PODCAST: D$ with insight on practices and scrimmage, including big plays from Jacurri and Colby Young

Apr 11, 2023

- The offense was filling the air with footballs on Thursday, but the defense responded with a much better day at Saturday's scrimmage. Jacurri Brown is starting to settle into the new offense and show his talent. He made a beautiful downfield throw to a diving Ray Ray Joseph on Thursday for a huge gain. On Saturday, he rocketed a ball downfield to Isaiah Horton rolling left to evade inside pressure and finished the drive with a quick read and strike to Riley Williams. He later lobbed a perfect play action pass down the sideline to Horton which hit him in stride but was dropped. One source told me Jacurri has the most upside of any player (not just QB) in the entire program.

- On Thursday, Tyler Van Dyke hit Colby Young with a 99-yard TD in stride. Young has slimmed down and picked up speed. On Saturday, TVD connected multiple times with Xavier Restrepo, including a long TD. Those are by far the top two WRs and the most consistent players on and off the field.

- Two players who have taken huge leaps since the beginning of spring- Samson Okunlola and Nyjalik Kelly. Okunlola took a second to adjust to the competition and still needs strength, but he is growing fast and opened up multiple huge holes at the point of attack and also the second level. Kelly is living in the backfield and has developed a nasty long-arm pass rush move.

- Emory Williams has more arm strength than I thought. He made a beautiful downfield pass rolling left on Saturday, which impressed onlookers. He also hit Joseph for a corner route TD on Saturday. Joseph has had a couple good days.

- The linebacker group is starting to look more like Miami. Francisco Mauigoia is showing a well-rounded game: multiple picks and sacks, stoutness taking on blocks, instincts and speed sideline-to-sideline. He looks different than any LB we've had since the Shaq days. Wesley Bissainthe is starting to string together good practices after a slow start. He had a nice scrimmage. Bobby Washington flashes every day. When those three are together, it looks right.

- Cornerback remains a problem area. Expect Portal additions there. Davonte Brown is the best of the group with his length at the catch point.

- Kam Kinchens makes a pick every practice, including an eye-popping one-handed catch in one-on-ones on Saturday. Markeith Williams bounced back from a rough scrimmage the prior week to have an outstanding showing on Saturday, quickly diagnosing plays and flying downfield.

- Looking forward to seeing everybody at the spring game on Friday. Things I expect to see: an offense that scores more than last year's game, a much bigger offensive line, improved WR play that still is missing one player, a DT rotation decimated by injury, faster LBs and less physically impressive CBs.

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OrangeBowlMagic

Apr 11, 2023

Cribby said:
Chaney is having a very good spring

Easily in the Top 5 of my Most Important Players for a successful 2023.

In the college game, having a truly elite back is an absolute difference maker. Especially when you're playing for Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, because you know there are going to be some talented linemen in front of you. If Chaney can stay healthy and truly flash, it will make a massive difference for us.

My Top 5 as it stands today:

1. Tyler Van Dyke -- Don't think this one needs much explanation, but his performance this year not only dictates the 2023 season but also has a huge ripple effect on future offensive recruiting. Saying it's imperative that he play very well is the biggest understatement imaginable.

2. Leonard Taylor -- I'm not overly concerned with the offensive line. I am much more concerned with the defensive line. You cannot be average on either front and be a good football team, it just doesn't work that way. So to have the DL achieve what's needed to make this a legit team, 56 has to be the kid we recruited him to be. Truly the 2nd biggest piece on the entire team, IMO. If he approaches Gerald Willis territory, and he has the talent to do so, it is going to make the entire unit so much better. If he still only flashes, shows inconsistency, and can't stay on the field, this goes from a potentially good unit to look-out real quick.

3. Xavier Restrepo -- Probably a controversial pick, as we all know we need an couple outside WRs to emerge, but the full health and Year 3 jump we should get from this kid will put a jolt into the offense. I know he won't play the role that Tank Dell played in Dawson's former life, but our OC has shown he is willing to get his best playmaker in this room the football. X is that, until proven otherwise. We know the connection he has with TVD. We know the talent he has. And we know what kind of leader he is....but it truly makes a difference when your biggest alpha leader is also the one making the most plays on Saturday. It just elevates everyone else and players rally around a dude who will put his money where his mouth is. I expect Braxton Berrios in 2017 at a minimum. 55 catches, 679 yards, 9 TDs and someone who consistently moves the chains on money downs.

4. James Williams -- I have been very critical of this kid, and honestly how can you not be at this point? But if he's truly going to play Safety, it's time to be the player you are supposed to be. I know Kam is going to be a superstar. And honestly I feel that a true outside corner emerging is more important for the defense to be successful than James being the dude we thought we were getting when we signed a Top 10 talent in America. But since I don't have massive confidence in that happening, if we can have Kam on one side and a kid on the other (and in the box) who can even approach the same talent level, it makes the job of the other kids in the secondary that much easier. No, he's not going to mask everything. If we press someone on the outside and the dude MTSU's us and makes the corner look like DJ Ivey in cement cleats, we're not going to be very good no matter what. But having 2 truly elite talents on the back-end and giving Guidry the flexibility to move them around the field and have the opposing offense account for both kids at all times, it will ease so much pressure on the corners, who we know will be a work in progress, to be nice. James...it's time. At a minimum, even if you don't ever reach a level of production expected of a consensus 5-star DB, tacking someone occasionally would be a nice consolation.

5. Don Chaney -- It's 2023. You have to score points to win football games. To me, the next most important piece to that is a stud back. Rooster is gone. Thad is gone, and likely eating somewhere. Citizen looked like a gem, but will be coming off an ACL when camp rolls around, and the college kids rarely seem to overcome those injuries as quickly as we see the pros do (for good reason). So I'm not counting on him early in the year, if much at all. That leaves #2 as that between the tackles banger who should get a TON of opportunity as an early down back, and this is coming from the President of the Henry Parrish Fan Club. I absolutely LOVE 21....but he shouldn't be getting 20 touches a night on early downs, downhill between the tackles, IMO. Chaney fits that mold much better. Also, I put him on this list because we NEED him to take reps, like he literally has to, hence his inclusion on a most important player list. If he no-shows again due to injury, and leaves the entire load just on Parrish with 2 true freshmen and a redshirt Fr. coming off an ACL, we are going to be in deep ****. It's imperative that Chaney give us that 1-2 punch we're going to need.

DMoney

Apr 11, 2023

WeBallinBoyz said:
@DMoney, any other edge rushers popping off besides Kelly? And if no one stands out, who’s benefited the most from Taylor’s tutelage (I know it’s only been a small amount of time).

Appreciate it as always. Looking forward to a healthy D-line in the fall. Trenches might be our strongest units when it’s all said and done, despite the depth being far from adequate.

Bain

grover

Apr 11, 2023

Anyone know if Bruce Warner is competent? On Locked on Canes, he was saying Markeith Williams played really well. That would be super encouraging news if true. He also really liked Davonte Brown and Terry Roberts. Calls Kinchens "ridiculous" in a good way.

Warner also said he wasn't impressed with the offense. Acknowledged they have a high ceiling, but it sounds like he is concerned about the OL and the passing game. He's the second guy I've heard (ITU guy said the same) who suggested the OL was leaving holes open. I expect some of this is due to a new playbook and Guidry's scheme. But it is worth noting that not all is pink unicorns dancing on rainbows with this OL.

... Warner said he really liked Lee and Cohen, not sure Rivers is the best answer at tackle, not so high on right side. But overall he says it will be much better. ... That's exactly what I suspected would be the case, so maybe I'm being subjective. But I don't just want much better. We were atrocious last year so that's not a good baseline. I want top ACC play. And I just don't see Rivers and Maiugoa as the right OT bookends for 2023. I love both kids. But one's out of position, the other is too young.

Last edited: Apr 11, 2023

Hurracanes

Apr 11, 2023

DMoney said:
Bain

Bain got the alumni buzzing about him.

grover

Apr 11, 2023

DMoney said:
Bain

Bain is going to eat with Guidry's approach. Multiple guys who have seen practices and scrimmages keep calling him out. I can especially see him on second/third and long as an inside threat. He's one freshman I think will have a big positive impact in 2023.

RVACane

Apr 11, 2023

cway313 said:
This is why @RVACane getting the dumb reaction banned is a waste. You clearly have a limited mental capacity. Richardson won't be drafted because he lifted his team on the field. He has physical gifts that others don't. I fully expect Richardson to suck and I'd be terrified to draft him. You are truly stupid if you think all that will happen over the course of the next year. It will take 3 to 4 years before anyone throws in the towel on Richardson which obviously has 0 bearing on Jacurri next year. My point was similar to Richardson, Brown would be appealing because of his physical attributes. In Cryptical fashion you had to go trip over yourself to Karen this thing up.

The funny thing is that the 2 of you were 2/3 of the poster example reasons why I was able to eliminate that reaction. Neither of you needs additional negative reaction instruments at your disposal.

If it were up to me you both would have the

reaction only and you’d each sit in the corner under close Maude supervision.

SWFLHurricane

Apr 12, 2023

cway313 said:
Time to call for help the delusion isn't working anymore. Imagine me listening to someone who has never even seen pads before irl.View attachment 235139

"Hello"....is this CIS PD??...I'd like to report a crime in progress.

S
sedlst11

Apr 12, 2023

OrangeBowlMagic said:
Easily in the Top 5 of my Most Important Players for a successful 2023.

In the college game, having a truly elite back is an absolute difference maker. Especially when you're playing for Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, because you know there are going to be some talented linemen in front of you. If Chaney can stay healthy and truly flash, it will make a massive difference for us.

My Top 5 as it stands today:

1. Tyler Van Dyke -- Don't think this one needs much explanation, but his performance this year not only dictates the 2023 season but also has a huge ripple effect on future offensive recruiting. Saying it's imperative that he play very well is the biggest understatement imaginable.

2. Leonard Taylor -- I'm not overly concerned with the offensive line. I am much more concerned with the defensive line. You cannot be average on either front and be a good football team, it just doesn't work that way. So to have the DL achieve what's needed to make this a legit team, 56 has to be the kid we recruited him to be. Truly the 2nd biggest piece on the entire team, IMO. If he approaches Gerald Willis territory, and he has the talent to do so, it is going to make the entire unit so much better. If he still only flashes, shows inconsistency, and can't stay on the field, this goes from a potentially good unit to look-out real quick.

3. Xavier Restrepo -- Probably a controversial pick, as we all know we need an couple outside WRs to emerge, but the full health and Year 3 jump we should get from this kid will put a jolt into the offense. I know he won't play the role that Tank Dell played in Dawson's former life, but our OC has shown he is willing to get his best playmaker in this room the football. X is that, until proven otherwise. We know the connection he has with TVD. We know the talent he has. And we know what kind of leader he is....but it truly makes a difference when your biggest alpha leader is also the one making the most plays on Saturday. It just elevates everyone else and players rally around a dude who will put his money where his mouth is. I expect Braxton Berrios in 2017 at a minimum. 55 catches, 679 yards, 9 TDs and someone who consistently moves the chains on money downs.

4. James Williams -- I have been very critical of this kid, and honestly how can you not be at this point? But if he's truly going to play Safety, it's time to be the player you are supposed to be. I know Kam is going to be a superstar. And honestly I feel that a true outside corner emerging is more important for the defense to be successful than James being the dude we thought we were getting when we signed a Top 10 talent in America. But since I don't have massive confidence in that happening, if we can have Kam on one side and a kid on the other (and in the box) who can even approach the same talent level, it makes the job of the other kids in the secondary that much easier. No, he's not going to mask everything. If we press someone on the outside and the dude MTSU's us and makes the corner look like DJ Ivey in cement cleats, we're not going to be very good no matter what. But having 2 truly elite talents on the back-end and giving Guidry the flexibility to move them around the field and have the opposing offense account for both kids at all times, it will ease so much pressure on the corners, who we know will be a work in progress, to be nice. James...it's time. At a minimum, even if you don't ever reach a level of production expected of a consensus 5-star DB, tacking someone occasionally would be a nice consolation.

5. Don Chaney -- It's 2023. You have to score points to win football games. To me, the next most important piece to that is a stud back. Rooster is gone. Thad is gone, and likely eating somewhere. Citizen looked like a gem, but will be coming off an ACL when camp rolls around, and the college kids rarely seem to overcome those injuries as quickly as we see the pros do (for good reason). So I'm not counting on him early in the year, if much at all. That leaves #2 as that between the tackles banger who should get a TON of opportunity as an early down back, and this is coming from the President of the Henry Parrish Fan Club. I absolutely LOVE 21....but he shouldn't be getting 20 touches a night on early downs, downhill between the tackles, IMO. Chaney fits that mold much better. Also, I put him on this list because we NEED him to take reps, like he literally has to, hence his inclusion on a most important player list. If he no-shows again due to injury, and leaves the entire load just on Parrish with 2 true freshmen and a redshirt Fr. coming off an ACL, we are going to be in deep ****. It's imperative that Chaney give us that 1-2 punch we're going to need.

Great post. I agree with all of these players and they are all very talented players to boot as well and potentially NFL players if they stay healthy.

PIPO

Apr 12, 2023

SpikeUM said:
@DMoney Ideas for the merch, "Mope" and/or "Porster".

Can we add “A Showdown!!”

canecrazy23

Apr 12, 2023

Shogungts said:
Seems like we rarely hear anything about the RB play... I know there are some injuries and they will likely be looking to bring in another player, but how concerned should we be and if we should be concerned is it more a function of the RBs or OL?

Interesting because almost every report I've read has Don doing very well.

BeastMode

Apr 12, 2023

DMoney said:
- The offense was filling the air with footballs on Thursday, but the defense responded with a much better day at Saturday's scrimmage. Jacurri Brown is starting to settle into the new offense and show his talent. He made a beautiful downfield throw to a diving Ray Ray Joseph on Thursday for a huge gain. On Saturday, he rocketed a ball downfield to Isaiah Horton rolling left to evade inside pressure and finished the drive with a quick read and strike to Riley Williams. He later lobbed a perfect play action pass down the sideline to Horton which hit him in stride but was dropped. One source told me Jacurri has the most upside of any player (not just QB) in the entire program.

- On Thursday, Tyler Van Dyke hit Colby Young with a 99-yard TD in stride. Young has slimmed down and picked up speed. On Saturday, TVD connected multiple times with Xavier Restrepo, including a long TD. Those are by far the top two WRs and the most consistent players on and off the field.

- Two players who have taken huge leaps since the beginning of spring- Samson Okunlola and Nyjalik Kelly. Okunlola took a second to adjust to the competition and still needs strength, but he is growing fast and opened up multiple huge holes at the point of attack and also the second level. Kelly is living in the backfield and has developed a nasty long-arm pass rush move.

- Emory Williams has more arm strength than I thought. He made a beautiful downfield pass rolling left on Saturday, which impressed onlookers. He also hit Joseph for a corner route TD on Saturday. Joseph has had a couple good days.

- The linebacker group is starting to look more like Miami. Francisco Mauigoia is showing a well-rounded game: multiple picks and sacks, stoutness taking on blocks, instincts and speed sideline-to-sideline. He looks different than any LB we've had since the Shaq days. Wesley Bissainthe is starting to string together good practices after a slow start. He had a nice scrimmage. Bobby Washington flashes every day. When those three are together, it looks right.

- Cornerback remains a problem area. Expect Portal additions there. Davonte Brown is the best of the group with his length at the catch point.

- Kam Kinchens makes a pick every practice, including an eye-popping one-handed catch in one-on-ones on Saturday. Markeith Williams bounced back from a rough scrimmage the prior week to have an outstanding showing on Saturday, quickly diagnosing plays and flying downfield.

- Looking forward to seeing everybody at the spring game on Friday. Things I expect to see: an offense that scores more than last year's game, a much bigger offensive line, improved WR play that still is missing one player, a DT rotation decimated by injury, faster LBs and less physically impressive CBs.

Portal portal and more portal is what this team needs. Still a lot of holes in the roster.

Mi.Cane

Apr 12, 2023

Cribby said:
Chaney is having a very good spring

If he’s healthy he’s a dog. It’s easy to see he’s a different level RB and athlete compared to others.

canecrazy23

Apr 12, 2023

cway313 said:
I see a very similar trajectory to Anthoy Richardson if he's the starter. With his physical attributes we'd be lucky to get 2 seasons out of him.

Well neither one of them are very accurate so you got something right.

L A M P

Apr 12, 2023

well this got weird. Somebody show me yer ****

BS85

Apr 12, 2023

harphong said:
Merch needs MOAR meat me in the Blu lot options
Maybe a bear attack option

Lance Roffers

Apr 12, 2023

252cane said:
@DMoney how is graves doing? I know he still is young like 18 or 19 but haven’t heard much about him

Not ready yet.

BS85

Apr 12, 2023

cway313 said:
I see a very similar trajectory to Anthoy Richardson if he's the starter. With his physical attributes we'd be lucky to get 2 seasons out of him.

Let's see if he can complete some forward passes first

Dwinstitles

Apr 12, 2023

aelmiami said:
Last year broke me. I gotta see this in September.

So just last year not every other year before that? What took u so long I wish I could of believed for that **** long. Maybe I would be in better moods.

Lance Roffers

Apr 12, 2023

G reg1327 said:
Is dt really that depleted rn? I would think we’d have enough to scrimmage/practice reasonably between moten, gore, deen, lichtenstein not to mention with guys like mesidor and bain also able to play inside.

You won’t see Deen in the spring game. Don’t panic.