Here We Go Again

Does it seem like every year about this time things tend to go sour on the blog?

With the football season over and with no bowl game to look forward to this year it seems that many bloggers tend to go into a funk and go all negative about everything orange and green just about this time of the year. 

It doesn't have to be this way; really it doesn't.

Basketball season is just starting and Jim Larranaga's boys are doing quite well thank you very much. The men's hoopsters are out to a 7-1 start as they look forward to upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Last night in Orlando Durand Scott scored 17 points and Reggie Johnson added 16 points and 13 rebounds to help Miami to an easy 72-50 victory over Central Florida. Shane Larkin had 11 points and six assists and Kenny Kadji scored 10 for the Hurricanes (7-1), who led all game and won their sixth straight.

The Hurricanes now head out to Honolulu, Hawaii over the Christmas Break for the Diamond Head Classic Tournament which is a really nice gig if you can get it. Conference play begins in Atlanta against Georgia Tech on January 5.

Baseball season is also just around the corner, and after another great recruiting class by UM head coach Jim Morris, his diamond dogs should be poised for an excellent season.

In its annual breakdown of the country's top recruiting classes, Baseball America rated the Miami Hurricanes' 13-member group as the 10th-best incoming class in the nation. The publication's rankings were the second to recognize the Hurricanes' 2012 class, comprised of 11 true freshmen, one redshirt freshman and one junior. Collegiate Baseball newspaper rated the Hurricanes' 2012 class the ninth-best in the nation in its annual rankings released in late September.

It was the first time the Hurricanes had a group ranked in the top 10 by Baseball America since 2006, as Miami was recognized with the second-highest rated recruiting class in the ACC (UNC was No. 5).

The Hurricanes hard-ballers begin the 2013 season on Friday February 15 at 7:00 PM against Rutgers at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

And speaking of recruiting the "silly season" has started once again as college football head coaches all over the Country beg, grovel and plead with high school seniors who all believe they are destined to be the next "great one" at their position and college of choice.

(Editor's Note to high school players: You better have a Plan B, trust me on this one).

This is the time of year when recruits begin to play their very own modern day version of the dating game with verbal comittments to teams that are on again or off again about as often as Al Golden says "certainly" or mentions "the process" or runs his fingers through his hair during a post-game presser.

If you are part of what now appears to be a National obsession when it comes to following the recruiting game and the whims and wishes of around 10,000 eighteen year old kids who are soon to be college football student-athletes then have at it. And, if you choose to waste your time by staying up all night worrying about who is going where then please, have at it.

Just don't count me among that crowd. Personally, I have no time for wondering what color shirt or hat a certain player wore to school one day or what he said, she said, he said. Especially when the great weather of the mild Florida Winter and the great outdoors reminds me why I live in the beautiful Sunshine State.

A wise man once said:" Worry is like a rocking chair; it keeps you busy, but gets you nowhere."

Call me on National Signing Day and then we will talk and compare notes.

Until then, well not so much. I'll be outside, playing.

Related articles

Pardon This Interruption For UM Basketball

Pardon This Interruption For UM Baseball

Miami Recruiting: Hurricanes' Top 5 Targets and Odds They Commit

Comments

[Old Skool]

AGain

[UMike]

Bush

[Ohio_Cane]

Tracy Howard!

Matt Hayes - 1st and 10: They keep calling, Al Golden keeps saying no. If Canes can get through #NCAA mess, Golden will win big. http://bit.ly/WoHEpm

[86Cane]

Questions for U all:

How many D-1 NCAA football programs are there?

How many players can each team carry on their active roster?

How many players play D-1 football each year (# of teams x # of players)?

[UMike]

112?..85?.. And no clue lol

[LB]

Now that Mike James has graduated, I'm trying to figure out my favorite player on the team.

Ohio's is obvious (and for good reason).

My contenders are between Morris, Bush, and Hagens. No, 86, Ryan Williams didn't make the cut. :)

I like Morris because off the field due to his artistic appreciation. I can relate to that, as artsy people march to a different drummer (me too). On the field, he succeeded despite the hot potato dropped passes.

Deon Bush is amazing. He is one of the most passionate players on UM's roster, and his dedication to the weight room is just sick. Keep him healthy, and he'll join the ranks of great UM safeties.

I love the way Hagens plays. I love the violence of play, unselfishness, and humility in which he demonstrates. He's the quiet guy who busts open holes for 1,000 yard tailbacks.

I also love Duke Johnson. Dude has a good head on his shoulders.

So, Spacers, who's your favorite player? If I had to cast my vote today, it would be Hagens and Bush.

[LB]

Speaking of hair...

...did you guys know that Al Golden's hair has its own Twitter?

https://twitter.com/AlGoldensHair

[Montreal-Cane]

Good read. CEO check mail.

[Ohio_Cane]

LB, tbh, I have many favorites on this team.

Howard is an obvious one, because I can just see him blossoming into a lock-down corner (a la Revis) in college and onto the NFL, but I really like others for different reasons.

Bush - because he's exactly what U think of when U think Miami Hurricanes Safety. Fast, hard hitting, wreckless abandon, hard worker, etc.

Duke - because he's exactly what U think of when U think of the love we as fans and alumni have for this school. Oh, and he's just a tad skilled... Lol

[Ohio_Cane]

Pete Roussel - Sources tell me that Bobby Petrino has offered a job to Hampton wide receivers coach Lamar Thomas. Former 'Cane. http://bit.ly/xpkQEX

Happy for Lamar if true!

[canezilla]

121,85,10,285?

[Ohio_Cane]

Beau Sandland - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LF7wJqcOU6k

Don't drool too much until he picks Canes.

[Montreal-Cane]

The NCAA has hurt both UM and the ACC. I am sure that they both want to put this behind them so UM can recruit and continue to build under Golden.

UM can restore the ACC football to its BCS championship level it has enjoyed in the past. with the sanctions behind him, Golden has a legitimate shot at a great recruiting class and an ACC champtionship next year.

Speaking of potential ACC Champtionships, Congrats to the Canes BB team once again for looking good in a win against a decent team.

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | December 19, 2012 at 07:02 AM

Agree!

[86Cane]

Favorite Players? Let's offer some suggestions:

Deon Bush: Hard worker, hard hitter, team leader.

Tracy Howard: Humble, talented, smart.

Gray Crow! Just because. Seriously, old skool mentality is nice.

Matt Goudis: Nice kid, nice family and will be depended upon next year.

Rayshawn Jenkins: One of the favorites among coaches at the Hecht Center.

Danny Dillard: U will see why next year. Just remember who told U so.

Gionni Paul: Unsung hero of the 2012 UM defense. Solid player.

Curtis Porter: Southern gentleman. Nicest kid U ever wanna meet.

Ereck Flowers: U better like him or he will smash U! Talented youngster.

Clive Walford: restored productivity to the TE position by season's end.

Denzel Perryman: Productive player who does the right things; team leader.

JaWand Blue: Broke VT's hearts on NSD!

Brandon Linder: Everyone wishes they had a son like Linder. Solid person.

Anthony Chickillo: See Linder.

Jose Feliciano: Great run blocker. Plus his Mom is as thick as cold grits!

[86Cane]

121 TEAMS, 85 PLAYERS, 10,285 TOTAL PLAYERS?

Posted by: canezilla | December 19, 2012 at 10:16 AM

CORRECT!

[Ohio_Cane]

Mike Bakas reported that Travis Johnson received an offer from Arizona State today.

Sandland to UM!

[UMike]

Ohio..your late buddy..that happened yesterday lol

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio..your late buddy..that happened yesterday lol

Posted by: UMike | December 19, 2012 at 10:22 AM
-------------------------------------------

Was really for anyone who hadn't seen it and wondered why I was predicting him to Canes.

[Montreal-Cane]

From the last blog and the answer from Barry Jackson from the herald i got this morning....

From MC...I am very confident that there won't be another bowl ban...UM has done more to punish itself than they needed...Bowl bans...ACC ship...Suspensions...Plus the NCAA needs to consider that due to their very lenghty investigation they have hurt Miami very very much. UM is left in the dark and only the innoncents are paying for this. The NCAA will have to go after the real guilty people who are now at other schools or elsewhere.

Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 19, 2012 at 02:51 AM

From Barry Jackson this Morning...Regarding NCAA report.

Hi Montreal-Cane. Recent meaning within the past month. Don't think it's far from done - UM is expecting it in January.

[UMike]

Ohio..just bustin your chops a bit lol....also, I read that Johnson and coaches "mutual agreed" to part ways. I would imagine if the coaches were willing to part ways they must know something, either a pending commitment or hidden character issues etc...imo

[86Cane]

So lets expand on that 10,285 number of TOTAL players in D-1 football any given year.

There are 1 million HS players in the US and only 10,000 college players, right? So that means that ONLY 1 out of every 100 HS players will play D-1 ball.

U BETTER HAVE A PLAN B!

[86Cane]

Now according to NCAA rules each team can sign UP TO 25 players per year (give or take with EE's). Some do not even sign 25 like UM this year at around 15.

So if you say that there are 121 teams in D-1 football and they each sign the maximum of 25 players then how many is that in any given year?

[Ohio_Cane]

Lavon Hooks announcing today also at 11 am Central time.

Don't expect Canes.

[UMike]

Lavon Hooks announcing today also at 11 am Central time.

Don't expect Canes.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 19, 2012 at 10:36 AM

He doesnt even know what to expect lol..was suppsoe to announce like 2 days ago lol

[canezilla]

121 TEAMS, 85 PLAYERS, 10,285 TOTAL PLAYERS?

Posted by: canezilla | December 19, 2012 at 10:16 AM

CORRECT!

Posted by: 86Cane | December 19, 2012 at 10:21 AM
DID'NT EVEN LOOK IT UP!!

[Mcginns ale house]

A disgruntled cane fan( ogv) is walking past sun life stadium and sees D.C. Dno nailing his defensive game plan to the opposing teams locker room door.??. Being the die hard Dno supporter that he is he says "I am gonna get me that. A man can never have to many nails."

[86Cane]

Heather Babe picks DUKE!

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/50073/video-accs-best-rb-in-2013

[86Cane]

Well, well, well...it turns out that for a FACT that SinisterCane was BrevardCane and CaneFan all in one and a TROLL!

Asta La Vista baby!

[UpNorthCane]

Well for those star lovers...

Bond rated #1 WDE by rivals...

Yo Beau!!! cmon down buddy Shockey is waiting for you...

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great article 86. Total agreement.

[86Cane]

Great article 86. Total agreement.

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 19, 2012 at 11:04 AM

Thanks, at least ONE person reads them. LOL

[UMike]

Hooks announcement pushed back again lol.. Till 1:00 today

[UpNorthCane]

Lmao im not going to be shocked if Hooks chooses UM at this point even if he never visited loll... Kid is a psycho

[longtimecanefan]

As much as I enjoy the recruiting speculation it's a sad day for Cane fans when the bigger Bowl games haven't even started and we're focused on some high school kid who plays TE.

Lord how the mighty have fallen......

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Miami just got a commitment from Adonys Henriquez a 4 star SG from Orlando

[CoCane]

UpNorth, quit lying. Bond is still a 3* LB on Rivals...

[UpNorthCane]

LOL CoCane i worded it wrong i shoudlve said Rankings instead of stars...... He is ranked #1 as a WDE at least thats what i read...

[UpNorthCane]

Beau Sandland is a CANE!!!!!!!!!!!

[UMike]

Sandland to miami

[LB]

There ya go, UMike!

[Ohio_Cane]

Beau!!! Damn it, I missed it. Was with a customer

[UpNorthCane]

its all good Ohio we got your back lol

[86Cane]

Any new recruiting news? LOL

[Ohio_Cane]

JUCO TE Beau Sandland: "I have committed AND signed with the University of Miami."

This is what I think about that...

http://medias.omgif.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Double-dream-hands.gif

[86Cane]

Haters gonna hate.

[UpNorthCane]

Ohio is that Soup in that video dancingaway?? loll SOup i see you my dude loll

[LB]

He's already signed? Nice! So he can come in right away?

[Ohio_Cane]

He's already signed? Nice! So he can come in right away?

Posted by: LB | December 19, 2012 at 11:51 AM
-----------------------------------------

January enrollee!!

[Mcginns ale house]

I guess the report of red flags and the sky was falling was false.

[86Cane]

I guess the report of red flags and the sky was falling was false.

Posted by: Mcginns ale house | December 19, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Roger that! As usual, don't pay the haters no mind, they got nothing better to do.

[Ohio_Cane]

Well, well, well...it turns out that for a FACT that SinisterCane was BrevardCane and CaneFan all in one and a TROLL!

Asta La Vista baby!

Posted by: 86Cane | December 19, 2012 at 10:52 AM
-----------------------------------------

Really? LOL!

[ColaCane]

Hey we got a couple more TE's commits.

[Sinistercane]

Well, well, well...it turns out that for a FACT that SinisterCane was BrevardCane and CaneFan all in one and a TROLL!

Asta La Vista baby!

Posted by: 86Cane | December 19, 2012 at 10:52 AM

WRONG I've never posted as another blogger And secondly the only thing I was ever negative about was coach NO d. I post once maybe twice a week if that and you call me a troll? Also I live in Jacksonville my IP address will state this. My comments where no more negative than anybody else's during NO D defensive mishaps but I'm troll? 86 you are dead wrong and you need to clear my name

[86Cane]

Then there was another Sinsiter who stole your name because the IP addy was the same for a "SinisterCane" and "BrevardCane" and a "Fan". I'm just saying that someone may have stolen your blog name? Anyway U are clear to continue under your current name and IP addy. Blog on!

[Ohio_Cane]

Tiger Woods heard about Beau Sandland and reacted...

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/Larry121283/14342_o.gif

[Sinistercane]

I guess you don't check that stuff before you call it a FACT

[Sinistercane]

Go Canes

[Mcginns ale house]

Cola, your probably right,way to many tight ends. I heard one was to fast.one was to big and the other on only catches touchdowns and worse none of them know how to cook.Why do we keep recruiting these guys?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Yeah, I'm going to have to call an, "unlikely," on Sinister being a troll, we exchanged some personal barbs this year when the defense was giving up its customary 400+ during one game here on the blog and he actually was the better blogger and apologized to me preemptively for getting personal with the insults, no internet troll in history has ever done that, unless they were suffering from trolls remorse, which he would have no reason to at that point. So I'm likely not to believe someone who would not only do that but then actually register and spend the time finding himself an avatar for his profile would be just a troll, too much investment for so little payoff and too mindful of blog etiquette to fit the shoe there.

McGinnis, the definition of deserved criticism; anyone who finishes in the bottom .975% of the rankings of their job(s) being mentioned as not being good at what they do.

Try to understand, if you're the bottom 1% or less on any measurement, being criticized for your poor performance isn't someone being cheap. It's like if I wrote the bottom 1% of the articles on here and there was demonstrable, numeric evidence showing that fact, people who said I wrote bad articles wouldn't be cheap-shooting my abilities, they'd have a valid point and 86 would be wise to send me on my way to some other blog about Philly college football to exhibit my incompetence there instead of stinking up a prestigious fan blog like this one with my atrociously subpar performances week in and week out. If you had a bartender that constantly made the wrong drink over 99% of the time and clients kept telling you that they needed to be let go no matter how many fun hours you had in your spare time with them away from work for however many eons you'd known them for, they'd have a fair point if every time they ordered a Hurricane for themselves and a Red Death for their date they got 12 virgin blueberry daiquiris instead. There's no cheapshotting a history of incompetence when you mention how poor the performance is, no matter what color you print your manifesto up in when you go in for your employment interview.

But I digress. My point remains, Jim Larranaga much, much > the mutants from Philly and worth the money spent on him and then some. That same equation goes for Jim Morris too BTW. Maybe UM should hire a Jim to coach football and actually fix things when D'No screws up the 2013 season against UF and gets nuked by their horrible offense next year to lose any chance at the Broyles award before the first month is over?

[SinisterCane]

Thanks OGV

I'm now typing from my job IP address LOL it's all good

[86Cane]

I guess you don't check that stuff before you call it a FACT

Posted by: Sinistercane | December 19, 2012 at 12:52 PM

What I posted was a FACT. How was I to know that there would be TWO SinsterCanes? LOL

[86Cane]

OGV says: "McGinnis, the definition of deserved criticism; anyone who finishes in the bottom .975% of the rankings of their job being mentioned as not being good at what they do."

I say: Yeah but did U account for the fact that the sun was in his eyes and the wind was against him? Yeah, I didn't think so!

[86Cane]

OGV...I gotta say I am IMPRESSED with coach L and the UM basketball team so far this season. But it is still early and Big Reg still needs to improve his effort and consistency if Miami is to do soame damage in the ACC. The Canes appear to have the size and skill needed to make it happen this year if things go right (no injuries).

[canezilla]

86 HAS A HAIR TRIGGER!!! LOL

[herbieibis]

So we got Sandlin, Great!One leaves and one comes. Who's the next TE's we're after, Oh Yeah Vandenburg & Wozniak, is there anybody else? Can we move on from this position of epic preportion and get some real help, where help is REALLY NEEDED!

[86Cane]

Zilla...do NOT test it! LOL

I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question:

Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

[Mcginns ale house]

Ogv- what you call a basketball coach with a sheep under his arm ?
----you know the answer ---

[86Cane]

Can we move on from this position of epic preportion and get some real help, where help is REALLY NEEDED!

Posted by: herbieibis | December 19, 2012 at 01:39 PM

Sure, where would U like to start, with a kicker or a punter?

[Willie Will in Nashville]

OGV,

Sorry Kirby I have to take back the cred I gave you last night for hiring Coach L, but you did good on hiring Coach Golden.

Were you saying this last year about the basketball team??

[Willie Will in Nashville]

86,

You say it's 1 million high school football players. So in other words you are saying it's no way in HELL recruiting sites can evaluate all these players so star ratings can never be accurate??

[canezilla]

Zilla...do NOT test it! LOL

I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question:

Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

Posted by: 86Cane | December 19, 2012 at 01:39 PM
HAHAHAHAHAAHAH DIRTY TOM

[86Cane]

WITH MORE DETAILS FROM UM VIA EMAIL:

Beau Sandland, the nation’s top-ranked junior college tight end, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Miami, head coach Al Golden announced Wednesday.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end from Pierce College (Calif.) is ranked the No. 6 overall junior college player nationally and No.1 tight end prospect by 247Sports.com. He is also the No. 2 junior college tight end and No. 12 overall recruit in the ESPN Junior College 100. In eight games as a sophomore in 2012, Sandland caught 24 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns en route to first-team All-Pacific Conference honors. As a freshman in 2011, he recorded 20 catches for 265 yards and two scores.

In November, Sandland helped guide the Brahmas to a Patriotic Bowl win, a 37-34 double-overtime victory over Mt. San Jacinto College. He played for head coach Efrain Martinez at Pierce College.

[86Cane]

WWIN...what I'm saying is that local folks like Larry Blustein usually know most about these players and more than the National guys who watch a few highlite tapes.

Everybody, even RaizeCane, looks good in a highlite tape. I'm jus sayin.

[semperfi_cane]

I think some of toy are missing the point with all these TE recruits. The coaches said earlier in the season they wanted to imitate what the Patriots have done with their tight ends. They are already set with what should be one of the best receiving corps and offensive lines in the country. Duke's presence alone makes the rb position the strength of the offense. Steven Morris proved last year that he can run a quick strike offense and should only improve with his first full season as a starter under his belt. So now, if you can add two legitimate receiving threats at TE who can also block, you create a dilemma for any defense they face. Line up in a spread or a single back set with these guys and read the defense in dime coverage? Morris audibles, brings the TE in, and the TE is blocking a 175 lb slot corner for Duke. If they line up in a base d, now a lb has to cover these TEs and/or Duke out of the backfield. And the redzone offense becomes a huge problem for any defense facing it. IMO, Fisch and Golden see the TE position as the key to making this offense unstoppable next year.

[86Cane]

There really is no need to evaluate all 1 million HS players only about 10,000 of the TOP players each year.

Since nobody bit and answered my previous question then I will answer it myself:

If there are 121 D-1 schools and each school signs the maximum of 25 recruits allowed by the NCAA then that means only 3,025 players will be signed BY MAJOR COLLEGES in an average year.

3,000 out of 1 million?

U BETTER HAVE A PLAN B!

[UMike]

Still no hooks announcement?? Lol

[86Cane]

Something smells fishy with Hooks?

[Ohio_Cane]

Still no hooks announcement?? Lol

Posted by: UMike | December 19, 2012 at 02:34 PM
----------------------------------------

This kid is obviously torn between at least 2 schools. Probably family pressure too.

He should just wait until he KNOWS, IMO.

[CGNC]

Posted by: semperfi_cane | December 19, 2012 at 02:19 PM

Good post. Also I think Golden was a tight end in college - please no Sandusky jokes here

[Ohio_Cane]

Here U go, Herbie: Virginia DT Donta Wilkins, 6'3 315 will be visiting in January.

Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oC9WZLcftII

Profile: http://rivals.yahoo.com/bwi/football/recruiting/player-Donta-Wilkins-125801

[2002nemo]

With a stable of reliable tight ends our offense will be VERY powerful next year.

And if our defense - and especially the D-Line - improves, the U should be NUMBER ONE in the ACC.

[2002nemo]

semperfi_cane:

AHRRRR!!

[LB]

If we get a tight end threat, UM is a top 15 offense. Period.

[Willie Will in Nashville]

The way our offense is shaping up I don't think we need a defense next year

[semperfi_cane]

As far as the defense is concerned, I think that next year, Bush alone limits completions down the seam and across the middle with the types of vicious hits he executed with regularity this past season. You add 15 lbs to that kid, with the type of range he has, and he is a legitimate all-American candidate. You also have to think that with players like McCord and Bond coming off the edge, completion percentages will drop for opposing offenses. My opinion is that Dnofrio's vision is to line up in a true 3-4 defense more often next year, with Chick and Green setting the edges as DEs, freeing up UMs athletic OLBs to make more of an impact behind the line of scrimmage on both running and passing plays. This is where I feel Matthew Thomas is critical. He would seem to be the kind of playmaker that even as a freshman, could come in situationally and help the team. However, the glaring problem with this, as every Canes fan knows, is the lack of a dominant interior presence that is necessary for the 3-4 to work. Hopefully, Porter can play this role to some degree. If not, fans better hope for some serious development by one of the young dts who came in last year (or maybe Grimble plays up to his potential after virtually disappearing last year). I also think Howard and Gunther come up bigger next year with a full year of experience under their belt, but the safety position opposite Bush is still unsettled. In the final analysis, although I question coach D as much as anyone, I think I see his vision, but next year will be make or break for him. With the firepower the offense has coming back, I think a serviceable defense (ranked in the top 40 or above in yards and points), is enough for UM to win the ACC.

[roachcane77]

Ya know, as I'm watching all of this Notre Dame BS, I'm reminded that Louis Nix SHOULD have been a Cane.

We offered him, (and he accepted), when he was down and out with a bum knee that nobody felt comfortable about... Then, he gets healthy and dumps us for the Irish.

Can you imagine him on OUR D-Line? (Even D'No would have a tough time screwing that up!)

By the way... best quote of the day so far... came from OGV: "Yeah, I'm going to have to call an, "unlikely," on Sinister being a troll, we exchanged some personal barbs this year when the defense was giving up its customary 400+ during one game here on the blog and he actually was the better blogger and apologized to me preemptively for getting personal with the insults, no internet troll in history has ever done that, unless they were suffering from trolls remorse, which he would have no reason to at that point."

"suffering from troll's remorse" You KEELLING me man! LMAO!

[herbieibis]

It's all well and good if they throw the ball to the TE's more than 3 or 4 times a game and something besides a 5 to 7 yd pass.Our TE's used to be good for 6 to 7 catches agmes for 50 to 70 yds.
We probably do need to go to a 3-4 defense and if that's the case, we got enough short squatty guys to handle the middle, if they'd grow a pair. Next we'll have to bring in a few more LB's. We really haven't had a solid guy in the middle since Vilma left or a solid guy up front since Wilfork left. We need to be more than servicable on defense. We need to get the rush defense somewhere in the 100-120 range and have 30-35 sacks to satisfy me.

[Willie Will in Nashville]

roach,

i thought we parted ways with Nix and stopped recruiting him???

[86Cane]

The way our offense is shaping up I don't think we need a defense next year

Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | December 19, 2012 at 04:08 PM

Defense?

Or do U mean a time out break for the offense?

[semperfi_cane]

Posted by: herbieibis | December 19, 2012 at 04:53 PM

I absolutely agree that the defense needs to become dominant again, I just don't see that kind of a jump after the debacle last year. I expect less mental breakdowns next year with better fundamentals (i.e. bad tackling angles like the ones Telemaque took for four years), and more plays that impact the outcome of the game (i.e. big sacks on third down instead of blown coverages that keep drives alive). I think that if they can manage those incremental improvements, it will be enough to propel the team to the top of the ACC, with an eye on 2014 for the defense to become a feared unit once again.

[86Cane]

With the firepower the offense has coming back, I think a serviceable defense (ranked in the top 40 or above in yards and points), is enough for UM to win the ACC.

Posted by: semperfi_cane | December 19, 2012 at 04:28 PM

SemperFi...I like the way U think AND write.

Welcome to The Space. Post here, post often!

[86Cane]

We need to be more than servicable on defense. We need to get the rush defense somewhere in the 100-120 range and have 30-35 sacks to satisfy me.

Posted by: herbieibis | December 19, 2012 at 04:53 PM

Hey, I thought U wanted to talk about kickers and punters? What happened???

[herbieibis]

We are 2 to 3 players away on defense to be formidable. More like three. One more guy in the secondary, one up front, and one in the middle.

[j.w.]

Ya know, as I'm watching all of this Notre Dame BS, I'm reminded that Louis Nix SHOULD have been a Cane.

We offered him, (and he accepted), when he was down and out with a bum knee that nobody felt comfortable about... Then, he gets healthy and dumps us for the Irish...

Can you imagine him on OUR D-Line? (Even D'No would have a tough time screwing that up!)
. . .
Posted by: roachcane77 | December 19, 2012 at 04:44 PM
roach- could be remembering it wrong, but I think Randy Shannon stopped recruiting Nix. Several self-proclaimed recruiting experts thought it was a good idea at the time. I thought it was pretty strange, even not knowing anything about Nix that we would not recruit a kid at a need position who had the size and actually wanted to be a Cane.

[86Cane]

1. One more guy in the secondary.
2. One up front.
3. One in the middle.

Posted by: herbieibis | December 19, 2012 at 05:14 PM

1. Look for Rayshawn Jenkins to play next to Bush and be that guy. He will be much better in year two. He was not quite ready last year. The coaches LOVE him. And don't forget about CB Burns and S Carter coming in this year.

2. Not sure.

3. LB Raphael Kirby or LB Gionni Paul could be "That Guy". Or freshman LB Matthew Thomas could be that guy although he might need a year or two of UTough before he becomes da man.

[semperfi_cane]

I love the fact that guys like DP and Bush make receivers think twice about laying out for a reception, knowing that those guys are headhunting out there. That kind of ferocity, combined with a legitimate pass rush, will stop all these marginal qbs from looking like Tom Brady when we play them. However, Howard's development is another key to this since almost every dominant defense has a lockdown corner who can take away a third of the field from opponents. But again, without at least one dominant d-lineman, and stiffer resistance up the middle, none of that will matter.

[CaneRock]

WWIN...what I'm saying is that local folks like Larry Blustein usually know most about these players and more than the National guys who watch a few highlite tapes.

Posted by: 86Cane | December 19, 2012 at 02:17 PM

EXCELLENT! point.

[CaneRock]

Seems like we've been competing with Nebraska and ASU for some recruits. Sandland,Johnson (decommit), and Bond come to mind.

[herbieibis]

Yeah 86' would do need a punter and I don't see M. Thomas playing in the middle, so it's Paul or Kirby and Paul couldn't cover anyone in pass coverage.
Ohio, that's what I'm talking about size wise. Now is the Dude strong or is he a pillow case?

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio, that's what I'm talking about size wise. Now is the Dude strong or is he a pillow case?

Posted by: herbieibis | December 19, 2012 at 06:07 PM
------------------------------------

Did U watch his highlights? Plays OL and DT and dominates