Ask another team’s beat writer: Miami
We’ll keep things moving with Part II of the Miami preview. If you missed Part I, check it out here.
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Helping me out with the beat writer Q&A portion is Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald. You can read here work here, peruse her blog here and follow here on Twitter here.
To the questions …
AB: Memphis transfer Ryan Williams got most of the reps this spring at quarterback with Stephen Morris out because of back surgery. Who might win the starting job? And can the winner give the Hurricanes some reliability at the position that they haven’t had in years?
SMD: “If both quarterbacks are equally healthy, many believe junior Stephen Morris will win the job because of his experience running the offense, and because of a superior arm that we’ve seen make impossible throws. But Memphis transfer Williams, a 6-6, 225-pound redshirt sophomore eligible to play after sitting out in 2011, had a good – and at times, excellent – spring. Williams, who won a state championship for Miramar High in 2009, completed 14 of 21 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns in the first spring scrimmage. Williams completed 17 of 33 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the second scrimmage. In the spring game finale, Williams completed 15 of 27 passes for 169 yards and no touchdowns, with two interceptions. He has great touch and timing, but is neither as mobile nor quick as Morris. I like Williams’ maturity and poise.”
“Who knows? Maybe coaches will play both. I hope not. That rarely seems to work very well. I also won’t predict about reliability. It’s been so long since we’ve seen it at Miami.
“Keep in mind that Miami, like most programs, does not allow its quarterbacks to be hit during practices and scrimmages. We’ll know a lot more after Morris is slammed a few times.”
AB: Which will be tougher: finding a replacement for running back Lamar Miller, finding receivers to replace Tommy Streeter and Travis Benjamin or shoring up an offensive line that lost three starters and isn’t very deep?
SMD: “The Hurricanes scored big in signing tailback Randy ‘Duke’ Johnson, the 5-9, 180-pound speedster who was named Mr. Florida Football as the state’s Class 5A Player of the Year (2,087 yards and 29 touchdowns for a 10-yard-per-carry average last season). He committed early, never wavered and is the type of old-school Cane who is bursting with enthusiasm and is determined to bring his lifelong program back to the glory days. The guy is an amazing talent.
“I’d say finding some depth at receiver is a huge concern, as UM had only four scholarship receivers on the roster during spring. Coach Al Golden is bringing in five of them as part of the new signing class – Malcolm Lewis (56 receptions for 729 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior) of Miramar High and Robert Lockhart (previously a Virginia Tech commitment) out of Fork Union Military Academy are considered the two most ready to make an impact. It should be noted that 6-2, 200-pound sophomore Rashawn Scott had an exceptional spring, and will be crucial in fortifying this position.
“The offensive line did lose starters, and there is definitely major concern about depth. Shane McDermott must adjust quickly at center, and Seantrel Henderson (right tackle) and Jon Feliciano (switched from tackle to guard) need to stay healthy.”
AB: With the offense reloading, the defense will be asked to carry a lot of the weight this year. Is this group capable of keeping the ’Canes close in a lot of games? Who will stand out?
SMD: “The defense was at times scary-bad last year, especially allowing huge chunks up the gut against the rush. Witness the Virginia Tech game on Oct. 8. The winning drive, which began with 2:46 left, came after UM tailback Lamar Miller busted through the Tech defense for a 30-yard touchdown that gave Miami its first and only lead, 35-31. The Hurricanes thought it would be enough, but the Hokies took over at their own 23. On fourth-and-1, Logan Thomas faked a handoff to star tailback David Wilson, then sprinted 19 yards untouched down the middle on fourth down for the victory in the final minute. That’s the way it often seemed to go for the Canes.
“But by the end of the season, UM ranked 17th in scoring defense, allowing 20.08 points a game. There are some major bright spots on the defense, including linebacker Denzel Perryman, a gem in the middle; and end Anthony Chickillo, another beast. The Canes also have some national star power in five-star freshman cornerback Tracy Howard and four-star safety Deon Bush, who can also play corner; as well as high school All-American defensive end Tyriq McCord.”
AB: Al Golden had a huge recruiting class last year, one ranked 9th nationally by Rivals. Do you see any of those players stepping in and making an immediate impact?
SMD: “Yes. Immediate impacts could be made by cornerback Tracy Howard, safety Deon Bush, running back Duke Johnson, receivers Malcolm Lewis and Robert Lockhart, defensive end Tyriq McCord and linebacker Raphael Kirby.”
AB: Although Golden seems to have the recruiting side of things rolling, the NCAA still hasn’t handed down sanctions from the Nevin Shapiro scandal. How do you think that’s affected the program? Is there any hope of the Hurricanes getting “back” before that’s behind them?
SMD: “Getting ‘the recruiting side of things rolling’ is huge, obviously, as the Canes need to stockpile talent now to prepare for the NCAA sanctions. It appears that the wait will continue as the NCAA continues its investigation. There’s always hope, but I highly doubt Miami will be ‘back’ the way the Hurricanes want to be back by the time the penalties are levied. You have to wonder how many players will be scared away by any sanctions. But then again, the last time UM was hit with major sanctions in the mid 1990s, it got the players who vowed to bring it back, and by 2001 had won a national title. Golden is well respected and the right fit for this program. If he truly stays long term, as he says he will, it can only mean good things for Miami.”
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And that’s that. Thanks to Susan for helping me out.
This is a Thursday night game and it’s on the road for the Hokies, which automatically makes things tougher (even if it’s in a non-atmosphere like Sun Life Stadium). This is also sandwich game for Virginia Tech, the middle part of a stretch that includes a game at Clemson and a Thursday night game at home against Florida State.
That said, I don’t quite think Miami is in a position to be too competitive this year. This was a team that went 6-6 last season, with losses to Maryland and Boston College. Then it lost a ton to the NFL, including five players who left before their senior season (Miller, at running back, was one of them). That’s a lost for a team near the top of the league to overcome, let alone one that finished 3-5 in league play last year.
I have no doubt that the ‘Canes will get things turned around, even once the Shapiro sanctions are handed down. Miami’s been hit before and bounced back to win national titles. In that hotbed for talent, it doesn’t take long to right the ship, especially the way Golden has recruited (he had a top-10 class last year in his first full recruiting cycle).
But, I think Miami will be a work in progress this year, one that might be able to surprise people in a game or two, just because of the level of talent down there, but not one that’s going to be a consistent threat.
Previous entries:
- Georgia Tech — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- Austin Peay — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- Pittsburgh — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- Bowling Green — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- Cincinnati — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- North Carolina — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- Duke — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
- Clemson — Team overview | Ask a beat writer
June 18, 2012 - 12:12 AM
I think Miami should have stayed in the Big Least. They have brought nothing to the ACC but headache and bad image. The brawl against UCF over a field goal attempt, the Sharpio’s scandal, and just stinking it up since they joined the ACC.
They won’t shake that Thug U label for a long time because that’s what they are.
If they had stayed in the Big Least, everyone would be saying, “They are baaaaaaack!” In the meantime, they are a middling, bumbling, and stinking football in the ACC that haven’t even won a title outright.
Why did the ACC invited them?
Well, they were coming off a four-year stretch where they went 46-4, won a national title, played for another and made four BCS bowls.
How could the ACC have foreseen a program with that profile falling off the map?
And I firmly believe Miami will bounce back eventually because … well, that’s what Miami seems to do.
Trevor,
I believe last year’s game against Miami was very competitive, so much so, that vt scored basically on the last play of the game to win. Don’t forget that vt still has an all time losing record vs. Miami (12-17) of course most bandwagon vt fans will claim that they didn’t start playing football until 1995-1997 or so. They were invited to the ACC because of their 5 National Championships, I believe that is 5 more than vt has. Miami also brings more to the table in all other sports than vt does. For example, their 4 National Championships and 19 appearances in the College World Series in baseball, vt hasn’t even made the conference tournament the last two seasons. Probably a wash in basketball, they are both bad.
So the question might be, why did they invite vt to the ACC, of course they had to sue they way in with help from the governor…
“Why did the ACC invited them”? (geez Trever – I thought I had keyboard fumblitis).
Two words: “TV revenue”, or, “national fanbase”, or, “instant cred”.
Amazing how many people in San Antonio (where I live) wear Miami gear to watch games in sports bars (and they couldn’t find Miami on a map of Dade County). Utterly astonishing to see this in Yuma, AZ where I was for all of last season. Miami is still a TV ratings draw, love them or hate them.
Agree with AB in that no one expected a total collapse. When the ACC invited Miami it was expected that the U and FSU would create a breathtaking extension of football power, top to bottom across the league. Enough football power to create a credible rival to the SEC.
It hasn’t worked out that way because both programs tanked at the same time. Until VT wins some games against the ‘Bama’s of the world, or both FSU and The U climb back in the ring, the ACC will continue to be seen as the “VT league”. And don’t forget that ‘Bama had some down years, just like Texas is going through now.
Now consider this: Clemson becomes a power as it was in the Danny Ford era (hopefully without cheating). VT remains strong and contends for a national title again. UNC continues to improve. UVA continues to improve. GT remains strong. FSU and the U become nationally relevant. The ACC begins to look a whole lot better than it has recently. Syracuse has stunk lately but it once had GOAT Jim Brown, a national title in the 50′s, Donovan McNabb and was impossible to beat in the Carrier Dome. Pitt once had Dorsett and Marino and a viable tradition of power. You might remember that the confluence of rivers in that area yielded Marino, Kelly and some guy named Montana and was known as the “birthplace of QBs”. We have several teams with fine traditions AND we cover a great recruiting area.
Nowadays we consider tradition to be the last 6 games. However, Notre Dame continues to parlay “TD J” despite rotten facilities and even worse winter weather.
With a little luck and smart coaching, the ACC can return as a power football conference.
Things required:
1. A curtailment of out-of-control cheating. The sanctions are program killers. Ask Clemson. It took them years to rebound from the Ford years. Or SMU. They still aren’t back from the Death Penalty.
2. Realization that the last 6 games are not the way to judge success. Success requires repitition and consistency.
3. Recognition by their own fan base that teams like VT do not “suck”. There are 100+ teams playing at the same competitive level. Maybe 3 of them have the same long-term success (say the last 15 years). Yes, I would like a Title, too. But there are 100+ teams who would gladly change places and 100+ coaches who envy Beamer.
4. Recognition that a national title is not the only definition of success. Ask OK State, Texas Tech or other teams with a rabid fan base. Yes, a title is a goal. Something to work for. I get that. But it isn’t “the only thing”.
One of the things that our “win at any cost” culture has cheapened are things like the value of lesser accomplishments (like conference titles and Bowl wins).
A little perspective would help. You know? Besides, who could VT fans really HATE if it weren’t for Miami? UVA? Not worth the emotion. UNC? They are so self-involved they wouldn’t notice. Duke? They only care about hoops. FSU would be one-sided as there is a long list of who they hate ahead of us. Clemson really hates the USC Gamecocks. No room for us.
Wow, for once Stack is spot on. Actually, I don’t give a rip how many time Miami won a national champion. I don’t like any school from Florida. Call it jealousy, I don’t care. Miami brought nothing to the ACC while Tech have won 4 titles outright. It was Miami who was expected to compete for the titles outright with Florida State.
Whoops!
Folks need to get over the political blackmails. It happens everyday all over the world. It happens in the NFL, just ask Minnesota, or ask the St. Louis fans who may be losing the Rams.
Like the bumper sticker says, Poops happens.
“How could the ACC have foreseen a program with that profile falling off the map?” Easily – because they got to the lofty levels they did earlier by cheating, paid the price, fell from grace, and . . . uh, got caught again when they hit that level again.
“And I firmly believe Miami will bounce back eventually because … well, that’s what Miami seems to do.” Of course they will, and they’ll get caught cheating shortly thereafter.
Miami is the ultimate NCAA Death Penalty litmus test – and that test will always come up negative, not to be done again, despite the egregious actions. The cycle there is very easy to predict.
Once again, it goes back to the national perspective that because FSU and Miami are down, therefore, the ACC as whole are down. Talk about skewed perspective.
I repeat, I don’t like any teams from the lame state of Florida. If they are UCF, USF, or FAU for pete’s sake, I won’t like them automatically. They have Florida in their school name. If Pensacola played, guess what? Exactly.
Petty? Maybe.
Another thing, Stack, what the heck does baseball have to do with this blog? That was nonsense. And I don’t like baseball either, one of the boring sports to watch, and a perfect solution for a nap.
Three sports I like – football, basketball, and if I can catch on occasion, soccer.
VT clearly was invited to the ACC because of their football program and geographic location. Of course there was no suing involved, maybe some persuasion, but then again, why deal with facts. They looked at teams such as UVa and GT and said “Man we ain’t goin’ anywhere with programs like these”. And sure enough VT has been the team to beat since then and GT a weak second and UVa…
Now Stack, how does your team figure in on all this? Man up and let us know instead of hiding behind your keyboard…
why did the acc invite them? what a question? get real. revenue, exposure, and they got a football powerhouse. i am a hokie but at the time miami trumped tech ten fold. you cant see down the road. who would have thought wvu would be in the big 12 in 2012 ? regardless of their issues, to the powers that be, what sounds more inviting- miami beach or claytor lake beach? im sorry but around the country- meaning the united states and not the hills of sw virginia- miami gear is everywhere. people really cant get too excited about wearing a turkey….
I’m a little different than most on how I view other ACC teams. I wish them well when they play OOC, but in conference I have my favorites and I guess UM, because of their past thuggery, is at the bottom of the list. But the school is first class (though the fans are just awful) and let’s face it, they can win. I agree with Andy that no one could predict their mediocrity since then, much as with FSU. Golden seems to be a class fellow so I hope he can do something with their image. I say VT wins another tough one this year.
Just to be clear, I like Golden, he seem like a really classy guy, considering he played football under the late Joe Paterno, and I’m sure Paterno have greatly influenced how he coached. It’s not a small wonder there were salivating fans wanting Al Golden up at College Park.
@giles, you are right, nobody gets excited about turkey unless they are a) hunting them, or b) it’s Thanksgiving. That said, there’s only two teams in the country that stirs the bile in my stomach and make me hate them with every fibers of my being…Miami (football) and Puke (basketball).
Is it even possible to have a real discussion anymore or do we just hate Miami today?
Well ok. I hate them everyday.
Stack… yep, you’re right, VT is 12-17 all time vs Miami. Whoop dee doo. VT lost the first 12 meetings with Miami… so since the first time that VT beat Miami, they are 12-5 against them. I think that shows that the career record vs Miami is trending in VT’s direction. Most of the time, the trending direction of a statistic is more important that the total, and this is one of those cases.
Yay again… Miami has 5 national titles in football. I’m thrilled for them, they’ve got a great history. How many ACC titles has those national titles won for them since coming with VT to the ACC? Has Miami even PLAYED for a conference title in the ACC yet? I mean, they should have, right? Just because they have past national titles means they should automatically play for ACC titles… right?
I just don’t buy that Miami brings more to the table in “all other sports” just because Miami has a good baseball team. And again, what’s Miami’s other sports got to do with a VT vs Miami FOOTBALL discussion? The graphic at the top of Andy’s page here is pretty clear, it says “Virginia Tech Football.”
Last year 2 questionable calls led to 14 pts for Miami and it was also the first game without Antoine Hopkins and the first for the true freshman rotation that replaced him. Despite those things and Jacory playing close to the best game of his life, VT won. And this year Miami is going to once again be swagless
hokie24, right again. UM has not even won the Coastal Division to get into the Championship game. Of course one reason is that VT keeps winning it…