Starting Lineup Announced, Seven Suspended

With only four days to go before Miami plays Charleston Southern at TNP Stadium, Canes Head Coach Randy Shannon announced the two-deep line up for the 2008 season. And, there were a few surprises among the names listed on offense, defense and even special teams.  Click here for the complete list:

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mifl/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/FBDepthChart.pdf

Among the surprises in the starting lineup are seldom used senior Kahlil Jones at WR, true Freshmen Marcus Robinson at DE and Brandon Harris at kickoff returner, and JoJo Nicholas at Safety.

In addition to the starting line-up, The Boss announced that six other players would be joining first string and would-be starting QB Robert Marve on the suspension list for the first game for various team rule violations.  The suspended players are: WR Kayne Farquharson, RB Damian Berry, LB Eric Houston, DE Adawale Ojomo, S Randy Philips and long snapper Chris Ivory.

Shannon offically laid down the law and enforced the team rules he stated would be in place when he first took the reigns as Head Coach at UM.  The Boss showed once and for all that NOBODY is above the team including the starting QB who will now have exactly as much experience in a real college football game going into Gainesville as Shandel Richardson, Chris Stock, David Lake and me (seen here) combined: NONE!

As a result, Jacory Harris, who was last seen in a real football game that counted leading the Miami Northwestern Bulls to a (high school) National Championship steps up and step in for the suspended Marve to lead the Canes against Charleston Southern.  Canes fans have fallen in behind Jacory and the rest of the 2008 team as the rebuilding process to respectability begins in earnest this year.

In other news, with a serious lack of depth across the DL it is highly possible that had Rudy Rodriguez- Chomat (seen here) from ITU not pulled both of his hamstrings in his recent 40 yard dash attempt he may be the starting DT opposite Antonio Dixon, but that is another story completely. 

Rumor on the street is that Manny Navarro has recently stepped up, bulked up and beat him out for the position anyway so the injury may just be a smokescreen.

For now, that the state of the Cane Nation.  We will have MUCH more later this week.  GO CANES!!! 

Comments

[brett]

first

[SOUP]

Pays to stay up late...

[dj moonbat]

It will be AWESOME if Kahlil busts out, and shows that starting him was the right call. Just sayin'.

[SOUP]

dj...LT#36 spoke VERY highly of KJ when we interviewed him. Said he was doing all the right things and showing major leadership. Said he has the talent and skills just needs the confidence that comes with being successful. We will see...

[SOUP]

Sorry...my mistake, SS was NOT on the list!

[Esteban]

damn, this thursday is the first game. finally its here.

[Montreal-Canes]

Date: Aug 25, 2008

Head coach Randy Shannon provided an injury update on a few players on Sunday night. Lets take a look at the latest injury update for the team as it gears up for the season opener on Thursday.

http://miami.scout.com/a.z?s=13&p=2&c=782672&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fmiami.scout.com%2fa.z%3fs%3d13%26p%3d2%26c%3d782672

[norm]

"This Thursday night we'll have six guys, no seven guys that won't be attending the game."

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2008/08/suspension-list.html

[SOUP]

Este...can you imagine that it is FINALLY game week? Four days and we ballin' boyz!

[norm]

"That means Marve will be making the first start of his college career inside The Swamp. That's a tough assignment, folks.

Like I said, I'm in Tampa tonight but if I squint really hard I think I can see Florida sophomore safety Ahmad Black smiling all the way from here. Could the season be starting any better for the Gators?"

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gator_clause/2008/08/florida-safety.html

[Six]

This is a fragile team mentally, you have a 5-7 team going in to the year w/ a lot of young players and there is imense pressure to live up to Miami standards. Now the guy you thought was your starting QB is gone for game 1 and now all of a sudden you throw this kind of thing at these kids and it fuks w/ their heads ....

Posted by: MattinNY | August 24, 2008 at 11:49 PM

Fragile team mentally? F*ck no - have you heard these kids this year? They even said in interviews that the cancers from last year were gone ... gone or transferred. With that cancer leaving, so did that "fragile" mentality. These kids have instant amnesia about last year and the only reason they wouldn't, is for their inner hate of the memory of losing last year to kick in. It's a new breed of thinking and mentality out on Greentree and in the 11,500 square foot Hurricane Strength and Conditioning Complex. It's the whole K2 soldier "We don't care about nobody except this U" mentality this year.

Who are you speaking of that thought Marve was the starter before Shannon came out tonight and said it? The team? Maybe, I guess by default b/c he's been there longer .... but not a single QB there has taken a collegiate snap. More than half the damn time, the players didn't even know who threw the TD pass in practice. Marve was the starter in people's minds AUTOMATICALLY out here outside of Greentree ... inside, competition and performance was breeding and defining who is the starter.

[Six]

This is a fragile team mentally, you have a 5-7 team going in to the year w/ a lot of young players and there is imense pressure to live up to Miami standards. Now the guy you thought was your starting QB is gone for game 1 and now all of a sudden you throw this kind of thing at these kids and it fuks w/ their heads ....

Posted by: MattinNY | August 24, 2008 at 11:49 PM

Fragile team mentally? F*ck no - have you heard these kids this year? They even said in interviews that the cancers from last year were gone ... gone or transferred. With that cancer leaving, so did that "fragile" mentality. These kids have instant amnesia about last year and the only reason they wouldn't, is for their inner hate of the memory of losing last year to kick in. It's a new breed of thinking and mentality out on Greentree and in the 11,500 square foot Hurricane Strength and Conditioning Complex. It's the whole K2 soldier "We don't care about nobody except this U" mentality this year.

Who are you speaking of that thought Marve was the starter before Shannon came out tonight and said it? The team? Maybe, I guess by default b/c he's been there longer .... but not a single QB there has taken a collegiate snap. More than half the damn time, the players didn't even know who threw the TD pass in practice. Marve was the starter in people's minds AUTOMATICALLY out here outside of Greentree ... inside, competition and performance was breeding and defining who is the starter.

[Six]

If I come across that idiotic 'Croc writer who said ..

"Like I said, I'm in Tampa tonight but if I squint really hard I think I can see Florida sophomore safety Ahmad Black smiling all the way from here"

.. he'll know exactly what a living breathing nightmare is like - it's a 5'11 198 lb. pissed off Category Six Hawai'ian. I pray that Ahmad Black is the starting safety for the 'Crocs ... I PRAY, esp. after seeing his ankles get broken by a grade school move in the 'Croc Spring Game that the idiot Rainey put on him.

[norm]

"Marve is set to start Game 2 on Sept. 6 against mighty Florida in Gainesville, but it could be a bad situation.

Miami, trying to erase the stink of a 5-7 season, will throw a second-year freshman with no NCAA experience into the hostile environment of The Swamp without the considerable benefit of a home game against a lesser opponent to acclimate himself.

And what if Harris happens to play terrific Thursday night? Has a huge game? Do you immediately bench him, or should the job be his to lose?

Most football coaches will do anything to avoid heading into a season with doubt and distraction revolving around the most important position on the field.

Randy Shannon has that. And his own fingerprints are all over it."

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/um/story/656479.html

[roachcane77]

Should be interesting... can't wait till Thursday night!

I see a BIG, BIG night for JH and the NON-suspended Canes, and a HUGE confidence boost going into week #2..

Let's Go Canes!

[canechic]

Do you guys suppose it would have been better if Randy waited to hand out these suspensions? Maybe the gator game, Texas A&M, NC..... He told them U do this and you get suspended what a wimp he would have been if he did not follow through.

Come on guys this stinks in the short term but all of you know in the long run the TEAM will benefit.

I love how ESPN has a whole block for UM suspended players. I knew they just could not wait.

GO CAnes!! See you guys on Thursday

[canechic]

Truth I have no problem with the suspension. Never have. He broke the rules and is paying for it.

But I wont be convinced that Shannon knew 9 months ago he was going to do this. He should have done it then, not wait until 5 days before the first game, the day he announces Marve is the starter, to drop the bomb on that kid and his family.

PB and what impact would the earlier punishment made on Marve? And exactly what should his punishment have been 9 months ago?

[Cat5 Cane]

86
Just for clarification because somebody over at the ITU will come over here and paste your apology over there.

Soupster... "Sorry... my mistake, SS was NOT on the list"!

Soup, why are you saying your sorry for printing somebody elses list that was stated to be a RUMOR in the first place. By saying your sorry, you appear to be admitting and accepting responsibility for another person statement.

[OCALACANE]

Strap Up Canes fans it's here week one. Suspensions? Who cares we are the Miami Hurricanes...
Game on Jacory and all, we are with U!!!

8/28/08 mark it down, The beginning of the new Miami Dynasty!!!
See ya in beautiful SOUTH FLORIDA!!!

Oh and it's Lizard hunting season now.
Hmmm.

[DATcane]

Anyone know the expected crowd for Thursday? Hope we have a strong showing!

[norm]

canechic, is not about the suspension is about the timing. The excuse about not telling Marve about it. I don't buy it. Think about it you tell Marve 10months ago. Marve you will have every chance to be the starter of this team, but if you are, you will not play the first game. Now, you leave it to Marve whether he wants to compete or not.

It was a bad choice that's all I'm saying. Now, Shannon has to live with it. Will this have any consequence in the long run? Only time will tell.

[norm]

Oh, by the way, I'm glad you see it the same way too.:)

[SuperCooper]

Brown and McKenzie are nicked up and might not play. If Brown was healthy, he would have been in Futch's spot.

[Cat5 Cane]

MY misprint... said...Just for clarification because somebody over at the ITU... and meant Eye on the U.

[LatinCane]

I don't know about you guys, gals, but I was always wondering what the cosequences were for Marve after his incident last year. Especially after Shannon's stance on discipling guys after violations. Although the timing is a little suspect, what cha gonna do. Let's support Jacory and hope this makes Marve even hungrier. Oh yeah, it's not the end of the world.

[5Rings,U got em?]

Posted by: OCALACANE | August 25, 2008 at 07:49 AM

Anyone know the expected crowd for Thursday? Hope we have a strong showing!

I heard the 55,000 range, from the Miami Herald.

[BIG DADDY CANE]

Who cares about the timing. better now then later. I wonder how a lot of those who Blame Shannon for Marve actions is going to look when we win these first few games. I bet U'll get AMNESIA and start cheering again. If I were some of U I'll put a lid on it until the results come out. Eating CROW is not a good way to start the football season. Relax and Enjoy!

[SunriseMike]

Posted by: OCALACANE | August 25, 2008 at 07:49 AM

Anyone know the expected crowd for Thursday? Hope we have a strong showing!

I heard the 55,000 range, from the Miami Herald.
Posted by: 5Rings,U got em? | August 25, 2008 at 09:14 AM

I'd love to see 55K, but this is south fla. We're gonna be lucky to get 40k on a thursday night against a nobody opponent and a losing season last year. No disrespect, I'm just saying.
But I'll be there as usual.

[CanezNC]

nothing wrong with suspending Marve but still a horendously poor judgment by Shannon in not telling Marve months ago. I hope and assume the team and Marve moves on but I still view this as Shannon's dumbest move to date. And I LIKE Randy as the HC.

[Cane Since 1982]

I have been so depressed since hearing Randys' dumb azz move that I havent even wanted to read an article or blog on the Canes. This is the first time that I completly disagree with one of his moves. He has taken all of the enthusiasim out of me for the start of this season. I realy hope that this did not have the same effect on the players. I know Marve said all of the right things and that he is a true team player, but I believe his statements were about as rehearsed as last nights closing ceremonies. If this decission to punish now go as badly as it possibly could Randy will hear alot of the fiathful like me start to get very uneasy with him as a head coach.

I also think this decission probably hurt the opening game attendance.

But hey on the bright side the first game ticket looks realy cool. Yea a cool ticket for a crappy opponent and a starting QB watching the game from a home TV.

[CanezNC]

yeah, what's with the suspended players not even coming to the stadium? Like the rest of us, they'll watch the game on a PC (not a TV)... another head scratcher in this mess of a decision...

[MattInNY]

This is a bad move move all the way around and Shannon has handled this miserably. This has the makings of a disaster. But when you have but 12 games of coaching experience and really just learning on the job, this stuff happens. The jury is still out on Shannon and this stuff does not make me any more impressed by what he has done which is a 5-7 record and questionable decision making in these suspensions.

[MattInNY]

How on earth do you punish and suspend a player when no charges were filed, no convisvtions and it happened 10 months in last season. If we are all trying to forget last season all this stuff does is continue to bring it up. I just do not get it.

[SOUP]

he'll know exactly what a living breathing nightmare is like - it's a 5'11 198 lb. pissed off Category Six Hawai'ian.

Posted by: Six | August 25, 2008 at 03:09 AM

Six I have met U in person and no way you are 5'11", I'll give U the 198 and pissed off Hawai'ian part but 5'10" max, maybe...LOL!

[MDCane]

Did anyone stop and think for a minute that Shannon might not have a choice in the timing. Granted most coaches would have suspended Marve either during spring practice/game or beginning of fall practice, but not the first game. This makes me think Shannon is not totally in control which would explain why we had such a hard time attracting coaches from the outside. I think the only thing Shannon was able to control was the amount of game suspension, but not the timing of the suspension.

[SOUP]

He has taken all of the enthusiasim out of me for the start of this season. I realy hope that this did not have the same effect on the players.

But hey on the bright side the first game ticket looks realy cool. Yea a cool ticket for a crappy opponent and a starting QB watching the game from a home TV.

Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | August 25, 2008 at 09:45 AM

I have not been critical of Shannon or the "decision" so far but I have to agree with 1982 on the "took all the enthusiasm part out of it".

Right or wrong (and I know many of you are going to say WRONG!) that is how I felt when I first heard the news. It is like you feel when you hear one of the key players got injured...deflated.

[MattInNY]

Shannon is trying to be in control but when you have to go to these lengths to instill discipline than something else is there, it should not have to be this way.

I just still find it mind boggling how you can suspend someone for something that happened 10 months ago in a previous season, there was not a conviction and no charges were ever filed. Someone explain it to me? And besides, the kid had a tough year as it was between the wreck, sitting out the whole year and now this. Poorly handled by Shannon, POOR!

[VaCanesFan]

Since I have read several people trivialize it, these are the details of what happened last year.

"Just talked with a spokesman for the Miami Police Dept. Here's what happened in a nutshell:

Robert Marve was charged criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence. He punched and broke the rearview mirror of someone else's car. A cop just happened to see him do it, and Marve took off running. Marve told the officer he ran because he was violating team curfew rules. I asked the spokesman if alcohol and he said he has heard nothing that makes him think it was. It's a minor crime, but still not thing Marve wants to be out doing, especially someone who is still recovering from a broken wrist. Hopefully, he learns from it and let's chalk this up to a freshman mistake."

So let's see, willful destruction of property less than 500.00, fleeing a police officer, and violating team curfew rules. Two of those things are a crime and one is a team rule violation. To me, that warrants the suspension.

As for why this could not be done before, he was a redshirt and there was no game to suspend him from. Many fans on the blogs last year thought he should be kicked off the team. To me, he is lucky it is only a one game suspension.

As far how this has dampened your expectations for the football season, let me hand you a pacifier. Jacory will produce in game 1 against the most overmatched opponent we can find. And Marve will get his chance in Gainseville, along with Jacory. But he deserved the suspension and I 100% support Shannon for doing it. I already have high respect for Randy and this just reinforces it.

[Canez1]

Matt what up my brotha?

Just a few things.

He busted up someone elses property and resisted arrest. All of this was done after 12am.

Shannons first commandment was thou shall not have any altercation with 5-0 no matter if it is a traffic, misdemeanor or felony after midight. If you do, automatic suspension, no questions asked!

Marve redshirted so this is the first game he can be suspended for.

So....

The only possible issue is the timing of the announcement, Thats it.

Rules were broken and no matter who you are on this team you pay the consequences.

You still headin to Canezville on the 6th? I am flying into Jax Sat am and driving to the swampazz.

Whats your plans?

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[MattInNY]

But these kinds of questionable decisions are what you get w/ a head coach that has basicly zero experience and a 5-7 record.

And VA Canes fan...IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR!!! Deal w/ it at the time which was last year!!

In the end, nothing ever came from it!! And curfew...give me break...thats minor and does not warrant a 1 game suspension from something that happened almost a full year ago.

[Canez1]

Ya what VCF said! LOL

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[SOUP]

VA...I agree on all counts!

1. Marve deserved the suspension.
2. Randy was right to suspend him.
3. I had the right to feel "deflated" upon first hearing the news a couple of days ago(no longer feel that way).
4. Now I am over it, supporting Shannon, Jacory and the rest of the team for a big win over CS.

NEXT!

[Cane Since 1982]

The suspension may have been waranted but the timing was horrible and I think Randy should be suspended a game for making such an idiotic move.

VacCanesFan,

both charges were dropped so all Marve had was a curfew violation. So in essence we have suspended 7 players for breaking the minor team rules. These rules only warrant after practice discipline or maybe beeing suspended the first quarter or half maximum, but you get your freshman starting QB some reps before the Gator game let him get those first snap gitters out.

[MattInNY]

Canez1...what up dude. Been a long time man. We should catch up, a bunch of things have happened.

Yes, I am still heading to Gainesville. I am flying back home to Atlanta on Friday night and driving down in the afternoon on Saturday. Where are your tix at? I have not received mine yet but I expect them this week. We should meet up when we get down there.

And I understand the kid broke the rules but deal w/ it at the time which was last year. It is not his fault he redshirted and Shannon should have dealt w/ it then instead of bringing up the past a year later.

[canechic]

Amen VA Canes Fan.

Now everyone is disappointed about the season??? Come on guys what are you expecting out of the season?? Randy has to be in charge and we want him in charge. This team will be NC's again and the lessons they are learning right know are priceless.

When you guys have all the odds stacked against do you just wimp out??? What makes a better leader, one who steps up or steps out??? Sorry guys you are way overeacting and 86 you can vault that!!!!!

I am around 17 to 19 year old kids everyday who have know idea what hard work and discipline is, Randy is not giving them the easy way out because you know what sometimes the easy way out does not exist!

Now you guys put away your crying towels and let's kick some but,support our team and as always GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Canez1]

RS rule was a game suspension for any violation of the rules we all agreed were a good thing when he released them.

First game played= 1 game suspension. No exceptions.

You can't bend them. They need to be absolute for everyone regardless of the if's and's or but's

Not sure where my tix are yet. I ordered them from my GF CGNC. They have not come in yet. Should be here soon.

We should figure out a joint to all meet up after the game. My flight leaves 11:40 Sun. so Sat night is my only time to hang.

Where are you watching the game Thurs. night?

I am hearing brother Jimmy's at 31st and Lex is going to have the game on and Canez there. Not sure what I am going to do.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[DallasTX Cane]

Wow...take a couple of days off and all hell breaks loose. I, for one, cannot wait for an actual football game to break out so we have something of substance to yell about! LOL

IMO, punishment was warranted. A full game suspension for being arrested??...yes, I can agree with that.

However, I think the suspension should have been announced a long time ago. From my experience as a former Naval officer and running my company's operations, discipline is best handed out as soon as possible. In the case of legal matters tho, I do believe it always best to wait and see what the final disposition is before making judgement calls and determining consequences.

Let me also say that when I said "suspension announced a long time ago", I refer ONLY to announcing to the players and coaches affected. I do not care that the media was only informed recently. I think Marve and the rest of the team could have handled and would have respected a "U screwed up and got lucky this time...U have to pay the consequences which is a one-game suspension...red-shirt games don't count" talk w/RS.

However, there may be other considerations RS had to deal with that we're not aware of. Perhaps those affected his decision-making process regarding the timing of the announcement?

I do wish Marve's suspension were only a 1/2 game. Any game time work is beneficial for him and the entire offense. Same goes for all the rest of the suspended players.

[DallasTX Cane]

IMO, this will be a very minor bump in the road of a very successful career...for both Marve and Shannon. And, the beginning of a great career for Jacory.

[SOUP]

Lost in ALL this suspension talk is this:

We are ONE snap away from having Cannon Smith as our starting QB.

Let it marinate, hold it, hold it...

[Loco]

The following may offend, so if you're easily offended don't read it.

I can't believe the sh!t I'm reading. I've been gone from the blog for a few days and I come back to a bunch of girls (no offense to you lady-canes) whining about our season now being in jeopardy and all the excitement being gone and us being in trouble now? Seriously guys, are you CANES fans or MARVE fans? It should be both, and I am both, but it should be the TEAM before the PLAYER.

We've gone EIGHT months without any real football, and all of the sudden the excitement for the first game is gone just because out redshirt freshman quarterback is going to miss the first game against a team that isn't even good in 1AA? We're in trouble because he's going to miss THAT game? Oh no, now he has no game experience going into the swamp...

Realize guys that our practice squad has better athletes than Charleston Southern, so he's not missing anything there. So he doesn't get any contact. If you want, I'll go tackle him next time I see him in the lobby and we'll be ready to go.

I know of another redshirt freshman that started his first game ever in the Swamp. Yeah, he lost, but then he won 11 straight and a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Is this team comparable to '83? Probably not, but who knows?

The team has a motto, NO EXCUSES. That means taking responsibility for your own actions. It doesn't matter if you were in a car accident or have had a bad year or whatever. NO EXCUSES.

How do you punish an athlete? You take away playing time. How do you punish one that is not ALLOWED to play? You wait until he IS allowed to play, then you suspend him. Shields and others have been suspended for far less than being arrested, so why should marve be ANY different? Yeah, it happened a while ago and no charges were filed but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Of course Shannon waited to tell him. How the hell do you tell a kid he wont play the first game and expect him to prepare for it as if he is going to play it? A player in the NFL should be mature enough to do that, but we're talking a REDSHIRT FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK. Now the players all know not to f up. Marve will get over not playing that game, and come out with even more fire the next game.

Besides, you should be excited. Shannon said two quarterbacks will play the first game. That means Cannon gets PT as well. That means if MArve falters in the Swamp we have TWO OTHER quarterbacks with game experience that can play! We also get to see what the two of them can do. We get to see how Jacory does running the show, and how he can handle the hits. If Jacory does well, then MArve will have to COMPETE to re-win the starting job, and if Jacory doesn't then we know that he's not quite ready to start.

Look I know you guys are all shocked and appalled at what has happened, and I'm surprised to, but you gotta take it and look on the bright side. The game will happen with or without marve, and we will WIN with or without him.

Chill out guys