The University of Miami football team has been called many names over the last three decades, some of them true some not so true. One thing that IS true is that Miami is accurately known as "Tight End U".
Don't believe me? Then just read this partial list of former Hurricane TEs that have gone on to do great things at the highest level of competition in the NFLU:
Glenn Dennison: Drafted in the 2nd round of the 1984 NFL Draft as the 39th pick, and played for the New York Jets (1984) and the Washington Redskins (1987).
Alfredo Roberts: Drafted in the 8th round of 1988 NFL Draft as the 197th pick, and played for the Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1990), and the Dallas Cowboys (1991–1993).
Bubba Franks: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2000 NFL Draft as the 14th pick and played for the Green Bay Packers (2000–2007) and the New York Jets (2008).
Mondriel Fulcher: Drafted in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL Draft as the 227th pick and played for the Oakland Raiders (2000–2002).
Jeremy Shockey:Drafted in the 1st round of the 2002 NFL Draft as the 14th pick and played for the New York Giants (2002–2007), and the New Orleans Saints (2008–2010). Shockey currently plays for the Carolina Panthers (2011-present).
Kellen Winslow: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft as the 6th pick and played for the Cleveland Browns (2004–2008), and currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009–present).
Kevin Everett: Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2005 NFL Draft as the 86th pick, and played for the Buffalo Bills (2005–2007), suffered a career ending cervical spine injury in 2007, was not removed from the active roster by the Bills until 2008 so he could qualify for full pension.
Buck Ortega: Played for the Washington Redskins (2006), Cleveland Browns (2007), Miami Dolphins (2007), and currently playing for the New Orleans Saints (2008–present).
Greg Olsen: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft as the 31st pick and currently playing for the Chicago Bears (2007–present).
Jimmy Graham: Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 NFL Draft as the 95th pick, by the New Orleans Saints. Played four years of college basketball at Miami and only one year of football at The U. Currently plays for the New Orleans Saints (2010–present).
Dedrick Epps: Drafted in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft as the 235th pick by the San Diego Chargers (2010). Currently plays for the Miami Dolphins (2010–present).
This year there are so many players battling for time at tight end that no clear front-runner stands out. The final depth chart at the end of Spring practice was actually pretty interesting considering that the players competing for the position were simply listed alphabetically.
The little talked about and seemingly unheralded Clive Walford may have been the most promising of the group in the Spring. He played extremely well in the scrimmages and in the Spring Game. Walford showed great ability to catch passes in traffic and the willingness to battle for the ball in the air. Many Hurricane insiders have already warned us that Walford is the man to beat at TE for Miami in 2011.
Asante Cleveland was not able to play this Spring due to injury although if he had he certainly would have been able to show his many skills. Cleveland showed big time ability late last season, but missing the Spring could hurt him a lot, especially with a new coaching staff in place.
Blake Ayles, John Calhoun, Corey White and Chase Ford are also in the mix.
Ayles is a tall, lanky pass catcher mutch like Greg Olsen. He transferred from USC under the NCAA rule allowing Trojans to transfer without the usual one year requirement to sit out a season. Ayles impressed some with his excellent route running this Spring.
Calhoun is a converted fullback and White is a converted OL trying to find playing time at TE in 2011. Both are devastating run blockers.
Ford is entering his Senior season in his second year at Miami after transferring from a JUCO. At the beginning of last season Ford was seen as the answer to the TE position at Miami but had a disappointing year that included several drops along the way.
With continued questions at QB this year Miami is expected to keep the ball on the ground a lot in 2011 so it will be especially important to have tight ends that can block effectively in the running game.
In fact we expect the Hurricanes to play two tight ends at the same time in certain situations early in games and with the lead late in games making the TE position critical to this season's success.
Still the question remains: Who will be the next great tight end at TE U?
Hola...
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:28 PM
First?
Posted by: SinisterCane | June 13, 2011 at 03:28 PM
Damm you Roach missed by seconds :)
Posted by: SinisterCane | June 13, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Dude... it never fails..whenever I am "offline" for awhile, come back to my machine and check into Canespace... I end up being #1.
When I'm online for 6 hours straight, I never end up being first.
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Hola...
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:28 PM
QUE BUENO, EN ESPANOL Y TODO!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Hey Soup, if SinisterCane hasn't gotten one in awhile, please give him my Canespace t-shirt...
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Since I no longer live in Miami, (32 yrs away now), my limited Spanish, (from 4 yrs in Jr. & High school), is now pretty much limited to the dialog we had to memorize way back when...
"Hola Isabel, ¿como esta? Estoy bien, gracias, ¿y tu?"
That's it folks... LOL
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:35 PM
5. Lack of fan support at home.
Posted by: SOUP | June 12, 2011 at 09:59 PM
RE: Miami Heat
Sounds like both the college and professional fan base in the Tri-Counties of South Florida in general. Say it ain't so.
Yeah, yeah it's understandable that SoFla is an INTERNATIONAL city and mUcho peoples migrate down there from other vicinities of Pax Americana. Yikes.
Still, it's a known sports generalization, that the folk in the metro areas of South Florida be BANDWAGON and FAIRWEATHER sports fans par excellance. Get outta' here.
Posted by: macjones de Albuquerque | June 13, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I think "Clive" is a good name. So we should make him the TE.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 13, 2011 at 03:36 PM
Moonbat...Check it:
http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/walford_clive00.html
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:39 PM
Blake Ayles has officially enrolled in classes at the University of Miami and will be a member of the football team for the 2011 season.
Ayles, a senior tight end, comes to Miami via Southern Cal, where he played the last three years under Pete Carroll (2008-09) and Lane Kiffin (2010).
In three seasons as a Trojan, Ayles caught 14 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown, including a career-best 54-yard touchdown grab against Cal this past season. Ayles' position coach at USC, Brennan Carroll, is now the Hurricanes' tight ends coach and national recruiting coordinator.
Ayles went to USC after an impressive prep career at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif. Out of high school, he was rated as the No. 2 tight end prospect in the country and the 31st-ranked player overall in his class.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:40 PM
I feel pretty good about our TEs now... I think with Golden being a former TE himself, we'll see a greater focus on getting TE's involved in the offense.
Got pretty tired of Whipple-ball killing nice drives by chucking bombs to WRs as far as JH could heave it. (Not very productive, or consistent.)
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:40 PM
43 John Calhoun
Class: Junior
Hometown: Micco, Fla.
High School: Sebastian River
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 250
2009 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games mainly on special teams, but saw more action at fullback towards the end of the season ... Carried once for six yards against Florida A&M ... Also has a catch for four yards against Florida A&M ... Has two kick returns for 17 yards, including a long of 16 yards against Duke.
2008 (FRESHMAN): Played in season opener against Charleston Southern ... Participated on the scout team.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for former Hurricanes tight end Randy Bethel in high school ... Saw action at middle linebacker, defensive line and tight end and late in the season was tried at fullback and H-back ... Finished the season with 92 tackles, three sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles ... Two-year starter who was a special teams standout ... As a senior in 2007, made 98 tackles and four sacks ... Finished the season with an invitation to the Brevard County North-South All-Star game ... As a junior in 2006, totaled 121 tackles, three interceptions (two for touchdowns) and five sacks ... Ranked as the No. 17 fullback by ESPN.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:42 PM
82 Asante Cleveland
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
High School: Christian Brothers
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 255
2010 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in 12 games for the Hurricanes, starting two... Fifth on the team in receiving yards (110)... Had a season-high 34 yards against North Carolina... Had two receptions for 32 yards against Virginia Tech... Had at least one reception in each of the final three games.
HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked the No. 15 tight end and a three-star recruit by Scout.com ... As a junior earned all-league honors after leading his team with 21 receptions for 262 yards and four touchdowns ... As a senior had 24 receptions for 412 yards and seven touchdowns.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Got pretty tired of Whipple-ball killing nice drives by chucking bombs to WRs as far as JH could heave it. (Not very productive, or consistent.)
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 03:40 PM
That's because that Whipple Factor sly, subtle intentions were to bloody U-ndermine Coach Shannon. That's all.
And lo and behold. That Whipple Factor achieved his goal. Even in the Sun Bowl game, his offense was A.W.O.L. lmao
Posted by: macjones de Albuquerque | June 13, 2011 at 03:44 PM
84 Cory White
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Orange Park, Fla.
High School: Fleming Island
Height / Weight: 6-6 / 275
2010 SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR-OFFENSE
2010 (FRESHMAN): Saw action against Florida A&M and Georgia Tech... Caught one pass for no gain against Florida A&M... Also graded out at 100 percent against Georgia Tech in limited action... Named the scout team offensive player of the year
2009 (FRESHMAN): Redshirt season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 25 best tight end in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 79 offensive tackle by Scout.com ... Very athletic lineman who runs well ... Played both tight end and defensive end ... Earned All-County, All-City honors ... Named first team All-First Coast by the Jacksonville Sun ... Class 5A All-State Third Team ... Also lettered in basketball and baseball ... Coached by Neal Chipoletti.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:47 PM
9 Chase Ford
Class: Senior
Hometown: Corrigan, Texas
High School: Corrigan-Camben
Last College: Kilgore JC
Height / Weight: 6-6 / 245
2010 (JUNIOR): Appeared in nine games, starting one... Recorded 37 yards against Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl... Had three games with at least two catches...
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Second team junior college All-American ... Named first team Southwest Junior College Football Conference's MVP after leading the conference with 32 receptions and 545 receiving yards ... Named first All-SWJCFC ... As a high school senior at Corrigan-Camden High, earned All-District honors as a senior.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2011 at 03:49 PM
To pick at old scab with a GRINDING AXE.
The Virginia game is all U-all Cane ruffians need to know about Miami's ex-offensive coordiantor.
The Hurricanes have a decent running game going in the second-half and what does Miami do when they reach the red zone of the Cav.
The O-coordinator goes away from the running game and puts a GREEN QB in bloody harm's way and the Kid throws a INT in the endzone.
And this basically takes away a possible FG, which comes back to haunt Miami in the waning minutes of the fourth-quarter of a close ball game.
Posted by: macjones de Albuquerque | June 13, 2011 at 03:52 PM
Thanks RoachCane I received 1 for my Wife but if 86 want to give me that hot green shirt, I'll take it. lol
Posted by: SinisterCane | June 13, 2011 at 03:56 PM
My money is on Cory White. The size, speed, and team mentality will cause problems for someone.
Posted by: Big Daddy Cane | June 13, 2011 at 04:06 PM
Imagine, a guy named Clive with dreadlocks. I've come across so many Jamaicans named Clive, it even stopped being remarkable after a while.
If we run 2 TE sets, we could call the formation "Cleveland & Clive." It sounds like a buddy film.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 13, 2011 at 04:10 PM
To pick at old scab with a GRINDING AXE.
Posted by: macjones de Albuquerque | June 13, 2011 at 03:52 PM
What's a grinding axe? Does it make a difference if it's in ALL CAPS, or is it nonsensical both ways?
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 13, 2011 at 04:12 PM
"What's a grinding axe?
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 13, 2011 at 04:12 PM"
It's the present version of an ax you're going to use on the ground capitalized or not?
The mac is just feeling the euphoric swell of Terry's called tat shot connecting for the former Wildcat who played under Lute right now it appears.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 13, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Have OGV and Macjones ever been seen together at the same time?
Things that make U go hmmmmmmmm...
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Today's wurd on da skreet is...
By far the guy everyone wants to see at CB is Clements. There is a feeling that this guy really can be special at CB. In addition to Clements it looks like Finnie will see time.
People do not realize that Grimble was a HUGE steal on NSD. He may be the big DT run stopper that Miami needs. He could see some PT this year also.
3G is going to be really good. He is solid and a leader.
Everyone is waiting to see how the Canes and Golden are going to use Crawford. He has a chance to be a real game changer. Speed to burn.
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2011 at 07:00 PM
I am going to say the guy who actually catches the ball...yes that is the one I like!
Posted by: canechic | June 13, 2011 at 07:26 PM
I know what you mean Soup... both OGV & macjones seem to communicate in the same nonsensical verbiage... it's beyond my limited comprehension most of the time.
(Guess I'm just too old to understand.)
BTW can't make the WYP2 Tour this year... have a wedding to attend on the 23rd. Maybe next Summer...
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 07:49 PM
FSU pitching is having a bit if an issue this evening.....8-0 aggies top of the 2nd!
Posted by: canechic | June 13, 2011 at 07:51 PM
I like the way you think canechic... all this talk is just that... talk... ranking "stars"... 40 times... blah, blah, blah...
Performance on Saturdays is where it's at!
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 07:51 PM
CWS Teams in...
http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/baseball/d1/2011
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 13, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Tweeted this too.
Not Caned related, but fantastic news for college football - Per College Football Talk - "Eric LeGrand: 'Twitches going throughout the body, coming back' bit.ly/iVlEUU #collegefootball"
Posted by: OhioCane | June 13, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Canes**
Posted by: OhioCane | June 13, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Marlins melting down again! Where is Sebastian?
Posted by: canechic | June 13, 2011 at 08:15 PM
old Skool,
soup,
received your checks today you guys are gold thanks for getting them in so quickly.
Anybody that would like to enjoy a weekend in the mountains, on and in a beautiful river be sure and email me
solarcane@hotmail.com
WYPT 2.0 is rolling out July 22-24 this is a weekend you will remember a lifetime.
I'll post the long version info later tonight.
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2011 at 08:15 PM
skool,
I got all your voice mails in one clump today.
I'm not real sure the Verizon network we have is actually an authentic one the people outside this county use.
I'm really happy you can make the rafting trip skool it wouldn't be the same without you.
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Thats a good article on the tight ends by the way.
The summer is the perfect time for Canespacers to give hacking out an article a try.
There is no pressure, no deadline, nobody looking over your shoulder.
I was very fortunate to have Six donate a big chunk of his time to help me grind out
The Fifty Fabulous Floridians series that ran a good part of last summer.
We would all enjoy reading something a fellow spacer cooked up.
Here are a few, but not all Canrspacers I'd like to read an article by, these are off the top of my head because they are folks that usually put me in my place with real facts when I get carried away.
canechic,
Alpharetta Cane,
OGV
VaCane
fran
DallasTexasCane
roach
Canesteeler
Six
CGNC
ocalcane
canerock
Big Daddy
dj moonbat
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Manny - "Zach Duke just hit a two-run home run off Ricky Nolasco in the third inning. He's a pitcher. #Diamondbacks lead 8-0"
Lol
Posted by: OhioCane | June 13, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Wet Your Pants Tour 2.0
July 22-24
Whitewater Rafting on the wild and scenic Chattooga River. An adventure you will never forget.
Sightseeing in the beautiful north Georgia mountains. No pollution, no crowds, no bullshyt.
Visit Helen on Saturday nite for live music, bars, shopping, and harassing other ACC fans.
Take a few hours Sunday for a relaxing tube ride down the Chattahoochee River right through downtown Helen and beyond, or hit the water park for some great water slides and lazy river fun.
Hang out with fellow Canespacers for a weekend of memories that will last a life time.
$130.00 per person
Includes:
Whitewater raft trip and lunch payment to N.O.C. $100.00
includes raft, helmet, life jacket, guide, pre trip instructions, transportation to put in, river trip, lunch, transportantion back to NOC outpost, showers.
There is a very well stocked gift shop with
everything Chattooga River available
Provided by solarcane for $30.00 donation to help with costs:
All lodging
Transportation to South Carolina NOC outpost and back.
Friday night appetizers
Saturday pre run breakfast
Saturday night Dinner
Saturday Night late night snacks
Sunday breakfast
Snacks for trip home
Coveted WYPT2.0 Part Time Pirate Tee Shirt
VERY limited production run of this year's shirts.
Here is the art work for front and back
front
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/wypt20112leftchestbest.jpg
back
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/wypt2011bestback.jpg
Cut off date for reservations for this years summer run is June 23 don't miss this chance to get away to the mountains and white water for a great time!
email me
solarcane@hotmail.com
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2011 at 08:42 PM
“(Jason Terry) shoved it up everybody’s ass,” Cuban was quoted as saying in an ESPN report. http://sports.espn.go.com./dallas/nba
Espcially that " 6-dUde " dwelling in the St. Pete's/Tampa area. Get the fUc! outta' here. Will yah.
Bon jour
Posted by: macjones de Albuquerque | June 13, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Huh?
I'm a Magic fan. Family has had season tickets since the days of Terry Catledge and Reggie Theus
I'll give you a "D" for effort though .. I guess
Posted by: Six | June 13, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Is Old Skool going to be on the Wet Your Pants Tour?
I remember seeing those pics of him in the back of the raft with that smirk on his face, waiting for the perfect moment to dump someone out of the boat
He didn't try to pull any shenanigans when I had lunch with him in Tampa at a pretty damn good BBQ joint
Posted by: Six | June 13, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Off topic - For any hockey fans out there. Boston putting it to Vancouver BAD. 4 goals in 1st 10 mins. Luongo pulle after 3 of em after 8:40 into the game
Posted by: OhioCane | June 13, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Pulled**
Posted by: OhioCane | June 13, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Vancouver getting beat down up in Chowda-town .. 4-0 in the 1st Period
Noles getting beat down in their house by the Aggies .. 9-2, top of the 6th (meaning that Mike Martin will not win the CWS AGAIN in his 31 years at the helm of the Noles
It's a good night so far
Posted by: Six | June 13, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Six the magic organization is about as good as the marlins. I love messing with "magics" fans...so if Dwight leaves and maybe goes to Miami? I told them I do not want to see them burning his jersey at the altamonte mall...lol!
Posted by: canechic | June 13, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Six the bruins came to play loving it!
Posted by: canechic | June 13, 2011 at 08:57 PM
"Posted by: roachcane77 | June 13, 2011 at 07:49 PM"
We are not related and we are independent individuals so put away the conspiracy theories gentlemen right this second. Besides, macjones has no opinion on Broduer and the Devils of New Jersey and I'm sweating the Parise contract every day now, so that's proof enough right there we are not one and the same.
Is anybody else raising an eyebrow that highly touted Ayles (consensus #1 at his position coming out of Lutheran despite the #2 ranking cited above) has done nothing under the Cheating Pete's son tutelage and now we get the same quality of coaching applied to our university's players at the position in question? Let's just hope his eye for talent is as slick as his tongue is in selling the program to wrangle verbal commits and he improves his coaching ability in the interim to actually get some production. Please don't cite overgrown and slow as molasses Fred Davis to me, guy was a third tackle playing off the line in a conference with no defensive athleticism to bring him down or even catch his lumbering @$$ to attempt to.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 13, 2011 at 09:01 PM
CC - Is it even possible they could afford Howard? I remember reading he said he was gonna retire with Orlando, but I wouldn't hold most athletes to their word lol
Posted by: OhioCane | June 13, 2011 at 09:02 PM
canechic - when they resigned/matched JJ Reddick to keep him in Orlando, I just shook my head ... also shook my head at Grant Hill robbing that organization for all those years while just sitting on the bench b/c of his injury
---
on a side note, who the hell are those 2 overly fat guys at the Noles game on ESPN that are walking down on the front row, in FSU jerseys and getting the crowd to do the oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh N-O-L-E-S NOLES chant?
Exactly like the Canes chant
Posted by: Six | June 13, 2011 at 09:06 PM
What about Richard Gordon as the next great 'Canes TE?
I bet he survives and thrives (well, at least lands a roster spot) with some NFL club.
Can't remember who drafted him, but anyone who returned a KO in his college career (vintage Shannon) should be on the above list.
Posted by: AlpharettaCane | June 13, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Golden will make a difference at TE and the other positions as well. I saw the spring games, and I was suprised to see the TEs more than held their own.
The Canes have the talent, but never performed on the field. They have put some players in the NFL the last two years, and they will put more this season. I would be suprised if the Canes do not produce at least one 1st round pick in the 2012 draft.
As Phil Steele recently commented in a Sun Sentinel article, the Canes were the most talented team in the ACC the last two years, but simply under-performed. Golden will change that.
I see double-digit victories and a possible ACC championship for the 2011-12 football season. Golden will get the recruits to buy into the program, and he will renew the BCS runs the Canes are used to very soon.
Posted by: WindyCane-Forcast1 | June 13, 2011 at 09:20 PM