After Tuesday’s drills, Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz talked about the demeanor his team has shown thus far this fall.
“I’m just encouraged at the overall attitude of our team,” Diaz said. “Even out there today, we finished practice with some sprints to make sure everyone is holding everyone else accountable. It’s a little more connected team than we were a year ago. I think guys have done a good job of battling through. Still a lot of work to do.
“The way we work - in this offense and the way we’re practicing now - fatigue is going to find you because there’s nowhere to hide. There’s no choice but to find out who is really for their teammates and who is maybe a little more for themselves. It is something everyone in the program senses.”
Under new OC Rhett Lashlee’s offense, there is more emphasis on getting the ball out quicker, something that has aided the improvement of the offensive line in Diaz’s view.
“They are coming along, I don’t think there’s any doubt that schematically what we do helps them,” Diaz said of the OL. “We do bring back experience, the guys are better because of that.”
The battle at left guard has been an area that has received a lot of attention, and Diaz spoke on what redshirt sophomore OL Ousman Traore has brought to the first team lineup when he’s been in there.
“[Traore] is a steady presence at guard, tough," Diaz said. "He’s done a nice job establishing a role for himself on this year’s team.”
The Canes return to the field next Thursday against UAB, and Diaz said the staff will settle the depth chart following Friday’s situational scrimmage.
“There’ll be a lot of emotion, the feeling of gratitude we get to get back out there and play,” Diaz said. “Once we line up for kickoff, it’s all about ball. We have a lot of respect for the team we line up to play on Thursday."
With the coronavirus still looming in the backdrop of the season, there has been a question of how many players would have to test positive on one team to justify cancelling a game.
“It’s something that has been discussed in our league, and I don’t think there’s a broad exact number,” Diaz said. “A lot has to do with what position. You can have 100 guys, but if none of the 100 play offensive line, it’s difficult to play a game. We have discussed some of those measures as a league. As a league, we are committed to play unless it comes to a point you can’t play.”
Redshirt junior RB Robert Burns returned to practice today after missing some time due to injury.
“It was good to see him, we’ll increase his load day in and day out,” Diaz said.
Diaz mentioned redshirt sophomore LB Patrick Joyner has been permanently moved to DE.
“I’m just encouraged at the overall attitude of our team,” Diaz said. “Even out there today, we finished practice with some sprints to make sure everyone is holding everyone else accountable. It’s a little more connected team than we were a year ago. I think guys have done a good job of battling through. Still a lot of work to do.
“The way we work - in this offense and the way we’re practicing now - fatigue is going to find you because there’s nowhere to hide. There’s no choice but to find out who is really for their teammates and who is maybe a little more for themselves. It is something everyone in the program senses.”
Under new OC Rhett Lashlee’s offense, there is more emphasis on getting the ball out quicker, something that has aided the improvement of the offensive line in Diaz’s view.
“They are coming along, I don’t think there’s any doubt that schematically what we do helps them,” Diaz said of the OL. “We do bring back experience, the guys are better because of that.”
The battle at left guard has been an area that has received a lot of attention, and Diaz spoke on what redshirt sophomore OL Ousman Traore has brought to the first team lineup when he’s been in there.
“[Traore] is a steady presence at guard, tough," Diaz said. "He’s done a nice job establishing a role for himself on this year’s team.”
The Canes return to the field next Thursday against UAB, and Diaz said the staff will settle the depth chart following Friday’s situational scrimmage.
“There’ll be a lot of emotion, the feeling of gratitude we get to get back out there and play,” Diaz said. “Once we line up for kickoff, it’s all about ball. We have a lot of respect for the team we line up to play on Thursday."
With the coronavirus still looming in the backdrop of the season, there has been a question of how many players would have to test positive on one team to justify cancelling a game.
“It’s something that has been discussed in our league, and I don’t think there’s a broad exact number,” Diaz said. “A lot has to do with what position. You can have 100 guys, but if none of the 100 play offensive line, it’s difficult to play a game. We have discussed some of those measures as a league. As a league, we are committed to play unless it comes to a point you can’t play.”
Redshirt junior RB Robert Burns returned to practice today after missing some time due to injury.
“It was good to see him, we’ll increase his load day in and day out,” Diaz said.
Diaz mentioned redshirt sophomore LB Patrick Joyner has been permanently moved to DE.
