Canespace

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

This article was written for Canespace by DrewZ2...

Everyone has their expectations on what this upcoming football season could bring. 

For the Canespace Legend Of The Fall selections everyone casts their votes on who they expect to emerge as a clutch player for Miami during the upcoming season.  

This is evidence that for Hurricane fans hope is restored, faith is renewed and the promise of another season  awaits.

This article is a two-part feature.  In Part I I’ll give my opinions on what to expect in 2010 that will be “The Bad" and "The Ugly.”  Part II will be all about “The Good”.  I wanted to do it this way to save the best for last, including what games I expect us to win and the final season record for this year.  

Hopefully these features will spark some heated and FRIENDLY debates amongst bloggers.  So let's get started with the bad and the ugly for 2010.

The Offense

Offensive Line – This is a gimme. O-Line is the least experienced and most questionable group on the team hands down. This is also arguably the position that takes the most time to translate from HS to College simply due to the size of the players and the techniques that need to be learned at the next level. UM will be very young at this position and that is bad news cause it could get really Ugly if Jacory gets hurt.

What to expect- Expect Jacory to roll out and get away from pressure if we struggle early on in pass protection. Also unfortunately expect Jacory to receive pressure and we will see a good amount of sacks. As the year progresses expect the O-Line to settle in, get used to playing with each other and become more consistent.

After this year we probably return three starters at the OL with 2-3 others getting good amounts of playing time so by 2011 we will be set at OL I believe.

Tight End -

Also another gimme. Richard Gordon returns along with RS Billy Sanders and in the Fall Miami will also have Walford, Cleveland, and Ford to choose from. Richard Gordon has underachieved in his UM career and fits more of a blocking TE role. This all could change as the “light may have come on” for Gordon this Spring, but the 2010 season will tell if Gordon’s career was a bust or not. Billy Sanders will also get some time at TE.

UM Offernsive Coordinator Mark Whipple likes to use the TE as we saw with Dedrick Epps and Jimmy Graham (seen here with Mr/Mrs OclaCane last year) both having productive years in 2009. The Bad would be if we couldn’t find a TE to throw to. Gordon can block and I don’t question that but he needs to become two dimensional and catch passes if Miami is to be successful in 2010.

What to expect- Expect Gordon to start and probably handle the position all season. Shannon has a thing with playing seniors who have put in their time. Gordon also will be a better blocking TE than Epps and Jimmy so hopefully we will see that pay off in the run game. Sanders will get some PT but don’t expect much unless Gordon gets injured or has a major lack of productivity. The trio attending in the fall will not get any major PT. I think they will pan out as productive players but may not be able to contribute right away. Cleveland is the only one that I can see coming in and playing right away but even then he will split with Gordon and Sanders. Expect two of them to RS and one to get on Special Teams and little PT.

The Defense

MLB – I had to specify with this because both OLBs are very good. In the middle Kylan Robinson is said to have made progress and Randy has faith in him for now. I’m disappointed that Green hasn’t stepped up and taken hold of the position. We have some young talent at this position and I don’t expect this to be a problem again next year but for now we’re hurtin’.

What to expect- Expect one of two things. Either Robinson is a pleasant surprise and pans out for us or expect #44 to slide over and Futch to step in as OLB. Spence is too fast and too smart to not have at OLB. McCarthy (seen here with CGNC's daughter last year after the Wake game) is bigger and can plug up the middle.  Buchanan will back up Spence and Futch as OLB and we will be solid on the outside.

We’re a little thin when it comes to LBs but this again should be the last year for that. Buchanan, Green and the boat load of LBs coming in from the 2010 recruiting  class will be good and should push the starters. Either way I think MLB has the potential to be better than past years because of the improvement of the DTs. The DTs should keep lineman off the LBs allowing them to “fly around” and cause havoc.

Safety – Between VT and Ray Ray our secondary will be very good for the next few years. But the Bad is the inexperience. Ray Ray (seen here with Canechic's son Nick at CaneFest 2009) is a very aggressive and will be very good for UM before he leaves. Unfortunately, inexperienced players make some dumb mistakes every once in a while. Another issue is there isn’t much behind these two when it comes to experience.

What to expect- I know I’m probably catch some heat for this but expect Ray Ray to probably make a few dumb mistakes this year. He’ll make up for it with a big hit here, an interception there, and solid pass coverage most of the time. I think his aggressiveness and inexperience may get the better of him on a few plays this season.

I expect Ray Ray to get beat on play action this year. It happened to Ed Reed and Sean Taylor, it’s going to happen to Ray Ray. Don’t get me wrong this kid will be a stud before he leaves but expect a couple big plays to get past him. I do think he will make more positive plays than negative this year.

In my next feature we’ll look at “The Good” and the season prediction.  For now just remember that I told you what to expect when it comes to The Bad and The Ugly, so there should be no complaining during the season about any of these subjects.

LOL, who am I kidding?

Anaylyze This: The Miami Hurricanes' 2009 Season

I need you to put down your beverage, stop multi-tasking, take a deep breath and try to focus.  Ready?  OK, here we go: 

When reviewing the 2009 season, name four specific ways the Hurricanes MUST improve in 2010 to be successful? 

You would be correct If you said:

1. Improve their interception ratio (for/against).

2. Improve their QB sack ratio (for/against).

3. Commit fewer penalties; and

4. Improve first quarter offensive production/scoring.

Sure, I know what you are saying: "Any team could claim these general goals to improve their performance from one season to the next."  But let's break down the numbers on each of these issues one by one to prove our point as it relates specifically to the University of Miami football team. 

Here are the stats and the facts according to the UM web site, www.theacc.com and www.ncaa.com: 

Interceptions:  On defense Miami had only 9 interceptions for 98 yards and one touchdown in 2009.  In the ACC only NCST and Duke had fewer (8).  Clemson led the conference with 21 INTs and UNC was second with 19.  Miami ranked 87th in the NCAA in this category in 2009.

Yet, on offense the Hurricanes threw 17 interceptions for a stunning 447 return yards and 4 TDs.  That ranks 105th in the NCAA.  Only 7 teams threw more INTs than the Hurricanes did in 2009.

If you did the math then you realize that results in an INT ratio difference of 8 INTs, 350 yards of field position and 3 TDs for the opposition.  That is a huge obstacle to overcome for any offense, much less a young Miami team with a first year starter at QB and a thin, weak and often wounded offensive line.

Every football fan knows what a huge momentum changer any turnover is and a pick six can take the breath right out of a team and a home crowd.  Miami's unfortunate loss to North Carolina in Chapel Hill last year can be directly pinned to Jacory's four INTs, two that went for TDs of 77 and 44 yards.  In Miami's loss to Clemson at The Shark Jacory threw three INTs and another pick six with just nine minutes left in the fourth quarter that shifted the momentum, and eventually the game, to the Tigers.

In 2010, that cannot happen if Miami is to be successful.  Fewer interceptions thrown by Jacory Harris and more interceptions by the Hurricane defense will certainly change the momentum and very possibly the outcome of many games in 2010.  As many of you already know the best way to generate more interceptions in by generating a more effective and successful pass rush, which leads us to...

Sacks:  Miami had a measly 24 sacks on defense in 2009.  They gave up 11 more, or about one per game, by surrendering 35.  Only Maryland and Virginia gave up more sacks in the ACC while GT, BC and Clemson did much better at protecting their QB as all three gave up under 20 sacks all year.

Yes, 2009 was not a fun year to be Jacory Harris.  Just ask his thumb, knee, ankle and shoulder.  Poor Jacory got smacked around so often that some Hurricane fans would turn their heads not to look at the brutal beating he was taking.  With a make-shift OL, numerous injuries and "The Human Turnstile" at RT it is no reason to wonder why Jacory feared for his life on every play. 

And sacks are a much bigger deal than you might imagine.  Not only do they often result in a significant loss of yardage and a change in field position but they also reduce scoring opportunities.  Recent research in the NFL shows that teams average scoring on about 35% of their offensive possessions.  However, when there is a defensive sack during the drive the scoring percentage is cut in half to around 17%.  That is huge impact on a team's scoring chances.

Forget about "dominating the line of scrimmage."  Miami's offensive and defensive lines have to do two things in 2010: reduce the number of sacks allowed and increase the number of sacks recorded by the defense.  If they do the difference could be significant in the outcome of several games this season.

Penalties:  Limiting or reducing the number of penalties a team commits can be directly linked to three things: discipline, discipline, discipline.  The Miami Hurricanes will need more of it in 2010 if they are to be successful and capture their first ever ACC title. 

In 2009 UM committed a whopping 93 penalties the most of any team in the ACC.  Their 703 penalty yards against were an average of 54 yards/game and third highest in the conference.  It also ranked 94th nationally in the NCAA.  That is simply not good enough for a Randy Shannon coached team.

Meanwhile, Miami's opponents committed only 68 penalties (25 fewer) for just 581 yards (122 fewer) for an average of around 44 yards/game.  Miami lost 10 yards per game in penalty yards versus their opponents.  Like turnovers and sacks, penalties are huge drive killers and momentum changers. 

In 2010 Head Coach Randy Shannon must ensure that Miami is disciplined and avoids costly penalties at critical times if they are to win games against the six top 25 ranked opponents on their schedule.

First Quarter Scoring: In case you were napping or hiding under a rock somewhere last year, Miami's offense improved significantly in 2009.  New offensive coordinator Mark "Miracle" Whipple had a huge impact on the Hurricanes offensive scheme and production.   He made it really easy to forget Patrick "I Ain't The Fix" Nix.

Miami improved to 31st Nationally in scoring offense and 45th in total offense last season in spite of a weak offensive line and a first year starting quarterback.  The Hurricanes were 4th in total offense and 5th in scoring offense in the ACC.  Considering from where they had come in 2008, not bad at all.

The Hurricanes scored 394 points, or an average of just over 30 points/game.  That is an increase from 352 points and 27 points/game in 2008.  However most of those points came in the third and fourth quarters.  Miami scored 175 first half points and 219 in the second half during the 2009 season. 

How many times did you sit in the stands at The Shark during the first quarter of games last year and say to yourself or even out loud "When is this team going to show up" or even worse "What team is that?"  Hurricane fans even booed the home team during the first quarter of the Duke game last year.

Slow starts and three and outs seemed to be the norm early in games in 2009.  The first quarter saw Miami score their fewest points: 79.  Frustration (Clemson) and at times desperation (VT and UNC) would then lead to sacks, penalties and turnovers.  That is a a recipe for disaster.

This season the Hurricanes must score early and often to take the pressure off of themselves and to allow the Miami defense to put the pressure on the opposing team. 

Miami must avoid the three costly negatives of penalties, sacks and turnovers on offense.

Miami must sack the opposing QB more often and pick off more passes than they did last year on defense.

That my friends is the recipe for success in 2010.

West Coast Swing

Your University of Miami Hurricanes wandered out West on Wednesday to play another mid-week baseball game.  The ninth ranked Hurricanes paid a visit to the lovely city of Fort Myers, Florida to take on Florida Gulf Coast University in a classic David vs. Goliath showdown at sundown. 

OK, so it was only the West coast of Florida but still it counts for something for these adventurous Hurricanes who have already played in Tampa, Orlando, Jupiter and Boca Raton.  They will also travel to Tallahassee in April (4/23-25) to face the Florida State Seminoles.  This Miami team knows Florida!

In a game labled as a "Battle Of The Birds" the team with the Fighting Ibis mascot beat the FGCU Eagles by the score of 9-0 in a game that was never in doubt.   Miami scored one run in the first, two in the second, two more in the fifth and four runs in the ninth inning to seal the deal for the good guys.

The game was played at Hammond Stadium the Spring training home of the Minnesota Twins.  It is a beautiful facility with all the amenities any fan could ask for, like beer.  Seriously, the place is very nice and a great place to catch a game.  A large crowd of maybe 2,500 people, about half Miami and half FGCU fans,filled the facility to about 50% capacity for the mid-week college game.

UM starter and former closer David Gutierrez was masterful on the mound and had a perfect game working through seven innings before he was removed for some strange reason by UM Head Coach Jim Morris.  Since struggling as the Canes closer to open the season and recently moving to starter, Gutierrez has excelled in his new role.

So in the eigth in came UM reliever Eric Whaley to start the inning.  Many Hurricane fans in the crowd seemed confused and concerned about Morris' move at the time and they would later prove to be correct in their assumptions.  Whaley proceeded to load the bases by walking one batter, hitting another and then surrendering the first hit of the night to the Eagles as the home town crowd and mascot stood and cheered. 

Whaley would get a strikeout to end the threat and the inning to preserve the shutout for the Hurricanes.  New UM closer Daniel Miranda would later come in a close the game out for Miami in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning.

Miami had ten hits on the night and the combination of Scott Lawson and Yasmani Grandal went 4-9 at the plate and drove in five runs.

The Hurricanes now stand at 24-9 on the season and return home for a weekend series with ACC rival North Carolina at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

Fifty Fabulous Floridians

This article was written for Canespace by SolarCane...

 

There seems to be a never ending debate about which state's high schools turn out the best athletes.

 

During these debates California, Texas and Florida are always the top three states mentioned.  After pondering this for awhile, it was only natural for me to investigate how former Florida high school hot shots did after the prom. 

 

So I [Solar seen below wearing Canespace (C-L) at the Canespace UNC tailgate party in Chapel Hill with CaneSteeler (L), 404Canes (C-R) and Canez1 (R)] sat down with Canespace blogger Six and we went through literally hundreds and hundreds of Florida high school athlete's resumes. 

 

To make the list the first and most important criteria was the athlete had to be born in the state of Florida.  Six and I decided early on that only 50 would be considered for the list leaving hundreds of really good athletes to sit on the bench.  We had different guys at different positions.  We defended our own guys and questioned each others choices.

The final fifty list was revised and adjusted nine times over a three week period.  In the end I think we came up with a fair and impartial list of pretty amazing Florida born, Florida schooled athletes.  The list is in the order I ranked the players.  I will include Six's [seen below outside Tropicana Field at a Rays game with 86Cane (L), and Mr and Mrs. OcalaCane (R)] picks also in a corresponding article.

 

The article is meant to inform you about some guys whose careers you might not be familiar with, and also to have you state the players you think should have been mentioned.  The biographies will be more detailed as the list winds towards the coveted number one Floridian.
　
Also receiving consideration were: Darryl Dawkins, Rubin Carter, Wes Chandler, Randy Shannon, Daunte Culpepper, Warren Cromartie, Fireball Roberts, Neal Colzie, Don Garlits, Alvin Harper, Hal McRay, George Mira, Jose Canseco, Herb Score, Lorenzo White, Bobby Allison, Davy Allison, and about a thousand others.
　
A collection of Florida born, Florida schooled athletes that made us proud.


Counting down from Number Fifty to number One we begin with…

#50 Tim Tebow
 
88 TDs passing 57 TDs rushing, 15 INTs in four seasons

 

2006 season
SEC All-Freshman Team
SEC Freshman of the Week

2007 season
Walter Camp Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, three times
Davey O'Brien Award winner
Heisman Trophy winner
Maxwell Award winner
Walter Camp Award finalist
Sporting News Player of the Year
Harley Award winner
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American football team
Manning Award finalist
Rivals.com National Offensive Player of the Year
Rivals.com SEC Offensive Player of the Year
First-team All-SEC (Associated Press, Coaches,
Associated Press SEC Offensive Player of the Year
Associated Press Player of the Year
First-team All-American by: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, CBS Sports, College Football News, Rivals.com, and Scout.com
James E. Sullivan Award, awarded to the Nations top amateur athlete
Roy F. Kramer SEC Male Athlete of the Year.Third Florida Gator to win this award, Danny Wuerffel (won twice) and Ryan Lochte.
ESPY for Male Athelete of the year.

2008 season
First-team All-America by College Football News.
Disney Spirit Award
ESPY for Best Male College Athlete
Heisman Trophy finalist
Manning Award winner
Maxwell Award winner
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week
2008 SEC Championship Game Most Valuable Player
First-team All-SEC (AP, Coaches, Rivals.com
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year
Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Wuerffel Trophy winner

2009 season
William V. Campbell Trophy (The Academic Heisman") winner
Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Heisman Trophy finalist
First-team All-SEC (AP, Coaches, Rivals.com
Second-team All-America (Walter Camp Foundation)
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year

#49 Willie Galimore
 

Galimore possessed incredible speed and lateral movement; many of the opposing players of the time stated that they believed Galimore could run side-to-side down the field just as fast as most men could in a straight line. Galimore was killed in an automobile accident on July 27, 1964.  His son, Ron Galimore, was the first Black U.S. Olympic gymnast.

 

#48 Harold Carmichael

Carmichael was elected to four NFL Pro Bowls.

Carmichael is Director of Player Development and Alumni for the Philadelphia Eagles.  He is from Jacksonville, Florida and is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played 13 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles (1971–1983), and one season for the Dallas Cowboys(1984). He played college football at Southern University. Atypical for his time, he was an extremely tall receiver (standing 6 foot 7 inches). Selected to four NFL Pro Bowls in his NFL career, and led the league in receptions and receiving yards during the 1973 season. He finished third in receiving yards in 1978with 1,072 and was second in receiving touchdowns in 1979with 11. He was also the Eagles' top receiver of Super Bowl XV, with six catches for 91 yards. He ended his career with 590 receptions for 8,985 yards with 79 career touchdown catches, along with 64 rushing yards on nine carries. He still ranks 18th all-time in career touchdown receptions. NFL 1970s All-Decade Team by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

#47 Rick Casares

Richard Jose Casares was born in Tampa, Florida and is a former American football fullback in the National Football League and the American Football League. He played college football for the University of Florida. Casares was then drafted in the 1954 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, where he played from 1955 to 1964. Casares led Chicago in rushing from 1955 through 1960. In 1956, Casares led the NFL in rushing with 1,126 yards. At the time, this was the second most yards gained in a single season in the NFL. Behind Casares' hard-nosed rushing, the Bears advanced to the NFL championship that year. Their foe, the New York Giants, completely stifled Casares and went on to crush the Bears, 47-7. Casares played several more years for the Bears, then went on to play for the Washington Redskins in 1965, and in 1966 for the American Football League's Miami Dolphins. Casares retired as the Bears' all-time leading rusher with 1,386 carries, 5,657 yards, and 49 rushing touchdowns. His Chicago rushing records weren't broken until Walter Payton shattered them in the 1980s.

#46 Vince Coleman

Vincent Maurice Coleman attended Jacksonville, Florida) is an American former Major League Baseball player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from 1985 to 1997and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.  He attended William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville. He began setting records as a college player. In 1981, he set the all-time single season stolen base record at Florida A&M with 65 steals in 69 attempts. He led NCAA Division I that year in both total steals and stolen base percentage. While at Florida A&M, Coleman was also a kicker and punter on the football team, where he followed in the footsteps of his cousin, Greg Coleman who was also a punter at FAMU in the 1970s and went on to a 12-year career in the NFL. Coleman was named to the all-conference team in both 1980 and 1981 and is fondly remembered by FAMU football fans for kicking a game-winning 34-yard field goal in an unlikely 16-13 Rattler win over Division I-A University of Miami in 1979.

 

Selected in the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Coleman continued his record breaking ways in the minor leagues, where he still holds the all-time professional mark for stolen bases in a single season with 145 for Macon of the South Atlantic League in 1983; notably, Coleman set the mark despite missing a month of the season with a broken hand. He further demonstrated his speed and base stealing ability with 101 steals for the Louisville Redbirds of the American Association before being called up to the majors.

 

Called up to the Majors in 1985 Coleman led the league in steals his rookie season and stole over 100 bases in each of the following two seasons as well, making him the only player in the 20th century to post three consecutive seasons of 100 or more.  Before signing as a free agent with New York, Coleman led the National League in stolen bases in every season he played with the Cardinals (1985-1990), becoming one of just four players ever to lead his league in six consecutive seasons.  In 1987 he posted a .289 batting average and a .363 on base percentage while totaling 180 hits, 109 stolen bases, and 121 runs scored. He stole second and third base in the same inning 13 times that year.

 

I'll be back next week with numbers 45 through 41.

I'm sure you will find a couple you might not have thought about, and will have a couple Six and I didn't think about either.

Hokies Humble Hurricanes

Your University of Miami Hurricanes dropped two of three games to the Virginia Tech Hokies this weekend at English Field in Blacksburg, VA.  After opening the season with four straight series wins in the ACC, the ninth-ranked Hurricanes lost Sunday's series clinching game by the score of 4-2.

Miami (23-9, 11-4 ACC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but Virginia Tech (23-11, 8-7) responded with a run in third, two more in the fifth and another in the eighth en route to a two-run victory.  Tech has been playing well and is ranked 25th in the Country after coming off another ACC series win last weekend over FSU.

Jason "Oye Como Va" Santana (3-2) turned in his fifth straight quality start for the `Canes but suffered the loss, allowing three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out four in six innings.  Virginia Tech starter Jesse "Not Jessica" Hahn (5-2) allowed two early runs but settled in, striking out nine, walking two and allowing five hits in seven innings of work to earn the win. 

Harold Martinez remained hot at the plate and was the lone UM player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with his team-leading ninth homer of the season. The Hurricanes scored their only two runs in the top of the second, plating runs on Martinez's solo homer to left to lead off the inning before a bases loaded fielder's choice grounder by Frankie "Dirty" Ratcliff scored Nathan "Hot Dog" Melendres.

On Saturday: Miami hit four home runs, including two two-run blasts from catcher Yasmani Grandal, to decisively beat the Hokies 9-2. The win for Miami evened the weekend series which set up the rubber game on Sunday.

The Hurricanes scored eight runs on nine hits in the first three innings, scoring two runs in the first inning, one in the second and five in the third to put the game out of reach for the Hokies. 

Grandal hit his two-run shots in the first and third innings, the second just before Miami CF Zeke "I Can Play Defense Too" DeVoss launched his own three run blast over the fence to put Miami up by eight runs.

UM ace Eric "Big Easy" Erickson turned in his best performance of the young 2010 season.  He allowed only one earned run while scattering four hits and striking out five Hokies over seven innings.

On Friday: Miami built a 6-1 over six innings but could not hold on as they lost their series-opener, falling 9-7 on a cool night in the Northern mountains of Virginia.  

The Hokies trailed throughout the game but rallied to score five runs in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh to gain a two-run lead that would be the eventual margin of victory.

After Miami scored a run in the top seventh the break a 6-6 tie, Virginia Tech's Ronnie Shaban hit a three-run homer to right-center off of UM reliever Eric Whaley in the bottom of the seventh to give the Hokies a lead they would not relinquish.

This week: Miami will hit the the road for a mid-week game at Florida Gulf Coast in Ft. Myers on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. before returning home to host ACC rival North Carolina in a three-game ACC series at Alex Rodriguez Park which runs from Friday, April 16 through Sunday April 18.

University Of Miami Presents CanesFest 2010

One week from today the University of Miami will hold their annual meet and greet between UM football players and coaches and their fans. 

In an effort to build support for the team, sell season tickets and generate excitement about the upcoming 2010 season, the BankUnited CanesFest will be held on April 17 from 9 AM to Noon at Sun Life Stadium. 

So if you live anywhere in South Florida we highly recommend that you attend this always fun and family friendly event.  The players are very accessible in a relaxed environment which makes them readily available for autographs and photos.  Last year at the event we had the opportunity to meet and take photos with several players. 

Above is blogger AngryCane with fellow Califonia crusier Vaughn Telemaque and below is blogger OcalaCane with his possee of JoJo Nicholas (L), Daryl Sharpton (R) and guaranteed future first round NFLU pick Marcus Robinson (C).

As always, admission is free but parking will be $50.  Just kidding, parking is FREE, but the large cups of orange and green Kool Aid will cost extra.

A Select-A-Seat opportunity will be offered during the event that will give fans that haven't yet purchased their 2010 season tickets the chance to choose their seats from all available stadium inventories. 

Existing season tickets holders will also be able to select from alternative open seats and upgrade or improve their location should they wish to relocate.

Fans (like Canespacers 86Cane (L), The Rhode Island Canes Crew (C top), Canechic and daughter Nicole (C) and Aqua (R) seeb below) will have a chance to ask questions to a panel of select UM football players from the offense, defense and special teams. 

This Q&A session will be hosted by WQAM's Joe Zagacki beginning at 11 AM.  There will also be interactive inflatable games, locker room tours, Kool Aid baths and more.

Season tickets start at $99 in the upper deck and $199 in the lower bowl and are on sale now by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or via the web at www.HurricaneSports.com.

Another View Of The NFLU 2010 Draft

This article was written for Canespace by blogger DZ8...

 

Gone are the days with the debate being how many Hurricanes will be taken in the 1st round and they've been replaced with the debate over how many Hurricanes will be drafted period.  Next year should start a new first round streak but this year doesn't look like a single player will be drafted on Thursday night,  the drafts new starting day.  These are my predictions of where each player will go, not where they should go.  Let's see how close I can get.

 

Jimmy Graham, TE Rd. 3   Pk 27 (91)  San Diego Chargers:  The Chargers have a deep and talented roster and so can afford a "luxury" pick on a developmental TE with a lot of upside.  Who better to learn from then former basketball player now Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates?  The former orphan had to give up football after his freshman year of high school when he was adopted and moved to a new school.  The four year basketball star never gave up his love for the game however and finally got the opportunity to play turning down some real money to play basketball overseas.  At over 6'6" and weighing over 260lbs this athletic TE ran a 4.56 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine which placed him second amongst all tight ends there.  He has good hands but will need work on his blocking as he looked like he was on skates in pass protection during the Senior Bowl (toepick?). The League is a game of match ups and Jimmy Graham is a mismatch.

 

Don't Be Surprised If:  Graham goes in the second round.

 

 

Darryl Sharpton, LB Rd. 4  Pk 31 (129)  Indianapolis Colts:   The Colts run a 4-3 defense that will allow Sharpton to play a natural weakside LB position.  He will help out on special teams immediately and can develop into a contributor.  He won't be on a lot of teams boards because of his lack of height.  Didn't time very well in the forty at the Combine or his Pro Day (4.74/4.76) but looks to have adequete speed on tape.  Not very natural or instinctive and doesn't disengage from blockers well.  Does have decent strength and has experience playing all three linebacker spots so his versatility helps him.

 

Don't Be Surprised If:  Sharpton gets drafted later than the 4th.

 

 

Jason Fox, T Rd. 5  Pk 34 (165)  Atlanta Falcons:   The Falcons run a zone blocking scheme that Fox might be able to develop in.  They also have a history of drafting players who have experience at bigger programs.  A very experienced player who started as  a freshman and stayed relatively healthy until the end of his senior year.  Unfortunately for him that began a streak of bad luck that was highlighted by him pulling a hamstring during his forty at his Pro Day.  A high school TE who has good athleticism, he is lacking in the strength department and doesn't play with much force.  The report of an irregular heartbeat could take him off many teams boards.

 

Don't Be Surprised If:  Fox doesn't get drafted. 

 

 

Javarris James,  RB Rd.7  Pk. 20 (227)  Houston Texans:   The Texans have been dying for an all-around back to compliment Steve Slaton and JJ could fit the bill if he stays healthy.  Reminds me of Andre Brown, RB, NC State who the NY Giants took in the 4th round of last years draft except Brown showcased his abilities at the Senior Bowl.  James had a bad day at the East/West Bowl but did have very good reports from the practice that week.  Has good size and instincts but lacks the breakaway ability that would elivate his status.  His injury history kept him from realizing his potential at The U, and will downgrade him on a lot of boards.  Hopefully he got all his injuries out of the way and will have a productive NFL career.  One of my favorites after his performance his freshman year against Houston gave me hope the 'Canes had a playmaker again.  Wish him nothing but the best.

 

Don't Be Surprised If:  James doesn't get drafted.

 

 

Dedrick Epps,  TE Rd. 7  Pk  19 (226)   St. Louis Rams:    The Rams need a lot of help and can afford to try and develop an all around TE at this stage of the draft.  Epps doesn't stand out in any one category but he does have solid skills in every facet of the tight end position.  His early lack of production could be blamed on the QBs and offensive coordinator, while his senior year lack of production can be blamed on recovery from a knee injury and the emergence of Graham.  It is often said that it takes two full years to really recover from knee injuries so maybe Epps'  best days are ahead of him.

 

Don't Be Surprised If:  Epps doesn't get drafted.

 

 

Sam Shields, CB   Rd 7  Pk 22 (229)  New England Patriots:   Once again another team with a deep roster that can afford a spot for a rookie with strong immediate special teams ability and future cornerback potential.  I'll be rooting for him, but not his team!  Great size for the position (6'1" 190lbs) and great speed (4.3 Pro Day time, kick return vs. Wisconsin), Shields just needs some experience playing the corner.  I don't even think he played CB in high school and played WR his first three years at Miami.  Showed his great athleticism at his Pro Day where his numbers would have put him in the upper echelon of corner prospects at the Combine.  Showed his potential by starting the first year he made the switch to the other side of the field.  After three years of being in and out of Randy Shannons dog house (for small stuff, he is NOT a bad kid), this fan favorite promptly got himself arrested for marijuana.  Unfortunately that alone will take him off some boards.  He should be able to make a team on his special teams ability as gunner on punt coverage alone.

 

Don't Be Surprised If:  Shileds goes as high as the 5th or doesn't get drafted at all.

The U Takes Two From FAU

Your University of Miami Hurricanes took two mid-week games from their nearby neighbor to the North the Florida Atlantic University Owls by beating FAU 8-5 in Boca Raton on Tuesday and then by spanking and blanking the wounded and helpless Owls 11-0 on Wednesday night in Coral Gables. 

On Tuesday night The Hurricanes traveled to the 561 to face Howard Schnellenberger and the Owls...well not exactly but "The Pipe" was in fact on hand and as always classy and gracious enough to meet and greet FAU and UM fans alike at the game.  Of course once the game started Howard couldn't bare to watch as FAU took a good old fashioned Hurricane beat down and the hands of the Miami hardballers.

On Wednesday night it was more of the same for The Owls who were completely de-feathered and de-nested by the de-nasty Hurricanes.  Now I know those are not real words but they had a nice ring to them, don't U think?  Miami scored early and often with four runs in the first inning, three in the second and three in the fifth to take an insurmountable ten run lead. 

FAU started pitcher Kenny Gray and by the end of the first probably wished they hadn't.  In the first he hit the first three batters he faced and walked two more before giving up a two run double to give the Hurricanes a 4 run lead.  Gray lasted all of 1 and 1/3 innings against the consistently improving and vastly superior UM offensive attack.

All the FAU relievers could do was watch from the bull pen and beg: "Don't put me in coach, I ain't ready to play, today."

After the ugly first inning it was all downhill for FAU as the ninth-ranked University of Miami baseball team used three-run homers from Yasmini Grandal (seen below celebrating at home plate) and Scott Lawson to pluck the Owls 11-0. 

Grandal's monster shot landed against the parking garage (seen below) in Right-Center field about 50 feet up the wall and 100 feet out of the park.  The ball was absolutely crushed and one of the longest bombs seen at Mark Light Field in a long, long time.

Four UM pitchers combined to produce UM's second shut-out of the year, including usual closer David Gutierrez who tossed four scoreless innings in his first start of the season.

The Hurricanes now stand at 22-7 (10-2 ACC) and have now won seven straight and 12 of their last 14.  With the win, Miami has now won seven straight over FAU and improved to 47-8 all-time against the Owls. 

Break It Down: The NFLU Draft

This blog was written by Esteban for Canespace...

This isn't the year the 1st round streak restarts.  That will have to wait one more year, but we'll make up for lost time with multiple 1st rounders (Allen Bailey, Leonard Hankerson, Travis Benjamin, and Orlando Franklin).  At least unlike last year we won't have to wait until the end of the draft before hearing a Hurricane's name called.  Also, will have more than one guy picked this year.  Here is my predictions for the group of draft eligible Canes coming out this year (in order of where I project they go).

"Superstar" Jimmy Graham:  I have the former PF now TE going either late 2nd or early 3rd.  I just think some team will fall in love with his athleticism and hands.  His blocking right now is bad.  But he's got the size and willingness to get a lot better at it.  He'll start off being a 2nd TE combined with a blocking specialist most likely.

Jason "I have no weaknesses" Fox:  If it weren't for injuries getting the better of him by the end of the season Fox might have had a chance of restarting the 1st round streak.  He was invited to the Senior Bowl but couldn't make it because he was still rehabbing and also couldn't participate in the NFL Draft Combine.  When he finally did work out he pulled a hamstring running the 40.  With potential LTs always seeming to find their way into the end of the 1st round Fox could have slipped in if he had impressed at the Senior Bowl - and as bad as the OTs were this year at the Senior Bowl he probably would have been clearly the best of the bunch.  I still think he has a good chance of going in the 4th round, but at this point he could drop to the 5th. 

Daryl "if it moves hit it" Sharpton:  Sharpton had his best year this past season and unlike Fox was able to showcase what he can do at the Senior Bowl.  While he helped himself he didn't dispel the notion that he's a 2 down LB.  I got the feeling he goes off the board in either the 5th or 6th.

Javarris James:  He doesn't get a nickname cause he'd had one his whole time at UM and he kept getting hurt so the nickname is gone as an omen that the injuries will also be gone.  James ran just under 4.6 which from watching the last couple of seasons is about where most would expect him to run.  He helped himself in the post season with a great week of practice at the East West Shrine Game.  He was mentioned as being the creme of the crop amongst the RBs there and showed a good all around game.  To me his greatest value comes from being able to help a passing team on 3rd down.  He's a big time pass protector from the RB position while also being able to run routes and catch the ball like a receiver.  He's never going to be an every down back - unless pressed into it by multiple injuries to teammates, but he's someone who can find a role on a team and excel at it.  I see him going in the 6th round.

Dedrick Epps:  No nickname cause I couldn't think of one.  Epps is a favorite of mine and I think had he sat out this year to fully recover from the injury he sustained in practice leading up to last year's bowl game against Cal the coaches wouldn't have measured his playing time as much.  Also, it would have given time to let his speed get back to where it was pre-injury.  He ran a 4.7 at the pro day.  His entire time at UM he had clocked in the 4.5s.  And seeing that Graham clocked a 4.6 at UM and then just under that at the combine and James clocked 4.5s while at UM and at the combine and his pro day, I don't think its a case of an inflated 40 time while at UM for Epps.  Plus, if you remember his JR year against NC State he actually pulled away from DBs on his 60+ yard TE catch you could see his speed translate on the field.   As for his blocking  it improved greatly this year, especially from where it was when he first got to UM and he showed Greg Olsen like blocking abilities.  I think whatever team drafts Epps will be getting a steal since I see him going in either the 6th or 7th round.

"I smoke therefore I am" Sam Shields:  Shields has a few things that really help his chances of getting drafted.  He's got elite speed - 4.27 is what one scout told Bruce Feldman.  He's got good size for a CB - 6'1, 195.  He's willing to throw his body around and doesn't avoid contact.  And most importantly he's shown he can be a great gunner on punt coverage.  David Tyree was drafted coming out of Syracuse strictly as a special teamer and whatever else he provided would be seen as a bonus.  I think someone takes Shields with that same thought process.  I say Shields sneak into the last round of the draft and becomes a 7th round pick.

AJ Trump:  I thought Trump had a very solid year for the Canes.  He's got good enough size and good enough mobility and good enough strength.  He played well in the East West Shrine game and I think there is a chance he gets his name called in round 7.  But I'm predicting he'll end up a rookie free agent.  I do think he has a good chance making a team especially if he goes somewhere that employs a zone blocking scheme.

Tevarris Johnson:  He exceeded expectations this year by providing solid blocking and a few catches.  He's too small to continue playing TE in the pros, but he could find a role as an FB/H-Back type.  He's got enough athleticism that he could stick if he makes some tackles on kick coverage and does a good job blocking on returns.  But he's a rookie free agent all the way.

Eric Moncur:  Talk about bad luck.  He gets an injury waiver to come back for a 6th year and never gets healthy.  Like his first senior year he did well when he played, just didn't play much.  He'll be a free agent.  Hopefully he will be healthy by the time the rookie mini camps start.

Randy Phillips:  He was granted an extra year as well and got banged up, too.  At this point I don't know if he'll even be signed as a rookie free agent.  If he does get a chance if he's healthy he could win a spot since he's got better man coverage ability than most safeties coming out.  He's just injured all the time and a step slow to see things develop in front of him in zone coverage.

Joe Joseph:  He's someone who went from looking horrible, when pressed into a starting role as a sophomore, to someone who was solid to someone who wasn't that solid by the end of his senior year.  Like Randy Phillips, I'm not sure he even gets a rookie free agent deal.  He's someone that probably put too much weight on during his time at UM so what originally was a strength - his mobility - is no longer a strength.  And he never was the most physical guy.  He overachieved and I'm thankful he gave everything he could to us.

Matt Pipho:  He'll be a doctor soon.

Hurricanes Leave Demon Deacons In Their Wake

Your University of Miami Hurricanes closed out a three game sweep of their weekend baseball series with a 10-1 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Sunday at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Stadium. 

Miami gave Wake an old skool whooping by absolutely demonolishing the Deacons with brilliant pitching, timely hitting and excellent defense.  The Hurricanes now stand at 20-7 overall and 10-2 in the ACC.

On Sunday Miami's Jason "Carlos" Santana threw six solid innings striking out 5, walking 2 while holding the Demon Deacons scoreless.  UM relievers Travis "Steve" Miller and Taylor "Howlin" Wulf followed Santana's lead and were in perfect rythym as they sent Wake home winless from the weekend concert, uh, series.

The Hurricanes scored seven runs in the third inning to ensure that the rowdy crowd at Alex Rodriguez Park could start celebrating early.  Harold Martinez and David Villasuso homered for the Hurricanes and Yasmani Grandal and Ryan Perry hit doubles for Miami.  Chris Peleaz hit a triple and drove in four runs to solidfy Miami's grip on the game and the series.

On Saturday night the 15th-ranked Hurricanes beat Wake Forest, 9-8, in 11 innings on a walk-off single to left by Scott Lawson. Miami has won nine of their last 11 games and on this night relied on nine stolen bases to win their eighth straight game over the Demon Deacons.

Miami's closer David Gutierrez couldn't hold a two run lead going into the ninth inning allowing Wake Forest to plate two and send the game into extra innings.  The Hurricanes seized the opportunity in the bottom of the 11th when Zeke DeVoss led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stephen Perez and was brought home by Scott Lawson's flare to right to give the 'Canes the win.

Miami Killian graduate Daniel Miranda (2-1, 2.28 ERA) pitched the last 2 2/3 innings, striking out five while not allowing a hit to get the win for the Hurricanes.  Starter Eric Erickson went five solid innings  allowing just one earned run for Miami as he continued his comeback from surgery last year.

In the series opener on Friday night the Hurricanes beat the Demon Deacons 7-4 in front of the home crowd.  Miami sprinted to a 5-1 lead and eventually held on for its eighth win in its last nine conference games. 

Starter Chris Hernandez improved his record to 4-2 with the victory, going seven strong innings while giving up just one earned run and striking out seven. UM relievers Eric Whaley and David Gutierrez each threw one inning in relief of Hernandez to closeout the game.

At the plate the Hurricanes were led by Stephen Perez who had two RBI on 2-for-4 hitting.  UM catcher Yasmani Grandal went 2-for-5 on the night to secure his fifth straight game with multiple hits. Grandal has now hit safely in 14 of his last 23 at-bats. Chris Peleaz also had another big night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a homer and his first triple in a Miami uniform.