Let me apologize for not having this up Sunday Morning as I normally do. The Election season is heating up and my Sunday was spent on conference calls, crunching numbers and finalizing media buys. I apologize for the tardiness. I hope by next weekend, all critical decisions would have been made and I will have the recap on the site at its normal time.
- I'll take back all the nice things I said about Bobby Bowden if he goes back to Drew Weatherford at QB. Xavier Lee seems to have that "it" factor. Yes, he still makes some bad decisions and the Noles did lose on Saturday, but considering Florida State is in a tailspin of epic proportions, I don't see any justification for going back to a QB that has lost his confidence and cannot make plays anymore. (Besides openly fueding with the coaches.)
- I'm really not sure what else to say about the Noles. Unlike Miami, whose fans continue to react badly to every loss, Seminole fans seem to have become immune to these losses and some are even applauding the effort of the team, for simply not quitting. Just two years ago, a loss to the same Maryland team was cause for widespread panic in Seminole nation. The Noles in many ways are accepting mediocrity better than the Miami fans.
- Miami's defensive effort against Georgia Tech was pathetic. Despite holding the ball the entire 3rd quarter on offensive, Miami's D looked gassed and tired in the 4th quarter. No Jon Beason means no Miami defense the rest of the way also. (Unless he is healthy at some point later in the season.) Miami offense should be run based and obviously UM has found the next great Cane back in Javarris James. Unfortunately, the Hurricane coaches continue to be pass happy and they don't give James the 20-25 carries a game he needs to wear down a defense.
- Larry Coker decision to not to challenge the game changing INT in the end zone is further proof that he is over his head as a big time head coach. If he challenges that play, chances are Miami holds on to the victory, and Coker saves his job. Now he is for sure a goner.
- Word on the street is that the leading candidate for the Miami job is not Butch Davis nor Greg Schiano, but San Diego Chargers Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron. Cameron is the former head coach at Indiana, and has worked wonders with Antwan Randle-El, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. Cameron appears to be interested in the job and Miami is determined to get an offensive minded coach.
- Miami should go after David Cutcliffe. The improvement in Eric Ainge this season is so dramatic that even the good work Cutcliffe did with the Manning brothers pales in comparison.
- Speaking of Tennessee QBs, I am involved in crunching numbers for a client who is interested in seeing former Vols great Heath Shuler elected to Congress. Shuler, a Democrat is running against incumbent Republican congressman Charlie Taylor in North Carolina.
- The more I watch Chris Leak the more I want to cry. I really tried so hard as readers of this site know to defend him, but he is almost single handily keeping every Gator opponent, whether they be strong teams like LSU or lowly ones like Kentucky in every game with errand throws and bad decisions. As Gator points out in the comments, Orange and Blue Hue has a very strong take on the offensive play calling by Gator coaches.
- The Gator D-line continues to dominate opponents. What I am curious to see is how Steve Spurrier rolls the pocket with Syvelle Newton to give South Carolina a shot to throw to Sidney Rice downfield. I really believe South Carolina has a shot to upset Florida, and if any coach can lead them to a win in the swamp, it's the guy they call Darth Visor up in Knoxville.
- Florida has manufactured a running game using Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell on reverses and option plays. Florida State should take note.
- Could Colt McCoy end up being better than Vince Young? I'm really impressed with McCoy's poise and understanding of the game. He makes decisions quickly and hardly ever makes mistakes.
- I really believe Bobby Petrino needs to play Hunter Cantwell in place of an obviously gimpy Brian Brohm in the season's biggest game to date on Thursday night.
- Louisville must not overpursue on the blitz because West Virginia QB Pat White has the ability to step and scramble for large chunks of yardage and Steve Slaton has gained a ton of yards on screen plays and draws against the blitz this season.
- I'm not sure College Football will ever have a better showcase game then the one coming Thursday night. Too bad its on ESPN.
- Florida Atlantic got its 3rd win on Saturday versus Arkansas State. For those scoring at home that's 3 more than Florida International. FAU has started one less brawl than the public school from Miami also.
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27 comments:
Coker could not challenge the call. He was out of timeouts.
At this time last year we were # 5 going into va tech to play # 3 va tech.... wow how much has changed in a one year span... you would think being ranked # 5 last year at this time would only bring better things to come for the upcoming year.
A win is a win, and it would look a lot better is Tebow had not dropped the ball right in front of our goal line, and several of our receivers had held on to the balls that were catchable.
For me, the biggest cause for concern was pointed out at Orange and Blue Hue -- the coaching staff is trying to inventive on offense. (http://www.orangeandbluehue.com/2006/10/29/keep-it-simple-stupid/)
That a very good story from Orange Blue Hue. I'm going to link it from the site.
Coker had one timeout left and the ABC crew were stunned he didn't challenge the call. If the call is overturned, Miami gets the ball back up 3 with 11:00 min left in the game. Considering how well James was running at that time, the Canes have better than a 50-50 shot to win the game. That missed call should alone be enough to fire Coker. Refs make mistakes, but the ACC implemented video replay and the challenge system for just such an occasion.
What are the numbers on that Shuler race? Is he going to win?
Kartik I think you're speaking for yourself when you say that you have no confidence in UM beating mediocre teams. It is also your opinion when you say Coker is on a downward spiral that can't be stopped. Had to stop yourself about the Hulk analogy because after that drop it swoops right back up huh? Kind of like the way life is like a roller coaster? Hell even the tower gives you a couple up's & down's.
Pittsburgh won the Superbowl last year! They look like shit this year! Fire their coach? Oh no because he's so good?
This is nothing more than a team that must find an identity on offense. And how the hell can you do with that while trying to rely on freshmen? The biggest problem is these atheletes trying to come in with the mindset that they want to play right away. That's BS! We now expect our superstars to only be around for three years? They don't even care if they finish their degree that UM is offereing to pay free & clear?
That's called primadonna! What gives these freshmen the right to think they are gonna come in & take a Senior's job who has been working his ass off at the U for 3 & sometimes 4 years longer?
Obviously UM is in an odd period with all the commotion that's gone on! If you were good at writing this blog your reporting over the summer should have been something like "With major coaching overhauls don't look for this UM team to be gelled in season #1. It should take 2 years to rebuild what the old coaching staff had ruined!" Instead you built them up higher than the world trade & just like the world trade disaster came toppling down!
UM has been in every game they've played in if the offense doesn't sputter in the redzone & shoot themselves in the foot! Yes especially the louisville game! They put up the 20 pts. on them quick like what should have happened & they go away. That's just called learning a new system while relying on freshmen in key spots! When things go wrong blame Coker? Hell when Coker won a NC & contended & got screwed for another he was a great & classy coach. Then Brock comes in & well Coker only won with Butch's players?
Now my biggest concern isn't about you all calling for Coker's head although I would like to see what this next year is going to bring on because I see sparks of exactly what we saw before we took off on a NC hunt. But how dare someone like you put in your two cents about who should coach this team next when you couldn't even put the right spin on a rebuilding year?
That is exactly what we're in correct? New coaching staff! Freshmen all over the place? Our WR's last year we're S.Moss, R.Moore & D.Jenkins. Our RB was T.Moss & C.Jones. Our WR's this year are L.Legget, S.Shields, R.Jones, R.Hill maybe Khalil maybe so & so & so & so! Our RB's have been C.Jones but no wait Baby J takes it but wait he'll split time with T.Moss?
That's called a new staff learning it's personnel! But before they figure it our & things look good let's just cut off the head of the beast & wait another 2 years. That's sloppy journalism!
Just giving my analysis of your opinion!
Interesting article in the Orange and Blue Hue. I don't totally agree though. What has cost us games is dropped snaps, dropped passes, missed field goals, and fumbles. The field goal, punt, and ability to hold onto a ball are not difficult nor complex items. Neither is catching a pass.
I don't disagree that we could have run things better on many drives, but I think those "complex" items they speak of has just caused many of us to have more heartburn than anything else.
God Bless
Ibis, your rant is pure nonsense and I see you posted a similar rant against Gary Ferman over at Canesport.com . That rant is about to get you hit over the head by the entire Cane Nation. 25 people have already responded over there in an hour asking for you to be banned from the site! You should think before you post and not let emotion get the best of you. You are passionate about the Canes as am I so let's just respectfully disagree about this team. It seems based on the posts at Canes Sport, Canes Time, Canes Over Here and the other fan sites, 90% agree with me and recall I was warning you last year this would happen and I was met with hostility and anger.
Another thing Ibis, your hatred for Florida State and constantly claiming Jack Childress fixes games is costing you credibility points. Did FSU win or Maryland win the other day? Maryland won, and had Childress really been fixing the game, FSU would have won! Sure you have a point with the UF game in 03' and the Miami game in 05' but those were bad calls, not games fixed by the ACC as you claim.
3 years ago we landed what appeared to be one of the best RB classes in at least the past 10 years. Bobby Washington, Charlie Jones, Derron Thomas, and Andrew Johnson were all ranked in the top 20 in the nation. Washington and CJ were #2 and #4.
Washington transferred before playing a down. CJ is at best a 'serviceable' back. Thomas and Johnson have been busts. So out of the 4 RBs that committed to us that were all top 20 in the nation we basically got one 2nd string RB.
So what happened? Were all the recruiting analysts completely wrong about all 4 of these RBs in their talent evalution? I find that hard to believe. Or does it fall more on our coaches for not developing these kids anymore than they have? Oh, and also throw in the fact that Tyrone Moss was a top 5 RB coming out of high school as well.
I agree with Ibis about the fixed FSU games. We were totally hosed in that 2003 game at the Swamp. Everyone knows we won that game. The Miami game in 2005, Olsen was held in the end zone and the Miami QB took a sack. It should have been first and goal at the 1! Miami punches it in and wins.
Ibis, you are da man!
F you Tampa Cane. Wright was the Gatorade player of the year in High School and is without a doubt the best QB in the nation right now. He has all then tools! Ken Dorsey didn't have all the tools! Bernie Kosar and the sidearm shuffle of his didn't have all the tools! Steve Walsh! Ha! He didn't have the gun Wright has! Gino Toretta? Are you kidding me? He had no tools!
This is your opinion! Our program is headed in the wrong direction because the media tells us so? Since when do we listen to them? I see great things happenning & think this coaching staff will haul in another great recruiting class that will keep ensuring progression.
Did you watch Weiss' 60 minutes last night ? You want that type of attitude here at UM? Trust me I say they'll spin that asshole attitude into just that at UM. At ND it's fine! But at UM he would be considered an asshole!
How would any players in the country play great with the press they've gotten ? What are they made of brick? They don't have eyes & ears & see & listen to what's going on?
How come you don't have the balls to call the bias in officiating? Our team shoved their heads in their hands when Merriweather was screwed on that INT! Any officiating crew in the country could get that call right but not when they're doing a UM game? Coker pointed out that GaTech doesn't have one holding call against them when a QB is scrambling for his life all game? Do you pick up on that or am I the only one that realizes that's usually when holding occurs. Long plays where O-linemen are having to tie up rushing attackers!
Coker can't report on it because he'll be fined! But you could start a wave! Why won't you?
Our offense had more yards than GaTech! G.Olsen was a better receiver than C.Johnson. The press doesn't see that! Why? Why not tell the truth? C.Johnson the best WR in the country got his ass shut down! Our young team is sputtering right now but look for good things next year. OU is still pulling with Stoops after a dismal season!
You all are not helping this situation! Give the man some slack & discuss meaningful things! Call the officiating crew out! Call our offense young! Do something, but don't act like you know everything about this team when you don't!
I'm here as fan & want to read what's going on! Not some take on some wanna be journalists opinion of where the program is headed & who will be heading it! We had a problem last year! The problem was addressed! Now should that problem be readdressed we don't know if that will happen & don't have the slightest clue as to what they'll do. So to all of you, you are beating the dead horse.
I'm not pro Coker! Hell I never thought the man should have been given the job in the first damn place. Butch was the retard for not sticking around & finishing what he worked so hard to build. But he did bring in Coker to help build it! & Coker stuck around to see it finished through & I commend him on that.
I don't see our recruits dropping off. I see them lining up to come play here. If this next class is anything what the last one was then this staff will make the best of it. Obviously things became complacent after winning so much. It's all cyclical! Nebraska, OU, USC & yes even UM are going to have down years.
You all love what Mosely is doing with the WR's. You all love Mario & the fire he lit under this O-line. And Yes, I like our play calling better than last year. Don't believe me? Go watch an Ole Miss game!
This staff is getting the personnel down! When to use what in what circumstances. I'm seeing our WR's running great routes now & creative plays that are working if the excecution is there.
The lack of attitude is why Willy is gone. Why T.Moss isn't hitting the hole hard. Why freshmen are giving their all & upperclassmen are not. Another year of weeding out the bad seeds & building men will spell success.
But instead let's just rip apart again & start over losing everything they're working they're ass off to correct.
If you think that's a fair officiated game then I have to forever abandon this site. But the Merriweather call was questionable? Well uh gee? Duhhhh. Not one holding call against GaTech? Watch that game again! You don't! That's why you don't see what some of us see. I watch them over & those refs were biased!
Example: FSU against Maryland misses on a fourth & inches. Oh wait, late flag & BS call comes in that Maryland is lined up in the nuetral zone? The calls always go in FSU's favor & against UM. Call it what you want but I call it bias!
And since Coker can't speak up without getting a hefty fine then Gary should be doing for it him! The announcers can say "well that's clearly an INT" but the replay booth doesn't instantly call down to the field like they are supposed to?
Do you all even know the rules or you do you just spout off? Bobby would have never had to throw a coaches challenge because the booth would have done it for him!
Post of the season Mrs. Coker.
Please stop embarrassing your husband by so venemously defending him without a leg to stand on. Have no fear. Our donations will be going toward paying for your needs to the tune of 1 mil+ a year for at least the next two years. I'm sure the house you purchased when you were given the honor of becoming a member of the UM staff after such a nondiscript career has more than quadrupled in value. Moving back to the Tulsa area will make you a very, very rich woman. And I'm sure when you're back home you'll be able to find plenty of people that want to listen to how unfair the Miami fans were to expect your husband not only to outgain some teams some of the time, but to actually outscore them as well. Have a nice life Mrs. Coker, we wish you nothing but the best.
Colt McCoy is more a Texan than Vince Young anyhow!
Dude,
I'd love to see Gene Chizik at NC.
I'm glad the Gators don't have to play in SC. I think at home they can avoid another 2nd half collaspe.
Wright goes 6 of 21 for 83 yards and 1 int.
six sacks for - 33 yards.
On the bright side, Javarris James goes for 93 yards in the 1st and 2nd quarter and we're up 6 - 3; however, Coker shows everyone he finally taught the kids to try an onside kick after the second field goal which is recovered by Va. Tech. (Coker is worried about Va. Tech high quality special teams blocking the kickoff and figures Va. Tech will be really surprised since only last week he admitted UM doesn't know how to do that very well).
In the second half, Javarris doesn't play the third quarter because Coker is worried about him getting tired. As the result, Miami cannot move the ball with no running threat. V. Tech. eventually intercepts Wright for a pick six.
Miami opens the fourth quarter with a long drive which sputters out at the 15 yard line when Miami has the wrong personnel and breaks the huddle with twelvee players. Kyle wright then takes a sack back to the 28. Tyrone Moss run a sweep over the right side and is caught from behind for a loss of four, and Peattie misses the 49 yard field goal.
Miami never seriously threatens again after Tech deciphers the offense and Miami fails to adjust.
Tech goes ont to score ten points late and wins 20 - 6.
Anyone think this can't happen?????
This team would be 7-1 with Ryan Clement! That's how bad Wright is........
FLORIDA IS THE BEST TEAM IN THE STATE. period point blank!
UM is garbage and from someone that doesnt read or listen to el Miami media, no one in the nation is even talking about Miami.
FSU, unranked and uncovered. I think their sorry asses were last seen on page 6 of the sports section right next to the fishing report and minor league hockey
Even with 2nd half declines, UF is a monster. Vanderbilt is our last tough game. SC at home.... will be obliterated. FSU... come on now. Even with Buddy Lee, UF's defense is way too quick to escape the Gator's jaws.
Vandy is not in any way tough.
FSU still makes more headlines than the NHL combined.
no one in the nation is even talking about Miami.
FSU, unranked and uncovered.
Explain why the TV ratimgs for UM and FSU games continue to be higher than UF games when shown on comprable media outlets?
I enjoy watching FSU and Miami because I don't want to miss a good fight or bone breaking cheap shot.
nolefan1... please provide me a link to your unsubstantiated information. A simple URL to where you have this mythilogical information.
When you can prove it, then I will listen. But when you are out of the top 25, you dont exist outside of your own geographical region.
I wonder why the TV coverage is so high (as you claim) when you couldnt give away tickets to the GT v. UM game.
2 weeks ago BC v. FSU, you didnt even need a ticket. There were plenty of open seats.
UM... 2/3 of your stadium is completely empty.
The only plausible reason why UF could be lower is becuase 90,000 people are at the game as opposed to watching it on TV.
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