Eye on the U

UM Canes Coach Golden talks ESPN-ACC TV deal, while FSU & others have all eyes on Big 12 Meetings

While we await the Canes' opening round of the NCAA baseball regionals (great time of year) at 7 p.m. Friday against Stony Brook, below is a statement released Tuesday by football coach Al Golden on the Atlantic Coast Conference's new Television contract through 2027 with ESPN -- announced May 9th.

The deal is worth $3.6 billion over the next 15 years, according to the Associated Press. Each of the league's 12 schools now are paid an average of about $13 million per year in rights fees -- but will eventually (after incremental increases) get an average of about $17 million apiece with the addition of new ACC members Syracuse and Pittsburgh.

GOLDEN: "The new ACC-ESPN television deal achieves many things that are essential to us as a conference, institution and program. The ACC is ESPN’s only all-in conference partner and this provides marquee Thursday and Saturday coverage with the multi-platform promotional power that only the World-Wide Leader in Sports can provide. There is no doubt that national sports fans tuning in to normal ESPN programming will be exposed to more of the ACC brand over the next decade than any other league in the country. The ACC’s footprint extends from Boston to Miami and, with the addition of Syracuse and Pittsburgh, it now encompasses nine of the top 25 media outlets in the nation. This increased TV exposure will help recruits identify with the University of Miami Hurricanes and showcase ACC football, not just to the eastern half of the United States, but to the rest of country as well. The ACC-ESPN television pact is historic in nature and a strong indication of the future of the Atlantic Coast Conference."

Wow. That's a very long statement, with some significant ACC and ESPN-pumping.

The Big 12 meetings have begun in Kansas State, and though it's doubtful anything major will happen this week, you probably are aware by now of the rampant talk regarding Florida State and Clemson (and, initially, spurred by TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte, also the Miami Hurricanes) being open to pondering a jump to that conference.

The Big 12, which voted to add TCU and West Virginia to its conference, still has not announced its pending TV deal with ESPN and FOX (as previously reported by SportsBusiness Daily being worth $2.6 billion over 13 years for first-tier rights, which means for nationally televised football and/or basketball games. The $3.6 billion ACC deal over 15 years is the figure that encompasses all sports). The Big 12 TV deal could eventually end up netting more money for each school.

 UM has made it clear it is sticking with the ACC. Barry Jackson reported recently that the subject of exiting for the Big 12 "hasn’t been discussed inside UM,'' according to two Board of Trustees members "and they could not envision Miami being interested. One pointed out UM would need to pay more than $15 million in ACC exit fees even if it wanted to move."

FSU reportedly (Tallahassee Democrat) has a $20 million ACC buyout fee from the ACC.    

 Still, most of these decisions, when you get to the nitty-gritty, usually come down to money. I'd love to have a looking glass 10 years into the future to see how it all shakes out. But I'm wondering how you'd all feel if FSU, first and foremost, bolted for another conference. That would certainly shake the foundation of the ACC, and make things rough football-wise. 

Also wondering how you'd feel if UM ever left. I remember when we first heard the Canes were contemplating leaving the Big East. It was thrown around for years, with UM saying "No,'' and was huge news when it finally happened. Now, with the landscape of college sports in continual flux, nothing seems crazy or strange anymore.

Will have some baseball availability Thursday at The Light, where we'll shift into full baseball mode.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

UCF, Missouri State, Stony Brook will be in Coral Gables Regional with Canes

The NCAA released its field of 64 bracket in baseball Monday and the good news for the Hurricanes is that No. 1-seeded Florida and No. 3-seeded Florida State can't hinder them from getting to Omaha this year.

UM, selected as one of 16 host sites on Sunday, learned Monday that UCF (43-15), Missouri State (39-20) and Stony Brook (46-11) will be the three teams coming to Coral Gables this weekend to compete in the double elimination regional tournament.

The winner of the Coral Gables Regional would then face the winner of the Baton Rouge Regional, where No. 7-seeded LSU (43-16), Oregon State (38-18), Belmont (38-22) and Louisiana-Monroe (31-28) are.

The Hurricanes (36-21) haven't been to the College World Series since 2008. They've lost each of the last three seasons to Florida in either the Regional or Super Regional round.

UM split its season series with UCF this season. The Knights are ranked higher than UM (22nd, 21st) in both the Collegiate Baseball News poll (21st) and USA Today/ESPN College Coach's Poll (18th).

UM will open tournament play Friday at 7 against the fourth-seeded Seawolves of Stony Brook, who earned a berth by capturing their fourth America East Conference Championship in program history. The Hurricanes have faced the Seawolves only one time, winning their March 19, 2003 match-up in Coral Gables by a final score of 9-8.

Despite dropping their most recent match-up, the Hurricanes hold a 16-4 all-time advantage overUCF. The Knights will open its postseason at 2 p.m. against Missouri State. Similar to their brief history with the Seawolves, the Hurricanes have little experience facing the Bears of Missouri State.

Miami has taken the only two head-to-head match-ups with the university, formerly known as Southwest Missouri State. Miami enjoyed an 8-2 win in the Austin, Texas regional of the 1996 postseason, and also captured a 7-5 win on June 17, 2003 during the College World Series in Omaha.

Canes to host 24th NCAA baseball regional

Guess the experts were wrong.

Despite losing the ACC championship game to Georgia Tech and being projected to be a road team by most experts, the 21st-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes were one of 16 teams selected as hosts for the NCAA Tournament Sunday, which begins Friday.

It's the 24th time and first time since 2010 UM will host a regional. The Hurricanes have been to the Tournament an NCAA-record 40 consecutive years, but haven't reached the College World Series since 2008. 

They've lost to the University of Florida in the tournament each of the last three seasons -- whether in the Regional or Super Regional round.

The fact UM (36-21) was named one of the 16 host sites for the regional round came as a bit of a surprise despite being ranked 10th in RPI. Baseball America Magazine and ESPN both projected the Hurricanes as a No. 2 seed -- and likely headed to Gainesville.

UM is one of five ACC schools to serve as hosts.

The other 15 regional sites, with host institutions and records are as follows: LSU (43-26), Baton Rouge, La.; North Carolina (44-14), Chapel Hill, N.C.; Virginia (38-17), Charlottesville, Va.; Texas A&M (42-16), College Station, Texas; South Carolina (40-17), Columbia, S.C.; Oregon (42-16), Eugene, Ore.; Florida (42-18), Gainesville, Fla.; Purdue (44-12), Gary, Ind.; Rice (40-17), Houston, Texas; UCLA (41-14), Los Angeles, Calif.; Stanford (37-16), Palo Alto, Calif.; NC State (39-17), Raleigh, N.C.; Florida State (43-15), Tallahassee, Fla.; Arizona (37-17), Tucson, Ariz.; Baylor (44-14), Waco, Texas.

The last season Miami hosted a regional was 2010, when the Hurricanes went on to win the Coral Gables Regional with wins over Texas A&M and Dartmouth.

Ticket packages for the entire Coral Gables Regional are $90 for field box, $60 for chairback, $45 for adult general admission and $30 for youth, seniors and students. Those packages will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Individual day passes will go on sale later this week.

The Coral Gables Regional field will be announced Monday at 12 p.m. on ESPNU.

The University of Miami and the ticket office are closed for Memorial Day on Monday but normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 29. To order tickets, click here or call 305-284-2263. The UM ticket office will be open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Canes taking on Georgia Tech at noon for ACC title -- but even with win hosting regional is unlikely

With North Carolina's 4-0, 12-inning win over North Carolina State late Saturday night, your 21st-ranked Miami Hurricanes earned a spot in today's ACC Championship game against eighth-seeded Georgia Tech -- and potentially a shot at hosting a regional.

But that shot at hosting a regional -- Baseball America college baseball expert Aaron Fitt says -- really isn't that good.

Even if they win today, most expect Florida State, North Carolina and North Carolina State to be the only ACC teams to earn host sites. UM's ranking in the RPI is 10th.

The NCAA will announce its 16 host sites at around 3:30 p.m. today, Fitt said.

"In my opinion what happened this week really didn't matter in terms of hosts," said Fitt. "It's nice they got some momentum back here. But they're probably behind some other teams in the pecking order in this conference. Miami got swept by [fourth seeded] Virginia, and Clemson also won two of three against them in the regular season -- in addition to N.C. State beating them at the tournament. Those teams just have more quality wins, a better body of work. It's nice Miami got hot a little bit here so maybe it will carry over with them next week. But the hosts are probably set right now."

First pitch for the ACC title game is at noon on ESPN2. The game can also be heard on 560 WQAM and WVUM 90.5 FM.

UM will start sophomore right-hander Javi Salas, while Georgia Tech will counter with freshman right-hander Josh Heddinger. UM took two of three from the Yellow Jackets last week in Atlanta.

UM is making its return to the championship game after a three-year hiatus. The last time the Hurricanes made it to the tournament's finale was in 2008, when they beat Virginia 8-4.

UM finished Pool B round-robin play tied with the Tar Heels at 2-1 and advanced to the championship via head-to-head tiebreaker.

Georgia Tech won Pool A by finishing a perfect 3-0 in round-robin play. After opening their tournament with an upset of No. 1 Florida State, the Yellow Jackets reeled off a 17-5 win against Virginia and a 5-1 win over Clemson on Saturday afternoon to earn their spot in the championship.

The complete NCAA Tournament brackets are scheduled to be revealed at noon Monday on ESPNU. The Hurricanes, who entered the ACC Tournament seeded sixth, have been projected for weeks to be the No. 2 seed in Gainesville.

But Fitt said he doesn't think the NCAA selection committee will send UM to face the Gators yet again.

"I hope they get sent somewhere else this year. They need some variety," Fitt said. "I have a feeling they will get sent somewhere else. There are a few other two seeds you can send to Gainesville that are close by. Miami can go out West or go to a place like LSU. But I see them traveling this year."

Canes are seeing results in the weight room, closing in on 40/10 goal

CORAL GABLES -- The last thing Al Golden said at the end of the 2011 season was that he wanted his team to get stronger. 

"There are too many times when you look on the field, we're getting pushed around," Golden said in November. "... we have to get that fixed."

Looks like that's really starting to happen for the Hurricanes.

Strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey, whose had the team since spring football ended April 14th, said Monday the Hurricanes have made drastic improvements in his weight room -- and credits Golden for a lot of it.

According to Swasey, UM currently has 36 players who are bench pressing 225 pounds (the NFL combine testing standard) 20 times and seven more who are doing it 30 times. A year ago, Swasey said, he only had 11 players on the entire roster who could produce 20 reps of 225 pounds. The goal, Swasey said, is for the team to eventually have 40 players who can do 20 reps of 225 and 10 who can achieve 30 reps by the time fall practice begins.

That's why players were wearing new U Tough t-shirts Monday with the numbers 40/10 across the front of it.

"All of us are shocked how strong we've gotten," said senior Ben Jones, one of the seven to achieve 30 reps. "Everybody is buying into the program now and believing in what coach is saying and are ready to just go for it. I wouldn't say it wasn't happening before. But it's just a new energy around here."

That new energy, Swasey said, has to do with the level of competition Golden has created with the off-season programs. Swasey the combination of the Fifth Quarter program (extra workouts), the competition to wear black jerseys (starters) and now having players get tested in what they would do at the NFL combine has created a year-round competition for starting jobs and kept the team hungry.

"I think everybody needs rewards and challenges," Swasey said. "I've been with four different head coaches... this reminds me more of how Butch [Davis] did it. With Butch we had the morning runs. Here, it's U tough... Competition and development -- that helps guys strive for things and challenges them."

Jones agreed. "Everybody cares a lot because they know all this means something," he said. "You have a chance to compete for a starting job. Everybody wants to go hard to reach the black shirt, go for the most on 225 [pounds], U tough and everything they can so they can stand out and say 'Coach I'm ready for this opportunity.'"

MORE NOTES FROM MONDAY

> So who are the seven players with more than 30 reps? Jones couldn't remember them all, but mentioned defensive tackles Darius Smith and Corey King as well as left tackle Malcolm Bunche and starting right guard Brandon Linder. Swasey said Smith leads the team with 36 reps. For the record, Memphis defensive lineman Dontari Poe had the most reps at the NFL combine in April with 44.

Sophomore middle linebacker Denzel Perryman had 23 reps according to Jones. Boston College's Luke Kuechly, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, put up 27 reps at the combine. Jones said a couple of defensive backs have broken the 20-rep mark -- safeties Andrew Swasey and Kacy Rodgers.

> Asked to pick his weight room freaks, Swasey mentioned Bunche and receiver Phillip Dorsett.

The sophomore out of St. Thomas Aquinas has gained 20 pounds since arriving at UM and is now 185 pounds. Perhaps more impressive is that he's taken the title of fastest man away from cornerback Brandon McGee. According to Swasey, Dorsett ran a 4.36 recently. McGee, who is up to 190 pounds, ran a 4.55. UM, though, won't officially test the 40 until later.

"Dorsett is kind of the freak," Swasey said. "He'll be a guy who will really surprise."

> Maybe it's just surprising to me, but right tackle Seantrel Henderson isn't among the big freaks in the Canes weight room. In fact, the 6-8, 332-pound junior is barely scraping by at 20 reps of 225 pounds. Henderson admits he's never been a big weight room guy. His long arms are partly responsible for his light lifting numbers. Last year Henderson said he lifted 225 pounds between 12 and 15 times.

"In high school I wasn't a big weight room guy," Henderson said. "But I feel like I've improved a lot."

As for why Henderson remains at right tackle and isn't competing for the left tackle job, well, we now have some clarity. "My left hip is kind of weaker than my right so I feel more comfortable kicking with my right [leg]," Henderson said. "So, I feel like when I get my strength back in my left hip I'll be versatile again. But until then, I feel comfortable at right [tackle]."

- MANNY NAVARRO

Canes to open ACC Tourney play vs. NC State Wednesday

If the Miami Hurricanes are going to serve as a host for an NCAA regional and avoid hitting the road yet again, they're going to have to perform really well -- and probably win it all -- at this week's ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

UM (34-19) is seeded sixth out of eight teams at the tournament and will open play Wednesday in Pool B against third-seeded N.C. State at 3 p.m. Thursday at 3, they'll take on No. 2 seeded North Carolina, whom the swept earlier this season. They'll then close out pool play Friday night against 7th-seeded Wake Forest.

The championship game is Sunday at noon.

Pool A consists of top-seeded Florida State, Virginia, Clemson and Georgia Tech.

UM gets QB commitment

The father of Wayne Hills (N.J.) quarterback Kevin Olsen told The Herald's Barry Jackson within the past hour that his son is committing to UM. Kevin Olsen, brother of former UM tight end Greg, is rated the nation's seventh best Class of 2013 quarterback by rivals.com and 131st overall. For details on this, and highlights of what Stephen Morris and Ryan Williams said today, go to the sports home page and click on Florida Sports Buzz.

 

Canes projected to go back to UF for baseball regional

There was probably no one as disappointed as Miami Hurricanes’ third baseman Brad Fieger when Tuesday night’s game against Florida Gulf Coast was cancelled due to lightning and rain.

Fieger hit a two-run homer to left field in the first inning. It would have been his fourth homer of the season and his second in consecutive at-bats, counting the grand slam he hit in Sunday’s win over Wake Forest.

But because the game was cancelled – Miami led 3-2 in the fourth when it was called – none of the statistics count.

The Canes (32-18), though, could sure use Fieger’s suddenly hot bat. They will play the rest of their season on the road, starting with a trip to Atlanta Thursday through Saturday for an ACC series against Georgia Tech.

After that, the Canes will play in the ACC Tournament, which is set for May 23-27 at Greensboro, N.C.

Judging by projections, the Canes would then play an NCAA regional on the road. ESPN, for example, projects the Canes as a No. 2 seed at Gainesville, behind Florida and together with Washington and Florida Atlantic.

In other Canes news, since Tuesday was the last scheduled home game for Miami, the team announced its year-end awards, and there were at least a couple of surprises.

It’s not often an MVP award goes to a middle reliever, but that’s what happened with A.J. Salcines, who had a team-best 1.39 ERA along with four saves.

The MVP award almost surely would have gone to catcher Peter O’Brien had he not broken a bone in his left wrist, missing 13 games. O’Brien, who hopes to return for the Georgia Tech series, still hit .354 and won awards for fan favorite and top home run hitter (10).

Eric Erickson was named top pitcher and was also given an award for exemplifying what it means to be a winner.

Garrett Kennedy, who stepped in for the injured O’Brien at catcher, was named the top freshman. He hit just .150 with four RBI in 23 starts but was praised for his defense.

Other freshmen who saw significant time this season were infielders Esteban Tresgallo (.246 in 39 starts) and Jarred Mederos (.231 in 36 starts).

-- These notes were sent in by Miami Herald writer Walter Villa, who covers the baseball team frequently.

Jimmy Johnson joins rare Canes company in College Football Hall of Fame

Former University of Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson was named Tuesday as one of the 17 former players and coaches that will be inducted in the 2012 class of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Johnson, who compiled a 52-9 record and guided the Canes to the 1987 National Championship, becomes the third coach from UM to earn such an honor, joining Jack Harding (1980) and Andy Gustafson (1985).

Amazing at it sounds, Johnson becomes just the ninth man with ties to UM to be selected into the College Football Hall of Fame joining players Don Bosseler (1990), Ted Hendricks (1987), Gino Torretta (2009), Arnold Tucker (2008), and Bennie Blades (2006) and Russell Maryland (2011) – who both were coached by Johnson.

The program has won five national titles and has produced countless Pro Bowlers and first found picks.

Johnson left UM after the 1988 season to replace Tom Landry as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. His five-year stay in Dallas culminated with back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1992 and 1993. Johnson is one of just six men to coach consecutive Super Bowl champions.

In 1987 under Johnson, UM went a perfect 12-0 and defeated six nationally ranked teams, including a 20-14 victory over then-No. 1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

After his team’s win over the Sooners, Johnson said: “We played our way to this championship. We have the best record versus anybody in the country ... We beat Oklahoma three in a row, Florida State and Notre Dame three in a row, Florida a couple.. What is sweetest is that we did it as a team. We lost starters and had other guys come in and played magnificently.”

Including his five seasons as the head coach of Oklahoma State, Johnson’s career collegiate record stands at 81-34-3.

Former athletic director Paul Dee passed away Saturday night

Sad news regarding former Canes athletic director Paul Dee, who passed away Saturday night at age 65.

Dee was UM's AD for 15 years before stepping down in 2008. Dee, who was about as passionate about the Hurricanes' athletic program as anybody who held the post, recently had been hospitalized for cancer treatment. He also had open-heart surgery in 2008.

When he became athletic director in 1993, he inherited a program facing NCAA violations and succeeded in cleaning it up with coach Butch Davis. Dee then oversaw UM's move from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference and helped the school build an on-campus basketball arena as well as new practice facilities and Cobb Stadium.

Dee was also in charge, though, when Ponzi schemer and rogue booster Nevin Shapiro got involved with players and gave them illegal benefits. The program is still awaiting word from the NCAA on future penalties it may face because of it.

Happy 22nd birthday, Jacory. UM Canes former QB signs rookie free agent contract with Eagles; and congrats to the new UM grads

I'm happy for Jacory Harris, who signed a rookie free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, as announced by the Eagles on Friday.

With Harris' signing, the Eagles reached their 90-man limit.

It's Jacory's 22nd birthday today as he starts rookie mini-camp, and I hope he does well.

Harris went undrafted recently, but at least he can now say he had a shot, no mater how daunting it seems it will be for him to turn heads among a crowded Eagles quarterback group that includes Michael Vick, Mike Kafka, Trent Edwards and third-round draft pick Nick Foles from the University of Arizona.

Harris, 6-4 and 195 pounds, passed for 8,826 yards, completed 60 percent of his passes and threw 70 touchdowns passes in his UM career. Unfortunately, as we all know too well, he also threw 48 interceptions.

Last season, Harris threw for 2,486 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine picks.

He finished his career ranked second in school history in both yards and touchdowns, behind Ken Dorsey (9,486 yards; 86 touchdowns).

I just got off the phone with Rodney Harris, Jacory's dad.

"He's real good. Cory doesn't get down about a whole lot of things,'' Rodney said. "He stays positive and upbeat.

"He's really excited. He has to be. All he ever wanted was an opportunity. If we feel he could get into a good system, he'll have a good shot of making someone's team.''

Joining Harris at camp will be Eagles draft pick Brandon Washington, a former teammate of his at Miami Northwestern High, as well as Canes tight end Chase Ford. Former Canes running back Graig Cooper will also be on the minicamp roster as a free agent.

Harris graduated in December in sports administration. He's not even talking about what happens if he doesn't make an NFL roster.

"That'll be Plan B,'' Rodney Harris said. "Cory said take care of Plan A first and then we won't have to rely on Plan B. Plan A is focusing on making that football team with Philadelphia."

So, in closing, Happy Birthday Jacory, and good luck to all the Canes out there trying to make teams.

"He's probably going to be busy all day today so we'll send him a little text or note saying that we miss him,'' Harris' dad said. "We're very proud of him."

2012 UM Hurricanes graduates

Also, congratulations to the 44 student-athletes who received their degrees Friday at UM! They include 13 football players -- newly drafted receiver Tommy Streeter among them.

Women's Basketball

Sylvia Bullock
Shenise Johnson

Men's Basketball
Reggie Johnson
DeQuan Jones
Trey McKinney Jones
Ryan Quigtar

Football
Travis Benjamin
Ramon Buchanan
Cameron Dean
Chase Ford
Sean Goldstein
Jeremy Lewis
Andrew Smith
Tommy Streeter
Andrew Swasey
Vaughn Telemaque
Kendal Thompkins
David Thompson
Jake Wieclaw

Women's Golf
Patty De Arana
Jennifer Hirano

Rowing
Katie Stanzilis

Soccer
Victoria Alonzo
Ashlee Burt

Swimming & Diving
Dana Hatic
Roxanne Meyer
Erin Simpson
Whitney Stephenson

Women's Tennis
Anna Bartenstein
Gabriela Mejia

Men's Track & Field
Evan Hadrick
Devon Hill
Jason Johnson
David Kuhrt
Brian Laskowski
Austin Rector
Matthew Wilson

Women's Track & Field
Britney Clarke
Rachel Dupree
Ashley Holmes
Tarika Williams

Volleyball
Alissa Becker
Lane Carico
Ariell Cooke

--SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

Randy Shannon back in news - he sues University of Miami for money he says it owes him. Oh yes, he wants Sun Bowl bonus! (If only the Canes weren't thumped by Irish)

Former UM football coach Randy Shannon has sued the University of Miami, asking for the money that he claims UM still owes him, relating to his employment.

Shannon, hired by the Hurricanes as head coach in December 2006, was given an extension in May 2010 through Jan. 31, 2014.

But he was fired Nov. 27, 2010.

Shannon's salary was paid to him in four equal installments yearly. His last payment, on Nov. 1, 2010, came before he was fired. According to the lawsuit, UM believes he is not entitled to those last two months for which he was paid (Nov. 28, 2010, until Jan. 31, 2011). So, what UM did to offset the extra two months the school thinks was not rightly his (because he already had been fired), was to reduce his buyout ("fixed sum'') that is given for being fired without cause.

The lawsuit, filed April 27 in the Dade County Circuit Court, contends "there is nothing in the Employment Agreement or Guaranty Agreement that authorizes UM to prorate the guarantee or reduce the amount of Shannon's fixed payment.'' Shannon wants UM to pay "in a lump sum, all past shortages'' in the monthly buyout payments -- with interest -- as well as the approximately two months salary he feels he got shorted.

He also wants the Sun Bowl bonus he earned. After all, it was his coaching that got UM into that bowl. Never mind that UM (especially poor Jacory Harris) was humiliated by the Fighting Irish and that it was Jeff Stoutland who coached them in that bowl, because it was, indeed, Coach Shannon who coached them to that point. I have no idea if Shannon is owed that money, because I'm not a lawyer, and I haven't seen his contract (no salary has been disclosed).

I did reach Randy by phone earlier tonight, but he told me he was "in a conference'' and couldn't talk.

UM won't discuss the case.

All I know is that this stirred up some bad memories from 2010. Some of those losses were maddening (FSU, VA, VT, USF to name some really ugly ones).

The more I think of those days, the more I think Al Golden and his coordinators are integral in bringing this program back. I also wonder how long they'll stay, depending on future circumstances we all are awaiting. Still don't know when the NCAA will decide UM's fate.

UM needs some happy news. How about at least a couple wins against Bethune-Cookman University. At this point even two sounds decent.

Day 3 of the NFL Draft and RB Lamar Miller is still waiting. Best of luck to the others.

Heading into today's draft, I am very surprised that running back Lamar Miller didn't get chosen. I understand there were concerns about his physicality on the field, his blocking, his shoulder. But come on. The guy is fast and has great vision. When a hole opens, bye-bye.

Lamar is someone who can regularly get big chunks of yardage.

But I am so happy for Sean Spence, a really great kid with a really great family. He told me he grew up loving the Pittsburgh Steelers because of their great defenses, and he is so pumped they believe in him. Here's hoping Sean has a long, productive career, which I think he will.

I'm also happy for Olivier Vernon, a quiet young man with a lot of talent. I really think he could have boosted his stock by staying another season at UM, especially in light of hardly getting playing time last season. But honestly, if the rules allow these players to leave college early for the draft, then they have every right to do so if they think it's in their best interest. The thing is, I (and you) have seen so many great athletes get hurt, and then everything can change in one instant. And the fact that Olivier gets to play in his backyard for the home team? Wow! That is an unbelievably rare opportunity for him and his family.

I personally love when these guys stay all four years and are loyal to the program until the end. But if the end happens to occur prematurely, and they leave early, you'd like to think they continue coming back to Coral Gables and giving back to the ones who come after them. That has so much to do with their personalities and internal makeup.

I'm sure several guys (OK, at least a few!) will get drafted today, and once they do, they'll be eager to prove they are better than the obvious NFL perception. Of course, Lamar Miller, who had two seasons of eligibility left, will no doubt be on a mission.

And I frankly don't think the fact that the guys who left early didn't get picked until, possibly, today, will have much bearing on Hurricanes in the coming drafts. They're young, it's their dream and you know the rest.

By the way, I really hope that some of the guys nobody is talking about (LaRon Byrd, Chase Ford, etc.) get drafted also. But one way or another, they'll get their shot as free agents or in some capacity.

Have a good weekend. 

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

Streeter's father on 1st round: "You never know what can happen"

Tonight is supposed to be a silent night for the Miami Hurricanes. Cell phones aren't supposed to ring for any of the seniors and underclassmen who put their names in for the NFL Draft. Not during the first round, anyway.

But that doesn't mean they won't be sitting around with their families, hoping, praying and anxiously waiting for the phone to ring.

"Two years ago, where did they think [Tim] Tebow was going? Didn't they say he was going in the fourth or fifth round? He ended up in the first round. So, you never know," the father of receiver Tommy Streeter said Thursday.

"They can slot you here, they can slot you there and someone can surprise you and pick you up. Jimmy Graham was going in the fourth or fifth round. He went in the third. I look at it based on the need of the team. If you're there when that team is up and that team needs you and you're high on their board, they're going to snatch you. So, I really don't care what any experts say."

Draft experts -- guys like ESPN's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay -- believe no Canes will go in the first round tonight, making it four years in a row UM gets shut out of the first round (something that hasn't happened since 1968-1972).

In his seven-round mock draft released Wednesday night, McShay projected seven Hurricanes would be chosen -- the earliest being junior tailback Lamar Miller (2nd round, 59th overall to Green Bay) on Friday. After that McShay has defensive end Olivier Vernon going in the 3rd round, 80th overall to Arizona, linebacker Sean Spence going in the 4th round, 124th overall to Buffalo, Streeter going in the 5th round, 154th overall to the New York Jets, offensive lineman Brandon Washington going five picks later in the 5th round to Pittsburgh, defensive end Marcus Forston going in the 6th round,176th overall to Jacksonville and receiver Travis Benjamin going 15 picks later in the 6th round to Cincinnati.

Some Hurricanes fans believe if Streeter is taken that low that he'll have made a mistake leaving school early. But his father strongly disagrees and says wherever his son is taken "is a blessing."

"It was the right decision 100 percent," Streeter Sr. said. "There's really nothing he can look back on and say if I stayed I probably could have been a first rounder. That's not on his mind. I think he felt like it was just time. If you looked at it, if he would played with [quarterback] Jacory [Harris] from the get-go this would have been the year he came out anyway. A lot of people can say if he stayed one more year this might of happened, he could have gone higher. But you never know what could have happened. He could have gotten injured. You can't wait on that. You make a decision and you move on."

Miller, who celebrated his 21st birthday Wednesday, was asked on an ESPN chat last night if his decision not to return to Miami for his senior year was based on avoiding injury.

“Not really," Miller responded. "I know that running backs have a short lifespan. I think I put myself in a good position to get drafted. I just wanted to take my talents to the next level and live my dream.”

Miller said he plans to spend Thursday night at his South Florida home watching the draft on TV. “Some of my friends and family will be over," Miller said on the chat. “We’ll watch it, play dominoes and cards until I get that phone call.”

Streeter will also be surrounded by family. After working out privately for the Dolphins and Patriots (who have two first round picks) his father said he has no clue which team will snap him up. But staying home and playing for the Dolphins wouldn't be bad.

"If it works out like that, it would truly be a blessing," Streeter Sr. said. "But we're not going to put our hopes up high because we don't want to have a letdown. We're putting it in God's hands. Whoever picks him that's where we're going.

"But the anticipation. Man, that's something."

Canes release final spring depth chart

HOLLYWOOD -- I'm hanging out at the Westin Diplomat Hotel and Resort today waiting on the BCS to come out of meetings and tell us what their two to three proposed plans to determine college football's nation champion is going to be after the 2013 season (here's a link to today's story).

By then, Al Golden and the Canes might actually be back on their feet and able to make a real push for the title. For now, though, the rebuilding continues.

Earlier this morning, the school released its last depth chart following spring football. With a good number of talented freshmen set to arrive -- including star cornerback Tracy Howard and running back Duke Johnson -- I expect it will look different by the time the Canes finally line up at Boston College Sept. 1.

Anyway, no major changes following the spring game except that senior Vaughn Telemaque, the guy with the most starting experience on the team, is finally back with the first team.

As for the early arrivals -- junior college transfer Ladarius Gunter is slotted on the first team at cornerback with true freshman Larry Hope right behind him. Freshman Ereck Flowers is the backup at right tackle.

Here it is (first team is followed by the second team):

OFFENSE
QB: Stephen Morris or Ryan Williams
RB: Mike James, Eduardo Clements
FB: Maurice Hagens, Sean Harvey
WR: Phillip Dorsett, Kendal Thompkins
WR: Rashawn Scott or Allen Hurns
TE: Asante Cleveland, Clive Walford, Daniel Perry
LT: Malcolm Bunche, Ben Jones
LG: Jonathan Feliciano or Jermaine Johnson
C: Shane McDermott or Jared Wheeler
RG: Brandon Linder, Jeremy Lewis
RT: Seantrel Henderosn, Ereck Flowers

DEFENSE
DE: Anthony Chickillo, Ricardo Williams
DT: Darius Smith, Luther Robinson
DT: Curtis Porter, Olsen Pierre
DE: Shayon Green, Kelvin Cain
SLB: Jimmy Gaines, Eddie Johnson
MLB: Denzel Perryman, Raphael Kirby
WLB: Ramon Buchanan, Gionni Paul or Tyrone Cornelius
CB: Brandon McGee, Thomas Finnie
CB: Ladarius Gunter, Larry Hope
SS: Vaughn Telemaqu, Kacy Rodgers, Andrew Swasey
FS: Ray-Ray Armstrong, Ali Highmsith

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kickoffs: Jake Wieclaw, Matt Goudis
Punts: Dalton Botts, Jake Wieclaw
Field goals: Jake Wieclaw, Matt Goudis
Short snapper: Brandon Linder, Sean McNally
Long snapper: Sean McNally, Ali Highsmith
Holder: Dalton Botts, Ryan Williams
Kick returner: Phillip Dorsett, Dallas Crawford
Punt returner: Phillip Dorsett, Dallas Crawford

UM Canes coach Al Golden: "Just because your competition may not be in the room, just understand that he's coming.''

Coach Al Golden spoke today as part of the ACC spring football teleconference.

He was asked if there was any area he had concerns about during spring.

"No one would be satisfied with our wide receiver situation in the spring by numbers specifically,'' Golden replied. There have got to be some guys that come in and help us out there. You could say the same thing about corner. I’m not trying to diminish what the kids that were there did. It was just a huge task for minimal players, asking three or four wideouts to carry the load for a position group that should have 10 in it. The same thing at corner, asking three or four corners to really carry the weight of a positon that should have eight when you consider all the nickel we play these days. Those two positions are certainly positions there and the defensive end spot, where we’re going to have an infuse of talent and competition and hopefully it will improve our program."

I asked him about the next step for incoming recruits who haven't arrived.

"They’re allowed to have a conditioning book, a program to follow even though they’re not with us. some of them are working out with us already. we expect another probably six or so to be here for summer I [session] and then the remainder by June 27^th. We’ll have everybody in place by July 1 and that will help us and help them with the transition. Clearly, we’re continuing to take to each and everyone of them and monitoring them and making sure they understand what they need to do and where their weight needs to be and those types of things so we’re in good shape when we begin."

Do you expect them to know stuff from the playbook? "We’re always trying to talk football with them,'' he replied, "but in terms of giving them playbooks and things it’s something we just don’t do. But certainly we talk football with them and make sure they understand the things they need to get done."

Aside: I'm pretty sure some of those guys (e.g. Tracy Howard) are already studying the playbook.

Golden was reminded that before spring practice he said certain players were going to get their big opportunities to get playing time before the talented freshman newcomers arrive. He was asked if some of the current players stepped up.

Golden:  "I think some guys did. I think the reality of it is at some positions we were so light because we lost 30 players it’s easy to get lulled to sleep or become complacent. But the reality is you’re competing against a standard, not just whether or not you’re the next in line. You’re competing against a standard that we need to operate on and that we’ve become accustomed to here at Miami. So, just because your competition may not be in the room, just understand that he’s coming. I believe we did recruit well. I’m very pleased with the 10 that are here now and I’m going to be anxious to see the next wave that comes in. We’re trying to play and perform and play at a standard, not so much, ‘there’s no one else at my position right now and I’m the starter by default.’ That’s not how it works. Our job as coaches it to keep maneuvering players so that we get the best players on the field and we have depth at every position.''

Golden's picks for the two or three players that "really helped themselves, no question'' on offense durting spring are receiver Rashawn Scott, tight end Asante Cleveland and center Shane McDermott."  He said on defense, the players who "jumped out" and "really helped themselves'' are defensive end Shayon Green, lineman/linebacker Kelvin Cain, linebacker Tyrone Cornileus and safeties Kacy Rodgers and A.J. Highsmith.

Golden didn't share any news about quarterback Stephen Morris, other than to say he was doing a lot of throwing. "I don't know exactly when he's going to get the absolute green light to do everything. But it's not going to be very long now because he's already pushing it.''

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

UM announces 3-game series with FAU in football

The University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University have scheduled a three-game football series that will begin in the fall of 2013.

Miami will host FAU at Sun Life Stadium on Aug. 31, 2013 to open the series. UM will travel to FAU Stadium in 2015 and host the Owls in 2016. Dates for the 2015 and 2016 games will be announced at a later date.

The Owls and Hurricanes have never met on the field, but share a lineage with former coach Howard Schnellenberger, who retired after the 2011 season with a 158-151-3 career record.

"I'm thrilled to death that FAU and UM are going to face-off on the gridiron," said Schnellenberger. "It is part of the big plan and may develop into a wonderful addition to South Florida football."

Todd McShay: Jacory Harris to be drafted? "Doubt it.'' Olivier Vernon "most intriguing'' after [Lamar] Miller. And Street? "Great athlete... [but] I would have hard time drafting him in the first four rounds.''

I spoke with ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay on an NFL Draft conference call today. I asked him whether he thought UM quarterback Jacory Harris would be drafted, and to talk about which of the underclassmen who declared early have the most potential, besides Lamar Miller. I said that some people believe as many as nine -- maybe even more -- Hurricanes will be drafted, and asked his opinion. Here's his reply:

"Jacory, I tend to doubt it.  He showed some flashes this past year.  I thought he played better this past year, but just — the inconsistency jumps out, and the turnovers and just not protecting and caring for the football.  He’s still kind of slight framed and there are durability concerns there.  But he has enough arm talent, so it’s not to say that he won’t one day land on a roster if he’s able to continue to develop somehow, but it’s just tough to develop as a quarterback because there’s nowhere to really go and get good developing, if you will, from this point on.        

Nine guys from Miami?  I have to sit here and count. Travis Benjamin I would say yes, so that’s one; Chase Ford has a chance late as kind of a sleeper; LaRon Byrd is kind of in that same category – there’s a chance, but I’m not saying that he really has a good chance or a great chance to get drafted.  I would take a chance on him in the last couple rounds.  Marcus Forston makes it two; Lamar Miller, three; (Adewale) Ojomo is kind of on the fringe; Regis is on the fringe, but I would say there’s a good likelihood he gets drafted five; Sean Spence is five; Streeter, six; Vernon, seven; Washington, eight.  So you could see as many as nine guys going.  It wouldn’t shock me.  But I would say probably a safe bet is seven.    

You know, Olivier Vernon of all those guys after Miller is the most intriguing to me, I guess.  Tommy Streeter there’s a lot of interest because of the height, weight and speed, and certainly he’s a great athlete and has more potential than we’ve seen him do at Miami, but the tape just doesn’t match up with what I see.  I would have a hard time drafting him in the first four rounds, even though there’s a strong chance he goes somewhere in that third-, fourth-round range.        

But Vernon to me, I think he’s a better player than maybe the perception, and at 6’3″, 262, I think he played defensive end, can play outside linebacker, can do a little bit of both.  Has some stiffness, there’s no question.  He’s not a great athlete, and his production didn’t always match up, and I’ve heard some things, is he mature enough, how does he work and all those things.  But if he is focused and doing the right things and working at it and 100 percent dedicated to football, he’s well built, solid, strong, shows some quickness off the line, and I think he has a chance to make an impact as a pass rusher at the next level."

In closing, this should be another interesting draft year for UM. Last year, eight guys went after another yuck season. This year? Who knows. But organizations sure do seem to like to take chances with the Hurricanes. So many of them are NFL gamers.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

UM Hurricanes spring game ends. Orange wins 7-6 in ugly offensive performance.

 

This was not exactly the kind of scrimmage you'd want to end spring for the University of Miami. The offenses were weak, which paved the way for the defenses. But it wasn't like the second scrimmage in Fort Myers, where the defense was ruthless.

Quarterback Ryan Williams threw two picks, as did Gray Crow.

Cornerbacks Thomas Finnie and Brandon McGee, and safeties Ray-Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque had interceptions (as well as a a Ray-Ray fumble recovery).

First Quarter

Fourth-and-1 on the 0range 36 -- and Clive Walford (all alone, I mean ALL ALONE) drops a perfect, in-stride pass from Ryan Williams that was in his hands, about 25 yards downfield!! That's one sure touchdown ruined by sloppiness.

First quarter done -- and nothing to write about. Defenses have stopped offenses.

Another fourth down for Ryan Williams -- throws across body and it's incomplete.

Preston Dewey takes over for green team, completes a 14-yarder to Garrett Kidd. 

Second and 10 on the 43 for Preston Dewey, pass intended for David Perry, is broken up beautifully by defensive end Dwayne Hoilett.

 Kendal Thompkins has two consecutive catches from Dewey, including a 5-yarder for a first down. Green team nearing the goal line. Uh oh. Illegal snap by Jared Wheeler.

Jake Wieclaw kicks 35-yard field goal for green meanies -- 3-0 green. 

Ryan Williams completes nice 26-yarder to Rashawn Scott, then throws an interception (cornerback Thomas Finnie).

 CB Brandon McGee intercepts pass from Gray Crow and zig-zags down the field for a 39-yard return for the orange team.

27-yard field goal attempt by Orange-team kicker Matt Goudis with 22 seconds left in the half. He misses it!

Ugly first half of spring game, with Green leading 3-0. The half ended on a wide-left field-goal attempt by Wieclaw.

 SIDE NOTE: UM just handed out the coaches' spring awards. The "305 Walk-On Award" goes to WR Garrett Kidd. The "Defensive Most Improved Player Award" goes to DE Shayon Green, now injured and not playing in the spring game. The "Offensive Most Improved Player Award" goes to WR Rashawn Scott. And the "Special Teams Most Improved Player" award goes to CB Thomas Finnie.

 Third quarter: Ryan Williams throws pass into the arms of Rashawn Scott. Ball whizzes right through Scott's arms, and green team safety Ray-Ray Arms.

Crow fumbles a bad shotgun snap, then on same drive throws interception to Vaughn Telemaque, who returns it for 24 yards -- then gets penalized for excessive celebration!

QB Williams throws 36-yard completion to R. Scott, who fumbles it (forced by Ladarius Gunter). Recovered by Ray-Ray.

 Green team kicker Wieclaw kicks 29-yarder for 6-0 lead with 8:24 left in the final quarter.

 Orange comes back near the end and with the help of a 5-yard touchdown run by Mike James, with 4:19 left in scrimmage, takes the lead 7-6. The drive was highlighted by a 44-yard pass from Williams to Scott. James ran for 8- and 3 yards before he scored the touchdown.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

Rosters out for UM Hurricanes spring game -- CanesFest -- Saturday at Sun Life Stadium. Who do you think has the edge?

The teams have been decided for Saturday's spring game -- CanesFest -- at Sun LIfe Stadium.

Will it be Orange or Green?

With Ryan Williams leading the orange team at quarterback, buoyed by the first-team offense, I've got to give the nod to the orange.

Then again, after the lickin' Anthony Chickillo and Denzel Perryman and company put on their competition during the last scrimmage in Fort Myers, it makes you wonder.

Still, I'm going with Williams, Scott and the rest of the orange gang.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Looking forward to the game.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

(check the rosters below)

Here are the rosters:

 ORANGE TEAM

No. Name   Pos. 

1 Allen Hurns  WR 

4 Phillip Dorsett  WR

5 Mike James  RB

7 Vaughn Telemaque DB

11 Larry Hope  DB  

11 Ryan Williams  QB

13 Thurston Armbrister LB

17 Stephen Morris QB

18 Chad Barnes  WR

21 Brandon McGee DB

25 Dallas Crawford RB

28 Andrew Swasey DB

30 A.J. Highsmith DB

31 Tyrone Cornileus LB

32 Erik Akre  LB

33 Maurice Hagens FB

43 Ken Jackson  DB

43 Sean Harvey  TE

46 Clive Walford  TE

47 Akil Craig  LB

50 Junior Alexis  DL

53 Josh Witt  LB

56 Raphael Kirby  LB

57 Chris Dunckel  D

L57 Nantambu Fentress LB

62 Shane McDermott OL

65 Brandon Linder OL

67 Corey King  DL

70 Jon Feliciano  OL

77 Seantrel Henderson OL

78 Jermaine Johnson OL

79 Malcolm Bunche OL

80 Rashawn Scott  WR

82 Asante Cleveland TE

90 Ricardo Williams DL

91 Olsen Pierre  DL

93 Luther Robinson DL

97 Dwayne Hoilett DL

 

GREEN TEAM

No. Name  Pos. 

12 Preston Dewey QB 

13 Dalton Botts P

15 Cameron Dean P 

16 Gray Crow QB 

18 Matt Goudis K 

20 Thomas Finnie DB 

22 Kacy Rodgers DB 

23 Eduardo Clements RB 

24 Davon Johnson WR 

24 Joey McNeill  WR 

26 Ray-Ray Armstrong DB 

27 Jameson Labady FB 

28 Shawn O’Dare  WR 

34 C.J. Holton RB 

36 Gionni Paul LB 

37 Ladarius Gunter DB 

37 Alex Irastorza K/P 

38 Jordan Tolson DB 

40 Jake Wieclaw K 

44 Eddie Johnson LB 

45 Ramon Buchanan LB  

46 Hugo Delapenha Jr. DB 

47 Darris Hughes RB 

48 Jalen Grimble DL 

49 Dyron Dye TE 

51 Shayon Green DL 

52 Denzel Perryman LB 

55 Ben Jones OL  

59 James Gaines LB 

60 Sean McNally LS 

61 Paul Kelly LS 

64 Hunter Wells OL 

68 Jeremy Lewis OL 

69 Eduardo Lopez OL

71 Anthony Chickillo DL

74 Ereck Flowers OL 

75 Jared Wheeler OL 

76 Taylor Gadbois OL

83 Kendal Thompkins WR

84 Cory White TE 

85 David Perry TE 

87 Garrett Kidd WR 

88 Ryan McGuirt P 

88 Billy Sanders TE 

94 Kelvin Cain DL 

96 Curtis Porter DL 

98 Darius Smith DL

 

Golden, Fisch: Stephen Morris full go for fall -- expecting great quarterback competition

UM coach Al Golden said he believes rising junior quarterback Stephen Morris, who underwent back surgery before spring practice began, would be able to play today if there were a real game. Of course, Morris didn't partake in any of the 13 spring sessions -- other than his recent involvement in more individualized drills and some route-throwing.

However, the fact that coaches believe Morris is ahead of schedule and will be back full force in the fall, should be a huge sigh of relief to Hurricanes fans. One way or the other, there needs to be a strong competition this summer between Memphis transfer Ryan Williams and Morris, and hopefully one will materialize.

Fisch did say that none of the quarterbacks will be hit until the first game.

  “Our quarterbacks will not get hit until the first game of the season,’’ Fisch said. “They will not get touched. There will be nobody near them. Sometimes, there’s some accidental contact, which we’re trying to avoid right now. Come training camp we won’t be worrying about that. We feel really good about where he’s at and we feel like he’ll be 100-percent fine for the season.’’

    Morris agreed with Fisch about learning a lot from the sidelines of the past 13 practices.  "Seeing the game from the sidelines, I can see exactly what Coach Fisch is talking about. I see a lot of the reads that Coach Fisch points out on film. It makes you study harder and know the answer to every question they ask and know the offense inside and out.''

   Rashawn Scott told me Morris is back to throwing the ball at least 60 yards when he wants to.

    * Linebacker Jimmy Gaines was wearing a boot on his left foot Tuesday and is not expected to compete in Saturday's spring game (2-4 p.m.) at Sun Life Stadium. The game is free and open to the public.

    *...Scott said Williams will be the orange team quarterback for the spring game, and Gray Crow and Preston Dewey will lead the green. He said running backs Eduardo Clements and Mike James will compete for the orange, with Darris Hughes and Dallas Crawford on the green team.

     Scott said he and fellow receivers Phillip Dorsett and Kendal Thompkins will wear orange, with Shawn O’Dare, Garrett Kidd and Dallas Crawford (who will alternate between running back and slot receiver) on green. He said defensive end Anthony Chickillo will compete for the green team, and he thinks middle linebacker Denzel Perryman will wear green as well.

Golden on Ryan Williams: "I think he's really smart and I think he anticipates throws. He releases the ball before the receivers are open, which means it is slower in his mind. He doesn't have much panic in him...''

DC Mark D'Onofrio is looking forward to the return of linebacker Ramon Buchanan (torn ACL), and said Buchanan will be over 230 pounds at the start of the season.

When asked what safety Vaughn Telemaque must to do to win back his starting job, D'Onofrio said, "Work to be the same guy every day. You can't flash [only] one day.'' Telemaque will have that much more competition when Deon Bush and Tracy Howard arrive.

 Telemaque said Tuesday that he feels he is improving. "We have to catch the balls they throw to us, execute our defense, run our plays the way we need to run them.''

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

Yet another UM Canes football depth chart released after Fort Myers scrimmage

UM Coach Al Golden released yet another depth chart after last Friday night's Fort Myers scrimmage.

Again, you shouldn't be surprised at some of these changes, because Golden already has let his feelings be known about various positions.

Denzel Perryman has obviously secured that spot at middle linebacker, but Gionni Paul now has an "or'' between himself and Tyrone Cornelius on the outside.

Shayon Green is off the depth chart because of his injury, with Anthony Chickillo back where he belongs -- on top at defensive end.

Also, notice that at strong safety, there's an "or'' between A.J. Highsmith and Vaughn Telemaque now -- and an "or'' between Brandon McGee and Thomas Finnie at cornerback.

The offensive line and receivers are the same, as are the quarterbacks. But at fullback, because both C.J. Holton and Maurice Hagens are injured, 6-4, 275-pound redshirt-sophomore Sean Harvey -- formerly listed as a tight end -- is first-team fullback.

I'm figuring there will be at least one more depth chart released after the April 14 afternoon spring game, which is at Sun Life Stadium and free to the public.

OFFENSE

QB

First team: Ryan Williams

Second team: Gray Crow

Third team: Preston Dewey

RB

First team: Mike James

Second team: Eduardo Clements

Third team: Dallas Crawford

FB

First team: Sean Harvey

Second team: Mike James

WR

First team: Rashawn Scott

Second team: Allen Hurns

Third team: Garrett Kidd

WR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Kendal Thompkins

TE

First team: Asante Cleveland

Second team: Clive Walford

LT

First team: Malcolm Bunche

Second team: Ereck Flowers

LG

First team: Jermaine Johnson

Second team: Jeremy Lewis

C

First team: Shane McDermott

Second team: Jared Wheeler

RG

First team: Brandon Linder

Second team: Ben Jones

RT

First team: Seantrel Henderson

Second team: Taylor Gadbois

DEFENSE

DE

First team: Anthony Chickillo

Second team: Ricardo Williams

DT

First team: Darius Smith

Second team: Luther Robinson

DT

First team: Curtis Porter

Second team: Olsen Pierre

DE

First team: Kelvin Cain

Second team: Dwayne Hoilett

OLB

First team: Jimmy Gaines

Second team: Eddie Johnson

MLB

First team: Denzel Perryman

Second team: Raphael Kirby

OLB

First team: Gionni Paul or Tyrone Cornileus

CB

First team: Ladarius Gunter

Second team: Larry Hope

FS

First team: Ray-Ray Armstrong

Second team: Kacy Rodgers

SS

First team: A.J. Highsmith

Second team: Vaughn Telemaque

Third team: Andrew Swasey

CB

First team: Brandon McGee

Second team: Thomas Finnie

SPECIAL TEAMS

K

First team: Jake Wieclaw

Second team: Matt Goudis

P

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Jake Wieclaw

KR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

PR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

H

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Ricardo Williams

 

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

Perryman (2 INTs), Chickillo (3 sacks) star for defense in Canes 2nd scrimmage

FORT MYERS -- News, notes, quotes and stats from UM's second spring scrimmage at Bishop Verot High , where 6,500 showed up to watch Friday night:

> The defense clearly out-shined the offense, producing 10 sacks and three interceptions in a scrimmage that ran about 120 plays in total outside of short-yardage situations. Linebacker Denzel Perryman had two interceptions and Anthony Chickillo had three sacks. Quarterback Ryan Williams struggled a bit, finishing 17 of 33 for 177 yards with two touchdowns and two INTs.

"We need guys to make plays -- to execute the defense and take it beyond the design of the defense," UM coach Al Golden said of Perryman and Chickillo. "I thought they did that. They played hard. There were other guys in there, too: [Freshman linebacker Raphael] Kirby. [Defensive tackle] Darius Smith did a nice job. [Defensive tackle Curtis] Porter. There were a lot of guys who played good football.

"We haven't been that physical on the defensive line and at linebacker in a while. I thought we ran around and hit. Clearly, we've got to take care of the interceptions, take care of the football better. But I'm telling you, our defensive line came to play today.."

> A couple players went down with injuries including sophomore receiver Phillip Dorsett, who pulled his left hamstring pull after going up for an overthrown pass from Williams early in the scrimmage. Also hurt: fullback C.J. Holton (right ankle). Both did not return. Holton had trouble putting any weight on it.

> UM ran nine plays in short-yardage situations at the start of the scrimmage and scored twice -- on a 1-yard run by Mike James and a 3-yard TD pass from Ryan Williams to fullback Holton. But it took the offense a lot longer to score once they were forced to drive the length of the field (the offense lined up at various spots throughout the field and started series with all 3 units) 

The Canes ran more than 110 plays from scrimmage after those short-yardage situations and didn't score again until Williams connected with Kendal Thompkins on a 13-yard pass (roughly 100 plays in). Thompkins caught the pass in the flat, shook a defender and dove in for the score. Rashawn Scott score later on a 7-yard pass from Williams.

"He wasn't as sharp as the last one," Golden said of Williams. "But I'll reserve judgement until we see [the film]. I thought the d-line and linebackers had a lot to do with that -- with the pressure. So, that's a function of the offense and the protection. I also think the Dorsett going out early hindered him as well."

> Scott, the star of UM's first scrimmage, had another solid performance. He had six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown to lead all receivers. He had the longest offensive play of the day, hauling in a 34-yard pass from Williams in stride down the sideline. Scott beat junior college transfer Ladarius Gunter on the play. Gunter later intercepted Williams in the end zone. Tight end Clive Walford, meanwhile, had two catches for 36 yards including a nice 27-yard catch and run.

"We didn't quite have our timing like we did the other day," Golden said of his quarterbacks and receivers. "[When] Dorsett caught his hammy a little bit reaching for a high ball, that screwed up our rotation a little bit. [But] Rashawn's obviously a guy who is coming to play a little bit [this spring]. I thought Clive made a really, really spectacular catch. We need that from him. He needs to become that guy for us."

> Freshmen quarterbacks Preston Dewey and Gray Crow weren't spectacular, but appeared more in sync with the offense. Dewey finished 9 of 14 for 71 yards -- most of them short passes to running backs out of the backfield. Crow finished 11 of 18 for 64 yards and an interception, which Perryman almost returned for a touchdown.

"I thought Dewey did better," Golden said. "Gray tried to fit one in there. It doesn't work anymore. He'll learn. Again, we're putting those guys out there. It's a tough operation for those quarterbacks the second time around. We're just going to keep putting them out there until we get it."

> The running game was pretty non-existent. The two longest runs from scrimmage belonged to Mike James (15 yards) and walk-on Darris Hughes (15-yards).

> Golden took a moment to pull tight end David Perry off to the side after he dropped a pass wide open in the flat. Perry, who fumbled in the first scrimmage, simply nodded his as Golden talked to him about his mistake.

> Here is what defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio thought of the defensive effort: "I felt like they were a little more physical out there today, a little more locked in and knew what they were doing.

"But again, it's a process. We're trying to teach them to be the same guys everyday. I was glad we got some takeaways. We caught the ones they threw us this time. We dropped some last week. We've got to become that defense -- that opportunistic defense that can get takeaways and score points, like the Hurricanes used to do.

> D'Onofrio on Denzel Perryman's big day: "He's a tremendous talent. What we need from Denzel is work ethic and his preparation to match his talent, and then we'll have something special. He's not in the category of Sean Spence or anybody until he proves he can work like that on a daily basis. He has a lot of ability. But talent isn't enough."

> D'Onofrio on his true freshmen -- linebacker Raphael Kirby and defensive end Dwyane Hoilett (who had two sacks) who played well: "They were better. If you think about it, these guys shouldn't be out here yet. They should be going to their senior prom. I knew that first scrimmage would be tough. Kirby looked like he showed up. Dwayne looked like he was better technique wise. Sometimes sacks are results of guys being unblocked. I don't take too much credence in that. But they looked they were better and faster and that's what I wanted to see."

STATS (UNOFFICIALLY TAKEN BY UM SPORTS WRITERS)

> Passing: Williams 17-33-177, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; Dewey 9-14-71; Crow 11-18-64, 1 INT.

> Rushing: James 15-56; Clements 14-17; Crawford 3-14; Hughes 7-21.

> Receiving: Scott 6-75, 1 TD; Thompkins 3-27, 1 TD; Crawford 3-6; Cleveland 2-16; Walford 2-36; Haney 1-15; M. James 1-3; Kidd 4-49l; Barnes 1-9; Clements 4-23; Johnson 2-20; Dye 2-23; Perry 1-2; Holton 2-3.

> Defense: Gunter 5.5 tackles, 1 INT; E. Johnson 5 tackles; Chickillo 3.5 tackles, 3 sacks; Cain 5; Perryman 2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs; Cornelius 4 tackles; Finnie 7 tackles, 2 PBU; Paul 6 1/2 tackles, sack; Kirby 4.5 tackles; D. Hoilett 2 sacks; Porter 3 tackles, 1 sack.

New UM Canes depth chart released day before Fort Myers scrimmage

UM Coach Al Golden released his newest depth chart Thursday, a day before the Friday-night scrimmage in Fort Myers. Some of the changes you already know about. For example: Jermaine Johnson at left guard on the offensive line, and understandably, with Allen Hurns still recuperating from shoulder injury and Rashawn Scott having an outstanding first scrimmage, Scott is at first team wide receiver -- opposite Phillip Dorsett (Kendal Thompkins is behind Dorsett).

One notable change: A.J. Highsmith is now first-team strong safety, ahead of Vaughn Telemaque and Andrew Swasey. Highsmith has really paid his dues on this team, and has definitely been a team player. Happy for him, although you have to wonder about Vaughn. He's a senior with lots of experience, and was expected to take charge and lead the way.

On defense, Shayon Green is ahead of Anthony Chickillo at end, but only because Chickillo injured his back. Chickillo, as I tweeted a couple days ago, is a beast. I said if he were any tougher, he'd be made of steel. The guy is a winner. Was told he could be out for the spring, or at least for most of it, and now he'll be competing in the scrimmage tomorrow. Just hope he's healed enough to take the contact. UM needs a healthy Chickillo in the fall.

Usual outside linebacker Kelvin Cain is opposite Green at defensive end. Barry Jackson was at today's availability with Golden. He said Golden said that if UM strictly ran a 3-4 defense, Cain would be the outside linebacker. This way he can shift from one to the other, if need be. Golden said Cain is up to 230 pounds, and will get bigger.

Sophomore Denzel Perryman is now a first-team middle linebacker,with Jimmy Gaines and Tyrone Cornileus on either side. "Perryman is our most explosive tackler,'' Golden said today.

FB Maurice Hagens (groin) will miss tomorrow's scrimmage.

See you guys tomorrow night at the scrimmage!

Newest Depth Chart released March 29th, 2012:

OFFENSE

QB

First team: Ryan Williams

Second team: Gray Crow

Third team: Preston Dewey

RB

First team: Mike James

Second team: Eduardo Clements

Third team: Dallas Crawford

FB

First team: C. Holton

Second team: Mike James

WR

First team: Rashawn Scott

Second team: Allen Hurns

WR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Kendal Thompkins

TE

First team: Asante Cleveland

Second team: Clive Walford

LT

First team: Malcolm Bunche

Second team: Ereck Flowers

LG

First team: Jermaine Johnson

Second team: Jeremy Lewis

C

First team: Shane McDermott

Second team: Jared Wheeler

RG

First team: Brandon Linder

Second team: Ben Jones

RT

First team: Seantrel Henderson

Second team: Taylor Gadbois

DEFENSE

DE

First team: Shayon Green

Second team: Anthony Chickillo

DT

First team: Darius Smith

Second team: Jalen Grimble

DT

First team: Curtis Porter

Second team: Luther Robinson

Third team: Olsen Pierre

DE

First team: Kelvin Cain

Second team: Dwayne Hoilett

OLB

First team: Jimmy Gaines

Second team: Eddie Johnson

MLB

First team: Denzel Perryman

Second team: Raphael Kirby

OLB

First team: Tyrone Cornileus

Second team: Gionni Paul

CB

First team: Ladarius Gunter

Second team: Larry Hope

FS

First team: Ray-Ray Armstrong

Second team: Kacy Rodgers

SS

First team: A.J. Highsmith

Second team: Vaughn Telemaque

Third team: Andrew Swasey

CB

First team: Brandon McGee

Second team: Thomas Finnie

SPECIAL TEAMS

K

First team: Jake Wieclaw

Second team: Matt Goudis

P

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Jake Wieclaw

KR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

PR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

H

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Ricardo Williams

 

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon McGee finally appears to be getting the message, plus news and notes from UM on Tuesday

CORAL GABLES -- Brandon McGee is no longer sitting on the bottom of the Hurricanes depth chart. The cornerback was wearing a black jersey Tuesday -- a sign that he's doing what coaches want and expect of a senior who is supposed to be starting and anchoring his unit.

“He’s working,” UM coach Al Golden said of McGee, who started 12 games for UM last season, but emerged fifth on the team's depth chart after the completion of the off-season U Tough program.

“I see Brandon a little bit differently than maybe most do. I see a kid that’s very talented, that’s willing, that's working hard and we just have to get enough confidence where he then goes out and makes plays. Not freelance, but go out and finish plays because he has all of the skill set that you want, and now he’s 190 [pounds]."

McGee has always had the physical gifts to be a star at UM in the eyes of coaches. He's 6-feet tall, was 180 pounds last year, and was timed at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash last summer. "But I don't think he uses all those gifts the way he should," defensive coordinator Mark D'Onoforio said Tuesday.

D'Onofrio and Golden tried to get that message across heading into spring football -- not only by placing McGee fifth on the depth chart, but with frequent text messages throughout the off-season.

"They'd send me texts asking, 'How great do you want to be?'," McGee said. "Even though I went up in my squat from 380 [pounds] to 415, I guess there was a point where in their eyes I had to push the threshold even more. Even though I beat the man next to me [in U Tough], they didn't want me to beat him just by a yard, I should have beaten him by five yards. It's pushing yourself further and further. It's definitely bringing out good qualities in myself now."

In Saturday's scrimmage in Hialeah, the first of the spring, McGee started showing coaches what they've wanted from him all along -- more physicality.

"The one thing about Brandon in Saturday's scrimmage was that he was physical probably for the first time since I’ve been here," Golden said. "He’s in those short-yardage [situations] mixing it up. I think he feels more confident with his body and the physical nature he can play at 190. Now, we have to get him staying in the system, converting and making plays, getting more interceptions, being more of a ball disruptor for us.”

"I don't want him to press to make a play. I want him to trust D'Onofrio and [defensive backs coach Paul] Williams and let that take him to the play."

D'Onofrio echoed those sentiments.

"If you date it back to this time last year, it's night and day the way he's playing physically now," D'Onofrio said.

"I think he saw himself as an athlete who was a cover corner and there is no such cover corner position on our defense. You have to be physical, you have to be tough and I think he's trusted what we're asking him to do. I think he's delivering on it. Now, we're looking for consistency, not 70 percent, 75 percent of the time, all the time. He has to demand it from himself and give his body up for the team."

McGee had 38 tackles last season (eighth most on the team) including 2.5 for loss with a sack and his first career interception. 

But as a unit, UM's secondary had an awful season in 2011, ranking 95th in pass efficiency defense (they were fifth in 2010). UM's defense produced just six interceptions -- 10 fewer than the year before -- and opposing quarterbacks completed 66.35 percent of their passes (sixth worst among 120 FBS schools).

"Last year was really difficult," D'Onofrio said of the team's cornerback play. "I really didn't have anybody experienced to work with. Brandon was the fourth corner [in 2010], but didn't play a lot of snaps because he was behind the three guys who are all in the NFL now. [Transfer] Mike Williams didn't play for a year and them came over here and started 12 games. Thomas Finnie was a freshman. JoJo Nicolas was a safety and then he had to go back and forth because of the issues we had at safety. Lee Chambers was a running back.

"The hard part for us now is I lost most of those guys. The only guys we got back were McGee and Finnie. McGee got a lot of reps. Finnie didn't get a lot of reps in games, but he did get the second team reps during the week, which were a lot. But, it's better than the year before. We've got seven new guys coming in this class. Last year, we had one [Finnie]. At least we have a place to start."

And that place starts with McGee, who is taking charge not only of himself, but his unit as well.

"My phone is always open for those guys," McGee said. "[Early enrollee] Larry Hope, sometimes he'll hit me up and ask me to go watch film. When they make mistakes in practice, I'll pull them off to the side and try to clean up their technique, just telling them what to look for on the field. And I emphasize don't make the same mistake twice. If they hear coaches getting on me for a mistake, I tell them to listen so they don't do the same thing. That's the one thing that makes coaches hot."

McGee said he's been in constant contact with incoming freshmen Deon Bush and Tracy Howard, the nation's No. 1 high school corner. Whenever Howard or Bush visits UM, McGee gets right to work talking scheme and football.

"I've seen him work out. He has good hips, quick feet," McGee said of Howard. "He's a competitor, talks some trash. I like that about him. I'm just excited for him to get here. To see a guy like that work and be able to help him through the process is going to be good.

"It's never easy. No matter how talented you are and what kind of expectations are placed on you, it's never easy to make that transition from high school to college. I'm going to be there to help him along the way and that's something I promised his parents I would do. Him and Deon."

MORE NEWS AND NOTES FROM TUESDAY

> Both McGee and Finnie said D'Onofrio isn't changing much in the way of coverages or schemes in the playbook. "There's nothing really new added, just perfecting what we did before," McGee said.

Last year, many Canes fans griped that cornerbacks were playing too far off receivers, allowing them to eat up the defense underneath. I've felt all along scheme hasn't been the problem -- it's been personnel. Maybe some continuity in scheme and getting more physical play -- as well as talent -- is the answer.

> As for Finnie, D'Onofrio says toughness isn't his issue. "Finnie's not afraid to throw his face in there at all. He's one of the tougher guys we've got right now. When those guys come around the corner or those tight ends lower the shoulder, he's doing exactly what we want him to do. He's not ducking out of the way," D'Onofrio said.

"What we need out of him is consistency and knowing that on the back end [coverage] you don't get any mulligans like you do in golf. Somebody gets behind you, it's 7-0. You don't get to push the reset button like you do in Madden. That's where we're trying to discipline him. When you're deep, you're deep."

> With Keion Payne now off the team, UM has five cornerbacks in camp. McGee is listed on the first team at field corner with Johnson backing him up. Finnie is the starter at boundary corner with junior college transfer Ladarius Gunter and Hope behind him.

> Of course, there is another part to UM's secondary -- safety. I didn't get D'Onofrio or Golden's thoughts on how seniors Ray-Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque have been performing, but the overriding sentiment this spring has been that both are putting forth the effort required.

"Ray, every play he's out there talking. VT is brining energy," McGee said. "I've been around them for a long time and can see the change in the them. If we come out flat, they get everybody amped up."

> With left guard Jonathan Feliciano going down for the rest of the spring, Jermaine Johnson has stepped in with the starting unit at that spot. The other starters: Malcolm Bunche at left tackle, Shane McDermott at center, Brandon Linder at right guard and Seantrel Henderson at right tackle.

“Jermaine looked really good inside,” Golden said. “Right now he’s one of the best five. We’ll see how it shakes out.”

> Golden said he's pleased with former defensive tackle Jeremy Lewis, who is taking first team reps at times at right and left guard. "He just needs to get in better condition and play at a high level," Golden said.

> Golden said the only way receiver Kendal Thompkins becomes a real contributor is by "eliminating drops." Thompkins had a few in Saturday's scrimmage.

> Golden continued his praise of freshmen Ereck Flowers and Raphael Kirby this spring calling them "difference makers" on Tuesday.

UM Canes guard Jon Feliciano out for the rest of spring with injury (knee)

Just got the message from Chris Freet, UM associate athletic director for communications and marketing, that UM guard Jon Feliciano, a redshirt sophomore, is out for the rest of spring "after suffering an injury in the March 24 scrimmage.

   "Feliciano will be further reviewed this week.''

The injury that we saw he suffered in the scrimmage at Ted Hendricks Stadium was, unfortunately, a right-knee injury.

    I talked to Jon immediately after the scrimmage, when he had his right knee heavily bandaged, and had a large bag of ice over it. He was understandably upset, but gracious as ever.

    He had leg injury problems last season, too, so you have to feel for him (and the Canes).

   Here's how he described the situation on Saturday: 

   "I was pulling and I hit the safety, Ray-Ray, [and] OT [RB Eduardo Clements] was about to break but he got hit in the back and he kind of fell into my knee. Hopefully it's just a sprain. They haven't told me anything. I'll just keep some ice on it and see how it goes.''

     Here's hoping it isn't too bad for Jon.

    SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

First UM Canes spring scrimmage is history; Ryan Williams impresses; Injury report

The Hurricanes' first spring scrimmage is over, and Canes fans finally got to see their three scholarship quarterbacks -- minus the sidelined Stephen Morris, who is recuperating from back surgery; and minus signee David Thompson, who won't arrive until the fall (that is, if he doesn't choose professional baseball instead).

Ryan Williams did an admirable job, and publicly proved he will be competition for Morris.This was not a spring game-type scrimmage. It was situational, and very choppy with preplanned segments, such as goal-line and two-minute drill stuff. But Williams did move the chains, and he had some nice throws with good touch. That's not to say he didn't have some overthrows and the like, but I'd give thumbs up to his performance -- 14 of 21 for 228 yards and four touchdowns.

We really don't get to see much of practice (once a week and for 10-15 minutes), so we haven't seen Williams in action. His arm does not appear to be as strong as Morris' (I didn't say Williams has a weak arm, just that Morris has a stronger one) It's just an observation, nothing more. Don't read anything else into it. Williams' favorite former Cane, Ken Dorsey, (No. 11, just like Williams), was not known for a powerful arm.

The young quarterbacks need lots more work, but that was expected. They didn't arrive that long ago from high school. However, Gray Crow clearly looks better than Preston Dewey. Maybe Dewey was just nervous, but he did not look good. We'll see. It's only one scrimmage.

Receivers Rashawn Scott, Phillip Dorsett and yes, senior Kendal Thompkins, had good days today. Thompkins, who has had a frustrating career at UM, is a fifth-year senior out of Miami Northwestern High. He always seems to shine in scrimmages, then disappear during the season.

"He made some good catches,'' offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said of Thompkins. "I mean, [he] scored on the first touchdown, or whatever, once we were moving the ball. "He made some nice plays. Kendal has done a good job. He’s got to keep competing. He’s got to show up. I keep telling him: 'Keep showing up, keep showing up, keep showing up. keep making plays.

  'Right now you can’t be just kind of a play here, play there.. you’ve got to be a consistent playmaker.'''

   This, from Thompkins: "Everyday it's important to show the coaches what you've got.''

   Thompkins said of his past four years: "It's been frustrating but it's been a learning experience. I can't complain because I felt I learned a lot.''

    Before I forget, Coach Al Golden lauded backup offensive linemen Ereck Flowers, Taylor Gadbois, Jared Wheeler, Ben Jones and Jeremy Lewis.

   Some other observations:

   * Tight end Clive Walford has tons of talent. But again, Fisch said that coaches are looking for consistency from Walford.

   *Mike James looked mighty fast sprinting down the right sideline for a 55-yard touchdown.

   *The DBs made some nice stops, including a great defensive play by S Andrew Swasey, who prevented Thompkins from catching a long pass from Williams.

   *Defenders dropped at least two would-be interceptions. The balls were basically thrown right to them.

  * The Canes fumbled way too many times -- at least four times, from my count.

  * The artificial turf was dangerously slippery Saturday at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah. Guys slipped several times.

   Now, the injuries:

   * Defensive end Anthony Chickillo, a star-in-the-making and one of the most enthusiastic and loyal Hurricanes, hurt his back last Thursday during practice. I was told by a couple of sources that he will not need surgery. However, he is expected to be out for an extended period of time. The sources told me he will miss the rest of spring. Knowing Chick, he's already dying to get back on the field. Coach Al Golden downplayed the injury, saying of Chickillo, "He got a little pull. Hopefully he'll be back Tuesday.''

    * Former offensive tackle Jon Feliciano, who is now playing guard, hurt his right knee today when he was pulling and hit safety Ray-Ray Armstrong, before Eduardo Clements got hit in the back and fell into Feliciano's knee. "Hopefully it's just a sprain,'' said Feliciano, who had a big bag of ice over it, and then thick wrapping. "I'll just keep some ice on it and see how it goes.''

     Feliciano said the Canes did "pretty well'' during the scrimmage, but "we got a little winded. We'll have to work on that.''

     * Right tackle Seantrel Henderson hurt his right knee during the scrimmage, and it was examined closely by the trainer and team doctor. He eventually went back in. "I kind of hurt it a little bit. I just tweaked it a little bit,'' Henderson said. "But it's fine. I felt better once I went back in.''

     * Tight end Dyron Dye was examined for an injury. Brian "The Beast'' London tweeted that he injured his finger.

    The next practice is Tuesday at Greentree Field. The next scrimmage is at 6:45 p.m. Friday in Fort Myers.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fisch wants to use Hurricanes tight ends the way Patriots do; plus QB Ryan Williams, receiver talk

CORAL GABLES -- With all the friends and connections he's made in the NFL, University of Miami offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said he spends a lot of time in the off-season picking the brains of other offensive gurus.

"A lot of times we'll talk schemes and situational football," Fisch said. "Other times, I'll ask questions like 'Hey, how did you guys do this?' -- see if we can take a few ideas.

"Obviously what New England did with its tight ends is something that stands out. You've got to study that. You've got to see how they utilize them -- and that's something we've done this offseason."

While he isn't ready to declare Asante Cleveland and Clive Walford as the next Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (combined for 169 catches, 2,237 yards, 24 TDs in 2011), Fisch believes his new tight end duo can create matchup problems for opposing teams next season. He also foresees many situations -- in light of the inexperience and youth at receiver -- where both will be on the field at the same time.

"I think between them, I'd liked to see the tight end receptions go up to about 50 [in 2012]," Fisch said (UM's tight ends combined for 28 catches, 266 yards, 2 TDs in 2011).

"I think Asante and Clive can give us a really good 1-2 punch, that we'll be able to get them on the field at the same time and spread the ball around, see what they can do to open things up."

Cleveland, who showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman in 2010, couldn’t do much of anything last season.

Following shoulder surgery, he missed spring practice and showed up to fall practice last August still slowed by it. The result: one catch for six yards in eight games.

But Cleveland (6-5, 270) is healthy and much stronger now (he showed up to camp with 15 pounds more muscle) and is catching a bunch of passes in practice everyday with only three scholarship receivers available this spring.

Coach Al Golden said other than safety Ray-Ray Armstrong, Cleveland did the best job of any player in UM's off-season conditioning program and called him "more of a pass threat right now than I think we all anticipated."

"He looks great," Fisch said of Cleveland. "He's running well, carrying the weight well, playing physical. I think he's 100 percent healthy."

Walford, who started eight games last season and caught 18 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown, bulked up 12 pounds himself in the off-season. Walford (6-4, 250) said Tuesday his primary focus this spring is on improving his pass blocking.

"We just have to get Clive healthy and improving his game," Golden said. "He's got to be more of a factor in the pass game without question."

MORE FROM FISCH

> The Hurricanes ranked 54th in red zone efficiency last season (they scored 27 touchdowns and made seven field goals of 41 trips), converting at a higher clip 84 percent than they did in 2010 when they scored 75 percent of the time (52 trips, 29 TDs, 10 FGs).

But most will remember UM's shortcomings inside the 20 that cost them against Kansas State (stopped on 4th and goal), Virginia Tech (fake field goal) and Florida State (first quarter interception in the end zone in a 23-19 loss).

"I was real happy [with the improvement]," Fisch said. "But my feeling on red zone is we have to continue to build on what we did. The biggest thing is if we get inside the 3, we have to score. We were 15 of 16 scoring touchdowns inside the three-yard line. That's great. But I tell our offense every single day when you're 15-1 everybody wants to know who the one is, not the 15."

> Of the three scholarship receivers healthy this spring (Rashawn Scott, Phillip Dorsett and Kendall Thompkins), Fisch didn't say any has particularly stood out yet. But he said he's sees progress across the board. "Those guys are getting a ton of work and getting better at what they do," he said. "They're learning how to run routes, how to perfect their craft a little bit. It's nice to watch them grow."

Asked how many of the six incoming freshmen receivers might be asked to play, Fisch said: "It doesn't matter. Our young guys have to come in and make an impact. If it's two it's two. If it's five it's five. But they've got to play and they have to come in here and make things happen. They have to be dynamic like they are on tape. Somebody needs to fill Tommy Streeter's shoes in terms of catches and touchdowns. Somebody has to fill Travis Benjamin's shoes. Rashawn and Phillip could do it, but other guys need to do it as well."

> Asked for his take on quarterback Ryan Williams this spring, Fisch offered: "Done a nice job. Manages the game well, stands in the pocket tall, has good vision, makes some tough throws. He doesn't leave the pocket really, so it's nice. He sits in there. He's comfortable in there, knows how to have slight movements in there to find throwing lanes. That's fun to watch."

Told receivers have said Stephen Morris has a stronger arm than Williams, Fisch said: "Stephen has an elite arm. He has a special arm. So, it's going to come out a little faster. That's not a knock on anybody. Other than that, Ryan's a very accurate passer. He has very good ball placement. Guys respect that and like that."

> While redshirt freshman Dallas Crawford will receive carries at running back to this spring, it's more likely the former defensive back will end up playing slot receiver. "We moved Dallas into the slot and he's making so many plays for us," Fisch said. "He's exciting to watch."

> There were reports in January Fisch was linked to an opening with the Bears.Asked how close he came to leaving to any NFL team this past season, Fisch responded: "I'm really happy here. I made a commitment to Al. And Al made a commitment to me. It's a very good one.

"I want to watch this thing go. I want to see how good we can become. I don't want to watch it as a fan. I want to watch it as a coach. I love the kids here and I love what they're doing. Sometimes you get lucky and get opportunities. But the best opportunity for me is right here at Miami."

Q&A with UM quarterback Ryan Williams

Quarterback Ryan Williams was unable to speak with reporters following Tuesday's practice, but took the time to answer some questions left behind by the media on Wednesday.

> How much are you looking forward to the scrimmage on Saturday at Milander Park in Hialeah and why?

"I’m really looking forward to the scrimmage. It will be the first time that we can get out there in a game-like situation and see how the offense is coming together. Are we keeping score? I want to get out there and win, beat the defense."

> What are you looking to accomplish during the scrimmage, both personally, and as an offense?

"To go out and execute each play and not have any mental errors or turnovers. To see how the offense competes.

> What would make the scrimmage successful for you?

"A win."

> Will it be tough considering the depth issues at receiver?

"No. We have a whole group of offensive skill players who have stepped up, including walk-ons."

> How have you seen freshmen Preston Dewey and Gray Crow improve since they've gotten here?

"They are learning the offense and getting a feel for the speed of the game."

> How much are you looking forward to getting out there in front of fans, friends and family?

"I’m excited to get out there. It will be fun to be able to give the fans to see how far the team has come since last year with a bunch of new faces."

Peter O'Brien named ACC Player of the Week; Hurricanes football resumes

While UM men's http://tinyurl.com/6rgh637 and women's http://tinyurl.com/7ha63ep basketball programs continue through their respective tournaments, UM baseball has been getting it done as well.

The Canes are now 16-4 overall and 5-1 in the ACC.

Senior catcher Peter O'Brien was named ACC Player of the Week on Monday.

 FROM UM'S RELEASE:

O’Brien, who recorded an impressive .529 batting average over the past five games, finished the week with three homeruns, three doubles, nine RBI and 21 total bases. O’Brien had hits in all but one game this past week, including multi-hit games in three of his team’s five contests.

 “It’s a great honor to be selected,” O’Brien said. “But I think an even bigger honor is seeing our team on the top of the Coastal Division of the ACC.”

O’Brien powered the ninth-ranked Hurricanes to victory in a midweek battle with visiting Illinois State and in the team’s series finale against Duke, recording four RBI’s in each game. The Miami Gardens, Fla. native is now tied for the conference lead in homeruns with seven, and is hitting an impressive .389 on the season, good for fifth-best in the ACC.

“I feel great. I’m still going up to the plate and being aggressive, but I felt a lot better balance this week,” O’Brien said. “I’m hitting the ball a lot better and I’m starting to drive it to all fields. I’m just happy to help our team win.”

O’Brien finished the week with splits of .529 AVG/ .600 OBP /1.235 SLG. He leads the Hurricanes in nearly every hitting category on the season, including average, runs (17), hits (27), doubles (7), homeruns (7), RBI (25) and total bases (57).

“He's a very talented player that's getting better, no question about that," Head Coach Jim Morris said of his team captain. "He's got great power, he's got an outstanding arm and he's a big strong guy, so he's got all the tools to be really good.”

************************************************************

 Canes baseball is now ranked ninth in the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll, Collegiate Baseball poll and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, 12th in the Baseball America poll. The Canes play at FAU in Boca Raton at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and are home for a three-game ACC series against Maryland from Friday through Sunday.

*************************************************************

Football resumes tomorrow morning at Greentree Field. It is closed to the public. The Hurricanes' first open scrimmage is from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah. It will be one of three open scrimmages this spring. The second one is Friday, March 30th, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers. The final one will serve as the spring game, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, at Sun Life Stadium.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Durand Scott reinstated by NCAA, but must serve 5 more games worth of suspension

University of Miami junior guard Durand Scott was reinstated by the NCAA after being declared ineligible by UM for receiving impermissible benefits according to a release from the school.

The reinstatement provisions are that Scott must pay the value of the received benefits to charity and serve a six-game withholding penalty. The benefits were received prior to the arrival of the current coaching staff at Miami.

Scott's six-game withholding will include the Florida State game in the ACC Tournament, the 2012 postseason and any remaining withholding games at the start of the 2012-2013 season.

NCAA hits UNC football with probation, scholarship losses, post-season ban -- UM Canes still await day of reckoning

After a 16-month investigation, the NCAA announced its sanctions regarding the UNC football program. The Tar Heels had imposed their own sanctions, including vacating all 16 of its 2008 and 2009 football victories, a nine-scholarship reduction over the next three academic years, a $50,000 fine and two years probation.

But note that UNC did NOT self-impose a bowl ban, as the Miami Hurricanes did this past November (the only self-imposed step the Canes have taken thus far in the Nevin Shapiro case), and the NCAA obviously didn't agree with UNC's decision on that.

The NCAA Comittee on Infractions hit UNC with

* Three years' probation from March 12, 2012 through March 11, 2015

* A reduction of 15 scholarships over those three years

* Postseason ban for the 2012 football season.

* A three-year show-cause penalty for former assistant coach John Blake, who, "while employed by the university,'' according to the NCAA statement, "was compensated by a sports agent [now deceased Gary Wichard] for the access he provided to student-athletes and failed to disclose the income to the university." Blake, who was forced to resign from UNC after the scandal broke, will not be allowed to do any recruiting-related duties. Thus, he is expected to remain out of coaching for at least the three years.   

The NCAA said Blake "was also cited for a failure to cooperate and [for] unethical conduct. According to the Division I Committee on Infractions, not only did he refuse to provide information relevant to the investigation, but he also furnished false and misleading information. At the hearing, in a reverasal of his previous refusal to provide information, the former assistant coach expressed a willingness to provide the pertinent records. However, he did not provide the documents for more than three months following the hearing, resulting in a significant delay in bringing this case to conclusion.''

 Some more interesting info on the case from the NCAA findings:

 * "The academic fraud violations stemmed from the former tutor [Jennifer Wiley] constructing significant parts of writing assignments for three football student-athletes... and also provided $4,000 in impermissible benefits, including airfare and paying for outstanding parking tickets, to 11 football student-athletes after she graduated and was no longer a university employee. The tutor also refused to cooperate with the investigation.''

* "This case also included the provision of thousands of dollars in impermissible benefits to multiple student-athletes.'' The NCAA found that seven football players "accepted more than $27,500 in benefits from various individuals, some of whom triggered NCAA agent rules. These impermissible benefits included cash, flights, meals, lodging, athletic training, admission to clubs and jewelry, among others. Whle the value of the benefits the student-athletes varied, one student-athlete received more than $13,500 cash and gifts.''

UNC, by the way, will not appeal the penalties.

UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp called those penalties "more severe than we expected.''

Former UNC football coach (and former UM football coach) Butch Davis, who now is a defensive assistant in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was not cited for any violations in the NCAA report. Davis was fired by Thorp just before fall training camp began last season.

Here's the statement by Davis, that was released Monday, and ran in the Charlotte Observer:

"As was stated by the Chancellor this summer, and has been noted in this report, I was not named in any of these allegations. I cooperated fully with the proper entities throughout this entire investigation. I felt that my staff and I implemented many practices into the program to try to prevent these types of issues. Indeed, the NCAA report stated that 'there was no indication during the joint investigation that student-athletes are not well-educated on regulations concerning agents, extra benefits, and preferential treatment.'

"I am truly saddened this matter has affected so many innocent people. i wish UNC the very best.''

 UNC finished 7-6 last season (losing to Miami 30-24).

Telling quote by NCAA: "This case should serve as a cautionary tale to all institutions to vigilantly monitor the activities of those student-athletes who possess the potential to be top professional prospects. It should also serve to warn student-athletes that if they choose to accept benefits from agents or their associates, they risk losing their eligibility for collegiate competition.''

MY THOUGHTS

I think this is a pretty severe penalty, though, yes it is only the 15 scholarships over the three years (five per year) -- including UNC's nine scholarship losses already self-imposed (Aside: thanks Ken, and have a great day!).

In the mid 1990s, in UM's big NCAA pell-grant case, UM self-imposed seven scholarships and lost an additional 24 through NCAA sanctions, for a total of 31 over three seasons.

Also, please note should UNC qualify for winning the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference this coming season, it is banned from playing for the ACC title.

Is UM next? I heard a couple weeks ago that UM's case was still not close to being decided. But with this one over, it could begin to move faster.

UM, understandably, declined to comment on the NCAA's ruling of the UNC case.

UM should hear its fate, for sure, before the end of the 2012 football season -- and possibly before the season begins. Can you imagine if UM were to strike gold and win the Coastal and qualify for its first ACC title, only to be banned from playing in the championship? 

UM's self-imposed bowl ban was definitely a good idea. If the NCAA can prove more of Shapiro's allegations, and obviously some have been proven because of previous football and basketball suspensions, no doubt UM will be losing scholarships. (Will find out more about the status of currently suspended hoopster Durand Scott later; the timing of the last two UM hoopsters' suspensions, just hours before playing FSU, can't help but conjur head-shaking and all kinds of curious thoughts)

I just think it's strange that former UM coaches implicated by Shapiro in this case are seemingly flying high with their respective football and basketball teams. Let's see what happens when this all shakes out.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

RB Hall no longer on team

Running back Darion Hall is no longer with the University of Miami football program, the school's sports information office confirmed.

"He hasn't been with the team for weeks," spokeswoman LaTonya Sadler said.

Hall had been suspended indefinitely by coach Al Golden for a violation of team rules last month.

Hall was redshirted his freshman year after undergoing shoulder surgery, and was a member of the scout team last year, appearing in only the Bethune-Cookman game.

He rushed eight times for 51 yards in the spring game last year.

Chickillo leaning on Spence for leadership advice

CORAL GABLES -- The last thing Anthony Chickillo imagined when he signed with UM 13 months ago was that he'd become the voice of experience for the Canes' defensive front seven this quickly. 

But after several questionable early departures for the NFL Draft, that's exactly what the 6-4, 261-pound sophomore defensive end is.

"There's no doubt we're going to have to grow up fast," said Chickillo, who made nine starts for the Canes last season, one of six players in the defensive front seven who have starting experience (Jimmy Gaines has 8 starts; Darius Smith 7; Kelvin Cain 6; Denzel Perryman 5; Luther Robinson 2).

"We have to be accountable for each other, push each other and make sure everybody is doing what they're supposed to be doing at all times. I thought coming in I'd still be learning from older guys at this point. But everything happens for a reason. I think I can anchor this defensive line and be one of the leaders of this team."

Leadership is something that comes natural to Chickillo. He said he's been a leader at every level he's played at. Last year as a freshman he deferred to seniors like Sean Spence and JoJo Nicolas. But this year, neither of those guys are around. 

And the only players on UM's defense with more starting experience than Chickillo are safety Vaughn Telemaque, who has 36 career starts, and cornerback Brandon McGee (13).

"Chick is starting to step up and become that leader a lot of guys are scared to be," said redshirt junior defensive tackle Curtis Porter. "He knows we need one."

Chickillo said he speaks to Spence frequently about the challenge he has of leading such a young front seven. Spence, he says, tells him not to worry and to lead by example.

"Sean just tells me to stay focused, don't bite off more than I can chew," Chickillo said. "He told me that as a sophomore he felt the same thing, to try and step up and be a leader. He told me his sophomore year wasn't anything great and that I need to stay focused and just work hard, have a better year than last year.

"He knows I get real hard on myself when I make mistakes. He's a guy who kept me focused when I needed it last year. Now, I have to do it myself and push other guys the way the Sean did. I have to become one of those leaders."

Last season, Chickillo finished with 38 tackles and five sacks, tied for the most on the team. He also finished third in the voting for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

While he's concentrated a lot on improving his hands this off-season, Chickillo also said he's gotten "a lot stronger and more explosive at the point of attack."

He said he's gained about 20 pounds in the offseason and is now up to between 261 to 262 pounds. He wants to get up to between 270 pounds and 275 pounds by the time he's a junior. His body fat is down to 12 percent.

"When I first came in I was doing about 20 reps on 225 pounds. I'm up to 24 reps now," Chickillo said. "My power clean went up 44 pounds, my squat 40 pounds. I'm more explosive with my vertical jump, too. I'm up to 33 inches."

Said right tackle Jermaine Johnson: "Chick is a bad ass. He's more mobile now, quicker, sneaky. You have to stay locked in or he'll blow by you.

MORE NEWS AND NOTES FROM TUESDAY

> Porter (6-1, 312) said defensive line coach Jethro Franklin has him learning the three technique at defensive tackle this spring, something Porter considers a challenge because he's only played nose guard (one technique) most of his career.

"Having short arms is the challenge," Porter said. "I'm very strong, compact. But guys that I go against are usually taller and have longer arms. I got to find ways to beat them because there are always hands in my face and I can't get to them. It's a mission right now. I just have to find ways to beat these guys with long arms. I'm beating them off the ball with my quickness and explosiveness, but I need to engage them and beat them there also."

Porter said he's trimmed down his body fat percentage from about 28 percent to 20 percent since arriving at UM.

> Both Porter and Chickillo say redshirt freshman Junior Alexis (6-2, 280) might be the strongest defensive lineman on the team. "I've never seen a freshman throw up 32 reps on 225," Porter said. "We just have to work on him keeping his leverage because he's a shorter guy. He has a low center of gravity. We're working on that now."

> Sophomore receiver Phillip Dorsett -- one of the few healthy receivers on scholarship actually participating this spring -- said redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Williams has looked good in practice and is more accurate than junior Stephen Morris. But Morris still has the stronger arm and can get the ball to receivers quicker.

"Both of them can do the job," Dorsett said. "As a receiver, we just have to adjust."

> Redshirt sophomore Jonathan Feliciano, who moved from right tackle to left guard this spring (he's replaced All-ACC First Team guard Brandon Washington), had minor knee surgery in December, but has recovered quickly. He said he's lost 10 pounds (he's listed at 6-5, 322).

"Last year I couldn't bench 225 pounds over 20 times. No I'm doing it over 25 times. That helps inside with the big guys," Feliciano said. "Being lighter, I don't get tired as fast, I can run down field and make plays for receivers."

> The three players who missed practice due to suspension last week returned Tuesday, including former starting left tackle Seantrel Henderson.

"He's stronger than any point last year, is healthier, in better condition," coach Al Golden said Tuesday. "He's more flexible, is moving his feet better."

Henderson isn't being allowed to talk to reporters.

> Golden said former defensive tackle Jeremy Lewis, now the backup at left guard is "fighting for a starting job."

Lewis, a four-star defensive tackle out Palm Beach Lakes in 2008, is "going to be a good player there for us," Golden said. "He moves his feet well, is strong. He's 325, in that range and can move. I'm happy with him."

> Reserve tight end Billy Sanders, a redshirt junior, was out of practice with a cast on his lower right leg. Sanders is on crutches.

UM says Canes offensive tackle (6-7, 305 pounds) Jermaine Barton "chose to leave'' and is no longer a Hurricane

University of Miami offensive tackle Jermaine Barton is no longer a member of the Miami Hurricanes football team, UM confirmed Monday morning.

Barton, a 6-7, 305-pound alum of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas High, was dropped from the roster this past weekend.

He has never played in a college game.

According to Chris Freet, UM's associate athletic director for communications and marketing, Barton "chose to leave.''

Other specifics were not divulged, though UM coach Al Golden has been candid about suspending three players for this past weekend -- offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, linebacker Kelvin Cain and cornerback Keion Payne.

Freet said the departure of Barton is unrelated to the three suspensions.

Since the Hurricanes signed only 24 of their NCAA limit of 25 new scholarships in February, if they have not reached the NCAA team limit of 85 total scholarships, they could still sign another player before the signing period ends April 1. Freet said Golden wouldn't divulge the total number of players on scholarship. Golden has said more than once that he does not expect to have his full slate of 85 scholarships when the season begins.

The Canes could go, for example, for someone who is unhappy with the situation at his current college, and wants to transfer. Spring ball will start soon across the nation, and those guys will begin appearing.

Barton would have been a redshirt sophomore in 2012. He was on the scout team last year, and broke the fifth metatarsal of his right foot playing basketball just before coming to UM as a freshman. The injury required surgery.

Barton, who grew up in Coral Springs, was a star basketball player at St. Thomas and late bloomer in football. He was a Rivals.com three-star recruit coming into UM in 2010.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

UM Canes open spring football practice with news of three suspensions; Al Golden "disappointed.''

Offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, linebacker Kelvin Cain and cornerback Keion Payne have been suspended for the first weekend of spring practice, UM coach Al Golden said Saturday afternoon.

The three violated team policy, though Golden didn't elaborate.

They will be back for the next practice on Tuesday, the coach said, and rejoin the team for Monday meetings.

Golden used the word "disappointing'' more than once to describe the situation.

Kelvin Cain had been slated to practice at first-team outside linebacker because of the absence of injured Ramon Buchanan (knee), and was still listed as the starter ahead of Eddie Johnson and Josh Witt on the depth chart released to reporters Saturday. Cain will be a junior.

Henderson, a 6-8 and 350-pound rising junior, is listed as the second-team right tackle behind Jermaine Johnson.

Payne, who will be a redshirt sophomore and graduated from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, is listed as a second-team corner behind Thomas Finnie.

Golden was asked how disappointing it was to deal with repeat offenders such as Cain and Henderson, who have been disciplined before.

He compared the problem players to, well, weeds in a garden.

"It think it's disappointing for the team, to be honest with you,'' he said. "You can't just weed all the time. If you weed all the time, if you're just constantly weeding, that's the problem. When you're trying to improve the program and move the program forward, you can't just weed your garden, you've got to water your garden, too.

"And so we're sitting here saying to the guys, 'That is an incredible offseason,' and 'Great job,' and then the next day you've got to weed the garden again. It's like after a while, you know, you stop using the weed whacker and you get a shovel and get the whole root. That's kind of where we're at.

"There are a lot of kids on that team that have given up a lot and that will continue to give up a lot, that love the University of Miami, that are trying to do things the right way. As a group and as a team, we're all disappointed because it's really not that hard. What we're asking them to do is not that hard. Just do what we're asking you to do, what everybody else on the team is doing. And that's it. I'm not going to get into it. It's a team. It's a team rule. That's it. Period.''

 Golden seemed very pleased with the initial practice as a whole, saying the players were in much better shape than they were a year ago at this point, and that he doesn't expect them to be in excellent condition yet. That will come in time.

Some of the players he praised: center Shane McDermott, junior-college transfer cornerback Ladarius Gunter, quarterback Ryan Williams, safety Vaughn Telemaque, freshman cornerback Larry Hope. But he especially lauded the talent of Dallas Crawford, who will have a versatile role as a running back, special teams return man and as a slot receiver.

"Dallas Crawford looks like he's really in shape and got his quickness back,'' Golden said, describing his "lateral quickness'' and saying he was a "strong competitor'' and "good with the ball in his hands.. Very versatile. ...Good start for him.''

Quarterback Stephen Morris spoke to reporters but didn't want to talk too much about the reported back injury or give details about his surgery. "I feel fine,'' he said. "Today I was tossing the ball, throwing the ball around.'' Golden said Morris acted as a coach in practice.

Safety Armstrong said he expects to be a leader this season. On his decision to return for his senior season, he said: "I come from a family when you start something you finish it. I started my freshman year so I have to go through the four years and get my degree. If I left last year I couldn't do that... I'm not a finished product yet.''

Armstrong said he tried to get the five underclassmen who left early for the draft "to come back, but they felt that was the best decision...''

The strongest Hurricane pound-for-pound, according to strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey? Tailback (and backup fullback) Mike James, who is 5-11, weighs 222 and bench presses 225 pounds for 28 reps with a 400-pound max, back squats 525 pounds and power cleans 308.

Quarterback Williams, who has taken over the first-team responsibilities with Stephen Morris out, said he had a good day. "First practice was good,'' Williams said. "Get out there, get in the flow of things, finally get everything moving with the O-line, the receivers and everything. Just nice to get out on the field and do it for real.''

Don't forget that tomorrow morning's practice on what UM is calling Fan Appreciation Day is open to the public -- as long as you are either a football season-ticket holder or show your ticket for Sunday's UM vs. Gators baseball game at 1 p.m.

The football practice starts at 11 a.m. on Greentree Field and will conclude in time for first pitch at 1 p.m.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

Hurricanes football open for spring cleaning -- quarterback Ryan Williams speaks

The Hurricanes start practicing for the 2012 season at 9 a.m. Saturday, and, given the fact that they were prevented the opportunity to play in a bowl game (thereby missing several more practices), they must be incredibly hyped to get onto that field.

Though they'll be in shorts Saturday, and will be easing into practice the first couple of days, their spring leader -- quarterback Ryan Williams -- will have plenty of eyes on him.

The Memphis transfer who sat out last season while trying to learn the offense, finally gets his chance to play with the big boys, while experienced quarterback Stephen Morris recuperates from back surgery.

Following is what Ryan, who will be a redshirt sophomore this season, told reporters Thursday afternoon at UM:

 I’m real excited to get out there on the field. We practiced on just routes and stuff but I’m ready to bring it all together with the O-line and everything and get things started.

 Can you get this team in a groove? Yeah. last year I had to sit back and watch, just learn by watching and learn from Jacory [Harris] what he knows, what Stephen knows and Coach Fisch. Now I’m able to get on the field and do it for real.

 It’s a great opportunity to get reps and learn the offense and get a chance to run it and see it and not just see it on paper and actually do it with live contact.

 What about Gray Crow and Preston Dewey?They're really hard workers. They’re smart. They’re picking up a lot but we've got to see how it goes on the field. Anyone can learn it in the playbook but I expect high of them. I hope they expect high of me on the field. I think they’re going to do real good.

 Last year? I learned a lot, especially from jacory. He was my mentor when I came here. He just sat down with me in camp and we went over the playbook. Just sitting  back and watching him during the season handling the media and the adversity through the season and him on the field how calm he is. I learned a lot from both of them.

 On the UTough offseason strength and conditioning program: At first I didn’t know what to expect, what the coaches really wanted from us because I had never done it before. I was just going to go out there and work as hard as I could, and I got a green jersey my first day which was the second level. Then I realized what they were looking for, what type of effort, what type of work you needed to put in to get to that top level black jersey and I found it at the end and figured out what I needed to do to get to that point.

 During the season I was around 230 pounds and I didn’t feel like I was able to give my best effort. I didn’t feel comfortable and I lost five to six pounds and I feel a lot better running around and moving.

 The biggest difference between end of last year and now? We’re really focused. We saw the opportunities we had last year that we missed and that we needed to capitalize. we have a lot of open spots from all the departing srs and former starters and a lot of opportunities to get some playing time and get on the field.

The goal should definitely  be to win, no matter what team you’re playing. You’re here to play; you’re here to win.

 Any extra work you’ve done? I watched a lot of film, seeing last year's reps, watching Jacory run them against the teams we’re playing this year. Seeing what he saw and if I saw the same thing and if he didn’t see something then I could see it on film and not make the same mistake.

 You've got three healthy wide receivers on scholarship this spring. How tough will that be? it’s going to be tuf but you’ve got to expect the nonscholarship receivers to step up and make plays. I expect the same from schlarship  and non scholarship [players].

What did you envision when you transferred? I envisioned the team from the old [past], how excited they were to be on the field with each other and the passion they had for the game and to be able to go out and win every game and expect to win every game.

 How excited are you for this opportunity? This is a chance to show my abilities, to show I came here for a reason, that I wasn’t just nobody who was given a scholarship, that I can prove myself on the field to my teammates. They haven’t really seen me play yet so I ‘ve got to to prove myself that I’m worthy to be on the field with them.

How was it that you ended up here? Coming out of high school I wasn’t very highly recruited because I played at a smaller school for my first three years and I transferred to Miramar High School for my senior year and ended up winning the state champ and I got a few offers off that. I ended up going to Memphis for a year and started as a true freshman and after the season they decided they wanted to go a different path with the offense, that I didn’t feel best suited me and I told the coach I’d rather leave than try to fit into something that I didn’t feel I would fit into.

 And my high school coach got in contact with  some schools after I told him I wanted to transfer and ultimately it came down to between here and Arkansas and I chose to come back home to the school I wanted to go to. They wanted to go to more of a spread oriented with a duel type quarterback, and I’m more of pocket passer and I’m not going to run zone reads and stuff like that.  

 SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

P.S. Just got back from the UM-Gators baseball game. UM lost 7-5.

Going to sleep, then waking up at 6:15 to get to Greentree Field bright and early for practice (then, back to Mark Light Field for the baseball game at night). Talk to you all tomorrow

 

 

UM Canes football releases two-deep depth chart for spring -- QB Stephen Morris out!

 It's that time of year again. Football is upon us, as evidenced by the two- (and sometimes three) deep depth chart just released by the Miami Hurricanes.

And QB Stephen Morris is out for the spring, according to a note below the depth chart, and as just confirmed by UM associate athletic director for communications Chris Freet. Morris underwent back surgery two days ago, according to Freet, who said he didn't learn of the surgery until late last night and was originally told he was "limited.''

 If Morris is out, then Memphis quarterback transfer Ryan Williams, who sat out last year learning the offense, will have a great opportunity to show his stuff. But it's unfortunate for the quarterback situation in general. Competition makes everyone better.

Apparently, Morris hurt himself doing some sort of training -- not sure if it was weight-room connected.

There are some definite surprises below, but remember that coach Al Golden makes up this depth chart based on how these players have been doing in their offseason conditioning program, etc. Plus, we figure he's trying to light some fires.

Here it is folks:

OFFENSE

QB

First team: Ryan Williams

Second team: Gray Crow

Third team: Preston Dewey

RB

First team: Mike James

Second team: Eduardo Clements

Third team: Dallas Crawford

FB

First team: Maurice Hagens

Second team: Mike James

WR

First team: Allen Hurns

Second team: Rashawn Scott

WR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Kendal Thompkins

TE

First team: Asante Cleveland

Second team: Clive Walford

LT

First team: Malcolm Bunche

Second team: Ereck Flowers

LG

First team: Jon Feliciano

Second team: Jeremy Lewis

C

First team: Shane McDermott

Second team: Jared Wheeler

RG

First team: Brandon Linder

Second team: Ben Jones

RT

First team: Jermaine Johnson

Second team: Seantrel Henderson

DEFENSE

DE

First team: Anthony Chickillo

Second team: Ricardo Williams

DT

First team: Darius Smith

Second team: Junior Alexis

DT

First team: Olsen Pierre

Second team: Curtis Porter

DE

First team: Shayon

Second team: Dwayne Hoilett

OLB

First team: Kelvin Cain

Second team: Eddie Johnson

Third team: Josh Witt

MLB

First team: James Gaines

Second team: Gionni Paul

Third team: Raphael Kirby

OLB

First team: Tyrone Cornileus

Second team: Denzel Perryman

CB

First team: Larry Hope

Second team: Ladarius Gunter

FS

First team: Ray-Ray Armstrong

Second team: A.J. Highsmith

SS

First team: Andrew Swasey

Second team: Vaughn Telemaque

CB

First team: Thomas Finnie

Second team: Keion Payne

Third team: Brandon McGee

SPECIAL TEAMS

K

First team: Jake Wieclaw

Second team: Matt Goudis

P

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Jake Wieclaw

KR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

PR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

H

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Ricardo Williams

Practice, closed to the public, begins Saturday.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Time to book your ressies: ACC releases 2012 UM Canes football schedule

 Finally!

After waiting and waiting and waiting, we finally know the University of Miami football team's schedule for 2012.

The Atlantic Coast Conference released its composite ACC schedule this afternoon. See below for UM's league schedule.

UM opens at Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 1.

And Hurricanes fans, don't forget about these four nonconference matchups that already had been announced: Sept. 8 at Kansas State (10-3 in 2011), Sept. 15 at home (Sun Life Stadium) against Bethune-Cookman, Oct. 6 against Notre Dame (8-5 in 2011) at Soldier Field in Chicago, and South Florida at Sun Life Stadium on Nov. 17 (that's the game that was just moved a week ahead from the originally scheduled Nov. 24 date).

So, here it is, UM's complete football schedule for 2012:

Saturday, Sept. 1, at Boston College 

Saturday, Sept. 8, at Kansas State

Saturday Sept. 15,  home (Sun Life Stadium) against Bethune-Cookman

Saturday, Sept. 22, at Georgia Tech

Saturday, Sept. 29,  home against North Carolina State

Saturday, Oct. 6,  vs. Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago

Saturday, Oct. 13, home against North Carolina

Saturday, Oct. 20, home against Florida State

BYE WEEK

Thursday night, Nov. 1, home against Virginia Tech

Saturday, Nov. 10, at Virginia

Saturday, Nov. 17, home against USF

Saturday, Nov. 24, at Duke

ACC championship game is Saturday, Dec. 1, in Charlotte, N.C.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

UM Canes hit jackpot with Peter O'Brien. Second home series to begin.

 UM baseball has a strong chance of getting back to Omaha for the first time since 2008.

Thanks to senior transfer Peter O'Brien and an impressive starting pitching staff, the Canes seem stronger than they've been in a few years.

There's no reason the Canes shouldn't win big tonight and this weekend at home against UAlbany, which is way up there in New York and as of a few minutes ago, was 35 degrees (feels like 29), with snow and rain forecast for today. Additionally, this is the Great Danes' season opener. They have gotten into the title game of the America East Conference championship the past three seasons. But here's a more accurate assessment: 21-31 last year.

UM ace Eric Erickson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is pitching tonight at 7 at Mark Light Field (Alex Rodriguez Park).

As for catcher O'Brien, he has eight hits in his last nine at-bats and is leading the Canes with a .579 batting average and 1.000 slugging percentage.

"I try not to get too much into the stats and stuff like that,'' O'Brien told me yesterday. "I go out there, play 100 percent and whatever happens, happens. I Kind of just see the ball,  hit the ball."

O'Brien, 6-4 and 226 pounds (he said he was proud of the extra pound, but admitted he wasn't the 6-5 listed on the roster), played at Bethune-Cookman last season and opted not to play pro ball this season after being drafted in the third round by the Colorado Rockies -- a huge gift for UM.

"It’s amazing,'' O'Brien said. "I love being out here with all the guys. I’m proud to rep the University of Miami and I hope to continue to do so in the same fashion.''

However, the Canes need to get the bats consistently going, and Rony Rodriguez needs to connect, which hitting coach Gino DiMare and coach Jim Morris believe will happen if he stops trying to do too much, relaxes and just goes with the pitch instead of trying to pull everything.

Also, a couple injuries have already struck. Redshirt freshman center fielder Julian Santos, the talented speedster who endured two reconstructive knee surgeries (one on each leg) before starting out this season fresh, has a pulled hamstring he sustained in the opener. Jim Morris said last week that he hoped he'd be back for tonight's home-series opener against Albany, but hamstrings usually take longer than that to heal. We'll see.

Closer E.J. Encinosa, a 6-5, 242-pound junior who regularly reaches 95 mph, hurt himself during his last appearance Wednesday at Ft. Myers. Don't know the extent of that either, but wondering if it's a groin or sports hernia or some type of stomach thing. Will let you know on that one when I find out.

Reminder: Sunday's home-series finale is at 11:30, NOT 1 p.m. because of Albany's travel plans being changed.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

 

 

Combine combustion? BCS changes? Bowling with some Canes

Should be interesting to see how UM's eight players (Sean Spence, Travis Benjamin, Jacory Harris and underclassmen Lamar Miller, Brandon Washington,  Marcus Forston, Tommy Streeter, Olivier Vernon) perform at the Combine this week. The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson flew to Indianapolis this morning to be there.

Speed and other physical gifts sometimes seem to trump most everything else these days, as teams often figure they can take these kids and coach them into players if they haven't already stood out as stars. UM's track record recently has been positive for that, so I wouldn't bet against some of these underclassmen.

I'm very curious about how Brandon Washington and Marcus Forston will end up. I think Olivier Vernon might end up doing better than people expected.

But Alonzo Highsmith, a former UM star and 14-year scout for the Green Bay Packers, told me he believes the only sure future picks -- meaning they'll end up on an NFL team -- are linebacker Spence and tailback Miller.

"The speed and all that other stuff is awesome, but it still comes down to being a good football player,'' said Highsmith, whose son, A.J. (now up to 201 pounds), started out as a UM quarterback but was converted to a safety. "If it was just speed, anyone off the street could come out and try out for a pro football team. To be a good football player you've got to have a body of work. Guys who have bodies of work and they're good college football players, eight out of 10 times they're going to play well as a pro."

Highsmith said he believes all eight of these players will get drafted. "But they might not be happy where they go,'' he said.

"When you say you're going to forgo your senior year of college football, when you've been a dominant player I'm all for it. When you see kids leave like [Oklahoma State receiver]Justin Blackmon and [Alabama running back] Trent Richardson, and [former Canes] Sean Taylor, Cinton Portis, Frank Gore, those were great players. But when you see average players come out, and you see it all across the nation, not just Miami, and the kid gets drafted in the sixth or seventh round and don't make the team, they're out of football. They could have been playing another year and making themselves better.

"I'm not trying to bash Miami kids or anything like that. This is a business. This is about you're a man, you're coming out and you're being judged against every other player coming out."

In closing, Highsmith said he believes the combine is "just a small part'' of what determines someone's draft status. "It just solidifies what people see on film, or it can help. But too many people get worked up about this combine thing. Yeah, it's good to work out well, but there's also a lot of film work and a lot of character that goes along with it. The combine doesn't make you or break you.''

PAULINE ON UM DUO

In his SI.com 2012 Scouting Combine Preview (Inside the NFL column) posted today, Tony Pauline listed two Hurricanes under the category "Who will surprise?"

From Pauline:

"Lamar Miller, RB, Miami -- Miller has not let postseason shoulder surgery slow him down. The speedy back recently returned to training after rehabbing his shoulder and has been posting times in the mid-4.3s.

Oliver Vernon, DE-OLB, Miami -- Vernon sat on the sidelines for half of last season, serving an NCAA suspension. His stats, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, are nothing to get excited about. But on film Vernon looks fast and athletic. He could be the talk of the Combine; at more than 260 pounds, he has been regularly posting times in the low-4.6-second range."

 BCS COMMISSIONERS MEET TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGES IN POSTSEASON

BCS commissioners, Notre Dame's athletic director and BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock met the past couple days in Dallas to discuss possible changes to college football's postseason.

If the BCS does decide to create a four-team playoff to decide the champion, the setup has not been determined.

"It's very clear the commissioners do not want the championship game to be played too late," Hancock told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.

He couldn't define too late, but in the past the BCS title game has been held as late as Jan. 10, and has regularly been played on Jan. 7 or 8 since it was implemented for the 2006 season.

Hancock told the AP commissioners were "resolute about not having BCS games in the midweek after Jan. 1".

The Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls take turns being played after Jan. 1, but ratings and attendance for the weekday games have been sagging, the AP said.

Hancock said part of the 4-hour meeting was spent reviewing final exam schedules for all 120 schools. He said the commissioners would like to avoid playing games from early December to about Dec. 21, when most schools have finals.

 "Whatever we do, we want to protect college football's regular season which is the best and most meaningful in sports. We want to preserve the great bowl tradition while making it better and more attractive.  We also have heard the message about playing bowl games closer to or on January 1, the way it used to be,'' the commissioners wrote in a statement I received today.

 "As we proceed, we will evaluate the many pros and cons of numerous possible changes."

BOWLING WITH THE STARS

 John Routh -- UM Sports Hall of Fame executive director, Canes fan and hard worker extraordinaire (not to mention former Sebastian the Ibis!) -- wanted me to remind you that the 2012 UM Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Bowling Tournament is at 6 p.m. next Monday, Feb. 27th, at Splitsville, 5701 Sunset Drive, Miami, 33143.

"Come eat, drink and bowl with some of your favorite Cane All-Stars,'' the event ad states.

Some of the Hurricanes who will be attending: UM Hall of Famers Darrin Smith, K.C. Jones, Eddie Brown, Randal Hill, Leon Searcy, Rich Mercier (inductee for next month), Alex Santos and Mike Pagliarulo. Also attending will be Falcons center Brett Romberg and Raiders tight end Richard Gordon.

There are about a dozen others, as well.

The event benefits the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

A silent auction, open bowl and registration all begin at 6 p.m.

The awards ceremony and live auction begin at 9 p.m. (Live auction includes the 2001 Hurricanes National Championship Ring -- fyi: the ring doesn't belong to a former player; it is an exact replica and will be specially made for the winner and include his or her name)

Cost:

Team of 4 (includes one former Cane): $400. Individual bowler: $125. Each bowler gets buffet dinner and soft drinks and bowling and T-shirt. Cocktails are extra.

Social Tickets: $75. Kids under 12: $25

Trophies for winning team and best score

Call Routh at 305-284-2775 or email him at umsportshalloffame@aol.com; or call Gerard Loisel at 305-361-5301.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

P.S. You might have seen my tweet, but I saw Canes linebacker Gionni Paul yesterday walking very slowly on crutches, his right knee in some sort of brace and not bending when he walked. 

P.P.S. UM's  baseball game Sunday at home against Albany has been switched to 11:30 a.m. (instead of 1 p.m.)

 

UM spring schedule includes football-baseball double-header

UM announced its spring practice schedule Friday, including sites for the two open scrimmages and the addition of "Fan Appreciation Day" -- a football-baseball double-header on campus.

Anyone that purchases a ticket to the Canes' (March 4) baseball game against Florida will be granted access to the football team's practice at Greentree Practice Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

The Canes first scrimmage will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m.-Noon at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, Fla. The second scrimmage will be held Friday night on March 30 at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Fla. A 7 p.m. kick is scheduled.

Aside from those events and the previously announced spring game on April 14 at Sun Life Stadium, the other 11 practices (March 3, 5, 6, 20, 22, 27, 29 and April 3, 5, 10, 12) will be closed to the public.

> Following the Canes' scrimmage in Fort Myers, the Hurricane Club will host a golf tournament on Saturday, March 31 at the Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club.  Registration is at 7 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Lunch and awards will begin at 1 p.m. The deadline to register for the event is March 23. Please contact the Hurricane Club for more information: 305.284.3838.

> The spring game on April 14, free and open to the public, will kickoff at 2 p.m. and will be aired on Comcast South Sports (CSS) on tape delay at 5 p.m. that day. Schedule of events for the day will be released at a later date.

> In conjunction with the BankUnited CanesFest the Miami Hurricanes will be hosting a stadium wide Select-A-Seat. Fans are invited to come walk the Sun Life Stadium and select their seats for the upcoming season featuring home games against Florida State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, N.C. State, USF and Bethune-Cookman.

Report: UM to play at Boston College on Labor Day weekend

A report from the Boston Globe has UM football playing at Boston College on Labor Day weekend to open the 2012 season.

It could definitely happen, as the two teams do not have nonconference games scheduled for that weekend.

However, the Globe, which cited sources from Boston College, said "the likely dates are Sunday or Monday, although the entire weekend remains in play.''

I just did my own snooping around, and it seems that UM, if it does travel to Boston College on opening weekend, would likely play on Saturday, Sept. 1, and not Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 3.

The reason: UM will meet nonconference opponent Kansas State, AT Kansas State, Sept. 8. It seems unlikely Al Golden would want to meet KSU on a short week, especially since the Canes will be traveling.

But I do not know for sure. The Atlantic Coast Conference likely will release its 2012 football schedule next week.

FOLLOWING IS THE STORY I JUST WROTE FOR THE PAPER:

BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

sdegnan@MiamiHerald.com

    The Miami Hurricanes could start the 2012 season facing the same team they finished against in 2011.

     Boston College will be host to the Hurricanes during Labor Day weekend, according to The Boston Globe. The Globe cited “sources at Boston College.’’

     The Atlantic Coast Conference is in the midst of finishing its football scheduling for 2012 and would not confirm the report.

     “I can’t comment on it,’’ said ACC associate commissioner for football operations Michael Kelly. “The schedule is still in development. I can’t confirm any games at this time.’’

    UM opened last season on the road at Maryland on Labor Day, so it seems unlikely that the Hurricanes would play BC in 2012 on that day. Additionally, the Canes play Kansas State the following Saturday, Sept. 8, so it’s likely they would meet BC – if the game does materialize – on Saturday, Sept. 1.  However, the Globe reported that “the likely dates are Sunday or Monday, although the entire weekend remains in play.’’

    Most ACC teams have nonconference game scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech do not have nonconference games slated for that weekend.

    UM’s other nonconference opponents in 2012: Bethune Cookman at home Sept. 15, Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6 and USF at home Nov. 24.

    UM finished the 2011 season by losing to the Eagles 24-17 at Sun Life Stadium. The Hurricanes ended 6-6.

     Kelly said the reason the ACC’s scheduling has been delayed is because West Virginia dropped Florida State last Friday from its nonconference schedule.

 

 

 

High school coach of Darion Hall 'saddened, but not surprised' to hear RB was suspended indefinitely by UM

Coach Al Golden told Canesport.com Wednesday running back Darion Hall, who was expected to start spring football third on the team's depth chart, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

Hall (5-10, 190) made his only appearance last season against Bethune-Cookman, but didn't have any carries. He is no longer listed on UM's roster.

His former high school coach at Naples Lely, Steve Pricer, said Wednesday night he's "saddened to hear the news," but "I'm not surprised."

"Darion had a great junior year for us -- ran for more than 1,700 yards. But he had discipline issues," said Pricer, who is no longer at Lely. "We tried to get him in line, but he was always getting in trouble.

"Frankly, I was surprised Miami took a chance on him. I'm sad for him because he had a lot of talent. But how many times now have we heard a story of a talented kid blowing his opportunity?"

Last week, Golden confirmed redshirt freshman Dallas Crawford had been moved from cornerback to running back for spring ball. UM heads into the spring with senior Mike James, junior Eduardo Clements and junior fullback Maurice Hagens as its other scholarship running backs.

Blue-chip recruit Duke Johnson of Miami Norland and Danny Dillard, a 6-2, 205-pound back out of Venice, are expected to arrive in the fall.

> Golden also told Canesport the team has moved junior Tyrone Cornileus from safety to linebacker. Cornileus (6-2, 195) has 13 tackles on special teams in two seasons.

Reggie Johnson is the reason Canes have rallied to get in March Madness discussion

CORAL GABLES -- If you based team MVP awards simply on points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and three-pointers you could make an argument for a handful of different players on what numbers-wise is a very balanced Hurricanes men's basketball team.

You could give the award to Durand Scott because he leads the team in scoring (13.1 points per game), assists (3.4) and minutes (34.9) and is averaging five rebounds a game.

Malcolm Grant has an argument because he's hit a number of big shots, averages 12.7 points a game and leads the team in three-pointers made with 44.

Florida transfer Kenny Kadji has played lights out in the post, averaging 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while leading the team with 35 blocked shots.

Even freshman point guard Shane Larkin deserves some consideration. His 37 steals lead the ACC and he's provided a big boost since being inserted into the starting lineup four games ago.

But if you throw out stats and look at overall impact, there is no question who the best basketball player at the University of Miami is. It's Reggie Johnson.

The 6-10, 293-pound center starred in Sunday's overtime win at then No. 7-ranked Duke. But his career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds in the Canes' first victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium isn't the only reason he deserves it (I'd give it to him for just flexing in the face of those Cameron Crazies after they taunted him by shouting 'Please Don't Eat Us'). It's UM's 9-3 record since his return that outweighs the 11.8 points and seven rebounds a game he's averaged since sitting out five months to heal from a torn meniscus in his right knee. That, and how good he's made his teammates since his return.

"Don't do anything for five months at anything you could possibly do, and you're going to be rusty," UM coach Jim Larranaga said. "Reggie came back and had an immediate had an impact. In Reggie's case, he not only plays well, but impacts the whole game and his teammates. If you look at Kenny Kadji's numbers, Kenny was averaging seven points a game before Reggie became available. He's been averaging about 17 points per game since Reggie has been back. Durand Scott was shooting in the low 30s when Reggie was not available. He's shooting 50 percent and above playing with Reggie."

Although Johnson said Wednesday he feels like he's close to getting back to 100 percent, Larranaga pointed out Johnson can only curl about 30 pounds with surgically repaired right knee (he curls 75 pounds with his left knee) and that Johnson's flexibility is "less than half" than the healthy leg.

"Until he has full strength and flexibility he will not be at 100 percent," Larranaga said. "That's not going to happen this season. It's going to take the spring and even the summer. When you sit out five months, it's been my experience it takes five months to recover from that."

Still, Larranaga said Johnson has noticeably improved his conditioning (even though he's only dropped from 295 to 293 since returning from injury). Larranaga said Johnson is also getting a stronger grasp of the offensive and defensive concepts he's employed.

"We were a zone team primarily last year. Now we're primarily a man to man. That puts a tremendous burden on him," Larranaga said. "A lot of teams ball screen and he has to get out there to get on ball screens. When you're in a 2-3 zone, you basically play in the middle and don't move around much.

"Anybody notice who switched out on [Duke's] Austin Rivers for the second to last shot of the game [Sunday]? Reggie Johnson. They ball screened. We were planning to switch. Reggie was there. Ryan Kelly got the rebound and Reggie was there on the perimeter. So, when you play in a zone, you're not asked to do those type of things. It's been a challenge for Reggie and he keeps getting better and better at it."

Despite the win at Duke, the Canes, who've won four consecutive game and five of their past six, are still hardly a lock to get into the NCAA Tournament. Even with an RPI ranking of 38, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi didn't include them this week in his projected field of 68. Jerry Palm of CBSSports.com had them as a 13th seed.

"I'm not surprised at all," Johnson said Wednesday. "I go into every game thinking were not in the tournament. We have to play one game at a time to get there. Don't get into your mind we're in the tournament because we beat Duke. That's false. One year, Virginia Tech beat Duke. Dick Vitale said they were in and that meant absolutely nothing. Virginia Tech went to the NIT like we did."

MORE TIDBITS

> Speaking of the Hokies (13-10, 2-6 ACC), they're next. Thursday night they'll visit BankUnited Center for a 9 p.m. tip, televised on ESPN2. With eight games left to play in the ACC, UM (14-7, 5-3) could conceivably finish 9-7 in conference play and still not make the tournament. So taking care of business against teams they should beat is top priority. And for Johnson there won't be any less motivation playing the Hokies, who are 2-7 since January 1.

"We don't like Virginia Tech, they don't like us. In the game, there's a lot of trash talking going back and forth," Johnson said. "They're the other school that recruited me in the ACC. They took [Victor] Davila over me, they're starting center. Every time I play them that plays in my head.

"They're 2-6. But I watched them when they played North Carolina and they can shoot the ball, they can drive. It was a close game going into the second half. They're record doesn't speak to what kind of team they really are."

> Despite what most people may call a breakthrough performance for Johnson at Duke, the big fella still believes his first game back Dec. 17 against FAU remains his best performance. "It was the most fun game for me. I was getting everybody else involved. I had a career high five assists. That's big for me. As a big man, I love assists."

> Johnson said he and several teammates have remained contact with former coach Frank Haith, now at Missouri through text messages.

"I texted him and told him good win against Kansas the other night," Johnson said. "I definitely keep up with Coach Haith. He's my guy. He gave me a chance to play in the ACC. I'm happy for him. They're No. 4 in the nation. At one point, they were No. 2 in the nation. I'm proud of him. I just want to see him succeed.

"His wife texted us after the Duke win. She said 'Good win and keep it going.'"

> NBADraft.net currently projects Johnson as the 42nd pick (2nd round) to Houston. But his stock could be on the rise following the performance against Duke, especially when you consider he looked better than Mason Plumlee, currently tabbed to go 24th overall to the Celtics.

"The Plumlees are probably highest on the NBA radar in the ACC when it comes to big guys," Johnson said. "Those guys jump, dunk, sky hook, whatever. It was real fun playing against those guys. Duke just guarded me a certain way and I took advantage of it."

Bullpen biggest question mark heading into Canes' baseball season Morris says

CORAL GABLES -- Normally, interviews at the University of Miami prior to the start of baseball season begin with the same question for coach Jim Morris: Is this Hurricanes team good enough to get back to the College World Series?

That didn't happen Tuesday. Morris, whose team opens the season a week from Friday at home against Rutgers, wasn't asked about Omaha until he was nearly done answering questions. Why did it take so long?

"Probably because a lot of our guys don't know where Omaha is -- except me and [sixth-year senior pitcher Eric] Erickson," Morris joked. "We haven't gone there much lately. We went there 11 out of my first 15 years and only once in the last five years. As a coach, you always feel you have a chance to go to Omaha if you play well. I think this club has a chance. That's all you want -- a chance.

"If we develop these guys and get a few breaks -- we've already had a couple with Eric and [catcher Peter] O'Brien -- we can get there."

The Hurricanes, who finished 38-23 and lost to national runner-up Florida for the third year in a row in regionals, have reason for optimism.

In addition to getting a healthy veteran in Erickson back for a sixth year (23-6, 3.08 ERA, 221 2/3 IP, 178 Ks, 40 BBs in three healthy seasons), all four of the team's starting pitchers from a year ago are back. 

Junior right-hander E.J. Encinosa, a freshman All-American who struggled last year as a starter (5-6 with a 3.45 ERA, 70 Ks, 33 BBs), will be going to the bullpen and will serve as the team's closer. But junior right-hander Eric Whaley (7-5, 2.70 ERA, 82 Ks, 22 Bs), junior left-hander Steven Ewing (8-2, 2.66 ERA, 77 Ks, 23 BBs) and sophomore left-hander Bryan Radzewski (9-2, 3.55 ERA, 92 Ks, 37 BBs) will be back in the rotation. Morris said Tuesday he isn't sure what order they will pitch in yet, but he's confident his rotation is the team's strength.

"It could be as good as any rotation I've had since I've been here," Morris said. "Ewing won [eight] games last year. [Whaley] was our No. 1 guy for most of the year. B-Rad ended up our No. 1 guy. Those are good, quality guys. That's important for us because we're not going to score that many runs early."

"We just have to get our bullpen settled. Got to have those seventh, eighth, ninth inning guys set."

With left-hander Sam Robinson, right-hander Travis Miller and closer Danny Miranda, UM had a solid trio in the bullpen. All three are gone now and Morris said he has "two or three young guys battling" for reliever spots. So far, junior college transfer Eric Nedeljkovic, a right-hander, appears as though he could be the setup guy. "He has good stuff, is a good athlete and can do it," Morris said.

Morris said his plan is to develop the bullpen early in the season and that he won't let his starters go deeper into games just because relievers could struggle early. "We're going to give them the opportunity early," Morris said.

CORNER INFIELD SPOTS IN FLUX

As for the Canes' lineup, that remains a bit in flux as well -- especially at the corner infield spots. Juniors Stephen Perez (.263, 0 HR, 31 RBI, 14 SBs, 15 errors) and Michael Broad (.248, 3 HRs, 31 RBI, 4 errors) are battling hamstring and knee and back injuries, but Morris said he expects them to be in the starting lineup at shorstop and second base respectively for the opener.

First base, Morris said, remains a three horse race between sophomores Brad Fieger (.280, 2 HRs, 29 RBI last season) and Scott Wiebel, and freshman Esteban Tresgallo. At third base, Morris said University of Florida transfer Tyler Palmer is competing with Wiebel and Fieger for playing time. "Whoever ends up hitting is who is going to end up playing at those corner spots," Morris said. "We're not getting a lot of offense out of any of those guys at the moment. And those are spots where you need offense."

SANTOS IN-LINE TO START IN CF

Morris said one person who is hitting the ball well this spring is redshirt freshman Julian Santos. The Miami Killian grad is leading the team in hitting with a .563 average in practices and has struckout just once according to Morris. Santos tore his left ACL and MCL two weeks before enrolling as a freshman and then tore his right ACL and MCL in his first game back last March.

"I never had a player work for a year to play and the day he's cleared to play he comes back and blows out the other knee," Morris said. "I remember calling him that night because I felt so bad for him. He told me it was just another bump in the road.

"When he came back this fall, though, he struggled. I told him 'Geez, you aren't making any progress, you better turn it up a notch or your not going to play.' I don't know what that did, but he came back this spring and was ready to play."

Morris said if the season started today Santos would hit leadoff and start in centerfield. The rest of his outfield? Morris said sophomore Dale Carey, who made that crazy SportsCenter Top 10 catch in the regional loss to Florida, junior Chantz Mack and senior Rony Rodriguez will split those spots, with Rodriguez likely to serve as the designated hitter when he's not in left field.

"Those guys are all hitting about .200 so far this spring," Morris said. "But they've proven they can hit before so they'll be fine."

Morris said Rodriguez (.308, 13 HRs, 44 RBI) will probably hit right behind or in front of O'Brien, the Bethune-Cookman transfer who hit .304 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI last season. Other than hitting Santos in the leadoff spot, Morris said he's not sure where anybody else will hit just yet.

MORE TIDBITS

> Morris said if Broad and Perez aren't ready to start the season, freshman Jarred Mederos would start at shortstop and freshman Alex Fernandez Jr. would start at second base. "Alex has improved a lot as a hitter since this fall," Morris said. "He's pitched good too."

> The Canes are ranked 13th in the USA Today/Coaches' Top 25 preseason poll. "I'm happy with where we're at," Morris said. "I wish I still had a vote. I really enjoyed voting in it. I'd get the scores on Sunday night and couldn't wait to send my votes in. I'm not sure who is voting now. They don't tell you."

> Aside from the players already mentioned, Morris was complimentary of junior catcher Alex San Juan and freshman catcher Garrett Kennedy. "San Juan has looked good, made some real progress," Morris said. "Kennedy is going to be a good player here."

> Morris said one thing he's noticed about Erickson is that "he's matured a lot."

"I'm sure at times he thought his career was over with after two arm surgeries," Morris said. "Then being forced to move to Tallahassee because that's where your parents live. That's like being forced to go you know where. You can fill in the blank. It's a been a long process for him. Then the process of getting your sixth year of eligibility that wasn't an easy to thing do, a lot of paperwork and a lot of time. But we're very excited for him."

ACC's plan once Pittsburgh, Syracuse join bumps conference schedule up to 9 games in football

Hurricanes fans can say good-bye to a fourth non-conference game once former Big East partners Syracuse and Pittsburgh join the ACC.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford announced Friday the future scheduling formats once the league expands to 14 teams and instead of playing eight conference games in football, every team will now play nine.

The format will consist of each team playing all six teams in its division each year, plus its primary crossover partner (in UM's case Florida State) each year and two rotating opponents from the opposite division.

Pittsburgh, which will join UM in the Coastal Division, will be Syracuse's cross over opponent.

Here's how the divisions will look in football:

> Atlantic: Clemson, Florida State, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Boston College, Maryland and Syracuse.

> Coastal: Miami, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke and Pittsburgh.

> When it comes to hoops, the ACC has already employed an 18-game conference schedule that will begin next year.

When Pitt and Syracuse join, each school will have one primary partner (Boston College and Syracuse; Clemson and Georgia Tech; Duke and North Carolina; Florida State and Miami; Maryland and Pitt; NC State and Wake Forest; Virginia and Virginia Tech).

The scheduling model will be based on a three-year cycle during which teams will play every league opponent at least once with the primary partners playing home and away annually while the other 12 rotate in groups of four. The format allows each program to see opponents with more regularity and creates an increase in competitive balance throughout the teams.

All 14 league members will continue to automatically qualify for the conference tournaments. Tournament formats will be announced at a later date.

> In other sports, all teams will continue to play each conference team at least once during the regular season -- except baseball, which is the only exception as they currently don't play all conference opponents.

The league will continue to sponsor an ACC Championship event in all sports except volleyball, which will continue to recognize its champion from regular-season play.

The conference will now sponsor an ACC Championship in the sport of gymnastics. There are currently three institutions that sponsor gymnastics (Maryland, North Carolina and NC State) and with the addition of Pitt, the ACC will have four programs, the necessary number in the league's bylaws to host a conference championship. The ACC previously sponsored a conference championship in gymnastics in 1984.

VIDEO: Behind the scenes at UM on Signing Day

Here's a good behind the scenes look of what National Signing Day was like for UM coach Al Golden and his staff by 3 Penny Films.

Negative recruiting against Canes was hurdle that led all the way up to Signing Day

CORAL GABLES -- The first thing Al Golden did after putting the finishing touches on UM's 2012 signing class Wednesday afternoon was thank everyone who helped him put it together.

Everyone got a shout out: UM President Donna Shalala; school professors; the wives of his assistant coaches who never saw their husbands; the fans and boosters who lent their private planes to allow Golden and his assistants to fly all over the country; the current players who hosted recruits; the recruits who became early enrollees and the longtime commitments who recruited the recruits on the fence.

Nope, this job wasn't easy. The way UM arrived Wednesday to a Top 10 nationally class of 33 recruits (second most in the nation behind Troy St. and Tempe who each brought in 35) was grueling process, a job only made tougher by looming NCAA sanctions, a 6-6 season and a whole lot of negative recruiting. 

"This was the most grueling six or seven weeks in my career in 17 years in the business," said Golden. "I can't remember any time when we were at Temple and we took over that we were facing anything harder than this.

"It was an incredible effort in light of all the things we encountered, all the obstacles in the last couple months. I won't sit here and tell you we didn't get absolutely crushed by opponents [with negative recruiting]. They saw a soft spot and they took it, went after it."

> The Hurricanes dealt with another dose of negative recruiting Wednesday after West Boca Raton linebacker JaWand Blue switched out of his commitment to Virginia Tech and picked Miami.

When Blue called Virginia Tech assistant coach Charley Wiles by phone, Palm Beach Post writer Matt Porter was there with Blue and overheard their conversation. According to Porter, Wiles tried to sway Blue by touting his program’s success in the ACC and cleanliness – a shot at Miami following the Nevin Shapiro scandal.

Without naming Virginia Tech directly, Golden fired back close to the end of his 40 minute press conference Wednesday: "At times [negative recruiting] can enter in the realm of vicious. I heard that happened today. You give them enough rope, they hang themselves. Let them say all those nasty things. At the end of the day when you're in the pressure cooker, how you react in front of recruits and their parents says a lot about you and the program. You lose kids, we wish them good luck."

Golden's fight is far from over. Until the NCAA hands down its punishment, UM will continue to get pelted. The good news for the Canes? None of it really appeared to affect the 2012 class Golden was able to put together.

Miramar All-American cornerback Tracy Howard said the NCAA investigation really didn't play a factor -- playing time did. Blue told 760 ESPN in West Palm Beach all he was thinking about was staying home and that he trusts the Canes aren't in big trouble. Same with St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Jelani Hamilton.

QUICK HITTERS

> Golden said the reason UM's class grew to be so large wasn't because of fear of impending NCAA sanctions but rather the departure of key underclassmen. So how many scholarships are available should a player come along? According to Golden, none.

> Golden said of the class: " I think it personifies and embodies what we're looking for. Lot of guys that want to be Miami Hurricanes. Lot of guys that understand what it means to be part of the tradition, not only how they play, but conduct themselves off the field, the passion they exhibit, the toughness. [They come from] a lot of championship programs, a lot of captains. A lot of tough guys. I'm probably a little surprised we're ranked as high as far as all the rankings and that stuff goes. Primarily I'm surprised because so many of them came from [UM camps]. A lot of the guys that came from the camp are under the radar. We've never been catalog shoppers."

> Golden said he looks for in players at his camps is character. "Our guys, if they're under the radar guys, we really don't care," Golden said. "They came to the camp - Jake O'Donnell and Dwayne Hoilett come to mind. I didn't care if either one of them had any offers. What we saw at camp with their speed, the tenacity they exhibited. Those are guys we need to get in the program. Herb Waters is another guy who came to camp and did a good job. We're not worried about the stars. We're grateful we have the recognition that goes along with having a highly ranked class."

> So when did Golden begin to believe UM really had a shot at luring Tracy Howard? After his in-home visit two weeks ago.

"The last couple weeks we started to build some momentum there and I just felt he was listening more. Then we had an opportunity when we went into the home, I think I left out of there and I felt good. I sensed something different. I think the more we talked to Tracy about football, academics, commitment to core values, I think the more his family understood. I think Shaiy and Tracy Sr., they were looking for something to carry on with the young man."

> On late addition Dequan Ivery, a 6-1, 300-pound defensive tackle from Lake City Columbia, Golden said: "A lot of people chase stars down the stretch. I kept challenging the staff to find me another nose guard in this class or next class. He's on the strength team, over a 400 pound bencher already, has leverage, can bend. He wanted to be a Hurricane."

> Golden likes all four players UM got from Palm Beach County: "[Receiver] Angelo [Jean-Louis] had a great week at Under Armour. All the coaches said `Who is this kid?' He did a great job up there. Gabe Terry is one of those guys, finished runner up in wrestling in his weight class, has a 3.6 (GPA) and the tape that he had. A beautiful young man, had a chance to visit with him during the season. He'll play [strongside linebacker] for us. Jawand [Blue] is a late addition for us today not because of his talent but because of scholarships that were promised before we got to him. He communicated with us down the stretch. We're grateful that he decided to join us. He'll help us at linebacker. [Receiver] Robert Lockhart I think is going to be a really good player. He'll be with us in May. He brings us length. That's a really good group in an area we haven't done great in. "

> Westminster Christian quarterback David Thompson has the green light to play baseball, Golden said. " He's going to help both programs out, is a tremendous young man. We'll see which way it goes. Coach [Jim] Morris and I have talked about how we'll manage it; we're both on the same page there. The wildcard is pro baseball, the draft. We'll see where that goes. [Quarterbacks] Preston [Dewey] and Gray [Crow] are doing well. Those guys are doing a great job for us and we're really excited about them competing. I think we've improved that position."

> Golden said cornerback Brandon McGee isn't running track this year and is instead focused on football by his choice.. walk on linebacker Nantambu Fentress apparently has interest in playing baseball... Golden confirmed Dallas Crawford has been switched to running back. "Dallas was a wildcat quarterback [in high school]. We ran him on scout team, will take a look at him [at running back] in the spring. We can always move him back to DB."

Miramar CB Tracy Howard talks about picking UM

MIRAMAR -- Tracy Howard made a nation full of Hurricanes happy Wednesday morning when he announced he was picking UM over Florida.

So why is the All-American cornerback -- considered the best in the country at his position -- heading down to Coral Gables and not Gainesville, where he was locked in before taking his official visit to UM last weekend? Here's what he had to say about it not long after announcing his choice.

Your mom [Shaiy Howard] said you were kind of going back and forth with this the last couple days. When did you really say 'That's it -- I'm going to Miami'?

"This morning. I prayed about it. I asked God give me a sign. I'm locked on Miami. If this is the wrong choice, just give me a sign. I got no sign telling me it was wrong. My family was happy about the decision. I was happy about it."

What did your family say when you were finally done with the recruiting process and had chosen the Canes?

"Dad was the happiest man in the world. He's a Miami fan. Of course he wanted me to stay close to home, but it wasn't even about that. My mom was cool with it. My mom was actually a Florida fan and I knew when my mom was happy, I was going to be happy. I'm happy with Miami. I want to be a great player there and I'm going to be a great player there."

So who is going to wear No. 3, you or Norland running back Duke Johnson?

"I don't know. But to be honest, both of us can wear it. I'm not sure we're going to do that. But we could if we wanted to."

How much did playing with your friends: Duke, Deon Bush, Malcolm Lewis play a factor?

"It didn't really help. They were talking to me for months. I was like 'I'm going to Florida, I don't know what you're talking about.' I told Deon 'You go do your thing at Miami, I'm going to go do my thing at Florida. We'll go to the league and meet each other there.' But I mean I just looked at the opportunity and I couldn't throw it away. The opportunity there is great. I have to take advantage."

Do you think you'll start as a true freshman right away -- your first game?

"I'm not really a guy who is going to talk and say I'm going to start. It's up to me to produce. Do I feel like I'm going to produce and show out, compete and work hard? Yes. I do. If I do that I'm going to start. I feel like I'm going to go in there, work hard. Do I feel I'm the best? Yes, I feel I'm the best. Even if there's a senior in front of me, this is about business. I'm going in there working. I'm going in there hungry. I want everybody to know that. I can't tell you I'm going to be starting, but that's what I really want to say. I want to say you'll see me starting opening game. But I'm a humble guy. And I feel like if I handle business the way I have throughout my life, then why not. I did great on the optimist level. I did great on the high school level. So why would I not succeed on the college level?"

Who did you really rely on to make the decision?

"My dad. Me and mom are very close and everybody knows that. But at the end of the day, he means a lot. He molded me into the man I am today. We just talked about everything. He never told me go to Miami. He said whatever you do, I'm behind you 100 percent. I just weighed everything about Florida, Miami and Florida State and I felt Miami was the better fit."

Happy it's over?

A: Yes. I'm relieved."

What's next for you?

"I'll be running track in the spring. I'll run the 4x100 meter relay, the 100 and the 400 -- I want to run the 400 to get stronger."

Miami is coming off a 6-6 season, is facing NCAA sanctions, why didn't that affect your decision at all?

"It did. I talked to coaches about it. Nobody really knows what's going to happen. But I feel smart about it. The guys were suspended for what happened and they took a bowl game away. I think Coach Golden did a good job handling it. In the end, I prayed about it and God led me the right way."

What are your expectations for the signing class you are coming in with?

"National championship. Of course we feel we have the best football in South Florida. Same in Texas and California. But we feel if all of us get together, we're going to be dominant. I think we will be."

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Here's what teammate Malcolm Lewis also had to say about Howard picking UM.