I am not going to bore you intelligent college football fans with details of why the Miami Hurricanes 2016 football team is not living up to our expectations. I'll save that for another time with my incredibly insightful analysis of the stats and facts (sarcasm alert). But in the meantime, I will entice you with some of the real UM fans' take on the issues that confront our team:
Just back from the game. First time I have been to the remodeled stadium, it is great. Right out of the first play, we looked out of it. Kudos to Manny Diaz for turning up the heat on D in the second half. Corn Elder will play for someone on Sundays. The offense was abysmal. I don't know if it is Richt sending in these plays or BK checking down, but what a mess. I can only remember one deep ball that was overthrown to Richards. Need to make those throws. Too many dropped passes Need to make those catches. UNC did.
Stadium is nice, it poured and we stayed dry.:) Will get season tix next year.
GO CANES
Just got back home. This loss really hurts. The offense really didn't play up to their star potential. CMR doesn't trust Kaaya, and Kaaya gave him no reason to trust him. the play calling also left much to be desired. This offense should be much better. You can't win ACC games scoring 19 (FSU) and 13 points (UNC). Corn Elder and the defense played well enough to be undefeated. The offense must start playing up to their potential.
This isn't doom. It's reality. We lost to the best team in our division last year, and a team that is basically at its peak. Not much has changed personnel wise from last season, and to be honest our record at 4-2 is probably no different than what Golden would have had.
This season is almost identical to the 1996 season, and I expect no more than 8 wins this year. We need better offensive play, but more importantly an infusion of new talent on offense. I expect big changes next year, but year one for Richt will be much like last year. Keep in mind, a lot of successful coaches did not begin to have gray success until YEAR TWO.
The playbook IS open. It is ALWAYS open. No one is waiting. Nobody is "holding back" on showing our full hand.
It's just becoming increasingly clear that CMR may be suffering from the "smartest man in the room" mentality, and in spite of OVERWHELMING evidence that his conservative play calling is NOT working with THIS team and talent, he continues to force that square peg into a round hole. It is his CHOICE what plays we use, and he CHOOSES to call what HE THINKS will work.
We've got the PLAYS, and "just enough" TALENT to be successful, if used in the right combination. But CMR wants it to be HIS way.
I go back to my analysis of problems from last week:
1- O Line
2- CMR playcalling
3- BK's TOTAL inability to move. (I would have BK running drills in the "sand pit" before AND after practice EVERYDAY for the next 3 weeks.)
I agree with CGNC, WHY does BK even bother to run out his fakes after he hands off? NO ONE on the field even GLANCES at him they are so sure he won't be carrying it! I also agree that our WR's are NOT getting separation because they don't "sell" on EVERY PLAY that they might be getting the ball. It doesn't take long for a good DB to pick up on "effort off the line" to key when they have to cover. Imagine how "rested" they must be!
Posted by: roachcane77 | October 16, 2016 at 07:36 AM
It has nothing to do with not having 85 ship players, it only takes 22 good ones and King Kong size nuts and imagination with the play calls to get us out of this funk, the question is does richt grow a set. I've been on here forever bitching about the defense, never thought I'd be bitching about the offense but this is what it has come too. Yes the defense coughed up some yds, good play calling will cause that problem but pts are what wins or loses games, not total yds. The defense is banged up and at least made some half time adjustments, unlike their offensive counter parts, who were probably in a prayer meeting at half time. We need some help at wr and chasing down more 3 stars and getting to verbal ain't going to help. A three is a cee and that means average.
"I was on the Bartow High team that won the 4A state title in 96. We spent most of the season ranked #4. #1 was Jacksonville Bolles, the top team in the nation with 10 FBS signees in their senior class alone. #2 was Glades Central.
We were big, fast, and mean, but both those teams were more talented than us. We had to win two hellish dog fights in the semis and final to take the title. The game down in Glade was especially tough. They had us physically outclassed and demoralized in a way that we had never experienced.
Through the turmoil, Coach Smith never wavered. He had the same cocky determined look in his eye at the half as if we were in the games we won by 60. His resolve gave us the confidence to fight and win, becoming champions against long odds.
The next two years we had the same talent level, but problems with the administration made Coach decide to leave for a job of very significant salary increase.
Same team, same coaches, but the replacement HC was not the cool, commanding alpha male and easily rattled and flustered. We lost respect for him, and confidence and discipline in ourselves. The team disintegrated and two seasons that should have seen us compete for the 3-peat ended in early, embarrassing playoff losses.
The only difference was the inner resolve of the head coach. It is the most important factor to consistent success.
You've completely overestimated how the worthless load of crap recruits in the last five, four, three and two recruiting classes are.
You can count on Captain Canespace, slightly above average Joe and that's it as players from those four classes, everybody else is average to useless dead weight on a football roster in major college conference play. Until the smarks have more than 50% control of the roster (read; a year or two from now) this program is going nowhere against the inertia that was killing it dead in the water just one year ago. You don't go from worst coach and coaching staff around the loser in program history turning in the worst no-show loss in program history to world champs just by hiring some second rate SEC program's old coaching office refuse and saying an invisible man in the sky will take care of it. It takes a non-garbage QB first and foremost so until Bud Foster forces a fourth concussion in a year change there, UM is cooked for now and the immediate future. At least the toilet bowl needs a .500 team so they'll get the extra couple of practices which they need.
It's not that deep or complicated. UNC's Qb played like a sure fire first round talent. A dual threat that kept drives alive. Kayaa played like a player that needs a lot of work on pocket presence and awareness.
BING!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 16, 2016 at 09:54 PM
Glory Days playing in my head.
Posted by: BEERicane | October 16, 2016 at 10:00 PM
Maybe it's changed, but when I was a kid, because of the weight limits, the big kids didn't play organized football till HS. I suspect Erek Flowers was like that, He didn't start playing organized ball till the 10th grade I believe...
Posted by: CaneRock | October 16, 2016 at 08:38 PM
For the last 10 years or so, at least locally, there are many youth leagues that are unlimited weight at the top division. The coaches usually allow the other teams big kids to play.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Lots of football still to be played, including an opportunity to beat the stinking Irish.
I'm still very pumped for what we have left this season.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:09 PM
From what I have seen in my life it only takes a year from a focused kid to learn how to chop his feet to block and tackle. You just gotta do it with intensity in practice a few months until you don't have to think about it in game.
The coaches are too full of themselves trying to do what thy see on tv. My younger brother was on a team that literally did NO DRILLS!!!!!!! They warmed up and scrimmaged for 2 hours. Needless to say, they SUCKED!
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 10:10 PM
Epi and ThreeMack:
First, I was being sarcastic about the O suddenly magically improving, as I don't see how this could suddenly happen, especially after playing two such terrible defenses like those of FSU and UNC and doing nothing (didn't do much vs GT either). I do think playcalling could change the picture, but maybe there's more to it than just that. I hope like heck that it's not Richt, even though I see the same question marks as to the calls or non-calls on O as you do.
I tend to think more like Tony does. When I referenced the Mich fumble last year, it was with 10 seconds left and Mich on the MSU side of midfield (? 47 or 48 ydline). The coaching question wasn't about a botched punt that could happen to anyone, but whether even trying to punt was the right coaching move at that point. Hell, MSU had already given the Paul Bunyan trophy to Mich assuming a loss. Mich had already lost earlier in the season to Utah. Mich was a pretty well-stocked team inherited by Harbaugh, and yet they still seemingly got outcoached a few times last year. This year, better stocked and all, not so much...at least yet. Urban only seemed to look for jobs with teams that were pretty well-stocked to begin with. OSU was, and UF was just as much with Ron Zook (great recruiter, but couldn't win) prior. It already looks like Richt is building relationships for recruiting that weren't done by the last few coaches, so that's why I am willing to give some time. People were none too happy with Butch his first 1-2 seasons, too.
I'd like to see the pickup from Bradenton IMG. Some of their top players are leaving the state (ie qb to Texas A&M and lb to Alabama, if memory serves). That is one really good team, destroying previous undefeated and highly ranked Oxbridge last week, I think 38-0.
Still, I have major doubts about our W-L record this season. Too many games ahead that will be tough. Showing no quit and an ability to pull out the majority would do a lot for recruiting to show we're closer rather than further from a positive turning point.
Posted by: JCane | October 16, 2016 at 10:16 PM
You a Bartow grad, Soup?
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 10:21 PM
In Miami's 4 wins, Brad Kaaya's receivers had a drop rate of 6.0%... In losses to FSU and UNC, drop rate was 20.5%
That's a dozen drops in the last two games.
Ouch.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:29 PM
Believe Soup went to Killian TC81.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:31 PM
NO, Miami Killian HS, Class of 1980.
But I lived in Winter Haven for 10 years and have attended HS games in Winter Haven. Lake Wales and Bartow.
LOVE these places!
Posted by: SOUP | October 16, 2016 at 10:31 PM
Tony...
Each of those first year coaches situations differ in their own way.
In Recht's case, he has NFL receivers, backs and TE along w a supposed NFL QB. Instead of using them, he is insisting on leaning on the weakness of the squad.. the OL.
This situation is of his own making, and unless he opens his eyes things will spiral. He's already losing the offense, and I don't blame them.
Again.. I know it's comforting to grasp for reason other than coaching to assign blame. In this case though, it's ALL coaching. Even the drops.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:32 PM
My take on this article. Well, really my questions....
1) Did TruCane happen to play OL, and does he have any eligibility left?
2) What is TruCane's coaching staff up to now, and would they be interested in taking over an underperforming ACC team mid-season?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:35 PM
In Miami's 4 wins, Brad Kaaya's receivers had a drop rate of 6.0%... In losses to FSU and UNC, drop rate was 20.5%
That's a dozen drops in the last two games.
Ouch.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:29 PM
Watch for that number to go up as the receivers interest in their offense continues to wane. BTW, that overthrown deep ball to Richards.. That wasn't an overthrow as much as a receiver running lazy.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:38 PM
BTW, that overthrown deep ball to Richards.. That wasn't an overthrow as much as a receiver running lazy.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:38 PM
Agree 100%. He also looked to see if he was going to get popped. There's no doubt he can be special, but he's still just a freshman. Our WR depth and talent overall is not good.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Again.. I know it's comforting to grasp for reason other than coaching to assign blame. In this case though, it's ALL coaching. Even the drops.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:32 PM
I don't agree with this though. There's a lot of factors at play here, not just coaching, starting with an O-line that can't block.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:51 PM
PLEASE GO BACK AND READ THE ARTICLE AGAIN.
I HAVE EXPANDED IT TO INCLUDE OTHER CANES FANS POV...
Posted by: SOUP | October 16, 2016 at 10:57 PM
NO, Miami Killian HS, Class of 1980.
But I lived in Winter Haven for 10 years and have attended HS games in Winter Haven. Lake Wales and Bartow.
LOVE these places!
Posted by: ANGRY SOUP | October 16, 2016 at 10:31 PM
Ok, cool. When I wrote that post, I was hoping
it wouldn't be taken as a has been (maybe a never was, lol) rambling about the good old days. I am glad you understood the message of that long winded post.
I ignored that lost look in the unmentionable one's eyes because I knew that if my instincts were correct, Cane football was still a long way from prominence.
I played organized ball for ten years. I was fortunate to be molded by great coaches who were also great men. I am still living with the physical and emotional scars left by weak men leading teams they were not qualified to pour water for.
Richt is a GOOD coach. But good is not what we are looking for in Cane land. With our local talent base, tradition, and improving infrastructure, the RIGHT coach would put us in Bama, Ohio State, and the punks up north's league.
I was critical of the Richt hire. He had a tough situation in Georgia, playing the likes of Meyer and Saban for the conference. But what bothered me was he let Muschamp (no doubt a TREMENDOUS defensive mind) get the better of him, and let MISSOURI leap frog him to the top of the division.
I think he is what his record says, good, not great. I pray to Jesus and the football gods I am wrong.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 10:58 PM
It's not that deep or complicated. UNC's Qb played like a sure fire first round talent. A dual threat that kept drives alive. Kayaa played like a player that needs a lot of work on pocket presence and awareness.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 16, 2016 at 11:01 PM
I COULD SEE KAYAA GOING FIRST ROUND.... IN CFL
Posted by: canezilla | October 16, 2016 at 11:12 PM
READ THE BLOG AGAIN!
Posted by: SOUP | October 16, 2016 at 11:14 PM
The only difference was the inner resolve of the head coach. It is the most important factor to consistent success.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 03:59 AM
This.
Posted by: CaneRock | October 16, 2016 at 11:20 PM
LOL, I am glad you thought I was "insightful". Better days ahead (we have been saying the now for how many years?)
Have a good evening
GO CANES
Posted by: CGNC | October 16, 2016 at 11:21 PM
He also looked to see if he was going to get popped.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Don't blame em', seems like our WRs were getting popped all game long.
Posted by: CaneRock | October 16, 2016 at 11:23 PM
Texans v. Colts
Philip Dorsett
Frank Gore
Lamar Miller
Vince Wolfork
Posted by: CGNC | October 16, 2016 at 11:24 PM
We suck and will continue to suck until we dont suck anymore. Sucking sucks.
Posted by: The Dude | October 16, 2016 at 11:28 PM
Did TruCane happen to play OL, and does he have any eligibility left?
2) What is TruCane's coaching staff up to now, and would they be interested in taking over an underperforming ACC team mid-season?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:35 PM
Naw. I was a short DL 10th grade state year. I was the youngest guy on the team among only four sophmores on varsity. Practice was like swimming with tiger sharks and wrestling grizzly bears everyday. Shyt was ROUGH!!!!!
Effed up bad (grades, smh) junior year and was ineligible. Lost some weight and got faster though.
Worked like a beast and came out busting heads senior year took starting positions at rb/fb/wr and olb. I was laying that WOOD!!!! Fluke injuries derailed me to about three and a half halfway healthy games, just like that, career was over. It still pains me to know that the guys whose ass I kicked everyday went on to play college, some fbs, while I got left behind bullshytin.
Coach Smith retired. He somewhere driving a drop top, spending his money more than likely. The rest of the coaches I have lost track of except the D coordinator. He is still there but problems in the youth leagues are giving him less talent to work with.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 11:29 PM
I started as a ol in little league. I always took great pride in blocking the guys in front of me. If I ever gave a piss poor effort like what happened on the strip sack, I would hang the cleats up right then, maybe took up bird watching or basket weaving.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 11:41 PM
I don't agree with this though. There's a lot of factors at play here, not just coaching, starting with an O-line that can't block.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2016 at 10:51 PM
The O-line can exposure can be minimized by spreading out, and getting the ball to the playmakers quickly in space and with tempo. You'll get the safeties outta the box and simultaneously put kaaya in a situation he is comfortable in, excels in and has grown up playing in. Reckt has been doing the exact wrong things for the make up of his team.
Look at the defense. They are a murderers row right now because Diaz has em playing to their strengths. They are a mirror image of the offense and proof that our last 5 years was not anything to due w any external factors, talent deficit or officiating.
Honestly.. this offense is an easier fix than that defense was. It is loaded with talent.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 12:04 AM
Did kaaya look like a bum when we went into the end zone in 3 plays? Did the line? Recht has the plays in there. He just isn't using em.
And it maddening.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 12:12 AM
I think he is what his record says, good, not great. I pray to Jesus and the football gods I am wrong.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 10:58 PM
You are not wrong. He showed us Saturday who he is. Saturday will show us who he is going to be. If he comes out with the same Shiite, you can forget about this team being relevant until he brings in an OC... which probably will never happen.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 12:16 AM
^ Thursday will show us who is going to be.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 12:16 AM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:32 PM
How many times do we have to go through this...smh... we don't have ANY talent right now... but in two years we'll back tho! Or is it three... better subcribe to rivals to make sure, they know the exact date.
Posted by: WWIN | October 17, 2016 at 12:30 AM
BTW, that overthrown deep ball to Richards.. That wasn't an overthrow as much as a receiver running lazy.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 16, 2016 at 10:38 PM
I disagree... Richards was pissed off after that over throw... if he was running lazy he wouldn't have cared
Posted by: WWIN | October 17, 2016 at 12:41 AM
We have talent, but poor depth. There was a crazy number quoted earlier this season...68, right? That has to be the lowest since 1997.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 17, 2016 at 12:48 AM
Going into the game with UNC, it turns out we had just 66 scholarship athletes healthy enough to play, and some playing with injuries. At this rate we'll be down to under 50 by game 12.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 17, 2016 at 12:51 AM
Lol @ Cam Newton losing ass press conferences. Thief ass gator.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 17, 2016 at 12:52 AM
You are not wrong. He showed us Saturday who he is. Saturday will show us who he is going to be. If he comes out with the same Shiite, you can forget about this team being relevant until he brings in an OC... which probably will never happen.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 12:16 AM
This is the thought that keeps me up at night (shivers).
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 17, 2016 at 01:26 AM
Epi,
Why do you doubt Richt bringing in an OC?
I think we're looking a huge slide square in the face... like 6-6.
Posted by: The Dude | October 17, 2016 at 01:54 AM
I don't think so. Noone on this schedule will blow us out unless we somehow get to Orlando, and even then, we don't have to lose big. Anyone in the ACC can beat anyone else. With our sluggish offense this is our gift and curse.
The offense has shown signs of brilliance. All we gotta do is STICK WITH WHAT IS WORKING AND CATCH THE BALL!
It literally rained on our parade when we got momentum and the wideouts couldn't catch the wet ball. We need bigger receivers with bigger hands.
Its alarming the way teams hold our reciever's jerseys and refs swallow the whistle. One of the guys may have to bite the bullet and concuss a db with a forearm shiver, accepting the following suspension. We gotta let it be known we won't tolerate that bullshit.
Those two passes Kaaya made on a scoring drive were he kept his feet busy and avoided the sack are what I have been begging for all year. If he can dig up more of that and the oline at least gets a hand on his assignment ( that strip sack was completely unacceptable, no blitz just bad technique by a lineman reaching and lunging) the offense can score enough to keep our D interested and playing aggressively.
Will the necessary changes be made to make the flashes the standard operating procedure? Only time will tell.
Posted by: TruCane81 | October 17, 2016 at 02:45 AM
Got a great nights sleep. So my mind is clear when I state this.
We're overreacting.
Not being a homer, not being blind.
It's true.
Every single Saturday proves over and over and over it's gotten incredibly tough to win.
Houston loses to Navy, Clemson needs OT to beat Troy and Wake, VT loses to Syracuse.
We've lost two incredibly tough ones. But we're a blocked PAT, a juggled ball called a TD, a terrible holding call, basically a ton of single plays from possibly being 6-0.
Some things need to be fixed through play calling, practice, talent and recruiting.
I trust CMR and what he'll do here long term.
That's it.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 17, 2016 at 07:21 AM
Go...you're my boy and all, but that shty is played out man. Its the same stuff you said for years under Golden. We are not a couple bad calls away from being 6-0, we are 2 badly called offensive games away from blowing out 2 teams and ending FSU's streak and being 6-0.
I get what you are saying, I get it. I WANT my mind to think we're just 2-3 plays away from 6-0 with a win over FSU. My heart wants that. But my mind is saying our offense is gonna lead to 2-3 more losses which shouldn't be. You cannot run the read option on 1st down every drive. You cannot get inside the 10 and run on 1st and 2nd and let everyone know you're throwing on 3rd. The whole idea of the read option is a joke, especially when Kaaya plays our the fake and runs SMFH...everyone knows he will not keep it.
I want to think CMR is smart enough to make the changes, but he hasn't so far. If we lay an egg again Thurs. I cashing in my fan card and moving on to a casual fan. We had a bad FSU team at home, a mediocre UNC team at home. We were given every chance to be 6-0, top 10, beat FSU and be far ahead in the Coastal. Sure were 8 points away from that, but the truth is we're 4-2, coastal most likely gone and it is 100000% on CMR.
Posted by: UMike | October 17, 2016 at 07:48 AM
BTW... Corn Elder deserves a better offense. He is playing lights out. Maybe our best DB in a decade. Our D gave us every change to win that game. At least we got that going for us.
Posted by: UMike | October 17, 2016 at 07:53 AM
CGNC...
You forgot Erik Swoopes! I saw him in on a few plays during the game.
Posted by: HawaiiCane | October 17, 2016 at 08:02 AM
UMike all valid points, but I question your characterization of UNC and FSU as bad or mediocre. I'd venture to say either one of those teams can beat any team outside the top five on any given Saturday and both teams are ranked right now.
It's exactly where we are. On any given weekend we can compete with 90% of the teams in the top 25 and that's with all the issues of depth, time in the system, playcalling and our offensive line.
I guess my point is despite how conservative the playcalling has been, would they have worked the last two weeks with Chubb or Gurly in the backfield and a solid offensive line blocking for them.
I think it would have.
So I'll give him time to shake off the rust, get the right people for his system, whatever it be, and go from there.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 17, 2016 at 08:31 AM
Posted by: UMike | October 17, 2016 at 07:53 AM
He's made more plays in two years than B. Harris, Burns and the undrafted kid playing the packers just picked up made in their entire careers combined and they're all in the show.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 17, 2016 at 08:34 AM
We have talent, but poor depth. There was a crazy number quoted earlier this season...68, right? That has to be the lowest since 1997.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 17, 2016 at 12:48 AM
When we play Alabama, that depth we lack is
Gonna be a problem.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 08:36 AM
Corn played such a great game. He was on the hip pocket of the receiver most plays and when they made a catch, he was there for the immediate tackle.
14 tackles, 2.5 tfl. 1 sack, and 1 pbu.
Posted by: 30CINCO | October 17, 2016 at 08:38 AM
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 17, 2016 at 07:21 AM
Sorry man. Not this time.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2016 at 08:39 AM
So I'll give him time to shake off the rust, get the right people for his system, whatever it be, and go from there.
Posted by: Go Canes! | October 17, 2016 at 08:31 AM
---------------------------------------------------
Normally takes more time than just 6 games in.
Posted by: 30CINCO | October 17, 2016 at 08:41 AM
Go Canes, I hope you are right. I do. However I stand my comments about FSU and UNC. UNC lost to a UGA team that just lost to Vandy and almost lost to Nichols State!! They then beat Illinios and James Madison, followed by the FSU win. Got smoked by VT. I believe they are mediocre. Maybe FSU isnt a bad team, I was trying to say that we caught them in a down year. Needed a huge come back to beat Ole Miss, blown out by Louisville and beat by a mediocre UNC team. They also just got by WF. This is a down year for FSU and a bad FSU team by most standards and we let them off the hook.
Also, the only reason we were a blocked kick away from OT is because Elder. if he doesnt catch Cook from behind on that long run, JJ doesnt get that INT and they score 3 or 7. That dude has been awesome this year
Posted by: UMike | October 17, 2016 at 08:41 AM