Player Progress Report

This blog was written for Canespace by DZ8...

One commonly stated theory about the recent decline in the performance of the University of Miami football team is the lack of player development.  It seems that on a fairly regular basis a freshman will show flashes of ability during his first year and then never quite improve upon that in subsequent seasons.  The examples of this are numerous, but I'll only mention a few.

After showing flashes of potential as a freshman linebacker, Darryl Sharpton never showed consistent production until late in his senior year. 

CB Chavez Grant began his career with a game saving interception in Miamis' last bowl win.  He finished his four years at Miami with only 1 more pick. 

RB Javaris James (seen above) had his best year at running back only as a freshman although injuries did contribute to his lack of production. 

Even a 5th year senior like Safety Randy Phillips let his team down far too often whether in run support (against Wisconsin) or in pass coverage (against Clemson).

On the flip side of that equation TE Dedrick Epps showed some noticeable improvement during his time at Coral Gables.  Only Jimmy Graham and recovering from knee surgery keeping his increased production from being more apparent.  OL Jason Fox showed significant improvement from his stellar freshman year becoming more consistent and one of the Hurricanes most productive players with time. 

 

The following is my list of players who showed improvement and have eligibility remaining:

 

Offensive Line:

 

Orlando Franklin - Six's nightmare showed consistency at the guard spot last year and even flashed his potential at the left tackle spot late in the season.  The start at tackle against South Florida offering hope for this upcoming season.

 

Harland Gunn - The prized "corn-fed" recruit from Nebraska got on the field and showed he belonged there.

 

Quarterback:

 

Jacory Harris - He showed great improvement on his velocity and decision making at the start of the year.  Improvement during the season was not apparent but might be due to injuries.

 

Running Back:

 

Damien Berry - It  took about half the season but we eventually got to see in real games what we glimpsed in the Spring Game.  Berry (seen below at R with Mike James at L) only has decent breakaway ability but has good instincts and runs with bad intentions.

 

Pat Hill - Even though he didn't play much his improvement was apparent in his physical blocking early in the season.  Now he needs to work on his vertical jump on sideline routes.

 

Wide Receiver:

 

Leonard Hankerson - Finally playing with confidence the junior receiver cut down on his drops and tremendously increased his production.  Working with former Dolphin great Mark Duper paid dividends.  Should more of our players?

 

Tommy Streeter - I scared my dog by yelling, "It's Streeter!"  when he made that long catch against Wisconsin.

 

Kendall Thompkins - He got on the field this year and scored a touchdown.  That's improvement, right?

 

Defensive Line:

 

Allen Bailey - Despite bouncing back and forth between tackle and end The Manimal (seen below flexing) was Miami's most consistent defensive lineman last year.  Hopefully a healthy year by the rest of the defensive linemen will allow him to focus at one spot.

 

Micanor Regis - After playing sparingly his first year the 2nd year player actually had games where he was getting noticed.  The interception in the Bowl Game (after an Allen Bailey tip) was another, "scare the dog moment".

 

Jeremy Lewis - Although not much production on the field the inexperienced (only two years of high school football) defensive tackle played meaningfull minutes. 

 

Andrew Smith - He played as a freshman and then started games as a sophomore.  He needs to increase his production this upcoming season.

 

Linebackers:

 

Colin McCarthy - The fact that he was injury free was the biggest reason for his improvement.  On a defense that lacked a "Big Playmaker", he provided a couple.

 

Jordan Futch - This die hard 'Cane (seen below flashing The U) was making great progress until a knee injury ended his season.  Big things are expected from him in 2010.

 

Ramon Buchanon-  He actually got on the field at the linebacker position and showed good athleticism.  Once the game sl os down for him he should be able to make some big plays.  (Also his decommitment from Florida caused Urban Meyer to break his cell phone.  I mention that as often as possible.)

 

Matt Bosher - That's right, Matt Bosher is a linebacker.  But while he was helping out at kicker for the 'Canes he had a great year.  Only field goals he missed where in a Canes blow out win against Georgia Tech.  After the one late hit in the first game of the year against Florida State he played "smart" the rest of the season.  Kickoffs could be more consistent.

 

Cornerbacks:

 

Brandon Harris - Played consistently well.  Solid in run support and makes plays in pass coverage.  Needs to make more interceptions to take it to the next level.  Developing into a vocal leader.  One of the few, clear-cut improving players on the team.

 

DeMarcus Van Dyke - Played much better in run support and his confidence is returning. 

 

Safeties:

 

Jared Campbell - Got to see meaningfull minutes in the defensive backfield and made some impact plays (UCF).

 

In summary, you can blame the previous regime for coddling players with a lack of competition. 

 

You can blame depth at the wide receiver position for keeping the Hurricanes' best WR (Aldarius Johnson seen above) from showing statistical improvement. 

 

You can blame injuries, the cold weather, the rain, someone spilling a magical tailgate beverage or a handful of other convenient excuses.  In the end, "You are what your record says you are."  You either improved, or you didn't. 

 

In 2010 all Hurricane fans will be watching and looking for more progress and development at each position.  Time for players to strap up and for the coaches to coach 'em up!

Comments

[Daytoncane]

there's really no such thing as football fast because football is about quickness.

having great speed is something that comes into play when you're running the 200m. there's a difference between speed and quickness.

in football you don't have to be fast as in olympic speed, you just have to be quick. football is played in short burst so there's no need to have olympic speed.

a WR who has olympic speed but is not overly quick is at a disadvantage because of how fast the game moves. you don't have a lot of time to get in and out of your breaks so quickness is ultimately more important. except if you're Randy Moss of course.

[86Cane]

Spilleresque? Not a threat to run between the tackles?

Posted by: Esteban | February 13, 2010 at 07:24 PM

No, what I mean is a threat to return kickoffs for TDs right before halftime and then beat Sean Spence for another TD in the same game. Two TDs a game. That kind of "Spilleresque".

Why run betwen the tackles when U can get a quick six outside. isn't scoring the name of the game? We got Berry and Mike James to run between the tackles.

[86Cane]

"I think we may have a Spiller on our hands, only bigger."

Posted by: miamimike01 | February 13, 2010 at 07:26 PM

U got that right!

[86Cane]

I could have said McGahee-esque but that is so dated.

[Esteban]

McGahee-esque would be ideal.

[Old Skool]

And now for something completely different...

Here's high speed video footage of a flying mosquito being shot down by a laser.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=607_1265984125

[solarcane]

I think we should let the can't miss guys play at least four games before we squirt in our shorts about them.

Wright
Marve
J James
A Brown
AJ II

Had the same guys gushing about how phenomenal they were gonna be.

[Six]

Spence was trying to cover Spiller with a bum left leg - not saying that he's as fast as Spiller, but if he didn't have a busted wheel then he would've made Parker think twice before throwing to him

If anyone remembers that route that Spiller ran, you'll remember Spence basically hopping after him - his left leg (knee specifically) - caused him to miss the next game against Wake

And no, Spence's injury had nothing to do with Swasey's workouts for all of you Swasey haters

[CaneRock]

Speaking of 90s Hip Hop, this the funk right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUDm0BvCGo&feature=related

[Six]

Wall Street Journal said that Billy Donovan was the 3rd worst value of a college basketball coach in the nation

$3.3 Million a year

They got their ass kicked tonight - AT HOME - by Xavier. I think the loss tonight basically solidifies them to go to a 3rd straight NIT

I'd be willing to put money down that if the A-10 and the SEC played a tourney against each other, the A-10 would win

With the exception of UK (basically 2 players make that team) and Rocky Top - who is really that good in that big name conference? Vandy? Who the hell has Vandy beaten to even give them the #22 ranking? They beat #12 Rocky Top twice - wow. What's that say about Rocky Top?

SEC basketball reminds me of Pac-10 football. You take one program out of either - and it's a mediocre conference. Take Kentucky basketball out of the SEC and take USC football out of the Pac-10 ....

10 National Championships won in basketball by the SEC - 7 by Kentucky

17 National Championships won in football by the Pac-10 - 10 by USC

[canechic]

Dayton that is good....I am a big fan of Nas and really like DMX..I know that is not chic music and I know he is very troubled person(But so was Edgar Allen Poe) but I like music that says something and has some emotion behind it.

[SOUP]

NEW RAYCOM BLOG:

http://miami.raycomsports.com/blog/2010/02/13/tigers-maul-miami/?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=650&width=850

PRIZES ARE INVOLVED! POST NOW...

[SOUP]

Women in sports are good!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/models/danica-patrick/09_danica-patrick_1.html

[miamimike01]

yeah, Danica is a babe

[raizecane]

Oh good lord soup......don't be sending me that link on the eve of valentines day. Pic 7 of 34 is just.....well let me just day, NICE!!!!

[miamimike01]

yeah, #4 & #7 get my thumbs up.

raize, talking my language! LOL!

[raizecane]

I can gaurantee you every nascar driver has seen those pics and said "man, would I love to put her in the wall", LOL

[Sebastian(2001U G.O.A.T.)]

So we beat Duke by double figures on Wed. to begin the 5 game win streak to finish the reg. season.

So simple

[caniak]

CHATTER

• Ex-UM quarterback Ken Dorsey, 28, said he will pursue a coaching career -- ``I feel I can be a great coach'' -- and would love to return to UM. ``I've never talked to Randy Shannon [about a job], unfortunately,'' Dorsey said, though he has sought career advice from UM athletic director Kirby Hocutt.

Dorsey, who was a volunteer coach at Lakewood Ranch High in Bradenton last season, has spoken to a few non-BCS schools about an assistant job. He said he intended to take an administrative job working at FIU for athletic director Pete Garcia -- ``Pete and I are close'' -- but changed career goals and plans to call FIU's Mario Cristobal.

Dorsey said he ``texted Jacory Harris every week this past season. He's one of the smartest quarterbacks there in a long time. I see leadership qualities that I had.''

• Arthur Brown Sr. said it was his decision, not his son's, for Arthur Jr. to leave UM and enroll at Butler Community College in Kansas, two miles from the parents' home, where Arthur Jr. is now living. ``I thought it was time for him to come home. He needed the support,'' Arthur Sr. said. ``He has spent a tremendous amount of time away from people who love him.''

[SOUP]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

[Daddeh]

U

[Hurriphin302-4-305]

BAMF!

[francis w]

BTW another of the top 10 TV kisses in that article was from Star Trek, Capt. Kirk and Lt.Ohura (african american officer) kissed. The segment was banned for 25 Years by Great Britton.