Friday, November 30, 2012

This Week's Picks

Hello All,

I PICKED GEORGIA TO WIN THE NATIONAL TITLE THIS YEAR, BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED.

LOOK IT UP.

GEORGIA OVER 'BAMA, MARK IT DOWN, AND THEN PONDER MY GENIUS AS IT UNFOLDS SATURDAY NIGHT.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

The End of the Road

Hello All,

They say parting is sweet sorrow.

Well, like I said last week, I don't feel that way about this season. I feel like the end of this season arrived far too quickly upon us.

This team won its half of the ACC, and yet will not get to play to defend it.

That, in my opinion, is just sorrowful.

Alas, there will be no more gamedays for this team.

And so we reflect.

This team went 7-5. At Miami, 7-5 is pretty terrible; at least, 7-5 is terrible in a vacuum.

However, I would say this team's 7-5 is pretty damned impressive.

Consider:

Last season's 6-6 squad lost the following players:

Best overall player and starting MLB Sean Spence (All ACC)
Starting QB Jacory Harris
Starting RB Lamar Miller (All ACC)
Starting WR Tommy Streeter (All ACC)
Starting WR Travis Benjamin (All ACC)
Starting OG Brandon Washington (All ACC)
Starting OG Harland Gunn
Starting DLinemen Olivier Vernon, Marcus Forston, Adewlae Ojomo and Micanor Regis
Starting DB JoJo Nicolas

That meant, at each of those positions, this team would be playing new starters.

That lead to people predicting a 4-8 season and a finish in the ACC cellar.

And yet, despite replacing all that, and a rash of injuries, and another season spent under the strain of the NCAA, and despite at some point or another playing 20 different freshmen, Miami finished 7-5.

In other words, despite everything working against it, this squad improved.

The offense, which carried the team all season, scored 40 or more points 6 times despite losing its triggerman and its 3 primary weapons.

The defense, despite its NUMEROUS struggles, showed its ballhawking nature.

The special teams saw the return of the game changing returns and blocks that made the program so fearful once upon a time.

This team was EXCITING...and they fought their asses off in every game.

And that is what the post mortem on this season is.

It was a transitional year, sure. It was the true transfer from Randy Shannon kids to Al Golden kids. Gone is the old guard...in its place is a young nucleus that looks ready to carry this team to heights we haven't seen in years.

I could go on for a lot of words about how young players like Denzel Perryman, Duke Johnson, Deon Bush and Anthony Chickillo seem ready to carry this program back to elite status.

But I will have years to write about that. The great thing about a young team like this is that it will pretty much be the exact same team next year. All of a sudden the untested OL will return completely intact (or at least 4/5 so, depending on whether Seantrel Henderon makes a dumb decision or not) and with almost 100 combined career starts between them. All of a sudden the safeties won't bite so easily on the playaction...they have seen it before. All of a sudden the receivers won't get so easily spooked during a big game...they have been in too many already.

The other great thing about a young team is that saying goodbye to the seniors does not take nearly as long.

This year's group of seniors is small, and filled with mostly role players. But each and every one of these guys earned our respect this year, and deserve our praise.

Mike James - RB

The one guy out of this class I will truly, truly miss. James was a solid player but a GREAT person. We are all familiar with the story. We all know the million-Watt smile. This kid has been through some SERIOUS ups and downs with this program, and at the end of it all emerged as perhaps the one person, of all the people in the history of the program, I would want up on the dais to represent what a Miami Hurricane is supposed to be. James will be a solid NFL running back, perhaps even a star. And after, I look forward to voting for him for President.

Brandon McGee - CB

McGee came in with prototypical tools to be a lockdown corner. 4 years later he finally put it all together and became the cornerstone of the secondary. While he never became the All American many expected, the improvement we saw from him over the years was vast. He went from looking like an athlete forced to play cornerback to a physical, instinctive, playmaking corner that will get a chance in the NFL. It was a joy to watch.

Dalton Botts - P

Botts was an absolute weapon for two years, and this year also proved he could turn in to Mike Alstott occasionally. Botts will be missed more than anyone realizes as he becomes the first Golden recruit to complete his eligibility.

Jake Wieclaw - K

Wieclaw sat behind Matt Bosher for three years before getting his shot. When he did, he excelled (save for one rocky stretch this season). He emerged as a reliable kicker and kickoff specialist, and will be difficult to replace.

Davon Johnson - WR

Johnson was a true Miami Hurricane. He came in as a hyped member of the much hyped 2008 recruiting class. After a promising freshman season, he chose to redshirt for the good of the team. He was then injured as a sophomore, and switched to defense as a junior. When the depth chart at receiver thinned out before his senior year, he switched back over to the offensive side, where most fans assumed he would be strictly depth. Instead he became the team's most reliable third down target, and constantly displayed the kind of selfless attitude the rest of this team has been lacking for too long. His season ended due to injury a couple of games early, but he made a true impact before that. If anyone needs a model of true tenacity and hard work, it is Davon Johnson.

Kendall Thompkins - WR

Thompkins, for three straight springs, teased fans with enormous playmaking potential. A lot of people saw Roscoe Parrish in his game. However, he played at a deep position, where one big mistake could mean a ride on the pine pony. And for Kendall, it seemed that every time he got a chance he made a mistake. Still, he stuck around and made a contribution every year, whether as a Scout team quarterback or as a special teams gunner. It all culminated on his Senior Day, when he caught a touchdown and later made one of the finest diving catches any of us has ever seen down the sideline.

Jeremy Lewis - OL

Lewis came in as a defensive tackle with a ton of potential. He left as a backup guard that got 10-15 snaps a game, but made the most of them. He understood the preciousness of opportunity, and played like it. He came in lazy, and left as an example for his teammates.

Ben Jones - OL

Jones was very similar to Lewis in that he came in as a hyped prospect and took years to make an impact. He became a top backup on the o-line and was playing his best football this season when he went down with a season ending knee injury. He, much like Lewis, became an example to hold up to the rest of the team.

Vaughn Telemaque - S

Telemaque seemed destined to be a star as he longboarded in from Long Beach, and seemed to be fulfilling his potential during his sophomore year. However, his development stunted, and like many others on this list, his final contribution came as a reserve in limited opportunities. He was always a standout off the field, and he will find success in this world. But the lingering question around him will be about why he never fully panned out.

Paul Kelly - Long Snapper

When Sean McNally blew his knee out early this season, Kelly, a walk on, stepped up an never missed a beat. And there is something to say about that.

As fans, it is important to take time to thank these players, as well as the numerous walk-ons who made contributions in practice.

This class reflected the attitude in the team: they were hard working, and they fought until their very last game.

The tiny number of them also shows part of the reason this team was as inconsistent as it was.

In the end, they will all be missed. They did their best to set an example and lead in a way they did not have the luxury of being lead.

In the end, they go out as a seniors on a 7-5 team. They were punished from crimes they did not commit. They will, unfortunately, not be around to enjoy the spoils of this sacrifice.

However, many of them were already a part of one attempt at this.

In 2008, behind a very young team, the 'Canes finished the regular season 7-5. Many of these players were freshmen.

The next year they started off hot, before underachieving down the stretch to finish 9-3. Everyone thought 2010 meant national title contention.

Instead, the wheels came off.

The current group of 'Canes freshmen need only look at the seniors for a warning of what can happen if you  don't stay focused.

Great beginnings can often lead to disappointing ends.

It is in your own hands to avoid that fate.





Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Negotiating With the Terrorists

Hello All,

Regrettably, it has been a little bit since I have been able to post in here.

First of all, I called the UCLA - USC thing. I maybe didn't get a chance to write it down, but KNOW that I called that shit.

Second..sigh.

After attending last weekend's beatdown of USF, I think this team has come a long way this season.

It ain't perfect, but if you can't see the progress being made you need to open your eyes. There is a LOT of young talent on this team, and if you need proof that this staff will continue to develop it, look at the Kendall Thompkinses and Davon Johnsons and Jeremy Lewises and Ben Joneses of the world.

These are guys who wandered the desert for 4 years before becoming productive role players in a year and a half. Imagine what they could have been with a full career of a staff that knew how to develop guys and nurture role players.

For all intents and purposes, the future of this team looks BCS Title worthy.

With one HUGE "if" attached to it.

IF the NCAA does not bring down the hammer.

And ladies and gentlemen, after last night's piece in the Herald, I am not so sure of that.

Let's cover a lot of stuff at once here.

The other night, I was ok with the University administration forfeiting another bowl game. And the ACC Championship.

I didn't like it, but I understood it.

The negatives to doing this were easy to point out. In a nutshell:  another bowl ban is unfair to this team, but more importantly, the fans.

Usually, I am quick to disparage our shitty fan base. And I still am. By and large our fans suck.

(Come at me, bro)

But this is a purely selfish thing...I am thinking of the people like myself and my father when I say it has been a long time since this program has had unmitigated good news, and for once it would be nice for the fans to be able to thump their chest a little.

A rematch with FSU would have been a chance to do just that. So it was a tough pill to swallow, made easier only by the knowledge that this is going to be our worst team for the next 4 years and this will be the foundation, not the summit. Better to get the crap over with now, when we are 6-5 and headed to a marginal bowl game (in all likelihood), then later. Right?

However, I still had a sinking feeling.

The problem with the above logic is that you assume the NCAA is a rational institution. Which, as Miami fans, we all know is not that case.

The NCAA is the biggest (excuse my language) fuck show on Earth. These guys make the PLO look like the model of consistency and integrity when it comes to governing.

Somewhere, deep down, I had a feeling that the NCAA might try to pull the rug out from under us anyway, and this bowl withdrawal might be for naught.

And then, last night, I read Barry Jackson' piece in the Herald.

In it, Jackson published a letter of which he obtained a copy that issued an ultimatum from the NCAA to  former 'Canes players.

Cooperate by Date X or we will assume you are guilty.

Somewhere, Arafat is smiling. Or worse, trying to figure out how he never came up with something that good to force the Jews to the table on his terms.

I know that imagery is heavy handed, but that's exactly what the NCAA is doing. They are terrorizing a school.

The NCAA has become the group that clings to its beliefs so hard that it is no longer about what is right and what is wrong.

It is about the cause. Sound familiar?

Like any great terrorist group, the NCAA, by issuing this letter, has declared that it would rather protect its investment of time in to this case then to actually conduct a legitimate investigation.

Miami has been nothing but the model of cooperation during this investigation, which has already dragged on for nearly a year longer than it should have. And yet, the NCAA keeps digging.

It reeks of desperation. It means the NCAA will keep going until they find something that sticks, because gosh darn it an example has to be made.

The NCAA just doesn't give a shit if they are making an example of the right person.

For lack of a better term, the Miami football program is the public bazaar, and the NCAA had a dynamite vest strapped on.

So no, I no longer support our decision to self impose a bowl ban. I no longer support our cooperation.

If we were always going to be guilty unless proven innocent, we should have acted like it.

"Screw you Emmert. We are going to the ACC Title game. We will beat FSU. And then we will win the Orange Bowl. And keep the money. And if you don't like it, fuck you."

The NCAA proved earlier this summer that they do not care about any sort of process during the Penn State episode this summer.

Now, they have not only furthered that, but also also stated that they hold the word of Louis Freeh, a former head of the fucking FBI, on the same level as that of Nevin Shapiro. The guy who, people forget, is guilty of $930 MILLION WORTH OF FUCKING FRAUD.

So now it is time for Miami to do something about it. I hope Miami releases a press release saying exactly this: "FUCK YOU".

You do not beat terrorists by negotiating with them.

The only thing they respond to is force. It is the way it is and the way it has always been.

Miami has chance to do something here.

What, I do not know.

Bleed the NCAA in court until they are forced to stand down and become transparent; expose their bullshit house of cards? Organize a secession from the NCAA of all the top programs?

All sound great to me.

The only thing that doesn't sound good it to keep going out of our way to appease this group of assholes. Because really, it doesn't matter anyway. They will do whatever they want, and they are counting on us to just roll over like we always do.

I say we don't give them the satisfaction.

We are The U. We changed the landscape by being renegades.

Let's not forget that.

-- --

The picks:

Texas (-8.5) over Texas A&M TCU

LSU (+12.5) over Arkie

WASHINGTON over Wazzu (+13.5)

APPLE CUP!

'ZONA (-3) over Arizona State 

GEORGIA (-13) over GT

CLEAN, OLD FASHIONED HATE!

OHIO STATE (-3.5) over Michigan

The Game.

VT (-10) over Virginia

OREGON over Oregon State (+9.5)

CIVIL WAR!

OKLAHOMA (-7) over Okie State

BEDLAM!

OLE MISS (-1) over State

EGG BOWL!

STANFORD over UCLA (+2.5)

ND over USC (+6.5)

'BAMA (-31) over Auburn

IRON BOWL!

Always guard the inbound passer.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Big Game this Weekend

Just f*cking win.

This week's picks, after moving to 36-26 (29-29) last week:

FSU over Vag Tech (+14.5)

C'mooooonnnnnnn reverse jinx....

TENNESSEE (-3.5) over Mizzou

OREGON STATE over Stanford (-4.5)

BAMA (-13.5) over Texas A&M

LSU (-14.5) over MISSISSIPPI STATE

VANDY over Ole Miss (-3)

Sorry for the brevity...last days before starting a new job leave you not much time to write a good blog post.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Let's Get Weird

Hello All,

Things officially got weird on Thursday night.

It started with the uniforms.

It continued with the game itself.

And now it is reflected in the ACC standings.

Has there ever been an 18 point win the felt as shaky as this one?

Virginia Tech out ran the 'Canes. Virginia Tech out passed the 'Canes. Virginia Tech out third - downed the 'Canes. Virginia Tech out-goitered the 'Canes.

And yet, the 'Canes won 30-12...and it could have been worse.

You want to talk weird?

Miami was lead to victory by a SOFT defense that has 20 underclassmen in the 2 deep. Youngsters like Olsen Pierre and Eddie Johnson played key roles and...gasp...are gaining steam down the home stretch.

Curtis Porter, the very talented, very injured junior came back and saw his first action of the season...and provided consistent pressure from...gasp...the defensive tackle position.

Miami, playing Virginia Tech, the Kings of Beamer Ball, dominated on special teams. A blocked punt and a 81 yard kickoff return set up two first half scores, and turned the momentum on the game.

How's this for weird?

Miami was held without a third down conversion until the fourth quarter and won.

Miami had 4 consecutive 3 and outs in the 3rd quarter...and the score did not budge from 20-12.

Miami's 115th ranked defense forced 2 Red Zone turnovers.

Logan Thomas, minus one busted play up the middle in which he went for 73 yards and a touchdown, would have been held to 51 yards rushing on 21 carries. That is a pretty nice average. And minus that one busted play... Miami did not give up a touchdown.

Flying in the face of message board fans everywhere, these young 'Canes bellied up to the bar on Thursday night.

A defense that kept doing its job and giving the ball back to the offense never broke.

An offense that struggled all night planted the dagger with a prolonged, back breaking drive late.

A team coming off three straight losses and dealing with mounting injuries came together and pulled out an impressive win against a tough, albeit not as tough as usual, Hokies squad.

Now, how's this for REALLY weird?

In a season that was supposed to result in 4 or 5 wins, a team made up overwhelmingly of 19 and 20 year olds controls its own destiny. Win road games against perennial bottom dwellers Duke and Virginia and you go to the ACC Championship Game. Neither is a gimme, but you gotta like your odds if you're the 'Canes right now, right?

Let's say the 'Canes pull those two out. And assume FSU doesn't trip up again. All of a sudden, the ACC Title Game is a rematch of Miami - FSU. And this time, Miami would be coming off of 4 wins (presumably), not 2 tough losses.

Now, let's get really crazy. Say Miami is able to play the same type of defense as it did in the regular season meeting. And maybe Miami is able to hit on a couple of the big plays it missed by inches in the regular season meeting. Is it that hard to see Miami pulling off the upset?

And let's say Miami pulls it off. Now you are looking at a BCS Bowl that makes the decision to self-impose a bowl ban VERY, VERY difficult (for the record, I'd be against this).

You are looking at a team made up for freshmen and sophomores that is a conference champion (even at 8-4 or 7-5) and playing in a BCS game (maybe against Louisville and Teddy Bridgewater?)... 2 years ahead of schedule.

This is all a lot of speculation. And to be honest, I don't know if I trust the team to pull it off. Duke can throw the ball around with their high octane offense, and Virginia always plays us tough. Plus, going on the road ANYWHERE with a young team is unpredictable at best.

But these kids played like men the past few weeks, and finally got back in the winning column to show for it.

I love the way the team is playing, and eventually it will all come together. The offense will click, the defense will get them the ball and the special teams will make a big play or two.

And at that point, who is to say what is likely and what is not? It might not be pretty. But Miami's team of pups has officially made everything really weird, and that is a pretty cool thing to watch.

One side note: shut the fuck up Logan Thomas. You do not call out a team, then get your ass whupped by them, then duck the media after. Grow a set. If I am an NFL GM, you just came off my draft board.

-- --

Now, the picks.

Last week Big Stein went 5-3 straight up AND against the spread. While watching football all day with Kevin Frazier and Marcus effing Allen. Sometimes Los Angeles is ok.

Anyway, the season record is now 30-24 (24-26).

aTm over MISS STATE (+7)

WEST VIRGINIA (-5) over TCU

All my old rules seem to be out the window this year. Like "always take TCU and the points". Or "don't write a blog that might jinx the 'Canes".

Georgia (-14) over OLE MISS

Or "UGA might be a nice dark horse national title pick".

NEBRASKA over Michigan State (+1.5)

Ladies and gentlemen, the Big 10 Game of the Week!

TEXAS TECH (-7) over Texas

OREGON over USC (+8.5)

I will be in attendance. And yes, I will be rooting on the Trojans. Stein on the Sidelines is Latin for "glutton for punishment".

K STATE (-9) over Okie State

'Bama over LSU (+8)

And for the love of God, if betting, bang the under.