One of the first changes new coach Al Groh made when he arrived to Virginia was to completely revamp the defensive scheme. Scrapping the traditional 4-3 defense of past Cavalier teams, Groh installed an attacking 3-4 front, featuring the new linebacking corps.
"We're playing a different style of defense which is more aggressive," junior linebacker Merrill Robertson said. "That's helping us linebackers out by letting us play harder. We don't have to wait around."
No longer playing conservatively and lying back to stop the run, the linebackers are now expected to put strong pressure on the quarterback.
"If you don't play good defense, you're going to lose," Groh said. "That part of playing good defense is you got to be able to hit the quarterback, even if it's just on third-down plays or two minutes."
Although Virginia lost all of its starting linebackers from last season to graduation, this year's group hopes to maximize its new strength.
"We've got a lot more speed than last year," junior linebacker Angelo Crowell said. "Everyone runs a 4.5, 4.6 [40-yard dash]. I think we have a great linebacker corps."
Although this season's set of linebackers may be quicker, the most important qualities under the new scheme will be discipline and dexterity.
"From the outset we want to rely on execution," Groh said. "We want to rely on alertness and resourcefulness. One of the most important skills a player can have in the modern game is the ability to think on his feet."
Robertson, the defensive play caller, will be in charge of making sure the new corps, along with the rest of the defense, executes the latest scheme.
"Coach Groh has a vision," Robertson said. "And I actually make that vision happen on the field. We do it the way we think coach Groh would have done it if he were on the field."
With the addition of another linebacker spot, sophomore Raymond Mann switched from defensive end during spring practice.
"It's a great time to be a linebacker," Mann said. "We got the 3-4 and a lot of blitzes and coverages, so I like it now. It's a lot more exciting for the fans to watch"
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