Note: This blog was written for Canespace by blogger Alpine...
You all know "Alpine" as the incorrigible and oft-irritating optimist on the blog.
That's just who I am and I don't like following a team and moping the whole time. But I'm not gonna try to sell you a Brooklyn Bridge full of unicorns.

Last Saturday as I sat there watching the game as time and again our offense kept trying to cross what seemed like 10-yard stretches of quicksand, and doing so while wearing ENOrmouS concrete shoes, I also witnessed a mostly strong defense again give up un-timely big plays at inopportune moments.
At least the special teams were finally an overall plus. The Hedley run being an instant classic!
I was lucky to have my daughter and 15-month old grandson visiting for the first time in a while, so I had the benefit of family to ground me. Or maybe, like many of you, the decades-long groundhog'ishness gave me a healthy dose of The Miami Numb ("TMN" instead of "TNM", in case you're too numb or angry to follow even un-subtle jesting).

So, that leads me to ask my first question: Is Manny the man?
Most of you have strong opinions as to the need to dump him and all associated with him overboard, hoping that will put out the dumpster fire. This is very understandable...and not gonna happen,which everyone also knows.
I am still not wavering from my position that Manny will someday be a good head coach. And as I said earlier in the season, he might need 2 - 5 years for it to happen and it might not be with Miami. But hear me out here:
- I remember how it felt during the D'No era of defence'lessness, and how when Manny arrived, things changed rapidly on that side of the ball, despite his earlier DC-Texas-sized problems.
- I assume Manny learned from that experience, because as the DC in Miami he quickly had our players playing with passion and aggression. Finally, there was edge and a badass attitude on that side of the ball! his D were Manny-believers.
- As a head coach, I was sure that someone like Manny would both keep the defense humming (particularly after Shaq and Pinckney chose, mostly because of Manny, to return) as well as make our offense much better by bringing the same passion and aggression to that side of the ball. This seemed borne out by Manny being able to hire Enos away from Alabama, who gave him value by valuing him.

So, what happened? I truly do not know, and it's why I can't argue with any pessimists. I am in deep smh-mode that Manny allowed Enos to put together such an un-aggressive, keep the D on the balls of their feet instead of their heels offense, even if it is Manny's first season.
So, now we have to ask the next big question: What does the future hold?
- Possibility 1: Like several of our previous head coaches, Canespace has amply pointed out that Manny seems to suffer from two syndromes: "smartest man in the room" and "not gonna fire my buddy, not his fault". If these syndromes run deep enough, he might refuse to make deep structural changes (the ones he knew needed to be made while he was the DC). This will lead to (1a) another crash and burn season, after which he will be fired, or (1b) he will do slightly better, for whatever reason/s such as QB's and OL plays better, he finds a true kicker or maybe a package of fairy dust is sent his way. He will be given one or two more years to swim in mediocrity and possibly see the light, or get fired together with Blake James in 2022.
- Possibility 2: Because of his own passion and football awareness, together with his desire to have the Miami offense playing the way they should be playing, he will get some excellent advice this off-season (hopefully even before the bowl game), and will begin making the larger changes that we all see are necessary. And yes (kick the ant-pile moment) I am still optimistic about Manny taking this road. Strangely enough, after some reflection-time, I'm thinking the Duke disaster following FIU might help open his eyes to something he might otherwise have optioned to syndrome away.

The top two changes obviously involve (1) putting in a different offense, with or without Enos, though it's hard to imagine the change being structural enough, if Enos is still in charge. The one positive Enos would bring, is consistency to the QB-room, which for me alone is not enough), and (2) getting a knowledgeable, kick-ass special teams coach . He need look no further than the Miami Dolphins to find the best example of how "special" the special teams can be if valued and coached up.
I would also agree with those, who think our DC needs to wear bigger pants. Blake seems to be Manny's boy, instead of his own man. Having him coaching somewhere on the defense is fine. Being in charge of the defense, not so much.

The main thing is, you might be able to change the "culture" by eventually changing the players. However, the quicker solution is to change the "culture" by changing the system, like Manny did on defense under CMR when he arrived with a new D blueprint. Do that with the offense and the special teams, while fortifying the defense and you'll have your turn-around in year two or three.
So, during the bowl and off-season, I'll still be checking the 'Canes out more than I should, and I will easily be drinking from the half-full glass again, especially if I see some meaningful changes happening. It's who I am.
But at this stage of the game, if you are a total 'Canes pessimist, well, enjoy it, because you've earned it!