The Beast : Gonna Need One Big Drawing Board

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!

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