Canespace Catches Some Rays

I know, I know football practice has started and all you want to hear about is who is "flying around" out there at Greentree Field in Coral Gables.   

Or how big and agile Seantrel Henderson really is.  Or how Mike James is pushing Damien Berry for the starting position at RB. 

Or how maybe about why Aldarius Johnson cut his hair, re-dedicated himself and is now in great shape and looking forward to an outstanding season at WR.  Or how Graig Cooper and Jordan Futch are recuperating from their knee surgeries.

We have and will continue to bring you as many updates as is humanly possible over the next several weeks leading right up until September 2 when your Miami Hurricanes begin to play games that will count for the 2010 season.

But on Sunday several Canespacers decided to take a break from the two-a-day practices and go and catch some Rays over in Tampa.  No not at the beach but at The Trop where the Tampa Bay Rays were playing the Baltimore Orioles in a Sunday send off game of the three game series.

Bloggers Six (L), RaizeCane (C), his friend Tim (R) and yours truly (86Cane) got a chance to see how the other half lives when we had the opportunity to sit behind home plate at Tropicana Field and watch the Rays beat Baltimore 3-2 and take the series from the Orioles.

Tampa now sits one game behind the Damn Yankees in the battle for AL East lead. 

We were close up and personal as we watched Evan Langoria as he warmed up to take his hacks at the plate.  But it was Carl Crawford who went yard for the Rays in this contest.

RaizeCane was up to his usual fun and games, Captain Morgan constantly in hand (he was NOT driving).

Longoria was in a fan friendly mood as he chatted with his teammates behind home plate.

And wherever you go please be sure to remember that Canespace rules ALWAYS apply, not matter the sport, the team, or the opponent:

1. U gotta show up.
2. U gotta stay until the end.
3. Good things are bound to happen!

 
Don't even ask me how I do it, I just do.

I'm just sayin...

Comments

[solarcane]

boink

[SOUP]

DOINK

[SOUP]

Soup - what madness are you referring to??

Posted by: CGNC | August 15, 2010 at 09:55 PM

CLEMSON AND WHITEWATER?

[solarcane]

That was for elliot and fran lest the get the swollen head lol
I'm reading the article, then out

catch you mullets tomorrow

[CanesCanesCanes]

Soup

How do you do it? Always in the middle. You dog.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

I previously looked at national champs over the last 10 years and noted that ay least 3 of them (Okla., LSU and Fla.) had 3-4 losses the year before winning a national championship. I think this team is poised for a special BCS run. The tough schedule actually sets up nicely for the Canes to make a good BCS bowl.

I think this is the year we also see the benefit of the hire of the Whipple in his second year with this group. We will see remarkable progress where he puts up points like he did with UMass, about 35-40 points per game. This Canes team will make their own legacy, unlike any we have seen before. I see a series of BCS runs for years to come. The Canes are loaded in a way that I have not seen since the early 2000s, and NFL scouts will make regular visits to Coral Gables just as they did a decade ago. NFL-U is back on track.

Posted by: WindyCane1 | August 14, 2010 at 08:45 PM

>>>>>>

Windy, you're spot on. That's why I used the UF example a few blogs back. They were 9-4 the year before they won it all. The difference was maturation on defense.

As far as talent is concerned, I found some full game videos of the '87 UF game and the 2001 NC game, and I was thinking, "Man, we're deeper with talent than these teams, man for man. We just don't have the acknowledged Bosses and Super-Studs yet."

We don't have the Super-Studs like Vilma, Portis, DJ, AJ-1, Wilfork, Shockey, Reed but when you run down this roster, the list of talent gets deep.

By 2011 Shannon will have a deeper, more talented team than the 2001 squad. I said it years ago and now Shannon's about to prove me right.

And the way these guys are practicing, this year is going to look a lot more like 2000 than anyone would think.

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | August 15, 2010 at 11:42 PM

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Solar,

I want my T-shirt to say F**K DA WORLD, LOVE DA "U"!!!

COKE IS BACK IN DA FACILITY!!!

Posted by: CoCane | August 14, 2010 at 11:31 PM

>>>>>>

COCANE IS IN DA BUILDING!!!!

What's good homey?? haha Where the hell you been?

Like Solar said, this year Shannon's going to prove me right. hahahaha

These cubs have grown into young lions. OSU gets it first then LINE 'EM UP.

I'm watching the 2001 NC game and man the playcalling on offense was so average. I know Chud's a Cane but damn. This is almost a disgrace to the talent they had. They just relied on the physical superiority they had. Very little tactical superiority.

But that's all over with now. Whipple's going to light 'ish up as long as he stops calling WR reverses from our 20 yard line. haha

This schedule sets up perfectly for a great run and return to the top and putting fear in the minds of every team we'll play.

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | August 15, 2010 at 11:50 PM

[dj moonbat]

"I'm watching the 2001 NC game and man the playcalling on offense was so average. I know Chud's a Cane but damn. This is almost a disgrace to the talent they had. They just relied on the physical superiority they had. Very little tactical superiority."

I remember thinking the same thing at the time: "Man, why don't we just bust out some PLAYs?" But there was no need. That team was stacked in a way that will probably never be seen again. If UM does assemble a freak show like that again, I'll be happy to complain about how the U keeps winning with raw talent and crappy plays.

[PhillyCane]

Windy aka El Capiton Optimists brotha from anotha motha

[WindyCane1]

And the way these guys are practicing, this year is going to look a lot more like 2000 than anyone would think.

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | August 15, 2010 at 11:42 PM

I like Chud too dj, but I would also add that the current Canes have a better offensive coordinator than the early 2000s teams. With Whipple's offense, we will see some eye-popping stat sheets at the end of each game.

[Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad]

Once again, I taught you well 86!!!! (referring to the last pic)..LOL

[Six]

Was a great time with 86, raizecane & Tim .... amazing seats, where exactly can you go from there for a game - except maybe sitting in the dugout with the players?

Even then, you don't get access to all the free food & drink you want, during the game, with a waitress constantly checking in on you to get whatever you needed if you didn't feel like getting up

Everything worked out perfectly, from not even missing a beat on meeting on the highway without even stopping - to taking a little secret route I know of to get to the reserved parking lots by The Trop

Ya, it might have been through a neighborhood that you might not want to hang around in for too long - but - actually it looked better than the one I live in, ha

Dick Vitale was there as well, in his usual season ticket holding seat ... even then, we were 5 rows closer to the plate than he was & he didn't get the free food and drink

Raize, Tim & I were sitting there in between innings when 86 gets up to where we think he's going to grab some food ...

When 86 comes back, he takes out his camera and says "check this out" - and, he shows us that pic of him in the tunnel behind home plate, with the 7 girls posing around him like he's "Hugh 86 Hefner" .... I bet those chicks weren't even alive when Ronald Reagan was in the final year of being President

I told 86, at least get a pic with some chicks who have a "2-" in the front of their age

These girls were probably 1 year old when Toy Story came out .... you ask them about Val Kilmer in "Tombstone" and they think it has to do with some foreign guy with frozen pizzas

Thanks again 86, it was a badass day. Got to see Carl Crawford go yard .. BJ Upton make an amazing catch by running down a fly ball that no other Centerfielder in the game could've caught - unless it was Carl Crawford possibly playing Centerfield ...... when you see him flying from ground level, it's a whole different experience to see just how much ground he can cover in such a short time

Also is always cool to hear the buzzing of the seams from the baseball and the loud pop of the mitt .. not to forget that sweet sound of the bat when it catches a ball just right and then quickly goes 300+ feet the other way

We were closer to Longo & everyone else when they were in the on-deck circle, than basically I have ever been to 95% of the people I work with. I don't get within 30 feet of some of those people - Longo as you can tell by the pic, was insanely right up on us

Raizecane, good to see you man & Tim is a good guy as well. He even said he wouldn't disrespect The "U" while around us

Speaking of which, was funny b/c on the big screen in the outfield above right field - anytime the camera would follow a Rays player from the on-deck circle to the batter's box, you'd see my hands sneaking into the bottom of the shot and making a "U" .... Raize, 86 and Tim all saw it up on the big screen

Aspect ratio wise on that big screen, it was probably a "U" that was 20 feet wide & 15 feet tall

[Six]

solar - ya, that video you posted of one Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones was cool

Just a small tribute to the insane amount of highlights he's put on over the years

I remember him just OWNING the Mets, basically by himself

If you look at his stats and where he's hit the most home runs outside of the Bravos home field - Shea Stadium is it

Maybe that's why he named his daughter Shea

Chipper loved playing against the Mets, whether at home or up at Shea .. I remember him hitting 4 bombs & 7 RBI in a 3 game series with the Mets, right before October with the NL East crown up for grabs at Atlanta

Also, if you look at his stats and what his batting average/on-base percentage/slugging etc. is after certain pitch counts - it's a testament of just how good of a hitter he is in certain situations .... you get behind him in the count early on, he's going to just rake your pitches

If it weren't for the Bravos getting Vinny Cash-stealer and Chipper being a team player by moving out to Left Field in 2002 & 2003, so that Vinny could play 3rd - Chipper would've held down the 3rd Baseman spot in the All-Star game for an insane amount of years

Speaking of which ... it's funny that Chipper was an All-Star in: 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001

But not 1999 - the same year that he won MVP of the National League .. but yet, he wasn't an All-Star .... Matt Wiliams was

Chipper should've won Rookie of the Year instead of Hideo Nomo

He'll go down as one of the greatest switch hitters as well, in baseball history

In Braves fandom, I think he surpassed even Dale Murphy a while ago

[Six]

My parents & Chipper's parents are friends ... his mom used to come over to our house a few times a week to teach my sister equestrian lessons ... his dad was a coach up at Stetson for a little while & also a teacher at a high school - both of which he knew my parents from

I remember his dad moving a pitching machine closer than the recommended distance, to Chipper and just constantly feeding him fastballs ... with the machine just cranked up - would use tennis balls as well

Chipper is a worker. His parents also used to make him go out into their ferneries and pick ferns, do all that type of work in the fern farm they had

Ya, he did mess up by having an affair and a child out of wed-lock when he was younger. Something done just young and stupid - honestly he probably shouldn't have married the girl he met while in the minor leagues. There are girls that are in the towns where the minor league teams are that are beyond groupies - they'll do what they have to, to get a celebrity baseball player & clamp onto him ... just gold diggers in different forms and towns, that's all

He probably thought he was "in love" - but also didn't really even know what that meant. He just saw some trophy looking southern girl wanna-be wife, so he just got hitched & probably realized later that it was stupid

Anyway, no one is perfect - he handled it and basically isn't afraid to talk about it & what a mistake it was

Hell, at least he didn't try and kill the woman that was pregnant with his child and then hide in the trunk of a car - like Rae Carruth

[NativeCane]

U
http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081410aag.html

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081510aab.html

[NativeCane]

MH
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/16/1777615/miami-hurricanes-running-back.html

Someone asked about Jamal?

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/16/1777597/miami-hurricanes-freshman-jamal.html

[NativeCane]

PBP- Glue hands.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2010/08/15/aubrey-hill-in-crunch-time-aldarius-johnson-is-hurricanes-go-to-receiver/

[NativeCane]

I am so ashamed of our local print media in central florida. I check the Times the mullet wrap Trib and others daily and they hate the Canes so bad they wont let the name come off their lips much less print a story.
As a long time mullet wrap subscriber I warned them if they didnt report on all state teams Id quit em. Many other local Cane fans feel the same way. I know for a fact that their hatred affects their bottom line.
The Lakeland Ledger does a fair job but you would think with local product Mike James tearing it up they would be on that story like Dr. Phil on a deadbeat dad.
Thanks to the Herald, Sun Sentinel, and Palm Beach Post for acurately reporting news on ALL State University's, you make your classless, biased competition look petty to say the least.

[NativeCane]

accurate^^^^ I cant tolerate inaccuracies Ha.

[raizecane]

Good Morning Spacers......I really can't add anything to what Six has already said other than a huge "Thanks" to 86 for allowing me to have a fantastic day.

For a few hours, I got to feel what is what like to be "living large". Had doors opened up for us, people coming up and asking if we needed anything, folks shaking our hands and asking us if we had a good time. It was a great day and a great outcome for the Rays who are now only one game behind the Yankees.

Six - Tim loved hearing your stories. I told him you are like a walking encyclopedia regarding sports. Again - a huge thanks to 86 for the "hook up". It was well worth the trip.

BTW - I had so much to eat that I have not eaten anything since the 8th inning of the game (which happened to be the last Carvel Ice Cream in the whole joint)

Go Canes....

[SOUP]

Once again, I taught you well 86!!!! (referring to the last pic)..LOL

Posted by: Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad | August 16, 2010 at 01:25 AM

When I grow up I wanna be just like U:

http://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c672588834012876929e37970c-pi

[SOUP]

Raize, Six...it was my pleasure and a good time was had by all. Let it be known that at Canespace we DO THINGS.

We can actually put down the computer, step away from the key board and have some fun in the REAL world, not just in Cyberspace.

From whitewater rafting to baseball games to who knows what else is around the corner.

I am still trying to coordinate a charter fishing trip in the Florida Keys in conjunction with a UM football game in October.

And a golf tournament in Central Florida between Orlando and Tampa.

And maybe a tubing trip on a river in North Central Florida also.

So show up, stay til the end and good things are bound to happen!

[Canez1]

Good stuff boys.

You left out Raizecanes other good friend the Captain!!

;)

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[SOUP]

POLL RESULTS:

0.0%

The Hurricanes will lead the ACC in rushing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.7%

Miami will lead the NCAA in sacks with 48

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

32.4%

UM will beat VT, FSU and UNC at home

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

32.4%

Miami will beat both OSU and Pitt on the road

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

32.4%

Miami will average over 35 PPG

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0.0%

Jacory Harris will win the Heisman trophy

[SOUP]

PLEASE VOTE, TOP RIGHT...

[CC]

Any word on Grandal ? If that 4th rounder that was suppose to be a Cane got 2 mil. I hope Yaz gets double that. Should go right down to 11:58pm.

[Canez1]

Monday Practice Notes -

No Laron Byrd
Extent of his injury, believed on initial diagnosis to be a sprained knee, is not yet known. Should have more later today.
Brandon McGee still being held out as is Allen Hurns. Jermaine Johnson also was missing - no word on why yet... Curtis Porter got shaken up a bit this morning but went back out after being attended to by trainers. AJ Highsmith took the first team reps with the offense in the early drills - guess so he'l be ready if called upon. Jacory looked fine. With Marcus Forston banged up Jeremy Lewis and Micanor Regis were the first team tackles at start of 11 on 11 work. Luther Robinson was the next tackle in the game - he also worked in with the rest of the first team defense.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Ungar]

"We have and will continue to bring you as many updates as is humanly possible over the next several weeks leading right up until September 2 when your Miami Hurricanes begin to play games that will count for the 2010 season."

Thank God the college teams don't have a preseason.

[Sebastian]

Looks positive for Yasmani Grandal

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100815&content_id=13481798&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[MattInNY]

Its down to the deadline for MLB prospects to sign. All prospects must be signed by 12:01am tonight or they will go back in to the draft next year and most will head back to or go to college. Miami players who have still yet to sign as of this morning:

Yasmani Grandal - Cincinnati
Chris Hernandez - Boston
Christian Yelich - Florida
Nick Castellanos - Detroit
Yordy Cabrera - Oakland

Pitcher AJ Cole who was committed to Miami signed w/ the Nationals over the weekend and received a 1.5mm signing bonus. I would blow off college for that kind of money too!

For whats it worth, MLB people think that most 1st rd picks will sign and its not unusual to go to the last minute before a deal is done. Its called leverage, and high school and college players who are juniors have it. I think Miami gets 1-2 of the guys above. But don't count on Grandal being one of them, he will sign, bank it.

[Ungar]

Matt, I thought Cole got a 2mill signing bonus, breaking the old 1.5 million record?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/os-hs-aj-cole-signs-nationals,0,4256898.story

And Sebastian, Grandal sat with the Reds watching the Marlins get shut out? Ugh. Doesn't look good to me...

[mi@mic@ne]

The only high powered offense we had prior to the freak show was Snells O. And then Stevens followed with the same passing genius as Snells. We would spread them out and force them to play the whole field... there were big gaps to run in. Thats what we got to do against Ohio State... They like to play tight coverage... i mean... playing physical with the help of the refs..hehe.

[solarcane]

North Georgia Zip Line through the forest

Another outdoor thrill less than an hour from my home.

Soup I'll be going on this in late September.
I think this will be a great trip for you guys next summer before the Ocoee River run.

This clip gets better towards the end so check the entire thing.

Any of you other folks that want to make the zip line Trip I'll post more as soon as I get over and evaluate it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTrD9B_9qY4

[Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad]

When I grow up I wanna be just like U:

http://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c672588834012876929e37970c-pi

LOL!!! I gotta find my way to the Sunsations at some point this year.

[Ungar]

BTW, Marlins Mermaids > Devil Rays Rejects!!!

http://mlb.mlb.com/fla/images/fan_forum/y2010/mermaids_2010_645x250.jpg

(Yes Six, that time I am stirring up some stuff) 8-)

[BEERicane]

R. Wayne with yahoo

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-wayneqa081410

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

I remember thinking the same thing at the time: "Man, why don't we just bust out some PLAYs?" But there was no need. That team was stacked in a way that will probably never be seen again. If UM does assemble a freak show like that again, I'll be happy to complain about how the U keeps winning with raw talent and crappy plays.

Posted by: dj moonbat | August 16, 2010 at 12:48 AM

>>>>>>

DJ, this team Shannon has right now will have more playmakers and studs than the 2001 team. They may not quite play at that level this year but in 2011, esp. if TB and Byrd return, along with Streeter, Davon, AJ and KT et al, this team will be hands down the greatest collection of talent in CFB history....at least until Shannon brings in another batch.

If Byrd and TB leave it won't be quite as incredible.

[MaryLouAlumni]

Just purchased my Alumni Cane pre game package for the Ohio State game. Supposedly, they have 350 sold and the best that they can do, is huge TV screens under the tent, so we can watch the game together. Is anyone going to the real game(LUCKY) or to the party under the tent? Richard and I will be wearing our Canespace shirts. I have the irredescent license place with the U flashing on the front of my SUV. Hope we survive. They are goign to give me some hotel names this afternoon. 230 miles and a 4 hour drive. But just to be there, is priceless.

[Ungar]

So, Steve Gorten is our new Hurricane Beat Reporter for the Sun Sentinel.

This might be a good time to welcome him, and let him know that Canespace is here, reading his work and cheering on the Canes.

Perhaps he will restore the link in the SS site, which Shandel mysteriously removed.

[Ungar]

A sample of his work from 2003.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-12-05/news/0312050062_1_billy-livings-vero-beach-coach-career-touchdowns

The QB in question is now in the Arena League, but still a nice article about him...

[carolina cane]

What's the word On Latwan Anderson?

[THE MAN]

Captain Optimist,

Not sure if that was a sarcastic post or not... There is NO WAY IN HELL that this team can even be on the same field as the 2001 team. Come on! There's one thing to have some high hopes for this team (which I do), but there is another thing to put WAY unrealistic expectations on a team. Just my two cents, nothing personal to you...

[BEERicane]

There is NO WAY IN HELL that this team can even be on the same field as the 2001 team.
Posted by: THE MAN | August 16, 2010 at 11:27 AM

What happens when the university honors that 2001 team at halftime of a game? Then they will have been on the same field as that team thus proving all of your capital letters wrong. : )

[O-L Cane]

At work just thinking about the canes. Im really going to appreciate this season. Especially after watching the Dolphins preseason game at Joe Pro Life stadium. They look big and slow. Also they need to stop playin and totally renovate that stadium. That is the OB2

[Ungar]

BEERicane, LOL!

Your capital letters are all right!

[MattInNY]

Matt, I thought Cole got a 2mill signing bonus, breaking the old 1.5 million record?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/os-hs-aj-cole-signs-nationals,0,4256898.story

And Sebastian, Grandal sat with the Reds watching the Marlins get shut out? Ugh. Doesn't look good to me...

Posted by: Ungar | August 16, 2010 at 09:56 AM

Either way its alot of money and he not coming to Miami. Next!

Grandal is going to sign, its not even worth the discussion and to worry about. The better chance is getting Hernandez back along w/ Christian Yelich. Though Hernandez would be stupid to come back b/c I am not sure how much he would improve his draft stock w/ another year in college and he uses the leverage of being a junior.

[THE MAN]

Beer,

That would be true! Hahahahahahahaha

[SOUP]

Perhaps he will restore the link in the SS site, which Shandel mysteriously removed.

Posted by: Ungar | August 16, 2010 at 11:18 AM

U saw that too huh? I'll see him soon enough and let him know about it.

[SOUP]

I have the irredescent license place with the U flashing on the front of my SUV. Hope we survive. They are goign to give me some hotel names this afternoon. 230 miles and a 4 hour drive. But just to be there, is priceless.

Posted by: MaryLouAlumni | August 16, 2010 at 11:14 AM

MaryLou...even though I will not be there, there are a bunch of Canespacers going to the game, and some you have met before.

Contact Canez 1 (Paul) or 411 Canes (Julian) at:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Both are good guys, well at least Julian is (LOL), and they can hook U up.

[CGNC]

hi cg,

Are you staying in NC for another season?

Posted by: solarcane | August 15, 2010 at 09:58 PM

Solar, yes unfortunately :\

Soup - NO on whitewater and I am not sure about Clemson LOL