Obviously this is ‘news’ as its two players – from the same position – deciding to up and leave, seemingly out of nowhere. The timing is also off as they’re choosing to do so before the third scrimmage of fall, when depth chart decisions are made.
Rumors have swirled that true freshman A.J. Highsmith was moving up to second string quarterback – which would make logistical sense regarding the timing. Still, this really is much ado about nothing… beside the lack of depth.
Cook was given a fair shake during spring and fall, while Smith sat out 2008 with an injury and has seen limited action in practice the past two years. The starting job was Harris’ to lose and with no signs of that happening, as well as the potential #12 will start for Miami through the 2011 season, the back ups are looking for greener pastures and immediate playing time.
A tough situation as there are so many angles and vantage points – quarterback, teammates, coaches, parents of said players. On one hand, a situation like this makes you wonder what the word ‘commitment’ means anymore. If instant results aren’t there for a player, they’re ready to run – looking for what they think is the next sure-fire opportunity.
You have to wonder about their parents. As seen with Robert Marve, his daddy and his high school coach, they question then arises – who is doing the pushing? Who is in that 19-year old’s ear, advising or pulling his strings?
Both Cook and Smith have left Miami in a lurch… should Harris go down injured. Especially Cook, who seemed to be learning the offense and was a legit threat to take over the number two spot come fall. That said, it’s his life – as it’s Smith’s – and how can you fault a man for following his heart and doing what he needs to do? Teammates are teammates and the team is the team, but at day’s end people have to do what is individually best for them – whether that means transferring two weeks before the season opener or skipping that senior season to chase those NFL dollars.
Stephen Morris of Pace has already committed to Miami for 2010 and it’s safe to say Shannon and staff will now turn their recruiting focus to another quarterback (or two) by February. Interesting to see who winds up at The U as a result of these transfers and where that future Miami quarterback’s career goes. For all anyone knows, the loss of Cook and Smith might open the door for the Canes next Heisman winner.
Take it all in stride, people.
Regarding those blaming Shannon, let’s take a moment to address that claim. Harris is a true sophomore. Smith is a redshirt sophomore, Cook a redshirt freshman and Highsmith a highly-touted true freshman. Poor recruiting on the part of Larry Coker left Miami – and Shannon – in this lurch. Had Coker brought on a Pat Devlin, Derek Shaw, Daniel Stegall or Nick Fanuzzi, the lack of depth at quarterback wouldn’t be where it’s at today and there wouldn’t be such a logjam with freshmen and sophomores at the position.
I saw a thread on a message board talking about Southern Cal’s ability to build depth at quarterback and pot shots at Shannon for the fact Cook and Smith packed their bags.
Really? Someone wants to play the Trojans card? A program 59-4 over the past five seasons when the Canes posted a 37-25 record over the same span? Anybody and everybody wanted to play for USC these past several years – like Miami circa 2000-2003.
Aaron Corp is slated to be ‘the guy’ when back from injury. Corp is a junior and is battling it out with true freshman Matt Barkley. Should Corp hang on for two years, Barkley could redshirt and would still see three full seasons as a redshirt sophomore in 2011.
Mitch Mustain transferred in from Arkansas and hasn’t seen much action his one year in Los Angeles (16 attempts in six games) and he enters his senior season. Garrett Green is another senior with one career completion, which happens when you back up John David Booty and Mark Sanchez. John Manoogian is a sophomore who’s never seen a lick of action.
Five quarterbacks at USC completely staggered out from freshmen to seniors thanks to winning ball games, stellar recruiting, solid depth and rolling on as a well-oiled machine that’s only lost four-games since 2005… all while UM has been sucking wind and had four quarterbacks, none older than a true sophomore.
Great analogy comparing Miami’s quarterback woes to the success of Southern Cal and blaming a head coach whose been on the job no more than two full seasons.
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well. i didnt see this coming. but i did see that A.J. was getting some snaps. and i thought was is going on. But i saw it on espn. soo hey. good luck to them. 3 qbs in 6 months. no good. but as long as Jacory didnt leave. i dont care!
((ZarOkoN))
i wish i could just delete them from college 2010 now. lol..
Something just doesn't smell right with this. Giving every benefit of the doubt to Shannon, one can assume that AJ was outplaying Cook & Smith and they didn't think they'd ever get a chance to start at the U.
Even with these assumptions, what made them think they'd never see the field? I mean, Jacory's not leaving for another 3 years, and a lot can change during that time (including a change to the depth chart or an injury to our super-skinny superstar). And even if they remained backups, Brad Johnson, JT O'Sullivan, & Matt Cassel all proved that college backups can make it to the NFL. And unlike that other QB on UM's roster last year, we haven't heard any whispers about Cook or Smith being problem children.
I really, REALLY want to be wrong about this, but I have a feeling that there's something more to this.
I am just baffled. It comes down to how other schools have no problem getting depth at qb, no matter who is starting, yet we have four transfers and three or four de-commits over the past few years. I just don't understand. Maybe it's the character of the qb's we've been getting, or maybe it's something else. I have no idea what's going on, but now we are now one hit away on a thin guy in Harris, to playng a true Freshman who's been here for a couple of weeks. I know the world is not ending but this has the potential to really become more of an issue. For example, how does USC have three or four all-americans under center, and we can't keep more than one? We have to go forward and will, but it goes back to building depth and competition.
-Columbus Cane
Here's the link on the subject when Manny Navarro was on wqam earlier today: http://www.wqam.com/index.php?page=347
We can and will win without these two guys. The O Line just needs to take pride in their play and get a mean streak. Another thought for me is this: If a guy like Cannon Smith was never going to see the field anyway, then why recruit him? Why not use the scholy on a player who will have a better chance of seeing the field? I know recruiting is a crap-shoot, but we can't take any more guys right now who are projects and may play in 3 or 4 years. We just can't afford that in my opinion. We need guys who will fit nicely into the existing systems. I know the coaches will keep doing a great job overall.
As far as Cook is concerned, I just wonder what he was thinking when he came here in the first place. He knew that Harris had three more years to play. It's about competition. I guess Cook doesn't have the patience or inner faith to stay with a program he just came to. Maybe Highsmith has been giving him a run for his money for the back-up spot. The best players will play, as the depth returns to the program. Battle for your spot. Cook obviously hadn't bought into the program, but I wish him and Smith good luck in wherever they land.
No matter where they go, on the field, in the classroom or in life, it's about competing. So nothing is guaranteed, no matter what program you go to. You can't always just take your ball and go. At some point you have to be a man no matter what happens and just try to better yourself, your family, and/or your program every day.
-Columbus Cane
I was shocked when I heard this news earlier today. I just read the article that Taylor Cook was "ready" if the time came what seemed a like a few days ago... I can't fault them for leaving as they obviously are doing what's best for them, it's just a crappy situation for us to be in less then 2 weeks out. I have faith in #12... just gotta make sure that o-line protects him like a faberge egg.
Good lord...another blow to the canes!!!first the defensive linemen hurt and now losing two quality quarterbacks on the same day no less!!
Look i'm not tryin to the bash the canes by any means but one has to wonder just what is goin on in coral gables??!!how do you go from such a promising season with cook which looked like the #2 guy behind harris to deciding to transfer? i mean cook looked like he and smith were coming along nicely.I know these are just kids and don't blame them for wanting to find greener pastures on another team;but why now? why so late? I can't blame this one on shannon but when your already on thin ice with a die hard fan base i think alot of people are going to question shannon on this one.
All i can say is good luck cannon,smith if your not in it for the team good riddance!!
as for shannon...i hope we prove alot of people wrong this year but
man this is devastating!! it seems just like when we had freeman and wright behind center except a better quarterback and of course a better offensive coordinator
my only question is how is this going to affect us on recruiting?
and should shannon have a bad year this year do you think he'll be gone by the end of it?
thanks
GO CANES!!!!
All I know at this point is that if we go 0-4 to start and Jacory gets hurt, things will get VERY UGLY VERY FAST with the alumni and fans. Something is WRONG with this program: There's no stabilty anymore, just constant turnover of coaches and players (especially QBS, which used to be a strength of this team when it was good). Patience will run out FAST if the season starts poorly...and with this schedule and the weakness of this team at key positions, this is a definite possiblity. Good luck to Randy Shannon because the heat will be up from the very start now.
The timeing of this is very curious. What is the advantage of these two qb quitting before taking a single snap in '09'? Has Highsmith had such an impressive fall that the writing was on the wall for these two? Even if true why leave now and not after the season?
Pacificus is baffled!
Something just doesn't smell right with this. Giving every benefit of the doubt to Shannon, one can assume that AJ was outplaying Cook & Smith and they didn't think they'd ever get a chance to start at the U.
Even with these assumptions, what made them think they'd never see the field? I mean, Jacory's not leaving for another 3 years, and a lot can change during that time (including a change to the depth chart or an injury to our super-skinny superstar). And even if they remained backups, Brad Johnson, JT O'Sullivan, & Matt Cassel all proved that college backups can make it to the NFL. And unlike that other QB on UM's roster last year, we haven't heard any whispers about Cook or Smith being problem children.
I really, REALLY want to be wrong about this, but I have a feeling that there's something more to this.
Something doesn't smell right... but who knows.
I've seen others write that the timing is strange. Hard to disagree.
Your point about perennial back ups... those guys are either old school (Brad Johnson) or very rare cases (Matt Cassell).
The 'x' factor here is the personalities of Smith and Cook. We really don't know. More goes into it than just being back ups at Miami... the timing being terrible, etc.
Smith... did he ever really have a shot? Honestly. Undersized and under the radar, it appears he'd have always been behind Harris, Cook and Highsmith. How long is he going to stick around for that?
As for Cook... if he has the game to start, again, does he really want to ride the pine at Miami? Does he really want to risk his collegiate career on the premise that Harris gets hurt? He didn't come south for mop up duty.
Sounds to me like Cook came to Miami looking for a starting job, worked to win it, feels Harris is 'the guy' and with the premise of waiting around for three years to maybe play (who knows if Highsmith or Morris would beat him out - as well as whoever else gets on board the next few years?)
Depth-wise it sucks that these guys took off - especially when the did - but what can you do? How much of this is 'something stinks' as much as it's poor timing?
Hard to really tell... but either way, I'm a believer in worrying about those who are on board - not those who bailed out. Best of luck to those guys, but time to move on.
My initial thoughts when reading this news yesterday were "what the hell is shannon doing down there"? But after getting a little more info from various articles and sources it's understandable why these two players left for greener pastures. Still, this situation doesn't look good in the eyes of the media as well as football fans all over. Thee QBs transfer out in the same year, all of whom are the same skin complexion...it definitely begs the question of whether or not RS is showing extreme favortism. Add to the fact that A.J. Highsmith, who despite moving up on the depth chart, is the son of former Cane Alonzo Highsmith and this just looks bad from a public relations perspective. I wonder how much this is going to hurt recruiting. I support Randy Shannon and believe in him, but i hope that his faith in JH yields great results, because if not this could be the very thing that buries a coach.
I will put $$ that somewhere Tommy T is sitting back with a devilish grin on his face. The cards seem to be stacking themselves up for this job to almost fall in his lap. If you would have asked me a few months ago whether Shannon was on the hot seat or not my answer would have been wait until the end of the season to see. Now though, i can see RS is definitely feeling heat on his A$$! If this season goes to hell then so does his job. Just my .02 cents.