Hoo Preview 2014: Media Roundtable Part 2

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Virginia’s defense features a lot of returning experience. ~ Mike Ingalls

As TheSabre.com continues its month-long “Hoo Preview” to get UVa fans ready for football season, it’s time for a part two of the media roundtable. The panel weighs in on some of the interesting questions surrounding the Cavaliers in 2014. What’s the ceiling for Eli Harold? Can Anthony Harris lead the defense to more interceptions? And more.

The second part of the roundtable focuses on the defense and special teams. It’s time to get started.

The Sabre pulled in a TV anchor, two radio hosts, and a newspaper reporter to join Editor Kris Wright for this edition. Make sure to visit Damon Dillman and CBS 19 CharlottesvilleFrank Maloney and Hoos Talking (new season starts Monday, Aug. 25!), Luke Neer and the Best Seat in House, and Andrew Ramspacher at The Daily Progress for more insight on the Hoos. UVa fanatics should also give the Sabre EDGE subscription a try.

1. At this point in their respective careers, Eli Harold has recorded more sacks than Chris Long (10.5 vs. seven) but both showed signs as underclassmen of causing consistent problems for opponents. With his upperclass years now here, what’s the ceiling for Eli Harold?

Kris: Eli Harold’s ceiling? I’m not sure there is one by all the tangible markers. Harold can get to the top of the Virginia record books or near the top in all the relevant pass-rushing and disruptive categories: single season sacks (15 by Chris Slade in 1992 and Patrick Kerney in 1998, 14 by Slade in 1991 and Chris Long in 2007), career sacks (40 by Slade, 29 by Clint Sintim, 27 by Daryl Blackstock), single season tackles for loss (Slade, Frederick, Kerney with 21), and career tackles for loss (56 by Slade, 50 by Mike Frederick, 43 by Long and Sintim). After 8.5 sacks last season and 15 total tackles for loss, even moderate improvement (just holding steady at those numbers each of the next two years is going to put him in the top three of the career categories) would put him in the neighborhood of owning every single category.

The last two years of the NFL Draft have featured six top 10 picks who were disruptive front seven types. Harold may not get to that lofty territory, but it’s possible with his growing strength and already high-level quickness. And remember defensive line coach Jappy Oliver coached Buffalo’s Khalil Mack, who went fifth in the 2014 NFL Draft so it’s possible that Harold will improve dramatically under similar tutelage. It’s going to be fun to watch.

Damon: If there’s one guy on defense who seems poised for a breakout year, it’s Eli Harold. No one plays with more passion. That actually sometimes works against Harold, but if he can rein it in a little bit, he seems like he could drive opposing quarterbacks crazy all season. That’s his goal. He’s bigger and stronger, and says he has a better idea of the mental game of rushing the passer. In terms of the Chris Long comparisons, I don’t know if that’s fair to Eli, but he has the potential to be special for sure. Harold also said at media day that he talks to Chris Long regularly. That’s a pretty good mentor to have a text message away.

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Eli Harold posted 8.5 sacks in 2013. ~ Mike Ingalls

Frank: Eli Harold is poised to become a force. He needs to stay focused and raise his game. Harold has gained weight and strength. He will put up bigger sack and TFL numbers if Max Valles and others provide more pressure from the left side of the defense. Fully expect Harold to earn All-ACC recognition and possibly national awards as well.

Luke: I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say Eli has a high ceiling. For him to reach Chris Long status, he’ll need to continue to put on more weight and get better in the run game, but his pass rushing skills are outstanding. His ceiling could be Jevon Kearse who was similar height and weight-wise.

Andrew: Eli Harold’s up around 250 pounds now, signifying the impressive work he’s put into his body after arriving on Grounds around 220 as a freshman. He’s starting to fill into his athletic build while keeping the same speed that allowed for all that success in 2013. I’d say his ceiling has through-the-roof potential. The key, however, is consistency. Those 8.5 sacks last year were great and all, but they came in only five games. Until the finale at Virginia Tech, he had gone five straight contests without a sack. At Media Day, Harold admitted how much he benefitted from a healthy Brent Urban causing a disturbance in the middle of that D-Line. Who opens up the 1-on-1 opportunities for Harold this year? Can David Dean – or maybe Andrew Brown – fill that role?

2. Henry Coley and Daquan Romero led the team in tackles last season and they are back in their linebacker spots. After that duo, however, the linebacker position is more about potential in a lot of ways. Any concerns with the depth there this season?

Kris: I think there should be a lot of concern about depth. Max Valles and Mark Hall both have looked good at strong-side linebacker during training camp so that position seems to be OK at this point. Behind Coley and Romero, however, are inexperienced and/or unproven players in Micah Kiser (middle), D.J. Hill (weak-side), and Zach Bradshaw (weak-side). Darius Lee (weak-side) is the only other player listed on the spring depth chart. The linebacker spot is one of the most important positions in Jon Tenuta’s defense so the lack of in-game experience among the depth chart is concerning as the season approaches.

Damon: Until guys show they can do it in games, I think you always have to have some level of concern. But there does seem to be some potential waiting in the wings. I know people on the staff really like Zach Bradshaw. Mark Hall and D.J. Hill have plenty of special teams experience, and Hall looked like he might be ready for a bigger role in camp this summer. Redshirt freshman Micah Kiser and two new players, Canaan Brown and Chris Peace, sure look like college linebackers, but they need to get on the field. The good news for these guys is that they have Coley and Romero to watch and learn from, and hopefully get eased into the fray.

Frank: The LB corps behind studs Coley and Romero is solid with Max Valles, Mark Hall, Zach Bradshaw and D.J. Hill. As the D-Line improves, so will the productivity of the linebackers. I’m expecting the front seven to be stronger versus the run.

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Daquan Romero teamed with Henry Coley to make a tough tackling duo. ~ Mike Ingalls

Luke: If Coley can stay on the field, the unit should be fine. Also the sophomores gained some decent experience in Jon Tenuta’s system last year, which makes me believe they’ll be able to fill in when needed. I think depth at linebacker is not a big concern in comparison to some of the other question marks facing this team.

Andrew: I would think the hope from the UVa coaching staff is that Coley and Romero remain healthy and they don’t have to ponder this question for themselves. Max Valles, the likely starter on the strong-side, can be a force – just ask Pitt – but he disappeared at times as a freshman. Another year of Coley, Romero and defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta should round Valles into a more complete player, but again there’s the “potential” you’re talking about. It’s not like the backup LBs are completely inexperienced – D.J. Hill and Zach Bradshaw have seen significant reps in their careers – but there’s definitely a drop-off after Coley and Romero, a combined 36 starts between them.

3. While Anthony Harris grabbed eight interceptions last season, the defense as a whole had just 10. That ranked 12th in the ACC and tied for 82nd nationally. Can the Hoos increase that total this season? Why or why not?

Kris: I think so. Anthony Harris probably won’t get back to eight interceptions again, but the combination of experience and health for Maurice Canady and Daquan Romero should produce at least a handful of picks in the second season of Jon Tenuta’s schemes. True freshman Quin Blanding oozes potential so I suspect he’ll have one or two, while Tim Harris is a year older and a physical corner. I could see all of those players getting at least two picks each due to the aggressive nature of the defense and what could be a very effective pass rush. That adds up to eight and Anthony Harris will have a few too I suspect. I’m guessing the number will fall around 15, which would lift the Hoos to the middle of the ACC pack based on last year’s statistics.

Damon: I think UVa’s turnover numbers will be up this season, for a few reasons. The first is that you’ve got a lot of experience back all over the defense. Mike London has talked this summer about much faster the defense is playing in the second year under Jon Tenuta. They’ll need the front four to generate more pressure, and force opposing quarterbacks to make more bad throws – but the Hoos think they have players up front who can do that. Maurice Canady is healthy, though Tra Nicholson needs to get there for UCLA. And finally, they add the potential play-making ability of five-star recruit Quin Blanding at safety. That can’t hurt.

Frank: Yes, I am expecting the UVa defense to generate 14 or more INTs this season. The depth and the speed of the secondary will help lead the way. The sooner that Tra Nicholson returns to form the better, though.

Luke: I suspect Anthony Harris’ interception total will drop off, but I believe the team’s total will increase. Having Demetrious Nicholson back (no sure thing yet) will make a sizable impact in coverage and with a veteran second level, the linebackers should be better equipped to get some picks. Finally, we’ve heard plenty rave about Quin Blanding’s ball skills. Put all those factors together and I think they go well above 10 INTs.

Andrew: Because of his reputation, teams might tend to shy away from Harris’ side this season, giving opportunities for others to increase that 2013 total. I do think they get more than 10 picks. After being thrown into the fire last season, Tim Harris can only get better. Maurice Canady has always shown flashes of being a real playmaker. And Quin Blanding, who was rarely thrown to in high school, should have plenty of golden chances to live up to his five-star billing. Plus, I don’t think Coley and Romero leave Virginia without a career interception between them.

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A healthy Maurice Canady could be a breakout candidate in 2014. ~ Mike Ingalls

4. Speaking of interceptions, Anthony Harris had a breakout season in 2013. Who is your pick – pun perhaps? – to have a special season in 2014?

Kris: Other than Eli Harold, who I discussed above, I’m betting on David Dean. At times last year, he already was emerging as unblockable at times. With Harold and Max Valles or Mike Moore pressing the other end, Dean is going to have opportunities to get into the backfield and make plays. He’s smart, he’s got a little bit of a mean streak, and his development line has been climbing fast since he got on the field. He had 49 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss (four sacks) last season. I can see each of those numbers climbing a bit in 2014.

Damon: You can’t rule out another big year from Harris. He’s the guy who picked up Tenuta’s system the fastest last fall, and now he’s another year more mature. We talked about Eli earlier. And I think Henry Coley is going to have a big senior season as well, a tackling machine similar to the way Steve Greer went out a few years ago. Coley is Tenuta’s other QB on defense. He also set the emotional tone for the defense the first week in practice, raising the level of intensity all over the field. You get the sense listening to Coley that he’s ready to lead the Hoos both emotionally and with his play this season.

Frank: No question, Anthony Harris will have another spectacular season as the defense as whole will be improved. I have to think Maurice Canady will have a breakout season as teams avoid throwing the ball near Anthony Harris. Canady’s injury slowed him last season, but he had two interceptions as a freshman.

Luke: Max Valles is my breakout player in 2014. He has the luxury of having Harold on the opposite side to draw a good chunk of attention which makes me think Valles will make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Jappy Oliver said Max is the “utility guy” so I think he’ll be on the field often and we’ll see more performances resembling his play vs. Pitt in 2013.

Andrew: I’m going with David Dean. A bit overlooked last year because of the headlines grabbed by Harris, Harold, Urban and company, Dean had a solid 2013, collecting 49 tackles and four sacks. Coaches have been high on the junior all camp and I think improved play from fellow tackle Donte Wilkins – plus the addition of Andrew Brown – only will help Dean reach a new level. He’s not going to break out like Harris did, but Dean should set himself up for an outstanding senior year. He can stuff the run and his pass-rush skills got overshadowed last year with the swatting abilities of Urban.

5. Virginia’s punting average of 40.55 yards ranked 73rd nationally while its punt returns allowed average of 10.09 yards ranked 93rd nationally. What needs to improve for this unit to have more success?

Kris: According to ESPN’s stats page, UVa came home 81st in net punting in 2013 so just add that as another category of overall poor play last season. Two things can help this unit. Alec Vozenilek can get better and more consistent hang time on his kicks without sacrificing distance – reportedly, he’s worked on upping his hang time this offseason. That gives cover guys more time to get in position to defend against returns. With that said, those cover guys can have better lane discipline and containment fundamentals. Too many times in recent years, overlapping coverage lanes and poor footwork approaching the returners have caused seams to open. Hopefully, Larry Lewis gets some improvement from the unit in his second year.

Damon: Special teams coach Larry Lewis says that pound-for-pound, Alec “Preacher Curls” Vozenilek might be the strongest player on the team. And looking at him in practice, Vozenilek clearly did some hangin’ and bangin’ in the gym this offseason. Hopefully he did some lower-body work too, which would allow him to punt the ball deeper. Being able to focus on his punting responsibilities, instead of also serving as the placekicker, should help too. With the coverage unit, you have to hope some of these athletes the Hoos have been recruiting will embrace special teams as a way to make an impact on the field. Listening to Lewis, it’s clear the guy knows – and loves – special teams. Guys just need to buy in.

Frank: Punter Alec Vozenilek will improve his hang time and length this season. He has shown improvement every year. Clearly, the punt coverage team needs to do a better job tackling returners this season. The group must pin opposing offenses deeper in their territory to help the UVa defense.

Luke: The return yardage average is the more startling stat of the two. So I’ll say tackling needs to improve for more success. I’d like to believe a more experienced special teams group will be sharper with such fundamentals, but you never know.

Andrew: Alec Vozenilek is as solid as punters come in the ACC, but even he admits he needs to work on his consistency. If the three-year starter moves to an elite level – Vozenilek’s goal – that can make this unit at least look better. And remember that long list of receivers referenced in part one of the roundtable? Punt coverage is where some of them can make their mark.