Legends Of The Fall: Lamar Thomas Part III

This is the final article in our three part series featuring Hurricane legend Lamar Thomas. LT sat down with us to talk about his playing days at The U, his time in the NFL(U) and the current coaches, team and players.  Here is more from the LT U know and love...

Canespace (86): What has changed since your days at The U.  Are there additional challenges that the players and coaches face?

Lamar Thomas (36): Things have changed.  These kids are really student-athletes.  Today standards are much stricter and there is a lot more supervision and accountability (to attend class and get good grades).  If kids are not committed to being students first they will not be successful.  If they are not successful in the classroom they will never see the field.  They have to decide first to be a student, if not maybe they should never even go to college?  I think Randy (Shannon) is bringing in the right kids that can be successful on and off the field.  Just being a great athlete (only) ain't gonna get it done.

86: What are your feelings about the Canes leaving the Orange Bowl and moving to Dolphin Stadium?

36: Well, at first, I wasn't happy about it.  That's our home (The OB).  But after a while. I got used to it and I understand it better now.  Look, if a high school recruit from some small town walks out onto that field where the Dolphins play and they play National Championship games and Super Bowls, all they can so is: Whoa!  It is going to help recruiting, no doubt.

(86): Last year the Canes offense struggled to move the ball, failed to demonstrate any consistency and at times simply could not complete a pass or score.  What do you think were the issues?

(36): Well...there was a lack of talent on the field.  DJ (WR Darnell Jenkins) stepped up big time but that was about it.  Kyle, now there's a guy that has all the tools in the world but he could never seem to read defenses. Aubrey (new Canes WR Coach Hill) is going to be good for this offense. He's a disciplinarian which is going to help guys like Shields.  I talked to Sam recently and I think he's really starting to get the big picture.  He's got tons of talent.  He told me that he's not getting called out (for academic issues) like before. That's a good sign.  We need him on the field this year.

86: What other players should we watch for on offense?

36: (immediately says) James (RB Javaris).  He's really worked on his hands (in practice) which gives him another dimension.  They are serious about playing him in the slot this year.  I like it, it is going to be interesting to see how they use him in games. I like Kayne too, that's my boy! He only dropped ONE pass the entire Spring. He runs great routes and has grea hands.  Watch out for Kahlil too.  He's the hardest working WR on the team and does everything the coaches ask of him and more.  If he gets over the hump and get's some confidence he could tear it up.  But he's got to make the most of his opportunities (referring to past drops).

86: What about on defense?

36: Dix (DT Antonio Dixon).  I think he will dominate this year.  Sean Spence too.  He reminds me a lot of Darrin Smith.  Darrin was one of the smartest players I ever played with.  Spence is like that. He's a smart player and way ahead of schedule.  A lot of people compare him to Jessie Armstead because he's a little small and real fast.  If he keeps going at it like he is, he could turn out being better than both of those guys!

86: OK, now for the question everybody wants to know:  What about QB?

36: I have watched Marve and Jacory in practice a few times.  Both of those guys can play.  Marve is real accurate and has a strong arm.  He's probably the starter this year.  Jacory is just a natural.  He reminds me of Chris Leak the way he throws the ball so effortlessly.  He's got a real smooth motion and throws a nice ball.

I talked to Marve and told him he has to find his "go to" guy. The guy who when it's third down and the game is on the line, you can throw it to a spot and he's going to be there and come up with the ball.  Gino (Toretta) and I had that kind of relationship.  He knew he could count on me when it mattered most. 

Comments

[Cavaleer]

Imagine that.

[NavyCane4Life]

2nd

[Cavaleer]

Six, I wasn't coming at you like that. I apologize because my post did sound like that. I was just comparing and contrasting based on your thoughts about Weiss and the U. I should've thought a little more before I wrote those first words.

I know you're True U bro'. ;)

Super, Rudy is is starting to remind me of the good Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Give the smallest amount of attention and he just loses his mind. Wait, isn't that the name of his blog? lol

86, seriously, you should send a letter to Stock telling him to put Rudy on a serious DUE-DILIGENCE-BEFORE-YOU-WRITE leash.

If Stock really wants his site to be a success and not be seen as a total joke, he needs to send Rudy to Journalism 101. I'm sure the University of Phoenix offers something like that.

I knew he didn't know WTF he was rambling about 1/5 through the piece when he started bytching and moaning about how ITU knows so much more than the coaching staff. Is he just an idiot or is he intentionally trying to make the site look like a joke, or does he just fundamentally not know what he's doing?

Even I knew Highsmith was coming in as a DB. It was stated rather clearly in the first story about his commitment.

Anyway, great blob!

Keep rockin'.

[SOUP]

A series of GREAT posts on the previous blob. Good work by all. If you missed go read up and then come back here.

CWS...UGA 4, Fresno St. 0 bottom of the second inning.

[Cavaleer]

LT, if you read this tell our WRs to watch videos of the Ruthless Posse and see what they did when they DROPPED a pass. They pounded the ground like someone had stolen their first-born son.

How long will it take Hill to get them to this point???

[SuperCooper]

I gotta bring this over:

This might be the dumbest thing I have ever read:

"By now most of you have read the great stories that Chris Stock and David Lake put out on Mike James and Bryce Brown.

I find it very intriguing that UM, who won't offer local running back Jaamal Berry a scholarship, offered James a running back from Davenport, Florida, a scholarship.

Most of you probably don't know where Davenport is. Heck, I consider myself a geography wiz when it comes to Florida and I had no clue where Davenport was. I figured it was somewhere by Tampa and I was close as it's located between Orlando and Lakeland.

So what makes James so special that he got an offer from Miami? I really don't know because I've never seen him play a down of football in person, but I've seen Berry and I've seen Lamar Miller. And I've seen plenty of film on Brown.

Basically for all that has been said to Berry according to him and the interviews we've conducted with him, the words from the coaches to him seem to be lies. Berry has told InsideTheU.com that coaches have told him they are trying to fit him in.

Well how do you fit him in when you are offering another running back a scholarship before him? I am just curious as to the logic in that. It doesn't make sense, does it?

If that's not a big slap on Berry's face, I don't know what is. Basically, Miami has told Berry with this recent offer to James, "We don't want you, Jaamal!"

If Berry wasn't already on the verge of blowing Miami off, now would be the time to start doing so.

The recruiting game is what it is, a game, pure and simple. But the reality remains that Miami is making offers to players that most of us have never even heard of.

There aren't ten offers out there to players from Miami-Dade right now and it's not that the players aren't good enough. Only eight Miami-Dade prospects have offers right now. Not on the list are Rodney Smith, Berry, Frankie Telfort or Quan Fletcher, who are regarded as four of the top eight prospects according to InsideTheU.com. So what's the deal?

How many tight ends who will never play tight end at Miami are the 'Canes going to offer? I mean goodness, we've got three tight end commitments who are all being looked at like potential future offensive tackles. I don't know how that makes other people feel, but it disgusts me because that's a direct reason why our offensive line hasn't been good of late. Constant position changes have destroyed careers of players lately at UM.

The list is long of players who played certain positions in high school and got to UM and were moved to new positions, even positions they had never played before in high school. I can roll down a list of names of players who have gone to UM and either had their positions changed while there or played positions they never played before.

The current list of commitments is also far from impressive. A.J. Highsmith seems to be more of Randy Shannon is friends with Alonzo Highsmith type deal. I mean come on, he plays QB. Does anyone really think he'll ever sniff a down at QB at UM?

Last year at this point people were foaming at the mouth over commitments from Marcus Forston, Jacory Harris, Aldarius Johnson and more. Now, we're left wondering which big time prospect will finally commit here. It's been some time since Brown made his announcement.

Without even looking at 2008, I'll look at 2009. The reality is, Miami will have ten eight to ten receivers who will be freshmen or sophomores. Should the 'Canes take more than two-three receivers in this next class? I'd say no.

At the same time, in 2009, the 'Canes running backs will be juniors and up. Brown is a lock. Then what? Maybe this kid James. Miller might come to Miami. But to not offer Berry remains mind boggling.

At the same time, we still have a major hole at corner and still not one commitment at the position. Ricardo Dixon just chose USF so that eliminates another potential corner for Miami.

The reality is to me, there should be offers to the following positions in order of need: Offensive Line (not tight ends who you hope will play offensive line, but real offensive linemen), Cornerback (not converting safeties into corners), running back and defensive line.

In my opinion, we are going to be solid at QB for a while, and still we should grab at least one QB. Wide receiver is not a position of need and neither is safety although converting safeties into corners does not exactly make me feel good.

Either way, I am just lost when it comes to what I've seen in terms of the direction of this class. Last year, we needed everything. This year, we need parts and to this moment, we're not even close to getting those parts.

We'll see how it plays out as there is a long way to go til signing day 2009, but it's clear as the day the type of momentum that we had in terms of recruiting last year is not there."

http://insidetheu.com/blogs/?v=2

Jsut one question, if he hasn't seen James play and ITU considers themselves the best site for UM coverage, how the hell can he make a judgement on him? All of his credibility and argument goes out the window. Maybe, just maybe, Berry has bad grades. I think the staff would know more then us fans. We are already going to take 1 grade risk at RB in Miller, why take another in Berry and have a chance for both of them to not qualify? If that happend, the staff would look real stupid. James on the other hand has a 3.6 GPA and absolutley blew up at a recent camp. He can be used both as a FB and RB. And he sounds like a good kid. Maybe if Berry got his grades up, we would offer him. But from what people say, his grades are horrible. Worse then Millers'.

Anothe thing Rudy, Winston and Fox worked out pretty well as TE turned OL. Where are the examples of these converted OL having their career's ruined?

And Highsmith only getting an offer because of the connection with Randy and Highsmith Sr? What kind of BS is that? Maybe it has to do with the fact that he is athletic, can play DB, is a legacy, and is willing to work hard. Real lame to throw a kid under the bus like that who worked hard to get that offer and has dreamed of being a Hurricane. And obviously he isn't coming here to play QB.

86, I know you are boys with that site. But this was just ridiculous

Cav, I totally agree.

[Cavaleer]

Super, you gave more insight into the situation and Rudy does it supposedly for his JOB.

He needs to go to school or something. He's making the site look like a joke plus he's burning bridges with Shannon. Not smart.

[Montreal-Cane]

SC right on! We appreciate your knowledge and comments about college football and recruiting...You make good points!

[Montreal-Cane]

The team we should have beaten...Georgia will win the CWS tonight...What a shame...
I still didn't get over it...The Carlos Gutierrez choke...

[Loco]

Just because he gets all the credit doesn't mean he does it all.. And it wasn't all him with Quinn, quinn was a good player and so were the players around him. Just because they get "top" recruiting classes doesn't mean they are actually good recruiting classes, see OUR "good" recruiting classes the last few years before Shannon (the BS years, if you will)

Also, I hope you guys do well. I want you guys to have a winning season, and to meet us in the WS. How awesome would that be? An all Florida WS?

Posted by: Loco | June 24, 2008 at 08:27 PM

I know the All-Florida WS would just KILL MLB ratings, but I don't care! lol
I root for you guys... When you're not playing us ;-)

Posted by: Loco | June 24, 2008 at 08:33 PM

[Loco]

Super, I have to agree with you. First of all, what does the kid being from Davenport have to do with ANYTHING? You can't build an argument base off of something completely unrelated, and besides, Allen Bailey grew up in the middle of nowhere, does that make him any less of a player?

Second, while CONSTANT position changes may have messed up careers, ONE position change has probably done more good than harm. Sean Taylor (RIP) was a running back. Sapp, Winston, Fox, etc etc

Third, it doesn't matter if they never played on the line before in high school, at TE, you still have to know how to block, and you pass block against DE's sometimes, which is the same whether you're a tackle or a TE... And most people in high school just play (if they are playmakers) where they can have the most impact. Hester played EVERYWHERE in high school. What's wrong with converting a QB? See Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward

Fourth, who cares if the recruits are highly touted? Who cares (other than ITU) whether they are on ITU's top recruit list? Wasn't Reed a 3 star? I think Taylor was a 2... So who cares?

Fifth, yes, we could use more corners. Maybe there just aren't any true corners out there right now. Maybe there is no Patrick Johnson or Brandon Harris. Or maybe Randy and co. are in a wait and see mode. Remember, there is still a whole 'nother YEAR to play

Finally, ITU is trusting that when Berry says that the coaches tell him they are trying to "fit him in" that he is telling the truth. He may just not have the grades, and they may have already told him that, but who would want to say THAT out loud to anybody? I mean come on, you can't trust everything you hear

[Loco]

36: Dix (DT Antonio Dixon). I think he will dominate this year.

I just hope he can stay healthy. If he can, him and Hendricks will be great to help teach Lewis, Regis, and Forston, and to also create that two (and 3) deep d-line rotation that Miami is famous for

[Loco]

I still didn't get over it...The Carlos Gutierrez choke...

Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 24, 2008 at 08:47 PM

It wasn't all Goot, that passed ball didn't help. But I wont really get over that loss until after we win the CWS next year... lol

[nycanes25]

Your right Cooper. Alot of the kids in Dade have serious grade issues. Miami is already sweating out grades this year and they took 32 kids. Imagine next year taking 18 kids and having 4 kids not make it. Obvisously all 3 of the TE commits are not going to the line. Miami desperately needs bodies at that position. Finallly, why would Miami want Berry's commitment if he has very little chance of ever being allowed to enroll.

[AlpharettaCane]

Thanks Canez!; Good summary on the upcoming season:
- No experience at WR
- QBs who've never taken a college snap
- Solid RB tandem
- Musical chairs at TE?
- No experienced kickers
- Special teams a shambles
- Thin (and getting thinner) at DL
- Loaded at LB
- Corners and safeties that bust too many coverages.
- A head coach that you can honestly say trails at least 5,6 other coaches in the conference in both talent and experience.

All adds up to 7-5....maybe. I'm thinking 6-6 if a serious injury or if our offense doesn't improve past #75 in the country or so....

[Loco]

bases loaded... Six call off your Rays! lol

[canesluvr]

Six, not many people realize how difficult and how many years it takes to convert and offense from strictly a run based offense to a complicated west coast offense. That would take three years regardless of who the coach is. Willingham did all of the grunt work, recruiting linemen and receivers for the west coast, gets fired and then Weiss comes in to reap the rewards.

Do I think Weiss is a better offensive coach than Willingham... yes, hands down. He did it at the highest level. But, does he deserve all of the credit for Quinn and the ND offense, heck no. half of that goes to Willingham.

[SOUP]

CWS...Fresno St. 9, Georgia 6

bottom 4th...

[SOUP]

All adds up to 7-5....maybe. I'm thinking 6-6 if a serious injury or if our offense doesn't improve past #75 in the country or so....

Posted by: AlpharettaCane | June 24, 2008 at 09:28 PM

Alpha...I don't know, all the experts are saying 9-3?

[AvaCane96]

Alph,

Sam and Kayne will provide leadership at WR. Freshmen are making impacts now like never before. AJ and Davon along with others will be huge. Even Shannon was impressed with AJ.

I think we can all agree that we're in a RARE situation where losing ur starting QB is a positive, not a setback. I'll take redshirt frosh Marve over 5-year senior Wright any day.

James is gonna breakout this year, and Cooper has gotten better.

I think Epps will emerge as our main TE. He's been great in the spring. And he was great in the TAMU game (watch highlights).

Bosher is more than experienced at kicker. He got his punting down, and, if needed there, was one of the nation's top placekickers in HS. Wieclaw almost broke the national record for FG's (broken foot).

Special teams gets INSTANT boost from the class. SP is where u play ur freshmen, and we have more than enough linebackers and safeties to put in there, along with good returnmen.

DL is thin, but talented. Bailey should be back by late August. DT is solid, and with 3 new recruits coming in.

Corners and safeties were outta position last year cuz of Walton, and a lot of it was Randy Phillips at corner. He is COMPLETELY different at safety, probably one of our best. Young will keep these guys looking good.

And u cant say anything about Shannon yet. He had no QB and no kicker last year. It's kind of a disadvantage when u get within the 30 yard line and never have the option for a FG.

10-2

beat the gaytors?
12-0

[Cavaleer]

"Thanks Canez!; Good summary on the upcoming season:
- No experience at WR
- QBs who've never taken a college snap
- Solid RB tandem
- Musical chairs at TE?
- No experienced kickers
- Special teams a shambles
- Thin (and getting thinner) at DL
- Loaded at LB
- Corners and safeties that bust too many coverages.
- A head coach that you can honestly say trails at least 5,6 other coaches in the conference in both talent and experience.

All adds up to 7-5....maybe. I'm thinking 6-6 if a serious injury or if our offense doesn't improve past #75 in the country or so...."

Posted by: AlpharettaCane | June 24, 2008 at 09:28 PM

Alpha, here we go again.

You guys kill me with the superficial doomsday talk.

Bottom line, if we played in almost any other conference you could realistically say 7-5 because there would literally be 5 other teams that would be more experienced than we will be.

BUT WE PLAY IN THE ACC!

Other than Clemson, show me one team in the ACC that returns more talent and experience.

Show me one.

10-2.

And one of those losses WILL NOT BE TAMU!

It'll be some fluke game. The other will be a team that's literally better than we are.

Besides, we've UPGRADED at every position on the field, including our returners. One of these freshmen will come in like Hester and Parrish did and light it up as true freshmen.

[CanezNC]

Could the Canes go 7-5 or 6-6? Of course but they could just as easily go 8-4, 9-3, and potentially 10-2. In some respects, this team can be as good as it wants to be (if injuries don't hammer the O and D lines).

If Wake can go from 3-8 to 11-3 in the OB(with a freshman QB after decades of being horrible), if UVA can go from 4-7 to 9-3, if Illinois can go from 3-9 to 9-3 WHY CAN'T Miami??

It will all come down to QB play, a couple WRs that step up, and Bill Young's ability to maximize the D's talent...

[SOUP]

James is gonna breakout this year,

TRUE

Cooper has gotten better.

TRUE

I think Epps will emerge as our main TE.

FALSE...Gordon

[SOUP]

Show me one.

10-2.

Posted by: Cavaleer | June 24, 2008 at 09:44 PM

I don't know Cav, all the experts say 9-3?

[Cavaleer]

Alpha, as for Shannon, I'll take him any day all day over any other ACC HC.

To try to evaluate him on "experience" means nothing when you look at what he was left with.

He has as much high level D-I football experience as anyone, probably more. And he's a natural born leader and strategist.

The ONLY reason we won against FSU and A&M were because of his leadership and strategy, in game at FSU, even with a two-headed, one-legged, half-armed QB.

You boys, along with the media are going to be royally surprised.

Shannon almost has all the pieces in place. But for this year he has a few of the most important pieces in place...QB, RB, WR, OL.

As Andre Woodson demonstrated last year, a QB can do almost anything if his WRs catch the ball. Woodson barely had a running game and virtually NO defense.

With Marve, Jacory, Cook and Smith, we'll be able to prepare for anyone we'll face. This is critical and often overlooked.

If you all recall after the 2001 Rose Bowl, I think Vilma or someone on the defense said how well prepared they were because the scout team had an option QB running the exact plays Nebraska ran.

Taylor Cook will be able to do everything T-Bone does short of collisions.

And we have enough depth at WR that we'll be able to prepare our DBs for anything UF will have in terms of speed.

The rest of the ACC will be a cakewalk in terms of speed and talent compare to UF.

[Cavaleer]

Forgot about FSU but they're so in shambles as a program it almost neutralizes their talent.

[SuperCooper]

Oh and I wonder if Rudy knows that people in the know say that Berry got a 800 on his SAT's? But of course, don't let facts get in the way of a good rant against the coaching staff who get paid to find the right players.

[Loco]

Show me one.

10-2.

Posted by: Cavaleer | June 24, 2008 at 09:44 PM

I don't know Cav, all the experts say 9-3?

Posted by: 86Cane | June 24, 2008 at 09:51 PM

I believe somebody has to stand up for the 12%ers

Go Canes! and Fish ;-)

[SuperCooper]

James is gonna breakout this year,

TRUE

Cooper has gotten better.

TRUE

I think Epps will emerge as our main TE.

FALSE...Gordon

Posted by: 86Cane | June 24, 2008 at 09:50 PM

Gordon hasn't shown anything besides that he is big guy. Epps is a stud and showed it last year. Randy believes in him.

[SuperCooper]

And I laugh at anyone who thinks we are going better then 9-3. If we do that, Randy should be coach of the year with the inexpierence we have.

[Loco]

Oh and I wonder if Rudy knows that people in the know say that Berry got a 800 on his SAT's? But of course, don't let facts get in the way of a good rant against the coaching staff who get paid to find the right players.

Posted by: SuperCooper | June 24, 2008 at 09:54 PM

800?? Tebow got an 890! I didn't know there was anybody lower? You get 400 points FOR PUTTING YOUR NAME ON THE SCANTRON

[Cavaleer]

"If Wake can go from 3-8 to 11-3 in the OB(with a freshman QB after decades of being horrible), if UVA can go from 4-7 to 9-3, if Illinois can go from 3-9 to 9-3 WHY CAN'T Miami??

It will all come down to QB play, a couple WRs that step up, and Bill Young's ability to maximize the D's talent..."

Posted by: CanezNC | June 24, 2008 at 09:49 PM

Well said Canez NC.

People love to talk doomsday. It's funny really. Especially the so-called reporters. I guess they don't want to go against the grain and risk being wrong. Typical.

[CanezNC]

Go Fresno! Please don't let the SEC this thing...

[Cavaleer]

And I laugh at anyone who thinks we are going better then 9-3. If we do that, Randy should be coach of the year with the inexpierence we have.

Posted by: SuperCooper | June 24, 2008 at 09:56 PM

Super, be careful what you wish for. ;)

9-3 isn't so difficult in the ACC when we have actually IMPROVED in every position on the field except SS.

Javarris and Cooper will account for 75% of the offense. Maybe not the scoring but at least that much of the offense.

10-2 for me, of course. Laugh on.....;)

[CanezNC]

Cav, the young Canes should absolutely believe they can win every game on the schedule. I know the coaches will feel that way...and why not, none of the ACC teams are dominant. UF is certainly a much better team right now but if the Canes can create turnovers and Cooper and James can run the ball...they can pull the upset there too.

[Cavaleer]

"In my opinion, we are going to be solid at QB for a while, and still we should grab at least one QB. Wide receiver is not a position of need and neither is safety although converting safeties into corners does not exactly make me feel good.

Either way, I am just lost when it comes to what I've seen in terms of the direction of this class. Last year, we needed everything. This year, we need parts and to this moment, we're not even close to getting those parts.

We'll see how it plays out as there is a long way to go til signing day 2009, but it's clear as the day the type of momentum that we had in terms of recruiting last year is not there."

Rudy is just a fool.

What type of momentum did we have this time last year?? PJ, or was he already wavering by this point?

WHY WILL WE BE SO GOOD AT QB FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS RUDY?

Because Team Shannon KNOWS WTF THEY ARE DOING, unlike you.

[Loco]

Cav, the young Canes should absolutely believe they can win every game on the schedule. I know the coaches will feel that way...and why not, none of the ACC teams are dominant. UF is certainly a much better team right now but if the Canes can create turnovers and Cooper and James can run the ball...they can pull the upset there too.

Posted by: CanezNC | June 24, 2008 at 10:01 PM

Control Harvin and contain Tebow, and you've pretty much won. Force turnovers and believe you can beat your rivals... If we do all that there's no question we win

[CanezNC]

Cali Dogs 15 GA Dawgs 6

[Cavaleer]

CNC, other than T-Bone and Harvin, I'm not so sure UF is that much better. They have a bunch of very green WRs. They have a very green defense. Their OL and DL are thin, improved but still thin thanks to Oscar not being able to retain players.

Their kicking game should be better.

Other than that, familiarity with their system is the biggest advantage they have.

But there are many, many variables with this game and I think the biggest is the fact that this team is almost fully Shannonized. Once this class arrives in full the entire energy of every practice and drill will change. None of these guys plan to lose or are accustomed to losing or backing down from anything.

Mentally, I have no idea what Oscar has going on with his team. From the looks of things, it's not good. His hiring of that former Gator, who I believe was a Spurrier Gator, speaks volumes.

So T-Bone is solid. But I don't think Harvin will be back up to speed from his surgery. So we're looking at that fast, small Lakeland RB, and a bunch of green WRs, and a defense that has several ?????s, especially against accurate passers.

Hmmmmm.

[Cavaleer]

Allllright!! Go Fresno!!

[CanezNC]

Fresno looks like they were #1 all year... So much in sports is confidence. If the Canes football has it...look out.

[CanezNC]

Florida's team speed is strong but I generally agree with the other assessment...

[solarcane]

Coaches Hot Seat Blog

Coaches Hot Seat Analysis

We have to admit, we don't know a lot about Randy Shannon. What we do know is that Shannon was a very good football player at Miami and that when he was the defensive coordinator with the Hurricanes they almost always finished in the top 10 in total defense in the country. Watching Randy Shannon on the sidelines in 2007 we also learned that like most first-time head football coaches, he has a lot of on-the-job learning to do. Sitting in the booth calling defensive plays is a lot different than being the head football coach leading your team on the sideline, and in '07 Miami certainly suffered from Shannon's inexperience in his new job (By the way, we would encourage all coordinators to work from the sidelines if they possibly can, because that really helps prepare you to be a head coach. The press box gives coaches a great view of the game, but the sideline is where the action is and where all great football coaches can call plays from). The 5-7 record by Shannon and the Hurricanes in '07 was troubling, because in the past 12 seasons under Larry Coker and Butch Davis, Miami only had one losing season (1997), and that was when Davis was rebuilding Miami during a period of NCAA probation. Another troubling thing was that Miami seemed to get worse as the season wore on, as they finished the year by losing 6 of their last 7 football games. One thing about Randy Shannon, he certainly knows the importance of recruiting, and he landed a Top 5 class in 2008 according to Rivals.com. Let's hope some of those all-star recruits can come in and have an immediate impact, because the 2008 schedule is even tougher than last year, and that leads us to our analysis of the upcoming season.

Coaches Hot Seat Bottom Line

We predict that Randy Shannon and Miami will have an 3-9 record in 2008. You (Randy Shannon) are coming off a 5-7 record at a school (Miami) that expects to win national championships, and right out of the gate (after cupcake Charleston Southern in the first game) you have trips to Florida and Texas A&M. The Gators look loaded for bear in 2008 and the Swamp will be jumping with the Hurricanes in town, so that looks like a certain loss. Texas A&M will be working under new coach Mike Sherman, but there is plenty of talent in College Station to beat Miami at home, which leaves Miami at 1-2 after three games. Next up is a game against old friend and now a direct competitor, with Butch Davis returning to Miami with his Tar Heels team. Last year UNC beat Miami in a close one, and we see another win for North Carolina this year, with Butch Davis having one more year under his belt in Chapel Hill. After four games, Miami is 1-3. One of the few bright spots in 2007 for Miami was beating Florida State in Tallahassee, but we are betting (or are we too confident in Fisher?) that Jimbo Fisher will have more of an impact upon the Seminoles in year two. We see another close Miami/Florida State matchup, but the Seminoles find a way to win, and Miami is 1-4. Just when Miami needs a breather, they don't get one as George O'Leary brings his improving UCF team to Miami. We went back and forth on this game, but we see Miami winning a close one over UCF, which will be a badly needed win for Shannon among the increasingly antsy Miami fans. A trip to play David Cutcliffe's Duke team in Durham is next, and although we see Cutcliffe fielding a dramatically better Duke team in '08, the sheer talent difference should get Miami the win. Miami's record after seven games is 3-4. Wake Forest and Jim Grobe come calling next in Miami, and that is bad news for Shannon and the Hurricanes. Grobe is building a very strong football program in Winston-Salem, and we see Wake Forest winning this game in convincing fashion. Record at eight games: 3-5. The Miami fans are really starting to get loud by now, and Randy Shannon knows full well what is expected at the "U" and that makes the next game on the road at Virginia all that more difficult. In past years, Miami would have walked into Charlottesville and slapped around the Cavaliers, but this is not your momma's Miami team, nor is UVA a walkover under Al Groh. In another close game we see UVA coming out with the win, and that runs the Miami record to 3-6 after nine games. By this point, Shannon is determined to really play for the future by getting all of his young freshman and sophomores into key roles, and with three very tough games left on the schedule, Virginia Tech, at Georgia Tech, and at NC State, we see three more losses to end the season. All of that adds up to 3-9 for Shannon in his second season at Miami, and no doubt the pressure will be on Shannon as he heads for year 3 at the helm of the Hurricanes. There really is only one thing you can do when you are on the outs in college football, and that is to recruit like a madman, or rather like Nick Saban. No doubt, Randy Shannon will continue to rope off south Florida for Miami and he will bring in another very good recruiting class in 2009, but a winning record in '09 will be a must, or Shannon is going to find out quickly what he already knows very well, losing is just not tolerated in football at the University of Miami.

2008 Coaches Hot Seat Prediction: 3-9

Will Randy Shannon be back for the 2009 season? YES

peace

[Loco]

Somebody get Miami baseball a doctor that knows the Heimlich! They just keep choking!

[Loco]

I'm pretty sure I've read that article before Solar... And thought it was BS then too! lol

They obviously DON'T know miami. We WONT be 3-9, and if we were, Shannon would NOT be back. Whether its his fault or not, 3 wins would get Vince Lombardi fired from Miami

[solarcane]

loco,
We will be better than 3-9 for sure!
You have to accept the nation only remembers the U losing the last six out of seven...and then the can't lose Orange Bowl Farewell Game, remember that one?

We have to earn respect again,wishing and hoping won't move us up the polls.

peace

[CVS]

I love how the interview is 86 and 36...it's just perfect.

Cav,
you are not just a cane 4 life, but an elite member of such a statement, and your analyses are spot on.

- CVS

[solarcane]

Rudy can't hear you cause, well..
Rudy's a Dillweed

peace

[CVS]

The key to this year is if the O-line and D-line stay healthy. If we keep those guys healthy and they continue to grow experience, it will do wonders for a young secondary and 'undersized' linebacking corps. It will also give them more time to get used to locking down assignments on D.

With the O-line, the most consistent thing will be getting used to Marve's snap count... keep false starts to a minimum. I don't want us going to Gville and it being 120 decibels there, and then Marve is barking out signals and the o-line jumps or gives a sack up to their DL and then we are in confusion mode while UF is in attack mode. Not good.
- CVS

[SOUP]

I love how the interview is 86 and 36...it's just perfect.

Posted by: CVS | June 24, 2008 at 10:34 PM

heh, heh, heh...