The Man In The Mirror

If you have been paying attention lately then you definitely would have noticed that there are plenty targets of blame "flying around" Greentree Practice Field these days. 

The once proud Miami Hurricanes football program appears to be teetering towards the brink of being rendered irrelevant not only for this season but what seems to possibly be a permanent basis. 

 
And depending who you ask it could be any body's fault but "mine".  While blame to go around seems plentiful, ownership and accountability seem to be in short supply in Coral Gables. 

Not a single person, player or coach has stepped up to take responsibility for the Hurricanes dismal 7-4 record in a season filled with such high hopes. 

Instead the response from inside the program is more like a poorly written political campaign ad called "Excuses 'R Us."  Interviews with the current head coach are starting to sound more like 1980's genre Saturday Night Live comedy skits than real, actual discussions about football. 

Randy Shannon is the man in the mirror.  And the reflection he sees of himself and his once highly regarded program is not very pretty right now. 

So far this year we have learned that Duke is a "tough place to play", that Virginia (4-7, 1-6 ACC) is actually a "very good football team" and don't forget about that entirely new thing in football called "The Process" whatever that is. 

All the while and all across the Internet the forgotten fans who supported Shannon and now feel hurt and betrayed have been heard wondering out loud:

• Is it the coaches or players? 
• Is it the offense or the defense or special teams? 
• Is it Shannon or Whipple? 
• Is it recruiting or player development?
• Is it the uniforms, the cheerleaders or the stadium? 

Even one time program savior and sure to be hero and resurector himself Jacory Harris and the once dependable and reliable and seemingly untouchable Matt Bosher have found themselves directly in the cross hairs of the blame game this season.

Regardless of who's to blame (and most likely it is all of the above) someone has to step up and fix this mess.  And that someone is UM head coach Randy Shannon. 

No matter how you slice it the buck stops at Shannon's desk and he must own the team's current record and address the situation to resolve it in an effective manner. 

And he needs to do so quickly too. 

I was never really a fan of Michael Jackson. 

I have always been a fan of Randy Shannon.

In 1989 Jackson won an Grammy Award for his song "Man In The Mirror."  Jackson spent much of the next 15 years looking for himself.  He never did seem to find whatever it was he was looking for and died a tortured soul as his career and life were cut short in a tragic Hollywood ending.

In 2007 Randy Shannon was hired for his dream job as head coach of the University of Miami football team.  Shannon has spent the last four years searching for the right coaches, the right players and the right chemistry to restore the Hurricanes to National prominence. 

He has failed to do so. 

Now coach Shannon should take some advice from the late Mr. Jackson and stop looking around for people and things to blame.  He needs to look straight ahead and accept responsibility.  Or else his legeacy could read something like this from one of the King of Pop's songs: 

"A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart, and a washed out dream,

They follow the pattern of the wind you see, because they've got no place to be,

That's why I'm starting with me, I'm starting with the man in the mirror,

I'm asking him to change his ways, and no message couldn't have been any clearer,

If you want to make The U a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change." 

Randy Shannon needs to take a good, hard, long look in the mirror to see what needs to change. 

He needs to do it for The U, for his team and yes even for us the fans. 

And he needs to do it now.

Comments

[CGNC]

Solar - LOL there is no continuity on this team - you see Bosher laughing on the sidelines when we are losing and hear a story about Brandon Harris getting after Futch for not showing enough support. To me, that starts at the top - poor communication - or they are just not buying what RS is selling.

[Six]

When our current guys wiff
The other players look down at their shoes and wait for Brandon Harris or Sean Spence to try and save the rest of them.

I think that is exactly how it is going.

Posted by: solarcane | November 23, 2010 at 10:23 AM

Solar nailed it

When people saw on television what Miami Vice Telemaque was doing on the sidelines (some people actually thought he was yelling at Whipple - still cracks me up) - they were somewhat shocked or in awe that someone on the team was actually pissed enough to let it out on another player WHO SCREWS UP CONSISTENTLY

It shouldn't be that way

Guys on the team should hold each other accountable on every single play. Drop one pass or take an atrocious angle on a play and miss a tackle - that's your one freebie for the week, but you're walking on thin thin ice. Do it again? You should know you're going to have more than one person on the sideline waiting to rip you a new one - both verbally and physically

Remember what Brett Romberg said in that great interview with Lebatard? IF players felt that someone else was bringing the team down, it was motherf'ing hell to pay and they'd basically get a beat down b/c you are not one of them if you do what it takes to be them ... that's how it was, but that's not how it is now and that's sad

As it was brought up earlier, all these players who sign on the dotted line to become a Cane - why do they really do it and are they willing to pay the price to actually become a Cane? Or do they just basically want to wear the most fierce logo created on the side of their helmet, get the Nike Combat Gloves that have that logo on the bottom so maybe they can flash it at the camera and look cool, wear the uniform and come out of the smoke - just so they can get their meat whistle blown by females on/off campus

Sammy Watkins probably gave his verbal to Clemson b/c he sees the potential of what can happen there -or- he's seeing what is transpiring with the Canes, seeing same damn mistakes being made for how many years and seeing/hearing what's going on within the program

And once again with recruiting - is Watkins really a loss for the Canes if he was never a Cane to begin with? Collier is a loss, he was a Cane and helped them on special teams or catching passes. Some kid who is still in high school isn't a loss. Ya, sucks that he gave a verbal, but what the hell ever, move on

Mark Richt? Unless it's the Mark Richt of 2002

[Six]

I'd like to see someone like Seantrel Henderson or Orlando Franklin get up in the faces of the players who screw up during games

I'd like to see people trying to hold either one of them back on the sidelines from trying to rip the head off or choke slamming a player for constantly messing up

Maybe I shouldn't have used Orlando Franklin as an example, b/c he'd probably get called for offsides even on the sidelines

But you get my point

From the FSU and VTech games this year that I've spent standing next to the bench, Seantrel looks like he wants to lay waste to people when he comes off the field, if something goes wrong out there

Do it big man. I implore and beg for you to do it. When I saw Brandon Harris going up and down the bench, telling players to get up and go stand next to the field to root for the team, asking Futch what he did - that brought a huge smile to my face, but I also expected it from him. Why in the hell does it take just Brandon Harris to do that? and why is it basically just him doing it? At least last year, Joe Joseph would come back to the sidelines yelling, trying to get people to stop hanging their heads - and that was a big dude. If he yelled at me, I sure the hell would pay attention

Where is the attitude of this team? They seem to be like the dog in the neighborhood that lets out a nice bark behind a fence somewhere, sounding like a Rotty ... but when you find that fence and look over it and bark back, you find out that it's damn Pug

[VA Cane]

Coaches come and go The Legion is forever.

Posted by: solarcane | November 23, 2010 at 10:02 AM

Absolutely GD right!!! Dont get on the Boat unless you are going all the way. Captain Willard Apocalypse Now

Love your Who references Solar, guess you gotta be old to know it....by heart!!! Saw them in NC on Quadrophenia Tour...K Moon the best ever? hard to argue with him pounding that set!!

DZ IO meant that one of my kids asked me if I was gonna give it up....instead of a Favre....I told him I was coming back for sure...cause I love those Kids....cannot stand Favre....hope he takes some real shots this week!!!

[SinisterCane]

Soup wrote

I'd like to see someone like Seantrel Henderson or Orlando Franklin get up in the faces of the players who screw up during games

Serious????????

Orlando franklin has been flagged more then any other player in ACC, might as well kick the Sh!t out of himself

[Sebastian]

Im just seeing to much of this, oh well here we go again as soon things gets tough for the `Canes

As long as things are running smooth the team is jumping and acting as one

Either a leader hasnt stepped up or a leader hasnt been allowed to step up

[CaneRock]

When people are feeling down and depressed, what do they do? THEY GO BACK TO THEIR ROOTS! And the roots of the Miami program goes back to one Paul "Bear" Bryant...via Howard Schnellenberger. So if Shannon hasn't talked to Schnells, well then He needs to...

[Ungar]

I'd like to see people trying to hold either one of them back on the sidelines from trying to rip the head off or choke slamming a player for constantly messing up

Posted by: Six | November 23, 2010 at 02:03 PM

You know what, that would be AWESOME. Think about it, these guys are afraid to do anything (facebook, twitter, interviews) that doesn't follow the direct chain of command. I wonder how often the QB even calls an audible.

They are afraid to break the code. Position, Team, God, University.

Yep, They should let Seantrel hand out a few Code Oranges to the slackers on this team. Unfortunately, it might lead to this scene at a press conference that solar can load up someday:

----(wavy dream sequence)------

RANDY SHANNON
You want answers?

MANNY NAVARRO
I think I'm entitled to them.

RANDY SHANNON
You want answers?!

MANNY NAVARRO
I want the truth.

RANDY SHANNON
You can't HANDLE the truth!

RANDY SHANNON
Son, we live in a world that has games. And those games have to be played by men with helmets. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Steve Gorten? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Collier and you curse the Canes. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: That Collier's transfer, while tragic, probably saved sanctions. And my coaching, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves sanctions. You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about on blogs, you want me on that sideline. You need me there on that sideline. We use words like swagger, process, consistency... we use these words as the backbone to a life spent playing something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and blogs about the very games I coach, then questions the manner in which I coach it. I'd prefer you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a clipboard and coach a position. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to.

MANNY NAVARRO
Did you order the code orange?

RANDY SHANNON
I did the job Donna sent me to do.

MANNY NAVARRO
Did you order the code orange?

RANDY SHANNON
You're goddamn right I did.

----(wavy dream sequence)------

Yep, like I said yesterday, a coach like Ender Wiggin would have no problem ordering a Code Orange on the slackers on this team.

[Gin & Tonic]

**Blog Alert: This post had nothing to do with doom and gloom**

Gonna take my 4 yr old son to his first cane game this weekend. Can't wait to share the cane love with him.

86, you gonna be at the plantation this seekend?

[Ungar]

When people are feeling down and depressed, what do they do? THEY GO BACK TO THEIR ROOTS! And the roots of the Miami program goes back to one Paul "Bear" Bryant...via Howard Schnellenberger. So if Shannon hasn't talked to Schnells, well then He needs to...

Posted by: CaneRock | November 23, 2010 at 03:22 PM

I believe Randy goes back to Jimmy pretty often. At this point though, Howard, Jimmy, Dennis, Butch, and Larry would all tell him the same thing: "Work on your resume."

[Ungar]

**Blog Alert: This post had nothing to do with doom and gloom**

Gonna take my 4 yr old son to his first cane game this weekend. Can't wait to share the cane love with him.

86, you gonna be at the plantation this seekend?

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | November 23, 2010 at 04:06 PM

Excellent news! Starting them off with a win, to get them eager for another game. Future Cane Fan who will be able to say he didn't just jump on the bandwagon, right?

[solarcane]

Marve-Harris all over again
grow a sac Randy.

Shannon said Tuesday that he'll wait to see what Harris and Stephen Morris do in practice this week before a decision is made on who starts Saturday's home regular-season finale against South Florida (6-4).

"There's something people do not realize," Shannon said. "Jacory's cleared medically. But he's missed some time. We've got to get him back into it and everything. It's like anything, you've got to get both of them ready. Whoever has the best practice, that's who you go with."

Lets say Jacory has been playing football since he was 9.
Add in his high school playing time.

Add the time he has spent on the field with these particular Miami Hurricanes.

He has been running an offense he is as familiar with as any Junior QB in the country.
Three weeks of watching it from the sideline isn't going to dilute his memory.

So Randy thinks he needs to bring Jacory along slowly to let him start another game, because well Jacory might have forgotten how to play football over the last three weeks.

Randy, you make yourself look less qualified to be a head coach with every passing day.

[Ungar]

Either a leader hasnt stepped up or a leader hasnt been allowed to step up

Posted by: Sebastian57 | November 23, 2010 at 02:36 PM

Exactly. My comment about being afraid to audible was typed before I saw your comment, but the logic is still the same. These guys need to have some leadership delegated to them, which I think is not being done so far.

[solarcane]

I believe Randy goes back to Jimmy pretty often. At this point though, Howard, Jimmy, Dennis, Butch, and Larry would all tell him the same thing: "Work on your resume."

ROTF!!

[solarcane]

Morris had a legitimate shot at catching Jacory's 11 picks if he got the chance to start the USF game.

Jacory starts, he could make up three games worth of picks in a good two quarters if he puts his mind to it and TB gives him a little help.

[DZ8]

I'm glad Shannon isn't declaring a starter at QB. Maybe they'll actually "compete" for the position?

[DZ8]

Posted by: Ungar | November 23, 2010 at 04:04 PM

LOL. Shannon & Manny kept on turning into Jack and Tom.

2nd LOL... work on your resume.

[Ungar]

Lets say Jacory has been playing football since he was 9.
Add in his high school playing time.

Add the time he has spent on the field with these particular Miami Hurricanes.

He has been running an offense he is as familiar with as any Junior QB in the country.
Three weeks of watching it from the sideline isn't going to dilute his memory.

So Randy thinks he needs to bring Jacory along slowly to let him start another game, because well Jacory might have forgotten how to play football over the last three weeks.

Randy, you make yourself look less qualified to be a head coach with every passing day.

Posted by: solarcane | November 23, 2010 at 04:11 PM

Remember how last week 86 was wondering at the lack of discussion for the Canes versus VT, and I figured it was a quiet confidence? This week, I think it is that folks really don't care all that much.

7-6, 8-5, 9-4, what does it matter? And seeing how Shannon figures Morris could get thrown into the Maryland game with NO preparation, but that Harris will have to get the rust off to be able to get on the field, speaks volumes.

But really, at this point I am ready to move on from Harris. At least next year will have some upside if Morris is in there. You know what I mean?

[solarcane]

Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
Tackles
through 11/20/2010 Name Yr Pos G Solo Assisted Total Total/G
1 Colin McCarthy SR LB 10 39 56 95 9.50
2 Sean Spence JR LB 11 49 43 92 8.36
3 Ray-Ray Armstrong SO DB 11 37 29 66 6.00
4 Vaughn Telemaque SO DB 11 29 21 50 4.55
5 Ramon Buchanan JR LB 11 30 18 48 4.36
6 Ryan Hill SR DB 11 24 20 44 4.00
7 Allen Bailey SR DL 11 20 22 42 3.82
8 Brandon Harris JR DB 11 27 10 37 3.36
9 Olivier Vernon SO DL 11 20 12 32 2.91
10 Adewale Ojomo JR DL 11 17 13 30 2.73
11 Marcus Forston SO DL 11 12 18 30 2.73
12 Micanor Regis JR DL 10 12 17 29 2.90
13 JoJo Nicolas JR DB 11 10 17 27 2.45
14 Marcus Robinson JR DL 10 9 10 19 1.90
15 DeMarcus Van Dyke SR DB 11 10 8 18 1.64
16 Brandon McGee SO DB 9 8 5 13 1.44
17 Kelvin Cain FR LB 10 9 3 12 1.20
18 Kylan Robinson SR LB 11 7 4 11 1.00
19 Andrew Smith JR DL 9 5 3 8 0.89
20 Jordan Futch JR LB 9 5 2 7 0.78
21 Josh Holmes SR DL 7 4 2 6 0.86
22 Tyrone Cornileus FR LB 9 3 3 6 0.67
23 Cory Nelms SR DB 10 1 4 5 0.50
24 Orlando Franklin SR OL 11 4 0 4 0.36
25 Jared Campbell SR DB 8 3 1 4 0.50
26 Allen Hurns FR WR 9 3 1 4 0.44
27 Eduardo Clements FR RB 10 3 1 4 0.40
28 Tommy Streeter SO WR 7 3 0 3 0.43
29 Travis Benjamin JR WR 11 3 0 3 0.27
30 C.J. Holton SO LB 11 2 1 3 0.27
31 Kacy Rodgers FR DB 3 1 2 3 1.00
32 Brandon Washington SO OL 11 2 0 2 0.18
33 Mike James SO RB 11 2 0 2 0.18
34 Matt Bosher SR K 11 2 0 2 0.18
35 Team 11 2 0 2 0.18
36 Lee Chambers JR RB 8 1 1 2 0.25
37 Luther Robinson FR DL 9 1 1 2 0.22
38 Shayon Green FR LB 2 1 0 1 0.50
39 Stephen Morris FR QB 4 1 0 1 0.25
40 Nathan Gholston SO DB 4 1 0 1 0.25
41 Graig Cooper SR RB 8 1 0 1 0.13
42 Damien Berry SR RB 10 1 0 1 0.10
43 Leonard Hankerson SR WR 11 1 0 1 0.09
44 Tyler Horn JR OL 11 1 0 1 0.09
45 LaRon Byrd JR WR 11 1 0 1 0.09
46 Curtis Porter SO DL 1 0 1 1 1.00
47 Davon Johnson SO WR 3 0 1 1 0.33
48 James Gaines FR LB 5 0 1 1 0.20
49 Storm Johnson FR RB 7 0 1 1 0.14
50 Chris Ivory JR OL 11 0 1 1 0.09
Total 11 427 353 780 70.91

[360Cane]

Manny did a comparison of coaches and someone even dug deeper comparing Butch and Randy directly. Here is what I wrote if anyone would like to comment:

Butch Davis did not have to rebuild anything. He had to hold it together. Greg McMackin left Butch a NASTY defense. I mean N-A-S-T-Y defense. This is something Coker did not do for Shannon.

Why don't you go back, and look at what Butch had on defense for instance. Heck, look at what he had on offense, too. Well, here you go:

"The following players were coached or recruited by Davis in his stint at Miami: Ray Lewis (LB), Yatil Green (WR), Kenard Lang (DE), Kenny Holmes (DE), Duane Starks (CB), Edgerrin James (RB), Clinton Portis (RB), Frank Gore (RB), Bubba Franks (TE), Dan Morgan (LB), Damione Lewis (DT), Santana Moss (WR), Reggie Wayne (WR), Bryant McKinnie (OT), Jeremy Shockey (TE), Phillip Buchanon (CB), Ed Reed (S), Mike Rumph (CB), Andre Johnson (WR), Jerome McDougle (DE), Willis McGahee (RB), William Joseph (DT), Sean Taylor (S), Kellen Winslow II (TE), Jonathan Vilma (LB), D.J. Williams (LB), Vernon Carey (OT), Vince Wilfork (DT), Antrel Rolle (CB), and Kelly Jennings (CB). Moreover, Davis' smaller-than-usual recruiting classes are widely considered to have laid the foundation for Miami's undefeated national championship team of 2001 (under Davis' former offensive coordinator, Larry Coker), since many of his recruits were forced to play right away."

Read that last sentence again:

"Davis' smaller-than-usual recruiting classes are widely considered to have laid the foundation for Miami's undefeated national championship team of 2001 (under Davis' former offensive coordinator, Larry Coker), since many of his recruits were forced to play right away."

Isn't this exactly what Shannon is going through now? Notice the key word in there that Shannon uses time and time again about the 2008 class.

FOUNDATION

Now, let's look at the entire roster Shannon was left by Coker:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2007-2008/07-mfootbl-roster.html

Not to mention Shannon saved that class by getting Marve and Cooper. Could you imagine if he didn't get Marve? We would have had another year with Kirby Freeman at QB since Wright graduated. Freeman couldn't even start for Baylor after he transferred.

Good job on comparing the two, but take a lesson from Manny:

"But before you rush to judgment or an opinion, take a deeper look at some numbers"

Go deeper...that's what she said!

GO CANES!!!

[360Cane]

Oh and the one about players not being prepared for the NFL at THE U. The Sammy article:

Imagine that. Sammy had to be taught something they teach you in pre-school. The use of flash cards.

See, if you get out of those "regular" classes, and actually apply yourself to be in more advanced/AP classes you will see all those students using flash cards before every test. This is one way how you actually become more intelligent about the subject you're studying.

But if you spend time in college chasing tail and not worrying about studying film or taking your football seriously, you're going to run across articles like this one. In my opinion, it wasn't the coaching staff, but the character of the person being coached.

This article isn't telling me that our coaches aren't preparing the players well. This tells me we have kids that don't know how to study and prepare themselves for success. This tells me the players simply do not understand what it takes to be elite. Using your talents in HS is one thing, but talent can only take you so far at the next level. It hammers more on what's going on between the ears instead of just "flying around".

All the Green Bay coach did was show Sammy how to study. That's it, that's all. And because this is a job for Sammy now to where he actually has to earn money for a living, he seems to be all ears.

And who knows, maybe Sammy was struggling in school and had to spend more time with those studies instead of studying football. People just need to accept we are a private school that does give a rats ass about getting your degree and all that. We ain't the SEC where we pay you to play and give grades away.

I played football, and coaches would tell me to watch film. But they would not hold my little hand, and walk me to the film room. I had to watch it by myself and bring questions to my position coach that I had. He would spend time with me only if it were within the rules. It basically was solely on ME, no one else. Coaches can only do so much. Coaches will point you in the direction of what it takes to be the man on the field, but it is up to the player to take that first step in that direction.

What we need to understand is this is college football. It's not a job. In the NFL, there are no restrictions on how long coaches can be with players. They are no restrictions on how much time a player can be in the film room. They are no restrictions on how long players can stay out on the practice field. There are no restrictions to anything because they do not have 4 classes to attend after practice, finals to study for and all that.

When we would stay after practice, there would only be a trainer out there with us. No coaches to be seen because of "rules". You know. The one Rich Rod got in trouble for at Meechigan and West Virginia.

Eventually we'll have all the right pieces in place. What we need to practice is patience. And just so we all know:

Timmy Tebow was blasted by NFL scouts/analysts on how much his throwing mechanics sucked and all that. They also wondered what in the heck they were teaching him at UF.

So before we start thinking it's just THE U where this is happening...think again!

GO CANES!!!

[Sebastian]

USF looks like they play a pretty sound D

IMO this sure the heck isnt the time to worry about feelings or wonder how someone picks things up after sitting a few weeks

Start SM17, he has earned that right

[Ungar]

360Cane, solid points.

And in fact, nobody is questioning the improvement of Randy over Coker when it comes to recruiting.

It's the gametime moves that leave folks wondering. Get Randy an "assistant head coach" in charge of gametime deployment and interaction with the players, coordinators, and referees, and let Randy do what he does best, keeping Donna, the recruits, and their parents, all happy.

Hmm, who makes good game calls, outsmarts his opposing coach, changes his calls based on the talent out on the field, but isn't a strong recruiter and is not likely to take the job from Randy? Don Shula comes to mind.

I know, I am a dreamer, but the point still stands. Randy and co lost that UVA game before Harris got injured, and then couldn't react for another quarter even with the rest of the team begging for some reaction.

[solarcane]

Check this one out.
Note who leads the nation in giving up running plays of 40 yds or longer.
I guess BH couldn't run everybody down while his team mates cheered him on.

2010 National Leaders
Opponent Long Rushing Plays - All Games
through 11/20/20102010 10+ 20+ 30+ 40+ 50+ 60+ 70+ 80+ 90+
Name G Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards
1 East Carolina 11 85 22 11 6 3 2 1 1 0
2 Colorado State 12 79 22 10 6 3 2 2 0 0
3 Idaho 11 77 25 11 3 3 1 0 0 0
3 New Mexico 11 77 17 11 7 3 2 1 1 1
3 Tulane 11 77 21 9 5 2 2 1 1 1
6 Houston 11 76 22 4 2 2 1 0 0 0
6 Minnesota 11 76 27 12 6 5 1 0 0 0
8 Eastern Michigan 11 72 17 8 6 5 3 0 0 0
8 Kansas 11 72 15 7 5 3 0 0 0 0
10 Michigan 11 71 15 4 4 3 3 0 0 0
10 Washington State 11 71 26 11 5 4 2 1 0 0
12 Duke 11 70 16 8 3 1 0 0 0 0
12 Kentucky 11 70 16 10 5 3 1 1 1 0
12 Wyoming 12 70 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 Florida Atlantic 10 69 15 9 4 4 1 1 1 0
16 Air Force 12 68 14 7 4 2 1 0 0 0
16 Memphis 11 68 16 5 3 3 1 1 0 0
16 Miami (Florida) 11 68 19 11 6 4 4 4 2 1
19 Kansas State 11 67 24 15 8 5 3 2 2 0
19 UNLV 11 67 14 8 5 4 2 2 0 0
19 Western Kentucky 11 67 17 9 4 1 0 0 0 0
22 Ball State 12 66 10 5 2 1 0 0 0 0
22 New Mexico State 11 66 22 11 6 4 1 0 0 0
22 Purdue 11 66 7 2 1 1 0 0 0 0
22 Virginia Tech 11 66 19 9 6 3 3 3 1 0
22 Wake Forest 11 66 19 10 5 4 2 0 0 0
27 Utah State 11 65 13 8 4 3 2 0 0 0
28 Arkansas State 11 64 15 9 5 3 3 1 0 0
28 North Texas 11 64 13 7 5 3 1 0 0 0
28 Vanderbilt 11 64 19 10 6 5 3 2 1 0
28 Virginia 11 64 25 13 7 6 3 2 0 0
32 Indiana 11 63 19 8 4 2 1 1 0 0
33 Iowa State 12 62 7 2 1 1 1 1 0 0
33 Louisiana-Lafayette 11 62 19 3 2 2 1 1 0 0
33 Oklahoma 11 62 21 10 3 2 1 0 0 0
33 UCLA 10 62 20 7 4 0 0 0 0 0
37 Clemson 11 61 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
37 Middle Tennessee 10 61 22 11 5 2 1 0 0 0
39 Baylor 12 60 15 8 4 1 1 0 0 0
39 Louisiana-Monroe 11 60 18 4 2 2 1 1 1 0
39 Marshall 11 60 17 4 3 0 0 0 0 0
39 San Jose State 11 60 17 8 3 1 1 1 0 0
39 Western Michigan 11 60 23 13 5 3 1 1 0 0
44 Bowling Green 11 59 12 9 7 4 4 1 1 0
45 USC 11 58 16 6 3 1 0 0 0 0
46 San Diego State 11 57 14 6 3 0 0 0 0 0
47 Army 11 56 14 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
47 Central Michigan 11 56 15 9 6 3 3 2 1 0
47 Connecticut 10 56 12 6 3 2 0 0 0 0
47 Troy 10 56 19 11 7 5 2 1 1 0
47 UTEP 12 56 9 6 2 1 1 1 0 0
52 Arkansas 11 55 14 8 7 4 0 0 0 0
52 Navy 11 55 11 4 3 2 1 0 0 0
52 Northwestern 11 55 21 11 4 4 3 1 0 0
55 Akron 11 54 17 7 3 2 0 0 0 0
55 Colorado 11 54 17 6 1 0 0 0 0 0
55 Georgia Tech 11 54 11 6 5 3 0 0 0 0
55 Penn State 11 54 11 8 2 1 0 0 0 0
59 Buffalo 11 53 8 3 1 1 1 1 1 1
59 Florida 11 53 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
59 Mississippi 11 53 15 8 4 3 3 2 1 0
59 UAB 11 53 16 6 1 1 0 0 0 0
63 Stanford 11 52 13 2 1 1 1 1 0 0
63 Washington 10 52 19 10 4 4 3 2 1 0
65 Fresno State 10 51 16 9 6 4 2 1 0 0
65 Oregon State 10 51 8 2 1 1 0 0 0 0
67 BYU 11 50 17 10 3 1 1 1 1 0
67 California 11 50 9 4 2 2 0 0 0 0
67 Florida International 10 50 17 10 7 6 4 2 0 0
67 Mississippi State 11 50 7 4 3 3 2 1 0 0
67 Tennessee 11 50 15 8 5 3 3 2 1 0
72 Notre Dame 11 49 11 5 3 3 1 1 1 0
72 Texas 11 49 13 4 1 1 1 0 0 0
74 LSU 11 48 14 5 4 3 1 1 0 0
74 Louisville 11 48 11 7 3 2 1 0 0 0
74 Oklahoma State 11 48 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
74 Rutgers 10 48 19 5 3 2 1 0 0 0
74 Texas Tech 11 48 11 8 6 5 4 1 0 0
79 Maryland 11 47 8 3 3 3 1 1 0 0
80 Louisiana Tech 10 46 10 5 3 3 2 0 0 0
80 Michigan State 11 46 6 2 1 1 1 1 1 0
82 Hawai'i 11 45 6 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
82 Nebraska 11 45 15 4 1 0 0 0 0 0
82 Oregon 10 45 14 6 2 1 0 0 0 0
82 Rice 11 45 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
82 South Florida 10 45 8 3 2 1 1 0 0 0
82 Wisconsin 11 45 10 4 1 1 1 0 0 0
88 Georgia 11 44 12 6 3 2 1 0 0 0
88 Missouri 11 44 13 8 6 5 4 3 1 1
88 Nevada 11 44 12 8 5 3 1 1 0 0
88 UCF 11 44 8 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
92 Kent State 11 43 11 6 4 2 2 2 0 0
92 Northern Illinois 11 43 13 3 3 3 3 1 0 0
94 Auburn 11 42 9 2 1 1 1 1 1 0
94 North Carolina 11 42 9 7 3 2 1 1 0 0
94 Tulsa 11 42 11 3 2 2 1 0 0 0
97 Miami (Ohio) 11 41 16 11 7 5 4 3 2 1
97 Texas A&M 11 41 9 6 3 2 2 1 0 0
99 Illinois 11 40 11 7 4 3 2 1 1 0
99 Toledo 11 40 11 6 3 3 1 0 0 0
101 Arizona State 10 39 5 4 2 1 1 1 0 0
101 North Carolina State 11 39 15 6 4 3 2 1 0 0
101 Syracuse 11 39 11 2 1 1 0 0 0 0
104 Alabama 11 38 12 3 2 1 0 0 0 0
104 Arizona 10 38 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
104 Pittsburgh 10 38 8 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
107 Florida State 11 37 10 3 2 1 1 1 0 0
108 SMU 11 35 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
108 Utah 11 35 8 3 1 1 0 0 0 0
110 Temple 11 34 6 3 3 2 0 0 0 0
111 Ohio State 11 33 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
112 Ohio 11 32 8 3 2 1 0 0 0 0
112 Southern Mississippi 11 32 10 4 3 2 0 0 0 0
114 South Carolina 11 30 8 3 2 1 0 0 0 0
114 TCU 11 30 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
116 West Virginia 10 28 7 4 4 2 0 0 0 0
117 Cincinnati 10 25 6 4 3 2 1 1 1 0
117 Iowa 11 25 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
119 Boise State 10 24 10 3 2 2 0 0 0 0
120 Boston College 11 17 6 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

[pbcfrcane13]

Been doing some research on recruiting class ratings. Since some people will be freaking out cause this class will not be up to par. One thing I have noticed while putting this stuff together before people go screaming for Mark Richt just something to ponder.... Mark Richt has had since 02 7 top ten recruiting classes with 2 top 10 finishes in the BCS. I'm doig some more research on this.

When I'm done I hope to put together something for you guys to take a look at. No bias one way or another just facts.

[Ungar]

"Oh and the one about players not being prepared for the NFL at THE U. The Sammy article:

Imagine that. Sammy had to be taught something they teach you in pre-school. The use of flash cards."

I think their point was that Shields showed he COULD handle the load, once that load was put on him. They are questioning why that load was not placed on him earlier. After all the article was about Shields and the GB coach, not the DB coach for the Canes, but it still leads to wondering about why the DB coach for UM, getting a WR that needs to start from scratch, did not have those basics written down. Has SS responded to the article at all, in regards to how much he learned in college? I would love to hear how much he learned at UM.

[solarcane]

No bias one way or another just facts.

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 23, 2010 at 04:45 PM

pbc Remember to keep your helmet on even on the sideline.

[elliott]

Fact is Miami is irrelevant in the CFB world and these high school kids know it. No one wants to come to Miami and play for Wandy Shanonnn and his dumb a$$ looks he gives on saturdays. Who wants to play for a half empty stadium full of bandwagon fans who hate this team deep down. Also what kind of team does Randy have here? I mean we suck and our depth chart is pathetic. Other than one DB, a couple of dlineman and a really talented WR and RB who do we have? We suck and people finally realize this that is why everyone is going to FSU. FSU will win a NC before we do and they will continue to take recruits from Wandy and his sorry coaching staff. Other than Whipple everyone else needs to GO! Until Wandy is gone I am not supporting the University of Miami football team anymore at all! Wandy is sorry and so is the special teams coach who belongs at the Middle school level.

[pbcfrcane13]

Well not sure how much work in the class room UM players really have to do, but I would say it is easier for Shields to study now since this is the only thing he needs. No school work or anything. Plus how motivated was Shieds after all he went through with RS. Didn't sound like he worked very hard when he was at WR.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

SSIB: Sammy Watkins probably found it easier academically to get into Clemson. We also have THAT to contend with

Posted by: CGNC | November 23, 2010 at 01:03 PM

True, but i'm not gonna go as far as every single one of Clemsons' 20 plus commits are that dumb that they will only make it to that school, i think right now, you have to strongly consider that kids are waivering on us b'coz the U isn't really doing well football wise.

In this day of age, how many Cam Newtons do you really think are out there???? not saying the U will and do offer kids/recruits money, but anything and everything is a possibility including doctoring GPA's, i really don't think grade right now is the issue University of Miami is facing regarding recruits, i really think it has to do with what's going on in the field and if they think Shannon will be around for a much longer time.

[DallasTX Cane]

So Randy thinks he needs to bring Jacory along slowly to let him start another game, because well Jacory might have forgotten how to play football over the last three weeks.

Randy, you make yourself look less qualified to be a head coach with every passing day.

Posted by: solarcane | November 23, 2010 at 04:11 PM

I usually agree with U solar, but not this time. Jacory hasn't forgotten how to play football, but like many things one can become very good when doing something every day, however take 3 weeks off and U can still do it and maybe do it well, but not so well. Knowing what to do is easy; doing it at the speed of the game is what is difficult.

Think about like riding a bike. We all learned many moons ago and without doubt we can all get on a bike and ride right this very second. However, how many of us are ready to ride competitively or even do to some mountain biking on easy hills? Skiing is the same thing. Take some time off; when U come back, do U tackle the blacks immediately or do U warm up some first?

When I was flying in the Navy, there were very specific rules for the amount of flight time in what conditions each pilot & RIO had to log per week and per month. If U took too much time off (for whatever reason), U had to re-qualify before being allowed to fly certain flights in certain conditions. U have to practice night landings on land X amount of times before doing it at sea, on the carrier. U don't take 3 weeks off then head straight out on a moon-less night. Same theory. Performance in practice determines if J12's ready to play in a game.

I don't disagree with Randy's decision to observe both in practices this week before deciding on a starter.

I don't like Randy's explanations though. Makes him sound indecisive and leads to opinions and comments like yours. He should have either named a starter (who says he can't change his mind if he sees something in practice? He's the dam HC...say one thing, then change your mind on game day. F the media if they dont like it) OR simply said he'll decide on Thu or Fri...end of story. I don't like all the explanations of Jacory's status. Sounds like excuses for the man and makes Randy seem like a waffler.

[pbcfrcane13]

Hey Elliott where you saying that when Randy pulled in what the "experts" we calling a top 5 class. We had an empty stadium then we were losing the OB we were 5-7. We have always played in Half empty staduims with bandwagon fans. Go look at the 00-01 attendance.

The kids Butch brought in still came to UM to play for a coach who was a horrible gameday coach.....and couldn't win a big game till......oh those recruits came in and changed that. I'm just saying just because 5 star kids don't want to come here doesn't mean we will not be good....trust me like I just said I'm doing some research on that stuff.

BTW how has the big time recruiting classes done for us lately?

[Ungar]

Check this one out.
Note who leads the nation in giving up running plays of 40 yds or longer.
I guess BH couldn't run everybody down while his team mates cheered him on.

2010 National Leaders
Opponent Long Rushing Plays - All Games
through 11/20/20102010 10+ 20+ 30+ 40+ 50+ 60+ 70+ 80+ 90+
Name G Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards Yards
3 New Mexico 11 77 17 11 7 3 2 1 1 1
3 Tulane 11 77 21 9 5 2 2 1 1 1
16 Miami (Florida) 11 68 19 11 6 4 4 4 2 1
19 Kansas State 11 67 24 15 8 5 3 2 2 0
44 Bowling Green 11 59 12 9 7 4 4 1 1 0
47 Troy 10 56 19 11 7 5 2 1 1 0
59 Buffalo 11 53 8 3 1 1 1 1 1 1
88 Missouri 11 44 13 8 6 5 4 3 1 1
97 Miami (Ohio) 11 41 16 11 7 5 4 3 2 1

Only Six teams have given up 90+ yard runs this year.
Only Two teams have given up two 80+ yard runs this year, and both are named Miami.
Only One team has given up four 70+ yard runs this year.
But Five other teams have given up more 40+ yard runs this year than Miami.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

And once again with recruiting - is Watkins really a loss for the Canes if he was never a Cane to begin with? Collier is a loss, he was a Cane and helped them on special teams or catching passes. Some kid who is still in high school isn't a loss. Ya, sucks that he gave a verbal, but what the hell ever, move on

Mark Richt? Unless it's the Mark Richt of 2002

Posted by: Six | November 23, 2010 at 01:50 PM

You've got a point Six, every single one of our verbal commits, if they decide to waiver shouldn't hurt us, only current signed players will be a loss if any of em' decides to tranfer.

However, since we are all Canes fans here, you should know the whole story behind Seantrel and how he is producing for us right now, he was never ours in the beginning but how did that turn out for the Canes????

So, like you said no recruits/non-signed players are really a loss, but they could be a surprise and be a big gain for us.

[CaneRock]

Those long TD runs are the negative part of getting all those tackles for losses. We're playing an impatient brand of defense, were just blindly shooting gaps. And when you just blindly shoot gaps, it screws up your pursuit, that's why you don't see that wall of D-Linemen when a RB breaks that 1st level...

[canezilla]

WE SHOULD REALLY OPEN UP THE QB SPOT AND LET THE BACKUPS GET A CHANCE LIKE TAYLOR COOK oooo WAIT WHAT ABOUT CANNON SMITH oooo THATS RIGHT THEY WERE BOTH RAN OFF !!!!!

[DallasTX Cane]

Posted by: 360Cane | November 23, 2010 at 04:29 PM

360 - I think your take on things and positive spin is refreshing. nice, well thought-out posts.

I disagree somewhat on Butch rebuilding vs "holding it together" tho. He coached Miami from 95-00, taking the job while the program still had several big-time players...true, but he also knew that serious sanctions were coming. 30+ scholarships lost, right? Erickson wasn't known for his recruiting prowness. Butch's worst season - 1997, 5-6 record, occured when the last couple years of Erickson's recruits would have been in their prime. Starting in 98, we climbed back into the top 25 and stayed there.

Almost all the names U list were Butch recruits - they weren't here when he arrived. Their success is a testament not only to his recruiting ability but also to the development work of the entire coaching staff. Basically one guy out of 100 shows up ready to play college ball (think Sentreal). Maybe one out of a thousand+ could play in the NFL straight from HS; maybe fewer. Think Ed Reed...having a HOF pro career, grew and developed as a player tremendously while in college. Butch was HC, he gets credit for that development. It wasn't handed to him.

Finally, the program was out-of-control and headed for even more serious sanctions when Butch arrived. he proved U can clean it up, graduate players AND compete for conference and national titles. The "mess" Randy had to clean up from Cokers last season was nothing compared to what Butch inherited.

I'm still pulling for Randy and believe he has 2 games this season plus next season to get the team to put it all together. The clock is ticking though.

[solarcane]

DTX we are talking about a 18 or 19 year old kid, that has had football shoved down his throat since he could walk.

We are talking about a kid going into a football game after three weeks off, not an Astronaut that has been grounded a couple months.
I don't think college football would speed up in that short amount of time.
I mean he was right on the sideline helping coach, concussion and all.
How was Morris able to perform at full speed when he had never even been in a college game?

If Jacory can't go straight in and play at his age, he should sit his azz down with a bunch of 40 to 60 yr old guys that haven't got the confidence or the ability to do their jobs without a trip to the chiropractor or the liquor store.

I think the world has given up on how smart or how adaptable a human being can be.

All this specialized treatment.
Playing one position because that is exactly what you have been conditioned to believe is the only thing you are capable of.
I don't buy it I guess.
I'd love to see someone tell Paul Hornung, Dick Butkus or Larry Csonka after three weeks off they can't play today because they might not perform up to speed.

jmo DTX, you know how I am.

[AfriCane]

All u guys need to take that pill. The sky is not falling. This team was rebuilt from zero. U have freshmen playing that r now seniors. The foundation is back. Now, we just need to watch the ride. If u recall, someone actually rented a plane to fly a fire butch Davis banner back then. Who the hell cares to listen to the fans anyway. Everyone needs to turn down the noise. We have a crap load of seniors coming next year.

[solarcane]

ungar I must have read some of that chart wrong lemmie go look again.
Maybe we aren't as bad giving up the long run as I had led myself to believe.

[AfriCane]

And for you Morris lovers, things are a little different when you are asked to win the game by slinging the ball frequently, isn't it? Your interception ratio goes through the roof doesn't it? It's evident it was the game plan that doomed j12 with interceptions.

[THE MAN]

G&T,

I'm debating on bring my almost 3 year old son to his first game on Sat too. Not sure if he will be able to sit through most of it, but I know he will like the experience.

[mi@mic@ne]

Randy should go with Morris and he should have started the season with Miller and Storm. Dont shoot yourself in the foot... You go with the talent... always.... even if it is young.
Jh is tough but he doesnt have the arm or can run like Morris... we need to find receivers that can catch the ball.

[solarcane]

wad up Nigerian?
long time since I've seen you post

"We have a crap load of seniors coming next year."

Having crap loads is what we are all about lately they should fit right in.

I know what you meant though.

I would think after playing together 4 or 5 years with the same coach you would be capable of better than average results, so I agree, with Randy we could possibly go 9-3 next year.

[mi@mic@ne]

These recruits should see that we will start freshman if they are better playas.

[solarcane]

we need to find receivers that can catch the ball.

mi@mi, he is over at USC now, we didn't need him here.

[mi@mic@ne]

If we had receivers that caught this yr we could have put up with the other problems and still gone to the ACC championship. How many passes... especially in the fourth q did we drop? How many dropped passes change the momentum in these games? What if our tight end dropped Dorseys pass in the go ahead touchdown when we played for the NC?

[mi@mic@ne]

against FSU in the orange bowl.

[Sebastian]

Next years schedule is going to be tougher then this years

Alot of backsides will be puckered up as next season closes in

[DallasTX Cane]

I hear ya solar. I just dont have a prob w/RS waiting to decide on a starter until after some practices. Just wish he'd have spoken better & more decisively. He publically hems-n-haws.