You Have Nothing To Fear But Yourself?

Soon to be President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the the following and often quoted statement during the presidential election campaign against Herbert Hoover in 1932:

"You have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Clearly, Manny Diaz is no presidential candidate and even his ability to be a head coach at a major college such as the University of Miami is being seriously called into question. Yet Manny seems to have missed the mark once again.

Diaz, who is pictured above (L) with a famous blogger (R) was recently quoted as saying this: "When we begin to realize the opponent is always ourselves, that’s a big step forward in this program.”

As "coach speak" we may be able to understand what he tried to communicate by that comment. It is basically this:

1. If you fail to execute you will lose.
2. If you make too many mistakes (penalties, turnovers) you will lose.
3. If you fail to perform to your maximum capabilities you will lose.

Yes, and we agree with these facts in principle. Yet, all of that is extremely obvious to even the most casual college football fan. However, if you read between the lines you can see where "The Mandingo" is going wrong.

To follow this line of reasoning you have to believe that:

1. That you have totally superior talent to the opposing team.
2. That your scheme and coaching is superior to that of the other team.
3. That no matter what play you call on any down and distance it will work due to execution.

Now that last time I checked here is what I found and saw with my own eyes:

1. Miami's talent level is not close to any of the top 20 ranked teams.
2. The offensive scheme is antiquated, out-dated and the talent of the coaching staff is questionable.
3. Miami's play calling is ineffective and at times mind boggling at best as evidenced by the stats on red zone and third down conversions.

The fire burns while Manny appears to be lost in his own delusions of grandiosity. Manny believes what he wants to believe in spite of obvious evidence to the contrary. We see things very differently.

In my humble opinion, Manny will remain a loser if he keeps thinking this way.

What is your opinion and how would you fix it?

Comments

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Soupster I Stand Corrected LT 34 Miami 13.

[58 Straight]

Sully, my man, NOW U are coming around!

[solarcane]

Posted by: Gin and Tonic | December 09, 2019 at 08:48 PM

Hey G&T long time brother,
Yea I understand what you are saying.
What I would like a Miami coach to say is "we were out coached again today. We were not prepared to play, and they schemed and adjusted better than we did.We beat ourselves because we weren't prepared. We didnt execute because we don't practice like a winning to team practices."

Manny is not going to own he is green and hired the wrong guys to help him his first year.

He has already made it clear he thinks the next class is going to save him and the program. It isn't him its the players blah blah blah
Jmo

[solarcane]

Every time I watch one of this Little League coaches speeches I get a grin.

COACH "What's our goal?"

Kid "Go out there and do our best"

COACH " Not even close...
our goal is to go out there and make the kids are the other team cry.

In another one he tells the kid maybe if your dad could put down the 40 and play catch with you once in awhile you be something.

https://youtu.be/HoTu0U6AhdA

[HerbieIbis]

I don't think it matters who the coach is concerning the awfensivline, they would still stink. It would help if we had just 2 above average tackles but we don't.
The Herb disagrees on the talent part. We do have top 20 talent we just don't play to our talent level and no matter who have been the coaches the last 15 years or so we still play down to the comp.
Our offense is antiquated. It's like we are grandfathered in on the pro style. Passed down from decade to decade.
This is what has passed us by, today's offensive schemes.
7 players, one DB, one LB and one very good DT and on offense, One WR, one RB, one very good tackle and one good QB. We have maybe 2 of these type players, who are difference makers. Players who are there every game. Shaq and DJ are the closest to these type players. Ruseau maybe will be, maybe Silvera.
When's the last time we had a player have back to back really good year? We've had a lot of one year wonders. A good year for our players is 2nd team All ACC. We play with no consistence.
We can't get a good, imaginative offense coordinator. We have average recruiters but no homerun hitter on the trail but some how we usually manage to bring in top 20 classes. We have developed the FSU syndrome of doing less with the most.
If Manny wants to change things, he has to be his own Defensive coordinator. Go find a hotshot spread coordinator. Get a special teams coach. We don't need to
2 DB coaches. Rumph can coach but can't recruit and Bandy is okay as a coach but is a better recruiter. Barry, I just don't know. He got dealt this shitty hand.
We need OH linemen and at the moment we have 2. We need CB's and we have one. Our LB's are all jacked up. It's a mess but no real difference makers. We have a few could be's.
We have no go to WR. Hell have the time they get no separation.
Now another competion for a bowl game. Manny is energetic but whom else is on board?

[solarcane]

Some more Coach Begin

Tom I thought you said you were Dominican

Haaaboooy

https://youtu.be/rdIyMkzJTc4

[MDCane]

When will the madness stop. QB competition for a 4th tier bowl game? Are you serious? I guess when we lose to LT the excuse is already built in to we went with the best guy who gave us a chance to win... insane.

[AeroCane]

Good article
Easy fix: Fire everyone from Blake to the towel boy
If we don’t do that: Fire enos, Baker, Patke, Banda and rumph

[BigWindyCane1]

Great article Soup. I agree 💯!

[raizecane]

Signing day is 12/18. Our bowl game is 12/26. There better be some changes announced by 12/28 and I dont mean they are switching from Coke to Pepsi in all vending machines.

[solarcane]

This new spin that this next signing class is for sure the answer to all that is wrong with this rotting carcass of a program is really grasping at straws.
We heard all this when Jacory and his class came in.

If this class is so talented and so on top of their game the majority of them will transfer or go pro before they make any impact here.

Everyday that goes by Manny's inexperience at head coaching is more evident.

FSU didn't rush out and hire from within because they had a dedicated guy they thought would stop the bleeding quickly. They got a coach that gives them an experienced guy from a CURRENT winning program.

Miami is the cocky guy that was most likely to succeed in high school,that works at Arby's and lives in his mom's basement.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

SolarCane Preach

[raizecane]

Miami is the cocky guy that was most likely to succeed in high school,that works at Arby's and lives in his mom's basement.

Posted by: solarcane | December 10, 2019 at 09:47 AM

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

how did you know I work at Arby's ? You know, "we have the meats".

[Joe]

So the writing is on the wall, the offense will be the same. If I remember correctly, Tate Martell was not playing in the bowl game which leads me to believe that we will be using the same 17 point offense that Enos puts together instead of transitioning to the spread. Transitioning to the spread before the bowl game could be pretty easy if you give the offense to Tate. He has run it since he was a little kid in Nevada. So here we go again.

[MLAlumni1970]

I agree, SOUP, you are the BEST, besides being my good friend. I just can't take the CANES anymore. Maybe when I go down to FL for the winter, I will feel better about the whole thing.
THEY ALL NEED TO GO.

[raizecane]

ML - there is no winter in Florida so you might as well just head on down ASAP

[nemo2002]

When will the madness stop? QB competition for a 4th tier bowl game? Are you serious?... insane.

Posted by: MDCane | December 10, 2019 at 03:42 AM

Can we initiate Baker Act proceedings for CMD?

[CGNC]

Great article and I agree. Manny is the politician's kid, so he knows how to speak. Soarl you are right, this head coach gig is way over his head.

Yes we thought and rightfully so that the NW boys with Jacory etc would change everything - but that only works with the right coaching which we did not have then and do not have now.

Thanks Blake James. May AlPa and his $0.24 checks chase you from your job.

[CGNC]

Posted by: Joe | December 10, 2019 at 12:10 PM

A good, smart coach would change the scheme to fit the players he has.

[VfB_Cane]

Posted by: CGNC | December 10, 2019 at 04:09 PM

The past 15 years have been the repeated story of captains who would rather go down with the ship than change course.
One can only speculate whether that's stubbornness, a false sense of pride the inability to admit mistakes, samrtest man syndrome, or whatever.

[86Cane]

1. I don't think it matters who the coach is concerning the awfensivline, they would still stink. It would help if we had just 2 above average tackles but we don't.

2. The Herb disagrees on the talent part. We do have top 20 talent we just don't play to our talent level and no matter who have been the coaches the last 15 years or so we still play down to the comp.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | December 09, 2019 at 11:28 PM

1. Screw that. FIU beat us and Duke beat us and GT beat us with their horrible offensive lines but you wanna use that as your excuse fine. It is not the OL, it is the coaching. Lies, all, lies.

2. We do not have top 20 talent. Our talent is lost and lazy. They are tired and disinterested. They are entitled and have been dominated with no response at all.

After losing to FIU did they come out pissed and on fire looking to make it right? No they came out soft and weak and ready to lose again. Was there a fight on the sideline? Was there a player arguing with a coach? Was there any sign of a fight left in this team?

The answer is NO.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Preach Soupster.

[58 Straight]

The friggin Herb is pissing me off.

I have a good mind to ban his azz.

I haven't banned anybody in a good long time.

But I am damn tempted.

He is lying to the masses...

[58 Straight]

And he friggin knows it!

[BigWindyCane1]

Soup is spot on 💯🔥!

[HerbieIbis]

Say it ain't so Soup. The Herb stands by his statement. We started basically 3 freshman and 2 of them true freshmen, who shouldn't have played to begin with. U change that sorry azz system we run and the offense will be different. How many coaches we got to go through? We got away with it for years hiring on the cheap. Jimmy, Dennis, and Butch. What did they all have in common a dam good staff. I know this staff is iffy especially about 3 or 4 who need to go. I already laid out what needs to happen. We don't have the right OC, DC or Qb's to get us where we need to be. I could get by with Baker because Manny is there to baby sit him. This team was young in areas, where it hurt us the most O Line, QB and in the secondary. It ain't always going to be this way. Getting another Head coach going to matter. I've heard Leach's name on here 100 times. Would Love his offense but the dude would need a Dave Aranda to be his DC. He's never had a defense. Manny is going to be here another year or maybe less, if if he don't change and soon.

[TonyCane]

Signing day is 12/18. Our bowl game is 12/26. There better be some changes announced by 12/28 and I dont mean they are switching from Coke to Pepsi in all vending machines.

Posted by: raizecane | December 10, 2019 at 07:33 AM

What if they switched to Yoohoo or New Coke?

[86Cane]

Herb...I am not going ot ban you, I was just messin with U. But you seem to have become the new "excuse maker", a role previously reserved for Go Canes, for the teams' failures. Who knows maybe we all do need a ray of hope here on the blog and I guess U are it.

Here is my response:

1. We are not the only team starting new players or Freshmen players at a position. Every team almost every year replace 30-50% of their starting line up. Some teams started a Freshmen new starter at QB and still performed very well. We can't get a few OL to play decent enough to beat FIU? Child please!

2. You don't get to be LAST in all of CFB in 3rd down conversion just because of your OL. It is the play calling. It is the execution. It is the motivation. It is the QB being inaccurate or not reading the defense or seeing the field and open receivers. It is the WRs not getting separation.

Using the easy out that this is all due to the OL failures way oversimplifies the situation and the reasons why UM failed on offense this year. The are reasons aplenty.

And don't even get me started on the defense and special teams. Don't even!

[nemo2002]

Signing day is 12/18. Our bowl game is 12/26.
posted by: raizecane | December 10, 2019 at 07:33 AM

As I was walking down the street one day
A man came up to me and asked me what time it is (for UM's bowl game). yeah
And I said

Does anybody really know what time it is? (I don't).
Does anybody really care (care about the time)?
If so, I can't imagine why (no, no).
We've all got time enough to cry.

CHICAGO

[CGNC]

Posted by: VfB_Cane | December 10, 2019 at 05:26 PM

Agreed! probably all of what you mentioned.

[HerbieIbis]

Recruiting Matters.
OSU has 72 four and five star players.
LSU has 62
Oak. Has 57
Clemson has 47
Miami has 42

All 4 teams have great QB play.
All 4 have go to WR's
All 4 have 1000 yd. rushers.
All 4 have very good Oh lines.
All 4 have difference makers on defense.
All 4 rank in the top 20 against the run.
All 4 run some sort of Spread.
The difference between us and them recruiting. Clemson will shoot up after this next class. They already have 6 five star players verballed.
QB play. We have no clue.
No go to WR.
No A-1 running back.
Definetly no offensive line.
Our defense is ranked pretty high but we lack a couple difference makers there. I'm talking about game by game guys that are there busting their azz. Not a couple good games and then disappear for a game or two.
We have no FG kicker that can kick past 35 yds. or at least we haven't tried to kick one.
We used to talk recruiting on here back In the day when Ohio and Papa were on here but it's rarely mentioned and besides some tweaks to the staff, cause Manny is going to be here at least through most of not all season, recruiting is what is going to get us out of the gutter. 7 special players and a new offensive Scheme.
Not defending anyone. Not making excuses for any coach, I saw the BS we put out their.
We got alot of under performers and some cancers that need to be weeded out. Every coach wants to get his type players in the system. Based on Talent in the coastal, yeah we are far ahead of everyone else but at the end of the day all parts of the engine have to be running on all cylinders and when one part breaks down the machine breaks down. We had a lot of break downs at different points and times. We get one problem fixed, it would be something else and so it went all season and ultimately the coach has got to be the one that fixes it.

[nemo2002]

Recruiting Matters.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | December 11, 2019 at 02:28 PM

I totally agree!

[VA Cane]

Hello all.....been very busy taking care of mother in law, appraising houses.......and once again winning titles. Sat we played Spring
Run for the title....weather was not too bad....they are good team....nice soft rich kids with nice soft rich mums and dads.

They never knew what hit them....right off the bat we were on them with that vaunted 46 D.....too many people to try and block. we were up 30 -0 and they scored one at the end....I hate getting scored on but they were good....we were just better!!!! 30-6 final.

Hey gang.....we may be struggling at UM....but my kids are alive and well....told em win it for my friends!!!!

I really got to slow down....keep saying i am retiring but never do.....41 years and still at it like an old fool!!! I just love my guys...they are winners in all walks of life.

Hey 11 of the last 14 SBs aint bad....I think I got Bill and TB12 beat....by a few LOL!!!

Just glad for my special guys, cheerleaders, and the families....its what matters to me....others!!!!!

[solarcane]

Way to go VA proud of your kids

[roachcane77]

Great job VA Cane! Way to get the most out of your kids!

COACHING MATTERS!

[Go Canes!!]

Losing to FIU was inexcusable.

But I agree with Herb that we are lacking quality play at multiple very important positions.

Chaney and the kid from Deerfield are ELITE backs. Same with Rivers at OT. So at least steps are being taken.

Even though this season was a total failure, it doesn't mean this team doesn't have multiple gaping holes that need filling.

[BigWindyCane1]

Something that we already know about South Florida recruiting for the Canes:

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article237836409.html

[BigWindyCane1]

This blog is well are of the fact that - the Canes can’t recruit the elite recruits of South Florida right now. Only winning will begin to reverse the negative trend.

[86Cane]

have multiple gaping holes that need filling.

Posted by: Go Canes!! | December 11, 2019 at 06:45 PM

NO COMMENT.

[86Cane]

Only winning will begin to reverse the negative trend.

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | December 11, 2019 at 08:33 PM

So what you are saying is that losing to FIU, Duke and GT hurts recruiting?

[solarcane]

"Three out of the four college football playoff teams have a transfer quarterback. The lone exception is Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. The Miami Football program should not be above inquiring into a transfer quarterback."

But Williams will be back there next season completing 62% of his passes for 160 yds going 8-4 while at least 4 really good qbs transfer somewhere else.

[solarcane]

Quarterbacks in transfer portal

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Football/TransferPortal/

[JCane]

Maybe we should try to sign Allison or Sitkowski? Hmmmm

[solarcane]

This is awesome

https://youtu.be/R-2puqqmycM

[solarcane]

Posted by: JCane | December 11, 2019 at 10:21 PM
Lol, I hear ya maybe nab Martell for a second go around when him and Kosi book
There will probably be a couple decent upgrades to what we have and what we have coming in.
Being the best high school pro style qb an in Connecticut isn't to impressive but who knows.

First time I saw string bean Kenny Dorsey with that big ass extra long sleeve white sweatshirt under his uniform flig a pass, I wasn't to thrilled, but after I saw his leadership and his give everything to win attitude I was sold 100 percent.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Great Job VA.

[TonyCane]

Recruiting Matters.
OSU has 72 four and five star players.
LSU has 62
Oak. Has 57
Clemson has 47
Miami has 42

All 4 teams have great QB play.
All 4 have go to WR's
All 4 have 1000 yd. rushers.
All 4 have very good Oh lines.
All 4 have difference makers on defense.
All 4 rank in the top 20 against the run.
All 4 run some sort of Spread.
The difference between us and them recruiting. Clemson will shoot up after this next class. They already have 6 five star players verballed.
QB play. We have no clue.
No go to WR.
No A-1 running back.
Definetly no offensive line.
Our defense is ranked pretty high but we lack a couple difference makers there. I'm talking about game by game guys that are there busting their azz. Not a couple good games and then disappear for a game or two.
We have no FG kicker that can kick past 35 yds. or at least we haven't tried to kick one.
We used to talk recruiting on here back In the day when Ohio and Papa were on here but it's rarely mentioned and besides some tweaks to the staff, cause Manny is going to be here at least through most of not all season, recruiting is what is going to get us out of the gutter. 7 special players and a new offensive Scheme.
Not defending anyone. Not making excuses for any coach, I saw the BS we put out their.
We got alot of under performers and some cancers that need to be weeded out. Every coach wants to get his type players in the system. Based on Talent in the coastal, yeah we are far ahead of everyone else but at the end of the day all parts of the engine have to be running on all cylinders and when one part breaks down the machine breaks down. We had a lot of break downs at different points and times. We get one problem fixed, it would be something else and so it went all season and ultimately the coach has got to be the one that fixes it.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | December 11, 2019 at 02:28 PM

Recruiting certainly matters. A few facts amidst the doom and gloom.

1. Miami has nearly double the number of blue chip recruits that it did in Al Golden's second year, when the bottom fell out due to the 2008 and 2009 classes leaving and the 2010-2011 classes being substandard.

2. This was the worst offensive line that Miami has fielded in over a generation. Remember Frank Costa getting plastered against Nebraska in 1994? That was Jarren Williams and Kosi Perry in almost every game. Either we had the second worst offensive line coach of all-time under Richt and have the worst one now...or we have substantially missed on recruiting at this position and are going to have to claw and scratch out of this hole. The SAME thing began to happen to FSU in Jimbo's last year. If your line is so bad, nothing will work. It's why I picked Miami to go 6-6 this year after the August scrimmage reports were so grim (including the loss to FIU). Ken Dorsey could be back there, and he'd look as miserable as he did during that 1999 disaster at Virginia Tech - but it would be all year.

3) Our offensive philosophy needs to evolve. Miami needs to be a trendsetter, as it was in 1980 under Schellenberger. Right now we're the opposite - we're the equivalent of one of those three yards and a cloud of dust teams that we used to destroy.

I think some of the doom and gloom here is badly overblown. Manny had a very rough first year - the key will be does he realize it and make the hard changes necessary. But as an aside, I'd say that Al Golden did even less with nearly equivalent talent in Year 1, and Randy Shannon's first year as head coach was a complete disaster.

Just some thoughts.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

We Will Be No Better Than 6-6 in 2020. I expect us to lose to Temple, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Virginia, Georgia Tech!

[HerbieIbis]

TEE,
That ain't happening if we switch to spread. If we keep this same tired azz awfense, then I can see anywhere from 5-7 to 7-5.

[solarcane]

sully

Diaz told us this NEXT recruiting class is special, and problem solvers and, game changers you act like you doubt that's gonna happen my man.