Thursday, September 1, 2011

It Is Upon Us

Hello All,


We are drawing very close to to the kickoff of this season, and I can not be happier. I have never NEEDED football in my life more than right now, for a number of reasons.



Monday night at 5:00 PM is so close I can taste it. I will put Kanye's"Amazing" on repeat when I go to bed on Sunday night. I will wake up and get an intense workout in. I will spend the day watching Miami pump up videos on YouTube. An hour before kickoff the pre-game playlist will kick in..."Take Me Home Country Roads" (don't ask), "Ballin' Boys", "Take it to the House", "Rock You Like a Hurricane", "Hell's Bells", "Enter Sandman", "Swagga Like Us", and of course the "In the Air Tonight" crescendo as we reach kickoff.


I will have Budweiser and guacamole and whiskey shots for touchdowns. I will keep my running notes. I will call my dad roughly a million times. My phone will be thrown. I will answer a hundred text messages. I will have noise complaints against my apartment. I will feel truly, 100% alive for the first time in at least 3 months. We are done talking about recruiting and scandals and Nevin Shapiro and all the peripheral crap that brings out the worst in the sport I love the most.


We are finally back to the part that matters. Gameday. Tailgating. Rivalries. School colors. C-A-N-E-S. Swagger. Two teams and one winner. Football.


Since we are here, let’s start off with my first set of picks. As usual, I will not be picking Miami games. It is bad luck of the highest order and I do not deal in bad karma.


(Yes, we are a little superstitious here at Stein on the Sidelines.)

Florida Atlantic over UiF
Louisiana-Monroe over Free Shoes University
Appalachian State over Vagina…errr…Virginia Tech
Chattanooga over Nebraska
Western Carolina over Georgia Tech

Just kidding. I don’t think any of those things. Just wanted to point out who these guys are playing.

USC over Minnesota

Because I will be there watching and I hate the Big 10. Oh, yes, a new season brings a new wave of unconditional despise for the most boring, overrated conference in football.

Ole Miss over BYU

The mini-upset. The Mormons are going to have a tough time going into the Deep South and getting a win over a bunch of pissed off rednecks. Houston Nutt is coaching for his job. I have looked into the man’s eyes and shook his hand. I am pretty sure he would strap his players to a cotton gin if it meant that he would draw a paycheck. (Wait, was that a bad joke? We still too soon on this?) Anyway, that is this week’s UPSET SPECIAL. Weak sauce.

UGA over Boise State

Another mini-upset. Georgia is my sleeper team to win it all this year. I am not of the camp that disrespects Boise; in fact, I think they consistently get screwed. But I think Georgia is as close as you get to this year’s version of last year’s Auburn team. Minus the smoking, smoldering money trail proving flat out that they bought their best player.


(And that was this week's obligatory $EC joke!)

Notre Dame over USF

If Notre Dame actually had any balls and went to Tampa to play this team, I would be tempted to make the upset pick. But this is at Notre Dame and the refs would NEVER let USF go in and win a close game at Notre Dame. Christ I hate Notre Dame.

(And that is what we like to call the worst pun of the day.)

LSU over Oregon

Jordan Jefferson missing this game for LSU sounds bad. It does. Then you remember that he threw for 2 TDs in LSU’s first game last season and then 2 THE REST OF THE SEASON. And then you see that LSU went 11-2 anyway. And then you see that LSU has one of the top 5 defenses in the nation. And then you see how Auburn beat Oregon in last year’s title game: crash the middle and much up the offense while using your speed to contain LaMichael James on the outside...exactly what LSU is built to do. Damn, the SEC wins both their big games.. I hate their teams (minues Ole Miss...and Georgia...and I have sort of a soft spot for Tennessee). But they sure as hell know how to play football.

As for the ‘Canes, it is going to be a tough one against Maryland.

I honestly don’t care whether we win a game or not this season, I will just be happy to have ‘Canes football.

Having said that, I think we are going to shock some people. Imagine the following scene:

It is opening night. National television. On the road, in a hostile environment (Maryland) which is frothing at the mouth with negativity in light of the recent allegations made against your program. The players are gathered in the locker room 5 minutes before the coin toss. All is silent. Men are seen sitting in their locker stalls listening to their iPods, receiving final tape jobs…many are praying. First year Miami head coach Al Golden walks into the center of the locker room. All eyes turn to him. The man has imparted his way on this team but has now seen his first fall camp disrupted by a scandal seeded years before his reign was even a rumor. He lingers for a beat, and then two, as he soaks in the scene.

“Gentlemen,” he states---nay---declares in a voice which is not a scream but demands immediate attention, “on a knee.”

The players gather around the man that has become their leader.

“Men,” he commands as the locker room falls silent once again.

Another long beat goes by.

“You have all worked hard over the past months,” he says with a calculated delivery. “You have poured sweat, tears and blood into furthering the legacy. What you hear now are the sounds of a stadium full of people who want to take that dream away from you. Outside this stadium, there is a national media calling for you to have your dream taken away. Everyone but the people in this locker room wants YOU to fail. It is now up to YOU to show the world what happens when you back the Miami Hurricanes into a corner. It is time to take all the frustration, all the hard work, and all the fury you have gathered over the past year and put it into the opposition. Go out and show me what happens when someone tries to take what you love away from you. Deserve victory.”

Golden walks away as the players boil over in the locker room.

As Golden walks into the tunnel, heard in the background is a locker room full of men acting like rabid dogs. They spill into the tunnel behind their coach. It is time to play, and the players who were silently on edge two minutes ago have now boiled over.There is only one thing which can sate their sudden bloodlust: violent contact.

A Hurricane has been unleashed in College Park, Maryland.

END SCENE

There are few trump cards that motivate a man quite like the “no one believes in us” trump card. To say that the Hurricanes will be playing with that mentality this year is probably an understatement. I am willing to bet Al Golden’s Master’s Degree in Sports Psycology on it.

This will not be the same Miami team that played down to the level of its competition and sleepwalked through games last season. Every man on the field will be on a mission: hurt the sumbitch that is unlucky enough to line up across from you. This will be a team that plays with an edge. This will be a team that forces you to fight them on every play.

They may not win every game, but you can bet your ass they will not go silently. If you have that mentality, the “next man up” persona that every great program possesses, then you are able to fight through the tough times. You are able to weather the storm and, indeed, turn it on others. You do not beat yourselves, but you force others to beat you. And that is a lot easier said than done.


- - -

There is one set of players left to break down, and it is maybe the one with the most question marks on the roster.



Last year, the secondary was much improved but still left something to be desired. And that something was playmaking ability.

Brandon Harris, DeMarcus Van Dyke and Ryan Hill, the top three corners, are all playing in the NFL now, with Harris and Van Dyke impressing so far. So the issue was not talent. The problem was that our guys always seemed to drop the interception in a key spot. They didn’t give up many big plays through the air but they also didn’t necessarily come up with any big plays for our side either. Van Dyke was also a particularly weak tackler, and while this year’s group of corners is certainly not the most talented or polished, they will probably not have that same problem.

At safety the play was much more solid, as Ray Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque both started to show the promise that created so much hype around them coming out of high school. The only player lost at safety is Jared Campbell, who was never anything more than a situational guy anyway.

CB

Jo Jo Nicolas, Sr.

JoJo was supposed to play corner, and will at times, but will be a starting safety until Ray Ray Armstrong returns from suspension. He is the perennial Stein on the Sidelines whipping boy, the Romeo Davis of the secondary, but I am hopeful that he proves me wrong. Perhaps a new regime has unlocked what was missing and he will turn into the star I thought he could be. Frankly I would be happy if he doesn't spike himself. On a completely serious note, all the best wishes go out to Jo Jo and his family in the wake of the death of his young son within the past week. I may not like him as a player but I hope no one mistakes that for actual vitriol toward the person. He is a hard worker, a leader, and a good person.


Ceiling: Surprises Stein on the Sidelines by not being a total stiff. Really anything beyond that is gravy.
Floor: Same Ol' JoJo


Lee Chambers, Sr.

The injury prone former running back is hoping to be the next Sam Shields. He is less talented than Shields was in terms of pure skill set, but he seems to have taken a good approach and has put his name in the ring for a starting spot with a solid spring and now a solid fall. Certainly has a thicker body type than a lot of the guys on the roster.

Ceiling: Starter
Floor: Injured

Michael Williams, Sr.

A one and done guy who is a grad student transfer from Wake Forest. Has consistently earned the praise of the coaching staff and with the current limbo of the position and the depth issues presented will be at worst the nickel back.

Ceiling: All ACC Type
Floor: Nickel corner

Brandon McGee, Jr.

Has a world of talent, probably the most of any corner on the team and possibly the most of any player on the team overall. Will start the season as a starter and someone will have to take the job from him.


Ceiling: Starter
Floor: Kick Returner

Keion Payne, RS- Fr.

Payne came in with the label of silky smooth cover corner from St. Thomas Aquinas and as far as I can tell has done nothing to disprove that label. He is one of those guys that is on the roster and you don’t hear much about. Those guys have a way of sneaking up on you. Creepers.

Ceiling: As the season goes he earns more playing time and becomes a starter
Floor: Continue to not hear about him

Kacy Rogers, RS-Fr.

Rogers is starting to draw the praise of the staff for being a solid special teams player and being able to play both corner and safety. Will be on the travel squad and with the uncertainty of the roster, could end up playing a large role by the end of the season.

Ceiling: Starter by end of season
Floor: Special teams flyer

Thomas Finnie, Fr.

Finnie is a below the radar freshman that made waves in spring and has continued to insert himself into the starting conversation in the fall. Will contribute. Tough and has a lot of speed.

Ceiling: Freshman All ACC
Floor: Chavez Grant


S

Vaughn Telemaque, Jr.

Telemaque started living up to his reputation as a ballhawk last season and became one of the leaders of the defense. Is poised for a big season if on the field, as the new defense will look to make better use of his roaming capability.



Ceiling: All Conference type of player
Floor: Solid performer at safety that can make all the calls for the secondary



Ray Ray Armstrong, Jr.

Aggressive player who LOVES contact and has better range than he gets credit for. Is seen as a future first round draft pick and showed the best nose for the ball of anyone on the team last season not names “Spence”. Must serve 4 game suspension to start the season.



Ceiling: All America type of player
Floor: Suspended and loses momentum

A.J. Highsmith, So.

Highsmith is a guy who I had meant to target as a guy who could come from completely off the radar and be a factor by the end of the season. Thanks again, NCAA. He may now be forced into a starting role in his first season switching over from QB. I think he has all the athletic skills and certainly is smart enough to learn the position. He also comes with the added intangible of being the son of perhaps the greatest ‘Cane of them all (certainly the baddest), Alonzo.

Ceiling: Nickel Back
Floor: In way over his head as a starter and loses confidence

Andrew Swasey, Jr.

Son of the strength coach and a bit of a revelation as a walk-on performer this spring, he has become a special teams nightmare and shows a willingness to mix it up with guys much larger than he is. Has shown a knack for blocking kicks, which is a skill this team desperately needs to regain.

Ceiling: Surprise of the year as the third safety/special teams gunner/kick blocker. You know how NBA teams have energy guys like Renaldo Balkman and Ronny Turiaf who are limited in ability but able to pick up a team for 4 or 5 minute bursts, knowing they only have 5 minutes to do it anyway so they might as well max out? He could be the football equivalent of that.
Floor: Walk on for a reason

Tyrone Cornelius, So.

Hard hitter who KO’d a UNC return man last season, Cornelius will be one of the special teams leaders this season and is prized by Coach Golden for his ability to run and strike. Moved from linebacker this offseason so he is learning the ropes at safety, but we will hear his name called this fall.

Ceiling: Special teams captain
Floor: Special teamer

Eduardo Clements, So. (Moved to RB)

Clements is fast and built very compactly. Would have been a great DB but for now is needed at running back with Kevin Grooms a Clearinghouse casualty.

Ceiling: Third running back and special teams stud
Floor: Not on the travel roster

Dallas Crawford, Fr.

This kid defines the type of player we are trying to bring in to the program but probably needs a year to adjust before getting any major playing time. Future leader.

Ceiling: Special teamer
Floor: Redshirt

Thurston Armbrister, Fr.

The leader in the clubhouse for “Black Guy Who Sounds Like He Should be The Lily-White Son of a Northeastern Shipping Magnate” Award. Redshirt city.

Ceiling: Redshirt
Floor: Redshirt

On special teams, the ‘Canes lose the only kicker that has ever truly mattered to me, Matt Bosher. The kid kicked, punted and body slammed returners. He was one of the few last season that played Miami Hurricane Football. He is now punting, holding and body slamming returners (got called for a personal foul for horse collaring in a pre season game) for the Atlanta Falcons. I am not going to give a ceiling and floor for each of the guys in the running to be his replacement(s) this season because the ceiling for each of them is Matt Bosher and the floor for each of them is “kicker that isn’t used”. I am not of the school that does not respect what kickers do, but I do not know nearly enough about them to break them down in any great depth. The punter will be Dalton Botts, a JUCO transfer. The kicker will be Jake Wieclaw (finally won a job). The others in the mix will be freshman Matt Goudis and walk-ons Ben Hopfinger and Cameron Dean.



(Again, Bosher was so great that he once inspired my brother to say "if we had a sister, Bosh could definitely (date) her." Oh Bosher, you will be missed.)

At returner, the ‘Canes have a lot of options. There are the usual options: Travis Benjamin (if eligible), Lamar Miller and Brandon McGee. Others in the mix will be Phillip Dorsett (probably will be one of the two primary guys), Eduardo Clements, Davon Johnson, Kendall Thomkins and Kevin Grooms (if on the roster).

And with that, you now have your unofficial, possibly irrelevant Stein on the Sidelines media guide. You are (semi?) prepared for the season from a personnel standpoint.



The team might be surrounded by turmoil, but one thing is for sure: Miami football is back.

They’re going to be angry. They’re going to be motivated. There’s a storm brewin’ in Coral Gables, and suspensions or not it’s about to be unleashed on the world.

(The cliche abides)

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