Five Questions With Ferman

Gary Ferman of Canesport.com is one of the most experienced and respected journalists covering your Miami Hurricanes.  We saw Gary at the Spring game at Lockhart Stadium and chatted a while.

Here are his responses to questions from several Canespace bloggers...

CANESTEELER: How much progress needs to occur on the field next season to make the U talk to RS about a contract extension?

FERMAN: I think they will talk to him about at least a one year extension before next year. I have spoken to Kirby Hocutt about this and he and Shalala are both big Randy supporters. They haven't begun talking about it yet, but with four months of off-season ahead now, I would think they would make the time. Shannon deserves at least a one year extension right now.

ESTEBAN: After watching Spring practice and the Spring game at Lockhart, who were the most improved players and most disappointing players  for the Canes? 

FERMAN: Most improved: Jacory Harris, Damien Berry, Kendall Thompkins, Matt Pipho, A.J. Trump, Ryan Hill, Sam Shields

FERMAN: Most disappointing: Steven Wesley, Gavin Hardin

UMIKE:We are searching for a TE and a FB.  Do they matter and who plays here for the Canes in 2009?

FERMAN: Tight End is Epps' position plain and simple if he is healthy. If not, Richard Gordon gets the shot. But there is an effort to try to talk basketball player Jimmy Graham into playing football.  At fullback, I like John Calhoun. I expect he and Patrick Hill to both play and yes, they will touch the ball in the Mark Whipple offense.

SOLARCANE: Which coach, OC Whipple or DC Lovette will make the biggest impact this year for UM?

 

FERMAN: No question it will be Whipple. How Whipple goes, the Canes go in 2009.

 

BG1906: The Canes are thin at CB.  Who starts at this position and what chance do Ryan Hill and Sam Shields have to fill that gap?

 

FERMAN: It looks like Demarcus VanDyke and Brandon Harris will win the starting jobs. UM will need everyone here to step up.

Comments

[canesluvr]

first?

[Canefantasy]

first

[canesluvr]

Ha! tie goes to the runner!

[Canefantasy]

damnit... I wanted this one. I forgot to click on my april 09 time thing.

[SOUP]

Just another lesson to U:

Be canesluvr, not a Canefantasy!

Luvr...U know what to do...

[canesluvr]

Soup, I just sent you an email.

[SOUP]

Roger that!

[canesluvr]

The funniest lines from that ESPN article about UM's draft status this year is this:

And Johnson, even at 167 pounds, represents what teams are looking for in a second-day pick. He plays with fluid hips that allow him to change direction and accelerate with power in the open field, where he craves contact. "That's the dog in me," he says. "That fight, that's the U right there."

Do you guys remembering Johnson craving contact? I was at the GT game, there wasn't a corner wearing the U that looked like they were craving contact. Johnson couldn't or wouldn't get off blocks to make a play.

Just thought that was interesting.

[SOUP]

CL...I agree 100%. I haven't seen a UM CB THRIVE on contact since Rumph and Rolle.

[solarcane]

you gotta love the picture of Lovett with his Tar Heel tie on... details John, it's all in the details

peace

[Calvin]

lol, but that's when playing for UM has it's benefits, because we know it's bs, but alot of folks just automatically think if you starting for UM, you must be good, well that's true now and it will be true as lon as randy shannon is in charge!

[Cat 5 Cane]

Thanks Gary,... enjoyed your take and direct answers... I think Adderley will be in the mix for TE by mid season or sooner if Epps isn't ready.

Strongly agree on Shields elevation and think there is a shot for Sam to share the spotlight at CB... Sam knows he has a short time to prove himself and believe he'll take shots at some int's. Would lov to see him grab one early in game one... and watch his confidence build into a animal!!!

legion... Any bets on who gets the first int and total for year??? damn, that a good one... Spence, Vaughn, Brandon, Brown, DVD, SS... odds favor starters but I'll take Sam for 09.

Cat5

out

[Old Skool]

"That's the dog in me" Interesting comment. If the range is Pekinese to Pitbull. I know where my money's riding.

Interesting comment from a Tennessee blog:

Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. He went to Auburn! 13-0 and no National Championship. Just another example of media bias against the SEC (except for darling Florida).

[SOUP]

The pic TOP RIGHT is UM AD Kirby Hocutt.

[HillViewCane]

I had a question for Ferman. Why is that when we get an OL commit it always says "BIG O-line commitment?"

I maybe incorrect but shouldn't an O-line commit always be big. For some reason that phrase especially the word big bothers me. It's like saying we got a running back commit with feet.

[solarcane]

sorry soup.
glanced up there while doing some other crap, and thought that was Lovett... Hocutt thats even worse!!

Kidding, first time i ever saw the guy.

peace

[Esteban]

GTs WR is 6'4/5, 220 or so. The guy covering him wasn't going to be getting of any blocks.

[The Truth]

Those answers sucked.

And how could a redshift freshman be a dissapointment??!!

Stop being a tard and give a real answer for crying out loud.

Tomorrow is the day I follow the legions directions on where to eat. Ive eaten a 32oz rib eye that wouldn't feed my dog and some other crap at an "Italian" place that looked - and tasted - like maggots swimming in curdled milk.

Yum-E

Thank god Tommy Bahama came through with a great light beer of their own and some great macadamia snapper dish that was perfect.

The Truth needs good food. Fancy, shady or anywhere in between I don't care!!! So long as the place cooks it up I'm good!!

[The Truth]

Pipho improved?

Ok.

[Esteban]

Truth, pipho starter material?

[Canefantasy]

Epps is like the million dollar man.. They will build him stronger and better for this upcoming year. The kid is going to get healthy and have a monster of a senior season.. GO Canes!!

[Esteban]

Epps being healthy would be helpful.

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Truth, yeah Ferman's answers definitely did not make me want to subscribe to his dish. haha

BJohnson had a couple of moments in the VA game where he came up big for hits and maybe a few others. Maybe against Wake??

[Esteban]

Johnson was willing, just not always able.

and its funny how two guys can see two totally different things. Didn't Manny say Steven Wesley was looking good and Ferman had him down as most disappointing.

[DATcane]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-5-44/End-of-an-era-at-Miami-.html,
need players

[DATcane]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-5-45/Former-Miami-QB-visiting-Purdue.html,

this guy

[DATcane]

Manny being Manny,

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2009/04/intruders-breaching-ums-local-recruiting-wall.html

[DATcane]

Pimpin!!,

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_college_hurricanes/2009/04/did-jack-mcclinton-make-a-predraft-mistake-.html

[NativeCane]

Truth, the Prawnbroker in Ft. Myers if you like monster shrimp.
Been a few years but I guess theyre still there.

[Canefantasy]

Datcane, It is a sobering read when you think about how far we have truly fallen. We were on top of the world and in a few years hit rock bottom.

[DATcane]

Canefantasy-

very true, however I think half of our roster in back on the rise. Half of our guys could be on our teams from 1999-2003 the other half not so much!

[Ryan]

Gary Ferman has yet to contribute anything of value to this blog. Booooooooo!

[UMike]

DAT...

Thats not even mentioning the guys not on the roster, Miller, Dye and Ray Ray who has superstar written all over him

[The Truth]

Umike

And you do NOT have to go crazy with spending money on cables. I spent a trillion dollars hooking up my theater with every upgraded component possible. The HDMI cable alone was well over $200.

And for what?

I don't know cuz I hooked up the HD with my little self installed kitchen TV with a $35 HDMI cable from target and it looks great too.

Too cloudy for anything other that sightseeing. Heading to Captiva and later the bubble room...wish me luck on the food LOL

[The Truth]

Este

IMO Pipho is not starting material unless guys are hurt.

[DZ8]

Gavin Hardin a disappointment? He must've been in a coma 'cause he REDSHIRTED last year! The only thing he did last year was show emotion on the sideline in the FSU game.(which I loved)

Steven Wesley? Maybe him taking reps at TE, because the TEAM needed him to,slowed him down a bit at D line? You think Gary?

Thanks for playing.

[DZ8]

texascane

The NCAA and the MEDIA are playing rope-a-dope with this, THESE, USC investigations. They are trying to play it out so that when they do eventually reprimand them a football fan will have to ask his grandpa, "Grandpa, who was this Reggie Bush guy?"

Disgusting. You can see the levels of love from the NCAA. USC is above Florida State. Miami better have video tape of their wherabouts 24 hours a day 7 days a week. FOR OUR OWN PROTECTION!

For the record: For all I know USC is innocent and hasn't done anything wrong but the fact that the investigation is STILL going on with Reggie Bush is a delay tactic. It shows they lack the will to get to the bottom of this. Hypocrisy.

[DZ8]

bg1906

Got and watched the Spring game. Thanks again. Starting to get excited about that 2 hr documentary coming out next year after The Heisman presentation. Think that'll help recruiting? Prime time right after the Heisman? I think it will.

Daniel Stubbs seems like a swell fella.

[SuperCooper]

Manny being Manny,

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2009/04/intruders-breaching-ums-local-recruiting-wall.html

Posted by: DATcane | April 10, 2009 at 07:20 AM

Let the meltdown begin..........

[reggaebob]

Manny being Manny,

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2009/04/intruders-breaching-ums-local-recruiting-wall.html

Posted by: DATcane | April 10, 2009 at 07:20 AM

Boy, our own navarro sure does know how to start a fire with these cane fans...

we'll still get our share and those who want to play for the gators dont belong here anyway... if they like the jortsparade and the worlds heaviest student body, gainesville is the perfect fit!

[DATcane]

Umike-

U are right about those guys, Ray Ray for sure everyone thinks he is the goods.

[conch salad]

Truth,

Top 5 Restaurants in the Nips:

1) Randy's Fish MArket - hands down best seafood in town, you can pick your fish and pick how you want it cooked.

10395 Tamiami Trl N
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 593-5555

2) USS Nemo - my cousin is a line chef there. pretty phenomenal food, their specialty is a miso seared tuna

3745 Tamiami Trl N
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 261-6366

3) Baileen - this is in the hotel La Playa. They have on in miami too at grove isle. great food and ambiance, literally dine ovrelooking the beach and the gulf.

9891 Gulfshore Dr
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 598-5707

4) Sharks Cavern - great food, owners are great people. They have a mushroom goulash that will blow your mind, good seafood and solid steaks.

13040 Lvingston Road
Naples, FL 34105
(239) 643-1113

5) Daruma - Hibachi place, excellent stuff though. Hands down best Hibachi ive had, very fresh shrimp, scallops, and just great quality. Across the street from the Ritz Beach resort...

241 Center St
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 591-1200

Any of those places is great. If I had to pick a last meal on earth it would hands down be Randy's but thats cuz Im a seafood nut. They also have incredible key lime pie. It'll make you feel like you are on duval st.

[bg1906]

Este

IMO Pipho is not starting material unless guys are hurt.

Posted by: The Truth | April 10, 2009 at 10:14 AM

I think Brandon Washington asserts himself this fall and the coaches realize they can safely move O. Franklin to RT and insert B. Wash in at LG. I'd like to think that is the plan at some point.

[bg1906]

I think we should take Manny's warning very seriously. I think it does matter. The problem is a simple one to fix though. We have to...

WIN!

If we win, all things will right themselves.

[DZ8]

Dwayne Collins will be playing for the 'Canes next year. Basketball allows its players to declare see where they might go at then go back to school. Just don't hire an agent and you can only do it once. He will be a senior next year so this was his only chance to have himself profesionally evaluated.

[bg1906]

DZ8,

Glad to be of service bro.

[SOUP]

It'll make you feel like you are on duval st.

Posted by: conch salad | April 10, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Conchster...U should be a tour guide dude! And I though I got around? Nice info there.

[conch salad]

haha dude i moved out to the Nips a year ago from Miami, and it was depressing at first so I just ate out every night and, once I got around enough, developed a nice little rotation of my fav restaurants...

as much info as truth and the 'space bring to the table, it was the least i could do...

[conch salad]

I mean, imagine moving from a house on San Amaro all the way to the west coast where Gaytors outnumber Canes 10 to 1? That would make any Cane depressed... and when Im depressed, I eat, and eat good....

[pb(CSROH09)]

Coming out of hibernation to comment on Manny's blog.

Don't you all think recruits see what we do, that this team 5-7 deep at WR, RB and DE, with all of them being young?

No offense but is Jakhari Gore really good enough to get meaningful playing time?

I think the power of depth is swaying kids a lot more than the loss of luster on the program.

JMO...