I often check my text messages in the morning to see how much of an idiot I was the night before. In doing so Sunday, I stumbled upon a series of messages from a variety of people during the Virginia loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
I decided that morning to conduct the first-ever (I think) text message mailbag.
What I found were glimpses of the Virginia football experience over the last year.
The names of participants have been removed to protect their identities. Unfortunately, I have been unable to include every message I received.
First, let me give you the setting.
Place: Mellow Mushroom...
Time: 7 p.m. until somewhere near 10 p.m.
TXT1, 7:50pm: "Lyles is back, huh?"
(The Lyles recovery -- offseason story number one.)
Right after Lyles popped a Pittsburgh running back behind the line-of-scrimmage, my cell phone buzzed with this message. A few minutes later, he intercepted a pass that set Virginia up for its only touchdown.
Lyles, you'll remember, is the guy we all held our breath for in the Georgia Tech game last year, as he lay motionless on the field after a shot to the head from the knee of Yellow Jacket running back P.J. Daniels.
Though he played a little too aggressively at moments, it was certainly good to see Lyles back on the field.
TXT2, 8:17pm: "Apparently TF is back on the team."
(Tony Franklin reinstated -- offseason story number two.)
Yes, "TF", also known as Tony Franklin, is back with the Virginia Cavaliers. Franklin did not start Saturday, but entered the game quickly and played safety.
Franklin was kicked off the team last winter with Vince Redd and Ahmad Brooks but was reinstated this summer.
While it is certainly good to have him back, isn't it amazing how quickly that story went away?
No accusations here, just an observation.
TXT3, 8:22pm: "Plying cautious b/c of Olsen... All are skeptical -- Any mistake scrutinized."
(Questions at quarterback -- offseason story number three.)
I hope that makes sense to everybody. The language of text messages can be difficult, but I am committed to authenticity.
I'm not sure if it was the goal of the coaching staff to play cautiously, but certainly to keep it simple for new quarterback Christian Olsen.
As for Olsen's personal decisions, "cautious" would probably be a pretty soft adjective. Virginia's longest play from scrimmage went for 20 yards (twice).
Olsen often looked immediately from his first read to his check-down route, and quickly dumped the ball off to tight end Tom Santi to get pummeled in the middle of the field.
Santi finished with seven receptions.
Olsen ended the game 17-of-34 for 133 yards. A decent ratio, but terrible yardage. And consistently short gains on passing plays equals cautious decision making.
TXT4, 8:57pm: "I just saw Pinigis at the JPJ concession stand."
(Players leaving -- offseason story number four.)
Whoa, now. Apparently the former Virginia tackle was at the John Paul Jones Arena Saturday to take in the game and a hot dog with his former classmates.
Oddly enough, almost at the same moment, I saw former Virginia linebacker Vince Redd walking into Mellow Mushroom.
Obviously neither player is still on the roster -- Pinigis quit several weeks ago and Redd was kicked off the team last winter.
Both players are transferring to Liberty University to play for former Virginia coach Danny Rocco.
I only needed to see Thierren "Bud" Davis to complete the trifecta.
I kept an eye on Redd for most of the time I was there and talked with him for a minute or two before I left.
He watched the game in silence. He never smiled or cheered. He never frowned or booed. He just shook his head and never took his eyes off the television.
TXT5, 9:33pm: "Wanna go to Buddhist?"
($2 Sols at Buddhist, the best deal on the Corner -- offseason story number five.)
And with that, I left the game in the middle of the third quarter, completely disgusted.
We took an informal poll with students on our way home, asking when a quarterback change would occur.
A bystander responded that one already had -- Kevin McCabe had just thrown an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
What a night.
That concludes the first-ever text message mailbag. Don't hesitate to send me a note on gameday -- my phone number is on Facebook.
Read More
Abysmal start proves too much to overcome as Virginia exits ACC Tournament early
By Ryan Weiner | 20 hours agoIf the Cavaliers make the NCAA Tournament, they cannot afford to play another game like this.
As the Walshes take their final bow, the swimming world pauses
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayHow could anyone possibly describe the success of this duo?
Virginia women’s track & field wins ACC Championships
By Caroline Wulff | 2 days agoThe last time the Virginia women’s track and field team won ACC Outdoor Championships was 1987 — at least until this past weekend.
