- Joined
- Feb 9, 2018
- Messages
- 3,076
Despite putting up 47 points and 485 yards in the win against Louisville over the weekend, Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee wasn’t satisfied and reviewed the film searching for areas to improve on going forward.
"Defenses are really good, do a nice job of game planning and taking away what offenses do best,” Lashlee said. “Explosive plays are a big deal for offenses to score points. The other night, we were able to make explosive plays, but at the same time we weren’t happy with the undisciplined play on offense. Penalties really cost us. We were really inefficient. The second quarter we were very inefficient, and it’s hard to sustain drives when you’re inefficient. Our attention to detail has to get better, we have to execute better. Our kids know that. It’s a process, and we have to keep getting better.”
The UM offense essentially ran a perfectly balanced attack, rushing 30 times and passing 30 times vs. Louisville.
“Balance is so key for us - at times we were able to make plays in the passing game, loosen them up,” Lashlee said. “We left some yards out there in the run game. It’s a microcosm of how we felt. The big runs were awesome, but we have to not just rely on the big play.”
TE Brevin Jordan led the team in receiving with 7 catches for 120 yards and a TD, while RB Cam’Ron Harris led all rushers with 9 carries for 134 yards and a TD against UL. Lashlee also mentioned a first quarter, third-and-long completion to Jordan was actually QB D’Eriq King’s fifth progression.
"Our tight ends and running backs played pretty well for the most part,” Lashlee said. “Our tight ends were good and productive, Brevin made a lot of big plays and so did Will (Mallory). Their ‘Wow’ plays were incredible, really impressive. But even they can get better on the other plays.”
While the wide receivers were slightly more productive than last week overall, they had multiple crucial drops that belied a lack of focus and concentration.
“[The receivers] were better than Week 1,” Lashlee said. “It’s going to take time, our passing game has to progress more every week. We dropped some balls, have to make those plays… We have to be more crisp.”
On the OL, Lashlee has been pleased with the play of RT Jarrid Williams, while LG Jakai Clark made his first start of the year vs. UL.
“[Williams’] experience has helped, he’s a big kid who has played a lot of ball,” Lashlee said. “We are really glad we’ve got him on the right side… Jakai did pretty good. He’s anxious to improve on some things. I thought he was steady, will get better over the week.
“The O-Line has been pretty good overall. We’re not having busts, turning people loose in the backfield. In the protection game, when I got here, I had to hear about the O-Line, O-Line, sacks. The line hasn’t been responsible for a sack yet. They’re making strides, a lot to work on. This week’s defensive front will be by far the biggest test.”
Next up are the Florida State Seminoles, a familiar challenge for the Canes. With new FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller in charge, Lashlee feels this Noles stop unit will be the best defense UM has played thus far.
“Familiar with the defensive coordinator, we played him last year at SMU, he was at Memphis,” Lashlee said of Fuller. “He brings a lot of pressure. Their defensive front, they’re long, big. Their interior guys are really good. By far the best front we’ve seen so far. Their linebackers are big. On the back end, they have guys with confidence. We have our work cut out for us. They’ve had two weeks (with the bye). We’ll have to execute at a high level.”
**While the Canes gave up 34 points and 516 yards on defense vs. UL, DC Blake Baker saw some positives in his unit’s performance that he can build on.
“DJ Ivey and Jared Harrison-Hunte (played well), Zach McCloud probably had his best game as a Hurricane since I’ve been here, Amari Carter I thought played well,” Baker said. “We will get better and better… Our problems fixable and will be corrected, it was more of a technique issue.”
In particular, Baker felt the secondary improved on their first showing vs. UAB in Week 1.
“They played much better, DJ Ivey got back to his training, technique, played outstanding for us on the outside,” Baker said. “Al (Blades) wearing the Turnover Chain was huge. Proud of the way they responded. And TC (Te’Cory Couch) too.”
Baker cited S Bubba Bolden’s tackling as a strong point after his 11 tackle, TFL, FF performance vs. UL, and said he thought the team has been tackling well overall.
Baker also praised his DE’s, as starters Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips combined for 3.5 TFL and 3 QB hurries vs. UL.
“It’s loaded (at DE)… From a technique standpoint we just have to clean up a couple of things,” Baker said.
Has anyone on the defense earned more snaps heading into next week vs. FSU?
“Avery Huff is really proving himself on special teams, he’s a guy we need to get greased up, in the game more,” Baker said. “Corey Flagg, Isaiah Dunson we were able to get in late. And the coolest thing about all these freshmen and sophomores, coach (Jonathan) Patke is doing a phenomenal job with them (on special teams), and they are fun to watch. Prove yourself on special teams and you get your wings to fly on defense. We want to roll more players.”
With the rivalry matchup of Florida State coming up on Saturday, there will be a bit of a curveball with head coach and regular offensive play caller Mike Norvell not coaching due to contracting COVID-19.
“It’s something we’ll have to get a bead on early,” Baker said. “It’ll be one of those wait and see type deals. At their core they’ll be very similar. … They are extremely multiple. We have a lot to prepare for.”
Chief of Staff Ed Reed was a prominent presence on the sidelines for the Canes vs. the Cardinals last week, and Baker feels he adds plenty to the team.
“Ed’s been awesome. He sees things a little differently, from 30,000 feet,” Baker said. “Even coming up to me during the game, `Hey, did you see this, see that?’ He’s really, really been good for us, is fun to be around.”
"Defenses are really good, do a nice job of game planning and taking away what offenses do best,” Lashlee said. “Explosive plays are a big deal for offenses to score points. The other night, we were able to make explosive plays, but at the same time we weren’t happy with the undisciplined play on offense. Penalties really cost us. We were really inefficient. The second quarter we were very inefficient, and it’s hard to sustain drives when you’re inefficient. Our attention to detail has to get better, we have to execute better. Our kids know that. It’s a process, and we have to keep getting better.”
The UM offense essentially ran a perfectly balanced attack, rushing 30 times and passing 30 times vs. Louisville.
“Balance is so key for us - at times we were able to make plays in the passing game, loosen them up,” Lashlee said. “We left some yards out there in the run game. It’s a microcosm of how we felt. The big runs were awesome, but we have to not just rely on the big play.”
TE Brevin Jordan led the team in receiving with 7 catches for 120 yards and a TD, while RB Cam’Ron Harris led all rushers with 9 carries for 134 yards and a TD against UL. Lashlee also mentioned a first quarter, third-and-long completion to Jordan was actually QB D’Eriq King’s fifth progression.
"Our tight ends and running backs played pretty well for the most part,” Lashlee said. “Our tight ends were good and productive, Brevin made a lot of big plays and so did Will (Mallory). Their ‘Wow’ plays were incredible, really impressive. But even they can get better on the other plays.”
While the wide receivers were slightly more productive than last week overall, they had multiple crucial drops that belied a lack of focus and concentration.
“[The receivers] were better than Week 1,” Lashlee said. “It’s going to take time, our passing game has to progress more every week. We dropped some balls, have to make those plays… We have to be more crisp.”
On the OL, Lashlee has been pleased with the play of RT Jarrid Williams, while LG Jakai Clark made his first start of the year vs. UL.
“[Williams’] experience has helped, he’s a big kid who has played a lot of ball,” Lashlee said. “We are really glad we’ve got him on the right side… Jakai did pretty good. He’s anxious to improve on some things. I thought he was steady, will get better over the week.
“The O-Line has been pretty good overall. We’re not having busts, turning people loose in the backfield. In the protection game, when I got here, I had to hear about the O-Line, O-Line, sacks. The line hasn’t been responsible for a sack yet. They’re making strides, a lot to work on. This week’s defensive front will be by far the biggest test.”
Next up are the Florida State Seminoles, a familiar challenge for the Canes. With new FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller in charge, Lashlee feels this Noles stop unit will be the best defense UM has played thus far.
“Familiar with the defensive coordinator, we played him last year at SMU, he was at Memphis,” Lashlee said of Fuller. “He brings a lot of pressure. Their defensive front, they’re long, big. Their interior guys are really good. By far the best front we’ve seen so far. Their linebackers are big. On the back end, they have guys with confidence. We have our work cut out for us. They’ve had two weeks (with the bye). We’ll have to execute at a high level.”
**While the Canes gave up 34 points and 516 yards on defense vs. UL, DC Blake Baker saw some positives in his unit’s performance that he can build on.
“DJ Ivey and Jared Harrison-Hunte (played well), Zach McCloud probably had his best game as a Hurricane since I’ve been here, Amari Carter I thought played well,” Baker said. “We will get better and better… Our problems fixable and will be corrected, it was more of a technique issue.”
In particular, Baker felt the secondary improved on their first showing vs. UAB in Week 1.
“They played much better, DJ Ivey got back to his training, technique, played outstanding for us on the outside,” Baker said. “Al (Blades) wearing the Turnover Chain was huge. Proud of the way they responded. And TC (Te’Cory Couch) too.”
Baker cited S Bubba Bolden’s tackling as a strong point after his 11 tackle, TFL, FF performance vs. UL, and said he thought the team has been tackling well overall.
Baker also praised his DE’s, as starters Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips combined for 3.5 TFL and 3 QB hurries vs. UL.
“It’s loaded (at DE)… From a technique standpoint we just have to clean up a couple of things,” Baker said.
Has anyone on the defense earned more snaps heading into next week vs. FSU?
“Avery Huff is really proving himself on special teams, he’s a guy we need to get greased up, in the game more,” Baker said. “Corey Flagg, Isaiah Dunson we were able to get in late. And the coolest thing about all these freshmen and sophomores, coach (Jonathan) Patke is doing a phenomenal job with them (on special teams), and they are fun to watch. Prove yourself on special teams and you get your wings to fly on defense. We want to roll more players.”
With the rivalry matchup of Florida State coming up on Saturday, there will be a bit of a curveball with head coach and regular offensive play caller Mike Norvell not coaching due to contracting COVID-19.
“It’s something we’ll have to get a bead on early,” Baker said. “It’ll be one of those wait and see type deals. At their core they’ll be very similar. … They are extremely multiple. We have a lot to prepare for.”
Chief of Staff Ed Reed was a prominent presence on the sidelines for the Canes vs. the Cardinals last week, and Baker feels he adds plenty to the team.
“Ed’s been awesome. He sees things a little differently, from 30,000 feet,” Baker said. “Even coming up to me during the game, `Hey, did you see this, see that?’ He’s really, really been good for us, is fun to be around.”
