I think Peyton Manning put it best in his latest MasterCard commercial:
“Sad about football season coming to an end? Well, cheer up! You’ve got lots to look forward to. Like…and…well… you could always…you know what? I’m bummed too. I guess I’ll see you next fall.”
We’ll see you around, Peyton. I am dreading the fall when the Manning brothers star in 87% of all commercials on TV. I’m already going through withdrawal, so this week’s edition is very football-intensive. In other news, pitchers and catchers reported last week, which brightens my day a bit. Lacrosse starts soon too, which gives me another college sport to follow obsessively. If I can just make it to April for baseball season, NASCAR won’t be the only thing on TV any more.
Speaking of football, I don’t think Virginia is helping itself any by being one of the last teams to start spring practice. Our QB situation is looking a little “interesting” and we have a new defensive coordinator. Just a warning to you, Coach Groh: I’ll be there for spring practice, watching, agonizing, and just generally filling my system with college football.
I’d like to extend a warm, Fanatic welcome to Coach Bob Pruett, the former Marshall coach who has come out of retirement to become our new assistant coach and defensive coordinator
I’d like to extend a warm, Fanatic welcome to Coach Bob Pruett, the former Marshall coach who has come out of retirement to become our new assistant coach and defensive coordinator 
. September 6 will be an interesting date in the Hoos’ football schedule. They will be taking on the Richmond Spiders, who are now coached by our ex-DC Mike London. Do I sense some bad blood here?
On to the topic of this column!
We are sticking with college football for this week’s Chump. This marks a momentous occasion in Champ/Chump history, as this week, we have our very first repeat as Chump of the Week. I mentioned Ryan Perriloux late last year for his involvement in a casino/bar fight incident and his subsequent suspension. Now, the heir apparent at QB for the defending National Champion LSU Tigers has gotten himself suspended again, this time indefinitely. Rumor has it that Perriloux may be gone for good, which puts LSU in the hole at QB and Perriloux SOL. Knowing Les Miles, he either has another wunderkind waiting in the wings, or he will do something crazy like turn his punter into a Heisman-worthy QB. Either way, I think LSU will be okay. This time Perilous Perriloux got himself in trouble for the always vague “violating team rules” offense.
Champ of the Week goes to the one NFL player who scares me more than any other: Chicago Bears’ middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. Opposing teams beware! Urlacher had neck surgery last month to correct some of the pain in his ginormous neck and arms. He has also admitted to having an arthritic back, which forces him to play in pain. I honestly haven’t noticed a difference, and his courage and toughness land him as my Champ of the Week. If I was the opposing QB, I would still need a new pair of pants after every series.
Lastly, I want wish our man Chris Long, who heads out to the NFL combine later this week, all the good luck we’ve got. Take all the karma from last season with you. I hope you scare them more than Urlacher does. Show them how we do it here in Charlottesville, #91.
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