Should Harley get a look at the starting slot WR next season

the23Watcher

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with Berrios leaving and Thomas finding himself out wide. should the coaches try Harley in the slot? he hasn't been great out wide, tho he is a true freshman. He's got great feet, and is very quick. he's got to work on his hands, obviously.
 
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If Pope is as good as advertised then it might be Richards, Pope, with Thomas in the slot.
 
Everyone should get a look this spring. Competition is the lifeblood of any program. We need better play at several positions and better depth. The ACCCG showed our flaws. That game should serve as motivation for the current Canes to push each other to a level they didn't know they were capable of reaching. I think we have a nucleus of players to do it. My $0.02.

Go Canes!
 
Deejay, Harley, Thomas should all be getting looks there. A package of AR, Thomas, Deejay, Brevin, and Lo... Sign me up.
 
Yes. It's not his fault the coaches weren't using him correctly. Why he was repeatedly being asked to run fade routes and catch back shoulder 50/50 balls is ludicrous.
 
I see Harley more as an outside guy with his speed. He's quick but doesn't necessarily move like a slot.

Pope, on the other hand, could easily win the job as an EE. Jeff Thomas also has the ability to play there.
 
He’s gotta attack the weight room in the spring and build some strength, poor kid was getting rag dolled at the line of scrimmage, and had zero chance at 50-50 balls for the lack of not being physical enough!
 
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I'm really not a fan of Cager, Harris or Langham (even though he had those 2 catches), and really wouldn't mind seeing them leave the program. I think Cager and Langham are true Canes for sure, but man I'm really disappointed in Cagers play. I mean the dude is like our worst blocker even though he's our biggest WR, its ridiculous, and imo shows a lack of effort. Anyways, my prediction:

X: Ahmmon Richards > Brian Hightower/Lawrence Cager > Darrell Langham > Evidence Njoku

Y: Mark Pope/Jeff Thomas > Mike Harley

Z: Jeff Thomas/Mike Harley > Dayall Harris > Dee Wiggins > Ezzard?


Basically Richards is unquestionably our best WR, and its not even close. He should basically never leave the field unless hes a little banged up or tired. Behind him, I think Hightower can beat out Cager and Langham. And Njoku, probably wont be health until at least mid season, so hopefully he can be an impact guy in 2019, because he wont be next year.

Jeff Thomas is the 2nd most talented, and will be on the field often (though he doesn't have Berrios' stamina, so he will come out of the game a lot). But Thomas can play that Z or Y (Slot WR) role, and which of the 2 he plays will be dependent on Harley and Pope imo. Because remember to begin the season we had Thomas in the slot, and Harley starting at Z, but since Thomas was barely getting any PT behind Berrios, we moved him to the outside, and he outshined Harley. So I think this is going to come down to Harley and Pope what position Thomas starts at. **** I could see them putting Pope at Z and moving Thomas to the inside also. I really think Pope is going to be ahead of Harley in the pecking order though, as he is imo clearly more talented.

After those 3, we got Harris, Wiggins, and potentially Ezzard battling for PT. For some reason this staff seems to really like Harris, because they give him way more PT than he deserves, and I really don't understand it. But they like him, so he's going to be getting a lot of PT, probably more than anyone not Richards, Thomas, Harley, or Pope. I don't think he should, but he probably will.
 
Yes. It's not his fault the coaches weren't using him correctly. Why he was repeatedly being asked to run fade routes and catch back shoulder 50/50 balls is ludicrous.

Wait until you see a Qb acutally throw a catchable ball to him on those same looks.
 
He’s gotta attack the weight room in the spring and build some strength, poor kid was getting rag dolled at the line of scrimmage, and had zero chance at 50-50 balls for the lack of not being physical enough!

Ya he got bodied out bad in one of the last few games i can't remember which. He looked like a little boy going up against the DB.
 
What made the great miami teams .....great - was competition - we have had very little of it the past 8 years
- When starts begin to lose snaps to younger guys the program will be where we need to be
 
with Berrios leaving and Thomas finding himself out wide. should the coaches try Harley in the slot? he hasn't been great out wide, tho he is a true freshman. He's got great feet, and is very quick. he's got to work on his hands, obviously.

Doesn't matter who starts in the Slot if our QB cant the rock to him.
 
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I see Harley more as an outside guy with his speed. He's quick but doesn't necessarily move like a slot.

Pope, on the other hand, could easily win the job as an EE. Jeff Thomas also has the ability to play there.

Thomas is better outside. The staff already said this during the season. Pope is so smooth he can play anywhere.
 
If Pope is as good as advertised then it might be Richards, Pope, with Thomas in the slot.

Is Richards going to be ready for Spring or Fall camp? While I'm on the subject, what was the extent of his injury and the prognosis? Was it a torn ACL? I don't remember hearing about it.
 
with Berrios leaving and Thomas finding himself out wide. should the coaches try Harley in the slot? he hasn't been great out wide, tho he is a true freshman. He's got great feet, and is very quick. he's got to work on his hands, obviously.

Of course he will get a look. Harley had a forgettable freshman campaign but that's ok. Not every true freshman is going to be able to be a significant contributor. Harley is still an excellent prospect who I expect will develop into big play WR for us. I expect Harley to make some noise next year and really hit his stride by his Junior year. He will have stiff competition but that will make him and everyone else better.
 
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