Tightened Lips, Heightened Game

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 31, 2005; Page H5

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech cornerback Jimmy Williams has always been more than confident in his athletic abilities. On his right forearm, a tattoo reads: "Destined 2." On his left: "Be Great."

But Williams's confidence got him into hot water last season with Hokies Coach Frank Beamer. Before the 2004 opener against defending national champion Southern California in the Black Coaches Association Classic at FedEx Field, Williams said Trojans wide receiver Mike Williams wouldn't be very productive if he played in the game. The NCAA denied reinstating the receiver's eligibility before the game, but the damage was done in Beamer's mind. He banned his cornerback from talking to the media for the rest of the season.

So last month, when Virginia Tech's players reported to Lane Stadium for the annual team picture and media interviews, Williams was biting his tongue. Beamer's message had apparently gotten through loud and clear.

"I like it that way," Beamer said. "I like respecting the game and the opponent and playing hard."

Beamer has never questioned Williams's work ethic or talent. Last season, the senior from Hampton, Va., was an all-ACC selection and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to college football's best defensive back. Williams led the ACC with five interceptions and was third on the team with 60 tackles in his first season at cornerback after starting at free safety during the 2003 season.

Williams, 6 feet 3 and 216 pounds, played so well last year that many Virginia Tech fans didn't expect him to be back in Blacksburg this season. Williams was ranked among the top non-seniors available for the NFL draft, but he surprised a lot of friends and teammates when he decided to return to Tech. Losing Williams would have been a tremendous blow to the Hokies, who had already graduated starting cornerback Eric Green and safeties James Griffin and Vincent Fuller from a secondary that helped them rank No. 4 in Division I-A in pass defense last season.

"Hey, I wanted to shock the world," Williams said. "A lot of people thought I was going to leave, but I wanted to do something different. A lot of guys before me who had the opportunity to leave did leave. I wanted to be different. I wanted to leave my mark on this program and its history."

Barring an injury this season, Williams's decision could pay off in a big way in April's NFL draft. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Williams the No. 1 cornerback and No. 10 senior available for the draft. Williams's athleticism and big-play abilities are why he is being compared to former Tech standout DeAngelo Hall, a first-round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2004 NFL draft.

Unlike Hall, Williams has the size to play free safety in the NFL, but he also is fast enough to cover wide receivers in the open field as a cornerback.

"I wanted to come back and be the number one player in college football," Williams said. "Not just the number one defensive back."

Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster will be counting on Williams to anchor the Hokies' rebuilt secondary. With sophomore Roland Minor lining up at the other cornerback spot and sophomore D.J. Parker likely starting at free safety, Williams doesn't figure to get many passes thrown to his side of the field this season. Keeping his young teammates in the right place will be just as important for Williams, Beamer said.

"Jimmy's doing great right now as far as being a team player here, respecting his teammates and being a great senior leader," Beamer said. "He's covering people like a blanket and has really played well and has confidence."

And, most importantly in Beamer's eyes, Williams is doing it quietly. After making his candid remarks about Mike Williams before last season's opener, the cornerback was burned for one of the biggest plays in the Trojans' 24-13 victory. With Tech leading 10-7 late in the third quarter, running back Reggie Bush lined up at receiver and ran right past Williams for a 53-yard touchdown.

"Damn, I don't want another Reggie Bush play," Williams said. "I was just a kid. I didn't know what to say or how to say it. But I still don't think what I said was all that bad."

Williams said Beamer's censorship did have its benefits, though.

"I'd like to thank Coach Beamer because I didn't have to worry about having a bad game and then having to come and talk to you guys," Williams told reporters.

At North Carolina State, Sept. 4

It is a shame the ACC is playing two if its biggest games of the season on the opening weekend. While Miami at Florida State on Labor Day night might get more national attention, the Hokies' trip to Raleigh, N.C., the day before could end up meaning more.

Virginia Tech lost three games last season: the season opener to eventual national champion USC, the Sugar Bowl to undefeated Auburn -- and 17-16 to North Carolina State. The Wolfpack, which ranked No. 1 in Division I-A in total defense last season, recorded 10 sacks at Lane Stadium.

Still, the Hokies had a chance to win, but Brandon Pace missed a 43-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

North Carolina State must fill some holes in the secondary, but the pass rush and run-stopping promise to be just as ferocious, with ends Mario Williams and Manny Lawson leading the charge.

The Wolfpack won't have T.A. McLendon to run the ball anymore, but it might not need many points to stay in games.

Suffice it to say that this isn't the ideal first opponent for new starting quarterback Marcus Vick.

Sept. 4 -- at N.C. State, 7:15
• The big game.
Sept. 10 -- at Duke, noon
• The Hokies make their first trip to Durham, N.C., since 1982; the Blue Devils lead all-time series, 7-5.
Sept. 17 -- Ohio, 3:30
• Former Nebraska coach Frank Solich takes over the Bobcats, who haven't won more than four games since 2000.
Sept. 24 -- Georgia Tech, TBA
• The Hokies scored 22 points in the final six minutes to beat Yellow Jackets, 34-20, in Atlanta last season.
Oct. 1 -- at West Virginia, noon
• The Hokies upset the then-No. 6 Mountaineers, 19-13, in Blacksburg, Va., last season.
Oct. 8 -- Marshall, TBA
• Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Mark Snyder leads the Thundering Herd into Conference USA.
Oct. 20 -- at Maryland, 7:45
• The Hokies scored 110 points in their last two games against the Terrapins, including a 55-6 win last season.
Oct. 27 -- Boston College, 7:45
• Tech won eight of 11 meetings with the Eagles when the teams played in the Big East Conference.
Nov. 5 -- Miami, TBA
• The Hurricanes have won only once in their last five trips to Lane Stadium.
Nov. 19 -- at Virginia, TBA
• The Hokies have lost five of their last nine games in Charlottesville, including a 35-21 defeat in 2003.
Nov. 26 -- North Carolina, TBA
• Last season's 27-24 victory over the Tar Heels was Tech's first in the series since 1928.

Marcus Vick Replaces
QB Bryand Randall

If living up to older brother Michael Vick, the former Tech all-American and current Atlanta Falcons quarterback, wasn't enough, Marcus Vick has the unenviable task of replacing Randall, who was the ACC player of the year in 2004 after leading the Hokies to the conference title in their first season in the league.

Vick hasn't played in a college football game in more than 20 months after serving a university-imposed suspension last season. But he didn't show much rust during Tech's preseason camp and seems to have regained the confidence and trust of his teammates.

Fortunately for Vick, he'll be surrounded by an abundance of quality skill players. If the offensive line gives Vick enough time to stand in the pocket, he has enough arm strength to improve Tech's downfield passing game. His elusiveness will take some pressure off the linemen, and he'll run very well on quarterback keepers and draws.

At least early on, Vick must avoid too much improvising and trying to do too much on his own. Eliminating mistakes and running Tech's offense as efficiently as Randall did will be the keys for Vick.

RB Mike Imoh, Sr.: Robinson High graduate ran for 720 yards and six touchdowns last season.
RB Cedric Humes, Sr.: Was hot late in the 2004 season and finished with 605 yards and five touchdowns.
LB Xavier Adibi, Soph.: Among the most physically gifted linebackers in the country.
CB Jimmy Williams, Sr.: Led the ACC with 14 pass breakups and had team-high five interceptions in 2004.
WR Josh Hyman, Soph.: Emerged as the Hokies' deep threat last season.

• QB Bryan Randall: His leadership, 2,264 passing yards and 24 total touchdowns will be missed.
• LB Mikal Baaqee: 71 tackles, 361/27 tackles for loss.
• FS Vincent Fuller: One of three departing defensive backs, had 51 tackles and three interceptions.

• SS James Griffin: Had 56 tackles and five pass breakups last season.
• CB Eric Green: Made 36 tackles and broke up five passes.