k9cane
Senior
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2011
- Messages
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The temptation is to panic over some of the stuff that happened tonight in the opener vs FAU, but the bottom line is this: tonight was a sparring session. One with head-gear and big gloves, where punches were pulled. Next week is a real prizefight against a bona-fide SEC heavyweight in Florida. This was Miami's version of an exhibition game and it showed, lots of mistakes. Which is precisely the point of scheduling a cupcake to start off the year for a program that can't act like it's 2001.
Some thoughts on the game...
- Stephen Morris was inconsistent. Threw some lasers( such as the TD to Clive Walford) but was also very shaky at times( such as those two INT's). What will separate the Morris of last year to a guy who some are saying is a 1st round pick is eliminating these errors and completing over 60-percent of his throws. Tonight, we saw a bit of 'the bad Morris'. But again, he was victimized by two Stacy Coley drops.
- Speaking of Coley, I still think he's a major talent. Not worried about him in the long run. This kid has all the ability in the world. But he learned something, at this level with Morris, you can't Cadillac it. But again, first game, you can build from this. Lets get the mistake out of the way.
- Duke Johnson was/is Duke Johnson. He's special. He can elevate this team and others around him. He will be a Heisman threat, THIS year.
- James Coley, not a great debut( but again, first game, probably playing very vanilla- or at least that's my hope). Too much of the horizontal stuff, I was having Patrick Nix flashbacks. He did some interesting things formation wise and stuff, but I think his development as a play caller will be just as key as any player this year at Miami.
- Short-yardage blocking was atrocious and for an Oline I was high on, they got their lunch taken on several occasions. Is it just me, or is Miami the only team that runs this long-developing stuff on 3rd and 4th and short? To me, getting beat upfront in these situations is about coming off the ball and playing with pad level, this was lacking vs FAU
- Phillip Dorsett struggled tonight. I think he'll get his numbers, not worried about him. But, I just don't understand why he's returning kicks. Bottom line, he tap-dances more than Gregory Hines and does not 'hit it'( as they say) up the seam. Returning kicks is about having a certain burst and a kamikaze mentality, not just straight ahead speed.
- I am hopeful about this front 7. They looked better at the point of attack and played pretty physical. I think we are decent in terms of numbers and with guys like Gilbert and AQM( who looked like a natural pass rusher) playing specified roles, Miami can survive defensively on smoke and mirrors. I also think Kamalu looked like a guy with an upside.
- Very high on Pat O'Donnell, this guy has a boot. He can boot it 8 yards deep into the end-zone anytime he wants on KO's. Something UM hasn't had in a very long time. He will be a weapon this year. And it was good see Matt Goudis build some confidence tonight. Coming into this season he was a huge question mark and there will always be a game or two when your kickers will be counted on.
- Gus Edwards can tote the rock. Good feet, nice lean. I think he'll make a run for being part of the regular running back rotation very soon.
- Didn't Artie Burns look like a guy who will one day be a first round pick? He just has 'it'.
- I know he's overlooked for some reason, but the more I see 'the Love Bug' Herb Waters, the more I like him. In many ways, he is our most natural playmaker outside as of this moment. He's very smooth, elusive and has more than enough speed. Certain guys have the knack of getting things done- he seems like one of them
So there you have it, the season is underway. There's a lot to look forward to. I think this team can( and will) get better. They were far from perfect versus FAU but take this game for what it is. I've seen many a sparring session in the gym where superior fighters who are preparing for big fights are bested in the gym by lesser fighters. And guess what? It usually means nothing. The reality is that this Miami team will be in a different frame of mind next week.
Miami is 1-0, but the season begins next week....
Some thoughts on the game...
- Stephen Morris was inconsistent. Threw some lasers( such as the TD to Clive Walford) but was also very shaky at times( such as those two INT's). What will separate the Morris of last year to a guy who some are saying is a 1st round pick is eliminating these errors and completing over 60-percent of his throws. Tonight, we saw a bit of 'the bad Morris'. But again, he was victimized by two Stacy Coley drops.
- Speaking of Coley, I still think he's a major talent. Not worried about him in the long run. This kid has all the ability in the world. But he learned something, at this level with Morris, you can't Cadillac it. But again, first game, you can build from this. Lets get the mistake out of the way.
- Duke Johnson was/is Duke Johnson. He's special. He can elevate this team and others around him. He will be a Heisman threat, THIS year.
- James Coley, not a great debut( but again, first game, probably playing very vanilla- or at least that's my hope). Too much of the horizontal stuff, I was having Patrick Nix flashbacks. He did some interesting things formation wise and stuff, but I think his development as a play caller will be just as key as any player this year at Miami.
- Short-yardage blocking was atrocious and for an Oline I was high on, they got their lunch taken on several occasions. Is it just me, or is Miami the only team that runs this long-developing stuff on 3rd and 4th and short? To me, getting beat upfront in these situations is about coming off the ball and playing with pad level, this was lacking vs FAU
- Phillip Dorsett struggled tonight. I think he'll get his numbers, not worried about him. But, I just don't understand why he's returning kicks. Bottom line, he tap-dances more than Gregory Hines and does not 'hit it'( as they say) up the seam. Returning kicks is about having a certain burst and a kamikaze mentality, not just straight ahead speed.
- I am hopeful about this front 7. They looked better at the point of attack and played pretty physical. I think we are decent in terms of numbers and with guys like Gilbert and AQM( who looked like a natural pass rusher) playing specified roles, Miami can survive defensively on smoke and mirrors. I also think Kamalu looked like a guy with an upside.
- Very high on Pat O'Donnell, this guy has a boot. He can boot it 8 yards deep into the end-zone anytime he wants on KO's. Something UM hasn't had in a very long time. He will be a weapon this year. And it was good see Matt Goudis build some confidence tonight. Coming into this season he was a huge question mark and there will always be a game or two when your kickers will be counted on.
- Gus Edwards can tote the rock. Good feet, nice lean. I think he'll make a run for being part of the regular running back rotation very soon.
- Didn't Artie Burns look like a guy who will one day be a first round pick? He just has 'it'.
- I know he's overlooked for some reason, but the more I see 'the Love Bug' Herb Waters, the more I like him. In many ways, he is our most natural playmaker outside as of this moment. He's very smooth, elusive and has more than enough speed. Certain guys have the knack of getting things done- he seems like one of them
So there you have it, the season is underway. There's a lot to look forward to. I think this team can( and will) get better. They were far from perfect versus FAU but take this game for what it is. I've seen many a sparring session in the gym where superior fighters who are preparing for big fights are bested in the gym by lesser fighters. And guess what? It usually means nothing. The reality is that this Miami team will be in a different frame of mind next week.
Miami is 1-0, but the season begins next week....
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