Football season is upon us. In less than a month, Virginia will be strapping on their helmets to face Colorado State at Scott Stadium. There will be a lot of new faces that will likely get some playing time this season. You can get your first look at these newcomers on July 31st for Meet the Team Day at Scott Stadium (see below for details). Soon after, practices will be open to the public. Come out to the practice field and catch your Hoos as they prepare for the season (more info below).

This will be the last SabreMail report until I return from vacation August 3rd. The next SabreMail is scheduled for August 8th unless there's a need for a SabreMail breaking news. While I am on vacation, the message boards will continue to be monitored, so please be on your best behavior. Our boards are for the enjoyment of everyone, so please be courteous to others and respect their opinions.

GO HOOS!

Last season Coach Groh and company made the recruiting trip down 64 to Richmond and ended up with a couple of very good prospects in Anthony Martinez and Jason Snelling. The staff hopes for the same success this season, as they are recruiting Hermitage High School tandem TE/DE Duane Brown and WR Fontel Mines.

Brown, who has offers from Virginia Tech, Maryland, Northwestern, and Richmond, is a tremendous athlete at the tight end position. At 6'5", 250 pounds, he runs a consistent 4.8 in the forty, according to Hermitage Head Coach Patrick Kane. Kane, who has only been Hermitage's Head Coach for one season, says Brown has the whole package.

"He has good athletic skills and great hands," said Kane. "He plays tight end and defensive end for us. The other sports he plays show his athletic ability. He is a standout basketball player. Last year I encouraged him to do track, and he did very well in three events - the shot put, discus, and even the high jump. He threw the shot 50 feet 9 inches, threw the discus 140 feet, and jumped 5 ft, 10 inches in the high jump. That shows how good of an athlete he is. And he also has great hands."

While Brown can be a great receiving tight end, his forte is blocking. His sophomore season, Brown played offensive tackle for the junior varsity squad. Last season, Hermitage used primarily a running attack and Brown was a key blocker in that system. In the upcoming senior campaign, Brown will get to showcase his receiving ability a little more, as Coach Kane plans to extend the role of his tight end in the passing attack.

"Last year, he was probably underutilized," said Kane. "This season, I will use his ability in the passing attack. He will get more looks this season. Right now, blocking is probably his strength. But next year, he will get to catch passes."

Last season, Brown made a powerful impact on the defensive side of the ball. He earned 1st team All-District defensive end and 2nd team All-District tight end, despite being primarily a blocker in the offensive system. As a defender, he "made a lot plays as a strong side defensive end," according to coach Kane.

Brown's personality is exactly what any football coach wants in a player - fiery and intense. While he is a quiet person off the field, Brown exhibits the fire in his eyes once he steps on the gridiron.

"He is quiet," said Kane. "But he is the type of person you don't want to make mad. He is a very intense person, but not the type of intensity that is shown. He has that look in his eyes."

Brown is currently waiting for a scholarship offer from the Cavalier coaching staff. A decision should come shortly for the talented tight end.

Another reason Brown didn't receive too many passes last season was the play of his teammate, wide receiver Fontel Mines. For the run-happy Hermitage club, Mines was able to catch 29 passes last season as the primary receiving target. He and Brown are the two main reasons Hermitage plans to open up the passing attack next season.

"He is a phenomenal player," said Kane of Mines. "I haven't seen anyone better except David Terrell, and that was because Terrell ran 4.2 and 4.3 in the forty. He is a good mix between the UVa receiver [Billy McMullen] and David Terrell [Former Huguenot HS and Michigan star, now receiver for Chicago Bears[. He's got the complete package."

According to coach Kane, Mines recently ran a 4.48 forty at the University of Virginia camp. At 6'5", 215, that makes him an excellent receiver prospect at the next level. His outstanding performance at camp prompted the Cavalier staff to offer Mines a scholarship after the camp. In addition to the Cavaliers, he has offers from Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Wake Forest.

Unlike his teammate Duane Brown, Mines has a more charismatic persona on the field. According to coach Kane, Mines is like typical receiver, as he wants to be the playmaker.

"He wants the ball," said Kane. " He loves making big plays."

The two Hermitage stars' recruitment is just beginning to heat up. According to coach Kane, almost every East coast school has been in touch concerning the two prospects. The duo is trying to stay away from the 'package deal' talk, according to coach Kane, as each will choose the school that best fits them.

"I am sure it would be nice for them to go to the same school," said coach Kane. "But I think they will choose the school that offers the best situation for each of them."

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Football practices open to public

Virginia Coach Al Groh has elected to open football practices again this year. For almost two decades, UVa practices were closed to the public. Coach Groh has taken a different approach to college football and has treated his practices as if they were part of an NFL training camp. This is a great opportunity to catch your Hoos while they prepare for the upcoming season.

The first official practice begins August 1st. Fans, players' families, recruits and media representatives will be allowed to attend practices from August 1st through August 9th. Practice begins at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday's practice times have not been announced.

This schedule is subject to change without notice.

Practices are held on the grass practice fields behind University Hall and adjacent to the McCue Center. Fans need to check in at the football office on the second floor of the McCue Center to get a pass to enter the gate. Visitors must sit on the bleachers just to the left when they enter the gate. The bleachers to the right are reserved for staff and media personnel.

Fans are not allowed to being cameras or mobile phones inside the practice area.

Virginia Football Meet the Team Day

Want to get an early look at this year's Hoos? Come on out to the Meet the Team Day!

The event will be held at Scott Stadium on Wednesday, July 31st from 4:30 through 6:00. It will be held in conjunction with Media Day, just like last year.

Parking is available in the South and East parking lots around the stadium. Fans may enter only through the East Gate (off Whitehead Rd).

The event is free to the public, and concessions will be available. There is no 'meal with the team' this year.

Other highlights include:

• Free promotional items including 2002 schedule poster
• Chances to win door prizes
• Get autographs from your favorite players
• Football uniform try-on station for kids (bring your camera)
• Mascots and cheerleaders

2002 Virginia Football Roster

TheSabre.com will update the football roster and player bios around mid-August. Until then, we have provided a printable PDF version of the most recent roster that UVa has sent out. In order to access the printable roster, please refer to the Player Roster page.

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