The Roanoke Times | File 2007

Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim (51) begins his senior season Saturday, when the Cavaliers host third-ranked Southern Cal. Sintim has 175 career tackles at UVa.

The Roanoke Times | File 2007

Virginia coach Al Groh (right) has high expectations for linebacker Clint Sintim this season.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- No one is expecting Clint Sintim to be a 2008 version of Chris Long, but some numbers are worth considering.

In his first three seasons at Virginia, Long -- The Cavs' 2007 first-team All-American who now plays for the NFL's St. Louis Rams -- had a total of 108 tackles, including 24 for loss, and seven sacks.

As he enters his final season, Sintim has three-year totals of 175 tackles -- 30 for loss -- and 16 sacks.

Long was a defensive end and Sintim is a linebacker, which is like comparing apples and oranges. But if you're looking for a big-play threat on UVa's defense this season, Sintim is your guy.

"If I could get double-digit sacks, I'd be very excited," said Sintim, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound fifth-year senior.

He had more sacks last year, nine, than any other Division I-A linebacker.

"Nine sacks is a lot of sacks for a linebacker," UVa head coach Al Groh said. "It might be hard to get that many again this year, but they've got to come from some place. There are a lot of sacks that left [with Long and Co.].

"What I expect and what we need are the same thing. We need a big year from Clint."

Sintim played defensive end as a senior at Gar-Field High School in Prince William County and had always lined up with a hand on the ground before he was moved to outside linebacker in UVa's 3-4 scheme.

"The opportunity to play linebacker really intrigued me," Sintim said. "I think the 3-4 is perfect for me. I think I was made to be an outside linebacker in the 3-4. I'm big enough where I can take on tackles and tight ends, but, at the same time, I have enough mobility to play outside on receivers. I love it!"

Sintim enters the season with 37 consecutive starts, 12 of them coming during the 2006 season, when he basically was playing with one arm. He underwent shoulder surgery after the season and his tackles jumped from 45 as a sophomore to 77 as a junior.

He also restructured his body under new strength coach Matt Balis. After weighing as much as 255 or 258 earlier in his career, he checked into camp at 243. "I'm a film guy," Sintim said. "Watching my film from last year and the previous year, I get disgusted at the previous year. Even last year seems so long ago.

"Watching last year's film, I'm looking at things and saying, 'Wow, that's terrible.' I'm still at the point of progressing and hopefully this year I'll make even more plays than last year."

When comparing Sintim and Long, it is necessary to point out that Long played sparingly as a true freshman in 2004 while Sintim was being redshirted.

Long never had any problem getting to the quarterback, but he did not become a good "finisher" until his fourth year, when he had 14 sacks.

Sintim followed a similar path.

"I remember Chris would always be [in the backfield] but sometimes he'd get back there so fast that he wouldn't be able to finish the job," Sintim said. "Last year, he put it all together. In the end, you have to be able to make the play. It's something I'm trying to perfect."

In passing situations, Virginia occasionally would line up in a 4-3 last year, with Long and Sintim rushing from the ends. This year, Sintim might get some of the extra attention that went Long's way last year.

"Hopefully not." Sintim said, "but it would a compliment."

Long, the second player selected in the 2008 NFL Draft, was one of two first-round selections from UVa. Offensive guard Branden Albert went to Kansas City after electing to pass up his final season of college eligibility.

Sintim scoffed at speculation that he had looked into an early exit.

"No, not at all," he said. "I had a solid season at best. I don't even know if I would have been drafted. I'm fortunate enough to have a coach who knows what it takes to be in the NFL. We'll talk about it when the time comes. It wasn't an issue."

Sintim roomed with Long for two years, and Groh describes them as "soulmates." Sintim has no motivation to outdo Long, but he would like to match one of Long's accomplishments -- he had an interception against North Carolina.

An outside linebacker has more coverage responsibilities than a defensive end and one would think Sintim would have an interception to his credit.

"I do not," he said emphatically. "And, if I do, you'll know it."