On AJ Haulcy…

[CanesSkins26]

If people want to have questions on the interior of the DL i won’t argue with them. There’s not much there that I know 100.0% I can count on. But to your point, when you recruit a kid like Justin Scott, that kid has to play at least somewhat close to his ranking or you’re in trouble.

We’ll miss Barrow, he was a good player and I thought when he was off the field, the drop was noticeable.

But DT didn’t kill us last year. It was about 99% the lack of communication on the back end and the inability to cover ANYONE. I’d have liked a better pass rush, but the ball was out so quick on the majority of snaps that it didn’t matter. The opponent’s first read was open almost every play, it’s an easy game for the QB when you know that.

The problem is that depth in the interior is non-existent. Assuming that Scott is who we think he is, we have three bodies we can realistically count on in Scott, Blay and Moten. We were incredibly fortunate from an injury standpoint last year. What if that reverts to the mean and Scott or Blay gets rolled up on early in the season? We’re an injury away from disaster at the position.

 

[Flynell7]

Go back and re-read that last sentence again. And then think about it.

This is a personal decision that will vary for each player. HAULCY wants to play in the SEC. Who gives a **** if the SEC is not "much of a factor with the other kids we picked up".

I also mentioned that the kid grew up in Texas, and played in New Mexico and Houston. If we can't acknowledge that he has a "geographic region preference", then we will become disproportionately unrealistic and bitter.

And let's not forget, LSU has a pretty good DB coach as well.

I tried to warn people. But a lot of Miami fans put all their eggs in the "but Etheridge coached him" basket. Sorry for the disappointment.

I don’t think we have to move conferences for exposure. The media has been wanting Miami to become relevant again for ages but we consistently underperform. For me it wasn’t a disappointment, would’ve been a nice addition but at some point you gotta develop what you have.

No one cares about bottom feeders like northwestern, Arkansas besides alumni and they’re part of the “P2”.

 

[TheOriginalCane]

It was an old lady.

It was sarcasm.

I am well aware of the case with the old lady, it involved hot coffee.

I sarcastically merged the McDonalds-hot-coffee lawsuit with the plot from the movie American Pie.

 

[HurricanePhilly]

Burns like a motha!!!

@TheOriginalCane I'm suing!!!!

"good to know; I had a feeling but always appreciate others input (Pun intended)" - @JG14

 

[Felonious Monk]

Didn't some guy get millions of dollars suing McDonalds because he burned his ****-and-balls on a piping hot apple pie?

That's a nasty rumor started by my ex-wife.

 

[Jassid82]

We can look at this a few ways..according to some people the team that he really wanted to pursue him didn’t want him. (Texas)…the team that really wanted him, he wasn’t interested in (UM)…so he’s settling for LSU and taking less money than we offered. Tells you all you need to know about this kid. Goodbye and good riddance.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

The problem is that depth in the interior is non-existent. Assuming that Scott is who we think he is, we have three bodies we can realistically count on in Scott, Blay and Moten. We were incredibly fortunate from an injury standpoint last year. What if that reverts to the mean and Scott or Blay gets rolled up on early in the season? We’re an injury away from disaster at the position.

I hear you and don’t disagree. I do wish and I think the staff would agree ideally we’d have 1 more experienced body.

But we do have people who can line up in limited snaps and hopefully not be completely useless. Jones, Russell, Simpson, maybe even Blount slide down there, you can play Bain or Mesidor there in passing situations.

I just don’t see a lot of teams out there in the portal era with 4-5 DTs who have played major minutes and are good. This is the reality for 98% of teams. Your young kids have to develop and step up, and you support them with portal additions where you can.

 

[TheOriginalCane]

I don’t think we have to move conferences for exposure. The media has been wanting Miami to become relevant again for ages but we consistently underperform. For me it wasn’t a disappointment, would’ve been a nice addition but at some point you gotta develop what you have.

No one cares about bottom feeders like northwestern, Arkansas besides alumni and they’re part of the “P2”.

Yes. Yes we do.

And it's not for "exposure". It's because the best players want to play against the best competition.

Sure, recruits may not dream about playing Northwestern. But they might like to play against USC and Oregon and Washington and UCLA and Ohio Taint and Michigan and Pedo State and Iowa and Nebraska and Wisconsin and Michigan State. That is a ****load of college football bluebloods and blueblood-adjacents. SIX of those teams have won national championships in the same time frame that Miami has won national championships.

So, yes, the best recruits want to play in a P2 conference.

 

[ST26]

It doesn't help that in the last 10 years, the best Pro DB we've produced is arguably Stevenson

 

[Arehel]

I disagree with you on Moten, the last half of the season, he played a lot and really stood out. At his size and moving ability, and with the way it came together at the end of last season I classify him as a stud there now. Either way my point is this, we have three good to very good defensive tackles and all we need is a number four depth piece. So again, I would not call that a weakness. Not to mention the defensive ends we have that can also go inside on pass rush, downs

Agreed with you brother.
It's in comparison to the rest of the roster my man, is all I'm saying.

You tell me we got these DTs in Mario's year 1, might have been a strength.

 

[252cane]

IMO the team will have a higher floor because of the defensive improvements but a lower ceiling because of no Cam and likely less big-plays on offense.

They’re going to be really good again though. Probably a little more “boring”…less shootouts, less back and forth massive plays from both teams. But I’m totally fine with that. They easily have the framework to win 10 again this year. Good QB and line play will take you a long way in this sport.

Think we can be explosive on offense. This core of wrs is definitely faster than last year group

 

[pacusmc]

I didn’t hear no bell!!

 

[No_Fly_Zone]

Didn't some guy get millions of dollars suing McDonalds because he burned his ****-and-balls on a piping hot apple pie?

Sadly, this country has been paying pie ****ers for decades. I blame Jason Biggs.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

Think we can be explosive on offense. This core of wrs is definitely faster than last year group

I’m just talking a little regression to the mean.

We had the most 10+ yard scrimmage plays per game in the entire country last year. The most 20+ yard plays. The 6th most 30+ yard plays.

That’s difficult to do two years in a row. So I’m not saying the offense won’t be explosive. We have a lot of athletes and a legit QB who will likely have a lot of time to throw the football. I’m just saying the odds will tell you we won’t be quite as explosive, because we were the best in the entire nation in that regard last year.

Having a defense that maybe doesn’t give up 35 points a game could help here as well.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

How in the world is that, like I’m seriously asking you? We have three studs at defensive tackle! Sure do we need a depth guy at number four, yes and I think we’ll get one but how in the world do you think it’s a weakness? I question your ability to understand football if that’s what you think.

Can you elaborate on who is a “stud” at DT?

Is it Blay? The guy who played in the worst conference in America and while he was excellent there, didn’t exactly perform well against NC State and Arkansas, the only two P4 teams of note?

Is it Justin Scott? Who has played less than 110 snaps of collegiate football and didn’t do anything of note last season, yet we’re trusting him to be our godsend this year and play 400+ snaps?

Is it Moten? The guy that’s entering year 4 and had 1 sack and 18 tackles last season? Graded out with a 41.8 tackling score on PFF?

I mean put the pipe down dude .

Contrary to popular belief on here from the bully slurpers, it’s ok to admit we’re not #1 at every position in America. And DL is certainly a concerningly thin room that lacks talent and experience.

 

[DemCanes10]

Todd McShay has 6 first rounders for Clemson

It’s early and this will be totally different from a year from now, but still interesting
View attachment 324520

McShay must be on some powerful ****.....or just coming off it

 

[Flynell7]

Yes. Yes we do.

And it's not for "exposure". It's because the best players want to play against the best competition.

Sure, recruits may not dream about playing Northwestern. But they might like to play against USC and Oregon and Washington and UCLA and Ohio Taint and Michigan and Pedo State and Iowa and Nebraska and Wisconsin and Michigan State. That is a ****load of college football bluebloods and blueblood-adjacents. SIX of those teams have won national championships in the same time frame that Miami has won national championships.

So, yes, the best recruits want to play in a P2 conference.

With the expansion of the college football playoff we have a chance to play those teams on a yearly basis. The first step is winning the games we should consistently.

 

[252cane]

I’m just talking a little regression to the mean.

We had the most 10+ yard scrimmage plays per game in the entire country last year. The most 20+ yard plays. The 6th most 30+ yard plays.

That’s difficult to do two years in a row. So I’m not saying the offense won’t be explosive. We have a lot of athletes and a legit QB who will likely have a lot of time to throw the football. I’m just saying the odds will tell you we won’t be quite as explosive, because we were the best in the entire nation in that regard last year.

Having a defense that maybe doesn’t give up 35 points a game could help here as well.

Ah ok yea I agree. This is a big offseason. If some of the young guys (trader, scott etc) take that step like what’s being reported I think we will be pretty good

 

[TouchMoney26]

It doesn't help that in the last 10 years, the best Pro DB we've produced is arguably Stevenson

gross

 

[No_Fly_Zone]

I’m just talking a little regression to the mean.

We had the most 10+ yard scrimmage plays per game in the entire country last year. The most 20+ yard plays. The 6th most 30+ yard plays.

That’s difficult to do two years in a row. So I’m not saying the offense won’t be explosive. We have a lot of athletes and a legit QB who will likely have a lot of time to throw the football. I’m just saying the odds will tell you we won’t be quite as explosive, because we were the best in the entire nation in that regard last year.

Having a defense that maybe doesn’t give up 35 points a game could help here as well.

I was literally just looking at these stats and about to post them. On top of being the best overall offense last season, we were inarguably a top offense for explosives (with an elite QB putting up excellent YPA).

When your offense can move the ball and score without constantly needing to sustain long drives, it doesn't just help your offensive efficiency, it lessens the likelihood of costly mistakes, drive-killing penalties, turnovers, etc.... We also scored an absurd 42.9 PPG last season. That's not happening in 2025.

Based on the personnel changes, our offense is going to take a step back in explosives and PPG, and will likely require more plays per point scored.
But this offense should still be able to manage a very respectable 32 PPG (top 30-ish). With a much improved defensive secondary and a new DC, the minimum expectation should be that we field a top 40 defense. A top 30 offense combined with a top 40 defense should land us at worst 7-1 in ACC play and get us into the ACCCG. Just get it done.