Get Well Soon Frankie

Hello All,

Going with the no-frills approach here. My buddy Frank, or Fran as his friends call him, is recovering from having part of his intestinal tract and appendix out. And a catheterization (word?). Ouch.

Anyway, here's something to keep you occupied and on the mend buddy. Also, if it makes you feel any better, my buddy and I got stopped in the middle of hitting on a pair of chicks the other night and got asked if we were gay...in all seriousness. Dan Stein, ladies and gentlemen.

LINEBACKERS PREVIEW

The Season That Was: Colin McCarthy and Daryl Sharpton had good seasons. However, the ‘Canes found themselves thin at the position when Sean Spence, already struggling in a new role, went down for three games in the middle of the season. Jordan Futch, promising early in the season, also found himself out for the season after the first few games, and Ramon Buchannan only rounded in to form at the end of the season. At one point, Miami found itself using Randy Phillips as a nickel linebacker. Depth is of the utmost importance at this position. That, and the ability to cover a tight end, which has been missing from the linebacking corps for years. A better push from the interior linemen will make life A LOT easier for the linebackers, most of all Sean Spence.

What Was Lost: Sharpton was a fourth round pick by the Titans, and his play late in the season makes his loss even greater. Arthur Brown transferred after being mostly a non-impact guy in his two years. And folks, again, Romeo Davis is no longer here, which merits repeating every

year.

Roll Call

Colin McCarthy (Sr.) – The captain of the defense is being looked upon for lots of production in addition to leadership. He is big enough to play middle, but the coaches like him better at weakside. He is not great in space but is a wrecking ball against the run and more athletic than he gets credit for. Probably serves the team best at middle linebacker, but his roll depends on who does what in spring behind around him.

Kylan Robinson (Sr.) – Little used fifth year senior that is being given the first crack at the middle linebacker job. He is a converted running back, which implies a certain amount of athleticism, and his experience in the program would imply leadership. However, no one has any idea what he actually is, no matter what they say. He could end up being this year’s Tervarris Johnson/Marcus Maxey that comes out of nowhere to become a contributor as an upperclassman after being written off. Or he could end up on special teams, as per usual. Fall practice will tell. On the bright side, he is always good to throw the last, meaningless block on a punt return touchdown, a skill that not enough people recognize.

Sean Spence (Jr.) – Hard to believe he is already a junior. My personal favorite defensive player

on the team struggled a bit last year with a switch to the strong side. He is ideally used as a guy that is free to roam and blitz without having to cover tight ends that he routinely gives up 30-50 lbs to. He is also the team’s most versatile linebacker; will play weakside if McCarthy is in the middle of strongside if McCarthy is in the weakside. Will definitely play in nickel situations and hopefully will blitz more.

Jordan Futch (Jr.) – Futch was a special teams monster that was beginning to impact the defense last season when he went down with an injury. He is being counted on to win the third linebacker spot and ensure Miami gets their three most talented linebackers on the field. Futch is probably the best blend of size and speed at this position group and is a star if he can stay on the field, in my estimate.

Ramon Buchannan (Jr.) – Very athletic kid (high school long jumper) that was originally a safety and is competing with Futch to keep Robinson on the bench. Would be the ideal

strong side linebacker as a big kid that should be able to cover tight ends, given his background. I thought he looked better at the end of last season than the beginning (always a good thing), and hopefully he can carry it in to fall practice. Also is in all likelihood the least talkative player on the team, which gives me even more reason to root for him. Imagine Susan Miller Degman trying to pry information out of him so she can write her next hacky, cheesy, washed up, canned story for the Miami Herald. He would give her the look that Carlos Avion gave Turtle when Turtle said he wanted to bang his God-daughter.

C.J. Holton (So.) – Another converted safety who is trying to flatten the learning curve and insert himself in to the rotation. Like Buchannan, should be a good candidate physically for the strong side. Will be a special teams contributor regardless , but if he gets the mental part down he could be special. Holton, Futch and Buchannan are the guys that will determine whether this linebacking corps is special or mediocre.

Shayon Green (R-Fr.) – Missed the season last year with a knee injury and proved in spring to not be ready for the starting middle linebacker role. Has great size and straight line speed to go with his motor. Will need to prove he can play in space and learn the playbook if he wants to win the competition in the fall. I think he is a special teamer this season that will challenge for the starting role in 2011.

Tyrone Cornelius (Fr.) – Early enrollee who is very fast and athletic but also very small. Like Spence, could be a great blitzer and hitter if he is allowed to roam but will not, at his size, be effective covering a tight end. Hopefully a redshirt guy, but could play a lot on special teams depending on numbers.

Kevin Nelson (Fr.) – The Wildcard. Has talked a lot of smack to this point, and he has not yet taken part in an official team practice. No one is doubting his desire, but now it is time to see if he has what it takes to grab the middle linebacker job as a freshman or if he needs more time. I think he would be best off in an understudy role this season, seeing some game time as the games go on, unless he is clearly the number one middle linebacker in the fall. That being said, if it is a tie between Nelson and Robinson I think you play the freshman over the senior. Also worth noting that he called the Gators coaching staff grimy and essentially compared Urban Meyer to Fredo, which will score him points with Stein on the Sidelines (and hopefully all 8 readers).

Travis Williams (Fr.) – VERY talented, tall and lean. Hard hitter that can get after the passer. Great candidate for either outside linebacker spot, and has said that he likes covering tight ends (music!). Would be a missile on special teams but also could redshirt to gain weight (if he makes it in to school, that is).

Jimmy Gaines (Fr.) – Big kid who has room to put on weight and is young for his grade. Relative unknown in high school but could be groomed with Nelson as the middle linebackers of the future. Almost a definite redshirt.

Kelvin Cain (Fr.) – If he is on the roster (grades) will almost assuredly redshirt. Has the size to grow in to any of the three linebacker positions or defensive end. Long term development project, but could end up as a very good role player, which the team still needs a lot of.

Always guard the inbound passer.