Bread and Butter

In addition to the common every day food items we all know and love, the term "Bread and Butter" is often used to describe a team's most basic, common, reliable, dependable and productive plays. 

For example, a coach may describe their offense in these terms: "Our offense is based on our power running game.  We run a lot of pro-set I formation and split backfield sets with a FB lead blocker and then we run our play action passing game off of that.  That's our bread and butter right there."

Under former Offensive Coordinator Patrick Nix the Canes bread and butter was more like eating dry toast.  It appeared to be the flanker screen (usually with the wrong personnel grouping on the field) on first down followed quickly by the QB draw from the shotgun formation on second and long.  Third down often resulted in an incomplete pass, a pass completed well short of the first down marker (my favorite!) or even worse a sack or an interception. 

Patrick Nix made more Canes fans want to go on a low carb/low fat diet quicker than you could say "Bobby Drama".  While some fans merely fasted, many went on a starvation diet as they begged for anything but some of Nix's "bread and butter."  It was even reported that Canespace blogger and resident Nix hater Carlos lost over 40 pounds during the 2008 season alone!

This year under new offensive coordinator Mark "Miracle" Whipple the Canes hope to generate more yards, first downs and points with a pro-set offense, a consistent running game and a controlled but aggressive down field passing attack.  And while many Canes fans feel the season rests squarely on the shoulders of first year, full-time starting QB Jacory Harris, I believe that the Hurricanes success is more likely to be lined up right behind Jacory in running backs Javaris James and Graig Cooper.

The often injured James enters his Senior season as somewhat of an enigma and somewhat as a dissappointment.  He has not been able to live up to his recruiting hype when he came to UM as the much heralded younger cousin of former Hurricane great Edgerrin James.

It is difficult to be critical of James The Younger as we have yet to see a full season of James and what he is really capable of doing due to his injury riddled career at UM. 

Yet when asked what was the key to the 2009 season for Miami, Don Bailey Jr., the voice of the Hurricanes replied without hesitation: "Javaris James.  He has to stay healthy and get a 1,000 yards this season for the Canes to be successfull." 

James, who played in nine games last year, had 68 carries for 286 yards and 4 TDs.  He will have to double that production to be the bread for the Hurricanes offense in 2009. 

The bottom line is that as James goes, so may go the Canes this season.

Sharing equal time with James is likely to be smaller but quicker and more elusive Graig Cooper.  Cooper (seen here with UMike's son)shared time with James last year and was forced into more of a full time roll when James was injured. 

In 13 games Coop rushed for 841 yards and 4 TDs in 2008 but was often criticized by fans for going down at the slightest touch or even over a tall blade of grass. 

Cooper must be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, run hard and get yards after contact if he is going to provide ther heavy coating of butter the Canes rushing game needs in 2009.  

While many Canes fans may be eager to see what converted safety Damien Berry or even freshmen Mike James and Lamar Miller can do with the ball under their arm, it is clear that Javaris James and Graig Cooper will be Miami's bread and butter in 2009.  

Let's just hope that Whipple's version is a little more palatable than the dry toast we were forced to choke down under Nix.

Comments

[mm01]

not again

[mm01]

that's 2 in 3 days.

Anybody hearing some inside info on Coop? What's the scoop on the timetable for his return?

[alf]

no not again

[The Truth]

It's a tweak...he's fine.

[The Truth]

Stop worrying about injuries unless tear, acl or amputation is a part of the description. Thos ain't camp coker. The kids know they better heal quick!!

[ELLIOTT'S CONCERNED]

Truth, what can U tell me about Ojomo? Will he be ready for FSU?

[alf]

Ojomo just had surgery for a broken jaw

[bg1906]

Stop worrying about injuries unless tear, acl or amputation is a part of the description. Thos ain't camp coker. The kids know they better heal quick!!

Posted by: The Truth | August 18, 2009 at 12:07 PM

Amen to that! Ojomo screwed up...Aaaaaaa-GAIN!

Child Please! HAHAHA! I love hearing 8-5 say that. HAHAHA!

[moneycane]

To me this time is worse than the so called "dead period". It's like I've been in jail for 7 mo and my friends take me to the strip club and the girls are dancing in glass cages and no lap dances are allowed. WILL THE SEASON START ALREADY.

[j.w.]

broken jaw doesn't sound too good- but as long as we don't hear the players chanting "Shannon boombiyae" I guess it isn't too serious.

[True Cane]

Coop will be OK

[DZ8]

No mention of Lee Chambers?

Lee Chambers.

[CanesgirlNC]

"This ain't no Camp Coker". 86 - your next shirt maybe? LOL!

[MasSivCane]

So if Ojomo got his jaw broken and he had surgery did he get it wired shut (do they still do that?) I think his buggest concern would be losing the weight because he would be on a liquid diet.

[CaneSawMassacre]

14th....

Losing my touch.

[alf]

it all depends how bad the break was, or if it was dislocated.

the biggest concern i have is his conditioning, he cant run, and cant lift weight with a broken jaw.

It will take him a few weeks to get back in football shape.

[CanesgirlNC]

A word to the Haters from Kathy Hayes:

My son loves the University of Miami. He loves University of Miami football," Kathie Hayes said. "For him to be a part of it, even in a small way, has been very meaningful to him. And after they did what they did for my son and for our family, don't anybody ever tell me anything negative ever again about a football player or coach at the University of Miami."

Eugene Marve did you hear THAT?!?!?

[CanesAddiction]

Good thing that RB and DE are 2 of our deepest positions. Also a good thing that Coop and Ojomo will be back for most of the first 4 games.

We can still beat FSU without Ojomo if he's out...although we will def miss his run-stopping ability. He's great at that.

[86Cane]

ALF...GOOD TO SEE U AROUND THE BLOB AGAIN.

[Esteban]

Elusive and Graig Cooper? Explosive maybe. Runs like he's shot out of a cannon. But he don't make ANYONE miss. so elusive? not really.

[86Cane]

CGNC...great post! U have time to work on anything for the blob before FSU?

[bg1906]

Randy Shannon loafing????

Chavez...Child Please! HAHAHA!

[bg1906]

Elusive and Graig Cooper? Explosive maybe. Runs like he's shot out of a cannon. But he don't make ANYONE miss. so elusive? not really.

Posted by: Esteban | August 18, 2009 at 12:46 PM

I'll drink to that! Graig Cooper, ELUSIVE, Child Please!

[86Cane]

Este...U are ALWAYS welcome to write something for the blob if U choose.

Cooper is MORE elusive than James, but U are correct, he's not elusive as running backs go in general.

[Esteban]

bg, you got me laughing over here.

got me thinking of other ammo to feed you.

[CanesAddiction]

Cooper has the most perfect sprinting form I've ever seen on a football player.

When Coop is at full speed, on a dead sprint straight ahead, I swear you could balance a book on his head!

Anybody else notice that before?

I'm not sure it makes a player better to be able to do that, but it sure looks really cool.

[Esteban]

I think James is more elusive than Cooper. Actually makes people miss once and a while...when healthy.

and I really wish Kyle Wright was the QB going into this season.

[CanesgirlNC]

"Michael Irvin said the reason he joined the Dancing With The Stars cast was so he could avoid the dreaded “mid-life crisis.”

“All I have done my whole life has been about football,” he said. “This is a way I can have my crisis without getting in a race car or going with a 19-year old.”

[CanesAddiction]

check out what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5BaZFpMJLM

[bg1906]

* OL Orlando Franklin was limping noticeably with his knee in a protective brace today, and Brandon Washington and Harland Gunn worked in at first team left guard.

[Esteban]

Irvin is doing dancing with the stars cause he's competitive. wants to show emmit he can win it too. troy aikman's in the batter's box.

[bg1906]

Futch says he isn't focused on being a starter, but simply on contributing to the team.

"If I'm out on special teams, I'm going to knock somebody's head off and make a big play," he said. "That's always the goal - to make a big play and help the team win a game."

Of first-year coordinator John Lovett, Futch said, "I think he's fantastic. With him and coach (Randy) Shannon, that's two defensive minds. Coach Lovett has great schemes, great things going for us."

[CanesgirlNC]

86 - Thanks. I am getting ready for two horse shows, it would be hard to get something together, so no promises but maybe :-D

[bg1906]

and I really wish Kyle Wright was the QB going into this season.

Posted by: Esteban | August 18, 2009 at 12:51 PM

Kyle Wright??? Child Please! HAHAHAHA!

[bg1906]

Addiction.

Yes Coop does run with VERY good track form. I remember the first time I saw him break one vs Marshall I was impressed with how fast he gets from 0-60, but he doesn't have great sustainable top end speed. But very quick, and great initial burst.

[DZ8]

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/recruiting/blog/2009/08/did_um_reel_in_centrals_mcderm.html

Thats not a recruiting violation is it?

bg1906, "Child please!"

[coldcane]

They hire consulting firms to do internet searches and find college team blogs and they found the Space. Told me over the phone (I'm not making this up) that we were their #1 target for Miami Hurricane sports.

Posted by: 86Cane

sing with me...we're moving on up to the east side to a deluxe apartment...

[CanesAddiction]

agreed BG,

His top end speed is decent, not great. I'm impressed with his acceleration. What's his ACCL rating on NCAA 2010? It should be 92-96 if they wanna do him justice. If I had to rate his top speed I'd go as low as 89-90 though.

If you watch the video I posted you'll see that, at least last year, he was much improved in the Agility and Strength dept. He moved a few piles and made a few more guys miss than I think a lot of people give him credit for.

[bg1906]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-PIq2aDUjk

:20 second mark! LMAO!

[coldcane]

let's tag team the song and see if we can finish it...NO YOUTUBE OR GOOGLE!!!!

[Old Skool]

“This is a way I can have my crisis without getting in a race car or going with a 19-year old."

Yeah right. Like they're going to pair him up with 45 year old dancer. Not a chance. She'll be half that age and look far better than most women do Photoshopped

[bg1906]

Coop in NCAA 10

Spd - 93
Acl - 94
Agl - 94

[UMike]

you know..that kid with Cooper is dam cute...he must get it from his dad.

And what is it with these injuries..DAM SHANDEL JINXED US!!!

[bg1906]

His elusiveness rating is 94...

EA Sports....

Child Please!

[bg1906]

DZ8.

You got it bro! Child Please!

[Old Skool]

Still going on Dancing is a far classier way to get attention, stay in the public eye, or have a competitive outlet than what Canseco's doing.

Jose just signed a deal to fight Rodney King (of the LA riots fame) in September.

Tonya Harding gets to take on the winner.

[bg1906]

Jakhari is saying its between the Bayou Bungles and the 'Turds...

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-schools/story/1190537.html

[bg1906]

Sponge Bob throwing up The U! HAHAHA!

http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss227/samagy16/IMGP1156_edited.jpg

Child Please!

[bg1906]

Article on Sheldon Richardson.

http://campuscorner.kansascity.com/node/127

Article on Darion Hall

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/aug/17/photos-prepzone-lelys-hall-ready-big-senior-season/

[bg1906]

New Manny.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2009/08/was-it-more-than-horsing-around.html