Spring Game Thoughts Part One

Rich Halten the editor of Chant Rant has been throwing questions our way this week to get a feel for UM's Spring Practice. Here is the first question of the bunch.

What did you see in the Canes offense that makes your new O.C. an upgrade over the last one?

More of a power running game. Damien Berry and Mike James both had a good spring game, after a few really good weeks of practice. I think Nix had the offense on the right track and a lot of Miami fans either don't recall how Miami won a few of their titles (with passable offenses coupled with great defenses and kick/punt returners who were game changers) and how Nix had his unit closer to being a typical Miami unit than did the defensive and special teams coaches. The ultimate problem with Nix was that his offenses lacked an identity. From game to game the Canes would change their gameplan, offensive look, starting WRs, and often the featured RB. The lack of consistency not just in production but in looks killed Nix. Whipple on the other hand is used to the grind of the NFL and evidently believes that consistency in looks and play calling is a must. As a result Miami may actually become more predictable. Nix was anything but predictable, which hastened his downfall.

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Spring Game: No Solution in the Passing Game

The annual Canes Fest today at Lockhart Stadium was a tremendous comedown after watching Miami's Basketball team, the past few months fight and scrape through the ACC and almost into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Once again I left a Miami Football related event with a real sense of impending doom for the program. We'll start with the few positives:

• Javarris James looked quick and decisive again in the running game. He's still got the size and has regained the speed to hit the hole he had as a freshman
• Graig Cooper. He's bigger and still as quick.
• The secondary was quite good but that maybe more to the poor competition than anything.
• Arthur Brown is going to be a stud. We knew that already but today confirmed it.
• Marcus Fortson. He was all over the place in the backfield, harassing the QBs and runner
  

Now the bad

• I thought all three Miami QBs looked like Freshman, which they are but get ready for a long year. Robert Marve should have done more with all the time he had to throw
  
• The WRs are terrible. Just awful. Khalil Jones had three drops and the rest of WRs were unimpressive even the much touted Aladrius Johnson.
  
• Still no solution at TE
• Jake Wieclaw has a strong leg but got a kicked blocked
  
• Anthony Reddick's two ACL injuries have effectively ended his effectiveness.
  
• Derron Thomas suffered a nasty injury I am not sure he'll be back for a while

In other words, Miami like much of last year can run the football and not do much else consistently. But if Baby J really is back and Coop stays healthy, I can see the Hurricanes being a little better than I initially thought because they may be able to control the clock by grinding it out on offense. But the bottom line is that despite all the young talent, this team is in a full fledged rebuilding mode and getting to 5-7 again this year will likely be an accomplishment.

Spring Practice Tidbits

• Glenn Cook has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Look for the Linebacker to push to regain a starting job this year.
  
• I'm hearing new WR's Coach Aubrey Hill has been very pleased with the unit, especially under utilized Same Shields.
  
• Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith I am told are struggling when compared to Robert Marve. I am of the opinion Marve's naming as starter while put off until the Fall officially, is essentially a done deal already.
• I'm also told Daniel Adderley's move to TE may be borne out of necessity. With DajLeon Farr leaving the program, and no other reliable player emerging at that position (although I personally like Dedrick Epps a great deal), Adderley could actually end up winning the job in the fall.