Some good ink from the Sun-Sentinel today regarding the Miami Hurricanes and needing more production out of the tight end position – especially junior Asante Cleveland, who never found a groove last season.
Cleveland missed spring ball in 2010, underwent shoulder surgery and never found his groove in 2011.
“My shoulder was definitely a factor,” Cleveland said. “Not so much physically, but definitely psychologically because I would think about it every time. You can tell on film that I was still a little hesitant and timid about it.”
Proof was in the production, or lack thereof as Cleveland caught just one pass for six yards as a sophomore. As a freshman, he had eight receptions for 110 yards.
Cleveland has added fifteen pounds of muscle this off-season, making the jump from 255 to 270 and was named starting tight end in spring 2012.
Cleveland aside, Miami had little overall production from tight ends year one under offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. The entire group amassed 266 yards and two touchdowns on 28 passes.
When the Canes were in the middle of their Tight End U days, Jeremy Shockey hauled in 40 receptions for 519 yards and seven touchdowns, helping UM with the 2001 National Championship.
Utilizing the TEs was what used to really separate us from most of the other teams in the country. I think with all of the OC turnover, somehow we got away from that. If anything, teams have been killing US with that position (UVA). We really need to get back to using the TEs as the weapon we need them to be, and not as just another blocker.
Not one word. Not a word is mentioned about the increasing animosity and hatred towards the Canes. While people are constantly kicking us while we are down, I feel our true colors as canes fans have shown. Sure we might not sell out every single game. But as I argue with my Gator peers, I say it’s quality not quantity. Unless you’re counting rings. Seriously though, enough is enough. We will be back, and we will remain classy about too.
As for the TE production, I don’t think it is a schematic issue. Rather just a lack of talent in the position. Is Cleveland the answer? Maybe. But lets not burden him with the pressures of the god-like TE’s we have produced in the past. Lets evolve our game around the talent, around a strong rushing attack and killer defense. Inevitably the TE position will produce up to the standards of a normal pro-style offense. Can I get an Amen?
I don’t think anyone is asking Cleveland to be the next anything. Miami just needs more tight end production. Shockey’s numbers in 2001 were through the roof, but again, different time, different place, different team. The Canes just need a threat at TE again to open up the offense.
As for the hatred of this program … it’s always been there and the biggest reason; Miami doesn’t seem to stay down for long. Everyone thought this program was done after 1997 — with Lee Corso running his mouth on GameDay stating that Daunte Culpepper and Central Florida were taking our spot in the Sunshine State’s “Big Three”. The fact UM was all but left for dead and then went on a 34-game win-streak, four straight BCS games, back-to-back title games and one national championship … that success, coupled with the success of the Decade of Dominance … the rah-rah college football world just doesn’t *get* how The U is “The U”.
Lastly, do yourself a favor and don’t waste a moment arguing with your Gator “peers”. Einstein said that the definition of insanity is, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Trying to reason or be logical with a Florida fan … no bigger waste of time … or oxymoron.
When teams are forced to double our wide receivers and respect the running game, then the Tight Ends are left free to dominate. Too many time the offense was predictable, which forced the Tight ends to block. The tight ends will shine when the receivers step up, not vise versa.