The Sky Has Officially Fallen

Go ahead, I dare you to listen to all of the reports from the main stream South Florida media about your Miami Hurricanes. Don't try to cover your ears, just open wide and soak in all of the negativity they have to offer, and then if it makes you feel better, embrace it as your own.

It's not so much that the media wants to say the sky is falling on your team, it is that they have gladly and willingly accepted it as a fact that it has already fallen on our collective heads. If you don't believe me then go listen to their podcasts after the Spring Game last Saturday.

One reporter was so negative in his regular Monday podcast that you would think the Canes may not win any games in 2012. He basically said we have no play-makers and not a single player who could start on a top 5 team. And he said it with such ease and confidence that you could hear it in his voice.

I certainly hope he feels better now that he got that off of his chest.

Not to be outdone another reporter went right past ballistic and straight to nuclear on Miami right after the Spring Game. In his digitally recorded report he said that IF the Canes win 6 games Golden should be extended to a LIFETIME contract because it would basically be a miracle.

You would think that any seasoned, experienced, veteran reporter who has access to UM coaches and players would know a thing or two about Spring Football and the purpose that it serves. You might also think that they would reserve their opinions until the Fall practice when the entire 85 man roster is intact and all the players are healthy.

You would be wrong. No, these hard core "reporters" want to go all Tony Montana on Hurricane fans with their guns blasting away as they spray your brains onto the scoreboard at Sun Life Stadium and then walk away and smile while saying: "Look at U now!"

Well I am here to tell you that all is NOT lost my fellow Hurricane fans. There is hope and optimism to be found for THIS season and I am here to tell you why. So lets get started, shall we?

Defense: Tell me how you want it: Do you want to good news or the really good news first?

Here's the good news: The defense was clearly the stronger side of the UM team this Spring, which I might add, is exactly the way things are supposed to be. The tackling was consistently and significantly better than last year. The defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and played well against the run and the pass. The linebackers looked excellent and even had some new found depth with several players showing that they will contribute in 2012.

The move of Denzel Perryman to the middle, a move I was initially openly skeptical about, proved to be without a doubt the best position switch among many made by Defensive Coordinator Mark D'Onofrio this Spring. No fewer than five defenders found new positions this Spring and each one of them made the team better according to what we saw on the field and heard in recent interviews with both Golden and D'Onofrio.

Yet it was the defensive backs that were the surprise of the Spring with solid coverage and a new "attack the ball" mentality that led to them collecting more interceptions and forcing fumbles. Brandon McGee, Thomas Finnie and newcomer Ladarius Gunter all had impressive Springs at CB.  Highsmith and Rodgers are clearly pushing Armstrong and Telemaque to become better players at Safety.

Maybe the best news of all is that they will soon be joined by the top rated CB in the Nation in 2012, my new friend Tracy Howard, and a top rated Safety in Deon Bush.

What you didn't know is that Bush has already been spending 3 to 4 days a week on the UM campus learning the defense and working out. Golden said recently that Bush is "An amazing young man" that "studies the game". After some of our recent experiences with former players of the 2008 class and others that sounds very refreshing wouldn't you agree?

Howard, who is still a student at Miramar high school, was quizzed by Golden at the Spring game to see if he was learning his new UM playbook.  Howard proved once again that he is an elite talent in all aspects of the game. The exchange at Sun Life Stadium went something like this:

Golden: "What do you do in Tiger 9 defense?"

Howard: "Is it single X or are there two WRs to one side?"

Golden: "Two to one side."

Howard: "Alert double seam."

Golden: "That is exactly what we are looking for.  Smart players who intellectually understand and can talk about the game of football."

Is there a single fan or reporter out there who doesn't think these two players, along with LB Raphael Kirby, LB Gabe Terry, DE Jelani Hamilton and DE Tyriq McCord (who are also very likely to play in 2012 for UM) are going to make the Hurricanes a better team this year?

Here is more good news: There are 18 players that did not play this Spring that will play in the Fall. Five who are were injured in the Spring and 13 fresh bodies that will arrive in the Fall and were recruited to play multiple positions specifically for the style of defense run by UM Defensive Coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. Let that soak in and marinate for a while.

That's right I said: EIGHTEEN players! That is seven more players than actually start the game. That is most of your depth and several players who will likely be on the 2-deep roster right there.

Of the five that were injured two were potential starters in Ramon Buchanan and Shayon Green along with young but promising backups LB Josh Witt and DT Corey King.

Those 18 players will obviously add to the always desired depth and competition for starting spots. We all know that competition is what drives performance among the older, more established players who do not want to get passed by the young talent arriving on campus.

Offense: How do you try to run an offense with basically two healthy WRs and a couple of green Freshman QBs? How do you try to evaluate an offense that is running less than 50% of their playbook and intentionally trying to be as vanilla as possible?  Well that is basically what you saw this Spring from the Hurricanes and Offensive Coordinator Jedd Fisch.

Yes, yes I know we all wanted to see big plays and lots of scores and maybe most of all we wanted Ryan Williams to be the second coming of Ken Dorsey in his first real action as a Miami Hurricane. But as a wise old rocker named Mick Jagger once sang:" U can't always get what U want."

Williams, a Sophomore who played as a Freshman at Memphis before transferring to UM last year, was a bit of a disappointment to those Miami fans who had already projected him as the starter in the Fall over the returning, strong-armed Stephen Morris.

What all three quarterbacks that were available this Spring proved was that the guys named Williams, Dewey and Crow are not ready for prime time - not yet. What they also proved is that none of them looked out of place or appeared to lack the skills and talent to play at this level. That is encouraging and bodes well for the Fall when Morris returns from his minor back injury to compete with the other QBs after a Summer of learning and growth for the younger QBs on the roster.

With WR Allen Hurns banged up and still recovering from injury, the Hurricanes were left to play most of the Spring with two just healthy wide receivers in Phillip Dorsett and Rashawn Scott. Scott simply turned out to be the biggest surprise and the most sensational player on the offensive side of the ball. Not too shabby if you ask me.

This Fall there will be as much of infusion of talent at the wide receiver position as there will be at defensive back which is saying quite a lot. The Fab Five arriving on campus this Summer are: Malcolm Lewis, Jontavious Carter, D'Mauri Jones, Herb Waters, Robert Lockhart.

Yes, I know they are all Freshman, and yes not all of them will be All-Americans in their first season in Coral Gables. But any fan or reporter has to admit that adding that much size, speed and talent will be a huge boost to the currently depeleted UM receiving core in the Fall of 2012.

At running back Miami is searching for the replacement for the departed lamar Miller who opted for the NFL draft. To be fair, the Spring did not produce any player who stood out as the answer at this position. There is the dependable team leader in Mike James, the tough but only moderately productive Eduardo Clements and the speedy and elusive Dallas Crawford.

What most Miami fans do not know is that during the public scrimmages Crawford was not used as he is in the private practices on Greentree Field. There are several surprises involving Crawford, and even possibly another player (who shall go unmentioned), that await opposing teams and UM fans come this Fall when the games actually matter.

Trust me on this.

Arriving in Coral Gables this Fall at the running back position is the highly under-rated and often over looked Danny Dillard. Dillard is nothing less than my sleeper recruit of the 2012 class. Write this down: This man-child is big, strong and fast and will turn heads come this Fall.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there is some kid, what's his name, yeah some young stud that goes by the name of Randy "Duke" Johnson who might also have something to say about the RB position this Fall.

So cheer up Hurricane fans and stop with the negativity.  Do not bury your head in your hands but instead hold your head up high and have a little hope and faith in Al Golden. 

Now please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that this team is going to add another trophy to the already crowded case that holds Miami's other five but I am saying that this coach, these players and this 2012 team as a whole will be just fine.

And don't forget that much more talent and depth (albeit young and inexperienced) are on the way. Ten members of the large and highly regarded 2012 class have already enrolled at "The U".  Seven more are expected on May 17th and the rest are scheduled to be on campus on June 28.

That is when it gets real and the men will get separated from the boys.

There are no excuses being made in Coral Gables.

And neither should there be.

Comments

[SOUP]

Howard is my LOF .. KIDS A STUD !

Posted by: Q | April 17, 2012 at 11:16 PM

Nah, he ain't all that, I could take him.

I could take him some food or drinks or a Canespace shirt if I wanted to. LOL

[Montreal-Cane]

Bad news for Canes baseball. Miami's best player Peter O'Brien has a broken wrist.O'Brien has a small crack in his wrist and should be out from 4 to 6 weeks. The Canes will be at FSU this WE for a three game series against the Seminoles.

[SOUP]

Monty...I'll be @ FSU Friday night IF they play UM. Weather could be a factor.

[Montreal-Cane]

SOUP i know you can show up with some Canes gear in hostile environment. You will see our ace pitcher Erickson against a very good FSU team. we can expect a lot of love betweeen Jim Moris and Mike Martin.

Here is a quote from Erickson: "Pitching there in a series like this might even be better than pitching in the World Series - the overall environment, I mean. In the World Series there are fans from all over the place. But at FSU you're hated; everyone hates you. That makes it fun."

[Josh Boule]

Great post, I agree 100% with this artical. People in the media such as these journalists, sports reporters and analysts tend to put way too much emphasis on spring games now days. About the same amount of hype and concern go into them as the star system associated with high school recruiting year in and out.It's April for christ sake, these "professionals" in the media should know it's best to reserve judgement until the fall. At least then they would have a more accurate depiction of a team, you know, after the FULL roster has made it on campus, trained and competed in late summer and fall practices...

[Josh Boule]

*Article* sry

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

When are we gonna get UTough for the cheerleaders?

[CaneRock]

NEW SUSAN!

Todd McShay: Jacory Harris to be drafted? "Doubt it.'' Olivier Vernon "most intriguing'' after [Lamar] Miller. And Street? "Great athlete... [but] I would have hard time drafting him in the first four rounds.''

I spoke with ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay on an NFL Draft conference call today. I asked him whether he thought UM quarterback Jacory Harris would be drafted, and to talk about which of the underclassmen who declared early have the most potential, besides Lamar Miller. I said that some people believe as many as nine -- maybe even more -- Hurricanes will be drafted, and asked his opinion. Here's his reply:
"Jacory, I tend to doubt it. He showed some flashes this past year. I thought he played better this past year, but just — the inconsistency jumps out, and the turnovers and just not protecting and caring for the football. He’s still kind of slight framed and there are durability concerns there. But he has enough arm talent, so it’s not to say that he won’t one day land on a roster if he’s able to continue to develop somehow, but it’s just tough to develop as a quarterback because there’s nowhere to really go and get good developing, if you will, from this point on.

Nine guys from Miami? I have to sit here and count...

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

More from the article here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2012/04/todd-mcshay-.html#storylink=cpy

[Josh Boule]

Also, in my opinion, from what I've seen and heard this spring I believe our defense will be better all around this year. The D line looks to be more physical and quicker off blocks.Porter, Chickillo, Pierre and other D linemen like Grimble seem to be improving. They'll get competition from the likes of McCord and Hamilton when they arrive.The entire defense as a whole seem to be better conditioned, tougher physically and playing smarter. I see Miami improving on the 160+ a game they gave up on the ground last year...Rush defense was a major sore spot for the 'Canes ALL of last year and is the area on defense that needs the most improvement, along with the pass rush IMO.

[Montreal-Cane]

Yeah Street made the wrong decision like some others.

[Ohio_Cane]

I could take him some food or drinks or a Canespace shirt if I wanted to. LOL

Posted by: SOUP | April 17, 2012 at 11:22 PM
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I smell a NCAA violation. Lol

[raizecane]

Not to rain on the parade, but any NEW news on Shapiro-gate?

We can talk about 10-2 and 12-0 in 2013 but depending on what the NCAA does, it may be a few years out before we can talk 12 - 0.

[Ohio_Cane]

Raize, sanctions or not, we can still win every game and go 12-0. ;-)

[raizecane]

Raize, sanctions or not, we can still win every game and go 12-0. ;-)

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 18, 2012 at 08:26 AM

Like the positive outlook......what year??? LOL

[Ohio_Cane]

2013!!

[TonyCane]

No kidding, Ohio. Unless the NCAA steps in and takes more than 15 scholarships a year for three years, by the sheer ratio of freshmen and sophmores on the roster we would feel virtually no impact for two years.

[LB]

6 is the floor, 10 the ceiling. 8 seems like a lot, so I say 7. I'm cautiously optimistic about 2012.

I still think Ryan Williams can beat out Stephen Morris. I don't judge something like that off of one game, especially when the CBs suddenly contract a case of Antrel Rolle/Kelly Jennings-itis (see above).

Why is 7 wins such a bad thing? After all the mess Golden has had to fix... that's very good. The goon who predicted UM to be winless has lost touch with reality (as have the 12-0's).

If we somehow receieve a bowl ban or lose a bowl game in the postseason... it will have been SIX YEARS since Miami barely cracked the Nevada Wolfpups 21-20. Further, it will have been EIGHT YEARS since UM has won consecutive bowl games. For the University of Miami, that's criminal.

That's why I keep my expectations low. I hope there are no bowl bans, but I understand another may be necessary. At this point, all I want is to win a bowl game.

That, ladies and gentlemen, would be excellent. Don't you think?

[TheWhat]

I dont think the NCAA sanctions will affect us, definitely not the record for the next 2 to 3 years. Unless they are extremely harsh, they will have minimal affect.

Another 25 or so recruits (Miami will delay any scholarship reductions till after the 2013 recruting class)and the roster will be filled with freshman and sophmores and some juniors. So NCAA won't affect as much as people think. It may hurt in recruiting otherwise it will be ok unless we get 2 more bowl bans which will not happen.

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - Recruiting Update: Miami is actively recruiting OL Jack McDonald, 6'5'' and 265 lbs, from Boston College HS.

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - Recruiting Update: 2014 QB Chase Litton, 6'5'' and 190 lbs, grew up a Canes fan. Miami is recruiting him hard. Likely Cane.

[CaneAddict]

TheWhat that sounds about right for the sanctions effect, hopefully

The consensus on Ryan Williams had been he didn't do anything to distinguish himself and that Morris is still the clear leader. This is based on Williams overall spring, not just Saturday. Morris still has to earn it, so he still will have to prove himself.

Morris upside is through the roof, and personally im tired of floating passes and I saw a few of those on Saturday from Williams

Stephen Morris!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - Recruiting Update: 2014 WR Jamil Kamara, 6'2'' and 180 lbs, out of Norfolk, VA is being heavily recruited by UM. Likely offered.

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - Recruiting Update: Miami has offered 2013 4-Star RB David Williams, 6'1'' and 185 lbs, out of Philly. #EliteRB

[TheWhat]

Love the fact that Golden goes up and down the east coast to recruit. And other parts like Louisiana, etc.

[Ohio_Cane]

Offensive Line: Jomel Ribalta, Hialeah (Fla.)

He was the OL MVP at the Miami Nike Camp, and says if Canes offer, he'll commit.

Cane commit Trevor Darling also shined. Along with probably 2014 commit KC McDermott (Shane's brother)

[TJL]

J. Jenkins is a tool:

Pat Dooley, the longtime columnist with The Gainesville Sun, weighed in on all the uproar as well. It’s worth noting that Dooley had an excellent relationship with Meyer, probably better than any media member in the state of Florida.

Nonetheless, that didn’t keep Dooley from sharing this little nugget in his column last week:
"I know Muschamp felt he inherited a mess when he took over and it has taken him a year to get it headed back in the right direction. All you need to know about players' sense of entitlement was the meeting between Muschamp and Janoris Jenkins after multiple arrests and failed drug tests by the cornerback. When Muschamp told Jenkins he would have to be suspended, Jenkins replied, “Do you know who you're talking to?” And that was the end of his career at UF."

[TJL]

It pays to be a hoe:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7826212/bobby-petrino-former-aide-jessica-dorrell-resigns-arkansas-razorbacks-post

[Larion]

This team will be a 6-6 to 8-5 team. The schedule is weak enough for this young talented team to pull off 8; it'll be tough though and I suspect 6-6 is more realistic. The talent is there but it is still young, raw and needs refining. Not to mention the influx of talent just waiting to enroll. To those who have fallen completely in love with the star system and think this class isn't stellar, keep in mind other programs who have managed to stay in the fray and compete TODAY are either just now getting top classes because of recent success or still don't have "top" classes and are top 10 teams at years end. Look at your Oklahoma States who don't have those blue chip recruits or our hated rivals Virginia Tech who NEVER have better classes than Miami yet are ALWAYS the toast of the ACC and manage to compete for top national rankings. It comes down to talent evaluation and development. Something I think Al Golden has a gift for. Turning Temple into any type of respectable football program speaks volumes as to his abilities and aptitude when it comes to coaching. We'll are in good hands. Be patient.

[big chuck]

I am not sure if cane's fan r taking notice to rivals' position U, it is very interesting to see how much position miami is high at, even at off-tackle we r no# 2, could be #1. i guess now u could understand coach Golden problem with this team. Maimi over the years has become the NFL diamond mine. the problem isn't so much the agents but the league itself and the success of miami's players. the funny thing is i think we will be position U at linbacker and safties.With all this talent over the year i am just like goldening, wonder why i record is so bad. i hope these kids really buy in to golden vision and not only use miami program as a stepping stone to the NFL but winning programs with great talent.

[TheWhat]

I'm looking at the schedule right now and even though this team is young, the schedule doesnt prohibit an 8 win season. The losses in my opinion will be NC State, Notre Dame, Florida State and Virginia. Something tells me we wont lose to KState again.

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - ESPN recently interviewed 2013 UM commitment WR Jayron Kearse, 6'3'' and 190 lbs - Get to know him: http://ow.ly/amFzW

[Ohio_Cane]

The losses in my opinion will be NC State, Notre Dame, Florida State and Virginia. Something tells me we wont lose to KState again.

Posted by: TheWhat | April 18, 2012 at 01:06 PM
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Take out NC State and UVA, and that's my prediction right there.

Did I just give the Canes a 10 win season? ;-)

[CGNC]

You know, I hate to be, "that guy," who complains that the refs stole games from teams I cheer for, but when there's eight goals scored and the refs decide to only count seven of them in a one goal final margin game, one team got hosed by the guys in the stripes. As soon as the NHL's best regular season penalty kill in history shows up off the team bus for the Devils this thing is over any way and I'll be there for game five when New Jersey puts themselves in a position to clinch the series with a win regardless.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | April 17, 2012 at 10:55 PM

LOL I take it things didn't go well? The Pens have been a complete fiasco.

[Ohio_Cane]

LOL I take it things didn't go well? The Pens have been a complete fiasco.

Posted by: CGNC | April 18, 2012 at 01:12 PM
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As bad as it's been, did U see Bylsma's quote from the other day?

"Marc-Andre Fleury will be in net for our next 4 games"

LOL! Love the confidence on the brink of disaster.

[Ohio_Cane]

So I wore my Canes dress shirt polo to work today, in Buckeye country. At lunch I got gas and went in and paid the lady at the register.

A passing customer passes me and says: "Hey, your shirt SUCKS!!"

So what did I say as I walked past her smiling? "24-6!"

She quit smiling. Lol

[OCALACANE]

Sup Henny Penny?
SpaceCadets...

Long time no posts.
Hmm. question for thoughts, 6-6 7-5 8-4?
All over college football it occurs where a young group with a new staff find themselves.
They gel and the talent explodes catching their foes completely by surprise. Why can't this happen here? now? most seasons i read the blogs and listen to the jaws and everything is great 12%ers we are gonna win every game...
This year, after many disapointing seasons the world and the fans and it seems Sebatian himself are settled on mediocraty.

Not so Fast Chicken Little!
This coaching staff is different. These kids all want to be here more than anywhere.
Bigger stronger QB. A young aggressive and potentially gnarly defense.

I say let the talking heads blah blah blah
Me I am optimistic. Much of college football is in disarray. I say 8-4 the hard way 9-3 with the right bounce...
alao NOAA predicts a very active sstorm season this year. Can the strongest hurricane form in the Gables?

Just sayin...

[OCALACANE]

sorry typos laptop mising keys :(

[JameriCANE]

8-4 and 7-5 is still unacceptable; but understandable in light of how young this team and coaching staff is. We need another year to get Golden's system in place. Still, "Lo, how the mighty have fallen..."

[CGNC]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 18, 2012 at 01:18 PM

LOL - yes I saw that. We are calling up several from Wilkes-Barre for an all important Game 4 elimination game and now Martin is out. Fleury looks like he is on drugs...Party on MAF! LOL

[Gin & Tonic]

Youth is no excuse.

Talent level is no excuse.

Depth is no excuse.

The Canes play in the effing ACC!!!!!

Only 3 programs known for football are in this conference and Miami plays 2 of them every year. FSU and VT.

Losing last year to Virgina, Maryland, and Boston College is an embarrasment. Then add in a loss to K-F'n-State!!! for cripes sake and you have a horrible year.

Those 4 losses should never happen just based on the type of recruits each school attracts each year alone.

If the golden one is half the coach the blind faithful believe him to be then the Canes should only be in risk of losing 2 games this year. V-tech and FSU and they are both home games.

If this Canes team is only a shadow of what it should be, there are only 2 games in question, both at home, and both winnable.

If they continue the Coker/Shannon/Golden lazy, sloppy, uninspired football, then we should expect to lose to the pitiful likes of BC, K-F'n State, G-Tech, NC-State, Notre Dame, UNC, FSU, V-Tech, UVA and USF.

So if nothing changes in Coral Gable it will be a 2 win year.

Count the W's vs. Bethune and Duke.

[Ohio_Cane]

now Martin is out.

Posted by: CGNC | April 18, 2012 at 02:33 PM
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Good. Now maybe they'll play some defense...

[Ohio_Cane]

CGNC, here is the best t-shirt ever... LOL

https://www.compressmerch.com/merch/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=116

[Ohio_Cane]

RIP, Dick Clark. Wonder who will host New Years?

[Hassan]

Count the W's vs. Bethune and Duke.

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | April 18, 2012 at 02:37 PM
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On the surface everything you say is correct. The problem is what lies beneath the surface. In football you need a QB, you have to protect the ball, you got to play D, you have to have great line play etc etc. So many of these key things we do not have. Despite our recruiting classes we have a team with no symmetry, freshman are our most talented players. We have a qb who does not know the playbook. We had 265 lb DT's, We had selfish Jr's and Sr's not willing to work and looking at the NFL after a few decent games. All those things put together will get you a 6-6 team no matter where you recruit. The coaches and X & O's matter but not much. These guys get 20 hours a week certain times a year to make these kids better. You do not get to be an elite team with only working that amount. The great Canes teams were not feared or national champions because they were the most talented. FSU had the same talent we had year in year out but more times than not we beat them and we won titles because our guys WORKED!!! They were the hardest working team in the country. When you work that hard you KNOW you are good. That is how we got SWAGGER, those kids worked so hard bustin their tail against each other all summer they knew they was better than the other teams. Lately we have had the same talent we always had but the kids stopped working. The coaches X & O's don't matter nearly as much as the CULTURE the coach cultivates. The culture of Family, Sacrifice and Work is back that is why the Canes DESERVE VICTORY!!!!

[Hassan]

We still are the pipeline to the Pro's. Watch our master salesman Golden use that Position U to sell to the recruits the U's brand as the premeire CFB for producing NFL talent.

Recruiting Junkie's what do you think of Lance Virgile from STA? Robinson from Ely just for offered from LSU 6.25 CB runs a 4.3 40

[UGoCanes2]

Gin Et Tonic:
I am with you all the way....Great observation..In 1 sentence Work pays off.

One thig I will add and I don't know if many will agree but I feel very strongly that Duke and Tracy and putting themselves in the role of the throwback Canes wear our Legacy with SWAGGER(look at their eyes these guys are real... They carry themselves so well that they light up a room.
I know that for both guys, hard work is just more Class in attitude that they bring to the 'U' and it will be a shock for the guys coasting and watching when they start taking over..Yes I said it.. I believe that Coach G has already developed a close rapport with these guys as LEADERS can you believe FRESHMEN, but nevertheless any high school athlete who can but the IBIS on his Cap and dare anyone to even come close to it is a
Super cane before even strapping up.

A whole new mind set will take place June 28th..Mark that day down...we will then start showing our stuff..Coach G did not want the A team offense to beat down the B defense to run up a big score. Accomplishes nothing..
End of August watch out..keep the powder dry.
Go 'Canes

[Hassan]

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_bianchi/2012/04/ohio-state-urban-meyer-gators-legacy-cartoonists-torching-it.html

[JameriCANE]

Count the W's vs. Bethune and Duke.

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | April 18, 2012 at 02:37 PM
------------------------------------------

On the surface everything you say is correct. The problem is what lies beneath the surface. In football you need a QB, you have to protect the ball, you got to play D, you have to have great line play etc etc. So many of these key things we do not have. Despite our recruiting classes we have a team with no symmetry, freshman are our most talented players. We have a qb who does not know the playbook. We had 265 lb DT's, We had selfish Jr's and Sr's not willing to work and looking at the NFL after a few decent games. All those things put together will get you a 6-6 team no matter where you recruit. The coaches and X & O's matter but not much. These guys get 20 hours a week certain times a year to make these kids better. You do not get to be an elite team with only working that amount. The great Canes teams were not feared or national champions because they were the most talented. FSU had the same talent we had year in year out but more times than not we beat them and we won titles because our guys WORKED!!! They were the hardest working team in the country. When you work that hard you KNOW you are good. That is how we got SWAGGER, those kids worked so hard bustin their tail against each other all summer they knew they was better than the other teams. Lately we have had the same talent we always had but the kids stopped working. The coaches X & O's don't matter nearly as much as the CULTURE the coach cultivates. The culture of Family, Sacrifice and Work is back that is why the Canes DESERVE VICTORY!!!!

Posted by: Hassan | April 18, 2012 at 03:45 PM

I agree with both Gin & Tonic and Hassan. If we as Canes fans are truly honest with ourselves, we recognize that the Canes have been a mediocre team at best since 2004 -- virtually our entire time in the ACC. Clearly we have recruited talented players, as exemplified in the NFL ProBowl every year, but the culture of working hard and sacrificing for the team is no longer the norm. Until that culture changes, the talent of the team will always be irrelevant. Hopefully Golden will be able to turn how good he sounds into performance on the field. I remain hopeful and faithful.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Gin and Tonic returns from his long self imposed vow of silence and drops the reality check nicely. I love the justification for .500% last year that revolves around the Yahoo article and the suspensions that were mostly against a team that went 2-10 last year, like somehow the idea that this suddenly arrived unannounced beforehand has any validity when not only was Shapiro doing his, "look at me, I used to be somebody," dance from his jail cell a year plus before the article was posted, but that somehow Golden and his agent were completely blindsided by it.

Either Golden was aware and lied about not being in the know, or he and his agent both are the biggest pair of buffoons to talk up UM as a destination job and then not keep an eye on the impending NCAA issues related to Shapiro's claims on their own. If the latter's the case, time for a new agent who does his job thoroughly instead of whining to the press about options after you drop the first every UM home Thursday night game in a major upset that kills your division race chances, but for the record, I don't think Golden qualifies as a buffoon.

As for the present, time to start winning Al, may I suggest press man coverage and linemen attacking up-field to put a healthy dose of the fear into the opposing huddle?

[SOUP]

Just arrived in Tallahassee.

Raining heavily right now.

UM vs FSU Friday night weather permitting.

That is all.