Fall ball is officially underway at The U. Third-year head coach Al Golden has a much more seasoned bunch this year, as well as a new signal caller in James Coley at offensive coordinator.
The overall schedule isn’t as daunting as the past few seasons, the preseason rank has UM just outside the Top 25 and with kickoff less than a month away, there’s much to discuss.
It’s information overload right now with every U-themed news outlet reporting anything and everything coming out of Coral Gables. This post will give you the Cliff Notes version regarding must-know, up-to-date info regarding your 2013 Miami Hurricanes:
The biggest highlight the past few days is news that this current crop of Canes has “absolutely crushed” the conditioning test and put on some serious muscle this off-season. Golden drove the point home that “the culture is changing” and honestly, there is nothing more important right now in regards to Miami’s goal of reasserting itself as a major power.
Watching UM get pushed around, winded and with players looking small and sloppy over the past half decade, has been as big a disappointment as the overall 48-40 record since the 2005 Peach Bowl – and the biggest reason why; poor conditioning.
Thankfully this is something Golden immediately addressed and turned around – with longtime strength and conditioning Andreu Swasey remaining in charge.
Many fans had turned on Swasey as things dropped off under Larry Coker and Randy Shannon, but Golden has proven it was the process, attitude, work ethic and the head man in charge. The problem wasn’t the strength coach; it was the direction he was being given and lack of emphasis being put on working out hard and eating right. (The new staff has also put a focus on nutrition.)
Golden stated days back that the total weight gain on defense was upwards of 155 total pounds, with four defensive lineman adding at least fourteen pounds since last August. Proper weight and muscle, too. Not just pounds for the sake of pounds.
Kudos to Golden, not just for getting guys to believe, buy in and bust ass, but to also properly praise these efforts. Saying that guys “demolished”, “crushed” and “killed” set goals – that creates unity and makes players want to step up, lead and work harder.
You men need guidance, leadership and accountability. They also need mentors and look for positive male role models to properly push their buttons. Howard Schellenberger knew how to do that. Jimmy Johnson was the master at the art form and Butch Davis learned his skills from JJ.
No disrespect to Coker or Shannon, but they didn’t get “it” the way Schnelly, JJ or Butch did, and Golden is proving to be cut from the same cloth. The aforementioned three also understood that conditioning and toughness were the answer for The U, and Miami’s third-year coach understands that, as well.
If it sounds like a big deal is being made about the results of these conditioning tests, it is. This is tremendous news. Especially the way things backslid in recent years.
While a more conditioned offense is key, defense is where the size and weight matters most. Miami was manhandled as it was a young, green bunch last season. That is expected to change this season, and while the Canes aren’t completely “back” on the defensive side of the ball, there’s enough noticeable difference that should pan out.
Some guys who have put on some big time weight; Anthony Chickillo, up from 248 pounds as a freshman to 275 entering his junior season. Jelani Hamilton is up to 285 pounds after arriving on campus at 271 last year. David Perry has jumped from 265 to 277 pounds.
Luther Robinson is up thirteen pounds, weighing in at 303 while Curtis Porter is a solid 316 and finally healthy. Most impressive, Olsen Pierre going from 265 to 305 in two seasons.
Linebackers are beefing up, as well. Denzel Perryman is 240 and Tyrone Cornelius is 225 pounds, each packing on double-digits since last season, while Raphael Kirby has put on twelve pounds and Thurston Armbrister, eleven.
Nothing will be scrutinized in 2013 like the Miami Hurricanes defensive ability. One of the worst units (statistically) in college football last season, The U has to exert some muscle this year.
Another bonus for the defense; a more improved offense – arguably one of the best in the nation. Too many three-and-outs, stalled drives, mistakes, as well as going ice cold at times, certainly didn’t help the Miami defense.
Look at a game like that 18-14 loss to North Carolina last year, where the Canes were 6-of-15 on third down conversions, 2-of-5 on fourth down and turned it over twice. Miami’s offense put up 415 total yards, but couldn’t capitalize and where the defense finally stepped up and held a good opponent to 18 points, it didn’t prove to be enough because the offense sputtered.
Same with blowout losses to Kansas State and Notre Dame. Both games got embarrassingly out of hand when the offense couldn’t score and the defense finally broke.
The Canes couldn’t answer the Wildcats, courtesy of mistakes and an inability to convert, forcing a 24-6 halftime deficit that was unable to overcome when Miami went scoreless in the third and Kansas State pushed ahead, 31-6. From there, the rout was on.
Weeks later against Notre Dame, another offensive no-show in the 41-3 loss. Miami left a gimmie touchdown on the field on the opening play and another shot a few moments later on 3rd-and-9. Four minutes later the Irish scored, creating a fourteen-point swing and some lost momentum on the road in front of a hostile crowd.
Penalties squashed out the Canes’ next drive, resulting in a field goal opp and in the second quarter, the Miami defense held Notre Dame to six point for a 13-3 halftime deficit. From there, a second half beat down, outscored 28-0 as the offense went scoreless for three quarters.
Miami’s worst losses of 2012 were blamed on a porous defense, but in all reality, an inconsistent offense helped set the stage for those massacres. Score early and the entire tone of both aforementioned games is set early, confidence builds and the Canes have a better shot to hang.
Regardless, a stronger, heavier, more-experieced defense combined with a more well-rounded offense should make a noticeable difference when the Canes take the field in a few weeks.
Sticking with the accountability theme, Golden and staff have created a Unity Council within the football program. This is a sixteen-member body said to act as a liaison between the players and coaching staff. It’s been reported that the Unity Council has the authority to hand down punishment and that one suspension late last season was handed down by The U Council.
Players from each class are named to the Unity Council, which prevents any upperclassmen/underclassmen rivalry issues or power struggles. The seniors are represented by quarterback Stephen Morris, linebackers Shayon Green and Jimmy Gaines, wide receiver Allen Hurns and offensive lineman Brandon Linder. The juniors are defensive lineman Chickillo, cornerback Ladarius Gunter, center Shane McDermott and linebacker Perryman.
Seven underclassmen make up the remaining members – three sophomores – cornerback Tracy Howard, linebacker Kirby and wideout Herb Waters, while the freshmen are linebackers Alex Figueroa and Jermaine Grace, offensive lineman Sonny Odogwu and quarterback Kevin Olsen.
Regarding the true freshmen, Figueroa has ‘wowed’ since arriving on campus, Odogwu has been a magnet of positivity and Olsen, in some off-season hot water for what was reported as underage drinking and leaving the scene of an accident back home in New Jersey, seems like he’s been added as a wake-up call, as well as quarterback of the future that coaches need to step into a leadership role.
This is a strong, smart, hard-working group of Hurricanes and the Unity Council is another smart move by this coaching staff.
Responsibility. Accountability. Leadership. Unity. All pillars of success, which Golden has preached since day one.
There have been a few notable injuries as of late. Redshirt freshman Daniel Isidora, back up to Linder, is said to have a broken foot, though Golden hasn’t confirmed. Senior offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson turned an ankle on Saturday but is said to be fine, while Chickillo was wearing a boot and limping earlier today. The junior defensive lineman turned an ankle on Sunday, but again, no diagnosis as of yet.
Deon Bush is expected back fully sooner than later, still recovering from hernia surgery in June, while Corn Elder, who will play both basketball and football at UM, was in a red non-contact jersey.
Injuries are obviously the name of this game and once the contact begins, anything can happen. Offense line can afford to take a hit, as one of the deeper positions on the squad, but Chick’s return to the d-line is a must, so hoping for a quick recovery there.
Last, but not least, in regards to Bush, a great piece by Susan Miller Degnan in the Miami Herald last week for those who missed it.
The sophomore safety’s father Gary Bush Sr. is battling liver cancer and the article goes on to talk about the family unity, as well as other members of the community and U Family who have also battled through some rough times, like Curtis McGee, father of former Canes corner Brandon McGee, who was diagnosed with late-stage throat cancer in 2000, had his larynx removed in 2001 and a decade later is still fighting the good fight.
Please take a moment to visit the elder Bush’s website by clicking here. Help spread the word and if there is any way you can help, please do so. #IStandWithTheU
you could draft NFL pro bowlers for defense and the Canes will still lose with D’O and golden because they know nothing about defense and still use 3 down def linemen and a zone pass defense that allows other teams to easily convert third and long to first downs.
Heard that argument all last year from the anti-D’Onofrio crowd and not going to waste time debating. The argument as pointless as selling another on religion or politics. No one’s changing anyone else’s mind.
I’m in the wait-and-see camp. Personnel dictated those defensive calls. Miami had nothing on that side of the ball. Lost eight starters / key players from 2011 and didn’t have the depth / experience to replace.
The Canes had three true freshmen starting the in secondary at Virginia last year and the middle of the field got shredded when no one could step up for the suspended Eddie Johnson.
Until Miami’s defensive line can get some pressure, the defense is going to get carved up. Rushing three or four – even blitzing – it made no difference as linebackers, corners and safeties were too green to properly do their jobs.
The 2011 defense started figuring it out late in the season, but a year later was without veterans like Sean Spence, JoJo Nicolas, Adawale Ojomo, Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon, Marcus Robinson and Micanor Regis, there was a huge step back.
This shell of a program left by Randy Shannon didn’t have the defensive bodies to lose FIVE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN and not miss a beat. Of course the line couldn’t apply pressure last year. Of course the linebacker were missing the leadership and smarts of #31.
Year three is upon us. Golden has been rebuilding this program, fighting through the bullshit, changing the culture, motivating these kids and based on the dark cloud he’s operated under, he, and his staff, all deserve the benefit of the doubt. Golden stated before the 2012 season started that offense was going to have to carry the team and that they’d have to win shootouts as the defense was nowhere where it needed to be. The staff knew this, yet fans were still shocked when opponents were racking up points.
Let year three play out. If the defense doesn’t turn things around by December, then resume the bitch-fest.
Golden stood by this program in a way none would’ve and he believes in his guy D’Onofrio, who hasn’t had a tenth of the talent and personnel on defense that Fisch had last year and Coley will have this year. There will be marked improvement this year, but until it all plays out, we have no idea how much it will be. Kick back, relax and enjoy the ride. Let’s stop with the same lame argument that every anti-D’Onofrio Canes fan has spouted on message boards for the past season.