Aug. 15--Zak Stair, a fifth-year senior, has been a reserve tackle for most of his college career. CHARLOTTESVILLE For two seasons, when Eugene Monroe looked at the man directly to his right, he'd see Branden Albert.
The view has changed for Monroe, the starting left offensive tackle on the University of Virginia football team. Albert is now a Kansas City Chief, and his successor at left guard is Zak Stair, a fifth-year senior from Manassas.
A reserve tackle for most of his college career, the 6-6, 303-pound Stair is not likely to make U.Va. fans forget Albert, the 15th overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Nor should he try to, said Dave Borbely, who coaches Virginia's offensive line.
"Zak and I, we've had this conversation," Borbely said. "He doesn't have to be Branden Albert. He can't be Branden Albert. There are not many guys like that.
"What he has to do really --and this will sound a little cliched -- is be the best player Zak Stair can be. He's got to be a great technician. He's got to be a smart player. He's got to continue to strike people the way he's striking them right now. As I told him, 'Guys come and go. That's college football. Good players leave. Well, it's your time to step up and make this thing happen. You got a great opportunity here.' "
His propensity for committing false-start penalties earned Stair notoriety early in his U.Va. career. But he's improved in that area, and he has his assets.
"He's an excellent technician, and he's very conscientious about that, and he's an extremely smart player," Borbely said.
A graduate of Osbourn Park High, Stair never had played guard before spring practice this year, but he considers him a good fit.
"There's obviously not as much speed that you have to deal with," Stair said. "You're going against bigger guys. I feel as if there's more hitting and less kicking out and trying to catch somebody that's moving real fast. You take out some of the harder parts of tackle."
Borbely said: "I think it's easier to move from outside in rather than inside out, no question."
In April 2006, Monroe dislocated his left kneecap, an injury that required surgery. He returned in time for the '06 season but struggled to regain his form, and Stair started seven games at left tackle that year. The Cavaliers finished 5-7, however, so Stair doesn't reflect as fondly on that season as some might think.
"It all means nothing unless you win," he said. "I had more fun not playing last year than when I started my second year. It took me a while to figure that out. It's good that I can finish my career on this note, but we've still got to go out there and get W's on Saturdays."
