Sports Illustrated Sleeps With the Fishes

Hello All,

I intended this morning to write an introduction to this blog that was a loose connection between the billboards that are starting to come out in full force for the new television series scheduled for this fall on the networks.

Then I caught wind of the upcoming tear down of the ‘Canes by Sports Illustrated. Call it “Why Miami Should Drop Football, V2.0”. Well, as a subscriber to Sports Illustrated, I decided it was time to end that financial relationship and do a little venting.

You will recall last summer I wrote a post about the evils of this magazine. At that time I said I would send my post in e-mail form to Sports Ill once a week until they printed a retraction or an apology.

Times have changed and certainly so have circumstances. So today I decided to cancel my subscription. But not before I fired off this letter to their editors:

“Your personification of the University of Miami is shameful. For years I
have subscribed to your magazine despite your checkered history with my alma
mater, but after your most recent smear job, I will never read your magazine
again. Congratulations, you lost a 5 year subscriber who, at the age of 24, had
roughly 50 years left as a consumer of your publication. It would be one thing
if you condemned Miami after FACTUAL EVIDENCE was discovered in wake of the ALLEGATIONS made by a scorned ex-booster guilty of $930 million in fraud (I
would define fraud for you but you clearly know what it means, as you base your
journalistic standards upon it). It would be one thing if you covered them in
the same light as you covered every other program that gets hit by scandal. But
you haven't. Where are the articles saying why North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn
State, Florida State, Florida, Oregon, Georgia Tech, LSU or Oklahoma should drop
football? Where are the highlights of Miami having a Top 10 APR performance
among all FBS football programs? Those are rhetorical, which I know is a fancy
word for someone like Alexander Wolff to understand, but what it means is you
don't actually have to answer. Not that you would anyway. You clearly have an
axe to grind and those questions can only be answered by an organization not
totally immersed in self-fellating. I am not surprised at your complete and
total sham of a story. What I am surprised by is that I ever expected any better
of you.”

Damn, now I feel better. And no, I am not sure if “fellating” is a word. But I think I got my point across. Hey Sports Ill, you’re f*ckin’ out, as Kenny Powers would say.


I kind of wish I could have a Michael Corleone moment with Wolff, sitting in my swivel chair in dimly lit Casa de Bro.







SCENE:







My muscle (my roommate Graham) walks him in as I sip from my glass of Scotch and blot my face with a cool towel.







Stein on the Sidelines, not turning around: Sit down Alex. *Takes puff of cigar* You have to answer for Miami, Wolff.

Wolff: Stein on the Sidelines, you got it all wrong.

SOS: Ah, that little farce you played with The Buckeyes. You think that would fool a 'Cane?

Wolff: I'm innocent, I swear on my kids. *stands up and tries to approach the chair*

SOS: *swiveling around* Sit down, Wolff.

Wolff: Don't do this to me...

SOS: Shapiro is dead. Wetzel, Robinson, May, Holtz. Today I settled all family business, so don't tell me that you're innocent. Admit what you did.

Wolff: *accepts airplane ticket from consiglieri (Billy Stein)*

SOS: Get him a drink. Don't be afraid Wolff. You think I'd make Sports Illustrated a widow? I am a five year subscriber.

SOS: Go ahead. Drink. Drink. No, you're out of the family business, that's your punishment. You're finished. I'm putting you on a plane to Vegas. Billy?

*Billy hands Wolff a ticket*

SOS: I want you to stay there, alright? Only don't tell me your innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and it makes me very angry. Now, who approached who? You or the magazine?

Wolff: It was me.

SOS: Good. There's a car outside that will take you to the airport. I'll call your wife and tell her what flight you're on.

Wolff: Listen, Stein on the Sidelines...

SOS: Go. Get out of my sight.

*Wolff never makes it out of the driveway*

END SCENE

Now who wants to retract that article?

Every time I have to write something about this scandal (and by “have to” I mean I get so angry and distracted at work that no amount of Words With Friends or Angry Birds can help me) it makes me yearn for the days when I could just write about our very unproven football team.

Because we are running out of time to break down these players, this is going to a breakdown of the entire front 7 on defense and therefore maybe a little briefer than usual. I know this upsets the 23 of you who actually read this blog. To you I say…meh, I guess I have no excuse. This is just a long post. Deal with it.

On the defensive line, the ‘Canes return essentially everyone. Allen Bailey was a stud, but he always seemed to be achieving about 75% of what he was capable of. Bailey never could settle in as he shuffled between end and tackle, cutting into his production at both. He is gone to the NFL, but the d-line has more than enough bodies to throw into the mix. The question is, will they get enough disruption?

I am a huge proponent of a good defense starting with the defensive tackles, or as I like to call it, the Trickle Down Effect for football. If the tackles tie up the 3 interior linemen, then the defensive ends see single blockers on the outside, battles which they can win.

This frees up the linebackers from dealing with bigger linemen, and either has them going up against weaker running backs and tight ends or leaves them free to roam sideline to sideline and attack the ball.

The increased pressure on the quarterback means you can leave your corners in isolation more often, as they won’t have to go as long covering a receiver; they also benefit from rushed throws from quarterbacks, leading to more turnovers. Safeties become weapons instead of just over the top protectors.

In other words…it all starts down low (a fact I believe the Ying Yang Twins once waxed poetic on). While most of us watch the ball on every snap, try to take some time out of the next game you are at to watch the battle at the line of scrimmage. It will open your eyes to just how important these big men are to a football team; the team that moves the line of scrimmage in their favor wins the game.

DT

Micanor Regis, Sr.

Regis has been one of the few guys in the last few years who has gotten markedly better every year. He is one of the leaders of the team and showed up this season lighter and stronger (‘leaner’, I think they call it). People peg him as the run stuffer that we play next to Marcus Forston, but in reality he has a lot of playmaking ability of his own; this is illustrated by his three career picks, which is a bigger number than all of our cornerbacks…combined.

Ceiling: All ACC performer and outshines Forston as a more versatile player who can also flex out to end in a 3-4 situational alignment
Floor: Solid run stuffer

Marcus Forston, Jr.

Forston has been dogged by injuries throughout his career but has shown flashes of the promise the had folks comparing him to Warren Sapp and Jerome Brown when he came out of high school. He was one of the few that showed a consistent motor throughout the bowl game and has emerged as a leader this offseason. Has gotten rave reviews from the staff, and seemingly the only thing that could keep him from having a monster season in an injury or the NCAA Investigators dragging their feet.

Ceiling: First Team All American
Floor: Injured/Suspended

Darius Smith, Jr.

Smith arrived from Junior College this summer and has mad quite an impression, muscling his way to the 4th defensive tackle spot. He is nicknamed “plug”, so you know what kind of game to expect from him.

Ceiling: Terrance Cody
Floor: Out of shape and falls out of the rotation

Curtis Porter, So. (I hope)

Porter is probably the most underrated player on the team when he is healthy. He just clogs everything up in the middle and is a very formidable third tackle that is essentially a co-starter and takes pressure off of the Regis-Forston tandem.

Ceiling: Stays healthy and has the breakout season that earns him the recognition he deserves
Floor: Hurt


Luther Robinson, So.

Robinson has a lot of talent and started to see playing time last season, but still has a way to go to become a consistent contributor. In a dogfight for one of the fringe spots on the traveling roster.

Ceiling: Forces his way into playing time as a penetrating situational tackle as the season goes on
Floor: Out of the playing rotation

Jalen Grimble, Fr.

Grimble will be used as both a tackle and an end. He is very talented, as he was a 5 star recruit. However, he most likely redshirts this season.

Ceiling: Instant impact freshman
Floor: Forced into playing time by injury or suspension before he is ready.

Olsen Pierre, Fr.

Another big freshman, Pierre enrolled early and actually has a more realistic shot of playing time than the higher rated Grimble as a freshman. Another guy that will see snaps at both tackle and end in practice to boost the depth at both.

Ceiling: See “Grimble, Jalen”
Floor: See “Grimble, Jalen”

Corey King, Fr.

King was a late addition to the class and will most likely be headed to prep school, as he has run into NCAA Clearinghouse issues.

Ceiling: Redshirt
Floor: Prep School

DE

Adewale Ojomo, Sr.

Ojomo is one of the team’s most fiery players and also one of its best when he is in shape and on the field. He is a leader of the defense and looks poised to make some big noise before he graduates (I should write for Athlon or an equally cheesy publication). Linked to NCAA Investigation.

Ceiling: 10 sack season, All Conference
Floor: Suspended

Marcus Robinson, Sr.

Robinson is a pure speed rusher who wears down when played too much but can be devastating attacking from the edge. They have been using him as a flex end/linebacker in fall camp and that is probably where he should be. Linked to NCAA Investigation.

Ceiling: Spencer Adkins if they had ever figured out how to use him; Javon Nanton type of season
Floor: Suspended

Andrew Smith, Sr.

Smith is the guy who doesn’t look that great in the uniform and doesn’t jump off the screen at you but always seems to be around the ball making plays. Will continue to be a mainstay of the defensive end rotation this season.

Ceiling: 5+ sacks in a supporting role
Floor: Passed by more skilled players on the depth chart

Olivier Vernon, Jr.

An absolute monster physique and the physical tools to be an All American. Plays the game hard and with a chip on his shoulder. Will be a beast if he maxes out this season. Linked to NCAA Investigation.

Ceiling: All American
Floor: Suspended

Shayon Green, Fr.

One of the team’s hardest workers but also one of the most injury prone. Was tried as a middle linebacker last season before being moved back to end. Isn’t the biggest but plays his ass off.

Ceiling: Forces playing time through effort and motor and finds a role
Floor: Special teams demon

Dyron Dye, So. (MOVED TO TIGHT END)

Including him here because he moved from defensive end to tight end since I posted my breakdown of the receivers group. Dye is linked to the NCAA Investigation.

Ceiling: Special teams demon
Floor: Suspened

David Perry, RS-Fr.

Tall guy with a lot of speed and talent but has a lot of development left, even after last season’s redshirt.

Ceiling: Kick blocker extraordinaire
Floor: Forced into duty too early by suspension

Anthony Chickillo, Fr.

“3G” will play from day one, whether by suspension or not. He is a supremely talented kid who plays with the heart and tenacity of someone trying to get by on guts and guts alone. The future leader of the program and a contender for a starting job from day one.

Ceiling: Starter and Freshman All American
Floor: Fourth end in the rotation and special teams demon

Ricardo Williams, Fr.

Tall and skinny with a big motor. Needs to put on weight but has the potential to become a dynamic pass rusher, rather with his hand down or as a stand up edge guy.

Ceiling: Redshirt
Floor: Redshirt

At linebacker, the ‘Canes lose Colin McCarthy, another guy with a very productive career at Miami but deemed a failure by many who expected him to be Dan Morgan because he was white and wore the same jersey number. He will be tough to replace, but there is no shortage of talent in this group and definitely no shortage of competition.

LB

Sean Spence, Sr.

Spence is a super stud. He was the ACC Freshman of the Year, then went through a tough sophomore season filled with injuries before beating out again last season. He is a downhill linebacker and gets to the ball in a hurry. Once he is there, he is possibly the hardest hitter in the conference. He will always be on the small side but has bulked up to more than 220 lbs for the first time in his career. Along with Forston, Spence is the co-leader of this defense and probably the team as a whole. Linked to NCAA Investigation.

Ceiling: Butkus Award Winner
Floor: Suspended

Ramon Buchannan, Sr.

Buchannan is probably the top athlete on the defense. He is big and fast and agile enough to have been a safety at one point in his career. Has seemingly locked down a starting spot on the strong side, and could be devastating on the blitz.

Ceiling: All ACC
Floor: Rotation guy at linebacker

Jordan Futch, Sr.

This is it for Futch, who has always been one of my favorites but has never found a groove. Whether it is injury or the doghouse or inconsistency, he has been unable to find the field consistently. The current coaching staff has taken several subtle shots art Futch for his effort from play to play, and right now he looks like a backup.

Ceiling: Starting middle linebacker
Floor: 5th linebacker

C.J. Holton, Jr. (MOVED TO FB)

Holton has been moved over to fullback, a move many think is a way to force him out the door. I tend to see the glass half full and think it is more of a move to find a role for a good athlete who is buried on the depth chart. Think Tervarris Johnson.

Ceiling: Tervarris Johnson
Floor: Special teamer

Jimmy Gaines, So.

Gaines has all but locked down the starting middle linebacker job by pairing a breakout spring with a solid fall camp and seems to be one of the leaders of this corps. Great athlete and the type of kid you want to be the face of the program.

Ceiling: Breakout star of the defense
Floor: 4th linebacker

Kelvin Cain, So.

Along with Gaines, went lightly recruited out of high school but has since forced his way into early playing time, including a start last season against Duke in which he recorded a sack, a fumble recovery and 9 tackles. He needs to gain weight but looks like he will be in the mix again and a solid contributor that seemingly came from nowhere.

Ceiling: Beats Buchannan out for the strongside job
Floor: Special teams demon

Gionni Paul, Fr.

Paul has been the best of Miami’s freshman linebackers and has a ready made college body. Is Gaines’ main competition at middle linebacker at this time, or so it seems.

Ceiling: ACC All- Freshman team
Floor: Backup middle linebacker

Denzel Perryman, Fr.

Perryman is also in the mix at outside linebacker. He is on the small side like Spence, but more thickly built.

Ceiling: Freshman starter
Floor: Special teams demon

Eddie Johnson, Fr.

The least highly regarded of the ‘Canes freshman linebackers, he has inserted himself into the mix at middle linebacker and could be used as a blitzer as well. Is big of body and could be this season’s surprise.

Ceiling: Freshman starter
Floor: Redshirt

Antonio Kinard, Fr.

Has been flagged by the NCAA Clearinghouse and most likely is headed to prep school.

Ceiling: Redshirt
Floor: Prep School

Always guard the inbound passer.

And by the way, Maryland? There’s a freakin’ storm coming that would make Irene crap her pants, suspensions or not. That’s going to be an angry group of boys you’re dealin’ with. If I didn’t hate your fans so much I would almost feel bad for them. 11 days baby. We’re comin’.

What I Think and What I Know

NOTE: This is a blog about the controversy that engulfed the college football world thanks to a Yahoo! Sports article detailing allegations surrounding the 'Canes football team. I am not posting any pictures or linking to the any passages from this article. If you haven't read it or seen, which you probably have if you are reading this, find it on your own.

I have ridden some up and downs with the Miami football program.

I watched us get ravaged by NCAA Probation in the mid-90’s as a young fan. I watched us pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and become the greatest team the world has ever seen. I watched us get robbed by Ohio State and I cried my eyes out. I watched us fall under Coker and stagnate under Shannon. I was at the last game at the Orange Bowl and heard the Band of the Hour play 'North Dade' for the last time. I was on campus covering the team when Bryan Pata got murdered. I was on campus when Sean Taylor got murdered. I remember watching Chris Campbell and Marlon Barnes play.

Every time something bad happens to this program I am left feeling sad and hopeless. I watch as the vultures gather and sharks pool. I watch as people who went to dumb fucking schools that don't even have football teams take potshots at mine, and by extension, me. I take this stuff personally.

As a result of the deep connection, I am a few parts numb and most parts pissed off this morning, in the wake of the ALLEGATIONS that are being paraded all over the media today.

Let me try and take some people through a little of what it is to be a ‘Canes fan. You are a fan of a school that no one knows much about. It is not a state school, even though we have the football program you would associate with one. It is not an athletic powerhouse; it established a football dynasty almost in spite of its shortcomings.

This is a program that changed the face and the very style of college football. The program is an outsider at the table with the big boys and gets treated as such. Every slight is magnified. When Taylor and Pata were murdered, there were people who said they actually deserved it because of where they are from. Such is life as a ‘Canes fan. Tragedy is never recognized....it is extrapolated, reversed and then glorified. To be a ‘Cane is to be part of something special and unique. It attracts jealousy and hatred. Anyone who thinks that sounds cheesy can go to hell, too.


That is the lens we look through as fans. It is the corner we are backed into.

And this is why it is particularly devastating when this happens.

Now, am I burying my head in the sand and pretending this controversy is not happening? No I most certainly am not. But I also am not quickly jumping into the trial by public opinion that everyone seems to engage in the second one of these stories drops.

These times call for a dichotomy between what we think and what we know.

I know the guy trying to bring our program down is a sleaze ball. He is a little man (literally) with a big chip on his shoulder who has been convicted of $930 million in FRAUD. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, fraud. Lying and misleading people. To the tune of almost $1 billion. With a ‘b’.

I know that I listened to his lawyer, a poor representative of what it means to be a Miami alumni, go on the radio this morning and try and present her client as a victim. Somewhere Bill Clinton is smiling. To rephrase: I listened to a lawyer present someone who stole $930 million from innocent clients and now is being forced to pay it back as a victim.

I know that said sleaze ball has motive to lie about Miami. He is butt hurt that after he was “forced to open his house and bank account at the university’s behest” (his lawyer’s words) to players, they then went pro and wanted nothing to do with the little man with a Napoleon complex.

(Also, the image of Donna Shalala forcing anyone to do anything is hilarious. She is a 4’9” university president. What’d she do, threaten to shoot his mother?)

I know this sleaze ball once almost blinded a bar owner who threw him out, claiming he attacked the man “because he made me look bad”.

I know this sleaze ball once tried to pick a fight in the press box of the Orange Bowl with our compliance director because he was doing his job too well (READ: not granting the sleaze ball enough access to the players....hmmmmmmm).

I think the story itself is murky. There are definitely things in it which are troubling for Miami. I am certainly not naïve enough to think that everything said in the article is false. Miami is not perfect. I think the school does it better and cleaner than most when it comes to compliance, but the NCAA system is broken. Scratch that, the system is not broken; it was never solvent.

(Example: If my buddy Steve and I, while in college, had been offered to use some guy’s yacht on a Sunday with a couple of sorority girls, we would not be stopping to ask “who is this guy?” or “why are we being offered this?” Neither would the people at the NCAA who are investigating this. So the question, then, is why should these players be asked to do any differently?)

I think the story itself relies on some iffy evidence. For instance, I have a receipt on my desk at home right now from the Verizon store.. If I wanted to, could I say that I had bought an iPhone for a Miami recruit? Yes. Does that make it true? No.

(The store does not take time to print things like “Purchased for Player X by Dan Stein” on the receipt, or so I believe)

I think the story is relying VERY heavily upon the word of a man convicted of $930 million worth of fraud. FRAUD. Again, as we know, fraud is lying to people. See what I am getting at?

I think that in the court of public opinion, Miami is already guilty. I also think that the NCAA has a bigger standard of proof than Yahoo! does, so I think everyone needs to take a chill pill.

I think that there is certainly enough here for the NCAA to conduct an investigation, so I have no problem with the NCAA doing so.

I think that Miami is part and parcel to the problem here, as they did not do enough to screen this sociopath from their student athletes. Billy Corben ranted well on this on the Joe Rose show this morning.

I think Miami has done well to collaborate with the NCAA for the past year and I think they need to be completely compliant moving forward.

I think Tyrone Moss is a fat ass, failure of a football player who never lived up to his potential on the field and now seems like an even bigger waste of time off the field. Do I blame him for taking $1000 to help pay bills for his baby? Absolutely not. I would do the same thing in his shoes. I would not break the Bro Code and rat about it, however. And that is important.

I think Miami is going to end up with sanctions; I do not think it will be as bad as everyone wants to believe in the first 48 hours.

These are all fairly easy opinions to come to.

I am a Canes fan and make no apologies for it. I think we need a few more like me, because the national voice has always been so against the ‘Canes that without people like me there would be NO ONE to defend the ‘Canes.

I think the most important opinion I can come to is that the storm is that we are in the most vicious part of the tempest currently. The media always runs with these ALLEGATIONS, and that is fine. That is what makes them money. However, they generally do a less showy job of covering the aftermath. This will be a long investigation. There are factors in the ‘Canes favor here. Those are two things that you will not hear the media discussing. You will hear a lot about the death penalty and lack of institutional control and SMU and failure to monitor and any other damning phrase associated with college football.

What we know is more favorable than what we don't at this point. But there is one indisputable fact.

I know I am a ‘Cane. Nothing that can be said to me will ever change that. And if that is true, then everything else just falls into line behind it.

Hold tight and strong, and know that bad things are going to be said. In a nutshell, that is the essence of being a ‘Cane, isn’t it?

The Morning of My Discontent

Hello All,


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

Ready for the Season

Hello All,

Let’s take a moment out of this busy mid-summer day to analyze what is going on with my sports life.

In baseball, the ‘Canes just got eliminated by the Gators for the third straight year and the Orioles are probably not going to win 60 games. Out of 162. That means they will lose at least 70% of the games they played this season, barring a late season winning streak, which probably won’t happen because they are the effing Orioles. EXAMPLE: Their best offensive player is a third baseman who every year sets a new record for most strikeouts and plays such terrible defense that he ruined the confidence of Baltimore’s best young pitcher, Zach Britton, almost singlehandedly.

The Orioles are in year…aw hell, I lost count…of a rebuilding effort centered around a young core of talented players. Here is the problem: even if all of these guys max out, they still have the Red Sox and Yankees in their division. Oh, and the guy running the Rays? He is always the smartest guy at the table. To the point that other teams are afraid to trade with him right now. Oh, and the Blue Jays are building an elite farm system because they are spending money to sign guys over their slot value and bring in top international talent. And they have Jose Bautista, probably the best hitter in baseball not named Albert Pujols, who once upon a time was waived by 4 other teams, including…the Orioles.

In the NBA…let’s just skip that one.

In the NFL, the Dolphins are currently trying to sign the 2003 Pro Bowl roster by bringing in Jason Taylor (I actually like this one), Tiki Barber and Brett Favre. I am petrified that tomorrow I will be hearing that they have reached out to Larry Johnson. Oh wait, they did? Excuse me while I go assault the bum on the corner who asked me for “money for booze and drugs” the other day. Hey, at least he was honest.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins best player on offense last season is sitting in free agency (Ricky Williams) and the Dolphins are thinking about auditioning Terrell Pryor, not only a mortal enemy of Stein on the Sidelines but also a quarterback that can’t play quarterback. Think about that.

This is following an offseason in which the Dolphins were among the first teams to lay off company employees during the lockout (class move by an owner worth literally billions of dollars), saw their owner and GM fly across the country on a private jet to woo a college coach WHILE THE CURRENT COACH WAS STILL UNDER CONTRACT, and continued to try and make themselves a circus act by doing things like building a nightclub in the stadium and brining in minority owners like Gloria Estefan and Marc Antony.

(I assume Selena Gomez is next in line)

In summary: I NEED the ‘Canes back in my life.

The season started Saturday with fall camp.

The big question is who will start at quarterback.

However, if you watched last season (I did…), you already know that sometimes a quarterback is only as good as a receiver that will go up and fight for the ball.

Jacory Harris threw a lot of picks last year, but at least 3 of them could have been prevented by receivers fighting for the ball. When you consider that almost all of the games we lost were close games, then it is extra annoying to know that one play could have made the difference.

Point?

If the guys I am about to break down underperform, whatever improvements the quarterbacks have made could be for naught.

The receivers should be deep, but at this point who the hell knows what we are getting and from who?

Gone from last season is Leonard Hankerson, a guy who put up the finest statistical season at the position in the history of the program. Better than Eddie Brown, Michael Irvin, Brett Perriman, Brian Blades, Lamar Thomas, Randall Hill, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne or Andre Johnson ever did. With a worse quarterback. Think about that.

(Apparently NFL teams are too smart for their own good, because there were 8 receivers drafted in front of him…including 2 from Boise Effing State.)

At tight end, Miami loses only the immortal Richard Gordon, who I believe was at the school long enough to earn a PhD. He was actually a really good blocking tight end but looked like a monkey humping a garden gnome when it came time to catch the ball.

WR

Travis Benjamin, Sr.

Travis is like the little yellow bird in Angry Birds. He is fast as hell and can be a gamebreaker, but unless you get him aimed in the right direction and at the right soft target it doesn’t matter.

Translation: Travis needs to be used in the right way. Run him on ‘9’ routes and get him the ball in space. Should he be used for jump balls? No. Should he be running routs over the middle in traffic? No. Period.

(Yes I just got an iPhone and am currently obsessed with Angry Birds. To complete this analogy, Sean Spence is the black bird that blows up everything in its area, Marcus Forston is the white one that looks bloated but drops bombs and takes off like a dart when he lays his egg, and Lance Leggett is the little blue one that explodes into a million pieces when you touch him.)

Ceiling: Game changer with the ball in his hands 10-12 times/game.
Floor: Broken in half by an Ohio State linebacker, who then ceremoniously drinks from his blood and eats of his organs.

LaRon Byrd, Sr.

My favorite receiver on the team because he plays with heart, goes up for the ball in traffic and overall just looks like the best trash talker on the team. Probably wins the bar fight. Has been inconsistent but also claims to have been playing with injuries. I choose to blindly put faith in that claim.

Ceiling: Hankerson
Floor: Last season…solid stats but seemed to disappear for long stretches. Kind of like my Blackberry was. Snarl.

Aldarious Johnson, Sr.

If this guy could stay healthy for once I think he has a role. He has not been the superstar everyone wanted but he has made some big plays and some clutch catches, including the one that saved our asses against Wake Forest, which was Winslow-esque in style if not significance to ‘Canes lore. At this point I think he could be the Orende Gadsden (look that one up suckas) type of possession guy that you go to on 3rd down. He has the best chemistry with Jacory of all the receivers and when he gets in a rhythm he is tough to stop.

Ceiling: Go to guy on 3rd down
Floor: Stays fat and hurt

Tommy Streeter, Jr.

Maybe the all time “looks like Tarzan plays like Jane” guy. Also my dad’s favorite. Gotta admit, I have a big soft spot. Maybe because it is hard to hate anyone who goes by “Tommy”. Maybe not. Who knows?

Ceiling: Tecmo Bowl Jerry Rice combined with real life Jerry Rice combined with Cris Carter combined with Andre Johnson combined with Michael Irvin. Catches 150 passes for 3300 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Floor: Lance Leggett (also known as Dante’s 7th Circle of Hell)

Kendall Thompkins, Jr.

Practice squad all star that hasn’t seen the field a lot. I think he will find a niche as the tough little guy who can make a play in space, kind of like the Wes Welker that every NFL team is looking for (and remember, Jedd Fisch is an NFL guy). BOLD PREDICTION: My buddy Justin will say something like this before the season: “BOLD PREDICTION: Kendall Thompkins is a dark horse breakout candidate”.

(SIDENOTE: He says this about Thompkins and about ten other guys every offseason. 98% of the time he is wrong. It’s like me picking a baseball guy. At this point maybe Thompkins should try baseball and Chantz Mack should try football.)

Then when he hasn’t caught a pass in the first two games he’ll say something like this: “@SteinSidelines: Thompkins sux. He’s can’t even see the field, he’s terrible, the sky is falling and I for one happen to believe Thompkins is responsible for the DOW crashing 500 points. #realtalk”.

So I guess you could say my UNBOLD prediction is that Justin will make that BOLD prediction. I will call him a dumb yankee and tell him to stick to the Jets. Harmony will be achieved.

Ceiling: Santana Moss married Marion Jones and had a baby with the speed of Usain Bolt. And he can throw thunder bolts. And will get drafted by the Colts.
Floor: Dark horse candidate to break out

Davon Johnson, Jr.

Everything I just said about Kendall Thompkins? Ditto.

Ceiling: Becomes the number three guy in the pecking order and moves the chains.
Floor: Dark horse candidate to break out

Allen Hurns, So.

This is the guy the coaches seem pumped up about. He is a hard worker and apparently a bit of a badass. He played special teams and in blocking situations last season, so you know he wants on the field. He is light in the ass, but so are plenty of receivers. Seems like the type that could have a sneaky, 2008 LaRon Byrd type of season.

Ceiling: Number 2 receiver and starter
Floor: Special teams and blocking packages, which to the message board is pretty much all the worst parts of the Bible.

Phillip Dorsett, Fr.

Should have some sort of role from day one. He is small but not slight. Has seen some Santana Moss comparisons, which are a lot to live up to. This is surprising, because ‘Canes fans are known for their realistic expectations.

(See what I did there?)

Ceiling: Freshman all America
Floor: Redshirt

Rayshawn Scott, Fr.

The other freshman who was a TOTAL BAWLA ASS (to quote that one guy they have call ACC Games on Raycom sometimes) in high school but is most likely a redshirt candidate. Should be a nice possession guy with time.

Ceiling: Allen Hurns last season
Floor: Redshirt

TE

Blake Ayles, Sr.

Ayles transferred in this offseason and is a big dude from out of town with flowing golden locks and a reputation as a party animal. Looks like he wants to hurt people.

Ceiling: Poor man’s Shockey (the last big dude from out of town with flowing golden locks and a reputation as a party animal)
Floor: Bangs every DG on campus, drinks ALL of the beer and then gets an NFL tryout on reputation alone (this is what we call a win-win scenario for Mr. Ayles)

Chase Ford, Sr.

Had a major case of the yips last season, which is bad when you’re a tight end. If he doesn’t hold on to the ball he will not see the field.

Ceiling: Viable third down receiving threat
Floor: Last season

John Calhoun, Jr.

Seems to me to be too small to be a true tight end and too slow to be a fullback…maybe an H-Back. He’s a solid special teams guy and the coaches seem to like him. Will have a role.

Ceiling: Honestly have no clue…homeless man’s Frank Wycheck?
Floor: Special Teams

Corey White, So.

Big dude moving back to tight end after a couple of years at tackle. Will see the field a lot as a blocker if he can stay healthy.

Ceiling: Functions like a third tackle/
Floor: Hurt

Asante Cleveland, So.

Was hurt in spring but was our best tight end last season. Can open things up over the middle as a mismatch against linebackers and safeties alike.

Ceiling: Kevin Everett
Floor: Hurt

Clive Walford, Fr.

High school basketball player who tore it up in the spring game, which might just be a function of our defense being completely incapable of stopping tight ends. Or it might not be. Guess we will find out soon.

Ceiling: Jimmy Graham
Floor: Special Teams


Always guard the inbound passer.