This article was written exclusively for Canespace by CanesGirlNC...
Here’s an article about one that didn’t get away. It’s about a player who committed to Miami early on – not from any recognizable Florida area code, but from the 402 – Omaha, Nebraska. From a state where a revered mascot dresses in overalls and rules supreme, where the fan base follows their football team in a sea of Husker red, Harland Gunn, one of the state’s premier offensive tackles committed to Miami in March of his senior year. Playing for Omaha Central (the same high school as Gale Sayers and Ahman Green) as a right tackle, he formed a serious threat with fellow lineman D.J. Jones, now at – you guessed it - Nebraska. Despite their efforts Omaha Central only made it to the first round of the Class A playoffs. The Omaha World-Herald listed him as one of their top 6 prospects from the Nebraska-Iowa area and the Omaha World-Herald believed him to be the first Nebraskan to receive a University of Miami scholarship. His commitment never wavered, no other visits were scheduled, not even after the firing of maligned head coach Larry Coker.
In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Harland Gunn “didn’t watch football growing up. I just played it”. In his off-season he was back in Nebraska speaking with elementary school children about peer pressure and other issues. Why? His mother wanted him to. After playing only one game as a red-shirt freshman he earned himself a spot as of the end of March, as right guard beside right tackle Matt Pipho. When the strength & conditioning numbers were released this past April, Harland was benching 425 followed by Allen Bailey at 405.
Harland’s cousin, Justin Gunn, is a long-jumper at Oklahoma which could make for some serious smack talk between the cousins. According to Coach Stoutland “Harland Gunn is going to play”. That’s great to hear because the Sooners, like Santa Claus, are coming to town.
1st
Posted by: canesbrewing | May 18, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Gunn is a stud.
But I really hope Pipho doesn't start, he stinks.
Posted by: SuperCooper | May 18, 2009 at 07:03 PM
1st again?
Posted by: Galagos | May 18, 2009 at 07:07 PM
Gunn has to beat out Jason Figueroa and compete with Brandon Washington. IF Orlando Franklin moves to right tackle that would open up a guard spot for either Washington or Gunn. Get the best five on the field. Stoutland likes to go 8 or 9 deep to create depth.
Posted by: DZ8 | May 18, 2009 at 07:25 PM
I always thought Peter Gunn was cool, repetitive to the point of trance but cool nonetheless
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Joel Figueroa
Posted by: DZ8 | May 18, 2009 at 07:27 PM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/18/james-harrison-snubs-obam_n_204865.html
One more reason just to not like this team or this dude. You know even when Joey Porter vehemently disagreed with Bush, he still showed up and was respectful. It is an honor and a tradition.
Posted by: canechic | May 18, 2009 at 08:50 PM
He turned down the invite in 2005 also. He just wants to piss off both dems and reps huh? ;)
Posted by: DZ8 | May 18, 2009 at 08:53 PM
He turned down the invite from Bush in 2005, at least he's consistent.
Posted by: DZ8 | May 18, 2009 at 08:54 PM
TYPEPAD?
Posted by: DZ8 | May 18, 2009 at 08:56 PM
g'night all
Posted by: DZ8 | May 18, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Canechic, it's only an honor if you actually respect the person in office.
Harrison's attitude and reason is True U though. I have more respect for him than Obama.
"This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won."
Ooh-Rah.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Article by CGNC...
Posted by: SOUP | May 18, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Solar and Canez1, here's the difference between Jacory and Marve last year.
Jacory actually WON two games on his arm and rhythm with the WRs, and almost won a third. Marve had a couple of good opening drives. After that it was anyone's guess what would happen. Marve actually made more plays with his legs than with his arm if you ask me. Problem is his last name isn't Vick or Tebow.
Also, I've always thought Jacory's upside was higher than Marve's and the question would be how long could Marve hold him off.
The combination of a year's growth and maturation and Whipple's play-calling will equal significant improvements by our offense, which will make our defense's life much more fun.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Since there is not much going on, I got a question for you guys. Who would you rather have; Bryce Brown or Eduardo Clements?
Eduardo had this to say about the U
"I’d say right now FSU and Georgia are the two that are really starting to pull ahead of everyone. I’ve gone back and forth on it and I don’t know who I’d sign with yet. Some people have been asking about Miami but there is a lot going on there. They have a bunch of guys at running back and they have the new offense going on. The staff says they’re going to change a lot but we will see. Some people bring that up with FSU, but honestly I can see that the coaches at FSU are working harder. With guys like E.J. Manuel and the guys who redshirted last year there is going to be a lot of improvement there.
I have to be honest and say that if I had to decide today that Miami wouldn’t be there. The three would be FSU, Georgia and USF. I want people to know that I am not playing games and that I am trying to make a good decision on the next 4-5 years of my life. I don’t want to make a commitment then de-commit, and I don’t want to make a decision to go to Miami and sit forever then wonder what woulda been.
Posted by: LaRon Byrds #1 Fan | May 18, 2009 at 09:33 PM
But hell, that's what it's about, inviting the champs, and since their can only be one champion in football at a time, that was stupid to say! He would 've been better off just saying he's not going that to say that. I really don't give a hoot who goes and who deosn't but to say what he said is retarded.
That's just part of the recognition of being a champ, now whether he wants it or not is a different story, but irregardless of who's the president, to say what he said makes no sense to me, i'm still trying to make sense of it myself!
Posted by: Calvin | May 18, 2009 at 09:33 PM
IMO, James did what I would do..Say no and screw off if you disagree..
Posted by: playthefreshmen | May 18, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Interesting political background for Grant Hill, whom I heard interviewed on ESPN radio this morning on the way in to work. His dad, the old Cowboy rb, Calvin, was a fraternity brother in college with George W. Bush, and his mom was a college roommate with Hilary Clinton and has been friends/a mentor of some type of Michelle Obama's for the last ten years or so. He went on to mention that he supported Obama, which makes you wonder what the relationship was like between mom and her old college roommate. Can anyone imagine having a college roommate running for president and not supporting the person? ...and I figured it would be more of a hoops interview. :)
Posted by: JCane | May 18, 2009 at 09:37 PM
At bg1906's suggestion, I listened the very candid WQAM Shannon interview and learned a lot about recruiting and his knowledge of South Florida (i.e., still surprised that Santana Moss only had 8 catches as a sr at Carol City High).
Shannon said that his coaches are concentrating on Florida, esp. the tri-county area. I was surprised to hear him say Palm Beach Co. has the most talent it has ever had - more overall talent than Broward and Miami-Dade.
That is a pretty bold and amazing statement when you consider all the great programs (BTW, MNW, STA, etc.) and players in Miami-Dade and Broward.
I have not studied PBC. What do you think?
Posted by: Windy1 | May 18, 2009 at 10:05 PM
eduardo clements is doing it the right way, it's just one of those years where we do have some trail blazers at runningback that are in, and another 1 on the way, and in all honesty, him going to Fsu would more than likely be his best decision if he wants to be able to play his 1st year at bes, but definitely his second year. If he comes here, e's only going to play if he's the real deal.
That's the thing about competition, some people are not going to want to deal with it, and that's ok too.
Posted by: Calvin | May 18, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Calvin, I like Harrison's attitude. He did the same with Dubbya, according to DZ8.
Granted, it is the tradition for the champs but he takes it to another level, and more personally. That's what I like about it.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Killabeez in da house....what up what up!! Been down, but not out, readin the blog like crazy just not typing. Its the dead period where the guys are working out and coaches are recruiting and evaluating everything as well as preparing for summer camp. Its boring as hell right now, but the anticipation of the next season is getting greater and greater. We all wonder what next season will bring and what the record will be and how we'll look next season. When Calvin started posting all those names at each position I went back to look at the roster and man oh man are we young, talented and young. Lots of freshmen and sophomores with sprinkles of juniors and seniors which could be bad or it could be good. Last year we started out a little slow at I think 2-3(some games we should have won), then we went on a run and ended up being 7-3 heading into the game against GT and bombing from there. If we can play consisent fundamental football, Blocking and Tackling, Throwing and Catching we'll be alright. It starts up front with the Oline and Dline, if we can dominate the line of scrimmage we'll be playing old school Canes football again dirty south smash mouth. Win after win we'll be calling out "NEXT...who want some..Come get some!! The excitement for what the future holds gets greater and greater with each passing day Sept. 7 is getting closer and closer...
Posted by: KillerBeez41 | May 18, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Chi, I agree with you we will be so so much better with Whip.
Canechic, I had a dream about you the other night telling me to come back to canespace.
I want to apologize for being away the last couple weeks just hanging out in New Zealand right now.
Posted by: Canefantasy | May 18, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Laron Byrd, Eduardo Clement is just scared of the depth chart and trying to make some lame excuses about offenses being in better shape than ours. WTF does he know about college offenses?? These kids are hysterical. First Bryce, now this kid.
What he said in the last sentence was the essence of his view, not the BS at the beginning and in the middle.
He should go where there is no competition and GA and FSU are both good places for that. Period.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I really don't give a hoot who goes and who deosn't but to say what he said is retarded.
You got it Calvin, that was my point he is just is being an idiot. If you have a reason, good express it and do not go, step out on limb guy. But that reasoning is just lame @ss.
Grant Hill is a huge democratic supporter and fundraiser, I personally have been to numerous functions where he was the keynote speaker. He really is a great guy maybe not a good pick for the Magic or Magics if you live in Orlando but a great guy. Why do the people of Orlando feel it necessary to pluralize Magic? It drives Nick and I absolutely insane.
Posted by: canechic | May 18, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Canefantasy that is just too funny. We missed you!
Posted by: canechic | May 18, 2009 at 10:14 PM
If he comes here, e's only going to play if he's the real deal.
That's the thing about competition, some people are not going to want to deal with it, and that's ok too.
Posted by: Calvin | May 18, 2009 at 10:07 PM
>>>>>
Exactly. "ONLY IF YOU'RE THE REAL DEAL." And that's something we all should expect to hear more of with Team Shannon at the wheel.
I think FSU would probably be better for him but both schools seem to be about the same. FSU is closer to home though.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:16 PM
killerbeez welcome back, yes it is pretty boring but that could be good.
Go Canes!
Posted by: canechic | May 18, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Fantasy, what's up bro'? How is the vacation? Have you walked on the glacier and the volcano yet??
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Chi,
Jacory is a great kid, a team player, a responsible person, a gentleman.
What that fosters is popularity.
That is what skews a lot of people's rating of one guy over another.
That's one of the subconscious reasons you overlooked a lot of things with Coker.
Marve was all the rage when he was wearing U flip flops before he committed.
Because he's not the guy here doesn't mean he is gonna tank at his next stop.
Wright and Freeman were real popular when they were fresh out of high school.
T Owens,Bobby Layne, Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus are not popular guys but they are great football players.
I'm an avid J Harris fan, but I realize he is going to lose a couple games all by himself before he leaves Miami, and I can deal with it. I'm a realist, shyt happens.
I don't wish Marve anything bad where ever he ends up, it's not going to affect us at all.
One day maybe he matures and turns out OK.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Solar, I wasn't wishing anything bad on Marve, just stating what the differences were between them on the field.
I think Marve will be fine. He loves to play and if he can slow down his brain a little he should be fine. I wish him well. His father, OTOH, is a true Douche.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Windy, to me, if Shannon said that, and I too listened to the interview, it must be true. But recall he did say it was the first time he was able to say that about PBC.
As long as we get the kids with the Miami mentality, I'm not worried. I am curious though, to see some of these players. Remember in the interview that Shannon said the staff really think there are some kids who are BETTER than what we have right now. That's serious.
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM
chi
amen on the old man part! lol
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 10:28 PM
CC, Harrison just takes his Steelers seriously, to the heart.
I agree it is a little misplaced. It's not like Obama or Bush for that matter went out and said, "I want to invite this team because they're my favorite." They're as obliged as the team is.
But his candor and disdain were refreshing. lol
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:29 PM
yea Randy did say there are twenty guys out there right now that are better than what we have, I love that.
" I'm going out to get the guy to take your place" is no idle threat from Coach Shannon
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Solar, no doubt about that. Just look at the upperclassmen who might be unseated by freshmen and sophomores, or who already have been.
Even the WRs aren't safe because KT and Streeter are like incoming freshmen but experienced and hungry. haha
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I can see I'm going to have to remember to enter my new name every dam time.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Good writeup on Gunn
Posted by: Loco | May 18, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I can see I'm going to have to remember to enter my new name every dam time.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Why not just become Captain Optimist aka Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer?
Posted by: Loco | May 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I got no problem with Harrison's reasoning. That's the best reasoning possible - "I don't want to". Simple. The follow up question is "why not?". And the follow up answer to that is "mind ya business".
Posted by: Esteban | May 18, 2009 at 10:40 PM
" I'm going out to get the guy to take your place" is no idle threat from Coach Shannon
Kinda like Bill Cosby, "I brought you into this world and I will take you out and make another that will look just like you." Classic!
Posted by: canechic | May 18, 2009 at 10:41 PM
And Gunn isn't going to beat out Figs for RG. His best chance is Franklin moving to RT and competing against Brandon Washington.
And Super, Pipho doesn't suck, he used to, but doesn't at this point. Now that ain't saying he's good. But I think he proved last year when he had to step in that he doesn't suck. He's good enough to fill in. Now him being the starter at RT I'm not looking forward to.
Posted by: Esteban | May 18, 2009 at 10:45 PM
We spend a whole week blogging about ADD...
and now we have to deal with Dissociative Identity Disorder with Captain Punisher or whoever the hell he is today.
lol
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Then again you got Canez1 with Tourette Syndrome so I guess it's all good
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 10:51 PM
good thing I missed the ADD convo. That's on my "fake disease" list.
Posted by: Esteban | May 18, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I'm out gang
catch you folks later
peace
Posted by: solarcane | May 18, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Canechic, I had a dream about you the other night telling me to come back to canespace.
Posted by: Canefantasy | May 18, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Oh boy, no telling how that dream ended...
Posted by: SOUP | May 18, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Este, it's on mine and Texas' also. Solar remained neutral somehow, while Soup, Truth and someone else think it's real at least in a practical sense from a teacher's perspective.
Loco, lol, that's good one.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Canechic:
It's not only Orlando folks (the Magics). Timmy Hardaway, of past Heat fame while teaming with Alonzo Mournings, a few years ago referred to his former team as the "Heats." Kinda scary.
Posted by: JCane | May 18, 2009 at 11:17 PM
killerbeez welcome back.
Posted by: canechic | May 18, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Fantasy, what's up bro'? How is the vacation?
Posted by: Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer | May 18, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Now there are some Canespacers with manners! Take note people, that is how it is done. When Killer and Fanatsy return to action after a layoff, U have to welcome them back!
That is what makes The Space...The Space!
Posted by: SOUP | May 18, 2009 at 11:20 PM