forums

The Bank (8/3)

View as article
Advertisement
This is a great problem to have but assume Kinsler takes a shirt this year, what happens next year when him, Samson and Francis battle it out? I assume Francis isnt going anywhere barring injury, my fear would be Kinsler wins and Samson is forced to look elsewhere to get PT? Basically it is great to have 3 first round OL on the roster, it is a little bit of an issue when all 3 can only play two positions. I wonder if Kinsler gets a shot at guard due to his size.
 
Cookie917 said:
This is a great problem to have but assume Kinsler takes a shirt this year, what happens next year when him, Samson and Francis battle it out? I assume Francis isnt going anywhere barring injury, my fear would be Kinsler wins and Samson is forced to look elsewhere to get PT? Basically it is great to have 3 first round OL on the roster, it is a little bit of an issue when all 3 can only play two positions. I wonder if Kinsler gets a shot at guard due to his size.
Click to expand...
Kinsler is a guard, Samson and Francis OTs. Why would you RS Kinsler? W/ our lack of depth, if healthy, he should be in the 7-8 man rotation immediately.
 
DMoney said:
We may take a while, but we are always on time. Loaded Bank this week since I will be in vacation in Washington state. I'll still be posting practice updates as I watch the whales, and I’ll be giving direct practice reports once I’m back the following week.

- Let’s start with the big stuff. Those who follow the Bank know what happens when I get a cryptic message. Last time, I was told to expect fireworks in the next week. We landed JoJo Trader and Artavius Jones. This time, I was told to “stay ready over the next thirty days.” I sense a lot of quiet confidence in a major move up the recruiting rankings.

- Miami remains firmly in the mix for DE Colin Simmons (Dallas) and DT David Stone (IMG). On Simmons, note that LSU’s defensive line coach just took medical leave.

- I continue to feel extremely good about S Zaquan Patterson (Chaminade).

- Miami is battling Georgia and Tennessee for LB Chris Cole (Salem, VA), but the rumored Georgia commitment never happened. They may be playing some games there. Miami continues to feel they are right in it.

- A lot of people thought DE Elias Rudolph (Cincinnati) might flip on his secret visit on the BBQ. His visit was set up for a long time and I alluded to it on the Bank. That didn’t happen, and he has returned to Ohio at a school with some Michigan ties. We are still working and there is mutual interest.

- Miami continues to chip away at DT Kamarion Franklin (Memphis). He brought his grandmother on his last visit and she loved it. Franklin is dealing with a lot in recruiting and may be having a hard time saying no. Miami remains in the thick of the battle.

- RB Kevin Riley (Tuscaloosa) worked out on his visit and I’m told it was the best camp workout of the Cristobal Era. Alvin Kamara comps. Recruiting is recruiting but his commitment is currently very strong. Encouraging visit.

- As we first reported on June 1, Miami is intrigued by CB Jamil Watkins (Vanguard) and he has an offer.

- OL Eddie Pierre-Louis (Tampa) had a great visit. He enjoys the process, so I don’t sense anything is imminent there.

- Not a lot going on with CB Jaylen Heyward (Rockledge). This is just my speculation, but he may have been frustrated with all the due diligence. But it was necessary.

- Miami loves their new center commit Nino Francavilla (Canada). More often than you’d think, coaches are afraid to be the first offer for a player. Francavilla drew rave reviews at every camp but didn’t get the immediate offer, even at Miami. But the more our coaches watched film and looked at the measurables, they decided they needed him in this class. And they have enough credibility at the position to make that kind of offer with confidence.

- Turning to this year’s team, the phrase I heard was “night and day.” We’ve all heard that before, and we'll believe it when we see it. It’s also extremely early. But I’m told the size difference is obvious at multiple positions, especially OL and LB.

- Miami feels they landed three first round OLs in last year’s class. Francis Mauigoa is already one of the best players on the team, Samson Okunlola made perhaps the biggest leap of anyone over the summer and Tommy Kinsler looks like a freak show at tackle. Antonio Tripp and Frankie Tinilau are out with injury (back for Tinilau).

- Another name that keeps drawing raves from scouts and coaches is DT Branson Deen (Purdue transfer). His commitment flew under the radar because we were looking for a bigger DT, but this is a draftable player with outstanding leverage, twitch and effort. I was blown away when I watched his Big 10 film.

- The Jadais Richard buzz is real. He is a starter, and the only challenge now is finding out where. He can play corner, nickel or safety. Jaden Davis is another guy who looks like he will start somewhere. This will be an interesting position to watch in terms of who plays where.

- One position that has shown particular improvement- wide receiver. Colby Young and Xavier Restrepo are hard workers and it shows. Jacolby George has had a good offseason and is flashing his starter-quality talent. Guys like Breshard Smith have also flashed. If you are looking for a potential superstar from the group, nobody brings a better combination of athleticism and character than RayRay Joseph.

- Still a lot of mystery surrounding OT Zion Nelson. The same guys who expected him to be good for camp don’t know what is going on with him now.

- People who have been critical of S James Williams in the past are liking his first few practices. He has great energy, looks healthy and is performing well at S and OLB.

- QB Emory Williams drew a lot of buzz for his performance during the media portion of practice, and I am told it has carried on to the closed sessions. A lot of people are interested to see how he performs the rest of camp.

- RBs Mark Fletcher and Ajay Allen have carried over their strong offseasons. Pads will be the true test for that group. DT Josh Horton is another name that consistently draws praise.
Click to expand...
Always appreciate the D$ articles, but especially agreed with this part:


"We’ve all heard that before, and we'll believe it when we see it."
 
Combo said:
Kinsler is a guard, Samson and Francis OTs. Why would you RS Kinsler? W/ our lack of depth, if healthy, he should be in the 7-8 man rotation immediately.
Click to expand...
well judging by D$ OP he said "Kinsler looks like a freak show at tackle".... why would you take a freak show at tackle and play him at guard?

I am saying shirt Kinsler because barring injuries, he should not need to play in more than 4 games. I also doubt he is immediately ready at the start of the season, he was not as polished as Samson and not as strong as Francis and looks like he needs some time to reshape his body. Regardless during the season I doubt he upends Cohen at LG, RG potentially but why play him just to get a few snaps in 7-8 games? Let him get some good burn in 4 games as part of a cohesive unit. Also the way Mario runs the OL he doesnt really sub out unless there are injuries.
 
Advertisement
Cookie917 said:
well judging by D$ OP he said "Kinsler looks like a freak show at tackle".... why would you take a freak show at tackle and play him at guard?

I am saying shirt Kinsler because barring injuries, he should not need to play in more than 4 games. I also doubt he is immediately ready at the start of the season, he was not as polished as Samson and not as strong as Francis and looks like he needs some time to reshape his body. Regardless during the season I doubt he upends Cohen at LG, RG potentially but why play him just to get a few snaps in 7-8 games? Let him get some good burn in 4 games as part of a cohesive unit. Also the way Mario runs the OL he doesnt really sub out unless there are injuries.
Click to expand...
We are finally getting to the point where the first one or two OL off the bench arent a terrifying thought

Mauigoa could easily also contribute at Guard. I mean he’s a ******* mauler right now.

So with locking some of these dudes into positions already I think we are ahead of ourselves a bit
 
JHallCanes said:
We are finally getting to the point where the first one or two OL off the bench arent a terrifying thought

Mauigoa could easily also contribute at Guard. I mean he’s a ******* mauler right now.

So with locking some of these dudes into positions already I think we are ahead of ourselves a bit
Click to expand...
Oh I agree it is very early and injuries etc usually will end up forcing a hand. I do think Francis can play guard but assume they prefer him at tackle for now since that is where he is. And who knows maybe one of them does not want to play tackle but IDK that is somewhat the money position so I assume they would prefer to be T>G
 
JHallCanes said:
We are finally getting to the point where the first one or two OL off the bench arent a terrifying thought

Mauigoa could easily also contribute at Guard. I mean he’s a ******* mauler right now.

So with locking some of these dudes into positions already I think we are ahead of ourselves a bit
Click to expand...
I think kinsler could help at G if needed as well, kid is a mountain.
 
Advertisement
Cookie917 said:
Oh I agree it is very early and injuries etc usually will end up forcing a hand. I do think Francis can play guard but assume they prefer him at tackle for now since that is where he is. And who knows maybe one of them does not want to play tackle but IDK that is somewhat the money position so I assume they would prefer to be T>G
Click to expand...
Totally agree. Heck even if I do think Samson is the epitome of a left tackle prospect, doesn’t mean Mauigoa doesn’t become an All American there and start for three years

These guys coming in are that good I think. It’s certainly a good “problem” to have. Makes our efforts in the portal hopefully easier as well.

The best news of all is this group is in the hands of probably the most competent area of our coaching staff
 
JHallCanes said:
Totally agree. Heck even if I do think Samson is the epitome of a left tackle prospect, doesn’t mean Mauigoa doesn’t become an All American there and start for three years

These guys coming in are that good I think. It’s certainly a good “problem” to have. Makes our efforts in the portal hopefully easier as well.

The best news of all is this group is in the hands of probably the most competent area of our coaching staff
Click to expand...
Exactly, it feels nice to NOT have to overly worry about OL. I get it is just coach speak but how TF did we go from not being able to find a single tackle since like 2010, to suddenly having 3 1st RD types at tackle in one class.

I think Francis is better off at RT and agree Samson looks like he was a create-a-player for LT. But if Kinsler is really turning heads like that someone has to win which means someone loses. Just message board banter at this point trying to figure out how to make everyone happy. I would also assume Samson and Francis NIL > Kinsler and I am unsure how that plays as well.
 
JD4 said:
To the mega mopes or the sunshine pumpers being cautiously anything is a sin lol

I usually ignore them.

It’s hard not to drink the koolaid during camp. I think there is a real chance we win 7-10 games this year. As long as we win 8 games with some statement wins and limit bad loses I’ll be really happy
Click to expand...
Throw in a bowl win while your at it.
Then, recruiting '24 should be a bit smoother.
Fill in transfers here and there where we missed this cycle, and....
We're back on track.
 
Advertisement
M3N said:
Head to head they own us in recruiting since the Lemonier days.
Click to expand...
Auburn been making noise down here… T-Rob said the only reason he didn’t come to UM was because Dre was in his class and he knew Dre was better than him. He planned on being a WR. Got to Auburn and switched to DB anyway. There are other FL guys from back in the day they snatched.
 
Advertisement
TRick72 said:
I’m high on Cooper and I’m more confident in him starting at RG than Rivers at LT. I think we underestimate how difficult it is to look good on the OL when you’re surrounded by a crappy OL especially on the interior.

The problem is LT. I think Rivers is a good OG and can play RT, but I worry about his speed at LT. With Sampson it’s his strength and inexperience but as someone mentioned above you can mitigate that a bit with lining Cam up next to him at TE. Guess you can do same with Rivers and have TE chip the DE. Hopefully one of Rivers, Sampson or McCoy can lock down that LT spot.

As a whole, I’m pretty confident in this years OL. I think we have much better depth there than we realize with Sampson, McCoy and even Kinsler coming off the bench. Aside from LT, biggest concern is at backup Center. If something happens to Lee I would actually likely to see Francis get a shot to fill in there before any of the others.
Click to expand...
Rivers lacks that NFL body. If he had it, he'd probably be a lock to start.
grover said:
I don't mind people believing we'll win 10 games, or that we'll be 5-7 again.

What I hate is how they turn it all on Mario, or refuse to blame Mario at all. There's the "if Mario doesn't win 10 games fly the banner" crowd on one extreme and there's the "5-7 was on Manny and Gattass, mediocre recruiting results is because Ruiz is broke, Mario Da Gawd" crowd on the other extreme. Those guys annoy the **** out of me.
Click to expand...
Right. Also, if I predict 7-5 people question my motives and try to lump me in to a crowd that I must want the guy fired, instead of it being me not seeing all these draftable players they think we have, or whatever other football related reason.
 
Advertisement
Back
Top