Now that Robert Marve has made his Miami debut in the most hostile of environments, expectations which seemed unrealistic at first for a revival of "QB U," now seem more on the money.
Marve lost to Florida 26-3 the same way Bernie Kosar lost to Florida 28-3 in the swamp to open the 1983 season. The Hurricanes did not lose again after that game until traveling to Ann Arbor Michigan over a year later. While nobody is claiming Miami will go on a similar run (which included winning the first national title by a team from Florida) after this loss, Marve much like Kosar showed a poise and understanding of the game beyond his years. However Miami offensive talent is at such a low point, arguably worse than any point since Ottis Anderson stepped on the campus in the mid 1970s that Marve won't have the help Kosar did as a redshirt freshman. The loss of Darnell Jenkins was painfully apparent last night as it quite frankly was against Charleston Southern as well. Miami lacks a home run hitter at WR, and have in Kayne Farqueson and Leonard Hankerson two returning players who run poor routes and have the dropsies. Khalil Jones isn't a factor and the freshman aren't ready yet to contribute. However, things should get better as the season wears on.
Here is what I liked about Marve's debut:
- The fearlessness Marve showed when standing in the pocket and taking hits.
- The leadership he showed in talking to his team mates and leading by example
- The way he delivered balls to receivers in tight spaces under pressure. The fact that Miami's WR corp continues to be inept is not something Kosar had to deal with in 1983 thanks to Eddie Brown among others.
- The mobility and good decision making Marve showed when flushed out of the pocket.
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3 comments:
nice one
That 1983 Miami team was very young also which is why Schelly thought 1984 would be the big year after losing the core team that did so well in 1980 and 1981 between 81 and 82. But as we know they went on to make history after being killed in Canesville to open the season.
Kartik,
While I was disappointed with some of the defense and a lot of the alleged playmakers on offense, Robert Marve is a STUD!
He's a national championship-caliber QB. In fact, I remarked to my buddy who watched the game with me and he too was impressed with Marve.
If there are any wide receivers which could actually catch the ball, the Canes are in good shape. Well, that and have its offensive line be more explosive off the ball to get Graig Cooper and Derron Thomas a chance to get yardage.
Thomas needs more touches. When Baby J went down with his injury, Thomas did more with the same amount of help from the offensive line than Cooper did. That's not to say it's going to happen all the time, but it was very nice to see. A kid fighting for playing time, doing everything in his power to show off his skills.
Maybe that is what's wrong with the Wide Receivers -- they're too complacent.
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