Miami Hurricanes' Top 5 Fall Football Concerns

Since the beginning of the Randy Shannon era, the Miami Hurricanes football team has consistently progressed in terms of adding depth, big game experience and the sheer desire to win football games.

Although the once “Baby Canes” matured greatly during the 2008 campaign, the 2009 football season will present its own set of challenges as the Hurricanes come into this year looking for solid play from its core producers.

Coming off of a fairly productive spring game, the Hurricanes have several areas that will probably be of concern for Head Coach Randy Shannon.

Below is my list of the Top 5 (or so) “big deals” for the Hurricanes going into the 2009 season:

1. In 2008, the Hurricanes’ pass defense only created 4 interceptions (team had 14 total turnovers)—a far cry from what Hurricanes loyalists have become accustomed to. The lack of interceptions is partially due to the inexperience and inability of defensive backs to cover sufficiently, but is also as a result of the “Concern #2” –

2. The lack of pressure created by the defensive line and linebackers. Quite plainly, if a quarterback has all day to sit in the pocket it is nearly impossible for any defensive back to maintain sufficient coverage.

The defensive front seven had a total of 31 sacks in 2008 (5th in the ACC in 2008), but as not to lump blame on the front seven, if the defensive backs can’t stay with opposing receivers, then quarterbacks really won’t need much time at all.

(Defensive linemen Allen Bailey, Adewale Ojomo, and Eric Moncur, Linebackers Colin McCarthy and Ramon Buchanan and Defensive Back Brandon McGee were all out for the spring game, but are expected back in fall camp.)

As most of this is due to injury, this also says that we need to stay healthy—a fact that Randy Shannon confirmed after this Spring’s scrimmage.

3. In 2008, the Hurricanes had a literal stable of wide receivers that can already smell the payday of the NFL. The problem is none of them have (at least to this point) emerged as a true No. 1 receiver.

I guess in this situation, this is really a good problem to have.

Wide Receivers poised to make the leap from “one of the pack” to “leader of the pack” include Aldarius Johnson (4 catches, 23 yards in the Spring game) and Laron Byrd (2 catches, 43 yards).

While these two may appear to have the edge due to the size/speed combination, I would not forget about Redshirt freshman Tommy Streeter (6-5, 207 and a 4.5 40 time coming out of high school) and the “Hester-like” Travis Benjamin (DNP in Spring game).

Like I said, a good problem to have.

4. No. 4 on the list in the fact that the University of Miami is starting the season with two new coordinators.

With Bill Young at the defensive helm for the 2008 season, there were definitely signs of potential, but it was obvious the players needed more time to grasp the complexity of his scheme.

With new DC John Lovett (a former Butch Davis understudy just as Randy Shannon), it appears that the Miami defense may be returning to its roots as Lovett is a coach not afraid to bring pressure and run a lot of man coverage (something Miami defensive backs seem to thrive off of).

As far as Offensive Coordinator, Patrick Nix’s offensive scheme was….. (anybody got a bucket?), while new OC Mark Whipple’s offensive scheme and quarterback coaching pedigree are just what University of Miami players (especially Jacory Harris) need.

Whipple is expected to return the Miami offense to its Pro-style roots, a formula also proven in putting rings on the fingers of UM coaches at the end of the season and jerseys in the hands of UM players on draft day.

(By the way, did anyone else think Patrick Nix tanked the last two minutes or so of the Emerald Bowl? It just looked like Randy Shannon was asking him what the heck he was doing…I’ve got a soapbox on he and Robert Marve I won’t even touch right now).

5. No. 5 is what may be the most critical of all. Not because of any type of lack in talent, but because Jacory Harris has the opportunity to restore this program to its former glory.

As the clear starter going into the 2009 season, Jacory Harris has a ridiculous amount of talent around him. The only (semi-) question mark is whether or not Jacory can carry the load for an entire college season.

Personally, I don’t think he’ll have much problem.

Harris completed 60% of his passes last year and continued the trend in the Spring game going 9-16 (56%). If he can be the field general Miami needs—ie: “Cool” Ken Dorsey—instead of what it’s been used to – the Kirby Frreemans of the world (I actually liked Kyle Wright), then we will definitely see our return to greatness.

ACC, watch out…you’ve taken your last shots at the University of Miami.

Urban’s scared to play us, and Butch is gonna hate to face us.

Bradford will wish for the NFL and Georgia Tech…we’re gonna give you PURE hell.

M-I-A-M-I…Let’s go Canes!