Under Armour All-America Game: A Sideline View

Long-time Canespacer and well known blogger "Six" filed this report from the sidelines at the 2012 Under Armour game from St. Petersburg...

Got to the UnderArmour game around 4pm. Lots of people there. Here’s my story from the sidelines:

Talked with: Herm Edwards, Mooch (Mariucci), Cam Newton, Prime Time, Chris Weinke, Ron Zook, Ty Detmer, Preston Dewey, Duke Johnson, Dante Fowler and Nelson Agholor for a bit.

Hung out with: Chick, Daddy Chick and Leon McQuay III (again, remember the name b/c he was already the top rated Junior in the nation at his position – he will most likely be top 3 in the nation this upcoming year at his position) during the game.

When talking with Mooch, he came up and saw my “U” hat on – he asked me if I was from the “U”, I said no but I’ve been a die hard fan since I was a kid. He said that he knows all about the “U” b/c he works with Sapp and Irvin, he then paused, looked at me with wide eyes for a bit and then said .. “they’re …. intense .. about their school”, then exhaled his breath and shook his head a little. Funny ass guy, real good guy as well.

I asked Herm Edwards how his life was going so far, if he loves doing TV more than coaching – of course he does. TV is a hell of a lot easier, the money is good and he gets to spend more time with family. He then said that his neighbor back at home in Cali was pretty cool .. I asked him who it was .. he said “Clint Eastwood”.

That must be nice. Herm said Clint has a 27,000 square foot house he chills in. That must be nice as well. Herm was cool as hell when he was a coach with the Bucs back with Dungy – he hasn’t changed, cool cool cat.

Cam Newton is large.

Talked with Preston Dewey, he was standing next to Ty Detmer for basically the entire game. He and Ty would talk to each other after each snap, do a little pointing – must be nice to have a Ty Detmer as your high school head coach and also QB coach. Preston told me he wasn’t playing, said his hammy was acting up. Kid throws a nice ball during warm ups. He was throwing with Chad Kelly – that kid likes to run. When I say likes to run, I mean like he’s a squirrel that got loose on the field type of likes to run.

Eddie Goldman is a man already. Big, big kid.

Nelson Agholor had Duke, Chick, Dewey & Jean-Louis in his ear all night. Agholor is a great kid, real personable, smart. When his team was getting blown out and it was almost over, some big ass OLineman came up to him, Duke and some other players who were sitting on the bench and said “it’s not over, it’s not over, remember that we’re All-Americans and we’re going out like All-Americans” – he was slapping hands with Agholor, Duke, etc. and then walked off. Agholor then turns to these 3 kids who were standing behind the bench and said “now look kids, I’m not saying you should ever quit, ever, and I don’t know why he came over and was trying to tell us that it’s not over (their team was down by 30+ with 2 mins left in the game) -but- there’s something called reality and he hasn’t grasped it yet b/c ya, this game is over” .. and then Agholor pointed to the scoreboard.

When the #1 Safety committed to ‘Bama on the air, I was standing with Agholor and Duke – they both said “damn, ‘Bama getting another player? They’re gonna have the #1 class”

Chick is great. I hung with him for about half a quarter. I talked to him about how everything is going down there. Asked him about him being seen on crutches, he said that he just had to get some bone spurs taken out, nothing big at all. Kid is big and he’s gonna fill out even more. I asked him what he thought of Duke Johnson .. Chick said one word .. “beast”. When Duke’s team was waiting for a kickoff, Chick was standing about 30 feet behind him, yelling at him, “Dukeee. Dukeee. Dukeee”. Duke turned around, nodded, had the ball come to him – then Duke did his thing and almost housed the kickoff. Chick said he was talking with Dante Fowler all night, that’s his boy, he’s trying to do everything he can to flip him.

Chick then took off into the stands to go hang with Josh Grady (Armwood QB that is a Frosh at Vandy). That’s when Leon McQuay III walked up and I hung with him for a while. Real real quiet kid, shy, big ass smile though, insanely humble it seems. Chick is friends with him as well, you know Chick is in his ear about heading to Miami.

Talked with Daddy Chick. Guy has hands the size of catcher’s mitts. He had some interesting takes on the Canes D. Also had some interesting takes on the players that left early. Said he was beyond impressed with DZP and told Chick that he needs to hang with him as much as possible, learn how to tackle from him as well. Daddy Chick also told me that when they first got down to Miami, he told Golden that Chick was better than any of the DLineman they had presently – including #35 (who he thought should’ve stayed another year because he might play OLB in a 3-4).

One more thing, my co-worker is good friends with Avery Young's coach. Had a nice long convo with the coach at the game tonight - he said that he talked to Saban a couple of days ago and had to tell him that Avery wasn't thinking about 'Bama anymore.

Comments

[Montreal_Cane]

Why not a top 10 class per Al Standards and our needs...Recruit leaders and winners not just talent. Al knows best.

[UpNorthCane]

For real Slingblade no need for your negativity man we dnt do that ova here at the space man...... Ohio pay no mind bro uve never claimed to e an insider u give us all the info man and many of appreciate it.

[SlingBlade]

not hatin, just keeping it real...ive seen alot of people come and go on this site...not sayin 404cane doesnt contribute and put alot of time and effort into the blog..just saying dont be lazy, get your own info..thats what will set him apart from the rest...anyone can go to multiple canes sites and read whats being said and then post it here that they heard this or that...but the real insiders are the ones that post it first because THEY got the info...

[UpNorthCane]

Ohio has never claimed to be an insider though so you make no sense hes making hia prediction based off what other people hve said and what hes read.... I dnt see the issue there your comment was not needed and ridiculous were here enjoying the day blogging no need for the hate.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Well, in a lot of ways today would qualify as the first day the hiring of Al Golden has shown any tangible payoff that made this move worthwhile for UM. Yet he's already been extended, so someone(s) got that backwards in the order of operations.

SOUP, I'm ringing in the New Year 12.5 pounds lighter than I did in '11 and have been following closely the first half of what may be the last NHL season for a while again as this might be the last go round for Martin Broduer before he books his ticket to retirement and then the Hall of Fame but don't want to spam up the blog about each record breaking career win so I'm in reading mostly mode for now.

Now that signing day is a few weeks off and the season is at the finish line I'll be chiming in a little more here and there on the most important event on UM's football calender though and hope the two commits today (and Duke Johnson working the field as the point man) really do signal the harbinger of what Art was going on about to you and Hassan a few weeks ago beginning to take shape. Now if only Golden can get some ammo back into the chamber, then come up with a game-plan to go for the high-score, Miami just might be OK this year . . .

[Ohio_Cane]

Slingblade... A few things:

1. Never claimed to be or acted like an insider. I live in Ohio, there's no chance I could have original inside info. Every piece of info I get is from research on the Internet.

2. They were guesses, and I've said that multiple times. Actually, Papa Cane kept saying McCord to S Carolina, and I guessed against him. As i said, they were guesses.

3. The "I'm damn good" was sarcasm and a joke.

4. Relax a little

[Ohio_Cane]

Monty, I say this puts us in the top 10. Sites will vary tho.

[Ohio_Cane]

Ps - Robert Lockhart flips from VT to Miami! Huge get!

[UpNorthCane]

Ohio cane i just read that..... Can u give a lil more info on robert lockhart alot of people seem excite about him...

[4-Real]

Upnorth, according 2 S.E.C.E.S.P.N. (aka Espn) Lockhart may be the most underrated wr in the class

[Ohio_Cane]

Upnorth, according 2 S.E.C.E.S.P.N. (aka Espn) Lockhart may be the most underrated wr in the class
Posted by: 4-Real | January 07, 2012 at 03:42 PM
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THIS. Great get for us! HUGE!

[Texascane]

Highlight film...

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

I thought recruits switched FROM us...not TO us...I can't handle this...

[Q]

I appreciate you. Damn how many kiddos is Al taking ??

[Felipe]

All we "need" now is Bourque (likely) and heck Avery Young could be icing on the cake if the reports about him hanging with Duke, AJL, and the like are right.

[Ohio_Cane]

I thought recruits switched FROM us...not TO us...I can't handle this...

Posted by: Texascane | January 07, 2012 at 03:52 PM
---------------------------------------

Feels AMAZING, doesn't it?

[Felipe]

Excerpt on Lockhart from ESPN:

his guy is a really good overall athlete with explosive change-of-direction and nice overall speed. He is tall and wiry with a lean, muscular build yet is still pretty fluid through the hips. He is a guy capable of stretching the field with an explosive first step off the ball. Gets into routes quickly and has great feet to set up defenders, create double moves and separation out of the break. He is a natural playmaker with soft, reliable hands both on the run and when attacking the deep ball thrown behind him. Is a good leaper that has focus and sideline awareness in the vertical passing game.

[Ohio_Cane]

As I said a few weeks ago, Golden's GOT THIS!

[j.w.]

Beautiful day to be a Miami Hurricane fan!
U[north: Shaq is a local kid for me, enjoyed watching him play for the past few years. Wish his team could have gone further, they are always fun.
Thanks for all the updates everyone, I had work to do around the house but Papa's tweets and checking in on the space after I was done kept me going. Solid work, ohio and congrats!

[UMike]

just saying dont be lazy, get your own info..thats what will set him apart from the rest...anyone can go to multiple canes sites and read whats being said and then post it here that they heard this or that...but the real insiders are the ones that post it first because THEY got the info...

Posted by: SlingBlade | January 07, 2012 at 03:15 PM

how exactly is following the right people, researching information, asking questions and bringing that info here lazy? lol...I think "lazy" would be the rest of us that just come on da space to get the info people like Ohio add lol...not everyone has access to the program and can be an insider

[Ohio_Cane]

With the additions in the last 24 hours, Scout.com had Miami at #6 recruiting class

[UMike]

so we got two 4-star recruits today and flipped a VT commit?? me like! lol

[Ohio_Cane]

Sling, tho I don't get the info first hand, I get a lot more info than most that live there. I have plenty of info sitting in my email that only around 5-6 ppl know. Some I can't share, some I hint at, some I just post it. I'm instructed to keep some things quiet, others I can post. The rest comes from places where anyone can get info. I out the 2 together and come up with my own opinions and theories. If U don't like that, feel free to disagree or just not read it.

Being in Ohio, I'll never have first hand info, unless it's an Ohio recruit. Not to mention, I do this for fun, not for a living and I do it FROM my real job as an insurance agent. So spare me the "set yourself apart if..."

[Texascane]

To quote Jacobim Mogatu...I feel like I'm taking crazy pills...

[Q]

Slingblade, those of us who don't have access to these sites like Ohio does thanks him. I appreciate all that he does. Its info about Miami and as a fan you gotta love it.

[3G Cane]

Pretty nice weekend for Golden Al and the gang. Me likey the DT from La. and if he helps bring in Borque then it's even better. Keeping Bush at home and getting McCord was huge and then to top it off by flipping Lockhart from VT!? Gotta be excited about that.

Lockhart's take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syZakXYypRs

[3G Cane]

Keep doing yo thang Ohio!!!

[SinisterCane]

Ohio you the MAN

[WindyCane-Forecast1]

Bush, McCord and Lockhart are huge pickups. Briscoe is also solid. This class is really shaping up for Golden as a top 10 class of real ballers, who fill position needs.

I get the feeling that there will be a few more surprises before NSD.

[Ohio_Cane]

I get the feeling that there will be a few more surprises before NSD.

Posted by: WindyCane-Forecast1 | January 07, 2012 at 04:38 PM
-------------------------------------

Or maybe ON NSD. ;-)

[WindyCane-Forecast1]

Lockhart attended Fort Union Academy Prep School, but played high school football at West Boca Raton High. He will surprise some people with his skills and will challenge for playing time.

[Tallycane82]

Robert Lockhart dropped va tech and committed to Miami.... Not sure if anybody already said that. Golden tearing it up...by the way I'm on this site all the time but this is my first post.

[Ohio_Cane]

Welcome TallyCane!

[Tallycane82]

Thanks..Oh I just realized I was on the first page of comments I didn't see the second page so obviously you guys already knew about Lockhart...my bad

[Ohio_Cane]

No worries. Happens to the best of us. :-)

[j.w.]

Sling, ohio provides great information to us without any arrogant attitude, what's wrong with that? He's better than many former posters here who did exactly the same thing then passed off their opinions as something special. I say keep up the good work, ohio, we appreciate it!

[Ohio_Cane]

No prob jw.

I don't mind what Sling said. He's just expressing an opinion. I responded and that was the end of it, IMO. BLOG ON!

[TonyCane]

The rest of the ACC just tasted a little throwup in the back of their collective throats after today.

[UMike]

Does anyone know if Rivals have made their final rankings? I dont see how Duke is not a 5-Star

[86Cane]

kinda funny how he was run out of town with the investigation looming...then louisville started getting alot of big time recruits...

Posted by: SlingBlade | January 07, 2012 at 01:58 PM

Kinda funny as in "ha-ha" or as in IRONIC?

[86Cane]

Ohio you are the MVP of Canespace not to forget that SOUP is the king of this site.

Posted by: Montreal_Cane | January 07, 2012 at 02:56 PM

THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE!

[86Cane]

Sling...what U do NOT know is that Ohio is ONE of only SIX insiders who I send emails to from VERY reliable sources on a REGULAR basis.

CGNC
OGV
Ohio
Roach
JW
Hassan

These poeple know more than anybody else here on the blog. Trust me a LOT more! There are things they know that they cannot even THINK about posting on the blog due to CONFIDENTIALITY reasons. I used to include others but they dropped off of the list for various reasons.

[86Cane]

The rest of the ACC just tasted a little throwup in the back of their collective throats after today.

Posted by: TonyCane | January 07, 2012 at 05:51 PM

Don't U know it!

And there is MORE to come.

Even Jimbo Fisher will taste some soon. ;-)

[SlingBlade]

i did know that soup...and i dont believe they know more than anybody else here on the blog...they may know some of the things you know, but that doesnt mean they know more than anyone else...and like i said, i wasnt trying to be an ass...i have been here from the beginning and appreciate all of the hard work that goes into running this thing...i guess what im trying to say is, in the beginning we all use to come here for original information from people who knew things first hand...now it seems that alot of what we read is copy and paste info...

there is nothing wrong with finding info and posting it...but alot of what is posted, there is no credit given to who originally posted it, making it seem as though that person is taking the credit...

[WindyCane-Forecast1]

Lockhart attended Fort Union Academy Prep School, but played high school football at West Boca Raton High. He will surprise some people with his skills and will challenge for playing time.

Posted by: WindyCane-Forecast1 | January 07, 2012 at 04:51 PM

I forgot to mention that Corey King and Robert Lockhart were high school teammates.

[SlingBlade]

i hope you are right windy...i dont believe we have difference makers on this team right now, at the receiver spot...maybe some of them will develop into it...we really need it

[SlingBlade]

canes bb down 26-17 at the half...

[LB]

Excellent foreshadowing, 86. I love it.

[Ohio_Cane]

there is nothing wrong with finding info and posting it...but alot of what is posted, there is no credit given to who originally posted it, making it seem as though that person is taking the credit...

Posted by: SlingBlade | January 07, 2012 at 06:27 PM
------------------------------------

EVERYTHING I post that is not an original thought of my own is preceded by the person's name from whence it came. Unless they ask to not be named, of course. (yes I just used whence. Don't get that opportunity often lol)

[Ohio_Cane]

^ Just to add, sometimes I do forget, like when posting from my phone. I believe any time I've accidentally done that, I've posted the credit to them
following it tho

[Brevardcane]

It would be cool if Tracy Howard picks the canes!

[Ohio_Cane]

It would be cool if Tracy Howard picks the canes!

Posted by: Brevardcane | January 07, 2012 at 07:33 PM
--------------------------------------------

Yes it would. Would be AMAZING. Nothing I've read suggests it's even crossed his mind tho

[CaneRock]

Looking at the DEs and LBs in this class, it seems like we're making a transition to a 3-4. Kinda changes the paradigm of how we've recruited in the past, turining Safeties into LBs, turning LBs into DEs. Now we're going to convert undersized DEs into LBs, and the big DEs into 4 or 5 tech DEs in an Okie scheme...

[4-Real]

Stop apologizing Ohio!!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Stop apologizing Ohio!!!!

Posted by: 4-Real | January 07, 2012 at 08:04 PM
--------------------------------------

Lol. Wasn't an apology. More like an explanation.

[Ohio_Cane]

Canerock, if we can stop a nosebleed, I don't care if we run a 3-3-5, or a 1-6-4, or whatever.

[Six]

Tyriq was a lock according to a certain coach I had a nice long convo with at the FHSAA State Champ game a while ago - esp. after the in-home visit

I posted it. 86 had to take that post down understandably b/c honesty I shouldn't have shared it on here, coaches aren't supposed to talk about specific recruits by name I believe?

No surprise whatsoever with Tyriq. Just like no surprise whatsoever with Chick last year

Why'd Papa Cane think he was going to South Carolina?

Also, that Corey Long and esp. @lauramckeeman - they don't know what they're talking about. They guess just like everyone else, they might hear some talk here or there on the sidelines but that's about it. Insiders? Far from it. The guys who are on the chain gangs with the 1st down markers overhear a lot of the same stuff, they just don't have a forum to post it like TBT or ESPN. I see Laura all the time on the sidelines of games, she's got her face in her phone and notepad, writing down the stats of the game to post for the online scoreboard. She also pisses a lot of people off on the sideline b/c she has a tendency to run out onto the field during gameplay. Some of our interns have more info about the local kids than Corey Long

"CoreyLong Corey Long
Keith Brown will go back to Miami and Deon Bush will choose Auburn."

Uh, yea. Guy doesn't know any more than anyone else

[4-Real]

Stop xplaining Ohio!!!

[CaneRock]

"CoreyLong Corey Long
Keith Brown will go back to Miami and Deon Bush will choose Auburn."

Uh, yea. Guy doesn't know any more than anyone else

Posted by: Six | January 07, 2012 at 08:24 PM

Yeah Six, especially these "subscription" sites, I hate to see people PIMP and PROSTITUTE this game. And as far as Bush goes, all they had to do was go on YT, the kid basically had a big ass smile on His face when He said "and UM" at 1:10 in this video, and this was His SOPHOMORE YEAR!:

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

[86Cane]

1. i did know that soup...and i dont believe they know more than anybody else here on the blog...they may know some of the things you know, but that doesnt mean they know more than anyone else.

2. and like i said, i wasnt trying to be an ass...

Posted by: SlingBlade | January 07, 2012 at 06:27 PM

OK, here goes...U know I know you personally and have met you several times and your kids as well and their pics have appeared here on Canespace. I have given you tickets and like you as a person and respect you as a Father.

So please do NOT take this personally, OK?

1. If U think you know what we know U don't have even the smallest tiny bit of a clue.

2. Sometimes U don't have to TRY to be an ass U just are.

We have avoided ANY type of negativity or harrassment for over a month NOW here on the blog and U were the first one to try to bring it back against one our MVP bloggers.

I love U being here on Canespace and your contributions on basketball and baseball but drop the tough guy crap or it will be lights out for U.

We don't play that crap anymore. Capeche?

[j.w.]

sling, one thing that has changed since the site started is that inside info isn't the precious metal that it once was. By that I mean we have a coaching staff that regularly tweets "welcome to the U" whenever we get a new recruit, we can find a free profile on everyone who commits from several different places, and twitter has exploded over the past few years. We still get really good info from people like Six that you don't find anywhere else, and combined with Ohio's info, I think people who post here are as informed as any Cane fan.

[86Cane]

SIX SAYS: "Tyriq was a lock according to a certain coach I had a nice long convo with at the FHSAA State Champ game a while ago - esp. after the in-home visit."

TELL THEM SIX!!!

[Six]

86 - you know about that certain coach, ha. You and Hassan had a nice long sit with him as well

Remember when Jimbo was supposed to go onto a sports talk radio show in the morning a little bit ago, didn't make it on, but Golden was listening while driving around Tampa and called in the show to take that slot that Jimbo didn't fill?

Wonder who Golden was visiting while in Tampa? Hmmm. Didn't Tyriq McCord play at Jefferson High, in Tampa, which is located 2 mins from TIA as well? Hmmm

CaneRock - hate the pay sites. They're ridiculous. I don't hate the people that run them, hey, it's a business and they're salesmen trying to keep their business afloat ... I don't exactly agree with what they say, but whatever. Why pay money? Doesn't make sense

[86Cane]

Sling...one thing I will tell U is that Six has forgotten MORE insider stuff than U will ever know in your lifetime.

I'm jus sayin...

[Ohio_Cane]

Wanna add something to at least 2 of the newest commitments. I said a blog or so ago that Golden wants guys that can play multiple positions and guys who can even play the position near to or opposite of them. My example was LB/RB, or WR/CB. While the 2 newest are not exactly that, they're very close.

See Deon Bush and Tyriq McCord. Bush is a Safety who can and most likely will play corner. McCord (6'3, 222) is a DE who can also play LB, and possibly could. These confirm my suspicions that these are the type of players Golden wants. Stars or no stars. And I'm JUST FINE WITH IT!

[4-Real]

Gotta great feeling bout Leonard Williams & Avery Young. Goldman & Agholor icing on the cake!

[86Cane]

If ANYONE here or on any blog or for that matter the entire Internet thinks that they know everything there is to know by reading all of the PAY sites or by following Twitter then they have not the FIRST clue.

Not the first F n clue.

There I said it!

[CaneRock]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 07, 2012 at 09:16 PM

Good points, which is why I think Duke will probably get a look at CB at the next level. Golden recruiting Garmon as a DB was very telling...

[CaneRock]

Jimmy Graham with a TD!

[Ohio_Cane]

Gotta great feeling bout Leonard Williams & Avery Young. Goldman & Agholor icing on the cake!

Posted by: 4-Real | January 07, 2012 at 09:30 PM
----------------------------------------------------

No Goldman, but the rest are possible. Hope ur feeling is right! Williams and Young would be fantastic

[Felipe]

1. If U think you know what we know U don't have even the smallest tiny bit of a clue.

U in this sense may as well be myself and all of those pay sites, and is why I come here and not to them for info.

And no, I don't agree Six, I think if a business doesn't offer something useful, then what good is it to society or even to themselves? It's a sham and they should find something else useful to do with their lives. They're charlatans at best, bilking a hoodwinked audience.

I'm not sure what this "U ARENT AN INSIDER" reactionary stuff is all about, but it's ridiculous and Ohio Cane's spot on estimate of what would happen in recruiting leads me to believe he has some information everyone else doesn't. Cut and dry.

[4-Real]

U came up wit dat ALL BY YOSELF 86??! Just jokin...dont wanna get blocked :)

[CaneRock]

El Nuevo...El Senor...Mi Amigo...El Manuel...Si Si:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2012/01/canes-land-2-us-army-all-americans-during-recruiting-spree.html

[4-Real]

Goldman waiting 2 c what bama do. If they lose he is ours, easily, vault yo boy

[Ohio_Cane]

4-real makes me laugh like this old blogger I'm not allowed to mention. But without the comments that get him booted. Keep it up 4-real lol

[Ohio_Cane]

Goldman waiting 2 c what bama do. If they lose he is ours, easily, vault yo boy

Posted by: 4-Real | January 07, 2012 at 10:18 PM
------------------------------------

Bama already "won" him, win or lose in the NC game

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio Cane's spot on estimate of what would happen in recruiting leads me to believe he has some information everyone else doesn't. Cut and dry.

Posted by: Felipe | January 07, 2012 at 10:15 PM
--------------------------------------

Some info, some luck. Like I said, I was guessing on some, like the McCord pick. As Papa Cane had picked Mccord to USC

[UMike]

soup..did I get dropped from the "list" lol

[SOUP]

4-Real...U are banned 4 life.

Just kidding!

[86Cane]

soup..did I get dropped from the "list" lol

Posted by: UMike | January 07, 2012 at 10:30 PM

YUP.

But I may let U back in based on your good behavior of late. LOL

[UMike]

lol

[SOUP]

UMike...check email. More to follow!

[UMike]

Got it..thanx!

[Willie Will in Nashville]

Soup,

Did I get dropped from the list too? What am I saying, I meant what list??? Lol

[SOUP]

NEW BLOG IS UP!