Gerald Willis note

Dec 5, 2017

Quick update here because I've seen some people ask about Willis' status for next season. After asking around over the past two days, there is a ton of confidence in where he is at right now. Obviously Willis has had an up-and-down Miami career, but people within the program are very encouraged with the steps he took this season on-and-off the field, while he was still able to practice and workout with the team.

The expectation right now within the team is that at least one, if not both starting DTs in Norton and McIntosh, are leaning towards turning pro -- this would make Willis' return of the utmost importance. As we are in the midst of recruiting season, just remember that Coach Kuligowski's most important addition this offseason is arguably Willis.

UPDATE: After seeing this post, Willis' attorney Jason Setchen reached out to me to say, "Gerald is 100 percent committed to the University of Miami and Coach Richt and he is excited about playing football next year at UM."

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Gables Canes

Dec 5, 2017

Norton would be foolish to leave early. His production really waned in the 2nd half of the season. Needs to get in better shape.

Billy D Williams

Dec 5, 2017

I think we can sum up what canes fans know, to get where we expect to be, we need high quality DT's and OL. We would like to see the staff sign 2 DT's in addition to Nesta. Since we at it, a LT or any high quality OLineman to go with Reed, Scaife and Campbell.

Gables Canes

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

Bethel didn't do much to impress this season.

M
MizCane

Dec 5, 2017

Ill never rely on a True Frosh DT unless its Wilfork. That's just too much to ask a kid. Would be nice if he's good enough to get time.
He will be a perfect example of idiots calling him a bust if he isn't starting game 1.

brock said:
Willis
Bethel
Ford
Silvera
Goldwire
Whoever else we bring in
Not to mention guys who can slide inside on certain downs like dj Johnson or djack we will be more than fine

M
MizCane

Dec 5, 2017

LOL. Maybe because he is behind 2 kids that may leave early for the league but lets go ahead and claim him a bust. I love this board!!!

Gables Canes said:
rokulika said:

A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

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Bethel didn't do much to impress this season.

C
Cribby

Dec 5, 2017

Gables Canes said:
rokulika said:

A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

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Bethel didn't do much to impress this season.

He was ok, but looked too weak still. I see him a rotational/backup guy for his career.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

Dec 5, 2017

MizCane said:
Ill never rely on a True Frosh DT unless its Wilfork. That's just too much to ask a kid. Would be nice if he's good enough to get time.
He will be a perfect example of idiots calling him a bust if he isn't starting game 1.

brock said:

Willis
Bethel
Ford
Silvera
Goldwire
Whoever else we bring in
Not to mention guys who can slide inside on certain downs like dj Johnson or djack we will be more than fine

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The nation's # 1 DT recruit from 2017 Marvin Wilson couldn't sniff the field for FSU.

Hard for a true freshman to make a big impact there, even harder to depend on them to play a big role before the season starts.

Billy D Williams

Dec 5, 2017

JgDaCane said:
QSTOKES said:

JgDaCane said:

Norton leaving is worse then Brad leaving. He’s as ready as I am to run in the olympics. Actually if he leaves he ends his own football career.

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I think he is good enough to make an nfl roster but leaving now will cost him lots of money

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It’s a brainless move.

I think if Norton stayed, worked on his power and get off, he'll improve his nfl stock. We need more big bodies like Jon Ford clogging up the middle.

PanteraCanes

Dec 5, 2017

KrazyCane said:
grover said:

CaneandAbel said:

Alot of DT's go off the board in the first 4 rounds. I could see why our guys may consider leaving early. Unless coming back gets them picked in the first round, the money difference isn't all that different from rounds 2-4 . In the last 2 drafts 30 DTs were picked in the first 4 rounds.

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I don't have the time to do the analysis. But I'd really be interested in seeing the odds of a DT making a roster by round, especially the later rounds where Norton will most likely wind up. And secondarily, I'd like to see the odds of them getting a second contract.

Everyone talks about how the money is similar after the first 2 rounds. But I'll bet that the probability of earning that money is massively different, especially after round 4, since very little is guaranteed beyond round 4 (~750K in 3, 500K in 4, <200K in 5 and <100K in 6 and 7). Other than those guarantees, athletes are essentially living paycheck to paycheck, and can be released at any time. But teams don't want to release an athlete if they drafted them and gave them guaranteed money in those first 3-4 rounds..

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This post makes zero sense. A rookie DT makes the team and balls he's getting paid the end. If a player isn't a 1st round talent now but a 4th rounder with potential do you think teams care?? Players will improve faster in an NFL program than in college.

Depends on the college and the pro program. Also players get replaces faster in the NFL than in college.

I don't think people ever learn. I am guessing the same people were pushing for Yearby and Kaya to leave early last year so they can get to their second contract sooner as well. Now both are hosed. It is like some people just see the rainbows and puppies but forget things that only happened a few months ago.

C
Cribby

Dec 5, 2017

PanteraCanes said:
KrazyCane said:

grover said:

CaneandAbel said:

Alot of DT's go off the board in the first 4 rounds. I could see why our guys may consider leaving early. Unless coming back gets them picked in the first round, the money difference isn't all that different from rounds 2-4 . In the last 2 drafts 30 DTs were picked in the first 4 rounds.

Click to expand...

I don't have the time to do the analysis. But I'd really be interested in seeing the odds of a DT making a roster by round, especially the later rounds where Norton will most likely wind up. And secondarily, I'd like to see the odds of them getting a second contract.

Everyone talks about how the money is similar after the first 2 rounds. But I'll bet that the probability of earning that money is massively different, especially after round 4, since very little is guaranteed beyond round 4 (~750K in 3, 500K in 4, <200K in 5 and <100K in 6 and 7). Other than those guarantees, athletes are essentially living paycheck to paycheck, and can be released at any time. But teams don't want to release an athlete if they drafted them and gave them guaranteed money in those first 3-4 rounds..

Click to expand...

This post makes zero sense. A rookie DT makes the team and balls he's getting paid the end. If a player isn't a 1st round talent now but a 4th rounder with potential do you think teams care?? Players will improve faster in an NFL program than in college.

Click to expand...

Depends on the college and the pro program. Also players get replaces faster in the NFL than in college.

I don't think people ever learn. I am guessing the same people were pushing for Yearby and Kaya to leave early last year so they can get to their second contract sooner as well. Now both are hosed. It is like some people just see the rainbows and puppies but forget things that only happened a few months ago.

People talk about getting to that second contract , but if you leave and aren't ready you might never see the next one. Better yet , you might not see the first one.

One year can make a huge difference.

I
iLoveTDs

Dec 5, 2017

It's amazing how many 4th-7th round picks leave Miami early.

Norton has no business leaving.

Cans4life

Dec 5, 2017

Norton shouldn't even be thinking about going pro. At this point he's probably a 4th-5th Rounder at best. He can make a lot of money by coming back and improving his stock.

Mr. Dynasty1

Dec 5, 2017

iLoveTDs said:
It's amazing how many 4th-7th round picks leave Miami early.

Norton has no business leaving.

I know we aren’t the only school to deal with this but, ours seem to be some of the biggest head scratchers

Dec 5, 2017

McIntosh had a nice season but there's still a bunch of guys who will go ahead of him.

He may want to consider a return in 2018 too.

C
CaneSince4Ever

Dec 5, 2017

I hope that ***** Rosenhaus isn't in their ear.

brock

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
brock said:

rokulika said:

A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

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Says who? We have the best dline coach in the country and im sure he’s working with more talent he’s ever had..

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Still, losing Thomas, Harris, Molten, Norton, McIntosh is a lot to overcome.

My point is that DL recruiting should be on full blast right now.

Talented players for sure

We will be more than fine either way. Kools unit will always produce

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

We are about to lose a lot of talent if both go.

McinTosh, Norton, Thomas and toolbox leaving is going to create a drop off up front next year. Hopefully the LB's can step up.

Big Sky Cane

Dec 5, 2017

406Cane said:
Willis has a ton of potential...hope he can keep it together until he graduates.

Montana boy?

brock

Dec 5, 2017

westcoastcanes said:
rokulika said:

A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

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We are about to lose a lot of talent if both go.

McinTosh, Norton, Thomas and toolbox leaving is going to create a drop off up front next year. Hopefully the LB's can step up.