It was only a matter of time before the chatter started. The only question was ‘who’? The true freshman or the kid with the redshirt. Turns out the latter is front and center in ‘rumor central’.
A few days back message boards were on fire with talk of Robert Marve transferring. What, when, where or why this is all surfacing now, who knows? Fact remains the elephant in the room has been identified, so let’s talk frank.
Miami has a quarterback controversy and there’s something obviously going on behind the scenes. Whether that results in a transfer, time will tell – but all isn’t as cozy as previously reported.
Marve has seen the majority of the snaps this season. More reps per game, your official starter and usually the guy who closes out, as well. Jacory Harris played the role of back up and occasionally the role of hero or spoiler, depending who you ask.
Comebacks at Duke and Virginia helped earn the true freshman ‘superhero’ status, but a few sub par outings brought the masses back to reality.
Truth be told, Marve and Harris both seemed to regress a bit this year. Against Florida, Marve had moxie and the issue was a bland offensive game plan from Patrick Nix. At some point, the training wheels would come off and Marve would be unleashed on the college football world.
Not quite.
As the season wound down, Marve looked more Brock Berlin than he did Brett Favre. Clutch plays were followed by untimely interceptions. For a player who’s number one job (as described by Randy Shannon) was protecting the football and playing smart, Marve – and Harris – ended too many drives with turnovers instead of points.
With a bowl game on the brink, another recruiting class about to be inked, a potential shake up within the coaching staff and another rebuilding season on the horizon, you have to wonder how rumors of the starting quarterback departing even came to fruition. Timing-wise it doesn’t add up.
Let’s be honest, only Marve, his family and maybe a few coaches know his future plans. The scoop won’t be cracked on a message board and or by your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate. Anyone telling you different is full of it. They know nothing and are playing the 50/50 odds that Marve stays or goes. It’s a coin flip. Not exactly going out on a limb.
If I’m Marve, I’m at a crossroads and would need time to mull this over. That’s the God’s honest truth. A few months back Canesport’s Jim Martz wrote a rah-rah piece aimed at Harris, who had transfer rumors swirling around him mid-season.
Martz logically argued the Quarterback U angle, as well as the old school talk of ‘paying ones dues’ and waiting on your turn to shine. It made sense, but it wasn’t realistic. Not in this day and age.
Many point to Southern Cal and their arsenal of quarterbacks. Carson Palmer to Matt Leinart to John David Booty to Mark Sanchez. Mitch Mustain waits in the wings, while Matt Cassell rode the pine his whole career, yet is starting for the New England Patriots, every Sunday this fall.
The Trojans are having a hell of a run, but that’s not the norm. There was also some separation between the prospects. Palmer started a few years and won a Heisman. Leinart had three years in the sun, winning a Heisman and 1.5 rings.
Booty played back up for three years and started his final two, before handing the reigns to Sanchez.
Regarding Marve and Harris, there’s no separation. Both freshman, each took their first collegiate snaps in 2008 and barring a redshirt for Harris, both will play their seniors seasons in 2011. Whoever earns that starting role next season, the other guy better prepare for life on the bench or as a permanent back up.
Chalk this one up to bad timing, unfortunately. Many are sick of me playing the Larry Coker card, but Miami never should’ve been in a position to have to start two freshman quarterbacks this year. There needed to be a few more on the roster between the Wright/Freeman era and where the Canes sit today.
Marc Gullion. Daniel Stegall. Pat Deviln. Derek Shaw.
Regardless how the careers of those prospects turned out, fact remains that a few of them should be on Miami’s roster today as sophomores or juniors capable of leading this team, while Marve and Harris were brought along much more slowly and fully developed, instead of being thrown into the deep end and expected to swim day one.
Miami’s recruiting failures are for the program to deal with and recover from. The lack of talent and depth at quarterback shouldn’t hurt the career or legacy of Marve or Harris. One guy will get a shot and should the other one want to go elsewhere to make his name, so be it.
In a perfect world, one gets the starting nod next spring and the other vows to push for playing time and win back the starting gig in fall. Back up your starter, know your role as a back up and be ready when you’re number is called. It’s a fan’s dream, but all things being equal, it ain’t a perfect world.
Today’s college superstars want to shine immediately. If things aren’t working out, take off now, hit the ground running at a small school next year – or sit out a year at a big school and get ready to start by 2010, two years of eligibility remaining.
How this plays out; it’s a mystery us all. All we have are our instincts and my gut tells me there’s a good chance someone transfers after the bowl game. Especially if the other guy has the supposed inside track to the starting job. Cut your losses now, bag next year and make the most of your two final playing years.
Nix also remains and X-factor in all this, as many have hinted that his relationship with Marve and possible departure could play into things. Regarding Nix’s future, again, there is no known news. More rumors, each bigger than the next.
Depending on the day, Miami could be welcoming Tulsa’s Gus Malzahn any day now… or Gary Stevens is coming out of the retirement home to start calling plays again for the first time in a decade.
Nix received a courtesy interview for Auburn’s head coaching vacancy, but that’s no different than an old school Cane getting a chance to throw his name in the hat for an opening. No chance Nix is the Tigers next head coach, but a possibility that he’ll no longer be Miami’s offensive coordinator.
Fact? Hardly. Just a hunch. If Shannon is consulting the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells regarding how to resurrect a program, I can’t see how either would sell the Miami skipper on keeping an OC who still hasn’t found an identity two seasons into his tenure.
Shannon’s future depends on how quickly he can turn things around. He’s playing the chess match of his life, regarding his stint as a head coach. A few more missteps and it’s checkmate.
If a hack blogger can see that, so does Shannon. Randy knows what’s on the line and he knows this offense is stuck in neutral. Something’s got to give and I believe it will… after the first of the year. If you evaluate a 5-7 season and send some heads rolling, 7-5 isn’t going to go unscathed. Not after two years of the same mistakes.
Bury your collective head in the sand, Canes fans. Between now and the bowl game, enjoy your holidays, plug your ears to the rumors and if you want to keep your sanity, stay away the message boards. You won’t remember your name or what you believe after a journey into college football’s online version of the National Enquirer.
Less than three weeks to a showdown with Cal. New Years. Some new news. Another recruiting class and fresh growth come spring.
Keep your heads up.
well said!!!
Here is a blog written by Jorge Milian from the Palm Beach Post:
CORAL GABLES – There seem to be more rumors regarding UM quarterback Robert Marve than you’ll find in an issue of the National Enquirer.
It’s not easy to separate fact from fiction in these cases, but here is what we know:
Rumor No. 1 – Marve has been suspended for the Hurricanes’ Emerald Bowl game against California on Dec. 27.
Response: According to a well-informed mole, Marve will be at practice Saturday when the Hurricanes begin workouts for the bowl game. But that doesn’t mean Marve will play against California. While Marve – who was suspended for UM’s season opener – has not violated any team policy that would get him banned, there is some uncertainty whether the redshirt freshman will be academically eligible for the bowl game. Grades will be issued next week and the availability of Marve and other UM players will become clearer then.
Rumor No. 2 – Marve is set to transfer after the season ends.
Response: Marve has not requested his release from UM, although there is some talk that he’s being “shopped around” to other schools.
Bottom line: Getting suspended or transferring would be a blight on Marve. A suspension would add to what has been a very rocky tenure for the young quarterback and raise questions about his reliability. A transfer would be truly strange. I’ve been around several UM quarterbacks who have gone elsewhere, but never the starting quarterback. Third- and fourth-team quarterbacks are the ones that usually bolt, not a guy who made 11 starts and has, at least, a 50-50 chance of being the starter next season.
‘Keeping my head up’ in mind I say it’s actually a good thing to find out if one of them (Marve/Harris) wants to transfer long before national signing day.
It would have an impact on high school QB recruits seeing opportunity and the coaching staff filling a need.
Which brings me to Eugene Smith of Miramar(FL)high school. Google the name if you don’t know. He’s like Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Jacory Harris rolled into one. Countless times, this kid has amazed with no time to spear on the clock.
He is committed to West Virginia, but you never know. FYI, Miramar plays Miami Northwestern in the semis this weekend.
Anyway, I’m dreaming but the point remains. If we know the intentions of Marve/Harris early enough we can make some moves in recruiting. I know we have one QB prospect already. But a ‘big time’ prospect would be nice.
I like Marve and prefer him to Harris. But I love the U more than either. So go if you must! As I just have this weird belief Taylor Cook might emerge as the next great one some day/season.
But Marve, something to think about. I’m sure you would want to go to a top D1 school. Thus you’d sit a year and have two years remaining. The assumption there is that you’re guaranteed those two years are yours as the starter. WRONG!! You stay here and fight for that title and anything is possible.
I think that if one of them wants to leave, so be it. You obviously don’t want to be part of this turn-around. If Nix stays or goes, I think we need a QB coach for sure. Nix may play that role now, but it’s not translating to the field, perhaps since he’s consumed with play-calling. I understand that players have to look out for themselves in the end, in this meat grinder that is big time football, but do either really think that going to another big school guarantees anything? Go ask Emmanuel Moody at UF if the move from USC to UF has worked like he thought. He gets less playing time now than he ever did in LA. If one the QB’s chooses the small school route, he risks falling off the face of the earth unless he puts up some numbers and neither has shown they can do that. If neither end up transferring, then good, and let’s go forward in trying to fix this broken down car that is the offense. We’ll see what happens with Nix, but more attention needs to be spent in all areas of this team. In the meantime let’s watch the bowls games, get some more recruits in, and wait for the 2009 season which seems so far away.
-Columbus Cane
who didn’t see wild rumors coming this offseason? this is just ridiculous. Just because UM has 2 qbs that had playing time someone has to open up about one transferring and it spreads like wildfire.
both qb’s should transfer, they don’t deserve this crap…”the u” will be in this mess for a looooong time. sorry cane fan’s but the truth hurts 🙁
they should get it together by 2012…perhaps?
I don’t want to believe all of the rumors. But, if these rumors were so outlandish, why hasn’t anybody on the team addressed them?
“Jacory Sherrod Harris is letting everybody know that UM is home!”
that was jacory’s facebook status message last night…read into as you will.
Marve = Kenny Kelly
Physical specimen who has his moments from the Tampa Bay area. But also way too raw and indecisive to ever be a consistent D1 QB in a pro style offense. Now Marve may fit a spread option attack or a run and shoot type offense like SMU now runs. But he’s not consistent enough going through his progressions to be the starter for a good D1 program that runs a typical offense (like Miami, FSU, USC, Ohio St, etc). He could be good in a gimmick offense.
In Jacory Harris we have a QB who potentially could be very good in a pro style offense. He’s not the athlete Marve is, but is smarter and has a better football IQ.
I think Marve transferring while not the best thing may be inevitable. For all the Pat Nix bashing I note that his play calls looked a heck of a lot better when J. Harris and not R. Marve was running the offense. Nix is probably not here next season, but if he is kept or stays, I think Harris runs his offense better and would run any pro style, or I formation offense better than Marve.
Per a pretty credible source of journalism, Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald ->
The Hot Stove: Marve, Bryce and recruiting
There's never a time of year quite like that little gap when the football regular season ends and the bowl game takes place. At The U, that time was usually reserved for rumors of who might decide to leave school early for the NFL or who might be leaving a coaching job here for a better one somewhere else. These days it's a little different.
Among the many rumors heard around The U this week: Robert Marve is disgruntled and leaving the program; highly-touted recruit Bryce Brown isn't coming to UM anymore; Patrick Nix is getting fired; Jack McClinton is going to play the part of Rick James in a movie; and the reason I didn't get into that club last weekend in Louisville was because I can't wear skinny jeans. In search of some truth, I spent the past three nights talking to folks in and around this program to try and provide you with what I believe is behind all of this internet, hearsay madness. And so far, the only rumor I can confirm with 100 percent certainty is the last one. I didn't get into that club because of my baggy jeans.
But as for the rest, here is what I'm hearing…
> It's on good word the parents of quarterback Robert Marve had some sort of a meeting with Randy Shannon before the coach flew to San Francisco for some bowl festivities Robert_marve2Wednesday. From what I gathered, Marve's future at Miami remains unclear. It's unknown exactly what was discussed. But the fact remains he started 11 games this season. As one person told me, "He had a chance to put a stranglehold on the position with 11 starts and he didn't." My guess is his family wants what's best for their son. And there's nothing wrong with that. After all, this could all be about nothing serious. But I've been told family-coach meetings are rare during the season. That should show you how important the issue is for both sides. Don't look for any public statements on this until the issue is resolved.
Meanwhile, if Marve does leave as the hot rumor suggests, he's been tied to USF, LSU and UF on internet message boards and blogs. Here's what makes sense to me. If he does decide to leave, don't expect him to be granted a release to USF. Miami plays USF, after that newly signed deal, many times over the next few years. And the Canes don't usually allow players to transfer to future opponents.
> While Marve's future at UM is unclear, one thing is certain: he has not been is suspended for violating any team rules. In fact, no player at UM has been suspended for breaking any team rules (as of right now). We will find out next Wednesday, however, if someone failed to meet the academic requirements to remain eligible for the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 27.
> As for Miami's other quarterback, Jacory Harris, I don't expect him to be going Jacory_harris2_2anywhere regardless of whether or not Marve transfers after the bowl game. Harris, I'm told, is extremely happy at Miami. While Jacory's parents are expected to request a meeting after the season with Shannon to talk about their son (much the same way as Marve), no one should think Harris wants out. The family loves being close to their son and do not want to have to drive far to watch their son play. In fact, even though at first they thought the two QB system might not work, they were pleasantly surprised it did. Just don't take that to mean they'll be happy with it being in place moving forward.
Jermaine_mckenzie> From what I hear, expect a handful of players — especially running backs who hardly played and tight ends and linemen who never play — to be transferring to new schools after the bowl game (just like last year). One guy who I don't expect to leave is receiver Jermaine McKenzie. His father told me Monday night Jermaine is finally healthy (100 percent) and they expect him to compete at a higher level this spring. While Jermaine was frustrated he didn't catch a pass this season, I'm told he believes in the coaches, who keep urging him to compete.
> As for highly-touted running back Bryce Brown, who told Scout.com last week he was no longer planning on enrolling at UM in January, the Canes are still very confidentBryce_brownthey'll land the blue-chipper from Kansas. Brown has been busy taking official visits to Clemson, Missouri and Oregon. He still has another trip scheduled to Purdue and his final trip to Miami. But the word is Oregon is the only team that really might be able to sway Brown away from the Canes. Bryce said in a candid video interview with Scout he loved the feel at Oregon. I just don't expect it to be strong enough to pull him away from UM in the end and neither do the Hurricanes' brass who believe his relationship with Arthur Brown will prevail.
> Plantation cornerback and UM commitment Brandon McGee and I spoke for about 15 minutes regarding Brown, who will be his teammate at the U.S. Army All-American game next month in San Antonio. This is what McGee told me: "It kind of threw me off that he's not coming early anymore. But I still think he's going to be a Cane. We talk on the phone and he tells me how he's working on getting some linemen to come here. I'd be really surprised if he changed his mind."
> McGee, who said he will begin his career at UM as a cornerback, will begin classes at UM on Jan. 20 and is expecting to room with running back Mike James. He said he's been busy working out since his season ended three weeks ago. Lately, he's been busy trying to Browmcgeerecruit for the Canes, chatting it up with receiver Andre DeBose (one of the Sanford trio). This weekend, McGee will celebrate his birthday by taking an official visit with fellow commitments James, tight end Billy Sanders, tight end Stephen Plein, defensive end Olivier Vernon and defensive lineman Curtis Porter. The plan is to help try and create a family feel with the big guys who will also be visiting this weekend — offensive linemen Bobby Massie, Daniel Campbell and Jermaine Johnson. "We're definitely trying to get some of those big men to commit," McGee said. "Coach Stoutland told us he needs an assist."
So there you have it! And one of the best quotes I’ve seen is this one, “He had a chance to put a stranglehold on the position with 11 starts and he didn’t.” Think about that Mr. Marve…
cnnsi.com mentioned back-ups such as Shawnbrey McNeal being one the players looking to transfer but said it won’t happen until after the bowl game. We need to stack talent and build depth. We have to attack the roster like USC does. If a player is worried about the depth chart before coming to The U, then don’t come. Nothing is promised. The best players play (or should). As I have said prior, the focus really needs to be made on both lines. Great teams start up front. So let’s have another great class in here, and if someone wants to leave then that just opens up another spot for a recruit who can hopefully contribute right off and make plays.
-Columbus Cane
Neither Marve nor Harris showed enough this year for anyone to say that the starting job should automatically be given to either one next year. I feel that the QB competition should be opened up to include both Marve, Harris, and also Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith. Both Cook and Smith have had a whole season to study the offense and practice with the team and either one might turn out to be a gem.
Both Marve and Harris might get better, but at this point they havn’t been overly impressive and have thrown way to many interceptions for their TD total.
Take these numbers for example – last year as a redshirt freshmen, Sam Braford threw for 36 TD’s and only 8 picks for OK. Now I know last year’s Oklahoma squad was more talented then this year’s Hurricanes Squad, but I don’t think it was THAT much better. Put last year’s Bradford on this years Canes team and do you really think he would do no better then 19td’s and 19 picks (Marve and Harris combined).
This is Quarterback U, we have to have a high level of play at that position and really think the job should be wide open until someone steps up, takes it by the reigns and doesn’t look back.
Go Canes!
Pretty grim stuff, 305. Jeez, Miami is a roller coaster ride these days.
I go by what I see and the offense seemed to run better with Jacory in the game,whether that was play calling or not.We did seem to have a flow with Jacory.I dont want to see Marve transfer nor Jacory.Rumors are just that RUMORS.If as stated before that Marve might be ineligble for grades I do have to question his leadership qualities as well as commitment.I do see Bryce coming to DAU either way we have some stud rbs commited as of now.Its only going to get better from here the next 2 years with these classes coming in..DAU!!!!!
god i hope OU takes down the gaytors!…how do you feel about that game 305???
god i hope OU takes down the gaytors!…how do you feel about that game 305???
I hope I’m wrong, but I think the Gators roll.
OU can score, but hasn’t faced a defense like Florida’s. Florida hasn’t faced an offense like Oklahoma’s, but I’ll still bet on solid defense over potent offense any day of the week.
Florida 34, Oklahoma 24