After losing four straight to Georgia Tech, two straight wins is fulfilling on so many levels.
The Canes didn’t enter the ACC circling their calender for that annual showdown with the Yellow Jackets, but after a few losses in a row and seeing the Ramblin’ Wreck in a BCS game last season, this one officially became a rivalry and it’s great to see UM on the right side of the ledger, taking the last two.
Even more exciting, the fact that Miami is finally hitting its stride in November instead of sputtering to the finish line; an unwelcomed recent trend.
After Virginia Tech took North Carolina out behind the woodshed last Saturday, Cane fans let out a collective groan as the ACC Coastal slipped a little further out of reach.
Frustrating as that is, that’s not where the focus should be. Where this program sits today, something more important than winning the conference occurred these past few weeks – Miami has finally found an identity.
No one is mentioning Stephen Morris in the same breath as “Heisman Trophy” right now (nor should they), but the Canes’ season has taken a turn since the freshman quarterback serendipitously found himself under center.
There Miami sat at halftime, down 14-0 to Virginia and in a real bind. Jacory Harris had just been knocked out in what was later diagnosed as a concussion and back up Spencer Whipple had thrown two interceptions in six attempts.
Third-stringer A.J. Highsmith was out with a wrist injury and the fourth-string Morris hadn’t seen a lick of action all season as the goal was to redshirt him for next year and beyond.
The Canes fell six-points short of a miraculous comeback, putting up almost 200 yards and 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, but in the process found a quarterback, a leader and reason to get excited.
For so long Miami fans had been led to believe that if Harris went down, there was no back up plan. Season over. Wait ’til next year.
In fact, the opposite happened.
For whatever reason, things hadn’t been clicking under Harris. Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and his junior quarterback never seemed to be on the same page on or off the field. Cameras have oft caught the two disagreeing with the play call or execution (depending who you ask) as the interceptions piled up.
Almost two years into assuming the starting role, Harris remains an enigma. Solid against North Carolina and pretty good at Clemson – a seven touchdown to three interception ratio over those eight quarters of play – but when he’s been off, his play at times inexplicable.
Four interceptions at Ohio State, each more frustrating than the last. Two picks in what was eventually a 31-3 rout at Pitt, though only a 10-0 lead at the half.
The four-touchdown loss to Florida State was definitely a result of piss-poor run defense (298 yards given up), but it lacked head up, difference-making play under center as third down conversions were missed and so many times momentum was killed.
Coach Whipple has definitely given in these past few games, relying more on a potent ground attack, utilizing all of his main backs – Lamar Miller, Damien Berry, Mike James and Graig Cooper. The Canes ran 46 times in Atlanta, while Morris was only called on for 18 attempts, of which he completed 10 and didn’t turn the ball over.
Critics will say Harris hasn’t see this kind of play calling out of Whipple, but anyone building that case is ignoring the ‘it’ factor and special something that Morris seems to have. Case in point:
– Down two with three to play against Maryland, Morris came out firing. Seven-yard pass to Aldarius Johnson. Nine-yard strike to LaRon Byrd on 3rd and 2. Sacked on first down, Morris again found Byrd for nine on 2nd and 15 and after a false start on Leonard Hankerson, made the play of the game on 3rd and 11.
Morris dropped back, scanned the receivers, found no one open, started to run, pump faked to stop defenders in their tracks, saw the down marker and picked up sixteen yards. A play later, a thirty-five yard strike to Hankerson for the game-winner, with Morris clobbered a second after releasing the ball.
In one season-saving drive, Morris displayed confidence, solid decision-making, a strong arm, good wheels and toughness.
– A week later at Georgia Tech, Morris picked up where he left off – overcoming any confusion the 3-4 defense was expected to throw his way.
To Whip’s credit, Miami’s opening drive was extremely run-heavy, with Berry and Miller carrying the load on eight of ten plays, for 88 yards and a touchdown, though the highlight might’ve been an incomplete pass by Morris.
1st and 10 from the Tech 28, Morris is flushed out of the pocket, sees nothing developing, uses his wheels to get outside the tackle box and wisely gunned the ball out of bounds.
A less heady quarterback takes the sack and faced with a 2nd and long, the play calling for the possession is limited. With a 2nd and 10, Whipple called another run, with Miller going left and picking up 16 yards and a play later, finding the end zone on a 12-yard scamper.
– After forcing a Georgia Tech punt and leading 7-0, Morris was given a chance to make some plays on the Canes’ second drive.
Miami’s next possession was an 88-yard drive, taking three and a half minutes and featuring five runs to four passing attempts.
Miller carried early, for no gain and four yards. Sandwiched between there, another ‘clutch incomplete’ by Morris, getting rid of the ball and avoiding a sack that would’ve given Miami and 3rd and 19 from the three-yard line, which inevitably would’ve meant a draw play and punting situation.
Instead, on 3rd and 10 Morris looked left for Byrd, earned a pass interference call and Miami’s O still had life.
Miller ran for four on first down and on 2nd and 6, Morris fired a quick screen pass to Hankerson which went for 45 yards and broke the drive open. Another penalty eventually gave the Canes second life (4th and 4, it was field goal time before a 5-yard offsides call) and Morris found Chase Ford for 14 yards, setting up a 1st and goal from the five, which Berry took in a play later.
After a loss, it’s easy to get marred down in a mistake here or there – harping on an interception or a missed tackle – but it’s the little heads up plays which keep drives alive that we sometimes miss.
A quarterback eluding a sack or throwing out of bounds, keeping drives alive and avoiding those “and long” situations – able to pass or run on 3rd and short, instead of playing for field position with a draw on 3rd and 14.
Throwing a ball with authority, allowing the receiver to get some separation, picking up yards after catch. Morris had two short passes to Hankerson which went for 45 and 79 yards, respectively. Had there been less zip on the ball, forcing Hankerson to wait on the pass, it’s a short gain and Miami needs to continue plugging away, digging in the playbook and working on finding the end zone.
Most exiting about the change at quarterback is “The Morris Effect”, as the team as a whole has elevated their game and come together – which happens when you’re picking up first downs, moving the ball, having the occasional big play and finding the end zone.
Getting out to a 14-0 start at Georgia Tech and scoring on back-to-back drives – that invigorates a defense and gives them some much-needed breathing room. Both sides are taking care of business and are working, doing their job to help out their teammates.
Miami is finally reaching its potential, utilizing its talent and is finding its game, which has also come from the rebirth regarding offensive play calling via Whipple, who hand-picked Morris out of Monsignor Pace in Miami and has since devised a run-heavy system that works as his quarterback continues moving the chains and not making mistakes.
The Canes put up 504 offensive yards against Maryland and followed up with 507 at Georgia Tech. The Miami Offense Machine is finally alive and well, waking up when this program needed it most.
Randy Shannon was a target of some much-deserved criticism after a 2-2 stretch in October, but the football gods smiled on him, turning a potential crisis into what might be a career-changing victory.
Where does Miami’s season go with a loss at Virginia and no shot in the arm in the form of Morris rejuvenating this team?
Do the Canes beat a hot Maryland team and win a tough road game at Georgia Tech in back-to-back weeks? Would the bleeding have stopped or would this 7-3 team have stumbled to 6-4 or 5-5?
Thankfully that’s a hypothetical that requires no further thought, but Shannon best acknowledge this silver lining in Harris’ injury and the emergence of Morris.
As the past few weeks rolled on, Shannon has remained adamant that “when healthy” Harris will be back under center, with Morris on the bench. What we’ll never know if these are the words of stubborn head coach, or a crafty tale being woven to sell the ruse that no starter will lose his job to an injury.
A week ago I wrote that a savvy head coach would play the game to his advantage – playing up the injury, sticking with the back up and if necessary, reinserting his starter should the back up fail, allowing him to attempt to play the role of hero.
Based on Randy’s past history and hard headed ways, no one knew where this thing would go, but with Virginia Tech on deck and Harris still being evaluated and being limited in practice, it’s getting easier to read between the lines.
Anyone who’s paying attention can see that Miami has gone next level as a whole since Morris became ‘the guy’ and anyone who gambles knows you always stay with the hot hand. With three to four games remaining and with rumblings from a frustrated fan base who wanted more in 2010, Shannon knows he’s gambling to save his job and must continue winning down the stretch.
If I were a betting man, I’d say Harris returns at some point next week against South Florida, with the ACC season in the books and before bowl season, so Miami knows how to prepare for the post-season.
A convincing 25-point win on the heels of a last minute comeback – both were a necessary shot on the arm and are something the Canes must build on. Virginia Tech is undefeated in ACC play, but have proven fallible, losing twice early in the season. The Hokies are praised for Beamer Ball, but even more so for being a disciplined football team, solid in their fundamentals.
Miami has had the athletes all season, but seemed to zig so many times it should’ve zagged. Since “The Morris Experiment” kicked off, the Canes are finally getting the breaks, as well as making their own. Pick up where the last four quarters left off and there’s no reason the Hokies don’t go down at Sun Life on Saturday.
The personnel and play calling are finally there and with two games remaining it again looks like the only team that can beat Miami is ‘Miami’.
What about All us CANES up in Ga today!! I was right next to the IBIS and we had as many fans as GT. After the Game, Fortson and T Benjamin came over and signed for kids etc. Thats what the CANES are all about
Big win against a solid team. If you look at it, this is arguably the most complete win all season. Aside from the fumbles, the Canes played lights out. The D was disciplined and the ground game was rollin'. Little pissed that we had two defensive TDs taken away in consecutive weeks, however, but the score could've been a lot worse than it turned out to be if not for those developments.
Seems like Miami is starting to find its groove at the right time. You wonder how good this team could've been without bad losses to FSU and UVA and the turnover fest at OSU… Even with all that said, they'll have to play even better if they want to win next week against the Hokies. Hopefully now everyone will show up…
AllCanes, you are going a little wild the last two weeks. You “support” Shannon but print unsubstantiated rumors that the Dolphins will help UM buy him out. Absurd.
Now Morris has a “mistake-free” game? Slow down. I was in Atlanta to see it and watched it again on the DVR. Turnover-free for him? Yes. Mistake-free? Hardly. What about 3 or 4 tipped balls which could have been picked, some behind the line. One an easy pass on a screen play. What about under throwing Benjamin 3 times, once there was the great leaping catch but had his DB beat and should have been led, once would have been a first down, once would have been a touchdown, his DB left him and was fooled. What about the under throw to Streeter on the last drive? We got the PI, but please.
I love the kid, but he is playing in a much simpler offense (a better one I think) than J12 does. Max protection, sometimes only 2 or 3 receivers sent out. He looks his receivers in. One of the slants to Hankerson the LB/safety for GT almost got a hand on it. The VT defense will be watching the films and salivating. Calm down, take some beta blockers and watch what is going on.
One last thing. Your diatribe about Shannon and the media. He doesn’t owe you a living. Rodger Maris wasn’t great with the press either. I don’t care, it doesn’t diminish either of them in my eyes. This team was a disaster when Shannon took it over. Remember? Players dying. As in dead. The Willie Williams fiasco. Shannon never would have allowed it. Listen to Brandon Harris. It takes time.
The players were playing yesterday. Interacting with the Miami fans. Now let’s fill the stadium and do our part as fans.
BEAT VT!
It HAS to be MORRIS ! The kid has played 10 quarters and has not made 1/2 of the mistakes J12 usually makes ! Hopfully Whipple has woken up and realized that this offense is much better simplified , going with the run first not forcing passes all the time . Let J12 sit the rest of the year and lets have a real QB battle in the spring . I believe in the long run this is what is best for all involved , Morris , J12 , and especially the TEAM !
As a Miami native, I would have to call this a really good weekend.
The Dolphins beat the Titans.
The Heat beat the Raptors.
The U beat Georgia Tech.
As far as the Canes go, you do have to wonder about the QB situation. I don't have a whole lot of confidence in JH, anymore.
Whatever happens, we'll just have to wait and see.
One thing I do know is this, there are two teams that I like in college football.
The first one of course is the University of Miami Hurricanes.
The second one is whoever beats the mighty, fightin' Gators of Tebow College.
Especially when it is a total beat down.
Ron Zook is probably a lot more responsible for UF's recent success, than he is given credit for.
Suburban Meyer does not appear to be all that he's been cracked up to be.
In my mind, he's average at best.
Old Fogey Cane, you are an absolutely idiot.
I wish I could post that pic from The Simpsons of the newspaper that reads, "Old Man Yells At Cloud".
Turn up your hearing aid and get the message loud and clear. Randy is a joke, Morris is the man and Harris should never start again.
As for the media, AllCanes said it all so I won't even waste anyones time repeating what's already been driven home.
Get a clue, gramps. It ain't the leather helmet era anymore.
Oh yeah and Maris was a drunk, like you.
OLD MAN CANE, YOU SIR ARE A HACK. YOUR RANTS HERE ARE BORDERLINE RETARDED.
GET OVER THE WHOLE DOLPHINS COMMENT. BEAST THREW IT OUT THERE BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING HE HEARD. I KNOW BRIAN AND HE'S A GOOD GUY, NOT A FIRESTARTER. IF HE SAID HE HEARD THAT FROM SOMEONE HE KNOWS, I TEND TO BELIEVE HIM.
BEAST COVERED UM CLOSELY FOR OVER A DECADE AND HAS MORE SOURCES AND CONTACTS THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY ILLOGICAL AND HONESTLY COME OFF LIKE RANDY SHANNON'S AGENT OR MOTHER. HE'S HAD ALMOST FOUR YEARS TO TURN SHIT AROUND AND IS STILL MAKING THE SAME BONEHEADED MISTAKES THIS YEAR THAT HE MADE IN OH-SEVEN.
HARRIS HAD HIS SHOT AND CHOKED WHILE MORRIS IS SHOWING POISE NO UM QB HAS SHOWN SINCE THE DORSEY DAYS. (AND NO I'M NOT SAYING HE'S AS GOOD AS THE LEGENDARY KD. I'M SAYING HE'S POISED. DON'T GO RUNNING WITH THAT COMMENT AND STARTING MORE SHIT, OLD DUDE.)
SEE THE BLESSING IN DISGUISE HERE, BRO!! WHIPPLE HAD ALMOST 20 GAMES TO DUMB DOWN THE OFFENSE FOR J12 AND TO RELY ON THE RUN. HE DIDN'T. WITH MORRIS IN THERE, THIS THING RUNS SMOOTHLY, SO WHY CHANGE A GOOD THING, GOING BACK TO WHAT WASN'T WORKING? THAT'S IDIOTIC.
ALSO, WHAT'S WITH THE HARD-ON FOR ROGER MARIS?? YOU GIVE ONE DUMB ANALOGY ABOUT SOME OLD TIMER WHO DIDN'T PLAY NICE WITH THE MEDIA. SO WHAT??
HE'S ANOTHER OLD TIMER FOR YOU – HOWARD SCHNELLENBERGER. HE WAS GREAT WITH THE MEDIA AND WAS A REGULAR BARNUM & BAILEY, OUT THERE SELLING THIS PROGRAM TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO'D LISTEN.
HOW DO YOU THINK UM GOT IN THE PEACH BOWL BACK IN 80?? BECAUSE SCHNELLY WAS OUT THERE MAKING PROMISES, SHAKING HANDS AND CONVINCING PEOPLE THE CANES WERE FOR REAL.
SHANNON NEEDS TO TAKE A PAGE FOR HOWARD AND SELL THIS PROGRAM IN AN ERA WHERE A STUBBORN FIRST TIME HEAD COACH WITH ALMOST TWO DOZEN LOSSES IS GOING TO FIND HIMSELF AT SOME BROKEDICK TEXAS SCHOOL LIKE HIS BUDDY LARRY C IF HE'S NOT CAREFUL.
Scram Old Man River.
You owe me 2 minutes of my life back for that pointless drivel you scribbled above. My head hurts.
You're starting shit here, guy. Way to try and pick a fight over the phrase "mistake free". You knew what AllCanes meant.
By your rationale, Morris could've gone 24 for 25 for 450 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions, but that one incompletion is a "mistake".
"When I tune into a pre-game show, I have no interest in listening to arguing and name calling. I'm there because I want some unbiased analysis on the game. I want to hear fun, not hostility. I want choice nuggets and quality insight, not venom."
Your words.
When I make comments on a blog, usually agreeing with you, I don't expect venom and name calling either. You work for AllCanes. I am a customer there. Feeble-minded? Throwing s**t? Attacking me for not reading the entire blog all the time?
I don’t read every blog post. I don’t know how many people write for this blog. I have other things to do. Certainly your venom and hostility won’t get me to do that. Look at your words.
“However one thing that is often forgotten by hosts, analysts and broadcasters is the fact that you are in the customer service industry. It took me getting fired and having to listen to sports talk from the outside to realize that. You have to ask yourself, "what does the listener want to hear?" as that's the most important thing.”
I don’t mind your disagreeing with my point of view. I am a Neanderthal who thinks that graduation rates matter. I know that I am out of step. I love Morris, I just remember the Heisman talk when Jacory started. I just don’t want to see too much put on him.
I don’t mind when other people say whatever. When you throw hostility and venom to season-ticket holders, the kind of fans who fly to Atlanta to watch the Canes, the kind who shop at AllCanes, I will admit that it surprised me. I know that customer service is pretty much dead, especially in Miami and I should have known. But I expected better from you.
My bad, as you young folks say.
RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Man, I was respectful towards you and answered many of your gripes one by one.
If others here are breaking your balls, again, learn to deal with it and get thicker skin as that's the online community. Message board folks and those who chime in on blogs are ruthless.
You need to go back and check your tone and how you've come at us, insulted our writing and have gone off. Take some beta blockers. Saying we're printing unsubstantiated rumors. C'mon now. You get what you give around here on this blog.
Don't mistakes the verbiage in this blog for the shopping experience in store. You ask our customers how they're treated in store and online when dealing with me via email.
When it comes to the blog and debating the state of the program, the gloves come off when attacked.
Old Cane I've read a few of your rants here and you come off angry. AllCanes makes a valid point.
You didn't come here to logically debate anything. You can with a bone to pick and were pointing fingers while acting like an authority because you're some baby boomer and you think the rest of us are whipper snappers.
You reap what you sow and if anything, Canes305 took it easy in you based on the nonsense you were saying.
Ancient Cane, I'm surprised you ever know how to use a computer as yer boy Randy is probably forty years younger and doesn't have a clue what a blog is.
Whipple didn't call the dumbed down offense for j12 because he can't make the throws…period!
good points. However, after a (potential) loss to Tech, all the positives on Morris and Whipple, and Randy especially, will change, once again.
if we lose it will be, "randy failed to capitalize on the momentum…"
anyway, I hope we end up in a bowl vs. Florida.
good points. However, after a (potential) loss to Tech, all the positives on Morris and Whipple, and Randy especially, will change, once again.
if we lose it will be, "randy failed to capitalize on the momentum…"
anyway, I hope we end up in a bowl vs. Florida.
YoungCane – Giving credit where it's due here.
Shannon and Whipple have their flaws, like all coaches, but the fact that Miami came together these past few weeks is huge — especially when the mindset was that IF Harris went down, the season was over. No one expected Morris to come in and ball like he has the past two games.
Regarding the sentiments on a potential loss, disagree. I said before the season started that the entire body of work needed to be judged when it was all in the books and it wasn't about wins versus losses as much as it was about the team showing up.
The Florida State loss was embarrassing and unacceptable. Losing by four touchdowns to a team that is your mirror image in many ways (athleticism-wise) – can't happen.
Same with Virginia. Nice attempt at a comeback, but Harris injury aside, you cannot lose like that to a conference bottom dweller. Miami came out flat in both losses.
Conversely, the Ohio State loss didn't hurt THAT bad because Miami (at the time) looked good, was showing promise and the difference-maker was the four interceptions. The D held tough in the red zone and the lines held their own — so IF there's such a thing as a 'moral victory', it was tolerable as an out of conference game and UM played hard in a tough road game.
Take the Duke game – it was a win, but felt like a loss because of the close score, flat play and inability to capitalize on turnovers.
As long as Miami shows up against Virginia Tech, fights hard and has a good game plan, you have to be accepting of what happens.
Lose a hard-fought game 27-24 to the ACC Champs and you can build on that.
Shit the bed, get out of the game plan that we've seen the past few weeks, get pass happy while abandoning the run, have a slew of penalties, turn the ball over, play bad on special teams, arm tackle, et al and that would be unforgivable.
Morris has been stellar the past two weeks, but this will definitely be his toughest challenge and the best overall team Miami faces with him under center.
As long as Whip sticks with the run (something he didn't do at all in Blacksburg last year – even when score was close) and doesn't put Morris in position to lose, Miami has a great shot.
Side note, would love the Gators in a bowl game if the BCS is out of reach.
Old Cane, you sound like a 7 year old instead of a 70 year old.
Relax, guy.
Those who are screaming that Morris is the second coming need to pipe the hell down. Morris isnt doing anything Jacory cant or hasnt done. Jacory did the same damn thing to GT last year.
Oh and lets just stifle this Randy needs to to this, needs to talk to reporters bullspit. Randy is backed up by Kirby Hocutt AND Dana Shalala(for those who dont know, that our effing PRESIDENT) he isnt going ANYWHERE as long as the kids stay out of trouble and Randy posts 8 win seasons. Start whining about something else.
as a math student in college, i love looking/searching for patterns that allow me to predict an event.
of course, I would LOVE to see the U win but here are some very disturbing patterns my fav team has shown this season
1: no wins against (then) ranked teams.
2: no 3 game win streak. while there were no losing streaks, which is good, we have not been able to keep the momentum going. WL,WWL,WWL,WW is our current record and this pattern even stretches to part of last season.
once again, i'm a true cane fan and a miami student and would love to see them win but these patterns do disturb me greatly.
i hope that i be proved wrong
btw the only question that can be dumber than "will randy be fired after this season" will be "do we miss wesley/collier and should we have kept them instead of seantrel"
this season, as disappointing as it may be, saw the emergence of a dominant tackle, RB, and possibly QB.
that's pretty good in my book
I would love to see Randy Shannon act more like Rex Ryan during press conferences. Randy Shannon looks/talks/acts like a former soldier.
a la kellen Winslow II
I would love to see Randy Shannon act more like Rex Ryan during press conferences. Randy Shannon looks/talks/acts like a former soldier.
The problem is Randy has no poker face and sucks at playing the game that goes with being a head coach.
Look how most of these guys have mastered the art of blowing off questions they don't want to answer and don't get overemotional.
Case in point, the Harris concussion / emergence of Morris.
How the hell do you start a presser telling guys that if they even mention 'quarterback controversy' they'll be "met with silence".
That's childish and isn't how a CEO and face of a program should act.
Being a head coach means being a politician. You have canned answers for things you don't want to address and you remain politically correct.
Randy let's the media know they're under his skin before he even answers the first question. He also reacts emotionally and never comes up with the right answer at the right time.
There's more to being a head coach than Xs and Os, recruiting and breaking down film. That's what coordinators do and you can't have a coordinator's mindset if you're the head coach of a major program.
Gladhand. Sell the program. Shake hands, kiss babies. Play the freakin' game.
If you DON'T want to do that, then win double digits every year, get to the BCS every other year and compete for conference titles because that's the only way you're not going to catch heat.
Nick Saban and Bill Belichick can blow off the media because they've won MULTIPLE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
You don't get cut slack when you can't sniff an ACC title game and lose 20 games over 3.5 years.
what do you mean by "randy gets overly emotional"
I haven't seen him at a press conference. Do you mean that he gets upset for no reason? Does he take personal offense to media's Q's? It sounds like he wants nothing to do with the media. Now what happens if you were to pursue topics that he doesn't want to discuss. Would he really give you the silent treatment?
I thought you went to UM, allcanesblg.com. Don't you know that Shalala raised like 1.4 BILLION for the new medical buildings downtown? The football revenue probably contributed a minor part in that. UM's rising reputation brings more foreign/outer state applicants who pay a higher percentage of the total tuition. While football is big, I don't think it is the #1 money getter.
I may be wrong. Please inform me if so.
YoungCane, that's exactly what I mean.
Go back and listen to some of his pressers.
A few weeks back Beast played the post-Virginia / Tuesday media day and Randy was answering questions about Jacory's concussion.
Susan Miller Degnan of the Herald was asking him some logical questions and he was starting to answer before she was even done, responding flippantly.
I realize that coaches aren't fans of the media and that a lot of dumb stuff is asked, but an unspoken part of the job description is dealing with the media and playing the game.
Shannon's body language and curt answers make it very clear he doesn't want to be there and doesn't think highly of those who are asking him questions.
Like it or not, a "quarterback controversy" is part of the game when your full-time start goes down with injury and the back up comes in and takes care of business.
That would happen at the high school, college and pro level and it's a question coaches have to face.
Face it and move forward … but don't come off angry or frustrated that the media is choosing to "go there". OF COURSE they are in a situation like that.
I thought you went to UM, allcanesblg.com. Don't you know that Shalala raised like 1.4 BILLION for the new medical buildings downtown? The football revenue probably contributed a minor part in that. UM's rising reputation brings more foreign/outer state applicants who pay a higher percentage of the total tuition. While football is big, I don't think it is the #1 money getter.
Never said or implied that football was the #1 revenue stream but it's time our fans give this president more credit in her business sense.
College football isn't just big business anymore — it's gargantuan.
TV revenue. Season ticket sales. Luxury boxes. Merchandise sales. Donations.
Donna knows that football keeps A LOT of big money boosters happy and if the team is losing, they're going to be pissed and the money is going to go away.
Just because $1.4B was raised for the medical building doesn't mean UM's admin isn't looking for other revenue streams.
Keeping kids out of trouble is important, but four-loss seasons and no ACC title games or BCS games ain't gonna fly with this fan base. Both Donna and Kirby know that.
C'Mon Allcanes a BCS bid went out of reach when we lost to Virginia!
If were lucky we could play an SEC team in the chick-fil-a bowl.
I am not confident in this team! That said I will make the 3 hour trip to the game this weekend!
Season ticket holder since 2005!
C'Mon Allcanes a BCS bid went out of reach when we lost to Virginia!
If I were laying money on it, sure.
But until it's mathematically impossible, you can't say that.
You're not talking about ten pie in the sky scenarios that need to happen and some crazy domino effect.
Miami has to beat Virginia Tech. (Possible.)
Virginia has to beat Virginia Tech. (VERY slim odds.)
Virginia Tech lost to James Madison – at home – so again, you can't count the Cavs out. Again, wouldn't bet on it … but worth keeping hope alive.
Especially if they do Tyrod like they did Jacory.
man i got a lot to say and i'm glad i got it out. here's more
1: randy getting emotional during press conferences: i don't really care cuz i'm not in the media biz. However, him being so ambiguous regarding injuries is very, very frustrating. Tell us what is wrong with who, please.
2: i'm an immigrant and pretty new to how college football works. I support the canes like foreigners support their soccer teams. anyways, these bowl games give money too, right? i'm guessing the BCS games pay the most. how much money is at stake in these bowls?
btw the new nike player U hat is awesome. i bought one
given how f'd up the season went, the U might lose to tech only to see UVA destroy tech.
Allcanes…. Sorry buddy, but I think you're wrong in your assessment of the importance of the football program in the eyes of the president. The football program's revenue funds the athletic department and that's it. They don't contribute much, if anything to the academics of the university. Donna knows how to raise money and this is why she couldn't care less about how much money the football program brings. That's just the way it is down here in CG. Get off your high horse with this ideology of what brings in the money to the school.
((On a side note… since Miami is in a BCS conference, the revenue is shared whether they go to a BCS bowl game or not.))
As of this moment, we are in position to put a beat down on Va. Tech. and send notice to the rest of the nation what they can look forward to in the future..This team is without doubt LOADED in all the right spots, not the least of which being running back and O-line,where we are chock full of underclassmen who have earned themselves starting jobs..I feel like a victory this Saturday is forthcoming based on the fact that we now have the right Q.B. to fit coach Whipples system, and a incredible stable of running backs to take the heat off of him and thus make the play action pass that much more effective..Defensively, If C-Mac and "The Cobra" show up this Sat. like they did last Sat. Its gonna be a long one for the Gobblers..You can count me in on the side of Randys supporters, simply because he is still in position to improve upon his win total from last season..He said from the beginning that this was a 5 year rebuild. There is no doubt in my mind that we run amok through the ACC in 2011..With the emphasis on the word "RUN"..As for Coach Shannons seemingly pathological hatred for all things media, I guess thats the way he is..I hope he will eventually come around and open up a bit, but in the end it is his team and he has to do things his way I guess….And one more thing…(pause for breath here)..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW THE HELL LEONARD HANKERSON WAS LEFT OFF THE BELITTNIKOFF FINALIST LIST WHILE AN OVERHYPED STIFF LIKE JULIO JONES MAKES IT WITHOUT NEAR THE #S HANK HAS?…This has me beyond pissed…Canes for life!
I have a feeling that next year Shannon is going to be different towards the media. While winning is the ultimate marketing tool, in today's college football you can not win all the time. Shannon's media attitude is poor marketing. Poor marketing equals poor business and poor business equals poor profits. We have too good of a brand to not have it plastered nationwide. I'm a supporter of Shannon; I want him to win, I want him to be carried off the field after a NC game but this part of him has to change. I use to think this was the correct attitude to take, but I now see how wrong I was. I'm not saying you have to be completely transparent but at least meet them half way.
With that said, this is not something you change half or 3/4th into a season. The reason: this is the attitude Shannon wants to have or has always had. Shalala and Hocutt can't go to him now and say, "you need to change your attitude." That's not fair to him.
I have a feeling that next year it'll be different.
Thoughts?
Sorry buddy, but I think you're wrong in your assessment of the importance of the football program in the eyes of the president. The football program's revenue funds the athletic department and that's it. They don't contribute much, if anything to the academics of the university. Donna knows how to raise money and this is why she couldn't care less about how much money the football program brings. That's just the way it is down here in CG. Get off your high horse with this ideology of what brings in the money to the school.
Flalwdawg!, you're entitled to your opinion. Everyone is.
Having a winning program, is good for morale, generates revenue and completes the package regarding the type of university Shalala wants.
I find it funny that a percentage of this fan base has picked "eight wins" as the acceptable number – which coincides with Barry Jackson's article that said the same thing.
At day's end, everyone with this belief leaves out that she fired Larry Coker. Think about that for a second.
When Larry was winning, no one said a peep. When he started losing, the walls started closing in and he was quickly on the hot seat – with past accomplishments forgotten.
I'm not going to 'go there' and say I have 'sources'. I don't. That said, having covered the Canes here and on CanesTime since the mid-90s, I've made some friends along the way – be it media folk, diehard fans, people close with Board of Trustees members and what I will tell you is this — it's a gross misconception that Donna Shalala doesn't care about winning and there's no truth to the "eight wins / clean program" bullshit people are spewing.
If Randy doesn't get this thing turned around, he isn't going to be at the helm just because he graduates players. That much is fact.
On a side note… since Miami is in a BCS conference, the revenue is shared whether they go to a BCS bowl game or not.
Agreed, but that doesn't impact season ticket sales, booster donations or merchandise revenue – all of which are big money and are being left on the table if Miami isn't winning.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW THE HELL LEONARD HANKERSON WAS LEFT OFF THE BELITTNIKOFF FINALIST LIST WHILE AN OVERHYPED STIFF LIKE JULIO JONES MAKES IT WITHOUT NEAR THE #S HANK HAS?…This has me beyond pissed.
Definitely a travesty.
You'd think the fact that Hank tied Michael Irvin's touchdown record for a season that it'd lend some credibility to what the kid has done this year.
Pretty shocking that he was left off that list. Hopefully it fuels his fire down the stretch.
Dannyboy, got your message.
Well put and will heed the advice.
would it be possible, due to the U's recent lack of success and Randy's crappy media attitude, that there are some recruits who never heard of the U?
Allcanes, I'm new to the blog but have to say you do a great job of being objective. No matter what some of the folks say when you write something they feel is negative most of us would rather get the truth, no matter how harsh it is. I used to have a lot of respect for DBJ and though I still like him, I can't stomach listen to him defend Randy Shannon at all cost. I tune him out. Most of us here love the Canes more than anything, but if we keep making excuses instead of talking about the real issues we won't ever get out of mediocreville. Keep up the great work and Go Canes.
OnTheRecord, appreciate the comments.
Funny how I was called a Randy bleeding heart for so long, but now that I'm critical the other side feels I'm being too hard on him, regarding the media, Morris, et al.
This was a five-year rebuild, with much expected year four due to the class of 2008 finally entering their junior year and expected to perform.
When you see J12 regressing, Whipple stubborn with the playcalling the first 2/3 of the season, Randy stubborn with the media and the hot/cold nature of this team (working over Clemson and North Carolina – last year's nemesises – but getting their asses kicked by Florida State and losing to a not-very-good Virginia squad … this program is failing to meet the bar set at the beginning of the season.
If Randy wins out and this team jells and looks good doing so, he absolutely deserves to be here in 2011.
He also needs to play this Morris thing right and there is only one answer; let him finish the year, as long as he's playing well.
If he falters, put Jacory back in. If he rolls, then Jacory's concussion 'worsened' and he's out until the end of the year.
Open up the quarterback competition in spring and give Morris a legit shot to win it.
Misplay the quarterback situation, play favorites and Randy is going to play himself right out of his dream job.
Allcanes… You make fair points, but you also seem to forget the minor detail of why Larry got fired (letting a dynasty go to crap, no discipline on or off the field, Pata r.i.p., the joke of recruiting, etc.) Larry was winning because he had the horses who showed the discipline from the previous regime, and the results showed on the field. When the losing started(9-3), there was no vitriol of anger to the extent of today's fans. After the second 9-3 seasons, coaches were fired en mass and then came the heat from the kitchen. I'm not telling you anything new, just making sure we understand why he was winning and how it relates to our current issues. Plus, if the President goes on record saying that she supports the coach…..
You have your opinion, just like everyone else, but it doesn't mean that yours is the right one. In the end, its your blog, so whatever!