Random Thoughts On Miami/Virginia 2006

Miami dropped their fourth straight contest this past weekend, losing 17-7 to lowly Virginia. If I’m calling the Cavs “lowly” what does that say for this current Canes squad? Not a whole hell of a lot.

I watched the game in a stupor. I was uninterested, distracted, expecting a loss and hardly phased every time the UVA scored. I pretty much mirrored the team’s actions.

Miami had a rough week. It was well documented. A wake on Monday, a funeral on Tuesday and a memorial service on Wednesday. Somewhere along the way they practiced and attempted to get ready for their final road trip of 2006. If there was any game the Canes were destined to lose, this truly was it.

Riding a three-game losing streak and putting their brother Bryan Pata in the dirt on Tuesday, I doubt many people really gave a hell about a football game in Charlottesville, VA. Mix in a 5-5 record and there really was nothing to play for last weekend.

Below are some random thoughts on the Miami/Virginia match up. Why I’m even commenting on this meaningless loss, I don’t know… but here goes:

>>> Miami was beyond unimaginative on offense this week. I don’t get it. Where were some of the spread formations we saw last week against Maryland? How come we weren’t moving the pocket to help Kirby Freeman buy some time behind a banged up offensive line? Everything which seemed to “work” against the Terrapins last week, the Canes’ coaching staff abandoned it.

Word was that Todd Berry had a hand in the Maryland game plan. Regarding the Virginia “strategy” this one looked to be all Rich Olson. Miami ran on 1st down 13 of 19 times. A few were designed runs by Freeman, but the majority were handoffs in the back field to Javarris James. There was no element of surprise. There was no stretching the field with the deep ball – until late in the fourth quarter, that is. When Olson finally decided to go deep, Freeman hit Lance Leggett – in stride – for a 77-yard touchdown.

Of course that means little with just over three minutes remaining and a then 17-point deficit.

>>> The Olson Experience has been beyond disappointing. The offensive playcalling took a huge step back in 2006, which is beyond shocking. I truly believed anything was an upgrade from Dan Werner. I was wrong. In third and long situations, the Canes are running routes 2-3 yards short of the marker. On third and short situations, Olson’s calling for a handoff three yards behind the line of scrimmage. It’s mindboggling.

>>> Four assistants were fired last off season and the college football community knew Larry Coker was on thin ice. Anyone who signed on with The U was fully aware it could be a one year experiment if they didn’t hit the ground running. The truly amazing thing here is that sitting at 5-5, the pressure was off. This team is at the bottom of the ACC barrel and to NOT make a bowl game this year would actually be a blessing. End this era on Thanksgiving Day – not on New Years Eve freezing our collective ass off in Boise, ID.

With no pressure and a semi-successful game plan at Maryland, it was absolutely ludicrous to see Miami’s offense playing a conservative brand of football. It’s obvious that this staff planned on grinding it out with the run, chewing time off the clock, relying on the defense (again), playing the field position game and hoping to eeke one out somewhere along the lines of 13-10.

>>> Leggett’s unsportsmanlike penalty in the second quarter was par for the course regarding the 2006 season. Anytime Miami does something well, something stupid follows – costing the Canes yards and momentum. Coker blew his stack as LL left the field, but you can file that one under “too little too late”.

I was glad to see Larry show some emotion, but doing so in year six with most likely one game remaining in his tenure? It reeked of desperation. Leggett has been up and down for the Canes and this is the second straight year where he’s proven he can’t handle adversity.

True, Miami is not using his 6’3″ and 190 pound frame they way they should – i.e. more jump balls, deep balls with one-on-one coverage, etc. – but that’s no excuse for mailing it in. Leggett started strong this year but is ending 2006 with a whimper. Similar to his Peach Bowl performance. If I’m Coker, I sit LL in the season finale and let him attempt to get his head right going into his senior season.

>>> I just lost about 60% of what I had written the past hour and I don’t have the heart to regurgitate it – the same way I erased this game from my TiVo before it was even done recording. I’ve spent way too much time writing and discussing a 5-6 team. Here are a few things I DO remember from the rant I just lost thanks to Blogger.com and modern technology…

>>> Miami was 2 of 9 on third down conversions. Many of those situations came in the form of the Canes facing 3rd and long and receivers not running routes past the first down marker. Olson and staff never rolled the pocket and allowed Freeman to be that dual threat he was last week against Maryland, where Miami was 13 of 21 in third down conversions.

If receivers weren’t running their routes, the other option was handing off to Javarris James on 3rd and 1 and watching him get stuffed for a four-yard loss as the entire stadium knew Miami was running up the gut. The lack of imagination and firepower is depressing. Watch any top 20 team in the land and you’ll see how elementary Miami’s play calling is.

>>> Randy Shannon’s defense has looked great, good, average and bad as some point this season. The fact that the Canes oft struggle with mobile quarterbacks is beyond depressing. Whether on top of the world in 2001 or in the toilet in 2006, Miami can’t shut down a dual threat unless his name is Marcus Vick.

Michael Vick, Bryan Randall, Rasheed Marshall, Reggie Ball and now Jameel Sewell. All have gotten their licks in on the Canes. Hell, Randall and Ball both had difference-making, game-winning touchdown runs against Miami the past two seasons. Ironically, both games ended the Canes’ dream of winning the ACC.

Sewell was 23 of 33 for 215 yard and 0 interceptions. He rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Miami’s defense never rattled the freshman or forced a turnover. That is beyond unacceptable for a solid defense against a first year starter.

>>> This Thursday will be the first time in 32 years that I will not actively root for Miami to win a ball game. I can’t root against the Canes, but I am being honest when I tell you that I do not want a win on Thanksgiving.

I know that sounds ludicrous, but so were Donna Shalala’s comments in Sunday’s paper. Shalala stated that she hoped Coker would rally and win his final two games so she could lobby for him to return in 2007.

Exsqueeze me? How in the hell would 7-5 warrant Coker’s return? At 5-5 was the writing not on the wall? Losing to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Maryland in meaningful back-to-back-to-back games? Losing a second straight opener to Florida State? Gettting thumped at Louisville? Stealing one at lowly Duke? The season’s only semi-quality win coming against Houston? The biggest conference win, a 27-7 victory over North Carolina?

If Shalala could even entertain the notion of keeping this staff after 7-5, then as much as it pains me I want to see 5-7. I know our kids need a win, but for the greater good of things – they need a loss.

A win on Thursday sends Miami to Boise, ID for the Blue Turf Bowl on December 31st. It extends the worst season in recent history and extra 38 days which NO ONE needs – and based on Shalala’s comments, it keeps the door open (at least in her eyes) for Coker’s return.

No one can defend 5-7 – the worst record since 1997. Nor can they defend not making a bowl, 3-5 in ACC play and a 6-9 record since last year’s November loss to Georgia Tech, where Miami entered the game with a #3 ranking and on a clear cut path to Jacksonville. The nosedive since almost seems impossible to comprehend. The wheels didn’t just fall off. The engine exploded and we need a tow to the bodyshop for an overhaul.

This 2006 season needs to be taken out back and put down. Fans, coaches and players deserve to be put out of their misery. No one’s heart is in it. Especially after Pata was murdered. Call it a year, clean house and start thinking about 2007. Miami needs a nine month vacation like no other program in the country.

“Change. Now it’s time for change. Nothing stays the same. Now it’s time for change. Not tomorrow, but today.” – Motley Crue

.:Canes305:.

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