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- Oct 13, 2011
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...time in the Golden era that his team quit on him. Didn't happen last year, even with all the adversity. But it happened today. This performance brings to mind the 2007 Oklahoma Massacre, and that Canes team finished 5-7.
Some other thoughts...
-Said it last year, and my opinion hasn't changed: The biggest threat to the future of Miami football isn't the NCAA investigation. It's the lack of quality defensive linemen.
It would be one thing if we were watching freshmen taking their lumps. But Earl Moore was the only signee (out of seven) who played any meaningful snaps. Normally, defensive linemen don't play until they "grow mustaches." But the normal rules don't apply to the unit we watched today. If the freshmen have the natural talent we hope, they need to earn some snaps. We already know that Golden's first class of defensive linemen is laden with JAGs and busts (Pierre, Grimble, Smith, Williams, King, Felix). I have higher hopes for the 2012 group, but I'm concerned.
One play in particular summed up the state of defensive line for me
11 in the video below). We're down 7-0. Shayon Green is lined up at "rush" defensive end, even though he isn't much of a pass rusher at all. But because more gifted rushers like Tyriq McCord and Gabe Terry are strength liabilities against KSU's running game, we are forced to rotate Green and Kelvin Cain-- two guys Shannon recruited to play linebacker.
KSU runs a simple QB power with Klein--a classic, smash mouth running play. Green is lined up on the right (offense's left) against Zach Trujillo, a 236-pound sophomore tight end (#85). On paper, it should be a good matchup for the jacked-up Green against a receiving tight end. Instead, Trujillo manhandles Green and clears a wide open line for Klein:
11)
[video=youtube;YHBFyFGLQlI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHBFyFGLQlI[/video]
The sad truth is that Golden had more defensive line talent at Temple than he has at the University of Miami. Let that sink in, and then join me in jumping out of a window. Chickillo is the only quality player, and he might be scraping his ceiling more than we want to admit. I know Golden likes to raise his players from pups, but he may need to do what Butch did and scour the JUCOs. Miami's championship breakthrough in 2001 coincided with the addition of guys like Jerome McDougle, Andrew Williams and even Cornelius Green.
- So will we have a losing record? The main difference I see between this group and the last sub-500 team (2007) is talent on offense. Then again, that talent didn't score touchdowns today. Count me in with the group that wants to see Morris under center more often. He has a quick, efficient dropback and is not a natural shotgun quarterback like Jacory. Most importantly, the running game needs a boost. Mike James in particular (81 yards, 3.5 ypc through two games) is struggling.
- Morris hit his targets all day, but his red-zone struggles are a concern. For all of Jacory's flaws, he was a constant TD threat once he crossed the 25 and really took advantage of his feathery touch. Morris is weak on those type of throws and was unable to lead a touchdown drive against an average KSU defense.
- Brandon McGee could be this year's Jake Wieclaw/Tommy Streeter. He fought off a block and made a touchdown-saving tackle in the first half, and his interception was the type of play he's never made in a UM uniform. If he keeps it up, he could earn himself an NFL opportunity.
- I feel good about the future of the linebacker position. Eddie Johnson's head was swimming early on, but he makes up for his inexperience with motor and physical beastliness. Pair him with Perryman and some talented youngsters like Terry and Kirby and we just might look like a Miami linebacker corps soon. One more thing: let's stop with the excessive subs of the 'backers. They did the same thing last week and it's not working, especially when Gaines relieves Perryman.
Some other thoughts...
-Said it last year, and my opinion hasn't changed: The biggest threat to the future of Miami football isn't the NCAA investigation. It's the lack of quality defensive linemen.
It would be one thing if we were watching freshmen taking their lumps. But Earl Moore was the only signee (out of seven) who played any meaningful snaps. Normally, defensive linemen don't play until they "grow mustaches." But the normal rules don't apply to the unit we watched today. If the freshmen have the natural talent we hope, they need to earn some snaps. We already know that Golden's first class of defensive linemen is laden with JAGs and busts (Pierre, Grimble, Smith, Williams, King, Felix). I have higher hopes for the 2012 group, but I'm concerned.
One play in particular summed up the state of defensive line for me
11 in the video below). We're down 7-0. Shayon Green is lined up at "rush" defensive end, even though he isn't much of a pass rusher at all. But because more gifted rushers like Tyriq McCord and Gabe Terry are strength liabilities against KSU's running game, we are forced to rotate Green and Kelvin Cain-- two guys Shannon recruited to play linebacker.KSU runs a simple QB power with Klein--a classic, smash mouth running play. Green is lined up on the right (offense's left) against Zach Trujillo, a 236-pound sophomore tight end (#85). On paper, it should be a good matchup for the jacked-up Green against a receiving tight end. Instead, Trujillo manhandles Green and clears a wide open line for Klein:
11)[video=youtube;YHBFyFGLQlI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHBFyFGLQlI[/video]
The sad truth is that Golden had more defensive line talent at Temple than he has at the University of Miami. Let that sink in, and then join me in jumping out of a window. Chickillo is the only quality player, and he might be scraping his ceiling more than we want to admit. I know Golden likes to raise his players from pups, but he may need to do what Butch did and scour the JUCOs. Miami's championship breakthrough in 2001 coincided with the addition of guys like Jerome McDougle, Andrew Williams and even Cornelius Green.
- So will we have a losing record? The main difference I see between this group and the last sub-500 team (2007) is talent on offense. Then again, that talent didn't score touchdowns today. Count me in with the group that wants to see Morris under center more often. He has a quick, efficient dropback and is not a natural shotgun quarterback like Jacory. Most importantly, the running game needs a boost. Mike James in particular (81 yards, 3.5 ypc through two games) is struggling.
- Morris hit his targets all day, but his red-zone struggles are a concern. For all of Jacory's flaws, he was a constant TD threat once he crossed the 25 and really took advantage of his feathery touch. Morris is weak on those type of throws and was unable to lead a touchdown drive against an average KSU defense.
- Brandon McGee could be this year's Jake Wieclaw/Tommy Streeter. He fought off a block and made a touchdown-saving tackle in the first half, and his interception was the type of play he's never made in a UM uniform. If he keeps it up, he could earn himself an NFL opportunity.
- I feel good about the future of the linebacker position. Eddie Johnson's head was swimming early on, but he makes up for his inexperience with motor and physical beastliness. Pair him with Perryman and some talented youngsters like Terry and Kirby and we just might look like a Miami linebacker corps soon. One more thing: let's stop with the excessive subs of the 'backers. They did the same thing last week and it's not working, especially when Gaines relieves Perryman.
