Pins and Needles

“Pins and Needles”, the title to rock musician Chris Caffery’s latest CD, was inspired by the feeling of being numb.  "You take a lot of shots emotionally in life.  Eventually you just kind of become numb to certain things,” he told me.

Canes fans can relate as that was the feeling we would get with every offensive snap to the quarterback.  Numb at watching the last game the Canes played in the Orange Bowl. Numb at watching another ACC loss. With the end of the  2007 season and with more  battles on the field having been lost than won we now look ahead to 2008.

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In the interim however, there is another game being played, continental in nature with a separate set of rules: recruiting.  While the success of the recruiting class determines the strength of college athletic programs and can make or break a head coach, the recruiting game is played to win at all costs and by all methods.

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This season has been the usual roller coaster ride from high school recruits but with some twists -  the fictional auction of Patrick Johnson on Ebay to coaches attending the funeral of former UM great Sean Taylor and then hitting the recruiting trail in South Florida while  “in town”.  Not to mention a former player’s son choosing a rival school where, it is rumored, jorts are a fashion staple.

With current UM commits this promises to be an exciting recruiting class rated no. 1 by ESPN.  Some recruits seem more vocal about their commitment and may be more “solid” than others even though National Signing Day is February 6th. Other's it is much harder to tell which way they are leaning as that day draws nearer.

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Either way, the final determination of the exact recruiting class has Canes fans on pins and needles.

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Hurricane commit Marcus Forston mentioned how he would like to meet Warren Sapp and the late, great Jerome Brown and how this class is going to put “Miami back on the map”.  A talented, thoughtful  young man reflecting on those that came before him, able to see through those who promise gold at the end of the rainbow.  He remains steadfast in his allegiance to the Canes and Coach Shannon.

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As Chris Caffery sings from Once Upon a Time: " ...Take this hand of this strong and honest man, how many times can you look into the eyes of make believe..."

Editor’s Note: Chris Caffery has signed copies for Canespace of his Pins and Needles CD which will be used as giveaways on Canespace.  Distribution to be determined...

Comments

[MDCane]

Cat Five, doesn't matter who competes for the job, Travis will be the man. That was his job all season, every game and with teams scheming just to stop him. Got to the point some teams stop kicking to him.

[miamihurricane34]

Yeah, we are not out of it yet, but I would like to see us hit a couple of three's. I went to the GT game and had a good time, but before the game I was bragging to the people I went with about how great Miami is at shooting three's.

[rdub]

Not to throw dirt on anybody, but the WR's were not getting better. Calvin mentioned something about Mosley's claim to fame was teaching WR's how to block. I agreed with him, it was asinine for someone to boast that they can teach WR's how to block. Who the phuck cares? Teach them: how get off the line, how to catch the ball, use their bodies to shield the db, get out of breaks, why they should not round off routes, use their hands, shoulders and elbows to get separation, read coverage, etc.

I hope Shannon hires coaches that really want to teach the players how to play this game and also how to practice correctly. Not just a doing a bunch drills, but doing things with a purpose.

I hope he also hires a QB coach, and takes over as DC. At least I feel comfortable that one side of the ball works.

The offense needs to go back to Miami's roots and keep it "Pro Style".. All of that spread sh!t and trickery is high school/ pop warner sh!t. If you have 2-3 really talented players on Offense you run that spread shit, because you want the ball in the most talented players hands.

[miamihurricane34]

Damn, airball on the three.

[miamihurricane34]

Finally, some threeeeeessss!

[CanesgirlNC]

I can't watch the game here in Charlotte - they have Wake v. Maryland but the way Miami is playing, kinda glad - hope they continue to turn it around

[miamihurricane34]

13-24 with 5:35 to play in first

[miamihurricane34]

13-28 3:56

[busy_cane]

At least no one is in foul trouble.

[CanesgirlNC]

I can't watch the game here in Charlotte - they have Wake v. Maryland but the way Miami is playing, kinda glad - hope they continue to turn it around

[CanesgirlNC]

Ugh I think they got off the bus down by 10

[busy_cane]

mh34 - thought your tv feed might have less delay than mine, but I was behind with my Tivo. I'm caught up now.

2nd half should be a different story.

Miami is playing with good energy, but can't get many good looks at the basket. Halftime adjustments should change the game to an inside out approach, open up the outside shot. King and Collins need to become more of an inside threat.

Defense needs to pressure, which might lead to some easy buckets. We've had no easy baskets!

[miamihurricane34]

17-28 3:12, Mcclinton is 1-7

[miamihurricane34]

Yeah I have Comcast in Miami, and it actually has a really bad delay.
I agree busy they have played with a lot of energy, they justw need their shots to drop. Even one of Jimmy's dunks bounced out.
34-20 1:15 left

[busy_cane]

solar, where are you?

we need someone to cheer us up!

@%*$(#

[miamihurricane34]

22-36 at the half, it is not insurmountable

[86Cane]

That drives me to drink even more than what I already do.

Posted by: raizecane | January 15, 2008 at 07:54 PM

U and me both!

[busy_cane]

First half comes to an end. It was forgetable. Unfortunately, when we open up the second half down by 14 points, we'll be reminded about how poorly we shot the ball.

The team doesn't look sluggish... they just have had difficulty finding an offensive rhythm, and that has translated into BC shooting the ball very well (> 50%).

Haith preaches that solid defense leads to offensive success. Miami's defensive pressure needs to keep the opponnent's shot % near 40 for the team to be successful. Otherwise, we don't have the offensive weapons to get into a running match.

I expect us to come out of the halftime and hit a few threes and get the deficit into single digits. If we relax, we are done.

In the second half, it has to be pressure, pressure, pressure.

GO CANES!

[86Cane]

Let's go see what Manny is blogging LIVE from the game and post over there...

[busy_cane]

Great thought 86.

Manny always puts great stuff up during the game.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2008/01/courtside-blo-2.html

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In other news, Romney wins Michigan.

[RealCanesFan]

Mosley gone damn who is going to be next. Randy is not playing...Cant say I blame him the rec. have sucked as of late.

Go Canes!!!!! need to come out strong in the 2nd against BC

[miamihurricane34]

I think we are toast, we pretty much need to start hitting three's, down 22-41 16:45

[RealCanesFan]

Yeah it isn't looking good. We are shooting the ball horribly and BC just looks on another level tonight.

[RealCanesFan]

Oh well cant win them all. Hopefully we can rebound stronger from this loss.

[solarcane]

Sorry I was watching espnu
Heritage and pace
kenny boynton # 8 in the country heading to Duke in 2 years, he would beat BC all by himself

peace

[solarcane]

what is this 0 for 13 in a row vs BC?
peace

[86Cane]

I went over to Manny's place but the Canes are stinking it up and they are out of beer over there.

This dead period stinks when the Canes BB team can't hold up it's end of the bargain. Faith in Haith? Let's hope so...

[busy_cane]

that's correct. it was the anti-football curse. they're football team couldn't beat us and we couldn't beat their basketball team. that changed this year on the gridiron, i hoped it would change this year on the court. we'll have another chance, but I don't think it will happen tonight.

[busy_cane]

Open up the taps, soup, 'cause it is going to be a long 12:00 minutes.

[solarcane]

you guys should watch the last quarter of
heritage/ pace( ESPNU) Kenny Boyton has the highest scoring average in Florida 35 per game.

Pace is killing his team but he is fun to watch
peace

[86Cane]

Solar...did you get my email?

Manny's working the game, there just isn't much positive to report.

Shannon is getting things right in CG. Next week we hear the final facts about the EEs. Then on 2/6 we have national signing day.

Then more Canes ACC basketball and next the baseball season starts.

[miamihurricane34]

Hey we pull back to within 20!

[busy_cane]

Home court really plays an advantage when Miami has to go to Boston in January.

[miamihurricane34]

Back to back three's

[busy_cane]

Who was that kid who went to UM who led Florida in scoring? Ochiel Swaby? Does that name ring a bell with anyone?

[vince]

Swaby did not play at UM. I think he played at USF

[busy_cane]

didn't he start at UM and end up at USF?

[busy_cane]

38 ppg his senior year in HS.

Played for UM and USF, in the NBA (briefly) and overseas.

Today, he is the girls basketball coach at Miami Country Day School.

[miamihurricane34]

43-57 6:59 left, getting a little more interresting

[solarcane]

soup,
yes I got your email, that is interesting.

peace

[miamihurricane34]

45-57 6:59

[AvaCane96]

its only a 12 point game guys...we comin back

[solarcane]

Boyton 40 pts 5 of 11 from 3 point range as a point guard.
peace

[miamihurricane34]

47-60 6:28

[AvaCane96]

lets gooooooooo

[miamihurricane34]

50-60, damn can't believe it 5:59

[86Cane]

Gotta get it under 10 points at the 5 minute mark then we got a game!

[86Cane]

Back to Manny's place. They made another beer run!

[miamihurricane34]

3:56 to play down 12

[miamihurricane34]

Wish we could have played all game like we have for the last 5 min