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The big theme of Tuesday’s practice was the uptick in tempo compared to recent years, something new Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator/QB coach Rhett Lashlee has been known for in the past and has hoped to bring with him to Coral Gables.
“That’s hard, a culture shock,” Lashlee said. “Throw them into the deep end, let them figure it out. The whole idea is for it not to be confusing. If we can get it to where they’re reacting and playing fast mentally, then their ability takes over.
While there were plenty of highlights and positive takeaways to be had on the day, of course, on just the second day of spring practice, things are nowhere near where Lashlee ultimately expects them to be.
“They’re still thinking a little bit, but you are what you repeatedly do,” Lashlee said. “It’s not anywhere close to what we want yet… The next step is to get to where they’re playing fast mentally, which will allow them to play fast physically.”
A big standout group from Tuesday’s drills were the WR’s and early indications signal that this is going to be a very receiver-friendly offense in 2020.
“I think they’ve got ability,” Lashlee said of the receivers. “They’ve got a skill set that hopefully we can develop and help them grow. The first two days, all those guys have done a good job attacking what we’re trying to do. They’re excited about what we’re doing, buying in.”
As for the pure talent he’s seen from his unit overall?
“As a coaching staff we haven’t put pads on yet, so it’s a little premature, but we’re excited thinking that we have a chance,” Lashlee said. “When I say that, I mean we have kids that care, that want to win. They’re fully buying into the coaching staff and what we’re trying to do offensively, coach (Manny) Diaz, and what we’re trying to do as a program.”
Ultimately, Lashlee has been tasked with changing the culture on an offense that has played nowhere close to their talent level in the ACC over the past two seasons.
“We have to show them how to win, you can want something as bad as you want, but if you’re not willing to sacrifice and don’t know what it takes to get there, there’s going to be a disconnect,” Lashlee said. “That’s going to be a big part for us as a coaching staff is showing them what it takes to win at a high level, how to get there, teaching them how to do things on a daily basis.”
Yesterday, head coach Manny Diaz stressed that the team was not ready to name a starting QB, although D’Eriq King took most of the reps with the first team today.
“I’m never really thinking that we’re that good in practice,” Lashlee said of his QB’s. “I do think they’re trying, have an idea of what’s going on. Things are happening fast for them too… You’re asking them within 10 or 15 seconds from the last play to digest the call and then snap it and execute, that takes a little bit of an adjustment.
“Hopefully, like any other position, once we start building reps, we’ll start seeing consistency.”
As the Canes leading returning rusher, junior RB Cam Harris started with the second team today, but saw some reps with the first team as well behind Robert Burns.
“With Cam, obviously I have no preconceived ideas on anybody, and it’s two days in, but what he did in the offseason workouts, I can tell he has some explosion, seems pretty focused,” Lashlee said. “He’s done a nice job of just going out there and doing a good job.”
UM has used freshman RB Jaylan Knighton as their 3rd back so far in spring, and he has made an impression on Lashlee thus far.
“We don’t have pads on yet, but just his ability to have no fear and jump in there has been impressive,” Lashlee said. “It’s exciting he’ll have the whole spring, I’m excited about that. You can definitely see his burst.”
The Canes have been rotating and experimenting a ton on the offensive line trying to see who fits best where, and that will continue for the next few practices before the coaches hope to lock players into set spots.
“Coach (Garin) Justice and I agree that as soon as you know where guys fit best, you’d like to keep them there,” Lashlee said of the OL. “If you’re playing left guard one day, left tackle one day - center, right guard, flipping sides – it’s hard to get really good at something.
“The first few days, we want to learn these guys. We’ve had two days in helmets, we’ll have two days in pads before the break. Hopefully by then, we’ll have a good educated guess on where to put these guys and hopefully leave them there for the last 11 days. Then you can see who can get things, who can really improve, who can get better each practice… It allows them to react, play fast, play with confidence and hopefully be more physical.”
“That’s hard, a culture shock,” Lashlee said. “Throw them into the deep end, let them figure it out. The whole idea is for it not to be confusing. If we can get it to where they’re reacting and playing fast mentally, then their ability takes over.
While there were plenty of highlights and positive takeaways to be had on the day, of course, on just the second day of spring practice, things are nowhere near where Lashlee ultimately expects them to be.
“They’re still thinking a little bit, but you are what you repeatedly do,” Lashlee said. “It’s not anywhere close to what we want yet… The next step is to get to where they’re playing fast mentally, which will allow them to play fast physically.”
A big standout group from Tuesday’s drills were the WR’s and early indications signal that this is going to be a very receiver-friendly offense in 2020.
“I think they’ve got ability,” Lashlee said of the receivers. “They’ve got a skill set that hopefully we can develop and help them grow. The first two days, all those guys have done a good job attacking what we’re trying to do. They’re excited about what we’re doing, buying in.”
As for the pure talent he’s seen from his unit overall?
“As a coaching staff we haven’t put pads on yet, so it’s a little premature, but we’re excited thinking that we have a chance,” Lashlee said. “When I say that, I mean we have kids that care, that want to win. They’re fully buying into the coaching staff and what we’re trying to do offensively, coach (Manny) Diaz, and what we’re trying to do as a program.”
Ultimately, Lashlee has been tasked with changing the culture on an offense that has played nowhere close to their talent level in the ACC over the past two seasons.
“We have to show them how to win, you can want something as bad as you want, but if you’re not willing to sacrifice and don’t know what it takes to get there, there’s going to be a disconnect,” Lashlee said. “That’s going to be a big part for us as a coaching staff is showing them what it takes to win at a high level, how to get there, teaching them how to do things on a daily basis.”
Yesterday, head coach Manny Diaz stressed that the team was not ready to name a starting QB, although D’Eriq King took most of the reps with the first team today.
“I’m never really thinking that we’re that good in practice,” Lashlee said of his QB’s. “I do think they’re trying, have an idea of what’s going on. Things are happening fast for them too… You’re asking them within 10 or 15 seconds from the last play to digest the call and then snap it and execute, that takes a little bit of an adjustment.
“Hopefully, like any other position, once we start building reps, we’ll start seeing consistency.”
As the Canes leading returning rusher, junior RB Cam Harris started with the second team today, but saw some reps with the first team as well behind Robert Burns.
“With Cam, obviously I have no preconceived ideas on anybody, and it’s two days in, but what he did in the offseason workouts, I can tell he has some explosion, seems pretty focused,” Lashlee said. “He’s done a nice job of just going out there and doing a good job.”
UM has used freshman RB Jaylan Knighton as their 3rd back so far in spring, and he has made an impression on Lashlee thus far.
“We don’t have pads on yet, but just his ability to have no fear and jump in there has been impressive,” Lashlee said. “It’s exciting he’ll have the whole spring, I’m excited about that. You can definitely see his burst.”
The Canes have been rotating and experimenting a ton on the offensive line trying to see who fits best where, and that will continue for the next few practices before the coaches hope to lock players into set spots.
“Coach (Garin) Justice and I agree that as soon as you know where guys fit best, you’d like to keep them there,” Lashlee said of the OL. “If you’re playing left guard one day, left tackle one day - center, right guard, flipping sides – it’s hard to get really good at something.
“The first few days, we want to learn these guys. We’ve had two days in helmets, we’ll have two days in pads before the break. Hopefully by then, we’ll have a good educated guess on where to put these guys and hopefully leave them there for the last 11 days. Then you can see who can get things, who can really improve, who can get better each practice… It allows them to react, play fast, play with confidence and hopefully be more physical.”
here?
