Final Grades: Miami Defense

The Miami Defense improved, but couldn't overcome previous assumptions(Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor

During the tenure of Al Golden, the Miami defense has been mediocre at best and putrid at worst.  This season saw massive improvement, but this unit failed to show the consistency expected of an experienced unit.  Some of that can be attributed to a lack of depth at crucial positions, but most of it can be attributed to an overly conservative philosophy and an inability to maximize talent.

Final Grades

Defensive Line--This defensive line may be the worst in Miami history.  The sack numbers are abysmal, and tackles for loss are nonexistent.  Anthony Chickillo is a tough, gritty player but he doesn't make the big play.  The defensive tackles have been trainwrecks with Michael Wyche  a complete bust.  Courtel Jenkins played admirably as a freshman and Calvin Heurtelou was a consistent force. While Chad Thomas couldn't live up to the unrealistic expectations heaped upon him, he flashed his talent on more than one occasion.  Chad will be a star at Miami eventually,  if he's coached correctly. Fans should also be excited about the return of Al-Quadin Muhammad, a pass rushing end who was suspended for the fall semester due to an off field altercation.  This unit may have underachieved this season, but is slowly coming along.  Grade: D-

Position Coaching--Jethro Franklin has been underwhelming as the defensive line coach.  Miami rarely lands elite defensive line prospects, and the ones that are landed aren't developing. This unit may not have outstanding talent but that can be mitigated with outstanding coaching.  That hasn't happened, and Franklin is to blame.  When was the last time the defensive line executed a stunt, or used a swim move to beat a block? The fact that Tyriq McCord hasn't learned one move besides a speed rush is frightening.   These are issues that Franklin haven't corrected in 4 years.  It's time to cut Franklin loose, he doesn't recruit and players aren't developing.  Why is he drawing a paycheck?  Grade: F

Linebackers--Denzel Perryman is the best linebacker at Miami since Jon Vilma.  Perryman leaves Miami with a ton of accomplishments, including multiple All-ACC selections, and being named a Butkus Award finalist.  Denzel led the team in tackles for loss, and total stops but his contribution goes beyond mere statistics.  He's the unquestioned leader of this team, and has been an inspirational leader throughout his career.  While Denzel is the star, many other members of the linebacker corps emerged and showed Miami fans that this unit should be terrorizing opposing offenses for years to come. Jermaine Grace and Raphael Kirby emerged as players once Mark D'Onofrio allowed them to be aggressive. The surprise of the year was Thurston Armbrister, who went from a bit player, to a consistent performer, finishing the season with 53 tackles.  Losing Jawand Blue and Alex Figueroa before the season started hurt depth, but this unit overcame .  Grade: B-

Position Coaching--Hurlie Brown took over as linebackers coach during fall camp following the sudden resignation of Micheal Barrow.  Brown has done an outstanding job this season, and has shown an ability to reach players.   It's too early to call Brown a star, but he's done more than enough to justify his place on the staff.  Grade: C+/B-

Secondary--Far too many ups and downs for this group.  Talent wise, this is far and away the best group defensively.  However, this unit wasn't consistent, and suffered from a lack of focus at times.  The best corner was Artie Burns who is finally looking like the player he was projected to be.  Burns has to mature mentally if he wants to take the next step into stardom.  His body language at the end of the season was deplorable, and it spread throughout the unit.  Corn Elder has gone from a man without a position, to a corner that isn't afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage.  Elder was the best tackling corner this season, and was useful in run support.  Tracy Howard was a non-factor, and has become the epitome of the entitled, selfish student-athlete. He's barely on the depth chart, and looks to be a player who will be lost in the shuffle going forward. Where Miami truly struggled was at the safety position.  Deon Bush  doesn't have any interest in being useful in passing situations, and Nantambu Fentress doesn't have the top end athleticism to compete against major college talent.  Fentress is a hard worker but he shouldn't be seeing significant snaps at Miami.  Jamal Carter has the physical talent, but hasn't been able to consistently apply himself in crucial moments.  The loss of Rayshawn Jenkins hurt this unit more than expected.  Grade: B-

Position Coaching--Paul Williams gets a ton of criticism, most of it unwarranted.  It's hard to blame the secondary when they are being forced to cover receivers for long periods, thanks to an ineffective defensive line. Williams has done a great job with Artie Burns and Corn Elder, and is slowly developing Jamal Carter. He is by far the best position coach on the defensive staff and should be praised, not criticized.   Grade: B

Special Teams

Kicking/Punting--Michael Badgley was an unknown at the beginning of the season, and ended the season a pleasant surprise.  Badgley struggled to convert PATs, missing three and having one blocked.  He was significantly better in place kicks, converting 80% of his attempts.  Justin Vogel emerged as a weapon averaging over 43 yards per punt.  Miami didn't lose because of the kicking game, and Badgley's  strong leg is a valuable commodity.  Grade: B

Mid-Season Report Card: Defense/Special Teams

There's been little to celebrate for Denzel Perryman and the rest of the Miami Defense(Photo Credit: Miami Herald)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor

When most people think of Miami Defense, they think of a fast, aggressive defense that overwhelms opposing offenses .  During the tenure of Al Golden, the defense has rarely been aggressive, and usually underwhelming.  This season was seen as a key season for Golden's scheme, and defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio.  So far, the defense has struggled. 

Defense

Defensive Line--The "Flex 34" is a scheme that centers around the defensive line.  The D-Line is supposed to create enough havoc to where the linebackers can flow unimpeded to the football. In an ideal situation, the defensive coordinator shouldn't have to rely on blitzes in order to create pressure on the quarterback.  That hasn't been the case this season for the 'Canes, as this unit has struggled mightily.  There's been very few games in which the defensive front dominated the opposition.  Calvin Heurtelou and Courtel Jenkins have been inconsistent, with Heurtelou wearing down late in games, due to overuse.  Michael Wyche has been a total disappointment, he hasn't played much, and continues to struggle with conditioning. Olsen Pierre has made some outstanding individual plays, but those have been few and far between.    Anthony Chickillo lacks the top end talent to carry this unit,  but he has been a force at times.  The problems with this unit can only be fixed by recruiting large numbers of defensive linemen, and allowing them to develop. D-Line coach Jethro Franklin should be on the hot seat, this unit hasn't developed during his tenure.    Grade: D

Linebackers--It's a shame that Denzel Perryman hasn't gotten a chance to play with linebackers that match his talent and desire.  Perryman is the heart and soul of this unit, and he's done everything he can to carry this group.  For the first time, he has some help, as Thurston Armbrister has emerged as a player.  Armbrister, who was once seen as a liability, has become a steady player, a player who is good against the run, and can create pressure on the edge.  The loss of Jawand Blue, and Alex Figueroa during fall camp forced Raphael Kirby and Jermaine Grace into the fray and they've been inconsistent. Tyriq McCord is an impressive physical specimen, but his play on the field hasn't matched his talent.  Some of McCord's ineffectiveness can be attributed to Mark D'Onofrio, but McCord should be better than this, even if he is limited.    This unit should be better than what the stats indicate, but it's hard to expect a group of linebackers to be dominant, when the defensive line hangs them out to dry.  Grade: C+

Secondary--Coming into this season, the secondary was seen as an outstanding collection of young talent.  That assessment has been true at times, but this unit has also been wildly inconsistent, and disappointing at times as well. Last season,   Tracy Howard looked like a player who was ready to take a great leap forward.  That leap forward has become a huge leap backward, as Howard has been almost useless in coverage, and an unwilling tackler.  Tracy has been passed on the depth chart by Corn Elder, a two sport athlete who has future star written all over him.  Elder has been teamed up with Artie Burns, and these two are the nucleus of the secondary.  Burns, a physical corner has turned the corner, and is starting to look like someone who will play on Sundays.  While the corner backs have developed nicely, the safeties haven't.  Dallas Crawford hasn't been the impact player he was expected to be, and Deon Bush has been unable to cover anyone.  Jamal Carter has the talent, but looks hesitant and unsure of himself.  He has shown immense potential, and will be a player once he gains experience.  Former walk-on Nantambu Fentress is an active player, but he lacks the top end size and speed needed to be a consistent contributor.  This unit has talent, it has shown flashes, but the consistency hasn't been there.  Grade: C

Special Teams

Kicker/Punter--Michael Badgley has stepped into the fray, and done a solid job.  Badgley isn't the most accurate, but he has a strong leg, and has been able to make some kicks. With Matt Goudis being unable to participate, Badgley has been an acceptable alternative.    He hasn't been tested in a late game situation, but there's no reason to believe that he can't come through if called upon.  Justin Vogel has been steady at punter, averaging over 44 yards per punt, and landing 13 of his 28 kicks inside the 20 yard line. Vogel has also been a weapon on kickoffs, with most of his kicks being touchbacks.  While not superstars, these two have done their jobs, and haven't been an issue.  Grade: B

Punt/Kickoff Returners--Miami fans came into the season expecting explosive return units, and that hasn't been the case.  Stacy Coley is averaging 9 yards per punt return, but he's been very hesistent, and he hasn't looked like the dangerous returner he once was.  Kickoffs is much of the same as Coley has missed multiple opportunities to break returns, which is something that rarely happened last season.  Braxton Berrios has been asked to return punts, but he lacks the quickness to be a difference maker at the position.  Fans should look for Trayone Gray to surface at the position.  Grade: B-

Punt/Kickoff Coverage--Minus one awful play against Louisville, these units have been solid.  Tackling has steadily improved, and the players have done a great job of staying in their lanes.  Grade: B