The mantra I heard after the game Saturday night was that The U had to go back to the drawing board. Right now I’m not sure that drawing board would fit inside any earthly structure.
I really didn’t envision having to write this sort of blog the morning after. Like everyone else, I thought yesterday would be ‘the game’ – the one in which this team went from ‘good’ to ‘great’. The game we’d look back on saying, “remember that ass kicking we gave the Noles back in ’10”?
For some reason, I had a feeling. Maybe it’s because the morning before the game I talked to one of my sources very close to the program and what I heard cemented my feeling. I was told this team was going to come out and get the job done, they were ready to explode, coaches have been on them all week, etc. I bought in, let my emotions get the better of me and now I feel like an idiot.
I’ll say this from the outset; I’m a firm believer in Randy Shannon. Whatever name you come up with as someone to fill those shoes – they wouldn’t have nearly the understanding of this enigmatic program as he does.
As an alum, I really do cherish the graduation rate and lack of off-the-field issues. There are more important things than football. That said, there still is football and right now things aren’t going well on that front.
I never expected this team to be in the national title hunt this year and I didn’t expect a win at Ohio State. When all was said and done, I thought this would be a 2-3 loss season.
The Canes can still win the ACC and has the potential to be a very good team. Just like Florida State didn’t write off the season after getting thrashed by Oklahoma, Miami can’t write off this season either. On the other hand, my head starts to hurt just thinking about all the current issues and what it will take to accomplish that level of success.
In the Sunday morning presser, Randy brought up the word “consistency” and there’s absolutely a lack of it on ALL facets.
A few weeks back the Johnny Come Latelies were saying to lay off Jacory Harris, stating that the junior didn’t deserve the criticism. It was a full-out propaganda operation trying to convince everyone that it was fault of the wideouts, not the quarterback.
Were the receivers doing everything they could to help Harris? Not at all. They deserve a lot of blame, too, but saying Jacory doesn’t have a problem is like saying the economy is currently booming.
The problem with Jacory’s issues are that there are too many of them. Harris is way beyond banged up. Anyone watching him shuffle back to the huddle on Saturday night saw that. I don’t know what the injuries are – thumb, shoulder, groin – but I’ve seen my share of football and this kid is more than “nicked”.
How much of that plays into his errant throws? I’ve seen Helium-filled balls and passes five yards short and I doubt a healthy Harris makes throws that bad. When he’s been on he’s been great, but Saturday night he was far from ‘on’.
Then there’s the decision-making. Mark Whipple wants to run an aggressive, down-the-field offense so throwing deep isn’t Harris’ fault. On the other hand, way too many chances are being taken throwing that deep ball into double and triple coverage.
When you’re Brett Favre and the upside outweighs the “gunslinger” mentality, you can get away with that. (At least Favre used to be able to get away with that.) When you’re unproven like Harris, you simply can’t.
All of the above, though? Doesn’t really matter because the cold hard truth is that there is truly no one else. A.J. Highsmith is buying time until he gets moved to defense and Spencer Whipple is here to hand the ball off. (Please don’t count a few passes in mop up duty as true game action.)
Is Stephen Morris the answer? Not now, at least. Teddy Bridgewater is most likely coming in next February, but I’ll never count on a true freshman at quarterback.
Add it all up and it’s Jacory-Or-Bust. That’s just the reality of the situation. As long as Harris can physically walk onto the field, he’s going to play for Miami.
On defense, this unit simply gets mauled too much. There are some good players on that side of the ball and there’s not a team in the country that wouldn’t take Sean Spence, Brandon Harris or Allen Bailey. On the other hand, as a complete unit they fail against stronger, tougher opponents.
I’m sick of the missed tackles and I’m over seeing these receivers dropping passes. Nothing pisses me off more. Last time I checked these were basic job descriptions for defensive players and wideouts. Mastering tackling techniques and catching the ball; these are things taught at the Pee Wee level – not in-game against your arch-rival.
In the last three losses – Wisconsin, Ohio State and Florida State – the Miami defense has given up an average of almost 200 yards on the ground, which is completely unacceptable. Any sane football “expert” will tell you that you’re not winning games if you cannot stop the run. Plain and simple.
When a team beats you by running up the middle, it’s time to look in the mirror and admit that you’re just not tough enough.
Regarding special teams, is there anything more deflating than seeing Matt Bosher making tackle after tackle on kickoff coverage? Kickers should have a pearly white uniform at game’s end. Not Bosh. He’s in the thick of it seemingly every kick.
The thing with special teams is the mentality. All of these guys, if given a choice, would opt out. However, go balls out and give your best 100% of the time.
Blame the defense all you want, but when the other team is starting series after series on your side of the 50-yard line, that’s a huge problem. They’re playing Arena League Football and you’re still playing on a regulation field.
Lastly, can we please stop blaming the media? Whether Jacory stands at the podium for a few minutes or not, it has absolutely zero effect on his play. Should talking media heads berate the Canes’ defense, it has absolutely no effect on their ability to tackle. If writers question Shannon’s coaching, it has zero impact on whether he goes for it on 4th down or not. Same with the fans. WE have no effect on the game.
I can’t say the media doesn’t harp on things that are meaningless. They do. I can’t say stupid questions aren’t asked. They are. Still, the mindset the mindset that talking to the media is “torture” has got to stop. It’s not that big a deal.
Like all of you, I really want this thing to head in the right direction. I want this team to head up to Duke and blow them out. I want to see the Canes beat Butch Davis. I want to see them take down Frank Beamer. I want Miami in the ACC title game for a rematch with Florida State, doing to them what they did to The U on Saturday night.
Of course we’ve heard all this before. Every year about this team all that “controlling our own destiny” stuff comes up and how winning the ACC is “still a distinct possibility”. That said, mid-October there is no room for error the next seven games.
Nobody wants to spend a late December evening at some minor bowl game … again. I’m rooting for Randy because I don’t think there would be any greater success story than his, if he can get it done. The tactics he uses to get these kids to go to class, to deal with their off-the-field issues and to stay out of trouble are amazing.
The rub here is figuring out how he can translate that discipline to the football field. That in itself will determine if Shannon becomes ‘the guy’ or just another guy.
IN OTHER NEWS: This week’s allCanes Radio will be a special one. We have Women’s Basketball coach Katie Meier (and one of her players), baseball coach Jim Morris and new Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs, Blake James.
Everyone will be joining us LIVE @ allCanes from 7-9pm ET this Wednesday night. Come on out to shake hands and interact with our guests. A great opportunity to voice any concerns you have with tickets, marketing, etc. Also, all merchandise is 20% off during the show, so that’s another added bonus!
Beast,
I believe in Randy too, but he doesn't seem to be learning from the Jacory situation. He's promised Bridgewater the job before he set foot on Greentree. How is that learning from our problems?!
Anonymous, where is the *proof* that Shannon has PROMISED Teddy B the starting job? Is this fact or just more propaganda by the folks who are pulling for Randy to fail?
Was Jacory promised the starting job? If so, why did Robert Marve start in 2008? Both competed, Marve won out and Harris saw some action. R.M. dug his own grave getting suspended for the first and final games of the year, playing his way out of a starting job. Nothing was handed to Jacory.
PAH-LEEZE.
EVIDENCE THAT BRIDGEWATER HAS BEEN PROMISED THE STARTING GIG OR G.T.F.O.H.!!!!!!!!!!!
I SWEAR, THIS FAN BASE HAS MORE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS THAN 9/11!!!!!!!
Evidence?
Name one other QB that has an offer…
Evidence? Name one other QB that has an offer…
1. It's October. Let's see what happens come February.
2. Entering next year Miami has four quarterbacks on roster if Bridgewater stays on. At best it would only make sense to take one more QB in this class and 1-2 in the 2012 class.
There's yet to be one quarterback even mentioning an offer or having an option for an official visit. That's a problem. Kids are picking their visits now.
When are most of you going to realize that all the grandstanding ain't gonna change a thing?
Cry the blues all day long, but Randy is here at least through next year.
This was one game and while Miami got their behinds beat, it's a loss and it's time to move forward. You can say you'd feel better with a 20-17 loss instead of 45-17, but at the end the Canes would still be 3-2 with an ACC loss.
Just like this team put the Suck-a-cuse loss behind them in 1998 and beat U.C.L.A. a week later, Randy needs to get these kids right in the head.
One at a time. Duke. North Carolina. Get some wins and play the season out. Miami will either get better or worse and that will decide Shannon's future. Not your asinine message boards diatribes, calling for his head and whatnot.
I'm so sick of hearing the excuse…there is more to life than football. Shannon is making sure these kids get an education, thats the imprtant thing! SPARE ME! How many blogs have you guys done on the awesome UM history dept or a breakthru in the science lab? How much $ do u guys rake in off UM FOOTBALL GEAR? Like your U INVENTED SWAGGER SHIRTS…you proclaim Randy as the second coming b/c he's cleaned up the program while making big bucks selling merchandise using our thuggish nature from the 80's & 90's as a marketing tool. Randy is paid millions of dollars to win football games. Kids are brought here on scolarships to win football games. And anyone who says they're content losing 45-17 and quitting in front of a sell-out home crowd just because Tommy Streeter got an A in Biology this week is a f'n liar. Not wanting to resort back to Thug U days but my god, I don't want a bunch of choir boys running my team or playing on my team. I want a team & coach that strike fear in the opponent before kickoff. Someone who'll run up the score and laugh at ya while they're doing it. Not a bunch of good-will ambassadors for the university. I'd rather get labeled a thug for taunting someone while RUTS then being the ones getting taunted and blown out. And thats been the case one too many times under Shannon.
While it's true that this is just a loss and we have to move on, the fact is that it's not just a loss.
As long as I can remember, Miami/FSU games have been great, hard fought games.
Nobody can deny that the Canes had absolutely no passion and put forth mimimal effort. Hard fought? No way!
I think the incredible improvement in academics is great for the U, being right up there with the military academies.
One thought on that though is that with the little bit of talent at Navy or Air force, you know they are coming to play.
Stanford is the same way. Talent and academics, but you know they bring it.
The U? I don't really know what to expect from them anymore.
It's very discouraging.
Alabama falls after a loss, but is still in the top 10, while Miami's total lack of effort knocks them right out of the picture.
They should be ashamed, but my guess is they're more ashamed of the loss than the lack of effort.
In a lot of ways, this game reminded me of the bowl game against Wisconsin.
Assuming that we do get to another bowl game, can we expect more of the same?
You have to wonder.
WHO ARE THE LEADERS ON THIS TEAM?
I was at the game and I did not see any player walking up and down the sideline getting into the other players face. WTF. J12 had his head held down the entire "weak come back" in the second half. I am starting to think that Jacory is NOT a leader!
I would like to see Jacory benched for Duke so he can get healty for N. Carolina.
Any more losses is not acceptable.
ACC Champs or Bust, if not Randy's seat Will start to heat up!
Please advise…….
you proclaim Randy as the second coming b/c he's cleaned up the program while making big bucks selling merchandise using our thuggish nature from the 80's & 90's as a marketing tool.
… no one here ever proclaimed Randy Shannon "the second coming". We simply felt he deserved a chance to clean up the mess Larry Coker left, while others expected an immediate fix to what was obviously a very big problem.
We made it very clear over dozens of articles that he's a first-year head coach and that there's a learning curve. How could we do that AND proclaim someone the second coming?
Furthermore, where do we use Miami's "thuggish" nature from the 80s and 90s as a marketing tool? Are we selling shirts that say "Pell Grant Fraud Is Cool"? C'mon now.
Don't try and connect some dots that aren't there just because you're pissed that Miami lost to Florida State.
Beast, you are right that there is not any depth behind Jacory Harris.
But that is the fault of Head Coach Shannon, and shows his complete failure in that department. This is QB U, there is no excuse that we shouldn't have depth at that position.
Randy has not successfully recruited any great out-of-state QB in FOUR YEARS. And that has one of the blue-prints of Miami's success. You go away from that, and you suffer the consequences which we are seeing right now.
I think it is VERY clear right now that we made a mistake in giving Coach Shannon and contract extension before this season started. We should have watched the season play out and then either dolled out the reward or punishment as a result.
Carl Garcia
The Beast wrote "Same with the fans. WE have no effect on the game."
This is NOT true. The fans are the 12th man and have can make things hostile for an opponent and can give encourgment and energy to the team you are rooting and cheering on. These facts are not debatable. Just look at teams HOME versus AWAY records at the end of the year in sport after sport and you will see what the 12th man can do.
The fans packed Sun Life Stadium on Saturday and did there part. But the team, unfortunately, didn't do theirs on the field. And that's a shame.
where's Larry Coker, i miss him, what i witnessed was the worst thing i have ever watched, i am season ticket holder i am pretty certain i will not be renewing my subscription, unless something changes dramatically, i am tired of hearing the excuses of randy and jacory just shut up and play U football. that was embarrassing to watch,
Saturday night I experienced something I had hoped I would never feel again. The first time I felt it was the final game at the O.B.. I'm sure everyone remembers the 48-0 beatdown the Canes took by Virginia.
The feeling was a combination of embarrassment and disgust. Both times I've felt this have been due to what appeared to be the team starting out the game like they weren't ready to play and finishing like they were quitting.
I know losses are going to happen and I'm fine with that, especially to a decent FSU squad. It was the manner in which the team played that left me wondering why I was going to get 3 hours sleep before having to get up for a 24 hour shift at work to sit and watch such a pathetic display. There was nothing about this game that was enjoyable from the time we left the tailgate to the time we got back in the cars to go home. I don't know what caused this performance and let's face it we never will, but there is no excuse for it.
All that being said I dragged myself out of bed the next morning after not nearly enough sleep, pulled a Canes shirt over my head and started into work just knowing the onslaught of crap that I was going to take. By the time I got into work though and before the first of the ribbing started I had put it behind me and was ready to fiercely defend my support of the Canes.
After all is said and done, beat down or not I'd still rather wake up a Canes fan than a Nole or god forbid a Gator. I started making plans for the Duke game and put things in perspective. This is what the team needs to do. Hold the pain of the loss so they don't forget but don't dwell on the details. Move on to what is now important. Win out the rest of the ACC schedule and at worst they get a shot at redemption in the ACC Championship game.
So I'll say what I always tell people when I show up the day after a loss reppin' some Canes gear. You can't call yourself a fan if you're not still there when the team is down. Fair-weather fans disgust me and frankly I'd rather see 35,000 true orange and green bleeders than a full stadium that is more than half bandwagon jumpers. We'll see who the die-hards are come 7:30 on the 23rd. I know I'll be there along with my band of misfits… The question is, will you?
GO CANES!!!!
allCanes, wake up and smell the seaweed. Randy Shannon is not a head football coach. Great defensive mind and great recruiter, but not head coach material. I know you like to dismiss coaches' "sideline antics" but let's get real. The Hurricanes were just as flat on the sideline as their head coach is, standing stone-faced with his arms crossed. How can you expect the kids to be excited during a game when their leader is one stage above comatose on the sidelines? Does screaming at players/officials and running up and down the sidelines win football games? Absolutely not, but sometimes it can ignite a spark with the players and give them the confidence to go out and make a big play. Did you see Mark Stoops and Jimbo Fisher? In their players' faces, high-fiving them when they made good plays and chewing them out when they did not? Football is a game of emotion, and Randy Shannon has none. Maybe a coaching style like that would fly in the NFL, but not in college football. I also blame Randy's demeanor for our lack of leadership with the players themselves. No one on either side of the ball has stepped up to be a team leader. Kirk Herbstreit made mention of this during the game Saturday night. If your head coach is standing around stone-faced showing no signs of emotion, how do you expect a kid to step up and be the next great leader? The team lacks emotion and it all stems down from their head coach.
Shannon has gotta go.
In closing, I want to quote a friend of mine from Sunday afternoon: "If you want to watch real Hurricane football, your only chance is to see the boys of yesteryears play on Sundays in the NFL, because the Miami Football program we grew up with is dead and gone."
The Hurricanes were just as flat on the sideline as their head coach is, standing stone-faced with his arms crossed. How can you expect the kids to be excited during a game when their leader is one stage above comatose on the sidelines? Does screaming at players/officials and running up and down the sidelines win football games? Absolutely not, but sometimes it can ignite a spark with the players and give them the confidence to go out and make a big play. Did you see Mark Stoops and Jimbo Fisher? In their players' faces, high-fiving them when they made good plays and chewing them out when they did not?
Kevin, I get your point and while I personally would like to see more emotion from Shannon on the sidelines, there have been successful stoic coaches. Bill Belichick is even keel. Tom Landry was a gentleman. You don't have to rant, rave and high-five if that's not your style.
That said, if your team remains flat then something has to give regarding the head coach. I agree.
This is NOT true. The fans are the 12th man and have can make things hostile for an opponent and can give encourgment and energy to the team you are rooting and cheering on. These facts are not debatable. Just look at teams HOME versus AWAY records at the end of the year in sport after sport and you will see what the 12th man can do.
Carl, I believe the point Beast was trying to make was in regards to the fans' opinions, not the physical presence of fans on game day. Obviously the 12th man impact is real.
That said, the rants and raves on message boards … the calling out coaches / players … that stuff has no impact on anything. Pretty sure that's what he was referring to.
Instead of bashing the Canes any further I just wanna say. If I was an optimist I would say Win Out & Get the rematch for a BCS Birth. Reality this team has no clue as to how to win a game against a good or great team. I became a Fan of this program because, we'll play any one any where and here is the important part and compete and fight until the end(came back on Mich from 17 down- ect…). Plus, the home stadium (58 wins in a row) was hallowed ground – protected at all cost. Not any more.
Under Shannon's watch, annihilated by Virginia in our last O-bowl game,
3 wins by FSU in a row in s. FL. Can't beat NC. ect…
Bottom line as a fan, can I still waste my Hard Earned Money & time supporting this mediocre program? I have had season tiks as long as I can remember and have gone to several away games and Bowl games, but after Sat. night I won't renew my season tickets unless I see a marked improvement.
This team was special. They knew about Greatness. They had swagger – moxy – confidence – Mostly they played with a FTW attitude.
Kevin – A lot of programs are no longer what they were decades ago. The USC in the 70's wasn't the USC of the 80's or 90's and the USC program of the early 00's isn't the same team playing today.
Pittsburgh and Notre Dame used to dominate decades back but don't anymore.
College football is changing. More money. More competition. More parity.
I've followed this program since the 60's and told my kids that what they grew up with in the 80's was once in a life time and the would never see it again. We had a nice little run in the early 00's but the game has changed drastically since then, too.
The Canes can win again, but the reason Miami's accomplishment were such a big deal on and off the past several decades is because it wasn't the norm. That's what made it so special. The fact that some fans expect that or think it should be the norm, that is really troublesome. One team wins every year and the deck is stacked against you. Miami is lucky to have won four titles over that nine year run.
I have been one of the main ones who has defended Randy Shannon and Jacory Harris. I even got on here after the Clemson game and gave a "tired of fans complaining" rant, but enough is enough! I am not going to go crazy and call for Shannon's head on a platter like many, but the fact of the matter is that this coaching staff is not getting the job done! We are 4 years into the Shannon era and should not be getting blown off the field by FSU or anyone else! We are going in reverse, so how long are we going to give this coaching staff a pass? In the 2 biggest games this season, the team has not been prepared for the challenge!We did not look like we belonged on the same field as FSU! Yes, it is on the players (dropped passes, mised tackles, interceptions, penalties), but this team not being able to get motivated to play FSU is unacceptable and it a direct reflection of the coach! An emotionless, uninspired coach= an emotionless, uninspired team! I love the Canes, but I have never been as disgusted and embarrassed as I was Saturday night! Walking out of the stadium with FSU fans saying "Thanks for the warm up game" made me wanna puke! I will sink or swim with this team, but I don't think criticising a coaching staff that is not getting it done, is a reflection of my devotion to this team! As a former Cane and recruiter, I think Randy Shannon is the best, but as a coach, he is average at best! What good does it do to recruit championship talent if you have 8 win coaching?
Great blog…thanks for putting things in perspective. I am a season ticket holder in football and baseball, and a true fan, win or lose. The loss was demoralizing and devastating simply because we did not play our best. I remember players saying the best thing about Schnellenberger was that he made you BELIEVE you were going to win.
Randy is too much like Lovey Smith of the Chicago Bears…both appear to be very indifferent to what's going on around them. We need the coach to inspire as well as direct. We need several leaders on the team to step up like Ray Lewis did, or Ken Dorsey. Lack of leadership is key.
Discipline and drive is key. That's how Air Force came within 3 points of beating Oklahoma, even though they were outsized. The expectations at the Air Force Academy are 2nd to none.
Notice how ESPN doesn't mention our academic success, or the 30+ arrests @ Florida under Urban Meyer, or the cheating scandal at FSU. Winning is what gets noticed.
Kevin was right. Even Bret Musberger and Kirk Herbstreet commented on this during the game. They spent a good bit of air time discussing the lack of leadership on the field and sideline, plus noting how unflappable Randy Shannon comes across. They clearly made the distinction how the Champion Canes players past would never put up with this lack of emotion.
allcanes…your two examples of stoic coaches are on the professional level dealing with paid 'adults' not teens and early 20-somethings. There are no NCAA conference champions or national champions with a deadpan coach on the sideline. The greatest college coaches are always fiery and animated.
Simply put, the leader sets the pace. When kids see indifference and no emotion when something good or bad happens on the field, they become indifferent themselves. Randy did not play for unemotional coaches.
Look at what the Ballcoach did, when the game was on the line against Auburn he pulled Garcia because of his srew-ups on the field. Next game, Garcia lit up Alabama.
Harris is playing with no confidence and no threat of being pulled so why try harder? Where is his competion to be starter? And, his coach (Randy) is always blaming the receivers to the press. No accountability.
Are there drops, yes, but how many passes are of the mark? Heck FSU dropped three interceptions.
I rooted for Randy when he played, still have vhs copies of most the games he played in, and have followed his rise to head coach. I, too, was hopeful he would bring the swagger back. He wasn't this stoic as a player. But, it is obvious that the problems with the Canes starts at the top.
Haven't heard Randy taking responsibility for the problems.
There are many great assistant coaches in the NCAA that did not succeed as a head coach. Randy is one of them.
Miami will not win the national champsionship with him as coach.
Until a championship level coach is brought in, Miami will be a mediocre program playing in second tier bowls. Or, worse, return to the sad days of the 60's and 70's (Florida flop anyone? I grew up in the Orange Bowl.)
The greatest college coaches are always fiery and animated.
The greatest college coaches aren't always fiery and animated. C'mon now. Howard wasn't. Dennis wasn't. Butch wasn't. The might get in a kid's face here or there or might've occasionally done something when pissed off … but generally speaking, none of those guys were knows as fiery and animated guys.
Jim Tressel. Mack Brown. Not fiery or animated. There are some good coaches out there who win and are subdued. There are also fiery guys who lose their minds AND lose games every week.
Simply put, the leader sets the pace. When kids see indifference and no emotion when something good or bad happens on the field, they become indifferent themselves. Randy did not play for unemotional coaches.
A leader sets the pace – agreed – and while Shannon could show more, there are other ways he needs to lead. Whooping it up on the sidelines isn't going to equate in more wins. Show emotion so guys aren't indifferent – I can buy that (and wrote about that days back) but we need the man to coach, not cheerlead.
Look at what the Ballcoach did, when the game was on the line against Auburn he pulled Garcia because of his srew-ups on the field. Next game, Garcia lit up Alabama.
A nice enough point, but you're also talking about the biggest win of Spurrier's tenure at South Carolina – on the heels of Bama playing two top tens back to back (Arkansas and Florida). The Cocks got the Tide at the right time — home and emotionally spent.
Impressive win, but Spurrier has about ten disappointing losses for every win of this nature since leaving Florida. He deserves credit, but don't forget about his USC faceplants the last few years.
Now that nearly a week has passed, I still feel as if I'm walking through the fog. The season hangs on a string with one more loss being a bust in my eyes (no chance for ACC Champ game). With this squad and experience we have, there is no excuse. We are on the cusp of not being in the BCS conversation at all again and this is the first week the rankings come out. Discouraging. We are only as good as the big guys in the trenches and I hope they take a deep look inside and decide if they want to leave a legacy or just leave. Coming off the worst performance of the year for both lines, there is nowhere to go but up. There is no excuse to not be ready to play, to not be able to "get up" for Duke or anything else (this was the team who came within a last minute pick 2 years ago from beating us). Duke is a passing team which means the DLine needs to wake up and get after the QB. We'll see what happens and maybe we can get back in the league race.
-Columbus Cane