Cristobal assesses team progress after Saturday scrimmage

CanesInSight News

Apr 8, 2023 3 min read

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal was pleased with the team's overall progress during their Saturday morning scrimmage in Coral Gables. He highlighted some standout performances and shared insights on both defensive and offensive updates.

"Some big plays, explosive plays on both sides of the ball," Cristobal said. "Kam Kinchens continues to excel. He's not satisfied at all. The banner got hung up two days ago, and it's like he's performing like it was never there, and that's awesome to see. We're seeing that from a lot of veteran guys as well but overall, very solid progress from our entire football team, and we still have three days of practice."

On the defensive front, Cristobal acknowledged that the team had been dealing with injuries during spring ball but was impressed with the players' performances in the scrimmage. "A guy like Chantz Williams showed up big, Nyjalik Kelly and Rueben Bain showed up big, Jake Lichtenstein, Thomas Gore showed up, Ahmad Moten and had some really good moments," he noted. "Our linebackers played at a high level they all did today. And then in the secondary on the back end, they did a great job being aggressive, getting hands on receivers and they made it difficult for the offense to get the ball out and they put them in difficult down and distance situations."

Offensively, Cristobal mentioned a few standout players, including Jacurri Brown, Isaiah Horton, Xavier Restrepo, and Don Chaney. However, he did point out some inconsistencies, especially with the wide receivers. "As a wide receiver group, the receivers were inconsistent today outside, we had some opportunities and we did not come up with them. Later in the scrimmage, we did, but early on we couldn't get the thing going," Cristobal explained.

Regarding second-year quarterback Jacurri Brown, Cristobal commented on his potential and progress. "Well, this suits his style a little bit more because it's just from a progression standpoint, from a learning standpoint, and then having a quarterback coach in the room – it just it all makes sense and he has progressed. Guy's won a lot of ball games. He's played in a lot of big games, and he knows how to play football. All we've got to do is make sure that him and all the quarterbacks are systematic that they're playing within the system, but without being a robot."

Cristobal also touched on the state of the ‘Canes roster, indicating that Miami will be active in the transfer portal in the coming weeks. "We have to do what it requires. That's always been the blueprint to success at the stops that we have had; you've got to build and develop to a point where you have legitimate winning and championship depth at every position. We have certainly gained a lot of ground towards that we still have to gain more so at every position."

Miami's coach did express satisfaction with the offensive line's development. "We have certainly poured a lot into the offensive line body types and mentality, which was a monstrously glaring issue upon arrival and through the season, and it's something that we feel that we're getting a lot of ground towards getting better."

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gogeta4

Apr 11, 2023

JHallCanes said:
I’m bullish on this kid as well.

Not for nothing but how he played when the entire team and coaches seemed like they had thrown in the towel for the season showed me a lot.

Maybe that’s overplaying it a bit but that’s the kind of thing I love to see out of a QB.

He seemed to do that in high school as well so i like that about him.

I comped him to Hendon Hooker BEFORE Hooker blew up at TENN

gogeta4

Apr 11, 2023

Tank Grill said:
So as it stands this is what a possible starting unit could look like before spring

QB Tyler Van Dyke
RB Don Chaney
WR Colbie Young
WR Jacolby George
WR Xavier Restrepo
TE Cam McCormick
LT Jalen Rivers
LG Javion Cohen
C Matt Lee
RG Anez Cooper
RT Francis Mauigoa
Swing Zion Nelson

Edge Nyjalik Kelly
DT Leonard Taylor
DT Jared Harrison Hunte
Edge Akheem Mesidor
Swing Jahfari Harvey
LB Fransisco Mauigoa
LB Wesley Bissainthe
CB Davonte Brown
CB Daryl Porter Jr
Nickel Teccory Couch
FS Kam Kinchens
SS James Williams

Where do we need to make upgrades at?

Another WR, 1 TECH DT, CB of your going to move Harris to Safety for depth.

I want the Iowa kid at Nickel

hoops156

Apr 11, 2023

RVACane said:
Even better since @AllAboutTheU included them when he called my post disingenuous. Lol I can’t remember. I just know Rousseau was gone but yeah, I remember now.

rousseau opted out which turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Phillips as he got to start and show out

SayWhat

Apr 11, 2023

hoops156 said:
eh excuses bc the same culture bull**** infected the coaches Mario hired. they quit on each other and the roster. I hate the culture excuse though. we had bad culture with golden but it was enough for MR to win 9 games in year 1. good coaches find a way beyond the excuses. Mario will have a lot more tools at his disposal to win big here. well see how year 2 goes. I don't except 8 wins bc I think the roster isn't good esp w the turnover. just get to Bowl eligibility

I'm not hearing that culture crap either.

Culture or tone, it's set by the coaches. If your coaches aren't getting it done, you as the head coach have to step in and have them teach it the way you want it taught.

Some guys are never going to buy in. I know that, but he lost the team. Where the disconnect was, all over the place I'd say, that's on him.

I truly felt like he just put his hands up at some point and was like **** it, let it play out. He didn't have an answer and would try to fix one thing while something over there was breaking.

I do worry in the long run. He has multiple instances where his teams were just flat as a pancake or lost to teams he had no business losing to. Every coach has those moments and maybe I'm being too harsh. Still, I do wonder if he's tone deaf at times to player motivation. We'll find out this year.

grover

Apr 11, 2023

gogeta4 said:
He seemed to do that in high school as well so i like that about him.

I comped him to Hendon Hooker BEFORE Hooker blew up at TENN

Brown seems like one of the most improved players in Spring ball according to all reports, maybe the most improved. ... Of course, the CIS experts all think you can't improve QB accuracy, so we should push him out now.

OriginalCanesCanesCanes

Apr 11, 2023

SayWhat said:
I'm not hearing that culture crap either.

Culture or tone, it's set by the coaches. If your coaches aren't getting it done, you as the head coach have to step in and have them teach it the way you want it taught.

Some guys are never going to buy in. I know that, but he lost the team. Where the disconnect was, all over the place I'd say, that's on him.

I truly felt like he just put his hands up at some point and was like **** it, let it play out. He didn't have an answer and would try to fix one thing while something over there was breaking.

I do worry in the long run. He has multiple instances where his teams were just flat as a pancake or lost to teams he had no business losing to. Every coach has those moments and maybe I'm being too harsh. Still, I do wonder if he's tone deaf at times to player motivation. We'll find out this year.

Your post is sensible except I think it’s going to take longer than this year to find out. I think this is still going to be a transitional type year. By year3/year4, if we’re not seeing massive improvement, with 3-4 recruiting classes under his belt, then yes, we have a problem, Houston.

gogeta4

Apr 11, 2023

RVACane said:
Mario is like the salesman who has a $100 sale that he can wrap up in his store at 10 am on a Tuesday morning. But he wants to convince the customer that they should get the $105 version because he makes an extra $3 (net) on it so he spends 3 hours selling it to the guy who was happy with the $100 product. Meanwhile, $1,000 worth of sales have walked in and out of his store and went elsewhere because he was busy ******* around for $3 more in profit.

That’s what I see right now.

This is the analogy and what i have always seen with him...only hastily decision he made was hitching his wagon to Bama.

B
BoxingRobes

Apr 11, 2023

This is Miami...located in South Florida...

how are we so deficient on WRs and CBs. They are literally everywhere down here.

These are also position groups - especially WR - where a freshman CAN contribute. Those MF'rs need to step up, too. Can't always be dumpster diving the portal for every need. Sometimes, guys gotta be ready before they are ready. We've seen way too many of these types of guys NEVER become ready. Hopefully some of these dudes step up...trying to find 4 starters and some key rotation players come July is a tough ask.

gogeta4

Apr 11, 2023

Ghandi said:
You already have a guy just like him in George.

I dont understand why Miami is after him so hard.

I'd pass on him im not that impress with tape and he isnt playing in a good d2 conference.

This team just does EVERYTHING slow on offense i mean sh*t...countles sothers were in the portal 2 years in a row that they flopped on.

Now waiting for portal again after spring for cast offs is the way to go?.

C
canesbaby

Apr 11, 2023

gogeta4 said:
I'd pass on him im not that impress with tape and he isnt playing in a good d2 conference.

This team just does EVERYTHING slow on offense i mean sh*t...countles sothers were in the portal 2 years in a row that they flopped on.

Now waiting for portal again after spring for cast offs is the way to go?.

At this point, seems like our only option unfortunately. Not the route I would have gone either but when you're up against last season and MC's reputation, seems like it's a tall hill to climb.

gogeta4

Apr 11, 2023

canesbaby said:
At this point, seems like our only option unfortunately. Not the route I would have gone either but when you're up against last season and MC's reputation, seems like it's a tall hill to climb.

Im not as down on Ladson as others. Just seems more of a gamer than a practice player.

He seems to be a solid possesion guy.

Im in the mindset we need another BLAZER out wide though...not an avg speed guy or gadget guy but someone with long speed.

A group of Ladson, Colbie Young, Restrepo, George and what else we have with another addition should be solid enough in an offense with some progression from Redding, Horton, Brashard. Redding , Brashard got feet wet so would like to see a step up in game play as well. If Joseph and Washington can give us anything which i expect they can...and possibly keeping a redshirt that would be great.

Apr 11, 2023

gogeta4 said:
Im not as down on Ladson as others. Just seems more of a gamer than a practice player.

He seems to be a solid possesion guy.

Im in the mindset we need another BLAZER out wide though...not an avg speed guy or gadget guy but someone with long speed.

A group of Ladson, Colbie Young, Restrepo, George and what else we have with another addition should be solid enough in an offense with some progression from Redding, Horton, Brashard. Redding , Brashard got feet wet so would like to see a step up in game play as well. If Joseph and Washington can give us anything which i expect they can...and possibly keeping a redshirt that would be great.

I’m not as down on the WR group as some. Could we use a legit speed guy on the outside to add to what we have? Yeah. Is some random D2 guy or mid tier FBS castoff going to make this group any better? Not really. The system is going to make a star out of someone already on the roster.

WestGA'Cane

Apr 11, 2023

We have a midling ACC roster, with youngsters who have talent to develop and a shot to get better through the portal. Rather than sweating 'death by injury' (depth), let's see if the $8m man can coach his way to a few wins against = competition.

Lance Roffers

Apr 11, 2023

AUcane said:
I am skeptical that Bryant will even come. WRs in their contract year (i.e. portal guys) are not about taking risks and jumping to a team where there is doubt that the passing attack will feature them. Guys like Addison, Zay, Worthy, et al were either going to go to a sure thing (i.e. Addison to USC) or stick with their comfort level after being assured they'd be featured more. Versus....Mario's reputation (last year at this time) as not being a passing friendly coach (right or wrong) or the one year track record of a generationally bad offense.

The only WRs of note we have a chance on are: 1) sofla kids that are playing elsewhere, or 2) some diamond in the rough in D2 that Alonzo has found. I would not count on any big time D1 kid coming here. JMO

I’m saying Bryant isn’t coming.

Cribby

Apr 11, 2023

Lance Roffers said:
I’m saying Bryant isn’t coming.

Oregon

Lance Roffers

Apr 11, 2023

Ghandi said:
You already have a guy just like him in George.

I dont understand why Miami is after him so hard.

Because George is inconsistent and needs someone to either push him to get a fire under his ****, or take his spot.

He has no legitimate competition currently.

Lance Roffers

Apr 11, 2023

Cribby said:
Oregon

Correct.

D_G87

Apr 11, 2023

gogeta4 said:
Im not as down on Ladson as others. Just seems more of a gamer than a practice player.

He seems to be a solid possesion guy.

Im in the mindset we need another BLAZER out wide though...not an avg speed guy or gadget guy but someone with long speed.

A group of Ladson, Colbie Young, Restrepo, George and what else we have with another addition should be solid enough in an offense with some progression from Redding, Horton, Brashard. Redding , Brashard got feet wet so would like to see a step up in game play as well. If Joseph and Washington can give us anything which i expect they can...and possibly keeping a redshirt that would be great.

Ladson and Redding are barely G5 caliber

grover

Apr 11, 2023

D_G87 said:
Ladson and Redding are barely G5 caliber

I’m with you. Those two, George and Brashard have had at at least two seasons to prove themselves and have done very little at a position where the talent usually breaks out early. Only guys I can think of that were late bloomers were Berrios and arguably Hankerson. It’s unusual.

Can they be serviceable? Sure. But differentiated, doubtful.