Alright team, I am too damn nervous about this Nevin Shapiro thing (detailed here) to have a long prologue this week.
Yes, I am beside myself because the guy who ran a $930 million dollar Ponzi scheme seems to be throwing accusations out at random against our program.
Why would I pay any mind to these accusations from a convicted felon whose crime was one of dishonesty and deceit? Because now the NCAA is involved. And they do not operate as a rational body. They are not a court of law. They listen to accusations made by people like Shapiro and then start digging around until they find something. Unless you are one of the good ol’ boys (like Ohio State), you get pummeled. They have done it to Miami once already and seem to have a perpetual axe to grind.
Will the fact that the university cut ties to this guy make an impact? Will the fact that he
seemingly has no real evidence to back it up get this whole thing thrown out? Will the fact that Paul Dee, now head of the NCAA Infraction Committee, was our Athletic Director at the time in question be enough to dispel these rumors? Who knows? The NCAA just caught the Buckeyes red-handed and essentially did nothing. Sound like the type of people you would trust to make the right decision here?
Let’s be honest. Some money probably changed hands. Some meals may have been paid for. It happens everywhere. I am not naïve. Miami does it cleaner than 99% of the programs out there, but they are not perfect. The athletic department took money from him, but Miami’s AD would take money from anyone, including a pimp, as Omar Kelly tweeted. Call it the downside of being a private school with a big time football team.
There is a 4 year statute of limitations on NCAA invesitgations. There seems to be no real evidence to corroborate these claims.
And yet, I have this sinking feeling in my gut. The NCAA is not a fair organization. It has no consistent reason to its rhyme. These things take years to play out sometimes, but I fear that Miami is about to be made an example of. Again.
Hopefully Shapiro ends up in the same jail cell as Tolbert Bain. That oughta straighten some things out.
Anyway, on to the blog about offensive linemen.
(How’s that for a segue?)
Last season, the ‘Canes got markedly better line play and early contributions from freshmen Seantrel Henderson and Brandon Linder. The run game was underused, but that should change this year. Gone is Orlando Franklin, the rock of the group who was out of place at tackle last season. Everyone else is back.
Joel Figueroa, Super Duper Senior
Joey Figs (I like my linemen to sound like hitmen and wiseguys when possible) is back for year 6. He has played guard (good!) and tackle (bad!!!!!) during his career and is taking one last crack at staying healthy.
Ceiling: Starting guard
Floor: Situation run blocker or hurt again
Harland Gunn, Senior
Still my favorite name on the team. If all else fails has a future career in rodeo. Is explosive off the ball but seems to struggle in pass protection (otherwise he probably would be approaching the record for most career starts at Miami).
Ceiling: All ACC guard
Floor: Figueroa’s platoon partner
Tyler Horn, Senior
The leader of the line and one of the leaders of the team. Underrated performance last season as the center and will contend for All ACC honors this season.
Ceiling: All ACC center
Floor: Solid but not spectacular center who struggles to move nose tackles off the ball and possibly gets pulled for a young pup as the season goes.
Brandon Washington, Junior
The best lineman on the team last season, he is seeing some time at right tackle with the injury to Seantrel Henderson as the staff does its best to get the five best linemen on the field.
Ceiling: All American
Floor: Overmatched at right tackle and gets his confidence shaken; unable to match the past two seasons.
Ben Jones, Junior
Jones came in as a project and has flashed but still is not doing it consistently enough. Trying to get into the rotation but it looks once again like he will not see much of the field, at least early on in the season.
Ceiling: Emerges late in camp as the right tackle, allowing Washington to move back inside
Floor: Backup
Jeremy Lewis, Junior
Moved over from defensive tackle this fall and will try to add some depth on the interior. Kid has all the talent in the world but seems to lack the fire to do it on every play so far.
Ceiling: Puts himself in the rotation late in the season and gets a leg up in next season’s derby to replace Washington and Gunn.
Floor: Another wasted year
Jermaine Johnson, Junior
Jermaine is a very athletic tackle but another example of “needs to do it every down”. Started a bunch of games at right tackle last season (yes, a bunch) but hasn’t been mentioned much in camp.
Ceiling: Starting tackle
Floor: Bench
Seantrel Henderson, Sophomore
Will be an All American when he gets healthy. Also, I am going to give him the nickname “Seantrel the Hotel”. And I am keeping it going. So there, suck it.
Ceiling: Starting left tackle when he makes his way back from injury on his way to fulfilling Jonathan Ogden potential
Floor: Redshirt and hurt and then next season fulfills his Jonathan Ogden potential…either way the kid is a first rounder next year
Brandon Linder, Sophomore
Second best player in what could become one of the most epic o-line classes in history (thank you Randy Shannon). Can play all five positions and most likely will see most of his time at the guard spots. I am not sure he will be listed as a starter but might end up as one of the five guys used the most.
Ceiling: All ACC First Team and spends time everywhere on the line
Floor: utility lineman who earns a starting spot next season
Malcolm Bunche, Freshman (RS)
The guy who will be replacing Henderson at left tackle and who I have to imagine will end up at right tackle or left guard in the future. Came on strong in spring camp and is apparently the strongest man on the team.
Ceiling: Keeps the seat warm for Henderson on the blindside and makes it hard for The Hotel to get his job back.
Floor: Abused on the blindside by the speed rushers of the ACC, as you would expect from a freshman.
Shane McDermott, Freshman (RS)
This kid is a pit bull who is in a battle with Horn for the center job but can also play guard. Technique, technique, technique. Would have to have an amazing camp to win the job this year (it is Horn’s to lose) but he will be in the interior rotation and is set up as a leader of the line for years to come.
Ceiling: Wins the starting center job and immediately becomes the next Brett Romberg.
Floor: Rotation guy who entrenches himself as the long term answer at center next season
Jared Wheeler, Freshman (RS)
Big guy who is playing guard and is smart enough to have chosen Miami over Vanderbilt. Will most likely be a practice squad guy this year.
Ceiling: Becomes the third guard
Floor: Practice squad
Jermaine Barton, Freshman (RS)
Tall, athletic lineman that used to play basketball and will most likely be a right tackle down the line.
Ceiling: Fourth Tackle
Floor: Practice squad
Jon Feliciano, Freshman (RS)
I like this kid and think he is big and mean. That said, he has some work to do and a lot of people in front of him to beat out.
Ceiling: 4th guard
Floor: Practice squad
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