Five Questions With Canespace: WVUM

In part four of our "Five Questions" series of feature articles we reached out to our long-time friends at WVUM.  For those of you who don't know WVUM is the on-campus radio station that plays music that old guys like me and many other bloggers at Canespace have never heard before. 

In addition to their eclectic music menu the student-run radio station also has an excellent sports department led by our good friend and Sports Director Chris Whittyngham.

Whittyngham is a solid student, a rabid 'Canes sports fan and an excellent broadcaster who can be heard on WVUM covering football and baseball games.  Chris is also an insightful analyst and helped break down the five questions in great detail for his opportunity to be heard on Canespace.

Here are our Five Questions with WVUM Sports Director Chris Whittyngham:

Canespace: Tell us your opinion on QB Stephen Morris winning the starting role at the most important position on the field and whether or not you have faith in his ability to lead the 2012 Hurricanes team to victory against a tough schedule?  Can Morris get the job done in Jedd Fisch's pro-style offense?

WVUM: I do believe that Stephen Morris is ready to lead the Canes. I actually thought he should have been the starter last year because I think we probably should have known that we were in for growing pains last year, and it would have been wiser to have been a little more forward-thinking and prepare your then sophomore QB for the future. As it is, I think Stephen has far better arm strength than Jacory Harris did last year which opens up the vertical passing game. The key is going to be the receivers. Hurns, Dorsett, Thompkins, and Scott have all shown it in flashes, but they all need to step up to be regular contributors in every game. And I don't think Gray Crow will be the starter here for a while. From what I saw in spring and fall he doesn't look even close to ready yet. I think Morris will have a good year. Interceptions will be a problem because he has a tendency to throw them (Career 7 TD/11 INT in 6 starts) and because I don't know how reliable the receivers will be.

Canespace: How many kids who are fresh out of high school and can barely shave are going to be on the field and under the bright lights for Miami this season?

WVUM: There are 15 freshmen listed on the most recent two-deep depth chart (Lewis, Isidora, Flowers, Duke, Waters, D. Crawford, Hamilton, Ivery, Moore, McCord, Terry, A. Crawford, Bush, Jenkins, Howard) and I imagine 10 of them will probably hit the field. It could be more depending on injuries and where the season goes.

Canespace: You know about our Legends of the Fall routine from last season. Select one offensive and defensive player that you think will "break out" this season? Also pick one Freshman and one assistant coach that you think will be difference makers for the Hurricanes in 2012?

WVUM: For break-out I imagine on offense it will be Allen Hurns and for defense I think it will be Shayon Green. Allen had good games, like Ohio State last year, but for the most part was overshadowed by the great play of Tommy Streeter. I think this year he's probably your number one
receiver and he will play well in the role. I think Green has been one of the coaches favorites and has kept the black jersey for most of camp. There's a reason the coaches like him and I think he'll have a good season. In terms of freshman, without question it's Duke Johnson. He's already making explosive
plays in camp and I think in the role they're giving him he will flourish. And I think Jedd Fisch will be the difference maker as an assistant. UM is glad to have him back, along with the rest of the staff, because uniformity in what you're being taught is huge. They'll need to improve in the red zone to be
better and I think Fisch has some new ideas to build on his offense from year one, like his idea to liven up the pace and break the huddle faster and get more plays in.

Canespace: Where can the strength of this team be found, is it on offense or on defense?

WVUM: I would say right now that the offense is probably the strength of the team. They have playmakers that have played well in camp and I think with the exception of a guy like Denzel Perryman, I don't think there's anybody on defense you can count on to make big plays consistently. Hopefully Miami's games won't turn into shootouts but I think the defense will need to get better over the course of the season.

Canespace: OK, time to get real. I need your season record prediction for the 2012 Miami Hurricanes football team in their second year under head coach Al Golden?

WVUM: I'm going 7-5. I think there's a good chance the Canes start the season well. I think Canes fans expectations should be to start the season 2-1 and from there you have to take the season in quarters. I think Miami fans and students have a big burden to provide a home field advantage
because Miami's 2 biggest games of the season (FSU, VT) are at home. Fans need to come strong in those games to help lift the home team. But in the end, I think it will be 7-5 for Miami in 2012.

Comments

[VA Cane]

first!!

[solarcane]

nice one va

[VA Cane]

2nd as well?

[86Cane]

Season predictions so far for 2012:

Brandon Odoi, CaneInsider 4-8

Michael Casagrande, Sun-Sentinel 6-6

Chris Whittyngham, WVUM 7-5

Gary Ferman, Canesport 8-4

SolarCane, Canespace They will play hard

[solarcane]

lol yea they will

[VA Cane]

Hey solar, since I did not sign in on typepad, I could be tested for doping and have all 12 of my kids SB titles in 33 years stripped...kind of like Lance!!! Guess it is up to the big boss Huh? Nice to be first in something....been running way back in a lot of things since the economic and housing crises!!! Solar, please tell me you have some of those incredible animations....you need to be on TV they really are incredible my friend. 86, hope you ate one of those lobsters for me!!!

[solarcane]

hi va,
thanks
I have a couple part way done.
I haven't set the Fantasy Factory stop action studio back up since an unfortunate Swifter wielding wife disaster.
As I get a little more time I'll put up a preview.
I know you will bounce back and things will be fine, keep grinding my friend,

[86Cane]

86, hope you ate one of those lobsters for me!!!

Posted by: VA Cane | August 24, 2012 at 09:22 PM

One? ONE? Why I ate FOUR in your honor. Extra butter of course, just like U like 'em!

[Laquinton]

Nice questions 86, why would he mention gray crow ??

[86Cane]

Nice questions 86, why would he mention gray crow ??

Posted by: Laquinton | August 24, 2012 at 10:11 PM

Gray Crow is BY FAR the best FUTURE player on the team and the next starting QB at UM after Morris leaves, that's why!

[86Cane]

Nice questions 86, why would he mention gray crow ??

Posted by: Laquinton | August 24, 2012 at 10:11 PM

Well that and his parents read Canespace.

Actually I am being serious when I say that:

Gray Crow = Bernie Kosar

Kosar was NOT the most gifted athlete but he was a determined leader of men. And that is how I see Gray Crow.

[solarcane]

so as a redshirt freshman Gray will start 12 games go 11-1 play in the NC and win it??

[TonyCane]

Season predictions so far for 2012:

Brandon Odoi, CaneInsider 4-8

Michael Casagrande, Sun-Sentinel 6-6

Chris Whittyngham, WVUM 7-5

Gary Ferman, Canesport 8-4

SolarCane, Canespace They will play hard

TonyCane: 12-0 - national media goes nuts, Shapiro weeps, and Jimbo Fisher screams in frustration

[j.w.]

Hey, one of the guests/smart guys agrees with me on the season prediction! FWIW, I hope we're both wrong and Tony is right. :)

[86Cane]

so as a redshirt freshman Gray will start 12 games go 11-1 play in the NC and win it??

Posted by: solarcane | August 24, 2012 at 10:58 PM

He is a TRUE Freshman this year so then NEXT year, well not exactly. I think that Morris will start for the next TWO years and then after that it is a toss up.

So then as a Sophomore or Junior then maybe...YES!

[solarcane]

So then as a Sophomore or Junior then maybe...YES!

aight then

[86Cane]

SMD from the Miami Herald has submitted her entry in the FIVE questions saga here at Canespace. She goes in-depth and deep tomorrow night here on the blog.

[solarcane]

She goes in-depth and deep tomorrow night here on the blog.

lucky I've turned over a new leaf

[solarcane]

im out,
have a great weekend spacers

[86Cane]

The five question interview and chats are amazing. You have succeeded in your promise over five years ago to someday have newspaper writers blogging on Canespace rather than Canespacers blogging at newspapers.

I'm proud of you and happy our never ending work here is being recognized as relevant by the writers.

Posted by: solarcane | August 24, 2012 at 05:43 PM

We got this!

[WWIN]

I like how people keep saying morris has a tendency to throw ints but they don't say that about peyton manning. And yes I think peyton is one of the greatest qb's ever but he throws a lot of pics. He three 23 total ints his Jr and Sr years at UT. Ints on the stat book are deceiving at times just like td's. Just kind of depends on if the db's are dropping em or it could be from tipped passes

[86Cane]

Willie...when Morris throws his first 70 yard TD to Malcolm Lewis against BC please call me on my private line. I'll be there waiting.

[Pre83]

Actually I am being serious when I say that:

Gray Crow = Bernie Kosar

Kosar was NOT the most gifted athlete but he was a determined leader of men. And that is how I see Gray Crow.

Kosar was NOT the most gifted athlete but he was a determined leader of men. And that is how I see Gray Crow.

Posted by: 86Cane | August 24, 2012 at 10:42 PM

86 - Kosar is my all-time favorite Cane. He is THE reason I became a Cane fan after seeing him play against Notre Dame earlier in the season that they won their first NC.

The traits he had that blew me away as a Redshirt Freshman were his intelligence/decision making (light years ahead of 4th year seniors), his complete understanding of the offense he had to run, his desire to always press/always attack the defense, and yes, a very determined leader of men.

If Gray is even close to Bernie, I'm going to be one happy SOB! I hope you are right!

[Pre83]

The five question interview and chats are amazing. You have succeeded in your promise over five years ago to someday have newspaper writers blogging on Canespace rather than Canespacers blogging at newspapers.

I'm proud of you and happy our never ending work here is being recognized as relevant by the writers.

Posted by: solarcane | August 24, 2012 at 05:43 PM

+1 (tip of the cap)

[86Cane]

Oh yeah, and Willie, about all of those trick plays that everyone raves about? Well yeah there aren't any that I have been told exist so U best just forget about those.

What to expect is a bunch of SMASH-MOUTH football and maybe once in a while a LONG pass? They will NOT get creative against BC. They are saving that for KSU.

[86Cane]

Or did I get that mixed up? Maybe they will get creative against BC and play smash-mouth against KSU? Oh well who knows? LOL

[WWIN]

Willie...when Morris throws his first 70 yard TD to Malcolm Lewis against BC please call me on my private line. I'll be there waiting.

Posted by: 86Cane | August 25, 2012 at 12:06 AM

Will do, if I have your number lol

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great stuff 86. These 5 questions segments are fantastic man. Great insight and perspective. Mad props 86. I would be a very happy Canes fan if our Canes first win the Division and Conference and Bowl Game anything else is icing on the proverbial cake. 7 days till kickoff. I got my Hurricanes Flag flying in my yard here in Montgomery. So pumped for the season. M-I-A-M-l fight, fight, fight.

[Tsully76]

Including bowl game I feel our Canes will win 10 games that would be for the first time since the 2003 team won the Big East and the Orange Bowl finished 11-2 and #5 in the nation. I feel our Canes will be a top 20 team in final rankings in January.

[Panamacitycane]

Not sure if you know this or not...but 7 days left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all.

[fmcane]

Canes got this against BC! I think 7-5 is about what to expect overall. Tsullivan where in the Gump I just got transfered here from Ft. Myers originally out of Broward. I been getting hate for repping the U any cane spots to watch the game in town?

[swamper]

anybody have the full rosters for ncaa???

[Tsully76]

FMCane I live downtown. There are other Canes fans here as well. I usually go to Dreamland BBQ or Bob Baumhower's Sports Pub, etc.

[canezilla]

EASY MONEY!!! BC -1 .. I JUST 80$ ON THE CANES.BC HAS TO MANY STARTERS HURT NO REASON FOR US TO LOSE RIGHT, RIGHT???

[CoCane]

If they're not blowing BC out by halftime, it's going to be a looooooong season...

[orange 'n green in the vein]

This is pretty big, from Maisel at ESPN a few days ago;

"3. A North Carolina judge’s decision ordering former Tar Heel head coach Butch Davis to surrender the bills of his private cell phone to the university will make the stomach of every coach in America flip. Private cell phones are how coaches skirt the NCAA Manual. If North Carolina finds something like calls to recruits during dead periods, the school will be in more trouble. Let’s hope Davis didn’t keep his cell phone records private for any reason other than protecting privacy."

[86Cane]

New Raising Canes video just released:

http://ufootball.tumblr.com/post/30171037019/new-raisingcanes-the-art-of-the-quarterback

[VA Cane]

I am on that 8-4 7-5 boat...again I do not do predictions, but I try to be real. We have a lot of questions, a lot of pressure, a lot of stress and worry on the program, andf a lot of young faces. I am actually looking forward to a season where the young kids play hard, work together, and surprise some people. I think we will be impressed by the hustle, commitment, energy and great enthusiasm of these young men. And who knows?

My first coaching position I had to be talked into, almost strong-armed. I was 19, my college career over due to knee and shoulder issues...a JR in college...all I wanted to do was be alone, drink and party. I was asked to coach my old elementary school... I finally agreed. The kids were young, inexperienced, had not had a lot of coaching. I got 1 buddy of mine, and a girl I knew who loved football and knew it well (CGNC-like expert!!!) and we took it on. I had a big line, whom I coached up...and had 3 young black kids that I put at QB and RBs....and lo and behold it was unreal. My line learned to block hard and open holes, my backs could fly they were great, blocked for each other, never cared who got the ball....and my qb was a godsend!!! He was an unreal leader, took command on the field...we were connected in the brain. He later played college and semi-pro ball....a great young man who has done well as a teacher first, coach second!!! We went 7-0, and in a 4 team playoff won the 2 games to become champs. That was 1979....and it worked. I think we can really surprise some people this year...and this group will do ok. We may not win it all, but there will be some pleasant surprises...JMO

[orange 'n green in the vein]

VA C, admit it, in 1979, even at elementary school age football, there were some teams you beat that couldn't believe they were on the wrong end of the scoreboard of a team with a woman as an assistant.

[VA Cane]

You are absoutely correct. Kathy was quite a girl. She knew football from her dad, and man, she was great at fundementals, she could be heard....and OGV...she could punt the hell out of a football. Other teams at first said here comes the girl team.....after they saw her in action...not so much talk my friend. She was also a great trainer...she could do it all and I was glad to have her out there. Now I am no innovator, but I knew her well enough to know she was a great person and coach. I have coached withg several women. One of my old QBS now plays at James Madison University...they won a FCS Div II title in 04...his mom coached with me when he was young. Kathy was a verl beautiful girl as well....shes married, living in PA....and still coaching....she thanks me for her start...mutually, I feel like she encouraged me when I took my first HC job reluctantly and we had so much success...it made me see my calling. TEAM means Together Everyone Succeeds Mightily ...every year I have shirts printed with this for my kids to wear...I started doing it in 1980 after I learned what coaching a team is all about. Thanks OGV!!!

[Keoki]

Great job Soup!
Anyone going to Chicago to witness a ND beatdown?

[j.w.]

Good luck, Floridians with this storm- stay safe, stay dry, and I'm hoping the clean up is no big deal.

[Cane4eva]

Together Everyone Succeeds Mightily?

TESM?

Just sayin.....

[VA Cane]

Sorry about that...I was thinking of Success...Together Everyone Achieves Mightily....Point well taken my friend....it really works for my players and we have achieved 12 SBs in 33 years....I have a really deep, talented, dedicated team this year. My line is not giant....but strong, quick feet, tough and smart. I have 2 fast WRs, 4 backs that will alternate....4 burners who are tough....and a brilliant general of a QB. My D is 11 hitters....11 Assassins who hit like the great Assassin Jack Tatum did....we have the Jamboree next weekend, then we start.

[VA Cane]

What can I say....VA Country Azz Cane!!! we cannot spell read or write, and have outdoor plumbing!!!!! LOL Its good to laugh at yourself!!!

[usagainsttheworld]

This year I just want to see the team compete. No doubt that with all the youngins' in the two deep there will be some hard lessons to learn. What gives me hope is that Goldie and the boys, being teaching coaches, will ensure that the players learn their lessons, and develop appropriately from what they learn.

Also, with Goldie reestablishing the connections to the state of Miami Pipeline, we will get (and they will develop) the talent at the specialty positions. However until we control and dominate the point of attack, that is the OL and DL, we will have to hold our tongues on saying that we are back.

[solarcane]

every once in awhile someone sends me a youtube that I feel deserves sharing with my Canes,kayak,and drag racing friends

22 million hits in 8 months

Manizha Faraday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYAFoso0CLk&feature=related

enjoy

[Jack]

Revamp the seating at stadium" build some seats closer to the field" and put on a dome!

[VA Cane]

UATW, great point. That is the whole focus of my teams, the point of attack. Until you can control and dominate the OL/DL you stand very little chance of winning on a regular basis like we used to do. Great point. I do not expect perfection, but we can chase it ...like Lombardi said. I will be happy to be in all the games like we were last year....but not make the same mistakes that cost us a victory.

[86Cane]

OK, so now we have added three more people to the FIVE questions with Canespace series.

Chris Freet, UM Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Marketing

Chris Yandle, UM Athletic Department Director of Communications

The Miami Hurricane Newspaper Sports Editor

The Hurricane Editor saw the WVUM feature and said he want's a piece of the action. Gonna send him a set of five totally new questions than I sent WVUM.

Any suggestions or ideas?