Matt Porter: Senior Grades

[bomb]

If you were to convert the grades into a GPA:

Offense: 3.2

Defense: 1.8

The talent defense this was just awful. And the depth was worse.

 

[k9cane]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

 

[JHallCanes]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

Yup. Though when he has made the read, he shows off athleticism that maybe none of our other LBs have, outside Figs. Kid needs to have a monster off season.

 

[Rdcane]

LMAO at Gaines getting anything other than a "What's worse than an F?"

Gaines senior grade should have been "expelled." The fact that he was on the field over Kirby was the biggest **** up by the staff this season. We would've been better off starting a traffic cone. A traffic cone would've provided more resistance in the run game, and better coverage on pass plays.

lol

 

[dolpterry]

DE Shayon Green should move up to a b+ after all he did get his first and only sack after 4 years. This really tells all about this defense, is there any other starter in football that only had 1 sack in 4 years at DE.

 

[WhatTheHell]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

We chose the alternative, I guess - the kid who knows what's going on, but is playing with an invisible piano strapped to his head, his feet tied together, 4 boat anchors strapped to his waste, and a line of crushed Xanax flying up his nose.

We should have put Kirby in and simplified things for him.

 

[theibisrules]

Obviously Gaines Deserved Victory more by Buying Into The Process, using his Core Values, and following the 8 Pillars of Success.

David Gilbert was displeased at his lack of playing, stuck sitting behind a guy who can barely stand up straight and whose knees look like Daffy Duck's bill right after getting blown off with a shotgun.

The personnel decisions on defense were questionable.

It's just Golden saying thanks to those kids that chose the U when it wasn't cool to do it

 

[Cans4life]

Gaines is Ray Lewis compared to Tyrone Cornelius. Cornelius and Highsmith should be nowhere near a Division 1 football field, yet they were essentially starters on this team.

Jawand Blue CANT be worse than Cornelius. He just cant.

 

[I'm Hurt Dawg]

Gaines is Ray Lewis compared to Tyrone Cornelius. Cornelius and Highsmith should be nowhere near a Division 1 football field, yet they were essentially starters on this team.

Jawand Blue CANT be worse than Cornelius. He just cant.

Jawand Blue can't see the field during blow outs.

 

[eleganttomcat]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

Yup. Though when he has made the read, he shows off athleticism that maybe none of our other LBs have, outside Figs. Kid needs to have a monster off season.

Totally agree JHall. If Kirby and Figs take the next step this off-season, watch the **** out y'all.

 

[Don Caneleone]

The only one I'll miss is Linder.

 

[Pennmed Canefan]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

We chose the alternative, I guess - the kid who knows what's going on, but is playing with an invisible piano strapped to his head, his feet tied together, 4 boat anchors strapped to his waste, and a line of crushed Xanax flying up his nose.

We should have put Kirby in and simplified things for him.

Why would you simplify things for one individual who has never done anything? I'm all for simplifying the defense for everyone, but for all we know that may have benefitted Gaines as well. Simply put, who cares about Raphael Kirby (if that's his correct name)? Neglecting Gaines, I'm trying to figure out what Kirby's done that makes anyone think he's any good. I hope he is because we don't have much else but I can't remember watching him make 1 tackle.

 

[Dingaan1828]

Gaines is Ray Lewis compared to Tyrone Cornelius. Cornelius and Highsmith should be nowhere near a Division 1 football field, yet they were essentially starters on this team.

Jawand Blue CANT be worse than Cornelius. He just cant.

Jawand Blue can't see the field during blow outs.

Not really fair. Last year he was a redshirt.


This year he was in the witness protection program.

 

[lauderdaleballer]

important part is we wont have to see most of them again.

Which may be a bad thing because according to the staff they were the best we had... If no one beat them out, obviously the other guys are behind...

 

[AtrainCane]

I will make this wager to anyone on the board.

If Kirby plays in all 12 games, no major injuries.

He will have better defensive stats than Gaines did this year.

$500 bet. For everyone who says Gaines is better, put your money where your mouth is.

Golden will play a senior, I'm sure you have noticed this.

 

[jw410]

LMAO at Gaines getting anything other than a "What's worse than an F?"

Gaines senior grade should have been "expelled." The fact that he was on the field over Kirby was the biggest **** up by the staff this season. We would've been better off starting a traffic cone. A traffic cone would've provided more resistance in the run game, and better coverage on pass plays.

aparrently kirby didnt get enough pt for you to realize he has a very long way to go. gaines had the experience and passion at least.

That's what gets it done - passion and experience.

You can see the passion oozing from his body while he was being blocked into the center of the Earth. And he had great experience missing tackles and moving like a snail in coverage.

What the **** you're dead wrong.. Kirby was lost out there.. Take your hate filled bias somewhere else. I watched every game like you and rewatched the ones I could stomach. Kirby was lost in the sauce. Poor instincts... I honestly hope we find someone to be our MLB... To be fair Kirby should RS poor instincts are the last attribute I want out of my MIKE.

 

[JHallCanes]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

We chose the alternative, I guess - the kid who knows what's going on, but is playing with an invisible piano strapped to his head, his feet tied together, 4 boat anchors strapped to his waste, and a line of crushed Xanax flying up his nose.

We should have put Kirby in and simplified things for him.

Dead on man. Kirby was a prime example. It was like watching Tracy last year. You could see them flash it, but the majority of the time it looked like they were trying not to mess up the whole time.

It's expected of course, but it has to change this year for Kirby like it did for Tracy

 

[WhatTheHell]

Every time I see Kirby, I see a guy who looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane

Just seems really slow to recognize plays and diagnose them..

We chose the alternative, I guess - the kid who knows what's going on, but is playing with an invisible piano strapped to his head, his feet tied together, 4 boat anchors strapped to his waste, and a line of crushed Xanax flying up his nose.

We should have put Kirby in and simplified things for him.

Why would you simplify things for one individual who has never done anything? I'm all for simplifying the defense for everyone, but for all we know that may have benefitted Gaines as well. Simply put, who cares about Raphael Kirby (if that's his correct name)? Neglecting Gaines, I'm trying to figure out what Kirby's done that makes anyone think he's any good. I hope he is because we don't have much else but I can't remember watching him make 1 tackle.

Simplifying as a whole. I should have been more specific.

Kirby is physically superior to Gaines in every way, and he's one of the kids who spent a lot of time on the sideline while less talented players got on the field ahead of him. Whether it was "buying into the process" or what the staff felt was them "understanding the defense better," they didn't do a good job of putting the best kids on the field.

Gaines knows all the calls, they claim. That's nice, because after he makes them, he slips to the ground, misses a tackle, gets pancacked, or drifts out of his zone.

 

[GrozDozer]

For balance Porter should've included the coaches' grades. The recent data show (such as recent players in the NFL) that coaching has been a large concern as well. Gilbert goes from being a solid performer at Wisconsin to a nobody here? Sure, blame the players....

After reading this it kinda puts a final nail in the coffin for the substantial under performance by most of the Senior class.

Grading Miami Hurricanes’ 2013 senior class by Matt Porter

This week, seniors across the nation are accepting invites to play in postseason all-star games. Two Hurricanes, Brandon Linder and Stephen Morris, are in that category. Linder will play in the Senior Bowl (3 p.m. Jan. 25 in Mobile, Ala., NFL Network) while Morris will head to the East-West Shrine Game (4 p.m. Jan. 18 in St. Petersburg, NFL Network). There remains a possibility that punter Pat O’Donnell will get an invite, but no news on that front.

I didn’t feel like that was enough meat for one blog post, so let’s hand out regular-season grades for the Hurricanes’ senior class. These are completely subjective grades based off my one year of watching them. You may disagree. My goal is to be fair and assess things as completely as possible.

Anyway, here:

TE Asante Cleveland: B

Smart player and an effective blocker in UM’s oft-used double-tight end sets, though he was barely targeted in the passing game. Ended on a sweet note when he caught a touchdown pass – the first of his career – in the regular-season finale at Pitt.

LB Tyrone Cornelius: D+

Played strong-side linebacker and struggled to cover consistently. Started games against Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Duke. Forced a fumble against Florida and finished seventh on the team with 39 tackles (two for loss, one sack).

LB Jimmy Gaines: B-

Somewhat limited athletically, but a valued leader at middle linebacker. Finished second with 76 tackles (two for loss), recovered two fumbles and broke up two passes. Had a good career, all told – lightly recruited but was a three-year contributor.

DE David Gilbert: C-

Former honorable mention All-Big Ten at Wisconsin wasn’t an effective player after transferring home. Was it the foot injury (that at one point caused him to retire)? Was it the lack of opportunity (played a season-low seven snaps against Wake Forest; was between 10 and 15 most games)? May never know. He has a nice highlight, though: recovered a fumble and returned it for a 72-yard touchdown against Virginia.

DE Shayon Green: C

Reasonably productive given his average speed and skill. Led team in tackles for loss (10.5), including two against Florida State, and had three sacks. Was third in tackles (63).

FB Maurice Hagens: B+

Strong and smart lead blocker who chipped in with a big gainer or two when his number was called. Caught seven passes for 83 yards, most of those after the catch.

OT Seantrel Henderson: C-

Never lived up to his sky-high potential. Had dominant stretches, but was sometimes outworked by players with half his physical tools (6-foot-8, 340). Could have been a full-time difference-maker and wasn’t. Maybe he’ll put it together in the NFL – maybe not.

S A.J. Highsmith: D+

Relied on too much by the coaching staff, due in part to injuries to Deon Bush and Kacy Rodgers. UM’s lack of a pass rush did him (and the rest of the secondary) no favors.

WR Allen Hurns: A

Reliable as they come. Steady force who finished second in the ACC in receiving (1,138; 94.8 yards per game) to Clemson star Sammy Watkins. Moved UM’s all-time receiving leaderboards. By far his quarterback’s No. 1 target. Could have a good NFL career as a possession receiver.

OG Brandon Linder: A

Like Hurns, a second-team All-ACC selection and a consistently good player. Don’t know UM’s offensive line grades for the season, but have to imagine he has the best marks. A couple penalties here and there, but handled his assignment nearly every time.

QB Stephen Morris: B+

Finished third in the conference in yards (2,868), passer rating (148.96) and tied for third in touchdowns (21). Has one of the strongest arms in college football, but needs to improve decision-making (12 interceptions, third-most in ACC). An ankle injury, suffered Sept. 21, screwed up his mechanics for much of the year. Will be interesting to see where he goes in the draft – would guess he’s somewhere in the fourth round.

P Pat O’Donnell: A

Arguably the team MVP. Flipped fields all year after transferring home from Cincinnati. Gigantic leg and an excellent athlete (6-5, 225). Had a 71-yard punt against Virginia. Averaged around 48 yards per punt for the season. UM didn’t punt a lot, especially early in the season, so his name wasn’t among the national leaders for most of the year. Should have been a Ray Guy finalist, but should have a strong pro career.

DT Curtis Porter: C

Finally healthy and able to play in 12 games (eight starts), but didn’t shine. Season highlight was fumble recovery against Florida, the first of his career, which led to UM’s first touchdown in the Sept. 7 win. Experienced a drop in play after that.

DT Justin Renfrow: C+

Virginia transfer surpassed Porter on the depth chart for four games (UNC, Wake, FSU, Va. Tech). Added much-needed bulk to the defensive line. Had an excellent game against Georgia Tech (five tackles, forced fumble).

DT Luther Robinson: C-

Serviceable depth lineman who neither helped nor hurt. Earned a start against Virginia.

S Kacy Rodgers: C-

Hampered by injury, but like several others, played a little more than UM probably would have liked him to. Had a sack-caused-fumble against FAU and an interception against Virginia.

OG Jared Wheeler: A-

Became a starter for the first time, starting six games in total at center and guard. Not a dominant physical force, but smart and effective.

Incomplete: Akil Craig, Alex Irastorza, Paul Kelly, Jameson Labady, Sean McNally, Chad Barnes.

- See more at: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/cane...anes’-2013-senior-class/#sthash.mJbGvZJs.dpuf

Source:http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2013/12/06/grading-miami-hurricanes’-2013-senior-class/

Hey genius please point me to the players that this staff failed to develop that are in the NFL now and having any success? If anything this staff got the most from players like Brandon McGee, Streeter, Davon Johnson, BWash and Jacory and now those players have all fizzeled out. McGee might be the only one on a roster. I'm sure Gilberts foot injury that caused him to quit football had ZERO to do with his lack of production.