Reddick sidelined for 2007…

Miami safety Anthony Reddick is sidelined for the 2007 season with a torn ACL. His second such injury in two years. His first came in the 2005 season opener at Florida State and this latest injury occurred in a pick up basketball game. Reddick underwent surgery this morning

Instead of my own rant about how our oft quick to accuse or blame fan base shouldn’t blame #26 for this injury, I’ll quote Sun Sentinel columnist Omar Kelly, who put it rather eloquently:

“From what I’m told Reddick tore his ACL playing basketball, which is what a lot of UM’s past and present players do to keep up their conditioning in the off-season. Don’t start questioning what he was doing participating in a pickup game because those games usually include NFL players who are making more in a season than some of us do in a lifetime, so they are generally VERY careful.”

Between two torn ACLs and last year’s suspension for his part in the FIU brawl, Reddick’s spirits have to be in the toilet. No reason to kick a Cane when already down and out. Get well, #26. Hang in there.

For those worried about who will step up for Reddick, know that there are a slew of capable Canes. Reddick will be missed, but secondary is the one position where The U is pretty deep.

Willie Cooper is a viable option. Thus far, Cooper is known for getting shot in the ass and for a game saving interception at Duke last season. There’s also talk of Randy Phillips moving to safety somewhere down the road due to his size an ability to hit.

No reason to jump that gun right now, but should the safety position take another hit Big 6 could make the move. Especially with the staff jacked about the addition to Doug Wiggins and DeMarcus Van Dyke at the corner position. Both are incoming freshman and are green, but should either overcome that high school to college transition, it’s could help dictate Phillips’ fate.

Same to be said for Damien Berry, Jared Campbell and Joe Nicolas at the safety positon. If those guys step up early (Reddick did as a freshman in 2004), that’ll help dictate things as well.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES: Randy Shannon has landed a few more verbal commitments as of late. Patrick Johnson (DB), Jeremy Lewis (DT), Micanor Regis (DT), Justin Thompson (DT), Brandon Washington (OL) and Joe Wylie (DB). I haven’t spent much time covering or reporting this because I’m a skeptical Canes fan and journalist. I know these are 17-year old kids and what they believe today might not be the sam as what they feel come February 2008. That said, kudos to Shannon for what he’s pulling off here.

Five of these six recruits are from south Florida, five of the six are defensive players and three of the six are defensive tackles. Shannon is proving he has the Sunshine State on lockdown, that defense is still the key to dominating again and that the defensive tackle position is vital in Miami’s success.

I won’t go nuts until the ink is dry on the letters of intent, but it’s nice to see recruiting top talent is again job #1 at The U. Now it’s time to develop it and get back to winning ways.

.:Canes305:.

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