A Measuring Stick

Brick by brick.  Brick by brick.  Brick by brick.

That saying is based on the theory that you don't try to build a whole big, beautiful wall all at once. The objective is just to lay one perfect brick at a time, put one solid brick in place each and every day, and eventually the wall will build itself.

That was the latest and most creative of all of the slogans that Coach Al Golden has used to try to paint a picture for his team as they try to regain the glory that once once Miami Hurricanes football.

On Saturday during the second game of the 2012 season and even before the second layer of bricks were set in place and the plaster was allowed to dry, the proverbial wall came tumbling down all around the 2012 version of the Miami Hurricanes football team.

In what amounted to an absolute engineering nightmare Golden's team laid and egg, not a brick, against Kansas State.  The wall first showed early signs of cracking as the Hurricanes trailed 14-0 in the first quarter for the second straight week and then it eventually crashed down on them in Manhattan as Miami was dominated and soundly beaten 52-13 by the Wildcats.

It was as though the Wildcats took one of those bricks, smashed it through the front window of the Hecht Athletic Center in Coral Gables, and ripped out the heart of the Hurricanes football program.

In his own words after the game the Hurricanes were out-coached, out-played and so thoroughly beaten by the #21 ranked Wildcats that even the eloquent and smooth talking Golden had difficulty finding the right words to describe or explain the embarrassing and devastating loss.

The bottom line is that things got ugly in Kansas on Saturday. All of the nice slogans and wise sayings and accomplishments allegedly made from the "UTough" conditioning program over the Summer seemed to be all but erased on the Bill Snyder Family Stadium in a matter of just over three hours.

What should have been a motivational revenge game for the Hurricanes, a team that barely lost to the Wildcats last year in Miami, turned out to be just another depressing beat down at the hands of what now clearly appears to be a vastly superior opponent.

On Saturday before the UM football team got off of the buses outside of the Wildcats' stadium they were given a yard stick.  It symbolized the three feet that separated Miami from beating Kansas State last year at Sun Life Stadium when UM QB Jacory Harris could not get into the end zone from one yard out in the last minute of the fourth quarter.

Three feet was all Miami needed last year to beat Kansas State at home. But this year on the road against the Wildcats the distance between victory and defeat was so much greater than that.

In fact, you probably could have taken all 65 yard sticks from the UM players who traveled all the way to Kansas and lined them up end to end and they still would not have measured the gulf that separated the performance of these two teams on the Saturday in September.

This game was more than just the second game of the young 2012 season. In many ways it was a measuring stick to evaluate where this Miami team stacks up against a top 25 ranked opponent.

And simply put, Al Golden and the 2012 Miami Hurricanes football team just did not measure up.

Comments

[canezilla]

NCAA JUST SAID THERE WILL BE NO SANCATIONS FOR MIAMI ! REPORTS SAY THE BEATING WE TOOK YESTERDAY IS ENOUGH PUNISHMENT !!!

[j.w.]

I'm all for trying something different on D, it can't get worse than yesterday. I just don't think the results will be any better, regardless of what "scheme" we try. We have to score 35 every week to win.

[Zakkee]

so when we lose that = everyone sucked? So if we had lost the BC game, Duke's runs would not have been worth mentioning? Morris didn't have the best game, but we're rock bottom on all fronts associated with football after this game and it just seems a little unappreciative to make morris one of the glaring issues when he isn't. Are we running out of things to criticize? Because there's bunch of players and coaches to slam...but Morris??...I guess..ok.

[Account Deleted]

back on, woke up this morning wondering if Kstate had just scored again, then the fog lifted and I realized it was the day after and I had survived.

Watched alot of games yesterday, GA, Neb, UCLA, Mizzou, USC, Syr, etc etc. Bottom line, we just don't have it. The talent, the coaching, the game plan or the experience. As that stats show this morning we're about last in defense, and not much better on offense. No excuses, we're not a very good team as of today.

We've got a long long road back. Question is how long will the fans and school support AG through the tough times ahead.

After two games I'd say AG is still good for year 3 unless it really gets ugly. No'D either gets it fixed soon, or AG will let him know to start checking the want ads. Friend or not he won't be able to cover for him after a few more like this.

Won't be surprised to see AG take a hand on role with the defense in the weeks ahead.

Been a fan since '71.....this one was really really bad

[Account Deleted]

86 - weeds and laundry are done, garage is cleaned out, and walked the dog.

any more therapy ideas??

[Zakkee]

He's hitting people between the numbers and when was the last time we had a QB that could throw every pattern?

The plays being called for Morris, haven't been called in 5 seasons because the QB's couldn't even execute them. Morris has opened up 300 pages of the playbook just with his ability alone.

The Browns defensive coordinator is a freakin BEAST!

No'd needs to watch this Browns game.

[CoCane]

Dude,

You're dead right with your x & o explanations. The offense is guilty of anti aggression too. Bubble screens & quick passes are cool if used right. BC dared them to be patient. KSU dared them to stretch the field. Whats the point of having the speed of Dorsett only catching the ball underneath in space? Fisch don't know he can the ball in space downfield too??? Wtf?! Scott gets open deep. Bombs away. KSU prepared for the run game, dinks & dunks. They dared them to stretch the field. The coaches were just to puzzy. They coaches are more shook then the frosh & soph's. At least if u continue to attack, you'll keep the fire lit in the players win or lose & eventually they'll mature to destroy college football. If the coaches go conservative bitch mode all year, they'll lose the teams confidence & fire. Then the only thing that will be on fire, will be Golden & his staff's azz...

Church

[CaneRock]

And a great coach once said:

"There are 8 gaps in football. The chances of the ball hitting any 1 gap is 1 IN 8! So that means a GREAT DEFENDER is pursuing the ball 7 OUT OF 8 TIMES!"

Let's see, 1 out of 8 is 12.5%. I don't think a young defense such as ours can afford those percentages. While blitzing is a good tactic, you can't do it down in, and down out in CFB. We'll be alright...

[Zakkee]

Canezilla--that was extremely mean--the fist sentence had my excited and then BOOM!

[mi@mic@ne]

Posted by: Zakkee | September 09, 2012 at 03:47 PM

We can talk about grades, playbooks utough... but where has it gotten us.. .we are last on o and d.

So the question is what is wrong with the communication between coachEs and players... the scheme with the kind of talent...it doesnt do any good to find good reasons in losing. The point is we cannot accept losing and it must be communicated loud and clear.

[Zakkee]

The Brownies are ballin out WITH A NO NAME DEFENSE---THATS COACHING FOLKS!!!

Travis Benjamin almost scored on a reverse, but he's still struggling to fight for the ball in the air. Two INT's thrown his way, but Weeden shouldn't be throwing jump balls to TB while he's being guarded by 6'2 Cromartie.

[CaneRock]

They dared them to stretch the field.

Posted by: CoCane | September 09, 2012 at 03:52 PM

I think we tried that yesterday, but the problem is, we either:

A. Don't have the players that can do it, or

B. We don't have the players that can do it YET, or

C. The players that could do it, are either playing for the Cleveland Browns (Benjamin), or the Baltimore Ravens (Streeter).

Think back to the game yesterday (Harrowing thought I know), how many times did you see Morris look down field, and pull the ball down. I doubt He didn't throw it because He doesn't have the arm strength...

[Zakkee]

Chuuch CoCane...I feel ya

ok miamicane, my intentions are never to advocate mediocrity.

[CoCane]

I'm not daying we'll win out in attack mode but the players will respond quicker. Trust me. The big problem is, they're playing the way they were coached & practiced to play. Who would've thought those vanilla defenses & offenses we saw in the spring were actually the gameplans for THE SEASON. FUUUUUUUUKKKKKKK!!!!!!!

Does anyone think Tracy Howard wouldn't play better in man coverage than zone? You get Dorsett matched up with a safety, go deep everytime. Punish dat azz...

[usagainsttheworld]

ummmm. . . to repeat: the game with bcc this week is going to be more of a battle than we want.

[86Cane]

Any more therapy ideas??

Posted by: longtimecanefan | September 09, 2012 at 03:49 PM

Well the wife went shopping and she swears that works for her?

Me? I recommend either a few hours of really loud rock-n-roll or a few minutes of quiet prayer and meditation depending on your personal preference.

If that doesn't work then there is the last resort: Vodka and pain meds.

[86Cane]

The game with bcc this week is going to be more of a battle than we want.

Posted by: usagainsttheworld | September 09, 2012 at 04:18 PM

Yeah but after our huge (tarnished) tailgate party we will prolly care a lot less. LOL

[CoCane]

CaneRock,

Fisch waited until KSU knew they had to pass before he tried to open up the pass. Too late. KSU's d-line had their ears pent back ready to pounce. I know the coaches ain't doing it practice because that not the philosophy. The philosophy is to hold back the youth with a conservative approach so they won't make too many mistakes. EPIC FAIL. After a season & 2 games, it's clear the ultimate goal of this staff is to play a bend but don't break zone while rushing 3 or 4 lineman. On offense dink & dunk passes, occasional bomb & a strong running game. TAKE THAT SH*T TO DA BACK UP NORTH!

The future of the U depends on how long it takes Golden to realize his old school Big 10 sh*t won't work here & to fix it ASAP...

Because if Golden don't get right. The "U" will become Temple south ('o')

I do think he realized something yesterday by his demeanor at the presser. Only time will tell what he's going to do about it. IF he can do something...

[Montreal-Cane]

Canes leading receiver Allen Hurns suffered his second concussion in a month. I looked many times at the replay from yesterday and Hurns didn't take a direct blow to the head.
It's very sad for Hurns and perhaps for his future as a football player. May be he should redshirt and hope everything will be just fine for next year.

[CaneRock]

TAKE THAT SH*T TO DA BACK UP NORTH!

Posted by: CoCane | September 09, 2012 at 04:33 PM

LOL. Yeah, I guess Nick Saban,Jim Harbaugh, and Les Miles should all take their offenses "Back Up North" huh...

Like I said before the season started, with our young defense, our offense is going to have to be our 2nd defense, with a ball control game. You can't turn the ball over and expect a young defense to respond time after time. You can't kick the ball off out of bounds, and expect a young defense to defend only 65 yards.

[Felipe]

Canes leading receiver Allen Hurns suffered his second concussion in a month. I looked many times at the replay from yesterday and Hurns didn't take a direct blow to the head.
It's very sad for Hurns and perhaps for his future as a football player. May be he should redshirt and hope everything will be just fine for next year.

Posted by: Montreal-Cane | September 09, 2012 at 04:33 PM

Completely agree.

[CoCane]

CaneRock,

It ain't what you do, it's how you do it...

[CoCane]

Not only that. Harbaugh has 0 championships & coached in a conference that has only 1 team that plays good defense consistantly. Saban & Miles win because of their defense in spite of their offense. So what are u saying?

[CoCane]

The only reason most expected it is because Golden told everyone & their mama that the team was better. If he expects it, so should the fans. NO EXCUSES... REMEMBER

[Felipe]

The Brownies are ballin out WITH A NO NAME DEFENSE---THATS COACHING FOLKS!!!

Travis Benjamin almost scored on a reverse, but he's still struggling to fight for the ball in the air. Two INT's thrown his way, but Weeden shouldn't be throwing jump balls to TB while he's being guarded by 6'2 Cromartie.

Posted by: Zakkee | September 09, 2012 at 03:59 PM

The Browns are a far cry from a no-name defense. Haden, Jackson, Fujita, Williams, etc. are all solid players. Ray Lewis didn't deserve the pro bowl last year, D'Qwell Jackson did.

[j.w.]

Buchanan is out for the season, VT out for Bethune. God save us, Gaines and Cornelius are the leading candidates to start in his place. Please give Blue a shot, he can't play worse and hopefully he learns.

[Account Deleted]

things to watch for in the weeks ahead...

AG gives No'D a "vote of confidence"

AG announces our goal is "to win the ACC" (instead of a NC)

Donna reminds us grad rates are more important than football "W"'s

[86Cane]

Ramon Buchanon is done for the year and will undergo surgery. Telemaque out for BCC.

[Tsully76]

We are 2 games into the season and the sky is falling pessimistic crowd is in full effect. Smh.

[Panamacitycane]

So to make it worst Ramon Buchanan out for the season...awesome just what Miami needs....that's it folks I'm gonna cheer for 5-7 as a decent season

[86Cane]

GOLDEN: "We're starting over. ... We're starting from scratch. We have a multitude of players playing for the first time."

Say that Corbelius and Gaines will try to replace Cookie.

[WWIN]

C'mon guys, stop wit all this we don't have talent stuff and that's why the d is playing bad its not true. It was proven a lot of times yesterday. How did UL Monroe get it dun against #8 Arkansas????

[86Cane]

Manny Navarro‏@Manny_Navarro

DT Luther Robinson has been reinstated after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

[nemo2002]

The only reason most expected it is because Golden told everyone & their mama that the team was better. If he expects it, so should the fans. NO EXCUSES... REMEMBER

Posted by: CoCane | September 09, 2012 at 05:12 PM

TRUE! Most worriesome is the possibility that Golden didn't know that his team WASN'T getting better.

[WWIN]

All 12 ACC schools have former players in the NFL and schools are led by Miami who has 47.

Posted by: 86Cane | September 09, 2012 at 03:25 PM

This can't be true, can it????? We haven't had any talent right??

[CGNC]

NCAA JUST SAID THERE WILL BE NO SANCATIONS FOR MIAMI ! REPORTS SAY THE BEATING WE TOOK YESTERDAY IS ENOUGH PUNISHMENT !!!

Posted by: canezilla | September 09, 2012 at 03:42 PM

LMAO!

[CGNC]

I don't understand why we didn't put a spy on Klein.

[Account Deleted]

86 - back from shopping, did Kstate score again while I was out??

[Zakkee]

The Browns are a far cry from a no-name defense. Haden, Jackson, Fujita, Williams, etc. are all solid players. Ray Lewis didn't deserve the pro bowl last year, D'Qwell Jackson did.
Posted by: Felipe | September 09, 2012 at 05:17 PM

LOL! ^^^A pure example of posting just to post^^^.

POS FIRST SECOND THIRD OTHER
LDE Jabaal Sheard Juqua Parker
DT Ahtyba Rubin Billy Winn
DT John Hughes Ishmaa'ily Kitchen
RDE Frostee Rucker Emmanuel Stephens
SLB James-Michael Johnson Tank Carder
MLB D'Qwell Jackson L.J. Fort
WLB Kaluka Maiava Craig Robertson
LCB Joe Haden Buster Skrine Trevin Wade
RCB Sheldon Brown Dimitri Patterson Johnson Bademosi
FS Eric Hagg Ray Ventrone Tashaun Gipson
SS T. J. Ward Usama Young

^^Yea thats a all-Pro defense if I've ever seen one. You named 4 players--none of them All-Pro.

The point of my post was to say that they were shutting down one of the most talented offenses in the NFL with a great defensive scheme and not talented players.

[The Dude]

Anyone just see David Akers?

[The Dude]

63 yard FG off the crossbar!

[Account Deleted]

saw it....longest in NFL history....

[86Cane]

86 - back from shopping, did Kstate score again while I was out??

Posted by: longtimecanefan | September 09, 2012 at 05:44 PM

Yes they did and they also sacked Morris again. He fumbled, they recovered.

Maybe the loud rock-n-roll or prayer and meditation is now called for?

[86Cane]

63 yard FG off the crossbar!

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 06:03 PM

SAW IT!

[Account Deleted]

86 - LOL...tks, I needed that!!

[BigTimeCane]

The sky is falling cause we're not losing because of growing pains. I would fully accept that and know the future is bright and still think it is with the players. We lose cause of poor soft ass b**** play calling on both sides of the ball. Until that changes I'm gonna be pessimistic

[Laquinton]

poor Buch, gosh I hope that Gaines stays away from the field. Like Mike James..good young man sure.. LB for the Miami Hurricanes.. no. Tyrone isnt much of anything either. Glad that Robinson is reinstated to the team.

[86Cane]

MANNY:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2012/09/al-goldens-sunday-transcript-following-kansas-state-loss.html

[Felipe]

Zakkee, check Ray Lewis vs. D'Qwell Jackson and pro opinions of the two.

I'm not posting just to post. Cleveland has young talent, solid across the board. To even make the implied comparison that you can do the same thing in college compared to the mish mosh of young talent and solid vets like Fujita is high comedy.

D'Qwell was voted to be comeback player of the year by Peter King a reason. To not know who TJ Ward, Joe Haden, and D'Qwell jackson are, simply makes you entirely ignorant of their young talent. It doesn't make them no namers.

Idiotic fans vote for the pro bowl. That's why Lewis got it after getting smoked by Marshawn et al. multiple times late last season, and not D'Qwell.

How's this for sound analysis: who forced the fumble today? Who scored the td? Ward, Jackson. But because you don't know their names doesn't mean they are no namers.

[Felipe]

D'Qwell and Ray for the 2011 season that is. One was dominant. The other was hurt, smoked, was a legacy vote into the pro bowl, and his Ravens defense actually got better without him in it against SF.