|
DB
Greg Threat |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Larry Coker
44-6,
4 years |
2004
Record: 9-3 |
|
FLORIDA
STATE |
WON
16-10 |
LOUISIANA
TECH |
WON
48-0 |
at
Houston |
WON
38-13 |
at
Georgia Tech |
WON
27-3 |
LOUISVILLE
|
WON
41-38 |
at
North Carolina State |
WON
45-31 |
at
North Carolina |
LOST
28-31 |
CLEMSON |
LOST
17-24 |
at
Virginia |
WON
31-21 |
WAKE
FOREST |
WON
52-7 |
VIRGINIA
TECH |
LOST
10-16 |
PEACH
BOWL |
vs.
Florida |
WON
27-10 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-11, Coaches-11, BCS-14
|
2005
Outlook |
Could
a coach who took his team to consecutive
national championship games just a
couple seasons ago be on the hot seat?
Not yet for Larry Coker, but he needs
to prove he can take Miami back to
the elite level it is accustomed to.
They won the 2001 national championship
and appeared in the title game after
the 2002 season with Butch Davis'
players. It is now time to win with
his recruits. Miami, not Virginia
Tech, was the team predicted to come
from the Big East to dominate ACC
football. That did not happen. 2005
should be Miami's year, but only if
a few things fall into place.
If
Miami wants to get back to the top,
where it was just a couple of years
ago, it must start with an improved
defense. It is no secret on South
Beach that defense wins championships.
Coker, defensive coordinator Randy
Shannon and his entire staff have
taken amazing (but raw) talent and
made it into an experienced unit that
will be much tougher against the run.
When that happens, they will then
gamble with different blitz packages,
which should result in a match/improvement
from the 38 sacks and +19 giveaway/takeaway
ratio from 2004. It is their 30%-rate
in allowing third-downs to succeed
that is the main variable to watch
- another similar showing this way
assures the level(s) needed to win.
But a strong defense alone will not
get it done in the toughening ACC
(Boston College joins). The offense
will take time to come around. The
shorter that period, the more likely
this may be a resurgent Miami program.
The
schedule, after the opening date at
Florida State, is very favorable.
FSU is revamped, too, so there is
no distinct advantage here. This gives
the young offensive skill positions
two months to get ready for another
showdown in Blacksburg. The season-ending
home game against Virginia will also
be a challenge for a 'Cane team with
(an unheard of) three home losses
over the past two seasons. A return
to form and a closer ACC race will
be this season's result, and making
the conference's initial title game
will also happen. But any more national
championships will have to wait until
their new QB takes his position's
play back to those Heisman-caliber
days when every 'Cane signal-caller
went to New York in early December.
Until then, impressive wins will reestablish
Miami amongst the nation's elite and
as one of the most feared teams.
Projected
2005 record: 9-2
|
|
MIAMI
FL
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 2.5 |
LB
- 3.5 |
WR
- 4.5 |
DB
- 4.5 |
OL
- 4 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Kyle Wright, 9-5-0, 30 yds., 0 TD
Rushing: Tyrone Moss, 102 att.,
445 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Sinorice Moss, 20
rec., 351 yds., 3 TD
Scoring: Jon Peattie, 15-24
FG, 45-45 PAT, 90 pts.
Punting: Brian Monroe, 64 punts,
41.2 avg.
Kicking: Brian Monroe, 64 punts,
41.2 avg.
Tackles: Greg Threat, 110 tot.,
57 solo
Sacks: Thomas Carroll, Baraka
Atkins, 5 each
Interceptions: Devin Hester,
4 for 28 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Devin Hester,
15 ret., 25.9avg., 1 TD
Punt Returns: Devin Hester,
19 ret., 17.2 avg., 3 TD
|
|
|
OT
Eric Winston |
|
|
|
|
MIAMI
FL |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 4 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 9 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Brock Berlin-QB, Derrick Crudup-QB,
Talib Humphrey-FB, Kevin Everett-TE,
Joel Rodriguez-C, Chris Myers-OT, Roscoe
Parrish-WR (NFL), Frank Gore-RB (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Santonio
Thomas-DT, Antrel Rolle-CB |
|
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
With the departures of the top two quarterbacks
on last year's depth chart, former California
prep star Kyle Wright, now a sophomore (RS),
heads into the spring as the odds-on-favorite
to earn the starting nod. Despite only playing
in two games last season and throwing just
nine passes, the 6-foot-5 sophomore quarterback
is the most experienced signal-caller on
the roster. Wright, considered by many to
be the top quarterback in the class of 2003,
possesses a strong arm, mobility and a solid
high school resume - he was named the 2002-03
Gatorade National High School Football Player
of the Year, which combines on- and off-field
accomplishments. In other words, mature
and a natural leader. In two years as the
starter for Monte Vista (Danville, Calif.)
High, Wright threw for nearly 6,000 yards,
with 66 TDs and only 10 interceptions. With
a solid running game behind him, speedy
wideouts and dependable tight ends - all
Hurricane staples -Wright will develop into
one of I-A's elite quarterbacks. Miami has
finally found its reliable replacement for
Ken Dorsey
phew (and that's not from
the 80º temps of UM's November afternoon
kickoffs). Freshman (RS) Kirby Freeman is
the only other scholarship quarterback on
the roster and will be given equal opportunity
to win the starting job, but Wright, not
Freeman, heads into the spring taking snaps
with the first team offense. Walk-on Trey
Burkin will run the scout team.
Running
Back
In addition to a new quarterback, the Hurricanes
will also have a new starting running back.
But Miami is not lacking in depth in the
offensive backfield. The Hurricanes' second
and third leading rushers in 2004, junior
Tyrone Moss and senior Quadtrine Hill both
saw significant action last year, which
will help Wright as he grows into his role
as the new field general. Moss should start
at tailback, with Hill at fullback. However,
Moss will be slowed during the spring -
he reportedly had arthroscopic shoulder
surgery. Sophomore Andrew Johnson (6.9 60-yard
speed, indoor prep champ), who played in
six games already with his inside-the-tackle
toughness, will be expected to contribute
more, though, he is rehabilitating a torn
ACL injury and will also be limited in the
spring, if he takes the field then at all.
That leaves sophomore Charlie Jones (37"
vertical leap), another highly recruited
TB who saw action, and sophomore Derron
Thomas (4.33 40) to get the bulk of the
carries in the spring. All of these guys
are similar in size (about 6' and 200lbs.),
and can give a hit when tackled to get those
extra few yards. Injuries would have to
decimate this group before any weaknesses
showed.
Receiver
This position is almost a carbon-copy of
running back. Roscoe Parrish declared, but
again, the 'Canes are loaded at wideout.
Senior Sinorice Moss, juniors Darnell Jenkins,
Akieem Jolla and Ryan Moore and sophomore
Lance Leggett all return with significant
experience. Senior Sinorice Moss and soph
Lance Leggett are expected to get the starting
nods, but five capable wide-outs should
rotate. Leggett, who averaged over 20 yards
per reception in 2004 is a big-play receiver
(four TDs). Moss, too, will again stretch
the field for the 'Canes and be their big-play
receiver this season. Other back-ups are
possession receivers. Add sophomore two-letterman
(on 'Cane's track team, too) and former-CB
Terrell Walden to the mix for even more
speed, and junior cornerback/kick returner
Devin Hester can, too, only quicken this
corps. Like the running back position, Miami
has a history of new receivers rising to
the challenge when given the chance in the
spotlight, and this year, the 'Canes have
many prospects to do just that. Opposing
secondaries will look silly in open-field
tackling situations with such physical receivers.
Tight
End
Following Franks, Shockey, Winslow, and
now the recently-departed Kevin Everett,
predictably, Miami still has a stable of
tight ends. This year, sophomore Greg Olsen
is the best of the bunch, with senior Buck
Ortega backing him. Olson's dependability
should help Kyle Wright's development at
quarterback. However, like a number of other
Hurricanes, Olsen may not take the field
in the spring while recovering from a broken
wrist. Ortega is more than capable as a
starter, but Miami likes to run two-TE sets
and will use the spring to add depth to
the position. In the mix could be one of
Miami's many highly recruited freshmen,
6'6" Dajleon Farr, a talented, dual-threat.
Tradition at this position lapses only slightly.
Offensive
Line
The injury bug hit this unit hard last season,
but the return of two starting guards, seniors
Tony Tella and Tyler McMeans, and senior
tackle Rashad Butler, plus the return of
potential all-American (NC.net all-American
Honorable mention) tackle Eric Winston,
will help the 'Canes break in a new starting
center, probably Anthony Wollschlager. As
with most teams, the success of the offensive
line can make or break the season, especially
with new starters at quarterback and running
back, but this is not a standard offensive
line; it averages over 310 pounds, including
mammoth backups. This is an area within
which many annually underestimate the Canes'
ability to achieve in those years when restocking.
Most wind up regretting such doubt, as foes
then try to take the license plate of whichever
Miami player motored over them. These athletic
behemoths will be coming right at a defensive
line soon in a stadium near you, so check
the listings and go see guys sure to be
playing Sundays soon.
OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Miami is looking at consistent play from
the quarterback position for the first time
since the 2001 and 2002 seasons, both BCS
title game campaigns. The offense can only
improve by Miami's standards, for the Berlin
years were painful, at best. When the offense
comes together (likely, that will be soon
enough to get past the Seminoles in the
opener, as FSU also reloads at QB), the
Hurricanes will then have some time to let
the unit gel. The run will set up the pass
until such a formula is stopped, a tough
task for any foe that doesn't match up well
up front. Once that is established, this
squad should become a big-play unit, actually
improving on their 31 points per game average.
A seemingly slow start here gets rolling
by mid-season, with both running and passing
cylinders again firing well by then.
|
|
PR/KR/DB
Devin Hester
|
|
|
MIAMI
FL 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Kyle
Wright-So (6-5, 208) |
Kirby
Freeman-Fr (6-3, 195) |
FB |
Quadtrine
Hill-Sr (6-2, 221) |
James
Bryant-So (6-3, 235) |
TB |
Tyrone
Moss-Jr (5-10, 221) |
Charlie
Jones-So (5-11, 206)
Derron Thomas-Fr (5-9, 185) |
WR |
Lance
Leggett-So (6-4, 175) |
Darnell
Jenkins-Jr (5-10, 183) |
WR |
Ryan
Moore-Jr (6-3, 215) |
Sinorice
Moss-Sr (5-8, 182) |
TE |
Greg
Olsen-So (6-6, 247) |
Buck
Ortega-Sr (6-5, 224) |
OT |
Eric
Winston-Sr (6-7, 310) |
Chris
Rutledge-Fr (6-7, 290) |
OG |
Tony
Tella-Sr (6-5, 298) |
Andrew
Bain-So (6-3, 334) |
C |
Tyrone
Byrd-Fr (6-6, 283) |
Anthony
Wollschlager-Jr (6-6, 291)
Alex Pou-Jr (6-4, 281) |
OG |
Tyler
McMeans-Sr (6-5, 337) |
Derrick
Morse-So (6-5, 325) |
OT |
Rashad
Butler-Sr (6-5, 286) |
Cyrim
Wimbs-So (6-5, 325) |
K |
Jon
Peattie-Jr (6-3, 207) |
Mark
Gent-Sr (6-1, 207) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
All four starters return, however, there
looks to be some reshuffling needed after
the team struggled against the run last
season, giving up 155 yards per game that
way as they allowed 215 running first-downs.
Extremely agile senior Orien Harris will
lead the unit from one defensive tackle
position, probably paired with rather green
junior Kareem Brown. Senior Thomas Carroll
and junior Baraka Atkins (played mostly
tackle last campaign) have proven they will
each be in opponents' backfields early and
effectively. Foes, take heed: in past years
when Miami has been considered marginal
on this line, too, they have always proven
such scouting wrong and have had banner
years that eventually produces future NFL
first-round picks. This supremely-talented
group will bounce back and will ultimately
make jaws drop by mid-season with lightning
penetration and lateral prowess.
Linebacker
Similar to the front four, the three starters
in 2004 all return, but in order to get
the best players and athletes on the field,
last year's starting middle linebacker,
Roger McIntosh may move outside. Now a senior,
McIntosh (4.4-40) is expected to start on
the strong-side, while senior Leon Williams
bumps his needed talents into the middle.
Junior Tavares Gooden (state prep discuss
champ, also runs 11.0-sec in 100 meters)
returns as the starting weak-side linebacker.
But all eyes will be on sophomore Willie
Williams, the highly recruited local product,
who is considered by many to be a star in
the making. Adaptable sophomore Jon Beason,
who saw significant time last year on the
strong side, will team with fellow sophomores
Glenn Cook (five TFLs in 15 total tackles)
and Romeo Davis, to provide solid depth.
From top to bottom, this whole crew is equally
strong in stopping both running and (underneath)
passing dimensions. Changed assignments,
play-action, and/or whatever the substitution
pattern, Miami predicates its corps on speed
and solid/sure hitting, and that will again
make any short-yardage receivers fear for
their very lives.
Defensive
Back
This is the one unit on the defensive side
of the ball that has to replace one of the
best players in the nation. Antrel Rolle
single-handedly shut down one side of the
field. As the 'Canes lose this first-round
draft pick, this doesn't mean that there
will be a significant drop in the level
play from their 9th-ranked (nationally)
defensive backfield. NC.net third-team all-American
strong safety Greg Threat is now the backbone
with his omniscient presence (led team in
tackles). Junior free safety Brandon Meriweather
and senior Kelly Jennings come back to roaming
the defensive backfield. Senior cornerback
Marcus Maxey or Devin Hester, who had four
interceptions last season, will move into
the starting lineup. The best part is that
both knows the position well, so there is
no drop-off with either relegated to nickel/dime
packages. Hester's special team's role could
affect this decision. Also providing depth
will be sophomore free safety Anthony Reddick
(two blocked kicks) and highly-touted freshman
safety Kenny Phillips, a local (Carol City)
strong safety who was named the USA Today
Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 (prep
teammate of standout linebacker Willie Williams).
Any identity establishment or gelling won't
take long for this agile, smash-mouth unit.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Defense is again a 'Cane strength. Despite
underachieving last time, this highly talented/experienced
unit will take their hard-learned lessons
and be much improved. Marginal (unusually
un-Hurricane-like) offensive shortcomings
were definitively responsible for adding
just enough extra responsibility here so
that their then-young defense had too much
to handle. What a problem other teams would
love to have - finishing 24th overall on
defense and still complaining - but that
is a reality for the huge and deserved annual
expectations of the D here in Dade. With
ten returning starters, the defensive unit
will be the key to any Miami success. With
an added year of experience, this unit should
live up to the standards set by Miami over
the past five years. Speedy bigmen and plastering
DBs will again balance to make the whole
defense a top 10 unit, nationally. With
so many athletic role-players, Miami just
plays a basic, few-frills defense and stops
opponents easily this old-school way. When
this defense dominates the way it used to,
there is no reason the Hurricanes should
not be competing for the ACC crown and a
BCS title game birth.
|
|
DT
Orien Harris
|
|
|
MIAMI
FL 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players/Injured |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Bryan
Pata-Jr (6-4, 267) |
Javon
Nanton-Sr (6-3, 240) |
DT |
Baraka
Atkins-Jr (6-4, 263) |
Teraz
McCray-Jr (6-0, 286)
Dwayne Hendricks-Fr (6-4, 246) |
DT |
Orien
Harris-Sr (6-4, 300) |
Kareem
Brown-Jr (6-5, 301)
Joe Joseph-Fr (6-4, 270) |
DE |
Thomas
Carroll-Sr (6-5, 230) |
Eric
Moncur-Fr (6-3, 264) |
SLB |
Roger
McIntosh-Sr (6-3, 237) |
Tavares
Gooden-Jr (6-1, 220) |
MLB |
Leon
Williams-Sr (6-4, 237) |
Romeo
Davis-So (6-2, 208) |
WLB |
Jon
Beason-So (6-1, 220) |
Willie
Williams-Fr (6-3, 230) |
CB |
Kelly
Jennings-Sr (6-0, 177) |
Glenn
Sharpe-Jr (5-11, 181) |
CB |
Devin
Hester-Jr (5-11, 185) |
Marcus
Maxey-Sr (6-3, 198) |
SS |
Greg
Threat-Sr |
Brandon
Meriweather-Jr (6-1, 184) |
FS |
Anthony
Reddick-So (6-0, 188) |
Lovon
Ponder-Fr (6-0, 195) |
P |
Brian
Monroe-Jr (6-2, 201) |
Jon
Peattie-Jr (6-3, 207) |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Junior kicker Jon Peattie returns after a decent
sophomore season. Peattie hopes to improve on
when he made 15-of-24 field goals (62.5 percent).
Peattie is a reliable kicker with a decent leg
- his longest kick was 49 yards. Monroe is a more
than capable kicking off. He consistently kicks
the ball inside the 5-yard line and had 18 touchbacks.
Punter
Junior punter Brian Monroe averaged 41+ landed
20 inside the opponent's 20. He, along with the
net results, should again be of the tops in the
nation.
Return
Game
As usual, the 'Canes are in good shape here. NC.net
second-team all-American PR Kevin Hester had 19
punt returns for a 17-yard average with three
scores. Reddick and Moss will also compete for
time returning punts. Hester also had a 30-yard
KR average, including a 100-yard score. Jenkins
will also return kicks in 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
QB
When it came to deciding on a starting QB,
offensive coordinator Dan Werner and head
coach Larry Coker came to the same conclusion
- Kyle Wright. But the decision was not as
easy as some may tell. In the words of Werner,
"Wright seems a little ahead when it
comes to knowledge of the offense. Kirby (Freeman)
knows he had catching up to do being a year
behind (of Wright)." Coaches wanted an
early decision so they would know ASAP for
summer/fall overall offensive preparations.
Wright has done some physical work since arriving
to Miami. His 40-speed was clocked at 4.58
seconds, equal with the speedy Freeman. He
has added ten pounds of muscle, too. According
to fellow players, they feel Wright will live
up to his hype. He will make a bad play or
two, but then will have ten good plays. Both
QBs are talented and both can win. By more
than just the coaches' account, the battle
between both was almost too close to call
this spring. The battle wasn't smooth, especially
due to the constant pressure applied by the
D (see OL problems). Both displayed the ability
to scramble, an aspect which should play a
huge role. Both also need to learn to make
quicker reads and decisions. In the spring
game, Wright was the better performer:
SPRING
GAME QB STATS
Kyle Wright, 10-of-13 for 152 yards, two
TDs
Kirby Freeman, 7-of-18 for 109 yards, two
INTs
***Note
- Kirby was playing with the second team
offense versus the first team defense.
RB
Tyrone Moss was sidelined this spring with
a shoulder injury, and Andrew Johnson is
rehabilitating a torn ACL. Thus, two of
the younger RBs saw plenty of reps. TB Derron
Thomas and FB James Bryant made the most
of the time and are in-line to see plenty
of action. Thomas passed Charlie Jones on
the depth chart and spent the final two
weeks of spring with the first unit. Coaches
originally felt Thomas was a third-down
back prior to spring, but his long runs
during practice have changed that perception.
FB James Bryant is a former-LB and has really
made an impression, notably in the lead-blocking
department. He also has been catching the
ball well (out of the backfield). His 34-yard
reception in the Spring Game was just one
of his spring highlights. The incumbent
- Quadtrine Hill, a smaller FB - remains
on the first team, for now. It's seems only
a matter of time before Bryant takes the
reigns. Tyrone Moss has lost over ten pounds,
and the cracked bone in his shoulder that
he played with all season is almost fully
healed. George Timmons has moved from defense
to TB, but saw few carries.
WR
Lance Legget fractured a bone in his foot
in a late March practice, and doctors recommended
immediate surgery. Legget declined and chose
to let the bone heal by itself so he would
not miss part of the 2005 season. The progress
has been going well. He is on a rehab schedule
to be available at the start of fall drills
and has been running full speed. This spring
was all about Ryan Moore. His case of "the
dropsies" from last year must have
been cured, for he snarled everything in
sight, including some dazzling ones. He
also displayed a reinvigorated burst of
speed (also lost ten pounds). Depth has
been plentiful. Sinorice Moss has shown
some flashes, as has Darnell Jenkins, although
both missed early spring with injures. Inconsistency
befell Akieem Jolla this spring, as his
concentration appears off, leading to his
own fumblitous. Converted-CB (and sprinter
for UM track) Terrell Walden is expected
to add another dimension of depth once he
returns this fall from a leg injury.
TE
This position (for the first time in this
millennium) appears thin since Buck Ortega
was out with an ankle sprain and Greg Olsen
remained limited with a broken wrist. Only
one scholarship TE was available, and that
was a converted DE, Chris Zellner. Miami
needs Ortega and Olsen healthy, which will
likely be the case when fall arrives. Look
for incoming recruit Dajleon Farr to be
pushed quickly into playing shape.
OL
The horrid OL performance this spring caused
some panic amongst the Cane faithful. There
were too many muffed snaps; also, QBs did
not have any time to throw while the running
game was bottled up on most occasions. Much
has been attributed to the injury bug, as
up to six potential/former starters sat
out at some point. Former starters Eric
Winston and Tony Tella sat out the entire
spring. Center Alex Pou and tackle Chris
Rutledge missed the late part of spring,
while Derrick Morse broke a bone in his
foot in the final week and still needs a
pin inserted. The good news...all are expected
back for the start of fall. The biggest
concern appears to be at center. Upwards
of six players were given a chance. Converted
OT Tyrone Byrd may be the best of the bunch
despite problems snapping the ball. OG Tyler
McMeans is still trying to lose weight (342
pounder). He needs to be at 320 to be effective,
according to coaches. As for the progress
of former all-American Eric Winston's bum
knee problems, he is running and doing everything
needed, with no restrictions as he gets
his speed back to par. He feels by mid-summer
he should be competing in any/all drills,
which would make him 100% when players report
back in August.
DL
This group just dominated the OL all spring.
Senior Orien Harris, who started every game
last year, missed most of spring with a
minor injury, but will be available for
the fall. The plight for tackle Teraz McCray
is not as positive. A torn ACL suffered
during spring practice may mean he's lost
for the year. Baraka Atkins is making a
full-time switch to tackle from end. There
is enough talent on the inside so that no
starting job is a sure thing, a good problem
to have.
LB
Jon Beason has been starting on the outside
with the back injury to senior Roger McIntosh,
who will return this fall and is likely
to regain his spot. A possibility exists
that Willie Williams could bump in front
of either Tavares Gooden or Leon Williams
for starting duties. Most felt Willie Williams
would quickly earn the starting MLB spot,
but the elevated play of Leon Williams did
not allow such a transaction.
DB
The secondary had a solid spring, but much
of that had to due with the pressure put
on QBs (see OL problems). Kelly Jennings
has nailed down one of the corner spots.
On the other corner is a battle between
Marcus Maxey and Devin Hester. Hester, a
true burner, was labeled the fastest man
on campus with a recorded 40 time under
4.3 seconds, the only player on the roster
to accomplish such a feat. But he has still
been slow to pick up the tools required
to played corner, while Maxey had a huge
spring. Coach Coker said if the opener were
today, Maxey would be starting. Backup corner
Rashaun Jones underwent shoulder surgery
after spring and may not be available. Strong
safety and free safety are interchangeable
in this system. Three players are vying
for starting time, so it is between Meriweather,
Threat and Reddick (who appears to be the
only lock to earn first team duties). Quality
depth means many will see the field, the
key for keeping legs fresh in Coral Gables'
heat. Threat was forced to play at corner
this spring due to injuries with Carlos
Armour and Rashaun Jones. He's not projected
to line up at CB come fall, but anything
(interchangeability) is possible with so
much speed and talent. Never underestimate
the power and prowess of a Miami Hurricane
secondary!!! |
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