What's So Special About That?

Here are three facts about football that we know to be true:

• Special teams are as important as offense and defense and account for approximately 30% of all plays during a football game. 
• Special teams are obviously a critical part of any football team's success or failure. They are game changers and momentum breakers. 
• Special teams have been anything but special for the Miami Hurricanes over the last five years under current coach Joe Pannunzio.

 

Sure we all know that Miami (seen above returning the opening kickoff against Clemson) returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns this season in one game against Ohio State.  That was a good effort and kept the Hurricanes in the game against the Buckeyes.

However, nine  games into the 2010 season Miami ranks last in the ACC in point after touchdowns (12th), next to last in kick off coverage (11th), next to last in punt returns (11th), ninth in field goals made, eight in kick off returns, and fourth in punting. 

 
What's up with Matt Bosher?   Why has he suddenly gone into a funk?  Why is he missing PATs and not kicking the ball into the end zone as a Senior?  Is he distracted or has he found a new love?

Why is Graig Cooper returning kick offs while recovering from knee surgery when the speedy Lamar Miller, the dynamic Storm Johnson and the elusive Travis Benjamin are available?  And by the way, where the heck is the dependable Thearon Collier when U need him? 

 
Head Coach Randy Shannon said before the season that he was taking a more "active role" in special teams.  But one has to wonder why should he have to with all of his other responsibilities?

And now the question that is on the minds of all Hurricane fans out there is this: Should special teams coach Pannunzio should be fired?

Please discuss amongst yourselves... 

Comments

[CaneRock]

Miami-FSU is a bragging rights game.

I think Miami-VT is a rivalry, but I also think that their is a mutual respect between the two.

Miami-UF is a heated rivalry IMO...

[mi@mic@ne]

VT spreads us out... and the field looks bigger. I guess its because they match our speed and the qb has the same speed as a receiver. Maybe if we rotated with prevent d and base d. But we havent been able to close off those running lanes. Our d backs will need to run support. We need to have as much speed on the field to counter their spreading us out.This is one team that out coaches us.

[Caniak aka true cane]

can we fire Shannon now? it is only tuesday but he is due for another wtf game like VA

[j.w.]

So sorry to hear of your loss, Va. It sounds like your Dad lived a great life, and you honored him with your post.

[raizecane]

The day Randy gets fired is the day Wade Phillips get fired......

[carolinacane]

Bart,
I' m in North Carolina (Gastonia). Still hoping the Canes get some luck because the ACC Ship is in Charlotte, just 20 miles away. By the way I don't like FSU or Florida And hate lucky Azz Va. Tech. I'll have to say this about them, they do more with less than any big time school there is. I don't hate Flo. as bad as I do FSU, though, simply because it seems like we're always after the same recruits and there in our Conference. I hate them the same way I hate Notre Dame.

[Zakkee]

Thanks for sharing that with us VA...you are a great example of your dad's legacy! I lost my dad when I was 11 years old and he was my role model. Alot of my friends and family don't know their dads or even love them, let alone think of them as their role model for life.

...we are truly blessed. My prayers and thoughts are with you!

..we know you so we know him.

[Old Skool]

Miami FSU is heated competition but very little bad blood.
Miami VT is a Johnny come lately. VT used to be walkovers
Miami FU has the bad blood dating back to the flop and UF avoiding scheduling us.

I always want to beat FSU, but I always want to eviscerate FU

[Zakkee]

SOUP, its ok to use the pictures I put up, but can you avoid using the ones with my girlfriend going forward, if its consorted with a phrase insinuating that Bosher is seeing her, they're in love or whatever etc... etc..? This is maybe the fourth or fifth time you and a few others have made these references (that I started jokingly 20 blogs back) and now its getting old. This is the internet and I had to convince her that posting her picture was ok in the first place ("I trust this blog...these are my guys"), but the reality is that I don't know everyone on here and the messages that always accompany this picture encourage responses like this:

[Bosher] "Is he distracted or has he found a new love?"
Hmm, she does look pretty good. I can see why Bosher's leg is a little, ummm, shifted.

She often reads the blog over my shoulder and if she sees 1) her pic again, 2) the caption and 3) a reaction like this ^^^, she's gonna freak out on me (and rightfully so).

I know your intentions aren't bad bro. Thanks.

[francis w]

VA Cane our condolences to your family.
Your dad sounds like a great guy and a tru role model.
Fran & Jean

[DallasTX Cane]

Sympathies, thoughts and prayers to U and yours VA Cane.

[Ungar]

I know your intentions aren't bad bro. Thanks.

Posted by: Zakkee | November 09, 2010 at 01:54 PM

Sorry. No bad intent was meant. Soup or solar, feel free to wipe my comment about it out.

[mi@mic@ne]

Is Boshers girl related to Jessica Simpson?... hehe

[Six]

VACane- sorry for your loss

[Six]

Dan Hawkins canned at Colorado

*19-39 record as the HC at Colorado

*Never had a winning season at Colorado

*Gave up the biggest collapse in 121 years in Colorado Buff football history in their past game ... giving up a 28 point lead in the final 11 minutes of the game, where Kansas scored 35 points to win

Some coaches can go to a different team and turn things around, either for the positive or negative

Gene Chizik - went from Iowa State, where he was 5-19 in 2 years .... to Auburn, where he is 18-5 in 2 years and on the cusp of going to the SEC Championship and most likely National Championship if they win that

Dan Hawkins - went from Boise State, where he was 53-11 in 5 years .... to Colorado, where he was 19-39 in 5 years

Of course, your supporting coaching staff helps as well with your success - then again, if you're Hawkins and you have 5 years, you shouldn't be 19-39 (nepotism at the QB position doesn't help either)

[SOUP]

Guys like my Dad, and players like mine are the reason I coach. I have never made a dime doing it for 30 years, but the feeling in my heart as I type this tells me how rich I am. Thanks for listening. VAC

Posted by: VA Cane | November 09, 2010 at 11:17 AM

A touching tribute no doubt. May you find comfort in your time of need. Sorry for your loss...

[Ohio_Cane]

Many prayers heading your way, VACane. Very sorry to hear.

[SOUP]

I know your intentions aren't bad bro. Thanks.

Posted by: Zakkee | November 09, 2010 at 01:54 PM

No problem, I understand and will remove it.

Thanks for being straight up about it so I can address it.

R E S P E C T

[CGNC]

Sorry for your loss VACane

[DZ8]

Posted by: VA Cane | November 09, 2010 at 11:17 AM

Thoughts and prayers.

[Ohio_Cane]

Just wanted to add - Bosher has the yips, plain and simple. They're like the shanks in golf. They come out of no where, and go away out of no where.

He'll be fine soon. I hope lol

[Zakkee]

Thanks Ungar and SOUP...its more than cool!

You can use my hideous pics and crack on me all U want!

[Zakkee]

Someone said it after the game and i agree now and then that Bosher's leg may be a little tired from carrying the load of all 3 kick motions for 4 seasons now. This makes since. Pannunzio not so much...he hasn't carried anything but footballs and tees.

[DZ8]

I think the blocking in front of him has him thinking too much. Doesn't he have a couple of kicks blocked this year? He probably has a better future in the NFL as a punter anyways but his placekicking would add versatility to his potential roster spot.

[Six]

If the helmet doesn't have that orange & green "U" on it, then that team can kiss my ass

I'm all about equality of not liking every single other team - they all suck to me

But I have a special place in a dark evil world of my mind for teams like UiF, FSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, VTech

Here's a question - what the hell is the excuse for Texas and their fans this year? That place has money to spend from alumni/boosters, the resources that the majority of schools combined couldn't put together, the facilities, a state the size of half of Europe to recruit from, they're almost always in the Top 5 or 6 recruiting classes every year, a lot of them come from high school programs in Texas that have cathedrals for playing fields and multi-million dollar weight rooms that would rival a lot of college weight rooms, etc. etc. etc.

Lamar Thomas put it best, when he was standing on the Canes bench during the Cotton Bowl Massacre, with his tongue out and helmet off, giving the double "horns down" sign with his hands to the stands.

[DZ8]

I didn't think he did much kicking his redshirt freshman year? Just punting and maybe a kick off or two.

Remember when we had Zamprano and Uribe as our kicker? LOL. I think Zamprano? had that one good pass on that fake to Epps I think. That was kewl.

[NativeCane]

Thanks Ungar and SOUP...its more than cool!

You can use my hideous pics and crack on me all U want!

Posted by: Zakkee | November 09, 2010 at 03:53 PM

Does this mean, YOU could photoshopped in as Bosh's distraction. J/K.ha

Go Canes!!!

[NativeCane]

^^^^^be^^^^^^

[Ohio_Cane]

Amazing photo of LM6 from this past weekend.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=161030033935999&set=a.145030705535932.18759.142963282409341

Omen for the future?? I sure hope so!

[canesteeler]

VA Cane sorry for you lost, your father sounds like he was an outstanding man.

[SOUP]

With the UM football team's most recent victory, the Hurricanes have become eligible to participate in a Bowl Game. In addition, the Hurricanes are in contention to play in the ACC Championship game on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Please review the information below for important ticket deadlines, as well as ordering instructions.

Bowl tickets will be awarded and seated based on your donor level and priority points.

The chart below indicates how many tickets you may purchase at your Hurricane Club Membership level. Additional tickets may be requested, though requests are not guaranteed and will be allocated separately.

Tickets requested for the ACC Championship and Bowl Games will be sold online and at the Hurricane Ticket Office.

Ticket allotments vary between each post-season game.

Tickets will only be available for the game in which UM participates.

Bowl Game pairings will be announced on December 5, 2010.

The deadline to request ACC Championship tickets is Friday, November 19, 2010.

The deadline to request Bowl Game tickets is Friday, December 3, 2010.

Tickets will be available to the general public after these dates.

[solarcane]

Va,
I'm truly sorry for you loss.

[solarcane]

cg,
I'm with you on the value of time spent worrying what a 17 year old kid is going to do, unless he is your own kid.

[solarcane]

canesteeler,
How did the stress test go?
I hope you are getting yourself healthy and back into the starting rotation.

[CaneRock]

What happened to Wieclaw, is He still on the team?

And also, did the kid that was supposed to walk-on from STA ever walk-on?

[Ungar]

Ben Hopfinger? Haven't seen anything about him since June.

[Ungar]

cg,
I'm with you on the value of time spent worrying what a 17 year old kid is going to do, unless he is your own kid.

Posted by: solarcane | November 09, 2010 at 04:38 PM

Or... if she is dating your kid.

[Ungar]

"With the UM football team's most recent victory, the Hurricanes have become eligible to participate in a Bowl Game."

When the PR guy typed that, did he do it with a straight face, or did he need to take a shot from his flask first?

[SOUP]

FROM WWW.HURRICANESPORTS.COM:

It wasn't as easy as the Barry game, but the University of Miami basketball team still had its way in its exhibition finale, pulling away for a 90-65 win over Florida Southern College Monday night at the BankUnited Center.

The Hurricanes got a combined 27 points from their starting backcourt Durand Scott and Malcolm Grant, another 14 from forward Adrian Thomas and Miami out-shot Florida Southern, 47.8-to-39.7 on the night.

The Mocs jumped out to a 17-13 lead nine minutes into the game but the `Canes quickly asserted their dominance, going on a 32-to-17 run the rest of the half to gain a 45-31 lead at the break.

It was much of the same in the second half. The Hurricanes kept the Florida Southern at bay, holding a double-digit lead that eventually expanded to 27 late in the contest.

Twelve Hurricanes played in the game, including 10 that played at least 14 minutes.

Scott led UM with 14 points, five assists and four steals, hitting on 6-of-10 from the field. Grant added 13, knocking down three three-pointers, while Thomas connected on 4-of-10 attempts from long range.

As expected, the more physically imposing `Canes controlled the paint, out-rebounding the Mocs 42-to-35. Reggie Johnson had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Thomas added six boards and DeQuan Jones and Julian Gamble each had five.

[j.w.]

Hopfinger and Wieclaw are still on the team. That neither is even kicking off by now doesn't make me feel all that confident about next year's kicking game.

[solarcane]

soup, skool

Showed up, stayed til the end.

today

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/fall1.jpg

ungar,
I know you dig that Americana charm.
I shot this for you when I drove by today. This is less than a mile from my house also.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/fallchurch-1.jpg

[ColoradoCane]

Hopfinger and Wieclaw are still on the team. That neither is even kicking off by now doesn't make me feel all that confident about next year's kicking game.

Posted by: j.w. | November 09, 2010 at 05:37 PM

I've heard UM is very interested in taking Oscar Diaz in this years class as well. He's at Milford Prep now trying to get his grades straight. (Played his high school ball at Booker T Washington last year)

[4-Real]

How big is Stephen Morris? Thought he was 6'2 190ish, yet over on the herald Manny list Morris @ 6'3 209lbs! With that bn said I feel Shannon should roll wit da kid and sit J12 4 the rest of the year (if Shannon can afford 2) and let J12 heal and hit the weights. Not ready to slam the door shut on Jacory just yet but Stevie 'Mo Betta' Morris should be given the opportunity to push Jacory, like Jacory was given the opportunity to push Marve. Va I'm also sorry 4 your loss. Our hearts & prayers our with U. Get well soon Canesteeler, looking 4ward to catchin some games wit cha.

[Sarasota 'cane]

u

[Sebastian]

Manny says #86 is now running with the 2nd team

I hope he gets some meaningful pt this weekend

Im also wondering that since #17 was handpicked by Whip to run the type of offense he likes to run......Are some of these player changes being made to help aid to the strengths of #17?

If so is this Whipple being given 99% control of the O(which he should have had from day 1)because #17 is back there or is RS calling the shots on it?

This is my opinion so slay me if you want, but I say if Whip had the on field(practice,film study,etc)say on who played on O we would be light years ahead of where we are right now. Passing,rushing,scoring would be higher

[Old Skool]

Looks like a nice size fish Solar. Was it caught in Unicoi?

[solarcane]

yea skool,
Right in front of where we ate lunch but over in the dreaded limbs.
The water is getting crystal clear you can see down pretty deep now.
I went out at 1 pm and caught three, with that being the pick of the litter.

any word on your closing?

[Sarasota 'cane]

The whole Cam Newton debacle just shows you how sleazy the SEC is from top to bottom, Vandy excluded!

Now don't get me wrong, I think Cam and his handlers have done everything that has been reported. But don't tell me that these allegations are being reported now for any reason other than a bunch of boosters wanting to sideline the kid so their team doesn't have to face him on the field!

I'm being dead serious here, does anyone think Meyer or Saban would do this personally?

Go 'canes!

[SOUP]

soup, skool...Showed up, stayed til the end.

Posted by: solarcane | November 09, 2010 at 05:59 PM

That is all it takes my friend.

Good things will happen!

[j.w.]

Good to know there's a candidate, Colorado. I had heard that name mentioned but don't know anything about him. I take it he has some talent (meaning a little more than what we've seen from the other two)?