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Overall thoughts from camp

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Let’s Go….

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I’m cool with the secrets and thanks for the info, but I can wait until Saturday to tell the whole tale, I’m not that anxious. Go Canes!!
 
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CaliforniaCanes said:
I want Restrepo back there at PR for UF....

I just trust the guy.
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We have to be mistake free, especially on the other side of the field. Crowd and momentum will be huge. Still think we are far superior across the board. No turnovers, we crush them.

And of course, after last season, I will definitely worry about the officiating.
 
umhurricano said:
Would be awesome if @DMoney is catalouging these observations he can't share and time stamps them for distribution later. With so many years of, "this team is different" and then it isn't, it would be quite satifsying to look at the analysis and have it be right.

I was telling a friend the other day about how I used to intercept my dad's Canesport at the mailbox. We lived in NC and had dialup internet, so it was really the only lifeline to Canes football. I distinctly remember the write up on the 2000 team that spring and you could just tell the writer thought something was different about the team. Wish I had kept that copy.
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Same.

I even remember getting a newspaper like version back when Ray Lewis was being recruited. May have been Canesport, but it came 'NY Post' newspaper style. Still remember reading the article because it stated how he was a HS state wrestling champion. I was sold before he even stepped on the field for us. How times have changed!
 
DMoney said:
I've been more secretive than usual about camp because our first game is against the Gators. It's frustrating as a fan because I want to share the goods with the community. And it's frustrating as a business owner because camp info generates more engagement. But my first, second, and third goal is for the Canes to succeed, and I want to do what's best for the program. So we've been very careful.

With all these disclaimers, there are still nuggets from camp I can share. I tried to include as much as possible below. If someone isn't named specifically, that doesn't mean they're injured, doing bad, or buried next to Jimmy Hoffa. I just tried to focus on specific things, position-by-position. It will lean more positive and avoid injury/depth chart talk, for obvious reasons. The opposing team's support staff scours these reports. As always, this is based on direct observation and sourcing:

- Emory Williams is vastly improved from where he was in spring. I think I underplayed his arm injury. He looks crisper, more decisive, and more consistent. Time will tell if he's talented enough to be the guy, but he's a guy that can get us through games. And since we're leading with Emory, I'll pre-empt the expected question- Yes, Cam Ward is fine and looks like Cam Ward.

- Judd Anderson is working with the third and fourth team but has shown flashes. He's led multiple touchdown drives and made big throws. He has the ability to both drive the ball and layer it when necessary. He's still very much a developmental player, particularly in terms of consistent decision-making and timing. Overall, there is still a lot for him to prove in order to be a P4 quarterback. But at least you can see the vision.

- The RB room is one of the deepest on the team. Damien Martinez has more speed than I expected and is a legitimate threat to score from 50+ yards out. Ajay Allen played through a shoulder injury last year and looks healthier in camp. He's someone who is conscientious and works on his game, so it's not a surprise to see improvement. He seems to have more explosion than he had last year. Jordan Lyle is a complete back who can play right away. There are no real holes in his game, but the areas that standout the most are his balance and short-area quickness at his size. Chris Johnson has made multiple long TD runs and can change the scoreboard with one play.

- I expect all four top tight ends (Elijah Arroyo, Riley Williams, Cam McCormick, Elija Lofton) to play and have a significant role.

- The buzz on Sam Brown is real. Multiple people feel he is the best WR on the team and an impact NFL prospect. Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George are the same as you remember. Isaiah Horton continues to emerge and look like an NFL receiver with the ability to stretch the field, run after the catch, and use his body over the middle. He's a driven worker with a lot of physical ability. RayRay Joseph is another guy who has seen his hard work pay off. He will factor on this team as a receiver and returner. His physical strength and balance play up in full-contact settings.

- I do not expect a drop off on the offensive line. A couple players who have received a workload increase are Ryan Rodriguez (as a do-it-all player) and Tommy Kinsler (getting reps at tackle and guard).

- On the defensive line, two names that are standing out and getting praised by coaches are Anthony Campbell and Cole McConathy. Campbell has really taken a step forward with his body, technique and power. McConathy looks to be a steal. He is more fluid and coordinated than your average big white guy.

- This unit has physically transformed more than any position on the team, OL excluded. A couple things that have caught my attention: Jaylin Alderman has put on some muscle, and Chase Smith looks healthier and more productive than years past. I expect him to be a special teams monster and push on defense. One of the most improved players is freshman Adarius Hayes. Ever since the pads came on in spring, his physicality and instincts have stood out. He's getting more and more playing time as a thumper in the run game.

- The talk of camp has been Romanas "OJ" Frederique. As with McConathy, CanesInSight was the first to report Miami's interest in Frederique. We also reported him standing out in summer workouts. But none of that prepared me for his performance in camp. He is a truly gifted corner with patience, length, fluidity, speed and the ability to take away the ball. He has a huge future on the outside and will play a ton over the course of the year. The nickel position is a major topic of discussion, and I expect to see different players in there. I don't think it will be one guy.

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great write up @DMoney
 
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Bunker Mentality said:
All great news but this really stands out for me; his highlights didn't demonstrate break-away ability or exceptional short-area speed, so this is cool to read.
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As Franchise noted with the x, you are wrong. I’m not sure what highlights you were watching but had more big runs then all of our backs combined. And we apparently had a top 15 Oline unlike Oregon St.
 
FrancisSawyer said:
This squad and its capabilities are so much more than "No seriously, this is our year!" What I'll say is that if you have been fooled into believing that Miami would be a 10plus win team or whatever metric you used for the past 20 years then you are just naive. I get some of those years but all 20? I get that you are probably just being facetious, however....

If you can't see or are unable to say that this is the best roster we have had in 20 years without resorting to the type of obnoxious disclaimer seen above then have an issue with objectivity. Do we have a couple of weaknesses? Sure we do. Are they crippling weaknesses? No. Are we assured of winning the ACC? No. Are we assured of making the 12 team playoff? No.

Most of those teams the past 20 years had issues with either or a combination of QB, OL, DL, LB, CB, Safety and WR. Then add to that an Admin who never cared to spend the money required to compete, locker room cancers, below average staffs, sub par facilities etc..... Richt was well past his prime, obviously burnt out after 15 year in the $EC and showing all the early signs of dementia. Despite this he did his best to stem the tide of systemic incompetence for 3 years before Diaz nearly wiped out every gain coach Richt had made and that's an accomplishment. It should be noted thst instead of holding UM hostage over what was contractually owed him, he just stepped down because he knew we couldn't afford a pricey buyout at that time. For this reason, his name should always be spoken with respect.

If you have the new Athlons College Football magazine(I think it's Athlons). There is a quote from an anonymous ACC assistant coach. He said there's great talent here but the issue is coaching. Mario has to make it happen. This is all on him and the staff. This isn't exactly news however I truly do think Cristobal and staff are up to the task. This is the best staff we have had at Miami in a long time(I'd say over 20 years.)
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Could not have said it any better.

I think over the past 20 years, all of us were wishing, hoping, and praying for the Miami of old to return. Deep down some or most of us knew there were glaring holes on the team & staff that weren't being filled and an administration who could have cared less if they were filled or not.

On paper, this team is as close to loaded as you can get. TBH I am still skeptical even with all the talent. I honestly won't be convinced this a good team until they are 7,8,9-0.
 
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caneULM said:
Could not have said it any better.

I think over the past 20 years, all of us were wishing, hoping, and praying for the Miami of old to return. Deep down some or most of us knew there were glaring holes on the team & staff that weren't being filled and an administration who could have cared less if they were filled or not.

On paper, this team is as close to loaded as you can get. TBH I am still skeptical even with all the talent. I honestly won't be convinced this a good team until they are 7,8,9-0.
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I get it man. I really do. I really hate to say this but Mario and his game management struggles are the only think preventing me from being much more confident. Oh the talent is there that's for sure but can Mario get the monkey off his back? I know how daunting psychological hurdles can be to overcome. You never really get over it until you prove it to yourself. This game at Florida will be one of the proofs. Then if we go into VT undefeated then that will be another proof. @Cal will be another and at Louisville another with FSU another. What's going to help Mario is that the players will have his back and that is huge. Uh pause? I think.
 
AUcane said:
+1

I think Clark and Barrow are solid. Beyond that makes me nervous. Moten is ok but haven't seen much flash. I think he can be a nice rotational guy. I am super nervous if our DT3 is Cook, who is undersized.
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Bain + Mesidor.
Yall are underestimating how much Bain was used inside last year and will be used inside this year.
 
Brooklyndee said:
I notice you've mentioned several times about your access or observations etc. I hope you don't think I was directing that comment towards you about MOST people we read all these reports from camp & how people are trending, that info comes from people with very limited access. Not at all a shot towards you. If I had any issue with you brother where I felt that comment would've been necessary to make I wouldn't be on this site. To be specific that comment was towards vermin(specifically)Gabby,Chris stock etc. these guys who make it seem like they sit out at our practices and observe first hand how great one thing to the next looks. No issue at all with u hermano. @DMoney
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I think he was just responding in general to the overall discussion that was about that in the thread...
 
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