By any standards, the University of Miami football team's record over the last four seasons has been anything less than stellar. Some fans would even go as far as to say that the Hurricanes' record was completely unacceptable given the level of talent on the team.
In looking back, apparently one of the early warning signs was when Miami lost to Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando back in December 2009. By that time it was clear that even the Badger mascot (seen below looking quizzical) appeared to know that something was up and that the end may be near for head coach Randy Shannon.
By the end of another disappointing season in 2010 the on the field results spoke for themselves and directly led to a head coaching change at the end of last season. Randy Shannon was out and Al Golden was brought in to replace the once loved and respected former Hurricane player and coach.
As a result many Miami football fans have felt a wide range of strong emotions about their team. Many still feel hurt, confused and disappointed. Some fans even feel jaded by the recent results of their beloved football team.
One of those so-called "jaded" fans is my good friend, kayaking expert, fishing guru and original Canespacer Solarcane.
Solar uses the Canespace blog for exactly what it was designed for: To promote the free and open flow of opinions,positive and negative, about UM sports. He often shares his insights about Hurricane players and coaches and occasionally speculates about past, present and future of the Hurricane Nation.
SolarCane (seen at L below with OcalaCane at C and Old Skool at R) loves nature, and mountains and waterfalls. Well, let's make that most waterfalls. He is a kind, patient, thoughtful and gentle man. There was a even time when he used to write "Peace" after every comment he made on the blog.
He is not the kind of guy who uses the word "hate" very often. But Solarcane pretty much hates the word: POTENTIAL.
He, like all Hurricane fans, wants to see results. He wants to see them on the field, and he wants to see them now. And he definitely wants to see them before he puts himself at further risk of drowning by jumping into the deep end of the pool of "potential" (seen below).
Solarcane is indeed a patient man but he, like all of us, has suffered through all of the hyperbole and hoopla from all of the hooligan's on Canespace over the last six seasons and to put it bluntly it now appears as though he has had enough of that nonsense to last a lifetime.
While most UM fans are currently interested in knowing IF the current players on the team (inculding some of the new recruits) are in any way different in attitude or have changed their previous poor work ethic or negative patterns of behavior, Solar has no time for that.
He could care less about any ridiculous predictions about which players will be stars or any completely unfounded prognostications related to the Miami Hurricanes' 2011 football season record.
SolarCane is jaded. He just doesn't have the time or energy to care about things that are beyond his control. Simply put,what Solarcane wants is this:
1. A respectable team that plays hard on every play of every game.
2. The Hurricanes to beat teams convincingly (but especially the Tar Heels).
3. Miami to finally win their first ACC title.
4. For UM to play in and win a meaningful bowl game in January.
5. A BCS title in the not so distant future would be nice too.
When you come to think of it, some may consider Solarcane to be a bit jaded, but then aren't we all?
When you come to think of it, what the kind, friendly, kayak fisherman who now lives in the rural mountains of Northern Georgia really wants is what we ALL want, isn't it? So, I guess that in the end, it turns out none of us like feeling jaded after all, now do we?
[]_[] GO CANES []_[]
Posted by: 3G Cane | June 27, 2011 at 11:29 AM
So, I guess that in the end, it turns out none of us like feeling jaded after all, now do we?
Posted at 11:27 AM | Permalink
No, we certainly do NOT!
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 27, 2011 at 11:36 AM
3G with a FIRST? Very nice work there newby!
Email me your shirt size and a mailing address and I will send you a 2011 Canespace T-shirt.
[email protected]
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Me three
Posted by: hassan | June 27, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Hassan...the FULL Swasey interview will have to wait until August when Fall camp starts. I will do a Part I and a Part II with Part I running later this week.
More to follow...
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Just like Tyler Horn, I am on the ball.
Posted by: 3G Cane | June 27, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Morning all.
Posted by: IraqiCane | June 27, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Hey, If coach McDonald can get these guys to catch the ball on a regular basis, he will have done his job.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Wurd on da skreet is that in voluntary, player led, 7 on 7 drills is that WR Dorsett is very hard to cover on any type of quick, short routes and that WR Scott is a tough matchup for CBs because of his size and with safeties because of his size and speed.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Looks someone has Solar flair.
Posted by: Old Skool | June 27, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Wurd on da skreet is that in voluntary, player led, 7 on 7 drills is that WR Dorsett is very hard to cover on any type of quick, short routes and that WR Scott is a tough matchup for CBs because of his size and with safeties because of his size and speed.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 12:17 PM
But damn: where's the Byrd Man?
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 27, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Off topic warning - Russell Wilson heading to Wisconsin to play football, ESPN says; official announcement coming http://bit.ly/lK6i2z
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 27, 2011 at 12:42 PM
good day, friends, finally done traveling for a week or so. And the Cane sabbatical is about to end for me.
Posted by: j.w. | June 27, 2011 at 12:53 PM
But damn: where's the Byrd Man?
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 27, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Sometimes no news is good news!
The news was only about the two Freshmen WR. Byrd and Benjamin are still likely starters at this point with Streeter, A. Johnson, Thompkins and D. Johnson all rotating through.
There are a few others that are still vying to break into the top 6 and get some PT.
We understand that AJ recently had what we will call a positive "intervention" that involved a few players and coaches. The main focus was to give him support and to get him right for the Fall camp and this season.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 01:04 PM
Hi all! Hey j.w. still riding?
Posted by: CGNC | June 27, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Sometimes no news is good news!
The news was only about the two Freshmen WR. Byrd and Benjamin are still likely starters at this point with Streeter, A. Johnson, Thompkins and D. Johnson all rotating through.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 01:04 PM
Aight. The Blur and the Byrd Man still could do great things. And I don't use the word "great" very much. The only thing keeping them from being the U's next Wayne/Moss combo was coaching. Let's hope there's still time.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 27, 2011 at 01:21 PM
I am CG! I'll go Wednesday unless I can get in on Tuesday. Can't wait, I had to miss time because of travel for work and vacation, so I'm really anxious to get back out. And someone is offering a "free" Apaloosa, so I have to look into it. :)
How are you doing? Riding every day?
Posted by: j.w. | June 27, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Soup,
Is Dorsett that good or could it be our Corners are going to be that bad? I know we are hurting in that area.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 01:30 PM
The homeless hotel featured on 60 Minutes last night burned down.
http://www.wftv.com/news/28365780/detail.html
Posted by: Old Skool | June 27, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Man, when it rains it pours... these people just can't catch a break.
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 27, 2011 at 02:04 PM
Soup,
Is Dorsett that good or could it be our Corners are going to be that bad? I know we are hurting in that area.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 01:30 PM
I remember asking those SAME types of questions for the last 3 or 4 offseasons... hopefully, THIS YEAR, the answer is Dorsett is THAT GOOD!
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 27, 2011 at 02:06 PM
SOUP, your boy AJ got the beer belly called out didn't he? You can give just a little wink, wink to affirm that the Keystone budget was reigned in to nothing for him by his teammates instead of just flat out saying it. He might end up redshirted due to freshman favoritism (yes I went there with your precious Golden!) in the WR corps this year anyway which could pay an actual dividend for him by giving him a year to get with the program and work his way back into shape for '12 when he'll have a chance to contribute and then maybe get drafted based on combine potential rather than disappointing college production making him a passed over player.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 27, 2011 at 02:09 PM
More ego than brains
Chad Ochocinco is at it again. Now the wide receiver says he will wrestle alligators.
One bite, bye bye career.
Posted by: Old Skool | June 27, 2011 at 02:22 PM
I don't know if they were doing it before, but IF they weren't, it's good to here that the we have players doing voluntary workouts.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 27, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Maybe Chad will try to wrestle the alligator Greek style -- in the nude.
That would certainly up the ante.
Posted by: Old Skool | June 27, 2011 at 02:29 PM
OGV,
It shouldn't of taken A.J.4 years to get his head right. I think Goldie doesn't reshirt him & says adios and thanks for wasting a schollie.He's another Ryan Moore. One good season and that for him was his freshman year. He might catch 15 balls this year.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 02:53 PM
I am with Solar! :)
Posted by: canechic | June 27, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Slow/no news day?
Posted by: 2002nemo | June 27, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Herbie, OchoEgo is over 30 and still hasn't gotten his head on right yet. AJ still can turn it around.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 27, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Soup,
Is Dorsett that good or could it be our Corners are going to be that bad? I know we are hurting in that area.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Here's my answer:
ALL of the above. Can't say more.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 03:08 PM
AJ is just lucky they are renewing his scholly this year. Talk about diminishing returns...
Posted by: 3G Cane | June 27, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Slow/no news day?
Posted by: 2002nemo | June 27, 2011 at 02:58 PM
--------------------------------------------
The latter. No new news I've seen anywhere. Other than the RB Brown is going to Pitt, not Miami now.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 27, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Did anybody REALLY expect anything from AJ this year?
wasted schollie
Posted by: SinisterCane | June 27, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Did anybody REALLY expect anything from AJ this year?
wasted schollie
Posted by: SinisterCane | June 27, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I'd say about 50% of the team can fall under that category. One bad apple in a bunch can make the entire bunch bad.
The only thing I'm looking forward to, is to see all this off season stuff make it on the field. Seen and heard tons of positives coming out of U camp lately...
J12 may surprise...
Posted by: 360Cane | June 27, 2011 at 03:46 PM
OGV...I don't want to comment on the negative, but even the casual observer can assume that there are "issues" he is dealing with. The players and coaches are supporting him to get right.
He still has a chance to good things at UM but he will have to make the effort to overcome some obstacles that have impeeded his progress after his freshman year.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 03:49 PM
No offense Western PA, but why would ANYone want to go to PITT?
Posted by: 2002nemo | June 27, 2011 at 03:59 PM
One bite, bye bye career.
Posted by: Old Skool | June 27, 2011 at 02:22 PM
That ended a few seasons ago.......
Posted by: raizecane | June 27, 2011 at 04:02 PM
STOP THE PRESSES!
I forgot about Allen Hurns at WR.
Some say that Hurns has made SERIOUS progress and is ready to compete for a top 4 spot and may be ahead of a few of the others I mentioned above.
A few of those others would benefit from fewer "late nights" but that's all I'll say on that. That's on them.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 04:21 PM
SOUP, I'm just doing the math and coming up with 21 birthdays for the guy and then remembering that Fox's package liquor is right down the street from campus. Then his belly explodes three times bigger in one off-season in the pics I've seen of him and, well, wink-wink, you know?
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 27, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Look, Aldarius can catch. That's the first requirement for a wideout, so he's not BAD. He's just, you know, not an athlete. At all. Which means he should have gone to a school with a less prestigious WR tradition. Maybe one that's located farther away from Fox's Liquor.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 27, 2011 at 04:54 PM
wow..2 years ago people had AJ penciled in as the next 1st rounder lol...hasnt he been injured? I think he is a good player, not fast, but good hands when healthy. Check out his freshman year when healthy...jmo of course
Posted by: UMike | June 27, 2011 at 05:32 PM
wow..2 years ago people had AJ penciled in as the next 1st rounder lol...hasnt he been injured? I think he is a good player, not fast, but good hands when healthy. Check out his freshman year when healthy...jmo of course
Posted by: UMike | June 27, 2011 at 05:32 PM
He's a possession receiver. You better be an AWESOME possession receiver if you want to start at Miami. (See Irvin, Michael; Wayne, Reggie.) AJ is not that.
He may have initials that remind certain people of Andre Johnson, but he's got neither the speed nor the strength.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 27, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Why would anyone want to go to Pitt, Uh cause they couldn't start here!
A.J. Stands for ATE JUNK! I got big because I ate. While my teammates lifted to get big, I ate and you could probably throw in a couple brewskies.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Fox's package liquor is right down the street from campus.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 27, 2011 at 04:46 PM
I've heard of that place. Late night window open until 4 AM in the back. At least that's what they tell me. LOL
There are three Liquor stores across the street from UM. Don't know if AJ or any UM players have been to any or all three?
Don't give up hope on him yet, but if he tweets this weekend from KOD at 4 AM like he did last weekend then well...
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 06:29 PM
I ate and you could probably throw in a couple brewskies.
Posted by: Herbieibis | June 27, 2011 at 05:55 PM
A couple brewskies? C'mon, U are among friends, it was more than a couple now wasn't it?
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 06:35 PM
King (DT) and Kinard (LB who signed with Michigan in 2010 but went to Hargrave) both just got cleared by clearinghouse n should both be on campus mañana
Posted by: Da U N Houston | June 27, 2011 at 06:41 PM
For the second straight season, University of Miami senior Bianca Eichkorn has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Commissioner John Swofford announced on Thursday.
Eichkorn, a native of Tengen, Germany, was earlier named the ACC Player of the Year after going unbeaten in conference singles play, with all but one of those wins coming in straight sets. She closed her career with a 38-3 overall record in ACC matches, including wins in her final 21 matches against league opposition.
An All-American at singles and doubles and the winningest singles player in Miami school history, Eichkorn finished the season ranked No. 5 nationally in singles play and teamed with Anna Bartenstein for a No. 4 ranking in doubles.
Posted by: SOUP | June 27, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Posted by: j.w. | June 27, 2011 at 01:24 PM
No such thing as a "free" horse. Granted the economy is down, but if it's free there is probably a reason ;-D Been hot here so I ride or do groundwork with him in the evenings
Posted by: CGNC | June 27, 2011 at 07:20 PM
No such thing as a "free" horse. Granted the economy is down, but if it's free there is probably a reason ;-D Been hot here so I ride or do groundwork with him in the evenings
Posted by: CGNC | June 27, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Hey, a free horse is worth its weight in glue!
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 27, 2011 at 07:28 PM
CWS Finals start tonight at 8 est on ESPN for anyone who cares
Posted by: OhioCane | June 27, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Reaching Two CWS in a Row Is to Be Celebrated
Ron Morris, The State - June 27, 2011
LET’S FORGET FOR a moment that South Carolina is defending it's national title beginning tonight at the College World Series. To merely reach the championship series in back-to-back years is a remarkable accomplishment in itself.
Ray Tanner knows the difficulty of reaching such heights. So, too, does Kevin O’Sullivan. Tanner has brought five teams to the College World Series and played for the championship three times. O’Sullivan brings his second consecutive team to Omaha, but a year ago returned home after two games.
“That’s more than you can ever dream of as a coach and as a player,” Tanner said of back-to-back title appearances. “It’s hard to do. I know there are some programs that have been here a long, long...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 27, 2011 at 08:03 PM