From Barry Jackson's Saturday Sports Buzz:
CANES CHATTER
### We hear Herb Waters and Philip Dorsett were among those who were impressive in UM’s scrimmage Friday night. (There was a high-school presence at the closed scrimmage, so it’s inevitable that a few details leak.)
Waters caught two long passes, and Dorsett caught a long pass down the sideline. Freshman Stacy Coley caught two TD passes from Ryan Williams – that’s the only specific detail that UM announced about the scrimmage. UM people reiterate that Coley is too good to keep off the field this season. Coley has even taken some first team snaps.
Expect Coley, Waters, Allen Hurns, Rashawn Scott, Phillip Dorsett and Malcolm Lewis all to play this season.
Offensive coordinator James Coley said there’s certainly enough snaps to use at least six receivers because UM expects to play at a quick tempo and expects to get a lot of offensive plays.
Dorsett figures to be the primary punt returner, but UM people expect Coley could eventually be a factor there.
### Tight end Clive Walford has been very impressive and did a lot of damage in the middle of the field Friday night. Asante Cleveland and Beau Sandland have had their moments in camp and each will play. Sandland is much improved from the spring. And Coley seems to value Cleveland more than Jedd Fisch did.
### Al Golden said he wants to see a big back emerge as a backup option behind Duke Johnson. But it hasn’t happened yet, with Gus Edwards not yet cleared to practice because of an NCAA Clearinghouse issue, and Danny Dillard not asserting himself. (Dillard has to be more physical.) So it wouldn’t be surprising if fullback Maurice Hagens gets some short yardage carries.
We hear Dallas Crawford and Eduardo Clements have been the best backup running backs so far. Clements is showing no effects of the neck injury that sidelined him for many months, until recently.
### Former Wisconsin defensive end David Gilbert has displayed quickness off the edge in his first week of practice. He might begin his UM career as a pass rush specialist initially, but it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually challenges Shayon Green for a starting job. Green is valued more by UM coaches than by many fans, who are understandably troubled by the fact he didn’t have a single sack last season.
### The third down pass rush package should be much better, with Gilbert, impressive freshman Al-Quadin Muhammad and improved Tyriq McCord. UM keeps experimenting with combinations there. Defensive end/tackle Ufomba Kamalu still needs time to learn the system after sitting out the first week of practice while awaiting NCAA clearance.
### The linebacker battle between Thurston Ambrister and Alex Figueroa keeps swinging back and forth, with both making plays at different times in the past two weeks.
### Jimmy Gaines remains ahead of Raphael Kirby for the middle linebacker job.
### We hear the UM defensive backfield clearly misses Deon Bush’s athleticism and play-making. Golden said he expects him back for the opener, after sports hernia surgery in May.
### Defensive tackle Luther Robinson is an excellent shape and playing well. His improvement – and his value to this team – have risen markedly in the past year.
### UM did not crack the AP top 25, announced Saturday, and finished fourth in "others receiving votes." So UM was essentially ranked 29th.
Read more here:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...notes-entering-texans-game.html#storylink=cpy