You only get so many chances

[JD08]

How is the jury still out on Dawson after a season like this?

This offense's success isn't all Ward. The play designs are good enough that he's often throwing to open guys. He ain't out there making magic every play.

Dawson dials it up.

Dawson was not in any way the problem.

 

[mavericksouth]

why do you think that is? too many transfers who are only concerned with themselves? No respect for Guidry and his defensive scheme? Just no chemistry? I honestly wonder how many of them watch film and really put any work in.

Clearly there is selfishness out there. Even Mesidor when we were undefeated was crying about playing inside instead of outside. If you're a true team player, why even mention that publicly? Mario hasn't changed the culture. His philosophy is to get more talent than anyone in the country and hope that talent can overcome his coaching ineptitude. But that is not going to happen in the age of NIL and the portal.

 

[flips]

The key is we HAD a championship level offense. We are back to square 1 on offense a la FSU.

Disagree. We had a good rushing offense last year and an even better one this year. Our running system is simple (a good thing in this context!), and we return a lot of talent on the offensive line. We'll be worse at QB next year, but we have a solid offensive foundation and identity, which wasn't the case with FSU.

 

[Cribby]

The culture in the defensive room is bad IMO, and there are no leaders.

There’s disfunction from the defensive staff on down. The product shows there’s major issues in that room . There’s going to be shakeup there. It’s as bad as the Gattis offense days.

 

[Torocane]

There’s disfunction from the defensive staff on down. The product shows there’s major issues in that room . There’s going to be shakeup there. It’s as bad as the Gattis offense days.

Was the disfunction there last year?
Or it has it been slowly growing and got exposed as the wheels came off?
Basically the sane group minus one.

 

[hoops156]

There’s disfunction from the defensive staff on down. The product shows there’s major issues in that room . There’s going to be shakeup there. It’s as bad as the Gattis offense days.

is time for Mario to stop forcing staff members on his coordinators? this is the second time since ponce gattis and addae didnt get along with the others either right? so maybe third time?

 

[Cribby]

is time for Mario to stop forcing staff members on his coordinators? this is the second time since ponce gattis and addae didnt get along with the others either right? so maybe third time?

Hard to have continuity when you’re just sticking pieces together forcibly. I’d much rather have a staff that aligns schematically versus the alternative.

 

[hoops156]

Hard to have continuity when you’re just sticking pieces together forcibly. I’d much rather have a staff that aligns schematically versus the alternative.

time to clean the entire d staff out. Joe, Jason, chevis, the drunk.

 

[G Reg3rdLeg]

Hard to have continuity when you’re just sticking pieces together forcibly. I’d much rather have a staff that aligns schematically versus the alternative.

Not saying I disagree at all, but ironic when we bring in guidrys guy for the secondary for continuity it’s the worst secondary play we’ve ever seen.

 

[G Reg3rdLeg]

The culture in the defensive room is bad IMO, and there are no leaders.

It’s a lot to put on one guy, but really disappointed Bain hasn’t taken charge on that side of the ball. What’s missing?

 

[TemplarCane]

There needs to be changes and the new defensive coordinator should have the ability to replace anyone he wants on the staff. Or at least have a major say in those decisions.

Mario is limiting his choices if one of his criteria for DC candidates is they must keep certain position coaches.

 

[Hoyacane1620]

It’s a lot to put on one guy, but really disappointed Bain hasn’t taken charge on that side of the ball. What’s missing?

how about Mesidore? or Powell? These are older, more experienced guys. Feels like it was just a mix of "me first" guys on defense

 

[section9]

There needs to be changes and the new defensive coordinator should have the ability to replace anyone he wants on the staff. Or at least have a major say in those decisions.

Mario is limiting his choices if one of his criteria for DC candidates is they must keep certain position coaches.

I'd say the only guy Mario should insist on keeping is maybe JT. The new DC, especially if he's a Stud, should be given a Free Hand, especially if all the Board Rumors about dysfunction are true. Mario should never have allowed it to get this far.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

Clearly there is selfishness out there. Even Mesidor when we were undefeated was crying about playing inside instead of outside. If you're a true team player, why even mention that publicly? Mario hasn't changed the culture. His philosophy is to get more talent than anyone in the country and hope that talent can overcome his coaching ineptitude. But that is not going to happen in the age of NIL and the portal.

What a *****. Awwwwww boooohoooo I have to play inside. How about keep your mouth shut and do what the coach asks you to do. Bunch of softies on this team who are selfish. Thankfully a lot of them are leaving.

 

[Number1CanesFan]

Disagree. We had a good rushing offense last year and an even better one this year. Our running system is simple (a good thing in this context!), and we return a lot of talent on the offensive line. We'll be worse at QB next year, but we have a solid offensive foundation and identity, which wasn't the case with FSU.

What you said is true. When I said "Back to square 1 a la FSU", it's about the QB and WRs. We have 1 returning WR with experience and none of the backup QBs or backup WRs got meaningful game experience this year. That's back to square 1 as none of the passing stats in 2024 matter for 2025.

I'm deeply disappointed in the lack of development of the WRs. Development includes game reps. Everyone talks about the development of Restrepo, George, and Horton. Yes, they improved under coach Beard, but none them were his recruits. They were all Manny recruits. Horton was recruited by Manny and stuck with his recruitment when Mario was hired. My only point in stating this is that in 3 years of WR recruiting in the Mario era, only 1 WR (Horton) has had significant game development. We've recruit3d talented WRs. The coaching staff made the decision not to play them.

Why is this important? It's important because game reps are a part of development and trust. It's the very reason why Mario will hit the portal for 2 veteran WRs and a QB. The 2025 WR snaps will go to Horton, Trader, and 2 WR portal transfers. That will mean ONLY 2 recruited WRs will play any significant snaps in 4 years under Mario. It's the same insanity over and over again. They want to only play guys with experience whenever possible, but don't get the young talent snaps. Horton had more catches last year than the entire 2024 WR backups combined.

The decision not to play talented, but inexperienced players is a choice. They will portal over the WR room in 2025 because they want experience.

For reference, Clemson has 6 WRs with 15 catches or more this season, plus another 2 WRs with 5 catches. 5 catches is more than any Miami backup WR. Clemson's top 6 WRs have 178 receptions (66, 33, 30, 25, 15, 15). None of them are seniors. The 3 leading WRs are a sophomore and 2 freshman.

 

[MizCane]

Notre Dame has it figured out. Easy schedule and lost to a worthless program and ran the table. Can we get that schedule?
Indiana also a joke. Got the brakes beat off them by a very suspect OSU team.

 

[Yoyo82]

Notre Dame has it figured out. Easy schedule and lost to a worthless program and ran the table. Can we get that schedule?
Indiana also a joke. Got the brakes beat off them by a very suspect OSU team.

I mean they had A&M and USC and Georgia tech and FSU and Louisville on the schedule.. Not to mention Navy.

Their schedule looked tough on paper.

 

[flips]

What you said is true. When I said "Back to square 1 a la FSU", it's about the QB and WRs. We have 1 returning WR with experience and none of the backup QBs or backup WRs got meaningful game experience this year. That's back to square 1 as none of the passing stats in 2024 matter for 2025.

I'm deeply disappointed in the lack of development of the WRs. Development includes game reps. Everyone talks about the development of Restrepo, George, and Horton. Yes, they improved under coach Beard, but none them were his recruits. They were all Manny recruits. Horton was recruited by Manny and stuck with his recruitment when Mario was hired. My only point in stating this is that in 3 years of WR recruiting in the Mario era, only 1 WR (Horton) has had significant game development. We've recruit3d talented WRs. The coaching staff made the decision not to play them.

Why is this important? It's important because game reps are a part of development and trust. It's the very reason why Mario will hit the portal for 2 veteran WRs and a QB. The 2025 WR snaps will go to Horton, Trader, and 2 WR portal transfers. That will mean ONLY 2 recruited WRs will play any significant snaps in 4 years under Mario. It's the same insanity over and over again. They want to only play guys with experience whenever possible, but don't get the young talent snaps. Horton had more catches last year than the entire 2024 WR backups combined.

The decision not to play talented, but inexperienced players is a choice. They will portal over the WR room in 2025 because they want experience.

For reference, Clemson has 6 WRs with 15 catches or more this season, plus another 2 WRs with 5 catches. 5 catches is more than any Miami backup WR. Clemson's top 6 WRs have 178 receptions (66, 33, 30, 25, 15, 15). None of them are seniors. The 3 leading WRs are a sophomore and 2 freshman.

The insiders have been saying that Sam Brown was always going to be a 1-year player, regardless of whether he performed well or not. Makes not getting Trader - at least - significant reps this year all the more perplexing. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see much more upside to Horton. We played him more and more as the season went on, and he struggled to be more than a short yardage/possession receiver. You're spot on with concerns about the WR room. We really don't know what we have with the guys that are returning.

Optimistically, while our receivers were very productive as a group their raw talent level should be replaceable in the portal. We haven't had a true #1 WR in years. If we can land a #1 in the portal, land a servicable slot receiver, and Trader replaces George I think we'll be alright.

 

[Empirical Cane]

This one hurts deep in the soul. We had a chance for a special season and blew it. Every November feels the same for the past 20 years.

I'll dig deeper on rewatch, but my big picture view is this: Miami fell to its true level. We won games we could've lost, and we lost games we could've won. At the end, we were who we were all year.

We have a national championship offense. We have a bad defense. And we lack discipline overall. We came into this game ranked 120th in penalty yards per game. With the season on the line, we made two of the most immature penalties in team history. That was not a fluke.

Add it all up, and you get 10-2. Do I expect major defensive staff changes? Yes. But that isn't the only area we need to improve.

Mario ultimately owns all of it. He missed a rare opportunity. Now, the ownership cuts both ways- you can't blame him for the defensive misses and then ignore the strength of the offense. We were blessed to have Cam Ward, but he also landed Cam Ward and built his supporting cast. The question now becomes whether we can improve elsewhere enough to compensate for the loss of such a unique and special player.

This season will be remembered one of two ways: the beginning of something sustainable, or a fun, ultimately disappointing fluke like 2017. For true progress, this team needs to remake its defensive identity. You can fire coaches and recruit better DBs. But when you get bowled over by an Arena League running back with the season on the line, that's a cultural issue. When you look confused all year, it's deeper than talent. We had four NFL players in the 2022 secondary, and we looked just as lost as we did this year.

Was there progress? Of course. Should anyone expect us to build on that progress? That's a hard sell. The fanbase has every reason to be cynical. But none of us are going anywhere, so let's hope the build continues and we have enough material to tell lies this summer.

You lose by alot, you lose by a little, you win by a little, you win by alot

Much easier to fall down left on this spectrum than it is to climb upwards right.

This is our Miami Hurricanes.