ESPN U All Access : Review & Instant Analysis

The heralded “Raising Canes” web series on the Miami Hurricanes football program is a wonderful weekly vignette that the folks at 3 Penny Films have been putting together the past few years.

The in-game action, complete with authentic Joe Zagacki voice over. All behind-the-scenes clips, as well as any human interest stories (usually surrounding the players), have found their way into the hearts of UM fans worldwide.

ESPN U gave it their best this week with an “All Access” feature—and while from a filmmaker’s perspective it can’t sniff 3 Penny’s jock, it will find a bigger audience by way of the four-letter network and serves as a great marketing tool for “The U”.

Just as @allCanesBlog live-tweets during Hurricanes football games on Saturday, below is some instant analysis regarding this latest edition All Access—which seems a productive way to kill time as Miami is in the midst of a bye week and prepares for visiting Florida State on November 15th … and with that, on to some ESPNU, Canes-themed analysis:

Greentree practice field as come a long way. For all those knocks a few years back on Miami’s facilities, things are really trending upwards.

No, it’s not Oregon and all that Phil Knight money thrown around—but the palm trees in the opening shot and the landscape of the picturesque campus; “The U” has to play to its strength and sell what it has. Up in Eugene folks need distractions. Down in Coral Gables and South Florida, everything looks like a freakin’ postcard.

In the first few scenes, can’t help but notices the “ghosts of Hurricanes” past and absolutely love it.

The wrap-around tarp of of too-many-player-to-name on the practice field, followed by images of Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Frank Gore and Vince Wilfork on the equipment truck and then pictures of national championship rings.

Wherever these current kids go, the legends and legacy are breathing down their necks.

This shouldn’t go unnoticed. Head coach Al Golden has taken some grief over the past few years, but all that old school imagery came to be on his watch. Strong move as these kids shouldn’t be able to run from what came before them.

Back to Golden taking grief, watching video of team meetings—the head coach’s intensity is front and center. “When your opportunity comes, don’t miss a beat, man. Have swagger, have confidence and get after it,” barks Golden at his team.

Can’t help but think of the false narrative frustrated fans put out there by way of message boards and social media—a notion that this coaching staff neuters these kids and things need to go back to more of an “old school mentality”. That seems pretty vintage right there.

Watching old-school player and modern-day linebacker Hurlie Brown put Raphael Kirby on the spot to explain his take on things, or Golden breaking down film with special teams, Art Kehoe doing the same with his offensive line, Mark D’Onofrio (and Golden) working with the defense, James Coley with the quarterbacks—a reminder that the “teaching” is most certainly there.

Fans only see the execution, or lack-thereof, on Saturdays.  Also a reminder that the phrase “armchair quarterback” exists for a reason. Coaches and players live it day in and a day out, but boy, after a loss … everyone loves to act like they know more than everyone putting in the real work.

Sort of helps make sense of Taylor Gadbois and his, fans-are-just-fans rant to the media after the Nebraska loss.

Yes, coaches and players still have to deliver and aren’t absolved of blame when losses occur—but even the harshest critics have to admit more goes into this whole process than most acknowledge. These coaches are far from dumb. Everything might not work, but there’s a science here, regardless.

The segment on Brad Kaaya wasn’t earth-shattering, but show a few things; most-notably, how beautiful Miami’s campus is, as well as how mature and poised this true freshman quarterback comes off. Everyone—think back to being 18 years old in your first semester of college. Few of you, if any, were Kaaya-esque.

As clips played of Kaaya in that loss to Louisville; honestly, it almost feels like last season. This kid is truly growing up and has such an opportunity in front of him with Florida State next week. Who wouldn’t love another crack at the Cardinals, Huskers or Yellow Jackets based on where this team is right now?

That said, just about anyone would trade those losses for a win over the Seminoles—having lost four straight to those clowns and four in a row in South Florida. Reverse the curse, Miami. It’s time.

Won’t try to come off like some X’s and O’s guru here, but the more film you watch regarding the inner workings of practice and what Golden, Coley, D’Onofrio, Kehoe and others are doing—a reminder what these coaches and players are doing day-to-day while
fans vent online and claim to have all the answers.

There’s hard work being put in, an intensity and a drive to become champions. Whether this staff does or doesn’t accomplish that, the hard work deserves acknowledgement.

Being a photography nerd, technology buff and someone who has operated cameras on projects and documentaries, loved the incorporation of the drone into practice. Innovation and adaptation are a big part of success and advancement.

No, Miami isn’t the first program to incorporate this type of technology into their practices—but they certainly are early adapters and are reaping benefits from the realization this was a solid idea and making it a reality. Good move; especially with a rookie quarterback and offensive line breaking in a lot of young talent.

The segment on Shane McDermott was solid in the sense that it again highlighted the advancements made at both the Hecth Athletic Center, as well as the newly-built Schwartz Center For Athletic Excellence.

Again, the Hurricanes are no longer in the dark ages regarding facilities. Not on par with huge-money SEC programs, but a far cry for what UM boasted a few short years ago.

Miami has all the new Nike uniforms combinations on display, which get some love from ESPN’s cameras. While some fossils and long-time fans might not dig the modern-day garb, fact remains the kids love it.

McDermott makes it clear that his personal favorite get-up is the smoke tops with white pants and an orange helmet—and a safe bet his teammates and recruits agree.

To that point, mark it down—Miami won’t go “traditional” next week with Florida State in town, a national television audience and a boat load of recruits in the stands.

Many will clamor for the standard white helmet, orange top and white pants for the Seminoles.

After watching this segment, I think McDermott might’ve just given us a clue what we’ll see on November 15th; orange helmet, smoke jersey and white pants … or that much-talked-about black helmet on Golden’s desk that fans noticed during the piece.

Lastly, McDermott is a true throwback to that great line of old school Miami offensive linemen. KC Jones, Brett Romberg, Joaquin Gonzalez—Shane, a recent Iron Arrow Society inductee, is vintage Canes O-Line.

The final practice segment shows a lot of Coley working with the quarterbacks and a focus on Kaaya, obviously.

From there, a shift to Paul Williams and the defensive backs, as well as Kehoe with the offensive line, Golden barking at special teams and an animated Hurlie Brown all over his linebackers.

Music is cranking at practice. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. Some modern-day tunes, hip-hop, etc. A little bit of everything. Amidst that, a nice, heated, in-practice skirmish which fans have to like. A good reminder that these kids are busting their asses and that they’re heated.

Golden’s sentiments are what’s been stated on this blog and by some of the more level-headed fans regarding “one-game missions” week-to-week, as well as not being distracted by what others are doing.

“How important is this game,” said Golden, in regards to visiting North Carolina last week. “It’s the most important game because it’s the next game and that’s the only one that matters.”

Miami couldn’t control Duke at Pittsburgh last week anymore than it can Duke against Syracuse this week. What will be, will be. Only truth at this point; the Canes gave away a few early and have to win out.

The final segment of the mini-doc shows Canes icing down and getting their legs back after practice. Artie Burns is content with his 57-degree water while offensive lineman Sunny Odogwu opts for the upper-30’s and dumps several extra ice bags into his tub of water. Players also mow down bananas for the potassium, as well as Gatorade, to fight off cramps.

FINAL TAKE: It’s hardly thrilling or game-changing television, but as mentioned before, it’s good press for the program.

It’s also a glaring reminder that there’s more to this story than meets the eye. As fans, it’s SO easy to get wrapped up in the minutia, the day-to-day and the piled-up losses—acting as if the answer and quick-fix is in front of everyone’s nose.

Fact is, Miami was a mess when Golden took over and was disastrous for a good half decade before that.

Toss in the NCAA investigation, negative recruiting and the broken culture; this was really a dumpster fire.

What’s refreshing about this piece—in the wake of three consecutive wins, where Miami is playing like a spirited bunch—the fact that coaches are tweaking the overall strategy and scheme.

Will they admit this on sports talk radio and give the critics their validation? Of course not. But at day’s end, who cares? All about “The U”? No, it’s all about the “W”.

Get this program back to winning ways and the STYLE of football fans are accustomed to. Check the I-told-you-so nonsense at the door and simply embrace the fact that coaches are getting it and are doing what it takes to put this team in position to play it’s game, to thrive and to rack up the wins.

Florida State is around the corner. Will Miami pull the upset? Remains to be seen, but for all this talk the past four years about “The Process”—kudos to Golden and staff as it seems to be in full force right now and these kids are buying in.

Nine more days …

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