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

[Felipe]

as a fantasy aside, there's a reason D'Qwell Jackson was the #1 overall IDP pick in most leagues, and in position-based leagues, a reason Joe Haden, D'Qwell, and Ward are off the board in mine. It's a solid nucleus to build around.

Do you really think "NFL no namers", which is a patently false description of the Cleveland nucleus of young players they have, have the same talent disparity as college guys? Or guys just now 18 years old? Seriously?

[Old Skool]

Getting ready to delete the game from the DVR.
Somehow there's no satisfaction in just hitting the delete button. I'd love to give it a Viking burial, but I doubt Verizon would understand.

[86Cane]

Collin Klein and Kansas State are demanding to be taken seriously — again.

The Wildcats were surprising upstarts last season, winning 10 games and getting to the Cotton Bowl after being picked to finish in the bottom half of the Big 12. Kansas State won eight games by seven points or less. Luck or skill?

The Wildcats are making a case for the latter. Klein accounted for four touchdowns in a 52-13 victory over Miami in Manhattan, Kan. The rout moved them up six spots in the AP Top 25 to No. 15.

Klein has a Tebow-esque style. He ran for 27 touchdowns last season, but wasn't a consistent passing threat.

Against, Miami he ran for three scores and 71 yards, but passed for 210 yards.

"He's improved at everything, because he works diligently to get better at everything," coach Bill Snyder said. "He's better in the passing game, he's gotten better in leadership, managing the game. I mean, he's just a guy who works diligently to get better, and he's done that across the board."

[Zakkee]

So you are saying that the Browns stopped and played well against the Eagles today because of their defensive talent?

My post wasn't about Ray Lewis vs. D'Qwell Jackson..once again..so I won't be draped off into that.

I'm a lifetime Clevelander, so I know this team pretty well and they aren't world beaters, aren't a known or intimidating defense in the NFL--is that not a fact?

To answer your questions: no, and the talent disparity depends on the competition from game to game. Today the Browns definitely played a far superior team. We out recruit K-State consistently every year, so IMO, the talent disparity was much more distinct in the Browns game than in the K-State game. The coaches can get more out of these kids. Do you disagree with that statement?

The Browns team is young as well.

Putting the roster up should have ended this discussion (it did with a laugh for everyone except you), so I won't be responding. I'll agree to disagree.

[86Cane]

Miami allowing nation's worst 10.5 yds per pass after playing 2 QBs who were ranked 77th & 100th in pass efficiency last yr.

[Zakkee]

Colin Klein will not be a QB in the NFL.

The majority of our players will and do make NFL rosters.

Our "talent" shows out when coached up.

Jimmy Graham anyone????

[Montreal-Cane]

Very impressive run for a TD by Frank Gore

Boy do i miss the good old days when the Canes were simply the best.

[The Dude]

I will say this about talent and the Miami Hurricanes: As far as 3rd down is concerned, Miami does not have the defensive front talent to only rush four.

[solarcane]

Co, Zak,86
Good stuff by you guys today read the entire comments and enjoyed everyone's theories and conclusions

86 remember way back when Randy was just starting to catch hell and I told The Truth we would be an 7-5 to 8-4 team with an occasional 9 win season for the next decade?

Remember the flak I took day in and day out because coaches that play Chess instead of Checkers always win championships?

Here we are 6 years later still being too young too thin at key positions and any other excuse we have heard a million times

But hey we are the most recognizable brand and are right next to the most desirable city in the world or whatever crappola we were sucking back a couple years ago.

canesteeler ogv zakkee are right the magic that was "The U" is dead.
We are The Miami Hurricanes and that is it until we earn respect by putting a competitive winning team on the field week in and week out

smh

[The Dude]

And to expand on that I'm not saying that Chickillo, McCord, Hamilton and Terry cant grow and become great pass rushers. I'm saying as DEs they are not talented enough to get pressure on a QB without bringing more that four. Rushing the passer in college has to do with how talented you are. The power and speed you bring at the OL. The next step is the coaching part, the technique part where you can be disruptive w/o sacking like hands in throwing lanes, etc. DE is a mans position. We should be redshirting most of these kids. McCord should be standing up on 3rd down and using his speed around the OT.

[AlpharettaCane]

Solar,

At least we didn't dance on their logo prior to kickoff.

We are progressing, albeit ever so slightly...lol

[Montreal-Cane]

Question:

A lot of players took to Twitter and it seems flushing the loss and ready to move on...

Al Golden

"Today is our day off. I asked them to leave that game in Manhattan. I hope they didn't say anything foolish on Twitter.

Monty: Just Ban twitter.

[CaneRock]

Do you really think "NFL no namers", which is a patently false description of the Cleveland nucleus of young players they have, have the same talent disparity as college guys?

Posted by: Felipe | September 09, 2012 at 06:39 PM

EXACTLY! It's all RELATIVE. I've never seen a scheme turn "Humpty-Dumpty" into Dick Butkus.

[Montreal-Cane]

Anyone got some fresh news on Sean Spence...the surgery etc.

[360Cane]

Watching Schiano win for our Bucs today makes me wonder what if...

What if we gave the job to Schiano instead of Coker? Would the Porche still be running?

[The Dude]

Posted by: CaneRock | September 09, 2012 at 07:41 PM

How about in San Francisco where Alex Smith now looks like an NFL QB? What about Carson Palmer after Pete Carrol and Norm Chow took over at USC?

[The Dude]

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 07:50 PM

What about Aurthur Brown from Miami to Kansas State?

[The Dude]

What about Sam Shields from Miami to Green Bay?

[4-Real]

Yall do know Louisiana Monroe beat Arkansas right!!?? No f'n excuses!!

[solarcane]

here was the final regular season poll on dec 7 2002

how many of these teams have rebuilt or reloaded over the last decade while we continued to fall into the 60th ranked teams in 2012
How do most of these schools over come obstacles for decades and rebuild?
1 miami
2 ohio st
3 uga
4 usc
5 iowa
6 wash st
7 ok
8 kansas st
9 nd
10 texas
11 mich
12 penn st
13 colorodo
14 fsu
15 w va

[4-Real]

Canespace is the only thang Miami got goin

[86Cane]

Dude...I really like San Fran. They look good. Tough defense there.

Solar...Canes will finish 9-3 this season. Unless of course they don't. But I think they will.

[solarcane]

alph lol !! yea that was another low-lite,

that was when teams like Louisville and Boise were just lucky and no way in the world would they ever be on par with The U

[BigWIndyCane-Forecast1]

Bottom line is that the Canes lost this game in the trenches. DL got no penetration and were not disruptive, and the OL allowed too much penetration.

Glad to see Robinson back to add depth, and Seantrel needs to be integrated back into the lineup somewhere. When Seantrel was in the lineup, the Canes never had a problem running the ball behind Seantrel.

The messages have been sent, now its time to win.

I was disgusted by one of the worst losses I have seen since Donovan McNabb put up 50 on us. I am consoled by the memory that less than two years later, and the Canes were dominant not only good, but dominant.

I think I will have to be a little more patient with this young Canes bunch. They are young and inconsistent.

On defense, they appeared to regress a little yesterday, but they also lost Senior leadership with Cookie and the safety play over the last two games has been the worst I have seen.

On the positive side (if there is one), a loss like this allows the coaches to refocus the team. If they get better over the next 2-3 weeks, then we know that the coaches are doing a good job.

Communication, assignements and reading keys need to improve a lot on defense. DL needs to play a lot better.

Golden will get these problems fixed.

[solarcane]

Posted by: 86Cane | September 09, 2012 at 08:06 PM

I heard that from someone a couple times a season for like .. well like awhile.

How heartbreaking would it be for the NCAA to come and say
"We are sorry but you will have to vacate ALL or BOTH of your wins over the last 6 seasons which ever is greater."

[AlpharettaCane]

CGNC and Tony were right. This one ranked with:

LSU (Matt Flynn was their back-up!)
Louisville
Oklahoma
Virginia
Notre Dame Sun Bowl

Was it USF that was Shannon's last game? That was a tough one as well.

Seems like it's been a long time since we went into Blacksburg and roughed up Vick's younger brother. Last time I remember really going crazy during a 'Canes win.

Whoever said the 'Canes were downgraded to raindrops were right. Sun shower is more like it!

[CaneRock]

Posted by: CaneRock | September 09, 2012 at 07:41 PM

How about in San Francisco where Alex Smith now looks like an NFL QB? What about Carson Palmer after Pete Carrol and Norm Chow took over at USC?

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 07:50 PM

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 07:50 PM

What about Aurthur Brown from Miami to Kansas State?

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 07:51 PM

What about Sam Shields from Miami to Green Bay?

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 07:55 PM

I don't know about no Carson Palmer, but as far as Alex Smith is concerned, who's the HC of the 49ers...yeah that's right, Jim Harbaugh. And from what I hear, the 9ers simplified AS's reads. And as far as Sam Shields and Arthur Brown are concerned, those two aren't "Spring Chickens". Check the last time we beat VT, those 2 SET THE TONE! on special teams. On one particular kickoff, I remember SS was the first to hit the returner, followed by AB finishing it off. And what about the KSU game last season, how many times did AB run down Miller. So, like I said, ain't no scheme make those guys fast (SS), or big fast hitters (AB).

[The Dude]

Posted by: solarcane | September 09, 2012 at 08:17 PM

Can we vacate some of these losses too? Because there are a bunch that I would like to think never happened.

[Montreal-Cane]

Cannot stand Manning lets go Steelers!

[solarcane]

dude amen brudda!

[solarcane]

soup,
Bob Seager sent your next blog article in

Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

Against the wind
We were runnin' against the wind
We were young and strong, we were runnin'
Against the wind

The years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home
And I guess I lost my way
There were oh so many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worryied about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searching
Searching for shelter again and again

Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter sgainst the wind

[The Dude]

I disagree. I cant remember a single time either of those two players set the tone for a game. Both were marginal players at best. Scheme matters. Coaching matters. As far as Alex Smith is concerned, I will take his dumbed down offense where he leads his team to an NFC championship game any day compared to his 6 years of mediocrity prior. To paraphrase you, you said that you've never seen a scheme turn a bad player into a good one. I thought of those guys in like 5 seconds. I'm just pointing out that coaches turn around players all the time, regardless of if they are "spring chickens" or not.

[solarcane]

willis mcgahee " Miami" even willis gets it

[AlpharettaCane]

D'Nofrio must be wondering what the hell to do. Play press coverage and his DBs get torched. Play off and they surrender chunks of yards.

Manny at the Herald said it best; the inexperience of the Front 7 is going to plague this D all season long.

I'd load the box and go like hell after the QB. That strategy couldn't be any worse than what the D has turned in so far, no?

[Ohio_Cane]

McGahee changed it up and said Miami instead of The U in his introduction

[86Cane]

Wake Forest 28 UNC 27

I know Gio Bernard was out, but you can't lose your ACC opener, to Wake Forest, when you have Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech in your division. Maybe the Demon Deacons were prepping for North Carolina all Fall practice as they racked up just 293 yards against Liberty a week ago. Jim Grobe is now 13-2 at home against his four in state rivals. No wonder Wake fans love him so much. This marks the 10th time in 12 years the Tar Heels have lost their ACC opener.

[CaneRock]

I disagree. I cant remember a single time either of those two players set the tone for a game.

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 08:32 PM

Well, to paraphrase you, special teams counts also.
And just because you "can't remember", doesn't mean it didn't happen.
And another game where at least AB made an impact on special teams, is the FSU game in 09'.

[The Dude]

So that is stting the tone at Miami now? You have set the tone for a game by making a big play on a kickoff? Not for shutting down the entire offense yourself like Sean Taylor or scoring 5 TDs against VTech? Now setting the tone for a game is contributing on special teams. I guess we are debating the meaning of setting the tone now though and no longer whether or not scheme changes bad players into good ones?

[elliott]

Not sure who clwtran is but he should b banned for posting ridiculous comments such as the one he posted directed towards myself been doin this longer than u brother I go back to 07 newbie

[j.w.]

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

[CaneRock]

Now setting the tone for a game is contributing on special teams.

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 08:58 PM

So Devin Hester never set the tone in both Florida games that He played in?

How about that Louisville game?

What about Robert Bailey's big hit in the 91' Cotton Bowl.

[The Dude]

Posted by: j.w. | September 09, 2012 at 09:01 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGUr6wzyT8

Missing the link j.w.

[j.w.]

Thanks, Dude. :)

[CaneRock]

I guess we are debating the meaning of setting the tone now though and no longer whether or not scheme changes bad players into good ones?

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 08:58 PM

You brought up 3 players that you "thought of in 5 seconds".
One player changed schools, that had nothing to do with scheme.
Another player went from O to D, that had nothing to do with scheme.
Now Alex Smith, you got a point there, but the scheme didn't all of a sudden give Him John Elway arm strength.

[The Dude]

I really wouldnt put either of those guys on the same level as Devin Hester. Also, explain to me like a little child how that goes into scheme not turning bad players into good players.

EXACTLY! It's all RELATIVE. I've never seen a scheme turn "Humpty-Dumpty" into Dick Butkus.

Just because you've never seen it, doesnt mean it hasnt happened. LOL! ;)

[JCane]

For old timers like I am, this was a game like the old-time Canes....from the late 60s through almost the end of the 70s when they started to improve under Lou Saban.

We all (well, most) gave Shannon more than enough time to turn things around, which obviously was a mistake. Given the Coker and Shannon years, along with many years of mediocrity (which at the moment would be an upgrade), it will be harder to right this ship. The ONLY way this will be done will be by upgrading the talent/recruiting level, which may seem harder to do with this kind of play, but appears to already be underway. If this coaching staff continues to recruit well, there's no reason (well, maybe little things like sanctions could cause trouble...) this team should improve quite a bit over the next few years. However, in a best case scenario, this team is not a top 25 team for at least 2, and more likely 3, years. We shall see. However, I'm in no hurry to see them start over in the coaching circle yet, even with assistants.

Haven't been here in a while. Hope all is well with you all, and that life is treating the big dogs like 86 and Solar well.

[The Dude]

I think I see what you are saying. You are saying that the X's and O's arent making a kid have better tools to play the game? I will say this: To win right now, Miami coaches need to fit their scheme to the players they do have rather than the players they wish they had.

[86Cane]

Haven't been here in a while. Hope all is well with you all, and that life is treating the big dogs like 86 and Solar well.

Posted by: JCane | September 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM

Still here, still good. GO CANES!

[WWIN]

Posted by: CaneRock | September 09, 2012 at 08:21

Are you saying that Shields was good here? Bcuz nobody thought he was worth a quarter while he was here and nobody definetly that he would be were he is at today. Except me lol, only bcuz I blamed his results on the coaches. His freshman year was good here then once they coached him up he wasn't good anymore. His senior year was pretty good in my book considering he never played db before

[CaneRock]

I think I see what you are saying. You are saying that the X's and O's arent making a kid have better tools to play the game?
Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM

Yes, but at the same time, I also think that the coaches can help the players develop those tools.

I will say this: To win right now, Miami coaches need to fit their scheme to the players they do have rather than the players they wish they had.

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM

True, but at some point, the coaches are gonna have to hang their hat on SOMETHING! The more you switch it up, the LESS the players believe in you.

[j.w.]

I think I see what you are saying. You are saying that the X's and O's arent making a kid have better tools to play the game? I will say this: To win right now, Miami coaches need to fit their scheme to the players they do have rather than the players they wish they had.

Posted by: The Dude | September 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Good way to say it, Dude. There are no easy answers, but at this point there's little harm in trying something radically different this year.

[The Dude]

True, but at some point, the coaches are gonna have to hang their hat on SOMETHING! The more you switch it up, the LESS the players believe in you.

Posted by: CaneRock | September 09, 2012 at 09:38 PM

I think players believe in winning. I dont think they would care if they switched to anything that made them more competitive. Plus the more you lose the less likely you are to bring in talented kids that your team really needs now.

[WWIN]

The Dude,

u been killin it my man, keep it up

[WWIN]

Its funny to me how some people think that just bcuz a recruiting site had us ranked #15 and #16 that that truly reflects the talent level we have lol. I guess they think ed reed and santana moss were 5* players by these recruiting sites and how did they turn out?

[canesteeler]

I need my Steelers to take my mind off the Canes with a victory tonight!

[Alberto]

I am not buying Al Golden until he can prove he has what it takes to bring back an elite program. He is a great person and seems very organized, but in the end we need results. I have not seen improvement at all in any part of the team. We can blame his coordinators, players, NCAA, etc., butb in the end, he is CEO. Just think what Butch did with a team with a death sentence. He recruited average kids and developed them into NFL stars. For example J. Vilma. Butch built the best football team ever. Had great coordinators. Just look where they are now. Just my opinion. I don't buy into excuses or promises.

[The Dude]

Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | September 09, 2012 at 09:55 PM

Thanks WWiN! But I'd rather shutup and watch these Canes compete for National Championships every year!

[WWIN]

^^^^^^^^

Dude we all, it jus gets frustrating at times and i hate when people blame the players and the players are constantly going to the league

[Jiggafras]

No talent until they reach the league. Give me a break, When every school in the SEC and ACC have been recruiting you...you have talent. Most of the player son our team was recrutied pretty heavily, including guys like Telemaque who was all ACC 2 seasons ago. And like i said before 2 season ago Miami was #1 in total offense in the ACC and #2 in total defense...does that sound like no talent? No excuses...until we lose. Bull shit No'D needs to take a hike

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Miami offered Schiano 2.2 million in 2006 to replace Larry.

He said no, would rather keep chopping wood at Rutgers.

He made the wrong decision but at least there's strip clubs close to his stadium in the NFL.

[4-Real]

Louisiana Monroe beat #8 Arkansas. Nuff said

[Zakkee]

Thanks solar, I hate being right about this mess.

Blog Rule: Do not use all caps in your posts if you are clearly wrong. It just looks ridiculous. Its ok to be wrong (we all have been many times over), but wrong with an attitude is reprehensible.

Passionately wrong lol!

[j.w.]

That was two years ago, Jiggafras. Two long years ago. Who on this D will be in the NFL next year? Telemaque? Maybe a practice squad, but I'd be stunned if he's drafted. Porter? He might get drafted, but I don't see him being more succesful than Fortson (practice squad if not out of a job). Robinson? Same thing as Porter. D'Nofrio has his flaws, but nobody is making All-ACC other than Perryman on this D.

[WWIN]

^^^^^^

you'll be surprised who goes to the league off of this d

[SJMPARMAN]

Who on the defense may be in the league in the future? Good question. Brandon McGee ran the 40 once in 4.23, slightly slowed than the 4.20 time Sam Shields ran. In the NFL that is ALL that matters. I predicted Shields would be an NFL player back in the day based on that alone. I think McGee will be as well. I think Chickillo will get a shot at the NFL as well. Perryman will be Ray Lewis one day, I really believe that. I can see Eddie Johnson making it as well. Although they are young I can see Bush and Howard developing into NFL players. Porter and Smith also have a chance. I could actually make a case for several others. This team is not devoid of talent on the defensive side of the ball. That is the problem, it is not being uitilized. It is scheme irrespective of talent.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

ULM's headcoach is . . . Todd Berry.

You know, Coker's protege, failure of a coach at Army, QB coach and pass game coordinator going into Coker's last year at UM who couldn't get anything out of Turf Face either?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Arkansas got screwed this year by Petrino's infidelity and Smith's tendency to coach like John L. Smith in a BCS conference.

Hey, if Al Golden is really the smartest guy in the room he'll smartly come to the conclusion sometime in the next three weeks that the problem with his defense lies in a name that will live in infamy and his basic football philosophy molding at the hands of this name and then send this scheme philosophy to a corrections facility to rot till death like its namesake will soon as well.

I'll give you a clue if you don't know what I'm alluding to here, it relates to rhythmic slapping sounds and coached a really bad coordinator when he played the d-line in the late 80's/early 90's.

[WWIN]

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | September 10, 2012 at 12:49 AM

hit the nail on da head wit that one

[SJMPARMAN]

Petrino really committed the worst mistake a college coach could do hooking up with a student. The guy is a fabulous college coach ala Saban. In time he will resurrect his career. Like Mike Leach will do. I don't like either guy personally but I respect their abilities.

With Howard, I loved the man. Dolphin heritage and a smooth talker. Jimmy also handled the media well. You pulled for him because of his passion. Erickson didn't bleed orange and green but he was likable in a weird way. Butch was honest. He told you what you needed to hear even though the results on the field weren't what we expected. Coker was just not honest. There was a disconnect between performance and what he said. Randy was a disaster from a PR point of view. But he had BAD coordinators during his tenure. Golden returned us to sounding good again.

But sounding good and performing good are different things. I know the Miami area. Although I don't live there anymore, there is alot of pride in Canes football. When the Dolphins suck, and it has been a decade or so now, the town needs something to believe in. In the past that has been the Canes.

I think Golden needs to win this year. I really do. Yes, he was put in an untenable position but the town doesn't care. They won't get it from the Dolphins this year, and they expect to be a winner. The Marlins aren't doing it. The Pathers didn't do it. And so they expect it from the Canes. For most Miami fans, you turn it around now. I am not saying that is right, or even fair, but that is how this town rolls. So either you correct the defensive problems or you will be done. It is just how it works.

[Jiggafras]

Posted by: j.w. | September 10, 2012 at 12:26 AM
you see my misguided friend. The good teams become great by how good their unheralded players develop. I bet you can't guess what rating the Honey badger had? UF has a team full of talented players but Muschamp is struggling to coach them up. I really don't want to hear the no NFL talent bull, schools like TCU and OK ST feed off OU and Texas left overs and develop them into great CFB players. All of our players are big and fast period bar a few. When is people going to man up and stop the bull. I brought up 2 years ago because Alot of those players are still year and Golden has recruited better than Shannon was in the last few years of his tenure. Excuses, man. South Carolina, Boise State, these teams never beat us in recruiting....ever. Why can they develop their players but we cant. We have become and team and a fan base of excuses. Lots of the excuses we hear now, they were the same ones at Bama before Saban took over and shut that shit down.

[Pre83]

Some great posts from Zakkee re conformity, the Dude, CoCane, SJM, and others.

I'm sorry, but, ok, we can say Miami needs more talent and that will get them on the right track again.

People just got all over RS's a$$ week after week and said that what amounted to the #1 recruiting class wasn't really that talented after all - really? What is it as you can't have it both ways.

Let's imagine that same class ended up in Bama, would we really be saying the same thing?

Nobody's mentioned what ranking KSU earned for its last 4-5 recruiting classes, but somehow they were big enough, fast enough and talented enough to be the 21st ranked team in the nation and having won the Cotton Bowl last season.

Does anyone remember just how bad it got in Manhattan before Coach Snyder returned? Now who's laughing?

How piss poor were Wisconsin, Oregon, Stanford and they have been highly ranked teams in recent years?

I hated the D scheme last season, last week and this week I thought I was going to go insane - thank God I DVR'd the game and couldn't watch it live.

I sure as hell hope that AG came to Coral Gables to unleash the emotion of the Miami players. RS tried to corral it and of all the people in the world, I would never have thought it. And look what it got him.

I am not calling for AG's head yet, but before he was selected as HC, I was calling for Butch Davis. Of course NC'S infractions timed with Miami's current investigation doesn't make that work so well.

However, I would think that Kehoe would be the link that could guide AG as to what was done to create the most dominant program in a generation.

AG needs talent, but what good is it if you don't use it.

Someone in CG needs to know how to unleash the beast. I don't care if you have to use your own funds and pay Schnelly and JJ for consulting, but if Miami could be dominant with four different coaches, then there is an answer.

It pisses me off and pleases me at the same time that players who played for mediCoker and RS make it to the NFL and succeed at high levels while the U has been average at best. Like I said, if you don't know how to drive the Porsche, then it's only as useful as a Malibu.

[Ryan Durkee]

No state school money & exposure = loser these days. Sad but true.

[RDurk4]

I had to watch the game with an FSU and ND fan. Nuff said.

[Panamacitycane]

Miami has had a habit the last few years of not truelly blowing the small teams out like fsu or Oregon or any of the big teams are supposed to do.. we seem to play the nice guy..but after this past weekend I hope golden and the team comes out and takes their anger out on Bethune. Sorry for them but we need to just demolish them into embarrasment. I'm done with this weak soft play..need to get back to the good ole days and accept our role as the bad guys. We don't need to play dirty or anything like that. But you get what I'm saying....I just hope this defense has it in them to pull through and move on! NEVER EVER LET UP

[Jiggafras]

we have the entire ACC season to look forward to. This will show our strength of character or lack thereof. If this doesnt change Golden will be on the hot seat and no one will care that he stayed when the Shapiro mess hit

[CaneRock]

Nobody's mentioned what ranking KSU earned for its last 4-5 recruiting classes,
Posted by: Pre83 | September 10, 2012 at 01:38 AM

That's because their classes are JUCO'd up.

[4-Real]

Better do something quick b4 we lose air play, which is the only real exposure we get.

[raizecane]

Al Golden on WQAM this morning -

http://wqam.com/

[BigTimeCane]

Panamacity revealed another problem. We keep trying to shy away from our past by not being allowed to play with attitude and passion. Shannon neutered his players. I think golden says he wants to relive the past be physical etc and yet this team plays soft. Sure some of it is the youth and some is the reactive scheme but we got bullied by ksu. I think I saw some of our players our players giving the good job tap to ksu players on their helmet or helping them up. Maybe that's nit picking and stupid but I want our players to hate their opponent like has been mentioned here. I said it before, why were our players watching Morris on the ground after an illegal hit. Why was there no jawing or pushing? Nothing. Golden can talk all his legacy physical talk fact is his words aren't translating on the field. So either he's full of it or I'm overblowing it am being impatient.

[BigTimeCane]

I feel like the guy in Plato's cave. I've been staring at the shadow images golden has been projecting on the wall. The ksu game was the guy that got me out of the cave and showed me a new reality.

I just want to win and am so tired of "rebuilding" being young,, being soft, and finally and mostly losing.

[BigTimeCane]

^^^^ I should have added - seeing the images on the wall and believing them all.

[UpNorthCane27]

Well guys finally, ive awaken from this self induced coma i put myself in after the loss..

Now im hearing Ramon Buchanon is out again for the year knee injury?? what a damn shame that means more of cornelius and gaines ooooo lawdddddd..

The canes will be back Fish and Golden need to make sure that they go all out this week in practice, lay it on B.Cookman and build some confidence.

[4-Real]

Remember how our players were walking around with yardsticks b4 the game 2 represent how close they came 2 a victory last year?? I heard after the game they combined all their sticks 2 measure how far they were from a victory this game lol

[4-Real]

Damn!! 1st time I didnt read the article first and look what happened lol

[UpNorthCane27]

FUnny line about that poor Penn St Kicker.

Penn State Kicker Sam Ficken Misses Wide Right, Wide Left, Too Short, Too High, And Pretty Much Every Which Way Possible

[TonyCane]

Canerock, exactly. It's hard to qualify K-State's recruiting classes because they are loaded with JUCOs. Every year.

I watched K-State manhandle Texas' offense last year in person, and I can tell you that Mack Brown has far, far, far outrecruited Larry Coker and Randy Shannon in the last decade.

[Ohio_Cane]

Canes have three true freshmen, one redshirt freshman, six sophomores & three redshirt sophomores at 1st team.

[TonyCane]

And remember, with this loss the number one goal is to become bowl eligible. So that we can take the second consecutive self-imposed ban. At that point the worst that the NCAA would impose would be one additional year (although I could see two).

[TonyCane]

OhioCane, how does our roster compare at this point to the 2008 squad?

[CaneRock]

I said it before, why were our players watching Morris on the ground after an illegal hit. Why was there no jawing or pushing?

Posted by: BigTimeCane | September 10, 2012 at 08:29 AM

Maybe because they know Stephen ain't know option QB.

[j.w.]

Posted by: j.w. | September 10, 2012 at 12:26 AM
you see my misguided friend. The good teams become great by how good their unheralded players develop. I bet you can't guess what rating the Honey badger had? UF has a team full of talented players but Muschamp is struggling to coach them up. I really don't want to hear the no NFL talent bull, schools like TCU and OK ST feed off OU and Texas left overs and develop them into great CFB players. All of our players are big and fast period bar a few. When is people going to man up and stop the bull. I brought up 2 years ago because Alot of those players are still year and Golden has recruited better than Shannon was in the last few years of his tenure. Excuses, man. South Carolina, Boise State, these teams never beat us in recruiting....ever. Why can they develop their players but we cant. We have become and team and a fan base of excuses. Lots of the excuses we hear now, they were the same ones at Bama before Saban took over and shut that shit down.

Posted by: Jiggafras | September 10, 2012 at 01:37 AM
Amigo, you're missing a few points- Boise doesn't look as good without their Senior QB, K State is led by Seniors and Ju Co transfers who are as big and talented as their Seniors; South Carolina was mediocrea at best until their best players became Juniors, and Seniors. Seeing a trend here? :)
UCLA is the better comparison for you on this issue- why are they being successful with 6 freshmen starting on O? They beat Rice in Houston, then followed up by beating NEb. at home. They struggled for more than a half with Houston, though, and playing Nebraska in L.A. is a lot different than on the road for a back to back. Nonetheless, we should have played better, and coaching needs to improve a lot in the next few weeks. We'll see what the staff is made out of now that they have few options left but to play a ton of kids.

[CGNC]

Good morning! Taking a vacay day here and it is beautiful!

TOnycane - LOL K-State may just wind up very highly ranked by season's end.

A belated Happy Birthday to LB!

[86Cane]

Miami head coach Al Golden released the latest regular season depth chart following the Hurricanes' non-conference road loss at Kansas State. Miami returns to Sun Life Stadium this weekend for its first home game of the 2012 season against Bethune-Cookman (12 p.m. EDT, ESPN3).

The latest depth chart is without WR Allen Hurns, S Vaughn Telemaque and LB Ramon Buchanan. Buchanan suffered a season-ending injury at Kansas State.

Miami's receiving corps is led by three underclassmen at the No. 1 receiver positions - sophomore Rashawn Scott, freshman Malcolm Lewis and sophomore Phillip Dorsett. On the defensive side, junior Jimmy Gaines takes over at OLB for Buchanan, while freshman Deon Bush and redshirt junior A.J. Highsmith are listed as the No. 1 safeties.

Season and single-game tickets for the 2012 football season are available online, by phone at 1-800-GO-CANES (1-305-284-2263) or in-person at the Miami Athletics Ticket Office, now located on the first level at BankUnited Center.

For the latest information on Miami Hurricanes Football, follow @HurricaneSports on Twitter and the official blog for Hurricanes Football, www.theufootball.com.

[86Cane]

NOTICE FROM THE MANAGEMENT:

Let me just say that I have never been as POSITIVELY impressed with the people here on this blog as I have been over the last few days. People, and by people I mean everybody in general here, have expressed their opinions in an open and fair manner without direct attacks at each other.

Sure there has been some really good back and forth arguements but people have stuck to their opinions and pretty much have avoided attacking each other and instead have attacked the issues and the problems that face OUR Miami Hurricanes.

It shows thast even in the most difficult of times the bloggers here take the high road and are solution focused not problem oriented. Just look around and U will find that Canespace is by far the best, safest and most productive place on the Internet for Hurricane fans to talk UM spports.

Of that I am most appreciative and VERY proud!

[Old Skool]

Somehow Golden got the cliche' wrong this weekend. He had he players walk softly and carry a short stick.

[86Cane]

^^^^^ There IT is right there. ^^^^^

[86Cane]

DPETH CHART: OFFENSE

WR 80 RASHAWN SCOTT 6-2, 190, So.
86 Herb Waters 6-2, 185, Fr.

LT 79 MALCOLM BUNCHE 6-7, 325, RSo.
55 Ben Jones 6-5, 310, Sr.

LG 70 JONATHAN FELICIANO 6-5, 314, RSo.
68 Jeremy Lewis 6-4, 316, RSr.

C 62 SHANE MCDERMOTT 6-4, 295, RSo.
75 Jared Wheeler 6-5, 314, RJr.

RG 65 BRANDON LINDER 6-6, 308, Jr.
78 Jermaine Johnson –OR– 6-6, 316, RJr.
63 Daniel Isidora 6-4, 320, Fr.

RT 74 ERECK FLOWERS 6-6, 314, Fr.
77 Seantrel Henderson 6-8, 340, Jr.

TE 49 DYRON DYE 6-5, 255, RJr.
46 Clive Walford 6-4, 250, RSo.
82 Asante Cleveland 6-5, 263, Jr.

FB 33 MAURICE HAGENS 5-11, 240, Jr.
43 Sean Harvey 6-4, 262, RSo.

QB 17 STEPHEN MORRIS 6-2, 214, Jr.
11 Ryan Williams 6-5, 221, RSo.

RB 5 MIKE JAMES 5-11, 220, Sr.
8 Duke Johnson 5-9, 188, Fr.
23 Eduardo Clements 5-9, 195, Jr.

WR 9 MALCOLM LEWIS 6-0, 192, Fr.
83 Kendal Thompkins 5-10, 182, RSr.

WR 4 PHILLIP DORSETT 5-10, 185, So.
24 Davon Johnson 6-0, 188, Sr.

[86Cane]

DEPTH CHART: DEFENSE

DE 71 ANTHONY CHICKILLO 6-4, 262, So.
99 Jelani Hamilton 6-5, 271, Fr.

DT 98 DARIUS SMITH 6-2, 315, Sr.
72 Earl Moore 6-1, 300, Fr.
92 Jalen Grimble 6-2, 295, So.

DT 91 OLSEN PIERRE 6-4, 300, So.
67 Corey King 6-1, 295, RFr.

DE 51 SHAYON GREEN 6-3, 260, RJr.
94 Kelvin Cain –OR– 6-3, 245, So.
17 Tyriq McCord 6-3, 236, Fr.

OLB 44 EDDIE JOHNSON 6-1, 238, RFr.
34 Thurston Armbrister 6-3, 222, So.
58 Gabe Terry 6-3, 215, Fr.

MLB 52 DENZEL PERRYMAN 6-0, 229, So.
36 Gionni Paul 6-1, 230, So.

OLB 59 JIMMY GAINES 6-3, 230, Jr.
31 Tyrone Cornileus 6-2, 210, Jr.

CB 20 THOMAS FINNIE 5-10, 183, So.
3 Tracy Howard 5-11, 185, Fr.

S 2 DEON BUSH 6-1, 190, Fr.
22 Kacy Rodgers II 6-2, 210, Jr.

S 30 A.J. HIGHSMITH 6-0, 202, RJr.
29 Rayshawn Jenins 6-1, 203, Fr.

CB 21 BRANDON McGEE 6-0, 194, Sr.
39 Antonio Crawford 5-11, 188, Fr.

[86Cane]

The Hurricanes are a perfect 4-0 in home openers at Sun Life Stadium. Miami has defeated Charleston Southern (2008), Georgia Tech (2009), Florida A&M (2010) and Ohio State (2011) since it left the Orange Bowl following the 2007 season.

[Ohio_Cane]

No black jerseys for anyone on defense today. Rightfully so.

[CGNC]

Just listened to AG's WQAM interview - I did not realize that we are playing so many frosh on the two-deep on Defense. I think the only seniors are McGee and Telemaque and the only senior on offense is Mike James. I know everyone is tired of the word "rebuilding" but that is what we are doing.

This young team has my support.

GO CANES