Rewind: 2009 Legends Of The Fall Winners

As all of you Canespacers (old and new) now know one of our annual traditions here at Canespace is for the fans to select their "Legends of the Fall" (LOF) prior to each football season.  

Each blogger selects one player on offense and one on defense that they believe will have either an all-star season or a breakout season that will lead the Hurricanes to victory.

In 2009 we had 131 total bloggers vote in the official LOF poll.  Some were frequent bloggers who you would recognize but many others were those who read regularly but rarely comment. 

In addition we had several guest bloggers who also voted in the poll that you will read more about later in the article.  Among these we former Hurricanes OL Don Bailey Jr. (seen above with Canezilla and The Shoes), QB Steve Walsh, LB Jon Beason, and WR Lamar Thomas (seen below with 86Cane). 

We also had responses from media representatives Manny Navarro (MIami Herald) , Shandel Richardson (Sun-Sentinel) and Gary Ferman (Canesport).

Here are the official Canespace Legends of the Fall for 2009:

Offense: Leonard Hankerson, Jacory Harris, Jason Fox, Jimmy Graham*.

Defense: Brandon Harris, Allen Bailey, Colin McCarthy and Sam Shields*.

QB Jacory Harris, who early on was considered to be a legitimate Heisman candidate during the 2009 season, was a no-brainer.  WR Leonard Hankerson was a surprise to many as apparently 'Hank's work with former Miami Dolphin WR Mark Duper paid huge dividends.  Jason "No Flaws" Fox was steady and reliable and the Canes best and most consistent OL. 

Allen Bailey played both DT and DE and was a popular choice among the fans. CB Brandon Harris was the Hurricanes most improved player and won several post-season accolades.  LB Colin McCarthy was among the Canes leading tacklers and was Miami's best LB in 2009. 

Jimmy Graham (seen above with OcalaCane and The Queen of Coffee) and Sam Shields were selected as "Honorary Canespace Legends", not necessarily for burning it up on the field but for their hard work, effort and team orientation that helped Miami win games this year. 

As you know, Graham went from being a basketball player at UM to becoming a very good TE in less than six months.  Shields changed positions before the season to help the team as he went from being a WR to becoming a starting CB and special teams star. For their unique contributions and special efforts they deserve to be recognized as Legends of the Fall.

The official winners of the Canespace 2009 "Legend of the Fall" selection process were:

ColdCane: Jacory Harris and Brandon Harris

TeflonCane: Leonard Hankerson and Allen Bailey 

OrangeandGreenintheVein: Jacory Harris and Allen Bailey

Conch: Jacory Harris and Allen Bailey

SarasotaCane: Jacory Harris and Sam Shields

CoCane: Jimmy Graham and Sam Shields

In the original voting WR LaRon Byrd led the ballots on offense with 26 votes.  Jacory Harris was second in the balloting and received 23 votes. 

Only six Canespacers voted for 2009 LOF selection WR Leonard Hankerson: ColdCane, Calvin, 360, Rashad, TeflonCane and guest blogger Lamar Thomas.  Only three bloggers went out on a limb and voted for honorary selection TE Jimmy Graham: OceanCane, CoCane, and Sy-Cane.

Vaughn Telemaque (seen below with AngryCane), Eric Moncur and Marcus Forston all received numerous votes on defense yet failed to make the final cut.  LB Colin McCarthy led the Canespace LOF selections on defense with 11 votes.  UM DE/DT Allen Bailey was second among the defensive selections with 8 votes. 

DB Brandon Harris received five votes from Bham, ColdCane, NashvilleCane, Slim32 and SeoulCane.

Surprisingly Canespace honorary selection DB Sam Shields received eight pre-season votes from RayChanCanesFan, 323Cane, CanesGirlNC, CoCane, NativeCane, SarsotaCane, Sam Shields Sr.  and 86Cane.

Among the former players three had selections that had one correct pick were: Jon Beason who selected Jacory Harris; Lamar Thomas chose Hankerson; and Don Bailey Jr. voted for McCarthy.  Only Steve Walsh who selected Graig Cooper and Sean Spence (seen below with 86Cane) was shut out.

The media representatives were not as lucky.  Manny voted for Kendal Thompkins and Vaughn Telemaque, Shandel chose Graig Cooper and Telemaque and Gary selected Thompkins and Ojomo.  

All were all shut out in the selection process, which just goes to show how difficult the Legend of the Fall selection process really is! 

So now we move to the 2010 Legends of the Fall and the new selections are in.  They will be posted tomorrow night here on the blog.

Good luck to all of those who participated and GO CANES!

Comments

[UMike]

first?

[MaryLouAlumni]

Second

[j.w.]

Third At least I got one right last year!

[SOUP]

I'll just wait outside your garage with a tub full of Kool Aid, the orange and green kind solar!

Posted by: DZ8 | August 23, 2010 at 09:19 AM

FRIENDS AT LAST!

[SOUP]

Soup- Reason #1 We are 2-1 against Miami in the last 3 meetings. (Yes I know you guys beat us up here)

Reason # 2 We still have the QB that ripped your secondary to shreads last yr.

Reason #3 Our two RB (Ellington & Harper) are more that capapable of replacing Spiller.

And just for junk talking purposes- Reason #4 Jacory Harris is good but is HIGHLY overated.

And I will definitely take you up on the tailgating invite. That's what we do up here. I just hope you are willing to get to the game 8 hrs early because thats how we do.

And to everyone else, don't get so upset. Junk talking is what college football is all about. You guys should know that because Canes fans are the best at it.

Posted by: GvilleTiger | August 23, 2010 at 11:25 AM

OK, NOW WE ARE TALKIN': R E S P E C T!

Nice reply and TRASH talk is fine as long as it stays focused on football and doesn't get personal.

We can do tailgating, I don't know about 8 hours, that depends on ganme time. About 8 of us will be driving over from North GA so we will have to see about when we can arrive.

But we will hook up for the tailgate and make a friendly wager (NOT $$$) just for fun that we can agree on.

Way to man up and thanks for the reply here on Canespace. If you are a serious about your team and can write a little I'll even post a blog article writen by you (send photos too!) here the week of the Clemson-UM game.

Deal or no deal?

[SOUP]

SOUP, thanks for going back to a 2007 post that you vaulted...to make me look stupid..lol!

I guzzled the kool-aid straight back then. The worst part was that I asked for it...kids...smh.

Posted by: Zakkee | August 23, 2010 at 09:44 AM

No problem, it's what friends do. Don't feel bad you had LOTS of company back then, even from some of the BEST of them. LOL

Just remember: Friends don't let friends go to FSWho!

[Ungar]

seventh!

[raizecane]

1st after Ungar......

[The Advocate]

SOUP,

I didn't get to list my Legends of the Fall. Last year I picked Forston and Collier. Let's see now, one is returning from injury, the other is now a Trojan (and we wish him the best, no doubt). This year, I have to go with #7 and #4. I think if these guys do great, then we'll have a very exciting year.

- The Advocate

P.S. Put me in the 12% this year. I wasn't crazy enough about the 2007 OU game (when it all began - that one makes me shudder, but we won last year and that's all that matters!!!) to put myself on the list back then. This year, I think we will because we have to.

[SOUP]

This year, I have to go with #7 and #4. I think if these guys do great, then we'll have a very exciting year.

Posted by: The Advocate | August 23, 2010 at 01:28 PM

Got it: Telemaque and AJ II.

[Sinistecane]

Living in Jacksonville what do I have to do to watch the FAMU game?? I wish the canes would stop putting them on the schedule.

[The Wizard]

Has anybody noticed the rash of defections from UF recently ? Another player (Adrian Coxson) has left today. Nobody seems to be talking about this. I think something is brewing in Gainesville that is flying under the radar. Anybody have any insight ?

[Six]

Ah, the Taterhead comes back to actually talk about the game in the PM and not at 1:something AM

I thought it was a drive by fart that was dropped onto the Space by an opposing fan

I wonder if he went onto a North Texas or Presbyterian site and did a drive by post as well .... yes, those are the 2 opening games for Clemson

Can anyone tell me where Presbyterian is

They face Auburn next, then have a lot of time to prepare for the Canes

I'd be talking some smack as well if my team had that long to prepare

Auburn, Sept.18 and then the Canes, Oct.2

True, Clemson is 2-1 in the last 3 meetings ... 2 of those meetings went to OT, both of which Clemson won. Don't really see this game going to OT

I did like the way that Spiller played - also like Harper alot

But I like Berry, James, Miller, Johnson, Coop better

I see Miami pulling this game out up at Clemson by a TD

I do know that a strength of Clemson will be their OLine, so Parker should have some protection - although I'd love to see him scramble and have Ray Ray or Miami Vice Telemaque come up and put him to sleep

I think Clemson is going to need more than the "Power of the Pebble" that they touch before the game when they run down the hill

I don't think Jacory, even though he is "HIGHLY overrated", will be as bad as the Clemson fans think, esp. after sleepwalking through FAMU, but then going through Ohio State & Pitt before heading to Clemson. I think by that time, Jacory and the Canes will be on the same page with one another by being battle tested ..... as opposed to facing North Texas and Presbyterian & finally a legit team in Auburn, like Clemson

On another note, not really relating to the game - here's a funny observation

Spiller & Harper are ballers no doubt - then again it's another case of Florida kids that are shining on another team somewhere in the nation .... as usual. Funny how that works, a lot of teams around the nation have Florida kids that are playmakers on their team b/c their own state can't provide the talent that can match the state of Florida

CJ Spiller, Jacoby Ford & DeAndre McDaniel last year - all players who had an enormous impact obviously .. all Florida kids

This year - Jamie Harper. DeAndre McDaniel. Kyle Parker. Tavaris Barnes. Rashard Hall. Carlton Lewis.

The QB, the RB, 3 Safeties, and the future DE

[The Wizard]

One other thing. Is "The Truth" ever coming back. I sure do miss his inside information.

[Six]

I also love that 30/30 that ESPN did on Clemson that was the highest rated 30/30 of the entire series

Wait ..... what?

[UMike]

Sinister...you can watch it on espn3.com..which use to be espn360...if you get it through your cable company. Go to espn3.com and check it out..I dont think it is on tv anywhere

[j.w.]

Umike is 100% correct- Sinister. Even if you buy the ESPN college football package you can't watch the FAMU game anywhere.

[SOUP]

Living in Jacksonville what do I have to do to watch the FAMU game?? I wish the canes would stop putting them on the schedule.

Posted by: Sinistercane | August 23, 2010 at 01:39 PM

U could just GO TO THE GAME!

[SOUP]

One other thing. Is "The Truth" ever coming back. I sure do miss his inside information.

Posted by: The Wizard | August 23, 2010 at 01:56 PM

Not likely.

I have to admit he was good for about 5 good, solid, insider tips a year.

Of course he also was good for a few posts that would run away about 5 people each year because he was the ONLY one who knew anything and everybody else was an idiot and knew NOTHING about football or the team or anything else for that matter.

But he mostly posted about food, and chicken soup, and cup cakes, and sometimes scotch. Man that dude loved to eat!

[411]

Hurricane Gameday w/ Coach Randy Shannon will premier this Thursday. Segments include the boss miked up during training camp. (thanks to Feet)
Stay tuned for times/channels/markets...
Go Canes!

[solarcane]

he was the ONLY one who knew anything and everybody else was an idiot and knew NOTHING about football or the team or anything else for that matter.

Wait a second, I thought that was all of us.

[Native]

Gville Tiger,We were at Crystal River scalloping this weekend and a pontoon boat full of morbidly obese Gator fans with cutoff jeans and mullets rode by singing Lady GaGa's Bad Romance at the top of their lungs.
Wheres a camera when these Classics happen!
Think of a boatload of this guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JZVbanZWsE

[solarcane]

FAMU preparing for the Miami bloodletting

What ever happened to that Leroy Van return guy?

"The offensive session was led by offensive coordinator Lawrence Kershaw. Kershaw emphasized the importance of following assignments. Offensively, the Rattlers are looking to get in sync. With starting QB Martin Ukpai missing a few days early on in drills due to an asthmatic reaction, the team looks to focus on the timing of the quarterback and its corps of receivers. The offensive line looked to counter defensive shifts of the Hurricanes.

The defensive session was focused on the tendencies of the Hurricanes. Various settings and formations were shown by the scout offense emulating that of the Hurricanes. “We are just about where we need to be defensively,” head coach Joe Taylor said. The Rattler defense looks to be solid this season. It is expected to be one of the most dominant in the conference with a mixture of veterans and newcomers."

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"I think something is brewing in Gainesville that is flying under the radar. Anybody have any insight ?

Posted by: The Wizard | August 23, 2010 at 01:54 PM"

The six most exciting days in Gaineshell are the six home games a year, all other 349 days are varying degrees of BORING and Urban is mad as a hatter to the point his own team can't stand the guy for the most part. It's the other side of the coin that explained why Pimp was going to about three colleges after UM, Southern Cal, UCLA, or Washington, and you knew he wasn't putting up with the cold monsoon in between sunsets at 2 pm.

[PhillyCane]

411, would love to hear more details

[roachcane77]

In SW FL, Game Day is on at 5:00pm, this Thursday, on Comcast Sports South (CSS).

SOUP... Here's a post that should be vaulted.

U could just GO TO THE GAME!

Posted by: SOUP | August 23, 2010 at 02:18 PM

(Priceless.)

[The Advocate]

Spacers,
Answer this... How does the VT/BSU game affect the OSU/Miami game? Think about this... let's just say Boise State looks impressive in a win against VT because of a young defense which either foolishly gambles or just doesn't react quickly enough in their inexperience. Does OSU come out guns blazing as opposed to their usual close-to-the-vest-don't-make-any-mistakes selves? If VT wins, does UM feel an advantage?

- The Advocate

[roachcane77]

Don't we ALWAYS want our opponents to win, (except against US).?

We want the strongest strength of schedule for all of the "voters" in the polls.

We want VT to beat Boise... they'll be higher ranked when we beat them!

[j.w.]

I don't see any effect on the OSU Miami game, Advocate. Like Roach said, we want VA Tech to win but OSU will give us their best game regardless of the outcome. It might affect the spreads on the game, but nothing else IMO.

[DallasTX Cane]

Posted by: The Advocate | August 23, 2010 at 04:40 PM

No affect IMO. OSU won't need "style" points so early in the season. Given their ranking, they need only worry about winning.

On our side, I sincerely hope that playing the #2 team in the nation on national TV in their house is motivation enough. If not, we have some serious problems.

I hope VT wins out until we stomp them into the dirt. That'd be some nice payback for last season.

[SOUP]

he was the ONLY one who knew anything and everybody else was an idiot and knew NOTHING about football or the team or anything else for that matter.

Wait a second, I thought that was all of us.

Posted by: solarcane | August 23, 2010 at 02:44 PM

Pretty much...outside of Roach, CGNC and DTX who are the ONLY really sensible people on this blog.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Aren't u guys glad we're playing OSU early in september instead of late november???

I remember the players shivering wearing long sleeves in the lower 60's, that ain't good.

Jacory during the monsoon up in Blacksburg, he came out in the second half with sleeves and still did not help him out.

I also remember bunch of players from the 305 area saying they've never been to a place that dipped to below 60's.

I think us playing the tough teams early in the season will help, they don't have to play them in the cold.

[JameriCANE]

So basically, the only way to catch the FAMU game in Orlando is to hop on the Turnpike or I-95 South and go to the game?

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

What is up with treasure coast kids being too in-love with F$U????

Tony Steward, big fan of the Semiholes.

[j.w.]

Posted by: solarcane | August 23, 2010 at 02:44 PM

Pretty much...outside of Roach, CGNC and DTX who are the ONLY really sensible people on this blog.

Posted by: SOUP | August 23, 2010 at 05:23 PM

Hey, I/we all resemble that remark! :)

[Laron Byrd #1 Fan]

O: Thomkins
D: Bailey

[roachcane77]

Old School baby, old school... when you have OJ Anderson, Chuck Foreman & Ruben Carter in your classes at the U... you're definitely old school and gain some small bit of perspective about this stuff.

JameriCANE, you don't get ESPN3 on your computers in O-town?
That's how I'm watching it.

http://espn.go.com/espn3/index

(Of course I hook my laptop up to my big screen TV & sound system so it's a decent size.) Sometimes jumpy & pixely, but better than nothing...

[elliott]

Okay so here is my question again. I live in NC and I have Time Warner Cable which does not support ESPN 3. Can I purchase the ESPN GAMEPLAN Package and be able to watch the game next Thursday? They have not made the tv schedule for the Gameplan Package yet so I am just waiting to see if they pick up the game. Anybody know the answer to this? If not I am thinking about getting Direct TV just so I can watch the game on my big screen. If not I am going to have to bare with justin.tv.com and watch a glitchy game for 120 minutes. Man Time Warner sucks...

[411]

Posted by: elliott | August 23, 2010 at 07:02 PM

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think you'll be able to see the game on gameplan OR direct tv...

[j.w.]

nope, elliott- you won't get it through Gameplan. You have a few options- 1)a friend with a slingbox, 2) find a coffee shop, internet cafe, etc. where you can connect to espn 3; or 3) listen to the game from wqam.com. Wish I could give you a better alternative.

[SOUP]

So basically, the only way to catch the FAMU game in Orlando is to hop on the Turnpike or I-95 South and go to the game?

Posted by: JameriCANE | August 23, 2010 at 06:04 PM

Roger that! Tickets are $19 dollars.

JameriCane...U flying solo or with friends? If solo, ride with Angry and Canechic to save costs and I'll give U a FREE ticket to the game.

I'm jus sayin'...

[SOUP]

Wish I could give you a better alternative.

Posted by: j.w. | August 23, 2010 at 07:12 PM

elliott...I know where U stand so I'm gonna give it to you straight. Since U are obviously NOT going to the game then on 9/2 from 7-10 PM here's what U do:

1. Smoke a fatty, or two.
2. Watch porn or Monty Python for a couple hours.
3. Check Canespace for updates now and then.
4. Read about the 55-10 UM victory over FAMU the next day at the UM web site.
5. Prepare for the NATIONALLY televised game against OSU the next week.

Problem solved.

[WindyCane1]

One other thing. Is "The Truth" ever coming back. I sure do miss his inside information.

Posted by: The Wizard | August 23, 2010 at 01:56 PM

Not likely.

I have to admit he was good for about 5 good, solid, insider tips a year.

Of course he also was good for a few posts that would run away about 5 people each year because he was the ONLY one who knew anything and everybody else was an idiot and knew NOTHING about football or the team or anything else for that matter.

But he mostly posted about food, and chicken soup, and cup cakes, and sometimes scotch. Man that dude loved to eat!

Posted by: SOUP | August 23, 2010 at 02:27 PM

The Truth is . . . Clint Hurt! He is now in Louisville

[roachcane77]

To MY knowledge, ESPN GAMEPLAN will NOT carry our Thursday night game vs. FL A&M.

According to the ESPN site, GAMEPLAN doesn't even start until Saturday, Sept. 4th.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/schedule

Although it DOES show our game vs. FL A&M being carried on ESPN Mobile TV... (I didn't even think that still existed... ?)

Here's another good site for NCAA FB TV listings...

http://www.nationalchamps.net/2010/sub/tvlistings/sep4.htm

[1canesfan]

Hello all,

I am pretty sure this has been touched upon but U can stream ESPN3 through the Xbox 360 with a gold membership.
That's the route that I have to go in the Orlando market with Uverse.

[Jfgc06]

Fellas whats goin on its Upnorthcane i had to sign in thru my aim because typade keeps giving me a sites not registered error .....

My lof are: aldarius mr glue hands and ray please dnt hit me armstrong

[SJMPARMAN]

I am going to stick with my spring LOF's of Thompkins and Futch.

[Sebastian]

Marlins let Cody Ross go?

Hmmmmm that was an interesting move to me

The guys a pretty solid ball player. IMO a bad move

Saving $ I guess

[Jfgc06]

After all of the things ive read guys i would like your opinions on lamar miller and storm johnson..... These two guys are too good for just mop up duty they need the ball at least 10 times a game ....

[j.w.]

jf- Others say you can. I don't have a ps3, so I don't know how. But at least two other posters tell me it is possible startin this year.