Diaz waiting to name QB, says Thomas still suspended, Pinckney doubtful for Pitt

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Miami head coach Manny Diaz has used the past two Wednesday pressers to name his starting QB, however, this week, Diaz is taking an extra day of practice to be sure of the best option to start vs. Pitt on Saturday.

“Just another day to see,” Diaz said. “It’s just whoever we have that has the best chance to win, to move the ball.”

With both N’Kosi Perry and Jarren Williams nursing sore shoulders, Diaz said both have been cleared to play against the Panthers this weekend.

“(Williams) is ready to play… as he was last week,” Diaz said. “Both those guys are cleared and ready to play.”

RB DeeJay Dallas left last week’s game vs. Pitt, but it seems his injury status is heading in the right direction as he will travel with the team this weekend. At this point, it sounds like Dallas will be a gametime decision.

“DeeJay will make the trip, be on the plane, we’ll continue to monitor his availability for Saturday,” Diaz said.

CB Trajan Bandy was hurt against the Yellow Jackets as well, but Diaz said he was “fine” for this week’s game. On the other hand, Diaz listed LB Michael Pinckney as doubtful for Pitt.

“Zach McCloud will start at WILL linebacker,” Diaz said.

LB Patrick Joyner has been talked about as a possible option to help out with LB depth, but he is still only practicing on a limited basis as he returns from a broken leg suffered over the offseason.

“He was cleared to go back and practice, but to be full speed - he’s still progressing to that where he can help us in games,” Diaz said.

WR Jeff Thomas will also not be out there vs. the Panthers, as he is suspended for a second straight game according to Diaz.

Although Miami has a lot of holes to fill on the roster for the upcoming 2020 season, Diaz admitted that taking too many older players via transfers or JUCO can harm your total scholarship numbers down the line.

“Yeah, it messes up your numbers,” Diaz said. “That’s why we want to pride ourselves on being a player developmental program, build guys up and turn them into great players. But, in this era, you still may have the ability to grab a guy.”

Diaz also implied the kicker this week will again be determined in pregame warmups, saying that the kickers have done well this week in practice.

“We went nine-for-nine in all of our live competition, had the whole team around those guys going crazy (today at practice),” Diaz said. “And I think we were eight-for-nine yesterday, and that’s throwing Camden Price back in the mix yesterday. It’s encouraging. They have to translate it to the game.”

Wait. . . we develop players?
 
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How was Tate about to be a Star at OSU and he can’t get snaps at QB at Miami...that blows my mind, he legit was neck and neck with Haskins for the starting Job and many thought he should have started
Tate would only work here in a spread. He’s not a Pro Style QB and he would fail miserably here if they play him in this current system.

Enos/Diaz should be tailoring the offense to the skills set strength of its players instead of jamming down their pro-style, play action offense with a terrible o-line.
 
This idiot spent an entire interview a couple weeks ago screaming that Jarren was the starter, he's QB1 blah blah.

Now he's been healthy the last two weeks but isn't starting.
 
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