Canespace

Legends Of The Fall 2017

One tradition that we have established here at Canespace over the last nine years is that each year, when Fall practice starts and before the season begins, we ask bloggers to select their personal choices for what we like to call "Legends of the Fall".

This tradition actually started when CGNC, who is without a doubt a legend herself here on Canespace, started a series of player features with the same title. Years ago she wrote features about former UM players QB Kenny Dorsey and TE Jeremy Shockey and called them "Legends of the Fall".

In our fan selection process true "Legends of the Fall" are those players who the fans feel will have outstanding or "breakout" season for the Canes on offense and defense this year.

It's not about simply picking the Hurricanes' best players, but your personal favorites among the UM players apart from the usual suspects and most obvious stars. Some bloggers choose first or second year players who are likely to break on the scene as freshmen or sophomores.

Former winners include LB Sean Spence and WR Aldarius Johnson and QB Jacory Harris and DL Allen Bailey. Other winners were WR Leonard Hankerson and CB Brandon Harris. Then there was RB Lamar Miller and RB Duke Johnson and LB Denzel Perryman.

There are your unusual selections and surprises like kicker, punter and lead body slammer Matt Bosher who just happened to be the Canes 2008 MVP. The man was an absolute  beast on special teams but who woulda thunk it?

Other bloggers are more traditional or conservative in their picks and select juniors or seniors who are projected to finally have that one incredible breakout season that leads them to become a high round NFL draft selection.

These picks could really be any defensive or offensive player who may be primed to explode on the scene after a solid previous season or a spectacular Summer. Offensive and defensive linemen may not be popular or sexy picks but they are just as eligible as any other position player.

And don't forget special teams standouts too who can change a game with that one big play that shifts the entire momentum of a game. Some bold predictions even result in selections of completely unexpected dark horse candidates for this honor like Sam Shields a few years ago.

If these long-shot picks actually play out, the blogger who picked them look like an absolute genius. This is the most risky, but potentially most rewarding, approach of all.

Then again if you decide to take a leap of faith on a player and they don't ball out like you might have hoped or expected then you might wind up like old time blogger Cat5 who selected LB Arthur Brown or SolarCane who selected WR Thearon Collier and then well, U know what happens then.

It's your choice. Here are the 2017 LOF rules:

1. Pick one player on offense and one player on defense.
2. Pick one freshman for "Freshman Impact Player of the Year".
3. Pick one special teams player.
4. Pick one assistant coach or coordinator for "Coach of the Year".

Now make your choices and you may win Canespace prizes and other fun stuff like tickets to a 2017 UM football, basketball or baseball game. And remember: U gotta be in it to win it!

Newton Goes To School (And Likes It)

The old adage goes, 'If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best.' In his fourth and final offseason at The U, Ja'Quan Newton did just that.
 
Following a junior season in which he posted career highs in almost every major statistical category, the Philadelphia, Pa., native was made part of a select group - 1 of exactly 20 student-athletes, to be exact - invited to Chris Paul's Elite Guard Camp.
 
When trying to learn and improve at the point guard position, there aren't many better than 'CP3.'
 
"I felt very blessed to attend the camp and learn from a guy like Chris Paul," Newton said. "He taught me things, I got to play 1-on-1 against him, play in scrimmages with him and I just felt very privileged to be invited there."

With an opportunity to pick the brain and even play alongside a future Hall of Famer with 8,251 career assists, Newton took his time in Winston-Salem, N.C., to work on the distribution side of his game rather than the scoring side. Under the tutelage of the NBA's active career assist leader, Newton hopes he can take what he learned from CP3 into his final year at Miami.

"I just want to focus on making the right reads and making my teammates better," the senior said. "I want to try and be more of a natural point guard, making the right pass, coming off pick and rolls or driving and just being able to always kick it to the open man."
 

Following his week at the Elite Guard Camp, Newton returned to Coral Gables to even more superstar talent surrounding him, with the likes of John Wall and Kyrie Irving working out on campus. With an opportunity to soak up even more knowledge from the best in the game, Ja'Quan again jumped at the chance.
 
"I was in there with John Wall when he was working out. We talk and text here and there, and I am willing to learn everything I can, so I just try to ask as many questions as I can," Newton said of his time with the Wizards superstar. 

"He was in the weight room with us and doing an exercise with a medicine ball that I had never seen and I was able to ask, 'What does that help you with?' and he told me it was something he always does to build lower body strength, so that's something I can learn and build from."
 

With an improved Newton ready to run the show one last time for Coach L, things are looking bright for a Hurricanes squad loaded with talent. The senior point guard comes into his final season with 64 wins under his belt and an opportunity to be a part of a team capable of dancing a long ways into March.
 
"I think we are going to be a very talented team," the Philly native said. "We have a lot of work to do before the season starts, but I think we are going to have a special year. It's maybe the most talent that Coach L has ever had and I just want it to be the best season I've ever had here."

For any senior, the final season, especially one seemingly full of promise, means more than the rest, but for Ja'Quan, his last chance to play for Jim Larrañaga makes it even more special.
 
"I came here for Coach L," Newton said. "He's the best coach I ever had and I love him like a father."
 

Can Rosier Lead Canes To A Rosey Future?

University of Miami head football coach Mark Richt announced redshirt junior Malik Rosier as the Hurricanes' starting quarterback on Tuesday.
 
"Malik has been named the starting quarterback," Richt said. "Evan [Shirreffs] is currently number two on the depth chart. The young guys, N'Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon, will continue to learn and compete."
 
After evaluating the four quarterbacks throughout fall camp, Richt felt Rosier proved himself to be the best man for the job in what was a tight competition between the redshirt junior and Shirreffs.
 
"Focus, discipline and accuracy. He showed up focused every day on his job," Richt said of Rosier. "He was disciplined in his fundamentals, his footwork, his reads, his passing fundamentals. And he was hitting his target. He did a very good job."
 
"He did stand out above the rest," Richt said. "It wasn't an unbelievable amount, but it was apparent that he was having the best camp. Evan did extremely well. I felt like there was enough of a difference to feel comfortable that Malik is the guy. The young guys…they got to know what to do and own it for a while before they can really compete at a high level at that position."
 

Richt informed the quarterbacks of his decision individually prior to the start of a meeting on Tuesday morning, but the news was broken to the team following the team stretching portion at the beginning of practice.
 
"Coach Richt brought everybody up after stretch today when we were on the field," running back Mark Walton said. "It was news to everybody. The offense, we feel great about it. Like I've said before, whoever Coach announced the starting job for, any quarterback in the room, I would have been excited for them. I think Malik did a great job in this camp. I think he's going to lead us in the right direction as a quarterback. I'm looking forward to him starting."
 
Once the decision was made public to the team, the Hurricanes quickly showed support for their newly anointed starting quarterback.
 
"Everybody was excited for Malik," Walton said. "Everybody was rooting him on and saying, 'We've got a new quarterback.' We started chanting, 'Malik, Malik, Malik!' It was great."
 

Wide receiver Braxton Berrios arrived at Miami at the same time as Rosier and two have formed a close friendship. Berrios has seen Rosier develop tremendously since his true freshman season in 2014.
 
"His maturity, his decision making," Berrios said of Rosier's improvement. "He's always had great athleticism, but in his younger years when he flustered or got rushed he would make bad decisions. In that aspect, he has grown tremendously."
 
Rosier has appeared in 13 games with one career start, which came in a 30-27 win at No. 22 Duke in 2015. Rosier completed 20-of-29 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns against the Blue Devils. The Mobile. Ala., native has thrown for 370 career yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 63 career yards and one score.
 
"He showed us that he could do it," Berrios said of Rosier's performance at Duke. "He hadn't been able to up to that point and he finally had a game in which he was walking in and was going to be the starting quarterback. He took a shot in the end zone – I think it was the first series – a perfect ball. From then on, he solidified the overall feeling that he can do this. He came out and had a tremendous camp, he really did."

Kneel Down On This

Former University of Miami running back Duke Johnson chose to kneel during the playing on the National Anthem before an NFL game the other night.

Not only did he tarnish or ruin his reputation with many Hurricane fans, he also chose to once again display the ignorance of professional athletes when it comes to respecting the Country, the Flag and the National Anthem. 

There are plenty of reasons to kneel but the playing of the National Anthem is not one of them. So here are some reasons to kneel down if you need them:

Kneel down if you want to pay respect to your elders.

Kneel down if you want to ask forgiveness for your sins.

Kneel down in respect of the millions of men and women who have risked their lives to protect and defend your freedom.

Kneel down to be thankful for all that you have and also what you don't have.

Kneel down to thank your parents, grandparents and relatives who loved you and raised you to be successful.

Kneel down to thank all of the police, fire and other first responders who save lives of people you care about every day.

Kneel down upon the hundreds of thousands of soldiers graves at Arlington National Cemetary who paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives to prevent you from being a Nazi, Communist or other form of government.

Kneel down to those who fought in WWII and suffered through D-Day and later the Battle of the Bulge in conditions to cruel to even imagine to defeat Germany and prevent you from becoming a Nazi or being slaughtered because you did not fit their profile.

Kneel down to those who died at Pearl Harbor in a surprise and unprovoked attack and later defeated Japan to prevent the Axis of Evil from ruling the world. Men died, men drowned, men were never found. Families never saw their husbands return.

Kneel down at the site of the World Trade Center where the 2001 terrorist attacks took place to honor those innocent citizens who died that day at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists bent on Jihad. They simply went work and died because of it.

And then, when you think that you are done kneeling for something that you think matters, make sure that you kneel down on my father's grave in Miami after he died last Friday. This man, my father, risked his life for you in Korea in the 1950's to prevent the spread of Communism and prevent you from losing your freedom even today.

The REAL bullets were flying. And REAL men were really dying.

There were no million dollar contracts. No hot cheerleaders on the sideline.

There were no beer vendors in the audience. No air conditioned bathrooms.

He told me one time: "They kept coming in waves. We kept killing them. We were afraid we would run out of ammunition, and then we did. After that it was hand to hand combat, man to man. Who lived and who died was a combination of a matter of will, maybe some luck and Divine intervention." 

Then his eyes glazed over and he could not speak any more. He was lost in his memory of death and destruction. It was the last time he spoke about war. 

On his battlefield, there were no high paid athletic trainers taping ankles, only medics putting pressure on gun shot wounds to keep people alive. Unlike an NFL game where nobody gets killed, many men were injured, suffered and died.

Those men would never play games like football, or baseball, and they would never see their families again. They certainly would never negotiate million dollar contracts to play a silly game in a pretty, clean un-bloodstained uniform. 

No, they would just die. Or maybe wish they would have, rather than live with the injuries, trauma and guilt of having survived. There were no celebrations for these "winners" only a chance or hope of survival. And many times that may have been worse than actually dying on the battlefield.

So Duke Johnson and all of you others so inclined, go ahead and kneel during the National Anthem and disrespect our great Country. We will no longer respect you, cheer for you or attend your stupid little meaningless NFL games that mean nothing in the bigger scheme of things.

When you grow up and understand what is really important then you can kneel when it is relevant. Yes, you can go kneel on my fathers grave when you get a chance. I'll meet you there where REAL men live. Not NFL playboys and millionaires with no concerns but real men who really risked their lives for you that you now spit on in disrespect.

Surprisingly, my father will be laid to rest not far from Sean Taylor's grave when it is all said and done. Sean's grave, which I am sure you have never taken the time to visit, is a grave site that I have visited many, many times.

It is near where my mother, and soon my father, will lay in rest at Woodlawn Cemetary in Kendall on the corner of 112 Street and 117 Avenue. One time I even went out of my way to take Canespacers Terrance Sullivan and Rob Ulteschi there with me to pay our respects to the late great ST#26. 

As I left them alone they both kneeled, they both shed a tear, and then we left without saying a word. Maybe they, like so many others, never thought kneeling could be so, well, meaningful.

U Are 18, U Are Beautiful, And U Are Mine

The Miami Hurricanes checked in at No. 18 in the preseason Associated Press top 25 released Monday. In the final AP rankings of 2016, Miami was No. 20.

The Hurricanes ended the 2016 season with a 9-4 record and a 31-14 victory over West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl. 

Earlier in August, Miami was ranked No. 18 in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll. The Hurricanes were picked to win the ACC's Coastal Division in a poll of media at the 2017 ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C., in late July.

Eight Hurricanes have picked up accolades this preseason: senior kicker Michael Badgley (Groza Award), senior wide receiver / punt returner Braxton Berrios (Hornung Award), senior tight end Christopher Herndon IV (Mackey Award), junior defensive lineman Kendrick Norton (Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy), sophomore linebacker Shaquille Quarterman (Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski), sophomore wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (Biletnikoff Award), senior defensive lineman Chad Thomas (Nagurski) and junior running back Mark Walton (Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award).
 
Miami opens the season at home on Sept. 2 against Bethune-Cookman with Gray Crow slated to replace Brad Kaaya (seen above wearing the Detroit Lions uniform with Stephen Morris) as their starting QB (just kidding, just kidding!). Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m., ET.

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They Don't Make Them Like That Anymore

George Edward Popadak passed away at the age of 86 on Friday August 18th at his home in Miami. He married Ethel Marie Deane and is survived by his five children: George Michael, Gregory Vinton, Deborah Marie, Thomas Deane, and James Joseph. He lived a long, happy and productive life serving at St. Michael's Catholic Church and later working at the University of Miami.

He also served his Country with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps where he fought in Korea and later served as a Staff Sargent at Camp LeJune, N.C. He would later serve as Post Commander for a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in South Dade and was also an honorary member of the American Legion.

He was a man of great character and discipline who was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be fondly remembered for his caring and fun-loving spirit. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 24th at the Caballero-Woodlawn Funeral Home South in Kendall from 11 AM to 1 PM.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Home Sweet Homer

The running back tradition at the University of Miami is outstanding.
 
The Hurricanes have had 11 seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher, including Mark Walton in 2016. Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Lamar Miller and Duke Johnson are just some of the more recent stars to run the ball for the Canes and they helped add to the legacy established by greats like Chuck Foreman, Ottis Anderson, Melvin Bratton, Alonzo Highsmith, Stephen McGuire and Danyell Ferguson.
 

There is no secret that Walton is expected to lead the running backs group after an outstanding sophomore season in which he earned All-ACC Third Team honors, scoring 14 rushing touchdowns and tallying 1,117 rushing yards. But sophomore Travis Homer will look to be a threat out of Miami's backfield when he spells Walton at running back this season.
 
A four-star recruit out of Oxbridge Academy, Homer came to Miami as an explosive back with a lot of talent. But the Hurricanes had a deep backfield a year ago that featured Walton, Joe Yearby and Gus Edwards.
 
With four gifted backs available, Homer was limited to just seven carries for 44 yards in 2016. But the West Palm Beach, Fla., native was an ace on special teams, recording eight tackles and recovering a fumble while on Miami's kick and punt coverage units. Miami offensive coordinator Thomas Brown believes Homer is in a position to emerge as a quality back for the Canes in 2017.
 

"Huge improvement from year one to year two," Brown said. "He was good enough to play last year, but we just had a little bit more depth with a couple guys that left – one that went to the NFL and one that transferred on us…I think he has gotten bigger, he has gotten stronger, he has gotten faster, and he has always been a tough kid. I'm excited for what he's going to do this year."
 
Homer has climbed to No. 2 on the running back depth chart and he expects to play a much bigger role on offense in 2017. The sophomore spent the spring and summer working to improve all aspects of his game so that he can excel when his number is called.
 
"I know that I have to come in every day to take on that increased role and do what I can for the team," Homer said. "I am definitely more comfortable reading the defense."
 

Brown has been impressed with Homer's growth as a player since he arrived at Miami a year ago, seeing improvements in a variety of areas.
 
"Understanding of the offense. I think being able to understand how to use his body better, and protecting yourself from hits. Finish better," Brown said of Homer's improvements. "I think his knowledge of pass protection has grown, which is probably the hardest part of playing tailback - when you come from high school to college, is coming to a system that's going to be a pro-style system. We'll run a seven- or eight-drop back protection, play action protection. That's probably been the biggest improvement for him. He's always been a tough guy."
 
*Information courtesy of hurricanesports.com

The Great Wall Of Miami

The Miami Hurricanes defensive line made a name for itself in 2016, thanks in large part to the performances of standouts like Chad Thomas, Kendrick Norton, RJ McIntosh and Joe Jackson.
 
While that quartet projects as Miami's starters on the defensive line, the Hurricanes rotate a lot of talented players on the line to keep up their aggressive style of play. Conditioning is important to play at that pace, but so is depth, and the Hurricanes feature a talented and deep group on the defensive line.
 
Senior Trent Harris and redshirt junior Demetrius Jackson have proven to be quality defensive ends and they provide some immediate depth behind Thomas and Jackson. Add in the hyped freshmen Jonathan Garvin and DJ Johnson and you create even more depth at the end position. But there is one player who could be poised for a breakout season in 2017: Scott Patchan.
 

A redshirt sophomore, Patchan has played one snap as a Hurricane. The former four-star recruit was an explosive pass rusher coming out of IMG Academy, but a pair of knee injuries have limited him to just one snap in the Florida State game a year ago.
 
"I probably pushed myself too much, I probably shouldn't have been in that game," Patchan said. "I was medically cleared, obviously, but I was so excited and I kept pushing myself. Plus, I don't think the coaches would've let me not play in that game. After that there was a minor setback – tweaked the knee a little bit – but nonetheless worked hard and did whatever they asked me to do. It's been a little long I am finally feeling great now, getting my roots in the ground and wearing off the rust."
 
On Saturday at Miami's first scrimmage of fall camp, Patchan showed some of the explosive burst that made him a recruiting coup for the Hurricanes. Patchan finished with four tackles, including three tackles for loss for 15 yards and a pair of sacks for 13 yards.
 
"It was a great feeling," Patchan said of playing in the scrimmage. "Glory to God that I am healthy again. I am happy to be out here with my teammates.
 

While Patchan is looking to make a name for himself after a few injury-plagued seasons, senior Anthony Moten is determined to make his final season in Coral Gables his best one.
 
"It's my last go around," Moten said. "I'm just pushing myself and we are all pushing each other to be the best."
 
Moten has played largely as a reserve at Miami, making four starts while playing in 33 games over three years. But the senior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has worked to improve his conditioning and stamina so he can be a bigger contributor in 2017.
 
"Definitely with my fatigue," Moten said of his biggest improvement. "Last year if I got tired after four plays, coach wouldn't trust me after those four plays. I'm a lot better and have been working on it."

*Information courtesy of hurricanesports.com

Travel Plans: The Hampton Inn Plantation

If you or other people that you know are traveling to sunny South Florida for a University of Miami football game this year then we highly recommend that you stay at the designated Canespace hotel for these events:

The Hampton Inn - Plantation, Florida.

This award-winning, luxury hotel is situated in an ideal location for college (and professional) football fans and can be found just West of University Drive and just a few blocks North of I-595.

The Hampton Inn is located near numerous restaurants and popular sports bars, is within walking distance of the Broward Mall (for those who like to shop) and is only 20 minutes from Sun Life Stadium via the Florida Turnpike.

Hurricane fans come from near and far and literally take over the hotel lobby and patio before and after UM home games.  Rival fans can also be found there for some good trash talking as well.

There are always opportunities for car pooling to the game with other Hurricane for tailgating parties, purchasing tickets and snatching up one of the prized Canespace T-shirts.

Canespace usually throws a "Party On The Patio" after every home game with food, beverages and prizes for UM trivia contests. With a lush, tropical setting and a large pool and jacuzzi, the Hampton Inn Plantation patio is THE place to celebrate each Hurricane victory in 2017! 

For the hotel's street address, directions and map please click here:

http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/maps_directions.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLPTHX

We look forward to meeting U at the Hampton Inn - Plantation this season!

This Class Is Classy (And GT Is Going Down)

Five of the greatest players in University of Miami football history are set to be inducted into the Hurricanes' Ring of Honor this season. Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Warren Sapp and Sean Taylor will be recognized for their brilliant careers during the Hurricanes' game against Georgia Tech at Hard Rock Stadium set for Thursday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.

 

 

A Freshman All-America in 1985 and a second-team All-America in 1987, Irvin is one of the most decorated wide receivers in Miami history. Irvin's 26 receiving touchdowns are the most in Hurricanes history, his 2,423 receiving yards are the third-most, his 143 career receptions are tied for fourth, and he led the Hurricanes in receiving yards in each of his three seasons. After winning a national championship with the Hurricanes, Irvin was drafted in the first round by Dallas in 1988 and went on to win three Super Bowls while starring for the Cowboys.

 

 

Lewis earned All-BIG EAST recognition in 1994 and 1995, compiling one of the most dominant careers by a linebacker ever at The U. Lewis, who ranks sixth all-time in career tackles at Miami with 388, has the two most prolific seasons in history to his name, having recorded 160 total tackles in 1995 and 152 in 1994. A two-time Super Bowl champion and 13-time NFL Pro Bowler, Lewis was drafted in the first round by Baltimore in 1995 and played all 17 seasons with the Ravens, compiling over 2,000 career tackles.

One of the best safeties to ever play the game, Reed was a consensus first-team All-America honoree in his final two seasons at Miami, including a 2001 season where he helped lead the Hurricanes to a national championship. Reed was an All-BIG EAST selection in his final two seasons, and still holds the Hurricanes' record for career interceptions with 21 and interception return yards with 389. Reed won a Super Bowl with Baltimore in 2012, was named to nine Pro Bowls and was selected the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.

 

 

The first Hurricane to ever win the prestigious Lombardi Trophy, Sapp was the unanimous 1994 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year before being selected in the first round by Tampa Bay in the 1995 NFL Draft. Sapp was also named Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, the Football Writers' Association of America (FWAA) and ABC Sports, among others, and led a Miami defense that ranked first in the NCAA in total defense and scoring defense in 1994. Sapp, who also won the Nagurski Trophy, was selected to seven Pro Bowls and won the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002.

 

 

A Miami Hurricanes legend who passed away in 2007, Taylor led the nation in interceptions in his final season in 2003 and set a Miami record by returning three of those picks for scores. Taylor, who was selected in the first round by Washington in the 2004 NFL Draft, was a consensus All-American in 2003, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was named the 2003 BIG East Defensive Player of the Year. He ranks fifth at Miami in career interceptions (14) and second in interception return yards (306), won a national championship in 2001 and made two Pro Bowls with the Redkins before his tragic passing.

 

 

All five inductees are members of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, while both Irvin and Sapp are also members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

The group of five Hurricanes will bring the total of Ring of Honor inductees to 23, as they join Class of 1997 inductees Jim Dooley, Ted Hendricks, Georgia Mira and Vinny Testaverde, Class of 1999 inductees Ottis Anderson, Don Bosseler, Bernie Kosar and Burgess Owens, Class of 2008 inductees Edgerrin James, Jim Kelly, Cortez Kennedy, Jim Otto and Gino Torretta, Class of 2009 inductees Bennie Blades, Eddie Dunn and Steve Walsh, and Class of 2014 inductees Jerome Brown and Russell Maryland.