I was one of the first people sounding the alarm about LBs, back when people were talking about upgrading Shaq and Pinckney with faster guys. It was my biggest concern with Manny’s hire.
Re: the offers, my issue was the lack of numbers. Half the names you mentioned were hurt by the time they got here or in camp. We needed numbers and blew it by only taking four guys between 18-20.
From January 2019:
It's not just a numbers game though. It was a few years ago but isn't anymore.....but that does bring into question the roster management we've seen with really limited numbers at practically every position on defense over the years.
Back on topic:
- If you exclude the Striker position, there's 8 players for 2 LB positions.
- If you include Striker, there's 11 players for 3 positions.
That's 4 deep. Holy crap. That's more numbers than you know what to do with except NONE of them can actually play well. Every other school in America can play freshmen and sophomores except those who play in the super technical Manny Diaz scheme. The scheme is so simple the average fan can call out the play BEFORE the snap. I'm not talking me. I call them out before the opposing offense even lines up. My buddies who aren't even Miami fans laugh and play games now calling out the plays bc they know how much it irritates me. Our guys line up in the same position just about every time, even if the offense shifts.
The problem is Manny has shown an inability to identify LB talent, inability in recruiting LB talent, and inability in developing LB talent. Then we had Baker and Patke (no confidence with them) but we all know Manny had final say regardless. The only kid who looked good at times at LB was recruited as a safety and had to change positions twice before becoming the top guy at that position group. That's embarrassing. For the rest......too small, too slow, unable to comprehend a simple playbook, or lacking instincts and fundamentals. The last part falls on coaching, as well the incredible fail of not drilling in practice how tackle a **** ball carrier. I can't imagine any top coach accepting poor tackling to the magnitude and frequency Manny continues to do so without completely losing it in practice and kicking the living crap out of them with contact drills until they get it.
The fact we don't even see other kids getting a shot with the lousy on-field play is just as concerning. Could it be worse? I guess. But after getting run over by practically every team for how many games now, shouldn't you try to find out?