Yesterday in Miami: 1/31/08

A little late for a morning roundup, but there's still a few things to mention. Oh, and stay tuned for tonight's recruiting update. The Canes are looking to land a pair of stellar DBs from California.

Yesterday in Miami...

• Heat give a good effort sans Wade/Shaq/Haslem, but lose to Orlando 107-91.
• Up north, Minny defeats Chicago 83-67 to put Miami only half a game ahead of them for the worst record in the NBA.
• Panthers get shut out 1-0 at home to Buffalo and take a dip in the standings.
• Former Heisman hopeful Willis McGahee makes his first Pro Bowl.

Undermanned Heat Lose Again

I wrote earlier this morning that I would be content with a good effort by the UM bball team this Saturday at Duke, but the same applied to tonight's Heat game at Orlando. Without Wade, Shaq, and Haslem, the Heat had to face the best team in the division without it's 3 best players.

Unsurprisingly, this resulted in a 107-91 loss. However, the Heat played this one a little closer than the score might indicate. Daequan Cook's jumper early in the 4th cut the Magic's lead to 3 before Orlando pulled away in the final period.

The good was the team's focus and lack of turnovers, with only 5. The bad was their free throw shooting, as usual. The ugly was getting outrebounded by nearly double. That had to be expected with a monster like Dwight Howard going against guys like Alexander Johnson.

The good news is that Minnesota beat Chicago in a rematch of yesterday's game, so now Miami is only half a game back for the worst record in the league.

McGahee Makes Pro Bowl

Thanks to LT's decision to not participate in the Pro Bowl, former Hurricane Willis McGahee received an invite to replace him. This will be McGahee's first Pro Bowl appearance, so congratulations to him.

Willis is the self-proclaimed "best back in the NFL", and though that might not be the clear cut truth, he is definitely an all-world talent. The biggest shame about his career so far has been that he has always lacked a powerful OL and a competent QB, so his numbers have been modest in comparison to those of the other elite backs.

McGahee will be the 3rd Raven to make the team this year, joining fellow Canes Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Here's to hoping continued success for the careers of all three players.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/30/08

Not a fun day for basketball fans yesterday, with a heartbreaker for the Canes and an embarrassing defeat by the Heat.

Yesterday in Miami...

• Any talk of playoffs should have been squashed after this performance by Miami.
• Wake Forest closes a victory over the UM Basketball team with a last second shot.
• Carolina wins, leaving the idle Panthers 5 points out of the division lead.
• Johan Santana is heading to the Big Apple, giving us another reason to pick the Marlins to finish last.

Heartbreaker in Winston Salem

The Canes can't seem to catch a break on Tobacco Road. I labeled the Clemson game a must win, and it was. A victory at Wake Forest wasn't as crucial, but in a tie game with under a minute to go, it became one of those games you simply have to find a way to win. Sadly, the Hurricanes fell short.

The good news out of the 70-68 loss is that Miami has shown it can compete in the ACC. Aside from some bad play against BC and the expected domination by UNC, Miami has run with most of it's ACC opponents to the end. Hopefully the Canes will see this and use it as a confidence builder, rather than beat themselves up for losing 4 of 5.

However, it goes to show how far UM has to go as a basketball program in that Wake has fallen pretty far and yet both teams were evenly matched. The Canes solved their shooting woes and did well enough on the boards, but I would have liked to see more than 10 attempts from the foul line.

Also disturbing was that Sunday's hero, Jack McClinton, disappeared for the entirety of the 2nd half before again saving the day with a tying bucket. Unfortunately it wasn't enough this time.

The Canes will have to regroup quickly because they return to North Carolina this weekend to visit Duke. Honestly, I would be content if they show the same determination against them as they did against UNC. A win at Cameron would be a small miracle for this team, but I wouldn't rule it out completely. As long as they put up a fight, I'm happy.

Playoffs?! Playoffs?!

You talkin about playoffs?! Playoffs?! I just wanna win a game!

That was seriously god-awful. Now maybe Pat Riley and the Heat can stop pretending like this team can even sniff the final playoff spot. Even without Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen, the Celtics absolutely dominated this game from the outset. With Wade under the weather and Haslem spraining his ankle, this team didn't stand a chance.

Thankfully I only sat through a few minutes of this one, because it got ugly quick and got worse late. The Celtics outperformed the Heat in every single category there exists in basketball, and then some. I suppose Mark Blount's effort was a plus for Miami in that he has displayed his ability to contribute on some level offensively. Maybe unloading his contract won't be that difficult.

However, aside from Blount and Luke Jackson (who had a shocking 4-5 night from the 3 point line), there was nothing positive that came from this blowout. Dwyane struggled from the field and was mercifully given the night off in the 3rd quarter. Daequan Cook seems to have hit a rookie wall and has begun to regress a bit. Hopefully he'll be able to get back on track sometime soon. He will have to be a key component of the Heat's future.

Thankfully, this loss was paired with a Seattle victory, so Miami has regained the 2nd worst position in the NBA. Minnesota's loss to Chicago keeps them a game and a half ahead of the Heat for the most lottery balls in the draft. Go T-Wolves.

Thoughts on the AAFL and NFL Minor Leagues

I wrote a post regarding the new AAFL and it's inaugural draft yesterday, and I somewhat ridiculed the new league for being an eventual bust. In all likelihood, it will probably not last very long. I'm not sure how the pay structure will be able to be maintained considering how difficult it is to enter the professional sports market and make a profit.

However, part of me hopes it does well. Or at least gives the NFL a hint that a farm system of sorts might be a good idea. Not just in Europe, where eventually the experiment was shut down, but here in the States. There are way too many players leaving the college ranks with hopes and dreams of playing in the NFL, only to fall short of their goal.

Many of these guys were recruited to college for the sole purpose of acting as quasi-professional athletes. They were bred to be professional football players. Once they fail in making an NFL team, they have limited opportunities at playing elsewhere and can have trouble finding regular jobs. Sure, they have the AFL teams, or the CFL up north. However, the exposure they receive in those leagues is minimal.

I would want an NFL minor league system primarily because there are so many positions to fill on an NFL roster. It becomes impossible for most teams in any given year to keep several talented players because they lack depth at another position. You could make the case that these unfortunate preseason cuts end up being picked up by another team that is weak at that position, but the fact remains that there is a large pool of players who are out of work unnecessarily throughout most of the year.

Eventually, midway through the year most teams are depleted at a specific position, and are forced to pick guys up off the street who haven't played in who knows how long. I think it would be best for everyone if there was that security blanket like we had in NFL Europe. We could have a nice 8-12 team minor leagues where teams can stash players at overstocked positions or where raw talents can be developed and brought up in a few years.

Frankly, I don't know why such a system hasn't already been established. MLB has a huge minor league system for developing talent. The NFL should too. I can understand the failure of NFL Europe (losing 30 million a season), but theres no reason that we can't have a similar system in the US, where it would surely succeed in cities where there are no NFL franchises.

How the Huskies Cost Miami a Shot at 3 Straight Titles

Back in 2000, the rebuilding process had entered it's final phase. The University of Miami had bounced back from the probation years and was poised to make an impact on the college football landscape. Sophomore QB Ken Dorsey looked good in his final games the previous season, and looked to lead a talented offense to a Big East title and beyond.

However, the Canes ran into a buzzsaw when they faced the 15th ranked Washington Huskies in Seattle early on in the season. The 4th ranked Miami team fell behind early and faced a 28-10 deficit late in the 3rd quarter. A desperate comeback attempt fell 5 points short, as Dorsey's final heave fluttered to the ground incomplete.

Miami would go on to roll over the competition, toppling defending champion and #1 ranked Florida State 27-24 and then dismantling #2 Virginia Tech 41-21. However, Florida State's margin of victory statistics helped sway the BCS computers into slotting them into the title game against Oklahoma (which they later lost 13-2, costing Miami a split title) and sending Miami into a Sugar Bowl matchup against UF.

Many UM fans since have been less than supportive of the BCS system, which clearly screwed the Canes out of the title shot. However, most fail to recognize that Washington finished 4th in the BCS, also with a single loss, and having defeated the Canes in September. My argument was always that we were ranked 2nd in the human polls (as opposed to 4th for UDub), but I always knew that by using our own logic in comparing UM and FSU, we probably didn't deserve to go to the Orange Bowl and play for the title.

Now, an emerging story of Rick Neuheisel's Huskies paints a scary picture of what that program was sweeping under the rug. Particularly incidents regarding star TE Jerramy Stevens. Of most interest to me is a summer scandal in which Stevens' blood matched with the DNA from a rape kit involving a young woman who had accused him of raping her. Somehow Stevens was allowed to play that season, including the 34-29 victory over Miami in which he caught 7 balls for nearly 90 yards and a touchdown.

Clearly, allegations of that nature warrant some sort of suspension, especially when there is substantial evidence to prove such a claim. Even though he was not officially charged (read the story above to learn about what looks like a sketchy situation), there is no way Stevens should have played for the Huskies. It baffles me how Washington's wins from that season haven't been forfeited.

Had Stevens not been eligible for the Miami game, who knows if Washington would have been able to stretch it's lead so far early on, or if they could have held off the late rally. Either way, the win should be removed from the records, along with the rest of their victories.

It's a stretch I know, but thinking about it makes me wonder if we weren't that much closer to 3 straight title games. I feel our 2000 team would have fared much better than FSU in the title game. That snub fueled the team into a dominating 2001 season and of course, Miami also won the 2002 national title.

In hindsight, the program was this close to 3 straight championships. Heck, without a ridiculous loss to Tennessee at home in 2003, that team could have easily been part of the BCS mess that year and made it to a 4th title game in as many years.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/29/08

I've taken a short break from this daily post because frankly there isn't much happening in Miami. Other than the Heat struggling and the Panthers barely hovering out of a playoff spot, the only news is the occasional Dolphins hire.

Yesterday in Miami...

• The Dolphins added several new coaches to the mix.
• Pete Carmichael Jr as OC seems to have been nixed. However, Ethan Skolnick suggests it might not be over yet.
  
• If not Carmichael or Dan Henning, it's possible that Hue Jackson will be the next OC, fueling speculation about a potential trade for Chad Johnson.
  
• For some reason the Heat are talking about playoffs after winning their first game in January on Sunday. Hey, whatever helps you sleep at night guys.
• In case anyone is wondering, the Heat remain 1.5 games out of last place in the NBA and the Panthers are 5 points out of the 8th seed, but only 3 from the division lead.
  

AAFL Draft Results

Frankly I didn't even know about this league. This probably shows one of two things: my ignorance or the inevitable demise of the AAFL. Regardless, I thought it was interesting that several notable players were selected by one of the 6 teams in the inaugural draft. The full draft is available here.

• Eric Crouch selected 3rd overall by Texas, to play QB no less. He's a stubborn one, but one has to admire his persistence.
• Cane transfer Akieem Jolla selected 22nd overall, also by Texas.
• Chris Leak selected by Florida, of all places, in the 6th round.
• Peter Warrick also selected by Florida. From a top 10 NFL pick to a 7th round AAFL pick. How the mighty have fallen...
• Ryan "I can't give" Moore will be Leak's other receiver, selected in the 12th round.
• Yet another familiar receiver picked by Florida, this time its Kevin Beard in the 17th round.
• Former Dolphin Tony Bua goes to Arkansas in the 21st.
• Florida alum OJ Small goes to Florida in the 21st.
• Record setting QB Kliff Kingsbury goes to Texas in the 24th.
• Michigan kicker Garrett Rivas picked by the Michigan squad in the 26th.
• Former Canes DE Alton Wright selected by Florida in the 30th.
• Clemson dual threat QB Woodrow Dantzler goes to Tennessee in the 30th.
• Seminole DL Charles Howard and former Canes offensive linemen Tony Tella and Bradley Kuntz picked by Florida in rounds 31, 33 and 34.
• Former Patriot CB and winner of the name of the year award Earthwind Moreland goes to Alabama in the 36th.
• "He Hate Me" goes to Tennessee.
• Canes center Anthony Wollschlager also picked by Florida. Obvious trend here.
• Former Cane and Jet linebacker Jarrell Weaver goes to Florida in the 43rd round.
• Fellow Cane Alphonso Hodge goes to Michigan in the next round.
• And finally Chad Owens of Hawaii goes in the 48th to Texas.
  

There were plenty of former Canes and Gators drafted this weekend, primarily by regional team Florida. Those games will be held in the Swamp, beginning this April. Players are set to be paid a surprising 100k each, which isn't bad for a lot of guys who were out of work.

Additionally, I like that the league only drafts players that have completed their 4 year degrees. That sets a good example for kids in school who know they might be better off sticking it out rather than leaving early.

Dolphins Coaching Rumors; Chad Johnson?

The past week has been a busy one for the Dolphins organization. They've hired a slew of assistant coaches already, and were being linked to a pair of Saints coaches over the weekend. One, special teams coach John Bonamego, has accepted their offer. The other, Pete Carmichael Jr., now looks like he won't be leaving New Orleans to be our offensive coordinator. Don't ask me what happened with Dan Henning, because I have no idea.

As a potential replacement for Carmichael, who was supposed to be pretty close to taking the job (as was Henning, so that shows how much rumors are worth), the Fins are interviewing Atlanta coordinator Hue Jackson.

The Jackson interview is interesting first because Atlanta's offense wasn't exactly a powerhouse last season, though to be fair the personnel they had out on the field would be hard to work with for even the most innovative playcallers. But more importantly, as PFT mentions, it might fuel speculation about Chad Johnson being traded to the Dolphins. Jackson served as Chad's WR coach throughout most of his career and a reunion would be an good thing for everyone involved.

You might recall I made a note of Chad's potential interest in leaving Cincinnati for Miami a few weeks ago. Then I doubted the possibility of such a move being made. I still doubt it. However, these recent developments can't be dismissed. A talent like Chad Johnson would certainly be a welcome addition to this team. It would take a lot of pressure off John Beck and it would give Ted Ginn room to run around and grow as a WR.

Late Weekend Recruiting Notes

I'm sure many of you are on the edge of your seats wondering where all the remaining uncommitted players will be heading. There is only a little over a week until Signing Day, so we won't have to wait much longer. Several kids visited the U this weekend, and from what I've heard, things are looking well for the 2008 class.

Most were Miami verbals already, but the weekend was crucial to solidify some "soft" verbals (depending on what you define as soft) in Jeremy Lewis and Marcus Robinson, as well as attracting players who are are yet to commit, such as CB Alonzo Lawrence.

First off, cornerback stud Brandon Harris gave his visit a 10 and later said that he would feel comfortable with a decision to attend the University of Miami. However, he will make his choice on signing day and it's not absolutely certain he will come here. It looks good, but he said he would also feel comfortable with any of his other choices as well.

As for TJ Bryant, he was here earlier in the week and enjoyed himself. Many are very optimistic about our chances with him, but I wouldn't get too excited yet if I were you. What I read is favorable, but these things are so tricky that you never know until they sign the dotted line. Even then there's no guarantee they stick around their entire careers.

Another 5 star player we are targeting, Jamie Harper, was visited by Randy Shannon tonight in an attempt to sway him to play for the Canes. Most feel Harper is heading to Clemson with his buddy Daniel Andrews. Landing him would be a coup because he is a combination of power and speed that reminds people of Willis McGahee. That guy was pretty good, if I recall correctly.

Next is 3/4 star TE Brandon Moore, currently committed to Michigan. This was an interesting one because I had never even heard of him before he took his visit this weekend and called it "the best visit I've had in my life". Getting him to switch over would be a nice addition to the class and might not be too difficult considering the coaching and offensive philosophy change in Ann Arbor. Plus, we have been missing that TE threat of late.

Also, OLB/DE Gavin Hardin has told reporters that he has already made his decision, presumably between Ole Miss and Miami, and will announce on NSD. There are optimistic expectations regarding the possibility of signing him, but grades might be an issue.

As for the slew of California DB's we've been targeting, there hasn't been as much optimism there. It's possible one of them might be inclined to travel across the country to play here, but it's not looking too good. Honestly, that would be fine if Miami can sign Brandon Harris and TJ Bryant.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but that's it for now.

Some Rumblings About a Cowboys-Fins Trade

About a month ago, I wrote about the possibility of a draft trade between the Dolphins and the Cowboys, who are eagerly hoping to land Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden.

I originally dismissed it because the trade value chart simply doesn't add up. The two 1st round picks the Cowboys have in this April's draft aren't enough to merit trading the #1 overall pick. However, according to PFT now Chris Mortensen is reporting that there is still the possibility of this trade happening.

Apparently, the dealbreaker is the rights to Marion Barber. Since he is a restricted free agent, one of two things could happen: Dallas could trade one or both of their 1st rounders and Barber in a sign-and-trade to the Dolphins, or they could slap the highest tender on Barber, which would force anyone who signs him away to compensate the Cowboys with their 1st and 3rd round picks. Those picks in turn could be used to sweeten the deal for Miami.

Obviously, I would prefer some sort of wild scenario where someone is foolish enough to sign Barber at the highest tender and then Miami gets 3 first round picks. In a more realistic scenario, I suppose I would be content with two late firsts and Barber for the 1st pick. I don't know if Dallas would do that, but I don't think they have much of a choice. Barber is great and all, but he has little value to a team that counts RB as it's only real position of strength. We don't need him.

Then again, Dallas doesn't need McFadden. Jerry Jones is just infatuated with his fellow Razorback. All I know is that this makes the next 3 months very interesting for Dolfans. The future of our franchise could very well be hanging in the balance here. One player won't change this team, especially if he comes with a 60+ million dollar price tag. Trading down is clearly the best option, so I am hoping this deal actually works out.

Coker Can't Find a Job

Does this really surprise anyone? Larry Coker apparently is shocked at the lack of interest in his services as a head coach. I wonder sometimes if his whole "I had a great record" argument is something he really believes or if he just throws it out there hoping someone will take the bait.

Yes, Larry, you went 60-15 at UM. That's very nice. However, with the talent you were surrounded with, you should have gone 70-5. Not once did I feel our team outcoached the other. Most of the time we won because we simply had better players. 95% of football coaches could have been at the helm of that 2001 team and won the title. 80% of them wouldn't have let Ohio State within 2 touchdowns of our team in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl (though again, I remind you that game never happened).

Simply put, he failed to make use of the talent he was provided. Most of his victories came with Butch Davis' players. Afterwards, his "heralded" recruiting classes produced minimal results on the field. Either he is simply inept at selecting players, or he failed miserably at developing the ones he brought to Miami. His biggest mistake as a recruiter was to neglect the pipeline of talent in his own backyard. By doing so, he alienated a slew of high school coaches, as well as allowed other programs to cherry pick South Florida players who later on helped them win titles.

If I were an athletic director, I would see all of these things as major red flags. Sure, at a Baylor or SMU he wouldn't have the pressure to go 12-0 every season. But I would assume that any football program's ultimate goal is the gradual improvement of the team. With Coker, you'll stay at 6-6 (or worse, considering he won't have UM's talent) for the entirety of his tenure there.

I've heard all about Larry as a person. I'm sure he's an excellent human being, and I wish him the best. But honestly he ran this program into the ground. If I were him I wouldn't be surprised if another university were hesitant to hand the reins of the football team over to someone with such a high-profile failure.

O'Neal Wants to Play at 70%

Yet another injury related story on Shaquille O'Neal surfaced today, this time about Shaq's desire to return as soon a possible from his hip injury. Rather than take the full 2 weeks-1 month off as previously projected, he intends on returning when he is about 70% healthy.

I've already said my part regarding Shaq and his injury. Hip injuries can quickly turn serious if not properly healed, especially with a man his size. He should be contemplating retirement as is, much less coming back early from a hip injury that renders him nearly immobilized on the court.

I just hope he doesn't seriously injure himself out there, because I still love the guy. He's great for the fans and for the franchise as a celebrity, but his skills aren't where they used to be and that isn't being reflected in his pay.

Canes Bounce Back Versus Clemson

After a fast start that slowly turned into a late 6 point deficit, the Canes needed some late heroics. Who else did they turn to but the struggling Jack McClinton?

The streaky guard continued his recent woes from the field throughout most of the game before draining three straight bombs from downtown in the final 150 seconds to give Miami the lead. One cannot overestimate the importance of those 3 shots. Without this victory, I believe Miami's season goes into a tailspin.

The next few games will determine whether or not the Canes will be heading to the Tourney or the NIT. Had they lost this game, they would have headed into a 3-game stretch vs Wake Forest, Duke and Florida State with a 1-3 conference record. Barring some miracle sweep of the 3, the Canes would be looking at a pretty disappointing season.

All those fears were washed away with the late rally at the BankUnited Center. However, as much of a relief as this victory is, one has to also take it with a grain of salt. Miami shot very poorly from the field---particularly the guards.

The win then, was fueled by consistent trips to the foul line and a rejuvenated effort on the boards after a disappointing showing against North Carolina. The front line had a monster game, with Collins, King and Graham combining for nearly 30 rebounds. Also, Lance Hurdle is really growing into his role and his contributions have been crucial in the last few games.

The next game is in only two days at Wake Forest, so we won't have to wait long to see if the Canes can use this win as momentum.

The Heat Scored More Points Than the Pacers?

What does it mean when you finish with more points than the other team? I honestly can't remember the last time the Heat finished in the W column. But finally the drought has ended and Miami once again is on top of the world. *insert sarcasm*

The Heat topped the Pacers 98-96 at the AAA in a close game that came to the final seconds. While the win was a long time coming, don't think the Heat didn't try to give this one away too. Wade's 2nd three pointer of the game put them up 9 points with 4 minutes and change to go, but again Miami choked away the lead in the closing minutes.

If anything, this win takes a huge monkey off the team's back. I want them to finish as poorly as possible because I'm looking towards the future, but I don't want them to be historically bad. We already flirted with that possibility with the Dolphins this season. I don't need another national story putting the spotlight on just how bad my favorite team is.

As for the game itself, I didn't catch it as I was at the Farewell to the Orange Bowl game (expect a lengthy post on that tonight or tomorrow, complete with photos). But Wade had another excellent performance, dropping 35 points and adding 8 boards while turning it over an acceptable 3 times. However, the key to the victory was that he actually had some help for once.

Dorell had another good game with 14 points and 10 boards, though as I've posted before, don't expect him to repeat that in the next game or two. He needs to work on consistency in his performances. The other key contributor was Mark Blount, who I feel has been an underrated presence all season long.

When we acquired him in the trade for Antoine Walker, I was actually happy because he presents a couple of matchup problems for other teams. After the 2003 season that ended prematurely with a loss to Indiana in the 2nd round, talk was that all this team was missing was a Center. Many were suggesting Blount as the guy to fit that role. Today he produced 19 crucial points that took a lot of pressure off Wade offensively.

Where do the Heat go from here? Who knows. I hope they don't fail miserably the rest of the season, but I think this team desperately needs a Top 3 pick in next year's draft. Tanking wouldn't be the preferred course of action, but I wouldn't blame them for doing it.

Wilfork Fined Again

It really does disappoint me that Vince Wilfork is continually getting fined this season for unsportsmanlike hits. All I can tell anyone outside of Miami who didn't know him before the NFL is that he never pulled those kind of stunts while he was a 'Cane. He has to have learned that while in New England.

In fact, I am absolutely sure he has. He isn't the first guy to be characterized as a dirty player on the Patriots. Rodney Harrison has a reputation as one of the dirtiest players in the league. Both Matt Light and Richard Seymour have been publicly criticized by opponents as taking cheap shots. This is clearly a New England thing.

Even Wes Welker was a class act while in Miami and has now turned into a bonafide scumbag. On more than one occasion he has caught a pass and blatantly taunted the defender he beat for the reception. That never happened in Miami. Ever. Then again, he rarely got a chance to beat defenders while in Miami...

There is something in New England that makes otherwise classy players resort to cheap tactics (I wonder who they get this from?). And that's a shame, because despite their unlikable nature, this is potentially the best football team in the NFL's history. They should act as a team that the NFL and it's fans can be proud of. Instead, they play the role of bad guy and enjoy every minute of it.

Marcus Forston Video

In honor of the 4 MNW early enrollees, I plan on posting a video a day of each in case you guys haven't gotten a chance to get a good look at them in action. I'll start with Marcus Forston. I'll try finding a better video this week, but enjoy this one for now.

Short Piece on 83 Nebraska

What many billed the greatest college football game ever played resulted in Miami's first national championship and the beginning of a 25 year dynasty in college football. However, what most forget is that on the other side of the field was a Nebraska team that many were calling the best college team of all time.

To get a grasp on just how hyped that Nebraska team was, it helps (because they involved the same two programs) to think of the expectations leading up to the 2002 Rose Bowl. Granted, that Miami team was supposedly suspect against the option run, but you get the picture.

Today, ESPN's E-Ticket focuses on athletes and teams that fell just short of immortality and perfection. Eric Neel's section on Nebraska gives us excellent insight into the Cornhuskers' mentality before and after the game. It makes for an interesting read and makes me recall the similar reactions of Canes players after the 2003 Fiesta Bowl (which might I remind you, never happened).

Mularkey to Falcons?

The great thing about the NFL is retreads. No matter how bad you performed for one team, somebody else will be willing to give you a shot, particularly if you are a coach. We already saw this earlier this week with Cam Cameron.

Now it appears another former Dolphins coach might land a cushy gig sometime soon. The Falcons are reportedly targeting Mike Mularkey as their offensive coordinator. Yes, that Mike Mularkey.

I'm not entirely sure what they see in him after witnessing the failure of the 2006 offense in Miami, followed by the demotion to tight ends coach (or temporary playcaller, depending on whether or not you believe the conspiracy) for a 1-15 squad. But hey, good luck to Mike and his family if he gets the job in Atlanta. The situation there is as hopeless as it is in Davie.

College Football Tidbits

Just a few random pieces of relevant College Football news I thought I might share with you guys...

• This year's mid-season Cinderella story, USF, has scheduled an away game at Notre Dame in 2011. This adds to a non-conference schedule that already includes Miami in several seasons. However, not everyone is entirely satisfied despite the $1 million dollar payout.
• FSU's former recruiting coordinator and tight end coach John Lilly finds a new job in Athens. This isn't expected to impact FSU's stellar incoming class.
• Kirby Freeman officially has his new home in Baylor. There was a question as to whether or not he would have to sit out his final year of eligibility due to transfer rules.
• Top QB prospect Matt Barkley commits to USC. Barkley was the Gatorade National Player of the Year...as a junior. He is the only player ever to accomplish that feat.
• And finally, I came across this post on Sunday Morning Quarterback. It makes an excellent read (though lengthy) and works well with my 3 posts on the 2003, 2004, and 2005 UM classes.
  

Yesterday in Miami: 01/25/08

I suppose I could have written a Spurs-Heat recap preemptively. The one-point, last second, heartwrenching loss has become so typical of this team that one has to wonder what the point of watching really is.

Yesterday in Miami...

• Amid rumors of retirement, Shaq denies he would ever consider the possibility....
• ...and then watches as the Heat lose to the Spurs 90-89 thanks to a questionable final play.
• On one good note, Dwyane Wade was voted an All-Star Starter again.
  
• To the relief of Canes fans everywhere, the MNW early enrollees finally registered for classes. Rumors had it that Aldarius Johnson was going to have to wait or potentially go elsewhere.
• Jeff Ireland makes headlines with several interesting comments in recent days about Zach Thomas, the #1 overall pick, and who has final say in the organization.
• The Panthers flat out blow it against the Edmonton Oilers and fall back in the playoff hunt.
  

Shaq and Retirement

Today, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel wrote a story suggesting that Shaq retire because it is in both his and the franchise's best interest to do so.

What was most intriguing about Ira's article was the confirmation he received from the NBA offices that if Shaq were to send in retirement papers today, then next season his salary would be wiped from the books. Presumably if he were to wait until after the season, then only the 2009 salary would be waived.

This possibility got me excited enough to dream of Elton Brand and Luol Deng signings next season and a Heat resurgence. However, it took less than a day for my hopes to be dashed.

In response to several journalists' suggestions to retire, Shaq told Jack Ramsey on ESPN Radio:

"No, never that. I am the son of an army drill sergeant, and when we enlist, we go full term. So I've got two years left on my term, and after that, I'll be looking to do other things."

So much for that idea. I have to say that Shaq's attitude isdeflating as a Miami Heat fan. I love the guy, and I really do wish he was capable of contributing at the level his salary demands, but he just isn't. And things will only get worse from here. Imagine how creaky Shaq's knees will be in the 2009-2010 season.

Unless they get rid of his salary, this team is going to be stuck in the basement for a while. At some point Pat Riley will have to tell Micky Arison that ticket sales and marketing revenues thanks to Shaq's celebrity won't be outweighing the cost of having that dead weight on the books. Since Shaq clearly refuses to accept defeat (an admirable quality, I'll give him that), only Riley can possibly save this franchise from the horrifying prospect of being a last place team the next 3 years and then have its star leave for greener pastures.

Urban Taking Some Heat

Perhaps the most intriguing story in college football today is the ongoing investigation of Urban Meyer's recruitment of JUCO WR Carl Moore from California.

A few days ago I posted an article spelling out the potential violations: Moore's girlfriend, Maranda Smith, received several calls from Meyer with the intent of aiding in her recruitment to the UF gymnastics squad, one of the nation's best.

I forwarded the information to the good people at The Wizard of Odds, who in turn reported the investigations in more detail. Currently the story can be found on most major media outlets.

The obvious issue is that Meyer is not permitted to recruit a prospective athlete of another sport, particularly under the clear motivation that it would result in a likely commitment from a stud receiver. In addition, even in acting as a gymnastics coach (which he clearly is not) he exceeded how many calls he is allowed at a given time.

In response, UF initially cleared Meyer of any potential violations. Urban was quoted after the meeting with the athletic department as saying "No problems with that, we're fine."

However, since that original meeting, the situation has progressed into something considerably more serious than Meyer has suggested. First came the report that UF hadn't completely finished its investigation into the matter. So Meyer wasn't necessarily off the hook to begin with.

Now Meyer's next problem will be to deal with another emerging issue related to Moore's recruitment. Apparently, Meyer wasn't the only one speaking to Moore during his recruiting calls. Golden boy Tim Tebow has been implicated as well.

Only minutes after Tebow had won the Heisman Trophy, Meyer contacted Moore and handed the phone over to Tebow. This is a clear violation of NCAA regulations against contact between prospective athletes and current student-athletes.

UF and Meyer will now have to deal with two separate issues, either of which could potentially lead to punitive action by the NCAA. So far Meyer has received at least a little bit of help in the form of a Miami Herald piece posted just this morning.

In the report, Smith denies having long conversations with Meyer with the purpose of recruiting her for the gymnastics squad: "Meyer never called me personally.''

Instead she insists the phone calls were simply made to get in touch with Carl Moore. Regardless, Meyer is definitely in some hot water. In most instances, stuff like this gets swept under the rug either by the program itself, or by the NCAA.

However, UF faces a problem in that the violations were originally looked over by the athletic department. Unless their renewed investigation leads to a decision to self-report recruiting violations, it would be likely that any NCAA investigation that finds Meyer guilty would be far less lenient than if UF were to admit some guilt in advance.

Skip Bayless is an Idiot

This probably doesn't even merit a post, but I had to do it. Yesterday I came across this story posted by the Herald that referenced a comment made by ESPN's Skip Bayless regarding Dwyane's health:

''He's gained 20 pounds,'' Bayless said. ``Maybe some of it's muscle, maybe some of it's not. But he has lost his explosion.''

I've watched Cold Pizza and First Take enough to know Bayless is full of it most of the time. I don't understand why ESPN continues to put out these talking head shows where people are forced to cover all sports on a national scope. Having guys who can be knowledgable about that many things is quite rare. Instead the result is the typical uninformed and biased nonsense we get out of the mouths of Bayless and Tim Cowlishaw.

If Wade has lost a step or his "explosion", Skip, it's probably because he is playing on two bad knees, a bad shin, and is trying to drive to the hoop with two bad shoulders. If he's put on some weight, there is no way it's 20 pounds, at least not since last season. If anything, the reason he looks like he has added weight is because he has had to carry this damn team on his back the entire season.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/24/08

Well, finally the Miami Heat didn't lose a game. Then again, they didn't play yesterday either.

Yesterday in Miami...

• Cam Cameron finds a new job in Baltimore. Though he was awful here, I wish him well with the Ravens.
• Channing Crowder crashes his car on the Turnpike and then leaves the scene. No injuries are reported, thankfully, but Crowder is in some minor trouble with the law.
• With superstars Dwyane Wade, Andre Johnson and others in attendance, the Miami Hurricanes lose 98-82 to a superior UNC squad.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves win their 2nd in a row by stunning the Suns and are now only 1.5 games ahead of the Heat for the worst record and the most lottery balls.
• The Dolphins hire 4 more assistant coaches.
  
• Miami Hurricanes baseball is voted as the 10th ranked team by Baseball America's preseason poll.
  

Canes Lose Third Straight

I was going to go to this game, but instead caught it on Sun Sports. Nice to see a celebrity turnout of Dwyane Wade and Edgerrin James, along with potential recruit TJ Bryant. Also nice to see a good turnout by the fans, though obviously that was influenced by the opponent.

After a relatively even first period, the Tar Heels rolled over the Canes in the 2nd half and won 98-82. Miami kept it competitive as long as they could, but honestly they were totally outclassed tonight. I'm proud of them for coming out strong and holding a lead late in the 1st half before slowly fading away. They had been coming out flat against ACC opponents and I was beginning to question their mental toughness against quality competition.

The biggest reasons for the loss were turnovers and the inability to keep the Tar Heels off the offensive boards. Our 17 turnovers were devastating, as many of them were silly plays that could have been avoided with some of the focus that was present earlier in the season. Then, I had lauded Frank Haith for keeping his player's heads in the game. Now, they are all over the place at the most crucial moments.

I don't have exact numbers, but UNC had something like 20-10 advantage on the offensive glass. That's way too many 2nd, 3rd and 4th chance points against a team that has much more talent than you do. Had they been able to cut down on those, Miami would have stood a better chance of winning.

Aside from that, Jack McClinton had a quiet night and Eddie Rios looked out of place in a big game. Jimmy Graham's energy was a big help in staying within striking distance, and Lance Hurdle was pretty much the only reason Miami wasn't blown out.

The schedule doesn't get any easier from here as the Canes head into the heart of conference play with a 1-3 record. That NC State game was a killer, because nobody could have really expected to win this game. If they don't turn things around soon, talk about this team getting a win or two in the Tourney will be proven premature.

Late Night Recruiting

Before I work on my thoughts on the UNC game, there are a couple of things from recruiting circles I thought I'd mention.

First off, there is a rumor that PJ has officially been denied admission to LSU. The story is up on Rivals, so while there is definitely smoke, it remains to be seen if there is fire. I wouldn't doubt it though. Looks like sneaky PJ will have to go the JUCO or prep school route. I suppose in his case he'll enjoy playing the games for another year before he chooses another school. Hopefully he will mature over that time.

Some suggested he might have already contacted Randy Shannon about returning to the Canes' class, but I doubt that has happened and if it did, there's no way that Shannon would let him back in at this point, barring an extremely short leash on Johnson.

Then there are the rumors that another stud player hasn't been able to enroll. Unfortunately that one is solid commit Aldarius Johnson. The other 3 MNW players are in, but neither Johnson nor Jordan Futch were able to get in early. However, sources are saying that Johnson should be in tomorrow, so we shouldn't be worried Canes tonight. Futch will have to enroll in Summer classes.

Recruiting Wrapup

The final two weeks of the 2007-2008 recruiting season are upon us and things are heating up in every direction. First off, if you want an excellent list and analysis of who our final targets are before NSD, I suggest you read Manny's blog at the Herald. I was going to write something similar, but I'd rather not be redundant.

However, there are some bits and pieces of info I've read about that are still worth mentioning. First off, Florida's class continues to grow stronger with the addition of 5 star DT Omar Hunter. Hunter was a Notre Dame commitment last month. All this coming off the recent news of potential violations by coach Urban Meyer.

As for potential UM guys, there is news for us as well. TJ Bryant is on campus as I write this, probably getting prepared to watch the UM-UNC basketball game. With the Buchanon and Johnson defections, landing him and/or Brandon Harris is absolutely crucial to this class. I like our chances with the former, but he has kept it so close to the vest that I'm worried it might be another Bobby Bowden special.

As for Harris, news on him is all over the place. Some sources had him leaning to LSU. Others cited his desire to go out of state and have him being a Buckeye. Earlier today I read a very reliable UM source claim Brandon is a solid Cane, so that is a bit more relieving. We'll see on Signing Day.

Another guy we might land is Gavin Hardin. He was a soft verbal to Ole Miss, but after opening up his commitment and visiting Miami, there seems to be a good chance he ends up a Cane. However, early suggestions he was committing as soon as today seem to be off base. Now he too, will decide on signing day. I was optimistic about him over the weekend, but with a visit coming up to Ole Miss, I wouldn't be surprised if he reaffirms his commitment to the Rebels.

Losing him would be tough because DE Keith Wells is no longer an option due to some "character flaws" both the FSU and UM staffs dug up. Also, Nick Perry is expected to sign with Michigan and Corey Liuget's family continues to push him out of state.

The guy I'm worried about is Brandon Washington, who reportedly is talking like someone who is anything but a solid commitment to Miami. Strange considering his MNW buddies are all coming to the U and he has been committed here for quite some time. We need him and Ben Jones because it doesn't look like we'll be landing any other offensive linemen otherwise. That is probably the class' biggest disappointment.

Finally, Manny says that Jeremy Lemis will reaffirm his commitment on his visit to Miami this weekend, so that's also a relief. I was/still am worried that he will defect to the Gators as predicted.

Shaun Rogers a Possibility?

Also from PFT is a story on how Detroit does not plan on keeping DT Shaun Rogers around. A guy with his talent probably would have considerable value on the trade market, so I would rule out the Dolphins as a potential destination. We need all the picks we can get.

However, were he to be released, his addition to the defensive line would be huge for this team. I mean huge. It would allow us to have some flexibility in the draft and maybe dangle Dorsey to another team with a top 5 pick. It also would give us considerable leverage if DT John Henderson is made available through free agency as well.

Shaun is an inconsistent player, but DT/NT is a huge need on this team and I'm pretty sure a Sparano/Parcells combination could get him to get his act together. Bill has stated he doesn't want "bad character" guys, but I'm not entirely sure Shaun is one of them and sometimes you just have to roll the dice if you want to win some games. A team of choir boys rarely wins anything in sports.

Cadillac's Career Potentially Over?

I read about this on PFT today. Word is that Carnell "Cadillac" Williams' career might be in jeopardy due to the injured patella tendon he suffered earlier in the 2007 season. If true, that would be a damn shame because Cadillac had a bright future ahead of him.

I mention this in part because of the high-profile controversy over which Auburn back was the better chioce in the 2005 draft, Ronnie Brown or Cadillac. Many of you will remember that Williams was the primary ballcarrier for the Tigers, yet Nick Saban selected Brown, who he felt was a better all-around back. The initial result was Cadillac breaking rookie records for running backs in his first month in the league, while Ronnie produced an average rookie campaign.

However, as time progressed I think Ronnie has proved himself to have the bigger upside as a football player. First off, Williams was coming into the league having already sustained a season ending leg injury while at Auburn. Though Carnell blew up early, he has been average from thereon in. Ronnie has improved every season and was leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage before also ending his season prematurely to injury.

The stats through 3 seasons:
Cadillac: 2184 yards and a 3.8ypc average, 10TDs. Also 53 receptions for 294 yards. 6 fumbles.
Brown: 2517 yards and a 4.4ypc average, 13TDs. 104 receptions for 897 yards and 2TDs. 7 fumbles.

The shame for the Dolphins was that Ronnie was averaging over 5 yards a carry (including the first two games where he only had 3ypc) and was heading towards MVP caliber numbers.

Crowder Crashes Car on Turnpike

The black hole known as the Florida Turnpike caused yet another traffic accident, this time involving Miami Dolphins LB Channing Crowder. Apparently, Crowder crashed his pickup truck on an offramp after losing control, possibly from falling asleep (he told police he was tired).

Instead of sticking around, Crowder pulled a Joey Porter and ditched the vehicle because he supposedly didn't want to stand around and wait in the rain. The least he could have done would have been to notify someone of the accident. Not to speculate (though I suppose I am), but he might have had a drink or two and left the scene to avoid getting a DUI.

Either way, at least Channing is alright. That's the most important thing. Hopefully he didn't aggravate the knee injury that kept him out of the starting lineup towards the end of the season. Here's to hoping next time he makes a wiser decision when handling a similar situation.

Cameron Hired by Ravens

Recently fired head coach Cam Cameron has quickly found himself another job in the NFL as the OC of the Baltimore Ravens. I'm not sure how much his "offensive genius" can help the team. The only consistent talent they have on offense is Willis McGahee and an aging Derrick Mason(what happened to Todd Heap last year?).

What's pretty certain is that Cameron likely won't have another head coaching opportunity in the foreseeable future. He did nothing to prove he is capable of managing the personalities of a full roster and doesn't have the leadership skills to demand the respect of his players.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/23/08

Today's a big day with potentially a couple of more commits on the way, as well as a huge basketball game at home vs the recently toppled UNC.

Yesterday in Miami...

• Shaq is sidelined yet again, this time for "2 weeks" due to inflammation in his injured hip. Don't be surprised if this is extended to a month.
• The Dolphins hire a slew of assistant coaches.
  
• Then they reach a deal with Paul Pasqualoni to be the DC.
  
• Parcells has a spot on the team reserved for Trent Green if he wishes to return. Please consider your health, Trent.
• Panthers top Ottawa with a surprising 5-3 victory over the best team in the East. They remained 4 points out of the division lead and 5 from the 8th seed.
  

Shaq's Hip to Keep Him Sidelined 2 Weeks

I think enough is enough. I speculated recently that this hip injury would be more serious than previously thought. So far, that prediction is coming true. Despite claims by the Miami Heat that Shaq was healthy enough to return, his 2nd halves of games of late proved otherwise. Now he is out another two weeks with inflammation in his hip, and some are suggesting he shut it down for good.

Frankly, these minor injuries flaring up into serious issues for O'Neal are becoming tiresome. He is getting paid $20 million a year to basically play 45-55 games and contribute what Udonis Haslem does on a pretty good night. He can still go out there and give you the occasional half of dominant Shaq, but never has enough gas left in the tank (or fouls to give) to finish the game.

For a guy who is ultimately concerned with his legacy, I would seriously advise him to retire. There's no way this team is winning a title in the next 2 seasons and that was his goal, to add more rings before hanging them up. His production is in severe decline even now. People are doubting him more and more every day and he is proving them wrong less and less. Eventually, all these nagging injuries are going to prevent him from playing at all.

A guy his size simply doesn't have the shelf life of a Sam Cassell. It was inevitable that his body wear down. What Shaq should do (but he won't for any number of reasons) is retire at the end of the season, preferably with the consent of some favorable doctors who will contend he is physically incapable of playing. With those waivers, we could get the cap charge back for 2009 at least (since you need to either wait a year or the waiver is applied the following year, I forget which) and perhaps for 2008. Otherwise, retiring doesn't do us any good either. Still counts against the cap.

A buy out or trade is probably unlikely, though the former is about a million times as likely as the latter. I can't fathom any reason why a team would want to take on Shaq's contract. It's a sad situation, because Shaq has been the model teammate since he's been on this team. He has embraced the 1a/1b role, even allowing himself to become the 2nd option recently behind Wade. He helped bring us the title he promised and kept himself in good shape more for Pat Riley than for any other previous coach.

The reality though, is that his contract really holds this team back from improving in the next couple of seasons. Granted, the contract came with the reward of an NBA title, so both the deal and the trade that brought Shaq to Miami paid off. We're just taking our lumps now. Unfortunately, the window is closed.

Busy Day for Dolphins

It appears the coaching staff is starting to come together. Today the Dolphins have confirmed the hiring of new running backs and strength/conditioning coaches. James Saxon, the RB coach, was a former Dolphin and should be Ronnie Brown's best friend for the foreseeable future. Saxon coached 3 Pro Bowl backs in his recent stint in Kansas City.

In addition, it appears that they have brought in former UCLA head coach Karl Dorell to coach our WR corps. Also expect Paul Pasqualoni, another Parcells guy, to be hired as the DC soon. Dan Herring is still the likely candidate for the OC position as well.

One head-scratcher is Parcells decision to try and bring Trent Green back. As the article states, Bill likes older QBs if he has to rely on them, but anyone could have seen how poorly Trent was playing before he got hurt last season. I would like to see him back in a backup role at a restructured price, but I hope Parcells isn't thinking about giving him any considerable playing time. That's risky for both the franchise and for Trent Green's health.

My Advice To Gator Fans

Learn to love and accept it. By now, many of you have seen the Wizard of Odds piece on Urban Meyer and his potential gymnastics/football recruiting violation. Many of you reading this now are here because the article links back to me.

Get used to the negative spin. Florida has regained its status as a national power after an off period of about 5 years thanks to the Tim Tebow era. With that renewed status as both a powerhouse football program (not that it ever really fell apart as bad as Miami's has), comes the scrutiny of a world where the Internet can easily reveal your dirty laundry much quicker than you can imagine. Ten years ago, this probably doesn't make any news.

In all honesty, the recruiting "violation" isn't a huge deal. Admittedly this sort of thing has to happen at many schools, although Meyer seems to have a penchant for dealing with girlfriends (*cough* Deonte *cough*). That's just the point. Though these petty violations happen everywhere because the recruiting game is a dirty business, expect bloggers, message boards, and occasionally the national media (when they aren't fawning over how Tim is such a good boy) to make note of these issues.

Being on top--- which so many Gator fans are quick to remind us about (where were you back when the Zooker was around?)--- simply casts you in the spotlight. Also, having over a dozen arrests in a calendar year after winning the title doesn't help. Before you spew out your tired Thug U and scUM nicknames, I invite you to compare our rap sheets.

Aside from an Antrel Rolle misunderstanding and a drunken Robert Marve breaking a car window on Halloween, none of our players have been arrested while at the U in 10 years. We've had our share of bad apples, brawls and tragedies, so there is no argument here that our boys are all angels. But perhaps the media should reconsider the Thug U label to someone else. UF wouldn't be my first suggestion either, so don't think I'm that biased. I don't even think they are the worst in the SEC, which is easily the slimiest of conferences.

So Meyer will get blasted from time to time with stuff like this. We all know he does it, as do most prominent football coaches. Though many times these allegations can be pure hearsay, where there's smoke, theres usually fire. Sure it's unfair, but deal with it. The media treats Florida and USC with kid gloves enough as it is, so a couple of biased accusations about recruiting violations are a joke compared to the crap the WWL pulls when a Hurricane misses an 8am class.

Call it bias, call it jealousy, call it what you will. I call it karma. In any case, there is absolutely no way the program will get affected by some lousy phone calls to a girlfriend. There's much more serious stuff going on at UF or any other top 25 program to be worried about.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/22/08

More of the same numbing pain of defeat for Miami fans. This level of ineptness has to wear on anyone who really cares about our teams.

Yesterday in Miami...

• Dwyane Wade scores 42 but can't carry the Heat to victory. Cleveland wins 97-90.
• Dan Henning is reported to be the front runner for the OC position for the Miami Dolphins.
• MNW linebacker Quavon Taylor commits to USF.
• Panthers star Olli Jokinen denies wanting a trade out of Florida.
• Alonzo Mourning has intentions on recovering before ruling out a comeback next season. Right.
  

Cavs Beat Heat 97-90

As you can see, even the Ancient Greeks were repulsed by the Miami Heat's 14 game losing streak. Tonight, it was all about Dwyane Wade. He outclassed LeBron and everyone else on the court, scoring 42 points and adding 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Unfortunately, nobody else bothered to show up for Miami.

The Cavaliers escaped with a victory because other than Shaq's 10 points (none in the 2nd half), nobody else on Miami's team managed to score in double figures. Everyone struggled from the field and the team got outrebounded yet again.

Every day closer to the trade deadline is a day closer to when the fate of this franchise will be determined. Will Pat Riley blow things up? Trade Haslem and Blount for expiring contracts? Will he trade JWill and Ricky Davis for a valuable player worth paying for over the next few years? He needs to do something, thats all I know, because this situation is just embarrassing for everyone involved.

Henning Could Be Dolphins Next OC

Ethan Skolnick and Omar Kelly at the Sentinel report that former Carolina OC Dan Henning is the front runner for the vacant OC position in Miami.

Henning was the Carolina OC for 5 years, including the season they went to the Super Bowl. Though I have never been particularly impressed with Carolina's offense, they always found a way to get Steve Smith the football despite him being basically the only offensive weapon on the team. That counts for something, right?

Other than that, I don't know much about the guy. Seems like a retread but what do I know.

Quavon Taylor Commits to South Florida

One of the more overlooked prospects in the country may be Quavon Taylor out of Miami Northwestern. Because he played with half a dozen blue chippers and because he is vastly undersized to play OLB in Division I football, he didn't really get a whole lot of attention from the big boys.

The 6 foot 180 pound Taylor did get attention from USF though, and plans on being a Bull next season. His career should be of interest to Canes fans, because unlike his teammates I don't believe he was offered a scholarship to Miami. Granted, he is pretty small and I don't know if his frame allows for much growth, but if he were to gain 40 pounds in college, he would be a potential playmaker for any defense.

An up and coming program like USF can afford to play him and hope he grows into his role. Hopefully Coach Shannon's decision not to bring him in won't backfire in the future. Best of luck to Quavon.

More Meyer Shadiness

Since it's been a pretty slow day I figured I'd take yet another shot at everybody's favorite person, coach Urban Meyer of the Gators. Saw this article posted on a recruiting board.

He's a slippery fellow, that Meyer.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/21/08

Nothing really happened in Miami on Sunday per se, but there were several events I deemed noteworthy.

Yesterday in Miami...

• The Patriots undefeated run continues with a 21-12 victory over the Chargers. All that stands in their way now is the New York Football Giants.
• Ramon Buchanon defects from the UM recruiting class over to UF. The OLB/S was a talented player, but was never actually expected to stick to his commitment. Some suggest he was a Gator silent all along, and only committed to us to waste our time and resources.
• On a better note, 4 uncommitted recruits wrapped up their visits to Miami. We got high grades from Gavin Hardin, Herman Davidson and Aaron Hester. Vaughn Telemaque also had a good time.
• Ricky Williams assures those close to him that he will be on the Dolphins next season. We'll see.
  
• Potential Heat targets are reported by Barry Jackson to be Chris Webber and Damon Stoudamire. No use in going those routes in my opinion.
  

Super Bowl is Set

The world wanted a Packers-Patriots matchup. Instead, the Giants spoiled the party and the most anticipated Super Bowl in forever by beating the Packers on a frozen Lambeau Field 23-20 in OT.

The early game was a disappointment for Patsies haters. If you would have told me that Tom Brady would throw 3 picks and the Chargers would get in the red zone 4 times, I would have bet the house that San Diego would have won the game. However, Norv Turner made two major mistakes.

The first was letting Phillip Rivers finish the game after it was evident he couldn't make the necessary throws. The 2nd was not going for a touchdown at least once or twice when inside the 10. You can't kick field goals and beat the Patriots. You just cant.

It also didn't help that the Chargers best three offensive players were hobbled or out of the game. And their 4th best player, Chris Chambers, showed everyone why we traded him. Sure he caught a bunch of passes, but the most notable play he made was the one he didn't make, i.e. refusing to actually fight for a pass that should not have gotten picked. That led to an eventual NE touchdown.

Now the Patriots are 18-0 and heading towards the first perfect season since our 72 Dolphins finished 17-0. Their opponents were one of the several teams this regular season that had a solid chance at toppling New England. The Giants are hot at the right time and Eli Manning continues to prove the doubters (including myself) wrong. Green Bay really had no offense to speak of other than that long 90 yard pass, and Brett Favre's career may have ended on an devastating interception.

I would figure the line for the Super Bowl in 2 weeks will be around 11 or 12 points. Most people will just assume that the Patriots will roll over the Giants. They beat an inspired NY squad on the road just a few weeks ago, and Eli Manning in the Super Bowl spotlight isn't necessarily something you would be wise to bet money on.

However, there is something about this Giants team. I don't know what it is, but they just seem to win somehow, and thats what matters the most. Don't turn the ball over against New England and you have an excellent chance. I don't have any faith in Eli Manning, but since he keeps proving me wrong, I'll go against him again just so he can beat the Patriots and spoil their season.

Patriots 37
Giants 24

Ramon Buchanon Decommits to UF

And yet another hit to the UM recruiting class. 4* OLB/S Ramon Buchanon decommitted to the Florida Gators today after visiting them this weekend. Although this is a tough loss for the Canes, it shouldn't be that big a deal. Everyone basically knew that both he and McCray were gone despite their early commitments to the U.

I'm not sure why Ramon made the switch, though he claims his mom was the reason for his defection. Honestly at this point I couldn't care less. If he wants to play for Urban Crier, so be it. The reason Miami has fallen so far is because they were bringing in kids who didn't want to be here to be Canes. They came for all the wrong reasons. So if a guy doesn't have his heart in Miami, then let him go elsewhere.

Again, normally I would just wish the guy luck in his endeavors, but if he is a Gator on NSD, I hope he fails miserably. Nobody forces anyone to commit. If you haven't made up your mind for sure, then just take your time and make your decision. I wouldn't blame him to go to UF if he chose them from the very start, but it's frustrating to see so many guys flip-flop.

The good news is that he should be the last guy to decommit. Several uncommitted players are on the fence, but those who have pledged to sign with us are solid, unless somehow the Gators manage to steal Marcus Robinson away as well.

What hurts the most isn't Buchanon's absence from the class. He was good but can be replaced with several prospects we are going after. What hurts is the constant barrage of trash talking that we'll hear from Gator fans for at least another 5 or 6 years. They've taken 2 of our guys in the past couple of weeks (although anyone with a brain knew they were Gators from the start) and snatched Patchan away from us (although he supposedly wanted to be here but his parents all but forced him to play for UF). Add a likely victory in September over a below average Canes team and the Gators will be unbearable for the foreseeable future.

Evaluation of Defense: LBs

The most disappointing group of the team was the linebacker corps.

Zach Thomas

Zach only played in 5 games this season due to a combination of concussions and migraines. When he did play he was his usual self, albeit understandably a step slower. The problem is that Zach is past his prime and doesn't fit into the defense as well as he did in the Dave Wannstedt era. Parcells prefers bigger players, though Thomas' production speaks for itself.

Verdict: His 8 million dollar cap hit means he will have to either restructure or he'll get cut/traded. I would hope they could squeeze a late round pick out of a guy who can still be productive if he isn't the focal point of the defense. If not, I would rather let him loose and save the money, letting a younger guy fill in his place. I love Zach and everything he has done for the franchise, but at this point he won't win a title with us. In fact, I would rather he just retire, because the injuries are beginning to pile up and there is a risk of permanent damage to his health.

Channing Crowder

He was drafted under Nick Saban as the heir apparent to Thomas at MLB. Initially he played OLB to learn in the NFL and did admirably as a rookie. However, he hasn't really progressed much in the NFL, and isn't a playmaker at MLB. He's not a bad player, but he can't be the leader of your LB corps if you expect to win Super Bowls.

Verdict: I believe he is still on his rookie contract so he needs to stay, but I wouldn't expect him to be around in the long-term if he doesn't improve.

Joey Porter

Our big free agent splash was a big free agent bust. Joey did a lot of talking and took 3/4th of the season to start backing it up. It's clear he isn't the same guy he was in Pittsburgh, but towards the end of the year he finally started making some plays.

Verdict: He'll be around for at least a year before he is asked to restructure or is cut. If he plays all 16 games next year like he did the end of this season, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in 2009 though.

Donnie Spragan

He's not terrible, but you forget he is in the game. Doesn't really do anything to change the game and is nothing more than a backup.

Verdict: You can find players with similar skill sets at a cheaper price and with more potential.

Derrick Pope

I've always had a soft spot for Derrick, whose energy I liked coming in from Alabama. However, he is way undersized for a Parcells defense and he is a special teams contributer at best.

Verdict: Probably won't be back. Expect him to be part of the huge roster turnover coming this offseason.

Kelvin Smith and Edmund Miles

I bunch these two together because they are rookies who were brought in as potential gems. Smith was a 7th round pick and Miles was an undrafted free agent. I mention this because they didn't do much to stand out and we passed on former Gator Brandon Siler in the 7th round, twice picking other linebackers. Siler wasn't a starter, but his contributions to a Chargers defense now playing in the AFC title game would have been appreciated on this defense.

Canes Visits and Other News

Four uncommitted recruits visited the U this weekend, and reports are that they all had a good time. Gavin Hardin especially enjoyed his visit, calling Miami a "whole new world". However, none of the 4 guys were impressed enough to commit on the spot. Andrew Smith, one of the committed recruits who visited with them said that we have a good chance at landing Hardin and CB Aaron Hester, but that's just hearsay.

Aside from that, we've got Jamie Harper canceling his visit to Florida, which could be good for us in that he isn't considering them anymore, or bad for us in that he isn't considering them anymore because he has silently committed to Clemson.

Ben Jones narrowed his list a bit, and didn't visit LSU as was planned. So that's good. Teammate Brandon Washington also passed on the LSU visit. Landing both is crucial as they are the only OL we should expect to sign, unless Randy Shannon can pull a fast one and land Zebrie Sanders as well.

Only a couple of weeks left till signing day, so things will get mighty interesting with the upcoming decisions of Corey Liuget, Brandon Harris, TJ Bryant, and other.

Hurricanes Non-Conference Wishlist

Browsing the boards tonight, I came across a Michigan vs Miami thread where fans agreed that such a home-and-home series would be a great thing for both programs. It made me wonder what teams I would like to see the Hurricanes play in their non-conference schedule in the future.

1) Ohio State. Luckily, I'll get my wish in 2010 and 2011. Nothing would make me happier than to annihilate the Luckeyes in the 'Shoe in 2010. I mean absolute destruction, without taking the foot off the gas. I mean first half of the 2002 Rose Bowl bad. I will never get over the robbery in the desert, at least not in part until we win another title. The good thing is that though we suck now, by 2010 Randy Shannon will have us back at the top.

2) USC. The Trojans have become the Miami of the West, thanks to their 2002-2007 run of consistent top 5 finishes. The program mirrors us so much it is scary. Both are private universities in big glamorous towns. Both field the tradition of champions. And when Texas beat them in that classic title game, a team run by a Heisman candidate QB wearing #11 ended its 34 game win streak and bid for a 2nd straight BCS title. I believe that this series has been proposed by our AD, but USC only wanted a one game matchup, in Los Angeles.

3) Notre Dame. I was too young to appreciate just how much Miami fans should hate Notre Dame. Younger fans will be more partial towards hating VT, FSU, UF and Ohio State, but Notre Dame would be a huge game for Miami diehards. Ever since the epic 1988 battle where Miami was robbed of a victory by officials (and Notre Dame eventually won a title, killing our chances of 3 straight from 87-89), Canes fans have had an extra spot reserved for the Golden Domers on their blacklists. Notre Dame has since turned down offers from Miami for a renewal of the rivalry.

4) Florida. We play them next season of course, and supposedly will host them in 2013 (they've been trying to get out of that or make it a "neutral" site in Tampa or Orlando from what I've heard). However, I'd like to make this a yearly event. Sure, it would probably put our win streak in jeopardy, but nothing would be sweeter than topping the Gators and the Noles year in and year out. Won't ever happen because of the difficulty of their SEC schedule.

5) Temple. I'm only half joking too. Man I miss having those cupcake games you knew we'd win by 40.

6) LSU. The defending national champs have tripled their number of titles in the past 5 years and their fans are starting to get cocky. Add a 40-3 destruction of the 'Canes in Atlanta a couple of years ago and LSU finding ways to cherry pick players out of our own backyard, and you've got yourself a potential bloodfeud. Les Miles has a big mouth (though he backs his talk up) and Patrick Johnson might still sign with the Tigers despite his academic troubles. A road trip to the Bayou would be a great experience for any Canes fan who wishes to see Miami romp in what some call the loudest crowd in the country.

7) Texas. They've enjoyed some success this decade, although they would be best known as paper champions were it not for the heroics of Vince Young. I think a matchup between these two teams would be an excellent chance to pit the best from Florida vs the best from Texas.

8) Tennessee. I'm still bitter over their lucky win in 2003 that ended our 26 game home win streak. Tennessee. There was no way that the 2003 Canes, being that talented, should have lost a single game that year, much less against UT. Somehow every ball bounced the Vols way and Brock was, well, Brock.

9) Washington. I still laugh at the crybaby AD complaining about the 65-7 whooping they took back in 2001. They cost us a title in 2000 and our precious 58 game home win streak in '94, so I think there is still some room for revenge.

10) Michigan. They would be a bit higher if not for the Ohio State games giving us a taste of Big Ten football in a few years. We had a couple of classics up in Ann Arbor in the 80s, though I don't believe they have been to Miami yet. The last I heard (though I might be wrong) was that they wished to keep it that way, offering a 2 game series, but both being in the Big House. No thanks.

Feel free to post your suggestions as well.

Yesterday in Miami: 01/20/08

I would just as soon pretend Yesterday in Miami never happened. Rough, rough start to the weekend for Miami fans.

Yesterday in Miami...

• The UM Basketball team blows late leads in regulation and overtime to lose in Reggie Miller fashion at NC State. This after coming back from a 2nd half 13 point deficit.
• The Miami Heat continue their late game collapses and fall 88-84 to the New York Knicks. That makes 13 straight losses.
  
• Florida loses to Washington 5-3 and remains 4 points out of the division lead.
• Former Miami Hurricane Jonathan Vilma openly questions his future with the NY Jets. Any suggestions he might be heading here are purely speculation for now.
  
• Jason Taylor nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. Congrats, Jason.
• UM hosts 8 potential commits for the weekend. Keep your fingers crossed.
  

Canes Throw Away a Victory

Jesus. I hate being a Miami fan of anything right now. For some reason this city is absolutely cursed with bad sports teams, boneheaded decisions, and crushing defeats. Miami looked bad in the first half of this one, but clawed its way back with a nearly 20 point swing to take a 5 point lead late in the game at NC State.

The Wolfpack managed to tie and Jack McClinton, who had dropped 4 clutch 3s in the second half, failed to make the game winning shot and the game headed to OT. There the Hurricanes dominated, going up 4 with only seconds to play. But a long 3 by NC State and a missed FT by Anthony King led to the tying Wolfpack layup with only 3 seconds to go.

So while everyone was trying to regain their composure and try to win the game in the final seconds, King compounded his earlier mistake by inbounding the ball STRAIGHT TO A NC STATE PLAYER UNDER THE BASKET. Somehow the game, which was well within our grasps, was gone. The Wolfpack player took King's gift and laid it up to send the Canes to a 1-2 start to ACC play.

What's worse is that now we have to host UNC on Wednesday, a game I fully I expect us to lose by 40, considering the mood the Tar Heels will be in after losing their first game today. That's why tonight's game was about as must-win as it gets this early in the year.

I just don't know what else to say about tonight's game. Absolutely stunning, absolutely heartbreaking, but more than anything, absolutely disappointing. The Canes are starting to catch the anti-clutch bug thats been spreading around Miami's sports teams of late, and at the worst possible time. NC State is not as good as the Hurricanes are, but Miami didn't get it done.

Knicks Contain Wade; Heat Loses 88-84

Terrible. Just terrible. The Miami Heat lost their 13th straight game tonight, this time to the hated Knicks. Even if neither team is worth a damn right now, I would have liked to seen the streak end against New York.

This team just can't close against anyone. Many of these losses are coming down to the final minute and the Heat is uncharacteristically losing every single one of them. I remember telling people 2 years ago that if we were within 8 entering the 4th quarter, I was confident the team would come back because it usually did.

Wade had an off night after a great game last night vs Portland. He scored 22, but 15 came in the first half, and he only shot 7 for 23 from the field. He can't always carry this team when he is not at 100% and he only got limited help from his teammates.

The Heat looked at their best in the first half when Dorell had an excellent first quarter. His hustle and athleticism makes me want to think he is a good player, but he will likely follow this confidence building game with a poor performance. It's a shame he is so inconsistent because Wright and DWade have excellent chemistry when on the court together.

It's another tough loss to swallow, especially with a chance to tie at the end. However, Daequan Cook's open 3 missed the rim completely. One has to wonder how much longer Pat Riley is going to have his star player going out there and playing 40 minutes a game for no reason. I would bench him for every road game to give him a chance to rest. Let him play home games so the fans don't miss out.