The Boys Are Back In Town

The Miami Hurricanes were back in action today on the Greentree Practice Fields Saturday morning, opening fall camp ahead of the 2018 season.
 
"It was really a great day in that you could feel the humidity, feel the heat," Miami head coach Mark Richt said. "A lot of guys that had great summers came through really well."

The Canes held their first official practice on Greentree since April. Miami returns 14 starters and 44 letter-winners from a team that won 10 games for the first time since 2003 and advanced to the ACC Championship Game for the first time in program history in 2017.
 

"Pretty typical Day One," Richt said. "It was very evident who has been around this program a while and who is just showing up for the first time – just in knowing how to practice and knowing how to push, knowing how to do things right, knowing how to finish a drill, knowing the things that we teach on a daily basis that [are] very, very normal to the guys who have been around and new to the guys who are new. They have a long way to go, just to understand how we practice around here. It's not because they're not trying. They're just learning."

As expected, Preseason All-ACC selections Jaquan Johnson and Shaquille Quarterman were among the leaders on the defensive side of the ball and they were impressed with how the team handled the first day of practice.
 
"It's great to see that your summer really paid off and I really see it for a whole bunch of guys on our team," Quarterman said. "Guys took the time and put in the work this summer. Everybody is looking better. As a team where we were last year with conditioning, we're way levels past that now so that's always good to see on the first day."
 
The Canes had several players back in action for the first time since the 2017 season, as veterans like Ahmmon Richards, Demetrius Jackson and Charles Perry participated in a practice for the first time since suffering season-ending injuries last season.
 
"Just finally being able to practice again and doing all the little things with all my teammates again, it just felt good to be out here," Richards said. "I haven't really practiced since December of last year. I'm kind of getting back into football condition. I'll be alright."
 

While the veterans led the way for the Canes on Saturday, several newcomers made a quick impression on Richt and his staff on the opening day of camp.
 
"Some of the young guys [were] making a few plays here and there," Richt said. "I know Dee Wiggins had a really great contested catch in the end zone one time. [Marquez] Ezzard - once he learns what to do - I think is going to be a pretty good ballplayer. I really like the young [defensive backs] – you have [Al] Blades doing a good job. Cam [Davis], the tailback out of Carol City, did a nice job today. You can see his quickness and those types of things."

The Canes took a major step forward as a program in 2017, finishing with a perfect 7-0 record at home during the regular season in 2017 and marking the first undefeated home campaign during the regular season since 2002. But Miami stumbled down the stretch, dropping its final three games to finish 10-3 on the season.
 
With a deep group of proven veterans and an influx of talented newcomers joining the roster, the Canes feel like they will have the depth to avoid a late-season slide and finish the year strong.
 
"We want to finish," Johnson said. "We preach that all the time. There are four quarters to football. We started off the season with a great half of the season and then on the back end we let things go. We're preaching that we have to finish. That's what's most important."

Comments

[Terrance Sullivan]

Yesssss indeed everyone got that email.

[58 Straight]

That is for the season tickets.

NOT the Advocare Game in Dallas dummy!

[BigWindyCane]

According to Diaz, he is feeling better about defensive tackle, cornerback and safety this season from a pure talent perspective. Diaz claims that the Canes are deeper at these positions than they have been lately.

I have to agree from a visual perspective. I saw some Canes during summer camps, and I was amazed. Position by position, players improved physically. Freshmen got a lot bigger and more muscular. Returning players get more muscular and ripped. I didn’t recognize many of them.

Strength, conditioning and nutrition programs are definitely creating noticeable differences in players across the board. The Canes look bigger and more in shape across the board at every position. Players have noticeably gotten better physically across the board. We will see how that translates into playing games in less than a month, but they really look good.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article215847225.html

[58 Straight]

Strength, conditioning and nutrition programs are definitely creating noticeable differences in players across the board.

Posted by: BigWindyCane | August 07, 2018 at 08:56 PM

This is where I miss Al Golden the most. He was great at making players bigger, fatter and slower. Man I miss that, I really do.

NOT!

[BigWindyCane]

This is where I miss Al Golden the most. He was great at making players bigger, fatter and slower. Man I miss that, I really do.

NOT!

Posted by: 58 Straight | August 07

LOL. CMR listened to you and the Canespace bloggers and he brought in Gus Felder and Kyle Bellamy. Felder and Bellamy are proving to me how valuable the strength, conditioning and nutrition aspects of a successful football program truly is.

[raizecane]

Felder and Bellamy are proving to me how valuable the strength, conditioning and nutrition aspects of a successful football program truly is.

Posted by: BigWindyCane | August 07, 2018 at 11:07 PM

**************************************

I think Al Golden had Haagen and Dazs

[Go Canes!!]

Posted by: 58 Straight | August 07, 2018 at 08:40 PM

My bad, I thought that whole thing earlier was about upcoming season tix.

[UMike]

Irvin out with injury...young TE's need to step up...and they will

[raizecane]

Irvin out with injury...young TE's need to step up...and they will

Posted by: UMike | August 08, 2018 at 11:04 AM

**********************

They are saying major knee injury. Out at least 4 months. poor kid.

[CGNC]

Both TBC and WWIN will later concur and agree that the incompletion was due to Richt's play-calling.

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | August 06, 2018 at 04:00 PM

LMAO!

Posted by: 58 Straight | August 06, 2018 at 05:21 PM

Agreed - LOL!! Almost fell out of my chair laughing

[BigWindyCane1]

The Canes don't need Rosier to be great, just game manager who makes the plays given and doesn't make mistakes.

I have seen enough of Richards to know that when he is healthy, he is good enough to erase a lot of QB mistakes. New editions like Pope, are also that good (or have the potential to become that good), and Thomas and several others look good enough to make a lot of plays. Right now, Rosier has weapons at WR, but TE seems a little weak at this point. I wonder if the freshmen aren't ready, if they consider moving Langham, Cager or Njoku closer to the line of scrimmage on passing downs. This summer Langham looked big enough to be a tight end.

Glad to read that CMR is focused on the "money plays" in third down and red zone. If the Canes can improve in those areas, this offense can really be prolific and take some of the pressure off of the defense.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Any remaining fatso slurper getting punched on around here gets funnier every day.

Please, proceed . . .

[thirstybuzzardcane]

LMAO!

Posted by: 58 Straight | August 06, 2018 at 05:21 PM

Agreed - LOL!! Almost fell out of my chair laughing

Posted by: CGNC | August 08, 2018 at 01:10 PM

Glad I could be the brunt of your laughter!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Any chance we'll see Langham lining up at TE? I bet they'll be some packages for him.

[Terrance Sullivan]

I would expect Langham maybe even Cager and Njoku in certain sets.

[58 Straight]

Glad to read that CMR is focused on the "money plays" in third down and red zone. If the Canes can improve in those areas, this offense can really be prolific and take some of the pressure off of the defense.

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | August 08, 2018 at 01:51 PM

I agree 100%. But what will coach CHANGE to make that happen? U can't just wish it to be so, you have to MAKE it so!

[58 Straight]

I would expect Langham maybe even Cager and Njoku in certain sets.

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 08, 2018 at 03:56 PM

SHHHhhhhhhh...not so LOUD!

#DoUWannaKnowASecret

#IfUPromiseNotToTell

[58 Straight]

Please, proceed . . .

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 08, 2018 at 01:58 PM

Be Calm And Cane On!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Just received my tickets! Wooooooooo!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Another one goes down @ LSU. What's wrong with these kids?!?!?!

https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/platform/amp/2018/8/8/17669198/2018-lsu-football-tyler-taylor-suspended-arrest-theft?utm_campaign=andthevalleyshook&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&__twitter_impression=true

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Pickney is hurt too. He's in a walking boot. Nothing serious though!

https://twitter.com/smillerdegnan/status/1027346460713656320?s=19

[HawaiiCane]

The LSU kids are scared to play the Canes, so they are finding any way they can to get out of it... whether it’s an injury or a felony!!! LOL #BEATLSU

[thirstybuzzardcane]

👆👆👆 LMAO!!!!

[roachcane77]

Just saw this on FB from 2018 Spring Football.

Coach Thomas Brown. AWESOME work ethic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arDXi3Yyzrw

Getting PSYCHED for Game DAY!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Excellent Roach! Season can't get here soon enough!

[58 Straight]

Great video Roach. I may have to cut the RB coach some slack. Seemed like excellent coaching tips to me, but hey, what do I know?

[thirstybuzzardcane]

He better be right about Feagles. He was a huge disappointment last year!

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/college-football/freshman-kicker-bubba-baxa-everything-that-thought-would-and-other-hurricanes-special-teams-stuff-know/nJM3LKqJRsaiVFahACJPFI/amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

[58 Straight]

TBC...I sure hope so. I will be changing seats every time he kicks so that should be the lucky charm?

#CantWatch

#HopeForTheBest

[thirstybuzzardcane]

LMAO!!!

[CaneRock]

Good coaching points on staying low by Brown. He's gonna be a HC one day, has that mentality.

[TJL]

ping

[58 Straight]

ping

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I highly doubt this!

https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/usa-today-ranks-university-of-miami-hurricanes-as-fourth-most-likable-team-in-america-10611760

[TJL]

They would be screaming for the death penalty if it were the U:

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24342005/maryland-terrapins-football-culture-toxic-coach-dj-durkin

[TonyCane]

Despicable. This garbage needs to stop, or it will be one more nail in footballs coffin. Ridiculous. Did they also deny water to players too? After all, we wouldn't want to show weakness, would we Maryland? How many college wrestlers, basketball players, or basketball players die each season in camp? One is too many!

Maryland's program does not deserve sanctions as a program - the players are not at fault - but the coaches and admin should get a lifetime show cause for this stuff.

[BigWindyCane]

First Fall scrimmage at the Hard Rock today. Closed to the media, but we should receive some post scrimmage stats. Rosier should put up bigger numbers than the backup because the #1 offense plays against the #2 defense and the #2 offense plays against the #1 defense.

This is tailor made for Rosier to shine. I would like to see Rosier complete 80%, but 70% should be a minimum completion percentage. Also will look for the offensive line to get the running game going and keep the sacks down.

[HillviewCane]

Philosophy question. Do people prefer 1s vs 1s or 1s vs 2s in these scrimmages?

[SinisterCane]

#AnybodybutNosier

[AfriCane]

Danny Isidora is starting for the Vikings tonight.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Rosier had 2 TD's and 0 Int's in the scrimmage!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Richt is not posting stats. He doesn't want to give anyone ideas of who's doing what.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Richt said there were too many dropped passes.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

This has nothing to do with the scrimmage performance, but I think next year Weldon will be our starting QB.

[CoCane]

Nosier had 2 td no int (against the 2nd team). I'll take that. I hope his play makes me stop calling him Nosier.

From the reports, Perry is THE #2 and improving. He got praised tonight. Apparently, Weldon crumbled under the pressure...

Perry is making moves

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Post game interview.

https://youtu.be/eZ5xXC7bTsA

[Terrance Sullivan]

Only thing I took from the the First Scrimmage was no major injuries. After that it was just fluff lol. We will find out September 2nd in Arlington Texas.

[Terrance Sullivan]

And All Strings got equal reps. So that's good as well.

[roachcane77]

Only thing I took from the the First Scrimmage was no major injuries. After that it was just fluff lol. We will find out September 2nd in Arlington Texas.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 12, 2018 at 07:08 AM

YUP! 100%

NO MORE INJURIES!

Let's Go CANES!

[BigWindyCane]

It starts in the trenches. One thing that surprised me is that freshman from SOUTHRIDGE HS Delonte Scaife is clearly the #6 OL at different positions, ahead of Boulware, Gaynor and Brown. That is actually a good sign.

On DL, it’s good to hear that Silvera will play. I read good things about the DL. Apparently, CMR seems to suggest the #1defense was dominant, as they should have been against the #2 offense. Still, it’s hard to read anything into the competition at different positions without seeing the scrimmage

In the passing game, it appears that Richards is back better than ever. I am curious as to who dropped passes though. My guess is the second and third team receivers. CMR seems to hint that both freshmen TEs will play. Hopefully, Cager’s two TD catches signals as new credible red zone weapon. I hope this also signals that Rosier will eliminate the turnovers.

[BigWindyCane]

Also, CMR is very pleased with Donaldson at RT.