There is one thing that you need to know: There are tailgate parties and then there are TAILGATE parties. The tailgate party at Raymond James Stadium for the UM vs USF game last Saturday was EPIC in many, many ways.
So please indulge me and allow me to explain the reasons why.
First, we had several old time Canespacers go to Tampa who appreciated the art of tailgating. Canezilla, NativeCane, RaizeCane and OGV showed up for the festive occasion. It is always good to see old friends and talk Hurricane football, especially when things are going well for the team.
Second, for the dreaded noon time game we had the early AM crew that did their duty to get the party started. RaizeCane got the party started just after 8 AM and in case you have never partied with him let me tell you the man is a highly skilled and experienced party animal.
You will never find RaizeCane too far away from his trusty bottle of Captain Morgan, with a big smile on his face and a welcoming heart to all those who pass by. He, like many other 'Canes fans we have met over the years, has a kind and generous heart. We like that. Yeah, we like that a lot.
Third, we had a plethora of unique and great tasting food and drinks to keep us going strong until game time. RaizeCane took care of the incredibly tasty marinated steak, fried eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast and fellow Canespacer NativeCane and his wife cooked up what may be some of the most interesting, delicious and unique tailgating food ever rendered.
As many of you may know, NativeCane is an avid deer hunter. He managed to bag his usual good size buck again last hunting season and froze some of the most prime cuts (back strap) for this special occasion. He grilled some bacon-wrapped, jalapeno seasoned venison until it was perfectly cooked.
Add to that some of his wife's loaded potato salad, some brown sugar and bacon seasoned baked beans and some exotic guava cobbler (that's right guava) and you had some finger licking and lip smacking good grub at what now has become the infamous USF tailgate.
Fourth, we met some some serious Miami fans who were also just really nice people to be around. One guy we met had driven to the game with his wife from the Villages. He loved to tell stories while flashing his two National Championship rings, one on each hand. I never did get to the story about how or why he got the rings because my steak and eggs were getting cold but suffice it to say that he was a hoot.
Fifth, the USF fans in and around the stadium were friendly enough and even fun to be around. The Bulls fans were not at all like the Gator fans we experienced at Sun Life Stadium a few weeks back who were arrogant, rude, obnoxious and even bordering on violent as they huffed and puffed their way out of the stadium, heads down and tails stuck firmly between their legs.
No, all of the USF fans we met (Canezilla and these nice young ladies included) are surprisingly enough much like FSU fans. They are good people and pleasant to be around most of the time, they just happen to wear the wrong colors and root for the wrong teams.Or they wear some sort of funky headgear that, well, should not be allowed in public places.
Tampa in fact is a lot like Miami. It is always a fun city with lots to do, good places to stay, great restaurants and entertainment galore. There is always nice scenery around the Bay Area and attractive people everywhere you look, so it is really important to keep your eyes wide open.
But then again, I'm just saying.
1St!!!!
Posted by: IraqiCane | October 01, 2013 at 07:07 PM
GO CANES!!!! BEST GT!!!
Posted by: IraqiCane | October 01, 2013 at 07:07 PM
IraqiCane...gets a FIRST from the war zone with love. I haven't forgot about your shirts. U and many others in fact.
I've been busy, and just a tad lazy.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 01, 2013 at 07:09 PM
Great article with the Pics. Go Canes! Wreck Tech!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | October 01, 2013 at 07:10 PM
and the top 10 posting streak continues!!
Posted by: Account Deleted | October 01, 2013 at 07:34 PM
DAMN!, my boy RaizeCane eatin' GOOD! GOOD! GOOD!
Posted by: CaneRock | October 01, 2013 at 08:03 PM
DAMN!, my boy RaizeCane eatin' GOOD! GOOD! GOOD!
Posted by: CaneRock | October 01, 2013 at 08:03 PM
Drinkin' GOOD! to LMAO!
Posted by: CaneRock | October 01, 2013 at 08:04 PM
I guess I'll take a top 10 for post number dos.
Posted by: A Cane in Hooville | October 01, 2013 at 08:04 PM
PB Post article hitting the top remaining area recruits not yet committed, including J. Dixon (still care) and T. Rudolph (good luck since decommitting, but don't care any more). I didn't like hearing of LeBron egging them on at OSU about always being an OSU fan, etc. Dixon plans to enroll in college for the fall semester, so he should be announcing something soon. I think he has already decided but would like his moments to shine, as most of these kids do.
I didn't get to read the last blog yet, but I'm sure there has been more discussion about Kaaya with the UCLA offer. It's fun to keep up with recruiting, but I'd rather watch this team in the here and now and find out who I'll be pulling when the h.s. guys figure it out.
Posted by: JCane | October 01, 2013 at 08:51 PM
UCLA offer to Kaaya affects nothing. Kid is all Cane and will remain that way.
Dixon will be Cane or Buckeye. Oscar Meyer weiner is pitching that "Percy Harvin role"
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 01, 2013 at 08:55 PM
GREAT ARTICLE , GREAT TAILGATE , GO CANES!!!! IN NY NOW TOMORROW OFF TO SEE THE NEW WORLD TRADE MEMORIAL
Posted by: canezilla | October 01, 2013 at 09:36 PM
I forgot Jack Daniels was Urban's homeboy, so that should play into Dixon's decision.
Posted by: CaneRock | October 01, 2013 at 10:51 PM
Rudolph was at the OSU visit simultaneously with Dixon, and as I'd said earlier, LeBron was there to hype the Buckeyes (making it harder for me to route for my home NBA b-ball team suddenly!). I'd be surprised if either ended up there honestly, but I think Urban has an outside shot with Dixon. I think most likely Dixon ends up in Coral Gables. I'm not going to bother to guess with Rudolph, as it's not at the U so it doesn't really matter to me. Honestly, if you really like the U and you're a WR, what's not to like right now. Lots of weapons and good young QBs here or coming, but a bit light on wideouts. Of course, there are always other reasons (wanna leave the state, $ motivations, etc.).
Hard to know where Jack Daniels fits into this at Dwyer with past FU links, as look who coaches Rudolph (Steve Walsh)...and it didn't keep him true to his original verbal with the U.
Posted by: JCane | October 01, 2013 at 11:04 PM
LIVE chat called off for another week for another reason. We will see what happens next week, or not?
Posted by: SOUP | October 01, 2013 at 11:15 PM
"As many of you may know, NativeCane is an avid deer hunter. He managed to bag his usual good size buck again last hunting season and froze some of the most prime cuts (back strap) for this special occasion. He grilled some bacon-wrapped, jalapeno seasoned venison until it was perfectly cooked."
My mother in law makes a great deer stew, I can eat a whole pot of that stuff if I didn't have to share.
Posted by: CaneRock | October 02, 2013 at 01:12 AM
Not sure how I feel about the UCLA offer to Kaaya. If there is any team that can flip him, it would be UCLA. I do like the fact that his mother went public with the offer and said while Brad respects UCLA he is committed to Miami. BUT, she finished with "at this time" lol... Just the tweet and her interview with CIS makes me think he will stick with UM.
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:09 AM
### UM’s Al Golden smiled Tuesday when reminded of Jimmy Johnson’s philosophy to treat every player differently. Though he disciplined Duke Johnson for his two goal-line fumbles by not allowing him to wear a first-team jersey Tuesday, it would seem highly unlikely for playing time to be affected and it should not be.
Here's how Golden approaches disciplining a star, in Johnson's case: “It was a careless mistake. For anyone to do that, there has to be consequences,” Golden said. “You cannot freelance when we clearly tell them what the parameters are in terms of goal-line running. It’s easy to sit in those chairs as his teammate and say, ‘He’s treating Duke differently.’
But “there’s a lot of good bank built up” with Johnson. “There’s a lot of carries he got rocked and carried it well.”
Johnson said coaches told him this about the fumbles: “That’s unacceptable. You can’t do that."
He said the first fumble, in which he reached across the goal-line, "was bad judgment." The second was "a horrible play," he told our Susan Miller Degnan.
### Brad Kaaya, a critical piece of UM's 2014 recruiting class and Rivals.com's No. 8 quarterback prospect, received an offer from hometown UCLA today. His mother said UCLA "is an awesome program that he respects. At this time, he is committed to the University of Miami.”
But the Los Angeles Times reported today that UCLA's offer will be considered. "Any kid in Los Angeles would be interested in UCLA," said Ed Croson, his coach at Chaminade High in Hollywood Hills. "He's firmly committed to Miami, but I think he's flattered."
### When David Gilbert, an honorable mention All-Big 10 player at Wisconsin, transferred to UM, his body of work suggested he might start ahead of Shayon Green at defensive end.
But Green continues to impress coaches with how strong he is against the run, and he has justified playing on first and second down. And Gilbert –- who plays on some third-down pass rush packages -- needed time to improve his conditioning.
“I’m sure David would like to start,” Golden said today. “I don’t think we’ve seen the best of David Gilbert yet.”
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:11 AM
Hurricanes coach Al Golden has enjoyed seeing his defense grow in terms of depth and maturity and become more adept at creating turnovers, sacks and stops in the red zone.
But for all of UM's early success this season, he said Miami's ACC opener Saturday afternoon against Georgia Tech and Paul Johnson's triple option offense is going to provide a hefty test for his defense -- more challenging than any the Hurricanes have faced this season.
"We're opening up ACC play, and this is our sternest test to date," Golden said. "With all respect to Florida, if you want to test your defense, man this is the team to test it against. This is a great challenge for us. I don't have to remind our defense we gave up 248 yards rushing a year ago against this team. We gave up two pass plays of over 50. We gave up runs of 35, 34, 21, 17 and they were four of five in the end zone against us. This is a great challenge for our defense, and I think our guys understand that. It's not just the ACC opener, it's a tremendous challenge for our defense.
"We're kicking off the ACC conference [play] this week, going against a foe that gives you a number of things with a high degree of difficulty. Lot of respect for Coach Johnson and Georgia Tech and the job they've done. Sixteen consecutive bowls. They've been one of the two teams on the Coastal Side that has represented us in Charlotte and won the division and a championship. They're talented on offense. Vad Lee (6-1, 215) at quarterback has given them a new dynamic in terms of throwing. They have added new formations, the diamond as a lot of people are referring to. [B-Back] David Sims (6-0, 225) is a big play threat as one of the up backs. DeAndre Smelter (6-3, 220) is also a deep threat at receiver. On defense everything starts with Jeremiah Attaochu, 20 career sacks. He's a guy that can wreck the game if you don't account for him. Love the way he plays. A lot of respect for him and a lot of veterans coming back on this defense.
"It's an offense that's top 10 in rushing, time of possession, third down, sacks against. And it's a defense that's top 10 or top 25 in a lot of critical categories -- red zone, scoring, total defense, rushing defense, third down, pass defense. I think they've only given up 10 points in the second half. On top of that Sean Poole is one of the best punters and they're great at net punt, sixth in the country. Great challenge for us. We've been working like crazy the last two days to get ready for them."
To hear all of Golden's press conference Tuesday you can click on the link below. I've also included audio interviews with offensive coordinator James Coley and offensive line coach Art Kehoe below.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2013/10/golden-georgia-tech-a-tremendous-challenge-for-canes-defense.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:14 AM
Tito workin...
When the season started 2015 ATH Shawn Burgess-Becker and the Monarch (Fla.) team all said their goal this year was to send a message to the rest of South Florida that they are no joke. It seems as if they’ve made a loud message as their currently 5-0 coming off a big win against Douglas.
Burgess-Becker talked about what it’s like to start off this well and let everyone in South Florida no they aren’t fooling around.
“A lot of people don’t know really that much about Monarch and they think it’s a school they can just push over. When we go into a game, we don’t think we’re better then the other team, we come in there to play and just do our job and thats to win.”
The Knights just came off a big win against Douglas (Fla) a team that many pitched to be a tough matchup for them. Despite being down fourteen nothing going into the second half, Monarch was able to rally and send the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Knights were able to tie the game and decided to go for the win on a 2-point conversion. They called a fade route for the 2015 athlete and he described what it was like.
“We were all in the huddle and they were like ‘Shawn do you think you can put this game away?’, So I just stepped up to the plate and did my job and asked for the ball and made the big game winning catch.”
The Monarch product has been subject to a tremendous amount of recruiting from almost every coach in the Nation and states his top 4 schools remain the same with Alabama, LSU, Miami, and Florida.
“There hasn’t been a change in that top 4, you know I’m looking forward to see if I can add on more offers from there and hear from certain schools like that.”
The 6’2 185 pound player maker claims no leaders for the moment and talked about the most recent game he attended.
“They’re all right there, I mean I attended the UM-UF game and it had a big impact. Both teams came to play and they’re both in my top four. I’m also trying to catch that Alabama-LSU game and see how each team performs.”
Burgess-Becker spoke about Miami and where they stand with him and how their 4-0 start has affected him.
“Yeah, they’re 4-0 and Al Golden has some good things going on over there and it makes a big impact.”
‘Cane fans have been noticing something interesting in the Burgess-Becker’s play lately. After his touchdowns Burgess-Becker has been throwing up “The U’ symbol with his hands and their is a deeper meaning to it than many realize.
“(Laughs) You know just going through the motions, it just came up. I have a lost relative who is a big fan so almost every game I do it for him.”
http://www.canesinsight.com/content/2058-Burgess-Becker-Talks-Team%92s-5-0-Start
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:17 AM
Ariz workin...
Killian 2015 ATH JaQuan has been in the spotlight as a top prospect since his freshman year of high school, but over the past six months he has dealt with a very serious back injury that could have been career threatening. Luckily for Johnson, it seems like the medical scare is past him for now.
“I had a back injury where it was like a bulging disk that was pinching on my nerve and I had to do therapy and rehab. I worked to get my core as strong as ever and the doctor said I was fine to play. He told me just to keep doing what I’m doing and I’ll be fine down the road and now,” said Johnson.
Johnson has played in the last two games for his team after there was talk he would miss the entire season.
“I’ve played in two games out of five this year so far. I’m feeling great physically and I can do everything I used to do. I was just a little rusty at first.”
The versatile athlete has been a threat in all three phases of the game over the course of his career, but will be limited to mostly defense this season.
“It was like I had played four years in high school in two years because I was going both ways, so my coach decided to just keep me at safety and sometimes put me at receiver a little bit.”
On the recruiting side of things, there was a recent report that came out stating Johnson had Miami as his top school, but he says that is not necessarily the case.
“I think the reporter sort of twisted my words because I never told him Miami is my leader because they’re not. I’m really neutral and it’s up for grabs and I’m just taking the experience slowly.”
At this time last year, UF led for Johnson because he was disappointed in the lack of communication with Miami. That seems to have changed.
“Miami is talking to me a lot through Facebook and I get all sorts of mail from them so they’re definitely talking to me now.”
Miami’s undefeated start through four games has the down south product excited.
“Last year when I saw them play, I thought they had the potential to do what they’re doing this year and they’ve been proving me right. It’s exciting because I haven’t seen Miami like this in a long time.”
The Killian star is impressed with Miami Head Coach Al Golden.
“Coach Golden seems like a good dude. It seems like he’s someone I would want to be around, look up to, and learn from. The way they’re playing this season shows me the way he believes in people and they’re going to keep doing it. I believe he’s a man of his word.”
Something else working in Miami’s favor is the heavy influence of South Florida talent on the roster and in the 2014 recruiting class.
“I definitely like to see Florida boys going to Miami because it’s Miami. They wasn’t recruiting like that how they’re doing this year so it’s good because we all really know each other from camps and stuff and there’s a chemistry there without us even knowing it.”
**Micheal Barrow and Paul Williams are the coaches from Miami recruiting Johnson
**Along with Miami, Johnson said that UF, FSU, South Carolina, and Clemson are in his top group
http://www.canesinsight.com/content/2057-Miami-in-top-group-for-Killian-s-Johnson
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:17 AM
Interesting point about Kayaa. How people on here can say with 100% certainty that he won't flip is beyond me. It still looks good for us, but let's not count our chickens just yet. We're thousands of miles from where he lives, we don't know what's in his mind, we don't know him or his family, and there's been rumblings about him wanting a UCLA offer in the past.
So to say he's a lock is premature, especially with the "at this time" comment. I think it's 80-90% he comes here but not 100%. UCLA may put a full court press on him, the program is on the rise, and Mora's a charmer. If I were Al, I'd be back on him quickly.
Posted by: Canesfan_1 | October 02, 2013 at 06:20 AM
By Eric Sondheimer
October 1, 2013, 12:55 p.m.
After weeks of speculation, UCLA has come forward and made a scholarship offer to Chaminade quarterback Brad Kaaya.
Chaminade Coach Ed Croson brought Kaaya to his P.E. class on Tuesday and they called UCLA Coach Jim Mora, who made the formal offer to Kaaya on the phone.
Kaaya has been a longtime commit to Miami, but UCLA's offer will get consideration.
"Any kid in Los Angeles would be interested in UCLA," Croson said. "He's firmly committed to Miami, but I think he's flattered."
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:26 AM
A poster on CIS made a great point...We all get on "home town" guys for not staying home, but expect other kids in other areas not to lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:27 AM
I'm with you Canesfan_1..still think we are in great shape for him based off his mother's rave reviews about the staff and the fact we have been on him forever, BUT, the hometown team (whom it is rumored Kaaya is a fan of) and being close to mom could have an effect. Either way the Miami program will move on
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:29 AM
Edward Lewis
BruinSportsReport.com
UCLA extended an offer to four-star quarterback Brad Kaaya Tuesday afternoon, his mother told BruinSportsReport.com.
The 6-foot-4, 213-pound QB is currently a Miami commitment, but the possibility of a Bruin offer has loomed large since the spring. And finally, after head coach Jim Mora and quarterback coach Taylor Mazzone went to see him play Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian two weeks ago, the offer came.
With a huge game on tap this weekend that will pit Kaaya's West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade team against Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame, Kaaya has vowed to stay off Twitter and presumably to reject interview requests about his recruitment this week.
His mother, however, did release a statement regarding the new Bruin offer.
"Bradley Kaaya Jr. received an offer from Coach Jim Mora to play football for UCLA this afternoon," the statement read. "Bradley said although UCLA is an awesome program that he has respected his entire life and continues to respect, at this time he is committed to The University of Miami."
Kaaya committed to Miami in early May. His teammate, three-star DB Joseph McIntosh, is a UCLA commitment who has said repeatedly he'll work on flipping the big quarterback.
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:30 AM
Justin Hopkins @JHopkins247 26m
Just changed my Crystal Ball on #Miami commit Brad Kaaya to #UCLA - #Canes should be concerned IMO http://247sports.com/Player/Brad-Kaaya-19617
^^^ These guys change every week btw lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:31 AM
From Pete Ariz...
Just exchanged messages with Brad. Without going into details, he seems as solid as ever.
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:35 AM
According to Rivals Powell ill graduate early
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 06:39 AM
Fort Pierce
Posted by: SOUP | October 02, 2013 at 06:46 AM
SOUP...you cane be in Fort Pierce, you have to help man the blog while the sky is falling!!!
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:02 AM
***cant be...I really need to start proof reading lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:02 AM
With the final quarter of the 2014 recruiting cycle approaching, 247Sports takes a look at the best prospects available at each position. In this series, the industry-generated 247Composite is utilized, which compiles the ratings and rankings used by the major recruiting services and is used in the 247Sports Team Recruiting Rankings, making them the most unbiased and comprehensive in the recruiting industry.
In our first feature, we check out the five best available quarterbacks. Arguably the most important position on the field, it comes as no surprise that over 100 quarterbacks are already committed to FBS programs. But with coaching changes bringing new schemes into the fold in the next few months, there are sure to be schools looking for available signal callers to add on signing day.
Quarterbacks
1. Quinton Flowers, Miami (Fla.) Jackson
A few weeks ago, Flowers took his first official visit to Nebraska, where he sat in the meetings and locker room with Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez, a player he feels shares a lot of similarities with his own game. Although he could easily project as a top prospect at wide receiver, the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback wants to find an offense he can thrive in as the signal caller, which could give Nebraska an edge. Even with his very short-lived commitment to South Florida, the Bulls are still in the mix, and Marshall is hoping to creep in as well. Flowers would love to hear more from schools like Texas and Florida.
4. Alin Edouard Hialeah, (Fla.) Hialeah
Eduoard committed to Miami the day he was offered back in February, but after not hearing much from the Hurricanes for months, and after seeing Miami get commitments from two other quarterbacks, he decommitted on Sept. 1. Right now, Edouard is interested in the schools that want him as a quarterback, which he says includes Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Wake Forest and Tennessee. He admits he is still thinking about Miami as well.
http://247sports.com/Article/Best-available-quarterbacks-in-the-2014-class-151264
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:09 AM
The greatest selling points for the Canes in going after highly regarded recruits regardless of location is Al Golden and his staff, a good incoming recruiting class and a successful season culminating in a great bowl game. Golden is on track to putting this all together.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 02, 2013 at 07:09 AM
In this feature, we take a look at the five best available wide receivers. This is one of the deeper position groups when it comes to prospects that have yet to make a commitment, with two five-star prospects and all five prospects ranked inside the top 120 of the 247Composite. These five wideouts are considered difference makers, so it should come as no surprise that their recruitments are among the most heated in the 2014 recruiting cycle.
5. Johnnie Dixon, Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Dwyer
Three programs, Arkansas, N.C. State and Ohio State, have already had Dixon on campus for official visits. The Wolfpack’s chances are enhanced by the presences of former Dwyer quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is sitting out this season after transferring from Florida. Alabama could be the last trip Dixon makes before making a decision in November, as he hopes to get his commitment out of the way and prepare to enroll early at the school of his choice. Even though the Hurricanes might not earn an official visit before then, they are still a strong contender to land his commitment.
Crystal Ball: 96 percent Miami, four percent Ohio State
http://247sports.com/Article/Best-available-wide-receivers-in-the-2014-class-152608
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:11 AM
US Army All-American Team...
Travonte Valentine
Khairi Clark
Johnnie Dixon
Under Armour Team...
Joseph Yearby
Kc McDermott
Chad Thomas
Trevor Darling
Sempe Fi All-Star Game...
Reilly Gibbons
Brad Kaaya
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:19 AM
Miami has 11 ESPN300 commits rated 4-Stars of higher according to ESPN...
#21 - Joseph Yearby
#45 - Kc McDermott
#116 - Trent Harris
#125 - Chad Thomas
#130 - Trevor Darling
#170 - Travonte Valentine
#171 - Brad Kaaya
#223 - Reilly Gibbons
#238 - Nigel Bethel
#276 - Brandon Powell
#290 - Darrell Langham
Others that may be added..
#42 - Johnnie Dixon
#175 - Anthony Moten
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:26 AM
The University of Miami football team is walking around with a bit more swagger and pride these days, and not just because the 14th-ranked Hurricanes are 4-0 heading into Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech. The coaches and players have the look of new homeowners, proud of their swank, new $14.7 million digs, eager to show it off to recruits and visitors.
Opulence sells in this day of the $68 million Nike sports palace at the University of Oregon and the $40 million Oklahoma State athletic complex. UM never had the shiny facilities to match its postcard scenery, sunny weather and storied football tradition. The Canes still don’t have the biggest house on the block. Not even close. But they have a glorious home that should impress even the most-demanding high school stars.
The 34,000-square-foot Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence opened in phases over the past few months and will be dedicated Friday. It includes the 10,800-square-foot Dwayne “The Rock’’ Johnson Locker Room and the Jonathan Vilma Players’ Lounge that is a cross between a swoopy South Beach hotel lobby and an electronics store — oversized leather chairs with the “U’’ on every chair back, flat screen TVs in every direction, video games, cellphone charging stations in each locker and a nutrition bar with fruit, power drinks, and other nutritious snacks for athletes on the go.
Miami’s modernized training center — which services some 400 athletes — quadrupled in size to 12,000 square feet and now includes a dental chair for emergency mouth injuries, private physician’s examining room, and state-of-the-art rehab center that rivals most NFL facilities.
Hydraulic pools? Check. Three of them. OK, so they don’t have waterfalls, like the ones at the University of Alabama, but they do have underwater cameras so trainers can see how injured legs are progressing.
A $70,000 anti-gravity treadmill that allows athletes to run at adjustable body weights to lessen stress on knees? Miami has that, too.
UM’s academic and compliance department moved from cramped dark quarters to a spacious bright area with dozens of computer desks, study rooms, counselors’ offices and an auditorium
The showcase of the building is the airy high-ceilinged DiMare Gallery of Champions — a glitzy lobby centered on a collection of UM memorabilia that includes five crystal national championship football trophies, two Heisman trophies, four baseball national championship trophies and lots of ACC championship hardware.
“We were looking for the ‘Wow’ factor, that initial pop when you bring a kid through the door for the first time, and now we have it,” said UM athletic director Blake James. “Times have changed. Kids are impressionable and make decisions differently from kids of the past. We had to raise the bar because the reality is, in college athletics, if you’re standing still everyone else is passing you by. This is a great step for us and gives us a grand entrance, a top-notch academic center, fabulous training room, spacious locker room. It addresses a lot of the challenges we had and allows us to service our athletes at the highest level.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/02/3664269/ums-schwartz-center-for-athletic.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 07:51 AM
If anyone knows how to run/coach an offense in basketball let me know..I need some tips lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 09:01 AM
IF! Ryan Williams sews up the starting job next year, AND! stays healthy, then Olsen,Kaaya, and Rosier won't mean anything till 2015. BUT trust me, an Olsen,Kaaya, and Rosier QB comp will be VERY! interesting. Now I like Kaaya, but the more I watch this Rosier kid, the more I'm impressed...He reminds me of Russell Wilson.
Posted by: CaneRock | October 02, 2013 at 09:12 AM
Tim Reynolds - Combined, all Miami student-athletes posted a 3.01 semester GPA last spring, highest in UM athletics history.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 02, 2013 at 09:22 AM
Tim Reynolds - Combined, all Miami student-athletes posted a 3.01 semester GPA last spring, highest in UM athletics history.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 02, 2013 at 09:22 AM
We aint back! lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 09:26 AM
LOL!! ^^
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 02, 2013 at 09:33 AM
This was the first time I've seen Rosier and all I have to say is wow!!!!!.....This kid can do everything (run, pass, good arm, accurate), he's a perfect fit for Coley's offense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSxmBqhhC78
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 02, 2013 at 09:39 AM
@Canerock, Russell Wilson is a very good comparison for Rosier.
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 02, 2013 at 09:42 AM
Barry Jackson:
UM’s Al Golden smiled Tuesday when reminded of Jimmy Johnson’s philosophy to treat every player differently. Though he disciplined Duke Johnson for his two goal-line fumbles by not allowing him to wear a first-team jersey Tuesday, it would seem highly unlikely for playing time to be affected and it should not be.
Here's how Golden approaches disciplining a star, in Johnson's case: “It was a careless mistake. For anyone to do that, there has to be consequences,” Golden said. “You cannot freelance when we clearly tell them what the parameters are in terms of goal-line running. It’s easy to sit in those chairs as his teammate and say, ‘He’s treating Duke differently.’
But “there’s a lot of good bank built up” with Johnson. “There’s a lot of carries he got rocked and carried it well.”
Johnson said coaches told him this about the fumbles: “That’s unacceptable. You can’t do that."
He said the first fumble, in which he reached across the goal-line, "was bad judgment." The second was "a horrible play," he told our Susan Miller Degnan.
### Brad Kaaya, a critical piece of UM's 2014 recruiting class and Rivals.com's No. 8 quarterback prospect, received an offer from hometown UCLA today. His mother said UCLA "is an awesome program that he respects. At this time, he is committed to the University of Miami.”
But the Los Angeles Times reported today that UCLA's offer will be considered. "Any kid in Los Angeles would be interested in UCLA," said Ed Croson, his coach at Chaminade High in Hollywood Hills. "He's firmly committed to Miami, but I think he's flattered."
### When David Gilbert, an honorable mention All-Big 10 player at Wisconsin, transferred to UM, his body of work suggested he might start ahead of Shayon Green at defensive end.
But Green continues to impress coaches with how strong he is against the run, and he has justified playing on first and second down. And Gilbert –- who plays on some third-down pass rush packages -- needed time to improve his conditioning.
“I’m sure David would like to start,” Golden said today. “I don’t think we’ve seen the best of David Gilbert yet.”
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2013/10/dolphins-deep-ball-numbers-plummetwallace-reacts-oden-ways-away-canes-chatter.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 02, 2013 at 09:46 AM
Oh, and relax about Kaaya getting UCLA offer. He's a Cane.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 02, 2013 at 09:46 AM
Little late on that Ohio lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 09:48 AM
I hope Texas A&M stays away from Rosier, he's their type of player. I would take Rosier over Kaaya & Olsen any day!!!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 02, 2013 at 09:49 AM
Little late on that Ohio lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 09:48 AM
------------------------------------------
For real? My bad. Skimmed thru this article this morning.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 02, 2013 at 09:49 AM
lol..its all good.. I just know we like to zap each other with the other is late lol
Posted by: UMike | October 02, 2013 at 09:58 AM