The Drum Beat Strengthens

Hello All,

A couple of things to talk about, but first there is this: we are 8 days from the opening of fall camp. And yes, I am spending half of my time watching ‘Canes highlight reels.

A figure who played a key role in a lot of those highlight reels has been in the news this week (SEGUE ALERT! SEGUE ALERT!). Allow me to take a moment to give you my thoughts on Butch Davis’ firing at UNC:

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those (I am sure thousands upon thousands) of you who don’t understand my hatred of Butch Davis and how I could possibly be so excited about the firing of a coach at a non-rival school who once upon a time recruited the greatest team in the history of college football for my alma mater, let me explain.

Davis, who was understandably a hot name after the 2000 season, said in the locker room after the 2001 Sugar Bowl victory over the Gators (suck one) that to leave for the NFL now would make him a “Deadbeat Dad”. Fast forward a couple of weeks. We are now one week from National Signing Day and Butch Davis is holding a press conference to announce that he has accepted the head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns.

Smart business decision? Absolutely. Would I have made the same one? Probably.

Here is the problem: HE F*CKING LIED TO MY FACE.

Allow me to give you an analogy.

You’ve been dating a girl since high school. You’ve gone through your awkward stage together, and now she has turned into a beautiful girl on the verge of greatness. However, something else comes along (a move to Europe that would offer far more money but make a relationship untenable, let’s say). You have a talk, and while regrettable and sad, the relationship ends. Everyone is ok with it.

Now, take that same girl, but let’s say she’s been ducking your calls for a while now. You ask her if everything is ok. She says it is great and she loves you. A week later you catch her in bed with some other dude. You are wrecked. You start listening to Matchbox 20 and Incubus. A lot. You are drinking whiskey out of your coffee mug at work. Your workouts are hollow because all you can see is a pathetic little boy staring back at you in the gym mirror. You blame yourself and actually buy it when she calls and says that she has Chlamydia and you HAVE to be the one who gave it to her. It is the equivalent of a person going Hiroshima on your psyche.

(This just got weird, didn't it?)

Butch Davis leaving Miami was the latter. So I am glad Karma came for him. I am glad his artificially enhanced program is going to come down a notch or two. I am glad that UNC finally manned up and did something they should have done a while ago. The only thing that would make me happier?

If the news was delivered to Butch while he was in bed with kidney stones.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post.

My buddies and I were talking one time about how awesome a reality show made up solely of the uniting illegitimate children of professional athletes like Shawn Kemp, Travis Henry and Antonio Cromartie would be (really I was doing the talking and they were shaking their heads in complete disbelief). I’m not sure whether the show would turn into The Illegitimate Justice League as all the characters united to fight crime or The Illegitimate Bad Girls Club (no explanation necessary), but I do know for a fact it would be fun as hell to watch.

(Think of the plotlines!! The Parents’ Television Council would go nuts!!!)

For that reason, the 2008 Miami Hurricanes running back corps is perhaps my favorite of all time, as it featured 5 running backs, 4 of which had one or more child (not mentioning names), and only one of whom was married.


It also featured Damien Berry (who was changing positions from safety) and a precocious Graig Cooper, two rocks of this position group, who have now moved on to greener pastures. (SEGUE ALERT! SEGUE ALERT!)

Last season saw the crescendo of Berry and Coop as ‘Canes, one going out with a bang (Berry, who lead the team in rushing and was arguably under-used) and one with a whimper (Cooper, who clearly was at no better than 80% after knee surgery and probably should have redshirted). The ‘Canes also lose Pat Hill, a reliable road grader at fullback whose contribution will probably be masked by more multiple tight end sets this season, and Storm Johnson (sorry Julie Rose) , who flashed promise in the USF game with a 70+ yard touchdown run but transferred after managing to clash with both Randy Shannon AND Al Golden. Possibly because he smokes A LOT of pot and has a dad that rivals Ornette Howard. Just sayin’.

(By the way, there is a real possibility that 15 years from now Damien Berry will be concluding his NFL career and The U will feature 5 players sprung from his loins. I am very excited.)

SIDENOTE: Not sure if my friend Russo will ever talk to me again now that Cooper is gone. We might have a whole bunch of eras ending all at once here. It’s a weird time to be Stein on the Sidelines.

Returning are the always reliable Mike James (underrated) and the brilliant Lamar Miller (great but I am starting to fear that he might be overhyped), among others.

Sadly, the particularly fertile group of 2008 has all moved on now, but the specter of their virility will linger for years to come. I can only hope and pray that this year’s squad steps up to the plate to replace the heart and…ahem…production that has been lost.

RB

Mike James, Jr.

James is the sort of “Ol Reliable” that every team needs. He will consistently account for positive plays, can catch the ball out of the backfield, can block well enough to play fullback, and has the juice to break off the occasional 40 yard burst. He also plays his ass off and is the type of guy you put on a poster for your program.

Ceiling: Leads the team in rushing and plays a huge role in a new ball control offense.
Floor: Really doesn’t have one…This gimmick is already getting old isn’t it?

Lamar Miller, So.

Faster than greased lightning and showed it last year. Is easily the most exciting player on the roster since Devin Hester and will be the most important player on the offense not names “Whoever the hell ends up playing quarterback”. To listen to fans talk he is Willis McGahee with Jim Brown and Walter Payton mixed in. We will see if that works out…first, he needs to stay healthy.

Ceiling: Tecmo Bowl Bo Jackson
Floor: Tecmo Bowl Mark Higgs (yes, I am a scarred Dolphins fan)

Darion Hall, So.

Hall has the potential to be very effective as a thick back that can also break the long run, but he has not yet gotten a carry that counts for anything and is therefore unproven.

Ceiling: James Jackson said he was the best back in the state his senior year of high school…that would be nice.
Floor: Falters when called upon.

Maurice Hagens, So.

Hagens is a beast who is going to become a tailback after the fullback position was essentially eliminated by the new scheme. Look for him to be used as a hammer who can punch holes in a tired defense and close near the goal line, something which was lacking last season.

Ceiling: James Stewart
Floor: Jerrell Mabry (This is fairly recent; who could forget the great fullback-that-should-have-been-a-defensive-tackle-and-kind-of-looked-like-Ice Cube?)

Kevin Grooms, Fr.

Grooms is the jet brought in for this recruiting class that really doesn’t have a position yet, but he figures to get some change-of-pace carries. He will always be a threat to go the distance and looks like a tough little cookie. Maybe he will be used as Devin Hester was supposed to be used.

Ceiling: Albert Bentley (Google it)
Floor: Redshirt

Always guard the inbound passer.

Signing Day Blitz

Hello All,


Here we are again, another signing day in the books. This is not the last day for the ‘Canes to add to the roster (there are always possible transfers/Seantrel Henderson). And again, I will give the quick version of my recruit-nik manifesto:

1.) Kids will do dumb things. They are 17-18 years old. Do not let yourself get too caught up in any recruit, because we were all morons when we were that age.

2.) Getting a kid to move a long way for school is not easy to do. Never underestimate the power of mom. Or high school girlfriends, friends, relatives, high school coaches, etc.

3.) Anyone that takes it all the way down to NSD probably is not choosing the ‘Canes. Those are just the facts of life.

4.) Always take the underrated, lunch pail type over the 5 star recruit if everything else is equal.

5.) You cannot teach tough. It is also very difficult to de-recruit the prima donnas.

6.) Recruit kids that want to be at The U. If we are just another hat on the table, I would rather not have the kid.

7.) We give the recruits the power, so it is very difficult for the guy who checks message boards every hour (like me) to complain when a kid milks the attention. Although I know if I had ever acted like one of these kids for the whole world to see, my dad probably would have taken me out back and beat the ever loving hell out of me.

If you stick to those rules, you usually have more success than the ones who don’t. That manifesto looks a lot like Jimmy Johnson’s or Butch Davis’. It results in a team of tough, scrappy, smart ballers. And that is the type of team that wins titles and puts people in the pros.

This is not a complete rundown, as there are still potential add-ons out there. As they come in, this will be updated.

Roll Call

QB-*UPDATE*

Tate Forcier (Michigan)

Another transfer from a Rose Bowl perennial, Forcier will run the scout team this year and then battle Stephen Morris for the starting job. Forcier is talented, although maybe better suited for a spread offense. The real concern, however, is his attitude. He was rumored as very immature at Michigan, and Miami provides more distraction off the field than Ann Arbor. He also has a father that is know to be highly involved, and if he is not starting that usually does not foretell good things. This is the iffiest take of the class.

WR

Phillip Dorsett (St. Thomas Aquinas)

This kid is lightning in a bottle and could see the field early. He is short and needs some muscle, but he has the potential to be a Sinorice Moss type of player that can move all over the formation and make plays on a number of different routes and special teams. Committed to Miami early and never wavered. The kid has played in a lot of big games at one of the nation’s top high school programs and always made plays.

Rashawn Scott (Melbourne Central Catholic)

Scott was a surprise, off the radar commitment late in the game that could profile well at either receiver or safety. A kid with a lot of tools that played mediocre competition. Would not stand out as much in a larger class, but with the limited spots he raised some eyebrows. If you has him in the “who will be the first to fax their LOI” prop bet, you won. Wait, no one else made that bet? Yeah, me neither…



TE

Blake Ayles (USC)

Technically not a recruit because he is transferring in, but he is new to the program and can play without losing any eligibility as per the NCAA’s special rules for USC transfers. He was a 5 star talent out of high school that hasn’t panned out and is apparently a party animal. He is saying all the right things, and to be honest, I have a soft spot for mullet-rocking party animal tight ends anyway; we had a pretty good one named Shockey once upon a time. As thin as the ‘Canes are at tight end, if this kid has his head on straight and starts developing some of his massive potential he will be a starter by fall camp.

OL

Taylor Gadbois (Dallas, GA)

No clue how to pronounce his name, but the kid grew up all ‘Cane (he painted his bedroom orange and green…which is always a win for Stein on the Sidelines) and turned down a late charge from Georgia to head down Coral Gables way. He is a massive guy (6’8”, 300 lbs.) and has the mean streak this program has been lacking as of late. He missed his junior year due to injury but balled during his senior year and has loads of potential. With a couple of years to adjust to the speed of the college game and good coaching from Art Kehoe, this could be a star in the making. One of my favorite pickups; this program needs some mean, big ass good ol’ boys. Admits to crying after losses. Sounds way gayer than it really is.

DL

Anthony Chickillo (Tampa Alonso)

My favorite recruit in the class that saw his stock rise to 5 star status after being named MVP of the Under Armour All American Game. Third generation ‘Cane who is the perfect example of playing better than he looks; his size and speed numbers will not blow you away, yet he is always the best player on the field. Could see the field early. This is the future leader of the ‘Canes and was far and away the most important recruit of the class.

Jalen Grimble (Gorman High, Las Vegas)

Stolen from USC late in the process, Grimble will be either a jumbo end or penetrating tackle. My bet is on the latter. He has the potential to team up with Chickillo to be stars of the next great Miami d-line. His cousin, Xavier, was last season’s number one tight end and there is rumor that he might be headed to the tropics as well. Stay tuned on that, but know that this is Miami’s biggest NSD win since Brandon Harris.

Olsen Pierre (Fork Union, Virginia)

Big kid from a military school that was the only Temple commitment brought to UM by Al Golden. He could be either a run stuffing defensive end or grow into a defensive tackle. Was off the radar but recruited by some of the big boys, including Tennessee.

Ricardo Williams (Homestead)

Has the most potential of this group, and along with David Perry could become a freak pass rushing end as a tall (6’5”), lean pass rusher. There is talk of starting him at linebacker and then moving him to the line if he grows into it; either way, the kid plays hard on every snap and will at worst be a situational player in the Javon Nanton mold.

*UPDATE*

Darius Smith (Lackawanna J.C.)

Smith sounds like a nose guard or a big run clogger in a 4-3. He is 6'3" and about 350, although he plans to show up 15 lbs lighter than that. He is a good add for depth purposes and, although lightly recruited, seems to match the profile of the type of kid that Golden and staff built a winning, smashmouth program around at Temple.

Corey King (West Boca Raton)

King is a high motor kid who signed late due to grade concerns, and may have been lightly recruited because of those same concerns. Again, after having Muhammad Wilkerson drafted in the first round after not being much of a blip on the recruiting radar, Golden and Co. get Carte Blanche in terms of talent appraisal on the D-Line.

LB

Eddie Johnson (North Atlanta High, Atlanta)

Johnson was a signing day surprise. Formerly committed to both Louisville and UCF, he looks like a hitter on tape and a possible middle linebacker or fullback in the future. A coach’s son and a first team all state honoree in Georgia means that the kid can play, the only question is where.

Antonio Kinard (Hargrave Prep)

Tall linebacker prospect that was a Michigan commit before being swayed by Miami. Was recognized by an assistant while at lunch at school and a week later was a ‘Cane. Has the frame to beef up into a middle linebacker with time.

Gionni Paul (Lakeland Kathleen)

Paul was an Arizona State commit until the week before signing day, when Miami converted him to the dark side. He runs around like a blur and is a hitter. His style of play will remind some of Sean Spence. The last time Miami got a linebacker out of Kathleen they ended up with Ray Lewis. If Paul is 80% the player that Lewis was then this is the best player of the class.

Denzel Perryman (Coral Gables High)

Perryman is a short and stout kid that plays angry but sometimes has an “off” switch. Needs to go hard one hundred percent of the time and not shrink when facing adversity. Comes from the same school that produced Jon Vilma and Daryl Sharpton (among others), so he has a lot to live up to.

DB

Dallas Crawford (South Fort Myers)

Played everywhere for his high school and was a playmaker. Much like Chickillo in that his production is what jumps out, not his numbers. Originally committed to Michigan but switched to Miami. Might be a little short for safety and slow for corner, but don’t tell him that. Another kid that could play early and be an Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest) down the line.

George Finnie (Miami Central)

Finnie is a speed merchant whose stock rose as his team won a state championship his senior year. Former South Carolina commitment and an early enrollee that will try and crack the playing rotation and make an impact on special teams. Needs to gain weight… a lot of weight…but finished second in last year’s State 100 meter dash.

Kevin Grooms (South Broward)

Grooms is greased lightning with the ball in his hands, to the point that Devin Hester is not a terrible comparison. Grooms, like Finnie and Crawford, plays the game angry and has the potential to be a lockdown corner, unlike Hester. Will almost certainly contribute immediately in the return game and could also see time on the offensive side of the ball. He is that damned good. There are potential character concerns that caused Miami to ignore him under the Randy Shannon regime. Greg Reid is probably the player he most resembles to this blogger.

ST

Taylor Botts (Moorpark C.C., CA)

A former LSU commit, Botts is the nation’s number one ranked JUCO punter. Should not have much resistance on his way to the starting role.

Matt Goudis (West Hills, CA)

Goudis is a former Michigan commit and one of the nation’s top kickers. Only has to beat out Jake Wieclaw and walk-on Ben Hopfinger.

Coming soon….Sorostitute Superlatives!

Always guard the inbound passer.