Randy Shannon formally announced the depth chart for Miami's season opener with Division 1AA Charleston Southern (oops, I meant FCS) and I must say Miami's lineup looks even weaker than I had anticipated previously based on this depth chart. The key concern for me is at the Wide Receiver position.
First off how a player like Khalil Jones can be starting at WR is beyond me. Jones has probably dropped more passes in his career than he's caught- that sounds like a bad negative clique but in the case of Jones I'm almost positive it is true. Aubrey Hill, Miami's WR coach was in school with me at the University of Florida in the early/mid 1990s and knowing a bit about Hill I think he likes receivers that block and run their patterns to the fullest and perhaps the other young receivers are just two raw to be trusted. Jones has been in the Miami program for five years. Hill likely values that experience, in addition to Jones practice work ethic which is very good and quite frankly needs to rub off on some other guys.
Hill and coach Randy Shannon also seem to have Sam Shields in the doghouse, permanently. Shields regressed last year under Shannon after catching almost 40 passes, many in key situations in his freshman season when Larry Coker still coached the team. While Shields caught 27 passes last year many were on quick flanker/bubble screens and late in blowout games. The regression of Shields to me is one the simplest explanations as to why despite all the trouble in Coker's last season Miami went bowling and why we finished with a losing record in 2007.
Aladrius Johnson will not start the first game: Leonard Hankerson will. This may be a good thing or a bad thing. Hankerson appeared to be a game breaking receiver at St Thomas Aquinas leading the Fort Lauderdale school to the brink of a state title as a senior. However, his play last season for the Hurricanes indicated a player who normally would be redshirted if not for the lack of depth Miami had at the position. Has Hankerson improved enough since last year to start? Or is this another case of Hill and Shannon rewarding a hard working practice play? Only time will tell.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Why Aubrey Hill likes Khalil Jones and other thoughts
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5 comments:
kartik u totally miss the point. Hill is the first legit wr coach we have had since chud left. we have not used khalil properly as a threat with his size and his good route running. previous we simply hired coaches for recruiting.
hill knows what he is doing. jones will have a monster year.
We cycle in receivers anyhow so the two starting spots are rewarding fall practice.
in key situations shields, johnson and benjamin will be the go to guys.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
The U vs. Florida State; 2006; their last matchup at the OB.
With the Canes trailing late in the game, I kept saying "GET THE BALL TO YOUR FRESHMAN PLAYMAKER -- SAM SHIELDS."
On third down, Kyle Wright had him wide open on a cross over the middle; delivered a SOLID ball and Shields dropped it.
Wright did his job -- one of the few times he did -- and Shields didn't deliver. I've never liked him since.
Fast? You bet. Sure-handed? Not so much. As with most -- if not all -- of the WR since Reggie Wayne. (That's strictly my opinion.)
Khalil Jones starting is a complete joke.
I'm sorry, but it is.
khalil jones in is sorry. i would put Mckenzie over him and i never seen Mckenzie play
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