Five Questions With Manny Navarro

Once again Canespace is pleased to bring you Manny Navarro from the Miami Herald.  The Mandingo took some time out of his busy schedule to answer your questions here on the blog.  He will also post the answers to another five questions on his blog soon. 

 

The Miami Herald blog "Eye On The U" can be found here:

 

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/

 

Here is Manny Navarro commenting on your Miami Hurricanes:

 

Q: After the spring game, and with a relatively healthy team (assuming J12 is back healthy), what are your expectations for this team this upcoming year?  Posted by: UMike

 

A: There is no reason, unless Jacory Harris isn't fully healthy, that this team can't win an ACC title this coming season and be the best it has been in a few years. There is no doubt in my mind the defensive line is going to be much improved. I felt a lack of a pass rush last season was a big reason the pass defense looked bad at times. But now with two legit monsters in the middle in Curtis Porter and Micanor Regis, guys like Allen Bailey, Adewale Ojomo, Marcus Robinson, should have an easier time getting in the backfield and making big plays.

 

That being said, I'm still very nervous about the offensive line. I thought the Canes were lucky to have Jacory "healthy" for all 13 games. The truth is, he took a beating last year. The fact Orlando Franklin missed the spring wasn't good. I wanted to see him take a full spring at left tackle. I think Jermaine Johnson and Ben Jones are talented and a upgrade over Matt Pipho at right tackle. I'm confident Harland Gunn and Brandon Washington will be solid players at guard. From all accounts, Tyler Horn has done what he's supposed to at center. But there are a lot of question marks. Who provides depth?

 

Let's not forget how lucky this team was last year battling injuries -- especially on the offensive line. Jason Fox didn't go down until the final regular season game. What happens if Orlando Franklin goes down for the season in September? Is this team still going to be able to be as good offensively?  Doubtful. I want to see real depth established this fall on the o-line. Then, and only then, do I think this team can win it all.

 

Q: Manny how is Jacory recovering from his surgery?  When is he gonna start throwing the football?  What is the extent of the injury on Lamar Miller's shoulder?  Is it his right or left? Any surgery required?  Posted by: Montreal-Cane

 

A: Both very good questions I do not have a clear answer to because we haven't really gotten on from the program. From what I've heard, Jacory should begin throwing again in the summer time (it was a minor surgery). I was told Miller had a separated right shoulder. If it is separated, he'll probably need surgery. I'm not sure how long he would be out. But it is a long time from now until August. He might be ready to return to camp a few weeks in.  

 

Q: Streeter is a phenomenal talent. How is it on a day when just about everyone has multiple catches he has none? Do you think he'll be able to break into the line up this year? Posted by: usagainstheworld 

 

A: I wouldn't take the fact he didn't have a catch in the spring game as a big deal. He certainly had his chances (I think he had two drops). I think he has to get in the rotation this year based on his ability as a big deep threat alone. You saw the 50-yard catch he made in the Champs Sports Bowl. UM honestly doesn't have as many home run threats at receiver as you might think. Travis Benjamin and Leonard Hankerson are really the only guys you see get behind guys in the secondary. LaRon Byrd and Aldarius Johnson are more physical, 20-yards in receivers. Streeter (6-5) is the only big receiver who really has the ability to go deeper because of his long strides and speed. The Canes will find a way to use that this year. 

 

Q: Manny Brandon Harris didn't practice in the last week because of an injury he sustained while doing track and field. Is this a serious injury?  Did Bosher practice last week?  Who will play at center in 2010? Posted by: Montreal-Cane

 

A: I don't believe Harris' injury is very serious, if he really was hurt at all. Randy didn't need see any more of Brandon this spring, so I think him sitting out the spring game was more precautionary for a small tweak. Bosher has not practiced all spring. He's been around. But I haven't seen him kick any balls. He didn't last spring. It shouldn't be a big deal. As for center, it looks like Tyler Horn has done what he's supposed to and will be the starting guy this year. Shane McDermott is probably a year away. He's probably Plan C. I'd expect to see Brandon Washington as the backup at center before they burn McDermott's redshirt. 

 

Q: Please give updates on two players: Forston: what's his status and as well as the other DT's seem to be playing what's your forecast for his role in 2010.  Same question about Thearon Collier? Does he have an injury? Will he get in the rotation next year. Return punts? Why hasn't he been heard from?

Posted by: CanesCanesCanes

 

A: I'll start with Thearon. It's my belief he's been kept out so he could fully heal from the ankle injury he suffered at the end of last season. He is clearly the team's best punt return man and I fully expect him to continue in that role. With the emergence of Kendal Thompkins, he might not see as many passes thrown his way. But he'll be given every opportunity to shine on special teams.

 

As for Marcus Forston, he is still recovering from his shoulder injury and trying to build up more upper body strength. He'll be back in the fall. At this point, I think he's been passed up by Curtis Porter and Micanor Regis and will be a rotation player with Josh Holmes, Jeremy Lewis and others in the middle. 

Comments

[PhillyCane]

I see my LOF was incorrectly put in on the LOF blog.. it says Streeter/ Ray Ray when I said Miller/Ojomo.. wierd

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

Grandal RBI groundout

End of 1st

WF-1
Miami-1

[canedolfan386]

86 U left me off the list im hurt. i guess i deserve it i dont write on here enough.oh well i think i said berry and ray ray first sorry ocala and sarasota. haha

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

Villasuso RBI groundout

End of the 2nd

WF-1
Miami-2

[Canez1]

Sabastian roger that.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

j.w., Mother Russia in America can burn to the ground again and I won't even bat an eyelash. It's a personal feud now as far as I'm concerned.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

I'm going with Tommy Streeter and Kevin Nelson on nothing more than a hunch for LOF 2010 '86.

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

A run off a 2 base error and yep you guessed it

Another run off of an RBI groundout. This one again by Grandal(2 RBIs)

End of the 3rd

WF-1
Miami-4

[SOUP]

I see my LOF was incorrectly put in on the LOF blog.. it says Streeter/ Ray Ray when I said Miller/Ojomo.. wierd

Posted by: PhillyCane | April 03, 2010 at 06:34 PM

I will fix it for the FINAL. Sorry for the error.

[SOUP]

86 U left me off the list im hurt. i guess i deserve it i dont write on here enough.oh well i think i said berry and ray ray first sorry ocala and sarasota. haha

Posted by: canedolfan386 | April 03, 2010 at 07:35 PM

I gotU now! It will be on the final list.

[Old Skool]

I doubt I'll be seeing Clash of the Titans, but it sounds like there might be some good football nicknames or terminologies in there.

The first that came to mind is Allen Bailey as the Kracken. What is the catchphrase "unleash the Kracken" or "release the Kracken"?

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

RBI double by DeVoss

WF has 5...thats right thats no typo....5 errors thru 4 innings

End of 4

W.F.-2
Miami-5

[SOUP]

I'm going with Tommy Streeter and Kevin Nelson on nothing more than a hunch for LOF 2010 '86.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | April 03, 2010 at 08:04 PM

I got U too. The new list will be posted later next week.

[SOUP]

Sebastian...keep the baseball updates coming! Appreciate it.

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

`Canes commit their 2nd error, leading to an unearned run

End of 5

WF-3
Miami-5

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

End of 6

WF-4
Miami-5

[Brevardcane]

Soup put me down for Kevin Nelson and Brandon Linder

[canezilla]

I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT FINAL SCORE OF BASEBALL TONIGHT....LETS GO CANES

[canezilla]

R.I.P MATT JAMES ...GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY

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

Martinez goes deep

2-3 1 RBI

End of 7

W.F-4
Miami-6

[SlingBlade]

I doubt I'll be seeing Clash of the Titans, but it sounds like there might be some good football nicknames or terminologies in there.

The first that came to mind is Allen Bailey as the Kracken. What is the catchphrase "unleash the Kracken" or "release the Kracken"?

Posted by: Old Skool | April 03, 2010 at 08:37 PM

ask and ye shall receive......make sure you watch it all the way until the end....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T0vZapjTko

[Old Skool]

LOL Slingblade you are fast

[SlingBlade]

it was a good idea....

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

Heading into the 9th

W.F.-6
Miami-8

6 errors by W.F. sure helps

[Montreal-Cane]

I said it last week David Gutierrez sucks big time...Not the closer we need...His ERA after tonight's game will be close to 7.00

Bottom of the 9th Miami 8 Wake Forest 8

[Montreal-Cane]

David Gutierrez ERA after tonight's game is actually 7.62...Boy do we miss Bellamy...

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

Well the `Canes will have to head to the bottom of the 9th

8-8

[Montreal-Cane]

I like it Butler vs Duke for the NC...

The Canes lost only by 3 points against Duke in the ACC tournament...

Miami should make it to the big dance next year...I think we are in good shape with our young BB team...

Let's go canes!!! Let's go Butler win the NC

[Montreal-Cane]

Daniel Miranda should be our closer now on...

Bottom of the 11th Miami 8 Wake Forest 8

[Montreal-Cane]

DeVoss on 2nd for the Canes...1 out...Bot. 11th

[Montreal-Cane]

Canes win 9-8

[Montreal-Cane]

On a hit by Lawson...Canes win!!!!!

[Montreal-Cane]

Daniel Miranda WP

[Montreal-Cane]

GAME 27: SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1 p.m.

PROBABLE STARTERS

WAKE - LHP Austin Stadler (1-1, 4.58 ERA) vs. MIAMI - RHP Jason Santana (2-1, 5.34 ERA)

RADIO: 90.5 WVUM

[Montreal-Cane]

Miami is now 19-7 ( 9-2 ACC)

[Montreal-Cane]

Can we send someone on a mission to find out
if Lamar Miller's injury is serious and will it require surgery...

he would have been my pick on offense prior to the spring game...

['87 Canes]

Ok Soup....My defensive LOF is Micanor Regis

[Fighting Ibis]

Storm Johnson & Kendal Thompkins on Offense
Micanor Regis & Jeremy Davis on Defense

I'm picking a player who's been on the team for awhile on Offense and Defense and a player who's going to contribute who's a true freshman.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Spring Game found on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zq9A11g7OU

Next... Spring game... broken down in clips... Check out the right side of the page for other clips. I'm assuming that all are "all" of the same spring game... not having seen all of the clips yet, but the first one is definitely of the game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmJxaFIRv4A&feature=related

cat

[bg1906]

• Warren Sapp, at a UM alumni party last weekend, told us the reason he distanced himself from UM, attending only two games in 10 years, was because Butch Davis insulted him a dozen years ago. ``I'm their most decorated lineman in history, and the guy wouldn't let me on the field to help, said he wanted no distractions.'' But Sapp is getting involved with UM again because ``Donna Shalala rolled out the red carpet for me.'' Sapp refused to be part of ESPN's UM documentary because he wanted to be paid and thought others were; producer Billy Corben said no former player was.

• Word is progress is being made in the Randy Shannon contract talks. . . . UM athletic director Kirby Hocutt -- who has booked home-and-home football series this decade with Rutgers, Penn State and Nebraska -- is working on one with Houston. UM likes playing in Texas for recruiting reasons. (The series with Ohio State, Kansas State and South Florida were booked previously.) Hocutt wants more seven-game home schedules, but not every year.

[Fighting Ibis]

Look at the size and speed of our team now. I'm sorry but when I watch those videos I see so much improvement and Randy is to thank for it. I hate to say it but we sucked. We hit rock bottom and now all the hard work Randy has been putting in is coming to fruition.

This team may not win the National Championship this year although I think they have a shot but I'm proud of my Canes and how far they've come. I have a feeling this team is going to put a serious ass whooping on some teams this year.

[j.w.]

interesting that Runtgers is returning to the schedule, I guess their AD's threats to never play us again weren't too serious. I hate that team almost as much as I hate ND becsue of their grandstanding when we joined the ACC.

[Aqua]

If I didn't have an opinion on Bob Huggins, I do now..

I'd love to see Butler upset Duke for the title. I'd have fun with that one for awhile...

[Aqua]

Lol, j.w. @ Runtgers

[Aqua]

• Warren Sapp, at a UM alumni party last weekend, told us the reason he distanced himself from UM, attending only two games in 10 years, was because Butch Davis insulted him a dozen years ago. ``I'm their most decorated lineman in history, and the guy wouldn't let me on the field to help, said he wanted no distractions.''

Put on a jersey Warren. Last time I checked their isn't an award for the best defensive lineman named after you..

[SOUP]

Soup put me down for Kevin Nelson and Brandon Linder

Posted by: Brevardcane | April 03, 2010 at 09:26 PM

I got U. Good picks!

[Aqua]

I'm the most decorated music engineer in UM history..

[SOUP]

87...I have made the change. Thanks for playing!

[SOUP]

Daniel Miranda WP

Posted by: Montreal-Cane | April 03, 2010 at 11:09 PM

Guess which HS he attended? Think "The Truth".

[SOUP]

interesting that Runtgers is returning to the schedule...

Posted by: j.w. | April 04, 2010 at 02:23 AM

I like it. We need to be able to recruit the NE and Ohio/Penn for OL/DL and maybe a QB or two down the road. Playing @ OSU, Penn St, Rutgers are all good exposure for UM. I like it.