Duper, Hankerson Are Proof That Coaching Matters

Many Hurricane fans recently made a big commotion over the fact that UM WR Leonard Hankerson is getting all "coached up" by former Miami Dolphin WR and NFL superstar Mark Duper.  

In case you weren't around or simply don't remember, Duper was Dan Marino's favorite target back in the day for the Dolphins, accounting for 64 NFL touchdowns during his career. 

Here is a video flashback for your viewing pleasure for all of you 'Fins fans:

Hankerson (seen below with Canespacers at the team hotel prior to the 2009 FSU game) actually started working with the former Dolphins WR last year before the 2009 season.  The results were immediately evident.

Hankerson went from being just another receiver on the team in 2008 with just 11 catches for 140 yards and 2 TDs to being the Hurricanes leading WR and Jacory Harris' favorite target with 45 catches for 801 yards and 6 TDs in 2009. 

During that time Hankerson overcame an acute case of the "dropsies" that was so severe that it even rivaled former UM WR Lance "quick everybody duck" Leggett.  Last season the suddenly reliable and sure-handed Hankerson put those demons to rest once and for all.

Still, some fans were so excited and intrigued by the concepts included in the training sessions that they recently posted links to the videos on YouTube showing the specific techniques and drills that Duper had Hankerson performing.  The videos showed one drill in particular that is focused on improving eye-hand coordination. 

The drill involves a Duper assistant kneeling next to a couple dozen baseballs and tossing two balls at the same time directly at Hankerson from about 10-15 feet away.  The tosses are constantly varied in height and direction (high/low and wide/inside) so that catches must be made in different locations by each hand on each throw. 

Thus, the eyes must focus on both of the balls at the same time to allow the hands to act independently to catch the balls during the drill.  The goal is to snatch the balls out of the air quickly and without dropping any.  This requires a quick reaction and very accurate and agile eye-hand coordination. 

Hankerson consistently performs the drill very well.  Duper, not so much.  During the video the assistant tosses several balls at Duper who stops him and say, "Whoa!  That's not easy.  You ever try that?"

What is undeniable is that the significant improvement in Hankerson's performance between 2008 and 2009 is solid evidence that proves without a doubt that coaching does matter.

In fact, one could argue that in the case of Leonard Hankerson it made all the difference in the world.

Comments

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

regarding "sports journalists", i wonder what percentage of them have "good memories" . . . maybe six has a guess. i'd be surprised though if it's a high percentage. much of journalism seem to stem from an "entertain (or rant) now; there'll be new stories tomorrow" attitude.

Posted by: autumn | July 11, 2010 at 02:37 PM

>>>

You're spot on. I call it "convenience memory." Or perhaps self-serving is better.

It's all good bro'.

[autumn]

cav - thanx for posting the cleveland viewpoints.
a few of them were . . . well, i felt them.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

cav - thanx for posting the cleveland viewpoints.
a few of them were . . . well, i felt them.

Posted by: autumn | July 11, 2010 at 02:44 PM

>>>>>

Autumn, I had no idea they were so attached and desperate/fearful/depressed all at the same time. And I never thought about all the heart-break losses in games, with players and even coaches, not to mention Modell literally taking the Browns out of the city.

I honestly don't think Lebron really understands all this. I think he's been in his own bubble for so long that he's been immune to it or at least never really identified with it.

Youth....

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Anyone know why so many people seem to dislike Kobe?? I don't get this at all. Is it just your normal jealousy because he's so good and has won so much??

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

He really needed someone to tell him, "You need to make it quick, shed a tear and say how much it breaks your heart and how much you love Cleveland."

There was no good way out of this. But he could have made it a lot less painful and bad. Youth again..

[360Cane]

Usually life goes on but I guess in Cleveland it doesn't. I suggest they should just move.

[BEERicane]

I'm going to hate trying to get tickets or being scalped online by these bandwagon fans for a seat in the nose bleed section at 4 times the ticket value...

BUT - I'll enjoy watching that team dominate..

Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | July 11, 2010 at 01:18 PM

CSM,

to let you know about the tickets... They are completely sold out for ADVANCED ticket sales. However, a little known rule is that the NBA requires a certain amount of tickets (i think by percentage of seats) to be available on GAME DAY. so if you look for tickets ON GAME DAY and early on that day, you should be able to find them...

[solarcane]

Capt O thanks for the Cleveland comments.

I think people fall in three categories on James.

The Zakkee Camp

True Cleveland fans that feel betrayed and slapped in the face by a selfish turncoat.
Their anger will continue to grow right through next season

The canechic Camp

The general national fan base that think how he conducted himself was rude to Cleveland, but justify that he is doing what's best for himself, and can live with it.
Their interest will be how successful James is with his new team.

The Rest of the Population Camp

Don't watch basketball, never watched James play, have no opinion good or bad about the entire episode.
They will recognize James name more, but his past and future have no bearing on their lives.

[moneycane]

Anyone know why so many people seem to dislike Kobe?? I don't get this at all. Is it just your normal jealousy because he's so good and has won so much??

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | July 11, 2010 at 03:11 PM

This is just IMO. For one Kobe tried to hard to be Jordan. It's ok to idolize some one, but when you try to steal their entire swag it's too much. And the thing that took the cake for me was the Colorado hotel incident. I don't think he did anything illegal, but when he threw Shaq under the bus was the last straw. Can't remember the exact quote or why this came up, but some one asked Kobe about the incident and he responded "I should just pay for my women like Shaq does". That right there goes against the man code and to me shows that Kobe isn't a good person or a good teammate.

[moneycane]

It's July 11th and we are still talking about the LeBron James situation and the NBA. A win win for all parties involved. ESPN and the NBA will ride this surge of interest until the NBA season starts. When was the last time the NBA had legs this late in the summer. I would be shocked if the Heat aren't playing the Cavs or the Lakers on Christmas Day.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Money, to me that sounds like hateration. Yeah, he's trying to ape Jordan's swag but why not given the basic similarities and differences...height, weight, skills..

The whole Shaq beef sounded like a personal thing that had been brewing between them for some time. I don't think there's a right or wrong position in that one. They're both Bosses and neither wanted to be second fiddle. That happens with men unless they're friends beforehand.

That hotel girl in CO was just a young man who married WAY too soon, being a little excessive, not even a lot excessive. I thought it was somewhat natural to be honest.

[elliott]

Will the roster download be ready Tuesday for ps3. NCAA 2011

Highly unlikely that they will be out that soon. Look for xbox 360 users probably three to four days after the game is released. As for ps3 they wont be out until a week after the official game is released. U have to understand these people are reading from spreadsheets and converting information for every div 1a team. It takes time but be patient...By the way EA whats up with the stale commentary? I for one find it hard to believe that EA couldn't allocate the memory better to fix issues such as commentary and end zone crowds.

[moneycane]

Cav you can be similar, but be your own person. To me LBJ has similarities in his game to Magic, but he isn't trying to be Magic. I don't care what happened in CO, it had nothing to do with Shaq so why was his name in Kobe's mouth. Kobe gets caught up so to take the attention off of him, he snitches on Shaq. Where they do that at?

[solarcane]

2010 Manning quarterback camp a star-studded event

Stampedeblue_tiny by BigBlueShoe on Jul 11, 2010 4:10 PM EDT in Colts News Comment 1 comment
Eli Manning, left, and his brother, Peyton Manning talk with their father, Archie Manning during the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux La. on Friday, July 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)

More photos » Matt Stamey - AP

At Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA, the Manning family held their 2010 Manning Passing Academy camp. The camp list of coaches and participants is a veritable who's-who in college and professional football. From PFT:

The list of this year's coach/participants is impressive. It includes Stanford's Andrew Luck, Florida State's Christian Ponder, Tennessee's Matt Simms, Houston's Case Keenum, Boise State's Kellen Moore, Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson, LSU's Jordan Jefferson, Alabama's Greg McElroy, and T.J. Yates of North Carolina.

Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor, Washington's Jake Locker, and Jacory Harris of Miami (FL) were invited, but unable to attend. Ryan Mallett of Arkansas is still rehabbing an injury.

On hand for "coaching" only purposes are longtime Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer, Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, and Colts receiver Austin Collie, among others.

Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Cooper Manning, and papa Archie Manning were all on-hand. There was also an "Air It Out" challenge over the weekend won by Texas Tech's Taylor Potts. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma (drafted #1 overall by the St. Louis Rams in this year's NFL Draft) won the contest last year.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Cav you can be similar, but be your own person. To me LBJ has similarities in his game to Magic, but he isn't trying to be Magic. I don't care what happened in CO, it had nothing to do with Shaq so why was his name in Kobe's mouth. Kobe gets caught up so to take the attention off of him, he snitches on Shaq. Where they do that at?

Posted by: moneycane | July 11, 2010 at 04:38 PM

>>>>>

Maybe I've missed something? How much has Kobe bittne Jordan's swag? I don't follow the NBA much so fill me in.

The whole KObe-Shaq thing to is has been blown out of proportion. It sounds like a personal beef that just inevitably became public. Again, it seems like I've missed some things. haha

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Solar, I'm betting Jacory's not there because he's too busy at Greentree, haha

[360Cane]

I know this review is nothing to what BG1906 is putting out here shortly. He is Gametrailers.com version:

NCAA Football 11 Review

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-ncaa-football/701573

[moneycane]

Cav like I said it's JMO, and Kobe has become more of his own person after the incident, but it's just little nuances that Kobe has taken from Jordan. His walk, interviewing style, and all of Jordan's celebrations. I won't deny that it nit pick and a bit of hateration. And to have personal beef with another player is understandable, but to accuse said player of paying for sex when he is married is crossing the line IMO. Especially when you are married, and get caught up in legal troubles for your infidelity. It would be similar to Tiger Woods ratting our Phil Mickelson during his cheating scandal.

[4-Real]

Moneycane, what millions of people didnt see or hear was Shaq's comment about Kobe a week after Kobe was arrested. A local reporter asked shaq during practice if he believed Kobe was capable of committing a crime as serious as rape and shaq's response was 'yeah, he a man aint he? I dont put nuthin pass no man, but he'll get away wit it like he get away wit everything else'. THAT is why Kobe supposedly responded, 'maybe i should have paid her hush money like he (shaq) pay his women'. Shaq's little interview was qiuckly burried & deleted for the sake of making Kobe public enemy #1 because of his alleged rape of a white chick.

[solarcane]

Solar, I'm betting Jacory's not there because he's too busy at Greentree, haha

Capt O that makes sense, I think Jacory is all about leading by example, I'd ttink hes right here throwing to his own guys every day.

[Mr Troutman]

U

[solarcane]

Soup, Ocala
I'll email you precise driving directions tomorrow night

skool
I'll call you tomorrow and we can talk over your best route down.

[RBLCane]

[]_[]!!!

[SOUP]

Anyone know why so many people seem to dislike Kobe?? I don't get this at all. Is it just your normal jealousy because he's so good and has won so much??

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | July 11, 2010 at 03:11 PM

Cav...if U don't get it there's no explaining it to you, trust me.

Now, enough friggin basketball already!

ARE U READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? LOL

[Ungar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P-ujsmJaNg

video of Lebron James taking off his cleveland jersey for the last time....and putting on a HEAT jersey?

Posted by: SlingBlade | May 13, 2010 at 11:06 PM

Wade and LeBron are friends that enjoy playing together. They could take turns dominating games.

Sign LeBron for max money, you then get to re-sign Wade legally, and then other players seeking a ring will join for the minimum, like Mourning did for us. Then Howard chooses to opt out of his contract to get a ring with us, too. Riley comes out of "retirement" again to take the credit, and we all live happily ever after.

I can see the free agent recruiting in the offseason.

"Play with Wade and LeBron, or get beat by Wade and LeBron."

Posted by: Ungar | May 14, 2010 at 08:43 AM

Nice prediction SlingBlade, and now part two is coming to pass with Riley telling free agents that their ONLY chance for a ring is with Miami.

I love it when a plan comes together.

[Ungar]

"It became official today shortly after 4 PM that offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson has gone rogue and has been granted his release from the Letter of Intent he signed to attend USC."

SOUP, I thought you didn't know who Seantrel Henderson was. Good thing I gave you the 411 on him, eh?

[Six]

TexasCane - Couture wasn't even ready for that fight at all

I'm the host of the XFC radio show with the XFC President John Prisco and Rob Kahn (certified bad ass, black belt from Joyce Gracie, NY Golden Gloves Boxing Champ, trains special ops at SOCOM at MacDill AFB in Tampa) on the ESPN radio station here in Tampa

John Prisco, Rob Kahn and I all predicted that Couture would get stomped by Marianna for a couple of weeks

Marianna won a spot with the XFC during one of their open fighter try outs

She trains with guys, hangs with guys in the ring, takes their best shots and keeps on coming. She's got a ton of heart and more guts than most men I know

Couture belongs in one of those hokey celebrity boxing matches with Tanya Harding or someone. She's trying to live off of Randy's last name, when they're not even married anymore

[Six]

NO, Bridgewater and the Northwestern boys were not at the NFL 7-on-7 Competition at Jefferson High School

They were probably just getting back from Oregon yesterday or today

I posted Miami Northwestern winning the Elite Nike 7-on-7 Championship up in Oregon yesterday .... they beat a team from Texas in 3 OT

In the process, they destroyed Plant High from Tampa up there

[Six]

I don't know if Sebastian was out there today at the NFL 7-on-7 Tournament

The final game was between Jefferson High (representing the Bucs) and Glades Central High (representing the Dolphins)

What a surprise, of all 22 teams that are representing their NFL team from their state - the two teams that make it to the finals are from Florida

Glades absolutely stomped the Ohio team repping the Browns to get to the Championship Game .. 51-0

Jefferson beat the Minnesota team repping the Vikings to get to the Championship Game

In the championship game, Glades intercepted the ball in the endzone with 6 seconds left, to win the game 55-45 .... Quentin Williams from Jefferson was throwing it to Andre Davis, and it got picked. I think he just got flustered, with the time counting down on the clock to the end of the game and the ref behind him already on "3" of the 4 second count he yells out to the QB

Kelvin Benjamin from Glades - that kid is freakin BIG. He's 6'6, at least 230 lbs. He looked like a monster out there. Everything is big about that kid. Him, his hands, his strides, his vertical ... Jefferson had to stick Andre Davis on him during the 2nd half of the game to try and stop him

Those two kids fight for the ball - seriously fight for it. It was a battle between those two in the 2nd half

First play of the Championship Game when Glades had the ball. Kelvin comes walking to the line, right in front of me. He starts smiling at the kid from Jefferson that is covering him and says "bye bye" .. ball is hiked, Benjamin goes running down the field on a straight up go route - 40 yard ball in the air and he runs right under it, past everyone, TD

He made a huge jumping catch for a TD right before halftime

Whoever lands Kelvin is going to get a nice one - he could be scary once he gets into college with that body frame

Andre Davis made some real nice catches, one off of a tipped pass in the endzone, in stride - the kid has some paws on him. He brought in a few TDs during the 2 days and made some real nice catches

You can tell he absolutely hates to lose as well. At the end of the game, he looked like he was about to "Hulk Out" - he had that overwhelming pissed off look on his face

I talked to him after the game. I was wearing a green long sleeve Canes shirt. I just told him good game, he couldn't have done anything better than he already did. He out his hand out to shake my hand, said thank you thank you. I asked him what he thought about the Canes - he said that he's trying real hard to get down there

I don't know if that means something about his grades or what

Chris Moore from Jefferson was making plays as well, pretty nice catches and runs after the catch

That Glades team, just pure speed out there. Even when everyone knew that all their WRs were going to run go routes to end the half, and throw it up, they still scored - also though, helps that 6'6 Kelvin Benjamin was the recipient of the throw

If Jefferson can get their Defense to play a little above average - they'll go a long way, probably to the State Championship

[SlingBlade]

Are we first in announcing SH is coming to Miami after it has been made offical?? where is everyone, at the bar?

Posted by: raizecane | July 10, 2010 at 12:50 AM

It was posted on the blog at 3:13 PM yesterday by Al. We were FIRST!

Posted by: SOUP | July 10, 2010 at 10:13 AM

technically BG broke this back in february...on signing day...he just didnt say it would take this long...

[SlingBlade]

I love it when a plan comes together.

Posted by: Ungar | July 11, 2010 at 07:05 PM

im working on getting UD to sign for less to stay...i'll give you an update in a couple of days...so far he has been receptive to my coaxing..

[JUST CANE]

richard grieco, you see right through me

[SOUP]

232

[jgatsby1112]

Frank Gore just beat FSU...again!

[SOUP]

SOUP, I thought you didn't know who Seantrel Henderson was. Good thing I gave you the 411 on him, eh?

Posted by: Ungar | July 11, 2010 at 07:07 PM

Saved me AGAIN! ;-)

[Daddeh]

U

[WindyCane1]

Six, Good report on the 7 on 7 in Tampa. Everything I hear about Kelvin Benjamin suggests he will be a stud. If grades aren't an issue, his choice has to be UM.

Speaking of 7 on 7, I was very impressed with Teddy Bridgewater on ESPNU in Oregon. He was clearly the best "football player" on the field, and he knows how to make things happen. He played WR and QB, and he willed the S. Fla. team to victory. As other S. Fla. players were cramping and getting injured, Teddy just played and led his team. UM's future is very bright with him at QB. I also heard TB is recruiting players to come with him to the U, just like Jacory did in 2008.

Recent recruits love the U, and they see the upward direction RS and Co. are taking the program

[SOUP]

"Six, Good report on the 7 on 7 in Tampa. Everything I hear about Kelvin Benjamin suggests he will be a stud. If grades aren't an issue, his choice has to be UM."

Uh-huh.

That is all.

[SOUP]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

[Cat 5 Cane]

,