Hello All,
I have been trying to think of ways in which to make to make this blog more personal. It is obvious that I am a fan of Miami sports, and furthermor sports in general. I like movies.
However, right now there is a lot more on my mind. I was part of the unfortunate college class of 2009. We were the kids that set out with all the right intentions, only to see the entire economy do nothing short of crash less than a year before we walked.
The result is that a loss of us feel absolutely helpless, even those of us who have worked their ass off.
I personally have interviewed at about 10 different places and failed to obtain a job at any but Niketown, as a part time sales associate (even then, I had to turn the job down, as my inability to obtain full time work forced me to move away from Miami and back home to Gainesville).
I now sit in a precarious spot. If someone had told me four years ago that I would graduate on
time with a very nice GPA after being heavily involved on campus in student activities and off campus with a great internship and be unemployed 2 months and living with mom and dad (which is much different from being "home"), I would have called them crazy. This, after all, is America. We are lead to believe that if we do well and work hard, than we can achieve anything.
That is not to say that this time has not been without its positives.
I have been able to help my parents out while my brother recuperates from a very intense knee surgery (read his blog about it
here).
I have been able to see some great bullshit artists at work. For instance, I went and interviewed with a company that was listed as an "Advertising and Marketing firm that works with major sports teams". When I asked them for the fifth time what my exact duties would be, they told me that I would be sitting in a Home Depot offering people packages to redo their kitchen. And they did it with a straight face.
Another company scheduled me for an interview, and at the prompting of a friend, I searched their company online. No less than four pages of results matching the company's name and "fraud" popped up on Google. When I printed off the pages and asked the interviewer about it and why they were called a "ponzi scheme" time and again, they politely rushed me out the door so as to not scare off the other 20 applicants crowded in to their waiting room. I must say that this was a fun experience for me, if a bit of a rude awakening.
There are a lot of problems with an economy that is forcing companies to cut head count. The biggest one is that it freezes out a new generation of workers: college graduates that are proven to learn quicker, have the ability to work longer hours (no spouse, no kids, desire to advance, etc.) and will do it for cheaper than most (we have been living poor for 4 years, what's a couple more?).
And that has me both lost and very frustrated. The point of this was not to complain or air dirty laundry, but rather to lend some voice to a generation that is being dealth a serious gut punch after never imagining it could happen to us.
I will not even try to relate that to the following breakdown of the Miami Hurricane offensive line.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Last Season
The Hurricane line improved last season but was still not at the level needed in order to compete for a BCS bowl. The quarterbacks had more time to stand in the pocket but still spent parts of some games running for their lives. The run blocking was much better, and the stats would have reflected this in a greater capacity if Graig Cooper had not danced as much in the backfield. Gone are starters Reggie Youngblood and Xavier Shannon and backups Chris Barney, Tyrone “T-Byrd” Byrd and Chris Rutledge. However, a large recruiting class will help fill those holes and provide better depth than the ‘Canes had last season, when injuries killed any hopes of a legitimate rotation at a position where rotating is a must.
The Outlook
Jason Fox, Senior
Fox is entering his fourth season as the starting left tackle and rock of the line. He is not a superstar, but he is a no-nonsense football player that executes his assignment. He is the best pass protector on the team and has shown an ability to handle speed rushers. He has improved his run blocking, and even showed his athleticism with a late touchdown catch in last season’s Florida State game.
A.J. Trump, Senior
Trump is a senior but is still unproven. He has missed so much time due to injury that it is still unknown what kind of player he can be over a full season. However, with the graduation of Shannon and no other truly appealing alternatives, the starting job at center is Trump’s to lose (for better or worse).
Matt Pipho, Senior
Pipho is a senior who has filled in as a backup just about everywhere along the line. He is the frontrunner to start at right tackle as of now, but one of the freshman or Franklin could claim the spot. Pipho will be solid and not spectacular. MY concern is his ability to move someone out of the way and clear a path; too often recently, Miami has found the line of scrimmage moving backward from the point of engagement and that has got to change this season or position coach Jeff Stoutland will be gone.
Orlando Franklin, Junior
Franklin is Miami’s most talented lineman, and this should be the season in which he puts it all together. Franklin came to the ‘Canes very raw and out of shape. After two years on the team, he should have his technique down at left guard. He appeared to be in much better shape in the spring, and there are rumors of a possible move to right tackle.
Joel Figueroa, Junior
Figs is a road grader at guard and, if in better shape, will be one of Miami’s top linemen this season. He is one of the few examples of a Larry Coker recruit who has performed above expectations.
Ian Symmonette, Junior
Ian has moved from “project” to bust. He is huge, but has been so slow on his feet that his size has been a hindrance and not an asset. If he is seeing major minutes, he either lost 60 lbs or something has gone terribly wrong.
Harland Gunn, Sophomore
Gunn came on very strong in the spring. Gunn plays with a lot of energy and drives off of the line very well. He could play center, but it appears as though he will be the third guard in the rotation and push Figueroa for his starting spot. Additionally, he has the best name on the team.
Tyler Horn, Sophomore
Horn is the backup center heading in to spring and will get a chance to unseat Trump. He is the type of lineman that Stoutland likes: long, lean and below the radar. However, Horn has not yet proven that he belongs on the field with any sort of regularity. At best, he will be in the rotation as the eighth offensive lineman. At worst, he is too slow and not explosive enough to be a factor on the line and remains a practice squad player.
Ben Jones, Freshman (Redshirt)
Jones was a defensive tackle until his senior year of high school. He is very athletic, but needs to work on his technique. He is part of Miami’s future at tackle and may see minutes this season if injuries occur (which maybe should read “when injuries occur”).
Jermaine Johnson, Freshman
Johnson is old for a freshman after spending two years in prep school but has less experience playing football than many freshman across the nation. He is a big man, but very nimble on his feet (he was a basketball player in high school). I played a couple of pickup basketball games with him at the gym and he was easily the most athletic guy on the court. Johnson is the type of player that could be a very good left tackle in the future.
Brandon Washington, Freshman
Washington is very likely to get immediate playing time as the backup at one of the guard or tackle spots; I personally believe he could surprise many and win the starting right guard spot. He is massive and will not be able to go for a full game right away, but his year of prep school will help him. In the spring, he looked like he was already able to push anyone around that he wanted, and the ‘Canes need some guys who know how to clear a hole for the runners.
Jared Wheeler, Freshman
Wheeler is big, smart and versatile. He could end up playing any position along the line. However, unless he impresses right out of the gate he will probably redshirt.
Corey White, Freshman
White reminds me of Fox as a freshman, who was unheralded but came in and won a starting spot. White is still growing and could end up as a starting tackle in the future.
Stephen Plein, Freshman
Plein may end up at tight end as a freshman, but his future is most likely at tackle. He is a high school defensive end who will take some time to develop.
PREDICTION
The offensive line will be as good as its rotation allows it to be. If the coaches can identify eight quality linemen and keep them healthy, the rotation will be good and the entire offense will click. If the line is relying on mediocre players to fill out its rotation, then the line will again be mediocre and stunt offensive production. Fox, Figueroa, Franklin, Trump, Pipho and Gunn seem to have locked down spots in the rotation, and I think that Washington is a good bet to win another. That leaves one spot open, and I have to believe that someone will step up to fill it (maybe I am an eternal optimist).
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