Spring football is underway and new head coach Al Golden continues putting his fingerprints on a program seeking both a new-yet-old identity and some lost toughness.
Last week Coach Golden stated the message loud and clear; “There’s going to be a wake-up call when the depth chart comes out”. Friday morning, he delivered.
The biggest standout; Spencer Whipple earning top-dog honors at quarterback, with Jacory Harris listed as the number two guy and highly-touted true sophomore Stephen Morris trailing both.
Aldarius Johnson got the nod over LaRon Byrd at receiver – as did Kendal Thompkins, who beat out long-time starter Travis Benjamin.
Malcolm Bunche overtook five-star behemoth Seantrel Henderson at left tackle.
John Calhoun is your number one tight end, ahead of Chase Ford, Blake Ayles, Clive Walford and Cory White – and for those keeping score, Calhoun is a converted fullback yet to suit up at his new position for ‘The U’.
James Gaines edged out Jordan Futch at middle linebacker, true freshman Thomas Finnie is listed ahead of Brandon McGee at corner – as did JoJo Nicolas, beating out Keion Payne, despite just making the switch over from safety weeks back.
At running back, Mike James proved to be ‘the man’, with Storm Johnson at two and the Canes’ leading returning rusher, Lamar Miller at the back of the pack.
It’s March and a safe bet you won’t hear too many ‘Whipple to Calhoun’ completions come fall. Same with any chatter regarding ‘Gaines plugging up the middle’ as the quarterback of the defense. Coach Golden simply took this opportunity to implement a little ‘Psychology : 101’ – looking to kick a recently-stagnant program and in its collective ass.
No one’s job is safe. The sense of entitlement era is over. Everything will be earned from this day forward.
In other words, welcome to ‘The New U’, gentlemen. Get on board or get out of the way.
After more than half a decade of mediocrity, the new Golden phrase is ‘meritocracy’; defined as, “an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than privilege”. While that mindset should’ve always been obvious, like a cancer, that sense of entitlement set in and the Miami attitude, dominance and passion of a decade ago slowly eroded from within.
The only good thing to come from complacency and bottoming out; the fact that a rebuilding process done the right way will yield positive results. The hunger doesn’t need to be fabricated and cutesy tactics won’t be required to get guys buying into to Golden and staff’s blueprint for success.
Still, motivation is needed as old ways are being flushed out, clearing a path for a more disciplined, logical approach. The point of this recent depth chart was three-fold; to reward those who worked hard, to send a message to any lackadaisical former starters and to simply let guys know that it’s the Golden way or the highway.
There’s no doubt that Harris or Morris will be under center come fall, but there was no reason to reward either or to create controversy week one of spring football. Whipple put in the work and earned the nod, on paper – which made headlines and took the focus off any quarterback controversy in March.
Had Harris or Morris taken the top spot, media folk and conspiracy theorist-types would’ve created a storyline. Golden’s favoring one over the other. Morris got complacent feeling he earned the job when Harris stumbled late. Harris looks good in spring, but will fall apart by fall.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Eliminate the idle chatter while sending a message to both potential starting quarterbacks, that more is expected from both. Turn up the competition on the practice field; not through newspaper headlines and message board posts. No. 12 and No. 17 have exactly half a year to go balls-out, working tireless to earn the starting job and a safe bet that whoever is eventually named ‘the guy’ will have more than earned the nod.
Jimmy Johnson and his methodology was questioned early on as the once-green UM head coach didn’t win out the gate. Despite taking over the defending national champions after the 1983 season, JJ went 8-5 year one but in time, proved he had the mettle to build title-worthy squads – both in Coral Gables and with Dallas years later.
Battles were won through intense competition on the practice field and Johnson made a name with the psychological approach he took to the game of football. He treated players accordingly, knew how to push their buttons and his efforts yielded positive results.
No one is saying that Golden is the next Johnson – but the approach to the game, the air of confidence, the no-nonsense attitude and promotion of competition are all Jimmy-esque.
Spring football is underway with the first depth chart and practice in the books, but the story has only begun regarding the Golden Era and the psychological warfare AG will bring at his players between now and September.
This makes me nervous, I've loved everything Golden has done up to this point. The last time a new 'Canes coach wanted to send a message to his quarterbacks, Kirby Freeman started over Kyle Wright on opening day 2007. 'Nuff said.
question: why are all your posts so repetitive? in other words, why do you write about the same thing day after day after day?
This website is like your personal diary with very little newsworthy information.
question: why are all your posts so repetitive? in other words, why do you write about the same thing day after day after day?
This website is like your personal diary with very little newsworthy information.
… because it's March, because basketball is in the toilet and because baseball is off to a rocky start. Not much to say this time of year, champ.
You don't like the blog, don't read. It's pretty simple.
So far, there has been numerous videos, interviews, and more public appearances by the coaches/players. Do you think that the above is part of a propaganda or a sign of change?
Also, you want more open practices to answer my question above, is that correct?
This isn't to bash your rants on media or anything. I want a third party to investigate what is going on at the U right now.
There isn't going to be news year round. This piece is what is called an analysis of what is going on so far and is greatly appreciated. It's nice to have analysis on what is going on with the football program. It gives real insight. Unlike BT I wanted to say thank you for all your efforts on this blog I recognize it takes a lot of hard work and dedication and for that there is much appreciation. Keep up the great work.
bt – How can the writer say the "same thing day after day after day" when he chose to write on Monday about the new depth chart that was released last Friday and a practice that took place Saturday?
I assume you're talking about the Golden and Johnson comparison and the reinstallation of discipline and accountability, which personally I feel should be driven home on a daily basis, based on how the old staff chose to ignore both.
The blog's writer said it best; if you don't like the content here, follow another blog. I'll never understand sports fans such as yourself. You have the control to visit this site or not, so you come here, don't appreciate what's said and instead of walking away, have to get in some pointless dig.
If you have so many brilliant ideas or a better approach, why not start your own site instead of complaining how someone else runs theirs?
Seems rather juvenile to me. Just saying.
Love how the writers on this blog get so defensive and butthurt when they receive criticism. If you don't like criticism, turn off the comments, "champ." Of course, that may be impossible if the only reason you have an option to comment is so readers can pat you on the virtual back.
People wonder why Miami fans get such a bad rap.
More typical idiots trying to start shit with fellow fans and guys who run a Canes blog. Typical.
Only one butthurt here appears to be big mouth Brandon. AllCanes made their message loud and clear. You don't like the articles, scram.
R.D.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Thanks for the support Brandon. Go Canes. – C
HEY BRAN-DONE!!! STFU AND GTFOH!!!!
HOO-AHHH!!!
AMATEUR HOUR, I TELL YA!!!
A pretty safe bet that "bt" and "brandon" are the same dummy, no?
Well done Allcanes…With A.G. laying down the law and putting the "shot across the bow" of several big name players, the sense of entitlement seems to be a thing of the past..Anyone who knows a thing about Miami Football knows that titles were won because of the heated competition endured at Green tree..Any player who thinks that they deserve to be listed with the 1s pre-spring, needs only to look at the 2001 perfect storm..Mr. Frank gore had to work his ass off just to get table scraps left for him by C.Portis, and W. MCgahee..K. Winlow 2 had to make his mark primarily on special teams because the starting T.E. job was earned on the field by J. Shockey..And so on, and so on..Sean Taylor waiting in the wings for E.Reed to depart still another example…Keep up the great work Coach..Drive it home baby….GO CANES!
I don't see how expressing my opinion makes me a poster boy for Miami Hurricanes fans. I obviously read the blog and prefer it to any Canes-related blog. I agree with 95% of the things written on this site. But when someone criticizes something written here, the response is generally""get lost loser, don't read the blog if you don't like it" which is silly if you're writing a blog. While a bunch of it isn't very constructive criticism, I don't believe it's very professional to acknowledge criticism in that manner. Just ignore it, no reason for snide, standoffish responses. It's unbecoming.
But a lot of the responses from readers on this particular post have been pretty immature. But these are the responses I'd expect from the 40% of Canes fans that wear the t-shirts and talk the talk but don't go to games because Miami doesn't have a single digit number in front of its name on ESPNs ticker.
Ok first of all enough bitchin about practices being open. Use common sense new coach new systems it needs to be closed end of story next year fans and the good ole boys at allcanes and the rest of the florida media can have access but this year should be closed.
As far as the depth chart goes competition is only gonna bring out the best in the boys and for those who can't handle it ther is d-1aa for them to go be stars at.
The boys at allcanes do a pretty good job of reporting what's out there but with that said this fan and avid reader would like to know more about the baseball team.
This may be the stupidest analogy I've ever heard:
"…but there's also a reason that a pool reporter is allowed to travel with the President when he's headed on a secret trip to the Middle East. The public deserves an independent account of the trip, just like UM fans deserve an independent and professional account of practice."
Actually, the Prez is an elected public official in a democratic system. As a football fan you do not "deserve" anything. The coaching staff can do whatever they want, and they feel it's in the school's best interest to keep a closed practice. As you should be aware, media presence completely changes the dynamic and the team needs some things to be privatized rather than publicly broadcast by a bunch of amateur so-called journalists. Al Golden would be a fool if he let all you chumps run wild at UM during practices.