Carolina Blues

The joke goes something like this:

Question: "How do you know that God is a Tar Heel fan?"

Answer: "Because he painted the sky Carolina blue." 

Miami's game against North Carolina was no joke.  In fact, it wasn't funny at all. 

Even John Lee Hooker, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn combined never had the Carolina blues like this.  It was sad, very , very sad. 

Is this what my wife convinced me to drive ten hours to see?   

For the Hurricanes to come out flat and unemotional once again and score zero points in the first quarter on the road?

To watch Jacory Harris do his best Kyle Wright impersonation and throw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns?

To see Mark Whipple look average at best, confused at worst and all while making some very poor and questionable play calls especially early and then again late in the game?

For Randy Shannon to have his team unprepared to play, argue calls with referees well after plays are over and then losing once again to an inferior team and his mentor in Butch Davis?

To watch the Canes lose their third game this year, all against teams in the ACC, and the hopes of going to a decent bowl game evaporate into the cool air like a warm breath?

To hear more excuses and bitter disappointment from UM fans than ever before about why the Canes still "are not there yet"?

The only things I enjoyed on this trip to North Carolina was a chance to see the fall leaves painted in brilliant hues of red, yellow and orange and the lovely ladies on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill.

And the ability to spend some quality time with my wife and meet a bunch of long-time and regular bloggers at Canespace in a far away and strange city for a great tailgate party?   Pictured above from L to R: CaneSteeler, SolarCane, 404Cane404, Canez1, KCCane.

Well, yeah that too!

Comments

[lessismore]

First!!!

[86Cane]

Is it LESS or MORE?

[_HM_]

My Grandmother who's from NC used to say this all the time when i was a kid. "How do you know that God is a Tar Heel fan?
Because he painted the sky Carolina blue."

It doesn't feel good to lose to a basketball school...

Arhhhh.. Who's up next week?

Stomped by a Tarred Heel

http://herbalminded.blogspot.com/2009/11/tarheeled-miami-vs-unc.html?zx=ac8abcf763d9a9ee

_HM_

[lessISmore]

86,

It's LESS IS MORE!! lol Do I get anything for being first! I've been waiting for this moment for like a year!

[86Cane]

Yes Less, U get a Canespace T-shirt!

Email me at host@canespace.com with your mailing addy and size and I will send U the goods. Waiting is hard. Winning is harder!

[86Cane]

test

[ChicagoCane]

Nice new logo 86!

[miamimike01]

my $.02...

This was a VERY TOUGH loss. I think UM overall, is better, but we didn't prove it.

I have to disagree with you 86, on several points. Most respectively, as always.

The offensive play-calling is excellent. It seemed that almost every play that Whip called was open. The screens, draws, and P/A bootlegs were very effective. The EXECUTION is NOT at a level that we expect.

Which brings me to these next two points.

1) Jacory is being reckless with the football. His INT's have cost UM two victories. 16 interceptions is unacceptable.

I believe he's not progressing, forcing throws, and his confidence level has dropped. He has to understand he doesn't have to do it all himself. UM has EXCELLENT skill players, all he has to do is get it to them.

He's not been accurate, locking on WR's now. Coop did his best Michael Jordan impression just reeling in two screen receptions. Not leading Hank on that deep post. That was an EASY TD; Harris mistake.

No ZIP on throws he needs to stick in there. The rainbows are allowing DB's to catch up to open WR's. What's more frustrating, is he has ALL the tools to be great and make those throws.

2) Our O-line has been exposed as the weakness it is. What, close to 30 sacks? 10 games? Unacceptable. Having to max protect to back-up the O-line is JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH. It limits the offense and J12's options. The TE position has been taken away b/c of the ineffectiveness of the line. We have VERY capable TE's, but they have to stay in to block.

I thought the team played well. Everyone, but J12. He had his worst game ever. And it cost us another game.

Helmet stickers to Bosher, Berry, Cooper, Benjamin, Holmes, Bailey, McCarthy, Hankerson.

The coaching staff is improving. RS has some stones for making the fake punt call and going for it on 4th & 10.

But the headscratcher at the end of the first half? I have no explanation for that. (or an excuse)

Overall, this is a major setback. I'm disappointed in Harris and his development over the season.

A season that started with so much promise... ALL that work to start 3-1, to be right back where we were this time last season.

7-3 & average.

awful

[Cat 5 Cane]

I didn't see this coming... never for a moment did I think we'd lose this game even in the 4th with 3 minutes to go!

and Nah... I ain't buying pinning the tail on Whipple... not on this one, as there were way too many mistakes by Jacory.

and yeah, It's a tough loss and here we sit 7/3 with 2 games to go!

So what do we do?

One... jump?... nah too messy!
two... slit our wrists?... too bloody!
three... Sleeping pills?... maybe
four... muffler-tail pipe thingy?... has merit.
five... Oh I know, shoot somebody.. Ohhh Soupster, where you at?

[Cat 5 Cane]

throwing up?

[Cat 5 Cane]

Mikey... Just read your post... accurate assessment!

[miamimike01]

Cat5,

Clemson and UNC is on J12.

I'm so deflated about J12. About the season.

The future is still bright, but the INT's have to stop. It's costing us games.

I just wish I knew what the HELL Harris is looking at, throwing into double and triple coverage. What he sees, what he thinks.

Whip is a good coach.

WHAT THE HELL, MAN?

[miamimike01]

Rudy can go pound sand. I'm cancelling my subscription.

Piss poor writing, and I've had it with his negativity.

Terrible assessments, and they aren't even accurate.

I really dislike his style.

He's one of those fans that if UM doesn't go 14-0 and blow everyone out, he's not happy.

No more of my money, pal. You earned it.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Sorry Mike, went to last night to read/catch-up on posting... Expecting to see the worst but most were very real and sober write ups...

Anyway... I'm out to read the newspaper

Later

[miamimike01]

And you will NEVER CONVINCE ME that the second pick six wasn't a foward lateral.

That has to be THE MOST INCREDIBLE REPLAY CALL I'VE EVER WITNESSED.

Absolutely unbelievable.

[mi@mic@ne]

Things that have not been mentioned.

We dropped a lot of balls last nite.

The ACC in 2009 cant be compared to any of the conferences or yrs where we dominated in that conference.

This is not the yr to start going off on Randy... he did a good job with game time decisions.

The o needs to participate in tackling drills. just sayin

[mi@mic@ne]

When you throw a pick in their end of the field ...its not one of the out patterns where there is open field to the end zone... theres something wrong ... where is all that speed to catch up. Something is wrong here.

[miamimike01]

mi@mic@ne | November 15, 2009 at 06:09 AM

rephrase, I don't understand what u're stating.

Alot of balls dropped? How many did U count?

[Allcanes]

The U needs an outstanding QB in the 2010 class...Shannon was a good DC and a good recruiter...But will never be an outstanding HC and will never win a NC as a HC...The same with JH...will never win a NC or wear a pimp suit unless in his dream...stop behing a clown...It's no longer high school....Best players...Bailey...Franklin...Bosher....I hope they will return in 2010 otherwise we will be 7-5 at best!!!

[mi@mic@ne]

Hank dropped three... a couple of long ones in the first and the short one over the middle .. he picks up 20.. no one within ten yrds of him.... and there were a few more catch able balls... we dropped a few on the goal line...easy touches in the first half... i mean Bryd drops one in his hands on a fly.

But still theres no excuse for the d backs to outrun 7 of our fastest guys on the team for pick sixes.

[Allcanes]

Graham is responsible for two games we shoould have won...DROPSSSS...He playes like
a freshman...No NFL....

[mi@mic@ne]

They come out and get the momentum... by going short passes ... toasting our lbs.. then we adjust and play catch up all game long.. it doesnt help that we are dropping balls in that first q. Our d was on the field too much.. we came out flat and they jumped on us. We beat ourselves period.

[miamimike01]

mi@mic@ne | November 15, 2009 at 06:33 AM

Yes, Hank dropped the long one. The pass over the middle was thrown behind him. Had Jacory's pass been accurate, hits him in stride, the drive continues.

The pass Byrd almost had on the first drive was NOT a drop. Another inaccurate throw; had he made the catch, it would have been an outstanding individual effort.

There's a difference between drops and inaccurate passes. Jacory struggled throughout the afternoon with accuracy.

Allcanes | November 15, 2009 at 06:33 AM

All do respect, are U high? I agree improvements are in order, but can U not see RS improving as coach? Have U seen the verbal commit list?

C'mon, man.

[Allcanes]

The U needs an outstanding QB in the 2010 class...Shannon was a good DC and a good recruiter...But will never be an outstanding HC and will never win a NC as a HC...The same with JH...will never win a NC or wear a pimp suit unless in his dream...stop behing a clown...It's no longer high school....Best players...Bailey...Franklin...Bosher....I hope they will return in 2010 otherwise we will be 7-5 at best!!!

[miamimike01]

Graham is responsible for two games we shoould have won...DROPSSSS...He playes like
a freshman...No NFL....

Posted by: Allcanes | November 15, 2009 at 06:36 AM

WHAT?

Graham is NOT responsible for two losses... The pass intended for him over middle was overthrown. He did not drop that one.

[mi@mic@ne]

I wish we would save the lets get rid of whoever until the everyone knows its time... please... we are not there yet.. we are in the middle of bringing in the ballers... Shannon is a better coach that Coker ... it was on auto in 2001 .. its the players stupid.

[Allcanes]

WF...Clemson....VT....UNC...Why such a let down...coaching....or the players....

The way we started the season we should have finished 10-2 or 11-1...

[mi@mic@ne]

As far as receivers catching balls.. i always thought that if it hit you in the hands it should be caught...we used to say take him out back and shoot him if he drops it.

[mi@mic@ne]

This is what i feel like after that loss.

[miamimike01]

That's generally the rule, mi@mic@ne, but you can't expect a receiver running a crossing route to catch a pass thrown behind him.

The pass hit Hank in the left side of his pads, crossing left. That's an extremely tough catch to make, b/c all his momentum in his body is going the OPPOSITE direction of the throw.

[miamimike01]

Posted by: Allcanes | November 15, 2009 at 06:57 AM

That's the million dollar question...

[mi@mic@ne]

I think forcing the ball is a very simple problem to correct. JH is special.. really ... child please.... if Jh gets the ball back with 2 00 minutes we score to win. But the fact is our d could not even stop the run when it counted...thats a problem with physicality or attitude. I say its a depth problem.

[canechic]

Miamicane I agree-defense forces a 3 in and out, JH gets the ball and wins the game. I am telling you these kids seem to play flat the first quarter and to me that is youth. That is my concern but if the can finish 9-3 with a bowl win at 10-3 then I will be happy but I will expect alot more next year.

[DATcane]

bad loss JH played bad he will only get wiser as time goes on. Cant wait for the Duke game I will be there and louder than ever. GO CANES !!!

[DATcane]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sports/umweblog/~3/jZTV5CuBeWk/north-carolina-thoughts-.html

ss

[DATcane]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-um-football-gamer-1115-20091114,0,4222872.story

U

[DATcane]

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_2_0_t&usg=AFQjCNGbunuXaqqa63NUZgAxj28tNF27zQ&cid=1470983411&ei=bvf_SvCTCY_a8wSVwt34Ag&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.palmbeachpost.com%2Fcaneswatch%2F2009%2F11%2F14%2Fmiami-hurricanes-talking-points-defense-anything-but-elite%2F

U

[canechic]

Herbal tried to post on your blog but could not. Good article!

[canechic]

Canechic's top 5:

1. AL
2. TX
3. TCU
4. Boise St.
5. FL

[BEERicane]

Whipple called a nice game overall. But the Screen passes have to stop. we have not been able to effectively work the screen all year, so why are we going to it so often?

[404Canes404]

So what do we do?

One... jump?... nah too messy!
two... slit our wrists?... too bloody!
three... Sleeping pills?... maybe
four... muffler-tail pipe thingy?... has merit.
five... Oh I know, shoot somebody.. Ohhh Soupster, where you at?

Posted by: Cat5Cane | November 15, 2009 at 04:24 AM

Or, drive back to your sisters house in Raleigh and proceed to drown yourself in Crown.... Lots of choices, my head really hurts...

Passes went right through some hands, multiple times, is that a drop? Not sure what you want to call it, but they were certainly catchable balls and the receivers did not get agressive and make the play, sort of like alot of that game... Why are you not getting agressive and making the play?!?! Sort of like on that pick 6, where was the guy getting agressive and making the tackle? Bad call? Sure, but there was something misssing out on that field yesterday... When the other team wants it more, they usually (WF) get it!

Agree with above that we still have 2 more and with wins in both this can still be an ok season, and I will continue to support and cheer on this team with passion and agression, just hope they show some too.
Go Canes, See You In Tampa 11/28!

[dawgmeatcane]

Miami NEEDS A JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFER AT QB that cab play and push jacory or take his job because when the Qb loses the game for the team you put in the next best player which we don't have

At 3 wins and 1 lose what changed? Oposing DB adjusted to Jacorys weak high arching deep balls that stays in like most punts.

NO ZIP ON THE BALL GET READY REAYD FOR SOME MORE PICK 6

A quick solution is to change the play calling to run first pound down their throats offense this will great help Jacory's long delivery down the field.

Most of all the sacks taken is Jacory fault by not recognizing blitz seen a mile away and NOT HAVING A MENTAL CLOCK IN THE POCKET, at least half the sack come from when he had about 3 seconds in the pocket

[CGNC]

I had forgotten how much I dislike that place. the parking is a joke not to mention their "wide screen" that you cannot really see if you are in the visitor's section. Was fun meeting Mrs. 86, canez1 and 2, and canesteeler and his kids. I thought after the Clemson game that we would drop another one, and sho' nuf. We're just not very good.

[canechic]

Canesgirl you survived....that stunk but like I said not really surprised we lost this one. Angry is not taking it so easy. I kinda am hoping maybe we can get a local bowl game so I can go. I have not been to a bowl game since the Rose Bowl.

GO CANES!

[Caneslegend]

All do respect, are U high? I agree improvements are in order, but can U not see RS improving as coach? Have U seen the verbal commit list?

C'mon, man.

Posted by: miamimike01 | November 15, 2009 at 06:45 AM

I am sorry he is a great recruitor but when it comes to winning games in pressure moments he cracks. It is evident with time mangement. How many times do we have to see this team waiste opportunties at the end of a half? How many times? Coaching and J-12 are responsible. Who cares about recruiting if we are not developing. Coker recruited just fine but didn't develop. You can't say J-12 is learning from his mistakes. Sharpton has played how long and he looks terrible. DVD average at best. Why doesn't Berry get more carries? No excuse. I am sick of patting Randy on the back give him heat. We have the same record as last year at this point. And we are suppose to be better. Well we are still losing games we shouldn't be. UNC owns us. I don't ever want to hear from you Canes fans again that you aren't scared of UNC such a stupid comment.

[canechic]

So Caneslegend you suggest firing Randy? Then what? Who do we hire?

I think this team misses Forston, Ojomo, Ray Ray, Spence, Dye......those are the leaders....Philips and Sharpton have never stepped up and become leaders some kids just do not have it.

[solarcane]

Sitting in the middle of a sea of pajama blue, I have to admit Tar Heel fans are for the most part gracious hosts. No taunting, no underhanded slams of Jacory.

"We are lucky we caught this kid on his worst day at QB" commented a rabid Heel fan sitting next to me.

I had mentioned a couple days ago we are playing UNC when they are peaking.

I was assured by a couple folks on here that wasn't the case.

The general consensus from the Tar Heel fans around me was we were playing their defense right when they were playing their best ball of the season. They told me
The defense said all week nothing was going beat them long.

The Heel fans said the defense expects to win the games for them until a quarterback steps up or steps in.

Canez1,canesteeler,PB,404,soup,
it was a pleasure getting to spend some time with you and your family and friends. That made the trip more than worth it.

peace

[dawgmeatcane]

Gotdamm I thought we were mean hearted check out canes website

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=13&f=2927

[CGNC]

Solar you are still an enigma to me- lol was waiting by Gate 2

[solarcane]

cg,
sorry I couldn't find you, there was so much background fan noise on your phone I couldn't understand a word you were saying.
My wife has a very tender knee and I didn't want to make her walk around more than she had to.
tough place that Tar Pit!

peace