2015 Season Forecast calls for mostly overcast with scattered showers and a few isolated sunny days...
8-4, Tied 3rd in the Coastal, Golden = Gonzo, with a bid to [Insert Cleaning Product] Bowl...
Although I could spend the rest of the week criticizing the coaching staff, I'll break down what I believe to be the three MAIN Strenghs AND Weaknesses of this team...
STRENGTHS:
(1) Brad Kaaya- In his article yesterday, Gary was correct in concluding that Golden and the coaching staff should not put the season on the shoulders of Brad Kaaya. After all, he is only a true sophmore, Coley is still growing into his coordinator position, and we don't have a bona fide proven Left Tackle on the offensive line to protect Brad's blindside. Although we SHOULDN'T put the season on the shoulders of Brad Kaaya, the REALITY OF THE SITUATION, FAIR OR NOT, is that MOST of the success of this team is going to be determined by #15's play on the football field. Fortunately for us, Brad is a SPECIAL individual, both on AND off of the football field. He is smart, mature for someone his age, and a bona fide leader. We understand that Brad has continue his development as a football player and is far from perfect, but he is by far THE symbol of HOPE for this football team for the next three years. A poster posted a stat about Brad being the only Power 5 Quarterback in the last DECADE to throw 25 TD's and more than 3,000 yards as a TRUE FRESHMAN. That is an incredible stat, and is merely a teaser of what should be to come from this talented football player. If there is ANY reason to see this team play up close and in person, then #15 is IT, and I for one cannot wait to see Brad lead this offense this season.
(2) Secondary- It seems like I am in the minority when it comes to believing what our Secondary can do. I see guys like Artie, Elder, Crawford, Deon, Rayshawn- man these guys are good players, and I think most of our secondary were FOUR STAR recruits... We have some SOLID pieces in the Secondary. The problem I see is that because of a LACK OF PRESSURE on opposing offenses by the Front 7, our secondary players, more often than not, have to stay with their man LONGER DOWN THE FIELD, and when that happens, you have opposing receivers breaking off routes and finding space to catch the football... I think our secondary players tackle well in space for the most part- they come up well and support in the run game when they are asked to do so... I would like to see our secondary players blitz more in certain situations and play more press coverage instead of being 7-10 yards off of receivers all of the time and essentially giving up a quick slant to the inside or hook route... As a UNIT and from a PERSONNEL standpoint, I think that we are stronger in the secondary than a lot of people realize.
(3) Stacy Coley- one word that comes to mind when I think of Stacy Coley is "Game Changer", and he can change games in a variety of ways. From bubble screens to vertical routes to Punt Returns to Kick Returns, to End Arounds running the football, Stacy will be the proverbial "X Factor" on offense and the player who opposing defenses circle each week in preparing for our offense. I know we have high hopes for Yearby, Gus, and Walton, and these three running backs are VERY talented and will each play an important part in the offense, but Stacy is simply on another level in my opinion as far as what he can do to change the momentum in a game. He is the second most important player on offense behind Brad, in my opinion.
WEAKNESSES:
(1) Front 7- The Front 7 on defense may be the best unit since Al Golden has become head coach, but simply lacks impact talent, and until 5-Star Chad Thomas proves himself on the football field, he is still in the potential elite impact player category. I LIKE the PERSONNEL on the Front 7- it is SERVICEABLE... Chad, AQM, Trent Harris, Courtell, Grace, Kirby- folks these are QUALITY pieces in place, but we have NO MARGIN FOR ERROR when it comes to rotation and potential injuries/suspensions. There isn't a lot of starter-quality players behind these guys right now, and that is a MAJOR concern for this defense. We can debate D'Onofrio's scheme/system all day until the cows come home (and believe I have and will continue to do), but as far as PERSONNEL, we are still far from where we need to be in the form of having 10-12 quality players who make up the Defensive Line and Linebacker Units i.e. the Front 7. In my opinion, we have about 5-7 bona fide "starter" quality players on the Front 7- that number has to DOUBLE for our defense to take the next step... I see these guys practicing hard, working hard, learning- doing everything they are supposed to do in an off-season to try to be better. Hey, it's a START- it's at least a FOUNDATION and a better one for the Front 7 than what we have seen in years past. But it is still a signficant weakness, and I anticipate our defense not being able to stop offenses which emphasize the power running game over speed and finesse... So, we'll see...
(2) Special Teams- I know that I mentioned Stacy Coley above as a impact player on Special Teams, but Stacy doesn't kick, punt, block punts, block field goals, block on punt returns, block on kickoff returns, tackle on punts, and tackle on kickoffs... Folks, there is a LOT that goes into Special Teams and there is a reason why Special Teams players and coaches in the NFL are paid more these days. It is genuinely 1/3 of the game of football, and almost always decides close games between two equal teams. Field Position is HUGE nowadays in the game of football with all of these rules changes and uptempo offenses.. Vogel is a SOLID punter and Stacy can make plays in the returning aspect of Special Teams, but Golden has been a colossal failure with Special Teams. I don't know what, if anything, will change this year as far as Special Teams, but what I DO KNOW is that we are NOT winning the Coastal Division UNLESS our Special Teams SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES this year, from TOP TO BOTTOM. As it stands right now, it is a MAJOR weakness for this football team, and that is a DAMN SHAME, given how Miami used to OWN Special Teams with our speed and skill players over the years...
(3) Offensive Line- All of this talk about Brad and Stacy and the three headed monster of Gus-Yearby-Walton certainly won't mean much unless there is adequate blocking on the OFFENSIVE LINE... Gadbois' departure, although justified in certain respects, is a MAJOR LOSS for the offensive line. Perhaps more ALARMING is the fact that we do NOT have a bona fide PROVEN STARTING LEFT TACKLE to protect Brad's blind side. BIG ISSUE... Is Darling going to be the Left Tackle...??? I expect to see McDermott get reps there at Left Tackle against Bethune and FAU to see whether he is capable enough of handling that role on spot-starting basis, or even full-time basis depending on how dire the situation becomes during the course of the season... Overall, it is probably a C to C+ Grade Offensive Line with a chance to develop into a B Grade Offensive Line by the time the season is through. COHESIVENESS and having a CONSISTENT STARTING FIVE who UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER and are able to COMMUNICATE and be on the SAME PAGE is CRITICAL for an offensive line to have success- much more than any other unit... So. we'll see.
It won't be ALL gloom and doom. It WILL be tough sledding for stretches during the season- especially against the better teams like Nebraska, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia Tech... Cinci will likely be 4-0 when we play them ON THE ROAD. It isn't some overbearing schedule in 2015, but it IS a challenging one with quality opponents. We haven't proven s**t, so I know I as a fan am taking NOTHING for granted and trying to remain AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. Everyone knows what is at stake this season. EVERYONE... We lost several key players from a year ago, the schedule is formidable, and there is simply not enough in the FOUR YEAR BODY OF WORK under Golden to make any REAL OBJECTIVE AND REASONABLE Hurricane fan believe that we will (not can but WILL) finish 9-3 or better this year and win the Coastal Division.
8-4, Tied 3rd in the Coastal, Golden = Gonzo, with an invitation to [Insert Cleaning Product] Bowl.
See you at Bethune!
Go Canes...!!!
Prost! (Cheers!)
8-4, Tied 3rd in the Coastal, Golden = Gonzo, with a bid to [Insert Cleaning Product] Bowl...
Although I could spend the rest of the week criticizing the coaching staff, I'll break down what I believe to be the three MAIN Strenghs AND Weaknesses of this team...
STRENGTHS:
(1) Brad Kaaya- In his article yesterday, Gary was correct in concluding that Golden and the coaching staff should not put the season on the shoulders of Brad Kaaya. After all, he is only a true sophmore, Coley is still growing into his coordinator position, and we don't have a bona fide proven Left Tackle on the offensive line to protect Brad's blindside. Although we SHOULDN'T put the season on the shoulders of Brad Kaaya, the REALITY OF THE SITUATION, FAIR OR NOT, is that MOST of the success of this team is going to be determined by #15's play on the football field. Fortunately for us, Brad is a SPECIAL individual, both on AND off of the football field. He is smart, mature for someone his age, and a bona fide leader. We understand that Brad has continue his development as a football player and is far from perfect, but he is by far THE symbol of HOPE for this football team for the next three years. A poster posted a stat about Brad being the only Power 5 Quarterback in the last DECADE to throw 25 TD's and more than 3,000 yards as a TRUE FRESHMAN. That is an incredible stat, and is merely a teaser of what should be to come from this talented football player. If there is ANY reason to see this team play up close and in person, then #15 is IT, and I for one cannot wait to see Brad lead this offense this season.
(2) Secondary- It seems like I am in the minority when it comes to believing what our Secondary can do. I see guys like Artie, Elder, Crawford, Deon, Rayshawn- man these guys are good players, and I think most of our secondary were FOUR STAR recruits... We have some SOLID pieces in the Secondary. The problem I see is that because of a LACK OF PRESSURE on opposing offenses by the Front 7, our secondary players, more often than not, have to stay with their man LONGER DOWN THE FIELD, and when that happens, you have opposing receivers breaking off routes and finding space to catch the football... I think our secondary players tackle well in space for the most part- they come up well and support in the run game when they are asked to do so... I would like to see our secondary players blitz more in certain situations and play more press coverage instead of being 7-10 yards off of receivers all of the time and essentially giving up a quick slant to the inside or hook route... As a UNIT and from a PERSONNEL standpoint, I think that we are stronger in the secondary than a lot of people realize.
(3) Stacy Coley- one word that comes to mind when I think of Stacy Coley is "Game Changer", and he can change games in a variety of ways. From bubble screens to vertical routes to Punt Returns to Kick Returns, to End Arounds running the football, Stacy will be the proverbial "X Factor" on offense and the player who opposing defenses circle each week in preparing for our offense. I know we have high hopes for Yearby, Gus, and Walton, and these three running backs are VERY talented and will each play an important part in the offense, but Stacy is simply on another level in my opinion as far as what he can do to change the momentum in a game. He is the second most important player on offense behind Brad, in my opinion.
WEAKNESSES:
(1) Front 7- The Front 7 on defense may be the best unit since Al Golden has become head coach, but simply lacks impact talent, and until 5-Star Chad Thomas proves himself on the football field, he is still in the potential elite impact player category. I LIKE the PERSONNEL on the Front 7- it is SERVICEABLE... Chad, AQM, Trent Harris, Courtell, Grace, Kirby- folks these are QUALITY pieces in place, but we have NO MARGIN FOR ERROR when it comes to rotation and potential injuries/suspensions. There isn't a lot of starter-quality players behind these guys right now, and that is a MAJOR concern for this defense. We can debate D'Onofrio's scheme/system all day until the cows come home (and believe I have and will continue to do), but as far as PERSONNEL, we are still far from where we need to be in the form of having 10-12 quality players who make up the Defensive Line and Linebacker Units i.e. the Front 7. In my opinion, we have about 5-7 bona fide "starter" quality players on the Front 7- that number has to DOUBLE for our defense to take the next step... I see these guys practicing hard, working hard, learning- doing everything they are supposed to do in an off-season to try to be better. Hey, it's a START- it's at least a FOUNDATION and a better one for the Front 7 than what we have seen in years past. But it is still a signficant weakness, and I anticipate our defense not being able to stop offenses which emphasize the power running game over speed and finesse... So, we'll see...
(2) Special Teams- I know that I mentioned Stacy Coley above as a impact player on Special Teams, but Stacy doesn't kick, punt, block punts, block field goals, block on punt returns, block on kickoff returns, tackle on punts, and tackle on kickoffs... Folks, there is a LOT that goes into Special Teams and there is a reason why Special Teams players and coaches in the NFL are paid more these days. It is genuinely 1/3 of the game of football, and almost always decides close games between two equal teams. Field Position is HUGE nowadays in the game of football with all of these rules changes and uptempo offenses.. Vogel is a SOLID punter and Stacy can make plays in the returning aspect of Special Teams, but Golden has been a colossal failure with Special Teams. I don't know what, if anything, will change this year as far as Special Teams, but what I DO KNOW is that we are NOT winning the Coastal Division UNLESS our Special Teams SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES this year, from TOP TO BOTTOM. As it stands right now, it is a MAJOR weakness for this football team, and that is a DAMN SHAME, given how Miami used to OWN Special Teams with our speed and skill players over the years...
(3) Offensive Line- All of this talk about Brad and Stacy and the three headed monster of Gus-Yearby-Walton certainly won't mean much unless there is adequate blocking on the OFFENSIVE LINE... Gadbois' departure, although justified in certain respects, is a MAJOR LOSS for the offensive line. Perhaps more ALARMING is the fact that we do NOT have a bona fide PROVEN STARTING LEFT TACKLE to protect Brad's blind side. BIG ISSUE... Is Darling going to be the Left Tackle...??? I expect to see McDermott get reps there at Left Tackle against Bethune and FAU to see whether he is capable enough of handling that role on spot-starting basis, or even full-time basis depending on how dire the situation becomes during the course of the season... Overall, it is probably a C to C+ Grade Offensive Line with a chance to develop into a B Grade Offensive Line by the time the season is through. COHESIVENESS and having a CONSISTENT STARTING FIVE who UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER and are able to COMMUNICATE and be on the SAME PAGE is CRITICAL for an offensive line to have success- much more than any other unit... So. we'll see.
It won't be ALL gloom and doom. It WILL be tough sledding for stretches during the season- especially against the better teams like Nebraska, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia Tech... Cinci will likely be 4-0 when we play them ON THE ROAD. It isn't some overbearing schedule in 2015, but it IS a challenging one with quality opponents. We haven't proven s**t, so I know I as a fan am taking NOTHING for granted and trying to remain AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. Everyone knows what is at stake this season. EVERYONE... We lost several key players from a year ago, the schedule is formidable, and there is simply not enough in the FOUR YEAR BODY OF WORK under Golden to make any REAL OBJECTIVE AND REASONABLE Hurricane fan believe that we will (not can but WILL) finish 9-3 or better this year and win the Coastal Division.
8-4, Tied 3rd in the Coastal, Golden = Gonzo, with an invitation to [Insert Cleaning Product] Bowl.
See you at Bethune!
Go Canes...!!!
Prost! (Cheers!)
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