The only thing that might be more frustrating than the handful of Miami Hurricanes who left school early for a shot at NFL riches? The disappointing results at this week’s combine in Indianapolis, as well as some of the quotes out of these kids that are being relived as a result of a poor showing and the so-called “experts” reiterating that this crop of underclassmen could’ve used another year.
Today’s Miami Herald piece took some digs as the five early departees — Lamar Miller, Tommy Streeter, Brandon Washington, Olivier Vernon and Marcus Forston. Miller is obviously the cream of that crop, despite only being a sophomore, but the others haven’t done much to shine. Some of the lowlights:
– Only defending national champion Alabama has more players at the NFL Combine than Miami.
– Head coach Al Golden recently told Michael Irvin on WQAM that he personally cannot understand why a player would turn pro without first receiving an assessment from the NFL’s draft advisory board. Of the five underclassmen who declared, all did so before waiting on that assessment.
– NFL Network’s Mike Mayock doesn’t feel any of the five had any business leaving early and all could’ve benefited greatly from another year in college. “From a football perspective, for the most part, they had no business coming out,” said Mayock. “I really think you’re going to be disappointed.”
– Of the five, none are a sure-first first round pick. Miller appears to be the only one with any chance of sliding into the first round, having run a 4.40 in the 40 and timing out as the fastest running back in the draft. Miller left early to avoid injury, a la Willis McGahee and so many others.
Miller certainly isn’t short on ego, either. “I’m a play-maker, a game-changer”, he said. Miller also stated that he’s “much faster” than Alabama’s Trent Richardson. Miller went on to say, “I have great hands out of the backfield. I’m going to have to get strong. Blocking is something I have to work on.” (Isn’t that the purpose of sticking around college one more year and starting for more than one season? Just sayin’.)
– ESPN’s Mel Kiper and others have questioned Forston, who played in three games last year before a season-ending knee injury. Same with Vernon, who earned the largest suspension from the Nevin Shapiro fallout, missing the first six games of 2011.
– Sporting News draft analyst and former Cleveland Browns scout Russ Lande said the following: “Forston’s motor is wildly inconsistent. At times, he plays like a top ten kid. At times, he plays like he shouldn’t be drafted.” (Ouch.)
On Sunday, Forston told the media he feels he’s NFL-ready and fully recovered from injury. It should also be noted that his official 40 time was 5.70 – ninth worst for defensive lineman. Vernon clocked in at 4.80, the eighth best time. (Where’s all that Miami speed?)
– Vernon might switch to linebacker at the next level and regarding not waiting on the draft advisory board to grade him out, he stated that he felt no reason to wait because, “it was something I had in my heart that I had to do. It wasn’t a tough choice.” (Suspended half a year and still bailed early. #TeamPlayer.)
– Streeter rant a 4.40 in the 40 and some think that could make him a second round pick, but Mayock told Irvin that Streeter, “rarely makes a catch on an in-breaking route. He doesn’t block anybody, doesn’t know how to run routes.”
“He might go in the second or third round, but he’s not second- or third-round talent,” said Mayock. “He’s just an athletic, tall, fast guy right now. If he had stayed another year to develop his skills, he might [have been] a first-round pick.” (See Miller regarding one more year and honing skills.)
– Washington, who is pegged a second- or third-rounder, is another who chimed in about not waiting to hear back from the draft advisory board. His reason; “I felt I was mature and ready”.
It should be noted that Washington was “upset” over some criticism from Golden last season regarding his play at tackle, though he states that’s not why he left. He also feels that he’ll play guard at the next level.
– Mayock did have some great things to say about Sean Spence, UM’s top-rated senior and a projected second- or third-round pick. “I love Sean Spence,” said Mayock. “Someone is going to get a hell of a player.” Spence disappointed early today in the bench press, only getting twelve reps at 225 pounds.
Still, heart, instinct and intangibles are the difference with the former No. 31. “I can cover or run with any tight end or back,” said Spence. “Teams are telling me I’m very instinctive and get to the ball. A lot of people say Jonathan Vilma and I are alike in some ways.”
– Regarding the Canes second best senior prospect, receiver Travis Benjamin, Mayock said, “If you get him the ball in space, he’s gone,” but also stated, “there’s no physicality to his game”. (A poor outing at Ohio State in 2010 would have fans in agreement.) Benjamin ran a 4.36 in the 40 on Sunday, tied for first among receivers, but has shown marginal strength and has struggled to get off the line.
– Jacory Harris is also at the combine and while experts like Kiper believe he won’t be drafted, Harris feels otherwise. “I expect to be drafted,” said Harris, “but I won’t be down if I don’t.”
Harris was invited to the combine to audition, but is also playing the role of “throwing quarterback” – meaning he’s throwing the ball to other skill position players during their auditions, which will give the former Miami quarterback some extra face time in front of scouts.
Because they’re Canes, we always wish our own the best. Doesn’t mean we agree with their decision, but in the end definitely rooting for all the guys to shine in Indy and to get some good news on draft day. Time will tell. – C.B.
These guys thought that if they talk like Canes then they were Canes – uh…no. They’re ready for the next level when their accomplishments in the previous level was inconsistent at best? I wish them luck but I think they got some bad advice from yes men and hangers on. If I am not mistaken most signed with the same agent – I already know the pile of b.s. he was tossing their way…look at Shields, look at Adkins look at Jimmy…cash in now!
These were Shannon recruits that could not wait to get away from the responsibility and commitment that Golden demands. Most of them better hope they paid attention in their classes at UM.
… fully agree. When you read comments like the ones from Vernon and Washington, you don’t really get the sense these were team players looking to go above and beyond. Coming across like serious me-first kids that were out to get theirs and nothing else. Sad.
Those guys were not who we thought they were, inconsistency was the common theme. We are rebuilding the new foundation in 2012, those guys were clock punchers, never put in the extra work, and that’s why we failed so much.
THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WEREN”T!
So, so player off a .500 team? Nothing to be impressed about. I know this is a team sport, but these select underclassmen should of been evaluated before declaring for the NFL draft. I wish these guys would of stayed around for one more year to get their reps in.
These players leaving early do free up scholarships to offer to other young men who want to put in the work for Coach Al Golden.
This may sound harsh, these players will not have any significant impact on the teams that draft them. Exception maybe to Lamar Miller. Good luck former Canes, you should have stayed longer.
These guys not only gave up money by getting drafted in later rounds, they also make their NFL lives that much harder because they are no longer guaranteed a spot on an NFL team. If you are drafted in the 4th and later rounds, you are not guranteed a place in the NFL you have to fight for that job and the question must be asked, do these guys have that kind of commitment in them when they never did during their time at Miami.
I don’t believe anyone gave these guys any kind of advice. I think throughout the 2011 season these guys made up their minds that they weren’t sticking around for the 2012 season. They didnt want to put in an offseason work out. They didnt want to do things the Golden’s way. They were used to Shannons way. Its similar to being at a job for 3 years and management is replaced. Suddenly you have to abide by different rules and ways. You’ve been comfortable for 3 years now someone new is coming in and demands you do things differently. First thing you do is think time to move on. Exact same thing these guys did. Unfortunately for them, their move isnt simply moving to another job. They made a poor decision and may not have longevity in the NFL.
I wish them nothing but the best, but sometimes you have to look at your situation adapt and accept, improve yourself and then move on. These guys simply moved on. One last thing, if they dont think that NFL teams arent marking their leaving Miami early as a negative they are highly mistaken.
Great points. Again, if you’re not willing to work hard enough in college, what makes you think it’ll be any easier at the next level? Just because you’re getting a check? If anything, that makes it harder as the franchise you play for will expect more out of you, not less. Plus, there will always be a younger, hungrier player who wants your job – and paycheck.
A lot of these underclassmen who declared have way-too-high an opinion of themselves. Especially when they didn’t prove it on the field and are relying on God-given talent. Too many stories like Sam Shields have made these kids think that they can succeed at the next level with a little more work than they put in at Miami. Shields was an exception to the rule. His physical skills combined with the right franchise and a coaching staff that looked out for him and brought him along, THAT is why he beat a system that would normally swallow a story like his up.
I for one am glad they are gone.
Miller is afraid of DUKE JOHNSON, and the rest didn’t want to work. Miller has a long way to go if he want to be in the same sentence as Trent Richardson….Again, show me film where Miller is breaking hand tackles or punishing defenders who are in his way. I still cant be that play in the FSU game where he got laid out, out of his head (The play when Byrd was hit over the middle) #UTOUGH???
Streeter is tall and fast, but he couldn’t catch shit in the gaunlet….the pic above looks like a drop. All his plays last season came when he was wide open. Show me film otherwise. No beastmode plays at all #UTOUGH???
As far as Sean Spence is concerned, I thought my TV was broken when I seen 12 reps. I know High School kids @ Linebacker throwing up 15 reps….#UTOUGH???
As far as the “mature” early departures, I hope they have a backup plan….
All im saying is that life long cane or not, you are what you put on film, a weight program is only as effective as the effort put into it, Jecory and TB3 still look the same as when they were Freshmen…smh. #NEWBEGINNINGS
All great points.
I don’t necessarily think Miller was ‘afraid’ of Duke coming in, but do believe that these young kids are heading to campus to unseat any upperclassmen not getting it done.
The attitude and work ethic at The U are absolutely changing and anyone caught up in the old way is going to be left in the dust. Period.
Yes, absolutely embarrassing that some of these kids at the combine are not only performing so poorly, but also have such a high opinion of their skills set and impact they’ll have at the next level. #Dilusional.
let’s be realistic.
all the guys who left early had accomplished NOTHING worthwhile at the U. they all happen to be “Shannon’s guys.”
however, if you think that Al Golden wouldn’t have recruited the same kids, then you are mistaken.
now, if Al Golden had 3+ years with those same kids, the article might be about how those kids were mature beyond their years, etc. (we also would have been a lot better than .500)
Joven – Agree that it’s a bit of both. I don’t think Golden would’ve taken every one of those guys, as they might not have graded out as well, or fit the same needs, as other kids he might’ve gone after in 2008-2009.
Miller? Absolutely. Streeter? Most likely. Guys like Vernon, Forston and Washington, who have all showed a little attitude and a lack of worth ethic … not sure about those three. Vernon got a six-game suspension for his dealings with Shapiro and taking a check. Character-wise, sounds like there were issues even as a high school senior and I’m not sure that would’ve been the type of kid he recruited.
As for the seniors, Sean Spence was absolutely the type of kid that would’ve been recruited by any Miami staff as he’s a hard worker and a winner. Not sure Jacory Harris would’ve been on Golden’s radar, though. Not when you’re looking at the strong-armed, prototypical drop-back passers he’s added to the roster.
Absolutely agree that three-plus years under Golden, versus under Shannon and staff, would’ve done wonders for all the outbound Canes. For sure. – C
These guys are just who we thought they were: Wandy’s Wonders: A bunch of lazy clowns who thought just having a “U” on their helmets made them real Canes. What a bunch of posers! I doubt most of them can make an Arena League team and contribute much. Thank God we FINALLY have a REAL coach who will make kids work hard and turn them into serious football players. I don’t envy Coach Golden as he has a tough task totally rebuilding this program after two of the worst coaches in the history of college football totally trashed it.
to admin: sorry i have not been writing.been out of work for a while;it’s been “bumming” me. just wanted to know what you think about these recruits.reminds me of the old days. thanks,later.
James – Keep your head up and keep fighting the good fight. Rough time to be out of work. Sorry to hear. Stay strong. Go Canes. – CB
Forston ran a 5.10 at combo not 5.70 you published
… report I saw in the Herald stated he ran a 5.70. If you say 5.10, so be it. Either way, it’s slow.
It’s really hard for me to say this; especially since I’m a Die Hard Cane fan but with the exception of Miller and Street (under classmen) I hope they all flop. I know, I know………….that sounds horrible but that’s how frustrated I am about them bailing early simply b/c they were too lazy to work for their position and, and, and, and…..!!!!!!! And think they’re better than what they really are. I would love to tell them the next time I see them “hold the lettuce please”. As bad as Ray-Ray has been, at least he stuck around to try and improve and hopefully make up for his wrong doing of his team.