Here's To 10-2

For the first time on Canespace, we introduce to U, the one the only, Cavaleer (yeah, he wrote this feature)...

We are told to be patient. We are told by "the experts" that such a young team cannot possibly make bold, great strides in the span of nine months. To expect anything more than 8-4 is "cocky" or "foolish" or "crazy." But the question is never asked nor refuted: what does it take to win 10 games in the ACC in 2008?

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#1  Leadership

After a typically shaky first season of a regime change, Team Shannon have neared completion of the task of fundamentally changing the mentality of this team as well as the type of players in the program as a whole.  Anyone who has read the book "Cane Mutiny" knows that the mentality that makes a Tru U Hurricane Football player is not the easiest thing to find.  But after two decades of football, the formula is clear and administered by Shannon in the form of a simple statement issued to every recruit: "Next year I'm going out to find someone to take your job."  This litmus test truly separates the wheat from the chaffe, the fake from the Canes. With this blueprint, Team Shannon have landed two consecutive years of Canes, with only two losses thus far. The 2008 version being a truly rare crop of talent and maturity. The remaining players from the previous regime have had no choice but to become Shannonized or leave town.

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The coaching staff has seen similar upgrades. Bill Young's vast experience of making the most out of very little leaves us to expect a major improvement over 2007. Aubrey Hill's experience as a player and a coach give us similar expectations. These upgrades of mentality and experience will have major impacts in practice and preparation, long before they have major impacts on the field.  And this is the way it should be. When you expect to just be a "good team", that's all you work towards. But when you expect to be great, you work and prepare to be great. The differences between these mentalities and their results are night and day. Ask yourself which expectation is Tru U, and which one is not.

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#2  Talent

Three words. Turf Face and Jitters. These two singlehandedly lost every game last season and arguably won one game as a two-armed, one-legged, half-brained duo against arch-rival FSU.  Anyone who saw Robert Marve and Jacory Harris at the Spring Game knows they are already head and shoulders above TF&J. And they will only get better.

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Fortunately, they haven't improved as much as RBs  Javarris James and Graig Cooper. My eyes were first opened to JJ's improvement at the Spring scrimmage when I saw him make full-speed cuts the likes of which I hadn't seen from a Miami RB since Frank Gore.  Cooper is clearly stronger and has a burst that he did not have last season.  These two are more than prepared to carry the load and make everything easier for our QBs and WRs.

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WRs are more of a question mark because we don't have any returning proof of real playmakers, only potential playmakers, namely Sam Shileds, Kayne Farqueson, Leonard Hankerson, Khalil Jones and Jermaine McKenzie. But with several talented, championship winning freshmen incoming, we're certain to find two or three dangerous, anytime threats from this corps.

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On defense we return 8 starters and are certain to have significant contributions from at least four freshmen: Spence, Forston, Brown, and B. Harris. Most importantly, though, we have a defensive system designed to maximize the talents of our players rather than maximize their weaknesses and inexperience.

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#3  Experience

DL-OL

These will be our two most experienced groups on the field and they couldn't be in a better place. The key to any offense always starts with OL. The key to a dominant defense is the DL. Each unit looks much improved over 2007 except for the center positions shot-gun snaps. But that is something repetition improves.

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After these two units, our most experienced groups are DBs, RBs and LBs. The RBs and DBs have improved significantly from 2007 in strength and speed, which makes their experience even more valuable. Our LBs remain to be seen, although I think it's fair to say it's not possible for them to be worse, especially since it was the first significant action most of them had seen.

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#4  Intangibles

This is where the first three areas come together. Confidence in self and team, heart, hunger, film study, strength and speed training, overall unity....all of these mean as much as the first three on Saturday and sometimes more.  From every indication this team is completely committed to all of these intangibles in a way we haven't seen since 2000-2002.

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Now that we have an understanding of the State of the U, the question begs, how are our opponents?

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With the exceptions of Wake Forest and UNC, all of our opponents have the same or less experience, less talent and the same leadership and mentality they had last year. Of the rebuilders, VT should be the toughest because Beamer has a system in place. Of those who return several key starters, Wake Forest is the best to examine for this piece.

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Wake is ranked #25 in the country, despite losing four or five of their OL, and a few DLs. They return several starters among the back seven of their D, their QB and their RBs. Their ranking is based largely on their performance over the last two years and the belief that HC Jim Grobe has a system in place. I've seen nothing in Grobe's recruiting or development that leads me to believe they have incredible talent but he has clearly found a way to communicate and train his players to play smart and hard and minimize mistakes. They have developed talent and solid leadership, especially now that the players have bought into what Grobe has been teaching.

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However the key fact for my position about Wake is that before winning 11 games and playing in the ACC championship game in 2006, Wake was 5-7 and lost to the U by 40 points at home. If Wake Forest can do that with decent talent, several upperclassmen, and a freshman QB, will someone please explain to me why Miami cannot do the same?

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Skeptics, please feel free to tell me what WF has that is so special compared to the U. With that final thought, I rest my case for how we get to 10-2.

Comments

[solarcane]

pow

[darCANEgel]

Love that picture of Beamer...

---
to reapeat my last from the other page:

Oh my lord, solar...what have you done! I NOW know why other countries HATE us --- that's an aweful pic.
---

Hey, off subject...but, 86, I gotta question 4 U: Does Mrs. 86 know you promised 31 in 31?

Cuz if she did, she's my MVP --- and let her know it's a compliment when I finally meet her and call her Darnell Jenkins...

To the CANES:
We salute U!

[BROWNSUB]

Go CANES!!!!!

[Hurricane Mitch]

darCANEgel: that's hilarious.

5) UF's kinda like the retarded kid who succeeds

Solar, where did you find the picture of Tebow's twin brother?

[SOUP]

Hey, off subject...but, 86, I gotta question 4 U: Does Mrs. 86 know you promised 31 in 31?

YEAH, BUT TO GET THAT DEAL THAT WASN'T THE "ONLY" 31 IN A ROW I HAD TO PROMISE! SERIOUSLY SHE'S THE BEST!

Cuz if she did, she's my MVP --- and let her know it's a compliment when I finally meet her and call her Darnell Jenkins...

SHE KNOWS WHAT IT MEAN TO "STEP UP" ALA DJ IN 2007. SHE WENT TO THE SWAMP IN 2002 AND THE DOAK IN 2007. SHE GOES, WE WIN, ITS JUST THAT SIMPLE!

Posted by: darCANEgel | July 09, 2008 at 11:10 PM

[darCANEgel]

..and --
AND!

Seriously insightful blog, bro...

If Butch -- for a second time n a row --- again what a different league he is in compared to Coach Shannon regarding game day coaching...we got some issues...here @ hecht.

On the better hand, WHEN RS shows that he is the MAN -- and Nix has learned his job --

and the Coach Whisperer (aka JJ) has had an his effect...

we will come back into the national psyche...

we got a great ride comin at us, Legion --

all bout da Canes, baaby

[solarcane]

that dude is a real case for sisters shouldn'r marry brothers.

soup WF

routed the Tar Heels
beat FSU
beat Navy
lost to Virginia by 16.. yes that Virginia
went 8-4 3 more wins than us 3 less losses
I'm just sayin
peace

[solarcane]

and the Coach Whisperer (aka JJ) has had an his effect...

LMAO for real!
peace

[solarcane]

dang good write soup, btw
peace

[solarcane]

aight gang,
darC has me peeing my depends I'm out
peace

[darCANEgel]

Nice, solar...but can ir be as good as Mrs 86...

Seriously, SOUP >

"YEAH, BUT TO GET THAT DEAL THAT WASN'T THE "ONLY" 31 IN A ROW I HAD TO PROMISE! SERIOUSLY SHE'S THE BEST!"

I soiled myself...bro
thats friggn hysTERical...

Later, CANEs

[SOUP]

Cavaleer wrote the article! Should I give him credit?

[SOUP]

DarC...more good news from Canespace! Remember when U asked about transpo to the games? Well, problem solved.

Susan Stern the Sales Manager from the Hampton Inn Plantation has arranged your transportation to/from the game and CHEAP.

Here's the deal:

55 Person Custom Coach bus - $825 or $15/person!

10 person Van = $250 or $25/person.

[SOUP]

Reservations...for those of you attending UM football games this year Canespace has made a special group rate agreement withThe Hampton Inn in Plantation, Florida (Southern Broward County). We are working on R/T transportation to Stadium from the hotel and will announce this soon on the blog.

Starting on July 15th just mention "Canespace" when making your reservations to get the special discount rate. The hotel is located on University Drive 10 miles north of the stadium which allows you to avoid the Turnpike tolls and traffic if you choose to drive there yourself.

The contact information for making your reservations at the #1 ranked Hampton Inn in Florida is:

Susan Stern
Director of Sales
Hampton Inn Plantation
7801 SW 6th Street
Plantation, Florida 33324
954-382-4500 ex. 160
954-382-4510 fax
www.hampton-inn.com/hi/plantation

[SOUP]

What other blog has their own HOTEL and offers TRANSPO to and from the game? NONE.

Plus U can win or just get FREE tix to a game. More news to follow...

[Keoki]

From the last blog...
Who is making plans to attend the Aug 2nd Canes Fest/Practice? Who would like to meet up for a mid day beer after?
Posted by: Cane Since 1982

U know I'm in and good write up Cav

[darCANEgel]

Holy caca..Cav, you wrote this blob!
Well friggin done, mang

AND more props to you and the missus, 86...
U r a Lucky man...'mano!

I WILL contact Susan Stern -
Director of Sales
Hampton Inn Plantation
7801 SW 6th Street
Plantation, Florida 33324
954-382-4500 ex. 160

I wanna:
Competent Driver,
Solid for the Return trip to the hotel,
Insured,
Expienced...
and, isnt a gaytor --- hehehe...

---All in!

Rock the space...
GO CANES

[SOUP]

DarC...both transpo companies are professional shuttle services and reputable companies that she has done business with before for Dolphins games and other major events at TNP.

Good to go!

[Loco needs to sell 10K :-) www.cutco.com t.locrotondo@umiami.edu]

Looks like Cav finally got around to writing.. .dont have time to read it now but I will soon (hopefully)

[Cane Since 1982]

I predict starting around 10:30 today this blog will be in an all out war of people trying to predict this seasons record.
12-0 people. The GayTurds are realy a push over. The Blue Devils will be more of test than the Butt Pirates from the a-hole of our state.

[DFDubCane]

"UM and UF are comfortable with the current arrangement of playing every six years or so (Sept. 6 at UF, 2013 here). Meeting more often ''is not the best thing to do for our schedules,'' Gators coach Urban Meyer said. Incidentally, Meyer -- whose Gators open against Hawaii -- already has been studying Week 2 opponent UM. ''At times, they look very good on defense,'' he said."

Could this guy be any more cocky and smug? God I hope Bailey gets a clean, blindside shot on his favorite QB and knock his shoulder blades through his nostrils. We'll shows him good defense "at times".

[Cane Since 1982]

Man I hope he gets to know that Walton D realy well. It should help him out alot when preparing for Young's D.

[dj moonbat]

"When was the last time UM saw 90k at a game? ProbablyNEVER."

It's true. The 'Canes didn't have the pull to force taxpayers to buy them a stadium that could hold that many.

[Cane Since 1982]

Canesrule,

compare the size of your student body to your fan turn out. Then do the same for Miami. Then tell me what you come up with.

[Cane Since 1982]

When was the last time your Mascot put 5 NC rings on his hand?

[Cane Since 1982]

When was the last time UF had an undefeated season?

[CanesgirlNC]

Ya know, from the way Canesrule posts, it sounds like Carlos......

Posted by: CanesgirlNC | July 09, 2008 at 03:31 PM

GTFO of here with that sh1t.

Posted by: Carlos | July 09, 2008 at 05:11 PM

Carlos was just comparing style wise to the way you used to post on here - phrases like "homerific kool aid" - you used to come on here all the time and call people names back in the day was the point I was making, that's all. Moving on.......

[KLCaneFan]

I hope every single Gator in the Swamp feels the same way about our team as you do when we arrive there on Sept. 6th. If you seriously think that the same team from last year is going to show up you'll be in for a rude awakening. That's all I have to say on the subject.

And by the way, if this blog is not to your liking then perhaps you should go to one that's more up your alley.

[MWD]

Cav, nice write-up.

[KLCaneFan]

BTW, nice blob, Cav.

[Cane Since 1982]

"1982, you have supplanted alf as the biggest moron on this POORLY WRITTEN blog. Congrats."

Thank you for the title, I would first like to thank God and my parents. With out them none of this would have been possible. Of course my fans. I would like to thank the producer of this blog. 86, wherever you are please stand up. People round of applause for 86, please. Thank you guys I just dont know what else to say. I think I here the music comeing on. I gotta go.

Also Canesrule about this poorly written blog. Please enlighten me to where I can go to find a welly written blog because im with you. Im sick of this blog that brings new content every day. I am sick of this blog that gives me more info than any pay site could possibly dream of. I am sick of this blog where people give you free tickets to Hurricanes events. I am sick of this blog where I get to bond with firends I have never met and hotties like CGNC. I am just sick of it.

[Cane Since 1982]

Ok so its 10:30.

I say 12-0 because I just dont see a team strong enough on our schedule after UF to beat us. I am seriously 60-40 that UF will win but I think we have a damn good chance of pulling it off and if we do I think we ride the momentum on into Jacksonville for the ACC Championship.

[Cane Since 1982]

please point the line that is criticizing.

[vince]

Hey Cav were you taking a shot at me last blog when I mentioned heart?

[slim32]

Caneseule..... Hope you & your Diehard Gator fans stick around for the whole game this time. Last time the Swamp was empty by the middle of the 4th.

[vince]

Canesrule I somewhat agree with the stuff you have written the past day or so but how do we have a bumbling coach? Many Canes fans have difficultly dealing with the fact we have done nothing on the football field the past two seasons and yea the Gators had 4 loses last year, wouldn't it have been nice if the Canes had only four losses? I am in no way a Gator fan but damn some of you folks need to be realistic. I think we will improve but we will have 4 QB's on our roster who have never taken a college snap and we will be facing the Gators and A & M on the road!

[slim32]

Your QB has NEVER TAKEN A SNAP IN BIG BOYFOOTBALL....NEVER??????

You must have missed the State Title game at Joe Robbie Stadium 2 years ago. Marve single handedly beat BOOKER T WASHINGTON for the state title game.

He won the game. Not Plant. Robert F BABY

Please say the BABY.

[Cavaleer]

Darc, the Coach Whisperer is an all-time Vault classic. LMAO!

Canerule just proved that he's clueless and will be one of the many 10,000s in the stands with a slack jaw and a facial expression saying, "WHAT THE FUQQ JUST HAPPENED????" on Spet. 6th.

FYI, do-do bird, the last time we "pulled 90,000" was when we stomped your azzes in the SWAMP.

If Oscar Meyer thinks he's going to see any semblance of last year's defense ALL THE BETTER. lol He'll be standing there like he was against Meeechigan, blaming the refs. lol

[Cane Since 1982]

Canesrule,

you keep throwing jabs at me but you dont answer any of my questions. I have been responding to your post directly. Please answer the below unanswered questions by you.

Please enlighten me to where I can go to find a welly written blog

please point the line that is criticizing.

When was the last time your Mascot put 5 NC rings on his hand?

When was the last time UF had an undefeated season?

"You had the 110th best offense last year" As you and your friends like to say alot. Quit living in the past. You are looking at a team that I had a complete coaching change 4 months before season. Had kids with no desire to strive for excellence. Had 2 useless QB's and had an unsusual amount of injuries to key positions. It aint the same team buddy. But you and your gator team keep preparing for last years team and you will look like you are a year behind come Sep 6 (BTW take notice that Cane fans actually know the dates of their rivalry games.)

[Cavaleer]

Soup, it reads better than I thought it would. I was actually going to ask you not to run to make a few changes. lol

[SOUP]

"That guy" has been banned. See ya...

[SOUP]

"That guy" has been banned. See ya...

[Cavaleer]

Hey Cav were you taking a shot at me last blog when I mentioned heart?

Posted by: vince | July 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM

Vince, no, I was just pointing out that you don't have to predict with your heart to see us winning on Sept. 6th. If you watch the way AUB and UGA beat them, UGA especially, you'll see how we can do the same. The Xs and Os are writ large.

However, if I hadn't seen the Spring Game and seen how much these kids had improved since last season, I wouldn't be predicting 10-2 or even 9-3.

It may sound crazy but Marve and Jacory are NOT your average "QBS who have never taken a snap." They already look better than TF&J in the pocket and throwing accurate balls. Plus, they have that magic ingredient.....SELF-CONFIDENCE....in bucketloads.

People forget that proper Hurricane Football means the practices are hard than the games. Now that we have significant upgrades in talent on both sides of the ball and with Bill Young, we've taken a giant leap forward in the practice intensity.

I honestly don't see a game where our boys will not be prepared for just about anything the opponent does.

At the same time I expect some youthful mistakes but THESE youngsters can bounce back and make big plays.

By Sept. you'll realize it's a totally different team. Right now, though, your only memories are of last season.

[Cane Since 1982]

Ahhhhhh, I was just starting to have fun with him 86. Actualy I was kind of surprised to see he was back here today. I thought he was taken the boot in the behind last night.

[Cane Since 1982]

If you read the blog now it looks like I have gone insane and have been arguing with myself.

[Cavaleer]

The funnyn thing about people like Canesrulle, and I believe most Hator fans, is that they were clambering for T-Bone to start over Leak when he was a FRESHMAN.

Moreover, it's entirely logical to say they wouldn't have won their NC without two FRESHMAN...Pearcy "who won't be there on 6-6-08" Harvin and that tall kid who blocked those South Carolina FGs.

Obviously their senior laden defense was the key but without Harvin busting all those long runs and big plays, who scores for them that year?? Not Leak running the ball. Did they even have a RB?

And as Six pointed out, who are their RBs this year?? Moody, who hasn't played a down of football in almost two years, and someone else, whose also untested and unknown.

Ditto their WRs.

So other than T-Bone and Harvin, they're just as unproven in many ways as we are.

[Cavaleer]

Oscar's assessment of our defense last year was SPOT ON. At times, we did look good. But those times were few and far between.

But I wonder if he knows WHY we were so porous and thin last year. Hopefully he doesn't.

[Cat5 Cane]

86...
CHECK... TypePad's antispam... HOLDING MY POST!

[Cavaleer]

MWD and KL, thanks.

[Loco needs to sell $9600 more by July 23rd... www.cutco.com t.locrotondo@umiami.edu :-)]

Cav, finally got a chance to read the article, nice job