Love Hurts

When U are getting older, but U are still completely in love with the Hurricanes and each other like Fran and his wife of over 40 years Jean (seen below with RandyCane at R at The Shark) you don't mind driving five hours from DeBary to get to the Stadium when the gates open four hours before kickoff.  Hard core UM fans are like that, and to them losing really losing hurts.  But even after the tough loss to Clemson they said that they will be back to see their team again soon, just as sure as they are married.

When U love your team more than life itself, it hurts so bad to lose.  After the game was over we found the JSQ in tears and threatening suicide (we think she was kidding about running out into traffic?).  Text message reports from her friends were that they had her on "close watch" and that it took "sight and sound supervision" to keep her away from the traffic flow headed out of The Shark.  Not even the now infamous orange and green jello shots were going to wash away her pain on this night. 

The word on the street is that the JSQ is scheduled to be released from the Crisis Stabilization Unit today at 4 PM with her new anti-depressant prescription.  Please whatever U do, no more sharp objects around her at the tailgate party!

When you hate losing more than death like me (#86) and Lamar Thomas (#36) do, then losing, like love, stinks.  Long time Canespacer Calvin can tell U that a few months ago when someone posted on the blog that the world was going to end on December 12 of 2012, I posted this comment: "As long as Miami wins one or two more national championships by then I'm cool with that."  I meant it too; every word of it.

When U bleed orange and green like MiamiMike01 and RandyCane (seen above, front C and middle C with Fran, Mitch, Money, MoneyGirl and Jean) U do what U can to support your Hurricanes.  They drove all the way from Jacksonville to attend the game only to see their U go down to the Tigers at the Shark.  After the game when we were back on the patio by the pool at the lovely Hampton Inn in Plantation, Mike and I tried to drink away the pain of losing with a bottle of Tequilla (Patron of course).  The remedy was only partially successful as we found out the next morning that the pain was still there, but had moved from our hearts to our heads.

When U follow the team with The U on their helmet for a living like AngryCane and Canechic do (seen above during happier times at the UCF tailgate party with daughter Nicole and friends), U have no problem making the four hour trip from Orlando for every UM home game since time began.  And, U would rather take a sharp stick in the eye than lose another ACC game at home.  Angry didn't get his name for nothing and after the loss he required a minimum safe distance of 6 feet.  Anything within in striking distance is at risk of serious, and at times even life threatening, injury.  Canespace is NOT responsible for any damages if U fail to follow safe handling instructions included with the blog.

But when U really love the Hurricanes, U will travel by air, water or even foot if U have to just to get to see them play.  Original Canespacer HurricaneMitch (he hardly ever blogs now, but he's still around) flew in from Nebrsaka just to see the Canes play live at The Shark.  Above U see him signing the famous Canespace banner at the tailgate party before the game.  The banner has been signed by hundreds of Canes fans from all over the Country and a few former players like Lamar Thomas #36 and Russell Maryland #67 and others.

So to U lazy fans out there who live within driving distance to the stadium and choose to sit at home to watch the game instead of going to The Shark like the REAL fans seen here, U are pathetic.  U simply don't love your team like we do.  No, U don't.  Get off the damn couch and get into the game. 

If we don't see U at The Shark for the next game I will have no choice but to send my boys AngryCane and his partner in crime MoneyCane (seen below) after your sorry azzes.  And it will NOT be pretty, trust me on this.

 

Comments

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"Now, when we fought, you had that eye of the tiger, man; the edge! And now you gotta get it back, and the way to get it back is to go back to the beginning. You know what I mean?

See that look in their eyes, Rock? You gotta get that look back, Rock. Eye of the tiger, man.

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 26, 2009 at 10:18 AM"

LMFAO!

(Cue Rick Rude voice): PRODUCTION MONKEY IN THE BACK! Hit, the music.

(Yeah, that was Hogan's in the 80's but still, this about sums it up for the Hurricane's right now)

[j.w.]

Greetings from Disneyland, folks! My youngest is napping so I got chance to read and post here, finally. 86- I represented Canespace all day Saturday, not many canes fans here, and I wish it brought the tmea more luck, but what can U do? I tivo'ed the game, got text updates all day through the park, and planned to watch it at night on ESPN 360 but couldn't do it, wouldn't have been fair to the kids to get worked up over this one. I'll watch it when I get home. Without seeing it, when I saw Clemple's scores on my phone I knew we had to have suffered a big injury for their O to move on us, please Spence be ok. As for fan disappointment with the game- that's the price for setting the bar high. Consider it a compliment to Shannon that an overtime loss gets people worked up. Everything will calm down when we win out, especially after we beat the living hell out of the Tar Schmeils.
86- I appreciate the shirt offer and can't have enough canespace gear, but since Solar was nice enough to let me have one when he won one of your contests, allow me to return the favor (and save you a couple of bucks in postage) :)- give the one you planned to mail to me to a well-deserving fan that you see at one of the upcoming games.
Anyway, I'm back to the park, hope to check in sometime tomorrow.

[JSQ]

Stumbled on a replay of the game by accident. For some reason I can't turn the channel.

On an related note, Sebastian is hiding the knives in the house and getting the tequila ready.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

I also thought the 40,000+ in Miami Gardens would have made more of a differnce in the reverb chamber that was the Orange Bowl than they did on Saturday, but the turnout and the lack of homefield advantage wasn't surprising to me. If we had beaten VT we might have topped 60,000-70,000 since we would have been top 5, but unless the number next to the U on the chyron is a single digit, 50,000 is about the max you're going to pull unless it's F$U, UF, or Notre Dame for a UM football game. Sad but true. 50,000 in the teal box isn't much of an advantage, but OU was loud, and wasn't capacity so I could be wrong about it.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

The Clemson OC said four days before the game he intended to rotate his offensive linemen against our D line.
He was confident we would wear down because of our lack of depth there.

With more and more guys getting nicked and banged up we could see more fatigue being an issue the rest of the way.
jmo

peace

Posted by: solarcane | October 26, 2009 at 03:52 PM

>>>>>

Very true but I don't think anyone has the talent to match the depth of Clemson. BUT if our offense had finished one of those drives with a TD or simply running off the clock, the D's fatigue wouldn't be an issue, kind of like the 2002 Fiesta.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Clemson was flying under the radar after the bomb they laid last year, they excell when the pressure is off. But to bottom line it:

The big story Saturday was your Miami Hurricanes losing an OT thriller behind a career day from CJ Spiller, and it was national news. When was the last time a close Miami loss "meant" anything nationally? 2003? Like Calvin pointed out, if The Randy were to leave today, there is absolutely NO ONE who could credibly say the program isn't in a better place due to his stewardship of it. That's the mark of a good coach, and if he continues to progress as a head coach, possibly a great one as well.

[real deal]

Everyone keeps talking about all this talent RS has brought in. But besides 12, 31, 47, 3, and 2 where is all the talent?

So out of three so called great recruiting classes we have abut 5 or 6 guys who can make a difference.

Say what you want about the recruiting services and all the stars crap but the teams at the top of the BCS are the same teams who the last 5 years have been at the top of the recruting charts every signing day.

It seems like the 5 stars we do get are all duds (AB #11).. or our coaches just can't develop talent. i seem to think it's both.

And Rs has been here for how many years now? he was the DC and longest standing assistant while Coker was heer. Do you not think Rs had a lot to do with recruiting and who was signed? I do, maybe he is the real cancer and needs to be cut out.

You guys all come on here and say how much of a real fan you are bit it's cool we lost to 3-3 team because we;re still young, injured or whatever crap you want to say.

You are like our coach no killer instinct and just floating along and another 7-5 or oooh maybe a 9-3 season is fine.

We should not have lost to Clemson and i won't be srprised one bit if we lose to NC and Butch. This has been our MO under Shannon and Choker.

This is getting ridiculous, how long does it take to turn around a program and we have been young for how many years now> I'm sorry don't most players only get 4 years in college how many do we need before the young excuse gets played out.

Our HC is the king of excuses and never manning up and taking the blame for a loss. we got three seniors on our O-line and except Fox all of them suck. been here five years and still can't play and weak and out of shape. No depth, the dudes behind them all suck if they can't beat these guys out.

Do we really have competition or is Rs just playing the most experienced rather then the typical quote " the best guys are going to play" Yeah right!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Soup, you have a typo in the second sentence....."losing" comes twice.

U and Jimmy make great points but I think the answer is a sort of staring Us in the face. Both of our Coordinators are still a little unsure of what to do when. They seem to outthink or hesitate too much in some ways.

Soup's point about Shields is perfect. I'd blitz him all game long and let Chavez or McGee pick up his man, or C-Mac as you said. I'd keep BH in coverage.

Our biggest plays on defense this year have come with blitzes. But I think Lovett's a bit of a worrier, (recall his speed after the OU game about how much he worried about us being in the right coverage), at this stage because he sees how many things can go wrong with this D, so he hedges his bets.

But I'd rather have Shields blitzing from all angles than running around in coverage. Send him on 1st down or something. He's a missile in a straight line.

But as Jimmy said, 4 TOs and two crucial unfinished drives will sink almost any defense, just as the 2002 D.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

real deal, you're either a troll or else you have no point since you're already proclaiming recruiting classes who 2/3rds of which aren't upperclassmen yet busts or booms. It takes at least 3 years to even begin to get a sense of what you really got out of a recruiting class. So go look at the first class brought in under The Randy, which was under duress due to the coaching change to begin with and count the players from that. But really, you know you're going to please yourself to #15's proclamation that the earth is 8,000 years old while reciting his lockeroom speach after Ole' Miss last year, so go ahead and come on out of that particular closet right now and save us all the time and trouble.

[JSQ]

Bosher scores! GO 'CANES!

Perhaps I should stop watching now . . .

[dlu]

86 nice blog from the heart, with pics.

Daytoncane: thing is its the lack of having a game plan to attack the weakness of the opposing offense that is getting old.
Fsu the D gave so much room to Ponder he was giggling.
One game the U adjusted ga tech. 10 days + part of fall and spring practice for that adjustment
OKLa has a weak o-line so the van. approach worked ok.
I had some hope after cfu, some dif. defensive calls but that all vanished against clemson, and we all know how the d played at va tech.

I have little hope that the defense will do much dif the rest of the yr. HOpe the offense wins.

I do not think it is the talent as much as the defensive schemes.

[Sebastian]

#26, #1, #4, #97(currently injured), #7, #35, #54 all have shown to be impact players

Im sure I missed some others

[pb(CSROH10)]

Everyone keeps talking about all this talent RS has brought in. But besides 12, 31, 47, 3, and 2 where is all the talent?

Posted by: real deal | October 26, 2009 at 07:22 PM

I've seen dumb things written here before and kind of chuckled.

But I feel the most idiotic thing ever written here should be acknowledged.

So everyone please take a look then continue on with your blogging.

Thank you.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Real Deal, how about #1, #35, #57, #47, #85, #4, #28, #54, #35, #56, #26, #7...off the top of my head. Or have you only seen the Clemson game this year?

Let's take a closer look.

The entire WR corps are Shannonites, as are 3/4 of the DL, with about four of them injured.

LBs are 2/3 Cokerites, and DBs are a mix, with the most talented being the true SO and two FR, one RS and one true.

OL is entirely Cokerite except for Gunn, who came in despite Coker's departure.

So if you're talking about real talent it's almost entirely FR, SO, which explains why OL and LB are the two weakest links on the team, closely followed by DBs.

The rest have been whipped into shape by Shannon and of late Whipple, most of the juniors.

So I'm not sure what your point is. Clemson's coaches planned to exploit our lack of depth and to some degree it worked. Shannon can't make OL and LBs out of thin air, especially not OL. Sharpton, Fox, Pipho, Frank, Trump and Figs are all Cokerites.

The only Cokerite who I'd say is full scale baller is C-Mac.

You make the most of what you have, and given these guys performances 3 years ago, I'd say Team Shannon has dam near worked miracles. lol

The talent, the playmakers, the gamebreakers are all FR and SO, except for Hankerson. But he needed to be "motivated" before he really dug deep.

So again, what exactly is your point?

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

OGV, you got that right about the fair weather Florida fans. If we're not top-5 and the opponent isn't top ten, forget it. lol

People don't know who a 3-3 Clemson team is.

[canechic]

JSQ walk away from the TV put down the remote....serenity now serenity now.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Solar, the fact that Clemson's coaches were fully aware of our lack of depth shows just how much we're still feeling the effects of Medioker. It's disgusting to say it but it's true. The fact that CLEMSON has more able bodied, capable OL-DL says everything.

The key to the rest of the season is both offense and defense playing lights out from the beginning, so we can get a lead and coast.

#11 and the young OL MUST step up. It's that simple.

[86Cane]

On an related note, Sebastian is hiding the knives in the house and getting the tequila ready.

Posted by: JSQ | October 26, 2009 at 07:17 PM

SMART DOG. I gotta meet this dog...LOL

[JSQ]

Touchdown Berry!

[BahamaCane]

the Canes still has an outside shot of playing for the ACC champioship.

If the Canes win out and GT and VT gets one more loss, we will be right back in this.

I know some of you dont think GT and VT will loose again, but why not hope? Why not believe?

GT has 2 conf games left (WF and Duke) and VT has 3 (NC, Maryland and Virgina). Those teams are looking to do to GT and VT what Clemson did to Miami.

The Canes next 4 games are all in conf (WF, Virgina, Duke and NC) and has to go 4-0 to keeps its slime hopes alive for the ACC championship.

If they can go 3-1 against top ranked teams at the time, i believe they can go 4-0 in conference.

LETS DO THIS!!!!!

GO CANES!!!!!!!

[JSQ]

NO! NO! Don't kick it to Spiller! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[canesteeler]

....

[canechic]

JSQ it is like in Fever Pitch you must not rehash the bad memories...only the good ones, like the Rose Bowl!

[JSQ]

If they can go 3-1 against top ranked teams at the time, i believe they can go 4-0 in conference.

LETS DO THIS!!!!!

GO CANES!!!!!!!

Posted by: BahamaCane | October 26, 2009 at 07:49 PM

I'm with you, Bahama. My new second favorite team is whomever is playing GT and VT. Kinda like last year when I became a huge Terps fan for 4 hours when they were playing GT in November.

[JSQ]

I'm with you, Bahama. My new second favorite team is whomever is playing GT and VT. Kinda like last year when I became a huge Terps fan for 4 hours when they were playing GT in November.

Posted by: JSQ | October 26, 2009 at 07:52 PM

I meant UNC. Thought of GT because that was who we played the next week after the UNC loss put us in the driver's seat in the ACC. We all know how that one went . . .

[JSQ]

JSQ it is like in Fever Pitch you must not rehash the bad memories...only the good ones, like the Rose Bowl!

Posted by: canechic | October 26, 2009 at 07:52 PM

I hear that. My Rose Bowl DVD is starting to skip from overplay. I guess I am watching because I keep going back to stage 1 of grieving: denial.

[86Cane]

serenity now serenity now.

Posted by: canechic | October 26, 2009 at 07:43 PM

Serenity is a place I haven't found...YET.

[canechic]

You know canesteeler I love you man but yesterday I had to think to myself who do I hate more the steelers or Brett Favre?

I had to root for the vikings only because it is better for the Ravens but must admit I love when the true Brett favre comes to surface. Fumble by Brett Favre, interception by Brett Favre, Brett Favre leads his team to the playoffs only to throw 5 picks. Love it!

[86Cane]

I do not think it is the talent as much as the defensive schemes.

Posted by: dlu | October 26, 2009 at 07:34 PM

TOTALLY AGREE. U can't live in 2009 with a defense designed in the 80's anymore than U can live with the Wishbone.

[Sarasota 'cane]

NO! NO! Don't kick it to Spiller! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Posted by: JSQ | October 26, 2009 at 07:49 PM

Let it go JSQ or you'll end up like "Norwood" from "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective"!

Go 'canes!

P.S. What about the "real deal" 86? Just happened to show up for the first time the Monday after the Clemson loss, with the exact same message as Swamp Donkey?

Child please!

[Windy]

Good news about Jacory as the only ACC QB that is an O'Brien finalist, and Bosher as a Groza award for the past week.

If the Canes can win out, they will be a top 10 team or higher in the final rankings. Although they will be favored in all their remaining games, winning out will not be easy.

Canes have too many injuries on D to be consistent on that side of the ball. Still, the Canes need to find a way to get better play out of the backups who fill in on D. I also think they must play their best players on D and let them make plays. If Buchanon and AB are not ready to make plays, put in Ray Ray in a (5 DB) nickel package and put Ray Ray down in the box and let him blitz. Our safeties need to emulate Clemson's McDaniel play and become the hunter instead of the hunted.

As for the Offense, the key is execution. Penalties and turnovers need to be reduced. Coop and JJ need to work on their blitz pickups, and Jacory needs to identify the coverages and the safeties. Our OL needs to handle their responsiblities. Again, our best players need to play, and I would go to Damian Berry and Travis Benjamin more.

A successful year is still possible, but the Canes have to take care of business.

Go Canes!

[JSQ]

Serenity is a place I haven't found...YET.

Posted by: 86Cane | October 26, 2009 at 07:55 PM

I had WQAM on all day at work, trying to glean some sort of wisdom from those dudes and reconcile the loss. No answers.

From watching this horror movie/game again, all I can say is it is amazing we were still in a position to win this game after all the mistakes that were made. It was just a perfect storm for Clemson.

[canechic]

JSQ I want to watch the game just to replay some of those great defensive hits but I am just not ready yet. I can't watch sportscenter cannot listen to sports radio....so HG tv it is or maybe Nick at Nite..I love to watch re-runs of the Nanny...How was that show on for so long?

[BahamaCane]

Lovett is the Patrick Nix of defense!

[JSQ]

JSQ I want to watch the game just to replay some of those great defensive hits but I am just not ready yet. I can't watch sportscenter cannot listen to sports radio....so HG tv it is or maybe Nick at Nite..I love to watch re-runs of the Nanny...How was that show on for so long?

Posted by: canechic | October 26, 2009 at 07:59 PM

It is helping a bit. Seeing through sober eyes where we all went wrong instead of blaming myself for not straightening my hair that day or sitting in the "wrong" seciton during the second half.

FYI: Grey's Anatomy is on Lifetime right now and Legally Blonde just started on Oxygen. I'm also a big HGTV fan. Never watched the Nanny. Can't stand that lady's voice!

btw, I think that whole thing with Whip and Randy was blown out of proportion. Heat of the moment type of thing.

Touchdown, Hank!

[miamimike01]

Posted by: real deal | October 26, 2009 at 07:22 PM

Tread lightly, Croc.

So, 86, how did the Tampa 2 work for Kiffin and Bucs, just a short few years ago?

C'mon, man. Willie's and Joe's... RS isn't done...

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

As for the Offense, the key is execution. Penalties and turnovers need to be reduced. Coop and JJ need to work on their blitz pickups, and Jacory needs to identify the coverages and the safeties. Our OL needs to handle their responsiblities. Again, our best players need to play, and I would go to Damian Berry and Travis Benjamin more.

A successful year is still possible, but the Canes have to take care of business.

Go Canes!

Posted by: Windy | October 26, 2009 at 07:59 PM

>>>>>>

JJ and Coop have been superb in their blitz pick-ups but they weren't. Also the loss of Pat Hill is bigger than a lot of us thought because Calhoun isn't ready to step in and step up yet.

[miamimike01]

Lovett is the Patrick Nix of defense!

Posted by: BahamaCane | October 26, 2009 at 08:00 PM

What? After seven games, let's fire Lovett.

Held GT to 95 YDS rushing; where's that talk then? The U is THE ONLY D to STOP the Flexbone. Nobody else has come close. NOBODY.

www.firelovett.com

People, this is still a work in progress.

Let's all calm down and evaluate WHAT REALLY is going on.

PROGRESS

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Bahama, Lovett will be fine. He's definitely NOT Nix. He's just playing it safe because he's not totally confident and secure with our personnel. We have some definite holes, especially after all the injuries.

But I think he'll mix things up more against our upcoming opponents.

[Daytoncane]

there's really no reason for anyone else to respond to that guy. he most likely won't be back so there's no need to beat a dead horse.

dlu i think you're missing the point. how do you know that blitzing would've solved anything? what if we blitzed and got burned by it repeatedly? then you'd be saying the opposite.

saying that we didn't have a gameplan to attack the defense is basically saying that we're either incompetent (which we aren't) or the coaching staff doesn't even try to look at game film or practice. we had a gameplan, we just didn't execute.

i would bet that there some things that the staff thought they could've done better, but that can be said about every coaching staff in every single sport. im not saying they are without fault (because they aren't), im simply saying that it's up to the players to execute the plays. and Lovett runs the defense, not Randy so i don't know how he can directly be at fault for that.

again, i don't understand why everybody is suicidal about 2 losses. which is worse: a young Miami team upset by Clemson or a veteran LSU team losing their second game to Arkansas in 2007? let's put this in perspective.

[86Cane]

So, 86, how did the Tampa 2 work for Kiffin and Bucs, just a short few years ago?

C'mon, man. Willie's and Joe's... RS isn't done...

Posted by: miamimike01 | October 26, 2009 at 08:06 PM

BS ALERT, BS ALERT!!!

As a coach U gotta play with what U got and scheme it that way.

If U think for one minute that UM is going back to 1986 defense and winning a National Championship it ain't gonna heppen.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

From watching this horror movie/game again, all I can say is it is amazing we were still in a position to win this game after all the mistakes that were made. It was just a perfect storm for Clemson.

Posted by: JSQ | October 26, 2009 at 07:59 PM

>>>>>

Honestly, I'd rather lose a game because of mental mistakes than just getting flat out beat because mistakes can be corrected next week, from coaches and players. Being flat out beat takes years to change, just look at the difference between OU 2007 and 2009.

[JSQ]

From watching this horror movie/game again, all I can say is it is amazing we were still in a position to win this game after all the mistakes that were made. It was just a perfect storm for Clemson.

Posted by: JSQ | October 26, 2009 at 07:59 PM

>>>>>

Honestly, I'd rather lose a game because of mental mistakes than just getting flat out beat because mistakes can be corrected next week, from coaches and players. Being flat out beat takes years to change, just look at the difference between OU 2007 and 2009.

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 26, 2009 at 08:17 PM

I agree as far as looking forward in the season and having hope for what we can do any given Saturday, but I think losing like this makes it more heartbreaking. I don't think we can say here that the more talented/better team won. I think a L like that is easier to accept. When you have something in your grasp and you throw it away, it is more tragic.

JMO.

[JSQ]

#40 from Clemson flashes the U to my friends in the field club seats. What a tool.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

JSQ, true but if these kids are the young champions we think they are, they'll turn the heart-ache into anger and fuel because of how close they were. Hopefully that's what the coaches and former players are telling them. That's how I would feel. PIZZED to the highest levels of PIZZTIVITY!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

The DL depth has been ravaged by injuries. The front four isn't getting consistent pressure unless Bailey tears through the double team he's getting hit with, and yet somehow, Lovett isn't making the right calls because he won't blitz Sam Shields from the edge? Look, I'm glad #9 has found a way to contribute consistently on something other than special teams, but I'm not so sold on his ability to zero in on a QB at top speed in 2 seconds or less just yet. Right now, I'm more than happy to let him do his inline deep coverage thing on the other team's best deep threat. Just run fast Sam and make it look like the guy isn't open. Let Brandon Harris do the QB harassment from the corner spot. Besides, this game was lost by the turnovers on offense. Even with the fumble return for a TD, even with Uribe disobeying orders to squib the kick, the D didn't lose this game, they just couldn't pull the O's azz out of the fire they continued to put themselves in on Saturday. Plus, Clemson got away with a lot of holding, especially of Vernon, kid gets held almost every play because his first step gets him into the backfield before the tackle can flinch most snaps.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

PIZZTIVITY! I'm writing that one into the dictionary because it really should be there. Ben Franklin and Co. would have approved if they had such insight into human nature available to them in the 1700's.

[JSQ]

JSQ, true but if these kids are the young champions we think they are, they'll turn the heart-ache into anger and fuel because of how close they were. Hopefully that's what the coaches and former players are telling them. That's how I would feel. PIZZED to the highest levels of PIZZTIVITY!

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 26, 2009 at 08:28 PM

You just summed up the thought that is keeping me going. In total agreement.

[dlu]

daytoncane, No I would not be saying the opposite if the U got burned blitzing at all, not true. some other ex.'s
What did va.tech's defense do to JH all kinds of dif. blitzes, pretty good DC at va.tech.
What about okla pretty good dc at OU brings the heat all the time.

I think the U has plenty of defensive talent example: when they had time and game planned for ga tech the U shut ga tech down, you do not do that without talent , but talent must be directed to take away the offensive strength to be effective.

[miamimike01]

86, I agree about the 1986 post.

I wasn't in-love with the D playcalling.

I think its soft, but OBVIOUSLY the coaches aren't confident in the secondary to blitz more often.

If they were, they would.

[miamimike01]

#1 Harris, excluded. He's playing well.

[dlu]

If you are getting beat a lot long and average qtbacks are tearing it up having career games against your defense, then it does not take a genius to figure out a whole lot of defensive changes need to be made.

In a 3 wk span ga tech revamped their defense twice, so I read, yet the U cannot make major changes because guys are not ready like Shields, not buying that.

Whipple comes in and bam, offense is greatly improved, so no excuses accepted on defense.

[phillyscott]

Not really looking back at Clemson, it's over, and we are beating the horse dead, BUT, Had we blitzed that kid, he would have crapped himself, instead of having a day he only dreamed of.....They were not even holding a back in to help block, because except for maybe 4 plays, they had no reason to, their 5 were handling our 4....make that 5 on 5, or 5 on 6, this kid doesnt have all day to find an open guy, and has to make split second decisions, which I dont see him having the talent to do...
Wish truth would come back around, and tell every one, chill the f#$k out, aint no big deal between whipple and shannon, just one of those things
The real test is does the team fold like a tent as in past 2-3 years, or do they come out and beat the hell out of Wake

[dlu]

U of Cinn. lost 9 starters on their defense last yr, but come out this yr. and shut teams down , but the U does not have their talent, no buying that.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

again, i don't understand why everybody is suicidal about 2 losses. which is worse: a young Miami team upset by Clemson or a veteran LSU team losing their second game to Arkansas in 2007? let's put this in perspective.

Posted by: Daytoncane | October 26, 2009 at 08:15 PM

>>>>>

Dayton, very good point. Funny how everyone forgets about that. I just want to see these kids come out angry, like true Hurricanes, like Shannon did, when they wouldn't talk to their girlfriends the week after a loss.

We'll see.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"What did va.tech's defense do to JH all kinds of dif. blitzes, pretty good DC at va.tech.
What about okla pretty good dc at OU brings the heat all the time.

I think the U has plenty of defensive talent example: when they had time and game planned for ga tech the U shut ga tech down, you do not do that without talent , but talent must be directed to take away the offensive strength to be effective.

Posted by: dlu | October 26, 2009 at 08:35 PM"

Bud Foster, never won anything that really meant anything at VT. But hey, he blitzes and they play special teams, let's be like them. OU, Brent Venerables? We beat them. They are notorious for losing the big games now by the way. And they've blitzed their way to losses versus such powers as TCU at home during his tenure. But hey, Bob Stoops has a cool nickname that almost rhymes, so let's be like them too.

I've said this before, but it bears repeating. If my 11 guys are more athletic than your 11 guys across the LOS from them, I'm playing straight up vanilla defense and letting my more athletic players outplay your less athletic players in 11 one-on-one battles. Now when you start factoring in depth and lack thereof is when it gets tricky, but vanilla isn't necessarily bad when you've got the athletes to use it as your trump suit. We just don't have enough athletes to rely on it week-in-week-out yet. But give the coaching staff two more years to recruit and it'll be just fine.

[phillyscott]

We only allowed 20pts on D during regulation. Spiller was shut down in the run game. He caught 1 long pass. Why would you start blitzing like crazy with those numbers? If the O completes some drives, doesnt Turn IT OVER 4 TIMES and the ST's make a tackle, the pass rush wouldnt even be an issue.

Posted by: jimmy

look at the Clemson QB's passing stats, watch the game again, and see how he had time to pitch a tent, cook a hot dog, then find a receiver....you cant give ANYONE that kind of time, and expect DBs to cover for that long....we have made several average QBs look like superstars.....I am not concerned with "historically" we are not a blitzing team...here and now we HAVE to be a blitzing team, especially with a pretty damn good QB coming up this week..

I am proud of this team's efforts, we had 4 turnovers, gave up a kick return for TD, and they never quit....Jacory's TD after giving up the pick 6 to me was play of the year, and why I wouldnt trade him for anyone, but that play alone should have had us still throwing, instead of the 2 occurrances of run 3 and punt/FG

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

DLU, you can't compare our D and DC to VT's at this point, you really can't.

Lovett was confident against UCF so he blitzed and blitzed well. CLEARLY, as MM01 said, he wasn't confident against Clemson for obvious reasons. However, sometimes you have to get to the QB before he gets to you.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

You just summed up the thought that is keeping me going. In total agreement.

Posted by: JSQ | October 26, 2009 at 08:30 PM

>>>>>

Like K-II said,

"NAH MAN, I'M PIZZED!!!"

This after losing his 2nd game as a college football player. You'd think he'd take it in stride right??

NOT WHEN YOU HATE IT.

We'll see how loosey goofy Jacory is now. He should be more pizzed than anyone, even though he made some great plays to atone for his mistakes, his mistakes ultimately cost us the game.

They HAVE to be pizzed. But I'll tell you, this is exactly how young lions learn to kill...BY LOSING.

We've lost two games this year because we didn't come to BALL from the first to the last, as a TEAM.

We've won 3 great games where we came to ball from the first to the last, AS A TEAM.

So now, maybe, just maybe the message will sink in, into their minds and hearts and muscles.

You can never relax. You can never relent. That's what the off-season is for.

[JSQ]

Okay, it's over. Again. Time to get over it, time get pumped up for Wake, and time to watch Portis and Moss tonight! GO 'CANES!!!

[dlu]

Cav, I do not care two wits about Lovett and his confidence, I care about Cane football. Right now Whipple is number 1 on my list of coaches way in front of everyone else, Why because he brought life to the offense, if Whipple would have failed badly I would not care a thing about him. Results, not excuses is all that matters when you play the game. Is like war, you know that well Cav.

[86Cane]

U of Cinn. lost 9 starters on their defense last yr, but come out this yr. and shut teams down , but the U does not have their talent, no buying that.

Posted by: dlu | October 26, 2009 at 08:45 PM

Hmmmmmmmm...

[pb(CSROH10)]

Just curious, if you blitz and don't get pressure what does that do to your defensive backfield?

I don't think a lot of people realize what you are asking of Vernon, Smith, Porter and your banged up linebacking corp. Didnt we have a converted safety playing in the middle the whole second half?

Isn't one starting DB a true sophomore and the other a senior with one summers worth of experience? Isn't that guys back up a true freshman?

Isn't our starting safety making his seventh career start and the other a banged up overachiever playing with a blown shoulder?

Damn guys see things for what they are.

Give me a healthy Fortson, Ojomo, Mc Carthy, Spence and Moncur and we can talk.

But asking that lineup of newbies to take even more chances? Against Spiller and Ford?

To quote the great BG...Child please!!!

[Daytoncane]

again dlu, im not trying to bash you but you're implying that Lovett trusts the secondary to cover with a single safety or zero coverage. maybe Foster trusts his guys more. Venables should trust his guys more seeing as he has one of the best d-lines in the country.

a guy like John Tenuta or Foster is great until his defense is burnt by an offense that can pick up the blitz.

like i said the coaching staff isn't without blame, but it's ultimately up to the players to execute. how about placing some of the blame on McGriff? our corners have looked average at best since he's been here(outside of Harris). it really shows you how good of a secondary coach Tim Walton was.

[86Cane]

Now when you start factoring in depth and lack thereof is when it gets tricky, but vanilla isn't necessarily bad when you've got the athletes to use it as your trump suit.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2009 at 08:45 PM

Vanilla? VANILLA??? Now U want to talk about friggin' vanilla?

Forget vanilla. I want some damn CHOCOLATE and I want it now!

That or tequilla, or maybe BOTH. Do they make chocolate tequilla?

[mi@mic@ne]

Two very simple words of wisdom for coaching staff...

1.You kill the head and the body will follow.

2. When the game is on the line you put the ball in your best players hands.

If we were as healthy as we were at the beginning of the yr we would have beat Clemson by two touches. That aint the same team that played against GT or Okie and Fswho

[dlu]

Well its not working the defense, it is not working, go down like cry babies afraid to attack, or go down like a man, trying to kick azz.

[pb(CSROH10)]

U of Cinn. lost 9 starters on their defense last yr, but come out this yr. and shut teams down , but the U does not have their talent, no buying that.

Posted by: dlu | October 26, 2009 at 08:45 PM

Rutgers
Southeast Missouri State
Oregon State
Fresno State
Miami (OH)
South Florida
Louisville

It is very impressive what they've done against this brutal schedule.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

If you are getting beat a lot long and average qtbacks are tearing it up having career games against your defense, then it does not take a genius to figure out a whole lot of defensive changes need to be made.

In a 3 wk span ga tech revamped their defense twice, so I read, yet the U cannot make major changes because guys are not ready like Shields, not buying that.

Whipple comes in and bam, offense is greatly improved, so no excuses accepted on defense.

Posted by: dlu | October 26, 2009 at 08:41 PM

>>>>

DLU, again, how many converted WRs does GT have in their DB unit?? Ditto Cinci? How many true freshmen outplaying seniors?

I'm not really disgreeing with you, I'm just comparing one game where he blitzed very well to this past game where he didn't at all.

Our D started out as a reasonable strength then we saw some weaknesses and some strengths. I thought we were gelling against UCF, and even in the 1st half against Clemson. But I think the TOs and other missed opportunities turned this into a game that favored Clemson and put our defense at its weakest point.

I know what you're saying, and I know Lovett is probably thinking the same thing. Heck, if he isn't he should be especially given how well it worked last week. Then again there was no Spiller or Ford last week for Shields to try to cover.

[mi@mic@ne]

Its important that we win the rest of our games... but its more important to have some very good ballers coming into this class. If we could win with Clappy at the helm ... we know its a matter of time cause the Boss will get them prepared and we can play base d.

[dlu]

Pb, in all honestly I think Cinn. would tear the U up especially on offense. Clemson's offense is punk compared to Cinn. saw two games Cinn played, Rutgers and S. Fla. they Cinn have one heck of a head coach.

Now if the U played Cinn, bringing the house 50% of the time or more than I take the U. I say the U should have beat fsu by 3 touchdowns and Clemson by 2 touchdowns but whem you played scared defense it reeks throught he whole defensive unit. sickens the defensive players.

[mi@mic@ne]

I mean my argument is that we absolutely need to have the rotation of good talent. Then the coaches will look like geniuses. exam. Clappy.

[86Cane]

Well its not working the defense, it is not working, go down like cry babies afraid to attack, or go down like a man, trying to kick azz.

Posted by: dlu | October 26, 2009 at 09:25 PM

I agree 100%.

[moneycane]

The problem with the D was 3rd down. I don't know how many times Clemson got a first down on 3 & & 7+. Even the TD in ot was on 3rd and 11. Maybe we could have blitz more on third down but everything looks good in hindsight. I have no problems with the calls on O in OT, because at the start of OT we gashed them for 20 yrds. The loss hurts and it's the nature of the beast to second guess things after a tough loss. What I don't get is all the people who want heads to roll after a loss in OT.

[86Cane]

DLU, again, how many converted WRs does GT have in their DB unit?? Ditto Cinci? How many true freshmen outplaying seniors?

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 26, 2009 at 09:27 PM

How many excuses can U possibly generate in one day? LAUGHABLE!

[dlu]

well I am out befor I go further over-board, good luck Canes>>>

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"What I don't get is all the people who want heads to roll after a loss in OT.

Posted by: moneycane | October 26, 2009 at 09:36 PM"

They didn't get the "REBUILDING JOB," memo that was put out during the 5-7 '07 campaign. That kind of call is supposed to be on hold until '11 at the earliest.

[mi@mic@ne]

I wouldnt put this loss on the o.. cause we scored enough points to win comfortably .. and even when we got behind we kept responding... but the telling sign was when they were 3 down and Spiller takes one up the gut and turns it to the side lines for 40 yrds.We really didnt get beat by the pass.

[pb(CSROH10)]

How many excuses can U possibly generate in one day? LAUGHABLE!

Posted by: 86Cane | October 26, 2009 at 09:38 PM

IMO they are realities. There is a big difference.

[miamimike01]

Put DBerry in NOW!!!!!

[moneycane]

Not talking about rebuilding or anything but teams lose. It will never be 2001 again ever. Outside of teams in soft conferences not many teams go undefeted.

[86Cane]

pb...OK, OK, realities.

But then I'll post this again:

If U KNOW that SS #9 lacks in coverage then U BLITZ him and his 4.2 speed off the corner and rotate #44 and #6 over to cover the quick slant and the GO routes.

Now U have the previously sorry azz Clemson QB that we made look All-World with 2 seconds to make up his mind what to do with the ball instead of ALL (friggin') DAY.

No that would never work, sorry I mentioned it, never mind...

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

How many excuses can U possibly generate in one day? LAUGHABLE!

Posted by: 86Cane | October 26, 2009 at 09:38 PM

>>>>>

Like PB said, it is what it is, and it ain't what it ain't.

If you want to second-guess Lovett all day and not acknowledge the reality of what he's working with, something he's done all by himself, that's on you.

But when you see him blitz effectively just one week ago then suddenly he doesn't clearly there's something else happening.

That something else is called, CONFIDENCE AND REALITY.

Now maybe he should've. I personally think he should've blitzed that kid to death and taken a few chances, especially at the end when our DL generated nothing.

BUT what is clear is that he's not confident enough with his personnell to do those types of things every week.

And specifically, since you call it an excuse, you're saying a converted WR who we've all watched blow coverage after coverage, ISN'T a reality for a DC's playcalling??

Ok, Charlie Brown, whatever makes you feel good. lol

[moneycane]

Man that pick by Jacory in the 4th was terrible. I know he got it right back but Randy Shannon should not have told Jacory to trhow that ball. Randy is the head coach and he should be held accountable.

[pb(CSROH10)]

I retort with my earlier post:

Just curious, if you blitz and don't get pressure what does that do to your defensive backfield?

I don't think a lot of people realize what you are asking of Vernon, Smith, Porter and your banged up linebacking corp. Didnt we have a converted safety playing in the middle the whole second half?

Isn't one starting DB a true sophomore and the other a senior with one summers worth of experience? Isn't that guys back up a true freshman?

Isn't our starting safety making his seventh career start and the other a banged up overachiever playing with a blown shoulder?

Damn guys see things for what they are.

Give me a healthy Fortson, Ojomo, Mc Carthy, Spence and Moncur and we can talk.

But asking that lineup of newbies to take even more chances? Against Spiller and Ford?

To quote the great BG...Child please!!!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

"What I don't get is all the people who want heads to roll after a loss in OT.

Posted by: moneycane | October 26, 2009 at 09:36 PM"

They didn't get the "REBUILDING JOB," memo that was put out during the 5-7 '07 campaign. That kind of call is supposed to be on hold until '11 at the earliest.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2009 at 09:41 PM

>>>>

What's really funny is when people pop up after a mistake-ridden OT loss to bash Shannon who've never been on the blob before.

That's funny. lol

But that's a great point. By 2011, yes, we should be seriously upset, K-II levels, if we PLAY a game that sloppily, whether we lose or not.

[Daytoncane]

86 they can't be excuses. that Clemson tight end was open over the middle the entire second half. are you certain the blitz wouldn't have been picked up in time for us to get to the QB before he threw it?

just because we could've blitzed doesn't mean it would've worked. a dump pass out of the backfield to Spiller would have killed our blitz.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Man that pick by Jacory in the 4th was terrible. I know he got it right back but Randy Shannon should not have told Jacory to trhow that ball. Randy is the head coach and he should be held accountable.

Posted by: moneycane | October 26, 2009 at 09:51 PM

>>>>>

There it is!!! hahaha

[miamimike01]

"What I don't get is all the people who want heads to roll after a loss in OT.

Posted by: moneycane | October 26, 2009 at 09:36 PM"

They didn't get the "REBUILDING JOB," memo that was put out during the 5-7 '07 campaign. That kind of call is supposed to be on hold until '11 at the earliest.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2009 at 09:41 PM

EXACTLY! OGV, preach on, brotha.

We, as fans, got a little ahead of ourselves. The past convicted the future: the present.

The media helped.

Oh, the U is back.

Not quite yet.

Two more classes...

... Katy bar the door, a Cat 5 is coming through...

[moneycane]

On the long run that Baby J had did anyone else notice Randy Shannon had some words for him when he rann out of bounds. As a fifth year senior at RB you gotta finish hard.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

If U KNOW that SS #9 lacks in coverage then U BLITZ him and his 4.2 speed off the corner and rotate #44 and #6 over to cover the quick slant and the GO routes.

Now U have the previously sorry azz Clemson QB that we made look All-World with 2 seconds to make up his mind what to do with the ball instead of ALL (friggin') DAY.

No that would never work, sorry I mentioned it, never mind...

Posted by: 86Cane | October 26, 2009 at 09:48 PM

>>>>

Soup, I totally agree with you in theory but we'd really have to analyze personnel and such to understand why Lovett HASN'T blitzed SS. He's blitzed Spence, BH, Jared and who else??

No SS. Hmmmmmm

[mr troutman]

Put DBerry in NOW!!!!!

Posted by: miamimike01 | October 26, 2009 at 09:43

I agree Mike.....That guy balls out of control. Whipple should of put him in the 4th to pound the rock. Next game we will see him more though.

[moneycane]

I agree Daytona, the TE killed us all game. If it wasn't the TE it was a screen pass. If the first two didn't get us it was the D f'n up on third and long.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Also, while we're bashing Lovett, how many points did his vanilla D actually yield.

Spiller got loose on 1 play, right? Ford got loose on another. So 14 legitimate pts.

Spiller had a return.
J-12 threw a pic-6.
3 other TOs.

Hmmm. That totals about 21 given away.

Now, my problem is our inability to get off the field in 3rd down. How many times did we stop them on 1st and 2nd only to give up 3rd??

[Charlie Brown]

Ok, Charlie Brown, whatever makes you feel good. lol

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 26, 2009 at 09:50 PM

I could tell U what makes me feel good, but that has nothing to do with UM football and is not blog material.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

On the long run that Baby J had did anyone else notice Randy Shannon had some words for him when he rann out of bounds. As a fifth year senior at RB you gotta finish hard.

Posted by: moneycane | October 26, 2009 at 09:55 PM

>>>>>

And as a senior who's trying to go to the next level, that'll cost you money.

[Charlie Brown]

that Clemson tight end was open over the middle the entire second half. are you certain the blitz wouldn't have been picked up in time for us to get to the QB before he threw it?

just because we could've blitzed doesn't mean it would've worked. a dump pass out of the backfield to Spiller would have killed our blitz.

Posted by: Daytoncane | October 26, 2009 at 09:53 PM

So what we did WASN'T working but we should NOT have tried anything else? Keep it vanilla?

OK, yeah I agree with that. NOT!

[solarcane]

“John brings a wealth of experience and success, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of the ACC,” head coach Randy Shannon said in a statement. “He has consistently elevated the play of defenses at every school he has coached.”

UNC while Lovett was there total defense #35
UNC no Lovett this year total defense #7

Miami current total defense #35

jus sayin

peace

[mi@mic@ne]

I think our o in many ways is as successful as 2001 and arguably ... in different areas.. is equal to that team.... but we havent had the kinds of defenses that we are used to seeing in the past. We have some taller d backs coming into this new class.. and i can for see with the juniors ... its mainly the d that needs to pick it up.

[mr troutman]

FIRE RANDY FIRE RANDY NOW HE KEEP COSTING US GAMES...LOL... THAT SOUNDS PATHETIC AND RIDICULOUS RIGHT!!!!!! ONLY IMPATIENT IDIOTS RUN OFF EMOTIONS NOT WHAT'S REALISTIC!!!!