By Zach Berman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 11, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Aug. 10 -- With less than three weeks until Virginia's season opener against Southern California, Coach Al Groh remains reluctant to name a starting quarterback.

The depth chart reveals three names in order of seniority -- senior Scott Deke, redshirt sophomore Marc Verica and sophomore Peter Lalich, who is the lone quarterback with collegiate passing experience.

The quarterbacks did not speak to reporters at Sunday's media day beyond a statement from Deke that none of them has done anything yet on the field to warrant the attention coming their way.

Jameel Sewell, the 2007 starter, will not play this season because of academic issues. Lalich appeared in eight games last season and passed for two touchdowns, but was charged with possession and purchase of alcohol by a minor in July.

Despite the quarterbacks' silence, the suspense will remain until coaches reach a decision, which they are in no rush to do.

"None of the players have really played an appreciable amount of times that unless something dramatic happens right away -- some guy for five or six days is, 'Oh, holy smoke, this is really different,' " Groh said. "It's the best thing for the team to provide ourselves the opportunity to get as much input as we can. That is, not to make an inappropriately quick decision."

Junior wide receiver Kevin Ogletree diplomatically answered that no quarterback has thrown better than another so far, either an indication of competition or an indictment of the position's predicament. Offensive coordinator Mike Groh also said no quarterback has an edge.

Al Groh is not keeping a "daily scorecard" on the players' progress. Unless one quarterback emerges quickly, questions will linger as the days become numbered before the Trojans arrive in Charlottesville. Even then, the position could remain unsettled.

"It might take some games to find out who the one quarterback is or who the two are that we should plan on playing," Groh said. "It might take a few games to find that out."

After missing last season with a knee injury suffered in spring 2007, Ogletree is ready to quiet questions about his rehab. He practiced last winter and during spring practice, but the upcoming opener will mark his true return.

"I haven't played an official game, but I've been tackled, been hit, put it through all the tests," Ogletree said. "I trust my rehab. It's kind of a story of the past."

Groh agreed, declaring the Ogletree rehab story "over." Ogletree watched from the sidelines last season, keeping tabs on opposing cornerbacks. With the quarterback uncertainty, the Cavaliers need Ogletree to pick up where he finished in 2006, when he caught 52 passes for 582 yards.

"Physically, he's the same Kevin Ogletree that he was, maybe a little bit better," Groh said. "He's got more muscles to him, more strength to him. Now it's just making the progress with his game that [it] was not possible for him to do during that time frame."

The Cavaliers had an offseason of off-field distractions, whether legal or academic. Although problems are handled internally, Groh said they are not all handled unilaterally. In some cases, Groh said he conferred with team leaders.

Groh emphasized every situation is different. A player who developed goodwill over 3 1/2 years and someone who repeats a mistake are handled differently. Players are responsible for their teammates, too, Groh said.

"In terms of the dynamics of the team, keeping your team together and the communication that is necessary," Groh said, "handling those things are as important as the scheme you draw up or the playbooks that you have."