Eight Keys To 2008

We have grown so very, very tired of looking back; back to the disappointing 2007 football season, the loss in the final game at the Orange Bowl and the tragic death of Sean Taylor that shocked the Hurricane family.  So from this point on we are making a vow to look forward and into the future with hearts and minds filled with hope, faith and determination.

Hope that the move to the new stadium will bring about a better fan experience and improve recruiting.  Faith in Canes Head Coach Randy Shannon ability to turn the program around and bring Miami another National Championship within the next few years.  And, the determination to support the Canes on the field and in the stands.

As we begin to look forward to the 2008 football season with much anticipation we will preview eight specific areas that will impact the team's performance this year.  Here are our eight keys to 2008:

• Special Teams
• Quarterback
• Offensive and Defensive Lines
• Wide receivers
• Team orientation, player confidence and the big mo(mentum)
• Linebackers
• Coaching
• Buena Suerte (good luck)

This week: Special Teams 

The Canes will have to make significant improvement in all areas of special team play to be successful in 2008.  Coach Joe Pannunzio will have to ensure that the punting, place kicking, kick coverage and the return game all will improve to give the Canes good field position and put the big play back into Miami's gameplan. 

Nothing gets the bench fired up or the crowd going like a blocked kick by the defense or a punt return for a touchdown by the return team in this often overlooked yet critical phase of the game.

Punter: Matt Bosher returns as the Canes punter for 2008.  Bosher must improve his distance, hang time, accuracy (inside the 20) and average for the Canes to gain the all important field position advantage. If Bosher falters in Fall practice or early season games watch out for true freshman QB recruit Taylor Cook who has experience as a successful HS punter to take his place.

Place Kicker: Part-time starter Francisco Zampogna who pulled off the now famous fake FG against FSU last year is not here to kick around (pun intended) anymore and Irish soccer player Darren Daly transferred so the kicking duties will most likely fall to Matt Bosher.  But, don't count out incoming freshman Jake Wieclaw who is expected to give him some strong competetion for the starting role.  Since history and tradition clearly dictate that wide right and wide left are so, how shall we say, FSU, we hope that Bosher has a down the center kind of season.  We think he will with Wieclaw handling kickoffs.

Kick Coverage: The Canes will be blessed with several new players who are fast, mean and hungry so we expect this area to improve.  Any LB (Futch, Marti, Buchanon) or Safety (Telemaque, Holton) type not starting will have their ears pinned back and be headed downfield at full speed on every kick.  We expect several game changing turnovers on big hits, blocked kicks and big returns for TDs.  At least that is our expectation, and we think it is accurate for 2008.

Return Game: It seems like the Canes have not returned a kick off or punt for a TD since the Clinton administration or since a player named Hester was here. 

The addition of several fast freshman that include the elsuive Travis Benjamin (Glades Central) , the speedy Davon Johnson (Booker T. Washington) and the shifty Kendal Thompkins (Miami Northwestern) may be the spark the Canes need in the return game.  The Canes will need several (at least three) scores from the return specialists to win close games in 2008.

Comments

[solarcane]

bing

[darCANEgel]

8 keys...
>= eight wins?

CANES!

[solarcane]

its a gift soup
peace

[SOUP]

Crosby...U make me ill!

Hey did U hear about our new partnership with Matt at The Miami Hurricane?

[Canez1]

8 sounds bout right Darc.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

Soiler strikes back!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[SOUP]

All the EXPERTS are saying 9-3?

[solarcane]

I enjoy everyones explainations of why we will be improved this season.

Better qb play alone is obviously the most important.

The one point that is never discussed is how much has Randy progressed as a game day coach.

No matter how you spin it Shannon was mediocre at best, horrible at worst.

The strain and anxiety he put on players during games was obvious to everyone but him. None of his coaches seem to have the nads to tell him to chill.

I stick with 8-4 ( a damn big improvement over last year no matter what anyone thinks) mainly because we will be out coached several times by teams we could beat talent wise.

peace

[Canez1]

Turds preview

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/insider/news/story?id=3470521&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d3470521

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[solarcane]

what is that about a zillion #1 hits by now soup?
Since MH was gunned down for insubordination, I feel it's my duty to sit on the pole from time to time...

sit on the pole... change that to being first.

peace

[Canez1]

Not sure RS progressed much at all IMO.

I'm hoping talent and assistant coache(s)(Young) trump the onions' coaching ability. Not hating on Nix but Young has a proven track record and should bring a much needed salty veteran to this coaching staff.

Have to remember it is only year 2 for RS. I'll cut the dude some slack this year. Talent will be too good after that. No excuses in 09.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[solarcane]

Canez1,
I too give Randy a couple more years to get it right.
Being the best recruiter in the nation is sensational for us.
Randy listens and watches some winning vetern coaches I think he does good game days sooner than later.

peace

[darCANEgel]

Soup, didnt all the "experts" pic ND @ 25?
Didnt all the experts tell us there were WMD in Iraq?
Didnt all the experts say the Patriots couldnt lose even if they DIDNT cheat? (sorry, had to drop that one up here)

Didnt the experts...blah blah --- fill in the blank?

The experts liked Coker
The experts like OSU
The experts cant give UM any coaching cred other than Young...

F*K the experts...
The experts are WRONG

CANES WILL RISE AGAIN!!!

aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

See-
Aye-
eNN-
Eeee-
eeS!

CANES!

[roachcane77]

I think Young is a huge factor as well.

AND if we get Bailey back full strength at DE. (We need a disruptive force of nature like AB to bring fear to the hearts of opposing QB's.)

F... 9-3... we will be no worse than 10-2! (Vault it!)

Let's Go Canes!

[roachcane77]

Ahh, the KoolAide is good my friends... drink up!

[SOUP]

Solar...U have the record for firsts.

"That Guy" is welcome back ANYTIME he is ready. All it takes is one simple email to have a conversation OFF the blog and he is back in. Like I said, simple. He chooses not to do that, so that's on him.

[darCANEgel]

BTW - another SOLID blob on the space...
that is a gr8 eight...
or as Hanna Barbara calls it --
a grape ape!!

muchas grazzias, mano!

CANES forever!

[roachcane77]

86... haven't heard from JK in a while... I'll let you know if I hear anything, and I'll send any good pics I get this year.

[SOUP]

DarC...classic stuff. Watchu got?

Roach...again I say I like to see you active again. Another positive mind at work. Bring it!

[solarcane]

roach,
nothing wrong with chugging back the crazy sauce in the dog days.

I drank so much Koolaid last summer I had diabetes by the season opener

peace

[solarcane]

The roster is starting to fill again

roch and calvin, posting more.
ronmex in for a couple two a days.
Matt the latest walk on to get a scholi.
aqua, dtx, pb, working out on their own.

peace

[dj moonbat]

"Didnt all the experts tell us there were WMD in Iraq?"

No. In fact, the experts told us there were NOT WMD in Iraq, and we were instructed not to believe them, because they were Swiss or some sh&t like that.

But aside from that, you make good points.

[AvaCane96]

just finished reading the gaytor preview by espn...good read to learn about the enemy.

we definitely have the upper-hand in basically all positions on defense. One of their best defensive tackles is Matt Patchan; that should say a lot.

their offense is all about speed. beat them to the sideline and it's a tackle for loss; fail to do that and you're looking at a big gain. the only thing that really worries me about their offense is Teblow running up the middle, especially at the goalline. Their passing doesnt impress me, especially with pressure on the QB, which we will do...our secondary will have 2 picks in that game.

[CoCane]

Solar,

Don't forget Coke in ya system. Lol!

[SOUP]

Solar...U can just feel the season approaching and the good times are about to roll. How fast and how far we roll this year just not sure yet, but the feeling is we are headed to the top of the hill and once we crest that bad boy sometime later this year, it's all good from there!

Had an intersting IM chat with a source today. Someone who stays in touch and has some interesting insights that stay OTR between us. Its a guy that speaks his mind. I like that.

What was that saying U had yesterday?

[darCANEgel]

koolaid = bug juice
bugs = another name for lobsters...

lobsters look like big ROACHES...

Roach?!?!
keep drinkin da kool aid, my brutha
legion, listen up ---

I got next round.

canes
Canes
CANES!

[CoCane]

ANNOUNCEMENT!

KAA(Kool Aid Anonymous) meetings will be held this Friday at my crib. Off of Sistrunk Blvd, up da block & 'round da corna.

Sponsored by COKE!

[solarcane]

co,
you are a solid starter. I rate you **** anytime
peace

[solarcane]

soup

"I'd rather be right than popular" ?

peace

[SOUP]

COKE...thats a hard core hood, not a lot of Kool Aid up in there!

But that's how they roll in the 954...

[SOUP]

Solar...that's the one! This source lives it.

[solarcane]

I'm feeling it to soup.
I'm thinking the positive posts are running at least five to one compared to the TurfFace & Jitters paranoia we were going through this time last year.

[solarcane]

This source lives it.

Ralph Nader is sharing stuff with you?

peace

[SOUP]

Ralph Nader is sharing stuff with you?

Posted by: solarcane | July 07, 2008 at 11:05 PM

He told U???

[CoCane]

Naw 86'. The kool aid's here.

I was born at Broward General Medical Center & the last 4 digits of my social is 954-3. What a coincadence.

BRO COUNTY IN DA BUILDIN'!!!

[solarcane]

Rohan Marley and Ray Lewis blitzing Charlie Ward

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHBDMW4dyT8

peace

[solarcane]

bad azz newest Cane tribute vid
well done

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3-i0pieH8w

peace

[Cavaleer]

Coke, I said the Spring Game was vanilla as a sign of what to expect because they're ALREADY better than last year's team.

That's the point about the Spring Game. I wasn't trying to back-pedal on its importance. I'll say it again. That game showcased more talent on both sides of the ball than we've seen in a Spring game since 2003 or 2004. 2005's defense was deeper. 2006 defense was better against the run. But the offense's improvements

The two toughest teams we'll play will be:

UF...as much speed and overall talent plus much more experience at key positions.

WF...well-coached, strong defense, solid offense. They'll give us a go this year but after this year it's over.

After that probably VT only because Beamer has a system in place, although honestly by the time we get them I expect the team to have gelled even more. I expect to BEAT WF, UNC, BC, NCST, VT, ON TALENT ALONE.

All those schools except UNC and WF, are rebuilding on both sides of the ball. But they aren't upgrading drastically like we are.

That's the point gentlemen. The schools we'll be facing will be rebuilding with good, solid recruits.

We're upgrading with serious ballerz.

It's not an equal comparison of our last two classes with BC's, UNCs, WF's, NCST's or even VT's.

Only UF has recruited at the same level of talent for the last two years, and even then Oscar has little to show for it other than Harvin, who I believe was the MVP of their NC season, after the defense of course.

Plus, we actually have more experience on D than it seems. So our FR can add depth, especially to the scout team, an often overlooked though key ingredient, just ask OSU.

[Cavaleer]

Solar, what are guys talking about Shannon was poor to average game-day coach??

By what standard and by what decisions, what proof?? Give me some comparisons and proof.

What, not having them amped to play UNC?? Maybe maybe not. The difference in the second half was that they followed the coaches gameplan. I guess that's Shannon's fault.

The HC doesn't do much on game days, other than 4th down and STs calls, and such.

Other than putting Gordon back to return KOs, I'd say he was more responsible than anyone for the FSU win.

Otherwise, everything else revolved around the total ineptitude of Turf Face and Jitters.

[SOUP]

Just a reminder (still working on transpo):

We have an official Canespace Hotel for the 2008 season. Special rates and great location. 10 miles to the stadium down University Drive with NO Turnpike tolls or traffic.

Contact:

Susan Stern
Director of Sales
at the "Award Winning"
Hampton Inn Plantation -
CURRENTLY RANKED THE #1 HAMPTON INN IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR
SERVICE AND ACCOMMODATIONS
7801 SW 6th Street
Plantation, Florida 33324
954-382-4500 ex. 160
954-382-4510 fax
www.hampton-inn.com/hi/plantation

[Cavaleer]

Young is the biggest upgrade and cannot be overrated, seriously.

If we didn't have Young, I would be predicting 7-5, 8-4, no lie. No way I'd predict a W in Canesville without Young. No way.

That's how much I think of him and how much of a difference I think he'll make.

[SOUP]

Cav...where is my write up? I am about to ban U dude! LOL

[Loco needs to sell 10K :-) [email protected]]

good article, i agree with it completely. Though I think Wieclaw will win the kicking job, and I hope Cook gets to RS and doesn't have to punt, for his sake and ours

[solarcane]

this clip is only 3 hours old, I was the 6th or 7th person to watch it

this is killer if you really know what Cane football is

MUST SEE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g71Nq9CjlE

peace

[darCANEgel]

K-ville...Tenn
Titletown?

Did anyone just see the clip on espn? The chick basketball coach and the men's b-ball coach...talk up their town sports --- college...THATS IT!!

No Phillip Fulmer...even. Where was pig man tonight ---

Not for nothin -- but any 'Titletown' better have a football ring in their trophycase
-- in SOMETHING --
to qualify...

Titletown --
UT??
Please...

CANES in 2010
Fish again as a wildcard...09

Heat in 06
Fish in 97 AND 2003...

CANES in 2011...seventh ring...

Okay - what Canes in 2009?
tennis that is --- woo hoo. Well, yall kept jawin about tennis in the last blog...at least if youre gonna talk about tennis...talk about UM tennis...right?

UT...titletown? WTF??

Hoo dem CANES!

[CoCane]

Cav,

I ain't sayin' your vision can't or it won't happen. I just have to see it to believe it. The spring game wasn't enough. As a jit I was made a believer when players like Irvin, the Blades brothers, Walsh made big plays in big games. I givin' these unproven fux shyt til' I see'em take it. PERIOD...

[Cavaleer]

"I stick with 8-4 ( a damn big improvement over last year no matter what anyone thinks) mainly because we will be out coached several times by teams we could beat talent wise."

peace

Posted by: solarcane | July 07, 2008 at 10:09 PM

You guys are acting like Shannon just started coaching. He's been dissecting teams and doing game prep since he was a junior in college.

Why do you think he was able to keep the ship afloat with the D in the face of what Medioker was doing to the team's mentality and physical shape?? Did that just come out of thin air??

We won't be outcoached a single time this year. I'm not sure we were outcoached last year, except for Walton.

Why do guys think Ed Reed, who you all love so much, said the person who taught him the most was Shannon??

Putting pressure on the players was the same thing Bear Bryant was famous for. I guess he doesn't count though.

Making high demands on the players is the foundation of Canes Football.

The problem was there weren't many Real Canes on the team last year, especially not on offense. The whole mentality of the team was Coker's.

What did Michael Irvin say in that speech you all like to listen to so much??

"For the good, pressure makes you FOLD."

"But for the great, it makes you FOCUS."

That's why Turf Face and Jitters cracked anc crumbled.

But if Shannon had relented, if he had coddled them for one second, he would have lost everything he knew he was going to build.

Those are the sacrifices of Leadership. It ain't PC.

Limp-dykks like Jitters just need to move on.

[SOUP]

heh, heh, heh...FSU goes DOWN!

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102007aac.html

[SOUP]

Cav...where is my write up? I am about to ban U dude! LOL

Posted by: SOUP | July 07, 2008 at 11:46 PM

[SOUP]

What did Michael Irvin say in that speech you all like to listen to so much??

"For the good, pressure makes you FOLD."

"But for the great, it makes you FOCUS."

And LT#36 repeated those VERY WORDS when we met!