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.
Hmmm, I thought the exact opposite about McDermott, seemed like Porter and Smith were just manhandling Him in the Spring. Physically, I think Wheeler is better than McDermott, but you're right, McDermott may have the mental side down more.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 26, 2012 at 10:10 PM
i thought he played well. i was worried until i saw him. he is much stronger then Horn and he was not pushed back as much to me.
Posted by: Hassan | August 27, 2012 at 01:32 AM
If we don't beat this BC team by 3 tds it's going to be a long season. Of course nobody truelly knows what this Years canes are capable of. All I know is I'm getting that nervous feeling in my gut...must be close to game time!
Posted by: Panamacitycane | August 27, 2012 at 01:34 AM
I bet the Great Mandingo is a wonderful pops....he is my favorite writer in the market...I look forward to his stint on CS. Will get the $ right and send a 10 spot wrapped up!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 27, 2012 at 07:42 AM
"Cocane...I like your selections for Canespace LOF but I think OhioCane and Hassan are the offense and defense selections with LB as the Freshman and Solar, do to his recent triumphant return to the blog, is the Coordinator choice."
That's very kind of you. Thank you.
On a much more sinister note...
...my birthday luncheon takes place at 1 PM. The Kansas State game is at noon. I don't have a smartphone to stick headphones in my ears. The restaurant doesn't have a TV.
I think I beat Lewis Black in most uses of the f word in a minute.
Posted by: LB | August 27, 2012 at 08:03 AM
We stop the run (our Achilles heel) and we win against bc. How's that for stating the obvious?
Posted by: usagainsttheworld | August 27, 2012 at 08:47 AM
3td,s? the crazies are coming out again-I bet if we put 2 wins together there will be talk of a NC. I'll take a win against BC by a point, by a 1/2 a point--even a forfeit! as long as we are 1-0
Posted by: tjl3909 | August 27, 2012 at 08:52 AM
The 2012 college football schedule kicks off Thursday, beginning five straight days of FBS action: 17 games on Thursday, five on Friday, 53 on Saturday and two on Sunday before Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech on Monday night.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 09:18 AM
The looming threat of Tropical Storm Isaac is already affecting the Miami Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes moved Saturday's practice 35 miles north to the Miami Dolphins' indoor facility. University officials have closed campus through Monday because of the storm, which is expected to bring high wind and several inches of rain Sunday and Monday.
Miami opens its season at Boston College on Sept. 1. The university said decisions on the week's practice schedule would depend on what happens with Isaac.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/08/25/miami-practice-indoors-isaac.ap/index.html#ixzz24khn4w00
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 09:19 AM
LB, invite one of your friends with a smart phone and the smarts enough to get the game tuned in on it, then play the, "It's my birthday," card to get to at least get updates every ten minutes.
"What do U wish on people who U really hate or have given U reason to dislike them?
Posted by: 86Cane | August 26, 2012 at 02:06 PM"
That their alma mater hires Mark D'No as their defensive signal caller?
Thank you! I'll be here all week. Try the lobster.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 27, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Thank you! I'll be here all week. Try the lobster.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 27, 2012 at 09:23 AM
U crack me up!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 09:45 AM
For the second consecutive season, the Miami Hurricanes will open on the road at an Atlantic Coast Conference rival. Year
two of the Al Golden era begins Saturday at Boston College (3:35 p.m. EDT, ABC/ESPN2).
• In the first season under Golden, the Hurricanes finished 6-6 overall with a 3-5 ACC record.
• Due to the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac, the University of Miami campus closed at 7 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 25 and did not reopen until Tue., Aug. 28.
• Miami is 56-29-1 all-time in season openers, winning three of its last four.
• Saturday will mark the 29th series meeting with Miami holding a 23-5 advantage over Boston College.
• Boston College and Miami are meeting in the season opener for only the second time. In 1993, then-No. 4 Miami defeated
then-No. 20 Boston College 23-7 in Chestnut Hill.
• Miami is making its first trip to Chestnut Hill since 2007 — a 28-14 Hurricanes loss.
• Miami is 7-3 against Boston College in Chestnut Hill; the last Hurricanes win at Boston College was an 18-7 triumph in 2001
(Miami was ranked No. 1 in the nation).
• Junior QB Stephen Morris was appointed the starting signal-caller following the Miami Hurricanes’ first fall scrimmage in
August. Morris has five career starts under his belt, posting a 2-3 record as a starter.
• Nearly of 70 of Miami’s 2012 roster hails from Florida (67 players), including 21 that hail from Miami-Dade County.
• Gone from Miami’s program are 25 seniors from the class of 2011 — all of which graduated. The senior class was also
honored with the Jack Harding Team Most Outstanding Player Award. The 2011 senior class included All-ACC performers
Sean Spence (LB) and Tyler Horn (OL) as well as record-setting QB Jacory Harris.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 10:47 AM
does anybody have an updated ncaa13 roster that i can download??
Posted by: swamper | August 27, 2012 at 10:52 AM
IF anybody is in the Boston College area and is looking for a ticket to the Game please email me johanfgc6@gmail.com i have one ticket available.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | August 27, 2012 at 10:55 AM
According to ProCanes.com former UM QB/WR Ethenic Sands is now an assistant coach at Miami Carol City HS.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Heather has UM ranked at #9 ahead of only Duke, BC and MD in 12 team ACC:
http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/42753/acc-power-rankings-week-1-2
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 11:11 AM
UMAA Game Watch Parties:
http://www6.miami.edu/alumni/events/gamewatches.htm
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Five Star Hell:
http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2011/08/football_star_demar_dorsey_loo.html
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 11:18 AM
86 I look forward to our Canes making some of these experts eat some crow sandwiches. It's game week. 5 days till Gameday.
Posted by: Tsully76 | August 27, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Bayless and Stephen A. still flapping about Tebow. Too much....and also talking about Chad and TO. I was glad to see both of them released; honestly I cannot stand either one of them. Love to see them get Tatumized hard. I will say this: TO will be in the HOF one day just on numbers...very good stats. If you could keep a guy out for being an Ass#*le, it would be him. Chad...dream on Loudmouth wife beater you wont sniff it.
Staubach said character is very important; I agree on that point. He flat out said OJ shuold be removed....great back on bad team....but we all know the truth on him....How could you write a book called "If I did It"? pretty bad stuff. JMO
Posted by: VA Cane | August 27, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Seminoles just released depth chart:
http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/depthchart.html
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 11:49 AM
So we traded Maryland for NC State on the schedule. Would like to have opened at home vs Maryland!
Posted by: tjl3909 | August 27, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Another season, same question: When will the Miami Hurricanes have a dominant tight end?
Bubba Franks. Jeremy Shockey. Kellen Winslow. Greg Olsen. Those days are long gone.
The year 2010 — 22 combined catches for 236 yards and a touchdown — marked the first time in 16 years that a UM tight end failed to make double-digit receptions (Syii Tucker and Gerard Daphnis each had nine catches in 1994).
The year 2011 — 28 combined catches for 266 yards and two touchdowns — wasn’t much better.
Tight ends coach Brennan Carroll, Fisch and Golden just hope that 6-5, 263-pound junior Asante Cleveland, now ahead of Clive Walford, Dyron Dye and David Perry on the depth chart, continues to improve after shoulder surgery to repair a torn right labrum in February 2011.
“Last year during camp I didn’t really perform as well as I thought I could,” said Cleveland, who played mostly on special teams in 2011, and had one catch for six yards in the season opener. “I was coming off the shoulder injury so I was still a little hesitant when it came to blocking, and still cautious about protecting my shoulder. But I put in so much work during the offseason with the strength and conditioning program, I shouldn’t even need to think about that anymore.
“We’re long overdue. The past couple years, tight ends haven’t really been that great in production for our offense.’’
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/26/2969622/miami-hurricanes-still-searching.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Analysis of FSU's depth chart just released:
http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082712aac.html
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Miami is NOT the only young team out there:
- #Sooners release their depth chart for the world to see. There are 13 freshman on the two-deep, NINE of those true FR.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 12:31 PM
86, Maryland is similar with 14 freshman on their two-deep.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2012 at 12:39 PM
UMD's freshman generally =/= OU's freshman.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 27, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Reggie Northrup smh..
Posted by: Laquinton | August 27, 2012 at 01:12 PM
Breaking News: Tornado warning issued for Tampa Bay region, including parts of Polk, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee counties - NWS http://1.usa.gov/dVESMs
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2012 at 01:50 PM
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/tag/_/name/2012-preseason-predictions
5. Miami will be better than expected. Not many people have faith in the Hurricanes this year, with only 10 starters returning and limited depth at a variety of positions on the field. But I think Stephen Morris will be a major upgrade over Jacory Harris and there are plenty of young playmakers who will do well when pressed into playing time. Watch out for Duke Johnson, who has the potential to dazzle.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | August 27, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Wow, when was the last time we heard Heather Dinich with something positive to say about our Canes, especially with the rest of the media saying the opposite.
Posted by: j.w. | August 27, 2012 at 03:04 PM
4. Miami -- yes, the big, bad Hurricanes -- will be Notre Dame's easiest opponent. The Hurricanes' thin offensive line will have trouble against Notre Dame's defensive front. They are also coming off back-to-back games against Georgia Tech and NC State, while whatever fatigue issues the Irish had from their Dublin trip should be gone with the Sept. 29 bye. Chicago will be jacked for the Irish's Oct. 6 appearance.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | August 27, 2012 at 03:20 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2012 at 03:59 PM