Rumor: Shannon Dismisses Six From Team

I don't like to post rumors here but this one seems to have some steam so here goes: word out of Coral Gables tonight is that six players have been tossed from the Miami Football team. I am told the most prominent three are QB Kirby Freeman, K Darren Daly (who missed a FG in OT versus NC State and did not play again) and TE DajLeon Farr who caught two TD passes early this season, but was eventually supplanted by Dedrick Epps and Chris Zellner at TE. Farr is by far the biggest disappointment having been a highly touted Tight End. Daly was a wasted scholarship, and Freeman didn't fit Miami, although I always admired the kids heart and guts and feel Pat Nix didn't know they type of plays to call with an option oriented QB like Freeman in the game. I will have more information as it becomes available.

Shannon Makes Changes: Wright Returns

A summary of changes for this week announced by Randy Shannon:

• Kyle Wright returns as starting QB. While Shannon had little choice given the inept play of Kirby Freeman, Wright is a proven average to below average QB against BCS level opposition. Considering this is a team with so many problems on offense it is hard to imagine a QB with Wright's poor record against decent opposition will make a difference. On the other hand fans must be patient and not blame Wright (or Freeman) for the failures of the offense: ultimately a QB is only as good as his supporting cast, and the supporting cast around Wright is about as bad as any ACC team has outside of Durham.
  
• Richard Gordon will no longer handle kick return duties. Fixing this obvious mistake indicates to me Randy Shannon may not be as over his head as an ACC Head Coach as I have thought he was to this point. He will be making a huge mistake if he pulls the redshirt off of either Shawnberry McNeal or Lee Chambers however.
  
• Darren Daly will no longer handle kickoffs. Francisco Zampogna will take over that duty.
  
• Randy Phillips has been moved to safety. It has been fashionable for Hurricane fans to blame Phillips for the breakdowns in pass coverage, but honestly the pass rush for this team was non existent on Saturday in Norman, and Safety help was lacking. I am still wondering why Kenny Phillips was a preseason All American by so many publications. Perhaps I am just spoiled after watching the likes of Ed Reed, Brandon Merriwhether and Sean Taylor but I just don't think K. Phillips has improved at all since early his freshman year.