Keeping The Faith

Your Miami Hurricanes were clawed, scratched and eventually mauled to death by the Clemson Tigers (12-0, 1-0) on Sunday night at the BankUnited Center, losing 91-72 in the first ACC game of the young 2008-09 season. 

With another loss, at home and this time against ACC competition, some Canes fans are finding that "keeping the faith" is becoming harder to do.

The Canes (7-3, 0-1) managed to blow a 21-9 lead in the first half by exhibiting generally sloppy play that was characterized by turning the ball over (16 times), missing free throws (12 of 17) and poor shooting by everyone not named McClinton. 

Mr. McClutch lead the Canes with 20 points but on this night looked remarkably average and once again received little help from his supporting cast.

In a season where Miami was ranked as high as #19 in the pre-season polls and had high expectations of not just competing in but possibly winning the ACC for the first time, Canes coach Frank Haith apparently has his hands full in keeping this team focused and on a winning track. 

Miami has lost all three games to ranked opponents: #2 UConn, #19 Ohio State and #25 Clemson.  Losing to UConn is understandable; losing to the Luckeyes in any sport should never be tolerated (sorry Lindsey); and losing at home in your ACC opener is simply unacceptable.

Some Canes fans who also had high hopes for this team and clinged to their quest for glory as the football team faded down the stretch against Georgia Tech and NC State, may now find it a challenge to keep their "Faith in Haith" and his team of hardcourt ballers. 

However, it is a long season and ACC play is just getting started, so we strongly urge fans to keep the faith, go to games and support your Miami Hurricanes. 

We hope to see many of you on January 21 for "Canespace Day at the BUC" as the Canes take on the Noles in another ACC game.  More details to follow later tonight.  GO CANES!!!

Comments

[brevardcane]

first?

[Six]

JUST WENT YARD .. BOOYAH

[Six]

For those who are bored, I will be co-hosting a radio show today, again, from 12pm-3pm on the local ESPN station.

http://sportsradio1470.com/whbo4.asx

That's the link to listen and watch on the radio, they have a webcam in studio I believe.

The show is probably going to center around the Bucs, seeing how I'm in Tampa and the Gruden haters/Gruden lovers will be in full effect today.

If you do watch/listen today for a couple of minutes, I'll be the one probably on the left of your screen ... or ... I'll be the non-white guy. The main guy is a HUGE Canes fan, he usually sits on the right of the screen, he does the majority of the talking.

Like I said though, the 3 hours will probably revolve around whether Gruden should stay or go and all the callers will determine how far we go with it.

[pb(CSROH09)]

So are we getting that stud OL for January?

[86Cane]

Brevard...nice work there on the sneak attack!

Six..good luck on the radio show today, the Gruden haters will be out in FULL force I am sure. I'm out until tomorrow.

Today is my 18th anniversary with Mrs. 86 so I have "other plans"!

See ya and GO CANES!!!

[macjones de albuquerque]

Merry Chrismas y Felice Navidad ( Especially for KARLOS aka deep throat. LOL ) to all.

Some love for fomer Hurricane QB's baby!

When Miami got the drop on Cal for NorCal QBs
Rusty Simmons, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, December 21, 2008

(12-20) 19:06 PST -- When Gino Torretta wanted to come to Cal, its coaches said they'd allow him to walk on. When Ken Dorsey wanted to come to Cal, its coaches had two other guys in mind.

Both opted for Miami with Torretta winning a national championship in 1991 and the Heisman Trophy in 1992 and Dorsey winning the title in 2001 and being a Heisman finalist in '01 and '02.

As the Hurricanes prepare to play the Bears in the Emerald Bowl, the stories of the former NorCal quarterbacks who opted for Miami remind people just how much things have changed.

"If you're a high school quarterback now, why wouldn't you want to go to Cal?" said Torretta, who is from Pinole. "Look at what coach Jeff Tedford has done. You're going to be playing for a winning team that has a balanced offense and puts guys in the pros."

That wasn't always the case.

Cal was 25-20 while Torretta was at Miami, and the Bears went 13-31 when Dorsey, who played at Miramonte High in Orinda, was a Hurricane. As Torretta and Dorsey tell it, even the guys who wanted to stay in Berkeley were sometimes slighted during that span.

Torretta spent many boyhood Saturdays in Strawberry Canyon. When he chose to take his official visits to Washington, Washington State and Miami instead of seeing what he already knew in Berkeley, Cal threatened to pull his scholarship offer.

"They did say I could walk on if I didn't get a different scholarship, though," Torretta said. "It's 100 times different now."

When Torretta visited Miami, the school was celebrating its 1987 national title. He said, "I didn't care where I was. That was where I was going."

Dorsey got little interest from Cal, which already had two quarterback recruits, including Kyle Boller.

"It was just a numbers thing, and I didn't want to be a back-locked," Dorsey said. "A lot of times recruiting is just a coin flip."

He tells stories of top-rated recruits from Florida not stepping on the field at Miami and Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis choosing the Hurricanes because Florida wanted him to play defensive back.

"I can't tell you how many times stuff like that happened," Dorsey said.

When Dorsey attended Cal games as a youth, he said he could move as close as he wanted in the stands behind the end zone and stretch out his legs.

"They're really squished in there now," Dorsey said. "Winning definitely changes everything."

Cal is 58-30 since Tedford arrived in 2002 and has had recruiting classes ranked among the nation's top 25 in four of the last five seasons.

In 2003, that trend was still changing. Monte Vista High-Danville quarterback Kyle Wright, the nation's top-rated pro-style quarterback, chose Miami over Cal.

"He had aspirations of winning a national championship and winning a Heisman Trophy, and we couldn't offer that yet," Tedford said. "We had a good relationship, but there was no way he was coming to Cal.

"It's nice to know we have a chance to keep most of the area's top players now."

Emerald Bowl
Who: Cal (8-4) vs. Miami (7-5)

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: AT&T Park

TV/Radio: ESPN/810

Information/tickets: emeraldbowl.cstv.com

Bowl week highlights
Monday: Teams arrive in San Francisco

Tuesday: Both teams will hold first practices

Thursday: Select players will visit local children's hospital on Christmas Day

Friday: Pep rally at Yerba Buena Gardens, 11 a.m.

[canesteeler]

Six represent the cane nation. 86 happy 18th and may you have 18 more! Very dissappointing performance by the hoop team last night. We cannot deal with full court pressure! Clemson gave a blueprint of what the Canes are going to face the entire season until they show they can deal with full court pressure. OSU did the same thing. I can't understand why we try to break the fill cort press throwing the ball on the wings rather than in the middle of the court.

[86Cane]

Clemson gave a blueprint of what the Canes are going to face the entire season until they show they can deal with full court pressure. OSU did the same thing. I can't understand why we try to break the fill cort press throwing the ball on the wings rather than in the middle of the court.

Posted by: canesteeler | December 22, 2008 at 11:18 AM

U mean like opposing football defenses stacking 8 and 9 in the box and us NOT throwing deep? Yeah, I don't get it either?

Now I'm out, and thanks Canesteeler!

[Canez1]

Six

Got it all hooked up and ready. Good luck bro!!
Tuff to talk about the Yucaneers for three hours!! LOL

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[The U needs A coach]

Congrats 86.

Before marriage, a man yearns for the woman he loves. After marriage, the "y" becomes silent.

[Canez1]

^^^^^

LMFAO!!!!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[DZ8]

Anybody see Beasons intro last night (Panthers/Giants game)?

Damione Lewis did a traditional "from The University of Miami" then Beason said " U already know".

Always individuals within a team concept. That is what makes Miami.

Congrats 86.

[86Cane]

OK dear, I'm logging off, I swear it!

Might not make it to 19...

[Six]

Link to show and webcam inside of studio. I'm the guy on the left of the screen with white Canes hat on. Been nothing but Gruden sucks talk.

http://sportsradio1470.com/whbo4.asx

[Canez1]

Six

Sounds like your boy there is a huge Gruden fan!! LOL

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Esteban]

more turnovers than points and assists combined for Lance Hurdle - ouch!

That's a game to erase from the memory.

[canesteeler]

Esteban, Hurdle at times looks overmatched. He does not handle the ball well.

[Esteban]

he's not a true PG. We only have one true PG and that's Rios. He had a ton of turnovers too. At least he scored some and grabbed rebounds. I think Haith's been too quick to yank Rios though. He's still not where he needs to be, but he's not going to get there getting yanked after a minute on the court like he's been at times.

[Canez1]

Looks like #9 is going to set sail elsewhere.

I don't like it but we need to press on. Remember we are one injury away from having Matt Perelli under center. Not good!!

This is what this QB rotation was done for. To avoid a green QB in the game. I guess RS didn't have this scenario in mind at the beginning of the season.

We are a worse team without RM on it.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Esteban]

for one game.

[Esteban]

and even that is "maybe". Might be a better team without him.

[miamihurricane34]

Canez1, where did you see Marve is gone?

[Canez1]

Este could be. I just don't like the depth issue. That is why we are where we are right now.

Depth at Qb is crucial.

MH34 my ear is always to the ground bro. ;)

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

MH34 you won't see it out there for a while.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Esteban]

Canez1, I agree on the depth being crucial. Just think even more crucial is having your starter be the best QB. Plus I'm sure the spring will be have Cook and Cannon seeing lots of reps. Hopefully we can get some blowouts next year so they can get some PT in the 4th quarter.

[Canez1]

This sets this program back a year. We will see the same QB rotation next year because basically we are in the same boat with no experienced backup.

Sux ballz!!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Esteban]

do you know if Highsmith is going to early enroll?

[Canez1]

I think he is trying but it's not a done deal yet.

That would help out tho.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[pb(CSROH09)]

If true this is very bad news for us.

I wonder if Marve can already apply for a medical redshirt for last year which would still give him three more years of eligibility.

Im very disappointed.

[Esteban]

no rotation next year. its not going to happen. you know part of the rotation thing was trying to keep both Marve and Harris happy. It will be Harris' squad next year. And we'll get more blowouts because of it. So that will be the time for Cook or Cannon to see action. Won't be in the 1st or 2nd quarter though.

[J]

The plan was to keep the status quo until fall practice '09. Everything was done with that to be the end result. Didn't work but cannot fault Coach for the idea.

[The U needs A coach]

The NFL is retarded. They move the phins-jets game to 4:15 and since i live in central florida it's great becasue they always show jacksonville games here. Only one problem, they move the stinking jaguars-ravens game to 4:15 also. I guess after terry porter retired from officiating he went to work for the nfl to find new ways to stick it to the city of miami.

Deep breath, exhale, ingest tequila, I feel better now.

[pre83]

Canez1:

I always appreciate the info you bring...muchas gracias!

BTW, how certain was your source?
Is it all but a done deal?
Do have any idea as to where he is headed? I believe he has to sit a year, correct?

I am not sure of the depth issue. What I mean by that is most every program is in a similar situation. Harris, given the experience/playing time he received this past year puts him ahead of other Freshmen.

I know that the soon-to-be second stringer has not had any playing time, but has Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow's backup played a down this year? The QB position is always a challenge in that regard as it is the one position you rarely see any rotation.

Go Canes!

[Canez1]

I hope your right este, but if you take a look at our schedule it is not going to be easy and I don't see alot of blowouts to be had.

Where would we be now without this rotation? We would be fukd!!

The rotation had to be done.If it is not set before hand then there never turns out to be the right time to get guys play. Especially with a young team.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

The team left for SF today.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/903/F486244.jpg

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Esteban]

we start the season with two blow out wins next year. FAMU and OU.

[miamihurricane34]

It is funny that we tried to play both QB's to keep them happy and we still end up losing one. We would have been better off just playing one QB and giving the a lot of experience. Now we gave Marve more experience so he can transfer elsewhere and beat us, irony at its best.

[Esteban]

is that Jerry?

[Canez1]

Pre there is alot still out there to be learned about the situation.

LOL I love Jerry!!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[j.w.]

canez- anyone else leaving the squad? I agree with you that we're worse off without Marve, but I really don't blame him if he does leave. Are too many bridges burned for him to return?

[hurriphin]

CANEZ1,

I see you don't like the idea of marve leaving, but if its so, aren't we actually just like the majority of other teams in coll. FB:

a team with one QB with (abeit limited) game experience, and a couple others with little to no game experience?

at least jacory does have some experience in pressure situations and such. there was no way that this rotation was gonna work out three or four years anyways. at that rate smith/cook/highsmith still wouldn't have gotten legitimate playing time, and when marve/harris left, we'd still likely end up in this spot. you or anyone else agree?

[Canez1]

JW not sure if the bridges are closed. RS says he doesn't like to give up on kids but this might be out of his hands at this point.

Phin our situation is pretty rare given the only QB's we have available are either walkons or scout players.

Other teams might have a freshman phenom step up but they are usually overtaking an upperclassman or two who have been in the system for several years. That makes a huge difference! You never see a team made up of all freshman and scouters at the most important position on the field. Not on successful teams anyway.

In JH I trust cause I have no choice!! I saw this kid make some great plays right alongside some stupit plays. Just like freshman do.

I think we will learn mor about the Marve situation after the fact. Doesn't add up at face value.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

Phin the rotation was a one year thing with these two to build quality depth overnight.

What wouldve happened if JH just played mop up a few times this year? We would be fukkked. RS handled it the way he felt was right and I stand by that.

We are in better shape today because of the rotation.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Esteban]

rotation was about keeping them happy as much as building depth though. doesn't have to worry about that with Cannon, Cook or Highsmith. Remember we won a title with Sands as the back up. And Crudup played in the championship game with only mop up duty and did okay for a few snaps. For the bowl game we'd be out of luck. But for next season at least the back up will be a talented guy. Just hopefully the new OC won't have him running too much.

[DZ8]

Coker promised the spot to one guy each recruiting class. When that guy bailed on us late we were left with no QBs for that class. Shannon had to rebuild this mess.

His first twenty minutes of recruiting as the Head Coach he gets Robert Marve to committ. The next year he gets Jacory Harris, Cannon Smith and Taylor Cook. We only have a die hard orange 'n green in the vein QB this year in Highsmith from Texas (our 1st recruit for this years class by the way) because the logjam ahead at QB will SCARE the top prospects away. Let things settle down for a year or two and you'll see The Randy has a plan for every position, and that includes the QBs.

Marve stays, great. Marve leaves, so be it. I hope he stays but only if he is 100% committed to the 'Canes. Cook and Smith were solid prospects, we'll make do with them behind Jacory. Just need to coach 'em up.

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Seriously, kids get suspended and such all the time but when Marve fukks up and has to suffer the consequences and his daddy suddenly think it's a four alarm fire, suddenly he's thinking about transferring.

Let him go to TN with Kiffin. Good friggin riddance.

Truth is, he's scared of competition and is NOT a team player off the field.

I'm surprised and very disappointed.

[Canez1]

Este I don't think it was to make anyone happy. IMO RS don't play that way. It was functional in what he was trying to do and that was that. That is why the rotation was planned ahead of time so emotions wouldn't play a part in the substitutions.

Thats the way I see it anyway. I just don't see RS appeasing two freshman about playing time. They would have both been riding the pine at anyother major college and should be thankful they were in a position to see the field and not hold the clipboard all year long.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

DZ8, to me, if Marve leaves it just means Taylor Cook will mature that much faster, and his upside is way, way UP. And truthfully, Marve NEEDS to sit for a year and let things settle down. His brain is helter-skelter far too often.

Wouldn't it be funny if he leaves, Taylor steps into the #2 slot, and becomes a solid #2, as good as Marve?? haha

To me, ALL of them need to sit but we don't have that luxury.

Someone tell me why Taylor Cook didn't have a problem sitting and learning and waiting his turn but Mr. Football #1 can't seem to stomach the idea??

ASSUMING he can't beat Jacory for the starting spot, of course.

[Esteban]

Shannon promised Jacory playing time. That's been reported. Might have done the same with Marve, but Marve's injury delayed when that would happen. So just happens to happen at the same time. Promises that he keeps unlike what some other coaches might do.