Cavs coach knows linebackers, ranks Sintim among best

By Hank Kurz Jr.

CHARLOTTESVILLE

As a linebacker in Virginia's 3-4 defense, Clint Sintim knows coach Al Groh has helped develop some of the best to ever play the position.

So when Sintim was told that Groh ranks him among the most complete linebackers he has coached at U.Va., Sintim knew it was praise not to be taken lightly.

"Wow!" Sintim said. "For him to say that, that's humbling. I don't really know. I know my game has come a long way from when I first got here, but I don't know."

Seemingly embarrassed, Sintim said he'd rather wait until he's finished before considering his place in Cavaliers history, and that makes sense, too. Week after week, he's climbing the career lists at a school that has been steadily sending linebackers to the NFL.

Last weekend against Georgia Tech, when Sintim was involved in three sacks, he became U.Va.'s career leader in that category among linebackers with 28.

Darryl Blackstock, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, had 27 before leaving a year early.

Groh coached Lawrence Taylor at North Carolina and later with the New York Giants, also coached Andre Tippett with the New England Patriots, and Pro Bowlers such as Carl Banks and Pepper Johnson with the Giants, former U.Va. star Chris Slade and Willie McGinnest with the Patriots, Clay Matthews with Cleveland and Mo Lewis with the New York Jets.

Taylor and Tippett are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Before this year, some thought Sintim's nine-sack season a year ago could be attributed to playing behind defensive ends Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who commanded oppoenents' attention.

But neither is there this year, and the four-year starter has been better than ever. He has had sacks in five consecutive games and leads the nation's linebackers with 9-1/2 sacks in eight games.

"When I have the opportunity to rush, I feel like I can win," Sintim said.

"I guess it's a zone or whatever you call it, but I'm in a groove whereas I just feel like I'm going to win."

Saturday, Sintim and U.Va. (5-3, 3-1 ACC) hope to continue their resurgence when they host Miami (5-3, 2-2) in a critical division game.

The Cavaliers have won four straight, the Hurricanes three, and the winner will gain an upper hand for the Coastal Division's berth in the ACC championship game.

As for what Sintim has accomplished since arriving as a raw freshman, Groh said Sintim alone gets credit and could serve as a model for what it takes to play at a very high level.

"Monday is our day off, and he's in there every Monday for a couple of hours on his own watching tape on the upcoming team, wanting to get a head start on it," Groh said.

Groh admits to having a special affinity for No. 51.

"Because of the particular position he plays and the amount of years that I've spent involved with the position, I've had the opportunity to have more day-to-day and nuts-and-bolts work with him at the position than if he was playing, say, wide receiver or offensive tackle," Groh said.