Punctuate This: Question Marks and Exclamation Points

Sure, the Virginia football team has plenty of question marks going
into the start of preseason practice – excuse me, training camp – on
Wednesday. But doesn’t everyone? At this time of year, people always
talk about question marks – the things to worry about, the areas of
concern. How about the exclamation points – the sure things, the main
reasons to get excited about the upcoming season?

We’ll look at both punctuation marks in this preseason analysis of
the 2004 Cavaliers. On this team, for every question mark (punter?), there is an exclamation point (kicker!). Here are the top five of each:

  • OK, so who is going to be UVa’s punter?


    Noah Greenbaum

    This is a pressing question, coming on the heels of Tom Hagan’s
    decision to give up football and concentrate on baseball. Hagan,
    battling injuries, had an awful sophomore season, finishing last in
    the ACC in punting average (34.8). So it’s not like he leaves big
    shoes to fill. However, the Cavaliers would like to turn arguably
    their biggest weakness last year into a position of strength – or at
    least adequacy, especially given the importance Al Groh places on
    field position. But all of the punting prospects are unproven.
    Sophomore Noah Greenbaum, with a grand total of two punts, is the
    only one who has played in a college game. Kurt Korte, a transfer
    from William & Mary, looked good at times in the spring, but it’s
    worth noting that he didn’t start for the Tribe. Freshmen Chris
    Gould and Bryan Lescanec will get a look during camp.

  • ...