Camp Shannon Set To Open August 5

Come on sing along with me, you know the tune: "It the most wonderful time of the year!"

Your Miami Hurricanes will begin their quest for a sixth National Championship when players report for Fall practice on August 5. 

Things will get very busy in and around the Hecht Athletic Center as Camp Shannon gets underway in Coral Gables in preparation for the 2010 season.   

And while it may sound cliche', it is truly a season of hope and change around Miami. 

The majority of Miami fans sincerely believe that the Hurricanes are finally back from their six year hiatus from BCS national championship contention as the 'Canes finally have the talent back to 2000-2003 season levels and the addition of two new coaches that have joined Shannon's staff at UM.

Hope comes in the form of a recently-re-signed, secure and confident head coach, a healthy Heisman candidate at QB, speed and talent at the skill positions on offense, improved competition and and depth on defense and quite possibly college football's best punter/kicker in Matt Bosher.  

Change is found in the experienced Rick Petri who came all the way from Kentucky to take over the UM defensive line and running backs coach Mike Cassano who came all the way from Calle Ocho after leaving former 'Cane Mario Cristobal at FIU for greener pastures at Miami.  

Fortunately for Petri and Cassano they both find themselves surrounded by talent and depth at the RB and DL positions on this year's version of the Miami Hurricanes' football team.  Now with a little coaching and maybe a little bit of luck (staying healthy) the 'Canes can simply dominate games like the days of old by running the ball effectively and effectively stopping the run. 

Wouldn't that be nice!

Much like last year, the Hurricanes start off the season with a tough four game swing.  After opening against over-matched FAMU at home in the first game of the season Miami travels to face Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Clemson on the road in consecutive weeks before returning home to face ACC and in-state rival the Florida State Seminoles at newly re-named Sun Life Stadium. 

Once again it will not take long to figure out just how good the 2010 Hurricanes will be.  By game five we should definitely know if this year's team are just pretenders or the contenders that most prognosticators expect them to be.

Hurricane fans will get only one chance to see their boys of Fall practice before they face FAMU in the opener on Thursday, September 2.   Season ticket holders are invited to watch practice on Saturday, August 7 from 8-10 AM at Greentree Field on campus.

We look forward to seeing U there and GO CANES!

Comments

[elliott]

uno

[elliott]

Fourth time I have been first is that close to a record? Just got my Miami and Duke tickets as well, let me know if anyone is going to the game in Durham this year.

[1miamifan]

Can't wait for the season to start.

[canezilla]

One time i had first in the same day.That was all talent, no coaching!!!

[ZarOkon]

great post!
cant wait...seen that L.Anderson had some troubles with clearing house but S.Henderson didnt!! #77 huh? I like that..hope he isnt like that last #77 #1 OL in the country....from Texas.......lol. But cant wait for this season! Go Canes

[Hassan]

I am in columbus and let me tell you these idiot up here in buckeye territory have no clue what is coming from you. They think we are still that 7-6 team. Heading back to Afghanistan in a few days.

[SOUP]

POLL RESULTS:

18.7%

80% Talent / 20% Coaching
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0.0%

100% Talent / Coaching is way over-rated
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

45.3%

60% Talent / 40% Coaching
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

28.0%

70% Talent / 30% Coaching
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8.0%

90% Talent / 10% Coaching

[NativeCane]

Shannon on college football live.

Go Canes!!!

[VA Cane]

Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa!!! MC5 Rock!!! 7th!!!

[SOUP]

Zilla...U may not need coaching but some obviously do based on the poll.

[ZarOkon]

http://www.media.softwar.com/sofloradio/listen/popup.html

are you guys listening to this...

[WindyCane1]

Great article. A 4-0 start puts them in the top 5 or even a 3-1 start vaults them into the top 10. For the first time since 2000-03, the Canes will have more talent across the board than any team they line up against. I would be surprised if this is not a BCS year!

[ftmcanefan]

anyone know what the story with latwan anderson is???

[Coach]

Anderson's transcripts are still being cleared by NCAA clearinghouse. He'll be on campus next week.

[SOUP]

by: Shandel Richardson August 3rd, 2010 | 7:02 PM

Florida transfer Kenny Kadji had decided on the Hurricanes, according to a source. Kadji will have to sit out one year under NCAA rules and will be eligible for the 2011-12 season. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-10 Kadji appeared in 42 games for the Gators, averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. He missed all but eight games last year because of back problems.

[SOUP]

More from Shandel at the Sun Sentinel:

The notable omission from today’s recruit arrivals was cornerback Latwan Anderson.
Anderson, the second-rated recruit in the 2010 class, says he is having NCAA Clearinghouse issues. The problem is he attended “five or six high schools” and the NCAA is trying to match up the records.
Anderson says his grades are fine and should be on campus sometime next week.

“My grades are good,” Anderson said. “I have a lot of different transcripts, that’s all. This has been going on for the last couple of weeks, but I should know something probably this week.”

[The Advocate]

Greetings Spacers,

I had a nightmare last night about that game in Columbus. I didn't like this one bit. I saw OSU running 4 plays in my mind on every key 2nd and 3rd down - like we needed to get them off the field and couldn't. They were...
1) Fake WR screen, Pryor run up the middle (See Ponder's plays from last year).
2) RB traps on longer distances.
3) Middle screens to WRs with OL past our pursuing DLs (see any passes against our LBs since 2001).
4) Power runs on short distances (see Wisconsin).

Here's the deal. We don't play well against tough running QBs/RBs. I see Tuiasosopo with UW in 2000. We beat Bryan Randall in 2002 but he ran wild, and gave Tressel a blueprint on how to use Krenzel for our next game. I will be at this game. I want the U to win. But Shannon's Ds, as opportunistic as they were in the early decade, have lacked cohesion for every game except for GT last year. With an unclear MLB, I see this being very problematic.

- The Advocate

[elliott]

- The Advocate

Disagree......

['87 Canes]

Apparently Coach Shannon asked Steven Wesley to leave the team because he had to get under the 85 man limit.....Steven Wesley has already graduated !!!!! This is excellent news.

[SJMPARMAN]

Like everyone else, I approach this season with high hopes. But I approach every season that way, and they have been dashed the last couple of years. The euphoria of last year's great start faded down the stretch, as it has for the last two years. This team is talented, although I would not go so far as to say it is more talented across the board than any team it will face this year. But we as fans have to remember one important thing. It didn't win the conference last year, and it hasn't won a game yet this year.

I don't want to rain on the parade, I really don't. But the Ohio States of the world have no reason to fear us. We couldn't even beat Wisconsin last year, the team who finished 4th in the Big Ten. Oh, and btw, Ohio State beat that Wisconsin team that manhandled us in the bowl last year by a score of 31-13 last year in week 6. The Canes have potential but you actually have to win games, and your conference, before you instill any fear in anyone.

So we play Pittsburg on the road. Everyone saying it is an easy win. Last year, Pittsburg had a better record than us, 10-3, and they beat North Carolina in their bowl game. If I am not mistaken, NC beat us 33-24 last year, thanks to Jacory picks and the inability of a single offensive guy to tackle someone returning a pick 90 yards. I am not saying it will be the same this year but you have to win games no matter how recruiting services rate your freshman before you deserve respect.

Oh we play Clemson early on. We should win huh? If I am not mistaken, they are the defending Atlantic Division Champs of the ACC, something we have never done. They boast a college quarterback with talent enough to be drafted high in the MLB draft. Yes, Spiller is finally gone (thank you Lord) but that team knew how to win better than our guys did last year. With an established quarterback returning, a guy who showed remarkable poise against us, this game is no better than a toss up.

So we complete the OSU, Pittsburg and Clemson road games and who do we get next? FSU. A Heisman candidate. They play only 2 games before us. Oklahoma minus Bradford, and BYU. They could be 4-1 or 5-0 when we play. They beat us and they might not lose again until they fold against Fla (like they always do) at the end of the year. The recruiting services have ranked their recruits high the past couple of years. Who knows what injuries we might endure playing the difficult schedule before then.

It is not a lock that we will even have a winning record when we play FSU. But I think my point is this. Having top recruits is great. But these kids have to WIN games. I am hopeful but I wouldn't bet the bank that this is our year. And until someone starts giving the Canes a reasonable schedule to begin the year, we are fighting an uphill battle. But you have to win to earn respect, and until these kids have a title, even a lowly title like Coastal Champs, we shouldn't go overboard in our expectations. Just my opinion.

[bg1906]

Coach Shannon on WQAM.

http://www.wqam.com/index.php?page=347&sid=abvl30nucet762dhnqgt89jtj14mem7v

[SJMPARMAN]

I know this is not a popular opinion but what this tells me is this. Wesley worked his butt off and on the field for four years, and was coming into his senior year with his last shot to impress scouts he might be pro material. He was nationally ranked a top recruit out of high school, and although he hasn't torn it up at UM, (what DL has the last couple of years besides Bailey) he wasn't helped by the poor coaching on the D Line. He deserved the opportunity to finish his career (5 years is normal for college football players) as a Cane.

I don't think it is appropriate to throw a guy like Wesley under the bus, if there were no disciplinary issues and he was a good student and a good player. I think this type of thing is bad for recruiting as well. I am glad the young man got his degree but I still feel this was a crappy way to treat him.

['87 Canes]

True indeed @SJMPARMAN....I was thinking the same thing. Kirby Hocutt admitted the the football program is #3 this year with it's APR.

['87 Canes]

It's just big time college football at it's finest if it's true...just like Bruce Feldman reported in his book Meat Market.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Greetings Spacers,

I had a nightmare last night about that game in Columbus. I didn't like this one bit. I saw OSU running 4 plays in my mind on every key 2nd and 3rd down - like we needed to get them off the field and couldn't. They were...
1) Fake WR screen, Pryor run up the middle (See Ponder's plays from last year).
2) RB traps on longer distances.
3) Middle screens to WRs with OL past our pursuing DLs (see any passes against our LBs since 2001).
4) Power runs on short distances (see Wisconsin).

Here's the deal. We don't play well against tough running QBs/RBs. I see Tuiasosopo with UW in 2000. We beat Bryan Randall in 2002 but he ran wild, and gave Tressel a blueprint on how to use Krenzel for our next game. I will be at this game. I want the U to win. But Shannon's Ds, as opportunistic as they were in the early decade, have lacked cohesion for every game except for GT last year. With an unclear MLB, I see this being very problematic.

- The Advocate

Posted by: The Advocate | August 04, 2010 at 11:35 PM

>>>>>>>>>>

Good questions but OSU is neither a power running team nor a team that is as fast as we are at any position other than QB.

More importantly, our defense this year is about as close to a complete upgrade as is possible. MLB is a ??? but one that can be answered because of all the experience and talent around him. Last year was almost the opposite. Just watch some clips against say, Oklahoma....look at the lineup and ask yourself who will be back and who's gone.

Pryor was their leading runner last year but since he's never put up T-Bone or V. Young numbers, that's not much to sing about.

But they have a couple of solid, smart and tough RBs, led by Sein. He's good between the tackles and coming out of the backfield. I think our OLBs can cover him. Even K-Rob could cover him on speed alone but that's IF K-Rob recognizes the fake and doesn't fall for it, like Sharpton et al....

The key to everything starts up the middle. I can't imagine that Regis, Porter and Forston under Petri's tutelage will not be significant upgrades over Joseph and Holmes, who shouldered the bulk of the load last year.

With the middle plugged or neutralized, Pryor will have to use his arms and legs, which is exactly what we want. Their best WR Posey is good, solid, not spectacular but he can be very effective if DBs make mistakes.

I think BH can shut him down though, maybe even DVD if he's improved as much as he could.

That leaves little, slow but occasionally effective #12 and maybe their #82, who got a little burn last year as their #4 WR behind Carter.

DVD, McGee and Hill can take care of them without safety help.

So that leaves Pryor in the same position BJ Daniels, the very dynamic USF QB, was in last year.

He's much more dangerous as a runner than Pryor because he's so agile. Pryor's fast but he's not agile.

If you recall Daniels was supposed to be such a huge threat to Us.

I don't recall him doing much damage at all.

That's a credit to Lovett as much as the players.

Thus, when I look at OSU the only places they can really look for some advantages are with the RB coming out of the backfield on a LB, like they did against Oregon very effectively....and the TE on a LB, which was our most glaring weakness last year.

I expect them to try those two plays on many occasions whenever the chance presents itself.

However, I don't think the LBs will fall for it the way Sharpton and a younger C-Mac and an injured Spence, with Barrow, Lovett and Shannon on them.

Even if Pryor runs it as long as he's scrambling, I'm not worried about him.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

I know this is not a popular opinion but what this tells me is this. Wesley worked his butt off and on the field for four years, and was coming into his senior year with his last shot to impress scouts he might be pro material. He was nationally ranked a top recruit out of high school, and although he hasn't torn it up at UM, (what DL has the last couple of years besides Bailey) he wasn't helped by the poor coaching on the D Line. He deserved the opportunity to finish his career (5 years is normal for college football players) as a Cane.

I don't think it is appropriate to throw a guy like Wesley under the bus, if there were no disciplinary issues and he was a good student and a good player. I think this type of thing is bad for recruiting as well. I am glad the young man got his degree but I still feel this was a crappy way to treat him.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | August 04, 2010 at 11:55 PM

>>>>>>

I'd put this decision right there with releasing Hurtt. He has his degree. He's been through Spring Camp. He can still enter the draft.

It's not pretty but it's one of the last Coker related decisions he'll have to make.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

It is not a lock that we will even have a winning record when we play FSU. But I think my point is this. Having top recruits is great. But these kids have to WIN games. I am hopeful but I wouldn't bet the bank that this is our year. And until someone starts giving the Canes a reasonable schedule to begin the year, we are fighting an uphill battle. But you have to win to earn respect, and until these kids have a title, even a lowly title like Coastal Champs, we shouldn't go overboard in our expectations. Just my opinion.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | August 04, 2010 at 11:43 PM

>>>>>>

Well, if you think the 2009 team will line-up this year, your views make some sense.

However, the one thing we can clearly see with this team and with every college team is that the number of upperclassmen is the key to Ws and Ls.

This particular team is a very solid mix of experienced under and upperclassmen.

Very few of these kids had a proper RS year, so you have to look at last year as their RS year for growth, maturity and development.

So now, entering their jr. and sr. years, it's fairly easy to project how much they'll improve.

Even if you want to be a skeptic you can look at other teams and see the direct parallel between upperclass status and performance on the field.

You can also see the direct parallel between depending on multiple underclassmen and losing more often.

No better recent example exists than the Gaytors in 2007, who were 9-4 despite T-Bone's Heisman performance year where they were running up scores all over the place.

They lost because their defense had so many young players on it.

Come 2008 though they suddenly transformed into one of the best defenses in the country???

What's the difference? What changed?

THE UNDERCLASSMEN BECAME UPPERCLASSMEN...

We could look at several other teams and see the exact same phenomenon....OSU, Boisie St. Bama, LSU et al...and of course the U from 1999-2000

So why do you think it won't happen at Coral Gables this year?

Not only WILL it happen this year, we, after watching this team develop, game-by-game, season-by-season, we can predict and expect them to handle whatever situations they encounter along the way.

When you stack all the strengths, esp. with Petri on board, next to the ????s of MLB and TE, they're almost small, ALMOST. The Mike needs to be stable, it doesn't have to be special, with the DL up several notches.

So your concerns are based on LAST YEAR's team, not understanding the significance of upperclassmen and not fully understanding how important having 2nd year DC and OC.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

nd until someone starts giving the Canes a reasonable schedule to begin the year, we are fighting an uphill battle. But you have to win to earn respect, and until these kids have a title, even a lowly title like Coastal Champs, we shouldn't go overboard in our expectations. Just my opinion.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | August 04, 2010 at 11:43 PM

>>>>>>>

And we're deep enough to handle whatever schedule we have as long as J12 stays healthy.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

If Mr. Football II has time to throw and an effective run game to play action off of we can run the table this year.

[WindyCane1]

“He [Berry] should [start at RB]. But then you have Mike James, who is also a physical tough runner [and] maybe a little bit better athlete than Damien.”

Well, looks like fall practice will be interesting.

Posted by: dj moonbat | August 04, 2010 at 06:55 PM

Also, looks like we have a lot of talent at the RB position and the competition should make the entire season very interesting.

[NativeCane]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/fl-nick-oleary-likes-hurricanes-0805-20100804,0,6095542.storySS-

[NativeCane]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-um-three-battles-0805-20100804,0,857558.story

[usagainstheworld]

I know this is not a popular opinion but what this tells me is this. Wesley worked his butt off and on the field for four years, and was coming into his senior year with his last shot to impress scouts he might be pro material. He was nationally ranked a top recruit out of high school, and although he hasn't torn it up at UM, (what DL has the last couple of years besides Bailey) he wasn't helped by the poor coaching on the D Line. He deserved the opportunity to finish his career (5 years is normal for college football players) as a Cane.

I don't think it is appropriate to throw a guy like Wesley under the bus, if there were no disciplinary issues and he was a good student and a good player. I think this type of thing is bad for recruiting as well. I am glad the young man got his degree but I still feel this was a crappy way to treat him.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | August 04, 2010 at 11:55 PM

I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING. SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SMELLS BAD.

[ftmcane]

canesport reporting that anderson is through clearing house.

[raizecane]

I think everybody has brought some solid points in regards to the upcoming season. Especially in reagrds to the OSU game. I agree that we have improved on both sides of the ball but OSU is a solid team all the way around and the game is up in "The Shoe".

I would love to come out of that game with a "W" and I think it will be a close one but I just don't see the "W" happening. It's not that I don't have faith.....it's just based on our last game against a Big 10 school and FAMU will not test us. My thinking is our only hope is to win the turnover battle. I am not worried about TOP because we have a "quick strike" offense. If we don't.....it could be a long day.

[Sebastian]

On the Wesley subject

I dont know if us(the fans) or the media will ever know what Coach Shannons real reason for dismissing him from the team

If Coach Shannon had to dismiss someone from our program. Im always going to take the side of our HC every single time

He has earned it in the way he has run this program

Shannon is the kind of guy that handles things from the inside. The way it should be

[BEERicane]

I would love to come out of that game with a "W" and I think it will be a close one but I just don't see the "W" happening. It's not that I don't have faith....

Posted by: raizecane | August 05, 2010 at 07:52 AM

That's pretty much a prime example of not having, or at the least, temporarily losing faith.

[Caniak]

Latwan Anderson is in

[IraqiCane]

Sweet!!!

GO CANES!!!

[Ungar]

Greetings Spacers,

I had a nightmare last night about that game in Columbus. I didn't like this one bit. I saw OSU running 4 plays in my mind on every key 2nd and 3rd down - like we needed to get them off the field and couldn't. They were...
1) Fake WR screen, Pryor run up the middle (See Ponder's plays from last year).
2) RB traps on longer distances.
3) Middle screens to WRs with OL past our pursuing DLs (see any passes against our LBs since 2001).
4) Power runs on short distances (see Wisconsin).

Posted by: The Advocate | August 04, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Strange, I had a similar nightmare. But in each case, it was

5) A crossing pattern with the TE (see Wisconsin).

1. Is stopped by us having a healthy and better coached DL.
2. Is stopped by us having a healthy and better coached DL.
3. The bubble screen? These guys see it enough in practice, calm your fears.
4. Is stopped by us having a healthy and better coached DL.

Watching the Wisconsin video again, their successful plays were to the OUTSIDE, not to the middle of the line. Clay on the right side was dreadful.

However, hopefully the coaches read your concerns and will make sure you sleep well on 9/11.

[SOUP]

Just my opinion.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | August 04, 2010 at 11:43 PM

Good post. Not afraid to swim against the current I see? U are a brave man PARMAN!

[SOUP]

I would love to come out of that game with a "W" and I think it will be a close one but I just don't see the "W" happening. It's not that I don't have faith.....it's just based on our last game against a Big 10 school and FAMU will not test us.

Posted by: raizecane | August 05, 2010 at 07:52 AM

Another good post. People are thinking, not just feeling. That is wise.

[SOUP]

Ungar...nice work on the two articles, well done son!

I will post the poll U suggested later today.

Thanks for your contributions to The Space.

[SOUP]

Paging Mr. Anderson, Paging Mr. Anderson...please report for duty!

[SOUP]

If Mr. Football II has time to throw and an effective run game to play action off of we can run the table this year.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 05, 2010 at 02:50 AM

IF is a small word that has a big impact on any statement.

I believe we can run the ball, pass protection may still be an issue. May have tocaoch around that.

[Ungar]

Ungar...nice work on the two articles, well done son!

I will post the poll U suggested later today.

Thanks for your contributions to The Space.

Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2010 at 09:20 AM

Ummm, thanks.... daddy-o.

Remember, the poll MUST have an * on the 2003 Fiasco Bowl.

You're welcome. Smaller sequel coming your way.

[Ungar]

As for feeling concern and doubt about a win at the horseshoe, that isn't lack of faith, that is basic analysis.

We had those same doubts before the Oklahoma game last year, and the Canes overcame those doubts.

Faith does not mean blindness, faith means belief that a greater force is at work, that good conquers over evil, and that Terry Porter will not be within 100 MILES of that field. 8-)

[404]

1st practice highlights:

Highsmith to Ford for 60-65 in 11on11

Damien Berry continuining to run well in 11-on-11

Jacory to LaRon and Morris to Streeter for long TDs in early 7on7 highlights

 Henderson fitting right in on day one of Canes training camp

RB Damien Berry dominating early action in goal line drills on day one of camp

[SATXcane]

404, that is music to my ears! Up to the minute highlights from practice. This is going to be a great day. Thanks for the updates...

GO CANES!!!

[THE MAN]

I don't think the problem was Wesley and Collier getting dismissed. It was that immediately after people on here were saying who cares and we don't need them as if they instantly turned to a piece of crap! All I'm saying is give these guys their due. If they were kicked off for a criminal offense then free reign on them, but in this case that doesn't seem to be. They put in their time and played their role and played well. That's all, not defending them in any way other than no need to bash the kids...