The opening game against Louisville may be scheduled for Labor Day but the 2014 college football season begins today on newly renovated Greentree Field behind the Hecht Athletic Center in beautiful Coral Gables, Florida when your Miami Hurricanes will complete their first practice of Fall camp.
UM head coach Al Golden will be entering his fourth season as he pursues what has turned out to be an elusive ACC division championship and conference crown once again this season. On Monday he held his annual pre-camp press conference with the local media and here is part of what he had to say:
Opening Statement…
“Welcome to training camp. We’re excited to get going. Most of our kids are in already. Some are being processed today, but we expect everybody out there but two individuals tomorrow. We’ll reaffirm that as the day goes on. We’re still waiting on the arrival of Trayone Gray and Darrell Langham, just to save you that question. Welcome, we appreciate you coming, and with that, we’ll open it up to any questions that you have.”
On linebackers coach Micheal Barrow’s sabbatical and staff changes…
“First of all, Micheal has always conducted himself with class, with dignity, with integrity. He has been a great leader here for a long time, not just on campus and with our team, but within our community. As I said to him as he was starting to try to figure out what direction he wanted to go, I said to him there is no calendar with family. If this is the direction you want to go, it’s our job to help you with this transition. It’s been difficult for him. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like over the next month – I don’t think he’s been in a situation like this since [his youth] where he’s not participating.
“We miss Mike, but at the same time, we had a chance to move Hurlie [Brown] back to defense, something that he’s very comfortable with. Being in the staff meetings and understanding the nomenclature of the defense and being the type of guy to have a rapport with everybody, I think he’s going to make the transition quickly.
“Then we elevated Ice Harris, who is more than deserving and obviously very grateful. Here’s a guy that’s been doing this for a quarter-century for this opportunity, and I know he’s going to give everything he has and going to make us better. Clearly we had an opportunity to bring on Kevin Beard, so we did that. Not the best of timing, but all that is is a circumstance. It’s not the definition of what’s going to happen moving forward and it’s not the result, it’s just the circumstance. It doesn’t determine anything. We have good veterans at those two positions, and I expect our guys to rally and be sharp during camp.”
On the play of the linebacker group and specifically sophomore Jermaine Grace…
“Jermaine has had a good summer. He ran some of the fastest 40’s on the team, not just the linebacker position – consistently under 4.5 (seconds). He’s about 210 pounds now, he has more experience, he’s smart, he’s an excellent special teams player, he gives us three down value, he’s a competitor and a striker. I’m excited about Grace.
“Clearly [Darrion] Owens, you guys knew I was excited about his focus and his performance in the spring, and now he’s going to get a good opportunity at SAM along with Thurston Armbrister. We’ll start with [Terry] McCray over there as well.”
On the team’s linebacker depth heading into fall training camp…
“I don’t think there’s any question we lost some depth, but we have some other guys that are going to rally. It’s going to give [Terry] McCray an opportunity, a guy like [Mike] Smith an opportunity, Demetrius Jackson an opportunity, Juwon Young, and obviously you mentioned [Jermaine] Grace. Those guys are all going to get an opportunity.
“I’m excited about our group. I don’t want those that are not with us to diminish what the guys that are with us are all about. [Raphael] Kirby, we mentioned [Jermaine] Grace earlier. Denzel has had a great summer – 245 pounds now. [Darrion] Owens I mentioned earlier and Armbrister.”
For the full transcript of the presser and more on injuries, Kevin Olsen, Ryan Williams, Duke Johnson and the UM defense click here:
http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=209603837
Let's do this.
Go Canes!!
Posted by: Go Canes | August 05, 2014 at 07:21 AM
Look at Go Canes up and at 'em EARLY! First day of camp U gotta be ready, right?
ROLL CALL...
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 07:29 AM
Link to entire presser transcript:
http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=209603837
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 07:31 AM
Hmmmm...
Jameis Winston purchased a $10 million disability and loss of value insurance policy, and Florida State is footing part of the bill.
A Florida State spokesman confirmed to ESPN.com on Monday that the university is paying for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner's loss of value policy with the school's Student Assistant Fund.
The spokesman did not provide a specific number as to how much the university is paying. The website Tomahawk Nation, which first reported the news, said Florida State will pay a premium in the $55,000 to $60,000 range.
Sources told ESPN.com's Darren Rovell in July that the $10 million policy is split equally between a permanent disability policy, which Winston would collect if he were injured and could never play again, and a loss of value policy, which he would collect at least a percentage of if he fell in the draft. Winston is projected to be a high first-round selection -- potentially No. 1 -- in the 2015 NFL draft if he declares following his redshirt sophomore season.
The NCAA's website states the Student Assistant Fund "shall be used to assist student-athletes in meeting financial needs that arise in conjunction with participation in intercollegiate athletics, enrollment in an academic curriculum or that recognize academic achievement."
The website adds the responsibility of the oversight and administration of funds, including interpretations of how the fund can be used, lies with the conferences.
Programs have rarely used the fund to help pay loss of value insurance policies, but a Fox Sports report documented how Texas A&M recently paid for the policy of star offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi, which helped convince Ogbuehi to forgo the 2014 NFL draft and return to Texas A&M.
The Florida State spokesman said the university's compliance department has been aware of the provision for quite some time.
Winston, who threw an ACC-record 40 touchdowns the past season, is eligible for the 2015 NFL draft. He was noncommittal at the ACC Kickoff earlier this month about whether he would declare following the 2014 season, but his father, Antonor, told AL.com in June that the plan is for Winston to play for Florida State in 2015. Florida State's paying for part of Winston's policy could, theoretically, help the odds that Winston returns for a fourth year.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11310051/jameis-winston-insurance-policy-paid-part-florida-state
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 07:32 AM
The Associated Press @AP 2h
BREAKING: Former Hurricane Bertha weakens to a tropical storm is it moves northward in Atlantic; no direct threat to land.
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 07:37 AM
Let's go Canes! The Road to Charlotte starts today!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 07:49 AM
Tito...
2015 Ocean Lakes (Va.) athlete Jaason Lewis has had a plethora of schools from across the nation contact him over the least 8 months and now he’s narrowed his choice to only 5 schools.
“I have a final 5 right now; in no order it’s Miami, LSU, Ole Miss, Arizona State and Michigan.”
Lewis has a decision date set of September 25th and will likely take visits before and after that choice.
The Hurricanes have long been a school considered as a real threat to land the 6’3 242 pound playmaker out of Virginia and he went in depth of what he likes about them.
“I like Miami because it’s a good fit and they’re the only team I have that wants me as an H-back, it’s always good to have one of those in your top schools to look at and I like what they do with their H-back and how they get them the ball.”
Some other schools including Arizona State and LSU are recruiting the Virginia native exclusively as a running back which brings the question to if he holds a preference for either position.
“I can really play anything on offense it doesn’t really matter to me. I mean I prefer to play running back, but at the same time I can prefer playing H-back, so really I like them both.”
The Rebels are another school that catches Lewis’ interest due to their young talent and great coaching,
“Ole Miss is a school I really like a lot, I love what they do with their backs. They’re a young team, I can come in and play right away. Great coaching and I love playing in the SEC and I heard Ole Miss is a really nice town and place to be. Me and the coaches get a long a lot and talk everyday.”
Arizona State is one school that has secured an official visit already with Lewis and the use of their running backs intrigue him.
“I like the way they run their offense because they’re going to let me play offense and their running backs get good touches out of the backfield and out wide as well.”
The most paramount factor in all of this decision making progress for Lewis will be where he feels the most at home.
“My heart has to be into the place, if I don’t have that feeling when I leave the visit that ‘This is where I want to be at’ then I won’t be at that school. The coaching staff, the players have to love it and the coach has to be laid back, but a winner and a gamer.”
http://www.canesinsight.com/content/2450-2015-ATH-Lewis-Goes-in-Depth-on-Final-5
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 07:50 AM
30 year-old Andre' the Injure' Dubose is back for his 6th year with the Gatas.
Posted by: Old Skool | August 05, 2014 at 07:54 AM
Once again..top ten
Posted by: longtimecanefan | August 05, 2014 at 07:57 AM
I wonder if FSU has also secretly purchased a special liability policy because Winston is still in school
Posted by: Old Skool | August 05, 2014 at 07:57 AM
Rock, I threw up Da U for you in yo hood and the po po's threw up Da FU to me!! LMBO
Whats the name of the street that Coco's and Lexx is on?
Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | August 04, 2014 at 11:04 PM
LMAO!
[email protected] dawg, we stayed in Nashville on Thursday & Sunday...you changed your handle to Missouri for so long, that I forgot your original handle had Nashville in it. And Cocos & The Lexx are on 119th St.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 09:03 AM
Greg Cote:
What we have not yet seen is a program ready to compete with its two greatest opponents:
UM’s own daunting history.
And its current Atlantic Coast Conference rival and roadblock, Florida State.
Golden had the former in mind Monday, showing all due respect to Miami’s five national championships won between 1983 and 2001 but understanding it’s time for UM football to stop living on past glories and to start creating some new ones.
“We have one of greatest traditions in college football, and we’re proud of that. We respect the heck out of that,” he said. “But I want to see this [team] translate to our brand, our identity. It’s their time. It’s their time to show what kind of team they are, what they’ve become. ‘This is who we are. This is who the ’14 version of the Canes are.’ That’s what I want to see starting [Tuesday].”
The Seminoles are to UM what the New England Patriots are to the Dolphins. Daddy. The puzzle you can’t seem to solve. It will be hard for Miami to compete for a national championship until it starts being the best team in its own conference, a status presently owned unequivocally by the Noles.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/04/4271978/greg-cote-after-helping-canes.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 09:22 AM
CR.. you're late on that one haha
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:24 AM
[email protected] UMike, the redundant link strikes again LMAO! But I will say this, if Duke didn't get hurt last, it would've been a different outcome...AAAND! Duke would've scored on that bogus "runners momentum was stopped" call that the ref made.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 09:39 AM
Even with a healthy Duke the whole game, we dont beat FSU last year. They were dam good last year and our D played decent and still gave up 40.
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:41 AM
I couldnt STAND Freeman throwing up "305" after he scored.. I wished one of our Dade kids would gave him a nice late hit lol
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:43 AM
With the way FSU has things rolling, we are not going to dominate them for a long time, definitely for the foreseeable future.. But I do see us in a position to continuously battle for the ACC title.
I would take that in a heartbeat. A high-stakes, winner take all game against FSU hasn't happened and as long as I can remember. It will be great for both programs to get back to those types of games.
Posted by: Go Canes | August 05, 2014 at 09:51 AM
I would take that in a heartbeat. A high-stakes, winner take all game against FSU hasn't happened and as long as I can remember. It will be great for both programs to get back to those types of games.
Posted by: Go Canes | August 05, 2014 at 09:51 AM
It kinda happened last year, then we self destructed lol.. but I get your point.
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:53 AM
Olsen transfer yet?
Posted by: longtimecanefan | August 05, 2014 at 09:53 AM
Canespace has 1,400 followers on Twitter!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 05, 2014 at 09:54 AM
Canespace has 1,400 followers on Twitter!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 05, 2014 at 09:54 AM
Now if we could just sell them all something lol
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:55 AM
UMike...I don't think we would've won either, but it would've been a different game.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 09:56 AM
Now if we could just sell them all something lol
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:55 AM
---------------------------------------
Right? LOL
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 05, 2014 at 09:56 AM
CR.. our D whiffed on a few sack opportunities also, and we had some 3rd and longs and couldn't stop. Could of changed things some also. The D did a decent job getting after WInston, just could finish him off
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:57 AM
I agree with Golden's assessment of Duke before He got hurt:
"The biggest thing is we all want to see him pick up where he left off," Golden said. "He was pressing his runs. They were hitting where they were designed to hit. So he had great discipline at the end of last year. He was running between the [tackles] really well and then when he got to the second level he would allow his talent to take over but he was very disciplined in that. I don’t know if you guys feel the same way as observers, but I know this: He was running differently in those last 3 ½ games. He was running as strong and as hard as I’ve ever seen him run and delivering stiff arms, lowering his pads, running really where the ball needed to be run. Moments prior to the injury he was running the ball at Florida State as well as anybody probably all year. We need him to pick up where he left off and go from there."
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:00 AM
CR we was running great against them before the injury
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 10:01 AM
he was**
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 10:02 AM
UMike, besides those 2 INTs, the game plan against FSU SUCKED! LMAO! Believe it or not, the 2 players that kicked our @$$ in that game, were the FB (forget His name), and O'Leary.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:08 AM
CR.. Maybe I am wrong.. but I remember us getting after Winston but missing on a few sacks and a split second late on others
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 10:12 AM
LOL win the damn Coastal, win the damn bowl game, ands win 10 freaking games all things that need to happen this year but that's not sexy. SMDH at Greg Cote. Let's see all three things I mentioned haven't been done since 2003 for 10 wins or more,and winning division or conference outright, 2006 last bowl win, We are drier than the Arizona desert in those areas and he just skipped all those key steps to just beat FSU and everything else is gravy so if we beat FSU and lets say go 5-7 Are most real fans, alums, etc will be happy I can only speak for myself Hell F naw I wouldn't be happy. I want us to beat FSU as bad as the next person but we need to end these droughts I mentioned. SMDH at Cote and others who continue to overlook these hurdles than have been in our way for the better part of a decade or more.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 10:19 AM
UMike...we did get after Winston a few times, but AQM kept running by em'. But straight up, we should've played more man-to-man in that game...Stanford manned up on Mariotta, and beat em'...Auburn manned up on FSU, and damn near beat em'.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:19 AM
TSully... its hard to win the Coastal with powerhouses VT and Duke standing in your way
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 10:20 AM
And NCST played a damn 6-2 against FSU in 2012, and beat em'...and we beat NCST that year.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:22 AM
so if we beat FSU and lets say go 5-7 Are most real fans, alums, etc will be happy
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 10:19 AM
LMAO! Terrance, that's what happened in 07'.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:24 AM
so if we beat FSU and lets say go 5-7 Are most real fans, alums, etc will be happy
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 10:19 AM
LMAO! Terrance, that's what happened in 07'.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:24 AM
We weren't happy, but that's what happened.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 10:25 AM
Exactly Rock
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 10:28 AM
These FSU teams are a different animal than the ones who lost those head scratching games over the last decade.
Saw one mock draft that had 4 FSU guys going in the top 15 picks of next years draft.
Even though they will come down some when Winston leaves after this season, they have it rolling right now.
But we are closing fast and agree we got beat soundly last year, but we were a terrible Morris overthrow and a terrible whistle on Duke's run from making it very, very interesting with a far inferior roster.
Having them at home this year is huge. Win or lose, we will not get rolled over this season.
Posted by: Go Canes | August 05, 2014 at 10:33 AM
With the way FSU has things rolling, we are not going to dominate them for a long time, definitely for the foreseeable future.. But I do see us in a position to continuously battle for the ACC title.
Posted by: Go Canes | August 05, 2014 at 09:51 AM
Even UM's great squads rarely dominated FSU. Check out the Wikipedia page on the rivalry. Miami only really trounced FSU 3 or 4 times since 1983, when the first 'Canes dynasty started. It's funny: Miami had FSU's number for years during Bowden's reign, but the real ass-kickings were actually on FSU's side of the ledger.
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 05, 2014 at 10:44 AM
Agree dj.
Been at a few of the spankings, the best one being the blowout-shutout in the OB when they came in preseason #1, the worst the trouncing they gave us when we were at our lowest during the Butch probation years.
But for the most part most of the games have been any teams to win or lose late.
Posted by: Go Canes | August 05, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Now if we could just sell them all something lol
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 09:55 AM
Right? LOL
BTW...I fixed my PayPal account and upgraded to a business account to support my new photo art and orchid sales businesses so I will post details here soon just In CASE someone wants to make a donation that way.
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 10:56 AM
SOUP.. that is awesome.. PayPal is the easiest way for that and you can set up donation buttons with certain amounts etc. Then add a "Donate" page with the buttons.
Posted by: UMike | August 05, 2014 at 10:59 AM
We are drier than the Arizona desert in those areas and he just skipped all those key steps to just beat FSU and everything else is gravy so if we beat FSU and lets say go 5-7 Are most real fans, alums, etc will be happy I can only speak for myself Hell F naw I wouldn't be happy. I want us to beat FSU as bad as the next person but we need to end these droughts I mentioned.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 10:19 AM
I love it when Terrance types exactly like he talks in person. It's like he is sitting in front of me or I can here his voice through the Internet!
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 11:02 AM
I want us to beat FSU as bad as the next person but we need to end these droughts I mentioned.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 05, 2014 at 10:19 AM
Agreed 100%. I want ten wins, plus a bowl win. Both of those are more important for the long-term health and growth of the program than a miracle win over FSU.
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 05, 2014 at 11:06 AM
SOUP...being that you were raised around the nursery business, you should've BEEN! making money some type of way in that business. But GOOD FOR YOU! nevertheless.
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 11:06 AM
UMike...check out the LEFT column of the blog near the top just under the "Recent Posts" section. The "Donate" button is there!
It says Canespace Blog and the name of my Photo Art company that I started recently known as Tower Power Art.
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 11:29 AM
CR...YUP, born in Miami, raised on a nursery. Started a company named after my Gradfather who ran the nursery in the 305 WAY back in the day: Vinton LaVal Deane. He sold to The Biltmore Hotel, Fairchild Tropical Gardens and upscale hotels all over Miami Beach (Diplomat, Fountainblu, etc.) back in the 50's-70s.
I named it: "Deane Orchids".
I drive to Homestead to pick up a truck load of orchids at wholesale and then reatil them at various store sites, festivels, fairs and Saturday Markets here in Central Florida.
I already have them selling at three local retail outlets in Lake Wales on Hwy. 60 and I just started this week! Plus I will be at Staurday Markets most weekends. Last week was Lakeland, this week Haines City, then 8/23 in Winter Haven.
NativeCane and his lovely wife Becky came and visited with my wife and I at the Lakeland event. Bought and orchid and got a free bromeliad too. Good times!
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 11:36 AM
“We have one of greatest traditions in college football, and we’re proud of that. We respect the heck out of that,” he said. “But I want to see this [team] translate to our brand, our identity. It’s their time. It’s their time to show what kind of team they are, what they’ve become. ‘This is who we are. This is who the ’14 version of the Canes are.’ That’s what I want to see starting [Tuesday].”
AlPa sees reality; I like and respect his position. We need to get that tradition back; the only tradition that matters WINNING TITLES; don't need all the extra fixings in 2014; game not like that now.
The staff is doing a good job recruiting; we must translate it to the field and mold these young men into winners. We do face some odds with the QB situation, but it gives someone a chance to step up and lead. There are no real grizzled vets in place at QB, but there is opportunity. I think Olsen is a mirror of Marve, but at least Marve got on the field. I do not see KO as the guy; Heaps Kaaya Rosier all have a shot; Williams is unknown.
I never make predictions, but I think if we solve the QB slot, this could be a good year; that is critical for us. Get after it guys start good!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 05, 2014 at 11:42 AM
I never make predictions, but I think if we solve the QB slot, this could be a good year; that is critical for us.
Posted by: VA Cane | August 05, 2014 at 11:42 AM
Only one answer to that question. I think U can figure it out by now!
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 11:44 AM
I already have them selling at three local retail outlets in Lake Wales on Hwy. 60 and I just started this week! Plus I will be at Staurday Markets most weekends. Last week was Lakeland, this week Haines City, then 8/23 in Winter Haven.
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 11:36 AM
WAY TO GO! SOUP!...GOOD STUFF! I knew you had it in you, you can't keep a 305er down for long!
Posted by: CaneRock | August 05, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Thank U Peter B. for your donation via PayPal today! First one ever!!! That deserves a 2014 Canespace T-shirt soon to be ordered.
Posted by: SOUP | August 05, 2014 at 11:55 AM