Some real talk. Lots of real talk...

[The Franchise]

IMO, today three plays enabled us to escape embarrassment -- Walford's fantastic grab, the personal foul on Duke's run on our second touchdown drive when it would have been third and long, and the questionable (in person, haven't seen TV coverage) pass interference on Wake Forest during our winning drive.

At first I thought this was a questionable call too since it looked like our player ran into their DB, but the announcer pointed out that you can not impede the offensive player and the DB did put himself in the WR's path (although probably not intentionally) while not making a play on the ball.

It was clearly PI. You want to talk about a bogus PI call, then go look at the one they hung on my paesan Antonio.

 

[Consigliere]

IMO, today three plays enabled us to escape embarrassment -- Walford's fantastic grab, the personal foul on Duke's run on our second touchdown drive when it would have been third and long, and the questionable (in person, haven't seen TV coverage) pass interference on Wake Forest during our winning drive.

At first I thought this was a questionable call too since it looked like our player ran into their DB, but the announcer pointed out that you can not impede the offensive player and the DB did put himself in the WR's path (although probably not intentionally) while not making a play on the ball.

It was clearly PI. You want to talk about a bogus PI call, then go look at the one they hung on my paesan Antonio.

I don't think the ball on Sabatos Jr. Is catchable either.

 

[The Franchise]

Next week we are going to be tested. I hope Coley can come up with a game plan to keep us competitive and the real Stephen Morris steps up.

I'm a true Cane fan, but it is going to take a perfect game and some luck to beat FSU.

Unfortunately, I think we've been seeing the real Steve Morris. He's an erratic guy, and the coaches seem to be at the point now where they've lost trust in him.

Got to agree with us seeing the real Morris because he has looked that way all year. I would love to see us borrow BC's game plan and try and run the ball down their throats.

I think you're going to see just that. We gotta hope Duke eats his spinach before the game and holds up. Seems like he's constantly getting little dings and nicks though he always managed to bounce back against WF. We need Duke to be a monster and carry us to victory. Simple as that.

If Duke doesn't play the best big game he's ever played (by far), then we'll lose. If Duke can go for 150 on the ground and house a kick we can do this. He needs to elevate his game and take over a game against a great opponent in order to put himself in the upper echelon of college football.

 

[The Franchise]

Regarding the speed issue, we have to prepare ourselves for the notion that some of this is by design. Offensively we don't have an Andre Johnson and we lack some depth but Duke, Dorsett, Hurns, Waters, and Coley is a foursome that we can take as upper echelon IMO. We're missing a dominant force and depth but that's ok given where we were.

The D is a different story. We definitely need more explosive players at safety no question. But up front we're a different team philosophically. We've always been built on undersized quick twitch players that penetrate and disrupt. Our last defensive system (and many prior) was all about getting upfield, disrupting the backfield, and pressuring the passer. We now have a philosophy built upon size, controlling the line of scrimmage, and keeping things in front of us. We substitute in some explosion but our base defense emphasizes size and physicality--275 lb ends, an interior plugger, and sizable backers. Perryman is a 6' linebacker that they ASKED to get to 240 lbs. When you think of our more explosive players, where will they play if they play consistently? McCord will probably be asked to get to 260 lbs and replace Shayon Green I think--the tradeoff will be some of his speed likely. Muhammad has no position next year he is unlikely to play except in pass rushing situations. Jermaine Grace can play nickel but I don't see him playing in our base defense until he's 230+ lbs. None of this is to say that we can't get more explosive defensively (especially in the secondary), but we don't look like we're interested in being the type of defense we've been historically. That's for better or worse it's all about the results.

I don't think we're being coached to be unathletic on D. I think we just are unathletic on D regardless of the size of the players. Alabama's big dudes look pretty athletic. We just need to recruit some better players on D, and we'll be fine. When guys like AJ and Cornileus and The Millionaire are logging major minutes you've got a problem you're trying to disguise.

 

[k9cane]

before Golden arrived, we would be out of shape in the 4th qtr, we were undersized, we would shut down, and sometimes even quit.

i like the trajectory of the program. we're not there yet, but we are sailing in the right direction

Exactly, looking at the big picture, Golden has done an examplary job here at UM. Nothing that happens next Sat night will change that.

But hey, lets bring our biggest Louisville Slugger and let'er rip.

I know our guys will do their best -as Golden says- to play like Miami Hurricanes and protect the brand...

 

[cubin10]

before Golden arrived, we would be out of shape in the 4th qtr, we were undersized, we would shut down, and sometimes even quit.

i like the trajectory of the program. we're not there yet, but we are sailing in the right direction

Exactly, looking at the big picture, Golden has done an examplary job here at UM. Nothing that happens next Sat night will change that.

But hey, lets bring our biggest Louisville Slugger and let'er rip.

I know our guys will do their best -as Golden says- to play like Miami Hurricanes and protect the brand...

They will give it 100%, hopefully play smart and shock the CFB world.

 

[SmokeyRone]

before Golden arrived, we would be out of shape in the 4th qtr, we were undersized, we would shut down, and sometimes even quit.

i like the trajectory of the program. we're not there yet, but we are sailing in the right direction

Exactly, looking at the big picture, Golden has done an examplary job here at UM. Nothing that happens next Sat night will change that.

But hey, lets bring our biggest Louisville Slugger and let'er rip.

I know our guys will do their best -as Golden says- to play like Miami Hurricanes and protect the brand...

Yes. No way they pull a Shannon quit job in the first 4 minutes like 2010 at home vs FSU.

 

[DC Dog Nuts]

Miami's best shot at beating FSU will be in the conference championship game. The Canes have no shot on Saturday. FSU is miles ahead of Miami right AND they are playing lights out currently.

What a ****y mentality.

That dude's a ****. I don't think he's a UM fan.

Nothing I said is untrue. FSU is peaking and Miami is sucking balls right now. Its tough to beat teams in rematches. Right now the two teams are far apart. Best shkt will be in a conf title champ game. You guys struggle with reality.

What you said is absolutely untrue. You said the Canes have "no shot on Saturday". That's where you come off as a ****. We will be a monster underdog, but we have a shot.

You're right, FSU will need to turn the ball over more than UF did and the entire team will have to play lights out for them to win. Sorry I didnt toe the company line on being a homer. Seriously, have you even been paying attention lately? Miami has a ton of holes, A TON. FSU is playing lights out and have been getting better. Can you really say the same for UM?

Like i said earlier, their true legit shot of beating FSU will be at the end of the year on a neautral field.

 

[NotoriousJJE]

Florida State has allowed 4 yards per play for three seasons running. That's an amazing range. Not enough fans or analysts grasp the significance. It means you are loaded on that side of the ball and your preparation and intensity level are terrific. I've been immensely jealous because I'm well aware of the margin for error attached, particularly now with a playmaker behind center. Florida State has been constructed toward physical legitimacy while we have pieced together a special player here and there. We'll need an inordinate number of breaks, ones that make no sense within the framework of a normal game.

This last paragraph is as real as it gets. No homerism here, but FSU has been building this for 3 or 4 years now since Bowden got out. We have just started to legitimately build it. We have an open road in front of us finally so we should make progress quickly but we lag behind them.

Everyone knows we have to play the game of our lives. Is going to be intense watching this game. If we lose, it wont surpirse any of us. If we win, not sure what we will all do. Regardless, this season has been an incredible success thus far and is only going to accelerate our return to the top by helping prove to those very players we need that Miami is back.

 

[The Franchise]

What a ****y mentality.

That dude's a ****. I don't think he's a UM fan.

Nothing I said is untrue. FSU is peaking and Miami is sucking balls right now. Its tough to beat teams in rematches. Right now the two teams are far apart. Best shkt will be in a conf title champ game. You guys struggle with reality.

What you said is absolutely untrue. You said the Canes have "no shot on Saturday". That's where you come off as a ****. We will be a monster underdog, but we have a shot.

You're right, FSU will need to turn the ball over more than UF did and the entire team will have to play lights out for them to win. Sorry I didnt toe the company line on being a homer. Seriously, have you even been paying attention lately? Miami has a ton of holes, A TON. FSU is playing lights out and have been getting better. Can you really say the same for UM?

Like i said earlier, their true legit shot of beating FSU will be at the end of the year on a neautral field.

You said "no shot," dyckhead. You were wrong. The rest of your post is your typical puerile blathering trying to get yourself over as the detached voice of reason. You're saying what everyone knows. FSU is a fcking 21 point favorite. Of course, they're supposed to beat the sht out of us. Any moron knows what is SUPPOSED to happen.

 

[CANE1775]

As an Auburn grad, I can't get the 94 Auburn/Florida game out of my head. Gators were ranked number one, at home, and favored by 17 points against #6 ranked Auburn. Plus, the Gators had the revenge factor going after being upset by Auburn the year before. AU jumped on them early, forced a boatload of turnovers resulting in the benching of heisman frontrunner Terry Dean, and ended up shocking the world with a last second TD to win the game. I'd give Able's left nut for a similar outcome against FSU this weekend.

 

[k9cane]

As an Auburn grad, I can't get the 94 Auburn/Florida game out of my head. Gators were ranked number one, at home, and favored by 17 points against #6 ranked Auburn. Plus, the Gators had the revenge factor going after being upset by Auburn the year before. AU jumped on them early, forced a boatload of turnovers resulting in the benching of heisman frontrunner Terry Dean, and ended up shocking the world with a last second TD to win the game. I'd give Able's left nut for a similar outcome against FSU this weekend.

Im with ya, and 1775, Id give your left nut for an upset in Tally..

 

[weownfsu]

I'd give 1775's right nut. Talk about the ultimate sacrifice for a true 'Cane warrior, my man 1775.

 

[DC Dog Nuts]

That dude's a ****. I don't think he's a UM fan.

Nothing I said is untrue. FSU is peaking and Miami is sucking balls right now. Its tough to beat teams in rematches. Right now the two teams are far apart. Best shkt will be in a conf title champ game. You guys struggle with reality.

What you said is absolutely untrue. You said the Canes have "no shot on Saturday". That's where you come off as a ****. We will be a monster underdog, but we have a shot.

You're right, FSU will need to turn the ball over more than UF did and the entire team will have to play lights out for them to win. Sorry I didnt toe the company line on being a homer. Seriously, have you even been paying attention lately? Miami has a ton of holes, A TON. FSU is playing lights out and have been getting better. Can you really say the same for UM?

Like i said earlier, their true legit shot of beating FSU will be at the end of the year on a neautral field.

You said "no shot," dyckhead. You were wrong. The rest of your post is your typical puerile blathering trying to get yourself over as the detached voice of reason. You're saying what everyone knows. FSU is a fcking 21 point favorite. Of course, they're supposed to beat the sht out of us. Any moron knows what is SUPPOSED to happen.

Don't worry, I still said it. I just dressed it up nicely for you.

 

[Pennmed Canefan]

Regarding the speed issue, we have to prepare ourselves for the notion that some of this is by design. Offensively we don't have an Andre Johnson and we lack some depth but Duke, Dorsett, Hurns, Waters, and Coley is a foursome that we can take as upper echelon IMO. We're missing a dominant force and depth but that's ok given where we were.

The D is a different story. We definitely need more explosive players at safety no question. But up front we're a different team philosophically. We've always been built on undersized quick twitch players that penetrate and disrupt. Our last defensive system (and many prior) was all about getting upfield, disrupting the backfield, and pressuring the passer. We now have a philosophy built upon size, controlling the line of scrimmage, and keeping things in front of us. We substitute in some explosion but our base defense emphasizes size and physicality--275 lb ends, an interior plugger, and sizable backers. Perryman is a 6' linebacker that they ASKED to get to 240 lbs. When you think of our more explosive players, where will they play if they play consistently? McCord will probably be asked to get to 260 lbs and replace Shayon Green I think--the tradeoff will be some of his speed likely. Muhammad has no position next year he is unlikely to play except in pass rushing situations. Jermaine Grace can play nickel but I don't see him playing in our base defense until he's 230+ lbs. None of this is to say that we can't get more explosive defensively (especially in the secondary), but we don't look like we're interested in being the type of defense we've been historically. That's for better or worse it's all about the results.

I don't think we're being coached to be unathletic on D. I think we just are unathletic on D regardless of the size of the players. Alabama's big dudes look pretty athletic. We just need to recruit some better players on D, and we'll be fine. When guys like AJ and Cornileus and The Millionaire are logging major minutes you've got a problem you're trying to disguise.

Nobody is coached to be unathletic. The point is that I do believe that Golden puts a major priority on size and less so on speed especially when we're talking about our D--our offense could run with many of our best offenses on a track they just don't have the depth. We've heard him speak ad nauseum either lamenting (past) or endorsing (now) the size of the team. You rarely hear him talk about the speed. Maybe that's because he can control one moreso than the other with his personnel and can only control the other with new recruits. Nonetheless, my sense is that he wants a big, rugged, physical team and the typical Miami strengths (speed and disruption) are not at his forefront. To compound this, we run a defense that is very un-aggressive by our standards. This is an engaging defense that controls the LOS reasonably but it is not an upfield attacking system that wants to disrupt the backfield. That's a contrast to many of our prior defenses including those of our most recent glory days that played the run on the way to the quarterback and lived in the backfield. Those defenses looked fast because they were fast, but they also played fast stylistically. I think our current system makes some guys look slower than another would. I don't care either way I only care about results, but that's my view.

In the end, if Golden/D stay around for awhile, I think it will be a true rarity that you hear fans talking about how we're too small. If anything we're asking guys like Chick and Perryman and Gaines and Rodgers to get BIGGER than maybe they even should be. We're hardly cutting weight anywhere. But I don't think it'll be all that rare that people discuss our speed. That's the polar opposite of the way we've been traditionally and it's a philosophical change.

 

[stat1124]

We seriously might need to go to Nickel against that offense and put another DB out on the field. That passing game is lethal. Great post by the way!

 

[CANE1775]

Personally, I think where we're lacking, and what Golden is trying to address, is the LB position. We have guys coming in that look pretty darn explosive if you ask me. I also think that's where Bama has excelled at as well. Their LB's have been monsters. So while they haven't had a great amount of fast and explosive DL, what they have had were big fast and explosive LB's. Let the DL hold the fort, while the LB wreak havoc.

 

[nyibis]

Regarding the speed issue, we have to prepare ourselves for the notion that some of this is by design. Offensively we don't have an Andre Johnson and we lack some depth but Duke, Dorsett, Hurns, Waters, and Coley is a foursome that we can take as upper echelon IMO. We're missing a dominant force and depth but that's ok given where we were.

The D is a different story. We definitely need more explosive players at safety no question. But up front we're a different team philosophically. We've always been built on undersized quick twitch players that penetrate and disrupt. Our last defensive system (and many prior) was all about getting upfield, disrupting the backfield, and pressuring the passer. We now have a philosophy built upon size, controlling the line of scrimmage, and keeping things in front of us. We substitute in some explosion but our base defense emphasizes size and physicality--275 lb ends, an interior plugger, and sizable backers. Perryman is a 6' linebacker that they ASKED to get to 240 lbs. When you think of our more explosive players, where will they play if they play consistently? McCord will probably be asked to get to 260 lbs and replace Shayon Green I think--the tradeoff will be some of his speed likely. Muhammad has no position next year he is unlikely to play except in pass rushing situations. Jermaine Grace can play nickel but I don't see him playing in our base defense until he's 230+ lbs. None of this is to say that we can't get more explosive defensively (especially in the secondary), but we don't look like we're interested in being the type of defense we've been historically. That's for better or worse it's all about the results.

I don't think we're being coached to be unathletic on D. I think we just are unathletic on D regardless of the size of the players. Alabama's big dudes look pretty athletic. We just need to recruit some better players on D, and we'll be fine. When guys like AJ and Cornileus and The Millionaire are logging major minutes you've got a problem you're trying to disguise.

Nobody is coached to be unathletic. The point is that I do believe that Golden puts a major priority on size and less so on speed especially when we're talking about our D--our offense could run with many of our best offenses on a track they just don't have the depth. We've heard him speak ad nauseum either lamenting (past) or endorsing (now) the size of the team. You rarely hear him talk about the speed. Maybe that's because he can control one moreso than the other with his personnel and can only control the other with new recruits. Nonetheless, my sense is that he wants a big, rugged, physical team and the typical Miami strengths (speed and disruption) are not at his forefront. To compound this, we run a defense that is very un-aggressive by our standards. This is an engaging defense that controls the LOS reasonably but it is not an upfield attacking system that wants to disrupt the backfield. That's a contrast to many of our prior defenses including those of our most recent glory days that played the run on the way to the quarterback and lived in the backfield. Those defenses looked fast because they were fast, but they also played fast stylistically. I think our current system makes some guys look slower than another would. I don't care either way I only care about results, but that's my view.

In the end, if Golden/D stay around for awhile, I think it will be a true rarity that you hear fans talking about how we're too small. If anything we're asking guys like Chick and Perryman and Gaines and Rodgers to get BIGGER than maybe they even should be. We're hardly cutting weight anywhere. But I don't think it'll be all that rare that people discuss our speed. That's the polar opposite of the way we've been traditionally and it's a philosophical change.

Thanks for this. I'll add my .02 if you don't mind.
For at least the past two years we lost almost exclusively because of our inability to stop the run.
We couldn't recruit the top rated Dline and LBs so Al did the best he could do.
He then did what we all thought he should do and went JUCO for some stout Dline. These weren't 4 and 5 star guys but they were mature strong men.
We now stop the run inside and almost all our opponents give up trying to run inside and try to exploit our edges.
GT and NC gave up and GT and WF tried to scheme their way past us.
Great job by Al and the staff. I'm very happy with the results.
I'm sure he will address the edges next.

GO CANES!!!! BEAT THE noles!!!!!

 

[RiDLer80]

We seriously might need to go to Nickel against that offense and put another DB out on the field. That passing game is lethal. Great post by the way!

It's a **** shame that this even needs to be said.

D'ohno is a liability.

 

[The Franchise]

Personally, I think where we're lacking, and what Golden is trying to address, is the LB position. We have guys coming in that look pretty darn explosive if you ask me. I also think that's where Bama has excelled at as well. Their LB's have been monsters. So while they haven't had a great amount of fast and explosive DL, what they have had were big fast and explosive LB's. Let the DL hold the fort, while the LB wreak havoc.

Exactly. We also need a huge infusion of athletic ability into the Safety corps.