No other way to put it, the interior line did not play well against Wake Forest.

Mario said it himself on the Joe Rose Show, center was fine, tackles were fine, guards were "hit or miss." When a coach uses a phrase like that, it means more down than up.

Rewatching the tape and talking to people inside the building, here's the read: this isn't a "these are our five" situation. It's fluid. Nobody's job is safe except maybe McCoy and Samson, who've earned it. Everybody else is auditioning.

Ahmmon watched the tape multiple times and here were his biggest gripes.

Darian Mensah getting drilled on free runs - A safety got a free release from eight yards out and hit Mensah full speed, untouched, right in the ribs. Ahmmon's blunt about it: that cannot happen. Mensah is one of the best quarterbacks in college football, and you can't let him play scared or uncomfortable in the pocket because the interior can't communicate. That's on the guards, not on him.

He wants to see the guards fight back, literally - He doesn't see any "nasty streak" from the interior. Guys get put on the ground and just stay there instead of getting up and looking for the next rep to make right. He compared it to watching a street fight where one guy won't swing back. He's not saying these guys lack toughness as people, he's saying it's not showing up on gameday yet.

The screen-heavy second half wasn't Dawson being scared; it was self-preservation - Ahmmon defended the play-calling shift. If your interior can't create push and your quarterback keeps getting popped, you check the ball down and get it out fast. Wake Forest sensed the O-line couldn't handle stunts and mug looks in the interior and they just kept living there. Every team left on the schedule saw that tape too, and they're going to do the same thing until Miami proves it can block it.

The tackles have been the opposite of the preseason question mark - Coming out of camp, the concern was whether Samson could hold up and how McCoy would handle tackle. Instead, the tackles have been "lights out" and it's the interior that's been the problem. Mark Fletcher will hit a 15-20 yard run on a good rep and then the next snap is a two-yard loss. That inconsistency, Ahmmon says, is the O-line's Achilles heel right now, and it has to get fixed by finding a way to string together at least a couple of consistent quarters before we ask for more.

Cantwell's spring hype was real, and so is the adjustment - Ahmmon owns some of the offseason praise. Cantwell was performing at left tackle in the spring, blocking one-on-ones cleanly. But practice reps against the same D-linemen every day aren't the same as a live game against a new opponent who's scouted your weaknesses and is going to attack them for four quarters. Guard is also a new position for him, and there's a mental adjustment that comes with that on top of a completely different level of competition.

He wants Cantwell on the field even knowing the risk - Ahmmon's honest that this could go either way. If Cantwell has three great series and then gets exposed once, the fanbase reaction could get ugly fast for a true freshman, especially with the money attached to his recruitment. But his take is you don't develop a player by keeping him on the bench. Put him in, let him take his lumps, and he'll learn by doing.

Putting it plainly: patience is not the same thing as satisfaction. We're not there yet up front, and everybody in that building knows it.

Check out the full breakdown on YouTube:

 

If I were sitting in Mario’s shoes today, this is what I would do.

I would have a meeting with the OL room, and them only. I’d explain that the interior simply isn’t good enough to win a championship, and changes have to be made. Cantwell looked great at LT in camp, we all saw it, so he’s at LT now. Pancake takes one for the team and slides inside beside him (Pancake has shown more than enough on tape to prove he’s an elite tackle or guard, he’s a 1st round lock). Interior line instantly gets a huge boost. Rodriguez keeps his job for now, but he’s informed he’s on a short leash. Get your **** together, or Woodrow is taking your spot. Congdon takes over for Buchanan because he has better bend than Cantwell currently, so he’s the RG. McCoy stays at RT.

I’ll probably get flamed for this one, but I’m simply saying that’s the gamble I would take, and yes, it’s a massive gamble. But what else can we do? We just can’t keep trotting out SJ and Max inside and expect different results. They’ve more than proven they aren’t ready to play, and may never be good enough to start for this program. The standard has changed, folks. We expect playoff runs and championships now, which is exactly what the expectation should have always been. And if we want any shot at going all the way, this is the change that has to be made right away, in my humble opinion. I’d like to see that lineup Saturday just to see what it looks like, at least.

I stopped reading once you said you’re going to move our best offensive lineman, pancake off the most important position on the offensive line for a freshman! Lol get real dude, get real. SMH

I didn’t say do it next game. I’m saying if he shows he’s ready to play tackle at some point this year, it’s a gamble I would take.

 

I didn’t say do it next game. I’m saying if he shows he’s ready to play tackle at some point this year, it’s a gamble I would take.

There’s no moving Sampson. We’re not taking our best offensive lineman off left tackle protecting the blind side of our million dollar quarterback. That ain’t happening, if you wanna kick Cantwell out to right tackle and move McCoy in, that’s something we can do. Darren’s blindside has to be protected at all costs.

 

Love this show. The addition of Ammon has been awesome. His insights are always on point. Great addition. D$ is no slouch either. Great show.

Go Canes!

 

McCoy wasn’t a very good OG last year. He actually a better tackle than guard and it’s not even close

This is what happens when you recruit tackle types for a couple of years and have players hit the portal. Would plazz or kinsler put one of the two starting Gs on the bench?

As for someone else playing for SJ….can it really get that much worse?

McCoy was fine last year. You people love to pick on him. Absolutely hilarious.

 

Samson ain’t moving guys. The only way I see McCoy moving is if Cantwell takes his spot and McCoy kicks inside and then you staple SJ to the bench. Then hope to God Ben, Woodrow, or others take Buchanan and Rodriguez spot.

 

Our QB is 4 of the 5 most important players on the team by himself and yall talmbout moving our LT who has been great and is getting first-round NFL buzz.

This is not a serious place.

 

Stop bullying our players on social media; Ahmon said it today. Doesnt help anyone. Some of you are either insane, bitter or outright ********.

 

I didn’t say do it next game. I’m saying if he shows he’s ready to play tackle at some point this year, it’s a gamble I would take.

There’s no moving Sampson. We’re not taking our best offensive lineman off left tackle protecting the blind side of our million dollar quarterback. That ain’t happening, if you wanna kick Cantwell out to right tackle and move McCoy in, that’s something we can do. Darren’s blindside has to be protected at all costs.

He’s gonna get killed either way if they don’t find SJ’s replacement. Max ain’t much better.

 

I feel like the Beefy King (Rhys Woodrow) is going to take a Guard spot and not let go of it.