R.I.P. Rosenblatt

Hello All,

Tonight was a special night for all 'Cane fans, although I am sure most don't realize it.

Tonight, South Carolina defeated UCLA in the final College World Series ever played at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.

Next season, the tournament will be moving to a newer stadium. Thankfully, it will be in the same down home city that has hosted the tournament for over half a decade. Unfortunately, no longer will it be played in the Mecca of college baseball.

As a 'Cane fan, I already know what it is like to lose a sacred stadium. I cried the night the

'Canes played their final game in the Orange Bowl (and not just because of the final score). I had to be asked by security to leave the stadium three separate times. The girl I had been trying to date for YEARS was hanging out with Steve and I that night. I don't think I said three words to her the entire game. I found myself taking it all in, between every play, for the last time. I mentally cataloged every great moment I had ever witnessed on that field. I was in a complete daze.

After the game, Steve, The Girl and I stayed in the stadium once all the fans left. It was just us and the band. The band started to pack up when I yelled out "North Dade". They were so happy to hear something break the din that they took their instruments back out and played our requests for the next half hour. It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard (and that is saying something when you consider it was the University of Miami band playing it...sorry Frank).

When security finally made us leave (and I mean literally picked us up out of our seats and told us we had to go) I went back to my room (without The Girl) and wrote the best article of my entire life. It won an award for the best sports story written by any college student in the state of Florida that year. I honestly cannot even remember what it said. It just flowed. Such was my love for the Orange Bowl.

Rosenblatt is probably the third most important stadium in 'Canes sporting history, behind the Old Girl and Mark Light. Miami won 4 national titles there. They also lost possibly the most heartbreaking College World Series in history there on Warren Fuckin' Morris' walk off home run. No, there will be no hyperlink to that moment, or as I like to call it, the moment a 9 year old Dan learned the world is a cruel, wicked place.

It is not just about baseball. The locals LOVE the kids that come to play there. They support the underdog. They appreciate the old guard. They serve up Zesto's and burgers. Little kids go to the CWS and learn why baseball is the greatest sport in the world. Adults go there and re-learn it. Rosenblatt represents all of that more than anything else.

Rosenblatt represents the seniors that lead their team to the CWS knowing that it is probably the last meaningful baseball they will ever play. It represents LSU having the biggest fan contingent there every year (unless Nebraska or Creighton qualifies once in a blue moon), even when there team isn't in it; they just want to be there. It represents Miami executing the Grand Illusion and knocking off powerhouse Wichita State with "The Happiest Team in the World". It represents college baseball graduating from cult sport to having its postseason covered on the front page of ESPN.com. It represents everything that is good about baseball...even Warren Fuckin' Morris.

And now it too is history.

While it definitely isn't the Orange Bowl, Rosenblatt still hurts to see go.

I would have liked to see a traditional field of Miami, Florida State (they made it, and upheld tradition by NOT winning it...c'mon, you knew I was getting an FSU joke in here), LSU, Stanford, Texas, Fullerton, USC and Louisiana Lafayette. Why ULaLa? Because there is always an underdog that no one saw coming...it's a tradition in and of itself.

While I didn't get my wish, this was still one of the greatest CWS in of all time. It was exciting and unpredictable. Rosenblatt had one more surprise left in store for us, matching up long time underachievers UCLA and South Carolina in the final series. Either would have been crowned, surprisingly, for the first time. And South Carolina won, fittingly, on an extra innings walk off single.

To be honest, I don't think it could have happened any better. The mob scene at home plate is everything that is great about Rosenblatt, and therefore everything that is great about baseball.

I found it poetic.

Rest well Rosenblatt, you will be missed.

And whatever ends up happening, Warren Morris can still Geaux to Hell.

Wide Receivers are Like Actresses

Hello All,

The comparisons between receivers and actresses (or divas) is always easy to make. They are usually high profile, tightly wound and eager to bitch. Having been out here for about a month now...and still not being rained on once...I am beginning to see a lot of the quirks of actresses.

For one, most of them are in plain, utter denial...this doesn't have so much to do with the receivers, but I figured I should put it out there. Second, they all think that they are AWESOME at karaoke. Which I guess goes for the whole town. Third, they go everywhere in packs of 5 girls or more (or with their boyfriends, which is another story) and then bitch that guys don't come up and talk to them (always thinking their open, even when they're not...c'mon, that was a GREAT comparison!). Fourth, every out of work actress is a "model". Fifth, they worry waaaaayyyy too much about style and not enough about substance.

Receivers are a lot like actresses in the following ways: There are a ton of them and they go everywhere together (4 and 5 receiver sets!), and 4 out of the 5 bitch when they don't get the ball on a given play (which, by the way, I like...to an extent); they all think that they are the number one receiver (again, good thing to an extent, but usually is just false); they sometimes worry too much about making the highlight catch and forget to grab hold of the easy ones (kind of like forgetting that you can't sing but choosing Carrie Underwood for karaoke); and finally, every receiver who is out of work (Terrell Owens anyone?) defaults to touting themself as the finest physical specimen in the game (like an actress calling herself a model even when they aren't).

And that, my friends, is how we do a transition into talking about receivers here in Los Angeles. Plus, now I have an excuse to look through hundreds of pictures of Carrie Underwood until I find the perfect one. She is, after all, a "Future Former Mrs. Stein on the Sidelines".

Wide Receivers

The Season That Was: Well, we learned once again that there is only one football, and no matter what that video game you’re playing says, not everyone can be the number one wideout. Leonard Hankerson emerged as the number one wide receiver, while Travis Benjamin, LaRon Byrd and Thearon Collier all had their moments. Aldarious Johnson couldn’t seem to get healthy consistently, but still managed to make perhaps the play of the year in the Wake Forest game. Kendall Thompkins and Tommy Streeter got fans excited in limited playing time, and Davon Johnson reshirted.

What Was Lost: A big ball of nothing. Getting Hank back was a big win for this program. You can never have enough experienced playmakers.

Roll Call

Leonard Hankerson (Sr.) – Goes in to the season as the best receiver Miami has had since Roscoe Parrish and the most physically imposing since Andre Johnson. Will be working with Mark Duper for the second summer in a row, which is a great thing; despite the jump he made, Hank still showed flashes of the inconsistent hands that plagues his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He has good rapport with Jacory Harris and is the total package: he can run by people after the catch, go up high and get the ball, break tackles, etc. If Hank can put up another big season he is a possible first round pick.

LaRon Byrd (Jr.) – Stein on the Sidelines’ favorite receiver is a physical monster who opponents respect. A lot of the credit for Hankerson’s big year should be given to Byrd for drawing double teams. He has high expectations for himself and is a hard worker, but at the end of the day all he wants is the win. True ‘Cane that could end up a high round draft pick in a couple of years.

Travis Benjamin (Jr.) – The most exciting player on the roster that can take any play to the barn. Is dangerous running deep routes because no player can single cover him in a foot race, meaning the safety has to come over the top; if he doesn’t, Benjamin will walk in to the end zone (Exhibit A: Florida State). He also is a threat on returns, although he does a little bit too much stutter stepping on punt returns to be a true gamebreaker. The staff raves about his work ethic, and he is the fastest guy on the team. He keeps getting bigger, which will help his slight frame absorb punishment. Another possible high round draft pick.

Thearon Collier (Jr.) – A jitterbug that housed two punts last season and always seems to make the clutch reception. He has had weight problems, however, and is going to be pushed by Kendall Thompkins for playing time this season. How he responds will be one of the most interesting storylines of the season. On a personal note, his son died this offseason, and every ‘Cane fan should say a prayer for the young man.

Aldarious Johnson (Jr.) – Didn’t put up big stats last season and seemed a little slow all year. However, he is clearly still Jacory’s go-to guy in the clutch and should be more productive this season. Good route runner and blocker that will always have a place on the field for Randy Shannon because he does the little things.

Tommy Streeter (So.) – My dad’s personal favorite receiver, he is a 6’6” burner (4.4 Forty) who opens up the vertical passing game. He is at this point a bit player, however, because he hasn’t gotten physical enough to be an everydown receiver. Probably the most talented receiver on the roster and should have a package of plays that he is used in this season. This is the closest thing on the roster to my run-in with one of the female dancers from Dancing With the Stars. Great body (met her at a pool party), can tell she has a lot of potential...BUT, she just had a nose job and was rockin' two black eyes and a big floppy sun hat. Three months from now, she could be great or she could be like the chick from that episode of Seinfeld. You just never know.

Kendall Thompkins (So.) – Thompkins is a burner in the slot who has torn it up two springs in a row. He has plenty of guys in front of him to beat out, but the question now is can they keep Thompkins on the bench. There were rumors he might transfer or switch to defensive back, but I think they were put to rest by his big spring. Will factor in to the return game at minimum.

Davon Johnson (So.) – Made the decision to redshirt last season and create some separation in classes while he became a better player. Probably smart, as he has a great skill set and can fly. Will figure in to the return game and could get into the rotation at receiver. As a freshman, caught everything thrown his way.

Allen Hurns (Fr.) – Hurns draws comparisons to a young Hankerson and is now working out with Duper as well. Is 99% certain to redshirt. If he doesn’t, something really bad happened.

Tight End

The Season That Was: Mark Whipple’s new offense made the tight end prominent again, and as a result Miami got great production out of a basketball player and a guy coming back in record time from an ACL tear.

What Was Lost: Dedrick Epps was the best all around tight end on the roster and was drafted by the Chargers. Jimmy Graham was the fan favorite and a freak athlete that was drafted by the Saints in the 3^rd round after one season of college football. Aside from that, nothing.

Roll Call

Richard Gordon (Sr.) – Seems like he has been around forever. Remember when he returned kicks? Anyway, he is a great blocker and a very unproven receiver, with 4 total receptions in his career. The talent is there, but the question is whether or not he will use it.

Chase Ford (Jr.) – JuCo transfer that should play right away and will probably be the team’s best receiving option at the position. Matter of how quickly he will pick up the playbook and whether he can block.

Billy Sanders (R-Fr.) – Redshirted last season and will see playing time this year. One player called him the toughest guy on the roster. Good to hear, and now we will see if he can make an impact or not.

Asante Jabari- Cleveland (Fr.) – Most likely of the freshmen to play at this position. Very projectable and has a big frame. If he can block and learn the playbook he might make an impact. Still a likely redshirt candidate, however.

Andrew Tallman (Fr.) – Big time athlete who is very raw. Will most likely redshirt, and could be moved to tackle or defensive end.

Clive Walford (Fr.) – Very good athlete, will redshirt if he qualifies academically. Was predominantly a basketball player in high school.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Sports Illustrated,

I was just wondering when it is that I should expect your magazine’s expose entitled “Why Florida Should Drop Football”?

Or maybe a story about how Joe Paterno has lost control of his program in his old age?

Maybe an extended feature on USC and how they should rightfully be stripped of a national title and Reggie Bush of his Heisman?

Or how about a piece on Oregon, everyone’s pre-season darling, having to boot their three best athletes for player-conduct and legal issues (including one on national television)…in less than a year?

After all, this is the same magazine that once ran its sole text-only cover story about why Miami

should do the same (does the photo to the right ring a bell?). This is, after all, the same magazine wherein Rick Reilly once wrote “Miami may be the only squad in America that has its team picture taken from the front and the side”. This was after a series of arrests that stained the reputation of the university. Your cover story was about a Pell-Grant Scandal that shamed everyone involved. It was about an institution that clearly lost control.

Now, you have a UF program that has had 28 players arrested (as of now, but who knows what the number will be next week?) in Coach Urban Meyer’s tenure. The same Meyer that your publication wrote a glorified puff piece about last season (that I am sure has been copied and sent off to every UF recruit by the UF Sports Information Department) in which he is lauded as a...gulp...disciplinarian. Well, maybe if you criticize one his players, but certainly not if you actully play for him. Tim Tebow is worth 12 covers in less than four years (according to the SI Vault) so that your magazine can once again tell us how awesome the young man is (not to take anything away from him), and yet this arrest-streak isn't worthy of some attention? So much for journalistic objectivity.

Now you have Penn State, one of the “Blue Bloods”. The way college football is “supposed to be”, lead by the legend, St. Joe Paterno, who always does things the right way. ESPN seemed to notice the bad things going on in Happy Valley a couple of years ago when they ran an Outside the Lines feature that stated the following: As of Summer 2008, 46 Penn State players had been arrested and faced 163 criminal charges…since 2002. No cover story for that? Oh wait, I forgot, we're not allowed to insult Joe Paterno. How dare I?

Now you have USC, the current glamour program who people have labeled the “West Coast Miami”. Well, first of all, Miami won 5 titles in less than 20 years. USC has 1 in the decade since they climbed back out of their dormant period. And what’s interesting is that they won’t even have that 1 for much longer after it was ruled that Reggie Bush was receiving illegal benefits and was ineligible for that championship game, during which he gained 149 all purpose yards. Reggie Bush, the biggest college football star between Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow, was ineligible to play for that championship game and his entire Heisman Trophy Campaign the following season... and the coaches knew about it! And yet, no cover story? Let’s just say that if it had been Clinton Portis and the 2002 Rose Bowl in question, it probably would have made the cover.

Now you have Oregon, who kicked off LeGarrette Blount for the season after he punched a Boise State player in the face in the aftermath of their 2009 Season Opener. Except, for the season just meant until they needed him to help wrap up a Rose Bowl berth in their Rivalry Game with Oregon State. What would happen if Miami let a player back on the field after openly assaulting an opponent?

SIDENOTE: We found out in 2006 after the FIU brawl. A brawl, I might add, which was started when an FIU player threw Miami’s walk- on placeholder to the ground and stomped on his helmet (people forget this, but that’s the great thing about YouTube). Miami suspended 20+ players for their next game and fired the head coach at the end of the season. And yet, this sent the press howling for not just a suspension, but once again for the program to be dropped.

Blount’s situation would have probably been explainable if it had been isolated, but it wasn’t. Since, Oregon has “booted” star running back LaMichael James and Heisman Hopeful quarterback Jeremiah Masoli from the program for varying degrees of trouble with the law (and in Masoli’s case, repeated trouble with the law). I place booted in quotations because I don’t actually think either of them is gone from the program for good. And yet, no cover story?

And let's not forget Florida State's massive cheating scandal of 3 years ago, Tennessee's annual contender-status for the Fullmer Cup (named, not ironically, after their former coach) which charts player arrests; hell, even Duke is getting in to the act lately. Maybe if the SEC is really looking to expand the Blue Devils would be a good fit.

Now you have Miami. Since hiring Randy Shannon, the program has had one arrest. It was a misdemeanor charge that was dropped. The player, Robert Marve, served a suspension for the season-opener, which would have been his first career start. Marve transferred at the end of the season, ostensibly because of playing time. Many close to the program say that it is really because Marve could not deal with Shannon’s disciplinary system. In times like these, it is weird that this is refreshing.

And yet, no cover story? No puff piece about Miami, of all programs, becoming one of the Top 10 programs in the APR Report every season while also improving on the field? This isn’t Duke or Vanderbilt we are talking about, but Miami. At Miami, they actually win (although admittedly not as much lately as we have grown accustomed to)!

You know, forget the cover story. I don’t want your jinx to hit my program. Instead, I will happily sit and wait for you to print a retraction of your story; better yet, a correction. Maybe an update? I don’t really care. I just want your magazine, the most highly respected sports publication there is (by many, not me, although I am a subscriber), to finally own up to this double standard. And until you do, look forward to getting this exact same letter in your inbox once a week.

Sincerely,

Dan Stein

University of Miami, ‘09

Here's Lookin' at You, Tim

Hello All,

Well, you know it is time for a new blog post when your friend in Azerbaijan tells you it has too long since you put one up.

While I would like to blog more, it has been a little hard to find time since I moved out to the West Coast. Not only did I have to pound the pavement until I found a place to stay (a room in an apartment owned by a sixty year old lady in a neighborhood called Little Ethiopia) and a job (bussing tables at Barney’s Beanery), but I also had to deal with things like avocado on pizza (and sandwiches…and eggs…and as a garnish for cocktails…and pizza; okay I made one of those things up) and cleaning massive amounts of bird crap off Sweet Melissa and half hour drives to move 2 miles and paying 20 bucks a day just to be able to watch the ‘Canes play baseball on the weekends. Anyway, this is the first time I have been able to sit down and write something.

I also realized that I had another problem…there is not much to write about right now. I mean, the firs two things I thought about were meeting Melvin Bratton the other night at work and one of the other busboys I work with, Ricardo, beating Kobe, Lebron, Odom, Carmelo and Barkley in Pop-a-Shot on Jimmy Kimmel Live (and winning a car). Writer’s block, anyone?

Then I remembered that for three years now I have done a player by player breakdown of the roster and have only heard minimal feedback telling me it is stupid. To be honest, I kind of like doing it and then looking back at the end of the season. Plus, I know you are all waiting with baited breath for my next genius, awe-inspiring bit of prose. So without further ado, all aboard.

Quarterback

The Season That Was: Jacory Harris showed that when he is on he is among the best in the nation. However, he also showed a penchant for crippling interceptions, particularly in the North Carolina game.

What Was Lost: Nothing of note. Matt Perelli moved on, which means the ‘Canes need a new holder.

Roll Call

Jacory Harris (Jr.) – Harris will look to grow in his second year in Mark Whipple’s system. This means knowing when to throw it away behind an inexperienced offensive line and when to take a sack. It also means knowing his limits, as in where he can throw the ball and where he opens himself up to interceptions. I expect a big growth season, and if the ‘Canes win enough he will be in the Heisman race.

Spencer Whipple (Jr.) – Whipple transferred in and ran the Scout Team last season. This year he is on scholarship and might get the call off the bench if Jacory were to go down (knockonwoodknockonwoodknockonwoodknockonwood). Smart kid but very limited physically.

A.J. Highsmith (So.) – Ran the second team effectively in limited appearances. A very good athlete who many think will switch to defensive back when Uber-Recruit Teddy Bridgewater arrives in Coral Gables. Personally, I never count out someone whose last name is Highsmith, regardless of position. Also, if I didn't mention this already, I met Melvin Bratton last night.

Stephen Morris (Fr.) – Arrived as an Early-Enrollee and looked good in the Spring Game, but still has a lot of work left to do. Most likely will redshirt.

Running Back

The Season That Was: Graig Cooper broke out as the multi-purpose threat we all knew he could be. Damien Berry broke out as one of the toughest between-the-tackles runners UM has seen in some time. Javarris James once again was limited, but had his moments, such as a 151 yard outburst against Oklahoma. Pat Hill proved that the offense is much more effective when he is on the field then off of it. Mike James filled in ably at fullback and showed glimpses of a bright future.

What Was Lost: Baby J graduated. While he was long a Stein on the Sidelines favorite, he is far from irreplaceable. Tervarris Johnson is gone, but his duties can be absorbed by others after his surprising rise to contributor last year.

Roll Call

Graig Cooper (Sr.) – Coop is showing signs that he will return from his bowl game knee injury at some point this season. Do I think this is smart? No. He needs to sit the year and not come back until he is at full strength. The guy became a real playmaker last season, but his game is predicated on speed. His draft stock will suffer if he comes back and looks slow, which he most likely will. Take your time, rehab and come back 100% Coop. Best case, he comes back at 80% strength and makes a contribution as a runner and receiver. Worst case, he pushes it back too early and does more damage.

Damien Berry (Sr.) – The backup who became the star last year. He runs hard and has a nose for the end zone. Not afraid to run people over, but needs to show more speed and learn to pick up the blitz to become a complete back. Either way, there were games last season that could have been won if he had just been handed the ball more often. Look for big things this season.

Pat Hill (Sr.) – The senior fullback/snow plow will be crucial this season. Not only was the run game more effective early in the season with Hill as the lead blocker, but the passing game was too, as Jacory had more time to sit in the pocket and throw thanks to Hill’s blitz pickup. A healthy Hill could boost Miami’s running attack (which was already good) and help cut down on interceptions.

Lee Chambers (Jr.) – Has shown flashes for years but can’t stay healthy. At this point, it will take a Lion’s effort to keep the young guns from passing him on the depth chart. However, the talent is definitely present, so anything is possible.

Mike James (So.) – Played mostly at fullback last season once Hill was injured but showed the ability to contribute as a pass catcher out of the backfield, pick up the blitz and return kicks last season. With Hill healthy, James will battle for carries all season and should be on the field in third down situations if Berry’s blocking doesn’t improve.

John Calhoun (So.) – Calhoun is a bit of an H-Back type that hasn’t shown much yet. He will be relied on if Hill were to go down again and might see some snaps at tight end. Think of the contribution Tervarris Johnson made last season and envision Calhoun in a similar role.

Lamar Miller (R-Fr.) – Miller is one of the fastest guys on the team and a real home run threat who say out last season. He will figure to be in the return game conversation as well as the running back rotation. Probably the most exciting name on this list. Like Lindsay Lohan before she lost her boobs.

Storm Johnson (Fr.) – Early enrollee that impressed everyone with his combination of size and speed but more than likely will redshirt due to sheer numbers. A very good problem to have. Could be a future superstar, like Melvin Bratton, who I met last night.

Eduardo Clements (Fr.) – Maybe the fastest guy in this group aside from Miller and a dangerous guy out of the slot as well. Mark Whipple loves his pass catching ability and might create a role for him in this year’s offense. However, there has also been rumor that he will move over to DB, which would certainly necessitate a redshirt.

Darrion Hall (Fr.) – Hard runner who is probably the sleeper of this running back roster. After a ‘shirt, he might be the one most likely to surprise people.

Maurice Hagens (Fr.) – A big, muscular kid to play fullback and take over for Hill. Depending upon Calhoun’s performance and Hill’s health, Hagens might have to see the field this season.

Always guard the inbound passer. And remember, I met Melvin Bratton last night.