Addition By Subtraction For Canes Linebackers?

It’s asking a lot in this information age; humility, as well as that speak-softly-carry-a-big-stick old school mentality that no longer seems to exist.

Days back, an article in the Palm Beach Post—chock full of soundbites and off-season woofing as the Miami Hurricanes look to end a “decade of disappointment”, turning the program around year five under head coach Al Golden.

Whatever the context of the interview; it’s the headline that stands out, as the Post ran with—”Miami Hurricanes linebackers: We’re better, even without Denzel Perryman”—deservedly, or not.

Perryman—the Canes’ best linebacker since Jon Beason left town—was chose midway through the second round of the recent NFL Draft; yet according to fellow teammates at the same position, the notion is that Miami will somehow be better at linebacker without him.

Desperate times seem to bring desperate measures—or all this overconfidence is truly a storm brewing and a squad about to turn a corner, letting outsiders in on a secret that only they know. Tough to believe coming off a four-game losing streak and on an 8-11 run since the NCAA investigation ended late October 2013.

If there’s any position on this Miami roster that should focus on action, not words—it’s linebacker; a position decimated by suspensions, transfers, graduation and a lack of depth for way too long now.

Perryman was a lone bright spot for years. Outside of that, the narrative is a lot of would’ve, should’ve and could’ve.

Between the end of the 2012 season and kickoff the following fall, the Canes dismissed Eddie Johnson, Gionni Paul and Gabe Terry—all for valid reasons, but destroying depth at the position. (The previous spring, Golden tossed linebackers Travis Williams and Kevin Nelson.)

The Canes have seen a slew of players dismissed during the Golden era, but no position seems to have taken it on the chin harder than linebacker—which might explain the chip on the shoulder and recent comments from this current crop of Canes.

“Denzel was a great leader, of course his presence was felt with the big hits and stuff like that,” Tyriq McCord told the Post’s Matt Porter. “But Kirby’s being a great leader, probably better than Denzel, in all honesty. Then you’ve got guys coming up like Grace. He’s a complete linebacker.

“Denzel was the all-star, and he had role players [around him]. Now these role players are growing up. They’re maturing. That’s how I look at it.”

McCord’s sentiments could prove correct, but the aforementioned Raphael Kirby and Jermaine Grace still have to settle into their roles, proving their capability.

Same for some younger guys with less time in the system; Juwon Young and Marques Gayot—as well as redshirt freshmen Terry McCray and Mike Smith and true freshmen Charles Perry and Jamie Gordinier. Lack of depth has plagued Miami; but so have a lack of playmakers.

All this chatter; it’s a fine-line for the Canes. In a sense the off-season confidence comes off like a good thing—but in the same breath, it seems like more of the same. Summertime soundbites are nothing new.

Guys look great. Working harder than ever. Weight room warriors breaking records. This is the season it all turns around.

For Miami’s sake, better hope all the above proves true. Four-game losing streak to end last season and 28-22 as Golden and crew enter a crucial year five. Patience appears to be wearing thin all around—with recruiting hype about Swag16, Squad17 and Storm18 dominating the headlines; fans more focused on next year, the following and the one after that, opposed to what’s on deck this fall.

There’s zero doubt Miami’s linebacking corps are next in line for a giant step forward; but hard to believe that Kirby, Grace and others are somehow better off with Perryman suiting up in powder blue this fall, opposed to the orange and green.

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