Cassano Wins The Lotto

Everyone is familiar with the phrase: "It is better to be lucky than good."

And when it comes to being lucky, Mike Cassano is your man. 

Now that's not to say Cassano is not a good coach, but when it comes to being in the right place at the right time, Miami's new running backs coach could not be any luckier.  And he didn't have to drive very far to get there either! 

You see Cassano was working across town in the 305 as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at FIU for former UM player and coach Mario Cristobal when he got the call from Randy Shannon at Miami to join the Hurricanes staff.   

Fortunately for Cassano he fell into a perfect situation at UM with the Hurricanes once again on the rise to National prominence and also currently in possession of a boatload of talent for him to coach.

Just take a look (and try not to salivate) at the talent he has to work with:

• Graig Cooper*
• Damien Berry
• Lee Chambers
• Mike James
• Lamar Miller
• Storm Johnson
• Eduardo Clements
• Darion Hall

* - Returning from knee injury in the Champs Sports Bowl.

With Javaris James graduating last year and Graig Cooper returning from injury the running back position may be the most wide open and competitive of any on the team.  Here are some of the players expected to fight for carries in the crowded backfield at Miami:

Damien Berry came on strong late last year to the delight of many Hurricane fans who called for him to play at games and on the Internet message boards, chat rooms and blogs.  The big, bruising converted safety was dominant at times and his tough, straight-forward, punishing running style was a refreshing change of pace in the UM backfield.

Mike James played early and often as a true freshman in 2009.   The Central Florida (Davenport HS) product saw quality playing time at RB and returning kickoffs for the Hurricanes last season.  James is effective at picking up the blitz and at catching the ball out of the backfield.  Always solid and stout in stature, he has bulked even more during this off-season and looks to make even more of an impact in 2010.   James is another powerful, yet shifty runner who is able to gets yards after contact.

Lamar Miller is the type of speedy, elusive back not seen at "The U" since Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee left town to play in the NFLU.  Speed kills and Miller has speed to burn as he proved on the track as part of the UM 4 X 100 relay team, on the field as a red-shirt freshman on the scout team in 2009 and during Spring practice this year.  Miller (seen below in 2008 representing Miami Killian HS at the FSHAA track meet) will likely return kickoffs this year and look to get his opportunities on specially designed plays to get him the ball in space to let him work his fleet-footed magic. 

Lee Chambers is a senior RB who is expected to get more playing time this season if Cooper is not 100% ready after undergoing extensive knee surgery for the injury he suffered in the Champs Bowl in December.  Chambers has paid his dues and has shown some flashes of talent while at Miami but he may get passed by a few of the talented freshman and sophomores now roaming like hungry young lions all around the practice field in Coral Gables.

Storm Johnson:  The name says it all right?  A Miami Hurricane player with the name "Storm"?  Even Hollywood would have a hard time topping that one!  Johnson plans to storm right through the stacked and talented field of running backs now at UM and earn some serious playing time as a true freshman.  Storm may be the most talented of all backs and is certainly was as highly recruited as any on the UM roster.  Many predicted he is too good to keep on the bench and will play for The U in 2010.  Some UM fans have even selected him as their Legend of the Fall for this season and have come up with this cute little slogan: "Fear The Storm!"

If you asked Eduardo Clements who should be the starting running back at Miami in 2010 he would without hesitation say: "Eduardo Clements".  Thought to be a good candidate to red-shirt this year, Clements was recently quoted by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald as saying: "Red-shirting me would be a waste of time.  I can line up at running back or wide receiver." 

Uh, Eduardo we like your attitude and 305 swag but in case you haven't been paying attention wide receiver and running back are the two deepest positions on the team.  If Clements plays at UM in 2010 he will have done it the old fashioned way: He will have earned it.

Comments

[Acane]

1?

[Acane]

definitely better to be lucky than good

[27 Ave Cane]

2

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

VA, I'd say your banker is suffering from some extreme skin-color delusions. lol He might want to get some professional help with that.

OGV's just inclined to hyperbole based on a slightly Orange and Green biased view of events. But the matter's done.

Sean Taylor was probably waiting with Tatum's uniform for him, with a football in the other hand, so they could play some "touch" football. haha

Great analogy.

[SOUP]

definitely better to be lucky than good

Posted by: Acane | July 27, 2010 at 09:35 PM

Some are BOTH!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Great piece Souper. Cassano is one lucky dude. Timing is everything as it is said.

[404]

Great title! My favorite of 2010, nice job.

[roachcane77]

Great article Soup. Cassano has indeed won the lottery!

What a stable of runners!

Won't be long now CaneSpacers... #6!

[SOUP]

OFF TOPIC, SOUP NAZI:

http://smallbusiness.aol.com/2010/07/21/no-soup-for-you-or-is-there/?icid=main|htmlws-sb-n|dl2|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fsmallbusiness.aol.com%2F2010%2F07%2F21%2Fno-soup-for-you-or-is-there%2F

[SOUP]

Captain, 404, Roach...thanks for the comments and compliments. This one was SO obvious it just screamed out at me!

[404]

Let's also mention that Miller is a Cougar! That's 305 to the core, this kid will tear up the field this year, guaranteed!

Go Canes!

[xxcanes305xx]

i'm planning on going to the ohio state game and need to no one which hotel will we be taking over?

[WindyCane1]

Interesting comment from Shannon:
"….The position that concerns him most, Shannon said, is linebacker. He said at least two of the team’s incoming freshmen at the position will have to play."

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2010/07/27/will-seantrel-henderson-see-pine-time-instead-of-prime-time-for-miami-hurricanes/

[CanesCanesCanes]

We have two winners, ladies and gentlemen.

Cassano is one, no doubt.

Petri won the lottery, too. Lots to work with as well.

[SOUP]

Petri won the lottery.

Posted by: CanesCanesCanes | July 27, 2010 at 10:52 PM

Has a nice ring to it. Much better than what I was gonna go with :

Petri Wins Powerball

[CanesCanesCanes]

Powerball sounds good.

So what are the linebackers, a scratch of card winner? lol

[CanesCanesCanes]

dang - scratch-off card

[SOUP]

Canes have Polk County covered in Central FL. U know who the Tates are? U should:

Each week the News Chief does a Q&A with a Polk County sports personality. This week, it's Winter Haven High School football coach Charlie Tate.

1. What do you do when you're not coaching football?

"I coach Little League basketball and Little League baseball."

2. What is it like coaching against your brothers every year in the Preseason Classic? (Each year, Winter Haven faces Ridge, with head coach Richard Tate and offensive coordinator Robert Tate)

"It's exciting. It adds a little something extra to the kickoff classic."

3. Does the winner get bragging rights for the year?

"The times they've won, I hear about it, especially when we get together at Thanksgiving."

4. If not football, what would you coach full-time?

"Starting out, I was the head track coach at Bartow (High) and then became the baseball coach. So baseball or track and field."

5. What's your most favorite sports moment?

"Beating Armwood (in 2007). We got whipped earlier by them. So a year later, to beat them was a big accomplishment. Also last year beating Lake Wales."

6. Who is your favorite professional athlete?

"I love watching Peyton Manning play. He's so smart and so competitive."

[SOUP]

The Fort Meade Miners got a good head-start on the 2010 football season over the weekend.

The Miners finished second in the USF Sling ‘N Shoot event, losing to Tampa Jefferson, 28-18, on Sunday. But Fort Meade, a Class 1A school, produced victories against larger programs, including George Jenkins (5A), Kathleen (4A), Tampa Wharton (5A), Land O’Lakes (3A), Lake Weir (4A) and Tampa Jesuit (2A).

Many players stood out, according to Cornelius, especially QB Ronald Jones and TE Brandon Fulse on offense.

FULSE is a UM prospect.

[RBLCane]

If Cassano and Petri won the lotto and powerball, respectively, then what do we call what happened to Boss Man when he took over, which was the total opposite? Stock market crash? Identity theft? What's the opposite of winning the lotto?

[SOUP]

Fulse is more of a OL recruit than a TE:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/flavarsity/football/recruiting/player-Brandon-Fulse-106397

[SOUP]

What's the opposite of winning the lotto?

Posted by: CanesFanStuckInCali | July 27, 2010 at 11:55 PM

The Great Depression

[RBLCane]

Posted by: SOUP | July 28, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Well said, Soup, well said.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Interesting comment from Shannon:
"….The position that concerns him most, Shannon said, is linebacker. He said at least two of the team’s incoming freshmen at the position will have to play."

>>>>>>

He's right and one of those will be Kevin Nelson. Tyrone Cornelius could be the other, although Gaines might get some burn. Shayvon and Holton should be able to contribute as well though. We'll see how they improve during camp.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

The Great Depression

Posted by: SOUP | July 28, 2010 at 12:01 AM

>>>>>

There it is...

[360Cane]

What happened to Futch? Why doesn't he play MLB?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

VACane, I comprehend your point of view on this and you've made your points very clear and concise which I appreciate while keeping it real civil and on the level posting about this, but we will have to agree to disagree. I think he gets a pass from the media due to the massacre on campus and the frequent mysterious murders that seem to take place there to students every other year as well as thanks to several other factors strictly performance related. I also think it's very possible to be the best coach ever for the turkeys and not be that great of a coach overall, which is the situation here. I'd like to see the reputation that precedes the guy actually be earned by winning something substantial instead of a Big East or ACC title, two things I consider boobie prizes, first. USF replaced the only man to ever lead their program for something similar to the sideline altercation caught on tape against WVU a few years ago. Mark Mangino (a man who owns a BCS bowl win over you know who) was fired for EVEN less. My point is, he gets away with a lot of stuff that shouldn't just be allowed to slide IMO and teaching your team to turn knees under the pile is shady any way you slice it.

Your banker's just unfortunately a racist from the way you describe him which is sad but hey, it's Virginia, so I can't say I'm completely shocked, I'm glad you tried to extend some education to him in the hopes of showing him the error of his ways, much like you seem to have attempted to here with me, again I'm appreciative of your efforts on both counts. But, they ARE our rivals . . .

[WGT22]

Don't U just know that the Buckeyes will honor the Original # 32 Hitman come pregame 9-11-10 ...

[canezilla]

ITS OK ABOUT OUR LINEBACKERS OUR D LINE WILL STOP ANY RUN.THEY JUST HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE TIGHTENDS

[Old Skool]

What's the opposite of winning the lotto?
Hooking up with Amy Winehouse.

[SOUP]

ITS OK ABOUT OUR LINEBACKERS OUR D LINE WILL STOP ANY RUN.THEY JUST HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE TIGHTENDS

Posted by: canezilla | July 28, 2010 at 07:12 AM

And therein lies the problem.

[SOUP]

What's the opposite of winning the lotto?
Hooking up with Amy Winehouse.

Posted by: Old Skool | July 28, 2010 at 07:14 AM

Going rafting with Old Skool as he tries to kill all the other people in his raft, inluding U know who!

[Sebastian]

What????

I would venture to say getting hooked up with Manly Gaga has to be the opposite of winning the lottery

[Ungar]

"Cassano Wins The Lotto"

Whew! I thought this was a bad news article.

Cassano has won the 67 million lottery, and will be resigning fro the Canes.

You can't scare me like that first thing in the morning....

[Ungar]

What's the opposite of winning the lotto?
Hooking up with Amy Winehouse.

Posted by: Old Skool | July 28, 2010 at 07:14 AM

Going rafting with Old Skool as he tries to kill all the other people in his raft, inluding U know who!

Posted by: SOUP | July 28, 2010 at 08:23 AM

I guess Cat 5 will have to pay him more next time... 8-)

[CanesCanesCanes]

Hooking up with Amy Winehouse.

Posted by: Old Skool | July 28, 2010 at 07:14 AM

Now that's just wrong

[Ungar]

Yikes, I just pulled up the image of Amy Winehouse (I didn't know who it was).

Sid Vicious lives, and he is a girl...

[UMike]

My son got to wear a jockstrap for the first time yesterday...he wasnt happy lol

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

What's the opposite of winning the lotto?
Hooking up with Amy Winehouse.

Posted by: Old Skool | July 28, 2010 at 07:14 AM

>>>>

Haha, good one.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

My son got to wear a jockstrap for the first time yesterday...he wasnt happy lol

Posted by: UMike | July 28, 2010 at 09:49 AM

>>>>>

Hahahahaha, now that's funny. Welcome to the world of men young man. It ain't all trophies and pretty girls. haha

[CanesCanesCanes]

Umike, it's all for a good cause. One day he'll thank that jock strap.

[VA Cane]

ONGITV,
I can live with that. He is the best they have had. He is a good coach. End of statement. I still want to beat them, no doubt, they are our rivals. My banker is a good guy, just sees things in colors....me I see it all gray...with a touch or orange and green no doubt!! Besides, he was a baseball guy, never knew our game. Anyway, this is past, we shall move on....no hard feelings or resentments. You are quite sharp my man, and I can appreciate a different point of view, as I am close to the source.

Mike, if he thinks that is bad, wait til you get the ones with protective cups really required for protection at upper levels....I remember one year when I first started, had real young fellas in 8 yr olds I think. One came out to practice, had no knee pads. I asked him about the short pads with the round part at the bottom...he said you mean these? and pulled them out of his pants!!! I died laughing, and he looked at me and said I thought they were to protect me down there!!!

Hope I was not to argumentative in here, because we all are different in ways, but you people are the very best and I care for and respect all of you. Go Canes!!!

[UMike]

lol...yea were on the way home and hes squarming in the backseat trying to get comfortable lol...and that was without the cup...it was funny..yesterday they all got their practice gear (shorts and shirts), bottom tight shorts with pads (or gerdal , however u spell it) and jockstap..when I went to pick him up I look behind the building leading to the field and all I see is a line of cloths..I thought that must of been funny..a bunch on 11-14 yo boy outside changing..I bet they didnt like that to much lol

[360Cane]

Success of Fins, Canes rests on Henne, Harris

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/27/1749356/success-of-fins-canes-rests-on.html#ixzz0uzWylxsW

[carolina cane]

Lamar will be the man before it's all said and done. If we can get a pass rush we may be able to cover a T.E.

[404]

Don't forget about:

DB Jamal Reid:He redshirted last year but came to Miami ranked No. 80 in the ESPNU 150 class. He was ESPN.com's No.6 athlete in his class. He caught 49 passes for 1,224 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he made 68 tackles and six interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) as a senior.

[j.w.]

good day folks- We're #1 (1986) and #11 (1990) on SI's top 25 most hated teams of all time!

[CGNC]

"•Asked about LeBron James signing with the Heat, Shannon cracked: "It took the pressure off of me. They got to win a championship now."

LOL Coach is funny

[CGNC]

Brown Leaves Vols Via Text Message

Tennessee running back Bryce Brown has left the Volunteers program without contacting head coach Derek Dooley, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Brown, who landed at Tennessee after a drawn-out, controversial recruitment, has long been expected to leave the program after Lane Kiffin bolted for USC after one season in Knoxville. But Brown did not inform the coaching staff in person that he was leaving.

"Bryce left town without a face-to-face request (with Dooley) for a transfer," a school official told the News Sentinel. "There's still no news on where he wants to go."

According to USA Today, Brown sent Dooley a text message to say he was leaving. Brown didn't participate in spring practice, fueling the speculation that he was leaving -- most likely for Kansas State, where the Wichita native would join his older brother. But Brown must seek a release from Tennessee before he can go to a new school to play football.

[Ungar]

jw, there is a flaw in that list.

it should say:

#1 1986 Miami
#2 1987 Miami
#3 1988 Miami
#4 1989 Miami
#5 1990 Miami
#6 1991 Miami
#7 1992 Miami
#8 1993 Miami
#9 1994 Miami
#10 1995 Miami
#11 1996 Miami
#12 1997 Miami
#13 1998 Miami
#14 1999 Miami
#15 2000 Miami
#16 2001 Miami
#17 2002 Miami
#18 2003 Miami
#19 2004 Miami
#20 2005 Miami
#21 2006 Miami
#22 2007 Miami
#23 2008 Miami
#24 2009 Miami
#25 2003 OSU *(even Miami haters are disgusted by that team)