True freshman Michael Strauss enrolled in January and has a leg up on the other freshman since he was able to compete in Spring practice. Strauss played for former Wahoo Earl Sims at Gulliver Prep in Miami. He’s playing in Lazor’s pro-syle offense for the first time here at UVA, after quarterbacking the spread in high school. He will most likely be in a huge battle with Metheny and Rocco for the back-up spot.
Freshman Miles Gooch, who hails from Georgia, looks to me like a guy that will play another position at the college level. He’s strong and very athletic, and he should easily make the move to receiver, or H-back on this team. He very well might move back to quarterback next season, or maybe not since the Hoos are light at the receiver position with the transfer of Quintin Hunter to JMU.
Go Hoos, beat the Hokies! But, Wahoos, beat Richmond first.