Not to Air Dirty Laundry, But...

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).

Always guard the inbound passer.

Is the Curse Lifting?

Hello All,

The other day I was talking to my dad about our favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. It was one of the few Oriole-centric conversations we have had in the past decade that was upbeat. In came on the heels of Adam Jones, the O's centerfielder, contributing the game-winning RBI in the all star game.

You see, my first great memory as an Orioles fan is watching my favorite team get robbed in game one of the 1996 ALCS (against the hated Yankees, no less) by a 12 year old. When this kid named Jeffery Maier caught a Derek Jeter pop up (I maintain to this day that the ball would have been caught by O's right field Tony Tavares) and stole Game 1, the momentum and eventually the series for the Yankees, it set off a course of events which left this franchise the worst in baseball. This 12 year old did not realize the damage that he had just done to a 9 yeard old living in Tennessee.

The Orioles signed Albert Belle to a long term contract instead of Bernie Williams. They signed David Segui long term. They passed on Aaron Sele (a surefire bet to win 15 games EVERY year in the early part of the decade). They passed on Tim Lincecum in the draft. They did everything in their power to make me give up hope.

And it hasn't only been the Orioles. I enjoyed banner year in 2001, watching the Hurricanes win titles in baseball and football and The Duke Blue Devils win in basketball. The Dolphins made a run in to the playoffs. Things were great, except of course the Orioles. Since then, it has been all downhill; even good teams like the 2002 Hurricane football squad, the 2005 Blue Devils and the 2008 Hurricane baseball team have ultimately fallen short when it counts the most (perhaps the most devastating moment for a sports fan is tasting a championship and then being denied; I feel bad for the teams that lose the Super Bowl). Let's take a look at what has transpired since that glorious year, a year that spoiled me and was perhaps wasted on a 14 year old:

PRO FOOTBALL: I root on the Miami Dolphins. I have followed them through ups and downs, mostly downs. I watched them waste the prime of Dan Marino's career by failing to establish a competent running game. I watched them go 1-15 (with the 1 win coming while I was in Israel, unable to watch the game). They finally made the playoffs for the first time in the better part of a decade, only to get trounced by the Ravens. It has been rough, and will probably get worse this season, when they have the inevitable "fall back to Earth" season.

PRO BASKETBALL: I have been an NBA free agent since the first sports team that I ever fell in love with, the Charlotte Hornets, skipped town. In a sport that I love I do not even have a team to root on.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: The 'Canes have always been good but not great since winning their last national title in 2001. Most other program's would envy our success, but this is the same program that expects championships and nothing less. They continually knock on the door, but fall just short. In 2008 they punctuated the season of perhaps the most talented team in college history by going 1-2 in Omaha.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: I am born in North Carolina, where college basketball is a religion. I have always rooted on Duke (so shoot me). Since 2001, they have been unable to capitalize when they have more talent than the other team (2003); more often, they have just been overrated, getting dominated by UNC and failing to advance to a Final Four since 2005. The other team I follow closely, Miami, is always too flawed to be considered a serious contender in the ACC.

All in all, it has been a rough stretch.

However, the Orioles, for the first time in recent memory, have a young core to build around. Matt Wieters is billed as the Next Big Thing at catcher, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis are bone fide studs in the outfield and the minor league system has perhaps the best pitching depth in the major leagues.

What's more, my other teams are starting to come around as well.

The Dolphins have a good set of football people running the team. Miami baseball is always a

threat, as is Duke as long as Coach K is around. The Orioles have their young core of talent.

What's left? That's right, the Miami Hurricanes football team.

I have written often about my optimism for this team. Perhaps no unit showed more promise and made me believe more than the receiver group. Dedrick Epps and Laron Byrd are two roughnecks on the field, and Travis Benjamin and Aldarious "Glue Hands" Johnson remind me of Old School 'Canes. Today, we break down this unit.

RECEIVER

Last Season

The Hurricanes made strides from years past, as the likes of Lance Leggett and Khalil Jones were replaced with young stars like Aldarious Johnson, Laron Byrd and Travis Benjamin. However, the unit as a whole was unable to reach its potential as a solid rotation never emerged and players did not settle in to roles. Additionally, dropped passes and poor play calling hindered the young unit. Jones and Kayne Farquaharson graduated, along with tight end Chris Zellner. Jermaine McKenzie transferred, and Sam Shields was moved to corner.

Roll Call

Leonard Hankerson, Junior

Hankerson is a favorite of the coaching staff and a potential mismatch for opposing defenses as a physical receiver with respectable speed. However, he has never been consistent catching the

ball. If Hankerson wants playing time, he will have to make not only the tough catches but the easy ones as well, or he will plummet down the depth chart.

Aldarious Johnson, Sophomore

Johnson is a physical presence that can box defenders out effectively and run well after the catch to gain tough yards. He has a great rapport with longtime friend and teammate Jacory Harris, and will look to progress in his route running and separation ability this season.

Laron Byrd, Sophomore

Byrd is perhaps the receiver with the highest ceiling on the roster. He is tall, very strong and has great jump-ball ability. He became a favorite of Jacory Harris in the Red Zone. Byrd made highlight reel plays in several games, including the Emerald Bowl. His best play of the season was to force overtime against Virginia, a broken play in which he fought through two different pass interference penalties and snared a forty yard lob from Jacory Harris into the end zone as he fell down. And any who doubt his ability to work after the catch did not see Byrd run through Aaron Curry on a pass into the flat against Wake Forest; Byrd went for a first down and Curry later became the first round pick of the Seattle Seahawks.

Travis Benjamin, Sophomore

Benjamin earned the nickname “The Blur from Belle Glade” last season for his explosive big play ability. Whether running streak patterns down the sideline, taking end around for big gains or making opponents look foolish on punt and kick returns, Benjamin is a weapon to be sure. He is, however, very skinny and will have to learn to withstand the grind if he hopes to become anything more than a return specialist.

Thearon Collier, Sophomore

Collier showed great hands last season and an ability to separate from defensive backs. He is short and stout, but can make people miss and was on the receiving end of the clutch third down conversion in the waning minutes of the victory against Wake Forest. He is an ideal slot receiver that can stretch defenses in the middle of the field and make plays on screen passes.

Davon Johnson, Sophomore

Johnson was a bit contributor who looked good at times, including a touchdown against Duke. However, he needs to use his speed better in order to crack the rotation. Otherwise, he will see the bench.

Kendall Thompkins, Freshman (Redshirt)

Thompkins looked great in the spring game. He was largely unheralded out of Northwestern High, but was very productive while there. He gets compared to former ‘Cane Roscoe Parrish quite often, and has quickly drawn praise from Coach Shannon and staff. He could be a very nice weapon in four and five receiver sets.

Tommy Streeter, Freshman (Redshirt)

Streeter is a 6’6” speed demon who should make an immediate impact on jump balls and fly patterns. He, like Thompkins, has an existing relationship with Jacory Harris from their days at Northwestern.

Dedrick Epps, Senior

Epps might miss part or all of the season injured, but reports have him ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury. Epps is an NFL-type of tight end, big enough to outmuscle safeties and fast enough to run by linebackers. The best example was last season’s North Carolina State game, when Epps ran straight down the seam for a touchdown on a pass play. He is also a beat with the ball in his hands, reminding me of players like Jeremy Shockey and Marion Barber. However, he has been underused in the past and needs to play a bigger role for this offense to be effective.

Richard Gordon, Senior

Gordon suffered from position changes. He came in as a defensive end, and probably should have been left there. However, he shuffled between the defensive line and tight end, even being tried as a kick returner for a few games his sophomore year. He is a physical specimen, but struggles running routes and catching the ball. He has a lot of strides to make.

Jimmy Graham, Senior

Graham is making his football debut this season after four seasons as the basketball team’s resident tough guy. He certainly has the size and physicality to play tight end. The question is whether or not he can block AND run routes. If he can, he will make two tight end sets featuring Epps and Graham very formidable. Jacory Harris was quoted in a recent article saying that he expects Graham to contribute immediately.

Tervarris Johnson, Junior

Johnson, a converted defensive back, will try and earn some playing time at tight end, but the ship has most likely left port for him. He will contribute on special teams. Johnson should have been made a linebacker four years ago.

Daniel Adderley, Sophomore

Adderley almost transferred in the offseason but decided to stay. He is a ‘tweener wide receiver and tight end. The ‘Canes should not count on much of a contribution from Adderley.

Billy Sanders, Freshman

Sanders will have a chance to play right away given the depth concerns. He, like Graham, has to prove that he is multi-dimensional in order to see the field, but might see a lot of burn if he can.

PREDICTION

In order for the unit to be effective, they will have to settle in to a five man rotation at wide receiver. That way, players who are hot can stay hot and everyone can establish their role. The only two locks for this rotation seem to be Johnson and Byrd, and Benjamin should be prominent if healthy. At tight end, Epps has to be one hundred percent. Sanders and Graham cannot be counted on at this point, and Gordon and Adderley are ineffective. Otherwise, the coaches would be wise to use a freshman lineman such as Stephen Plein or Cory White as a sixth lineman that would also be an eligible receiver if needed. The beauty of Mark Whipple’s new system is his supposed ability to adapt to his personnel, meaning that if the tight ends are not getting the job done than the responsibilities can be shifted elsewhere. The talent of this unit is probably tops of any unit on the team, and the combination of Whipple and receivers coach Aubrey Hill should help the unit maximize its potential as the young players begin to mature and add understanding to their speed and strength.

The receivers ae young and unproven, but for the first time since the middle of the decade, they are giving us hope. Gone are the days of using the punter as a receiver. No more Lance Leggett or Aikeem Jolla. No more forgetting to sign receivers in our recruiting classes. We are starting to stockpile weapons again, and it seems like we have the coaching staff in place to use them.

Maybe Dan Stein's sporting curse really is lifting, one team at a time.

Always guard the inbound passer.

My Father Loves Entourage and a Good Running Game

Hello All,

Today we continue with the position breakdowns for the upcoming season. But before we begin, I would be remiss to not talk about the biggest night of every year in the Stein household: The season premiere of Entourage.

My brother and I have been enjoying the show since its first season on the air, and a couple of years ago we turned our dad on to it. At this point, even our mom watches it, making it the only show embraced by all four Steins.

On Sunday night, Season 6 premiered, and I have to say that it received four thumbs up.

In anticipation of the big night, I watched the first five complete seasons on DVD in one week. I then sat down with my dad and had a serious talk about my concerns for the show's future. At the root was the sense that the show was moving away from what had made it so good in the first place: five friends having the time of their lives in Los Angeles.

Last season was great, but consisted of Vinny Chase getting knocked down time and again, with little room for fun from the crew when their brother was hurting.

At the end of the season there was a ray of hope in the form of an offer for Vinny to do a Scorcese movie, and that got the Stein men excited.

The creators of the show seem to have read my mind, because the new season started down the exact road I would like to explore. The boys are back in the same house they loved so much before being forced to sell it. Vinny and his best friend/manager Eric are pulling girls left and right, and Drama and Turtle (Vinny's brother and other best friend, respectively) provide comic relief at Eric's expense. At the same time, the group is beginning to grow up, which is also necesarry. There is even talk of an Oscar for Vinny.

Vinny is finally getting his driver license. Eric is thinking about getting his own place. Turtle is dating Jamie Lyn Siegler. Drama has his own successful television show and condo.

The premiere was made even better when Vinny's super agent, Ari Gold, sauneters on to the screen and announces that his agency is performing well even in bad times thanks to the addition of an old friend, Andrew Klein. The only one who seems to be unhappy is Ari's longtime assistant, Lloyd, who has decided the time is now to demand a promotion.

The feather in the cap of this episode was the return of Eric's ex-girlfriend and current "friend", Sloan. Sloan is my favorite character aside from Ari, and the reason that my dad thinks Eric (the smart one) is "a stupid idiot".

At this point, we can only guess where the season is going. However, a few things are certain.

-As my brother said, they have "returned to the Entourage we fell in love with". R- rated comedy, sex, and undying friendship; a formula that works.

-Although this has always been true, now more than ever the show is about Eric, not Vince. As Eric goes the group has always tended to go, and that was very obvious in the premiere.

-This is a season of change. Lloyd is finally standing his ground against Ari. Vinny is becoming more independent, as are the rest of the boys. Eric is finally playing the field, perhaps using this as a strategy to get back with Sloan. Turtle is finding love (which made my mom very happy), and perhaps a career of his own.

These are all good things. This show maybe has two seasons left in it before going the way of The Sopranos and Sex and the City before it. The tagline for the season stated that "Life Changes. Friends Don't." It seems as though the boys of Entourage are becoming men, and realizing that in order to grow as people they have to embrace change. I am excited for the ride.

As Entourage returns to its roots, my dad and I hope Miami will do the same. The Hurricanes built a number of great offenses around a dominant running game. These teams featured not only great lead runners like Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Alonzo Highsmith and Willis McGahee, but they also had a fleet of stud backups (Warren Williams, James Jackson, Frank Gore). With any luck, this season will see a return to the old school 'Cane way of using a smashmouth running game to set up a big play passing game.

RUNNING BACK

Last Season

Graig Cooper was forced to carry too much of the load, but still responded with more than 800 yards rushing.

Cooper is built to be more of a complimentary back so as to maximize his burst.

Javarris James, who showed what it takes to be the workhorse back as a freshman, struggled through his second straight injury-filled year.

Derron Thomas and backup fullback Eric Houston graduated.

Roll Call

Graig Cooper, Junior

The coaching staff says that they want one guy to gain 1000 yards this season and to stop relying on the running back- by- committee approach. Cooper is certainly at the front of the conversation for this role; however, if Cooper continues the bad habit of dancing in the backfield for one beat too many he will get passed by others on the depth chart. Cooper also might make a contribution on punt returns.

Javarris James, Senior

Baby James is always solid when healthy. However, it is rare that he is healthy. He has the versatility to stay between the tackles or work out of the slot as a receiver. If he can stay healthy, he will see a lot of carries in his final season.

Lee Chambers, Sophomore

Chambers has shown flashes of big play ability but, like James, has been injured frequently. The difference is that Chambers is still a relative unknown. If he can show a consistent all-around game, he will certainly be an intriguing changeup to Cooper and James.

Damien Berry, Junior

Berry tore up the spring game in his first extended action at running back. He has always been a personal favorite, and I think he has the ability to be Najeh Davenport if he can pick up the blocking scheme. Regardless, he is one of the top special teams coverage players on the team.

Mike James, Freshman

James was a sensation in the spring, but he will have to stand out again in the fall to gain a consistent workload with the talent in front of him. He is perhaps the best all around package on the roster at this point.

Lamar Miller, Freshman

Miller is an explosive runner who will contribute on special teams from day one, but is behind Mike James in terms of picking up the overall offense.

Patrick Hill, Senior

Hill has one purpose: smash linebackers. Hill serves as essentially an extra offensive lineman. He is a short and stout tank, and his best chance for carries is as a goal line back.

John Calhoun, Freshman (Redshirt)

Calhoun will play in the H-Back role, and may see extended playing time with the dearth of depth at Tight End and no true backup for Hill. Calhoun is not often talked about but could end up being quite important if the cards fall the right way.

PREDICTION:

Cooper is not the every down back that this team needs. He is a very effective player when he gets 12-15 touches per game, but anything more is asking too much from a player who is essentially a scat back. That is where Javarris James comes in. The two have always had the potential to be a Thunder and Lightning combination, but they have yet to play a full healthy season together. The dream scenario is that James would go over 1000 yards rushing and Cooper would contribute 700 yards of total offense as a receiver and runner. However, it is more likely that they each get around 700 if they share the lead role. Something tells me that by the end of the season, either Mike James or Berry will be getting serious playing time as well. The runners all have their lives made easier by Hill, who is a great lead blocker that is in much better shape heading in to his second and final season. The one thing to be sure about is that depth will not be a problem in this stable. This will not be an old-school Hurricane running game, but it should be enough to get the job done until one guy can emerge as a 1,000 yard back.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Let's Talk Football...and Major League

Hello All,

Right around the midway point of every summer, I start to get the itch for football season to start. And, being an obsessive compulsive when it comes to the Miami Hurricanes, I start to analyze. For the second year in a row, I will break down each Miami Hurricane by position group, starting today with quarterbacks.

QUARTERBACK

Last Season

Jacory Harris and Robert Marve battled all season for the starting job, each showing the inconsistencies of a young quarterback. Harris won and Marve transferred*.

The Outlook

Jacory Harris, Sophomore

Harris is looking to become the next star Miami quarterback, and expectations are high. Harris looked good closing out games last season, except of course the terrible two minute drill in the bowl game against Cal. This season, Harris needs to make a step forward in terms of arm strength and leadership. It is clear that he is able to operate under pressure and make things happen when the pocket breaks down. However, toward the end of last season his arm clearly fatigued and he struggled making “NFL” throws. Harris also has to continue to develop as the type of quarterback that gets the ball to his playmakers and gets out of the way.

Taylor Cook, Freshman (Redshirt)

Cook has the physical talent but needs to continue to develop. Right now he seems to be the guy behind Harris, and Coach Shannon has expressed that this is an area of concern. Harris is not the sturdiest kid around, so Cook will most likely be called upon at some point this season.

Cannon Smith, Freshman (Redshirt)

Smith is a competitor but very limited athletically. He is behind Cook on the depth chart and may remain there barring injury.

A.J. Highsmith, Freshman

For right now, Highsmith will be a quarterback. He is short but athletic, and could change positions once at school. He is almost certain to redshirt, no matter the position.

PREDICTION

If all goes according to plan, the offensive line will be better and allow Harris even more time to use his numerous weapons, which is what Harris really likes to do. There were times last year when Harris got a little panicked, and it showed. This season, that cannot happen. Harris seems to be the leader that everyone predicted, and if he accomplishes what he needs to during the offseason and stays healthy for the full year, he alone is good for at least a one win improvement.

* It is hard to make statements like this about last season's quarterback situation. While at the end of the day the statement is true, it does not reveal the complexity of what actually transpired. There were plenty of moments last season when Marve looked better than Harris. What really undid Marve was his inability to get the most out of his complimentary players, as Harris did. However, there are several who would like to say that Marve was bad, Harris was good and the solution was simple. This is just untrue. While Marve may have been a bad apple and certainly needed to make better decisions, he led the team to some big wins and that should not be forgotten (most notably the Virginia Tech win, when Harris looked lost).

I was reminded of this kind of revisionist history while watching one of my favorite movies yesterday, "Major League". At the end of the film, the cursed Indians are able to beat the heavily favored Yankees in a one game playoff to make the playoffs. However, what is lost in history is the epic choke-job the Bronx Bombers pulled. Let's take a look:

- In the bottom of the 7th inning, with the Indians down to 7 outs and down 2-0, Cleveland third baseman Roger Dorn singles to bring Pedro Serrano to the plate. Serrano is a massive power hitter who is known to struggle against the curvevall. The New York pitcher promptly runs the count to 0-2 on 2 curveballs, making Serrano look like a fool. The logical next pitch is a curveball low and in the dirt, as Dorn is no threat to steal. What does the Yankee pitcher throw? A fastball, letter high and over the plate. The predictable result? A two run homer to tie the game and steal the momentum for the Tribe.

-In the top of the 9th, Indians skipper Lou Brown brings in Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn to face Yankee Triple Crown winner Clu Haywood. Haywood, aside from having an all-time great moustache and uttering the always hilarious "How's your wife and my kid?" one liner during the movie, has hit two home runs in his only two at-bats against Vaughn. Vaughn quickly runs the count to 0-2 on two overpowering fastballs. Haywood, being the Albert Pujols of his day, has got to maintain discipline in this instance and wait for the 1-2 count that is sure to follow. After all, there is no way Indian catcher Jake Taylor is going to let Vaughn throw anything close to the strike zone. Vaughn rears back and fires a fastball somewhere around Haywood's eyes...and Haywood swings! The crowd goes wild and the Indians head to the bottom of the 9th with their leadoff guy on deck, needing one run to win. Would this happen to Pujols? Manny? I think not.

-Taylor comes up with Willy Mayes Hayes, the fastest player in baseball, on first. The Yankees bring in their closer, The Duke. Hayes gets a lead PAST the first base cut in the infield, which is absolutely ridiculous. He then gets an awful jump and arrives at second at the same time as the throw from the catcher...only the second baseman fails to put the tag on in time. Now the Indians have the modern day Cool Papa Bell in scoring position with their 2 hitter at the plate and one out.

-After The Duke takes the dumb risk of throwing at Taylor's head with Hayes on second, Taylor makes the heroic gesture of pointing at the left field stands after signaling to Lou Brown for the squeeze bunt. Taylor puts the bunt down and beats the throw to first narrowly. As the throw comes to Haywood at first, he is staring at Hayes flying around third base to try and score. As Haywood receives the throw, he steps off the bag...turns his back to home plate entirely, casts a disgusted look at the umpire for calling Taylor safe... while HAYES IS RUNNING HOME! HAYES IS THE FASTEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL!!!

-Haywood finally realizes what is going on and makes a perfect throw home...to a catcher that is too far off of home plate to block Hayes from scoring. Haywood's throw beats Hayes, who stupidly hook slides in, leaving himself wide open to the catcher's tag...only the catcher is so far out of position that he is late on the tag (twice in three plays a poorly positioned defender costs the Yankees) and the Indians win.

To recap, the Indians win the playoff on a squeeze bunt in which three different mental errors came in to play. Could you imagine if this happened today? To the Yankees?! The New York press would run 6 months of "choke" stories on the back page, Haywood and The Duke would be traded to the Rangers and the Steinbrenner family would fire the manager, possibly in the dugout.

The point of the comparison is that everyone who watches Major League remembers the Indians winning. What gets overlooked is that the YANKEES CHOKED.

Jacory Harris may have ended up winning the job, but anyone that thinks it was because he dominated the field of play is wrong, just as anyone who thinks the Indians won the playoff without a lot of help from the Yankees is wrong.

I have high hopes for Harris and think he will be a good one. But the jury is still out, and the hype machine may want to tone it down a bit.

One final note. With the passing of Michael Jackson, certainly a well-deserved icon, it is time to recognize the greatest living artist: Stevie Wonder. Wonder may not have the dance moves of Jackson, but there may be no one more musically gifted to ever come along. Below is my favorite Wonder song.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Welcome

Hello All,

Welcome to my new blog site. I will try to keep going what I have been doing for two years at the blog hosted by the University of Miami's school newspaper, The Miami Hurricane. However, this is my first time running a blog on my own, and as such this is a bit of trial and error on my part.

This is the link to my old site.

That's me in the cowboy hat to the left.

Always guard the inbound passer.