Learning To Fly

My friend and former look alike Tom Petty wrote a song with this title. Of course it was about something other than coaching college football. But it has its relative application to head coach Manny Diaz at the University of Miami.

Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well, the good old days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings (Learning to fly)
Coming down (Learning to fly)
Is the hardest thing (Learning to fly)

Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
Around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

Comments

[Harry Miller]

Looks like Manny is learning to fly, lets hope he can reach the clouds. Learning to fly can be a difficult as he has already came down. He hasen't given up, he heeps on trying to reach those clouds,
with the recient help he just may be able to fly among the clouds before he must come down.

[nemo2020]

Oh no.
Me 2.
Nemo

[VA Cane]

We will come out of the clouds Game 1.....Bama will make sure of that......its gonna be a disaster for the boys....and after the beat down....its gonna be just like Hope and Change gonna be..Despair and Stagnation.....kind of like the last 17 seasons....not looking forward to opening day 2021

[The Herb]

Va,
If they can stop the run, which is a big if, they'll be in the game. We won't be able to run much at all against them, I don't care if we had 10 linemen coming back who have started.
If King not back, we will get roasted. He gives us a chance if he is back.

[VA Cane]

Herb I would agree....King gives us a little hope....if he has healed up well. I also agree we cannot run...so they know we will pass. I have played teams like that and I dial up a lot of blitzes....I work out of the 46 and have a lot of looks to confuse.I can hope....but I am not real keen about getting roasted on national TV!

[AeroCane]

Next Saturday is start of baseball season! Just like years past, we start out against the gators! A lot of new guys on our team, however Very Highly rated so we will see.

[86Cane]

1. If they can stop the run, which is a big if, they'll be in the game.

2. We won't be able to run much at all against them, I don't care if we had 10 linemen coming back who have started.

Posted by: The Herb | February 12, 2021 at 09:36 PM

1. Well we stopped the run vs UNC last year so...oh wait...I am being told that maybe we didn't? Will new coaches make a difference? Who knows?

2. If we can't run, or stop the run, that is a recipe for disaster and it is gonna be a FUGLY game. And that is against ANY team, much less Bama right out of the gate. How we can't get to the edge on offense and all the teams we play against can I just can't explain.

[86Cane]

Next Saturday is start of baseball season! Just like years past, we start out against the gators! A lot of new guys on our team, however Very Highly rated so we will see.

Posted by: AeroCane | February 13, 2021 at 10:52 AM

Baseball been berry, berry good to me!

Miami Hurricanes, Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays have all had their moments in the bright lights and have won Championships.

Tampa Bay sports teams in particular have been ON FIRE over the last year or so.

[AeroCane]

• Rays, Bucs - as a TB fan you’re in heaven. Congrats!
• We need a great baseball season - this is a team that will get better as the season progresses as we are really young.
• We also need the football team to eat correctly and work out like demons to be ready for the upcoming spring and season!

[Old Skool]

Another thing about our Bucs: unlike the Dolphins, the Bucs have never celebrated a championship by the Florida Gators.

[86Cane]

Rays, Bucs - as a TB fan you’re in heaven. Congrats!

Posted by: AeroCane | February 13, 2021 at 07:31 PM

Don't forget the Lightning: Stanley Cup Champs!

[VA Cane]

Sorry for all in Jacksonville....you got a loser for a head coach! Dont care what his record is....Urban is a big time loser as a person....Shovelhead....check the flat back of the assclowns head...someone polaxed him with a square shovel...wish it had been me...cept I might have gone lower and more towards just below the waist if ya get me...BOOM! the pelotas!!!!.....he sucks and I pray for them to be horrible, him to quit with fake health issues....I respect Trevor....but since hes Urbans boy....I want to see him Tatumized...I mean a true lick to ring dat bell!

I despise Urban...and anu\yone associated with his sorry AZZ!!!

I am at Daytona.....Its a regular for my February...20 years ago #3...the best ever died here...sad...unfortunately I was here....

Racing has been really good this week...lot of fun for me...and my wife...she finally came with me!...after 30 years!

Looking forward to good race....not so much towards The Debacle in Atlanta 9/4/21....we were 0-3 vs teams ranked at end of year....why should this one be different......gonna be bad....I dont see where we can do anything vs them....

[alpine]

thought lady canes would slowly improve this year, but they lost 2 more this week; 1st game they lost by 20 something, geez
. .. katie meier is my biggest disappointment right now as i start each year optimistic, then watch her team sink into the bog of mediocrity
. . . and when they actually make it into the post-season, they are invariably knocked-out in the first round
- truly don't get it; canes stay in mediocrity or (like this year) worse

[58 Straight]

No race, only rain.

[nemo]

Men's basketball team lost to ND this evening.

In the ACC standings, we're one spot away from dead last.
Not good.

[alpine]

basketball . . . sigh

- lykes still out, earl timberlake has now joined the "byebye for the season" list, deng gak could only play 3 minutes cause of knee soreness = miami could only rotate 6 players
. . . as the herald pointed out, when you have so few players who have to constantly get back quickly to defend ND's wealth of good 3-point shooters, it can wear you down
. . . this one also could have been won if they didn't mess up free-throw shooting so bad (12 of 21); pick up, say another 4-6 pts that way, and there is less weird pressure at the end

- mcgusty, brooks, and waardenburg are almost certain to leave; crossing all my fingers that the rest of the team decides to stay (AND STAY HEALTHY!) . . . i'm so ready to watch them play at close to full strength

[VA Cane]

well it took a long time but the race got going about 930....turned out pretty good with an underdog staying patient and winning....i like that!

Perhaps we...as an underdog...can beat bama opening game...always hope!

[CGNC]

And our new defensive coordinator will be?

[nemo2020]

BC men's basketball coach is fired.
BC is the only team lower than Miami in the ACC standings.
BC has only one ACC win this season, a 22 point victory over Miami on January 12.
BC closes out the season at UM on March 5.
Maybe we can will that one?

[HerbieIbis]

Yeah, Manny better make quick decision or T Will could be gone and a good recruiter we don't need to be losing.

[HerbieIbis]

Jason Blissett retiring because of concussions.

[alpine]

craig smith from sbnation says it well:
"1) Miami 2020-2021 men’s basketball season should be flushed down the toilet, with all associated with it given a pass for the year. When I think of this team, I think of the 2019 Philadelphia Eagles. Or the 2020 San Francisco 49ers. Those two teams stick out to me more than any other in recent memory for one reason: a nest of injury bugs setting up shop and biting everyone it sees. The 2019 Eagles were pulling dudes off the street to stick in at wide receiver, while journeyman Josh McCown was called upon against the Seahawks in the Wild Card round. It was a rash of injuries I hadn’t remembered seeing in a long time........until this past season when San Francisco lost starter after starter, and depth player after depth player. I don’t know how many players they lost. I just know that it was twice as much as any team could endure and still have a snowball’s chance in hell of making the playoffs. Somehow that team hung around in playoff contention until December, for which Kyle Shanahan deserves a HUGE amount of credit.

And that’s what this UM basketball team feels like...the 2020 49ers. Centers Sam Waardenburg and Rodney Miller were gone for the season before the calendar even hit 2021. Two centers!!! That’s absolutely bat-bleep crazy. Your best player, Chris Lykes, has missed most of the season with an ankle injury. Kameron McGusty, Earl Timberlake, and others have missed tons of time as well. I mean, you can only say next man up so many times. Having 6-7 scholarship players available for a game is comically low, and borderline impossible to compete night in and night out. Beating Duke shorthanded (thank you, Isaiah Wong and Elijah Olaniyi) was nothing short of miraculous.
There have been some forgettable and inexcusable moments in a losing season (letting Virginia Tech get off a three pointer with 2 seconds left chaps my backside worse than anything this season. THAT. CAN’T. HAPPEN.), but all in all, chalk this one up to the worst luck this program has ever seen, and hopefully will ever see. Maybe they can make a run in the ACC tourney if Lykes can come back and is effective, but - more realistically, - let’s come back healthy and strong in November 2021."

[AeroCane]

Alpine - you’re like a broken record
Same crap over and over
I hate to break it to you but Lykes is Not the savior and watching this team over the past few years tells me coach L needs to go. Period. Exclamation point! Etc

[FIREorRETIREcoachL]

Alpine, the mere fact that mini-Lykes is seemingly such an important player for this team is proof positive that Old Coach L can't recruit enough ACC caliber basketball players for UM to be a consistent top tier factor in the ACC.

[VA Cane]

I wish the U hoops team all the best...they are not good at all. I dont watch at all....I dont like basketball at college or pro level...I especially despise the LBA LeBron Basketball Association......terrible players abound....but thats me. I do enjoy going and seeing a good HS game...even kids....its still real. NBA NCAA hoops is dead to me...has been for a long time. NCAA tournament is still good for a couple thrills.
UM hoops is bad beyond belief. At least football is .strong...welll ggood...welll...competitive....welll average...I think?

Manny got to show me strength this year...He had no say in the Bama game...but I cannot accept another Clemson AlPa game.....and allow him to stay. Its been too bad for too long.....5 really questionable hires nothing to show.....change got to come. JMO

[alpine]

lol re the aero & nemo show! you dudes need to think more; you no likey lykes? no problem! but pls don't act like pro coach L'ers are putting all of this season's problems onto him!
what part of "only 6-7 rotation players" was beyond your reading comprehension?
of course lykes is very good and totally helps our play . . . he would probably have made the difference in all those 5-points-or-less games . . . but no, he's not all-world; it was important to ALSO not lose so many OTHER players for all, most or parts of the season (like earl timberlake); that, gentlemen, is the talking point

no worries, we still got a few bb games left for you two to froth & foam a fly banners at ;)

[alpine]

VA: why do you keep breaking out this "lebron hate show" stuff? it's beneath you, sir
. . . lebron is not only one of the most amazing athletes and an extremely hard worker, he's also a fantastic human being

[86Cane]

Lebron is not only one of the most amazing athletes and he's also a fantastic human being

Posted by: alpine | February 16, 2021 at 01:50 PM

Two things you thought you would never read in the same sentence.

[The Herb]

Alpine,
2 words Prima Donna.
Whines and pouts, when he don't have enough help.
One of top 3 all time, no doubt.
Sports center Steve And Max turned me against him. Those 2 drool all over him.

[HerbieIbis]

I'm with VA on the pro BBall, I hate it. 2 much one on one with the rest standing around. Either 3 pointers or dunks. Got about 5 or 6 teams that have all the super stars and these dudes are way over paid. U talking 30 mil a year or more for some of these dudes. I mean these arenas maybe seat 15 to 20 thousand. Dam tickets got to be astronomical to pay these dudes. Plus they done stuck their noses to much in politics.

[86Cane]

Dam tickets got to be astronomical to pay these dudes.

Plus they done stuck their noses to much in politics.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 16, 2021 at 03:52 PM

YUP and YUP.

[alpine]

Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 16, 2021 at 03:52 PM

- "pro basketball is boring":
. . . now you & VA hae gotten me curious; it's been several years since i watched a heat game, cause it's pay-for . . . and i'm already paying for nfl game pass (fins) + espn (canes)
. . . truth be told, canes bb (mens & womens) is more than enuff bb for me

- overpaid? i tend to think most people in the upper echelons of the entertainment business (sports/film/music/etc.) are overpaid
. . . but not nearly as overpaid as most of the wall streeters; not to mention the damn ceo's, with the huge golden parachutes they're given to leave, whenever they do a bad job
... and sooooooo many are underpaid!

- "Plus they done stuck their noses to much in politics." that usually translates as: "they aren't standing up for MY political beliefs"

[alpine]

"... and sooooooo many are underpaid!"
i meant in fields like teaching, health workers . . .

[VA Cane]

Alpine....no hate....I do not like the NBA..or even NCAA (another issue) at all....and I get tired of grown men....Shannon Sharpe Colin Cowherd saying hes the Chosen One....King James....there is One Chosen One...One King...and I know him....well!
Lebron is a fantastic player...he's there with MJ in my book. I think he needs to deter Chosen and King...he embraces it. Thats his choice. He is great. He does good things and that is great.

I am not for any stance on any issue at any game or event. Dont care what yer beliefs are.....the confederate flag, BLM, social justice, immigration, LGBTQ etc....anything....leave it be. Take your stance using your stature outside the lines..and there raise the roof for your cause!...not written on the court, a jersey, an end zone, a cleat...not kneeling for the anthem...or not playing the anthem....do it in your spare time...they all have more than we do!

Lebron often overstates his views...they are at times extreme...as many do. Do it in your spare time, use your stature OUTSIDE the game, and know the issue, not just your opine. Like Bob Dylan said once, "I know my song well before I start singing." Alpi we are cool, no disrespect to you or LBJ....and I will leave it at that my dear friend.

Enjoyed reading about your life....you are certainly a man of the world.....keep on rolling my friend...again we are cool and always will be.
....best regards...VAC

[VA Cane]

Since you all are family...I mean that...let me share about my family a little....February has become a tough month for me over time. Good things...and challenging things. My Dads Bday was Valentines Day...he was my hero...so Sunday thinking of him being gone was tough...he was my guy. The 15th, my son turned 26...hes the apple of my eye...my son I pass the torch to...great kid! The 18th my Mom will have been gone 2 years...smartest person I have ever known...never fool that woman...very special to me. So thats a start I prepared for this February.

But it gets...tougher..Friday night...my niece Tabatha Ann was murdered in her home by her live in of 10 years...in front of a 5 and 7 year old....never had something that tragic that close...man would never fight another man...then beats her to death in front of their children...I have to write the articles...preach the funeral....and my 3 week old granddaughter...3rd one behind Kensley and Lillian...her name is Elizabeth Ray...we call her Lizzy Ray...was ill during east coast ice storm...went Dr yesterday....breathing...mucous...showing signs of cystic fibrosis....so folks....the VAC has a very full agenda....and as always....everybody looks to me for answers, faith, leadership, poise..not always easy with the regular stuff of the job...February thoughts...and murder and serious illness on top of it....and we lost my mother in law in July to Alzhimers
...so if I seem a little edgy...I dont feel bad, and was not trying to be neg nance....you have some insight as to why!

You know old VAC...at one time...long ago...smallest starting corner in the nation in the 70s....now the patriarch of a family....and while challenged with issues way more pressing than the field....will always be there for all....in the mix for the championships of the game called....Life!!! I always advise people a simple saying....Let Go Let God...it works folks...cause Faith is what you have when there is nothing left to hang onto!

Thanks for the time...will keep you all advised...pray for my niece and granddaughter...know you all will!

God bless all of you!

VAC

[toledocane]

Hang in there VAC. You're in my prayers.

[alpine]

VA: really & truly brutal! very sorry for what you and your family are going thru
- too bad you can't do a no-pads tatumization on that cowardly murderer

- you're gonna need all your strength, faith & deep heart for the coming time frame; good luck to you, sir; i'll be thinking about you

[The Herb]

It's official T Will gone.

[alpine]

It's official T Will gone.

Posted by: The Herb | February 17, 2021 at 09:55 AM

scheisse

[Harry Miller]

VA: Breaks my Heart to hear what you are going through, It helps knowing that you are aware of who the real king is in "our world" which isn't here.
Your family is so blessed to have you holding them togather in times like this. Your faith will get you through these tough times.

I don't know if you know My only son was brutitly murdered, then my wife of 46 yrs passed away not long after from a broken heart. Without my faith
I would not be here,

VA, I would be blessed just to meet you someday.

[86Cane]

"Plus they done stuck their noses to much in politics." that usually translates as: "they aren't standing up for MY political beliefs"

Posted by: alpine | February 16, 2021 at 05:07 PM

Wrong now, wrong again, always wrong.

Amazing talent you have for that.

READ IT AND WEEP:

I am not for any stance on any issue at any game or event. Dont care what yer beliefs are.....the confederate flag, BLM, social justice, immigration, LGBTQ etc....anything....leave it be. Take your stance using your stature outside the lines..and there raise the roof for your cause!...not written on the court, a jersey, an end zone, a cleat...not kneeling for the anthem...or not playing the anthem....do it in your spare time...they all have more than we do!

Posted by: VA Cane | February 16, 2021 at 07:09 PM

[86Cane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!