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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Home Slice

Apr 9, 2023

Empirical Cane said:
Cohen is going to have a positive knock-on affect for C and LT.

Part of my point is we even have to mention about being surprised Rivers could play at a higher level than what we've seen in LT position in ages.

I think Zion is still a great mystery. Love to see him balls to the wall and 100% healthy.

Cribby

Apr 9, 2023

Home Slice said:
I think Zion is still a great mystery. Love to see him balls to the wall and 100% healthy.

Him returning would be huge , he’d be a nice swing guy.

S
SpikeUM

Apr 9, 2023

From what I have heard, Lee might be our best OL, and will make everyone around him better.

Cribby

Apr 9, 2023

Home Slice said:
I think Zion is still a great mystery. Love to see him balls to the wall and 100% healthy.

Things are looking more positive

Angry Ibis

Apr 9, 2023

Cribby said:
I can’t win lol. It’s kool aid or mope.

Deja vu

Nature of the beast, but it seems fairly balanced right now. There is a lot of time between now and September and I think you’re allowing for that….

Empirical Cane

Apr 9, 2023

Cribby said:
I can’t win lol. It’s kool aid or mope.

Deja vu

Empirical Cane

Apr 9, 2023

Home Slice said:
I think Zion is still a great mystery. Love to see him balls to the wall and 100% healthy.

No disrespect intended to Zion, but no.

Empirical Cane

Apr 9, 2023

WeBallinBoyz said:
If we have so much as 1-2 injuries at certain positions, we are totally screwed. The elite teams have solid 2nd stringers and talented 3rd stringers they are normally underclassmen and devoid of reps.

We have 2nd stringers that aren’t P5 players, and walk ons for third strings. Heck we had plenty of starters last year that aren’t P5 guys. That’s the difference, and can’t be solved in 1 off-season. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be better, just don’t expect 8-9 wins without TONS of portal help.

When fuccin, why do I get the feeling Miami is still catching?

S
sedlst11

Apr 9, 2023

TimeBum said:
FSU is an interesting comparison. I'm trying to remember when FSU had multiple top 10 classes in the last 4 years as I'm told thats a pre-requisite for winning 10 games. Or maybe while UM fans were mocking Norvell, he was building a strong culture in Tallahassee and we didn't notice it.

He came in and immediately kicked out the **** and during Covid year too.

WestGA'Cane

Apr 9, 2023

Not gonna pretend to know what conf. opponents like GT, Duke...have coming off the bench. But suffice it to say there's are problem when the Duke's and MTU's of the world are manhandling you. There's enough talent to COMPETE - the wheels simply came off last season because of a variety of factors.

Quality/adequate depth? Those, unfortunately in some cases are the guys portaling. See SMU. While we're hoping to hear a McClaughlin for example hits the portal, no - it's Jakai Clark (adequate depth). Have to think this is a problem many programs are experiencing. And btw, my comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Just not hearing excuses for the embarrassment last season was, or prepping for another. Don't care if we win 6 or 9, be competitive and coach to the strengths of your personnel instead of blaming your predecessor.

C
CanesFan93

Apr 9, 2023

JG13 said:
Restrepo should be the 3rd or 4th best receiver with a proper playoff level WR quiver

H***, he's 4th or 5th on most non-playoff teams.

miamimike

Apr 9, 2023

CanefaninBuckeyeland said:
The comments on the wide outs are very disturbing

That’s because as a group our receivers suck. Which is nothing new & shouldn’t be news. Year after year same ****!

WeBallinBoyz

Apr 9, 2023

chipcane said:
Not gonna pretend to know what conf. opponents like GT, Duke...have coming off the bench. But suffice it to say there's are problem when the Duke's and MTU's of the world are manhandling you. There's enough talent to COMPETE - the wheels simply came off last season because of a variety of factors.

Quality/adequate depth? Those, unfortunately in some cases are the guys portaling. See SMU. While we're hoping to hear a McClaughlin for example hits the portal, no - it's Jakai Clark (adequate depth). Have to think this is a problem many programs are experiencing. And btw, my comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Just not hearing excuses for the embarrassment last season was, or prepping for another. Don't care if we win 6 or 9, be competitive and coach to the strengths of your personnel instead of blaming your predecessor.

You’re correct in a sense, but effort and scheme also play a role here. We lacked both for a majority of last season, I don’t expect that to be the case in 2023. Talent? Remains to be seen what we do in the Spring acquisition wise, and who bounces.

Empirical Cane

Apr 9, 2023

TimeBum said:
FSU is an interesting comparison. I'm trying to remember when FSU had multiple top 10 classes in the last 4 years as I'm told thats a pre-requisite for winning 10 games. Or maybe while UM fans were mocking Norvell, he was building a strong culture in Tallahassee and we didn't notice it.

FSU bukkaking Miami isn't the "FSU is back" benchmark.

BS85

Apr 9, 2023

joshvalencia1996 said:
Without hitting big on portal acquisitions this is a 6-6 roster

Only if the coaches are complete dog****

WeBallinBoyz

Apr 9, 2023

TimeBum said:
FSU is an interesting comparison. I'm trying to remember when FSU had multiple top 10 classes in the last 4 years as I'm told thats a pre-requisite for winning 10 games. Or maybe while UM fans were mocking Norvell, he was building a strong culture in Tallahassee and we didn't notice it.

umiamifan1

Apr 9, 2023

Cribby said:
I can’t win lol. It’s kool aid or mope.

Deja vu

I think (or at least hope) that most understand you're just giving us the cold, hard facts -- and please know that many of us do appreciate your honesty. Personally, I'd rather receive a candid assessment of where we stand than hear about more Greentree All-Americans that will never end up amounting to anything during the regular season. Anyone who looks at this roster objectively has to see that we lack depth at a lot of positions, so it shouldn't be shocking to hear that a few key injuries and lack of quality portal acquisitions could result in another 5 or 6 win season...some of y'all need to wake tf up.

JHallCanes

Apr 9, 2023

Pearson704 said:
definitely rooting for him but when I see some of those practice clips there's a lack of discipline in his reps; base too short and--as a consequence--too upright. The fundamentals.

Great to hear he's progressing and taking to the coaching staff, but he won't reach his potential unless he corrects the little things that will allow him to consistently put the ball where it needs to be.

He’s got a ways to go for sure but that was always the book on him so I would say he’s on track so to speak

Cribby

Apr 9, 2023

umiamifan1 said:
I think (or at least hope) that most understand you're just giving us the cold, hard facts -- and please know that many of us do appreciate your honesty. Personally, I'd rather receive a candid assessment of where we stand than hear about more Greentree All-Americans that will never end up amounting to anything during the regular season. Anyone who looks at this roster objectively has to see that we lack depth at a lot of positions, so it shouldn't be shocking to hear that a few key injuries and lack of quality portal acquisitions could result in another 5 or 6 win season...some of y'all need to wake tf up.

There’s a reason I’ve remained quiet on the 23 season. I need to see who’s here in camp and how the roster looks. There’ll be Fr , portal kids and guys returning from injury. With all that you could have 15 or more guys than now.

Just look at a guy like Zion likely being back , that would be huge for depth on the line. He that can play multiple positions and would be a nice swing OL option.

I’m just in wait and see mode longterm while still being somewhat realistic.

Empirical Cane

Apr 9, 2023

Cribby said:
There’s a reason I’ve remained quiet on the 23 season. I need to see who’s here in camp and how the roster looks. There’ll be Fr , portal kids and guys returning from injury. With all that you could have 15 or more guys than now.

Just look at a guy like Zion likely being back , that would be huge for depth on the line. He that can play multiple positions and would be a nice swing OL option.

I’m just in wait and see mode longterm while still being somewhat realistic.

speculation on anyone leaving to TP?

Given, if you answer, CIS will lose their shizznizzle

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Cristobal assesses team progress after Saturday scrimmage

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