When Virginia football coach Mike London took the helm in December, he made all the encouraging statements backup players like to hear about everybody on the roster being given a chance to play.
It's not as if London's initial approach was some kind of new coaching philosophy. New coaches are known to make promises and offer silver linings.
Aaron Taliaferro was particularly interested in what London, a Hampton native, had to say.
Nobody could blame Taliaferro, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior linebacker who graduated from Gloucester High, for seeking a lifeline. After playing in just three games in his first two seasons in Charlottesville, including only eight career plays, Taliaferro needed a little hope.
It seems unlikely that a guy with that kind of resume could compete with a returning starter that led the team in tackles last season, but that's exactly the kind of situation Taliaferro finds himself in this preseason.
Taliaferro and sophomore Steve Greer, who missed most of spring practice with a high ankle sprain after leading the Cavaliers with 92 tackles last season, are competing for the starting middle linebacker job in U.Va.'s new 4-3 defensive alignment.
"We feel like it's kind of unsure right now," said Taliaferro, regarding his and Greer's impressions of the situation at middle linebacker. "We're competing out there, and the whole team is doing the same thing. Nobody is going to be a winner, and nobody is going to be a loser (at middle linebacker). If it comes down to me and Greer splitting time, or something like that, I'll be happy.
"When coach London first got here, he said if you worked hard, he'd give everybody a chance to get on the field. The hardest working person was going to be on the field the most. I kept that in mind and just busted my tail."
U.Va. linebackers coach Vincent Brown said there has been no special formula for Taliaferro's sudden awakening. As London suggested, it may be more about Taliaferro getting an opportunity to shine through hard work and improvement than anything else.
"I think from my standpoint, when we got here, (Taliaferro) kind of wiped the slate clean," Brown said. "He saw that none of us had any preconceived notions about what he could or couldn't do, and that he'd have an opportunity to go out and showcase his abilities. He's taken advantage of it."
In 2007, Brown was a graduate assistant at U.Va. He had a chance to observe Taliaferro, who was redshirting his first season in Charlottesville. Brown saw potential, and when he returned to U.Va. this past winter as a member of London's staff, he was stunned to find out Taliaferro hadn't played much.
"I saw some athletic ability," Brown said. "I was surprised he hadn't played much, but I think he's just kind had the light click on and the timing is right for him. He was a very good high school player and had strength and quickness and all the things you look for in a linebacker. For some reason or another, he just couldn't put it all together previously. We haven't played a game yet (this season), so who knows, but I think he's doing all the things that you want him to do."
Brown said he doesn't know yet how it's going to play out with Greer and Taliaferro in terms of playing time, but the idea thus far has been to keep things simple in the transition from 3-4 to 4-3 to give players a chance to play in the new scheme.
Though Taliaferro said he never seriously considered transferring from U.Va. because he wanted to get a degree from the university — he's majoring in anthropology and may head to graduate school in Charlottesville — he admits his confidence is on a different level at this point.
"I really don't think about last year that much," Taliaferro said. "I'm past it. I'm just thinking about this year coming up. I have full trust in the coaching staff now. Whatever they say, I believe in it. I'm on board with what they have to say."
It's not as if London's initial approach was some kind of new coaching philosophy. New coaches are known to make promises and offer silver linings.
Aaron Taliaferro was particularly interested in what London, a Hampton native, had to say.
Nobody could blame Taliaferro, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior linebacker who graduated from Gloucester High, for seeking a lifeline. After playing in just three games in his first two seasons in Charlottesville, including only eight career plays, Taliaferro needed a little hope.
It seems unlikely that a guy with that kind of resume could compete with a returning starter that led the team in tackles last season, but that's exactly the kind of situation Taliaferro finds himself in this preseason.
Taliaferro and sophomore Steve Greer, who missed most of spring practice with a high ankle sprain after leading the Cavaliers with 92 tackles last season, are competing for the starting middle linebacker job in U.Va.'s new 4-3 defensive alignment.
"We feel like it's kind of unsure right now," said Taliaferro, regarding his and Greer's impressions of the situation at middle linebacker. "We're competing out there, and the whole team is doing the same thing. Nobody is going to be a winner, and nobody is going to be a loser (at middle linebacker). If it comes down to me and Greer splitting time, or something like that, I'll be happy.
"When coach London first got here, he said if you worked hard, he'd give everybody a chance to get on the field. The hardest working person was going to be on the field the most. I kept that in mind and just busted my tail."
U.Va. linebackers coach Vincent Brown said there has been no special formula for Taliaferro's sudden awakening. As London suggested, it may be more about Taliaferro getting an opportunity to shine through hard work and improvement than anything else.
"I think from my standpoint, when we got here, (Taliaferro) kind of wiped the slate clean," Brown said. "He saw that none of us had any preconceived notions about what he could or couldn't do, and that he'd have an opportunity to go out and showcase his abilities. He's taken advantage of it."
In 2007, Brown was a graduate assistant at U.Va. He had a chance to observe Taliaferro, who was redshirting his first season in Charlottesville. Brown saw potential, and when he returned to U.Va. this past winter as a member of London's staff, he was stunned to find out Taliaferro hadn't played much.
"I saw some athletic ability," Brown said. "I was surprised he hadn't played much, but I think he's just kind had the light click on and the timing is right for him. He was a very good high school player and had strength and quickness and all the things you look for in a linebacker. For some reason or another, he just couldn't put it all together previously. We haven't played a game yet (this season), so who knows, but I think he's doing all the things that you want him to do."
Brown said he doesn't know yet how it's going to play out with Greer and Taliaferro in terms of playing time, but the idea thus far has been to keep things simple in the transition from 3-4 to 4-3 to give players a chance to play in the new scheme.
Though Taliaferro said he never seriously considered transferring from U.Va. because he wanted to get a degree from the university — he's majoring in anthropology and may head to graduate school in Charlottesville — he admits his confidence is on a different level at this point.
"I really don't think about last year that much," Taliaferro said. "I'm past it. I'm just thinking about this year coming up. I have full trust in the coaching staff now. Whatever they say, I believe in it. I'm on board with what they have to say."
