The Bank (9/21)

DMoney

Today at 12:10 PM 3 min read

Spoke to sources about everything around the team and recruiting. Some quick notes:

- The mood around the team is angry. No excuse-making or rationalization, even though they have a lot of respect for Wake Forest. Everybody knows the second half sucked and they need to get a lot better.

- The best way to describe the OL situation is "fluid." They need to find the best 5, and what we've seen so far isn't it. Based on what Mario said on WQAM, and what I've heard independently, the focus seems to be more on the guards than center or tackle. I would expect to see some different combinations this weekend. I've talked a lot about Ben Congdon and Jackson Cantwell, because they split the first-team RG reps all camp. But one young name to watch is Rhys Woodrow. He already has a ton of responsibility in punt protection and has C/G versatility. Canon Pickett is another guy who can get in the mix with the other three.

The concern with most freshmen (especially the big guys) is they may dominate on two reps and whiff badly on a third. And the that whiff could change the season. With that said, we aren't getting consistency from the older players, and they're only second-year guys themselves. Bottom line- this is a work in progress and I expect to see tinkering until it's playoff caliber.

- They're being extremely tight-lipped about injuries, although I don't sense a ton of concern aside from Marty Brown and Josh Moore. Those two are heartbreakers. Two names Miami wants to see step up in their place: Jordan Lyle and Somourian Wingo.

- Ezekiel Marcelin's injury was ill-timed because we need more at LB. I don't think those two starting spots are set in stone all year.

- In terms of recruiting, Miami is very purposeful in terms of watching senior film and grading their own prospects. Some guys who have really impressed: QB Israel Abrams, RB Ty Keys, WRs Nick Lennear and Eli Woodard, ATH A'mir Sears, DE Jaiden Bryant, DL Josh Johnson, LB Noah Glover and CB Sherrod Gourdine.

- There is no secret that the staff still wants to make another big splash in 2027. Three names stand above the rest: OT Mark Matthews, DE DJ Jacobs and TE Jaxon Dollar. Miami finished second for all three and will continue to push aggressively until the final whistle.

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Comments (139)

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S
skyman

Today at 1:01 PM

LuCane said:
We also turtled up and haven’t risked Cantwell over there at RT. Did we see something awful? Or, are we going with the tried and true ‘older guy is to be trusted more.’ Because, we I’ve been saying since Speing, McCoy may be a solid tackle, but he has taken 1000 reps at LG and we could have a top level left side.

Whole thing seems like two actual experts at their position/unit just bet on themselves and have not currently hit their bet.

DMoney said:
Some more discussion on OL here:

Im ****ed about the first part in regards to bringing in more guys (we dropped the ball) but Ahmmon hit on the 2nd part better than I could explain, because guys overlook what I call the Human nature "politics" of it all..

McCoy has a 1000 reps at guard but he look at it as he earned his right to play tackle. Its his senior year and he did 4 years putting in work. He EARNED that (thats what this program is built on right), now you want to tell him move back inside so a TRUE FRESHMAN hotshot high paid guy can come and not have to put the same work in at guard he was sold on and not have to grind for years and he get to red carpet to tackle spot?! We all know tckle is glamour spot and scouts will ask why he was moved? And I see some say he have enough film, famu aint film, no scout or gm will ever watch that crap.. lol..

DWade3

Today at 1:02 PM

DMoney said:
YankeesCane said:

Still insisting on Smith, Mo, 65, Damari, maybe Rodriguez is what prior coaches used to do

Just because they are older and have so called experiece does not mean they are better

You also need to play young guys now cause if you don't, they're portaling

Click to expand...

Every coach values experience.

These guys actually play freshmen as much or more than any team in the country when you look at the snap numbers.

Doesn’t mean every decision is right, but I don’t see a systemic issue.

Valuing SJs experience blocking no one and lying on the ground is a potential season defining mistake

N
nycane

Today at 1:04 PM

Shooter McGavin said:
You say the younger guys would look good for a couple snaps then whiff on the third. Well Rodriguez and SJ get their **** pushed in every snap so I’d rather staple those two to the bench forever and play the younger guys.

I am with you 10000%. We have a Manny holdover with chicken legs who couldn't barely sniff the field for four years at Center. SJ is a mess, he looks like a short, fat kid. Neither has a mean streak.

ShadowSpring

59 minutes ago

Big Zesty comin to Miami

LuCane

59 minutes ago

skyman said:
Im ****ed about the first part in regards to bringing in more guys (we dropped the ball) but Ahmmon hit on the 2nd part better than I could explain, because guys overlook what I call the Human nature "politics" of it all..

McCoy has a 1000 reps at guard but he look at it as he earned his right to play tackle. Its his senior year and he did 4 years putting in work. He EARNED that (thats what this program is built on right), now you want to tell him move back inside so a TRUE FRESHMAN hotshot high paid guy can come and not have to put the same work in at guard he was sold on and not have to grind for years and he get to red carpet to tackle spot?! We all know tckle is glamour spot and scouts will ask why he was moved? And I see some say he have enough film, famu aint film, no scout or gm will ever watch that crap.. lol..

Then go out and pay big money for a Guard instead of throwing that money at Cantwell. Or, pay for both. I hear you on McCoy earning a shot, but I still don’t think he’s been fully tested at RT and right now the team really needs a better combo of LG/RT than the insanity we are watching. But, yes, I understand.

Manfred_Cane

58 minutes ago

I have no idea why y'all are so upset lol

supersaiyanshel

57 minutes ago

Put SJ as a 6th OL/FB.

IndayArtHauz

56 minutes ago

Manfred_Cane said:
I have no idea why y'all are so upset lol

Because they’re mad! So mad. They have anger, that’s why they’re upset. Things are maddening, angering, upsettingly so!

AtlAtty

56 minutes ago

JgDaCane said:
I'll tell you one thing. Wake put out some VERY nasty film on us. Clemson will have a great gameplan for us. We'd better bring our A game.

On defense every team should look at what Wake did.
But Clemson and FSU and most of our opponents can’t replicate what Wake can do on offense with Lopez and Hernandez. Those guys are ballers.

We are about to enter a portion of the schedule with weak QB play. Our defense should take over.

DWade3

54 minutes ago

DMoney said:
YankeesCane said:

Still insisting on Smith, Mo, 65, Damari, maybe Rodriguez is what prior coaches used to do

Just because they are older and have so called experiece does not mean they are better

You also need to play young guys now cause if you don't, they're portaling

Click to expand...

Every coach values experience.

These guys actually play freshmen as much or more than any team in the country when you look at the snap numbers.

Doesn’t mean every decision is right, but I don’t see a systemic issue.

D$ - with what you know now, which combination would you have more confidence in:
1. McCoy at Guard / Cantwell at Tackle
2. SJ at Guard / McCoy at Tackle.

N
nycane

54 minutes ago

I have a feeling Woodrow might be better than SJ long term. I dont trust SJ as a Center of the future.

KWCOWBOYFAN

54 minutes ago

@DMoney
what did you find out about Wiley Jr not getting his reps?

CBurrr93

53 minutes ago

We really just gotta get out of Clemson with a W and get to a bye. Sadly, we need a reset already. With the injuries and questions of certain positions

htownkidd

53 minutes ago

Manfred_Cane said:
I have no idea why y'all are so upset lol

Mfs need someone to blame, you know how this goes.

DMoney

53 minutes ago

DWade3 said:
D$ - with what you know now, which combination would you have more confidence in:
1. McCoy at Guard / Cantwell at Tackle
2. SJ at Guard / McCoy at Tackle.

#1 but @skyman and Ahmmon laid out the problem above.

Y
YankeesCane

52 minutes ago

Also,

We do need some rotational players at DE

Can players such as Charles play more?

Manfred_Cane

52 minutes ago

IndayArtHauz said:
Because they’re mad! So mad. They have anger, that’s why they’re upset. Things are maddening, angering, upsettingly so!

Dude the other day I told you "you know better" and I should be taking my own advice lmao

CBurrr93

52 minutes ago

If I were the coach (clearly am not),

Samson
Cantwell
Woodrow
Buchanan
McCoy

It seems too obvious. But they love these other kids who cannot perform