“You will see this team taking the next step,” Shannon said. “The Georgia Tech game last year made us grow a lot. That will make us a better team record-wise. We’re a lot more talented, have a lot more depth. You don’t have to worry about [defensive-line] depth any more. Two years ago, you had only five defensive linemen to play in a game. That alone should tell you how far we’ve come.”
Entering year three of The Shannon Era, the depth is starting to return and with some upgrades at coordinator, many expect for the Canes to begin their climb back. A few reasons for Shannon’s optimism:
– Depth At Running Back: Miami has a half dozen solid players and the depth to overcome a slow start by the upperclassmen. “The best guys will play,” said Shannon.
– Brandon Washington and Harland Gunn were named two of the most improved players; a bright spot after years of offensive line struggles. Defensive end Adewale Ojomo was also singled out, as were veterans Leonard Hankerson and Randy Phillips. Shannon also called for “big things” from Brandon Harris.
– For those wondering why or if Shannon handcuffed the inexperienced Patrick Nix last year, don’t expect the same with Mark Whipple. The new offensive coordinator has been given the green light to spread the ball around and light up scoreboards.
– Jackson mentioned a Shannon quote regarding Glenn Cook’s leadership abilities last year and immediately I saw a few message board folk up in arms and missing the point. What Cook lacked on the field, he made up for with his maturity and ability to lead.
The loss of Eric Moncur and Colin McCarthy hurt Miami big time down the stretch and both are back this year, hopefully able to step up and lead. The lack of upperclassmen put too much pressure on last year’s first timers. Especially the early enrollees who went straight from fall high school ball to spring practice and then right into their freshman season.
Cook jumped on board as an assistant coach during the 2007 campaign and when healthy again, attempted to jump start 2008 with the “No Excuses” motto and team bracelets. While the result was still a 7-6 campaign, the leadership was a step forward and hopefully someone steps up to carry the torch this year.
– Of the 19 enrollees only 17 made the grade. Offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche is headed to prep school and defensive back Prince Kent is transferring elsewhere, due to academic issues.
– Most exciting in the Jackson piece, Shannon’s comments about the current culture being “totally different” – no off-field distractions or arrests putting Miami in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Shannon stated in the past that he had to play the role of hard-ass year one, as the program was broken. Weed out the bad seeds, recruit the right kind of players and with these kids in the regime for two years, it allows more of a hands-off approach year three.
“I approach things differently. I don’t have to keep grinding them. The are doing all the right things,” said Shannon.
Besides the addition of Whipple as offensive coordinator, the fact Shannon is pulling back is equally as exciting. Expect a looser brand of Miami football come fall, resulting in more wins.
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I'm geeked about McCarhty's return. That guy makes game-changing plays out there. I love that guy. I agree that when he went down, we lost a lot last year. I think he and Spence will bring out the best in each other. We'll see who the third playmaker at LB will be. But it all starts up front with the front four. We need guys playing disciplined, yet creating havoc for offenses. Hopefully we have more guys now and can keep guys fresher this year. I'm really looking forward to the offense, since as I've said, I know nothing about what the philosophy will really be. I'm excited to see the ball go over 10 yards in the air consistantly, and actually make defenses have to cover the whole field. We have depth, aside from QB, and I think we can get it done.
-Columbus Cane
I see what your saying. Last year we just ran out of "it". Coming into V.Tech. We were the underdogs. But we came out of a defensive battle. But going into Georgia Tech we were depleted. We had no guy that could listen to his assignment and we were getting manhandled. Nobody could tackle. Making Dwyer look like Adrian Peterson..
Now that we are coming into Year 3 of Coach Shannons era. I see that he has built the depth. And found players that want to play for him. And you see it on the field. As much as I hate Tebow he is a good leader. I hope that Jacory has some of that Leadership in him. But I was reading that he is hanging out with everybody on the team. Not just one group of people. Now is Moncur and McCarthy come back heathly and ready to play we should be a force. Im not sure about R.Phillips.
AllCanes. What do you think of Ray Ray starting this year. Or atleast being the first safety off the bench??
Im praying for 10-2 this year. Really Undefeated but i will be very happy with 10-2. But I love what Coach Shannon is doing. And the recruits are coming in..
One more thing. I love the fact that none of the players have been in the news! Just those FSU dummys. lol.
((ZarOkoN))
The "U" has a habit of exceeding expectations when we are underdogs, and disappointing when we are considered favorites. It takes strong leaders on the team and disciplined coaching to keep the machine rolling.. and our players away from 'the koolaid'
I think we now have the leadership and fraternal bond among players to make it - and SHOCK THE WORLD!
Let's Go Canes!
- KansasCane
I just got excited for the season from reading this today. Not to mention the fact that I got my FSU Miami Tickets today.
I think Colin McCarthy is amazing. I was watching him before he got hurt and I knew he was something special. I hope the depth and talent on D brings a new flare and a fear back into the game. It's something we have been lacking in.
I am curious on how the O-Line is doing. Hopefully they will be able to help back Jacory up. I know we were weak last year, so I hope we will be better this year.
Go Canes...It's ALL ABOUT THE U!!!
Hey Zarokon, don't forget the Gayturds making headlines with all thier arrest! I do believe we should compete for the ACC!!!! Only 63 days! NEED FOOTBALL....
9-3 for sure!! with a bowl win we get to 10 wins!
yo...how did we lose ogletree...the top safety prospect in the country had the canes numero uno the entire process and then he up and commits to georgia...does anyone know what happened here...we needed this kid to come in
we are going to be better this year...i am not drinking the kool aid like most though...i dont see us going 10-2, 11-1 stuff like that...we will improve...still a couple seasons away...hope they let shannon stay...when jacory is a senior and the other kids mature is when we will do it...9-3 would be great for me..but i am expecting 8-4 this year
GO CANES!!!!
VA CANE
yo...how did we lose ogletree...the top safety prospect in the country had the canes numero uno the entire process and then he up and commits to georgia...does anyone know what happened here...we needed this kid to come in.
VA, not really sure you can say Miami "lost" a kid like Ogletree. He was a Newman, GA product and their top in-state prospect. Both UGA and GTech were a top his list.... as was Miami, a team he grew up favoring.
Newman to Georgia is like a local big-time Miami product choosing to stay home. You can't really fault that. If Ogletree was a product of the 305 or 561, sure... that'd be a "loss" -- but a Georgia product becoming a Bulldog? You can't really question that.
we are going to be better this year...i am not drinking the kool aid like most though...i dont see us going 10-2, 11-1 stuff like that...we will improve...still a couple seasons away...hope they let shannon stay...when jacory is a senior and the other kids mature is when we will do it...9-3 would be great for me..but i am expecting 8-4 this year
Fair assessment. I'm not drinking the Kool Aid, either. Optimistic about the future and direction of the program... but lacking depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Shannon needs to beef that area up with another class.
8-4 is realistic and 9-3 is doable. All depends how the Canes look in those first four games. It will tell a lot. Go 2-2 (or better) out the gate and 9-3 could definitely be a reality.
Optimism indeed-
3 things need to take place for us to win the ACC, which in my opinion should be our goal this year. Health goes without saying--but that's the same for everyone.
1. As mentioned before, we have to have a backer step up besides McCarthy and Spence. All signs should point to Arthur Brown.
He's kind of the forgotten man coming into this year. Hopefully he can begin a terrific 3 year run starting on Labor Day.
2. Telemaque and Harris have to be much much much better.
There could be a DB step up besides these 2, but they both have the most upside and a chance to be special. Both have to become all conference caliber in a hurry for us to duplicate our rank against the pass (7th last year), but more importantly cause turnovers.
I think the starters will end up being Harris, Chavez Grant--who has been very solid over the last couple of years on coverage and against the run.
Then Phillips and Telemaque at the safety position. This group will go as far as the 2 sophmores take them.
3. Last but not least---good ole Bosher needs to be close to what he was last year. I have a feeling we'll have plenty of games come down to the wire...and we're going to need Bosh to be clutch.
All 3 of those things can happen and we could still lose 3 games.
It's still very possible to win the ACC this year--and even though that's not our end goal---it may have to do for this year.
Our 2 biggest strengths are our d-line and our WRs. I don't know how long it's been since we could say our WRs were our biggest strength...
I can't wait to see these guys play on Labor Day--hopefully they can turn into the next ruthless posse. I see a lot of similarities; the only difference is the depth. This group of WRs could be very special.
I'm sick of waiting. I will settle for the game coming out in a week.
I take a personal day the day it comes out and basically play a season. It's about time the real canes duplicate my playstation results!!!!
I'll see you all in Tally.
hey bro...thanks for the response..i always appreciate it when you respond to my comments...i agree with your assessment 100% ...i guess i just expect all recruits to want to go to the U because i would...lol...guess i do drink the kool aid here and there...but i try to be realistic about this coming season...if they do better than i predict i will be thrilled...i am tired of all the U haters at work talking shit
thanks again
go canes!!!
and all you cane fans keep reppin that U!!!
VA CANE
Hey what do you think of Lovett? Everybody talks about Whipple but i dont hear a pep about Lovett, do the players like his scheme and is he trying simplfy the defense? Do you think will be able to close the gabs on our defensive line or make tackles? Because GT and NC really ran down our throats..