Canespace

NFL First Rounders and The Apocalypse

This article was written exclusively for Canespace by SolarCane...

Speculation:
a. Contemplation or consideration of a subject; meditation.
b. A conclusion, opinion, or theory reached by conjecture.
c. Reasoning based on inconclusive evidence; conjecture or supposition.

One of the most entertaining quirks of Canes fans is the ability to work ourselves into a nervous breakdown speculating about something we have no control over.  The farther into the future the dreaded event occurs, the better.  Anxiety ferments very slowly. You have to have patience and fortitude to fret away an entire summer.

Why sit back and enjoy the best Cane’s baseball season in decades, when you can lie awake in a pool of sweat, contemplating the first round NFL pick twelve months from now? 

Who the hell cares if we have two of the best freshman quarterbacks in America? Are they going to insure next years recruiting class is rated ahead of Florida’s? Damn it man!

You don’t have to be Einstein to realize if you miss out on the number one rated high school player in South Dakota, your season is doomed, and what the hell is Shannon thinking?

Then you got this Nix character. It’s well documented Carlos brands him a loser. Carlos has friends that are doctors and lawyers for cripez sake! Better make your list of available OCs for at least the next three or four seasons and slip it under the mattress. Oh, and better make sure they have an advanced degree too, for Carlos.

How about having to go to The New Place to watch home games? Cheese and Crackers! I can only imagine what a pain in the ass this is going to be. It doesn’t matter that it’s half a century newer than the The Old Place. So what if you can actually watch replays? Who needs real bathrooms?  This move was just a political ploy that will surface after your grand children graduate from the U, watch and see.

PJ and Patches, unbelievable losses, probably cost us at least a touchdown over the next ten seasons combined, my stomach aches just trying to comprehend lining up without them.

What about Ice Harris? I mean, we gotta have him, and right now! Sure we landed his son Brandon, but how do you expect Shannon to recruit next year with out Coach Harris on the staff? If we let Ice slip away you can bet there will be no Mr. Florida III shuffling around Green Tree Practice Field come next spring.

The thing that worries me most is the quality of the six and seventh graders coming up. Have you seen these little, scrawny kids lately?  I'm telling you that if no ten or eleven year old steps up, hits the weight room and bulks up this fall you can kiss that first round Cane pick goodbye come 2014.  And you can vault that!

Draft This

Miami, which had three players chosen on the first round of the 2007 draft, extended their streak in this year's Draft to a remarkable string of 14 consecutive years with a player chosen in the first round when Kenny phillips was selected at the #31 position.

Since the Hurricanes' Warren Sapp was chosen in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft, Miami has seen 32 players selected in the first round including six players chosen in 2004 and 15 players chosen in the first round in a three-year period from 2002 through 2004.

In each of the past 21 years, or since the 1987 Draft, Miami has had at least one player chosen in the top three rounds of the NFL Draft including 44 first-round selections.

Miami has had at least one player in every NFL Draft since 1974, a string of 33 consecutive years, the current longest streak in the ACC. The next longest streak belongs jointly to Virginia and Florida State, who each have had at least one player chosen in every NFL Draft since 1983, a span of 24 straight years.

Miami (Vinny Testaverde, 1987, Tampa Bay; and Russell Maryland, 1991, Dallas) and Virginia Tech (Bruce Smith, 1985, Buffalo and Michael Vick, 2001, Atlanta) had two top selections each while Virginia (Bill Dudley, 1942, Steelers) had one. Also, NC State's Roman Gabriel, the No. 2 overall selection in the 1962 draft was chosen No. 1 in the AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Miami has had 11 players taken as the 7th overall pick or higher in the NFL Draft. Florida State is second with 9, followed by Maryland (7), North Carolina and NC State with five each and Virginia with four players tabbed 7th or better.

Miami has actually had seven (7) players taken as the first, second or third overall pick.  Since 1982, Miami has had 50 players drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Prior to 1982, only 11 UM players had ever been selected in the first round.

Here are the Miami first-round draft selections all-time:

Player-Position	Year	No.	Team
Kenny Phillips-FS	2008	31	N.Y. Giants
Brandon Meriweather-FS	2007	24	New England
Jon Beason-LB	2007	25	Carolina
Greg Olsen-TE	2007	31	Chicago
Jennings, Kelly-CB	2006	31	Seattle
Rolle, Antrel-CB	2005	8	Arizona
Taylor, Sean-FS	2004	5	Washington
Winslow, Kellen-TE	2004	6	Cleveland
Vilma, Jonathan	2004	12	N.Y. Jets
Williams, D.J.-LB	2004	17	Denver
Carey, Vernon-OL	2004	19	Miami
Wilfork, Vince-DT	2004	21	New England
Johnson, Andre-WR	2003	3	Houston Texans
McDougle, Jerome-DL	2003	15	Philadelphia
McGahee, Willis-RB	2003	23	Buffalo
Joseph, William-DT	2003	25	N.Y. Giants
McKinnie, Bryant-OL	2002	7	Minnesota
Shockey, Jeremy-TE	2002	14	N.Y. Giants
Buchanon, Phillip-CB	2002	17	Oakland
Reed, Edward-S	2002	24	Baltimore
Rumph, Mike-CB	2002	27	San Francisco
Morgan, Dan-LB	2001	11	Carolina
Lewis, Damione-DT	2001	12	St. Louis Rams
Moss, Santana-WR	2001	16	New York
Wayne, Reggie-WR	2001	30	Indianapolis
Franks, Bubba-TE	2000	14	Green Bay
James, Edgerrin-RB	1999	4	Indianapolis
Starks, Duane-CB	1998	10	Baltimore
Green, Yatil-WR	1997	15	Miami
Lang, Kenard-DE	1997	17	Washington
Holmes, Kenny-DE	1997	18	Tennessee
Lewis, Ray-LB	1996	26	Baltimore
Sapp, Warren-DT	1995	12	Tampa Bay
Searcy, Leon-OL	1992	11	Pittsburgh
Williams, Darryl-DB	1992	28	Cincinnati
Maryland, Russell-DT	1991	1	Dallas
Hill, Randal-WR	1991	23	Miami
Kennedy, Cortez-DT	1990	3	Seattle
Hawkins, Bill-DE	1989	21	L.A. Rams
Gary, Cleveland-RB	1989	26	L.A. Rams
Walsh, Steve-QB	1989	1*	Dallas
Blades, Bennie-DB	1988	3	Detroit
Irvin, Michael-WR	1988	11	Dallas
Testaverde, Vinny-QB	1987	1	Tampa Bay
Highsmith, Alonzo-RB	1987	3	Houston
Brown, Jerome-DT	1987	9	Philadelphia
Brown, Eddie-WR	1985	13	Cincinnati
Kosar, Bernie-QB	1984	1*	Cleveland
Kelly, Jim-QB	1983	14	Buffalo
Williams, Lester-DT	1982	27	New England
Anderson, Ottis-RB	1979	8	St. Louis
Smith, Don-DE	1979	17	Atlanta
Latimer, Don-DT	1978	27	Denver
Edwards, Eddie-DT	1977	3	Cincinnati
Harrah, Dennis-OL	1975	11	L.A. Rams
Foreman, Chuck-RB	1973	12	Minnesota
Owens, Burgess-DB	1973	13	N.Y. Jets
Trosch, Gene-DT	1967	24	Kansas City
Bosseler, Don-B	1957	1	Washington
Losch, Jack-B	1956	1	Green Bay
Dooley, Jim-B	1952	1	Chicago

ACC Leads The Draft

ACC Leads All Conferences in First Round Picks with Seven

GREENSBORO, N.C. - With Virginia's Chris Long and Boston College's Matt Ryan being chosen second and third in this year's NFL Draft, the Atlantic Coast Conference becomes the first Conference in the nation to have two of its student-athletes chosen among the top four picks in the NFL Draft for three consecutive years.

Long, who was chosen 2nd overall by the St. Louis Rams, and Ryan, who was tabbed third overall by the Atlanta Falcons, joined NC State's Mario Williams (Houston, 1st) and Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson (4th, NY Jets) in 2006 and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson (2nd, Detroit) and Clemson's Gaines Adams last year (Tamps Bay Bucs, 4th) as top four selections, something no other collegiate conference has achieved in the 71 years of the Draft.

Also, with Long, the defensive end from Virginia, being the first defensive player selected marked the third straight year the ACC has had the top defensive player chosen in the Draft following Williams in 2006 and Adams in 2007. It was also the fourth time in the past seven years the Conference has had the top defender tabbed in the draft as North Carolina's Julius Peppers (2nd, Carolina) was the top defensive player chosen in 2002.

The ACC also led all Conferences with first round selections having seven players tabbed in the first round including Long, Ryan, Virginia offensive tackle Branden Albert (15th, Kansas City), Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (17th, Detroit), Virginia Tech offensive tackle Duane Brown (26th, Houston), North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (29th, San Francisco) and Miami defensive back Kenny Phillips (31st, New York Giants). The SEC and PAC-10 were second, each with six players chosen in the first round.

Phillips' selection continued a streak of 14 consecutive years for the Hurricanes to have had a player drafted in the first round.

The ACC leads all Conferences over the last three years with 25 first round selections compared to 21 for the SEC and 18 for the Big 10. The PAC 10 is next with 11 followed by the Big 12 (8) .

Getting your Streak On

Kenny Phillips streaked right into Hurricane history late Saturday afternoon when he was selected by the New York Giants with the 31st selction in the 2008 NFL draft.  Phillips, who starred for the Canes defense since his freshman season, kept alive the 14 year streak of a UM player being selected in the first round of the NFL draft. 

"The Streak" stays alive for at least one more year!

In his three years at Miami, Phillips started 33 of his 34 games and had 15 tackles for a loss with seven interceptions. He's known more for his hard-hitting in the box and can act like an extra linebacker at the line of scrimmage, but the Giants like his flexibility and see him as either a strong or free safety who has the ability to cover slot receivers if needed.

The knock against him in college was that he didn't have the superstar stats of predecessors like Ed Reed, Sean Taylor or Brandon Meriweather. Phillips had only one career game with more than 10 solo tackles and had three of his seven interceptions in one game in 2006 against Duke.

"He's Kenny Phillips," Coughlin said, downplaying the inevitable 'Cane comparisons. "He's not either one of those guys, he's Kenny Phillips. And that's a plenty good football player."

Calais Cambell, the other Hurricane expected to go in nthe first round, was selected at the number 50 position, much lower than anticipated.  CC had a sub-par junior season and should have returned for his senior year, but was obviously advised otherwise.  Bad advice = Bad decision.

The NFL draft has been a Hurricane dominated event since the mid-80s.  The players wearing The U and the Orange and Green have controlled the NFL draft and certain positions have been favored among NFL coaches. 

Early on it was quarterbacks, then linebackers, defensive lineman, running backs, defensive backs and wide recievers.  Offensive lineman have also received the call.

Now that Rany Shannon, himself an NFL draftee (Dallas Cowboys) is at the helm, you can expect more of that tradition to follow.  The Canes are in fact The NFLU!

NFLU

When it comes to NFL draft picks, and first round picks, nobody does the NFL like The University of Miami.  The Hurricanes have had more players drafted overall since 1985 and hold the record with 13 consecutive years of a player drafted in the first round.  When it comes to the NFL, it's all about The U!

Here are some interesting stats about the NFL draft:

• The Miami Hurricanes have had 136 players drafted, including 41 first-round picks since 1988.
• It is no surprise that California, along with Florida and Texas, produce large numbers of draftees. After all, they are three of the four largest states in the USA, making up 26% of the population

• But those three states out-produce their population when it comes to NFL draft picks. They account for 1,808 of 5,395 players drafted — 34% — according to a USA TODAY analysis of the NFL draft from 1988-2007.

• NFL teams have selected 136 Hurricanes, more than any other school. Florida State (125) is second followed by Tennessee (120), Ohio State (116) and Notre Dame (115). Miami takes advantage of homegrown talent — 66% of its draft picks are from Florida.

• Despite what might be considered down years recently for traditional powers Penn State, Florida State, Notre Dame and Miami, there is no significant drop off in the number of draft picks from those schools.

• Is Penn State still Linebacker U?  NFL teams have drafted 17 linebackers from Penn State from 1988-2007. But teams have drafted 19 from Florida State and 18 each from Nebraska, Tennessee and Miami.

  It's just not a draft without the Hurricanes

  Randy Shannon knows Miami football.

  He grew up in Miami, played high school football in the city and played for the Hurricanes. He served as a graduate assistant at Miami, then as an assistant and now is the Hurricanes' head coach.

  Shannon, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, is intimately familiar with the connection between the Hurricanes and the NFL. Of Miami's 136 draft picks, 41 were first-round selections, more than any other school.

  The Hurricanes have had at least one first-round pick since 1995, including six in 2004. Of those 41 first rounders, 30 are from Florida and 16 are from the Miami area. Like Southern California's Pete Carroll, Shannon can stay close to home for recruits.

  Shannon says: "We try to go from West Palm Beach down. If we can get the best of that area, including Dade and Broward, we feel we will be pretty good."

  Shannon's 2008 recruiting class is heavy on in-staters. Twenty-three of the 32 signees are Floridians and 18 of those 23 are from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, including 12 from Miami.

Memories and Marlins

Today I attended the mass and funeral of my father in law, Rene Vazquez, who recently passed away.  He was a classic old school guy: tough man, tough love and a tough competitor at any thing he choose to do. 

He was an early riser and a hard worker who worked as a self employed renovation specialist in the construction industry.  The man was a living 305 legend; known by name from Hialeah to Westchester, he could literally build anything out of nothing, and often did.

Another thing he was for sure was a hard core sports fan.  And, above all else, he was a huge Marlins fan.  Born in Cuba, he loved the hardball.  When the franchise started he couldn't believe there would be professional baseball in Miami.  Braves, Mets, Pirates, Dodgers, Cubs and Phillies in Miami?  He was there!

Soon he grew to love his home town Marlins, the teal and black, the ball park, the fish tank, the experience of major league ball.  And low and behold, they would win the World Series sooner than any expansion club in histotry. 

What was this?  The Marlins, World Champions?  Too good to be true!  You bet.  Then they would top it off by winning again, with a completely different team a few years later.  This was the equivalent of baseball heaven for a man who lived and died with every pitch. 

To pass the time and ease the tension, we would sit at the Marlins games and bet one dollar on whether or not a particular batter would get a hit or not.  His favorite player, Luis Castillo, played second base.  I would never refer to him by name, instead I just call him: "El hombre de segundo base".

We'd bet Luis every time he came up to bat but the first bet we ever made was on an obscure Marlin you have never heard of: Mario Diaz.  I lost the bet, but Mario Diaz would live on in infamy.

Rene Vazquez was a good man, a huge Marlins fan and great friend.  And he was my friend, maybe the best one I ever had...

Legends Of The Fall: Tat Man Do

This article was written exclusively for Canespace by "Original Ten" member CanesGirlNC...

Picture this: It's October 7, 2000 on one of those familiar hot, steamy afternoons in the Orange Bowl. Top ranked Florida State is up 24-20 over Miami late in the fourth quarter.   Number 88, Jeremy Shockey, having left the game in the first quarter with a partial tear of a knee ligament, comes back onto the field after the Canes get the ball back with less than 2 minutes to go. 

QB Ken Dorsey, who had already connected with Shockey twice on the drive, has maneuvered the Canes into scoring position.  With less than a minute to go, he connects with #88 a third time – this time for 13 yards and a touchdown.  “Dorsey to  Shockey  in the endzone!”  Shockey ever confident opened his arms wide after the catch as if to say “was there ever ANY doubt?”

A native of Ada, Oklahoma, Jeremy lived with his mother and his older brother by 13 months, James.  “My mom was like , ‘I can’t understand why y’all fight’ Do y’all hate each other?’” Shockey told New York magazine grinning.  “I used to shoot James with BB guns.  That’s the only way I could get him back ‘cause he was so much bigger you know?  Him and his older friends used to always beat me up and torment me.  What don’t kill you makes you stronger.”

In high school he worked at receiver, outside linebacker and also returned kicks.  In his senior season he suffered a broken wrist but reportedly never missed a day in the weight room.  He dreamt of playing for the Sooners but John Blake was fired as head coach and new head coach Bob Stoops did not extend Jeremy an offer.  Most Division 1-A schools didn’t offer either.  The ones that did, Fresno State, Montana and Wyoming were of little interest to him. 

Instead he played JUCO for the Golden Norsemen and Coach Dale Patterson who envisioned him as a tight end.  After a crash course in run-blocking, Jeremy began mastering his new position and making a name for himself in Oklahoma.  He was found by Larry Coker the Spring of 2000 on a scouting trip and Coker was impressed. What also impressed the Canes was that Jeremy was a good student and qualified for admission to the U academically as well as immediate playing time.  The Canes pursued Jeremy all summer as did Stoops and Oklahoma.  Opting to play for the Canes, Jeremy headed to Coral Gables. 

Fans in Oklahoma considered him a traitor.  “Stoops told me  ‘why you want to go there? You’ll never play!’  Man, Eff U – I don’t want a head coach telling me what I can and cannot do” Shockey told New York Magazine.

While playing for Miami he earned first team all Big East Honors from the league’s coaches, Sporting News and College Football News in 2000.  In 2001, he was one of three finalists for the Mackey Award and was named a first team ALL-American by CNNSI, and a second team All-American by the Associated Press, CBS Sportsline, and ABC Sports. He ranks sixth all-time among Miami tight ends with receptions, (61), is tied for second with touchdown catches (10) and sixth in career yardage (815).

After having reached the status of national champion and All-American, Shockey declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft following the 2001 season.  He was a force during the National Championship Game against Nebraska with 5 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.  After that game the accolades came pouring in touting Jeremy as a first round draft pick even with his attitude, long blonde hair and tattoos. 

Jeremy caught the attention of Giants GM  Ernie Acorsi and coach Jim Fassel.  Coach Fassel remembers talking with Jeremy while the Giants were evaluating potential draft choices.  “Jeremy talked about how if he thought Miami wasn’t practicing hard enough he’d cheap shot a defensive back, knock him on his azz” Fassel told New York Magazine.  “He said ‘then after we had a big old fight on the field we would go back and practice was pretty competitive’.”   

Holding the 15^th selection in the first round and afraid he would be gone by that time, the Giants opted to trade up one spot to #14 and select him. Tight end coach Mike Pope looked forward to another gifted tight end – he had already helped mold Ben Coates.

While reporting to camp as a rookie Coach Pope presented him with a high-light video of prior Giants’ tight end Bavaro and a t-shirt with a bullseye on it.  A marked man?  Perhaps.  After signing his contract, he joined the club at its training facility in Albany, New York.  Third year linebacker Brandon Short wanted Jeremy to participate in a hazing ritual.  Instead, tired from his flight, Jeremy knocked Short to the floor.  Impression made? Consider it done.

Jeremy was voted Pepsi Rookie of the Year in 2002 as well being selected to the Pro Bowl.  His 2003 season was followed by another ProBowl selection.  His 2004 season was more frustrating and Jeremy decided that a return in the off-season to Miami was key.  In 2005 he joined other athletes in a program scripted by strength coach Andreu Swasey.  Some are NFL players that never wore orange and green such as Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. “The training is like no other. It’s kind of a futuristic thing, running in sand pits and some of the other things we do. I’ve been in the best shape of my life the two years I’ve been here”, Burress told the New York Times in August 2005.   

Jeremy returned to the Giants in great shape and sporting his famous tattoo.  “I didn’t want something  20 years later I’d be ‘why did I get this’?  It speaks for itself. I am proud to live in this country, to have the right to express anything you want. 

I’m very American” Shockey told Sports Illustrated of his 21 hour tattoo job.  “Six hours in I was, like ‘just keep going.’  Definitely painful.” 

That year he also was selected to his third Pro Bowl.

The 2007 season was a miracle season for the Giants culminating in a Super Bowl win.  Jeremy not so much as he suffered a season ending injury and was forced to watch his team play without him the remainder of the season including the Super Bowl.  Fans in New York had mixed feelings and many thought the team played better with Shockey injured and Tiki Barber retired. 

Now, the rumor mill swirls that there is a possible trade for Jeremy to the Saints, but for now, that is just a rumor. 

The Giants Daily News reports that Jeremy does not mind the trade talks.  According to Eli Manning, "I'm excited about what we can become as a team, as our connection between Jeremy and I. I don't think we've reached our potential in our connection and in the tandem we can become.  That's what I'm excited about because I see room for improvement in all areas," Manning told The Star-Ledger on April 12, 2008.

Whether he remains part of the G-men, is traded to the Saints, shaves his head, grows his hair, removes tattoos or gets more tattoos is irrelevant.  Jeremy Shockey is true U.  Impression made? Consider it done.

Sources:  New York Magazine, New York Times, Jockbio.com, Sports Illustrated, University of Miami Athletics, Giants Daily News.

Who's Your Daddy?

Hey, you there?  Yeah you, over there in the Garnett and Gold, are you ready for your whooping?  Come on, you know your resistance is futile.  Let's just get this beating over with quickly and with as little embarrassment for you and your fans as possible.  Trust us, this is definitely gonna hurt you more than it's gonna hurt us!

The number one ranked University of Miami baseball team rolled into Tallahassee on Friday for a three game battle royal with second ranked Florida State in a classic "Clash of the Titans".  The Hurricanes would leave the State Capital Sunday afternoon after taking two out of three games from the Seminoles in a hard fought series that literally came down to the final out and 90 feet separating the winners and losers.

Go with me now to sold out Dick Howser Stadium on the lovely campus of Florida State University...

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Noles and Canes find themselves in the rubber match game shortened by some ridiculous NCAA "travel rule" about what time an inning can start.  So as a result, we are in the bottom of the seventh (which is really like the ninth) inning with the home town Seminoles at bat in their last chance to tie or win the game. 

On this picture perfect day for baseball in April, the Canes, who at one point had a comfortable 11-4 lead, are clinging to a tenuous two run lead.  The Canes closer, the usually un-hittable Carlos Gutierrez who was uncharacteristically roughed up for three runs in the sixth inning, is on the mound. 

With the winning run at the plate, the Seminoles have runners on second and third with two outs.  Gutierrez is pitching to Tyler Holt.  Here's the wind up and the pitch is in the dirt - wild pitch!  The runner on third scores and the other moves up to third base.  Trailing now by only one run the Noles hopes lie 90 feet from home plate.

After three games, 50 runs and 70 hits, the only thing separating the number one and two teams in the Nation is a single base hit and 90 feet.  With the count full at 3-2, and a stadium full of crazed Seminole fans on their feet, Gutierrez goes into his wind up, and the pitch is...called for strike three!  Holt is called out looking!

Canes star second baseman Jemile Weeks starts mocking the crowd with the Seminole chop.  Hurricane hero, Yonder "Goes The Ball" Alonso who earlier hit a grand slam, throws up the U over his head and dashes across the field.  The Noles, stunned by the loss, refuse to come out of their dugout and shake hands with their conquerors.  The Canes leave the field, victorious and to the jeers of the Seminole faithful. 

Just the way you dreamed it would end.  What else would you expect on a picture perfect Spring Sunday afternoon in Tallahassee from this 2008 UM team of Destiny?

The Verdict

This article was written for Canespace by HurricaneMitch... -

I post before you, the jury, representing an innocent man.  Patrick Nix is wrongfully accused of being a bad offensive coordinator.  A rush to judgment by some Canespacers have already condemned him before a fair trial has been held.  I will make my case by poking holes through the logic of his detractors.  When I am done, one of three things must happen.  You find him not guilty, guilty or grant this man a continuance so he may be judged later. -

Exhibit #1: Patrick Nix as a player:

Nix was a standout quarterback at Auburn University, where he came in for an injured Stan White vs. Alabama to help lead the Tigers to a perfect 11-0 record during his sophomore season in 1993. Nix graduated in 1995 as the school's career leader in passing efficiency (133.02 rating) and holds the record for most completions in a game — 34 out of 52 vs. Arkansas (10/28/95). He is also ranked #2 in lowest interception percentage .0244% or 16 interceptions out of 656 attempts. Based on this short factoid, I would argue that Nix was a very competent player in college. -

Exhibit #2: Patrick Nix as a coach:

Resume
Years	Title	Location
2007-Present	Offensive Coordinator	Miami
2004-2006	Offensive Coordinator & Quarterback Coach	Georgia Tech
2003	Running Game Coordinator & Recruiting Coordinator	Georgia Tech
2002	Running Game Coordinator & Running Backs Coach	Georgia Tech
2001	Wide Receivers Coach & Recruiting Coordinator	Samford
1998	Passing Game Coordinator & Quarterback Coach	Jacksonville St.
1996-1997	Running Backs Coach	Jacksonville St.

While offensive coordinator, at Georgia Tech, Nix’s offense featured the Atlantic Coast Conference's leading rusher, Tashard Choice, and leading receiver, all-America Calvin Johnson. Nix worked with four-year starter and former ACC Rookie of the Year Reggie Ball, who led the league in 2006 with 20 touchdown passes. The third-leading passer in school history, Ball finished his career among the ACC's Top 10 in total offense, rushing yards by a quarterback and touchdown passes. With Ball sidelined for Tech's Gator Bowl game, sophomore Taylor Bennett stepped in and passed for 326 yards and three touchdowns against 12th-ranked West Virginia.

In January 2007, Nix was hired by Miami to serve as offensive coordinator under head coach Randy Shannon.  Coach Shannon’s character witness testimony follows.

Randy Shannon: "I looked at how Georgia Tech was scoring points. I don't look at yardage. I've been in games at Miami as a player and as a coach where we've had 500 yards of offense, 200 yards rushing, 300 yards passing, but we only scored 10 points. The biggest thing I'm looking at is scoring points and that's what he was doing everywhere he's been as a player and coach. What really caught my eye was what he did when Reggie Ball got suspended. He brought in a freshman that hardly played all season and they scored 35 points.”

“I also notice he'd done a good job with quarterbacks. That was the biggest thing with me. I needed to find an offensive coordinator that does a great job with quarterbacks. To me that was the key to rebuilding this offense. If a guy can coach the quarterback then he knows exactly what the quarterback wants to do and should be doing. What are his reads? What he can and cannot do.”

“Him being a quarterback himself, winning 12 games at Auburn, being a winner, I saw a lot of potential in him."

Exhibit #3: Patrick Nix vs. Rich Olsen at Miami:

I present the following stats comparing Nix’s 2007 offense against Olsen’s 2006 offense.  They had virtually the same players.  The biggest difference is field goal percentage. Olsen’s stats reflect 13 games, while Nix’s is over 12 games.

TEAM STATISTICS                                                                                               MIAMI 06                                                                MIAMI 07

SCORING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       255 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Points per Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     19.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20.6

FIRST DOWNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      207 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Rushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Penalty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

RUSHING YARDAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1508 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1747

Yards gained rushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1913 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2148

Yards lost rushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Rushing Attempts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    431 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478

Average Per Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7

Average per Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      116.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145.6

TDs Rushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

PASSING YARDAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2567 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2034

Att-Comp-Int . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     360-213-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   301-161-20

Average per Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8

Average per Catch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     12.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.6

Average per Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        197.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169.5

TDs Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

TOTAL OFFENSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3781

Total Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   791 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   779

Average per Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9

Average per Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        313.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315.1

TOUCHDOWNS SCORED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-21

RED-ZONE SCORES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     28-35 80% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-42 71%

RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      20-35 57% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-42 52%

PAT-ATTEMPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31-31 100% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29 97%

Nix’s offense scored more per game, and was much better at running the ball.  The passing stats are troubling for both coaches.  I would say that both Olsen and Nix did not have very talented QB’s and/or WR’s to work with. 

One only needs to look at how well Olsen did last year at ASU with a great QB.  At Miami in 2008, Nix will have several great QB’s this year to work with and that alone could make all the difference.

As I have addressed before on Canespace, Miami 07’s dysfunctional kicking game may have cost us a few wins. Although the offense struggled in Nix's first year much of the troubles can be attributed to lack of talent, especially at the WR and QB position.  Miami inked a talented recruiting class in February, addressing those issues.  Nix did much better at Georgia Tech when he had better talent.  Speaking of offensive talent at UM, the offense barely produced three draft picks in the last two drafts.  Greg Olsen to the Bears, 31^st pick Round #1, 2007.  Eric Winston to the Texans, 66^th pick Round #3, 2006.   Rashad Butler to the Panthers, 89^th pick Round #3, 2006.

I ask not for a verdict of innocence or guilt, but that at this time you reserve judgment.  Those of you with your minds already made up, please be open minded, look at the facts, and reconsider.  Through his accomplishments as a player, coach, and Coach Shannon’s endorsement, I hope I’ve made a compelling enough argument for you to not pass a true judgment of Nix's tenure at this time, less than a year after his hire.  Grant him a continuance, and judge him at a later time when he has better players to work with. 

I believe that by the end of next year, you the jury, will find Patrick Nix is innocent of being a bad offensive coordinator,  In fact, I believe that with time and the right players, he will prove that he is in fact a very good offensive coordinator. And on that note, I will rest my case. 

Clash Of The Titans

This feature article was written for Canespace by long time Legion member Mephistopheles...

With the impending mid-season match-up between the Nation’s top two baseball teams, I thought I’d shed some “Light,” (pun intended) on this historic and classic series for those college baseball fans out there.

This weekend, the Canes and Noles will play their 250^th game in this truly special rivalry. Although football gets intense, anyone who has spent time at Howser Stadium knows of the Hooligans behind the home dugout. They refer to themselves as the “Animals of Section B,” even though there is no section B in the stadium. It’s a long, boring story, but suffice to say they are loud and even more obnoxious than the chop. 

Since 2000, FSU has led the NCAA in attendance, with UM ranking third in that category.  Of the ten largest home crowds for a weekend series in the Gables, nine were against the Noles.  Six of the top ten crowds ever in Tally have featured the Canes. 

Not only are these teams at the top of the polls this season, Miami and FSU are among the truly elite in college baseball, making this rivalry arguably the best in the sport. These are the second and third winningest baseball programs in NCAA history, and since 1990, have been to Omaha for the CWS more than any other school. (UM 11 times, FSU 10.)

In fact, since 1978 UM leads all teams with 21 CWS appearances, and only Texas (15) has more visits to Omaha than FSU (14).  Miami also holds the NCAA record of 34 consecutive post season appearances, with FSU right on their heels with 29.  Both steaks are still active, and certain to continue in 2008.

Although FSU leads the all-time series, UM has clearly shone brighter on the national stage. Miami has claimed four National Titles during its period of domination while FSU has yet to raise the cup even a single time. Miami and Florida State have met four times in the CWS with each team winning twice. However, the Noles’ best chance for a ring was squelched by the Canes in 1999 when they were beaten six times in seven games that season including the National Title Game. 

Miami has also won 46 World Series games to FSU’s 25, and while the Canes have a record 13 consecutive visits to the CWS with at least one victory, FSU holds the dubious record of 12 appearances with one or fewer wins.

The Golden Age of this rivalry began on a South Florida evening in 1974 with Canes winning 5-1 with the help of a triple play.  It was the christening of what would come to be called Mark Light Stadium.  My most memorable trip to Tally was for a three game set in 2001. UM at #8 visited FSU at #3 after knocking them from #2 the week before, taking 2 of 3 at the Light. The stadium was rabid with a taste for vengeance, yet the Canes won three close games to complete the sweep.  They rode that momentum all the way to the largest blowout win in World Series Title Game history for their fourth Championship.

As for this weekend’s match-up, it pits the two top teams in the nation, with the teams receiving 29 of 31 first place votes.  Both teams hover in the top 10 nationally in hitting, slugging %, and scoring.  Both pitching staffs rate very good ERA’s and very low opponents batting average. 

Some things to look for this weekend:         

·         UM’s pitching staffs is deeper than FSU, especially in the bullpen.  Most games in college baseball are decided in the last four innings, and FSU gives up nearly a run/game more than UM after five innings – Advantage: UM.

·         UM’s staff has an exceptional SO/BB ratio, one of the best in the nation.  FSU hitters walk seven times per game showing great patience - Advantage: even.

·         FSU’s kryptonite may be fielding %, which is terrible-UM’s % of .977 is exceptional.  Big games often turn on mistakes – Advantage: UM.

·         UM is also a better base-stealing team, and nearly 60% of base-stealers have been successful against the Noles – Advantage: UM especially since FSU has only one left handed starter.

Now, I know it’s a haul to get to Tallahassee, especially with gas prices what they are, but:

Two tickets to the game $24;

Road trip to Tallahassee $120;

Seeing the Canes beat the Noles’ and blasting those guys in Section B?  PRICELESS!