allCanesBlog.com

More recruiting perspective; Canes class '10

2010-02-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

ESPN released their top 25 list regarding this year's recruiting haul and Miami fell smack dab in the middle at #13. The rest looked like this:

1. Florida... 2. Texas... 3. Alabama... 4. Auburn... 5. Oklahoma... 6. Florida State... 7. Southern Cal... 8. LSU... 9. Tennessee... 10. UCLA... 11. Penn State... 12. Georgia... 13. Miami... 14. Michigan... 15. California... 16. Ohio State... 17. Texas A&M... 18. Stanford... 19. Clemson... 20. Washington... 21. Notre Dame... 22. Oregon... 23. South Carolina... 24. North Carolina... 25. Mississippi

On paper and according to some online 'gurus', twelve teams finished ahead of the Canes... yet Miami fans remain up in arms over this most recent class. Forget the fact that 28 new kids pledged their allegiance to "The U", par for the course the focus remains on those that got away, as opposed to those who are on board.

Florida snagged the top spot, a program with two titles in four years. Texas rolled in second, just like they did in last year's title game. National Champion Alabama was third. Perennial BCS staples Oklahoma and Southern Cal were number five and seven, respectively. LSU - a two time champ this decade - was eighth. Traditional powers Penn State and Georgia rolled in eleventh and twelfth. Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and UCLA were also ahead of Miami. Not exactly bad company.

But what about those behind the Canes? Funny how few focus on that.

Big Ten and Rose Bowl winner Ohio State came in at #16. Feel good story Stanford and superstar coach Jim Harbaugh came it at #18. Dabo Sweeney and Clemson #19. Notre Dame and new coach Brian Kelly came it #21. Chip Kelly and Oregon at #22. The 'amazing' Butch Davis pulled in the #24 class.

And what about the flavor of the week-month-year type teams? Boise State, TCU, Utah, Cincinnati and BYU were unranked. So was Bobby Petrino's Arkansas bunch. So was Dave Wannstache's Pitt program. Same for Greg Schiano and Rutgers. Same for Mike Leach/Tommy Tuberville's Texas Tech squad.

Mark Stoops at Arizona or Dennis Erickson at Arizona State? Unranked and nothing to write home about. BCS winner Kirk Ferentz, nada at Iowa. In state rival South Florida, nowhere to be found.

Time for some perspective, Hurricane nation. Miami pulled in a top class in 2008 and followed up with a top ten class in 2009. Gone are the days of promising immediate playing time. The Canes are loaded at some positions and are depth challenged at others.

Offensive line is not a 'sexy' pick with recruiting sites. (Seriously, there's a reason these guys are referred to as the 'big uglies'.) UM took five o-linemen in this class and filled other voids at tight end and linebacker. Miami got some quality four-star players and some three-star kids that should pan out over time. They also rolled the dice on a few two-star guys and took a ton of premature grief for doing so.

This class should be judged at the end of the 2011 season - not days after the ink dried on the LOI.

Give these kids time to make a name for themselves... and pay attention to your surroundings. The 13th rated class in the nation is nothing to sneeze at. Especially in the wake of 9-4, 7-6 and 5-7. Miami is still rebuilding and this is part of the process. Relax.

Perspective on recruitment of Seantrel Henderson...

2010-02-04T04:40:00.000-08:00

There's a common theme among some bitter Miami fans that Randy Shannon can't close. After top-ranked offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson picked USC earlier today, those complaints were voiced yet again.

Below is a blurb from Thayer Evans of the New York Times regarding the Henderson recruiting process and hopefully shedding some light for those who live in the dark:

"The decision of Henderson, who has yet to qualify academically, capped a frantic final recruiting week.

It started last Wednesday with a visit by Southern Cal coaches: Lane Kiffin, the head coach; his father, Monte, the defensive coordinator; Ed Orgeron, the assistant head coach; and James Cregg, the offensive line coach.

Sean Henderson recalled telling his son in his freshman year, “If you really, really kill it, who knows, you might get a call from U.S.C. someday.”

In May, that dream came to be with a call from Pete Carroll, then the Trojans’ coach. During his son’s recruitment, Sean Henderson said, recruiters from other colleges mentioned that the Trojans might face penalties from an N.C.A.A. investigation of their athletic program. But while visiting the Hendersons last week in Minneapolis, Lane Kiffin told them not to be worried, Sean Henderson said.

“As far as he’s been informed — he was very, very choosy with his words — there shouldn’t be anything going wrong because there was no knowledge of anything going on by the staff,” Sean Henderson said. The Hendersons asked Kiffin to be clear about what impact the N.C.A.A. might have on the Trojans’ football program, Sean Henderson said. Just before Seantrel chose U.S.C. on Wednesday, Kiffin reiterated not to listen to others who said the Trojans might face sanctions.

The day after U.S.C.’s visit, Miami Coach Randy Shannon made his home visit, but it was delayed by an hour and a half while Seantrel was having his hair done.

After saying that he thought he was bound for U.S.C. just after midnight Friday, Henderson and his father left freezing temperatures in Minneapolis in a limousine sent by Miami to head to the airport for their official visit to the university. The trip was Henderson’s fifth and final official N.C.A.A. visit, and came on the weekend of the Pro Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla.

That night, Seantrel Henderson was taken to a Miami club, where he met the former Miami stars Willis McGahee and Bryant McKinnie. The next day, McKinnie was kicked off the National Football Conference Pro Bowl team after two unexcused absences from practice. On Saturday he went to a South Beach nightclub, where he met Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed, another former Miami player.

Sean Henderson said his son told him, “Wow, Dad, this trip right here is making my decision even harder.” Besides the Hurricanes’ storied history, father and son liked that the university was private and that the team was 9-4 last season and seemed to have a bright future. They also liked the warm weather, but had concerns about Miami’s fast pace."

How can anyone say that Miami and this staff didn't go after Henderson with a vengeance?

Shannon heads to Minneapolis for an in-home visit and is left waiting for ninety minutes while Henderson gets his hair done for his Wednesday close up. Days later UM sends a limo for the Henderson family's trek to Coral Gables.

Henderson meets up with McGahee and McKinnie at a club, Friday night on South Beach during Pro Bowl weekend. The next night, he's hanging out with NFL great and all-time Cane, Ed Reed.

Both Sean and Seantrel loved the UM experience, see the program improving, like where it's headed and feel Miami has a bright future... and that STILL wasn't enough, which is sometimes the case.

Henderson had USC on the brain for years and the family chose west over east. It happens, but not for lack of trying. All that "Miami is too fast paced" stuff would've flown if the big man chose Columbus (OH), but calling Miami too 'big city' and then choosing LA - not the smartest play.

Sounds like Cane coaches set up a perfect weekend for the top-ranked recruit, but the big man wasn't to be swayed. His mind was made up before that free limo ride to the airport. It was a weekend away from freezing Minnesota while every NFL somebody was tearing up South Beach. Not exactly a bad weekend for a free trip.

It sounds a bit like the teen-friendly MTV series "Parental Control", where a mom and dad aim to get their offspring to break up with said loser boyfriend/girlfriend by introducing a dreamy new partner into the scenario. In the end, offspring is forced to choose between current love interest or one of the two picks from mom and dad's screening process.

The overwhelming majority of teens wind up sticking with their first love, despite being shown the flaws. That's how it works when you're young - you ignore sound advice and simply do what you want to do regardless.

Henderson and family know that the NCAA is ready to crack down on USC and choose to listen to Lane Kiffin's cries of, "everything's gonna be alright" and take it as gospel. "Ignore what they're saying - we'll be fine".

Sounds like something the CEO tells his shareholders right before the hammer falls and the stock tanks.

Even though Henderson has verballed to USC, he'll wait until late February to sign a letter of intent. USC will meet in front of the NCAA infractions committee between the 19th-21st to discuss the Trojans fate and while no clear cut answer will come that day, the Henderson family feels it'll have a better feel on what the punishment will be.

Worth keeping an eye on the next few weeks? Absolutely. In the end, Henderson to Los Angeles doesn't quite seem like a done deal.

Signing Day '10 comes to a close

2010-02-03T17:49:00.000-08:00

To the twenty eight new Canes who signed letters of intent today, welcome to 'The U'. To those who didn't want in, best of luck in your future endeavors. All parties need to move forward.

That's where it starts and where it ends. Appreciate and embrace those who got on board instead of lamenting over those who you feel got away - the term 'got away' used loosely as they were never yours to begin with.

Those caught up in the recruiting process, enamored with player rankings and YouTube highlight reels, this class isn't going to "wow" you. No five stars. Six four stars. Eighteen three stars. Four two stars. Only a few kids from ESPNs' Top 150, too. 2010 wasn't about flash, it was about substance.

For Randy Shannon, a "great class" that can "help us get that next step" regarding his take on its impact on the future of the program.

Needs were met - most notably offensive line, tight end and linebacker. Miami reeled in five offensive linemen, three tight ends (including a JUCO transfer) and five linebackers. Five defensive linemen were also added, bringing some depth to the trenches.

Anyone who watched Miami's lines getting manhandled by Virginia Tech and Wisconsin this year should obviously welcome the upgrades.

To say that college football recruiting has gotten out of hand - the understatement of understatements. Played out hat tricks. Flip flopping and double-talk. Coach-speak coming out of the mouths of babes. Star rankings rising and falling based on the outcome of one game. Not taking 'competition faced' into the evaluation. Everything is so arbitrary, which makes for less accountability and more wiggle room when making predictions.

Star rankings for high school players may sell subscriptions to paid sites, but it's as inexact a science as you'll find. Want proof? Look no further than some past Miami classes:

>>> In 2002, wideout Ryan Moore was a five-star prospect out of Dr. Phillips in Orlando and was listed as the top receiver nationwide, according to some. Moore's career flamed out at 'The U' before it even started and he's more known for smacking up a female bar patron than any catch he ever made on the field.

Others to flame out in that highly-touted '02 class; Kareem Brown (#1 defensive player in Florida), Marc Gullion (nation's #10 quarterback), Akieem Jolla (#5 wideout in nation), Curtis Justus (highly-touted TE that flamed out), Alex Pou (#21 OL in nation), Greg Threat (#21 DB in nation), Alton Wright (highly-touted DL).

Miami had the 7th ranked class in '02 and of those 20 players, only three made the NFL - Eric Winston, Sinorice Moss and Brandon Meriweather - and over a dozen could easily be referred to as 'busts'.

>>> Larry Coker reeled in what was rated the sixth-best class in 2003. Five-star quarterback Kyle Wright led the charge and obviously never became the next big thing, as expected. Devin Hester and his speed have taken him to new heights in the NFL, but his role proved limited at UM. Tyrone Moss was a local four-star back expected to be the next great. He wasn't.

Again, a highly-ranked class full of more misses than hits: Glenn Cook (#26 linebacker in nation), Willie Cooper (#21 safety in nation), Vegas Franklin (#18 outside LB in nation), Dave Howell (drew comparisons to Vince Wilfork), Terrell Walden (#9 DB in nation).

The '03 class was thought to have reeled in a top-flight offensive line with Derrick Morse, Cyrim Wimbs, John Rochford and Andrew Bain, but outside of Morse the rest flopped.

Regarding "those who got away", this should've been a class that included Ali Highsmith (LSU) and H.B. Blades (Pitt) -- UM legacy that went elsewhere, yet Coker wasn't raked over the coals as Shannon would've been. Amazing how that happens on the heels of a 24-1 start to ones coaching career - not to mention inheriting such tremendous depth that a few "misses" could be absorbed without missing a beat.

A lot of the kids Miami reeled in earlier this decade were thought to be big time talent and they proved to be busts, meaning two things - the players weren't developed and the so-called experts were wrong regarding the overblown rankings, which can happen when trying to predict the career path and future of a high school superstar.

Miami didn't win the beauty contest on Signing Day '10, but there's substance which should pay off down the road. Tom Luginbill agrees:

“I term this class an upside class, a class that you could look back in two or three years and say, ‘You know what, there’s some really fruitful kids that came out of this class that not a lot of people talked about", said longtime ESPN recruiting analyst.

"I just think there are some targets who are really special. Even without (Seantrel Henderson), I still think its a very, very good class... Because of how young they are I think they've found some kids who they can redshirt and develop down the road -- real gifted athletes. I know some people may criticize that, but I'm not sure that wasn't done by design. Plus, you look at the six kids they already have in school.''

The six early enrollees - Malcolm Bunche (OL), Stephen Morris (QB), Allen Hurns (WR), Storm Johnson (RB), Tyrone Cornelius (LB) and Shane McDermott (OL). This is the third straight season Shannon and staff have been successful getting kids on campus for spring ball, helping build depth and experience - as well as getting an eight-month jump on a freshman's first season.

The Canes landed only one Signing Day 'bonus' in tight end Asante Cleveland. Shannon stressed the importance of adding depth at the position, so a fourth tight end in this class was a huge pick up. JUCO transfer Chase Ford should vie for immediate playing time, while either Andrew Tallman or Clive Walford could redshirt. Regardless, today's addition will help ease the loss of Dedrick Epps and Jimmy Graham.

Some are saying Miami whiffed, but last minute pick ups haven't been Shannon's style down the stretch. The Canes take care of recruiting business all year long, landing more than the average amount of mid-season verbal commits. Entering this morning, UM had over two dozen kids (almost) signed, sealed and delivered, whereas other programs had much less, allowing them to 'close' on Signing Day.

Of the supposed "misses", Ivan McCartney picked West Virginia over UM. The Canes are loaded at wideout, McCartney's former Miramar quarterback is in Morgantown and his high school coach was a Mountaineer. Is it really a 'miss' when a kid chooses playing time over being buried on the depth chart? Same could be said for Florida's Quinton Dunbar, a local wideout who decommitted from Miami months back.

OT Shon Coleman chose Auburn and was always considered a Miami "longshot" so again, is it really a "miss" when the odds were considered low?

Ego Ferguson surprised everyone last minute and chose LSU over UM, FSU and Texas Tech. The DE out of Virginia's Hargrave Military Academy had no real UM ties and was recruited late and while he'd have been a great addition, he wasn't Miami's to lose.

California LB Josh Shirley decided to stick with a hometown program and chose UCLA over Miami and USC. A left coast kid wanted to stay out west and like some others who went elsewhere, he was never a Cane and UM was a underdog in the three horse race.

Lastly, Seantrel Henderson gave Miami a late look, but went with Southern Cal - a favorite of his, along with Ohio State. The Minnesota product was beyond a longshot, but again the staff will be blamed for an inability to 'close'.

Of the six final day prospects, Cleveland was the lone signee - a northern California kid committed to Washington State who essentially defected because of Miami's need at tight end. The exact opposite of the situation at wide receiver which obviously weighed in McCartney's decision to seek out a weaker depth chart.

Miami started the day with 27 commitments and ended with 28. Cleveland is a nice pick up (the nation's #15 TE) and is one more played than the Canes began the day with. Plus, he fills a huge void at tight end - where some who've seen him film are reminded of former Cane great Bubba Franks.

Jacory Harris is the key to Miami's offense and the first-year starter was tossed around like a ragdoll late last fall. A new-look Mark Whipple offense worked early on, but the offensive line fell apart when different schemes were tossed at them. The lowlight, a 20-14 bowl loss to Wisconsin, where Miami was owned in the trenches and Harris was sacked five times.

Offensive line was a glaring hole and while Henderson would've been a dream left tackle, again, focus on who's on board.

Brandon Linder is a top-notch prospect from St. Thomas, a program that churns out some college-ready talent like Sam Young (Notre Dame) and Andrew Datko (Florida State).

The 6'6" almost 300 pound Linder is joined by high school teammate Jermaine Barton, prep school transfer Bunche, local product Johnathan Feliciano and Wellington's McDermott, a 6'3" down and dirty center who looks like he'll bring some piss and vinegar to the line.

What the line has been to the offense, the linebacking core has been to the defense - spotty, undeveloped and full of holes and a day after Arthur Brown decided to "take some time off", five new Cane backers are on board.

I guess four-star Travis Williams leads the charge, if you're judging rankings. A solid pick up out of Virginia. Miami also added three-star Tyrone Cornelius, two-star James Gaines, three-star Gainesville product Kevin Nelson and two-star Kelvin Cain.

Gaines, Cain and defensive linemen Delmar Taylor and Jeffery Brown are the under the radar types that Shannon and staff have made a habit of targeting. Miami coaches obviously go after top talent - proven by the half dozen four-star players and the heavy pressure put on a five-star like Henderson. Yet in the same breath, Cane coaches won't shun a kid who doesn't garner the same hype.

Gaines sent a highlight tape to Miami mid-January. He planned on playing for the hometown team, but after Buffalo head coach Turner Gill booked for Kansas it was game off. Cane coaches dug what they saw and the academically sound, hard hitting linebacker received an offer.

Taylor, a local product, hand delivered his reel to Cane coaches and everyone liked what they saw. Taylor is raw, but Miami is his dream school and there's said to potential and upside.

California-bred Cain said his heart dropped when Miami offered and the versatile athlete committed on the spot. His coach calls him a born leader and made him team captain. Sounds like the kind of kid you take a chance on. Especially late in the game when a D.C. linebacker breaks his commitment, defecting for Maryland and staying closer to home.

At some point, everybody is unheralded. The greats eventually have that first 'next level' moment and it grows from there - but at some point, everybody is a nobody.

Gaines, Cain and Taylor could become 'all world' or 'no world'. Time will tell, but at least give them the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to prove themselves.

If "can't miss" products like Wright, Moore, Moss, etc. all missed, who's to say today's "nobody" can't become tomorrow's superstar?

All the so-called 'experts' who earn a living ranking classes, a bit of advice - save your opinions as you're way ahead of yourselves.

You can't rank a class based on potential. You have to let it develop over time and rank it when it's fact, not theory. "On paper" means nothing. High school and college are night and day. Just ask Kansas-bound Brown, passed on the depth chart two years in a row by "lesser" players, according to Internet rankings.

Signing Day is simply the starting line. Don't predict how the race will be run. Watch it go and write about it when it's done.

A slew of new Canes on board today. Welcome them with open arms as they signed on and will spend the next four years putting this program back on the map. Another class is in the books.

Celebrate the victory instead of dwelling on perceived loss.

Devont'a Davis & Kevin Nelson bailing Gainesville...

2010-02-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

A little more perspective regarding appreciating those who got on board instead of lamenting those who got away. Here's some footage of two Gainesville High products - Devont'a Davis and Kevin Nelson - signing their letters of intent to play for the University of Miami.

Check out the final third where both Davis and Nelson talk about this being a dream come true regarding playing for "The U" and joining the U Family.

Besides plucking two kids out of Florida's backyard, Miami reeled in two quality kids here and solid athletes.

Choosing the 305 over the 352, welcome to The U, fellas.

Miami Hurricanes : 2010 Recruiting Class

2010-02-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

Please welcome the 2010 Miami Hurricanes recruiting class to Coral Gables. To those who wanted in, thank you for signing on to help rebuild 'The U'. To those who went elsewhere, it's a Canes thing and you obviously didn't understand.

Jermaine Barton
Offensive Lineman, 6-7, 283
Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS
- Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Named second team All-Broward by the Miami Herald and the Florida Sun Sentinel ... Allowed only two sacks his senior season ... Very good athlete who also is a gifted basketball player ... Helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a 28-1 record the last two seasons and a Class 5A state title in 2008 and No. 1 national ranking in 2009.

Jeff Brown
Defensive Line, 6-3. 275
Evanston, Ill./Evanston HS
- Rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and the No. 75 defensive tackle in country by Scout.com ... As senior, totaled 42 solo tackles, five sacks, nine tackles for loss, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks ... Also wrestled in high school and compiled a 39-1 record as a senior ... Also lettered in track and was a state qualifier in the shot put.

Malcolm Bunche
Offensive Line, 6-7, 328
Newark, Del./ Milford (N.Y.) Academy/Newark HS
- Enrolled at Miami in January 2010 ... Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and the No. 8 prep school prospect in the nation regardless of position ... Ranked the No. 18 best offensive guard by Scout.com, No. 39 best offensive tackle by Rivals.com and No. 86 best offensive tackle by ESPN.com out of high school ... Originally signed a national letter of intent with Miami in the spring of 2009.

Kelvin Cain
Linebacker, 6-3, 226
Clovis, Calif./Buchanan HS
- Rated the 10th best outside linebacker in the state of California ... As a senior, recorded 80 tackles and nine sacks while also returning eight kickoffs for 150 yards ... Played at Portland (OR) Grant High School, where he finished with 61 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.

Eduardo Clements
Running Back, 5-9, 183
Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington HS
- Rushed for 3,105 yards and 50 touchdowns in four seasons at Booker T. Washington ... Rated the No. 79 player in the Sporting News 100 ... Rated the No. 43 prospect in the Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 ... As a junior rushed for 892 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 296 receiving yards and three total touchdowns ... In limited action as a senior, rushed 694 yards and nine touchdowns ... As a sophomore on the state champion team, ran for 961 yards and 19 touchdowns ... Rated the No.62 player in the Sports Illustrated Takkle Top 200 ... Rated the No. 11 running back by Rivals.com, a four-star recruit and the No. 156 player nationally ... Named first team All-Dade by the Miami Herald as a senior and second team All-Dade as a junior and sophomore ... No.76 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List.

Asante Cleveland
Tight End, 6-5, 240
Sacramento, Calif./Christian Brothers HS
- Ranked the No. 15 tight end and a three-star recruit by Scout.com ... As a junior earned all-league honors after leading his team with 21 receptions for 262 yards and four touchdowns ... As a senior had 24 receptions for 412 yards and seven touchdowns.

Tyrone Cornelius
Linebacker, 6-2, 195
Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS
- Enrolled in January 2010 ... Ranked the No. 39 outside linebacker prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and three-star recruit by Scout.com ... Finished his senior season with 108 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles, two blocked punts and eight tackles for loss and helped lead Stephenson to an 11-1 record and the second round of the playoffs ... As a junior tallied 118 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles (one returned for a score), four sacks, 11 tackles for losses, a blocked punt and three safeties ... Named a first-team all-state selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Associated Press ... No. 28 player on the AJC Top 50 List.

Devont'a Davis
Defensive Back, 6-0, 166
Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville HS
- Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Named first team all-area by the Gainesville Sun ... Finished his senior year with 75 tackles, seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 12 passes broken up which included a season-best 12 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles against Buchholz ... As a junior had 50 tackles - seven for losses - with one interception and 15 passes broken up.

Jeremy Davis
Defensive Back, 6-0, 188
Cape Coral, Fla./Ft. Myers HS
- Three-star recruit and No. 49 cornerback by Scout.com and No. 77 wide receiver by Rivals.com ... No. 92 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List ... Tallied 71 tackles, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 15 pass break-ups and three blocked punts as a senior ... On offense carried 72 times for 1,047 yards and 15 touchdowns ... As a junior at Ft. Myers High School, played mostly offense and had 30 catches for 500 yards and 12 touchdowns ... As a sophomore played defensive back and had 50 tackles, 11 passes broken up and an interception.

Jonathan Feliciano
Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 318
Davie, Fla./Western HS
- Three-star recruit and No. 19 offensive guard by Scout.com ... Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com ... No. 56 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List ... First Team All-Broward by the Sun Sentinel.

Chase Ford
Tight End, 6-6, 245
Corrigan, Texas/Kilgore J.C.
- Second team junior college All-American ... Named first team Southwest Junior College Football Conference's MVP after leading the conference with 32 receptions and 545 receiving yards ... Named first All-SWJCFC ... As a high school senior at Corrigan-Camden High, earned All-District honors as a senior.

James Gaines
Linebacker, 6-3, 205
Getzville, N.Y./Canisius HS
- NYSSA Second Team All State, Class A ... Played linebacker, safety, tight end, tailback and receiver at Canisius this past season ... Finished with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown, 15 catches for 270 yards and two scores along with 154 tackles (108 solo), three sacks, an interception and fumble recovery.

Tavadis Glenn
Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 300
Jacksonville, Fla./Raines HS
- Under Armour All-American ... A four-star prospect who is rated the No. 22 defensive tackle prospect in the nation by Rivals.com ... No. 105 Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 ... No.62 player in Sports Illustrated Takkle Top 200 ... finished with 50 tackles, 17 for losses, along with six sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal as a junior at Terry Parker HS ... Played senior season at Raines HS and had 50 tackles, 10 for losses, and three sacks on defense.

Maurice Hagens
Running Back, 5-11, 237
Riverview, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech HS
- Three-star recruit and No. 4 fullback by Scout.com and No. 8 fullback by Rivals.com ... No. 47 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List ... Helped Tampa Bay Tech to a final record of 9-2 with 1,300 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging six yards per carry ... As a junior, finished with 1,019 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. ... Ran for 1,300 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Darion Hall
Running Back, 5-11, 190
Naples, Fla./Lely HS
- Three-star recruit and No. 49 running back by Rivals.com ... No. 34 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List ... Finished his senior season with 965 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 107 yards per game and 7.6 yards per carry ... Had 1,791 yards with 21 touchdowns, averaging 179 yards per game and 10.6 yards per carry as junior.

Allen Hurns
Wide Receiver, 6-3, 175
Miami, Fla./Carol City HS
- Enrolled in January 2010 ... Three-star recruit by Rivals.com ... Ranked as one of top 100 receivers by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Finished his junior year with 23 receptions for 450 yards and seven touchdowns ... As a senior had six catches for 110 yards before suffering a season-ending injury.

Storm Johnson
Running Back, 6-0, 212
Loganville, Ga./Loganville HS
- Enrolled in January 2010 ... Under-Armour All-American ... Ranked No. 22 recruit in the country by ESPN.com ... Named a 2009 second team EA Sports All-American ... Rushed for a school record 1,937 yards and 31 touchdowns, caught 11 passes for 150 yards and returned two kickoff s for touchdowns as a senior ... Rated the No. 7 running back in the country, No. 8 player in the state of Georgia and No. 106 player nationally by Rivals.com ... Rushed for 1,300 yards and 21 TDs as a junior at Buford (Ga.) HS in 2008 ...Named the 2009 Atlanta Journal Constitution AAAA Player of the Year ... Earned first team all-state by the AJC and Associated Press ... No. 6 player on the AJC Top 50 list ... Rated No. 34 prospect in the Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 and the No.137 prospect in Sports Illustrated Takkle Top 200.

Brandon Linder
Offensive Line, 6-6, 290
Southwest Ranches, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS
- U.S. Army All-American ... Ranked No. 145 in the ESPN Top 150 ... Named first team All-Broward by Sun Sentinel and the Miami Herald ... Helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a 28-1 record the last two seasons and a Class 5A state title in 2008 and No. 1 national ranking in 2009 while the offfense averaged 321yards per game ... Rated the No. 47 prospect in the Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 and the No.167 player in Sports Illustrated Takkle Top 200 ... No. 3 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List.

Shane McDermott
Offensive Line, 6-3, 275
Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central HS
- Enrolled in January 2010 ... Palm Beach County First team All-Conference as a center ... First team All-Area by Palm Beach Post ... First Team All-Broward by the Sun Sentinel ... Three-star athlete who is the No. 20th rated center by rivals.com ... Under Armour All-American Game ... No. 44-ranked player in the Sentinel's Florida Top 100 ... Recorded 50 pancake blocks and earned a 93 percent grade for the season ... No. 44 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List.

Stephen Morris
Quarterback, 6-2, 183
Miami, Fla./Monsignor Pace
- Enrolled in January 2010 ... Three-star athlete who is the No. 26th dual threat QB by rivals.com ... Also rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com ... Completed 96 of his 179 pass attempts for 1,531 yards, 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions and also ran for 125 yards and a touchdown as a senior ... Finished his junior year completing 64 percent of his passes with 2,005 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions ... In his career, had 98 carries for 162 yards and four touchdowns and completed 240-of-404 passes for 3,536 yards ... Named second team All-Miami-Dade by the Miami Herald as a junior.

Kevin Nelson
Linebacker, 6-0, 213
Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville, HS
- Three-star recruit and No. 22 middle linebacker by Scout.com ... Nelson finished his senior season with 150 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six sacks. He scored three touchdowns, two on interceptions returns and one on a fumble recovery. As a junior Nelson had 125 tackles, 10 for losses, and 3.5 sacks along with a blocked punt. Named first team all-area by the Gainesville Sun

Keion Payne
Defensive Back, 5-10, 160
Fort Lauderdale, Fla./ St. Thomas Aquinas HS
- Named All-Broward third team by the Miami Herald and All-Broward honorable mention by the Sun Sentinel ... No. 19 cornerback and four-star recruit by Scout.com ... Rated No. 29 cornerback prospect by Rivals.com ... No.72 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List ... As a senior had three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and was part of an Aquinas secondary that allowed opponents an average of only 100.7 passing yards per game ... Recorded 33 tackles, 14 passes broken up and four interceptions as a junior at Dillard High School.

David Perry
Defensive Line, 6-6, 230
Pembroke Pines, Fla./University School
- Three-star recruit and No. 39 defensive end by Scout.com ... Ranked No. 115 in the ESPN Top 150 ... No. 94 prospect on the Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 State List ... Named first team All-Broward by the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald... Played defensive end and tight end in high school and recorded 12 sacks as a senior.

Kacy Rodgers
Defensive Back, 6-1, 200
Southlake, Texas/Southlake Carroll HS
- Four-star recruit and No. 14 cornerback nationally by Scout.com ... Rated the No. 37 cornerback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com ... Registered 29 tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions as a junior.

Andrew Tallman
Tight End, 6-5, 240
Carthage, N.Y./Boston College HS
- Three-star recruit who is the No. 5 prospect at his position in the state by Rivals.com ... Three-star prospect and No. 56 recruit at his position by Scout.com.

Delmar Taylor
Defensive Line, 6-3, 270
Miami, Fla./Miami Beach HS
- Three-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Talented athlete, who played in just five games last season mostly on offense and saw limited time on defense ...

Travis Williams
Linebacker, 6-3, 200
Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
- Under Armour All-American ... Four-star prospect by Rivals.com and ranked the No. 15 outside linebacker and No. 204 nationally regardless of position ... Finished his junior year with 68 tackles, 15 sacks and seven forced fumbles ... On offense, had 32 receptions for over 600 yards ... As a senior had 71 tackles, 14 sacks, seven forced fumbles and 11 passes broken up... Recorded a school record 69 career sacks.

Clive Walford
Tight End, 6-4, 215
Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central HS
- Three-star recruit by Rivals.com ... Had over 400 receiving yards and six touchdown catches as a senior ... Earned All-Palm Beach County honors.

Interesting ink from ESPN's Bruce Feldman...

2010-01-31T21:56:00.001-08:00

With recruiting always a hot topic and 'Signing Day' just over a week out, Bruce Feldman - author of 'Cane Mutiny' - made an interesting observation regarding Super Bowl participants.

Recruiting hounds obsessed with stars and rankings, pay attention to the following list of "lesser talent" competing in next Sunday's game:

"It's an intriguing time around football: there were two entertaining games in the NFL conference title weekend; the countdown to the signing day is in full swing and the Senior Bowl week is about to kick off. Keep the Colts in mind if your favorite college team doesn't sound like it is cleaning up on signing day next week because the AFC champions are a very interesting study about what a group of mostly unheralded or off-the-radar recruits can become. (Or maybe they are a testament to what can happen to an NFL team if you have one for-the-ages, all-time great running the show.)

Anyhow, I went back to check their depth chart to see how the guys who start for the Colts were rated as recruits. Of those ones who have come through in the online recruiting era marked by the "star" system, it's pretty interesting.

Starting left tackle Charlie Johnson was deemed a two-star tight end prospect; left guard Ryan Lilja was a three-star O-lineman; RG Kyle DeVan was a three-star; Austin Collie was a three-star receiver. Of the remaining starters on the Colts' offense, you either have guys who entered college before the boom of the Internet recruiting era -- QB Peyton Manning (who would've had to have been a five-star); center Jeff Saturday, WR Reggie Wayne, RB Joseph Addai, RT Ryan Diem -- or guys like TE Dallas Clark, WR Pierre Garcon and H-back Gijon Robinson, all of whom were around the two-star range.

On defense, the lone starter ranked above the three-star level is startling left cornerback Kelvin Hayden, who was labeled as a four-star ... but at wide receiver. After that it was DT Antonio Johnson, a three-star JC recruit; LB Philip Wheeler, a three-star; LB Clint Session, a three-star; DB Melvin Bullitt, a three-star, and the same for CB Jacob Lacey." - Bruce Feldman, ESPN.com

Eleven Canes earn a trip to the Pro Bowl

2010-01-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

While the Miami Hurricanes looked to close several high-profile recruits this weekend, football fans nationwide saw 'The U' displayed on the main stage as eleven Canes were named to the 2010 Pro Bowl:

Andre Johnson, Vince Wilfork, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Brandon Meriweather, Frank Gore, Jon Beason, Bryant McKinnie, Antrel Rolle, Jon Vilma and Reggie Wayne were all Pro Bowl bound this year - though some didn't play due to injury, Super Bowl appearances or the nameless former Cane who skipped practice and got the boot.

A testament to the program, as well as a reminder that UM's on the field success isn't that far in the rearview. Lewis is Miami's veteran - in the league since 1996 - while guys like Beason and Rolle were getting it done at 'The U' few years back.

Potential Canes and current recruits - look at the talent around you, seek the common theme and realize that Miami is a cut above. You want to play your college ball at the home of the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl? Here's your chance. You want to be the next Hurricane great, dominating in the postseason after being praised as the best at your position? Come to Coral Gables.

Hurricanes Football: 101

2010-01-25T15:57:00.001-08:00

For years the premise intrigued me and after watching "The U" a few weeks back, the concept was solidified; the University of Miami needs to offer an accredited course on "The History of Hurricanes Football". Your average undergrad could take the class, but it would be created and mandatory for all incoming, football-playing freshmen.

Educate those suiting up for The U about the last three-plus decades of Miami football. Teach them about the storied history. Explain to them the size of the shoes they have to fill and remind them that the need to build on that legacy over the next four years.

As the Rakontur doc played on ESPN last December, I wondered how current Canes, incoming freshmen and national recruits felt about two hours of unabashed, unapologetic UM football history. At 35 years old, I remember and relished in the 'Decade of Dominance' era - Miami's 80s and 90s hey day - but what about those too young to reminisce? Were today's players reacting to this documentary? Why or why not?

I read about some Miami recruits having watched the piece and dug it, but there was not much coverage regarding current Canes. UM was not on board with the documentary and didn't want current coaches or players participating; a huge mistake on the university's part.

Whether or not you approve of the past, embrace it and reshape how the history is told. Point out the good that came from that era - be it the adversity local inner city players overcame, the determination, the leadership, the success.

There was more to Miami football than penalty flags at the Cotton Bowl and a Pell Grant scandal. By keeping your head in the sand, you allow others to tell your story for you, focusing on sensationalism and painting the Canes as bad boys instead of praising the program's accomplishments.

Hurricanes Football: 101; a way to educate next generation Canes about the job they're signing on for and the tradition they're expected to uphold.

Required reading would include Bruce Feldman's "Cane Mutiny" and Jim Martz's "Tales From The Hurricanes Sideline" while the Miami Football Vault could be your class textbook, featuring the following chapters:

- Foreward by Randy Shannon
- Shaky Beginnings, 1926-1947
- Coach Gus, 1948-1963
- The Coral Gables Carousel, 1964-1976
- "The State Of Miami", 1977-1983
- "The U" Against The World, 1984-1988
- Miami Rules, 1989-1994
- Hurricane Watch, 1995-2008
- Afterword by Ted Hendricks

Give a brief introduction week one regarding the program's inception, up through 1976 and then spend the rest of the semester focusing on 1977 through 2001.

Educate current Canes on Howard Schnellenberger and his impact on the program. How did the long-time NFL and NCAA assistant take a program that went 9-13 during the Lou Saban era and turn it into a champion within five years, as promised?

Break down the good, bad and ugly regarding the Jimmy Johnson era. Hell, even call JJ down in the Keys and invite him up to campus as a guest speaker. Same with coach Shannon and other former players of that era. Randy could talk late 80s, linebacker coach Micheal Barrow could go on about the 'Bermuda Triangle' era and Jimmy could drop some of his textbook psychology on the newbies.

Hurricanes Football: 101 - feature a guest speaker every week. From old school former coaches and players, right down to guys from the modern era who are currently dominating at the next level. Schedule the NFL guys on their bye weeks, reminding them that there are other ways to give back besides writing checks.

A three-day a week course could focus on the textbook every Monday, film study every Wednesday - footage of classic games and Guest Lect-U-re Fridays.

I took a one-credit 'Strength & Conditioning' course in college, as well as a one-credit racquetball course and a one-credit tennis course. My electives were a joke... which isn't a shock considering I did my final two years at the University of Florida. (Ouch.)

If I crept one step closer to a diploma for lifting weights and playing games, why can't a history of football type course be created? Especially somewhere like Miami, where the past three decades have provided so much depth and important information.

Of all the '30 for 30' docs on ESPN, only 'The U' was two hours (every other doc has been sixty minutes). There's more than a semester's worth of history to cover. You'd barely get to the turn of the century before it was time for the final exam.

Save the rest for Hurricanes Football:202 - a study of what made Miami tick between 2000 and 2003. Recruiting. Development. Depth. Domination.

Storytelling is a method of teaching and in this case you're dealing with student athletes who didn't see this era first hand. As much as we hate to admit it, 1983 was 27 years ago. Twenty-seven years prior to that it was 1956, which felt like lifetime ago in '83, let alone '10.

Even more sobering - the incoming college freshman was born in 1991, when the Canes brought home their fourth title. That generation saw Florida State and Florida combining for three titles before finally seeing Miami wax Nebraska in the Rose Bowl in 2001, the year they turned ten.

Once in high school, it was Florida winning titles - not Miami. No mystery why the Gators are cleaning up on the recruiting trail. ESPN college football coverage has been like a UF infomercial the past three seasons and Florida delivered on the field... until Bame came calling.

Florida's recent run can't hold Miami's jock, but their success in the now - which is a big deal at 35, but monumental when you're only 18. Before 'The U', today's teenagers flocked to YouTube for vintage Hurricane football footage. Thankfully the Rakontur folk gave the Canes an 'infomercial' of their own, which deserves to see the light of day for years to come.

UM admin missed the boat when they had the opportunity to work with Billy Corben and crew, but it's not too late to do something. Take that footage and use it to your advantage. Create a course... and turn it over to Professor Art Kehoe. There's no one more passionate about Miami football. Anyone who's been to a pep rally or Friday morning pre-game breakfast can attest.

The former player and o-line coach can fire up a crowd and capture an audience. Plus, he's the only Cane in history that sports five UM championship rings.

Art saw everything, playing under Schnelly in the late 70s right up through 2005, working under five different UM head coaches during his tenure. No one more qualified to tell the story, teaching newbies what made Miami, "Miami".

There's an opportunity here, UM. Keep the legacy alive through the storytelling. Academically, this university has made a name for itself this past decade and should be proud... but don't forget about what put Miami on the map in the first place; a winning football program. Now it's time for you to give back, Administration and top brass.

Build the brand. Think creatively. Market this football program with something other than catchy slogans for Nike to sell.

Teach these current Canes about the past. The future is now as winning ways are needed to keep this thing rolling.

Modern day head coaches; careful what you wish for

2010-01-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

An interesting month on the college football coaching front. For those quick to piss and moan about the situation in Miami, let the reality of some other schools' situations sink in. Most of you aren't thankful for 9-4, instead choosing to vent at any given moment. Hopefully the current state of the college coaching carousel will give you some perspective.

No charm in being Tennessee right now, is there? A year ago this time, high on all things Lane Kiffin. A year later, trying to feign excitement over the start of the Derek Dooley era.

Dooley deserves his fair shake, but this was supposed to be year two for Kiffin; rather pivotal regarding the rebuilding process.

A combined 12-21 at Oakland and Tennessee, Kiffin hasn't proven much... yet. Another one-year career as he's USC-bound, leaving the Vols high and dry. The expectations will be lower year one in LA than year two in Knoxville. As a young coach, is it untapped potential ready to bloom, or a disloyal jobhopper given too much too soon, ripe for a fall?

Time will tell... and with all that, welcome back to LA.

USC dominated the last decade like no other. A two-loss season and Rose Bowl win were status quo. Toss in 1.5 titles, some top flight recruiting and all courtesy of the do-no-wrong Pete Carroll. His NFL coaching career a bust, Carroll had supposedly "found his niche" with the college game. King of Troy. Living the dream.

Carroll's had several chances to jump back to the bigs, declining every time, feeling USC was his perfect utopia.

Then the NCAA came calling.

Sanctions looming. A four-loss season. The reemergence of some once-down Pac-10 foes. Colossal beatdowns courtesy of Oregon and Stanford. A drop off in talent and development since losing key assistants like Kiffin, Norm Chow, Steve Sarkasian and others. The Trojans lost some luster and oh yeah, a hammer is about to be dropped regarding sanctions. The wins obviously came, but at what price? We'll soon find out.

Enter, Lane. The quick-fix. Save this year's class, rally the troops, keep the Trojans afloat and when the NCAA makes it official, head for the hills, Kiffin-five-thou.

Tennessee and Southern Cal, both are facing great unknowns. As is Michigan in the Rich Rodriguez era. Powerhouse program going against their traditional brand of ball with a modern era coach. Nebraska went through it with with Bill Callahan, before turning the keys over to one of their own - former assistant Bo Pelini - a one-year defensive coordinator (2003) who spent the past few years at LSU and has since revitalized the Huskers.

Texas Tech also faces a great unknown in the post-Mike Leach era. Leach was a hot name amongst Miami fans the past few years, believing he was a better prospect than Randy Shannon. Leach's gimmicky offense earned him 9-4, 11-2 and 9-4 run in Lubbock since Shannon took over at The U. High-octane offense, Swiss cheese defense. Not exactly UM's recipe for success the past few decades.

Questions have since arisen in regards to Leach's high-octane temper, fired for allegedly locking wide out Adam James in a closet after a concussion. Leach says the accusations are false, stating that Tech booted him in an effort to stick it to him regarding his contract and bonus money.

Regardless, the soap opera plays out on national television - picked apart by "TMZ-SPN" every hour on the hour. A public relations nightmare, in the middle of recruiting season. Tommy Tuberville is headed to town to clean up the mess, instilling his brand of defense, which could be good but is no guarantee.

Tubbs peaked with a 13-0 season in 2004 while coaching Auburn. He followed up with 9-3, 11-2, 9-4 and 5-7. During that skid, offensive woes and an inability to reel in the right offensive coordinator, which eventually brought on his demise.

I marvel at the Cane-loving, Tuberville-backing contingent who are quick to ignore a three, four and seven-loss season, clamoring for the former Miami assistant to return.

Shannon inherits a dog of a program, improves each of this three years at the helm, yet some want to run him out of town. Tuberville turned 13-0 into 5-7 within five seasons, yet he's the one that got away?

Many claim Shannon is too stoic, never showing enough emotion for the masses. What about the hard-ass approach so many loved in the fiery Jim Leavitt? The long-time South Florida coach was canned a few weeks back for smacking up one of his players at halftime. Way to keep those emotions in check, coach. Stay classy, Bulls.

Was the Leavitt firing part of the windfall regarding Leach's abuse charges? Sure. No way USF could justify keeping Leavitt once Leach was canned.

The Bulls scrambled last minute to hire Skip Holtz, but in the process took a PR hit - pardon the pun. Leavitt was getting it done as a coach, he just blew it as CEO. Don't rough up the employees. It'll cost you.

Meanwhile, it's business as usual down at Miami. Out of the headlines and game on regarding the off-season recruiting process. It's not the star-heavy class the premium site subscribing, recruiting fanatics were hoping for - but voids are being filled. Especially at offensive line, where the Canes were embarrassed in the bowl game.

Miami 1991 and 2001 won titles behind two of the program's strongest o-lines. The Canes lost the 1992 and 2002 championships because of lesser lines.

All the skills players in the world don't mean squat if your line can't buy your quarterback time. Beef up, Miami.

Randy's rallying cry two years back was a promise of early playing time - and it earned him the top-ranked class in the nation, on the heels of 5-7.

The on again, off again Urban Meyer is reeling in big time classes because of two titles the past four seasons. Nick Saban will do the same after earning another ring. As will Texas. As will Ohio State. As will other major players who haven't dropped off lately.

UM has to work it's way back to the top one kid at time. At this phase of the game, you'll lose a Louis Nix and roll the dice on a Delmar Taylor. When a Javarie Johnson doesn't have the grades and stays closer to home, you take a shot on a Kelvin Cain.

Ed Reed came in a two-star prospect that chose Miami over Tulane. Reed grew up loving the Noles, but Florida State didn't give him a look. Santana Moss came in on a track scholarship. Thought to be too small, few were looking at the pint-sized wide out. Joaquin Gonzalez earned an academic scholarship and stick with the hometown Canes instead of trekking to Harvard.

Conversely, kids like Kyle Wright, Lance Leggett, Willie Williams and Ryan Moore all brought five-star ratings to Coral Gables, but never panned out.

Amazing the different breed of player you get when on top versus on your way back up. Kids were lining up to come to Miami in '02 and '03, wanting to benefit from the hard work of some previous Canes, en route to the NFL.

Put more faith in a staff's ability to evaluate talent than the opinion of some writer from a subscription-based site, trying to drum up hype. Recruiting is big business, so stars and rankings are tinkered with, in an effort to get people talking and to justify subscriptions charges.

Shannon has the blueprint. He learned from Jimmy and Butch. Recruiting at Miami is a different type of monster. Have faith in the process. Just because Rivals and Scout aren't hyping a few Hurricane recruits, doesn't mean these kids aren't a good fit and won't make an impact.

Adewale Ojomo was an unheralded three-star prospect that only garnered attention from a half dozen average schools. A few years later, he's arguably one of Miami's best down lineman and his efforts were sorely missed in '09. Who's to say Taylor or Cain don't have a similar career path?

All that aside, take a moment to appreciate the class, conviction and character of Miami's current staff, which starts and Shannon and trickles all the way down. Look at the nationwide drama this past month at several programs and give thanks that it's been business as usual at The U. We're learning year after year that nothing should be taken for granted.

Signing Day is two weeks out and it's time for Shannon and staff to close strong. Former recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt is Louisville-bound, but the rest of the staff is rallying and looking to set up some final visits. Shannon is coast to coast right now, shaking hands and selling families on the program. Again, have faith.

See where this winds up two Wednesdays from now. There are still some solid kids with Miami still in the running. Close.

Needs are being met, the staff is getting an upgrade and with solid conditioning this off-season, the Canes will be ready come September.

U Family Relief Effort : Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

allCanes is calling out to all customers; please help us help Haiti.

We are asking for your old Canes gear. Anything you're not wearing or anything you're up for donating. For obvious reasons, please make sure the items are clean, wearable and suitable for donation. T-shirts, shorts, Polos, jerseys and hats.

For each accepted donation, allCanes will give you $5 of your next purchase with us - in-store or online.

If any out of towners would like to mail some gear to us, send to:

allCanes
c/o U Family Relief Effort
5831 Ponce De Leon Blvd.
Coral Gables, FL 33146

Any further questions, email us and we'll get you squared away. Go Canes and pray for Haiti.

"A Tale Of Five" : Documentary on UM running backs

2010-01-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

Rakontur set the bar with thir recent documentary on "The U" and now a fellow Cane is getting in the game. Former running back Najeh Davenport is behind this new piece, "A Tale Of Five" -regarding the top flight backs at UM between 1999 and 2004. Aside from Davenport, this era also included Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore.

No clue where this documentary is at production-wise, but a fellow Cane sent me the trailer link on YouTube and I thought it was worth passing along. Check it out.

A great era for Miami backs. EJ started it in the rebuilding era of the late 90s, getting on board when the Canes were on probation and doing all in his power to bring the Canes back. After leaving before the 1999 season, it was Davenport who was expected to carry the Canes, but the sophomore blew out his knee in the season opener against Ohio State. James Jackson became the go-to, but was eventually supplanted by the talented Portis.

By 2000, it was the Portis show and teamed with a healthy Davenport, the Canes rolled to an 11-1 season and Sugar Bowl win over Florida.

In 2001, it got downright embarassing with Portis the starter, Davenport getting his reps at fullback, the freshman Gore in mop up duty and McGahee getting carries at running back and later at fullback when Davenport was injured for the title game. Four future NFLers in one backfield in one season. Downright scary.

McGahee came damn close to the 2002 Heisman and in 2003 and 2004, it was the Gore show, though the Coral Gables product battled his fair share of knee injuries, as well.

Depth is finally returning at running back for UM. Four more are slated to get on board in February, including the highly-touted Eduardo Clements and Storm Johnson. Combined with last year's signing of Mike James and Lamar Miller and the Canes appear on the verge of being loaded at running back again.

Miami Hurricanes : Shannon's Year One Situation

2010-01-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

There's been a lot of action in our 'comments' section lately, some of it spot on while the rest remain all over the map.

Fans are lumped into different camps these days; Randy Shannon 'lovers' or anti-Shannon 'haters'. Strange, so much focus is put on the man in charge instead of paying attention the past, present and future state of the program - where this recently was, where it is and where it's on track to go.

There are always two ways to look at a situation; either through a logical or illogical mind, where emotion prevails and facts are replaced by off-base opinions and knee-jerk reactions.

I've said it time and again; my loyalty is with the University of Miami. It's not about being pro and anti-Randy. I'm rooting for the guy in charge because he's in charge. This is the current State of Miami and one can either get on board, bitch relentlessly or simply stick their head in the sand until this era comes to a close.

Based on fact, I'm satisfied with what I deem progress and overall improvement. 5-7 year one, 7-6 year two and 9-4 year three. After a 5-1 tear, the four-loss total wasn't ideal - but Shannon has the Canes getting better each season. That's not opinion, it's fact.

Games that Miami would've lost the first two years, it found a way to win year three. A program that mailed it in or folded the tent so often the past two years; it starting showing some grit in both wins and losses this season.

It may not be the timetable many were hoping for. Then again, no one expected to see such a drop off in talent between '04 and where the Canes are today.

Those quick to play the "Don't Blame Larry" card- that'll happen when his last recruit is no longer on board. Until Shannon has a roster full of those signees, Coker's fingerprints remain on this program and squad.

In an effort to remind the overemotional folk where this all began, take it back to year one. Where did this program stand when Shannon took over? What was inherited talent-wise, putting Miami in the lurch it's been in the past few seasons?

The '07 Canes had 21 seniors, 31 juniors, 21 sophomores, 8 redshirt freshmen and 20 true freshmen. The recruiting haul that February was a combination of Coker's class - which Shannon attempted to save, as well as a few new guys.

Graig Cooper was originally on Miami's radar, but after a year at Milford Prep, Coop was unsure if the Canes were still a fit for him. Shannon reeled him in, as well as Allen Bailey. Fresh off a trip to Alabama, the Georgia-bred defensive lineman visited Coral Gables a week later and verballed to Shannon just before signing day.

Robert Marve was another one reeled in by Shannon. In the end, a bad call - but was the right call at the time. Marve was committed to Alabama and Texas product Nick Fanuzzi was Miami bound. The quarterbacks flip-flopped, flamed out and wound up transferring instead of working their way up depth charts.

Damien Berry, Jared Campbell, Lee Chambers, Orlando Franklin, Harland Gunn, Leonard Hankerson, JoJo Nicolas, Adewale Ojomo and DeMarcus Van Dyke were other standouts in the '07 class - some Coker guys, some Shannon guys - and all preparing for their 'senior' year this fall, barring redshirts. (JUCO transfer Kayne Farquharson was part of the '07 class, as well.)

A look across the board and it's obvious this team was void of superior talent, especially in comparison to 2000-2003. A comparison to 2009 and the upgrade is also impossible to ignore.

Three seasons ago it was Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman at quarterback; a five-star who never panned out and the other, a perennial back-up thrust into the starting role due to a lack of depth.

At running back, sophomore Javarris James was the guy, with Cooper challenging for some snaps. Charlie Jones, demoted to third string, transferred after never panning out. Jerrell Mabry held down fullback.

At wide receiver it was current cornerback Sam Shields and the disappointing Lance Leggett. Senior Darnell Jenkins proved the classic overachiever and had his moments, but a lack of depth had Shannon moving cornerback Ryan Hill to wide out, while junior Khalil Jones rounded out the position.

Some more depth perspective - punter Brian Monroe doubled as a third-string wide out a year prior.

DajLeon Farr and converted fullback Chris Zellner at tight end, with an offensive line comprised of Jason Fox, Andrew Bain, A.J. Trump, Derrick Morse and Reggie Youngblood, another five-star that never panned out. Back ups were Chris Barney, Tyrone Byrd, Matt Pipho, Chris Rutledge and Cyrim Wimbs.

Miami's defensive line - Eric Moncur, Antonio Dixon, Teraz McCray and Calais Campbell. Back ups were Vegas Franklin, Josh Holmes, Dwayne Hendricks and Courtney Harris.

At linebacker, Colin McCarthy, Darryl Sharpton, and Glenn Cook with Spencer Adkins, Romeo Davis and Tavares Gooden second string.

The oft-banged up Glenn Sharpe returned at cornerback, R. Phillips on the other side with Lovon Ponder and Kenny Phillips holding down safety. Willie Cooper was the lone safety reserve as the position was depleted. Chavez Grant and Bruce Johnson were back up corners. Redshirt freshman Matt Bosher played both placekicker and punter.

Look at those names. Think back to year one. Let it sink in and compare it to today. Can you really brush off any notion of improvement?

This wasn't a talent-heavy roster, proven by the lack of NFL love. C. Campbell, K. Phillips, T. Gooden and S. Adkins were the lone Canes from that era to get drafted - not quite the twenty first rounders drafted between 2000 and 2004.

Forty Canes reached the NFL overall over that five-year span.

Four have reached the past two seasons.

When you break down the 2007 squad, Shannon wasn't working with much. 5-7 on the heels of the 7-6 season which got Coker fired; it starts to make sense.

Despite things bottoming out year one, Shannon still brought in the top-ranked class in the nation come February. That crop of talent, thrust into the spotlight year one. Dive in head first and help with the lack of depth.

A far cry from plugging a high school phenom into a well-oiled machine like Southern Cal, Oklahoma and even Florida of late. Miami's '08 class was thrown to the wolves like Butch Davis' '97 haul. Different circumstances, yet talent-starved and in need of one big class to jump start the process.

How many young quarterbacks were given the burden Harris had on his bony shoulders? Stuck behind an up-and-down offensive line year one and working with a first-year coordinator? Toss in a nagging injury down the stretch, helping account for the 4-3 skid.

The hard-ass, illogical fan screams that Harris needs to 'toughen up' or 'find a way to get it done'. Fact remains, the first-year starter overachieved and the Canes got a hell of a lot of milage out of the sophomore, running him into the ground thanks to spotty line play.

Fix Harris up, put on some man weight and let him get after it again - healthy for that junior season and year two, where the growth will be obvious.

Miami went as far as Harris took them. At times, the Canes looked unstoppable. When out of sync, a lifeless bunch pushed to the brink by seemingly lesser teams. The anti-Shannonites love harping on a handful of collapses, quickly forgetting that when UM was 'on', you saw a glimpse of where this team will be in the near future.

Position by positon you'll see a squad full of hits and misses. Randy first addressed immediate needs, building depth at wide receiver. Year two, offensive line and defensive standouts.

This time next year, an army of new running backs - Storm Johnson, Eduardo Clements, Maurice Hagans and Darion Hall - and five more offensive linemen to help pave the way.

Defensive line has some talent and more coming in. Shannon brought in Dyron Dye, Luther Robinson and Curtis Porter last season, all of which need to make some noise in '10.

Tavadis Glenn, David Perry and Andrew Tallman will sign in February, adding depth to a position in need of some toughness.

Linebacker has been an issue '04 and needs to take a huge step forward this season. The surge begins with the line, but linebacker dictates so much - as proven every time a Wisconsin tight end caught a pass and rumbled for another first down. Hurricanes linebackers were oft out of position and with what should be a talent upgrade, Miami is due to experience a step forward.

Sean Spence spent the majority of '09 banged up, while McCarthy put together another solid season. Sharpton overachieved and made some big plays down the stretch, but a far cry from the Jon Vilma or D.J. Williams era.

Ramon Buchanan had some moments as a true sophomore, while Jordan Futch had a potential breakthrough season cut short by injury. Highly-touted Arthur Brown hasn't panned out and true freshman Shayon Green missed the year due to injury. Someone in this mix needs to become 'the guy'.

Miami lost recruit Javarie Johnson earlier (D.C. product choosing to stay close to home), but still has four linebackers on board to sign in February - Travis Williams, Kevin Nelson, Tyrone Cornelius and Kelvin Cain.

The secondary got a shot in the arm the past two years adding Brandon Harris, Ray Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque. A sophomore, a true freshman and a r-freshman, this position will get better in time. Gone are Shields and Grant, opening the door for someone new to step up. Last year's Jamal Reid and Brandon McGee or one of the four incoming DBs, it's up for grabs. Who wants it?

When building a case for 2010, it starts with the Canes returning some seniors - Bailey, Hankerson, McCarthy and Franklin. When you're on top, you're losing underclassmen left and right. When in rebuilding mode, guys need one more year and the program needs them.

It's been a while since Miami had a senior class with some big time players. Randy has preached 'retention' since day one and year three it's finally happening.

The Canes should be much healthier in 2010. Hardly the case this past season. Miami had upwards of a dozen starters sidelined for much of the season. Ojomo was missed on the defensive line. Marcus Forston was gone. Spence was banged up. Futch tore an ACL. Moncur was done. McCarthy and J12 played hurt. Cooper wore down as the year went on. Fox missed the final two games.

Injuries can be absorbed when you have the depth, but when you're so heavily reliant on underclassmen, it'll take its toll.

Year three is in the books and while Shannon still has his work cut out, he's still on track for those who buy into a five-year plan. Close strong on the recruiting front, get this unit in the weight room and come out hard year four.

Get back to that 'tougher, stronger, better' mindset this team employed when rebuilding in the late 90s.

Shannon understands Miami's expectations in a way Johnny Superfan never will.

Played for the Canes, spent years as a grad assistant and position coach, had a short stint with the Dolphins and spent six years as a top-notch defensive coordinator for The U. Owns three three rings and knows the city and it's culture like the back of his hand.

He also knows the game of football and what it takes to field a proper team. Shannon coached linebackers the first three years of the Butch Davis era. He endured probation, coached with sub par talent / a lack of depth and he saw Davis rebuild the right way. If anyone has the blueprint for how to fix these current problems, it's Shannon.

Whether he follows it and gets the job done, remains to be seen.

No disrespect, but this program was an absolute joke in '07 and by '09 worked its way back into the top ten on two occasions.

Injuries and spotty quarterback play killed Miami down the stretch, but the Canes proved they could hang with the big boys on the big stage, winning the opener at Tallahassee, whooping eventual ACC champion Georgia Tech and taking out eighth-ranked Oklahoma -- games Miami wouldn't have won at any point between '05 and '08.

This was a monumental fix from day one, which is why nobody else came running. You have to be "Miami" to endure the beating this fan base will throw at you for half a decade. Shannon is that guy.

Miami is a desirable job - when the Canes are on top. Coker literally inherited the best job in the game back in January '01. Shannon landed Enron stock in late '06 - void of talent and heavy on image woes due to a logo stomp, an on-the-field melee and beloved player's murder.

Does UM want a head coach who keeps the arrest rate down, graduates players and has a father figure-like dynamic with his players? Damn straight. But not at the expense of winning. Both are attainable, as Miami proved with its 2000-2003 run.

Word is recent decommit Javarie Johnson couldn't crank out better than 820 on his SAT, Miami's required minimum. Should that prove true, how is his departure not a good thing?

Don't rip UM for having standards. Criticism belongs on corner-cutting programs who let kids slip through the cracks at their football factories.

Shannon is doing it by the book, he's steadily getting better and he came running at this job. For that alone, he deserves five years worth of your support. Some of you flippantly suggest cutting bait now and starting over, which prompts me to ask - what's your plan?

"Fire Randy" is the go-to of so many, but what's the agenda? No pie in the sky, never in a million years suggestions, who can step in and do better?

There's never a solution from the anti-Shannon contingent, just the constant complaint.

Shannon is entering year four and busting his ass, tirelessly looking for solutions. He's also due to sign an extension, so it's time you accept the fact that Shannon and 'Hurricanes football' will be synonymous two more years minimum.

Knowing that and loving this program as you claim to do, can you give the same, tired argument rest already?

As long as he keeps improving, Randy Shannon has earned the right to be 'the guy'.

Jacory Harris preparing for surgery...

2010-01-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

It doesn't excuse seventeen interceptions over the course of a season - ten in the final seven games - but it helps explain why the Jacory Harris you saw down the stretch wasn't the same guy you saw in September.

The sophomore quarterback is preparing for post-season surgery to repair torn ligaments on his right thumb. This latest setback will most likely keep Harris out of spring ball, opening the door for A.J. Highsmith and incoming freshman Stephen Morris to get some much-needed reps. (Should Morris not graduate early from Pace High, Highsmith will be the only available quarterback.)

The lack of depth at quarterback came when Cannon Smith and Taylor Cook transferred during fall ball, leaving only Harris and Highsmith on the roster. Of course the overall lack of depth at the position started before Randy Shannon took over as Larry Coker and staff were unable to build an arsenal after Brock Berlin left town.

Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman were on board, but kids like Pat Devlin, Derek Shaw, Daniel Stegall and Nick Fanuzzi all left Miami at the altar, while last year's starter Robert Marve bailed when he didn't feel he received a fair shake.

According to the Miami Herald, top dog Harris was on crutches for a couple days after the bowl loss to Wisconsin. Strained ligaments in both his ankle and knee were the culprit.

Some folks turned on Harris as he led the Canes to a 4-3 record the final seven games. Success against Florida State and Georgia Tech out the gate had many forgetting the true sophomore only had two career starts leading up to the 2009 season.

The fast start was impressive, but should've been seen more as a fluke or stroke of good fortune, as opposed to 'the norm'. Especially with opposing defensive coordinators finally getting film on Mark Whipple, figuring out the pass-happy coordinator's schemes.

Truth be told, Harris exceeded expectations of a first-year starter. Especially for a program that started the season outside the top 25. It's one thing when a team is reloading, sliding in a new quarterback behind a solid line and giving him and arsenal of players at the skills position. The only program to do that in recent memory is Southern Cal, where a Matt Leinart replaced a Carson Palmer... a John David Booty took over for Leinart... a Mark Sanchez supplanted Booty.

Conversely, the lack of offensive firepower is the sole reason Matt Barkley struggled at times in 2009 (2,735 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.) Barkely will be the next Trojan great, but as a first-year starter he lacked the weapons that helped Leinart, Booty and Sanchez hit the ground running.

Miami fans can obviously relate to Southern Cal's recent success last decade having seen a similar feat in the Decade of Dominance era where the Canes fielded a Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde, Steve Walsh, Craig Erickson and Gino Torretta over a ten year span. Four titles and two Heisman trophies later, it was then a run that included Frank Costa, Ryan Clement, Scott Covington and Kenny Kelly before Ken Dorsey became the guy.

Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen is coming off a solid junior campaign - 3,722 yards, 28 touchdowns and 4 interceptions - but his first year as a full-time starter was less than stellar. In 2008, Clausen threw for 3,172 yards but had a 25-to-17 touchdown to interception ratio.

Clausen played extensively as a freshman in 2007 - 10 of 12 games -but only had 138 attempts as a freshman, compared to 268 as a sophomore and 289 as a junior. Hate the Irish as Cane fans might, there's no arguing that he was a much improved player from his sophomore to junior season.

Harris has a freshman season comparable to Clausen's with 118 attempts and like Clausen, had an up and down sophomore season. With one full year under his belt, Harris now has eight full months heal up, bulk up, break down film and prepare for his next go around.

Quarterback growth from year one to year two - it's a big part of the college game. Harris has played in and won big games and as part of his progression, will need to take things to the next level in 2010. It'll start with hand surgery and once healed, Harris needs to get bigger and stronger. Offensive line woes aside, Harris' durability will be questioned as long as he's only carrying 190 pounds on a 6'4" frame.

Dorsey "beefed up" a bit by his junior season in 2001 and hopefully Harris can follow suit when healthy.

Best wishes to J-12 this off-season. Great run year one. Take it to the next level this fall.

The U : '09 in the books, '10 to be written

2010-01-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Hurricane Nation.

Still reeling from the bowl game loss? Spending your down time assembling your Randy Shannon voodoo doll? Going through a box of Kleenex every time you re-watch "The U", wishing for those swagger-filled days to return?

Step back from the cliff and attempt to have some perspective. Or jump, if you can't take what's going on. Your call. Either way, flooding message boards and regurgitating the same old argument regarding firing coaches - it'll get you nowhere. It's a new year. Let logic best emotion.

A few thoughts:

Jacory Harris. Many of you are writing in frustrated. What happened to the guy who torched Florida State and Georgia Tech? As you bang your head against the wall, again, attempt a little logic.

The Harris you saw against the Noles and Yellow Jackets was a first-year starter who was running plays from a first-year coordinator. Nobody had film on Mark Whipple. Nobody knew what the Canes were running, so defending it was no easy task... and let's be honest; nobody had seen an aerial attack from Miami since the 2002 season.

Harris had 386 yards against Florida State and Miami won the 38-34 shootout when a Christian Ponder pass sailed low and Jarmon Fortson couldn't reel it in. Had FSU prevailed 41-38, I promise you the talk is about Harris' two interceptions - one, a pick six - being the difference-maker. Par for the course with sports fans, "winning" superseded everything else. The 'W' masks all issues and problems.

As Harris goes, so goes Miami. Pick apart every loss this year and you'll see an ineffective or mistake-prone J-12 under center. Virginia Tech rattled his cage week three, bringing the house all day and disrupting his rhythm. Clemson and North Carolina forced a combined seven interceptions - three returned for touchdowns - in those mid-season losses.

Fans can complain that Miami came out flat or wasn't "ready" for Wisconsin, but is that really the case? The Canes proved an easy puzzle to solve. Beat up on the rookie Harris and the game is all but won.

"Our goal was to get after their quarterback," said Wisky head coach Bret Bielema. "When he goes, they go."

Job well done.

The Badgers smacked Harris around all night long. Hit 'em high, hit 'em low, rattle his cage. For those complaining that Harris was "off", that tends to happen when you're getting your ass kicked every play. You lose momentum. You hear footsteps. You second guess. You never find your rhythm.

For you number crunchers out there, let this resonate with you for a moment. Harris was sacked five times on Tuesday night. He's now been sacked thirty-four times this year. Contrast that to Ken Dorsey's run in 2001. The then-junior was sacked four times... on the season.

The lone time Dorsey was truly rushed or beat up during his career; the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State won the battle in the trenches and Miami's passing game was a little bit off all night. Dorsey had 296 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two uncharacteristic interceptions and was picking himself up off the ground all night.

In the end, a rattled Dorsey overshot then-tight end Eric Winston, for the potential game-tying score in the second overtime. On 4th and 1 from the one-yard line, Dorsey was chucked to the ground like a rag doll. Over his forty game career, Dorsey never saw that kind of pressure.

Dorsey's entire career - 2000 through 2002 - was spent behind a solid offensive line; arguably Miami's best in school history.

Harris was a first-year starter who overachived based on the line he played with. Until the Canes have an offensive line, Harris is going to struggle. I'm not the only one echoing the sentiment. Check out some recent ink from ESPN's Ivan Maisel, the Herald's Manny Navarro and some other Cane beat writers who are speaking out after the frustrating loss.

Good news on the 'juniors returning' front. Leonard Hankerson is officially coming back for his senior year, as is Orlando Franklin. Allen Bailey is slated to return and the injured Graig Cooper is still waiting for news on his ACL.

The bad news? The Canes aren't going to dominate day one of the NFL Draft in April. The good news; senior leadership will be in tact by fall.

I've seen fans attempting to predict next year's record, many inexplicably calling for a one-loss or even an undefeated season.

Has me curious if these superfans have bothered to Google "miami hurricanes 2010 schedule" at any point recently. Early games at Ohio State and at Pittsburgh. A season finale against South Florida. ACC conference games against the usual suspects. Florida State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina at Miami. Road games at Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Miami will "improve" next year, but you can't simply measure a program's growth by wins and losses. That will always be the bottom line, but it's not how you truly determine if a team has improved as the schedule sets up different every year. Timing plays into it.

Case in point, a road game against non-division foe Clemson. Miami first faced Clemson as an ACC rival in 2004 and 2005, but nothing from 2006-2008 when the Tigers were reeling and Tommy Bowden was en route to being fired.

Clemson won the ACC Atlantic this year and should be a force next fall, as well. Schedule-wise, it fell this way and Miami has a bigger challenge in 2010 than it would've years back. That's not an excuse and it's still a game that Miami is capable of winning. But this is hardly a schedule setting the Canes up for a title run.

A home and away with Pittsburgh is tougher now, as well. The Panthers are coming off of 10-3. Two years ago they were hovering around 6-6 and 5-7. A much tougher road game than originally expected and the way the chips will fall.

Florida State will be improved. Virginia Tech is pressing on. Georgia Tech is a force. North Carolina is getting better.

You simply can't "assume" that a better record is going to happen just because Miami is a year older. The schedule will be tougher and unless Miami can improve on the offensive and defensive lines, you might not see an improvement record-wise.

After seeing Miami whooped in the trenches against Wisconsin, it's comforting to see the emphasis Shannon and staff have put on recruiting offensive and defensive line. Miami has found recent success on the recruiting trail, which is necessary for next year.

Brandon Linder might be one of those once-in-a-decade type linemen, which the Canes are due for after five-star Reggie Youngblood never became that guy years back. Linder can see some serious snaps as a true freshman thanks to his skills, experience and 6'6" and 290-pound frame.

Miami will be young on offensive line, but Franklin is a returning senior who can step up and lead, while newbies like Brandon Washington have shown potential and need another long summer in the weight room to get to that next level. Same to be said for the other guys the Canes welcomed last year, as well as prep school transfer Malcolm Bunche and Jermaine Johnson, both who will need to step in immediately.

Regarding the defensive line, the Canes simply need to get nastier. All due respect to a Joe Joseph or Josh Holmes, but Miami needs more guys like Bailey and some throwback style Canes who can wreak some havoc. Adewale Ojomo can't heal quick enough from last summer's broken jaw. The fire he showed in 2008 was sorely missed this season. (For those recruiting heads keeping score, Ojomo was an 'under the radar' three-star.)

As much as Miami's offense will go as far as Harris takes it, the defense is as strong as its front four. Rattle quarterbacks and bottle up the ground game. Without that, you're putting tremendous pressure on an average group of linebackers - oft out of position when dropping into coverage. With the linebacker not getting their job done, the secondary is also playing out of position and is forced to overcompensate.

Cliche as it is, it's cliche for a reason; football games are won in the trenches and Miami hasn't dominated that space since it's last national championship run.

I alluded to it in a recent article, but with the season in the rear view, it's time that Shannon and Kirby Hocutt evaluate the position coaches.

It's not my place to call for anybody's job, but when you look at areas where the Canes have struggled - offensive line, linebackers, special teams, defensive line - something needs to be done.

Jeff Stoutland. Micheal Barrow. Joe Pannunzio. Clint Hurtt. All great guys, all solid recruiters, but the positions they're paid to coach aren't thriving. Look at the tape.

Same to be said for strength and conditioning. I'm not quick to knock Andreu Swasey as his resume speaks for itself. When you have former NFLers coming back to train with you during the off-season, you're doing something right. Swasey's guys were in shape when Miami had the talent. Since the drop off, not so much.

Are these current freshmen and sophomores developing as quickly as they should? I don't know and I don't pretend to know. Furthermore, I'm not paid to know and it's not my decision whether they stay or go.

As a fan, I simply hope that some serious evaluation takes place this off-season. Shannon rolled some heads each of his first two years and with deficiencies still prevalent, I expect some change on some level in the coming days.

All the anti-Big Ten folk out there, now might be a good time to admit that the conference was a little stronger in 2009 than most want to give credit for. A lot of us have our preconceived notions about the Big Ten, but look at their bowl play this year for proof that they not only came to play, but they're not as pasty and slow as some like to think.

Wisconsin whipped Miami in the trenches. A few days later, Northwestern gives the SEC's Auburn all it could handle. Mike Kafka might've thrown five interceptions, but he also threw for 532 yards and four touchdowns in a game the Wildcats should've won late. (So much for that Big Ten "smashmouth" football.)

A few hours later the SEC finally did fall to the Big Ten when Penn State beat LSU in the Capital One Bowl and by nightfall it was Ohio State smacking up Pac-10 winner, Oregon. Many hyped the Pac-10 as one of the better conference this year, but its best was owned by the Big Ten's best. 419 yards to Oregon's 260 in the convincing 26-17 beating.

If you're a betting man, you have to like Iowa's chances in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech on Tuesday night.

Wisconsin finished fourth in the Big Ten this year, which might not sound like much in past years but when you consider the teams ahead of them (Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa) and the damage they inflicted on bowl foes, it should put things into a little bit of perspective.

All of that doesn't excuse the loss. Miami's line could've played better, the coaches could've better worked through what was being thrown at them and defense/special teams could've gotten some turnovers, better field position, put up some game-saving points.

Still, for those of you who see this loss as the be all/end all and who can't wrap their arms around Miami losing to Wisconsin, give the Big Ten an ounce of credit this year. They came to play, they're tougher than expected and they're no longer playing like a slow bunch.

The conference seems to have taken things to the next level since Ohio State got ripped by Florida and LSU in back-to-back title games a few years back. After a horrid bowl season in 2008, the Big Ten is dominating in 2009.

Lastly, as the BCS Championship game gets ready to play out, be wary of comparisons some jaded Miami folk will make between Shannon and Alabama coach Nick Saban.

Many love to point at Saban's recent success, getting the Tide to the title game in three years - equally as long as Randy's been at Miami's helm. 7-6 year one, Saban went 12-2 last year and is 13-0 headed into Thursday's title game against No. 2 Texas.

No one is arguing the fact that Saban is a better head coach than Shannon; as he should be having done it for sixteen years to Randy's three. (Alabama was also in much better shape talent-wise entering 2007 than Miami.)

If you want to compare Saban to Shannon, go back to the mid 90s when Saban was coaching at Michigan State. Fresh off a four-year stint as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Saban took over for the Spartans in 1995 and went 6-5-1 out the gate.

6-6 in year two, 7-5 in year three, 6-6 in year four and 9-2 his final season in 1999. MSU was on probation during most of Saban's tenure, but he was still losing games and learning on the job, as is Shannon. Miami may not be probation-strapped, but the Canes arguably fielded their worst team in 2007 since the 1997 scholarship-stripped Canes.

From East Lansing, Saban was LSU bound where it was 8-4, 10-3 and 8-5 before 13-1 and a split national championship in 2003. A year later, 9-3 before taking the Miami Dolphins gig - where he failed miserably.

Saban looks like a genius today, but he didn't achieve this level of success right out the gate. He learned how to become a solid head coach in due time. Here's hoping Shannon follows a similar path. He doesn't have Saban's pedigree as part of the Bill Belichick coaching tree, but Shannon learned his fair share from Jimmy Johnson, Butch Davis and counts Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll as mentors on his speed dial.

All of you quick to throw in the towel on Shannon, think twice. Where does Miami really go next? What is your post-Shannon agenda? How do you see things playing out?

Many fans have delusions of grandeur regarding the head coaching position at UM. Sorry folks, but this isn't the premier job you think it is. High risk that can bring high reward, if you're looking for a stepping stone to the NFL. This isn't a "lifer" type job as the city and fan base will swallow up the weak. Winning is expected, even though it hasn't been the norm in half a decade.

The Miami-bred Shannon is a lifer. He's a Cane through and through. Your love for this program can't touch his feelings towards the University of Miami. This is his dream job. He knows the city, he has recruiting in-roads that took decades to build and he's doing all in his power to turn UM back into a monster. Lord knows this man has been around Coral Gables long enough to know what it'll take get the Canes "back".

Nobody else wanted this job when Randy took it. No one except some Texas Tech coach who looks a little whacko these days after locking a concussed player in a closet. Hell, Greg Schiano preferred to stay in New Jersey, choosing Rutgers over Miami. Rutgers, people.

A lot of Shannon haters pegged Tommy Tuberville as their dream coach in waiting, should Shannon falter soon. A Miami assistant in the Canes' hey day (1986-1993), Tuberville always stated that he appreciated his time in Coral Gables, but never expressed a desire to return.

Last year the recently fired Tuberville sat in with ESPN U's recruiting gurus to talk shop and drove home how difficult it is to coach at Miami. The expectations. The competition. The ghosts of Hurricanes past. The culture. The lack of fan support. The facilities. Tubbs hardly came off as a guy ready to sign on for the challenge.

Conversely, there's a reason Tuberville threw his hat in the ring for the recent opening at Texas Tech. Tuberville made $2.8M a year at Auburn and former Red Raiders coach Mike Leach pulled down just shy of $2M last year in Lubbock - a town that lives and dies with college football.

Tuberville can roll into west Texas, welcomed with rock star status. Hardly the case if he took over at The U.. for much less than $3M a year, to boot.

The landscape in college football is shifting and what allowed Miami to dominate in the past, that won't be the case moving forward. Money (or lack thereof). Off-campus stadium. Fickle fan base. In-state competition (and state schools with much larger athletic budgets.)

The Canes don't just need a Shannon-type if they're every going to be "back" -- they need Randy Shannon. All your flavor of the year coaches? UM is a stepping stone to a bigger gig. They're not in it for the long haul. Miami needs a "Miami guy" if the Canes are ever going to be the Canes again.

There are a lot of other big name Canes out there, but none with the coaching experience of Randy. He's UM's most seasoned coaching alum and this is his time. He's three years into a five-year rebuild and he's pressing on regardless of the fans being on board, or not.

A revolving door regarding head coaches will send this program into a tailspin. It'll take several recruiting class, a la Butch Davis, to get this thing back on track. Davis went 5-6 year three. Shannon went 9-4. Davis inherited a better team before facing probation. Shannon inherited a dog with talent comparable to a probation-laden team.

Either way, three years isn't enough time to right the ship. Shannon deserves your support for two more years. If the Canes aren't rolling by 2011, carry on with your anti-Randy ways. The bandwagon will be full then... and justifiably so.

Game Thirteen : Wisconsin 20, Miami 14

2009-12-30T11:22:00.001-08:00

10-3 was simply not meant to be and Miami took a season-ending thumping en route 9-4.

Wisconsin rolled south with a matching 9-3 record, also looking for a tenth win and jockeying for preseason position next fall. I thought Miami would come in healthy and equally as motivated, putting together a complete game and getting the 'W'. I was wrong.

"Swagger" became the most overused word in the college game this fall. Miami may have invented it, but doesn't own the patent. A lot of teams have swagger these days, whether UM fans want to hear it or not.

We saw 'swagger' on t-shirts, in haircuts and on display for two hours straight in Rakontur's "The U" doc... but swagger never hopped on the Turnpike north, making its way to Orlando on Tuesday night.

The Herald's Greg Cote chimed in on all things swagger the morning after, reminding us it's "not a birthright or something inherited as easily as Daddy's money." Swagger has become a catchphrase; a slogan. Back in the day, it was a mindset; a toughness that couldn't be fabricated.

I can't tell you how tough these young Canes are or aren't, but I can tell you they got pushed around last night by a Big Ten team they were expected to beat.

Miami was owned in the trenches; the place where we're told from day one that football games are won or lost.

The loss of Jason Fox had a domino effect on the offensive line that never jelled. Coaches mixed and matched all night, but never found a group that could sustain the pressure or protect Jacory Harris - the heart and soul of Miami's offense. As goes J12, so go the Canes.

ESPN's Ivan Maisel agrees. Check this blurb from earlier today: "Remember the crisp, accurate, confident Jacory Harris that began the season for Miami? Yeah, neither do I. The Hurricane sophomore quarterback finished the season beat up, limping and largely ineffective in the Champs Sports Bowl against Wisconsin on Tuesday night. Until Miami coach Randy Shannon assembles a competent offensive line, Harris will remain a maddeningly inconsistent quarterback."

Harris couldn't get his footing and UM couldn't run the ball against the eighth-ranked rushing defense in the nation. Wisconsin gives up just shy of a hundred yards a game. Miami ran for sixty-one and never when it counted. 2-of-11 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth down.

All year, Harris' success has been entirely dependent on the play of his line. 386 passing yards at Florida State was the result of the front four coming to play. Same to be said for wins against Georgia Tech and Oklahoma. The Canes showed some toughness early on, but faded at times down the stretch.

This wasn't like losses to Clemson or North Carolina. Wisconsin was Virginia Tech-esque, pressuring Harris all night and taking him out of his game. What few opportunities there were, both Miami and their quarterback couldn't get out of their own way.

Tied 7-7 and driving, Miami faced a 3rd-and-5 from the Wisconsin thirty-five. The line buys Harris some time, he fires for LaRon Byrd ten yards past the sticks. Instead, Thearon Collier laid out for his teammate's pass. Even worse, he didn't reel it in.

Matt Pipho can't hold his block on 4th-and-5, Harris is rushed and sends a would-be first down pass a yard past Travis Benjamin. Turnover on downs. Momentum lost. A common theme as the evening rolled on.

Outside of an 86-yard Sam Shields kickoff return and 16-yard Graig Cooper touchdown run on the game's first two plays, Miami never regained their mojo. The Canes were out of sync in every facet of the game, while the Badgers always seemed to find a way.

Whether it was another Brad Nortman punt pinning Miami deep or quarterback Scott Tolzien eluding a tackle, buying an extra second and picking up another third-and-long to a tight end, Wisconsin remained one step ahead of Miami.

John Clay received all the pre-game hype and proved his worth with a 52-yard run early in the second quarter. It broke the game open and gave the Badgers a lead they never relinquished. Somebody needed get a leg up early. Clay was the workhorse with 121 yards and two touchdowns on the day.

14-7 and Miami's turn to make a statement. Harris sacked for a loss of five, followed by a five-yard illegal shift penalty. 2nd-and-20, Harris finds Collier for 12 yards. A play later, Jimmy Graham for ten.

Cooper picks up eight on back-to-back plays. 3rd-and-2, incomplete pass to Javarris James. Matt Bosher punt.

3:20 for Miami to move the ball 30 yards over six plays, all for naught. The Badgers owned the line and made the offense earn every yard it got.

Entering the game, every scouting report warned that Wisconsin would wear opponents down with Clay, opening up opportunities for Tolzien to find two highly-touted tight ends, Lance Kendricks and Garrett Graham.

Even with this knowledge, John Lovett and his defense couldn't protect the middle of the field. 10 of Wisconsin's 17 first downs were earned off passes to the tight end, most coming in third and long situations. Everyone in the stadium knew what plays was coming. Miami's linebackers simply couldn't win the match up, so that Badgers never let up.

Kendricks and Graham torched Miami 205 yards, splitting thirteen receptions. Wideout Nick Toon was the lone receiver Tolzien hit - twice for 26 yards. Four passes went to running backs, for a combined 29-yard gain. A safe, effective game plan which wouldn't allow Tolzien to lose the game. High percentage passes. Confidence in the ground game. Aggressive defense. Stout special teams play.

Entering 2010, it's not about preseason rankings. Top ten is a great place to start, but it's about where you wind up. Miami was unranked at the start of the season and lept to No. 8 by week three. Win ball games and things work themselves out.

The Canes need to get tougher in the trenches. Miami's best teams had an aggressive front seven and a hard-nosed offensive line that allowed skill players to shine, ensuring that speed killed.

A strong offensive line was a key component in Miami's 2001 championship run. Conversely, a weaker front in 2002 was as big a downfall against Ohio State as Terry Porter's bogus flag.

Fox. Pipho. A.J. Trump. All thought to be solid recruits a few years back, but none became that next-level guy. Same to be said for five-star Reggie Youngblood, a senior last season.

What Miami wouldn't do for an Eric Winston or Chris Myers right now - guys merely considered 'good' at the time, but were though to be lesser than the Bryant McKinnie, Joaquin Gonzalez, Martin Bibla and Brett Romberg-led bunch of the early 00s.

For all the blame many are quick to lump on Randy Shannon, credit this man for doing his job addressing team needs on the recruiting front. Furthermore, give him the time to field a squad with some depth, experience and upperclassmen who came in on his watch.

Miami's weakest position received a tremendous upgrade last last week when St. Thomas Aquinas offensive linemen Brandon Linder and Jermaine Barton pledged their allegiance to The U. Malcolm Bunche went the prep school route and is on board next year, as are freshmen Shane McDermott and Johnathan Feliciano. Depth is returning.

These five will mesh with last year's class, which not only included the highly-touted Washington, but Ben Jones, Harland Gunn, Cory White, Jared Wheeler and Jermaine Johnson.

Miami's offensive line will get better and absolutely must if Harris is going to live up to the hype. Look no further that Ken Dorsey for proof. With time, No. 11 could pick you apart. When rattled, a completely different player.

Even more puzzling than the inability to field a top-flight offensive line, Miami's linebackers - once the program's strength - have become a liability. How else do you explain the Canes' inability to shut down the tight end, be it against a Wisconsin, a Virginia or a slew of others who exploited the weakness over the years?

The Canes haven't been strong at linebacker since Jon Vilma and DJ Williams left town after the '03 season. A baller here or there - Jon Beason, Rocky McIntosh - solid guys without surrounding talent.

Since then, a run of guys like Romeo Davis, Glenn Cook and now, Darryl Sharpton - better than the last two, but not Vilma-esque. That's not a knock on the aforementioned guys. Not everyone can be Ray Lewis or Jessie Armstead. Meanwhile, the Canes are losing football games.

Colin McCarthy plays hard, but he's not the next Dan Morgan. The uber-hyped Arthur Brown? Looking more like the next Willie Williams (regarding playing time) than the next Barrow or Darrin Smith.

Miami linebackers used to dictate games and the Canes always had some headhunters back there. With former linebackers Shannon and Barrow both coaching and recruiting, there's truly no excuse for the lack of production at the position.

From "Linebacker U" to "Linebacker Who" thanks to a few rough recruiting years.

The Canes brought in some guys who are definitely next in line - Ramon Buchanan, Jordan Futch, Shayon Green, C.J. Holton - not to mention, Sean Spence, due for a breakout junior season after being banged up for most of '09.

Four-star Javarie Johnson will sign in February and is slated to enroll early. Three-stars Kevin Nelson and Tyrone Cornelius are Miami-bound as well. Nelson hails from Gator country and Cornelius should've been a Georgia Bulldog. Shannon and staff plucked both out of tough regions and made them Canes.

Entering the Champs Sports Bowl, all the talk was about both Miami and Wisconsin being primed for big time runs in 2010. Some said you could see a rematch between the two in a BCS game this time next year.

Two teams on the cusp, the Badgers have won nine-plus games five of the past six seasons. Bret Bielema has been at the helm one year longer than Shannon and is also a former defensive coordinator, first-time head coach. He inherited a better Wisconsin team that Shannon did his Miami bunch.

The Canes played arguably their worst game of the season and still had the ball and a fighting chance in the waning moments. A late scoring drive and the recovery of an onside kick an had Miami fifty-nine yards away from a comeback, with a minute and a half remaining.

A defense that gave up 17 in the first half, held Wisconsin to a lone field goal the rest of the way and when the Badgers looked ready to take one in, a defensive strip gave the Canes the ball back and kept them in the game.

Miami may have been 'off', but they never gave up - creating plays and fighting down the stretch. The ten-play, 79-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter - the 2006 through 2008 Canes would've already mailed it in.

We won't know until next year, but should the Badgers be a force in the Big Ten, a six-point loss on an 'off' night won't look as bad as most are seeing it today.

This notion that Miami would kill 'em with Southern speed while Wisconsin was a slow, physical bunch of Midwesterners - it's played out. There's much more parity in the game today and the Big Ten recruits players from all over the country, not just their backyard.

Two Florida kids play linebacker for the Badgers, two Texas natives and a Missouri product are in the secondary. Sounds more like a SEC defense than your stereotypical Big Ten. Only place Wisconsin kept it cornfed was on the defensive line, heavy with experienced upperclassmen and anchored by O'Brien Schofield, who was as good as advertised.

Experience is Miami's biggest hang up and that will be fixed in time. The Canes may have twenty-one seniors departing, but the proof will come in April when there's not another first-rounder drafted. It might be the fourth round before the first UM senior is off the board.

Compare that to an Alabama, Florida or Texas, all heavy with upperclassmen winning post-season awards and getting ready to tear up the NFL. Miami's lone star came via second-year cornerback Brandon Harris, who reeled in All-America honors.

A year ago, Harris was a green, mistake prone freshmen. Next year he'll be on the Jim Thorpe watch list. Further proof that high school hype only means so much. Big game experience two years in the weight room turn boys into football players.

The twenty-one departing seniors are from Larry Coker's final recruiting class (2006) and the addition of two dozen more players by fall ensures that the '10 Canes will truly be Shannon's first team, full of "his" guys. Starting with some upperclassmen choosing to return.

Juniors Leonard Hankerson and Allen Bailey have both stated that they'll return for their senior years. It's not quite McKinnie and Ed Reed returning for a title run in '01, but it's a trait that old school teams embodied - kids not making a jump for the money if they're not ready. Both would benefit from another year at the collegiate level and Miami needs the experience both bring to the table.

Many will continue to debate the point, but this is a five-year rebuild. Even with some improved talent next season, the schedule doesn't set up nicely for a run.

Early out of conference road games at Ohio State and Pittsburgh. Season finale against South Florida at home. On the road in conference for Clemson and Georgia Tech. Home games against Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Get through all that and there's an ACC title game in Charlotte.

Miami didn't exactly go to the Florida Gators school o' scheduling.

From 5-7 to 7-6 to 9-4 - that's improvement and that's where the logically-minded fan needs to keep his or her head. Don't play the "what if" game. Clemson and North Carolina were as winnable as Florida State, Oklahoma and Wake Forest were lose-able.

Judge the improvement. Respect the fact this team isn't rolling over. Have faith in another solid recruiting class and a long off-season in the weight room. Cross your fingers that Shannon and Kirby Hocutt sit down in the coming weeks to make some personnel changes.

Specials Teams. Offensive line. Linebackers. No position coach is safe. Everyone deserves to be re-evaluated.

Great teams take time to come together. Recruiting. Development of players. Staying injury-free. Scheduling. Chemistry. Timing. Fate.

There's a reason Florida went 9-4 in 2007, with a Heisman winner, and followed up with a 13-1 season and national championship in 2008. There's a reason LSU won it all in 2007 but stumbled and went 8-5 in 2008. Each team is in someway different than the next, as are the circumstances.

Twenty-five years ago Miami faithful were ready to run Jimmy Johnson out of town after 8-5, a year after Howard Schnellenberger earned the Canes their first ring. Since then, what's changed?

A four-game swing for Shannon in two years after inheriting the worst Miami squad in thirty years and it's not enough. A nine-win season when many predicted a losing record (based on the schedule), yet the bitch-fest continues. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

10-3 was the goal and the Canes fell 59 yards short, despite playing one of their worst games of the season. Miami now has eight months to toughen up. Get in the weight room, put on some man weight, get healthy and get mentally prepared for a run in 2010, be it in the ACC or nationally.

That's the truth, people. If it's too much to handle, turn off your TV and computer until 2011, because your 'title game or bust' expectations won't be met. Save yourself the headache and learn to see things as they are.

Randy Shannon has two more years to fix things, whether you're on board or not.

Miami v. Wisconsin : The Preview

2009-12-29T07:56:00.000-08:00

The 2009 season officially comes to a close today regarding the Miami Hurricanes and either a 10-3 or 9-4 campaign. On paper, it's a one-game swing, but in reality it's all the difference in the world.

Winning or losing a bowl game; it sits with you all off-season. These Canes won't take the field again for over eight months and you want something positive to build on, not dwell on.

Wisconsin is a quality Big Ten opponent with a matching 9-3 record. The Badgers need the win as much as the Canes, but it's hard to believe this isn't Miami's time.

The Canes opened the season on a 3-1 tear when the consensus was a best case 2-2 scenario. Some went as far as to call for 0-4 and Randy Shannon fired by mid-season. Instead, wins over Florida State, eventual ACC champ Georgia Tech and an upset of then No. 8 Oklahoma. Sandwiched in between, a one-sided loss at Virginia Tech in the driving rain.

Miami had the ACC in reach the majority of the season, but stumbled against two conference foes; Clemson and North Carolina.

The Tigers took the Canes to the wire, stealing one in overtime while the Tar Heels nabbed their third straight against Miami. The common theme in both losses; turnovers.

All season the Canes have gone as far as Jacory Harris has taken them. When the sophomore quarterback is "on", Miami has looked as good as anybody in the nation. All the early Heisman talk was indeed justified. Harris simply proved too green at times, showing he lacked the experience and poise needed year one of his run.

Against those two latter losses, Harris combined for seven interceptions, three returned for touchdowns and each more crucial than the last. The Clemson lost was easy to absorb as it proved to be a back and forth shootout, with the Tigers one play better that day. The loss at Chapel Hill was a bitter pill. Miami had 24 first downs to North Carolina's 17 and 435 total yards to their 329. The difference in the contest was four turnovers to zero and the loss knocked the Canes from an at large BCS berth.

At 9-3 Miami looked to be Gator Bowl bound and slated for their first New Years bowl since the 2003 season, but sympathy for a retiring Bobby Bowden "earned" 6-6 Florida State an invite and sent Miami to Orlando.

ESPN recently ran Rakontur's "30 For 30" documentary on "The U" and one has to assume these modern day Canes hunkered down in front of the TV as part of the 2.3 million folks who watched its debut.

The University of Miami wanted no part of the piece and didn't allow current players or coaches to be interviewed, so there hasn't been a write up mentioning what the '09 Canes felt about Miami's dominant run of yesteryear. Still, you have to believe these kids got a reminder regarding the legacy of this program. A little "Hurricanes: 101" shoved down their throat.

Safety Vaughn Telemaque recently called out Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, essentially challenging him to throw deep against the Canes. Telemaque hasn't recorded an interception all year, but it didn't stop him from speaking his mind.

The combination of a few frustrating losses, letting a BCS berth slip away, a Gator Bowl snub and some orange and green cockiness re-running every other day on ESPN, I expect a fired up group of Canes to take the field this evening. Miami will show up as healthy as they've been since game one and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has had a month to game plan for a Wisconsin bunch that hardly boasts the best passing defense in the game.

The Badgers have a solid back in John Clay, who's earned most of the bowl preview hype to date. Any talk of the Champs Sports Bowl and you're reading about his 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns. A solid campaign, though not one article mentioned he did it against lesser talent and struggled against the bigger boys on Wisky's schedule; Ohio State, Iowa, etc.

Shunned in all of this, the Miami rushing defense as well as three capable Hurricane backs who have impressed all year.

Miami's defense has allowed an average of 96 yards over the final seven games, as well as two rushing touchdowns over that duration. The Canes held opponents to 3.3-yards-per-carry during the past nine games and held an explosive Georgia Tech rushing attack to 95 yards on 39 carries.

Clay's biggest efforts came against the likes of Minnesota, Michigan. Hawaii and Fresno State. Hardly Cane caliber defenses.

The lack of love for Miami backs Javarris James, Graig Cooper and Damien Berry is been surprising as each has had their share of big games and quality runs this season. James shone brightest on the main stage against Oklahoma, posting a hard-earned 150 yards and some big runs. Cooper had his 152-yard day against Virginia, but also ran solid against Georgia Tech, Clemson and South Florida.

Berry has been the surprise this season, showing he's Miami's toughest back while relegated to third string status. Berry shredded South Florida for 114 yards and had some tough, game changing runs against Wake Forest, Central Florida and Duke.

Combined, this trio has run for 1,744 yards and 17 touchdowns, better numbers than Clay yet the Badgers' running game gets the hype.

Harris will need the time to operate today and whether he gets it or not, it'll be the difference-maker. O'Brien Schofield and crew will attempt to wreak havoc. The question remains, how does Miami's offensive line respond? Senior tackle Jason Fox is sidelined, which means the line up will be reshuffled and freshman Brandon Washington will again be called on as he did against South Florida.

If the Canes' line comes to play and Harris' nagging thumb injury doesn't bog him down, it could be another pass happy day for Miami. Time for J12 to play smart football. Cut down on the turnovers and if the thumb is still hampering him, it's on Whipple to devise a game plan with high percentage passing plays and shorter routes that won't test Harris' thumb.

Defensively the Canes need to contain and pressure Tolzien, which can be easier said than done - not just because the junior quarterback can play, but because Miami has a way of making average passers look spectacular. Look no further than Clemson's Kyle Parker and North Carolina's T.J. Yates as prime examples. The Canes couldn't rattle either and both made big plays in upsets of Miami.

The Badgers also sport a pair of quality tight ends in Garrett Graham and Lance Kendricks. Miami needs to protect the middle of the field a the Canes have oft been damaged by tight ends in recent memory. (Visions of Virginia running the same play to their tight end three times in a row in the Orange Bowl finale... absolutely disheartening.)

The combination of four weeks to prepare, time to get healthy, the goal of a ten-win season and a chip on their shoulder due to a bigger bowl snub - it'll be the difference for Miami. As cliche as it might be to say one team wants or needs a win more, that is indeed the case here. The Canes are as close to home as you can be for the holidays, with Orlando just short car ride away. Miami fans will be in full force and weather-wise, it'll be home game environment.

2009 was the year the Canes were looking to break out, but fell a little short. 9-3 is vast improvement over 7-6 (2008) or 5-7 (2007), but Miami didn't win the ACC or reach a BCS game, so all goals weren't met. 2010 now becomes the year UM takes that giant leap forward.

A top ten preseason ranking is online the line, a slew of recruits will be watching and a healthy bunch of Canes is driven to get that fifth win. Simply put, Wisky is getting "The U" at the wrong time and is going down. Tune in at 7pm ET on ESPN to see it live.

The Call: Miami 31, Wisconsin 17

The Latest at The U...

2009-12-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

Many apologies for my post-season disappearing act. Canes305 welcomed a baby girl into the world on December 2nd and as many of you can attest, it turns your world upside down.

There hasn't been time to sleep, let alone to blog efficiently. During that time, a lot going on at 'The U' and time to play catch up. Let's delve in.

... on the recruiting front, Randy Shannon and staff press on. The latest, two big time offensive line recruits - Brandon Linder and Jermaine Barton of St. Thomas Aquinas. Linder is a four-star who chose Miami over Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, etc. Barton is a three-star with a basketball background, but said to have a tremendous upside.

The Canes currently have twenty-five commitments and another top ten class is being put together. This will be the third full class on The Shannon Era, with tremendous focus on the offensive line, running back, defensive back and defensive end.

Miami has a shot to go 10-3 on the season with a win against Wisconsin on Tuesday, which would all but ensure a top ten preseason ranking next fall, as well as being the ACC frontrunner. Are the Canes "back"? Not yet, but one or two more classes and you can absolutely bank on it.

Running back commit Eduardo Clements (Booker T. Washington) is calling the 2010 class the "takeover class", according to an articles on Rivals.com. Let's see if he proves right.

The Herald's Manny Navarro asked if Linder could be the key to an Aquinas pipeline. Will the floodgates open, a la national champion Northwestern in early 2008? Time will tell. Over the years, the Canes have gotten the occasional St. Thomas baller, with many of the bigger names heading north or leaving the state. With Linder, Barton defensive back Keion Payne locked up, who's next? Do the Canes pull a signing day landslide regarding last year's national champs? Stay tuned.

With Dedrick Epps, Jimmy Graham, Richard Gordon and Tervaris Johnson all moving on, Miami is in need of some tight end help.

Steven Plein and Billy Sanders are two current freshmen looking to make a splash in '10, but the Canes continue to build depth at the position. Belle Glade's Clive Walford verballed a few months back and the latest addition is JUCO transfer Chase Ford, out of Kilgore, TX.

Ford is a 6-foot-6, 245 pound prospect who brings experience to the table and will vie for immediate playing time.

A lot of fans were up in arms over Northwestern defensive tackle Todd Chandler verballing to South Florida a few weeks back. Chandler had been a Miami commit and changed his pledge due to the standard, "they're not showing me enough love" excuse, given by many high school seniors during the season.

Chandler has been a Miami commit since his junior season and I'm in agreement with Navarro when I say I'll believe this kid is gone come signing day.

How many times has Miami been on the other end of this type situation? Some big time kid flirts with Miami and in the end, chooses elsewhere or sticks with his hometown team?

It's hard to imagine a Northwestern prospect and Cane-lover like Chandler going elsewhere. He's been pro Miami from day one and he has a slew of former Bulls currently playing for The U.

Either way, doesn't make much sense to get up in arms over this with signing day a month and a half away. Ride this one out.

Congrats to Brandon Harris for earning All-America honors a few weeks back. Harris was an All-ACC First Team selection and led the conference in break ups (14) and passes defended (16). No. 1 tied fifth nationally regarding passes defended per game and finished the season with 52 tackles. Harris is the first Cane to earn All-America honors since Kenny Phillips in 2007. Solid growth for the sophomore who looks to lead the secondary as a junior in 2010.

I have some thoughts on Florida State to the Gator Bowl, but thanks to a hectic December, there hasn't been time to write about it. Expect some Bobby Bowden-related thoughts after the New Year.

Thankfully Miami wound up with an in-state bowl game, but there's still no excuse for a 6-6 Florida State squad to bump the Canes from a New Years Day bowl game. I don't care if it's Bowden's swan song (honestly, haven't the last few years been a farewell tour?)

If Bowden is truly the class act everyone says he is, it'd have been nice to see him turn down a bowl game he knows his team didn't earn. ACC runner up Clemson is shuffled off to Nashville this evening for the Music City Bowl, yet Florida State is in Jacksonville on January 1st. What a farce.

A lot of talk hovering around Wisconsin running back John Clay and what he'll do to the Miami defense. We'll discuss that further in Tuesday's Champs Sports Bowl preview, but on the surface it's sort of a shock to see a back getting so much love while the Canes run defense is ignored.

Clay is a very solid back and has had a banner year (1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns), but hasn't exactly torn up top-flight competition. His biggest efforts this season came against the likes of Minnesota, Michigan, Hawaii and Fresno State. Against Iowa, a 75-yard showing and a paltry 59-yard effort against Ohio State.

Miami's defense has allowed an average of 96 yards over the final seven games, as well as two rushing touchdowns over that duration. The Canes allowed 3.3-yards-per-carry during the past nine games and held an explosive Georgia Tech rushing attack to 95 yards on 39 carries. Miami held Tech's Jonathan Dwyer to a mere 7 yards on five carries.

Clay may or may not have a big time game against the Canes, but the lack of respect for Miami's run defense has been rather shocking as media folk look to hype this contest.

Lastly, sounds like a current Cane spent some time watching Rakontur's "The U" documentary as a challenge has been issued. Redshirt freshman safety Vaughn Telemaque has publicly called out Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien.

"I want to come out aggressive and show (Tolzien) that I want them to throw the ball," Telemaque said. "I want to challenge them and if they’re up for the challenge, then we’ll go back at it like that.”

It's not quite Alonzo Highsmith's "I ain't scared of you, bitch" pregame jarring with Brian Bozworth, but it's a little attitude leading up to a mid-tier bowl game, which doesn't hurt.

“I feel like we are ready (to be an elite team)," said Telemaque. "The team knows that this could be the game for us to do that.”

A ten-win season is on the line, as is a top ten preseason ranking for 2010. Hopefully a little early smack-talk results in an effective win... and Telemaque's first pick of the year.

Merry Canesmas; Florida's Urban Meyer quits

2009-12-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

Urban Meyer is stepping down. Florida's fifth-year head coach is calling it a career... for now.

Two national titles and a Heisman winner during his run. Two SEC titles and a 56-10 record, too. It was a hell of a ride for the Gators, but it's over. UF faithful will deny it, but they'll see in time. Lightning doesn't strike twice.

College football is cyclical. Everyone is forced to take a step back. Just ask Southern Cal, fresh off a mighty Emerald Bowl victory. No one saw a five-loss seasons and a 55-21 loss to Stanford when 2009 kicked off.

The Trojans expected to reload and were dealt a tough blow... and that's with Pete Carroll still calling the shots. Where does Florida go without Meyer?

As a Miami fan, you hate Florida and by default, "hate" their coach - and their Heisman-winning quarterback. It goes with the territory. No one is more loathed than 'the Gator'.

As gimmicky as you found Meyer's offense, it was working. The Gators were dinking and dunking their way to Ws.

A bowl win over Cincinnati will give UF their third 13-1 season under Meyer. Not quite a dynasty (a third title in four years would've been the difference-maker), but a hell of a run... and it's finally done.

Florida AD Jeremy Foley will hand over a blank check to a big-time guy. The Gators have the budget and football reigns supreme in that one-horse town. The infrastructure will always be there regarding competing with the nation's best. Athletic budget. Facilities. Top flight coaching staff. Still, no matter how much money you throw at someone, it doesn't guarantee the perfect storm the Gators just experienced.

Ron Zook got a big check and left the cupboard full entering 2006, banking five strong recruiting classes. Meyer slid in and his new system with Florida's speed and talent; an ideal fit. The SEC couldn't handle the spread offense when it fell into place under all-everything quarter-fullbackTim Tebow. A Heisman was preceded by a 22-game win streak, with a national title sandwiched halfway through the streak.

Seemingly on a roll, this year's dream season ended with a resounding 'thud'. Not exactly how UF fans drew it up.

Any grief Miami took for anticipating a follow-up title a year after a championship, arrogant Florida folk took that to a new level after last year's win over No. 2 Oklahoma. Gators were already talking 'Pasadena' as they filed out of Pro Player Stadium last January. A second Heisman was in the bag. Another SEC title en route to back-to-back championships. There was no doubt. This was a "dynasty" and "three titles in four years" was a term Gators abroad were uttering.

Riding a fifteen-month high, the bottom fell out after thumping Florida State in Bobby Bowden's final regular season game. For all the Gators already sizing up those rings, here's one for you; "three of four Saturdays in December". That's how quickly your world unraveled.

Alabama shredded Florida on the 5th, ruining a perfect season and ending championship dreams. On the 12th, a Tide running back took home Timmy T's Heisman. Moments later, 2.3 million sports fans watched "The U" and remembered that the Canes are still the "Canes".

A little reprieve on the 19th, it's now Saturday the 26th and the golden goose has called it a career. As huge as the SEC title loss and Pasadena dreams going up in smoke, both pale in comparison to Meyer stepping down.

The truth behind the resignation will never really be known. Health issues are being cited, but latter reports refute the severity of the condition. Truth is, nobody has a clue. Stress can lead to heart issues with anybody. A lifestyle change is a personal decision, but you can't gauge the "what if" had you stuck around and pushed it. You simply press on and roll the dice, or you walk away and pray you made the right choice.

Meyer is a workaholic. That's a no brainer. But so do all top coaches in the game. Stress? Welcome to big time college football and multi-million dollar paydays. It's part of the job description.

That's not to say I don't feel for the man. I've had my share of anxiety. It can be brutal. Still, the cynic in me and Gator-hating opposing fan is left wondering, why now? If this has been the case for at least two years, the timing is suspect. A dozen starters headed to the NFL, most notably, Tebow. A defensive coordinator and wide receivers coach having moved on. This is a program ready to endure a hearty rebuilding project even had Meyer stuck around. Without him, the task just got that much more difficult, no matter who gets on board.

All those clamoring for big game Bob Stoops, lest not forget he owns one ring for all his head coaching success. Next year that lone championship is a decade old. For a program that rips Miami for "living in the past" regarding that 2001 title, Stoops' last ring is a year older than that.

Gainesville isn't a very forgiving town regarding their football. I spent two-plus years in the 352 and lived through the Gators first title in 1996. An arrogance crept over in a matter of months. 52-20 remained painted on car and house windows for years, an homage to the Sugar Bowl beating of No. 1 Florida State. With a championship ring, UF now felt entitled. Florida fans that once had no rebuttal to Miami fans, it was all about the "present" and the Canes four rings no longer mattered to Gator Nation.

Steve Spurrier never got Florida back to the promised land after that first run. Enter Zook and some top-flight recruiting, but sub-par coaching results. The Gators hovered around five losses a year his entire tenure, prompting the change.

Meyer hit the ground running and his two titles in three years set a bar for Gator fans that won't ever be matched. It took top talent, the perfect coach and the right personnel to pull off the feat.

Florida saw firsthand on December 5th that it takes more than a Meyer/Tebow tag team to go wire-to-wire. The Crimson Tide beat the Gators soundly, 32-13. No contest. Any mojo UF had the previous twenty-two games was long gone, punctuated by every Tebow teardrop that hit the Georgia Dome's turf that night.

Between a post-Alabama hospital run for dehydration and Christmas Day, seems Meyer did a lot of reevaluating. One assessment of the situation and it's blatantly obvious - now is the time to get out. Do it Jim Brown-style; leave on top and preserve one's legacy.

Where do you go after a Tim Tebow? How do you improve on two titles in three years? A threepeat? Moving forward, there's no way in hell Meyer can live up to the legend he created.

The stress has been there for years, but with the cupboard full, you press on. Go balls out. Run yourself into the dirt. Whatever it takes. You'll sleep when you're dead. In the moment you're holding a Royal Flush. No way you're getting up from the table right now, no matter how rundown you are.

New Orleans instead of Pasadena. That's why the time is now. Some motivation to beat Cincinnati and a ride off into the sunset, side-by-side with Tebow, instead of merely watching him go and wondering what's next.

Take a year off. There's money in the bank. The bills are paid. Spend time with family. Regroup. Leave your post at with some fan sympathy instead of with remorse that'd come your way if/when you took another job. Get out before you're forced to answer questions after a three-loss season and lesser-tiered bowl game. Just ask Carroll or even a the legendary Bowden, run out of Tallahassee this fall after another six-loss season. No one cares about yesterday's news. It'll quickly turn into, "what's been done lately?"

A year or so from now, college football will still need Urban Meyer and there will always an overzealous NFL owner looking to sell tickets and make a splash with a big name. After some down time, Meyer's name will be on every wish list. Jack Del Rio could be out in Jacksonville. Eric Mangini, shown the door in Cleveland.

Maybe Brian Kelly doesn't get it done at Notre Dame. Maybe the Jim Tressel era ends at Ohio State.

We want that which retreats from us and we as a sports-loving nation tend to rely on revisionist history. You always want to go 'back'. Hell, Miami fans still scream for the return of Jimmy Johnson, even though the coach has long since retired.

Ironically enough, Johnson left the game ten years ago citing burnout - this after taking two years off between Dallas and Miami.

His four-year run with the Dolphins was less than stellar (36-28), ending with a 62-7 playoff loss at Jacksonville. Still, Canes fans remember the good ol' days and revere JJ as a savior, able to fix any mess dropped in his lap.

Meyer walking away now - it's actually a brilliant play from a public relations standpoint. That's not to say the coach isn't stress-ridden and rundown. It simply means the timing is absolutely perfect regarding the step back Florida will take with all the recent and upcoming departures.

Get out while the getting's good. Better to burnout than fade away.

Remain involved with the university. Keep your thumb on the pulse. Should Florida hire somebody who stays the course, come back for the NFL payday in a year or so. Should the new Gators coach struggle, ride in on the white horse and attempt to save the day. Call it 'The Pat Riley Method'.

By shelving football and putting his health and family first, Meyer is preserving his Florida legacy. The media love affair with Meyer continues today, praising him for being a man of character. Swept under the rug, the twenty-seven arrests on his watch since 2005 and 251 traffic citations for Florida football players over this past year.

Regarding history, the legend eventually replaces the truth. The arrests and thuggish behavior now becomes a footnote. Winning is the ultimate cure-all and winning has been Meyer's thing since donning the orange and blue.

Shower this coach with accolades, Florida faithful and feel good story-hungry media. That's the story the day after Christmas. Celebrate five years of Urban. Give him the spotlight instead of the title-game bound Alabama bunch that whooped him. This was about as calculated as Spurrier resigning the day after Miami wrecked Nebraska for the '01 title.

Today is Meyerday, but the truth is the truth - the decline is on, Florida. That doesn't mean five-loss seasons will become the Zook-like norm, but one-loss seasons and national championships will be fewer and further between.

Funny how those of you claiming Meyer was the be all, end all now feel he's replaceable. You're the same fragile bunch who believes John Brantley will just step in and run a better offense than Tebow because he has a stronger arm. You don't get it both ways. When your head coach and Heisman-worthy quarterback ride off into the sunset, you take a step back. That's just how it works.

Florida reached the pinnacle and is on the comedown, whereas Miami is on the mend - whether you acknowledge it or not. Randy Shannon has reeled in two solid classes and the program saw significant improvement year three.

Twenty-four verbal commitments on board for 2010 and a safe bet a Florida defect or two heads south with Meyer heading out. Shannon's stranglehold on the TriCity area began in 2008 and continues. No new Gator coach is rolling into South Florida, getting a kid that Miami wants. If Meyer struggled the past two years, anybody will struggle.

Gator Nation, I hope you enjoyed the ride, as I oft advised. As a Miami fan who lived through the 80s and early 90s dominance, suffered through the mid-90s probation era, soaked up the first half of the 00s and reeled as Larry Coker showed this program rock bottom. I've seen the good, bad and everything in between.

Florida will find their way back into the hunt, but not right away... and not with Miami reeling as they did most of Meyer's tenure. The next Florida coach better be ready to go toe-to-toe with a Canes program that's about to raise some hell.

Happy Holidays, Hurricane Faithful...

2009-12-25T09:42:00.000-08:00

Review of Rakontur's "The U" documentary

2009-12-13T13:55:00.000-08:00

I love that the entire nation had two hours of "The U" shoved down its collective throat on Saturday evening. The numbers are in and the Rakontur doc will officially go down as the most viewed documentary in ESPN's storied history.

Moments after Tim Tebow failed to take home the Heisman trophy, the only Florida team on the minds of 2.3 million viewers; the University of Miami.

So much for "The U" being deemed 'insignificant' these past few years.

Unapologetic. Aggressive. In your face. "The U" was real. The good, bad and ugly were exposed. Sensational at times? Sure. But that's to be expected regarding the most influential college football program in recent memory.

Opinions varied the morning after. If you're a Cane, your chest was puffed out as this piece served as a reminder regarding the most dominant run the game has seen in the modern era. For two hours, you reveled in those glory days. When it ended, you called friends or family who lived through that era with you. The anticipation for this documentary was a kin to the energy felt before a big game; checking the clock all day, every hour feeling two.

When it was over, you felt like you won. There was a buzz in the air and even though the haters would continue to hate, they couldn't deny what they just saw. They'll still nitpick the 'thuggish' behavior, but in the same breath they had to admit that UM kicked the ass off everyone in their path; opponents, the administration and anyone not part of the U Family.

For the Cane haters, casual fans or folks who never say past the dark skin, over the top scoring celebrations, 202 yards in penalties or the depiction of the city of Miami in the 1980s - more fuel for their fire. Former Canes did nothing to endear themselves to the haters two decades later. Their on-camera bravado and recollection of the events reeked of the same 'swagger' show on-field in their hey day.

"The U" let the outsiders behind the curtain. The old adage, "It's a Canes Thing, You Wouldn't Understand" -- Rakontur finally let you behind the curtain.

Folks from the northwest, south, midwest and left coast - if you didn't live through Miami in the 80s, you'll never truly appreciate why these players, fans and the overall program is the way it is. Light a match at anytime back then and the city would've exploded. A certain energy was in the air the entire decade.

58-straight wins at the Orange Bowl between 1985 and 1994 didn't just "happen". It was the players, the attitude, the rickety stadium and every rabid fan in attendance. All the critics quick to trash a private school with an off-campus stadium for poor fan support - you obviously weren't there for the 27-10 shredding of top-ranked Notre Dame in 1989. I defy you to find me a stadium louder than the OB that night.

Throw a 34-20 win over Florida State in 1994 on that list, as well.

It got pretty raucous when Ken Dorsey found Jeremy Shockey for the game-winner against the Noles in 2000. Same for the 2002 content when Xavier Beitia fired a potential game-winner wide left and the '92 showdown where Micheal Barrow decleated Tamarick Vanover.

Speaking of Florida State, how many times did you rewind the DVR for the 'Seminole Rap', followed up by Cane commentary where old schoolers reminded everyone who was boss? The defending national champs roll into the 1988 season opener - at home, ranked No. 6 while the Noles muster up some faux hope to go with an overblown No. 1 ranking.

Miami 31, Florida State 0... and louder than hell that night, too.

Just like the team, this fan based showed up ready when on the grandest of stages. Canes might've bagged on on the those noon kickoffs against Temple, but damned if wasn't a bunch of hellraisers when it was 'go' time. This oft-criticized fan base got rowdy when it needed to.

When was the last time such dominance occurred in the college game? When can you recall the "nation's best" getting that shredded by a team outside the top five? Shut out. Shut down. Flat out embarrassed on national TV. Rakontur reminded us that six times Miami faced top-ranked teams during that span.

The Canes won all six.

This out-of-nowhere program did things nobody had done to date. Things that nobody will ever do again. Miami changed the game, making college football seem more like the NFL than ever before. College kids who were superstars and that much better than the other guys.

Stronger. Faster. Better.

Penn State may have upended Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, but needed seven turnovers to eke out that four-point win. The Canes racked up 445 total yards to the Nittany Lions' 162. 22 first downs to 8 first down. Five Vinny Testaverde interceptions later, Penn State didn't "win" the game. Miami lost it.

It was an era where only Miami could beat Miami. Itself or some shady refs in South Bend. Rakontur reminded the nation how bogus that Cleveland Gary fumble in the 31-30 loss to the Irish in '88. How many times have you debated that game with some Notre Dame elitist claiming that it was a good call.

Sweet Lou, that phantom fumble almost makes Terry Porter's late Fiesta flag look ticky-tack.

Between 1986 and 1992, UM arguably had 50/50 odds of winning a title at the end of each season. Over that seven-year span, three championships won, two left on the field in the title game and two occasions where the Canes were the best team in the land at year's end, but mid-season losses cost Miami a shot at a title.

"College football was hit by a decade-long hurricane" -- tagline from ESPN's preview for "The U"-- damn near an understatement when you see a 78-6 run over seven seasons.

The reason for that run, is two-fold. Aside from college football simply being ripe for change, it was a blend of visionary coaches -the right guy for the job at the right time - as well as a collection of unique, hard-hitting, brash, talented characters with a true will to succeed.

In that era, football or bust was the only way to describe it. A ticket to a better life for you and your family, there was nothing recreational about Pop Warner or Optimist League football. It wasn't a game. It was a culture. Only the best of the best made it and it was the stiffest competition nationwide.

Stronger. Faster. Better.

Hometown kids finally staying home in the early 80s, instead of taking their talents north. It's what Howard Schnellenberger referred to as "The State Of Miami" and it became the blueprint for success in Coral Gables. Shannon is following the path his predecessors succeeded with and in time, will have Miami as "back" as one can be in the modern game, chock full of big money and much more parity.

Shannon is three years into his rebuild and is two classes away from having nothing but 'his' kids on the roster. That is the day to start judging this era, much like Butch Davis is remembered for the cupboard he stocked 2000-2002, instead of his early career flubs. The guy who they flew a "From Champs To Chumps" banner for during a home game was revered a few short years later when his rebuild was complete.

To the point where he had enough talent to overcome his game day blunders, as did his inexperienced and incompetent predecessor.

The "Thug U" moniker will be en vogue again for the critics who took in the piece. Rakontur definitely played up the 'bad boy' angle, which is to be expected. Rakontur's Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman are 31 years old, putting them around nine years old for that 1987 championship won over No. 1 Oklahoma. Eleven for the '89 ring and thirteen for '91.

I'm 35 and too am a 'child of the eighties'. I saw four Miami championships between third grade and senior year of high school. My family watched 'Miami Vice' together on Friday night and rolled to Little Havana for game day the following morning.

A far cry from Lincoln, Nebraska and board games on Friday before some wholesome 'Huskers action on Saturday and some on-campus pre-game festivities.

"The U" was the greatest show on earth if you grew up during that run. Part Muhammad Ali, part rock concert, part WWF - you got it all in one with the Decade of Dominance era Canes and I completely get why Corben and Spellman told the story from the perspective they did. This wasn't a story about the Canes; it was about their Canes and why they embraced that era.

Melvin Bratton. Michael Irvin. Alonzo Highsmith. Bennie Blades. Jerome Brown. These guys were 'gods'. No one else stares down top-ranked Oklahoma during the coin toss, eyes locked and telling them, "I ain't scared of you, bitch" - hours after calling opposing players in the middle of the night, describing the beating that was coming.

C'mon now.

This isn't revisionist history from an overzealous fan base. These guys were cut from a different cloth. Wise beyond their years, in sync as a program, reloading every off-season - there's a reason the collegiate Canes were indeed bigger than the hometown Dolphins. Some former Fins took offense to that notion, but facts are facts.

Between 1986 and 1991, it was a 67-5 run for the Canes and three titles won. The Dolphins went 50-45 during that same span and left the beloved Orange Bowl for Joe Robbie Stadium. UM took over the stadium the two once shared and put its orange and green stamp on it for good. Owned. Back then there was one show in town and it was on Saturday, not Sunday.

Sadly, so much of that dominance was overshadowed by off the field antics, some of which seem tame two decades later. As pioneers, the Canes edgy urban flair didn't mesh with conservative America - the same way the city of Miami didn't mesh with the rest of the country.

The Canes weren't choir boys, but accusations of illegal use of calling cards, Pell Grant fraud and other scattered arrests were absolutely blown up by mainstream media. The country hated Miami, so anti-Cane articles are good business. Piling on UM became the thing to do, though Miami didn't do itself any favors living up to the perception at times.

Take any four year run Miami had in the 80s and put it up against Florida's off the field issues since Urban Meyer got on board. A media darling, Meyer has been referred to as a "disciplinarian" in the past. Such is the case when you have over two dozen arrests since taking over.

Carlos Dunlap, the latest. Suspended for a DUI days before the SEC Championship game, the senior defensive end became the 27th Florida arrest since 2006. Some more of the Gators' Greatest Hits : 2006-2009.

Dawayne Grace, battery and theft. Avery Atkins, domestic battery before dying of drug overdose. Brandon James, felony drug possession. Ronnie Wilson, use of a semiautomatic rifle in a dispute. Tony Joiner, breaking into car impound to steal back girlfriend's car. Torrey Davis, driving numerous times on suspended license. Cam Newton, burglary. Carl Johnson, violation of sexual restraining order.

Lest not forget Jamar Hornsby, one of few players Meyer has booted. Pretty tough to skirt around the issue regarding running up a $3,000 tab on a stolen credit card; swiped from a dead girl, no less.

Perception became reality and the Canes took more heat for end zone celebrations than these recent Gators have taken for over two dozen embarrassing arrests under this current regime. For those keeping score it's Florida 27, Miami 1. UM's lone arrest, the long-gone Robert Marve for punching a car mirror.

Yet Miami remains "Thug U".

All in all a reason to embrace that unapologetic picture Rakontur painted. The college football world sees Miami the way it sees it. Nothing can change that - good, bad or indifferent. It's not the Miami way to run from that history. Own it. That's who the Canes were and because they backed it up, nobody had any room to say anything.

I hope this current crop of Canes tuned in Saturday night. For the fans, a simply documentary. For those players, it was their family tree. They have a name to live up to and even if you don't buy into the antics, buy into the responsibility, mindset and ability to dominate.

That bravado was what made those old school Canes tick. Find what makes you tick. It's turn the corner time. Reconnect with some of those old timers. There's a lot of wisdom to be gained from their experience. No one better to teach you how to win than your current head coach, on board for the past twenty-five years. Just two shy of matching Florida's arrest total.

"The U" ended with a thud. Edited down to fit that two-hour ESPN time frame, a rushed ending and a story unfinished. Images of the Orange Bowl getting demolished in 2007, with thirteen year old audio from the loss to Washington, ending the 58-game streak. Video of Butch's hiring, combined with footage from his career-opening flop at UCLA, 31-8.

I felt like I was watching the end of Scorsese's "Casino" - the Sam Rothstein era Sin City crashing down and new school 'Disney' Vegas taking over.

Completely left out, the fact Miami overcame five years of probation and dozens of lost scholarships for the Pell Grant scandal. The program was taken to its knees and Davis rebuilt the right way, setting the stage for a 34-0 run that began his final season in 2000.

I appreciate that this piece wanted to focus on a particular sliver of Hurricanes football history, the resurgence and resiliency of this program is as big a story as the swagger. The grittiness of the city is ingrained in UM. Miami is a fighter. Despite the odds, it finds a way. It adapts. It survives.

"The U" was a reminder to the nation, when the Canes are on - look out. We're not going to see 1986-1992 again, nor does 'back' have to mean a 2000-2003 type of run. Miami is a simply a few pieces from being as good as anybody currently in the game.

Once there, instinct will take over. The Canes are again chock full of hometown kids and when it's time to represent Miami, those kids will make the difference.

Rakontur's "The U" opening credits

2009-12-11T15:53:00.000-08:00

Good God, Saturday evening can't get here soon enough. Check the opening credits of "The U" by Rakontur - part of ESPN's "30 For 30" series. The piece airs at 9pm ET on December 12th... right after Tim Tebow doesn't win the Heisman. Tune in!

allCanesBlog.com will have a review of "The U" on Monday.

Randy Shannon's true impact at "The U"

2009-12-10T20:54:00.000-08:00

Kudos to George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel. Check out this recent piece on Miami head coach Randy Shannon. Puts some things in perspective for those unhappy with the results of this season:

The 9-3 record, the first chance at a 10-victory season since 2003, and the bowl trip to Central Florida are all reflective of the hard work put in by Randy Shannon and the University of Miami football team.

But there's all the other stuff, too.

The player who lost a cousin and a brother over the last two years.

Two players who found out that their dad was really not their dad, and another dad popped up out of the blue.

Another player whose brother was kicked out of the house by their dad, and killed on the streets two days later.

All of this usually doesn't come up in the BCS rankings or the polls or in the fiery spittle of blogs. But it measures the strength of a team in a much more powerful way. It's mostly on Shannon's shoulders on how to make sense of it, how to manage the chaos, how to make sure his team is prepared every week.

Perhaps it's not a unique challenge given the diversity of teams. Not every young man who signs a scholarship is a fortunate son.

But navigating through this dysfunctional maze is something that most coaches won't find on the job description. For three years, Randy Shannon has tried to figure it out as best he can. With only one player arrest in those three years, I'd say he's finding his way.

"You get past one day, you get past another day and all of a sudden there's something else that's going to hit you," he said Wednesday afternoon. "How do you respond? You can't close your eyes and hope that it goes away. It will never go away. That's the hardest thing."

So yes, by all means celebrate the journey that leads the Hurricanes here to play in the Champs Sports Bowl against Wisconsin on Dec 29th. There's a good vibe at the U this bowl season, especially when you take a comparative peek in Tallahassee and Gainesville.

Bobby Bowden is still pulling out arrows from his back after getting speared from fans, media and even school administrators who didn't have the courtesy to show up for the announcement that he was stepping down as football coach at Florida State University.

Florida's Urban Meyer is still catching heat after only one team - not his - showed up to play in the SEC Championship game last week in Atlanta.

Shannon is chillin': Stepping out of a limousine and into the tropic vibe of a place called the Tiki Lounge in downtown for a casual meet-and-greet with the media Wednesday.

"Life is very good," he said. "No stones, no targets."

But he knows that football fans are impossible to please. All they see are five national titles at Miami since 1983, and what's up with that 7-6 record last season?

"When the darts and everything else start coming, I look at it from this perspective: Anybody who is upset with me or the players or not happy with the way we are performing, that means they care about the University of Miami," Shannon said.

So does Shannon, obviously. That's why he has no time for the blogs or the papers or the TV during the season. He has a family to take care of every day, players who lose their way in one catastrophic step. Shannon knows the deal. His father was murdered when he was three. His twin brothers died of AIDS. So did a sister.

"You just can't send a young man off to see a psychiatrist," Shannon said. "He doesn't know who the psychiatrist is. He doesn't have a relationship with him.

"I have to be the psychiatrist. I may not know what I'm talking about but I know the situation they've been in. I say what's in the heart."

There will be a final score on Dec. 29th, a measure of how successful this University of Miami football team has been in 2009. If Miami loses, some people might still look at Randy Shannon and say he didn't get the job done.

Those people won't have a clue.

One dynasty crumbles, another being rebuilt

2009-12-07T00:15:00.000-08:00

Thank you, college football. While your bowl system may be as flawed as can be, at least you remain consistent. The be all, end all reason to love this game? Nobody stays on top forever.

College football is cyclical. No program continues to dominate. You build, you reach the pinnacle, you backslide and you attempt to do it all over again. Not everyone gets to the top of that hill, but those who do - they don't stay there forever.

If you're a Miami Hurricanes fan, this year's SEC Championship was as good as it gets. You couldn't have scripted it any better. Alabama came to play and took it to Florida all night long. As if the beat down wasn't enough, Tim Tebow's tears were the exclamation point.

The Heisman-winning quarterback was harassed all night, attempted to rally the troops with a chest-thumping speech and with an early fourth quarter shot at making a game of it, crapped the bed on the grandest of grand stages.

Tebow drove the Gators fifty-nine yards in under two minutes. A touchdown would've pulled Florida within twelve, but Tebow's errant pass on 1st and goal from the six-yard line was picked off by Javier Arenas. Instead of floating it to the back of the end zone to a streaking Aaron Hernandez, #15 lasered it to the defensive back, further proving the glorified fullback doesn't have a NFL caliber arm.

The Crimson Tide, in run-out-the-clock mode quickly went three-and-out. Tebow went fifty-six yards on eight plays, but when faced with a 4th-and-3, fired the ball behind David Nelson. Turnover on downs. Ballgame. Cue the tears.

There's a reason you don't see too many back-to-back champions in college football. It's hard.

The last legit run came in the mid-nineties when Nebraska brought home the 1994 and 1995 titles. Miami was snubbed of a shot in 2000, won it all in 2001 and was a bogus penalty flag away in 2002 from being the first team in the BCS era to accomplish the feat.

USC brought home the 2003 AP title, but LSU earned the BCS crown. A year later, the Trojans won the BCS and in 2005 went for their repeat ("Threepeat" according the media), but fell to Texas in the Rose Bowl.

Florida won it all in 2006, the final year of the Chris Leak era and Tebow's freshman season. The following season, Tebow went 9-4 in his first year as a starter, winning the Heisman as a sophomore thanks to some gaudy numbers. He followed it up with a national championship and impressive run in 2008. So impressive, arrogant Gator fans were already booking tickets to Pasadena as soon as the clock his 0:00 in last year's win over Oklahoma.

ESPN went on record in August, stating that Florida should just get the SEC East crown handed to them without playing a game. As for the Rose Bowl, fait accompli. The Gators were head and shoulders above the rest and were a shoo in to repeat as champs.

Thankfully Alabama had their chance to challenge all that hype.

The Gators were outworked, outhustled and exposed Saturday night in Atlanta. The one-dimensional offense all non-Gators were shredding, it was on display for the world to see. The lack of legitimate ground game did them in. Fullback dives and shovel passes to tight ends weren't going to get the job done against a stout Bama defense.

As for Florida's supposed top flight defense; steamrolled by Mark Ingram and the Tide. Bama amassed 251 total yards on the ground, with future Heisman winner Ingram racking up 113 on the ground, three touchdowns and hauling in two passes for seventy-six yards.

All that chatter from Florida fans that the Gators could absorb the losses of Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy? Maybe against Charleston Southern, Troy, Florida International, Florida State and a slew of weaker SEC East opponents - but not against a legit foe like Alabama.

The arrogance of Florida was sucked out of the Georgia Dome the moment Tebow's 4th and 3 pass fell incomplete. With just over seven minutes to play, the Gators felt like they were still in it had the lead been cut to 32-20. Sadly, Timmy Heisman let them down with back-to-back turnovers in the red zone.

Every time CBS cameras cut to a disgusted Gator in the crowd, the nation rejoiced. The wicked witch was finally dead. The Tebow and Urban Meyer love affair shoved down everyone's throats these past two years, done. Instead, Mr. Heisman crying on the sidelines like a high school girl dumped the night before prom, while Meyer was tossing his headphones in disgust.

Florida's top dog must've left his Gatorade at home, too as Meyer checked into Shands Hospital and was treated for dehydration hours after the loss.

Soak it up Gator haters. Shakespeare could've have scripted it any better. Somewhere Nero was fiddling away.

Credit to Tebow for his run, but perception became reality as Florida racked up 23 wins in a row. His 2009 numbers couldn't hold a candle to his 2007 Heisman run. 2,413 passing yards this year in comparison to 3,286 two years ago. 18 passing touchdowns to 32. Tebow was sacked 13 times in '09 and 25 times in '09... yet was still the Heisman front runner before his SEC title game collapse.

The media loved to stroke Tebow off regarding his post-Ole Miss pledge as well as his title game halftime speech last season. The leadership. The intensity. The passion. He was labeled the second-coming. The best ever to play the position. Knute Rockne had nothing on this kid regarding motivational speeches.

The true test of character is how one reacts in difficult times. There's an old quote, "The way a man plays a game shows some of his character. The way he loses shows all of it."

Anyone can puff out their chest when rolling over lesser foes. Images of Tebow with garnet field paint streaming down his face last season were played ad nauseam in the 45-15 win at Florida State. The raised arms, the cries of "c'mon, c'mon" every time he barreled over a defender. The media ate it up as they were looking for the new face of college football in the post-Reggie Bush/Matt Leinart era.

For the first time in over a year, we finally saw Tebow backed into a corner and those true colors showed. After an attempt to rally his troops one last time early in the fourth quarter, the senior quarterback retreated to the sidelines in need of consolation. Instead of carrying his teammates, like he's done countless times in victory, Tebow retreated, looking for a shoulder to cry on.

At game's end, a few half-hearted handshakes, more tears and some cliche 'coachspeak' regarding being proud of Alabama and the Tide being the 'better team'.

Florida's current dynasty died in Atlanta this past weekend. Any Gator who wants to deny that, get your head out of the sand. John Brantley won't replace Tebow the same way this year's crop of wideouts didn't replace Harvin and Murphy. Florida still lacks a power back and the spread offense is only as good as the guy behind center.

Word is that defensive coordinator Charlie Strong will finally get his head coaching opportunity after the bowl game. This on the heels of Florida losing offensive coordinator Dan Mullen to Mississippi State last year.

Wondy Pierre-Louis, gone. Carl Moore, gone. Riley Cooper, gone. Dorian Munroe, gone. Brandon James, gone. Dustin Doe, gone. Jermaine Cunningham, gone. Brandon Spikes, gone. David Nelson, gone. Most importantly, adios Tebow.

Any Gator who doesn't buy it, look no further than mighty USC - the most dominant program this decade at 82-9 between '02 and '08. After dominating the Pac-10 for years on end and reaching seven straight BCS games, the Trojans were brought back down to earth with an 8-4 season.

Emerald Bowl-bound and still reeling from some conference smack downs -- 47-20 at Oregon and 55-21 vs. Stanford -- So Cal was brought back down to earth, feeling first-hand the cyclical nature of this game.

If it can happen to USC, it can happen to UF - proud owners of a 67-24 record over the same seven-year span.

This was Florida's last shot at getting something done with this current squad and that window has now shut. A rebuilding year is on deck and based on expectations after two titles in three years, how patient will Florida faithful remain with Meyer? When you show your fans the promised land year two and four of your tenure, the natives will get restless.

As for the SEC, off its game this year but tougher in 2010. Tennessee, LSU, Georgia - all will get better while Florida backslides.

December 5th is an important date regarding Miami football. A changing of the guard, if you will. This year it marked the demise of Florida, though eleven years ago it was the day the Canes started their comeback.

After enduring half a decade of probation, Miami welcomed No. 2 UCLA to the Orange Bowl that first Saturday in December, back in 1998. The Canes were throttled 66-13 at Syracuse the week before and were given zero shot against the Bruins. Instead, a 49-45 upset that knocked UCLA from the national title game.

Miami finished the season 9-3 and opened 1999 with an upset of Ohio State in the kickoff classic. The Canes went on to lose to No. 2 Penn State, East Carolina, No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Virginia Tech, but proved that The U was just about "back".

After a 9-3 campaign in 2009, Miami proved its on the right track. Randy Shannon and staff have been at it three years and continue to make progress. Another solid recruiting class is on deck, with over two dozen verbal commitments.

Florida will continue to recruit well, but the chemistry that fueled this current run is gone. Miami spent the past few years in repair, but is finally jelling and is a few key players away from making their run. Again, college football is cyclical. The Canes dominated the 80s and early 90s, reeling in four titles. The Gators made their run in the late 90s, earning their first championship.

Miami was hit with probation during Florida's run, but responded with four straight BCS games, a national championship and a 34-game win streak between '00 and '03. A few years later, it was UF's turn again, winning titles in '06 and '08. Many Gators penciled in a title in '09, but it wasn't to be. Come 2010, a level playing field again in the Sunshine State.

Welcome to the return of Miami and the beginning of Florida's fall from grace.

The SEC title game loss... Tebow playing his way out of Heisman contention... more tears next Saturday night when Ingram brings home the hardware... and as soon as ESPN's coverage of the Heisman ceremony ends, cut to Rakontur's "30 for 30" documentary on "The U".

A storm is brewing and the changing of the guard is about to take place, whether you want to accept it or not.

Champs Sports Bowl : Miami v. Wisconsin

2009-12-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

It's not the BCS and it's not the Gator Bowl... but it's also not the Meineke Car Care Bowl or the Music City Bowl.

It's official, the Miami Hurricanes are headed to Orlando to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in this year's Champ Sports Bowl. Both squads finished the season with matching 9-3 records.

The Canes were slated to trek to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl, but were snubbed for the retiring Bobby Bowden. Gator Bowl officials used their pick to go the sentimental route, inviting 6-6 Florida State to take on West Virginia, in an effort to honor Bowden.

The almost-gone Noles coach will end his illustrious career after bowl season and ironically enough, coached the Mountaineers before the Noles, so it's a good fit... besides the fact that FSU went .500 this year and absolutely doesn't deserve a New Years Day bowl.

Back in 1999, a resurging Miami put together an 8-4 campaign and earned a Gator Bowl berth, upending Georgia Tech and finishing the season 9-4. Ten years later, it's not enough. 10-2 would've had Miami in the BCS as an at-large, yet 9-3 gets snubbed for nostalgia-sake. No offense, but if Bowden is so classy, why not turn down the invite and agree to a lesser, deserving bowl?

Similar to the 2000 season where he lobbied for a slot in the title game, got worked by Oklahoma and afterwards admitted that Miami belonged. No offense, but the old man can't leave soon enough.

Check back for some Champs Sports Bowl coverage as the month rolls on.

"Miami Hurricanes succeed where others are failing"

2009-12-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

The Miami Herald's Dan LeBatard has written what arguably is the best piece on Miami Hurricanes football that I've read in forever.

With Rakontur a week away from debuting their "The U" documentary, as part of ESPN's "30 for 30", a lot of ink is being written on the Canes and the program's history. Media members and a select group have since seen the piece and are now chiming in.

Take the time to read LeBatard's piece and forward to both Cane lovers and Cane haters. Dan tells it like it is:

Before Allen Iverson and Ron Artest, before Terrell Owens and OchoCinco, before Trick Daddy and Lil Wayne -- before America was quite ready, in other words -- there was championship University of Miami football. It was fun, violent, florescent, reckless and wonderful, but the street getting so close to the library was also pretty new then, and that particular kind of new can scare people the way black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson scared them by dating white women once upon a time.

So UM wide receiver Horace Copeland celebrated a touchdown by doing a backflip in the end zone. And, before a game against Florida State, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy had to be restrained because he thought it would be funny to punch Renegade, the Seminole horse. And UM safety Charles Pharms -- who wore all black on game days because he was in mourning for the opponent, his T-shirt reading, "Shut up, bitch!" -- was so unintimidated by the caged tiger placed outside the UM locker room at a drunk and roaring Louisiana State that he stuck his arm inside the bars and sang "Coochie-coo!" before trampling that tiger's team by a score of 44-3.

"The antics," UM coach Randy Shannon calls them now, and that word has about the right weight. Not "crimes," "blasphemy," "sacrilege," or "desecration.'' Well, actually, there were some actual crimes against people but what seemed to bother sports fans, academia and the country more were the crimes against sports. The antics. Dancing and singing and having fun, if you viewed it from UM's huddle. Trampling sportsmanship, if you viewed it from anywhere else.

The Hurricanes were equal parts hip-hop and pro wrestling, breaking the rules of the game over their knee while playing to their young constituency in the colorful, crazy cities that surrounded that manicured Coral Gables campus. They received two football fields worth of penalty yardage in setting a bowl record with 202 penalty yards and still beat third-ranked Texas in that game, 46-3. So when that recklessness spilled over the sidelines, into occasional crimes that actually involved the law, it became a rationalized way for the indignant to get louder about how undignified this representation for amateurism had become within the sidelines. Pioneers are always met with this kind of resistance, as Elvis and hip-hop and UFC can attest. Real leaders, Abraham Lincoln said, always risk being unpopular.

Notre Dame's Tim Brown admits now, all these years later, that the only time he was ever terrified playing football was against Miami -- not because of the Orange Bowl noise or even the Hurricane talent but because of what he feared Miami's players might do to him in the parking lot after the game. South Florida loved the so-very-Miami aura around those teams. America hated it. And Sports Illustrated called for the termination of the program.

Truth is, though, Miami's single greatest crime was being the first, not the worst. Urban Meyer has had 27 players arrested for real crimes in his brief time at the University of Florida, and it isn't even any kind of unusual because we're numb to it now. Twenty-seven is an enormous number. It is more than were ever arrested at UM under Jimmy Johnson during the most rebellious years. Heck, that's more than Johnson had arrested with his crazed, coked-up Cowboys. And it's obviously a lot more than the single one arrested during Randy Shannon's tenure now.

MANY CHANGES NOW

But not many people know that, and fewer care. So much has changed. Rap star Luther Campbell being associated with Miami was a dangerous and reckless sign once. But Snoop Dogg being on USC's sideline just makes both a little more hip now.

ESPN is doing a two-hour documentary on UM's renegade years this week. It is done by UM alums and will mostly embrace that fascinating time, but the current administration didn't want anything to do with the film and even advised former players not to participate. UM has a bit of post-traumatic stress disorder about its past, understandably. You might, too, if the nation's largest magazine in your field called for your eradication because it had, in its grandfatherly senility, confused you being edgy with you being evil.

Sports Illustrated was only giving voice to a lot of what the mainstream media was yelling about. And it haunts Miami still, a few decades later, every time the smallest thing happens. Can you have a persecution complex and actually be persecuted? Miami's past and reputation ensures that a few players making a naughty rap song a few years ago somehow got national headlines. It isn't the crime being punished that way. It is the school. UM fans overreact to any national slight; but the nation also seems to overreact to any Miami indiscretion.

But here's the thing: This UM hasn't been that UM in a really long time. I remember being floored while talking to Andre Johnson and Ed Reed during the 2001 championship run. This was nearly a full decade ago, mind you. I figured they'd embrace Miami's taunting, swaggering past as a reason for coming to Miami, as so many players did. But they rejected it. Said they didn't like anything about it all, except maybe the winning. Being excellent was enough for them. They didn't have to go and tell you about it, and still don't, even with eight Pro Bowls and nary a single bad public moment between them.

There were a lot of Johnsons and Reeds and Jonathan Vilmas in that locker room, more than there were Kellen Winslows. But Winslow went on a locker-room rant about the U one time, channeling past ghosts angrily, and you could hear the angry echoes: Same ol' Canes.

A CLEAN PROGRAM

But Miami has been clean for a long time now. Johnson and Reed, not Michael Irvin, are the role models for today's Hurricanes. UM wide receiver LaRon Byrd might wear Irvin's number 47, but he never even saw Irvin play. He was born the year after Irvin left Miami. No, Byrd came to Miami because he liked Johnson's quiet style.

"Wearing fatigues and dancing after plays and trash-talking, that was all allowed back then," Shannon says now. "It was just a fad. But then all the rules changed."

Shannon was a stoic linebacker on those teams, about as quiet a guy as there was on a gyrating defense that howled before unleashing its menace and danced after doing so. That's funny, looking back, that one of those teams would produce not only a UM head coach but maybe the biggest disciplinarian Miami has ever had. Jimmy Johnson calls Shannon and tells him to let up on his players a little bit. Johnson says Shannon is a lot harder on Hurricanes than he ever was.

"No matter what we do, we're always in Shannon's eye view," says Byrd, who has a 3.7 GPA. "If I'm two minutes late to class, he'll find out. He's a very strict father figure."

And here are some of the results: UM had eight seniors who received their degrees prior to the season. Five more will do so this month. That means 13 of Miami's 18 seniors will graduate before the bowl game. The American Football Coaches Association has lauded UM for exceeding the national graduation rate in 15 of the past 17 years.

Miami ranked seventh nationally in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate with a score of 976 -- higher than Notre Dame and highest among Florida schools. Without boring you with the point system, just know that Miami is within 10 points of No. 1 Stanford and No. 3 Duke. Closer to Stanford and Duke, academically, in other words, than the point system puts UM to UF and FSU.

And then there's this: In July, the team did 27 community events in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Twenty-seven. In one month. Talking to kids. Signing autographs. Teaching camps. Not just a few players. The whole team. It is one of the largest community outreach programs a major college-football team has ever done.

"I'm very proud of that," Shannon says.

That's not the kind of stuff that makes it on magazine covers.

It isn't what gets documentaries made, either.

And it doesn't have much of anything to do with winning, which is all people used to care about back before the Hurricanes trampled their idea of what sportsmanship should look like.

But it has at least one thing in common with those fun, crazy UM teams from two decades ago:

It is pretty damn cool.