So, How U Like Me Now?

This article was written by Mepistopheles who, when not tormenting poor lost Gator, Seminole, Irish or Buckeye souls, is one of our many resident baseball experts.  Canespace covers baseball like no other site.  Here is the feature:

 

Isn’t funny how in sports, trends that emerge early in a campaign often become a lasting theme throughout the season?  This year’s Hurricane baseball squad has become the latest incarnation of the Cardiac Kids, with their 12th come-from behind victory in just 22 games played last Sunday.  They have also, very quietly, moved solidly into the top 10 in the NCAA, and are in good position to challenge in arguably the toughest division, in the toughest conference in America.

 

Now for those of us in the glass-half-full constituency, this shows signs of the development of a youthful, but talented team, and bodes well for future seeding in the NCAA tournament.  For some of the more critical among us, this may be a sign that the team is not very good, and is heading for a losing avalanche once the breaks tend to go against them.  To be honest, the novelty of this team precludes any convincing prognostications, but the stats warrant at least a measure of optimism.

 

In spite of their loss to Ohio State tonight, Miami is currently battling with the Fullerton Titans for the top spot in the collegiate baseball RPI, largely due to the strength of their schedule and conference.  Not only has Miami won 5 of 6 on the road against top 15 teams, but 3 of the top 4, and 4 of the top 10 in the RPI reside not only in UM’s Conference, but their Division.  Miami’s 2.91 ERA, and gaudy .216 opponents BA is impressive under any circumstances in college baseball, but it is especially strong when seen through the prism of their schedule, and a shockingly sloppy defense. 

 

While a Sunday starter has been hard to come by, the staff overall is quite deep, and with the quinella of Rudman and Bellamy as the final act, UM can turn most games into a 6 inning affair for its opponents. 

 

As I mentioned last season, most college baseball games are decided between the 5th and 8th innings, where a team’s pitching depth is revealed.  UM is outscoring the opposition 91 to 36 in that pivotal time this season.  By comparison, last year’s mighty Canes outscored opponents 247 to 123 during that stretch, a slightly lesser percentage.

 

The offense has been inconsistent, but that was expected with the loss of such great talent in the off-season.  The power numbers are surprisingly sound (to me anyway) and a modest .309 batting average is offset somewhat by a solid .405 on base average.  The strike out/walk ratio is uncomfortably high, and the relatively soft scoring early is a concern, but they are indicative of a young team-as these Canes no doubt are. 

 

They have done a nice job with 2 out RBI, but I’m a little disappointed with the lack of a running game, and poor fielding defense.  However, if the pitching holds up, their scoring average of more than 7 runs per game should allow them to contend for the ACC crown. 

 

Another concern for me is the conspicuous absence of Jason Santana this weekend.  He has been terrific each of his 3 seasons, but in the previous 2 he had his year cut short by injury.  Hopefully there is no nefarious reason for him sitting out this weekend because having a versatile arm like that in the post-season could be a real difference maker.  He can come into any situation, whether to start a game, middle relief, righty or lefty, men on base, etc. and would be a huge loss if unavailable.

 

As we get into the meat of the ACC schedule, we’ll see if these Canes are ready to challenge, or if they need a little more seasoning.  Fan support never hurts, so you local cats should make your way over to “The Light” (it will always just be The Light to me) and make some noise.  The next two weekends are home against GT and FSU. 

 

Don’t let the Seminoles’ early struggles fool you-they’ll be a tough out for these Canes.  Here’s hoping this trend of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat continues, and is a sign of good things to come.    

 

Nether yours, Mephistopheles. 

Comments

[Old Skool]

Bamo

[86Cane]

Nice work Skool. U managed to block out the mutton-head SoilerPants from being FIRST! For that I respect U!!!

[Drtycane]

2nd lol

[SoilerPants]

I was waiting for bg actually

pest

[Old Skool]

Mutton-headed?. That's a new one for me.
Solar ... sheepish Hmm I don't think so.

Pig headed, bull-headed, chicken necked
Hog jowled, pig footed, lily livered,

What would be a butcher's description of Solar?

I know. He writes tripe. Why not cow stomached?

[solarcane]

thanks skool,
way to have my back... I think?

peace

[86Cane]

Skool: Yeah, pig-footed, chicken-necked, cow-stomached...I think that fits.

He never shows up for events, I can tell U that. SLACKER 4 sure!

[Drtycane]

Ramon Buchanan worked as the first team WLB today ahead of Kylan Robinson and Jordan Futch.

How did he work his way up to the first team?

"I've been practicing hard, doing what I have to do," Buchanan said.

Buchanan initially came into Miami as a DB.

"I'm pretty comfortable - I know most of it because I played it in high school," Buchanan said.
----------

* Javarris James worked on the side with the injured players today and appeared to move around well. At one point trainers were working on his side.

UM confirmed he will not be ready in time to participate in the Spring Game. There is no information available as to the nature of his injury.
----------

* WR LaRon Byrd says the receivers understand 90-95 percent of new coordinator Mark Whipple's offense.

"I study my playbook extra hard day and night, and so do all the other receivers and the quarterback," Byrd said. "The offense as a whole, we have at least 90 percent of the playbook down."

The biggest difference in the offense from last year?

"It's more complex," Byrd said. "You've got an NFL style playbook coming in. Last year was more college-based. So there's a lot of new terminology you have to get used to. A lot of us weren't used to it. This spring we got it under our belts, feel comfortable with anything coming at us now."

Byrd says he's working most on his footwork and coming out of his breaks.

"I think I got better this year, this part of the season, than I did in the fall - I have more experience," Byrd said.
----------

* CB Demarcus Van Dyke says the team's goal this final week of the spring is "to tune up things and have a good spring game on Saturday."

Of the spring game, Van Dyke said, "The defense won last year, and we're trying to defend our crown. We're trying to win this year again."

Van Dyke also spoke about Vaughn Telemaque, who is working with the first team.

"He's a ball hawk at safety," Van Dyke said. "He can play the hash, can help you."
----------

* Adewale Ojomo had a cast on his right wrist and participated on a limited basis.
----------

* Allen Bailey worked in individual drills but did not participate in 11-on-11 work.

Josh Holmes worked in as a first team defensive tackle along with Joe Joseph and Marcus Forston.

"As of right now I was with the ones today - I'm doing well," Holmes said. "I have to just focus on the little things, get better."
----------

* WR Leonard Hankerson has struggled with some dropped passes this spring - "It's not looking it in," he says.

Hankerson hopes this will be his year to shine. He has been working in as a first-teamer.

"I'm just trying to come out and do what I have to do to help the team so we can all win," Hankerson said. "Me being the leader of the receiver corps, the oldest, I have to keep working hard."

Asked to assess his first two years at Miami, Hankerson said, "Not good enough. I don't think I worked hard enough my first two years when I first got here, so I'm trying to work as hard as I can now.

"When I first got here I thought it was going to be easy to play with natural talent."

He says he doesn't have a highlight moment from his time at UM yet.

But he hopes to have one soon.
----------

* Highlights of today's 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work (the team practiced in shorts):

- In 11-on-11 work Jacory Harris threw a long bomb for a score to Aldarius Johnson with Demarcus Van Dyke in coverage. It was a perfectly placed throw. Harris also threw a 10-yard TD to Tommy Streeter with Brandon Harris covering. Travis Benjamin beat Chavez Grant for a long TD but dropped the ball in the end zone. Jared Campbell had a sack on a blitz. At one point Richard Gordon caught passes on three straight throws from Taylor Cook.

The play of the day: Mike James managed to out-fight Joseph Nicolas for a pass, securing the ball and running 25 yards for a touchdown.

- In 7-on-7's Harris found Leonard Hankerson for a seven-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone, and Hankerson also had a nice fingertip grab on the left side for a 20 yard gain. On defense Arthur Brown intercepted a Cannon Smith pass over the middle and Ramon Buchanon broke up a pass intended for Kendal Thompkins. Harris was intercepted by CJ Holton on a short pass that was off target.

- In 3-on-3 DB vs. WR work Sam Shields intercepted Smith but was beaten by LaRon Byrd on another play - Byrd made a nice diving 15-yard grab. Aldarius Johnson beat Randy Phillips for a score.
----------

* Randy Shannon gave the team a spirited talking-to midway through drills, urging them to "get better every day." The team ran sprints after that before returning to work.

The Hurricanes took the practice field for the first time since before spring break. We were there for all the action. Read on to see the latest injury report, which player will now miss the spring game, who had strong days, and much more.

* Baby J is out for the spring game with an undisclosed injury.

* Helmets and shorts, no pads.

* Romeo Davis and Khalil Jones were among those watching.

* Injured players were Baby J, Dedrick Epps, Joel Figueroa (dressed with no sling and was a halfway participant), and Colin McCarthy. Eric Moncur participated in individual stuff but didnt do any of the team stuff.

* Back from injury: Tommy Streeter

* Adewale Ojomo had a cast on his right arm but participated in individual drills today.

* Matt Bosher did some punting today.

* No players were missing from practice today.

* South Plantation's high school team was there. Stephen Plein was there, again.
--------------------

* Depth chart changes (all else remains the same as before) -- 1st team DTs were Josh Holmes and Joe Joseph. Marcus Forston came in towards the end and replaced Joseph on the first team. 1st two WR's in were Leonard Hankerson and Laron Byrd but all the receivers were rotating in and out. The next 2 were Aldarius Johnson and Streeter. 2nd team LB's were CJ Holton, Arthur Brown, and Jordan Futch. The first team LBs were Ramon Buchanan, Sean Spence, and DJ Sharpton. That means Kylan Robinson has fallen from first to third team. Olivier Vernon was starting at right defensive end today. The 2nd team ends were Steven Wesley and Andrew Smith. Allen Bailey wasnt on today's two-deep. The DB's rotated quite a bit. DVD, Vaughn Telemaque and Randy Phillips were the staples. Brandon Harris and Sam Shields rotated. Chavez Grant was again the nickle. 2nd team nickle was Phillips. The 4-man rotation returning punts was Graig Cooper, Thearon Collier, Travis Benjamin, and DVD.
----------------------

*Highlights (no contact without pads): skeleton drill (7on7) -- Cannon Smith threw a couple picks to Ryan Hill and Shields. The receivers had a pretty average day catching the ball. They had a case of the drops today. Smith threw a couple nice balls to A. Johnson and Byrd in the endzone and both were dropped.

* Jacory was leading a separate 7on7 that was blocked from the media. CJ Holton did have a pick on Harris in that drill.

* 11-on-11 highlights include...

* Harris threw a 70 yard touchdown to A. Johnson on a post route.

* Harris hit Kendal Thompkins (beat Grant) for a 30 yard gain.

* Benjamin beat Grant deep, perfectly placed ball by Harris, Benjamin dropped it.

* Streeter caught a touchdown with Harris in coverage.

* The final series was a 2-minute drill. Mike James caught a short pass after he tipped the ball to himself, and scored from 25 yards out.

[Drtycane]

Coach was on 560 this a.m. with Joe Rose and was giving props to Olivier Vernon ....could be another diamond in the ruff!!
Go Canes

[86Cane]

"In 11-on-11 work Jacory Harris threw a long bomb for a score to Aldarius Johnson with Demarcus Van Dyke in coverage."

Tee hee...

[Drtycane]

CJ "Hitstick" Holton idolizes S.Taylor....

[canechic]

Gaturds lose!

[Drtycane]

question for truth, bg or soup...you think out defense is still that slow..or is our WR's that freaking nasty, or both WTF>? lol

loving this quote from The Byrdman:
"It's more complex," Byrd said. "You've got an NFL style playbook coming in. Last year was more college-based. So there's a lot of new terminology you have to get used to. A lot of us weren't used to it. This spring we got it under our belts, feel comfortable with anything coming at us now."
Bryce Brown, Robert Marve thanks for the memories

[Canefantasy]

Wow!! I love the smell of football on a nice day like today. This is going to be a glorious year. GO CANES!

[The Truth]

The WR's are that nasty.

The CB are better I have to admit. But...

I was surprised to see a few players out there. I guess theirs will come in the fall ala Marve.

DVD is much improved. Moves better too. The kid is coming around and just in time too.

Half of my legends of the fall may have taken well to a shrink or something cuz Hank seems to be holding onto the ball...if that kid can come through...watch out!! He's the real deal. Great size and speed and the best routs hands down. But it's those hands.,.and that mind of his.

[The Truth]

...but that OL...

Oh boy...

:-(

[solarcane]

GT baseball just lost, we are OK

peace

[Drtycane]

i think with the additions of Jermaine Johnson and Brandon Washington....we will be okay...our Center thats gonna be a test....just from what i have been reading....

[The Truth]

Gents I worry it'll be a real long sept.

That OL is pitiful in my book. Mongolian clusterf@ck personified.

I keep hearing that THIS group is gonna "gel" and they better cuz for the love of god they are awful.

The CB's...talent is there. They're going to have go old school the first couple of games cuz they're depth just isn't there.

The DL is going to really have to bring it and really get after the QB. The best pass defense is a pass rush and Miami is going to need it.

[solarcane]

I was listening to a couple newsbites on GT football today.

The players think they finally have a full grasp of the offense for the first time and will be able to run it correctly this season.

That's great news

peace

[The Truth]

Washington is not ready. Yet.

Big fing kid though. He can help if the light comes in cuz he's a tough sob.

[Canefantasy]

Truth should we bring Kohoe back to help out with the offensive line.ha lol

[Esteban]

Truth, what's RT looking like? Cringe worthy?

[The Truth]

Solar

Watching Discovery...

You got a Russian boar problem? Sounds scary. I'll bring the Vodka. We'll take care of it...

[The Truth]

Este

For me, they ALL look sloppy at one point or another. Gunn is tough. You know what you are getting at LT...but they just don't have it together.

There's some switching so we gotta hope once they decide on 5 they'll gel. There is more depth but if they look like crap...?

For me, this is the biggest unknown.

[The Truth]

They're all cringe worthy..."LOL

[The Truth]

Kehoe, the guy there before 2003??!!

YES. Even if I don't think he's as great as a lot of you think.

Kehoe, the guy 2003 and beyond??!!

Nyet.

Bring back Solinger??!!

Absofrickenlutely!!!

Just don't set him out on the road...same with Kehoe.

[solarcane]

wad up Truth,
I been catching pure hell from
Charlie 86Brown.

soup's become an even more pompous ass every since Andre Johnson let him hold his hammer at the foundation project.

peace

[The Truth]

You know the kid from "So I married an axe murderer?"

-insert Scottish accent here-

"head. Paper. Now!!" "That head looks like an orange on a toothpick!!"

'night all.

[texascane]

2003, 2004, 2005

29-8...Got Kehoe, Werner, Hargreaves and Sol fired

2006,2007, 2008

19-19...I guess they fired the wrong group.

[canesluvr]

Truth, real quick, why was Hargraves fired? I thought the LB's were real good, with the exception of '04, when they were real young. Did he not get along with Shannon. Honestly, the LB's haven't been the same since he left. Of course you're replacing Rocky McIntosh, Vilma and DJ with Cook and Romeo Davis.

[CaneWarrior]

86,
The new banner looks great! Congrats.

[Calvin]

I love hearing how laron byrd has been watching film, but not just any film, read below:
Receiver LaRon Byrd is also a good sign. He's been studying a lot of game film. Not just any game film, though, vintage Miami film.

He went on to say you get the best of both worlds at UM as far aas when you want to study how the great receivers do it, and than when you go to look at film, it's being done by guys who sat where they are sitting now and still comeback to give them pointers.

I see the o-line is not getting any love right now, but just like the db's have to go up against this wide receiver group(best in the nation) the o-line has to go up againt this d-line(possibly best in the nation). That'll help them grow for sure, to what extent, we'll see, but we do have alot more talent on the o-line, if they can just get the physical and mental part down pat, we'll be straight soon. If all else fails, where's youngblood, would've been good if he had that redshirt for security purposes.

At the same time, somebody'll just have to step their game up, PRIDE!

[86Cane]

Off to Fort Myers, long day, see U all after 3 PM. Soiler....behave!

[DATcane]

Anyone have a link besides youtube for Canes highlights? Firewall blocks youtube here at work.

[The Truth]

LOL Texas

LOL

LOL

LOL

Because Ole Miss sure did take flight just the second Werner and Kehoe arrived in Oxford!!!!

I'm sure THEY were the most instrumental parts of those 7 - SEVEN - glorious victories. Especially 2007 when they orchestrated 3 such monumental victories against Football powerhouses Memphis, La Tech and my peronal favorite Northwestern State winning that game 38-31 scoring the most points in that game since 2004!!!

Werner and AssHC must have been SO proud.

Stop Texas...just stop. If you take a deep breath and really listen to what I'm saying you'll understand that I'm not "bashing" Kehoe.

He made a calculated couple of moves preceded by some pretty childish behaviors that not only was detrimental to the program but got him fired.

And he deserved it.

Was it a mistake? Yes. Do I think he's the reason Miami football fell so far? NO I DO NOT.

But he did help. I'm sure he thought he was doing the right things. I'm sure he meant well. But he was both immature about his actions and neglegent of his responsibilities to the 100 or so players that needed a leader. Leaders don't behave in that manner. They ALL knew Coker wasn't leading them...

I think this blind loyalty to a length of service is admirable but sometimes people over step their bounds when they get too Cozy. Please stop bringing silly records to the table to establish the misconception they were all doing a bang up job.

They weren't. The writing was on the wall and it was plain as day that Miami football had fallen far far away after LSU ripped us a new a*s.

No Miami team should lose 40-3. Especially with the kids on that roster. That team laid down and died because of the turmoil they were surrounded in because those "men" that were supposed to be leading them were action like a bunch of women.

Period.

It's enough already with the high and mighty praise. They all sucked at the end. They all helped in their own ways to let Miami fall. They had a piss poor leader of a program in Coker but for guys like Kehoe and Sol that shouldn't have mattered.

[JC]

Truth,

Is the OL that far behind (bad) or the DL that Far ahead (good)?

Or is it in the middle?

JC

[Alex]

Truth,

What exactly did happen in there? I'm very intrigued.

[DATcane]

The oline is going to be poor, hope Jacory doesnt break!

[DZ8]

Kylan Robinson 3rd team! Dam

It was fun while it lasted.

[canechic]

let us take a moment of silence for the gayturds:

A depleted Gators team walked slowly, together off the O'Connell Center court, wondering what happened to a season bursting with expectations. Florida hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since back-to-back titles in 2006-07.

The violin begins to play!

GO CANES!!!!!!!

[canechic]

I also found these little tidbits about their great Coach from bloggers:

Billy Donovan
Orlando, FL
|#10 1 hr ago
Thanks for all of the cash Gator fans I feel that I have earned it with the past two years with impressive NIT runs. Next year I will push the team to achieve the very difficult NIT three-peat.
Nicolas Naranja
Gainesville, FL
1 hr ago
We had a good run, I just hope that the boosters and alumni don't start asking for Donovan's head. He has been a good coach that brought Florida from obscurity to national contender. We just need some talent.

[CanesgirlNC]

Talent solves lots of problems....

[Aqua]

Didn't he just explain what happened?

[Canez1]

Good economic news updates....

Dow up 151 pts.

New home sales up for the second straight month.....

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

T stop wasting your time.

TC and co. are just not getting it..

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[canesteeler]

it is a great day anytime any Gator team loses!

[texascane]

I have not posted about Kehoe except in response to cheap shots taken by others. You guys brought it up yesterday...not me. you keep taking the shots, I will keep responding.

You think Nutt won with his players at Ole Miss last year? Same thing you guys say about Coker...won with Butch's players. Who set the table? Why is Michael Oher taking Kehoe to Draft Day? Why not Nutt's OL coach?

Why are Canes4Life making Kehoe the first recipient of their award? These are the players. I put a lot more stock in what they say about Art than a bunch of "insiders".

[texascane]

I have not posted about Kehoe except in response to cheap shots taken by others. You guys brought it up yesterday...not me. you keep taking the shots, I will keep responding.

You think Nutt won with his players at Ole Miss last year? Same thing you guys say about Coker...won with Butch's players. Who set the table? Why is Michael Oher taking Kehoe to Draft Day? Why not Nutt's OL coach?

Why are Canes4Life making Kehoe the first recipient of their award? These are the players. I put a lot more stock in what they say about Art than a bunch of "insiders".

[canechic]

Canez 1 good sign for buyers but not good news for Sellers trying to sell since sales prices are so low. But as I say they should never have been that high!

Does that $8,000 have to be paid back like the $7,500 credit from Gov.? Because if not that is a great deal if you get an FHA loan. Get a gift letter for $8,000 buy yourself a $100,000 home that last year was $250,000 and you got yourself a good deal. Hopefully you are in a good job field and you can keep your job!

It is nice to have some good economic news for a change!

Go Canes!