College Football Pre-Season Rankings

Pre-season rankings should be classified under the following heading: "Believe only half of what you read and none of what you hear".

It is at this time of the year that blatant speculation and even wild guessing are often encouraged and in some rare cases are raised to an art form by certain national media types. 

Hard facts and in-depth research is often replaced by rumor or reputation. 

Accuracy often goes completely out the window and takes a back seat to hype. 

A herd mentality dominates the college football landscape from Pullman to Piscataway.

Now that the top 5 pre-season ranking lists are out it is time to analyze the predictions and look at the averages and possible outcomes for the 2010 season. 

Fortunately for us Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports did the hard work and compared the rankings of the following polls: The Sporting News, Phil Steele, Lindy's, Athlonand CBSSports.com.  He then compiled the rankings into a consensus Top 25.  Here are some interesting findings from that list:

• A total of 32 teams received votes in the five national polls.
• Six teams from the SEC were in the consensus Top 25 including #1 Alabama and #4 Florida.
• Five ACC teams made the list with #10 VT, #13 UM and #15 FSU all in the top 15. 
• Miami will play six of the Top 25: #2 OSU, #10 VT, #15 FSU, UNC #17, #18 Pitt and #19 GT.

Here are some interesting selections that will interest Miami Hurricane fans from the consensus Top 25 according to Dodd: 

2. Ohio State: The Big Ten is back. Ohio State never left. Highest rank, No. 2. Lowest rank, No. 3. (118 points. Avg. rank between No. 2 and No. 3)

10. Virginia Tech:Class of the ACC until further notice. Highest rank, No. 8. Lowest rank, No. 13. (77 points. Avg. rank between No. 10 and No. 11)

13. Miami: Starting to look like Canes of old. Highest rank, No. 4. Lowest rank, No. 14. (69 points. Avg. rank between No. 12 and No. 13)

14. Wisconsin: Fresh from pounding Miami. Factor in Big Ten. Highest rank, No. 6. Lowest rank, No. 23. (67 points. Avg. rank between No. 13 and No. 14)

15. Florida State: New coach, healthy quarterback. Great prospects. Highest rank, No. 14. Lowest rank, No. 20. (55 points, Avg. rank No. 15)

17. North Carolina: Nation's best defense? Highest rank, No. 12. Lowest rank, No. 24. (39 points. Avg. rank between No. 18 and No. 19)

18. Pittsburgh: Coming off first 10 win season since 1981. Highest rank, No. 14. Not ranked by Steele. (33 points. Avg. rank between No. 17 and No. 18)

19. Georgia Tech:Defending ACC champs seem to have gotten better. Highest rank, No. 13. Not ranked by Steele and Athlon. (30 points. Avg. rank No. 16)

For the full list click here:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270202/23059380?tag=coverlist_footer;coverlist_photo_content&utm_source=bleacherreport.com

Comments

[SOUP]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

Oh yeah... Not that it matters much, but according to that last article I posted the 2010 class moves up to #11 in the nation with the addition of SH.

GO CANES!!!

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

ESPN article on the Canes landing SH:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=5364073

BTW, "Know Thy Enemy" will return soon to Canespace! Right now, though, there just isn't enough CFB action going around to post anything here on other teams that would be interesting.

GO CANES!!!

[windy1]

Just watched the 7 on 7 tourney with TB at the helm. The Canes got a truely great QB for years to come.

TB led the S. Fla. team back for a come from behind win against the Texas team. Life with Jacory will be great, and so will life after Jacory. The Canes have returned to their status of the perpetual elite

[solarcane]

2 Tennessee Players Charged After Bar Brawl

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 9, 2010
Filed at 6:53 p.m. ET

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Two Tennessee players were charged during an early morning bar brawl that left an off-duty police officer who tried to break up the fight knocked unconscious, and more could be facing charges, police said Friday.

Incoming freshman receiver Da'Rick Rogers was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, Knoxville police said. Rising sophomore defensive back Darren Myles Jr. was charged with assault, resisting arrest and evading arrest, University of Tennessee police said.

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley dismissed Myles from the team Friday evening and indefinitely suspended sophomore linebacker Greg King and sophomore defensive tackle Marlon Walls, though it was not clear what their alleged roles were in the matter.

A campus police report said Myles tried to hide under a car and in some bushes as an officer tried to arrest him, then elbowed the officer in the face. It was the second offseason arrest for Myles, 19. He also was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest on April 18 after a disturbance at a Knoxville restaurant and nightclub.

''It is a privilege, not a right, to be a member of the University of Tennessee football team,'' Dooley said in a statement.

''The most important responsibility of that privilege is to properly represent this institution and our supporters on and off the field,'' the statement added. ''I am disappointed and in many ways embarrassed by the poor judgment displayed on many fronts by several members of our football team last night.''

Three other players -- rising senior receiver Denarius Moore, junior college transfer defensive tackle John Brown and incoming freshman receiver Matt Milton -- were detained and questioned but had not been charged as of Friday afternoon. Another player, rising sophomore defensive tackle Montori Hughes, was present but has not been questioned by police.

Police said their investigation was ongoing.

Robert Capouellez, an off-duty Knoxville officer who was a patron at Bar Knoxville and tried to break up the fight, was being treated for a head injury after being knocked unconscious, Knoxville police spokesman Darrell DeBusk said.

Capouellez, 24, was in serious but stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Friday afternoon. Police said he was hit in the head, knocked to the ground and then kicked several times.

Another patron at the 18-and-up bar, Gary Russell, 20, was treated at UT Medical Center and released.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Atlanta native who was part of Lane Kiffin's only recruiting class showed promise during spring practice. After the Vols' April 17 spring game, he was awarded the program's Fourth Quarter Award by coaches for dedication to the program.

The 18-year-old Rogers, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound native of Calhoun, Ga., was among Dooley's first signing class.

Both were released from the detention center Friday afternoon. It was not clear if either player had an attorney.

Several witnesses told police two patrons got into a fight inside Bar Knoxville around 1:50 a.m., and several others jumped into the melee. Employees pushed the brawl out onto the street.

Knoxville attorney Greg Isaacs, who represents Hughes, said that his client was ''the victim of an unprovoked assault'' and that he has no knowledge of anything that took place outside the bar. Isaacs said he did not expect Hughes to face charges.

Sandy Morton, who owns Bar Knoxville with her husband, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press they've never had any problems from Vols players. She said many of the players, who are treated as VIPs and don't pay a cover charge, are on a first-name basis with her husband.

''I don't know what happened, but several of the guys started beating up the other customer,'' she told the newspaper. ''I want to guess there was seven to 10 guys beating up this one gentleman.''

Dooley said he is working to change the culture at Tennessee, a program that has seen a number of player arrests in recent years under multiple coaches.

''As I have referenced on many occasions, a change in culture is achieved in time through a combination of education, discipline and support. We will aggressively continue to build on the many positive changes that have occurred over the last five months to ensure our program is represented with class and dignity,'' he said.

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

haha... From LA's Twitter:

I_AMSwagg6
suckeye fans stop biting my swagg...and worry about how they gon stop us 4rm beatin they ass all game
about 2 hours ago via txt

[Zakkee]

Arthur Brown and his brother^^

Matt Patchan

Patrick Johnson (Petersen)

And what if Chickillo goes to UF???

U know what..

He'll be the same thing Lebron is to a Cleveland fan today..thats what.

[solarcane]

zakron,

I think with his talent and Randy's discipline he could be outstanding.

He becomes a true Cane with bad intentions he will be a prize.

If he becomes a distraction or a prima donna he will be on the midnight train to Memphis by his jr year.

Every year there is some 5* can't miss player we just have to have or our season is a bust.
I'll take the hard working humble 3* players that get their hair cut on their own time.

[Zakkee]

What about Marve and Lebron? He was GOD'S GIFT to the Planet Earth until he transfered. Suddenly he didn't want to compete, he didn't want to earn anything, he had a sense of entitlement, his father made him and is too involved etc..etc.. And this is a sophomore college QB, not one of the greatest athletes let alone basketball players of all times...and people shouldn't or don't have the right to be upset???? Its the same reaction on here (as Cleveland's towards Lebron) every time a kid transfers out of UM. I know the guy plays for you guys now and I'm happy for you, but you don't have to defend what he did last night. I respect those who just say f' how we got him...we got him..so what! All this Cleveland should chill stuff is unrealistic, we do and say the same stuff under much weaker and less consequential circumstances.

Arthur Brown and also suck now remember?? They don't have what it takes right???? Why can't a Cleveland fan say the same about Lebron James?

Six is right.

[ZarKoN]

Solar!

I said the same thing to myself. But Miami has gotten a good player from Minnesota before..a QB remember?? But I for one believe this kid is the real deal. I dont like his father being "too much" in the kids life but once he comes to Miami he will be alright I suppose. If he wants to buy his parents a house and be better than Mt.Mikinney he should focus and keep Jacory and Teddy clean!

[usagainstheworld]

caliente

[solarcane]

of ^^

[solarcane]

the mistake was the decision special. espn used the dude. he looks horrible after this while they soaked up the attention.

Posted by: Esteban | July 09, 2010 at 11:59 AM

That is a perfect explanation ofo what happened.

[solarcane]

Here's hoping this number one high school kid at his position in the nation that we just had to have turns out to be the real thing.

How many really good high school power house high schools play in Minnesota?
About the same amount that play in Kansas?

He hasn't practiced a snap in 90 to 100 degree heat
he's never been involved with a head coach that informs him he is going out to get his replacement the next day.

Remember the never ending love fest over
Willie Williams , Arthur Brown?

Lets give SH a chance to prove he can play college football before we retire his number.

[canechic]

Nashville totally different situations. They were not free agents but I think Nick was way in over his head in the NFL and did the dolphins a favor. Butch would have been a fool to leave that kind of money on the table. He did a ton for the Canes and I would never dis him.

[Hurri']

Hurriphin.......the U

[Nashvillecane]

I got 2 names for ppl that say clev owner and fans shuddnt be pissed... Nick Sabann & butch Davis...lol

[windy1]

I usually don't stray from Canes football, but I must briefly comment on Lebron. Ochocinco said it best in that if the jerk Cavs owner cuts Lebron "Jones" noone will talk about loyalty. Lebron leaves a crumbling team with no, vision, direction or talent to take LESS MONEY so that he can win a championship, his loyalty and heart are questioned by someone who was willing to pay him $130 million dollars less than 24 hours beforehand?

All I can say is welcome Lebron, Miami is now the favorite to win the NBA championship!

Speaking of future Championships in South Fla., Back to the Canes - welcome Seantrel Henderson - with Linder and the rest of our OL recruits, the Canes will have a stud offensive line for years to come. National Championships here we come!

[Old Skool]

Este,

I'm not sure ESPN used LBJ. He approached them with the idea for the show and if his business people were smart, it was on a profit-sharing basis.

Lebron provided an hour's worth of programming guaranteed to generate high ratings and with pre-sold advertising -- assuming Lebron's sponsors wanted to get in on the action.

I guess there wasn't time for a bidding war, but ya think Fox Sports might have wanted in on the action?

[Six]

Nashville - you can do whatever you want brah, we're all Cane family here

You see what number LeBron is going to wear in Miami? Haha, I do like him for that though ... he's jockin me

You know he also wants to go out and buy a '97 Honda just like mine, where the transmission sounds like it's going to drop right out from under it each time it goes from 1st to 2nd

[SuperCooper]

So, our offensive line is gonna be pretty sick in a year. Randy is building a monster, can't wait for this season.

[CanesAddiction]

someone who truly has a clue please tell me how we are going to fit Henderson in scholarship-wise.

I know 1 of our kids is def going to prep school but they other 3 still might end up here and I thought we didn't have room for any more...I'm confused.

[SATXcanefan]

Someone let me know if they can help me with 3 OSU tickets? I have to go to this game! Thanks!

Welcome Seantrel! I met him at the Army All-American game in San Antonio and my buddy flashed him his 89 national title ring and we told him that if he wanted to win one of these for himself, he would need to sign with the U. He just laughed and we moved on... :)

[Canez1]

I think one OFranklin might have a thing or two about SH coppin his spot.

I hope it get's nasty in practice with these battles.

Nothing fired up a practice like a good brawl in the summer heat.

That would be a battle of titans right there.

I still think SH has a ways to go to get academically cleared here so I am not holding my breathe. These last minute issues usually die at the clearinghouse more often than not.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[4-Real]

Seantrel Henderson a.k.a. BIG DADDY CANE!!!

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

Posted by: 404 | July 09, 2010 at 06:17 PM

Thanks 404!

I doubt SH will "probably will step right in as a starter on a UM offensive line." Maybe he'd do a good job, but it doesn't seem to be Miami's style to do that, mainly because of the preference for seniority and to protect younger players from getting hurt. He would also have to learn the playbook hella fast since he's showing up on Aug. 3 and gameday is a mere month away.

However, I do see Seantrel being in the rotation right away, with the possibility that he'll be starting by the mid to end of the season.

Very excited about this addition!!! Hopefully we can get LA involved too.

GO CANES!!!

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

New ESPN video clip on TB:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=5365427

GO CANES!!!!

[404]

Welcome to the U Seantrel!!!:

Is Seantrel Henderson, above, the next Bryant McKinnie? (AP Images)
It’s not often we talk about recruiting here at Bodog because recruiting usually doesn’t affect a team’s immediate betting outlook. However, some recruits can step right in and contribute in a big way as true freshman. Seantrel Henderson, a 6-foot-8, 340-pound left tackle from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn., appears likely to be one of those aforementioned freshmen.

The mammoth Henderson signed with the University of Miami on Friday and probably will step right in as a starter on a UM offensive line that lost three starters from last season. Henderson, considered by some the top overall recruit (and certainly offensive lineman) in the Class of 2010, originally committed to Southern Cal months ago. But he said he only did that because Trojans coach Lane Kiffin assured him that USC wouldn’t be severely punished by the NCAA for the whole Reggie Bush scandal. Well, Kiffin was very wrong as the school was hammered by the NCAA, including a two-year bowl ban. Juniors and seniors on USC can transfer anywhere without penalty because of those sanctions, but the school didn’t have to release let Henderson and he would have had to sit out a year if he went to another I-A school. But the Trojans did let him go and he became the most highly touted lineman to ever sign with the Hurricanes, who are currently 18/1 on Bodog’s NCAA futures odds to win the national title. It has been quite a 24 hours or so for sports fans in South Florida!

Miami had a recruiting class ranked already No. 14 by Scout.com and No. 16 by Rivals.com, but Henderson’s arrival (he’s already academically eligible) should move the Canes into the Top 10. Look for him to be the starting left tackle when UM takes the field for its opener Sept. 2 against Florida A&M. If the Canes can then win at Ohio State on Sept. 11, the sky could be the limit for this talented team.

Get your Miami Hurricanes news and odds at Bodog

[SOUP]

321, You called it, you sneaky little bastard! LOL

Posted by: 360Cane | July 09, 2010 at 04:05 PM

He knows of thing he should not know.

I'm jus sayin'...

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

Posted by: CanesFanStuckInCali | July 08, 2010 at 12:51 AM

Great book isn't it!?

Posted by: DZ8 | July 09, 2010 at 02:49 PM

Excellent book!!! Makes me wanna buy a bunch of copies and mail it to all the Canes in my family who haven't read it. I can also sense the huge influence it had on The U 30 for 30 documentary. Really hope Feldman does a follow-up, though I have no idea if that is in the works.

Welcome to THE []_[] FAMILY Seantrel!!!

GO CANES!!!!!!!!

[USAFCane]

Very surprised by LJ's choice. He'll win championships now but it will be tied to Wade. That will be his legacy. Got a feeling this might implode but not brfore at least one ring.

SH to Miami is a good get anyway you slice it. I'm feeling good about the Canes.

[Nashvillecane]

Posted by: Six | July 09, 2010 at 03:54 PM

WHAT HE SAID...lol...big 6 can I have permission to copy/past this statement and txt to all my friend who defend this turn coat?? Lol

[canesteeler]

Mr. Hendrson welcome to the family!

[Sebastian]

Reports are saying that the Rangers came in late and traded for Cliff Lee

Very good news for the Rays, as he didnt go to the Yanks. At least until next year

[4-Real]

Not that it matters but Ja jaun Story moved up from 3-star to 4-star on scouts since committing 2 the terds.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Who cares about stars, how many starts will a player log this year on OL is all I care about?

As for the third man;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H76DwHgOwpA

Wait, LeBron doesn't have a championship, and neither does Bosh, so Maybe Wade is Hollywood, LeBron is Big Sexy, and Bosh is the Bad Guy? No, the analogy is all mixed up then too, so go with Lebron as Hollywood, Wade as the Bad Guy, and of course Bosh as Big Sexy, but really, these three need to just turn heel and win 73 games to go to cool tweeners with the fans again and of course, the whole thing just reminds you Florida > Ohio.

[Sebastian]

The start of a new dynasty

Its not the Heat

Its the `Canes that run the 305

[Sebastian]

When I read Dan Gilberts comments I couldnt help but laugh

It gets old when having to hear all those fake feeling speeches

He said what he felt

[360Cane]

321,

You called it, you sneaky little bastard! LOL

Should we still hang onto Aug 3rd or is that it?

GO CANES!!!

[CaneSniper]

I hope we are up on Ohio St by 34-0 at halftime just like we were on the cornsuckers in '02.
Welcome Seantrel. Good choice son...

[BEERicane]

LeBron is no better than Gary Payton jumping ship to the Lakers to win a ring

>>> FWIW, Payton got his ring with the Heat.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000117339359]

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000680986023#!/profile.php?id=1439296931&ref=ts

NICE...
12% looking good this year...Any Word on Where We Celebrating????

RCCF

[Six]

Zak - LeBron is a sell out, plain and simple

Think about the term sell out before you bash it

Also, the statement that the owner of the Cavs typed out was pretty crazy - although it's still more tame than what you read on here during a Canes game that they're losing - but I can also understand where the owner is coming from

Didn't that guy build an extremely expensive practice facility near Akron, so that LeBron didn't have to travel too far to go practice?

Who knows that type of moves the Cavs would have made to add more players to the team this year - hell, they got a new coach, last year before the playoffs they added someone like an All-Star in Antwan Jamison

Tell me these numbers that he had while at Washington didn't look good, and that if you were the owner of the Cavs, you wouldn't have hesitated in bringing him in

41 games played, 8.5 total rebounds a game and 20.5 points per game

They brought in Telfair, got Ilgauskas back, so those are two big bodies to eat up minutes when Shaq is resting

Didn't that Cavs team last year have the best record in the NBA? SO just how many more people did he need? Maybe one? Can anyone say that the Cavs weren't going to get him that one player?

What was the record of the Heat when they won the NBA Championship against the Mavericks? Wasn't it basically one of the worst record of any team to win the championship, at 52-30?

Imagine if Dan Marino went somewhere else, simply b/c he couldn't win a championship with the Fins

I have a ton of respect for guys like Marino, Elway, Tony Gwynn, George Brett, John Stockton, etc. for sticking with their team and trying to win with that team

LeBron is no better than Gary Payton jumping ship to the Lakers to win a ring

How many years did Michael Jordan take his licks before he finally won a NBA Title? Seven, right?

How many years has LeBron been with the Cavs - eight, right? He's been to the Finals once, been to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals three times and the Eastern Conference Final once

Compare the two in their first 7 years

Jordan -
Lost Eastern Conference Finals (2)
Lost Eastern Conference Semis (1)
Lost Eastern Conference 1st Rd. (3)

LeBron-
Lost Finals (1)
Lost Eastern Conference Finals (1)
Lost Eastern Conference Semis (3)

That garbage that I see in the NHL, where a team might trade a player to another team so that they can possibly get their name on the Stanley Cup before they retire, simply b/c the team that is trading has no shot at the playoffs or whatever that season .... come on, that's weak

People are going to remember LeBron not sticking and leading his team in Cleveland to a ring

[Category_IV_in_Pittsburgh]

Top 10 recruiting class for Randy AGAIN

[Category_IV_in_Pittsburgh]

NYTIMES on it. Big Daddy is on his way down!

[KnoxCane]

Yes it's official, Henderson is a CANE...WHOO HOOOO

Living here in Knoxville, it is so hilarious. I get called Thug U all the time but Tennessee keeps putting players in jail. It' so funny!!!!

[canechic]

Good Job Al!

[j.w.]

Thanks, al! Great pickup for our Canes, adding him and L.A. after the deadline was huge!! Momentum is wearing an orange and green jersey again.

[al]

Seantrel Henderson Will Attend Miami

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/ncaafootball/10henderson.html?_r=1&ref=sports

[Gin & Tonic]

F*CK OHIO

We are supposed to feel sorry for the same fan base that consistently referred to our team as "cryami" after the fiesta bowl robbery? F em. I'm glad lebron dissed them. Whose crying now bitches. You stole Miami's title and now Miami's got your "king".

[Sebastian]

The latest I could find on Seantrel

August 3rd

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/ncaafootball/10henderson.html?_r=1&ref=sports

[Sebastian]

I see the Yanks are close to closing the deal to get Cliff Lee on their team

Unreal

[DZ8]

Posted by: CanesFanStuckInCali | July 08, 2010 at 12:51 AM

Great book isn't it!?

[canechic]

Six they need pitching, Marlins bull pen is miserable and I am not sure this whole new stadium thing is as great as they think. The owner is an______okay I will stop. But I do agree about the other teams in Miami. All these teams whining about Lebron would be calling him "god" if he was on their team.

[Six]

When I hear from analysts & fans about how a certain player went somewhere and took a "paycut" to try and win a championship - come on

They make so much loot as it is, I don't really think it should be called a "paycut"

Are they really going to be feeling the effects of their paycut? Ya, not really

Say for instance, $30 Mill a year in somewhere like Cleveland ... or $20 Mill a year in Miami - what's the real difference?

Especially in the case of LeBron, where he's coming to the state of Florida. No state income tax, right? Exactly

I still laugh when I think about the idiotic statement Patrick Ewing made, when trying to defend the salaries of NBA players

"Sure, we make a lot of money, but we also spend a lot of money"

WHAT? hahaha. That's also why I don't shed a single tear or even think twice about any NBA millionaire player who is now bankrupt

The whole LeBron hype was like a huge circus sideshow. From the utterly insane ESPN coverage and hype about it ... to making everyone who watched it wait for so long (not me) ... to then having them wait through Jim Gray's horrid interview (I heard 20 secs clips of it on sports talk radio and it was awful) ... to LeBron using words in the wrong context (such as logistic), sounding like he just saw that word on his calender of WORDS OF THE DAY and tried to then use it in a sentence on national television ... to the owner of the Cavs being a complete jackass

When the owner said "THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE" .... haha, come on man

Funny just how fast some people forget. I guess all the Cavalier or LeBron fans didn't call him "King James", right? I guess NIKE didn't also say that, right? Ya, it was just LeBron who called himself that everywhere he went, right? Self-titled? No.

That's one thing I hate about certain sports fans - they'll dry hump the hell out of one of their stars legs while he's on their team, then, if he leaves like LeBron did, then they act as if they never liked him in the first place & just how awful or overrated he was. If that person doesn't win a championship, if they're still on the team, the fans will come up with as many excuses as possible to explain why and fight to the death in defending him .... as soon as he leaves, they all say that he was the most overrated athlete ever to come through their town, he was selfish, he couldn't do this or that or whatever, he quit on them, bla bla

It's going to be sickening though to see just how fast people like Jay-Z or P Diddy or all those other leech asses who couldn't give 2 sh*ts about the Heat before, jump right on that bandwagon and say they've always liked the Heat

Too many people (fans) have no idea what loyalty to a team is

Just think though just how the city of Miami just got a huge boost in its power rankings of the sports world. The Canes are on the verge of something huge, the Heat just landed 2 great players to go along with an even better player in D-Wade, the Fins are not that bad of a team at all and the Marlins are getting a new stadium with a pretty damn decent team to play in it

[Daddeh]

U

[canefanatic777]

whats the word on Seantrel???

[Mr Troutman]

Lotta pressure on The Heat now to win EVERY game.

Losses will hit hard and the ENTIRE NBA will be gunning for them EVERY NIGHT!

Gonna be berry, berry interesting
posted by: soup

That is a stament for us too..the pressure is on to win every game. We are going to here a lot of this talk come the season though " wade driving to the basket sees a wide open james for three....swish the ball goes in. This will be like an AlL Star game every week. Teams will have to play zone when playing Miami....NOT ONE TEAM I MEAN NOT ONE WILL GUARD THESE GUYS ONE ON ONE NOT EVEN THE LAKERS CAN DO THAT...Lets see Kobe on Wade , Artest on James yeah right, Lamar odom on Bosh.... i already see the mismatch.....Like i said lAST NIGHT SOMETHING SPECIAL IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI AND IT STARTS WITH THE CANES THE FIRST AT BAT!!!PEACE!!

[SOUP]

Solar/Ocala...I'll call you both soon.

[SOUP]

How good can Jacory be this year? How good will he be in 18 months getting ready for the NFL combine?

Posted by: Hassan | July 09, 2010 at 01:02 PM

I'll get at you soon, We have NOT forgotten U!

[SOUP]

off topic Russian spy ring:

http://bigthink.com/ideas/20802

[Mr Troutman]

Sorry Cleveland fans somebody had to get their heart hurt. To people say they lost respect for James...Well i deidn't WHY would I? The man wants to win championships not just win games and havve the best record. Why we he stay loyal to a team like Kevin Garnet once said He wouldn't have stayed that long in Minnesota for not....HOW MANY OWNERS KEEP A PLAYER IF HE ISN'T PRODUCING? This was a business decision not emotional or personal. Some people will hate for no reason...ALL I CAN SAY WELCOME KING JAMES WE NEED U DOWN HERE TO REVAMP SOUTH FLORIDA SPORTS WORLD AND ECONOMY...LET THE HATERS HATE ON..OH WELL!!!

[Hassan]

Hey Hassan is sorry, guys I am in Afghanistan and I barely get to get on here anymore, it sucks hope the original "Legion" has not forgot about me. Anyone ever want to write me hit me up hassy_1@yahoo.com

How good can Jacory be this year? How good will he be in 18 months getting ready for the NFL combine?

[Esteban]

crazy thing is the Bulls wouldn't give up Deng to get Gasol and that's what ended those talks. Allowing the Lakers to trade for Gasol the next year. And now the Bulls can't give away Deng.

[Esteban]

actually that's the same off season where Kobe said they should trade Bynum - since he really was their only piece to attract a player with any talent.

but then there was Memphis...

[Esteban]

Zakkee, it only was a hollow threat since the Lakers knew better than to trade him. If he was a free agent or even had 1 year left on his deal the power would have been in Kobe's hands. And he didn't really force their hand as much as Memphis just gave them a gift. Who else trades their best player away with for nothing when its not even part of a "bigger picture" type plan? They didn't have anything to deal for a real contributor at that time. Memphis organization should get a ring for their part in the title.

[SOUP]

Ways for Jacory to improve in 2010:

Stop looking for the deep pass on every throw

Harris has shown the ability to throw a fantastic deep ball. With the receiving corps he has at his disposal the Hurricanes offense can score on almost any down. That does not mean he needs to look for the big play on every single down. Harris has a tendency to hold on to the ball to try and get it deep on a consistent basis. This probably accounts for the high number of sacks, and the high number of interceptions he had last season.

The fans love this exciting brand of football, where Harris connects with Travis Benjamin or Aldarius Johnson for a long touchdown pass. Games like Virginia Tech and North Carolina are reminders that patience is just as valuable. The conditions were horrible against Virginia Tech, and the Hurricanes offensive line could not block them. Holding on to the ball trying to get all the points back on one play was not a good idea.

If this flaw is corrected, and Harris picks and chooses his spots to go deep then the sky is the limit for this offense.

Take care of inferior opponents early in the game

You can argue that this Miami Hurricanes football team is just as talented as any team in the country. You can easily make the case that they should be able beat most of the teams on their schedule if you are comparing talent man for man. But too often against the Dukes, South Floridas, and Wake Forests of the college football world they make these games harder than they should be.

In several cases it led to a loss when the Hurricanes late game heroics failed to bail them out (North Carolina, Clemson). Against these teams Harris needs to keep the offense moving and pressuring the opposing team. All too often the offense goes into hibernation for two quarters of the game, and then wakes up in the fourth quarter. If they want to win the ACC, and even compete for a National title they need to correct this flaw. It all starts with Harris.

[SOUP]

Trouble in Rocky Top:

Authorities have arrested two current Tennessee football players and are questioning several more as part of an investigation into an overnight brawl at Bar Knoxville that has sent two victims to the hospital with head injuries.

According to Knoxville Police Department reports, true freshman wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Also, safety Darren Myles, Jr. has been charged with assaulting a University of Tennessee police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

The Knoxville Police Department issued a narrative of the event that started just before 2 a.m. on Cumberland Ave.

[SOUP]

Lotta pressure on The Heat now to win EVERY game.

Losses will hit hard and the ENTIRE NBA will be gunning for them EVERY NIGHT!

Gonna be berry, berry interesting...

[SOUP]

the mistake was the decision special. espn used the dude. he looks horrible after this while they soaked up the attention.

Posted by: Esteban | July 09, 2010 at 11:59 AM

There it is AGAIN.

[Zakkee]

Everyone knows that was a hollow threat. He was attempting to force their hands, and he was successful. Lebron admittedly quit...in game. He's the type to go to options and put a video game on its easiest skill level, win by 100, and then go crazy as if he went thru adversity. He thinks he just put the NBA on its easiest skill level by becoming Robin to Wade's Batman. He thinks they have it sewn up now (NBA championships)....and they might but I can't root for them personally.

[Esteban]

the mistake was the decision special. espn used the dude. he looks horrible after this while they soaked up the attention.

[Esteban]

and the firing of Brown and hiring of Byron Scott was an improvement at the coaching spot. They could still make the playoffs in the East - just need to go ahead and trade for Arenas.

[Esteban]

Zakkee, you're forgetting Kobe wanted out of LA after they struggled to be the 8th seed a couple times. If his contract had expired at that time he would have left. He just was under contract and the Lakers ended up getting a gift trade for Gasol. Everything changed. But Kobe wanted to go to a team where they weren't competing to make the playoffs but to win the title. He just couldn't. Lebron could - even if his team was in better shape than the Lakers at that time (mostly cause the East hasn't been as deep as the West in a long time).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927

[Zakkee]

JUST CANE, That was weak of them to fire Mike Brown. Lebron never told them to do that, but they were trying to feverishly find out why he quit like he did. It was knee jerk and I would imagine that Lebron didn't respect that move. They were trying to please him without knowing what he really wanted. He's been quiet and hasn't tipped his hat either way to anyone because he's known what he was gonna do for a while now and desired the suspense. Mike Brown was a casualty...I wonder how he feels about this now? ESPN should get that interview!

[Zakkee]

I feel you francis, but thats nothing even remotely close to this loss for Cleveland. Lebron is from here, he admittedly quit on us and has now left for less money to win elsewhere..wow..lol!

[JUST CANE]

If Gilbert had to say all of that about LeBron giving up, then why did they fire their head coach???

What's the deal with Seantrel Henderson??? Is he going to prep school???

Delonte West and LeBron's mom...WOW!!!!!

[Zakkee]

I love you too canechic. I feel you sis!

360cane, Lebron is a stauch Buckeye supporter, but he's such a frontrunner that when we start dominating again, he'll definitely be on our sidelines. Especially if frontrunning master Jay-Z resurfaces as a Cane fan like he did in the beginning of the decade. We shouldn't allow either one of them on our sidelines though. Those dudes don't symbolize what being a Cane is all about....they're followers and they attract other followers. No one who truly knows who they are could ever hang with these basketball stars for longer than a day. Many basketball players and rap stars are soft, overpaid, rude, and the epitome of corny.

[francis w]

Zakkee I am sure there were the same emotions in Orlando fans when O'neil took the $121 MIl from the Lakers. I know ESPN was not as well ingrained in the sports scene for fans as it is now. I know we didn't have cable or satelite then and the Orlando sentinel appeared to be glad to see him go.
Fran

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

And it won't take long til Eli becomes a 4 star.

[Caniak]

Bridgewater is now a 5 star on scout

[canechic]

Zakkee as a Miami sports fan, I just have become used to it. The owners took apart the Panthers and the Marlins, twice. Dolphins seem to always break my heart. Canes have been killing me slowly the last couple of years. So I just hope for the best and go on but I do not think I will cry about any one player ever again!

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Tacoi Sumler as reported on espn ran his 40 with 4.24, not too shabby.

Tell me again why we're not recruting this kid?

[Canez1]

Not really much to say about College Football except GET IT STARTED ALREADY!

Posted by: canechic | July 09, 2010 at 10:16 AM

AMEN to that!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Zakkee]

Yes, Canechic. What you are hearing is pain. I hear it to and it sounds utterly ridiculous. especially the douche bag owner.

I'm not embarrassed to be a Clevelander because I know why I'm on Earth and I have purpose. My life and character can't be waivered by sports decisions and I understand the business of it, but everybody doesn't. You're pissed off by a bunch of people who are drunk and emotional right now. Once again, I'm happy for Miami as a whole and I hope this impacts our canes in a positive way.

I learned early on: I cried as a child: when Earnest Byner fumbled, when Jordan came across the free throw line and hit that jumper on Craig Ehlo, and more recently was hurt (but didn't cry) when Jose Mesa couldn't close out the freakin Florida Marlins.

Our homegrown prodigal son (people felt he was literally our sports savior after a century worth of well documented failures) admittedly gave up in the Celtics series and just gave up on the city as a whole...that hurts people....sorry you guys have to witness it.

[Canez1]

Zak LOL

I have no idea what his $$$ situation is. I paid no attention to the whole thing. Could care less about the NBA.

I would take the pay cut too to get the F out of there!

I feel your pain!

There is nothing up here in the tri state area and we definitely don't have the sports fans here you guys have. They are flaky at best.

GO RUTGERS!!!

I have to travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars a year to see my Canez play.

How sad is that!!!

Fortunately I can do it. FOR NOW!! lol

CC is gangsta!! I love tough love!!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[canechic]

Not really much to say about College Football except GET IT STARTED ALREADY!

[SOUP]

Like I always say really only have to watch the last 5 minutes of a NBA game and I am good!

Posted by: canechic | July 09, 2010 at 09:51 AM

FIVE? Try the last two minutes! LOL

It's all good. Now, enough of this NBA crapola and back to college football!

[canechic]

Zakkee, I love you man :) I used to always, always root for the browns.

[Zakkee]

Canez1, no offense taken, I know we suck.

Cleveland is definitely the problem.

There's no other hobbie other than sports in Cleveland, thats why we are the ONLY city that has three major sport teams but has an economy on the same level as a Buffalo who only has two and one is hockey. We're set up to fail, because the owners can't realistically field or finance championship teams in this economy that can't support one.

Why wouldn't this be a topic, its been all over the news for at least a month now and non-stop for the last 48 hours.

I don't blame for leaving either. I just don't like the way he went about it and the Cleveland fans didn't deserve that...believe me.

He's getting way less money now with the Heat...like more than 30 million less (in response to you saying, "Get that money son").

You're right canechic.

[360Cane]

James did exactly what all the #1 recruits in any sport would do. He didn't get a chance to announce anything when he left HS. He was drafted. For the first time in awhile for pro sports, a player chooses where he wants to play rather than a release, sign & trade, etc.

He also helped bring $500,000+ and 5 scholarships to the boys and girls club. And whatever else last night announcement made. I'm glad #6 is in Miami. This does help recruiting. James and Wade on THE U's sideline.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Well, if you put Lebron and Wade to the mix in terms of ships they've won and more so than not taking over games, obviously Kobe is much closer than Lebron and Wade.

But i think Wade's killer instinct was much closer to Jordan than Kobes and Lebrons.

We were all witnessed when D-Wade took the Heat all the way to championship and pounced on the Mavs like a tiger.

[canechic]

Zakkee money is money everywhere! May not understand what or how it feels like to be a Clevelander and probably will never know. I do not want to offend you but if you heard the things I heard yesterday I would be ashamed to be a Clevelander today.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Fact of the matter is, Jordan in the 80's and 90's had to go against a rougher much better competition than it is today.

Whatever happened to the hand check that was allowed back in the days.

Whatever happened to the hard fouls you can give a'la pistons bad boys or the 90's knick who bullied the bulls everytime they met in the playoffs.

Those are long history now.

[canechic]

I know Soup but I listened to almost 40 minute straight of these ridiculous Cleveland fans calling into a radio show yesterday and they completely annoyed me. I used to feel bad because of the Browns but they got some bad karma coming there way! Anyway I am glad he is in Miami but I am not a huge NBA fan...like I always say really only have to watch the last 5 minutes of a NBA game and I am good!

Like Canez1 says get a hobby!

[SOUP]

It is a business Canechic (you are absolutley correct), but you writing in caps about something you don't really understand is like a Notre Dame fan coming on here and telling us that we get all the calls in games and there's no media bias and demonization of the Canes by the sports media. They just don't understand how we feel or see what we see.

People are deeply and sincerely hurt to the bone marrow here....again. I'm not, but I'm sad for Cleveland.

Posted by: Zakkee | July 09, 2010 at 09:46 AM

There it is right there.

[SOUP]

SSIB...I'm not taking ANYTHING away from Jordan as the best of all time, I'm jus sayin that Kobe has encroached upon the Jordanesque levels with his incredible performance on the court and championship titles.

Here is the formula:

Kobe's career at this point > James' career at this point and almost = Jordan's career.

[Zakkee]

I would leave canechic but wouldn't have done it the way he just did. Believe me, I'm not trying to bash the man, I'm trying to give you guys some insight into what we know and why a clevelander would feel this way about him. Sports is not a business to Clevelanders, and this is why we get and have been crushed when the business aspect comes into play historically. Its funny but Clevelands sports mentality is sadly based in overcoming (the under dog), overachievement, blind loyalty, and complacency. We set our teams up to lose by never doing everything for them, but just doing enough and praying for the best.

It is a business Canechic (you are absolutley correct), but you writing in caps about something you don't really understand is like a Notre Dame fan coming on here and telling us that we get all the calls in games and there's no media bias and demonization of the Canes by the sports media. They just don't understand how we feel or see what we see.

People are deeply and sincerely hurt to the bone marrow here....again. I'm not, but I'm sad for Cleveland.

[SOUP]

This really cracks me up because I am not even a Lebron fan but the way he is being treated by Cleveland and the media is starting to make me like him, ugh!!!

Posted by: canechic | July 09, 2010 at 09:38 AM

Canechic growing cynical and twisted in her old age? What happened to the idealistic dreamer we all knew and loved??? LOL

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

I disagree. I was NEVER a Kobe fan. In fact as a person I can't stand the guy, but as a player I think he has finally reached the Jordan level in terms of his on the court performance and taking his team on his back to win championhips.

Posted by: SOUP | July 09, 2010 at 09:33 AM

Granted, both Kobe and Jordan won championships with a good to great teams surrounding them, but with the championship arguement alone, Kobe won with an established Shaq and very good established supporting casts like Harper and Horry, both had won championships before they even won with the Lakers, the Bulls on the other hand had to wait for Pippen, Grant, Armstrong and the rest of the crew to blossom before thay won their first, comparing the first 3 ships alone, i can tell you this, Jordan was the main reason for those championships with a big help from Pippen and others, while the main reason for the Kobe's first 3 ships was really Shaq, and kobe was the Pippen and crew from that first 3 ships, the only ship i give him credit for was the last one he won and that is it, he had to lose one first against boston and have Gasol for an entire year before they actually won as a complete crew.

Now, if we have to compare personal achievements, that's a no brainer.

Comparing best games, go ahead and mention the 81 point game Kobe had, i will go with Jordan's 63 everytime.

81 against a good for nothing Raptors.

63 against a stacked Larry Bird Boston Celtics, and Jordan single handedly made that play-off series close too.