Five Questions With Canespace: Susan Miller-Degnan

Over the years Canespace has been fortunate enough to become friends with many of the dedicated media representatives from across the entire spectrum of Miami Hurricanes reporters.

From print media to Internet sites and radio personalities we have met most if not all of them along the way over the last six years. Fortunately we have been able to establish a positive working relationship with many of them during that time.

We met WQAM radio analyst Don Bailey Jr. after a Spring game several years ago at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. He took the time to chat with us about all things orange and green and was open and candid in his responses to us in the parking lot after the game.  He answered our questions as we listened and soaked up the information while he evaluated the Hurricanes team back in 2008.

But no friendship has been stronger than the one Canespace has forged over the years with Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald. The "Mandingo", as we like to call Manny, and "Susan" as we like to call Susan, have been more than generous with their time over the years. I am proud to say that both Manny and Susan wear Canespace (notice the green Canespace T-shirt over his left shoulder).

But tonight it is all about Susan as she steps up unafraid and directly into the fray to give us her perspective on the current state of the 2012 Miami Hurricanes football team.

Here are our five questions with Susan Miller-Degnan of the Miami Herald: 

Canespace: Stephen Morris won the starting QB role on this team. Do you think he is really ready to lead this team to victory in 2012 or is simply the best available player at his position at UM right now? We all know that it is only a matter of time before fan favorite Gray Crow is named the starting QB at UM but based on what you have seen or know is Morris going to have an excellent or just average 2012 season for the Hurricanes?

Susan Miller-Degnan: I definitely think Stephen is ready, and not just “the best available player at his position at UM right now.’’ I didn’t know we all knew “fan favorite” Gray Crow would be the starter, though I have to admit he’s a really super young man. (Aside: Al Golden told us today that Preston Dewey was leading in the battle for third-team quarterback, which was somewhat surprising based on what we saw in the spring). But I do believe that Stephen Morris can lead this team. Honestly, we don’t see much in practice, but he has a wonderful arm, and we’ve se en him make some dead-on accurate missile throws from many, many, many yards out. We’ve also seen him throw a good share of picks. Just think of how he was thrust into the starting role as a freshman, when most, including himself, were sure he would redshirt. I’ve talked to a lot of players this fall, and almost all to a man, when asked about the difference between Stephen and Ryan Williams, raved about Stephen – even before he was selected as the starter.

Canespace: How many Freshmen do you see getting some serious playing time as the year goes on? Name some Freshmen (True or RS) who you think will play in 2012 and maybe even start by season's end?

Susan: Oh my, the list never ends. Serious playing time: Ereck Flowers, Malcolm Lewis, Duke Johnson, Earl Moore, Gabe Terry, Eddie Johnson, Deon Bush, Rayshawn Jenkins, Tracy Howard, Jelani Hamilton, Tyriq McCord. By the way, not sure exactly what “serious’’ means, but I think all these guys will have a lot of experience by season’s end.

Canespace: The Legends of the Fall selection process is an annual ritual at Canespace. The bloggers select one player on offense and one on defense that they think will have a spectacular, break-out or legendary season each year. This year the most selected players were of course QB Stephen Morris and LB Denzel Perryman. Apart from those two obvious selections which two players do you think will show up and show out this season? In addition please also select ONE Freshman player and ONE assistant or position coach who you think will be difference makers for the 2012 UM football team?

Susan Miller-Degnan:

Offense: RaShawn Scott.

Defense: Anthony Chickillo.

Freshman difference-maker: Duke Johnson.

Assistant: Jedd Fisch.

Canespace: Will the offense carry the defense or will the defense carry the offense for the 2012 Miami Hurricanes? Which is the stronger side of this team and what is the strongest position?

Susan: I thought before camp started that possibly it would be the defense, but now I don’t think so. Again, we don’t see much except for some position drills, but I can’t help but have this gnawing feeling that the run defense will be lacking – and that opposing quarterbacks will rundown the gut as if it’s the Red Sea parting (witness many games the past several years.) There have been some injuries to linebackers, and Ramon Buchanan is returning from ACL surgery. Denzel will be a major force, and he better stay healthy for the Canes’ sake. The others (except for Jimmy Gaines) are painfully inexperienced. Additionally, coaches have never seemed secure about the defensive line, and are obviously concerned about the tackle position. The defensive backs should be a lot better, you’d think, with all that young talent. But remember, the highly touted youngsters are just out of high school and those guys need a little time to get used to college play.

Offensively, I just keep thinking about ‘What can Duke do for you?’ We haven’t seen him in action, other than in high school, but he’s the one kid I’m really excited about finally being able to watch in college. The tight ends, unfortunately, have not seemed to thrill Coach Golden, who was a tight end himself. I have seen a lot of promise in Clive Walford, but he has to be able to hang on to the ball. I also thought Asante Cleveland was a real talent-in-the-making as a freshman, so let’s see how he has progressed. If the offensive line is strong (and that’s a big if, because the depth is suspect), and those young receivers can catch (blocking is also a question mark for young ones), that will open up the running game as well.

Canespace: OK, finally it is time to put you on the spot: I need your overall season record prediction for the 'Canes this season? Just give it to us straight!

Susan: I’m sorry but I can’t give you a prediction until I see the first two games, But if I’m predicting the first two games then I’m saying 1-1 with a win at Boston College and a loss at Kansas State.

Comments

[BEERicane]

First

[BEERicane]

Duke will finally be the back the canes have been waiting for sine Willis.

[solarcane]

I’m sorry but I can’t give you a prediction until I see the first two games,

smartest answer to this question yet

[86Cane]

Susan also said this: "If Seantrel Henderson starts after the second game and for the rest of the season UM will go undefeated."

JUST KIDDING!

[BEERicane]

smartest answer to this question yet

Posted by: solarcane | August 25, 2012 at 09:12 PM

Biggest lack of balls in an answer. Oh, wait....

[Tsully76]

Well 86 Susan has to come back on September 10 or 11th and give us a final answer to the record. lol on the Seantrell Henderson playing time equals automatic wins.

[Sinistercane]

Susan how the hell did Ramon buchanan hit the top of the deph chart when he was hurt during the off season and out work by the younger LBs

[usagainsttheworld]

robert lockhart

[j.w.]

Top 6? thans as always, Susan and CEO

[solarcane]

beeri,
any fool can say we will go 12-0 10-2 etc. just because it seems thats what your heart says. NOBODY knows anything until we see Duke get popped by an all American senior linebacker, Morris throwing against guys not named Mcgee.

Lets see kids actually play someone then start gushing.
Jacory and the MNW posse winning the NC as jrs never coming close to happening didn't teach a lot of fans to stop predicting things they haven't a clue about.

[roachcane77]

Strongest position? It's hard to say. I really want to see this team play twice before making judgments. I'm strange. I need eye-ball evidence before putting my reputation on it.
Posted by: ByCasagrande | August 23, 2012 at 09:38 PM

Hmmm... seems like Susan has been reading Canespace!

[usagainsttheworld]

Canespace: Stephen Morris won the starting QB role on this team. Do you think he is really ready to lead this team to victory in 2012 or is simply the best available player at his position at UM right now? We all know that it is only a matter of time before fan favorite Gray Crow is named the starting QB at UM. . .

(with all due respect) this is a ridiculous question. the best available player should be your leaders! gray crow hasn't done jack-he's the friggin' 4th string quarterback right now. am i missing something or what!? stop talking about him. we ridin' out with "stevie morrie." he's our guy, he's the best available player at his position and he's our leader!

gimme' a break.

[roachcane77]

All kidding aside... Susan... what's YOUR opinion on Eddie Johnson #44?

He's one of my LOFs...

[BEERicane]

NOBODY knows anything until we see Duke get popped by an all American senior linebacker, Morris throwing against guys not named Mcgee.

Posted by: solarcane | August 25, 2012 at 09:24 PM

VERY true, solar. But that McGee comment just made me cringe. not only because McGee is the worst coverage person not named RayRay, Morris is throwing against the reserves. That makes me want to call 5-7

[canesteeler]

Spence is on the bubble to make the Steelers.

[Account Deleted]

Given the # of underclassmen that will be playing big roles this year it's really hard to figure how the season will turn out.

To be fair, I'd say we're a 5-7 team at the start that could grow to be 7-5 by seasons end.

The good news, with lots of returning players next season looks much more promising.

But for this year, sit back and watch the future unfold

[UMike]

umike it is looking pretty good that i can go to unc and gt will you be in atlanta?

Posted by: solarcane | August 25, 2012 at 08:20 PM

solar, I am trying..a buddy of mine up here is a GT fan and we vowed to make every game in Atlanta since its only 2 hours away..so I should be there

[solarcane]

usagainst

The Crow thing is just an inside joke 86cane plays.
He is friends with Gray's mom and dad and they read this blog, so he winks and gives Crow a lot of love

[solarcane]

umike,
fantastic I think roach will be there too, his boy goes to GT....I know, I know.. maybe we can all hook up somewhere and hang out.

[usagainsttheworld]

usagainst

The Crow thing is just an inside joke 86cane plays.
He is friends with Gray's mom and dad and they read this blog, so he winks and gives Crow a lot of love

Posted by: solarcane | August 25, 2012 at 10:10 PM

i see i did miss something. . . guess i'll eat crow then. . . thanks solar!

[WWIN]

Solar,

The jerseys are suppose to fit tight so that the players won't be easily grabbed

[usagainsttheworld]

dear mr. and mrs. crow,

no harm meant. your son's a cane and he's family-- that means you are too!

[solarcane]

longtimecane
I'm with you, I think next season will be what we used to take for granted and we are a ranked team from there out till Golden is coaching The Buffalo Bills.

[solarcane]

usagainst, lol sweet reply

hi willie,
yea I know but I hate the look.

[solarcane]

I think Danica Patrick is texting

[tjl3909]

Dallas Crawford not making the bus means they have big plans for The Duke

[Susan Miller Degnan]

Thanks everyone. By the way, I had no idea that @ByCasagrande wrote that he needed to see the first two games before making a prediction. If he really did that, as seen above, you have to respect him for that!! Haha. Did he predict the first two games also?

[Laquinton]

Wow, six is gonna love the fact that crows parents read the space. Lmao beeri great point tho. McGee isnt the top 8 corner in the acc just 2 inches smaller and 20 lbs lighter than DVD honestly they play the same. Morris has arm but can he make his checks and throws to the guys wearing orange and green. I dont think golden is leaving anytime soon..Seantrel won't start until NC state.

[Hassan]

Congrats to Clinton Portis and Sean Taylor for being selected to the 80 for 80.

This is something the Redskins are doing to honor the all time best Redskins (players and coaches). Previuosly they had 70 for 70. and added 10 today.

[UMike]

umike,
fantastic I think roach will be there too, his boy goes to GT....I know, I know.. maybe we can all hook up somewhere and hang out.

Posted by: solarcane | August 25, 2012 at 10:13 PM

solar, that sounds great. Had a great time 2 years ago there..it was actually the first time I really tailgated lol

[CaneRock]

By Susan Miller Degnan

Mike James arrived at the University of Miami as a running back with a smile so radiant, an attitude so positive and a work ethic so unflinching that his teammates couldn’t help but be drawn to him.

That he has endured excruciating heartache in his four-year journey and come through it with those same attributes speaks to the character of the man he has become in his 21 years — and the woman who brought him into the world and raised him.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/25/2968307/miami-hurricanes-mike-james-driven.html#storylink=cpy

[86Cane]

Dear mr. and mrs. crow,

no harm meant. your son's a cane and he's family-- that means you are too!

Posted by: usagainsttheworld | August 25, 2012 at 10:18 PM

Now that's better young man.

There are by last count at least 7-10 players parents who read the blog and the comments so PLEASE be careful what U say.

[86Cane]

Susan...who knows what anybody else does? Just give us your best Seantrel prediction and casll it a day!

[usagainsttheworld]

86 I'm going to email you tomorrow...

[usagainsttheworld]

..I mean later today!

[Jack]

Let's go Canes!!!

No predictions just love for my Canes!!!!

We Got Some Canes Over Here!!!

[canezilla]

STARTING TO GET REAL NASTY DOWN HERE WITH THE WIND AND RAIN..CAN'T WAIT FOR THE REAL HURRICANE TO START!!!!

[4-Real]

Damn!! Checking out the list of guys that won't be traveling 2 B.C. Did any of the $55 dollar kids get 2 go? Lol

[roachcane77]

Solar... not me with a kid at GT.

My one and only daughter was a 2005 grad from The U, baby! (Degree in Film & TV)

She's now married, out in L.A. and a successful video editor. Made me a grandfather last October with Miles Lennon Chandler. (A great baby, and future Cane!)

Anyway, I know SOMEONE on here has a son or daughter at GT, I just can't remember who.

[CGNC]

LOL next week at this time we will be discussing the BC game we saw the day before

[VegasCane]

In less than 2 weeks, I will be on a flight from Vegas to Kansas to go to my first Miami game in person. Can't wait!

[Hassan]

I think Marve is going for his PHD, he has been in school since the Bush Administration. He has had more operations then a WWII Vet.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e7fa415a09b44d94a7ccd7dd5cce6330/FBC--Purdue-Marves-Last-Chance

[CGNC]

Hassan, maybe finally at 23 he has matured. I think his dad was part of his problem. I wish him the best.

[Tsully76]

Any Canespacers going to the Ga. Tech game.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Man, if getting edged out for the sweep in a home and home series with traditional all-time doormat program Kansas State doesn't exemplify the 'Golden' era to date, I don't know what will. That team was the biggest smoke and mirror team in the nation in 2011, got to get that one back.

[86Cane]

OGV...U said that Miami was going 2-9 this season so why wouldn't U EXPECT them to lose to K State?

[CaneRock]

The buzz on UM freshmen and where they stand; Dolphins, Heat, Marlins chatter
SUNDAY BUZZ COLUMN

Howard’s strengths? “I press well. I’m very physical, quick. A smart corner. What sets me apart is knowledge of the game….

“I’m very humble. I don’t go out. I don’t play video games. I don’t want to party. I might graduate in three years, studying finance. But I want to win before I leave. Hopefully, I’ll win the Jim Thorpe and be the first corner drafted.”

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2012/08/the-buzz-on-um-freshmen-and-where-they-stand-dolphins-heat-marlins-chatter.html#storylink=cpy

[j.w.]

teeler- Spence is on the bubble? THought he was a sure bet to get significant PT, at least on special teams.

[86Cane]

Legends of the Fall - Susan Miller-Degnan:

Offense: RaShawn Scott.

Defense: Anthony Chickillo.

Freshman difference-maker: Duke Johnson.

Assistant: Jedd Fisch.

[86Cane]

Legends of the Fall - Chris Whittyngham

Offense: Allen Hurns

Defense: Shayon Green

Freshman: Duke Johnson

Coach: Jedd Fisch