After back-to-back losses, the Miami Hurricanes sit unpretty at 2-3 and with Central Florida on the horizon.
The optimist is quick to tell you that the Canes are two plays from 4-1. A 28-24 loss to North Carolina was a 31-28 win, if Kayne Farquharson was an inch taller or Robert Marve took a little off his would-be game winning laser.
A week later, a 41-39 loss to Florida State, left most contemplating a different outcome had 1st and goal started at the four-yard line, instead of the nine.
Sam Shields quickly became the scapegoat after wrongly taking the field and costing Miami five yards, but it’s not the junior wideout’s fault the Canes did nothing the next three offensive plays – not to mention the defense giving up a 3rd and goal from the 20-yard line a drive later, effectively sealing the loss.
The six-point swing over two games has cast a dark cloud over the program, in a year when there was finally reason for some optimism. A strong defensive showing at Florida and an offense that finally seemed to be clicking at Texas A&M, many thought the Canes were an immediate ACC dark horse.
Then the last two weeks happened.
Everyone wants to point the finger somewhere. Anywhere. Too many ACC losses – 2-6 since Randy Shannon took over. A conservative offense, which has message board jockeys calling for the head of Patrick Nix. Even ‘defensive guru’ Bill Young isn’t untouchable, these days. A stellar showing against the Gators means little after giving up a combined 69 points in losses to the Heels and Noles.
It’s only five games into the season, but it’s as good a time as any for this fan base to head into the locker room, consider it halftime and really evaluate the state of the program. Emotions are running high, so let’s attempt to employ some logic.
Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel had a great piece this week. If you haven’t yet read it, do so when you’re done here. “You can’t point finger at UM’s Shannon yet; blame 2-3 start on weak junior, senior classes” is a mouthful as far as titles go, but Hyde’s says it all and is as good a place as any to start evaluating this year’s Canes.
For the first time since 1974, it appears Miami won’t have one player drafted next spring. Forget the first round streak that dates back to 1994, the Canes don’t even have Mr. Irrelevant on this squad.
Said an unnamed NFL scout, “They’ll probably be shut out. Nobody off that team is probably going to get picked. They just don’t have anyone I want to take a chance on.”
For a program with more current NFLers and 26 first rounders this decade, the statement reads like a typo. Sadly it’s reality.
Without another anti-Larry Coker rant and talk of his sub par recruitment and development of players (if you want to ‘go there’, read last October’s piece on the 2004 class), the quality of player at Miami simply isn’t what it once was. Not until Shannon sunk his teeth into the recruiting process and started bringing some gems back to The U.
Assuming the position in late 2006, Shannon only had a matter of weeks to ‘save’ the 2007 recruiting class, as well as attempting to reel in some on-the-fence kids. The gems of the class proved to be Marve and running back Graig Cooper.
Marve was headed to Alabama, but got cold feet when Nick Saban took over head coaching duties. Cooper had committed to the Canes, but wasn’t a lock after spending a year at Milford Prep, getting his grades up. Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Mississippi were also on the radar.
Defensive lineman Allen Bailey was torn between Florida, Georgia and a few other national powers, but in the end chose Miami and Shannon.
Leonard Hankerson, Jermaine McKenzie, Joseph Nicolas, Orlando Franklin, Adewale Ojomo and DeMarcus Van Dyke were some of the other big name pick ups, some who have produced and others who are still finding their way.
The rebuilding project truly began with the 2008 class, where several key players are not only having in impact – but they’re proving to be some of the best players on this current Miami squad.
Sean Spence looks like the next great linebacker. Marcus Forston is proving to be a force on a depleted and talent-starved defensive line. Travis Benjamin is doing his best Devin Hester each and every week. Aldarius Johnson is proving to be everything recent Canes receivers weren’t. Jacory Harris is a solid back up to Marve and has the poise to be a future star, while top-rated linebacker Arthur Brown will finally get to strut his stuff this weekend, appeasing his Internet fan base as his recruitment was a big deal to online folk labeling him GOAT (greatest of all time) even though he’s yet to start a game.
Let’s face it, good teams aren’t talent-heavy with their underclassmen and relying so heavily on the services of kids playing high school ball this time last year. That’s the bitter pill. The good news lies in the future and the shot in the arm this program is receiving talent-wise.
These kids are the foundation. The bottom floor. The concrete has been laid and Miami will build up from here.
Back-to-back weeks the Canes had heartbreaking losses, but each was followed up with a verbal commitment from a recruit looking to make his mark next season. This week, the top running back in the state, Lamar Miller, verballed days after the loss to FSU. Last week it was much-needed defensive back Kayvon Webster, making it fifteen commitments for next year before 2008 is even in the books.
As Hyde points out, when you’re seeing a junior like Shields making mental mistakes, or seniors like Anthony Reddick and Bruce Johnson getting burned by a North Carolina receiver on a 74-yard score, it’s blatantly obvious why Miami began falling apart in 2006.
It was easy to get caught up in the hype of a close game against Florida. 9-3 in the fourth quarter had Miami’s defense looking all-world. 109 points and thirteen quarters later, the Canes look fallible and everyone wants to know what changed.
Start with the fact Young’s defense was brand new in Gainesville. There was no film on the Canes D and once everything was thrown at Florida, opposing offensive coordinators now had the ability to scheme for Miami and prey on the weaknesses; most notably a weak pass rush and a vulnerable secondary easy to pick apart when the blitz was on.
North Carolina found success moving the pocket by rolling out Cameron Sexton, while Florida State outsmarted Miami defenders with Christian Ponder’s legs, instead of his arm.
A third-stringer and an unproven Seminole scrub lit up the Canes, which doesn’t bode well as Thaddeus Lewis (Duke), Riley Skinner (Wake Forest), Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech) and a triple option-happy Georgia Tech team all remain on Miami’s radar. The Canes are 2-3 and the meat of the schedule is on the horizon.
Seven games remain and safe to say all seven are losable, based on how the past two weeks played out. Perception is reality and two weeks ago the reality was a 2-1 Miami bunch could hang tough with anyone remaining on the schedule. 0-2 since then, pessimism and reality have crept in with the fan base – though the team remains upbeat and out to prove it won’t go in the tank, a la 2006 and 2007.
8-4 seemed like a safe prediction when this season kicked off. 9-3 would’ve been a dream, 7-5 tolerable and 6-6 the worst case scenario. After this recent skid, 7-5 now looks like your best case, 6-6 a safe prediction and 5-7 a distinct possibility.
Again, that’s just a writer writing and playing things out on paper based on recent history. These current Canes obviously have something to say about it. There might be a lack of talent, but sometimes that can be overcome by heart. Miami used to out-talent the competition. Down the stretch it’ll be about out-gutting the other guys.
A Shields, a Reddick, a Johnson, a VanDyke, a Nicolas… if all made a play here or there, this type of morbid article isn’t a reality. Instead we’re talking about 4-1, some thrilling wins and the sky being the limit regarding the ACC the remainder of 2008.
Losses bring doubt, criticism and negativity. Sadly, these upperclassmen know losing all too well. Miami’s current seniors sport a 23-19 record, while the juniors are now 14-16 in their careers.
No mystery while the dark cloud of failure and this losing culture hover over the program, or why Shannon has oft stated he wants winners from winning programs. Much has been discussed this week how the Canes’ underclassmen aren’t used to losing ball games and have found ways to overachieve when backs have been to the wall.
When juniors and seniors are blowing plays, it’s the freshman and sophomores who have stepped up their game, as well as seeming to take the losses much harder. That ‘refuse to lose’ mentality needs to become infectious.
While this certainly isn’t time to give up on The U, those smitten with a solid showing at Florida and Texas A&M need to reevaluate expectations. It was easy to get ahead of one’s self, after such a brutal run these past few seasons. Many thought the 9-3 campaigns of 2004 and 2005 were rock bottom, which is understandable after an 11-1, 12-0, 12-1 and 11-2 stretch prior to those down years.
7-6 and 5-7 were a brand new low. The worst football the Canes had played in three decades and a program stripped of talent due to piss-poor recruiting and development of players. It takes more than high school accolades and a “U” on the helmet for Miami caliber football and U-style players.
The road to recovery is underway. That much is for certain. The play of Miami’s freshman has been stellar and the lone bright spot early this season. It has you longing for the day these kids are juniors and seniors, two or three-deep on the roster and finally looking like the Canes again.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t bode well in our fast-food, “we wanted it yesterday” society. Off the wall comparisons to what other programs are doing or wishful thinking regarding this current crop of Canes being reminiscent to some late 90s Miami teams who were turning the corner.
This isn’t 1998 or 1999. Butch Davis isn’t calling the shots. It’s 2008. There’s more money, parity and competition in today’s college game and instant results aren’t part of the process.
Davis-enthusiasts also need to remember that the former Miami coach inherited a team with probation on the horizon, but he still took over a squad that finished 10-2 and #3 in the nation under Dennis Erickson. The cupboard was much more full for Davis than Shannon, though probation would wreak havoc on recruiting over the next few seasons.
As great as these current freshman appear, they’re going to win some ball games and they’re going to make rookie mistakes that cost the Canes.
As impressive as Young’s defensive resume, as recent as this week he stated he’s only implemented 50% of his D, citing the learning curve that comes with such a depleted unit and so many green players.
That said, there’s no excuse for 100% failure in the red-zone, where Miami has given up 14 touchdowns and 2 field goals on 16 appearances inside the 20. The Canes are focusing on red-zone defense this week with Central Florida looming.
Any weakness or deficiency becomes the new focus as this young team looks to rebound and save a season on the brink of getting away. It’s part of the maturation process. As much as the losses hurt right now, we’re witnessing the games these kids will reference as ‘character building’ and ‘career changing’ a few years from now.
The same way a Mike Rumph or Ed Reed pointed to a 27-23 loss to #2 Penn State in 1999, hopefully these freshman will remember the pitfalls of 2008 when things turn around by 2010. And turn around, it will. Just not on the timetable many of us hoped for.
Support these Canes watch them through the eyes of a parent watching a child. This squad need to be judged for the green squad they are and not held to the same standard as past great Miami teams. They’ll get back to where they need to be, though it doesn’t look like it’ll happen as soon as many had hoped.
I agree, I just hope they let Shannon finish what he started. Note that FL has not won again(Zook's players). Tampa Bay has not won again (Dungy's players). It does not happen overnight, we need another three years to say we are truly bringing the trophy home. The foundation is being laid, but do not change contractor's in the middle of the job. I would hate for someone else to take credit for all the pain & laborous suffering that Shanon is enduring with players & his staff. He may have to tinker with his staff some more. We will see as the players grow up, if theier level of play goes up with tem.
Nice work, 305. Like so many, each new season comes around and you just *believe* that things have to get better. That the current talent can find a way to do enough and start getting some wins. Then the season starts and it’s more of the same.
To your point about other programs and the instant success our fans want. Miami isn’t in the same boat as Alabama. Nick Saban has much more talent there then Randy Shannon does.
The Tide have a proven quarterback, the best offensive line in the game, a stout defense and some big time players — to go along with their freshman recruits. Bama isn’t “depending” on their freshman the way Miami is theirs.
The Canes will be back. We just have to be more realistic regarding the time table, like you said.
– Another WestCoastCane
305, can you put up some National Championship pictures at the top of this blog site? Every time I get in here I get goose-bumps. WOW!!! how THE U had the best of the best talent. Great work man…Thanks!
oooooooOOOH…C A N E S!!!
305,
Looking ahead to the remainder of our schedule, which teams do you think we match up well with and which teams are we going to have the most difficulty with??
Looking ahead to the remainder of our schedule, which teams do you think we match up well with and which teams are we going to have the most difficulty with??
Such a tough call, bro. On one level, Florida State and North Carolina are two of the tougher ACC teams and could win their respective divisions. Miami went toe-to-toe and almost beat both.
Which Canes team shows up? How quickly can Bill Young get the D back on track? How much of a toll will injuries take and how healthy will everyone else stay? Will JJ come back and revamp the offense?
On paper, right now you’d have to say best case scenario:
UCF – W
Duke – W
Wake – ?
UVA – ?
VT – L
GT – ?
NCST – W
Wake looked beatable last night… UVA has come on strong as of late… Duke is due, with Lewis giving UM trouble… VT is always sound, despite any other issues they have… GT looks legit and owned UM three straight… NCST is a toss up, though UM looks the better team.
5-2 down the stretch would be very solid, after a 2-3 start.
You just have to hope Miami can eventually “steal one” to make up for the ones they’ve given away.
That’s the key for the Canes, I believe. Get at least ONE signature win this year – be it a Wake Forest or Virginia Tech. Step up, play a complete game and take out a ranked ACC foe as it’s one step closer to being back.
I see it like this:
UCF- Won’t be the 40 point beat down that everyone wants, but still a big win.
Miami- 38
UCF- 6
Duke- I gotta tell you, I’m scared of this team and I’m ashamed to say it!! They have some ballers in Durham.
Miami- 24
Duke- 21
Wake- Too much experience and too much misdirection in Winston Salem!!
Miami- 17
Wake- 20
UVA- I think the Cavaliers are pretenders and the win over Maryland was a fluke!!
Miami- 31
UVA- 14
VT- I have not seen anything from VT that impresses me this season. I’ll be at this one and I hope I get to say a statement win in person.
Miami- 14
VT- 10
GT- The Jackets rush offense is ridiculous and is way better than an FSU attack that scorched us last week!!
Miami- 13
GT- 28
NC State- The Pack has some ballers, but they are in a rebuilding phase like us!!
Miami- 28
NC State- 10
Maybe I’m way off, but I see 7-5 in my crystal ball!!
Caneiac – Hard to argue with the logic. UCF should be a good win for Miami and a good shot to get back to winning ways.
Like you, Duke scares me. They’ve been motivated the past two outing against Miami and they’re due. If the Canes come to play, it’s a “W” but the intangibles against a team who is turning it around… could be an “L”.
Wake could go either way. If Miami’s defense makes a game out of it, they can steal one… but I have a feeling the Canes get outcoached. The only plus might be a noon kickoff and a humid environment.
Cavs… they look like pretenders, but up there and with a two-game win streak against Miami, this one is a total toss up. The Canes SHOULD have the motivation, but where was it against UNC when that should’ve been a ‘revenge’ type game?
VT… they play sound football and held a good Carolina team in check, albeit they benefitted from Yates being out. Either way, they play good football and know how to play a complete ball game. This COULD be the statement game, though… nighttime, in Miami, national TV, etc.
GT… scary game. All the Jackets misdirection and their attack – it could make Miami’s D look very dumb. Bill Young will earn his paycheck that Thursday night if he can pull off the “W”.
NCST… some talent there, but Miami should be able to take this one.
7-5 would be great after a 2-3 start. Doable IF this team can pull it together… though the injuries are mounting up and things need to change quickly.
On paper, right now I say best case scenario:
UCF – W
Duke – W
Wake – L
UVA – W
VT – L
GT – L
NCST – W
🙁 So 6-6, but maybe 7-5 if we get a lucky break somewhere.
–anon at 1:26–
Try this on for goosebumps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZx2Go6BXi0
I feel good about 2 things I saw after half time of the fswho game…….young men who were trying to get back into that game and these same young men trusting the coaching staffs adjustments ! I only saw quit in a couple faces, and they will be gone next year !!!
big pimpin
305: “Sam Shields quickly became the scapegoat after wrongly taking the field and costing Miami five yards, but it’s not the junior wideout’s fault the Canes did nothing the next three offensive plays – not to mention the defense giving up a 3rd and goal from the 20-yard line a drive later, effectively sealing the loss.”
If that was the extent of his overall negative impact,,, then I could deal with it. Replaying and rewinding this game however, there were more than one or two catchable balls thrown his way that were not reeled in. Something that has sadly become a pattern for him throughout this season,,, or last even season too for that matter. I have neither the time or interest to dissect his contributions as a blocker in the running game. I shouldn’t have to.
“You want fries with that??”
I can accept that we seem undersized (perhaps also due to youth) at the linebacker positions, and further attribute youth to our weaknesses on that side of the ball,,,, as I have gone back and looked, we seem to be also out of position on a great many plays against us. That certainly needs to be addressed and cleaned up regardless of what percentage of the defense has been installed to this point.
A highly touted freshman corner gets used and abused,,,,,, his body language and effort afterwards suggests that this kid will be fine. I got no problem sharing those growing pains. He didn’t quit,,, I won’t quit on him.
As a Tampa native and sports fan, I have seen and endured more than most when it comes to witnessing the transition from historical losers to world champions. Something I never had to consider, in most cases, as a Hurricane fan.
And now,,,my/our/the/,,,, Rays, after ten horrendous years, are finally at a place that was promised and dreamed of many years ago.
Be it the Rays,,,, the Buccaneers, or the Lightning,,, there has always been one common denominator in each that I have noticed. The trust and belief by ownership and staff that you were doing things the right way. That no matter have close the brass ring seemed, or how many times you were “THIS CLOSE”, to breaking through and grabbing that ring,,, NEVER give up on what you believe in.
The ability of those in charge,,, of those coaching staffs, to never waver no matter the circumstance, is what ultimately led to their respective success. To believe it themselves and enlist those in their charge to believe it as well.
Hell, that’s what coaches do, right?
And THAT,,,, is exactly what I see when I look at this football program right now.
We are certainly used to success. We expect it. We cannot fathon that we should be should be forced to actually wait for it or for it to appear as magically as it seemed throughout our experiences as if it were our right as Canes fans.
I don’t know about anyone else,,, but I see that here. I realize personally that sometimes,,, you have to fight even harder, ESPECIALLY after failure, to get where you want to be.
I trust this staff to get us there.
Go Canes.
Great piece!
I agree almost 100%.
The way I see it we have only one sure loss left: @ GT. With the option PJ is running there and the misdirection, etc we have maybe a 5% chance in that game. Besides they own us.
The games versus Wake and VT are unlikely wins but can be won if we play with some intensity and don’t make any mistakes.
Duke and UVA are toss ups. Keep in mind Thaddeus Lewis grew up a Miami fan and shows us up everytime we play him because a certain former head coach of ours didn’t recruit him even though he was local (actually the same for Michael Greco with UCF- local kid who grew up a huge canes fan and didn’t get a call from Coker)
Duke is also a very well coached team under Cutcliffe.
If we lose all those games we are 5-7. We need to win at least one of the games I mentioned above to be bowl eligible.
If that was the extent of his overall negative impact,,, then I could deal with it. Replaying and rewinding this game however, there were more than one or two catchable balls thrown his way that were not reeled in. Something that has sadly become a pattern for him throughout this season,,, or last even season too for that matter. I have neither the time or interest to dissect his contributions as a blocker in the running game. I shouldn’t have to.
JMG – Shields’ play has been horrid. No disagreement there.
I’m just saying that the boneheaded too many men on the field play isn’t what cost us the game.
A lot of folks feel that from the 4-yard line, Miami gets in. Maybe that proves true, but Leonard Hankerson had his share of drops… Robert Marve had an ‘off’ day… Anthony Reddick couldn’t have tackled somebody in a phone booth… Brandon Harris was a PI machine.
Everything contributed to the loss and it can’t be hung on Shields’ dumbest play of the day. A lot of guys contributed to that loss.
If there was any confidence in this team, it has to be gone now. To who said we have only one “sure” loss coming, eh, id advise you to rethink that statement. If this team is able to win one more game then ill consider that a success. Every team we play from here on out would have won the game against UCF in the 1st qtr. This game was vintage 2007 and is living proof that this team hasnt come around from last yr. Be it poor seniors or poor coaching, this team is headed no where this season. There is a good chance this team has packed it up and i dont expect them to do anything worth a damn from this point out.
Dude, chill out. Miami’s not ready to contend this year but it is obvious to everyone outside of the Miami football fanbase that the Hurricanes are much improved over the ’07 version, with lots of talent. They are not getting blown out by anyone… remember giving up almost half-a-hundred to Virginia in the OB last year? This team has come a long way.
I think next year the ‘Canes will be looking at a 3-4 loss season and maybe even 2-3 if the bounces go their way. So just relax. Can’t do much more than Shannon has done.
I'm with Gatorpilot, this fan base needs to relax a little bit. I am just as frustrated as anyone, but saying we'll be lucky to win one more game this season after a victory is a little loco. While much of the fan base is feeling doom and gloom on the horizon, I personally am intrigued!! It has been very ugly, I'll admit but my curiousity has been sparked. What is this team doing?? Why do we show a different weakness every week, yet look strong in areas where we previously looked weak?? Against UF our defense looked GREAT, but our offense stalled, against Texas A&M our offense was outstanding, but our defense let up late in the game. Against UNC our pass defense was terrible, but against FSU it was our rush defense. Now against UCF our QB play was terrible. The reason that I am not calling for a 3 win season like some people is because this team has proven at different times this season that they CAN BE strong in every area of the game. I have to believe that at some point all of the elements are going to come together and Miami is going to play a COMPLETE football game, and when it happens, I wouldn't want to be on that other sideline!! Comparing this to "07 is like comparing apples and oranges!! Hang in there jilted Canes fans!!