In Defense Of D'Onofrio

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, in my opening argument I will attempt to lay out the facts of my case in defense of University of Miami Defensive Coordinator Mark D'Onofrio.

While it is undeniable that Miami Hurricane coaches, players and fans are certainly not satisfied with the results of the 2011 season, it is my argument that one should look more closely at the facts before trying to determine a cause and effect relationship for those results and certainly before placing blame on my client for the poor performance of the UM football team.

It is my contention that when examined more closely the evidence will clearly reveal that the blame for the less than satisfactory performance in 2011 does not rest solely on my client nor can it be attributed entirely to his defensive squad.

As you are aware my client has received much of the blame and criticism from both the local media and the UM fan base for the alleged poor performance of the Miami Hurricane defensive unit during the 2011 season.

However, my presentation of the facts will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that not only is that assumption false but that my client was not to blame for the lack of success of the team this past season. Here is the evidence I wish for you to consider in Defense of D'Onofrio:

The 2010 University of Miami defensive rankings among the NCAA D-1 teams were as follows:

• Total Defense: 22nd
• Scoring Defense: 27th
• Rushing Defense: 84th
• Passing Defense: 3rd

The 2011 University of Miami defensive rankings were as follows:

• Total Defense: 43rd
• Scoring defense: 21st
• Rushing Defense: 68th
• Passing Defense: 31st

It is true that the Miami defense declined in Total Defense by 21 spots (#22 to #43) and that decline can primarily be blamed by the decline in Passing Defense which dropped 28 spots (#3 to #31).

But it should also be noted that the Hurricane defense improved 6 spots (21st from 27th) in scoring defense and 16 spots (68th from 84th) in rushing defense.

Now after dissecting the numbers above let's consider these facts that directly impacted the UM defense during my client's first season at Miami:

• The 2010 defense had four players that were by far the best at their positions at Miami and were drafted by the NFLU that all made their teams and several who became starters: DL Allen Bailey, MLB Colin McCarthy and cornerbacks DeMarcus Van Dyke and Brandon Harris.
• All four of these players were good enough to become starters for their respective NFLU teams in their first year in the league and MLB McCarthy was just named the Defensive Player of the Week. Clearly those players helped Miami in 2010 and undoubtedly their absence hurt the Hurricanes defense in 2011.
• What that means that in 2011, Miami was playing without four players who were the best at their positions at UM in 2011 and four players who were solid NFLU talent. And when you examine their replacements at UM in 2011 what do you get? Let's take a look shall wee?
• The 2011 UM defense had no true middle linebacker. At MLB Miami played several young, inexperienced players but in the end had to move their only defensive star LB Sean Spence to that position to fill the gap.
• The lack of depth at LB was a significant issue for the 2011 team. A true Freshman, Denzel Perryman, was a starter by season's end at one of the other LB spots for the Hurricanes.
• At cornerback in 2011 you had a transfer who could not start at Wake Forest playing one one side and a talented but inconsistent and inexperienced player on the other side, neither of whom will is likely to be drafted by the NFLU this year or any other year in the future.
• Due to suspensions handed down by the NCAA the 2011 defense was without starters DL Olivier Vernon for six games and S RayRay Armstrong for four games to start the season. In addition, starters Marcus Forston, Adawale Ojomo and Sean Spence all missed the season opener, which greatly contibuted to the loss to Maryland.
• One starter at OLB, Ramon Buchanon, was lost for the season due to injury early in the year.
• The defensive line also lacked depth and was hit hard by serious injuries. Several players, including potential star and starter Marcus Forston, missed multiple games as a result further complicating the rotation along the DL. Depth and talent was so hard to find along the DL that for most of the seasom Miami started a true Freshman at DE in Anthony Chickillo.

At the same time that my client was receiving the brunt of the criticism for the team's failures in 2011, UM Offensive Coordinator Jedd Fisch was having praise heaped upon him for Miami's relative success on offense. But is that praise really warranted based on the facts?

Sure, UM QB Jacory Harris stopped being a turnover machine in 2011 and actually had his best season as a Miami Hurricane and Fisch deserves the bulk of the credit for that turnaround. But a closer look at the numbers shows that in fact the UM offense did not improve in NCAA rankings from 2010 to 2011 as many had assumed.

In spite of Harris' improvement at QB and producing a 1,000 yard rusher in Lamar Miller, the UM offense did not statistically improve (as many Hurricane fans may have thought) in most of the measurable NCAA offensive categories in 2011 over 2010.

Here are the facts that you must consider when evaluating the UM offense:

• Total offense: 2010: 31st / 2011: 73rd (dropped 42 spots)
• Scoring Offense: 2010: 67th / 2011: 64th (improved 3 spots)
• Rushing Offense: 2010: 30th / 2011: 74th (dropped 44 spots)
• Passing offense: 2010: 43rd / 2011: 61st (dropped 18 spots)

When it comes down to the bottom line of scoring for and against the difference between the team's offensive and defensive performance was actually exactly equal. From 2010 to 2011 the Miami offense improved in the offensive "Points For" category by one point (up from 26 ppg to 27 ppg) and also improved in the defensive "Points Against" category by one point (down to 20 ppg from 21 ppg).

So before relentlessly bashing my client and jumping to false conclusions I think it is wise to review the facts and stats before attempting to convict my client of an offense for which he is not guilty.

My client, in his first season at Miami, not only had to face the obstacles involved in installing a completely new defensive scheme and system at UM, but also faced several major issues related to a lack of talent at several positions, several key player suspensions to start the season and numerous injuries to key players that had an undeniably significant and direct negative impact on his defensive unit in 2011.

In spite of those major issues according to the NCAA stats and rankings the UM defense actually improved in rushing defense and most importantly in scoring defense in 2011.

As a result any reasonable person on the jury can and must conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that my client is not to blame for the the teams poor performance last season.

And with that closing argument, the defense rests.

Comments

[Ohio_Cane]

Bow chicka wow wow!!

[86Cane]

CAN'T U JUST SEE OGV'S HEAD EXPLODING RIGHT ABOUT NOW?

[DallasTX Cane]

Facts is facts.

Facts say that the jury is still out - or the trial barely even begun - when it comes to AG and his best friend/roommate. I don't like where we were/are, but feel that another season is warranted before jumping to conclusions.

Have a great weekend Canespacers!

[canezilla]

WE NEEDED MORE DEPTH IN THE SAFETY AND CORNER SPOT.GET THOSE, THEN JUST THE MAN

[CGNC]

Actually if memory serves me, the last couple of games the swiss cheese defense actually had some 3rd down stops - and then the offense sputtered. But those 3rd down stops were non-existent in first half of the season (or so it seemed)

The Dude - LOL j.w. and I are not "crazy" - apparently we are "country azz" :-D

[CGNC]

CAN'T U JUST SEE OGV'S HEAD EXPLODING RIGHT ABOUT NOW?

Posted by: 86Cane | December 09, 2011 at 01:32 PM

NO. I see him in a laboratory with bunson burners and beakers in a white coat whipping something up in response - LOL

[Ohio_Cane]

Don't know if any of U care about these 2 high school teams, but...

After beating Glades Day last week, Adimral Farragut is not prepared for what unbeaten N. Florida Christian has. 34-0. QTR 2

[86Cane]

NO. I see him in a laboratory with bunson burners and beakers in a white coat whipping something up in response - LOL

Posted by: CGNC | December 09, 2011 at 01:53 PM

Yeah, I was afraid of that.

[86Cane]

The Dude - LOL j.w. and I are not "crazy" - apparently we are "country azz" :-D

Posted by: CGNC | December 09, 2011 at 01:50 PM

Now THAT is a fact, jack!

[CGNC]

Alright, back to work. Been so busy

[Ohio_Cane]

Don't know if any of U care about these 2 high school teams, but...

After beating Glades Day last week, Adimral Farragut is not prepared for what unbeaten N. Florida Christian has. 34-0. QTR 2

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 09, 2011 at 02:01 PM
----------------------------------------

North Florida Christian 48 Admiral Farragut 0 - 1:21 left in the 2nd

[Sebastian]

I wanted to make a quick comment about the Mens Basketball team

I totally agree with the article on Larkin being a good PG. The addition of TMJ4 has really helped also

TMJ4 is the leading rebounder for the `Canes to go along with 45% from the field

Im really bothered by the start Scott, MG3 and Rion have. Scott is just 30% from the field, 32% from 3 and 76% from the line.

MG3 is hitting on 37% from the field and 38% from 3 and 73% from the line

Rion is really bad 20%, 21% from the 3

These 3 guys really need to step it up if the `Canes hope to make it thru this stretch without BigReg. If they dont then the NCAA Tournament hopes could go right out the window

[Ohio_Cane]

North Florida Christian 48 Admiral Farragut 0 - 1:21 left in the 2nd

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 09, 2011 at 02:21 PM
---------------------------------------

Even with a running clock, Admiral Farragut cannot stop North Florida Christian. It's 62-0. 3rd Q

Wow.

[Strauzer]

Sebastian51, you are correct, need our 'shooters' to find their shots and I believe they will. Issue is they were so accustomed to the "playground" style of Haith where they would essentially create their own opportunities to the more structured approach of the fundamentally sound Coach L. Yes fundamentals, thats a word we rarely used in a positive fashion when talking about Haith. They will come around, no doubt in my mind.
Tomorrow will be a very tough game to win, WVU has two HUGE big men that look like trees on the court. Going to be very tough to stop them in the paint IMO without Reggie.

86Cane, great writeup regarding Coach D, one minor error CMac won AFC D player of the WEEK not year (don't want you to lose cred for that typo). I agree people have been either blind, ignorant or just dumb to the fact that we have been operating a 1 deep depth chart in essence all year. The last time we had a truly "great" defense our D was 3 deep at EVERY slot. Think about that for a minute, when was the last time we were truly 3 deep on D? Probably 01-03 teams is my best guess without looking it up. We must re-stock/re-load and shed the dead wood clock punchers while we are doing so if this staff has any shot of getting Miami back to its former winning ways.

Oh and before I forget PLEASE folks sign the #Stadium4Canes petition!! http://www.change.org/petitions/hurricanes-fans-for-a-hurricanes-stadium

GO CANES!!

[86Cane]

1. 86Cane, great writeup regarding Coach D, one minor error CMac won AFC D player of the WEEK not year (don't want you to lose cred for that typo).

2. Oh and before I forget PLEASE folks sign the #Stadium4Canes petition!! http://www.change.org/petitions/hurricanes-fans-for-a-hurricanes-stadium

Posted by: Strauzer | December 09, 2011 at 02:59 PM

1. Yeah, my bad. Maybe it was wishful thinking? LOL

2. Permission to post that link once a week here to see how much support U can generate, OK? It may never happen but it IS a noble cause!

[Strauzer]

HA! Well I figured since this was my first post here you wouldn't mind!

[nemo2002]

In Defense Of D'Onofrio

Blah, blah, blah . . .

[Ohio_Cane]

In Defense Of D'Onofrio

Blah, blah, blah . . .

Posted by: nemo2002 | December 09, 2011 at 03:13 PM
-----------------------------------------

Been waiting for U since this was posted. Lol

Now, where's OGV? I bet CGNC was right, he's in the lab cooking up a BIG response.

[Sebastian]

When I was looking up the stats I was almost knocked over when I saw that Scott has 31 assists and just 12 turnovers and was tied with Kadji for 2nd in rebounds

If and when his shooting comes around he could easily average 17 per game

MG3 has added another 2 to 3` on his 3 pointers they just arent falling for him yet

Someone please teach Kadji and and Swoope how to make free throws.....39% and 42% Ouch!!!

[Sebastian]

Im sorry for the name changes

I no longer have my original email address and couldnt figure out how to sign in with my new email address.....hahahaha

[Ohio_Cane]

Someone please teach Kadji and and Swoope how to make free throws.....39% and 42% Ouch!!!

Posted by: Sebastian | December 09, 2011 at 03:19 PM
--------------------------------------

This is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to bball. I was always taught to practice those before and after practice, every day. I was a career 93% FT shooter.

I still remember my first coach telling us, "They're called FREE throws for a reason, you're supposed to make ALL of them!!"

[Strauzer]

Funny thing is Coach L raves about how good a shooter Kadji is in practice. Kid needs to make it translate under live bullets.

Scott and Grant will wake up just hope it happens this weekend.

[Sebastian]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 09, 2011 at 03:21 PM

I agree with you on that

Kadji is going to be at the line alot and that 39% will be a killer because every game is going to be tight

I love the fight that Coach L has brought to this team

Yes im still upset that Haith let Hardaway Jr. get away from the `Canes

[86Cane]

In Defense Of D'Onofrio

Blah, blah, blah . . .

Posted by: nemo2002 | December 09, 2011 at 03:13 PM

Now there's a quality response for U!

Way to discuss the facts, oh wait, I am SURE that your OPINION is much more important than the facts? My bad.

[86Cane]

If Tim Tebow has a religious thought is it considered a Christian Ponder?

[Sebastian]

I watched the West Virginia game last night

Kevin Jones is a man beast for them. He put up 30 and 12 last night

Its going to be tough to keep him under control. The `Canes really need this game

[Ohio_Cane]

If Tim Tebow has a religious thought is it considered a Christian Ponder?

Posted by: 86Cane | December 09, 2011 at 03:34 PM
-----------------------------------------

Saw this posted on Twitter and LMAO!

[Sebastian]

The `Canes defense was really handcuffed by the lack of a playmaker in the secondary

If he blitzes and they dont get to the QB then you know a big play for the O is going to happen

Dont blitz and the O just picks them apart slowly

Because of that secondary the `Canes could not create turnovers

I cant or wont put that on D`No this year

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - Recruits Visiting UM This Weekend: DT Eddie Goldman, LB Josh Witt, DB Gerald Bowman, DB Vernon Davis and QB Preston Dewey.

[Ohio_Cane]

^^ Recruits Visiting UM This Weekend: OL Danny Isidora, OL Taylor Gadbois, TE Brandon Hollifield, DE Denico Autry.

[Ohio_Cane]

^^ Recruits Visiting UM This Weekend: RB Greg Garmon, QB David Thomspn and DT Earl Moore

[SinisterCane]

MIAMI MUTHAF@@KIN' HURRICANES

[Montreal_Cane]

http://www.change.org/petitions/hurricanes-fans-for-a-hurricanes-stadium

[Montreal_Cane]

SOUP nice article. Coach D and coach Golden deserve one more year before we rush to judgement. 2013-2014 should be very good years for the Canes. The 2012 recruiting class needs to be top notch...Nothing less.

[86Cane]

Monty...thanks! I think we needed a "voice of reason" around here. I and many other canespacers were getting WAY tired of all of the negativity.

In terms of recruiting I have heard several GOOD things about the visits this weekend. Golden has more visits scheduled and verbal commits right now than we had at this time in the past three years combined.

[86Cane]

I found out why so FEW people are commenting: They have not or will not sign up as a REAL person with a real email address through Typepad.

Got a few emails about that issue recently. It is an effort to keep the trolls and spammers out but I think I may have to change it back to the old way again soon?

[roachcane77]

Nice article Soup... yeah, can't blame it all on D'No... I just can't get that LAST poor defensive performance vs. BC out of my head though...

No excuse.

Later...

[roachcane77]

*D'Ono

[Sebastian]

Thats a tough decision `86

Negative posts were dominating things for the last few weeks on here

I know I dont get to post as much as I did before but I still read it everyday

I can understand the frustration of people on the blog that got tired of the negative people taking over

Its one thing to discuss things but a whole different thing when it becomes an argument

[UMike]

I found out why so FEW people are commenting: They have not or will not sign up as a REAL person with a real email address through Typepad.

Got a few emails about that issue recently. It is an effort to keep the trolls and spammers out but I think I may have to change it back to the old way again soon?

Posted by: 86Cane | December 09, 2011 at 05:09 PM

Soup...before I remembered I had a TyePad account, i tried to sign up for one and it seemed I could ONLY do it though my Facebook..which didnt allow me to use a blog name...idk if that was just me..but I was real annoyed before I realized I signed up a while ago for a typepad account..if others are having issues with it..they might not want their real name on here

[Montreal_Cane]

86 it's a tough decision but since you have introduced the new rules, the Space has been clean, a more positive blog and people are respectful...So i guess either way there is a price to pay. If people are serious and real Canes fans they will register to this free site...I always sign in thru my twitter account which i find convenient because my blog name is the same...I think this is a good option to suggest to others.

[mi@mic@ne]

Its time to get stronger... back in the day i remember talking to some college playas from Georgia... they were telling me that the weight lifting routine they were put through was ruthless. I hope we are making these guys crawl out of the hecht center. I still do a 700 rep routine myself... maxing out every ten reps.

[mi@mic@ne]

Golden Al is preaching the old cane gospel.. its just a matter of time... i hate to lose... hate it... and i hate fswho

[DrewZ2]

I saw this on the last blog..How can we have over 28 recruits when that is the NCAA rule?

Early enrollments count against the last class (which was fairly small) so they will not count against the 28. Plus some will not qualify and will have to go Prep/JUCO route. We have these Early Enrollments (EE)

Reggie Northrup LB
James Burgess LB
Josh Witt LB
Larry Hope CB - maybe rumors he might not EE
Angelo Jean Louis WR
Ereck Flowers OT
Raphael Kirby LB
Gabriel Terry DE
Taylor Gadbois OT

So now we are down to like 19 recruits for this 2012 class pending available scholarships.

I think we get pretty selective here until late Jan then offer some other guys late just to get some bodies in the door. I think we are really trying to stock up this class because we're going to get hit with scholarship sanctions for sure.

[Laquinton]

I had to sign in through twitter. was a little rough. and I dislike negative comments

[DarealHassan]

If the Defense rest, I would like to present the Prosecutions case your honor.

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
-- Benjamin Disraeli

The loss of good players and the suspensions and all that is true however. The Defense could not cover a fat lady in a phone booth.

Most coaches believe if they are given good athletes then they can coach them up. Miami's startin CB's are good athletes, I have seen less experiences CB's cover better recievers a lot better then ours this year. Our Dl got less penetration then Pee Wee Herman. We could have ran exotic blitzes and we could have simply roughed up opposing WR's. Our league has several teams playing a pro style offense and the routes are timing routes. I feel playing 10 yards off the ball will get you beat hence our 6-6 record. So although stats tell part of it, the other part is Coach D did not trust his athletes enough. Sometimes you got to just trust they are fast enough and good enough to make a play.

[CaneRock]

Damn, watching this Jefferson County/Chipley game, I didn't know Jack Youngblood was from Florida, much less went to JC...

[CaneRock]

Manny_Navarro #Palmetto answers trims #Norland lead to 28-27 on 8-yard TD pass from Trent Miller to Shaq Harris. 452 left in 3rd 3 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

[CaneRock]

AndreMHsports Tracy Howard went down but walks off field under own power 2 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

AndreMHsports Miramar 14-0 end 3rd 7 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

AndreMHsports Still 7-7 Central-Mainland mid 3rd 13 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

[Ohio_Cane]

Duke Johnson's numbers currently: 15-278-3

Ya, the game isn't over yet... Lol