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...
Great Q&A with Leon Searcy. Talks about his days as a 'Cane, Jimmy Johnson and more.
www.procanes.com
Posted by: proCanes.com | March 31, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I like Sam Shields dad - he supported the kid and the coach and what a difference. Eugene Marve - take note......
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | March 31, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Competitive eating?? What???? Glad I have been too busy to watch that stuff
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | March 31, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Sam shields is one of my favorite players... I really hope he has an amazing season.
Posted by: Canefantasy | March 31, 2009 at 11:23 AM
The crazy thing about some competitive eaters is that some of them are absolutely RIPPED. LIke Kobayashi... ridiculous. Apparently he had to take a break from competitive eating cuz he got arthritis of the jaw... hahahaha
Yeah whats the deal with the BB thing? I think it is hilariously awesome if that indeed happened.
Posted by: conch salad | March 31, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Canesgirl,
its definitely disgusting but entertaining at the same time... its one of those "I...Cant...Stop...Watching" things... you want to, but you cant.
Has anyone ever seen Man vs Food? That guy is GROSS
Posted by: conch salad | March 31, 2009 at 11:32 AM
ESPN - Investigators suspect two African immigrants slain at a Long Island condo owned by an NFL player owned by Jonathan Vilma.The New Orleans Saints linebacker and former New York Jets player was not there at the time and not believed to be involved, said New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne. Last line of the story - Vilma played college football at Miami (Fla.). The hate for Miami football goes on.
Posted by: canesbrewing | March 31, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Brewing, I don't think that will get very far because there's so much craziness going on everywhere.
I think Vilma has some questions to ask and some questions to answer though.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | March 31, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Did anyone see 20 e. reed as a judge last night in the high school slam dunk contest? Head to toe Cane!
Posted by: canechic | March 31, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Anybody know where I can get one of those Sean Taylor T shirts? I would love one.
Posted by: elliott | March 31, 2009 at 11:54 AM
MEAST #21 doing it - right in the middle of everyone, haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWFI0PcvaqM&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div
Posted by: Six | March 31, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Only in bucknut land......
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29971638/?GT1=43001
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | March 31, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Canesgirl if you look closely at the barstool it looks like there's a wheel at the back so he can do wheelies.
Posted by: Old Skool | March 31, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Just so you know...my next life I'm coming back as Anthony Bourdain...
Posted by: The Truth
If anyone has a perfect life it is that guy
what is deal on Orlando telling BB to get out? is that a fact or rumor!
Posted by: phillyscott | March 31, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | March 31, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Awesome!!!
They sell a motorized cooler too. I want that thing.
Philly that is what eyewitnesses said. Big O told him to GTFO!
GO CANEZ!!!!!
Posted by: Canez1 | March 31, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Stocks set to have their best month in 6 years led by tech and financial stocks.
GO CANEZ!!!!!
Posted by: Canez1 | March 31, 2009 at 02:04 PM
"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."
Are you sure Mr. Shields was talking about his son Sam here and not Lance Hurdle because I would swear that he just described Lance Hurdle.
Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | March 31, 2009 at 02:04 PM
he shouldn't be allowed in the locker room! i know his brother plays for us but Lice Brown plays for Tenn.........he's the enemy now! i wanna know who let him in! somebody shudda stiff-armed his a@@ before he even got thru the door!
Posted by: canatic | March 31, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Just so you know...my next life I'm coming back as an Ibis and crap all over everyone, on game days, if you don't start think'n as a 12 percenter... ALRIGHT, WHO'S NAME DO I PUT ON THE LIST?... DO YA FEEL LUCKY?
LOL Canes
Posted by: Cat5Cane | March 31, 2009 at 02:54 PM
HEre's my take on the sport/non-sport issue: anything that you can drink beer and improve your ability to do is not a sport. So, billiards, darts, curling (never tried it but it looks like just an excuse to get drunk), ice or regular fishing (provided your not driving the boat), shuffleboard, poker, and competitive eating (yeah, I know they don't really drink during the contests but still) are not sports. Other activities, like weight lifting, are borderline because they can be turned into something like the strongest man contest.
Posted by: j.w. | March 31, 2009 at 03:19 PM
LOF... Excluding QB
What is the criteria?
Offense... Total yards? catches? TD's?
Defense... Tackles?, solo's?, int's, caused fumbles?, got fumbles?, batted down balls?, deflected passes? causing bloody noses or is it breaking limbs?... cause if it is bloody noses, I'm taking Orlando.
and who's the judge?... Soup, if so, check the chads and I want a recount! cause AJ is gonna win!!!
LOL...Gotta go!
Posted by: Cat5Cane | March 31, 2009 at 03:22 PM
What happened wit bryce? Did he really go in the locker room ?
Posted by: Brett | March 31, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Been reading, watching and listening.
Come to the conclusion we will be much better than last year.
Our o-line will be suspect, but we have a coordinator that comes from an NFL division that required quick reads and the short passing game.
If he helped beat the Giants pass rush with basically two players this year (McNabb and Westbrook), I like our chances against most with 6-7 kids we have who can beat you physically (Byrd, James and Johnson) and with speed (Benjamin, Collier, Coop).
Go Canes.
Posted by: pb(CSROH09) | March 31, 2009 at 03:55 PM
after watchin the scrimmage about 50 times,lol.......it feels so good to see running back screens out of the backfield instead of bubble screens.....brings back memories of Willis against FSU.
Posted by: canatic | March 31, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Anybody know where I can get one of those Sean Taylor T shirts? I would love one.
Posted by: elliott | March 31, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Elliot...U must not have been around here very long? Did U just straggle over from the SS? If so welcome to The Space. Post here, post often!
The ST#26 shirts are $15 in person at UM events, $20 via mail. $5 goes to a special ST#26 Hurricane Club fund we have started to make a $500 donation in his name.
Email me at host@canespace.com if U are interested.
Posted by: SOUP | March 31, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Stocks set to have their best month in 6 years led by tech and financial stocks.
Posted by: Canez1 | March 31, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Can I VAULT that?
Posted by: SOUP | March 31, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Soup, Elliot's been here before. He's just not very frequent.
Canez1, if the dodo-birds in DC had just given the banks loans to get out of the red ink way back in October, a lot of this shyt would not have happened. MOST of that BS that is going down as a "stimulus package" is just the largest political payout, handout, kickback, in history. 80% of that money should have gone to the backs as a LOAN. $500M went to the National Institutes of Health???? GTFOH.
Instead we have this half-scheme from Geithner, that, while better than nothing, makes the situation so much more complicated than it needs to be. If banks had the money they would have found a way to sell those assets themselves, without all this friggin' bureaucracy.
This is a MONEY issue. It is not a POLITICAL issue. That's why JP Morgan, I believe, will pay back their loan by Q2 of this year. Funny how simple that was.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | March 31, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Been reading, watching and listening.
Come to the conclusion we will be much better than last year.
Our o-line will be suspect, but we have a coordinator that comes from an NFL division that required quick reads and the short passing game.
If he helped beat the Giants pass rush with basically two players this year (McNabb and Westbrook), I like our chances against most with 6-7 kids we have who can beat you physically (Byrd, James and Johnson) and with speed (Benjamin, Collier, Coop).
Go Canes.
Posted by: pb(CSROH09) | March 31, 2009 at 03:55 PM
>>>>
Peebs, that's a very good point. Philly has always been absurdly undermanned, although that kid from Cal helped them, Desean Jackson I believe. But they still found ways to make it to the NFC championship game many years.
Whip now has about 8+ guys who can either house it or do serious damage every time they touch the ball.
Big physical...Byrd, Hankerson, AJ, Streeter, Epps, Gordon, JJ,
Fast...Benjamin, Cooper, KT, Collier, Davon, and probably Lamar Miller.
Some players will be in between or both but still dangerous, like Berry and Chambers. Mike James as well. Maybe even Adderly.
You have to figure he feels like a kid in a candy store. If he doesn't now, he will.
Lovett's not far behind in that feeling.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | March 31, 2009 at 05:49 PM
I was a huge fan of the NFLU collage. So I made one for my desktop. I would like everyone to check it out (link below). A college tribute to "The U"...
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h104/djpremis/theucollage2.gif
I wanted to share it with the rest of "U"!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | March 31, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Before you get too convinced we are going to breeze right along, here's a reality check.
Remember how our running backs ran right through our D at the spring game?
Remember how Dwyer 9 GT) ran through our defense last year?
what you don't don't remember is that he ran through UNC even easier than he did us.
GT is loaded they look great every time I see clips of them from practice.
Make no heady kool aid influenced predictions, Dwyer is better by far than anyone you saw at the spring game.
Lovett will earn his pay against GT
I think we have enough offense to out score them for a change but I think Dwyer has a field day against us.
Jonathan Dwyer Gt
2008 Regular Season Game
DATE OPP RESULT ATT YDS AVG 8/28 Jacksonville State W 41-14 11 112 10.2
9/6 @Boston College W 19-16 18 108 6.0
9/13 @Virginia Tech L 20-17 10 28 2.8
9/20 Mississippi State W 38-7 9 141 15.7
10/4 Duke W 27-0 23 159 6.9
10/11 Gardner-Webb W 10-7 16 27 1.7
10/18 @Clemson W 21-17 21 109 5.2
10/25 Virginia L 24-17 17 70 4.1
11/1 Florida State W 31-28 13 145 11.2
11/8 @North Carolina L 28-7 22 157 7.1
11/20 Miami (FL) W 41-23 10 128 12.8
11/29 @Georgia W 45-42 20 144 7.2 2008
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Hawaii that is awesome it is my new background. thanks
Posted by: canechic | March 31, 2009 at 06:25 PM
I guess we just need to figure out what VTech and Gardner Webb did to slow him down.
Not arguing, he is a very good running back, but if we can't be drunk on the Kool Aid in the spring when can we?
Posted by: DZ8 | March 31, 2009 at 06:35 PM
hawaii sweet.
nice stuff!
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 06:36 PM
Dz,
Garner Webb is a small school.
I'll be in NC this weekend I'm gonna find out what the scoop was in that game.
My son in law (die hard HEEL) confirmed Dwyer was running wild on UNC and the only thing that slowed him down was his own offense getting in his way.
peace
You are correct it's Kool Aid season, let the sweet nectar and lofty predictions began!!!
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 06:40 PM
From The Mandingo:
Q: In your opinion please name in order the top 5 players the canes have? Jacory is probably the most important player
Answered 03/31/09 14:52:44 by Manny Navarro
A: Good question. I'm going to answer this on NFL potential... 1. Laron Byrd; 2. Sean Spence; 3. Allen Bailey; 4. Aldarius Johnson; 5. Vaughn Telemaque
Posted by: SOUP | March 31, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Solar...check email today and snail mail in 2-3 days for "le package".
CGNC...U too.
Este...U too.
Mrs. 86 sent out the goods today.
Posted by: SOUP | March 31, 2009 at 06:46 PM
SuperCooper, Bryce got kicked out of the locker room by Orlando Franklin????
When did this happend???? lol
Posted by: lessismore | March 31, 2009 at 06:48 PM
much appreciated soupster!
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 06:49 PM
soup,
emailed you a couple thoughts on the subject you asked about
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Solar, I don't think we're going to breeze through anything. lol I think we'll have tons of tight, close, hard-fought games but unlike last year we'll have an OC who wants to and knows how to go for the jugular, and one who has some real tools with which to execute the opponent.
On defense, I think we have more ???s than of offense in some ways, especially in the middle with Shaprton and AB and the DTs, and with the CBs.
And yeah, Dwyer and that option ran for a whole lot of yards against UNC but couldn't score.
To me, the team with the blueprint was LSU. LSU did some things strategically and physically that I think we'll be able to duplicate with our DL.
Now if Team LB can hold up their end of the bargain we should be fine.
I watched some highlights of the Garnder-Webb game but I was paying close attention to GW.
I'm going to watch some right now, matta fact. haha
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | March 31, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Thanks Canechic and Solarcane! Everyone make sure you check it out. I have to admit, it's pretty cool if I do say so myself...
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h104/djpremis/theucollage2.gif
Posted by: HawaiiCane | March 31, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Sancocho,
Great story. Saturday's scrimmage was a great event. I took my (6 yr. old) daughter to the event and she had a ball. She has definitely become a Cane fan without any prodding from me (Yeah right...the kid never had a choice) It was real cool to meet you. I promise I will rock the Canespace tee at the UCF game.
Posted by: LatinCane | March 31, 2009 at 07:35 PM
chi,
I'm right there with you on Whipple unleashing the woop azz and keeping us from getting behind if the D is having a rough time.
I think Lovett will be fine and has plenty of talent. He has seen the option now and probably has talked with every DC that plays against it.
The only reason I point out GT is, living in Georgia; it's weird seeing Tech getting all the love instead of the beloved and often over rated Dawgs.
I've seen a few clips of Tech running the option at speed in practice and they look very polished compared to last year.
do I think we can beat them?
yea I think Jacory and the O will be
able to score points on anyone.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Dwyer got more than half his yards on one play after the team was down 21-0 in the 4th quarter against UNC.
Posted by: Esteban | March 31, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Bailey should get in the weight room, just kidding
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-miami-hurricanes-spring-football-09,0,3625209.photogallery?index=sfl-spumfoot28a20090329070218
Posted by: LaRon Byrds #1 Fan | March 31, 2009 at 07:44 PM
este,
my son in law was at that game, he is FROM UNC he said if Dwyer's own linemen stayed out of his way it would have been a lot worse.
Maybe in the forth quarter he went in the huddle and told them to stay the fk out of his way.
lol
Do you think we will hold Dwyer under a 100 this year?
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 07:50 PM
este
remember this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3oVQb-GeT8&feature=related
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 07:55 PM
then this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRTPhk8LZHs&feature=related
peace
Posted by: solarcane | March 31, 2009 at 07:57 PM
weren't we looking for TEs? Seems Mario got himself a good one coming into FIU.
Dudley LaPorte, the top JUCO tight end in the nation according to Scout.com, has signed with FIU and will join the Panthers in August for fall practice and suit up for FIU on Sept. 12 against Alabama.
LaPorte, who arrives to FIU as a junior and will have 2 years of eligibility unless the NFL snaps him up after his junior season, played last season at Santa Barbara CC and is the second 4-star recruit to become a Panther this season joining Pooh Bear Mars. At Santa Barbara, LaPorte led all tight ends in the nation with 30 receptions, 500 yards and 4 TDs.
At 6-5, 250 pounds and running a 4.4 40-yard dash, LaPorte should make an immediate impact for the Panthers whether its down the seam, underneath or in run blocking along with 6-4, 265-pound TE Eric Kirchenberg.
Posted by: Esteban | March 31, 2009 at 07:59 PM
and solar, with Dwyer its not about holding him under 100. It's about not letting him get the long TD runs (like he got last year as you showed in the youtube videos). If he gets 100 yards on 20+ carries then that's fine. He gets it after 10 or so carries and you are in trouble.
Posted by: Esteban | March 31, 2009 at 08:02 PM