Bread and Butter

In addition to the common every day food items we all know and love, the term "Bread and Butter" is often used to describe a team's most basic, common, reliable, dependable and productive plays. 

For example, a coach may describe their offense in these terms: "Our offense is based on our power running game.  We run a lot of pro-set I formation and split backfield sets with a FB lead blocker and then we run our play action passing game off of that.  That's our bread and butter right there."

Under former Offensive Coordinator Patrick Nix the Canes bread and butter was more like eating dry toast.  It appeared to be the flanker screen (usually with the wrong personnel grouping on the field) on first down followed quickly by the QB draw from the shotgun formation on second and long.  Third down often resulted in an incomplete pass, a pass completed well short of the first down marker (my favorite!) or even worse a sack or an interception. 

Patrick Nix made more Canes fans want to go on a low carb/low fat diet quicker than you could say "Bobby Drama".  While some fans merely fasted, many went on a starvation diet as they begged for anything but some of Nix's "bread and butter."  It was even reported that Canespace blogger and resident Nix hater Carlos lost over 40 pounds during the 2008 season alone!

This year under new offensive coordinator Mark "Miracle" Whipple the Canes hope to generate more yards, first downs and points with a pro-set offense, a consistent running game and a controlled but aggressive down field passing attack.  And while many Canes fans feel the season rests squarely on the shoulders of first year, full-time starting QB Jacory Harris, I believe that the Hurricanes success is more likely to be lined up right behind Jacory in running backs Javaris James and Graig Cooper.

The often injured James enters his Senior season as somewhat of an enigma and somewhat as a dissappointment.  He has not been able to live up to his recruiting hype when he came to UM as the much heralded younger cousin of former Hurricane great Edgerrin James.

It is difficult to be critical of James The Younger as we have yet to see a full season of James and what he is really capable of doing due to his injury riddled career at UM. 

Yet when asked what was the key to the 2009 season for Miami, Don Bailey Jr., the voice of the Hurricanes replied without hesitation: "Javaris James.  He has to stay healthy and get a 1,000 yards this season for the Canes to be successfull." 

James, who played in nine games last year, had 68 carries for 286 yards and 4 TDs.  He will have to double that production to be the bread for the Hurricanes offense in 2009. 

The bottom line is that as James goes, so may go the Canes this season.

Sharing equal time with James is likely to be smaller but quicker and more elusive Graig Cooper.  Cooper (seen here with UMike's son)shared time with James last year and was forced into more of a full time roll when James was injured. 

In 13 games Coop rushed for 841 yards and 4 TDs in 2008 but was often criticized by fans for going down at the slightest touch or even over a tall blade of grass. 

Cooper must be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, run hard and get yards after contact if he is going to provide ther heavy coating of butter the Canes rushing game needs in 2009.  

While many Canes fans may be eager to see what converted safety Damien Berry or even freshmen Mike James and Lamar Miller can do with the ball under their arm, it is clear that Javaris James and Graig Cooper will be Miami's bread and butter in 2009.  

Let's just hope that Whipple's version is a little more palatable than the dry toast we were forced to choke down under Nix.

Comments

[mm01]

not again

[mm01]

that's 2 in 3 days.

Anybody hearing some inside info on Coop? What's the scoop on the timetable for his return?

[alf]

no not again

[The Truth]

It's a tweak...he's fine.

[The Truth]

Stop worrying about injuries unless tear, acl or amputation is a part of the description. Thos ain't camp coker. The kids know they better heal quick!!

[ELLIOTT'S CONCERNED]

Truth, what can U tell me about Ojomo? Will he be ready for FSU?

[alf]

Ojomo just had surgery for a broken jaw

[bg1906]

Stop worrying about injuries unless tear, acl or amputation is a part of the description. Thos ain't camp coker. The kids know they better heal quick!!

Posted by: The Truth | August 18, 2009 at 12:07 PM

Amen to that! Ojomo screwed up...Aaaaaaa-GAIN!

Child Please! HAHAHA! I love hearing 8-5 say that. HAHAHA!

[moneycane]

To me this time is worse than the so called "dead period". It's like I've been in jail for 7 mo and my friends take me to the strip club and the girls are dancing in glass cages and no lap dances are allowed. WILL THE SEASON START ALREADY.

[j.w.]

broken jaw doesn't sound too good- but as long as we don't hear the players chanting "Shannon boombiyae" I guess it isn't too serious.

[True Cane]

Coop will be OK

[DZ8]

No mention of Lee Chambers?

Lee Chambers.

[CanesgirlNC]

"This ain't no Camp Coker". 86 - your next shirt maybe? LOL!

[MasSivCane]

So if Ojomo got his jaw broken and he had surgery did he get it wired shut (do they still do that?) I think his buggest concern would be losing the weight because he would be on a liquid diet.

[CaneSawMassacre]

14th....

Losing my touch.

[alf]

it all depends how bad the break was, or if it was dislocated.

the biggest concern i have is his conditioning, he cant run, and cant lift weight with a broken jaw.

It will take him a few weeks to get back in football shape.

[CanesgirlNC]

A word to the Haters from Kathy Hayes:

My son loves the University of Miami. He loves University of Miami football," Kathie Hayes said. "For him to be a part of it, even in a small way, has been very meaningful to him. And after they did what they did for my son and for our family, don't anybody ever tell me anything negative ever again about a football player or coach at the University of Miami."

Eugene Marve did you hear THAT?!?!?

[CanesAddiction]

Good thing that RB and DE are 2 of our deepest positions. Also a good thing that Coop and Ojomo will be back for most of the first 4 games.

We can still beat FSU without Ojomo if he's out...although we will def miss his run-stopping ability. He's great at that.

[86Cane]

ALF...GOOD TO SEE U AROUND THE BLOB AGAIN.

[Esteban]

Elusive and Graig Cooper? Explosive maybe. Runs like he's shot out of a cannon. But he don't make ANYONE miss. so elusive? not really.

[86Cane]

CGNC...great post! U have time to work on anything for the blob before FSU?

[bg1906]

Randy Shannon loafing????

Chavez...Child Please! HAHAHA!

[bg1906]

Elusive and Graig Cooper? Explosive maybe. Runs like he's shot out of a cannon. But he don't make ANYONE miss. so elusive? not really.

Posted by: Esteban | August 18, 2009 at 12:46 PM

I'll drink to that! Graig Cooper, ELUSIVE, Child Please!

[86Cane]

Este...U are ALWAYS welcome to write something for the blob if U choose.

Cooper is MORE elusive than James, but U are correct, he's not elusive as running backs go in general.

[Esteban]

bg, you got me laughing over here.

got me thinking of other ammo to feed you.

[CanesAddiction]

Cooper has the most perfect sprinting form I've ever seen on a football player.

When Coop is at full speed, on a dead sprint straight ahead, I swear you could balance a book on his head!

Anybody else notice that before?

I'm not sure it makes a player better to be able to do that, but it sure looks really cool.

[Esteban]

I think James is more elusive than Cooper. Actually makes people miss once and a while...when healthy.

and I really wish Kyle Wright was the QB going into this season.

[CanesgirlNC]

"Michael Irvin said the reason he joined the Dancing With The Stars cast was so he could avoid the dreaded “mid-life crisis.”

“All I have done my whole life has been about football,” he said. “This is a way I can have my crisis without getting in a race car or going with a 19-year old.”

[CanesAddiction]

check out what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5BaZFpMJLM

[bg1906]

* OL Orlando Franklin was limping noticeably with his knee in a protective brace today, and Brandon Washington and Harland Gunn worked in at first team left guard.

[Esteban]

Irvin is doing dancing with the stars cause he's competitive. wants to show emmit he can win it too. troy aikman's in the batter's box.

[bg1906]

Futch says he isn't focused on being a starter, but simply on contributing to the team.

"If I'm out on special teams, I'm going to knock somebody's head off and make a big play," he said. "That's always the goal - to make a big play and help the team win a game."

Of first-year coordinator John Lovett, Futch said, "I think he's fantastic. With him and coach (Randy) Shannon, that's two defensive minds. Coach Lovett has great schemes, great things going for us."

[CanesgirlNC]

86 - Thanks. I am getting ready for two horse shows, it would be hard to get something together, so no promises but maybe :-D

[bg1906]

and I really wish Kyle Wright was the QB going into this season.

Posted by: Esteban | August 18, 2009 at 12:51 PM

Kyle Wright??? Child Please! HAHAHAHA!

[bg1906]

Addiction.

Yes Coop does run with VERY good track form. I remember the first time I saw him break one vs Marshall I was impressed with how fast he gets from 0-60, but he doesn't have great sustainable top end speed. But very quick, and great initial burst.

[DZ8]

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/recruiting/blog/2009/08/did_um_reel_in_centrals_mcderm.html

Thats not a recruiting violation is it?

bg1906, "Child please!"

[coldcane]

They hire consulting firms to do internet searches and find college team blogs and they found the Space. Told me over the phone (I'm not making this up) that we were their #1 target for Miami Hurricane sports.

Posted by: 86Cane

sing with me...we're moving on up to the east side to a deluxe apartment...

[CanesAddiction]

agreed BG,

His top end speed is decent, not great. I'm impressed with his acceleration. What's his ACCL rating on NCAA 2010? It should be 92-96 if they wanna do him justice. If I had to rate his top speed I'd go as low as 89-90 though.

If you watch the video I posted you'll see that, at least last year, he was much improved in the Agility and Strength dept. He moved a few piles and made a few more guys miss than I think a lot of people give him credit for.

[bg1906]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-PIq2aDUjk

:20 second mark! LMAO!

[coldcane]

let's tag team the song and see if we can finish it...NO YOUTUBE OR GOOGLE!!!!

[Old Skool]

“This is a way I can have my crisis without getting in a race car or going with a 19-year old."

Yeah right. Like they're going to pair him up with 45 year old dancer. Not a chance. She'll be half that age and look far better than most women do Photoshopped

[bg1906]

Coop in NCAA 10

Spd - 93
Acl - 94
Agl - 94

[UMike]

you know..that kid with Cooper is dam cute...he must get it from his dad.

And what is it with these injuries..DAM SHANDEL JINXED US!!!

[bg1906]

His elusiveness rating is 94...

EA Sports....

Child Please!

[bg1906]

DZ8.

You got it bro! Child Please!

[Old Skool]

Still going on Dancing is a far classier way to get attention, stay in the public eye, or have a competitive outlet than what Canseco's doing.

Jose just signed a deal to fight Rodney King (of the LA riots fame) in September.

Tonya Harding gets to take on the winner.

[bg1906]

Jakhari is saying its between the Bayou Bungles and the 'Turds...

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-schools/story/1190537.html

[bg1906]

Sponge Bob throwing up The U! HAHAHA!

http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss227/samagy16/IMGP1156_edited.jpg

Child Please!

[bg1906]

Article on Sheldon Richardson.

http://campuscorner.kansascity.com/node/127

Article on Darion Hall

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/aug/17/photos-prepzone-lelys-hall-ready-big-senior-season/

[bg1906]

New Manny.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2009/08/was-it-more-than-horsing-around.html

[bg1906]

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Big Orlando is limping and Adewale has broken jaw...Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[j.w.]

so the question is, who smacked Ojomo? And I can't iamgine this not involving a suspension

[Daytoncane]

and I really wish Kyle Wright was the QB going into this season.

Posted by: Esteban | August 18, 2009 at 12:51 PM

Ban him!!!!

[DATcane]

that suck so Ojomos out and another guy will get suspended........no good U

[DZ8]

bg1906

U saying Big O KICKED him??!!??

Child please!

[DZ8]

lol

[UMike]

Yeah..all this is coming at a bad time..its not like were opening the year against charleston southern. But...maybe shannon will keep it "in house". He cant deny a fight and then suspend someone for hitting him lol..well I guess he can, but hopefully it stays in house and over with.

[The Truth]

"Hmmmmmmmmmm. Big Orlando is limping and Adewale has broken jaw...Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

You're pretty smart ;-)

[JCane]

On WQAM at midday they were talking of a rumor of a walkon getting his butt kicked by Ojomo on Sat. and then on Sunday the same walkon broadsided Ojomo on his way out of the shower....of course, this is just what they said they heard and couldn't confirm.

I find it more interesting to hear of Franklin's limp! :)

[The Truth]

Wow...love rumors. I wouldn't say he was "sucker punched" because that implies he didn't deserve it. He's been through this before.

He'll be fine.

Move on guys...this crap happens. You want it this way, too. Believe me.

Coker wanted Kumbaya playing all the time and look where that got Miami...a little "horseplay" never hurt no body!

[DZ8]

I think it was Raiders coach Tom Cable.

[UMike]

a little "horseplay" never hurt no body!

Well..except Ojomo haha

[The Truth]

...and bg...I was only kidding up there ^^^^

[DZ8]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/9952426/Miami's-top-RB-Cooper-latest-key-injury-for-'Canes

I can't believe this is one of the five leads on MSNs' sports section. Miami sells, I guess.

[Daytoncane]

this is encouraging and disappointing at the same time.

on one hand you want your guys to be this competitive, so competitive that tempers flare easily. you always hear about fights in NFL training camps and how they make the team better because of the intensity. as a coach, you like to see that because it makes your team better.

however i dont like it when a guy is injured by his own teammate. when its hot and you're in practice, you can get a little pissed so you go after the guy. but dont injure your teammate, it only hurts the team.

[solarcane]

two years ago horseplay would get you suspended for a game

two years ago walking into a media interview would get you suspended for a game because you couldn't talk to the media

two years ago making fun of the head coach would get you suspended for the season.

Ether Randy has seen the light( thank you Jacory) and you guys that thought all that hard ass discipline was really coaching maybe you guys are seeing the light.

Now that Randy is fun loving, a players coach and knows how to deal out discipline he's the shyt.

two years ago when I would argue for hours on end that's how it's done I was crazy
when I said those were the best coaches.

child please

peace

[CaneSawMassacre]

The whole point is that it happened in the locker room..

Wresting around.. OK..

Fighting on the field in the heat of battle.. Fine.

Punching a dude in the locker room... I'm not down with that. Now I know about UM and some of the fights that have gone down. I'm sure there is a lot of sh*t talking, I mean for god sakes the walkon from the great sunsentinel story is nicknamed, "Make-a-wish"..

So I understand not wanting to be punked, but this dude just jawed Ojomo for talking crap and broke his jaw???
1. Ojomo and the U, could file charges. Which I know Ojomo won't do because I'm sure he is pretty ashamed of the whole d*mn situation.
2. What does coach due to a walkon that just broke the jaw of his "potentially starting DE".. Jimmy would have already sent this kid to Omaha somewhere playing D2a ball or some sh*T.... J/K..

And lastly if this situation was partly to blame or mostly to blame on Ojomo based on what Truth is saying, I'm sure hoping he learned his lesson about playing the big bully..

[alf]

its a broken jaw, hes going to miss one game, if that.

We got depth on the dline. im not worried.

Rather have these type of injuries then season ending injuries like va tech, unc, and ga tech are facing.

We do not need Ojomo for FSU, the game will be over by halftime

[MasSivCane]

Randy doesn't have to deal with the club coker kids anymore and he knows that his program is headed in the right direction. You have a great Offensive coord in Whipple, and you know that between yourself, lovett, barrow, mcgriff(jury is still out) and Hurtt, that your defense is going to be nasty, you can ease up a bit. Plus I am sure that JJ and others have told him that he may want to lighten up a little.

[UMike]

I dont care if Ojomo was to blame or not...a sucker punch is the biggest bytch move ever

[solarcane]

rumor has it soup sent a hit man into the locker room to wreak havoc only so the doomsdayers would panic and post a zillion hits during the end of the dog days.

in a related story
The stuff about Cooper tripping over his shadow and spraining his ankle have not been confirmed as of yet

peace

[DZ8]

rumor has it soup sent a hit man into the locker room to take out Marcus Robinson and help AJs' draft chance. Whooops.

[Daytoncane]

dont mean to change the subject, but guess who's back!!!!! http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/favre-unretires-again-joins-vikings-1.1377130

[solarcane]

I dont care if Ojomo was to blame or not...a sucker punch is the biggest bytch move ever
Posted by: UMike | August 18, 2009 at 02:35 PM

amen umike
you know what goes around comes around,
there will be more to this later.

peace

[DZ8]

solar

I don't get what you are saying about Shannon earlier. I remember there being debates about whether Shannon was being too hard on the players. Which side were you on?

I'm all for discipline especially when Shannon took over and had to change Club Coker, wonderfull shirts-not many victories, back into a football program. Now that he has players policing themselves in the locker room (maybe going too far) he can back off and smile a bit now.

Also we don't know exactly what happened and what the punishment will be. Wait till we get the suspensions for the first game and everyone starts screaming that Shannon has no idea of proportionality.

[The Truth]

"And lastly if this situation was partly to blame or mostly to blame on Ojomo based on what Truth is saying, I'm sure hoping he learned his lesson about playing the big bully."

Woah, woah woooooaaaaH, there Cowboy.

I'm saying Ojomo has been cracked before...I'm NOT saying it has ANYTHING to do with a walk-on, Franklin or his mother.

You can come up with your own ideas...but don't put my name into it.

I said, "Move along" as in it's really no big deal. As in, before the internets you would have NEVER heard of any of it. As in this kind of stuff goes on EVERY YEAR with EVERY football team and it's really not worth the time i took to post this.

He's fine. He's going to back to camp in no time and could possibly play against the Noles...

[pre83]

Solar - Now you gave away Soup's Silver Bullet!! What if Raycom get's word of it? And what of his Choir Boy image?

Soup goin' down the Saban/Meyer road in search of the big time!...J/K! Congrats to you, BTW, Soupy!

What the hell did Lil' Deuce Coop do to his ankle?

Canez 1...U got anything?

Go Canes!

[The Truth]

On WQAM at midday they were talking of a rumor of a walkon getting his butt kicked by Ojomo on Sat. and then on Sunday the same walkon broadsided Ojomo on his way out of the shower....of course, this is just what they said they heard and couldn't confirm.

I find it more interesting to hear of Franklin's limp! :)

Posted by: JCane | August 18, 2009 at 01:51 PM

See???!!

that was JCane - NOT The Truth

I didn't write any of that mumbo jumbo...

[solarcane]

DZ,

I didn't think, I KNEW Randy was going to have to change.

I listened to all the reasons why Randy was a great coach and everything he did was his plan, mostly because I really liked the guys on here who were saying it.

Truth of the matter is Randy is just learning to be a head coach and I think Holcutt and Whipple and Jacory came at the perfect time to help smooth and mold him into a better coach.
I would almost bet Kirby Holcutt has as much to do with how the team is jelling than anyone else.

Yes I think randy is a better HC then he was two seasons ago.
No I don't agree you blame everything negative that happens during games on previous coaches.
jmo

peace

[solarcane]

Didn't someone on here say you can't make predictions because

guys will get hurt
guys will get suspended
guys will have academic problems?

peace

[pre83]

" As in this kind of stuff goes on EVERY YEAR with EVERY football team and it's really not worth the time i took to post this."

Indeed, just ask the Raiders! I am only kidding, T!! I couldn't help it.

Even more importantly, as you stated earlier, there is no mention of tear, knee, etc. In perspective!

Unless he would yap all game al a Warren Sapp, he don't got much to worry 'bout!

Go Canes!

[DZ8]

You can go from being a tough on discipline coach to a more relaxed coach but you can't go the other way (see Wade Phillips in this). I think he did what he had to do.

Surest sign of that was how players would gravitate towards him in his office when he was DC for us. People don't flock to people they fear or hate.

[bg1906]

"Hmmmmmmmmmm. Big Orlando is limping and Adewale has broken jaw...Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

You're pretty smart ;-)

Posted by: The Truth | August 18, 2009 at 01:49 PM

Me smart??????? Child Please!

[CaneSawMassacre]

My fault.. Truth. I jumbled posts together. My brain is worse than Solar's keyboard.

[bg1906]

Hilarious!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1203731778418&ref=nf

[86Cane]

sing with me...we're moving on up to the east side to a deluxe apartment...

Posted by: coldcane | August 18, 2009 at 01:05 PM

...in the sky,
we movin' on up,
to the east side,
we finally got a piece of the pie!

[pb(CSROH10)]

Anyone of us who has played organized sports at a competitive level has brawled.

Sheet I've even had a run with a guy who's my best friend.

It happens, but when you're a buck sixty five back in the day, you dont break jaws like the men we have on that team.

Boys will be boys. And while losing him and even Coop stings, depth is a beautiful thing.

p.s. Solar, I get what youre saying about Shannon. That was the ONLY way he could come in and get things turned around.

[pb(CSROH10)]

BUT that was the only way...

JMO.

[mm01]

so, 86,

I missed this to. What's the pie and being first on someones' priority list? Fill me in...

[Canes.Fan.In.California]

Shannon said. "We practiced, he went walking around, went to the training table, came back - no treatment or anything, everything normal. Then he went to sleep and woke up and was like that. It was one of those freak deals."

Maybe I'm wrong, but it appears to me that Coop twisted his ankle either:

1) Having some very wild sex
2) Tripped over his cordless phone
3) Both of the above at the same time

And I won't mention Orlando walking with a limp... that would just be wrong!!!

[86Cane]

83...shhhhhhhh, not so loud.

OK, here's how it went down, FOR REAL:

I posed as a janitor and made it into the locker room after practice. I had to do something to break Shannon's strangle hold on the media lockout from practice. When all the players were out of there, I hid out in AJs locker overnight and waited for the next day.

As soon as MRob came in I had a trap set for him. He was suppopsed to slip on some hand soap that I had put on the floor, but Orlando Franklin hit it first and out went the knee.

Then Coop came in right behind The Big O and tripped over him twisting his ankle.

As soon as MRob saw what was happening he gave chase as I ran out onto Greentree. As I swung the door open it hit Ojomo in the chin and broke his jaw.

I just kept running and MRob couldn't catch me. Man that guy is S L O W! No way he goes first round.

AJ all the way baby!!!

[pre83]

86 - Man, you missed your calling! Wait 'til Bruckheimer gets his hands on this!

You could be like the guy who was driving the hotel tram in Vegas who came up the CSI series. Zucker, I believe. I think he owns the tram/hotel now J/K. But life is just a little different for him.

...just like your future! You got some good shades?

BTW, just wait 'til Ojomo and Franklin take out their frustrations on their opponents. Blood thirsty dogs, baby!!

Go Canes!

[mm01]

Nevermind, I read the end of the last blog. There's no way you could have said no.

mthomasbradley@yahoo.com
OR
http://www.myspace.com/canespace

ANYONE who wants to help with the new Facebook page, contact me at the above address(es).

[86Cane]

MM01...We are still talking about the Raycom gig I got. Don't worry, I'll still remember U guys when I make it to the bi...

BOOM!!!

[86Cane]

Ah, damn, my head exploded...

[Old Skool]

86

That's not what I heard.

Orlando bet Ojomo he could tee up a ball on Ojomo's mouth and kick a field goal. Coop agreed to hold the ball. Orlando's plant was poor. He kicked Ojomo in the jaw, injured his foot and fell on Coop.

[mm01]

LOL!!!

86, too much... Congrats to you and the blog, nice work over the last couple of years...

It's well deserved.

[86Cane]

Orlando bet Ojomo he could tee up a ball on Ojomo's mouth and kick a field goal. Coop agreed to hold the ball. Orlando's plant was poor. He kicked Ojomo in the jaw, injured his foot and fell on Coop.

Posted by: Old Skool | August 18, 2009 at 04:24 PM

Yeah, you're right, it's on YouTube already. Damn, Bosher's job ain't that easy after all, is it?

[Sean Spence is a beast!!!]

Ojomo got injured horsing around in the locker room, reported by college football live today! now that's classic! hahaha

[Sean Spence is a beast!!!]

Though i feel bad for every kid getting injured wether it's from practice, or accidental like Ojomo did inside the locker room, it does go up there along with that FSU player getting injured from a bump-in-the-air celebration a year or two ago!