Raphael Kirby making impressions

[CaneBoss]

Really excited to see this kid play extended snaps this upcoming year. Hoping he can come in and solitify at least one unit on the defense.

It wasn't quite as memorable as Micheal Barrow's hit on Florida State's Tamarick Vanover or even as bone-jarring as Jonathan Vilma's blow to Nebraska's Ben Zajicek.

But when sophomore middle linebacker Raphael Kirby laid out freshman tight end Standish Dobard with a vicious hit during last Friday's scrimmage in Naples it definitely evoked memories of the days when the Hurricanes had a nasty presence in the middle of its defense.

Kirby (6-0, 230) celebrated his hit by raising his arms in triumph while Dobard (6-4, 255) laid on the ground waiting for trainers to come check him out and escort him off the field. Except for the 15-yard penalty Kirby would have received for taunting on the hit, UM coach Al Golden said Tuesday he's liked just about everything he's seen from his sophomore middle linebacker this spring.

"Kirb is going to be good," Golden said. "He's a bright kid and he's a hard worker. He's got to get to the point where it's second nature and he's not thinking. He's getting there. He's made a lot of progress this spring. He's been in a black shirt the majority of the time.

"He shows up at scrimmages. He had three or four physical plays the other night. You know, the taunting notwithstanding, which obviously, in that situation we taunt, we give them 15 yards and it turns into a touchdown or whatever. And that's a lesson for the whole team. But that notwithstanding they played really physical the other night and we've just got to continue to move him forward. But I'm excited about Kirby."

Kirby, an early enrollee as a freshman, was well on his way to making an immediate impact last season when he injured his right knee during a fall scrimmage. He came back for the final seven games of the season and tallied just 16 tackles.

"When I came back I was probably like 75 percent," Kirby said Tuesday. "I pushed through it, played when they called my number and got the experience."

But playing at 75 percent was definitely frustrating. Kirby would often limp around and favor his left leg. Now at 100 percent, he's been splitting reps with senior Jimmy Gaines at middle linebacker.

He said he gained 15 pounds of muscle in the off-season and now bench presses the NFL-testing standard of 225 pounds a total of 28 reps (junior Denzel Perryman is tops among linebackers with 33 reps).

"This spring I've just been working on being more vocal and being very physical, playing attached, getting guys lined up and being a leader in the middle," Kirby said.

"My goal [in Saturday' spring game] is to go out and have fun, play fast and get to the football and make plays."

Kirby did that last Friday. Aside from his crushing blow on Dobard, he tallied five tackles and had a pass deflection in pass coverage. But that hit Dobard definitely left an impression. Coaches made Kirby run sprints for the final portion of the scrimmage after the hit. Kirby said he apologized to Dobard afterward and said there is no bad blood.

"I believe I can be that type of player," Kirby said of being a vicious hitter in Miami's defense. "You just have to play balls to the wall every play. You can make a lot of plays and be dynamic when you stick to your assignment."

> Defensive end Jelani Hamilton injured his knee during Tuesday's practice according to Golden.

"He got hurt in a warm up drill, went down to pick up a fumble and got hurt," Golden said. "I really have no idea [how long he will be out]. Non-contact injury. Obviously we're concerned about it. It's unfortunate. We're trying to reach his family to get an MRI. Definitely an injured leg."

> Former Hurricanes recruit Angelo Jean-Louis, now at Marshall, was arrested Tuesday morning on felony charges of using a stolen credit card to purchase roughly $25 worth of food at a 7-11.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umia...ing-impression-this-spring.html#storylink=cpy

 

[ScubaCane]

I've got high hopes for this kid, his HS film was nasty. LB corps of Kirby, Perryman and EJ(fingers crossed) would be nasty

 

[Trilla]

perryman needs to step it up! ppl been hypin him up on twitter too much causing his head to swell. keep it up Kirby

 

[LuCane]

Trying to reach Jelani's family for an MRI? What?

If that's a serious injury, he'll get a RS and be back next year probably closer to a DT.

 

[zoso493]

"You just have to play balls to the wall every play."

All I read.

 

[BrockBerlin]

Lol at that last line. What a disappointment, why waste all your potential like that?

 

[JHallCanes]

Kirby is going to have an EJ like jump up. He isn't EJs size but they both have that short area explosiveness that you need.

 

[Deleted User]

Trying to reach Jelani's family for an MRI? What?

I'm not sure, but this might have to do with insurance purposes. NY Times had a story the other day after the Ware injury, talking about how the families have to have their own medical insurance to cover certain things. They might have to get permission from the family before they can take him to a non-team trainer or doctor for an MRI. A lot of people don't realize that because it is an amateur sport, there is no workmen's comp insurance nor is the university required to provide any extra insurance coverage. Ware is lucky, because Louisville took out insurance policies on all their players going into the tournament, so he doesn't have to worry about any bills while he recovers and rehabs. Of course, it only covers him while he is still in school, so if he were graduating, Louisville would have no responsibility to continue to foot the bill for his rehab for the next year. When people continue to argue for keeping college athletics amateur sports, they fail to realize the benefits that the kids don't receive because they aren't employees and have no workers rights or protections. The NCAA continues to act like they have the kids best interests at heart, but they are just protecting schools from having to pay all the extra insurance premiums that go along with employees instead of student-athletes, not to mention the change in federal tax status that would result in huge bills as well.

 

[LuCane]

Trying to reach Jelani's family for an MRI? What?

I'm not sure, but this might have to do with insurance purposes. NY Times had a story the other day after the Ware injury, talking about how the families have to have their own medical insurance to cover certain things. They might have to get permission from the family before they can take him to a non-team trainer or doctor for an MRI. A lot of people don't realize that because it is an amateur sport, there is no workmen's comp insurance nor is the university required to provide any extra insurance coverage. Ware is lucky, because Louisville took out insurance policies on all their players going into the tournament, so he doesn't have to worry about any bills while he recovers and rehabs. Of course, it only covers him while he is still in school, so if he were graduating, Louisville would have no responsibility to continue to foot the bill for his rehab for the next year. When people continue to argue for keeping college athletics amateur sports, they fail to realize the benefits that the kids don't receive because they aren't employees and have no workers rights or protections. The NCAA continues to act like they have the kids best interests at heart, but they are just protecting schools from having to pay all the extra insurance premiums that go along with employees instead of student-athletes, not to mention the change in federal tax status that would result in huge bills as well.

It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

 

[Deleted User]

It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

Yeah, that article opened my eyes up. I'm curious to know what happens to some of those kids that get paralyzed. I bet they have to go on disability to help get by.

Anyway, sucks for Hamilton. Hope it isn't too serious.

I was a big fan of Kirby's coming in, glad to see he's stepping up now that he is healthy.

 

[umhurricane2511]

Anybody have a video of the hit?

 

[DeadPoets]

What's wrong with Kirby putting his hands up after a big hit?

 

[CyberCane]

Wait...are some of you implying that college football players, because they are amateurs, have to pay for their own medical expenses and/or insurance for injuries suffered during a game/practice? I can tell you that you are wrong. Yes, there are some that do, but they are the rare exception. Those exceptions are kids that might be able to get better coverage under their parents' plan and the school has to contact them prior to doing anything.

 

[CaneSB]

Trying to reach Jelani's family for an MRI? What?

I'm not sure, but this might have to do with insurance purposes. NY Times had a story the other day after the Ware injury, talking about how the families have to have their own medical insurance to cover certain things. They might have to get permission from the family before they can take him to a non-team trainer or doctor for an MRI. A lot of people don't realize that because it is an amateur sport, there is no workmen's comp insurance nor is the university required to provide any extra insurance coverage. Ware is lucky, because Louisville took out insurance policies on all their players going into the tournament, so he doesn't have to worry about any bills while he recovers and rehabs. Of course, it only covers him while he is still in school, so if he were graduating, Louisville would have no responsibility to continue to foot the bill for his rehab for the next year. When people continue to argue for keeping college athletics amateur sports, they fail to realize the benefits that the kids don't receive because they aren't employees and have no workers rights or protections. The NCAA continues to act like they have the kids best interests at heart, but they are just protecting schools from having to pay all the extra insurance premiums that go along with employees instead of student-athletes, not to mention the change in federal tax status that would result in huge bills as well.

fa
It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

You are all reading this quote completely out of context. They need the parents permission for many medical tests & procedures. It is a liability issue. These football players, especially at major programs, and especially at a school with such a prestigious hospital system, get there **** done for FREE

 

[UM2020]

Trying to reach Jelani's family for an MRI? What?

I'm not sure, but this might have to do with insurance purposes. NY Times had a story the other day after the Ware injury, talking about how the families have to have their own medical insurance to cover certain things. They might have to get permission from the family before they can take him to a non-team trainer or doctor for an MRI. A lot of people don't realize that because it is an amateur sport, there is no workmen's comp insurance nor is the university required to provide any extra insurance coverage. Ware is lucky, because Louisville took out insurance policies on all their players going into the tournament, so he doesn't have to worry about any bills while he recovers and rehabs. Of course, it only covers him while he is still in school, so if he were graduating, Louisville would have no responsibility to continue to foot the bill for his rehab for the next year. When people continue to argue for keeping college athletics amateur sports, they fail to realize the benefits that the kids don't receive because they aren't employees and have no workers rights or protections. The NCAA continues to act like they have the kids best interests at heart, but they are just protecting schools from having to pay all the extra insurance premiums that go along with employees instead of student-athletes, not to mention the change in federal tax status that would result in huge bills as well.

fa
It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

You are all reading this quote completely out of context. They need the parents permission for many medical tests & procedures. It is a liability issue. These football players, especially at major programs, and especially at a school with such a prestigious hospital system, get there **** done for FREE

Why would they need the parents permission if he is over 18?

 

[datdude81]

perryman needs to step it up! ppl been hypin him up on twitter too much causing his head to swell. keep it up Kirby

I think Perryman knows he is a beast and he will turn it up when its time... no need for all that

 

[sfowler06]

Trying to reach Jelani's family for an MRI? What?

I'm not sure, but this might have to do with insurance purposes. NY Times had a story the other day after the Ware injury, talking about how the families have to have their own medical insurance to cover certain things. They might have to get permission from the family before they can take him to a non-team trainer or doctor for an MRI. A lot of people don't realize that because it is an amateur sport, there is no workmen's comp insurance nor is the university required to provide any extra insurance coverage. Ware is lucky, because Louisville took out insurance policies on all their players going into the tournament, so he doesn't have to worry about any bills while he recovers and rehabs. Of course, it only covers him while he is still in school, so if he were graduating, Louisville would have no responsibility to continue to foot the bill for his rehab for the next year. When people continue to argue for keeping college athletics amateur sports, they fail to realize the benefits that the kids don't receive because they aren't employees and have no workers rights or protections. The NCAA continues to act like they have the kids best interests at heart, but they are just protecting schools from having to pay all the extra insurance premiums that go along with employees instead of student-athletes, not to mention the change in federal tax status that would result in huge bills as well.

fa
It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

You are all reading this quote completely out of context. They need the parents permission for many medical tests & procedures. It is a liability issue. These football players, especially at major programs, and especially at a school with such a prestigious hospital system, get there **** done for FREE

Why would they need the parents permission if he is over 18?

Because some insurances allow the child to stay on the parents insurance until the age of 26

 

[LuCane]

I'm not sure, but this might have to do with insurance purposes. NY Times had a story the other day after the Ware injury, talking about how the families have to have their own medical insurance to cover certain things. They might have to get permission from the family before they can take him to a non-team trainer or doctor for an MRI. A lot of people don't realize that because it is an amateur sport, there is no workmen's comp insurance nor is the university required to provide any extra insurance coverage. Ware is lucky, because Louisville took out insurance policies on all their players going into the tournament, so he doesn't have to worry about any bills while he recovers and rehabs. Of course, it only covers him while he is still in school, so if he were graduating, Louisville would have no responsibility to continue to foot the bill for his rehab for the next year. When people continue to argue for keeping college athletics amateur sports, they fail to realize the benefits that the kids don't receive because they aren't employees and have no workers rights or protections. The NCAA continues to act like they have the kids best interests at heart, but they are just protecting schools from having to pay all the extra insurance premiums that go along with employees instead of student-athletes, not to mention the change in federal tax status that would result in huge bills as well.

fa
It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

You are all reading this quote completely out of context. They need the parents permission for many medical tests & procedures. It is a liability issue. These football players, especially at major programs, and especially at a school with such a prestigious hospital system, get there **** done for FREE

Why would they need the parents permission if he is over 18?

Because some insurances allow the child to stay on the parents insurance until the age of 26

The point is I imagined he'd be covered by the school's insurance. If so, as an adult, he wouldn't need to have his parents sign anything.

 

[CyberCane]

fa
It's clearly a payor issue. I just thought these things were covered by the team. Very interesting.

You are all reading this quote completely out of context. They need the parents permission for many medical tests & procedures. It is a liability issue. These football players, especially at major programs, and especially at a school with such a prestigious hospital system, get there **** done for FREE

Why would they need the parents permission if he is over 18?

Because some insurances allow the child to stay on the parents insurance until the age of 26

The point is I imagined he'd be covered by the school's insurance. If so, as an adult, he wouldn't need to have his parents sign anything.

Even if your presented scenario is 100% accurate, you still don't think the school has an obligation to contact the parents first? Obviously he is legally an "adult" at 18, but the parents are still heavily involved.

 

[Canesfan1899]

"You just have to play balls to the wall every play."

All I read.

Loved that quote as well.