Meet Me In The Parking Lot

As I have told you time and again on this blog, the Canespace rules are: (1) You have to show up; (2) You have to stay to the end; (3) You can't by shy.  If you follow these rule good things and good luck are bound to find you sooner or later.  Saturday was once again one of those times.

After the Spring game had ended and the fans tried to make their way out of the Stadium the traffic was absolutely horrendous.  So rather than trying to fight it, I decided to spend some time talking some Canes and some trash with Canespacer Cat5 (Ron) in the parking lot.  Little did I know at the time that this would turn out to be one of the best decisions I had ever made. 

As Ron and I stood in the parking lot discussing his latest ideas on how and why I should improve and expand the blog we were soon joined by two other fans who arrived at their car that was parked next to ours. 

One of the guys, seeing Ron with his trademark Budweiser in hand, asked if he could borrow some ice.  As we gave him some ice and a Canespace card and told him about the site we talked and became friends. 

Then he introduced himself.  Turns out our new friend just happened to be Sam Shields' father [who is seen above with Canespacers Cat5 (L) and 86Cane (R)].  We shared a beverage, chatted a while and the questions came naturally as did the candid responses.  Here is our conversation...

Cat5: So how does Sam feel about moving from wide receiver to defensive back?

Mr. Shields: He says he feels like a kid in a playground!  He really likes it.  Sam has played offense all his life so moving to DB was a big change.  But now he says he can read and react; there is less thinking involved. 

Sam (seen here with Ryan Hill signing the now famous Canespace limited edition ST#26 T-shirt) told me that he feels that it allows him up to use his athletic ability and make plays.  And if he gets the ball on defense, he's gone, trust me, he's gone (for a pick six)!

86Cane: How did you feel about the position change?

Mr. Shields: Coach Shannon called me after he talked to Sam about it (the position change).  He asked me what I thought about it and I told him: "If Sam thinks it's OK, if he wants to do it, then it's OK by me." I told Coach Shannon that Sam would probably play Center if you asked him to (laughter all around).  He just wants to play and be on the field and contribute to the team.

86Cane: Sam and Shannon have not always seen eye to eye.  How is their relationship now?

Mr. Shields: Shannon is a serious guy.  Coach Coker was much nore relaxed in the way he treated players and ran the team.  I used to joke with Susan at The Miami Herald to ask Shannon if there was a door to get out his dog house.  Because once Sam got in there he could never seem to get out.  Shannon doesn't forget or let things go easily.  That's not a criticism, he's just that way.

86Cane: Sam came in with such high expectations.  Do you feel he got a fair shot or that maybe Shannon may have been to hard on Sam?

Mr. Shields: No, that's not it at all.  Listen, don't get me wrong, I respect Coach Shannon and understand what he is trying to get done at Miami.  I am a fan of the Hurricanes, partly because of Sam, but I have always liked the Canes and I want to see them win and do well.  But I don't think the image that some people got of Sam was accurate.  Shannon is a good coach but Sam is also good kid and I want people to know that.   I won't deny that there were some issues between Sam and Coach Shannon during his first two years at UM but we feel that's in the past.  We're moving forward. 

86Cane: So does Sam think he has a chance to play or possibly even start at CB this season?

Mr. Shields: Sam told me he is confident that he will get a fair shot at CB and he plans to make the most of his opportunity.  I'll tell you this, he's excited again about playing football.  The position change may actually help him later on because the more versatile you are the more chances you have to make an impression (on NFL coaches).  Coaches want to know that you can do more than one thing and contribute on special teams too (to increase the chance of getting drafted).

Cat5: We all know that Sam has the speed and talent, but tell us what we don't know about Sam?

Mr. Shields: I never played football, but I was a pretty good basketball player.  I wanted Sam to play basketball but he wasn't really good at it.  He would steal the ball and then miss the easy layup.  He was so fast he'd run up on the basket too fast and the ball would bounce off the backboard.  So he switched to football and that was his sport. He was always good at football from the first day he stepped on the field.  On the football filed, his speed was always his advantage.

As our conversation ended we said goodbye we provided our new friends some Canespace T-shirts and watched them drive away.  Cat5 and I looked at each other with some sense of disbelief that we had such and rare and unique opportunity to get a candid, exclusive interview with a player's father. 

But that only lasted for a few minutes until our next visitor walked up.  Then we immediately started our next interview with WQAM radio personality and UM color comentator Don Bailey. 

Yeah, I know what you are thinking, but no, I am not making this up!  We talked with Bailey for about twenty minutes and even got him to make a 2009 season prediction, talk about national championships and select his Legends of the Fall for Canespace. 

But that was only until the cheerleaders arrived.  And yeah, we have the pictures to prove it... 

Comments

[solarcane]

ss9

[DZ8]

2

[Not-so-Sane Cane]

1st...not

[SOUP]

Solar...when U recieve you package in the mail U will be one HAPPY camper!

GO CANES!

[solarcane]

Mr Sheilds sounds like a staight up guy.
Respects Shannon, and defends his son, i like that.

Nice stuff again Soup, and you too Cat-Man!

top right photo always cool!

peace

[solarcane]

Thanks soup, I know I rag you unmercifully on here but its pure brotherly love

peace

[DZ8]

Awesome!

Great stuff. I'll be rooting harder for SS this year. Going to be a fun year. Anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Shannons comments about SS made me think that he has put himself in a position to possibly earn a starting spot this fall. At least to see the field for meaningfull moments. If everything breaks right we have depth at cornerback.

Gimme some more Kool Aid.

[SOUP]

Gimme some more Kool Aid.

Posted by: DZ8 | March 30, 2009 at 08:11 PM

We have cherry, grape and a fresh made batch or orange. Do U have a preference?

[LaRon Byrds #1 Fan]

Bragging time boys

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=An3Jg62l_Fgty0c2hzoYJ4fhMMQF?slug=cr-footballfactories031609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[LaRon Byrds #1 Fan]

Show that article to every recruit that is thinking about going to Florida, there 9th and The U is 1st.

[SuperCooper]

LOL, Bryce got kicked out of the locker room by Orlando Franklin. Good stuff.

[SOUP]

Solar...U had to be there, really.

So I'm standing there with Cat5, who is always full of ideas, Budweiser and the stuff that usually hits the fan, but he's really a great guy and fun to talk to.

First he blocks Gary Ferman's car to let OcalaCane get out and into the flow of traffic to go to the after party in NMB. Gary looks over at me and I just throw up my hands as if to say "What can I do?"

Then Cat and I make friends with the two gentelmen who walk up and we have no idea who they are we are just being Canes fans and promoting Canespace (business cards in hand).

Next thing you know we are talking and laughing and shift into full interview mode and we can't believe our luck. Right place, right time. Mr. Shields is a stand up guy. And he now wears Canespace!

Cat5 and I are rooting BIG time for Sam to do well. In fact he is now under consideration for my Legend of the Fall.

[canezilla]

just joking thanks for the shirt soup

[solarcane]

CFN on the ACC

The Top 5 Players Who Need A Big Spring
1. Jacory Harris, QB Miami
2. Willy Korn, QB Clemson
3. Dominique Davis, QB Boston College
4. Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech
5. Greg Little, WR North Carolina

The Top 5 Position Concerns/Battles
1. Virginia Tech linebacker
2. Virginia quarterback
3. Boston College defensive tackle
4. Miami defensive back
5. Wake Forest linebacker

The 5 Biggest ACC Spring Storylines
1. Is Virginia Tech going to find more offensive firepower now that the defense needs some rebuilding?
2. Is Christian Ponder the quarterback Florida State can count on for a full season?
3. The emergence of Russell Wilson as more of a leader and playmaker for NC State.
4. The Georgia Tech offensive line. Can it overcome a rocky year to be a positive?
5. Dabo Swinney. Was the end of 2008 a mirage for Clemson? Was Swinney really the right choice?

The Spring ACC Team Rankings
1. North Carolina
2. Georgia Tech
3. Clemson
4. Virginia Tech
5. Miami
6. Boston College
7. Florida State
8. NC State
9. Virginia
10. Wake Forest
11. Maryland
12. Duke

The Pre-Spring Call For Player Of The Year
1. Jonathan Dwyer, RB Georgia Tech
2. Mark Herzlich, LB Boston College
3. Tyrod Taylor, QB Virginia Tech
4. C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson
5. Alex Wujciak, LB Maryland

peace

[SOUP]

Zilla...don't do stuff like that, my heart stopped! Now, give me shirt back. Just kidding...

[solarcane]

the top ten non conference games for 2009

10. BYU vs. Oklahoma (in Arlington), Sept. 5
It’s an interesting season opener to see exactly where the two teams are at as they dive into promising seasons. Oklahoma will likely be everyone’s preseason No. 3 (behind Florida and Texas) or will at least be in the top five, while BYU will look to erase memories of a rough end of 2008 with losses to Utah and Arizona. Can the Sooners put up 60+ points on the board to get the ball rolling again after the fun was interrupted by Florida? Can BYU’s high-octane offense keep up the pace? There will be plenty to analyze.

9. Georgia at Georgia Tech, Nov. 28
Chan Gailey had a successful run as the head coach of Georgia Tech, but he struggled against Georgia hastening his firing. The Dawgs had won seven straight in the rivalry, and then came Paul Johnson and his option attack. One thrilling 45-42 win later, it’s game on. Now the Yellow Jackets should know what they’re doing on offense, and now the Dawgs will have to work on preparing for it even though the SEC season ends for them the week before against Kentucky. Georgia Tech closes out its ACC regular season with a date at Duke, and then it gets two weeks off to rest up and prepare for the showdown.

8. Nebraska at Virginia Tech, Sept. 19
Last year’s battle between the two was a fun 35-30 Virginia Tech win that flew slightly under the radar. It was a bit of a coming-of-age moment for Hokie QB Tyrod Taylor and it was a fantastic road win in what turned out to be a strong non-conference showing for the ACC. The Hokies start out the season against Alabama and kick off the conference slate after the visit from the Huskers against Miami. Nebraska is looking for the same type of big, impressive non-conference road win in year two of the Bo Pelini era after closing out last season with four straight wins including a thrilling Gator Bowl victory over Clemson. This is the first test of the year after starting out against Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State from the Sun Belt.

7. Oregon at Boise State, Sept. 5
Did Boise State catch Oregon at just the right time, when the Ducks were trying to find its footing after injury problems, or was the 37-32 Bronco win in Autzen Stadium really an indicator of how things are changing? Before the bowl games, the Pac 10 took a hit in the PR department because of losses like this, and now Oregon has to make amends on the blue turf. It’s the season-opener for a Duck team that was scorching-hot to close out 2008, but there’s plenty of turnover in key areas. Boise State is loaded and is more than good enough to win this game, and if it does, it’ll be a hit for the Pac 10, considering Oregon is supposed to be the league’s second best team. On the flip side, Boise State has the national respect at this point to make it a great road win for the Ducks if they can pull if off. It’s the second meeting between the two schools.

6. Oklahoma at Miami, Oct. 3
In 2007, Miami found out just how far it had to go to be among the elite again after being embarrassed 51-13 in Norman. This year, “Da U” will see this as its national breakout game, but it has a lot of work to do, A LOT of work to do, beforehand with at Florida State, Georgia Tech, and at Virginia Tech to open up the season. Oklahoma has lost its last two games played in Miami, the national title game against Florida last year and the 2005 Orange Bowl, the national championship, against USC, but it was also the site of the national championship win over Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl. The Sooners will have to deal with BYU to start out the year, but games against Idaho State and Tulsa should get them ready for the Canes.

5. Florida State at Florida, Nov. 28
Florida has won five straight in the series with blowouts in the last two, and Florida State, at the end of the year, has to prove that the gap has closed between the two programs. Considering the league the Gators play in, the schedule isn’t all that bad with one brutal road date (LSU). With Georgia rebuilding a bit and no Alabama or Ole Miss from the West on the schedule, it’s all there for yet another run to the national title, or at least the SEC title game. Florida State might have a hard time screwing up the Gator BCS title hopes if everything is humming for the defending champs, but it’ll be the key late November game that everyone will be watching. If nothing else, this might be a key final argument for Tim Tebow in the Heisman race.

4. USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 17
Simply put, this game will all but define the future of Notre Dame football. The schedule isn’t all that bad, even with all the big names on it, so there’s no real reason the Irish can’t be 4-1, or even 5-0 if they can get by Michigan State, before hosting the mighty Trojans. USC will still be rebuilding a bit, so if Notre Dame ever wanted to come up with the upset in the series, this would be the time. Since the Bush Push game of 2005, USC has beaten Notre Dame by a combined score of 120 to 27 in the last three meetings. The games weren’t even that close, including the nightmare of last year’s 38-0 win when the Irish couldn’t get a first down until midway through the second half. USC will have a revenge game against Oregon State the week after.

3. Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (in Atlanta), Sept. 5
Last year, Clemson came into Atlanta as the hot team of the preseason before Alabama changed that around. This year, the Tide will be looking to erase memories of the Sugar Bowl loss to Utah by beating up Virginia Tech, the two-time defending ACC champion and Orange Bowl winner. The Hokies have had some fantastic moments in the Frank Beamer era, but for all the great things they done and for all the wins, they need to win this game to show the world that the ACC really might be emerging in the discussion of the best BCS conferences. Alabama will take the following few weeks off with FIU and North Texas coming to town for the Sun Belt Invitational, while this game starts off an interesting September for the Hokies with home games against Marshall, Nebraska, and Miami to follow.

2. Georgia at Oklahoma State, Sept. 5
This is a BCS caliber game to kick off the year, and it’ll be the type of game that fans of the two power conferences will point to all season long. The bowls weren’t kind to the Big 12, especially against the SEC, with Texas Tech losing to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl and Oklahoma losing the national title to Florida. Oklahoma State was stunned by Oregon in the Holiday Bowl in a game that got the message board debates rolling. This is a big chance to make amends. Oklahoma State gets almost everyone back from the nation’s No. 6 offense, while Georgia has to replace Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, and just enough parts to be the underdog. If OSU really is a top ten team, this is a game it has to win. If Georgia wins, get ready for the SEC chest-thumping to be deafening.

1. USC at Ohio State, Sept. 12
It’s the Rose Bowl that still has yet to happen in the Jim Tressel/Pete Carroll era. Last year, Beanie Wells was out injured and the Ohio State coaches appeared to be the only people in America who didn’t know that Terrelle Pryor was the better full-time quarterback option as USC came up with a 35-3 pasting of the Buckeyes. This year, USC is reloading on defense while Ohio State is a major overhaul to deal with. Even so, the Buckeyes have to view this game as a chance to redefine the program. Once the biggest bad boy on the block when it came to the big games, now the Ohio State University has become the big dud when it comes to prime time (with Oklahoma pushing hard for the honor). USC is the preeminent big game team in college football, especially on the road, and a win in Columbus would only strengthen the brilliant reputation. The Trojans kick off Pac 10 play the following week at Washington, while OSU, or tOSU to its fans, get to play Toledo.

peace

[solarcane]

and the next ten

20. Florida State vs. BYU, Sept. 19
BYU has some face-saving to do after the problems at the end of last year, and that’s not going to happen with the season-opener at Oklahoma. It’ll be statement time a few weeks later when Florida State, who has never been afraid to go anywhere, comes to Provo. This will be a big game for the Mountain West, and a bigger game for BYU. The Noles will start out the season against Miami and get a layup against Jacksonville State before making the trip to Utah, and if their pass rush is as deadly as ever, they could come away with a nice non-conference win.

19. Michigan State at Notre Dame, Sept. 19
The Spartans dominated the last two meetings between the two, but this was a blast of a showdown from 2000 to 2006 with all seven games decided by a touchdown or less. The Irish have a sneaky-tough opener against Nevada before dealing with a Michigan team that’ll desperately need the win. If Charlie Weis and company can get to 2-0, Michigan State might be the only real barrier to 5-0 with Purdue and Washington to follow before the USC showdown. MSU might need to do some tuning up, and it’ll get the time with Montana State and Central Michigan coming to East Lansing before the trip to South Bend.

18. TCU at Clemson, Sept. 26
Be careful, Clemson. The Tigers might not have their full focus on the always dangerous Horned Frogs after diving knee-deep into conference play with games against Georgia Tech and Boston College in the first three weeks and with a trip to Maryland coming up the following week. TCU will have already dealt with an ACC road trip, starting off the season at Virginia, and if this year’s team turns out to be as nasty as last year’s, the Clemson battle could be the one that turns out to be the true jumping off point for a big season. This is a huge game for the Mountain West in terms of national respect.

17. Illinois at Cincinnati, Nov. 26
It’s a nice bowl-like game to close out the regular season for the Illini. If Illinois is decent enough to have a bounce-back season, it should come in to this game on a roll with a relatively light and breezy second half of the year to build on. Ron Zook’s club will be coming off a date with Fresno State, who comes to Cincinnati in late September. The defending Big East champions aren’t expected to be quite as strong as last year, but if they’re on any sort of a winning streak, the nationally-televised Thursday night game should be a must-see for bowl positions.

16. Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 12
No, this doesn’t have anywhere near the juice it did nearly two decades ago (yes, we’re all old), but it’s a vital game for the two monster programs and it’ll be a major tone-setter for the rest of the season. Notre Dame will be coming off a game against a Nevada team that’ll finish the season with one of the five best statistical offenses in the country, while Michigan will have battled a Western Michigan team that’ll be good, but will be rebuilding. If Rich Rodriguez can get the desperately needed early win, Michigan will likely get off to a 4-0 start before going to Notre Dame. The Irish will face the Spartans the week after going to Ann Arbor.

15. South Florida at Florida State, Sept. 26
It’s been said that South Florida could be the new Florida State or the new Miami. The talent and recruiting bases are there, the school is big and ready to take the step up and be a consistent star, and the expectations are rising. Now it’s time to come up with the Sunshine State statement win needed to get more and more of the top state players to come to Tampa instead of Tallahassee. This is the first meeting against FSU, who’ll be coming back from a dangerous trip to BYU and will be eying a key ACC game at Boston College the following week. There will be no excuse for South Florida to not be 100% tuned up after a ridiculous opening three games against Wofford, Western Kentucky, and Charleston Southern.

14. Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis), Sept. 5
These two teams have played some tremendous shootouts to kick off the last two seasons. Missouri won both games, 40-34 and 52-42, with the Illini making interesting comebacks in each. With the Tigers rebuilding, and with Illinois looking to bounce back after missing out on a bowl game, this is a big chance for Ron Zook’s club to get much-needed early season win. The second half of the season isn’t all that bad, but the Illini play Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State, the three best teams in the Big Ten, before mid-October. If Mizzou wins this, it’s 3-0 with Bowling Green and Furman to follow before travelling to Nevada.

13. Miami at South Florida, Nov. 28
South Florida faces Florida State on September 26th in the first meeting of the two schools. The game against Miami late in the year might be even bigger because it’s being played in Tampa. The atmosphere should be electric in what might be seen as the most important non-conference home game in USF’s brief history. In the regular season finale, the Canes will be coming off a home game against Duke that should allow for a bit of a breather after dealing with a trip to North Carolina. Their intensity level had better be there or they could be walking into a beartrap. Miami won the only meeting between the two schools 27-7 in 2005.

12. Utah at Oregon, Sept. 19
This would’ve made for an interesting BCS game last year. Oregon starts off its season with a battle at Boise State, and doesn’t take it all that easy the rest of the way. Utah got by Oregon State at home last year, and now it has to go to Eugene to deal with a Pac 10 team bent on making a big splash before dealing with California in the Pac 10 opener. The Utes beat Oregon in 2003 and will need to do it again to show continue the success from last year. On a 14-game winning streak, it should be up to 16 with Utah State and San Jose State to start the season.

11. West Virginia at Auburn, Sept. 19
The 34-17 loss in Morgantown last year was part of the ugly second half of the season for Auburn and helped push forward the end of the Tommy Tuberville era. For West Virginia, it was a strong win that led into a big 35-13 win at Connecticut the week after. This year, Auburn hosts the Mountaineers a week after kicking off the SEC season against Mississippi State, while West Virginia will be coming off a revenge-game against East Carolina.

peace

[TCcane]

Bryce got kicked out? where did you get that from?

[solarcane]

This kid took some great vid of the Canes at The spring game.

This kid needs to be on Canespace pronto!!!

let the clip roll past his early setup

the rest is awesome!

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

peace

[SOUP]

MORE ON SAM SHIELDS:

HIGH SCHOOL: One of the nation's top wide receiver recruits, and perhaps the best in the state...As a senior in 2005, caught 67 passes for 1,201 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead his school to the Class 3A state championship game...44 of his 67 receptions were either touchdowns or first downs...Also returned two punts for touchdowns and averaged 44 yards per kickoff return, and had more than 200 yards on fake punts and reverses...As a junior, missed the first five games with a sprained MCL, but finished the season with 42 receptions for more than 800 yards and eight touchdowns...Added two touchdowns on kickoff returns...As a sophomore in 2003, had 24 catches for 850 yards and 12 touchdown...Hails from the same high school that produced Baraka Atkins and Chris Zellner...Rated the No. 17 wide receiver by Rivals.com, the No. 28 wideout by Scout.com, No. 9 by ESPN, No. 17 by PrepStar, and No. 13 by Collegefootballnews.com...Ranked the No. 14 player on Miami Herald's list of state's top 25 players...Rated No. 16 on the Orlando Sentinel's Florida Top 100 list...Member of the PrepStar 200 and ranked the No. 17 wide receiver

[SOUP]

SHILEDS STATS:

2006 (FRESHMAN): Played in all 13 games, starting seven times, and caught at least one pass in every game...Named honorable mention Freshman All-America by The Sporting News...One of eight UM players who were selected to the 2006 ACC Academic Football Team...Had 37 receptions (third on the team) for 501 yards (second), a 13.5-yard average and four touchdowns (tied for the team lead)...His 37 catches were the most by a Miami true freshman since Reggie Wayne caught 48 passes in 1997...Rushed three times for minus-11 yards...Had one of the team's only two 100-yard receiving games...Had back-to-back games of six catches for 88 yards vs. Florida International and Duke (with two TDs in the latter)...Caught three passes for 12 yards in his first collegiate game vs. Florida State...Played as the team's third wideout and caught one pass for 14 yards vs. FAMU...Made his first start in a three-WR formation at Louisville and caught three passes for 63 yards, including a 49-yarder...Started against Houston and caught one pass for 17 yards...Started vs. North Carolina and recorded his first career touchdown reception in the first quarter, a 37-yard touchdown pass from safety Lovon Ponder on a trick play...

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Super, that is definitely GREAT STUFF! And something I'm not surprised Orlando would do. He's already done it to his boy Preston Guns and Drugs, DUI Parker.

WTF is Bryce Brown thinking?? Is he just that stupid or that dumb or that delusional??

Maybe all three.

[SOUP]

FROM SUNDAY IN CASE U MISSED IT:

Starter Iden Nazario struck out a career-high 10 in seven innings of work and Scott Lawson hit a three-run homer in to break a 2-2 tie in the fourth as No. 2 Miami beat No. 3 Georgia Tech, 6-2, Sunday afternoon at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

Nazario (3-0), whose seven innings pitched was also a career-high, allowed two early runs but settled down, allowing six hits and just one walk to go along with UM's first double-digit strikeout performance of the season. Closer Kyle Bellamy relieved Nazario in the eighth and recorded his fourth inning-plus save of the season and his seventh overall, striking out three over the final two innings.

Miami improved to 20-7 overall and 8-4 in ACC play while Georgia Tech drops to 18-4 and 8-2 in league play.

[The Truth]

Soup

Good for you my man...blocking sperman in, that is ;-)

J/K Mr. Shields is a stand up gent and his kid has done a 180. Great interview and thank you for posting it. Mr. Shields defends his son while at the same time addressing the fact that Randy is doing what is necessary for his team.

That said, #9 has a legit shot to make plays at DB and will only get better as each day goes by. He's a kid that just needed to get his head right and find the right spot on the field.

I think at CB he's found it. Good for him.

On another note

I Privately I tout the game of Ruby and everyone I speak to tells me those cats don't have anything of football players. It's an argument I can never win because so few people actually have played it and since those Brits don't wear pads...it's easy pickings for the doubters.

But watching Dhani Jones get his ASS handed to him on the travel channel is awesome proof.

Yes, I'm DVRing it and yes I'm handing out to my doubting friends.

You wanna be a tough guy? You think you're a baddass? Go play Rugby with the big boys. You'll find out what kind of man you are real quick.

Don't get

[solarcane]

Truth did you read my list of best sports to get a concussion in, Rugby was right up their with Martial Arts and Bull Fighting.

peace

[Loco]

On another note

I Privately I tout the game of Ruby and everyone I speak to tells me those cats don't have anything of football players. It's an argument I can never win because so few people actually have played it and since those Brits don't wear pads...it's easy pickings for the doubters.

But watching Dhani Jones get his ASS handed to him on the travel channel is awesome proof.

Yes, I'm DVRing it and yes I'm handing out to my doubting friends.

You wanna be a tough guy? You think you're a baddass? Go play Rugby with the big boys. You'll find out what kind of man you are real quick.

Don't get

Posted by: The Truth | March 30, 2009 at 09:53 PM

Thanks for the endorsement haha

really, its the ones who played football AND wrestled that stick around. Those that just played football quit, making up excuses, but really they just couldnt handle it.

[Loco]

Truth did you read my list of best sports to get a concussion in, Rugby was right up their with Martial Arts and Bull Fighting.

peace

Posted by: solarcane | March 30, 2009 at 09:58 PM

And yet, as many people die each year (1000-1300) from head-trauma from riding bicycles than have died in the last 100 years in the sport of boxing... Strange to think, huh?

[The Truth]

I saw it solar and thank god I'm not a boxer LOL

Just so you know...my next life I'm coming back as Anthony Bourdain...either that or Brigette's(Hefs ex) panties.

[solarcane]

cool site to mess around with

http://howmanyofme.com/search/

peace

[The Truth]

Loco

That's right! You are real rugby guy. I still think the upper levels of football are ultimately tougher simply because of the speed and size involved and the impacts that result - really, an NFL football game is BRUTAL and they need every ounce of padding - but you guys do something VERY similar but without the gear.

Very impressive.

[The Truth]

Oh Solar...that's a hottie. She hangs at the Delano down here. I'm telling you...smokin'!!!

And she seems so sweet on TV...Hmmmm...no. Not sweet. She's perfect. LOL

[solarcane]

soup I wish you had asked Mr. Shields what Sam thinks about being a human missile on Special Teams.

I realize you didn't expect an interview and didn't have time to think about what to ask.

If you get a chance to interview AJ's parents let us know in advance so we can put a few hours aside to read the article

peace

[Loco]

Loco

That's right! You are real rugby guy. I still think the upper levels of football are ultimately tougher simply because of the speed and size involved and the impacts that result - really, an NFL football game is BRUTAL and they need every ounce of padding - but you guys do something VERY similar but without the gear.

Very impressive.

Posted by: The Truth | March 30, 2009 at 10:09 PM

The upper levels of rugby (I think back to the recent world cup and 6-nations tournament) are every bit as tough. I got a chance to see The best of the US college ranks (Cal) play the best of last years men's clubs (New York Athletic Club - NYAC). They were in tip-top shape and flying around

Remember, in football the hits are harder BECAUSE of the pads. That bit of hard plastic adds a lot more to the impact. The pads cause the need for pads, if you will.

I will say though, rugby is a safer sport. tackling is all wrap-tackling, its a penalty not to wrap. Also, you can't hit a player in the air. That being said, its not overly uncommon (though it is very rare) for a hooker (yes, its a position) to die in a collapsed scrum from a broken neck.

[solarcane]

Truth, you lead a charmed life my friend

When you come back one day, a woman somewhere will proclaim with all honesty

"My panties are The Truth"

peace

[Loco]

Oh, and if you ever get a chance to look at some of the top-flight international rugby players, take a look at some of the props and locks, like Paul O'Connell and the #3 from Ireland, or the #3 from Italy and tell me they couldn't take on an NFL player

[Loco]

be warned, there's foul language here haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjXO308_mKM

[Ocean State Cane]

sorry canechic
lacrosse is most definitely a sport, worthy of ESPN, no way in the same category as ice dancing. put poker on "the ocho" for all i care, but leave lacrosse.
speaking of questionable sports on ESPN, what are your thoughts on "competitive eating"?

[solarcane]

speaking of questionable sports on ESPN, what are your thoughts on "competitive eating"?

ocean,
take a look at soup in the picture above... that's all you need to know about competitive eating

peace

[solarcane]

aight I'm out

good luck this year SS

peace

[The Truth]

You won't get an argument from me Loco. I've seen the matches live in England and up close too. I agree it's brutal and tests every ounce of manhood in your soul.

That said...I'd rather get cracked in a rugby game that have Sean Taylor take a shot at me trying to catch a pass over the middle or have big Vince T off on me taking a hand off.

[The Truth]

Solar

I only observe. Hef had that woman on lock down. Personal security and all. But I notice every thing and everyone. I could only be so lucky as to end up across the business end of some female that's as sexy as that with a Cossabella tag attached to me.

LOL

[SOUP]

CB SAM SHIELDS #9

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Loco, you took the words right out of my mouth about football and pads. The pads and esp. the helmet give you a degree of reckless abandon that is difficult to come by without pads.

Having said that, rugby is every bit as serious in its own way. I don't know if it's possible NOT to get injured playing rugby. lol

As far as players from one sport playing the other, I think it would take a lot of adjustments for some people. I think one position that would translate well from one to the other would be RB. You need a similar combination of strength and speed.

What's your experience been like??

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Loco, I just watched some rugby highlights and it looks like a continuous Cal Berkley-Stanford finish, over and over and over. ;-)

[canechic]

Ocean state - I said Lacrosse is pushing it, competitive eating should also not be on ESPN, along with Poker! But I guess they have to do something when it is not football in season. lol

[Cat 5 Cane]

** Just wanted to randomly add, that we invited Mr Shields to the space and he said, "That he usually doesn't read blogs but was encouraged by our discussions and would come on, to say hi". At first he was going to use his real name and then Soup and I both looked at each other and said...Ahhh better not... Soooo... Heads up crew, as it would be nice to have a real dialog with some parents, discussing what it's like for a player to come to the U and to play under Randy's watch... Sometimes it's not all fun and glory!
Cat

[True Cane]

I need to get more info on the Bryce situation. I need an article or something. Bryce is a delusional and going to the Miami locker room prove it.

[Cat 5 Cane]

** Just me on the Mike... Testing

Will we be 12/0 this year?...Hell Yeah, I say! but probably not... We have the quality players, but True Matured Depth at each position and adding Bulk Weight to endure the season are my biggest concerns.

You all know I'm a 12 percenter guy, like all of us are, deep down, but the reality is just that and although we have grown, although we are more experienced, although we are gaining with every snap of the ball... We're not there yet, as we are still a notch away from leaping to the top tier.

But that doesn't mean we still can't win the ACC, but given our schedule that only the Devil himself could draw up, we're going to have to have our shiit together, to get there... and at this point, I even respect Duke.

Reality and talking to Don Bailey Jr about 2009. "The season could be a 6/6 season or it could be a 9/3 or a 10/2 season... it comes down to"... Like Paul Harvy and a hanging chad, I'll let 86 tell the rest of the story.

On Game Day SATURDAY'S... "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE U" ON SPORTS RADIO 560 WQAM. Be sure to check out the Hurricane gameday features during four hours of pre-game coverage with Don Bailey Jr.

Later all...out

[SOUP]

Disappearing posts???

[SOUP]

Reality and talking to Don Bailey Jr about 2009. "The season could be a 6/6 season or it could be a 9/3 or a 10/2 season... it comes down to"... Like Paul Harvy and a hanging chad, I'll let 86 tell the rest of the story.

Posted by: Cat5Cane | March 31, 2009 at 08:59 AM

"The rest of the story" will be posted here tomorrow night at 8 PM. U will not want to miss it, trust me!