After today's second half defensive collapse I am at a loss for words. Miami punted the ball away down 3 points with almost 6 minutes left in the game and never got the ball back. Georgia Tech ran for 225 yards in the second half after Miami pretty much controlled the first 30 minutes. While Hurricane fans seem in genuine shock by the play of the team, before the season I thought realistically this was a four or five win team and quite honestly they played better than I expected today against what was a desperate Georgia Tech team that HAD TO WIN TODAY. You see it may seem like hyperbole for some, but seeing Miami on the schedule for an opposing ACC Coach who needs to win a game badly (like Tommy Bowden, Chan Gailey and Al Groh in past seasons) is the equivalent of seeing Duke with two exceptions: Miami actually has some talent but Duke is the team that actually has some heart. Sitting in the West End Zone today it seemed the ruckus crowd became lifeless as soon as Tech tied the game, and it reflected a "here we go again" mentality that has set in to Miami Football.
Miami's lack of talent and defensive deficiencies are obvious anytime they play. These same problems were evident last year but it became overly fashionable to assume the players had quit on Larry Coker and would play better this season. The truth is Miami has a number of heartless players who don't have any pride in wearing the "U" on their helmet. However as fans it would be bordering on criminal to quit on this team. More than anytime since the late 1970s this program needs fan support at this tough time. I personally will continue to do what I can by going to games and promoting the program to help change the culture of losing that has set in at the "U."
Some random thoughts from today:
- Miami's depth at Running Back is impressive for such a bad team. The most impressive run by true Freshman Shawnberry McNeal may have actually been on the 4th down in the 4th quarter when GT's line got penetration and should have ended the game there but he juked two defenders to gain a first down running between the tackles. McNeal's long touchdown was a beauty and it appears he will figure into Coach Shannon's long term plans at Tailback.
- Kyle Wright continues to lack to kind of touch on the deep ball you'd expect from a fifth year senior QB. Kirby Freeman? His failure to properly sell option plays in his package was striking since he obviously only works on a few plays a game.
- Miami's Defensive Line is an embarrassment and if I were an NFL GM I wouldn't touch a single guy on Miami's entire defense.
- Kenny Phillips a preseason All-American? That's as laughable as the people who wanted me banned from some of the fan sites for merely suggesting Miami wasn't very good before the season.
- I don't want to hear about these being Coker's players. Shannon had an important role in recruiting during Coker's entire tenure and he can only blame himself for recruiting some of the biggest underachievers on defense.
Miami now faces another desperate team, Florida State. Does Miami have a chance in that game? Probably not, but we'll breakdown that game all week long on the site.
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11 comments:
You are on the money my friend.
I wonder what morons like fighting ibis and danny boy cane will say about this.
Im having a hard time watching week after week of 0-1 yard running plays and QB who throw for less than 100 yards. Im convinced now that it is NOT our coaching staff, but the lack of REAL UM talent on this team. More than half the guys on this roster wouldn't play 2nd team on some of the past teams we've seen. They don't have the attitude and swagger that some of the great Canes teams we have watched over the years, and they never will. These guys just don't have it. It cant be taught. Its natural. I believe that RS will find the guys who will bring back that attitude, esp from some of the guys in his own backyard. I am convinced the Canes will see brighter days again, but not with the soft group we are seeing today. Dont get me wrong...I will still watch every game and root on the current guys, but I will also look forward to the future.
The season is over, why not give Freeman experience in different packages so we can evaluate whether or not Marve and or Harris should start next year. Wright is a joke and if his previous starts on the road are any indication he'll give Bowden an a new lease on life next week. As bad as Freeman is, could he really be worse than Wright on a week in, week out basis?
I see some hope:
2007 will be like 1999 we will have 3 games losing skid (8-4)
1:loss to oklahoma= va tech loss- both games away
2:loss to east carolina= nc loss- game away with an emotional game played in different stadium for nc state due to hurricane- butch's 1st game against old team
3:expected loss to ga tech= penn state loss- in ob busted coverage fields down the sideline- choice has career game while um defense looks lost
4:expected loss to fsu= lost to fsu- played well first half but our jv squad was shutdown by their defense in 2nd half- same this year- mickey makes adjustment again but this time their qb torches the secondary
We were 4-4 in 1999 after`8 games and ran the table including a big win over Ga Tech in the Gator Bowl.
Kartik-
I for one will apologize for flaming at you in the preseason. You obviously weren't drinking the RS Kool Aid. But what are your suggestions on how to get the most out of the remainder of the season so we can build towards next year.
DA U, that 1999 team beat Ohio State in the opener and had obviously beaten UCLA the previous year and won @ West Virginia the previous season also. This team has no character, no good road performances and no wins against marque programs to build on. I wish this was 1999 all over again but I don't see playmakers like Bubba Franks, Wayne or Moss on this offense.
Florida State is actually pretty decent. They are a couple of really bad breaks away from being 6-0. We on the other hand have been manhandled three times. Make it four after next week.
I know many of you blame Nix because we put up 14 points but he made some very good playcalls that were just not executed. So stop blaming him he did a damn good job today considering the minute Wright got knocked for the first time he played scared.
walton is a different story. second straight game shannon took over for him. not a good sign.
and swasey needs to be demoted. our front seven were overpowered by a patchwork Ga Tech oline that is terrible. that is humiliating. and it shows how terrible swasey has been. it seems like every team is overpowering us. and thats all on him. He should just work with skill position guys for the time being and be kept clear of the defense and Oline. Im sick of watching a WEAK team both physically and mentally.
Yes these players are care free losers, but RS being a classic cane will not tolerate this nonsense and expect to see several of these players kicked off the team and playing for FIU in two years!
Along with RS "trust me" plethora that then became "believe me" the next day. Blame the players, make huge changes to your lineup each weeek and make 'em beat each other to death in practice -- wow that's really building a team...............
Take those names off the jerseys, your whalecrap at the bottom of the sea and totally undeserving.......
Sure your 22 years old, live off campus and have never violated any laws, but we don't believe in the second amendment - go back to Texas if you want to shoot skeet........
RULES, Quigley, that's all a HC is about you know, I told them they couldn't have ice cream and then they went ahead and ate...............
So let me get this right, Fisting Ibis......you'd rather have a coach that tolerated fighting, guns and raping women than Shannon if it makes you win? You are a fucking loser and half a man if that's the case. We had Ron Zook who was just like Coker and look at what it got us. Shannon may not be winning but he's making some of us respect Miami a whole lot more. He is a good man trying to build real men.
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