Canes Not Necessarily Shining In Indy

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.

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