Most of college football actually has an OL that can get a push every once in a while… With our OL the chances of picking up short yardage up the middle are slim to none and I haven’t seen slim around in a long time…
I’ve been a Cane’s fan for more than sixty years. Never say never. I remember when UM almost decided to end the football program. Then, all of sudden, the Glory Years transpired in which for two decades UM played in ten NC games. We won five NCs and were cheated IMO out of two others. Make no mistake about it, there is still a pathway to prominence for UM.
I think Lashlee was a good hire. Last year, he called some excellent games. Certainly, he has improved our passing offense, but our rushing offense needs work. In the college game, I hate seeing us going for broke long, downfield passing on first down early in the game. I think the offense in the beginning of games should be devoted to developing a success rhythm in the short ball control passing game interspersed with rushing plays that utilize deception, counters, and screens against the flow. Too often Miami throws a veritable Hail Mary on first downs which USUALLY fails ensuring us of numerous 3 and outs. Develop a rhythm, pull the defense in close, then the long completion has a greater chance of success. When Miami gets into a successful rhythm, adrenaline seems to take over. Success buoys further success. For one and a half games we’ve played better football. For a short passing games, passes should be released by the QB FAST, the faster the better, no sacks, no tackles for loss.
Our RBs are good enough athletes to rush the football but not straight up, especially with a one back backfield and nobody in motion and WRs and OL split wide across the field. For a rushing play to succeed, you have to be able to make a good double team block creating holes or you must fool the defense to committing in the wrong direction. If your line cannot block, you need to run traps, occasionally put in a FB who can double team or be another safety valve receiver. If your backs cannot run straight up, you run flairs and screens giving them space to operate. Miami has had some big gainers when they throw screens against the flow. Fast, not so powerful backs, need space, and they should be able to turn the corners consistently.
On third and long, why in the world don’t we use our tight ends two at a time. Mallory with his height should be killing it on slant plays, or he should be used as a decoy to clear out the zone and let a shifty back go against a LB. Every passing play should have a safety valve receiver.
I think I was prematurely harsh in my judgment of Van Dyke. Skeeter took issue with my appraisal, and I think Skeeter was right. Van Dyke improved demonstrably and played his heart out beginning with the second half of the UNC game. He’s definitely a work in progress and he played well leading us to victory against NC State.
I think Manny deserves some coaching credit for making adjustments in the UNC game for the second half. He also deserves credit in playing the younger guys some of whom have played well. Miami is good enough to beat any team in the conference this year, and if Manny can coach his way to winning four out of the five remaining games, he deserves to be retained as head coach. Pitt seems to be the best team this year. A victory over the Panthers would really uplift this team.
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Agree about developing a rhythm, bikki. One aspect Lashlee has done very well in has been installing uptempo. all our experiments with the hurry up in the last decade have failed miserably, tricking and stifling our own team more than any defense. Now we can actually pull it off. It doesn’t mean we’re the most successful offense but the mechanics are there.
TVD has shown some flashes. My gut is Garcia will be better, but I get that TVD is more polished right now.
That Jacurri kid might be special. He might challenge for the starting job next year.
I doubt Garcia will hang around to be a back up to TVD. Or, vice versa.
And will King come back? Seems too injury prone to turn pro.
Isn’t King in year 6? I know Williams is a 6th year guy.
Franklin and Chaney are the backs that have size, speed, and moves that help them get those yards. I haven’t been impressed with Brown.
305, Yes the uptempo is good. Sometimes it throws off the defense, harder to run people in and out, but the speed I was referring to is the time it takes the QB to release the ball. Dropping back and waiting for someone to break open works if you have a proficient defensive line, but Miami doesn’t have that, so the ball must leave the QBs hand jet fast. You’ll notice Tom Brady rarely gets sacked. That is the reason.
Stork mentions Jacurri who has a good but untamed arm, but he would bring great athleticism to the QB position. When you have a QB with RB talent, you’re well on your way to creating a successful rushing attack.
Wouldn’t it be sweet were we rise up and defeat Pitt at this point in the season. Just once, I’d like to see the Canes start a game fast, establish early rhythm and play a complete game. Pitt looks like the strongest conference team, but they are beatable. It’s time for another Cane upset victory.
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From what I read, he has terrible consistency in regards to his accuracy. He is definitely a project but has the measurable that could make him a star. Right now, he is an athlete that plays QB, not a QB who is athletic.
I worry about this as well, but if TVD has a good year as a full-time starter in '22, it could be his last. He has all the measurables and a solid year could have him leaving school for the pros. I am not saying that will happen - just a scenario.
Hopefully seeing how quickly one can go from QB2 to QB1 will keep Garcia here for at least one more year.