Head Coach Al
Golden press conference remarks before the FAU game:
Opening
remarks…“Welcome
back. I know we’re excited to get going again. We thank you for covering
University of Miami football. Friday night we get to open the season against
FAU. It’s a game that we thought would bring a lot of interest in South Florida,
and we feel like it will. Obviously so many of the kids know each other. It will
be real competitive, it should be spirited, it will be a great challenge for us.
Clearly with FAU going to Conference USA, and how they played in similar games a
year ago - 14-14 at Athens – I think they have our guys’ attention. Today was
our first practice and we did a good job. I’m excited with where we’re at. We
have a lot of work to do Friday, but we’re getting ready to kick it
off.”
On the
uncertainty regarding an NCAA investigation...“I hope we have a mature group, I
really do. I hope our guys are focused on just one thing - that’s Florida
Atlantic and getting better today. I feel like we came over here with a purpose.
Now, all the distractions that may come along with it being the first day of
school, hopefully our guys will treat them as blessings and not be stressed out
about it – if we have to change a class, or have to go get a book, and all those
little things. I hope our guys take care of it and treat them as blessings. I
believe our guys are focused 100-percent on Florida Atlantic and they have trust
and faith in President Shalala and our Athletics Director and legal counsel that
we’ve done everything we can do at this stage.”
On the
differences between this team and teams of the past two
seasons…“Clearly
we’re a more mature team. I have to be honest with you, it feels like “50 First
Dates” to me - the [NCAA investigation] question has been coming up for every
game since I’ve been here. From that standpoint, we’re looking forward to that
closure and moving forward. But clearly this is a more mature team than we’ve
had. It’s a deeper team. The team has embraced competition. I think they look at
Friday night as an opportunity to prove to themselves what they are developing
and what they want to become, in terms of their brand and what they want to be
on the spectrum of a Miami Hurricanes football team. There’s a lot of urgency
right now. There are only 14 of these games, and I think our guys are
approaching it in that manner - which is important.”
On his
concerns heading into the season…“I have a lot of concerns. As
experienced as we are on the offensive line, we have had some injuries so we’re
not as deep as we want to be. There are some other positions where guys need to
step up quickly, and others where we’re relying on guys that are mature but
haven’t been practicing with us a long time, and they need to step up quickly.
I don’t think there is any question there are concerns at a number of places.
That’s the head coach’s job to worry about that and make sure we’re practicing
right the combinations on offense, defense and special teams and looking to
leave no stone unturned. That’s my job. I also think it’s a team that is going
into the season with a lot of confidence, which comes from demonstrated
performance over a long period of time. There hasn’t been a lot of setbacks,
hasn’t been a lot of distractions. Everything we have asked them to do along the
way, they have achieved. They work all year for these 14 opportunities. Man,
what a great opportunity for us on Friday. I’m sure FAU feels the same
way.”
On starting
offensive line combination…“For me right now, we’re playing seven in
the game. If [Taylor] Gadbois can make progress this week, there will be eight
in the game. There are five that start, but they are all going to play a lot. If
it stays the way it is now, Seantrel [Henderson] will be the sixth man, [Jared]
Wheeler the seventh man and Gadbois the eighth man. But there’s a chance
[Malcolm] Bunche will be the sixth man, or whoever. They are all going to
compete, they are all going to play, but there are only five that start. That’s
the way it is today, but we’ll see how they practiced, and that’s where we’re
at.”
On
expectations changing heading into year three…“I think the expectations have never
changed. I don’t want expectations to change. As I said many times, even when we
were going through all the adversity when it was fresh, I think the expectations
are the reasons the kids choose Miami and certainly why I came to Miami. I want
to chase the bar. Leave the bar where it is. We want to chase it. We want to
chase the people we see on our fence, the greatest teams that have ever been
through here. At the same time, we’re just trying to build it one day, one piece
at a time. We’re excited about where we are, but we have a long way to go to be
that kind of program.”
On improvements from running back Duke Johnson…“He is in better condition. He’s stronger. He’s bigger. He’s playing with a more quiet mind. He has more experience. He should play better. He’ll do a number of things for us. He’ll play better because the wide receivers should be better, the offensive line should be more experienced, the tight ends are blocking better than they ever have. I think he would be the first to tell you he has a really good fullback in Mo Hagens, who doesn’t get enough credit.”
On
expected improvements in the pass rush…
I think [Al-Quadin] Muhammad
has helped us there. I think [David] Gilbert is going to help us there. Tyriq
McCord, who is starting for us in the nickel package at defensive end, is kind
of a hybrid for us who can play SAM or defensive end. He will do a nice job.
Shayon [Green] can do a nice job, [Anthony] Chick, [Justin] Renfrow, [Curtis]
Porter – all of those guys will be rotating through. When we do bring the
linebackers - [Tyrone Cornileus] and Denzel [Perryman] - they have to play at
that speed. When they do come, they have to get to the
quarterback.
On honoring Howard Schnellenberger and the 1983 National Championship team…“That was the genesis of the game that we would celebrate - what he has done for both programs and really starting both programs at the end of the day. He is a man who owes me nothing but treats me with great respect, imparts great wisdom every time I see him, really approachable. We’re blessed to have him in our family - I know FAU probably feels the same way. What a great moment for him on Friday, certainly as the guy who really got this kicked off here in South Florida.
Matt Porter saying Curtis Porter was moving fine in practice today...good news
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 11:18 AM
Lets take it real easy with Porter against FAU, I want him nice and healthy against the gayturds.
Posted by: Canesfan_1 | August 27, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Ok sports fans, The Herb has been away for a while And during his sabbatical he's noticed that we've dropped a few players, namely Grimble @ Edwards. The Herb liked Grimble at DE and obviously his head wasn't into playing DT @ He finds out that Dillard was a bona-fide cream puff, go figure. Recruiting looks pretty good but although the numbers look good, The Herb has to be honest and say we still need a big time LB, WR, DB and a big RB. Love Duke @ the 2 youngsters Powell @ Yearby But where's the beef? Don't know who's on the radar because for once The Herb hasn't been keeping up with recruiting. I know we have time and knocking off The Turds @ FSU will go along way in filling those 4 spots. Don't see no weakness in the offense but still not sold on our de-front and don't care how we do against FAU, it's what we do against Flo. and the other biggies we have on the schedule that matter. De No you have 6 games to impress The Herb and if he sees the same shyt, I'm taking the oars away and my fellow Spacers, will push that canoe out to sea. The Herb has spoken!
Posted by: herbieibis | August 27, 2013 at 11:32 AM
BrianTheBeastLondon @MiamiRadioBeast 4m
Al Golden is not talking to the media today..Was told he forgot and went to watch film
Golden forgets nothing. Conspiracy or NCAA is coming today. Your choice.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 12:10 PM
lol, Ohio- I had those thoughts last week, learned the hard way not to expect anything. :) Seriously, Johnny Football and Cam Newton can get cleared in a week but they need 4 nearly 4 years with us? I'm fully aware of how they want to protect their pets, but this is beyind absurd.
Posted by: j.w. | August 27, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Maybe Golden just didn't want to answer or hear another question or comment about the NCAA lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 12:21 PM
jw, it was just a joke lol
I was personally going with conspiracy until Beast tweeted this:
BrianTheBeastLondon @MiamiRadioBeast 8m
Al has come to the media room to speak . Props to @ChrisYandle for working it out #Hero pic.twitter.com/pLA3241VNv
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 12:23 PM
j.w...and to make it worse, it is obvious for all to see. of course Newton got cleard, no way they were going to risk the top SEC team losing its best player before a title game. Same as Johnny Fairyball, he is the face of the SEC right now, they cant afford for him not to play. Shot, SEC schools do their own 2 day investigation (see Clowny autograph issue) and report to the NCAA nothing happened and it magically goes away lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 12:24 PM
I just don't like Newton or Fairyball; both kind of act like fairys. NCAA protection for favs is wrong; money talks you know. It would not bother me if either got concussed by a Tatumizer hit or took a knee shot....just to even the score...(VA laughs a devilish, evil little laugh....)
Posted by: VA Cane | August 27, 2013 at 12:30 PM
I am not going to say Manziel isn't a great athlete, but every time I see a highlight of him running with those tights he looks like a fairy lol..maybe there just long socks, IDK, but they look like tights to me lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Thurston is listed as a junior even though he played his entire freshman year on the scout team. With the injury susceptibility at the outside linebacker position it is nothing but good to have them both ready to go.
Posted by: Clwtrdan | August 27, 2013 at 01:06 PM
New #RaisingCanes: Meet The New Guys - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAIt_VqNCeA …
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 01:07 PM
I hope those new guys weren't going full speed in all those clips lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 01:53 PM
BTW..Golden came out of the film room to meet with the media lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 01:57 PM
UMike, did he? ;-)
------------------------------
BrianTheBeastLondon @MiamiRadioBeast 8m
Al has come to the media room to speak . Props to @ChrisYandle for working it out #Hero pic.twitter.com/pLA3241VNv
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 01:58 PM
From a few different people on twitter..
would be bonus if Bush plays, not expected
Tucker not in rotation
Porter should have no issues
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 01:58 PM
Ohio..did not see that..just looked on Twitter on my phone lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 01:59 PM
Lol, just messin with U my man!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 01:59 PM
I'm waiting for the NCAA to release a statement that goes something like, "Of course we scrutinize the SEC differently. It is an elite academic conference, dedicated to its students, and possessing the highest reputation. It's like our country. We judge the statements of Great Britain as far more certain than other countries."
Posted by: TonyCane | August 27, 2013 at 02:03 PM
Mo should have a big game springing Duke. Can't wait to see the return teams. They could break the game open early.
Posted by: Clwtrdan | August 27, 2013 at 02:24 PM
DORSEYITIS @Outbreakmonkey4 7m
Gus, large freshman RB pic.twitter.com/STGPFbTzz1
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 02:28 PM
Gus looks serious!!! kid is going to be the perfect compliment to Duke.. Cnt wait for these canes to get it going.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | August 27, 2013 at 02:37 PM
Can't wait to see the return teams. They could break the game open early.
Posted by: Clwtrdan | August 27, 2013 at 02:24 PM
----------------------------------------
U mean like Duke HOUSING the opening kickoff like I'm predicting? Agree!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 02:38 PM
Ohio- I suspected that was what you were doing, I was just having fun with your statement. :) UMike- it is a total f'ing screwjob for Miami. They aren't even trying to pretend to be following the same set of rules for the $EC and us.
Posted by: j.w. | August 27, 2013 at 03:08 PM
Clint Hurtt reinstated by Louisville.
The end to the NCAA is near, folks.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 03:22 PM
So wait he was reinstated? and no slap on the writs at least for this guy? you gotta believe Um will be just fine
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | August 27, 2013 at 03:52 PM
Brandon Odoi @Brandon_Odoi 1m
So I just listened to Al Golden talk about freshman Walt Tucker. I think he's saying we want to RS him but won't if we need to play him. With Tucker, he's got no defined role and AG says he can "easily" play special teams. But doesn't look like they want to burn his shirt. When you consider losing Duke Johnson at RB in two years, OT next year along with Jimmy Gaines, having a versatile guy like Tucker is a gem.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 03:56 PM
Ohio..is being reinstated by Louisville and reinstated by the NCAA 2 different things?
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 03:59 PM
FWIW, I have NO idea what that means. I ASSUME (Yes, I know what U do when U assume...) that means they're confident he won't be hurt (no pun intended) by whatever comes out.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 04:01 PM
Louisville might be banking on their suspension of him being enough to satisfy the NCAA..who knows with this mess lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 04:03 PM
Golden said Curtis Porter played DT at 280-285 last year. He's 325 now. Lol
Now I'm just holding out hope he stays healthy.
PS - Renfrow is 320
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 04:03 PM
Olsen Pierre was also 280 last year. Now 303-305
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 04:04 PM
You know we only leave the State of Florida 3 times this year? lol
Posted by: UMike | August 27, 2013 at 04:08 PM
What that I smell.....something frying....Owl Wings and Gator Tail!
I'll take an order of each...deep fried with some HOT sauce & COLD BEER!
Let's GO CANES!
Posted by: LA3 | August 27, 2013 at 04:20 PM
LA3 you get your tickets?
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | August 27, 2013 at 04:23 PM
FWIW, I have NO idea what that means. I ASSUME (Yes, I know what U do when U assume...) that means they're confident he won't be hurt (no pun intended) by whatever comes out.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 27, 2013 at 04:01 PM
I read the blurb on ESPN, my take is pretty similar- it looks like LOU won't do anything to Hurtt unless the NCAA forces them.
Posted by: j.w. | August 27, 2013 at 04:42 PM
I read the blurb on ESPN, my take is pretty similar- it looks like LOU won't do anything to Hurtt unless the NCAA forces them.
Posted by: j.w. | August 27, 2013 at 04:42 PM
It's a pretty unusual move for Louisville to make if they don't already know what's going to happen to Hurtt. You don't want to put a guy out on the field if you might have to fire him in disgrace a month later.
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 27, 2013 at 06:30 PM
Isla Morada, Florida Keys
Posted by: 86Cane | August 27, 2013 at 06:35 PM
The Tommy Streeter experiment fizzles out. He was cut by the Ravens.
Another Cane who left school too early and this is sad. Stay away from Rat face and listen to your coaches...When they say you have a thing or two you can still learn..listen to them.
I hope Tommy will find another team in the NFL.
This is just another lesson to our current players...The only underclassman who had good reasons to enter the draft was olivier Vernon 2 years ago...All the others should have returned one more year with the Canes.
If some are afraid to get injured, you just take a 10 million $ insurance Policy like Teddy Bridgewater did. You will get an easy loan to pay for it.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | August 27, 2013 at 07:08 PM
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 27, 2013 at 06:30 PM
Try telling that to Paul Johnson about Al Groh last year.
Yes, I know the NCAA had nothing to do with that example, well nothing to do with it except hosting the pages of stats that led to his firing that is.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 27, 2013 at 07:12 PM
Go buy a ticket to watch Toledo, a beaver told you too.
Glass houses middle of nowhere guy.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 27, 2013 at 08:09 PM
You know what never, ever occurs to me?
"Hey, I'm pretty bored sitting around this cow-town. Maybe I'll go to a blog dedicated to one of my team's in-state rivals, and give that team's fans a hard time as a form of entertainment."
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 27, 2013 at 08:51 PM
2013 Predictions
(W) 48-20 Florida Atlantic
(W) 20-17 Florida Gators
(W) 63-10 Savannah State Tigers
(W) 31-21 USF Bulls
(W) 38-13 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
(W) 24-21 North Carolina Tarheels
(W) 51-17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
(L) 24-27 Florida State Seminoles
(W) 17-10 Virginia Tech Hokies
(W) 41-17 Duke Blue Devils
(W) 53-3 Virginia Cavaliers
(W) 48-14 Pittsburgh Panthers
ACC Championship
(W) 34-27 (OT) Florida State Seminoles
Posted by: TonyCane | August 27, 2013 at 08:52 PM
Who was it last year that was giving out the recipe of the week? That was funny. Owl is on the menu this week.
Posted by: The Dude | August 27, 2013 at 09:17 PM
I like your prediction for the season nTonycane. A trip to a BCS bowl in Golden's third year puts the Canes on course to return to the apex of college football where they belong.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | August 27, 2013 at 09:25 PM
Did Tonycane just predict our defense to only give up 15.8 points per game??? ('o')
You might as well predict 14-0 & a national title while you're at it. Lol
Posted by: CoCane | August 27, 2013 at 09:37 PM
I ain't predicting scores but I'll predict a 11-3 record...
Posted by: CoCane | August 27, 2013 at 09:39 PM
FWIW, I saw that Elijah Hood, the 5 star RB who recently decommitted from NDU took the expected path of verbally picking UNC. No big surprise.
Looking forward to the real season starting. I don't think the U will even be challenged until the national championship game! ;)
Posted by: JCane | August 27, 2013 at 09:52 PM
Aaron Hernandez was reportedly a heavy user of angel dust. Also Urban Meyer may want to read the next Rolling Stone...
From Rolling Stone:
In college [Hernandez's] coach [then-University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer] may have helped cover up failed drug tests, along with two violent incidents -- an assault and a drive-by shootout outside a local bar...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | August 27, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Clinton Portis top 3 players in the ACC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufTFaq2HVu0&feature=youtu.be
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | August 27, 2013 at 11:45 PM