CaneShades
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USA TODAY ARTICLE
Miami has no shortage of motivation in preparations for 2013
I wonder where Miami (Fla.) will find motivation heading into spring drills. I wonder…
Oh, right. Miami's motivation comes from within, coach Al Golden said on national signing day.
"We're not just fighting the opposition, we're fighting the term 'sanctions' all the time," Golden said. "It's sanctions and opposition versus us."
SPRING FOOTBALL: Updates with news, notes and analysis throughout the spring
There are not many silver linings to be found in Miami's ongoing battle with the NCAA – though public opinion is on the Hurricanes' side – but one, perhaps, is how the situation has only brought closer together a team and program recently defined by its mental fortitude. With no postseason berth on the line, Miami has reached bowl eligibility in each of the last two seasons, Golden's first with the university.
What's next? While waiting for the NCAA to make its final ruling on sanctions, the Hurricanes have the talent and experience needed to make headlines for its on-field product, not the off-field drama. For Miami, staying focused remains the key.
Spring dates: Miami kicks off practice on Mar. 2 and holds its spring game on Apr. 13.
MARYLAND: Terrapins look to avoid the injury bug and personnel depth
2012 record: 7-5 (5-3). The Hurricanes were outclassed only twice, in losses to Kansas State and Notre Dame. A loss to rival Florida State wasn't pretty, but Miami simply had a meltdown late.
Returning starters: 19 (10 offense, 9 defense). Yes, 19.
Five players to watch: OT Seantrel Henderson, TE Clive Walford, DE Anthony Chickillo, LB Denzel Perryman, K Matt Goudis.
Spring questions:
1. What to love? You can focus on sophomore running back Duke Johnson; I wouldn't blame you. You can pay attention to senior quarterback Stephen Morris, who went from an injury-related question mark to one of the most productive quarterbacks in the ACC. Here's what I love: Miami is big, strong and experienced on both lines. The offensive line is a behemoth, one led by a trio of seniors and pair of juniors with all-conference potential. The defensive line will start two seniors and two juniors, with more experience on the second level. Miami's matching fronts will win more battles than they lose in 2013.
HOUSTON: Down year doesn't change Cougars' expectations for 2013
2. How much will change? On offense, former Florida State assistant James Coley was hired to replace NFL-bound Jedd Fisch as Miami's coordinator. Coley is a wonderful recruiter – and he'll be a weapon for the Hurricanes – but he's only called plays once, for Florida International in 2007. Is Coley (and by extension, Miami) in line for a steep learning curve? In his defense, Coley soaked up all he could learn from Jimbo Fisher over his time with the Seminoles. Will Miami retain last year's explosiveness with him running the show?
Position battles:
1. Backup running back. Sublime as a freshman, Johnson will be more physically equipped to handle a larger workload in 2013. But he'll need to be spelled by a bruiser, which makes Miami's springtime search for a productive secondary option vital. Fellow sophomore Dallas Crawford will get his touches, but redshirt freshman Danny Dillard's size (210 pounds) will give him the opportunity to become the Hurricanes' change-of-pace option.
GEORGIA: Loaded on offense, Bulldogs must reload on the defensive side
2. Cornerback. Miami's pass defense made a substantial improvement in 2012, though the secondary will remain an area of concern until the group begins playing with more consistency during ACC play. Replacing cornerbacks Thomas McGee and Thomas Finnie will be a key task; Miami will also need to develop depth. While it would be a surprise to see anyone but sophomore Tracy Howard and junior Ladarius Gunter earn the starting nods, will Miami be too reliant true and redshirt freshmen to add depth at the position?
3. Kicker. Miami will audition sophomores Matt Goudis and Ricky Perez (and perhaps fellow sophomore Zach Costa) for the kicking job left vacant by Jake Wieclaw, who hit on 19 of his 26 field goals as a senior. There's something I've learned over the years, and it's simple and easy to follow: When it comes to kicking competitions, always bet on the guy who's on scholarship. That's Goudis, in this case.
Miami has no shortage of motivation in preparations for 2013
I wonder where Miami (Fla.) will find motivation heading into spring drills. I wonder…
Oh, right. Miami's motivation comes from within, coach Al Golden said on national signing day.
"We're not just fighting the opposition, we're fighting the term 'sanctions' all the time," Golden said. "It's sanctions and opposition versus us."
SPRING FOOTBALL: Updates with news, notes and analysis throughout the spring
There are not many silver linings to be found in Miami's ongoing battle with the NCAA – though public opinion is on the Hurricanes' side – but one, perhaps, is how the situation has only brought closer together a team and program recently defined by its mental fortitude. With no postseason berth on the line, Miami has reached bowl eligibility in each of the last two seasons, Golden's first with the university.
What's next? While waiting for the NCAA to make its final ruling on sanctions, the Hurricanes have the talent and experience needed to make headlines for its on-field product, not the off-field drama. For Miami, staying focused remains the key.
Spring dates: Miami kicks off practice on Mar. 2 and holds its spring game on Apr. 13.
MARYLAND: Terrapins look to avoid the injury bug and personnel depth
2012 record: 7-5 (5-3). The Hurricanes were outclassed only twice, in losses to Kansas State and Notre Dame. A loss to rival Florida State wasn't pretty, but Miami simply had a meltdown late.
Returning starters: 19 (10 offense, 9 defense). Yes, 19.
Five players to watch: OT Seantrel Henderson, TE Clive Walford, DE Anthony Chickillo, LB Denzel Perryman, K Matt Goudis.
Spring questions:
1. What to love? You can focus on sophomore running back Duke Johnson; I wouldn't blame you. You can pay attention to senior quarterback Stephen Morris, who went from an injury-related question mark to one of the most productive quarterbacks in the ACC. Here's what I love: Miami is big, strong and experienced on both lines. The offensive line is a behemoth, one led by a trio of seniors and pair of juniors with all-conference potential. The defensive line will start two seniors and two juniors, with more experience on the second level. Miami's matching fronts will win more battles than they lose in 2013.
HOUSTON: Down year doesn't change Cougars' expectations for 2013
2. How much will change? On offense, former Florida State assistant James Coley was hired to replace NFL-bound Jedd Fisch as Miami's coordinator. Coley is a wonderful recruiter – and he'll be a weapon for the Hurricanes – but he's only called plays once, for Florida International in 2007. Is Coley (and by extension, Miami) in line for a steep learning curve? In his defense, Coley soaked up all he could learn from Jimbo Fisher over his time with the Seminoles. Will Miami retain last year's explosiveness with him running the show?
Position battles:
1. Backup running back. Sublime as a freshman, Johnson will be more physically equipped to handle a larger workload in 2013. But he'll need to be spelled by a bruiser, which makes Miami's springtime search for a productive secondary option vital. Fellow sophomore Dallas Crawford will get his touches, but redshirt freshman Danny Dillard's size (210 pounds) will give him the opportunity to become the Hurricanes' change-of-pace option.
GEORGIA: Loaded on offense, Bulldogs must reload on the defensive side
2. Cornerback. Miami's pass defense made a substantial improvement in 2012, though the secondary will remain an area of concern until the group begins playing with more consistency during ACC play. Replacing cornerbacks Thomas McGee and Thomas Finnie will be a key task; Miami will also need to develop depth. While it would be a surprise to see anyone but sophomore Tracy Howard and junior Ladarius Gunter earn the starting nods, will Miami be too reliant true and redshirt freshmen to add depth at the position?
3. Kicker. Miami will audition sophomores Matt Goudis and Ricky Perez (and perhaps fellow sophomore Zach Costa) for the kicking job left vacant by Jake Wieclaw, who hit on 19 of his 26 field goals as a senior. There's something I've learned over the years, and it's simple and easy to follow: When it comes to kicking competitions, always bet on the guy who's on scholarship. That's Goudis, in this case.
