Someone Who Knows Things

[umfire2005]

Good post, @umfire2005. The DL was the single biggest disappointment this season.

One quibble- I don’t think it was the fanbase pumping up Bain. He was a top 50 player nationally in pretty much every preseason publication. My personal opinion is that he’s a legitimate talent whose body might be telling him to switch positions. He looks heavier than last year and he’s not a lazy guy.

To me, the only way we are going to land truly elite players (which I read as first rounders) is by building the brand back up. Ohio State signed Jeremiah Smith because they could point to perennial success. For us, building up the brand means consistent double-digit win seasons and NFL draft performance.

Clemson is the realistic model of a team who built up their brand. They were mediocre for decades. Then they started winning more and producing more pros. But they also developed a reputation for blowing games and dumb football. They signed better players and produced more pros until they had many elite players at the same time. Then came the breakthrough.

I expect us to have a relatively good draft year in April. That will help. We could potentially have Top 10 picks back-to-back with Ward and Mauigoa. Those examples will attract others.

It is essential that we don’t fall back to the 7, 8-win death cycle next year. The most important thing is staying relevant.

Thank you, and I think what you have said is true regarding the brand building. My concern is that the 7-8 win death cycle, as you call it, could have been broken this year. Let’s be honest THIS was the team and year that we should have truly begun the brand rebuild. The team had a household name at QB and a straightforward path to the playoff. But the loss to GT set the tone for the remainder of the year and every Miami fan who has been paying attention for the last two decades knew exactly how that loss would reverberate through the rest of the year. We lost momentum, we lost public awareness, and the narrative solidified: same old Miami, just with shinier parts.

I will await the transfer QB that’s coming but 7-8 wins next year is a lot more likely than 10. And with regard to the “wholesale changes” I mentioned, part of that is being more aggressive and ruthless. At OSU, Texas, Georgia etc. Guidry would have been shown the door the day after GT. He wasn’t and that lack of consequence is a hallmark of Miami football beginning with Coker. There are many other examples of this.

 

[ssvir]

Good post, @umfire2005. The DL was the single biggest disappointment this season.

One quibble- I don’t think it was the fanbase pumping up Bain. He was a top 50 player nationally in pretty much every preseason publication. My personal opinion is that he’s a legitimate talent whose body might be telling him to switch positions. He looks heavier than last year and he’s not a lazy guy.

To me, the only way we are going to land truly elite players (which I read as first rounders) is by building the brand back up. Ohio State signed Jeremiah Smith because they could point to perennial success. For us, building up the brand means consistent double-digit win seasons and NFL draft performance.

Clemson is the realistic model of a team who built up their brand. They were mediocre for decades. Then they started winning more and producing more pros. But they also developed a reputation for blowing games and dumb football. They signed better players and produced more pros until they had many elite players at the same time. Then came the breakthrough.

I expect us to have a relatively good draft year in April. That will help. We could potentially have Top 10 picks back-to-back with Ward and Mauigoa. Those examples will attract others.

It is essential that we don’t fall back to the 7, 8-win death cycle next year. The most important thing is staying relevant.

Need to use some of that UM Health money to get some difference makers.

I think the new President realizes that good football team = publicity and rising tide for everything UM related (# of applications raises academics, donations, etc).

 

[skyman]

I have written several times about the difference between good and elite. Miami fans have forgotten what great coaching and players look like in my opinion, and a tendency to overrate coaches/players sets this fan base up for disappointment constantly.


We finally saw what elite looks like: Cam Ward was better than advertised and showed that Dawson/Cristobal are not QB killers. The other elite player was Borregales IMO.

Great post overall but THIS is something that has been a problem for a LONG time, guys start hyping players after one good play/game. Or since most cant see practice reports we get some crazy reports hyping up players who not really like that.. I hope I never have to hear guys like ROsier hyped in practice again after seeing what a real NFL QB looks like at greentree, maybe its been a while but dam.

 

[dorsey1]

Winning simply elevates everything-

Been saying that for years-

You have to win-

Win 10 next year-

Less than that -

Forget success.

 

[armandose23]

Good post, @umfire2005. The DL was the single biggest disappointment this season.

One quibble- I don’t think it was the fanbase pumping up Bain. He was a top 50 player nationally in pretty much every preseason publication. My personal opinion is that he’s a legitimate talent whose body might be telling him to switch positions. He looks heavier than last year and he’s not a lazy guy.

To me, the only way we are going to land truly elite players (which I read as first rounders) is by building the brand back up. Ohio State signed Jeremiah Smith because they could point to perennial success. For us, building up the brand means consistent double-digit win seasons and NFL draft performance.

Clemson is the realistic model of a team who built up their brand. They were mediocre for decades. Then they started winning more and producing more pros. But they also developed a reputation for blowing games and dumb football. They signed better players and produced more pros until they had many elite players at the same time. Then came the breakthrough.

I expect us to have a relatively good draft year in April. That will help. We could potentially have Top 10 picks back-to-back with Ward and Mauigoa. Those examples will attract others.

It is essential that we don’t fall back to the 7, 8-win death cycle next year. The most important thing is staying relevant.

This is something I noticed with other guys as well. Mainly Kiko Mauigoa. Looks like they both gained some weight that might’ve affected their twitch and they’re not the same player(s) they were last year.

 

[Fox305]

I don’t post much as I am not as plugged into UM as I used to be. I wrote the above before the season and I thought it might be useful to look back.

Biggest disappointment for me is the DL. Should have been very good, was average. Internal issues played a role here, but I was wrong on this. We should have been a top unit and we were not.

Glad Arroyo delivered on all his promise. Lofton is a different style of player, but he looks strong.

Martinez was as advertised. Will miss him.

Safeties were godawful.

I am writing this because there are some wild narratives on this board, and I thought I’d throw my two cents in.

I have written several times about the difference between good and elite. Miami fans have forgotten what great coaching and players look like in my opinion, and a tendency to overrate coaches/players sets this fan base up for disappointment constantly.


We finally saw what elite looks like: Cam Ward was better than advertised and showed that Dawson/Cristobal are not QB killers. The other elite player was Borregales IMO.

Restrepo, Martinez were very good. Several OL played very well and that unit, while not elite, was very good. The offense AS A GROUP was elite. Should have made a playoff run with an elite side of the ball. We did not because we lost to teams we shouldn’t have, which is a Mario constant. He is who he has always been: a mediocre coach who recruits well. He’s Ron Zook, and NIL has eroded his recruiting advantage and so we are left with a mediocre coach with a mediocre overall football operations staff.

What about next year? We have a personnel problem — I see no room that has a chance of being elite, and several that will struggle to be average. Some posters seem to believe otherwise, which is fueling classic Miami fan delusion.

Reuben Bain is a perfect example. He had a very good freshman year, UM fans say he is elite and then he struggles his sophomore year (a Miami specialty) and now he “sucks”. Of course he doesn’t he just got
Immediately overrated by our fan base.

RB room is another example. I’ve read about how stacked we are at running back. Fletcher is an average ACC back, Lyle shows some promise. How is that stacked?

Ohio State has an elite player or an elite group at almost every position group. We will have zero next year.

We do not have the coaching acumen to overcome this. I like Dawson, think he is a good coordinator but not a magician. The offense will take a step back. DC is to be determined but an average defense, while an improvement, seems like the ceiling.

Miami needs more elite players. Whether portal or high school, we simply aren’t getting enough of them. We have had how many elite players in the past decade? 5, maybe? OSU has 3 this year. Player development at UM has been a problem for 20 years, across multiple coaches, and it continues today. But UM will not be back under Mario unless there are wholesale changes to the way UM approaches football. Cribby and others know what I mean.

Sorry for long post.

Thank you for the truth. Don’t need to add much.

Just simply, you spot on: Our fans see Flanagans food as gourmet (our players), when real gourmet dishes include a host of guys (Cam Ward/PSU/OSU/TX rosters) that we don’t have nearly enough.

Bain would be the 4th best Dlineman on PSU (in a hypo 4-3 unit). Same with every team remaining. Martinez was great. But only those 2, with Arroyo/X start for any playoff team remaining. No one else on this team plays. And truthfully, X with his profile only plays because his numbers he put up on here. If he joined any of the playoff team as a freshman, he likely transfers 1-2 times before even landing somewhere he can make an impact. We have C+/B level guys who get sold as B+/A- guys. This will be overwhelming true next year. Even the OL, it’s a B+ group if we talking individual talent. Capacity for A-. But they won’t Be better than OSU/MICH/ORE/TX/UGA as a unit overall.

 

[DMoney]

Bain would be the 4th best Dlineman on PSU (in a hypo 4-3 unit). Same with every team remaining. Martinez was great. But only those 2, with Arroyo/X start for any playoff team remaining. No one else on this team plays. And truthfully, X with his profile only plays because his numbers he put up on here. If he joined any of the playoff team as a freshman, he likely transfers 1-2 times before even landing somewhere he can make an impact. We have C+/B level guys who get sold as B+/A- guys. This will be overwhelming true next year. Even the OL, it’s a B+ group if we talking individual talent. Capacity for A-. But they won’t Be better than OSU/MICH/ORE/TX/UGA as a unit overall.

I think this is overstating things. We had the best offense in the nation. Statistically, it was by a wide margin. I'd put our OL against any of the OL in the playoffs aside from maybe Notre Dame. You already hit on guys like Ward, X and Arroyo.

On defense, the gap is huge and the NFL Draft will reflect that.

 

[Fox305]

I think this is overstating things. We had the best offense in the nation. Statistically, it was by a wide margin. I'd put our OL against any of the OL in the playoffs aside from maybe Notre Dame. You already hit on guys like Ward, X and Arroyo.

On defense, the gap is huge and the NFL Draft will reflect that.

I agree but the offense only performed at optimal level because of the genius play of Cam Ward. (A gourmet player). It’s not overstating, the issues that plagued the team existed. A sneak peek into the future was the 3rd quarter of the bowl game. With the lead Ward gave, we were able to attempt to play keep away and steal a drive with a run dominated TD led by the OL. The OL is losing a great VET center and we did thankfully replace him.

Yet, the inability of a QB to make off script plays, which will still be needed with the new WR/TE group was obvious and it derailed the strengths of the OL. It’s just hard to get run room when teams will stack the box 8-9 deep. Unless a serviceable QB is on tap, we just don’t have the proven hitters outside besides lofton and trader who can scare people. They will only be soph in impact games played. Need more seasoning likely.

The table just don’t look good right now. Yes we could get some unseen impact guys in the portal, but until then, as quiet as it is, we are on tap to take a huge step back. Plus, we have a projected tougher path next year with scheduling. 5 wins can happen, 7-8 wins, or 10. It’s a wide spectrum but you gotta steer towards the middle if we being rational.

 

[CANESCANES]

I’ve mentioned that all season, the DL was the biggest fraud on this team. Heading in to the season it was supposed to be among the best in the nation

They never came up with timely sacks, or turnovers

 

[DMoney]

I agree but the offense only performed at optimal level because of the genius play of Cam Ward. (A gourmet player). It’s not overstating, the issues that plagued the team existed. A sneak peek into the future was the 3rd quarter of the bowl game. With the lead Ward gave, we were able to attempt to play keep away and steal a drive with a run dominated TD led by the OL. The OL is losing a great VET center and we did thankfully replace him.

Yet, the inability of a QB to make off script plays, which will still be needed with the new WR/TE group was obvious and it derailed the strengths of the OL. It’s just hard to get run room when teams will stack the box 8-9 deep. Unless a serviceable QB is on tap, we just don’t have the proven hitters outside besides lofton and trader who can scare people. They will only be soph in impact games played. Need more seasoning likely.

The table just don’t look good right now. Yes we could get some unseen impact guys in the portal, but until then, as quiet as it is, we are on tap to take a huge step back. Plus, we have a projected tougher path next year with scheduling. 5 wins can happen, 7-8 wins, or 10. It’s a wide spectrum but you gotta steer towards the middle if we being rational.

No doubt, there is a lot of work to do. We can't go into spring expecting Emory to be the starter.

 

[grover]

No doubt, there is a lot of work to do. We can't go into spring expecting Emory to be the starter.

I feel like the program is actually in a better place right now than a year ago. The principle difference being we don’t have another Cam available. But if we fill the remaining 7 or so holes and one of those fills is a quality QB, we’ll be a well balanced team that can still make a run.

 

[JHallCanes]

Great post overall but THIS is something that has been a problem for a LONG time, guys start hyping players after one good play/game. Or since most cant see practice reports we get some crazy reports hyping up players who not really like that.. I hope I never have to hear guys like ROsier hyped in practice again after seeing what a real NFL QB looks like at greentree, maybe its been a while but dam.

Vicious cycle when the fans build up players and place expectations on them that often aren’t reality, and then trash the players for not living up to them

 

[Fox305]

No doubt, there is a lot of work to do. We can't go into spring expecting Emory to be the starter.

Totally agree.

That’s my biggest issue with everything even beyond how we finished.

If authoring THAT offense we just had doesn’t lead to us being able reel in a serviceable guy, then we are further back then we even envisioned.

PSU/OSU/ND all have stout trenches and defensive play, but one thing that can’t be overlooked is that Leonard, Allar , Howard will all at least be holding a clipboard on the NFL sidelines minimum. You can’t go anywhere with a guy that cant make plays at QB. Emory isnt that guy.

 

[canes461]

I feel like the program is actually in a better place right now than a year ago. The principle difference being we don’t have another Cam available. But if we fill the remaining 7 or so holes and one of those fills is a quality QB, we’ll be a well balanced team that can still make a run.

Offense: Lean on our running game more.
Defense: Total defensive schene and philosophy rebuild. Believe the LB's are athletic enough but need depth. DB's: Frederique and then....
Everything behind the DL looked like a jailbreak. The level of confusion and blown coverages was astounding.
On the upside: we did seem to tackle better. Still an area that needs work though...

Just one man's opinion.

 

[CanesSkins26]

No doubt, there is a lot of work to do. We can't go into spring expecting Emory to be the starter.

We can’t and yet here we are with options rapidly dwindling and no clear/obvious path for upgrading at the position. I’m sure there’s urgency behind the scenes, but how have we not even brought in one qb for a visit at this stage?

 

[Angry Ibis]

I don’t post much as I am not as plugged into UM as I used to be. I wrote the above before the season and I thought it might be useful to look back.

Biggest disappointment for me is the DL. Should have been very good, was average. Internal issues played a role here, but I was wrong on this. We should have been a top unit and we were not.

Glad Arroyo delivered on all his promise. Lofton is a different style of player, but he looks strong.

Martinez was as advertised. Will miss him.

Safeties were godawful.

I am writing this because there are some wild narratives on this board, and I thought I’d throw my two cents in.

I have written several times about the difference between good and elite. Miami fans have forgotten what great coaching and players look like in my opinion, and a tendency to overrate coaches/players sets this fan base up for disappointment constantly.


We finally saw what elite looks like: Cam Ward was better than advertised and showed that Dawson/Cristobal are not QB killers. The other elite player was Borregales IMO.

Restrepo, Martinez were very good. Several OL played very well and that unit, while not elite, was very good. The offense AS A GROUP was elite. Should have made a playoff run with an elite side of the ball. We did not because we lost to teams we shouldn’t have, which is a Mario constant. He is who he has always been: a mediocre coach who recruits well. He’s Ron Zook, and NIL has eroded his recruiting advantage and so we are left with a mediocre coach with a mediocre overall football operations staff.

What about next year? We have a personnel problem — I see no room that has a chance of being elite, and several that will struggle to be average. Some posters seem to believe otherwise, which is fueling classic Miami fan delusion.

Reuben Bain is a perfect example. He had a very good freshman year, UM fans say he is elite and then he struggles his sophomore year (a Miami specialty) and now he “sucks”. Of course he doesn’t he just got
Immediately overrated by our fan base.

RB room is another example. I’ve read about how stacked we are at running back. Fletcher is an average ACC back, Lyle shows some promise. How is that stacked?

Ohio State has an elite player or an elite group at almost every position group. We will have zero next year.

We do not have the coaching acumen to overcome this. I like Dawson, think he is a good coordinator but not a magician. The offense will take a step back. DC is to be determined but an average defense, while an improvement, seems like the ceiling.

Miami needs more elite players. Whether portal or high school, we simply aren’t getting enough of them. We have had how many elite players in the past decade? 5, maybe? OSU has 3 this year. Player development at UM has been a problem for 20 years, across multiple coaches, and it continues today. But UM will not be back under Mario unless there are wholesale changes to the way UM approaches football. Cribby and others know what I mean.

Sorry for long post.

Solid of you to revisit the post after the season to review.

I have written several times about the difference between good and elite. Miami fans have forgotten what great coaching and players look like in my opinion, and a tendency to overrate coaches/players sets this fan base up for disappointment constantly.

1000%

Should be bolded. Pinned. Remembered.

 

[Coach Macho]

I agree but the offense only performed at optimal level because of the genius play of Cam Ward. (A gourmet player). It’s not overstating, the issues that plagued the team existed. A sneak peek into the future was the 3rd quarter of the bowl game. With the lead Ward gave, we were able to attempt to play keep away and steal a drive with a run dominated TD led by the OL. The OL is losing a great VET center and we did thankfully replace him.

Yet, the inability of a QB to make off script plays, which will still be needed with the new WR/TE group was obvious and it derailed the strengths of the OL. It’s just hard to get run room when teams will stack the box 8-9 deep. Unless a serviceable QB is on tap, we just don’t have the proven hitters outside besides lofton and trader who can scare people. They will only be soph in impact games played. Need more seasoning likely.

The table just don’t look good right now. Yes we could get some unseen impact guys in the portal, but until then, as quiet as it is, we are on tap to take a huge step back. Plus, we have a projected tougher path next year with scheduling. 5 wins can happen, 7-8 wins, or 10. It’s a wide spectrum but you gotta steer towards the middle if we being rational.

Disagree a bit.

Arroyo is a freak and maybe the most talented TE in the country. Cam Ward isn't the reason he was killing defenses. The kid was wide open.

X was routing-up DB's long before Cam got here. 80% of the time that Cam threw to X, X was open. (cause of scheme or cause he killed a DB)

Cam is not the reason our OL was moving piles and not the reason defenders were melting off of Martinez.

I don't agree with any narrative that Cam is the only reason our offense was great. Was it better because of Cam? Absolutely. Mainly for his brain and ability to improvise when things broke down.

But there's some legit talent on offense.

 

[Cribby]

Disagree big time.

Arroyo is a freak and maybe the most talented TE in the country. Cam Ward isn't the reason he was killing defenses. The kid was wide open.

X was routing-up DB's long before Cam got here. 80% of the time that Cam threw to X, X was open. (cause of scheme or cause he killed a DB)

Cam is not the reason our OL was moving piles and not the reason defenders were melting off of Martinez.

I don't agree with any narrative that Cam is the only reason our offense was great. Was it better because of Cam? Absolutely. Mainly for his brain and ability to improvise when things broke down.

But there's some legit talent on offense.

Cam had all day to throw
Had guys wide open most times or separation
A great running game

Both parties needed each other and it was a partnership. There’s a reason he chose Miami. It wasn’t just Nil either. He was surrounded by players.

 

[TheOriginalCane]

Cam had all day to throw
Had guys wide open most times or separation
A great running game

Both parties needed each other and it was a partnership. There’s a reason he chose Miami. It wasn’t just Nil either. He was surrounded by players.

If only Mateer could have understood that. But he preferred to be surrounded by family and former coaches during his money year.

 

[ageezy]

Cam had all day to throw
Had guys wide open most times or separation
A great running game

Both parties needed each other and it was a partnership. There’s a reason he chose Miami. It wasn’t just Nil either. He was surrounded by players.

be careful ... the mopes don't like any narratives that don't include ward floating in from heaven unsolicited to save mario