The Latest at The U…

Some recent Miami Hurricanes related news going down this summer. Let’s dive right in:

CanesFest has come and gone and from those I’ve spoke with, fans seem to be in agreement that this was one of the better events in recent memory. The University of Miami’s marketing department hasn’t always stepped up in times like these, but it’s safe to say the new regime is underway. Kirby Hocutt is definitely younger, more energetic and looking to make a name for himself in comparison to Paul Dee, who came to Miami later in his career and with different aspirations. This is definitely a welcomed sign for Canes fans who want to see this program shown in a brighter light.

Manny Navarro had some good ink on CanesFest a few days back, calling it a ‘fan friendly event’ and giving props to both Hocutt and Shannon.

One thing that jumped out from Manny’s piece; the commentary about the ‘film junkies’. Who’s putting in the extra time and who isn’t.

For those who remember the ESPN piece “The Season” from 2001, there was a scene during Florida State week where Ed Reed and Philip Buchanon were mowing down a bag of Burger King, burning the midnight oil and cramming for the Noles like it was a final exam. They talked about the extra effort being the difference-maker and they were downright studious in their efforts.

Fast forward eight years and you’re finally seeing that mindset return. LaRon Byrd and Aldarius Johnson are said to be in the film room ‘almost every day’. Same with Demarcus Van Dyke and Brandon Harris, breaking down film daily before class. Their reason for the extra early wake up call; the desire to break things down with the former NFLers on campus working out this off-season. Van Dyke mentions Buchanon as well as Antrel Rolle making time to help the younger guys out. (Yet another one of those things that makes Miami, “Miami”.)

Vaughn Telemaque says he’s there five of seven days, only taking weekends off because the film room is closed. Ray Ray Armstrong is breaking down film with defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff. Even first-year, senior tight end Jimmy Graham is in there daily, checking out footage of Bubba Franks, Kellen Winslow II and Greg Olsen.

The most telling part of the piece? Senior cornerback Sam Shields admitting that he’s spending a mere two days a week in the film room.

Let’s get this straight, a wideout who’s been buried on the depth chart gets moved to cornerback this off-season – a last ditch effort to give him a second chance and create depth at a depleted position. The same kid who spent his sophomore and junior in Shannon’s doghouse, to the point where his father gave the Miami coach kudos for helping make his son a man.

Shields is a first-year cornerback with one last shot to prove his mettle… and he’s doing two days when true freshman and sophomores are pissed off they can’t spend their weekends breaking down film. Pretty much tells you all you need to know about Country Club Larry’s Canes versus the type of athlete Shannon is focusing on.

The culture is changing, people. The type of kids Butch Davis brought on board in the late nineties are the same type that Shannon is going after ten years later.

This time next year just about every Larry Coker recruit will be gonzo. Ironically enough, that’s the same year many are pegging the Canes to be ‘back’. Rather telling, if you ask me.

Thankfully a few upperclassmen do *get it*. Eric Moncur and Colin McCarthy are clamoring to get back on the field, but Randy Phillips seems to be the senior Cane most young players are gravitating to. Manny mentioned that nearly “every” defensive Cane goes to the fifth-year senior when they have a problem.

Phillips took some heat from the fans after getting torched at corner in the 2007 beatdown at Oklahoma. From there, an up and down year and then out the majority of 2008 after an injury at Texas A&M. Phillips is back at safety, his original position. While he might not have the natural talent or raw ability of Telemaque or Armstrong, his know-how and experience are a much-needed asset for a depth-starved secondary.

Randy Shannon took in the ACC’s Football Kickoff this morning in Greensboro, NC. The media wanted to talk about the lack of an extension (Shannon is entering year three of a four-year contract), while the Miami coach chose to focus on winning games and the immediate future.

Shannon takes a lot of grief for his lackluster approach to dealing with the media. “Coach speak” isn’t part of the Miami coach’s vernacular. In some cases Shannon could probably do a better job marketing The U and glad handling a little bit more. I won’t argue that. In this case, who cares? A room full of media members who picked the Canes to finish fourth in the ACC Coastal Division? Chit chat about contract extensions and fueling a fire that doesn’t need fanning? It’s pointless.

Miami needs to recruit, rebuild depth and win more ball games. When the wins come, so will the soundbites. For now, I’m all for a tight-lipped head coach more interested in winning games than talking shop with some beat writers.

Talking the talk isn’t going to impress the media or this fan base. Ws will. No more, no less. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t when coaching at this level. Results matter, not efforts. Why waste time going through the motions? It won’t matter anyways. Focus on winning games and everything else will fall into place.

Last but not least, a little blurb on recruiting and the bias that goes into the reporting of the news.

Cardinal Gibbons wideout Shawn Corker verballed to Texas Tech earlier today. The Ft. Lauderdale three-star prospect chose the Red Raiders over a reported thirty-five scholarship offers. Corker cited academics and stability with a coaching staff who showed him “a lot of love”.

Miami was absolutely in the mix and Corker admitted that he’d have “more opportunities to make plays at Tech”.

Bet the farm the anti-Shannon contingent will piss and moan about a local prospect getting away. Same way they did Quinton Dunbar, the Booker T. Washington wideout favoring Florida.

No position is more loaded at Miami than wideout, so those afraid of competition need not apply. The majority of the Canes’ receivers are underclassmen and Shannon has already gone on record as saying the rotation will be trimmed in 2009. Only the best will play and those buried on the depth chart aren’t even going to travel to away games.

Be it a Corker or a Dunbar, this isn’t the year Miami is going to reel in top-flight wideouts. Conversely, any kid who does sign up for the job is exactly the type of kid you’re looking for; one who doesn’t fear competition. Carol City wideout Allen Hurt fits that bill. After tearing up UF’s Friday Night Lighs camp, Allen will visit The U later this week and has talked about committing on the spot.

Corker or Dunbar would be nice additions to the U Family, but if the depth chart is scaring them off, good riddance.

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