1994 Redux.....SoCal's Miami Hurricanes Preview and FSU game prediction
 

In 1991 Miami featured an explosive passing game and a dominant, record setting defense while claiming the national title after blanking Dr. Tom's Huskers 22-0 in the Orange Bowl. In 1992 Miami again went undefeated, albeit losing in shocking fashion to the underdog Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. 1993 was a down year for the Miami program, with its offense at its weakest point in several years, being supplemented however by a very solid defense. In 1994, a rebirth of sorts occured when Miami reached the Orange Bowl and squared off in a 12 round hardly fought heavyweight bout with National Champion Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. That year, Miami's offense was just ok, but their Defense was awesome, powered by the nation's best defensive line.
Fast Forward: As fate would have it, a decade later, Miami's 2001, 2002 and 2003 teams have been eerily similar to their numerical counterparts from the early 90s with a national title coming in 2001, an undefeated season followed by a shocking and painful defeat in the title game to an underdog in 2002 and a 2003 team carried by a powerful defense but lacking the offensive spark necessary to reach the title game. Will 2004 be 1994 redux?
In a word, very likely yes.
Miami's strength is at Defensive Line. Like the lines of 1994, 2001 and 1986, this is easily the nation's deepest, most fearsome and talented. Junior DT Orien Harris leads the Unit. The "Orien Express" is both a run stuffing and pocket collapsing DT and generally a beast that according to many inside the Miami program was better than Vince Wilfork. Offensive Line Coach Art Kehoe sadly mused that Miami's OL couldnt get much work done in the spring as Harris almost singlehandly and repeatedly blew up Miami's G-C-G combination. This is a top 10 pick in my view. Joining Harris is Senior DT Santonio Thomas. Thomas was a top high school prospect who has suffered numerous injuries during his UM tenure but is a good run stuffer and a very solid player. Backups Kareem Brown and lightly recruited Teraz McCray do an excellent job of getting underneath OL and being difficult to block. On the outside, Miami returns the Big East sack leader, Javon Nanton who led the conference with 16 sacks as a FRESHMAN last year. Big East First Team DE, Baraka Atkins, a DE that can rush the passer and destroy the run also returns. Atkins is a future first mid to high first round prospect, most likely in the 2006 draft. Emerging DT/DE Bryan Pata was South Florida's best as a prep in 2002 and made a huge impact as a true freshman in 2003 and will push for starting time on the inside. This Defensive Line will overwhelm virtually every 2004 opponent and is the unquestioned strength of the team.

At Linebacker, Miami is young but talented. Redshirt Junior Roger "Rocky" McIntosh returns as the starting strongside linebacker. McIntosh started the full slate in 2002, and according to some was Miami's best LB that year. After suffering a knee injury in the summer of 2003 he gave way to then Senior Darrell McClover. McIntosh is very physically gifted and has a nose for the ball. He should be all ACC this year. Taking over for D.J. Williams on the weakside is Tavares Gooden. Gooden starred as a DE/LB at St. Thomas Aquinas HS and chose Miami over LSU. Gooden is a true sophomore and has displayed very good instincts and athleticism during the spring, adjusting to the system very quickly. Manning the middle will either be 4th year Junior Leon Williams or Jonathon Beason. Beason (along with backup Glenn Cook) reminds many of Jonathon Vilma. Extremely instinctive player. Jon is a true sophomore and a jack of all trades. He started his miami career at Safety, than was switched to FB then suffered a season ending Injury. He has lit up Miami's spring and fall camp and is making major strides to be the starter. Jon can HIT! Leon Williams is a potentially disappointing story. He was a High School Parade All American from NY (a very rare feat for a New York HS prospect) and a physical specimen. He has backed up Jonathon Vilma for several years now and started against Louisiana Tech last year during Vilma's lingering leg problem. Leon has alot of physical ability but has continued to struggle mightily against the pass and the Veteran is very close to losing his job. Miami's concern at LB is depth. There is almost literally no depth at all. Sophomore Glenn Cook, an extremely instinctive player without much athletic ability is the top backup (besides Beason who may start) and incoming freshman Romeo Davis and James Bryant finish out the LB corps. Much heralded freshman LB Willie Williams who dominated Florida's highest level of HS competition, racking up 12 tackles (7 for a loss) and 2 sacks in the state title game and an average of 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks per regular season game he participated in will be out approximately 2 months due to a knee injury. As a HS Junior, Williams racked up 168 tackles. Eventually he should be a top 5 overall selection.
At Defensive Back, Miami is also young but talented. The corps are led by Senior All America candidate Antrel Rolle. Rolle has good height, good speed, good technique...basically everything you could want. He is a shutdown corner and held Pitt's Larry Fitzgerald to 2 catches for 14 yards. Manning the other corner position is Kelly Jennings. Jennings had a great 2002 but a down 2003. Kelly is a good cover guy but he gets swallowed up by bigger WRs as his size is problematic. Glenn Sharpe, a Junior, is coming off an ACL tear last november but has looked good and before the injury was almost as good as Rolle in my view. Sophomore Devin Hester, a converted WR will also be playing CB this year. Hester is an excellent athlete and a speed demon. He was the highest ranked HS CB coming out from Suncoast Riveira and Antrel Rolle has described him as the "best athlete ive ever seen". The Safety corps is totally replaced. Greg Threat is a good, solid, dependable Strong Safety and played very well last year. Brandon Merriweather takes over for Sean Taylor. He doesnt have Taylor's unique skills and has some tackling issues but is instinctive. Overall, this is a very good defense, albeit a bit inexperienced in places and that will hurt them at times.

SoCal, did you write this or is it from canestime? If you did, good job. I never thought of the similarities between the '91/'92/'93 and '01/'02/'03 teams.

Have you read 'Cane Mutiny yet? It's such a great book, I finished it in 2 days. As a non-religious man I consider it my bible. I already knew a lot of the contents but it is still a great read. Any college football fan, even if you hate Miami, should grab a copy of this book.

Too much reading for me, SoCal. I got enough HW. It doesn't matter too much with Brock at the helm anyway.

The Boy Wonder ;)

Miami's offense has far more question marks. At Quarterback is returning senior Brock Berlin. Berlin struggled early and often in 2003 leading the Big East in Interceptions and showing questionable arm strength, accuracy and virtually no mobility. Brock is a hard worker and has improved his accuracy and his decision making in the spring and fall. Coaches have been impressed by his level of play so far, although his height and mobility are still concerns. He will have a good, but not great 2004. Backing him up is wunderkid Kyle Wright, the no. 1 overall QB prospect from 2002. Wright has been compared to Dan Marino coming out of HS and has had an impressive spring and fall. Senior Derrick Crudup and Freshman Kirby Freeman also round out the Miami QB corps. Freeman is very similar to ex-CSU QB Bradlee Van Pelt.
At Running back Miami's top prospects are Redshirt Junior Frank Gore and True Sophomore Tyrone Moss. Gore's tale is a sad one that could have a good ending if fate is kind this time around. Touted as the best overall runner RB coach Don Soldinger had seen, Gore ripped up competition in 2001 as Clinton Portis' backup running for 500 yards and averaging 9.1, YES 9.1 YPC. Soldinger commented that Gore had the best vision of any Miami back in history and also had a combination of great power and good speed. Sadly he tore his ACL in the summer of 2002 while ahead of Willis McGahee on the depth chart. In 2003, Gore looked solid but not spectacular. He ground out consistently good yardage, getting, 4,5, 6, 4, 5, 7 yards time after time but showing very little burst. He then tore his other ACL against West Virginia in a thursday night classic game. Over the spring he looked tentative, overweight and generally behind schedule. But something seemed to happen in fall practices. Gore was in top shape, looked decisive in runs and seemed to have his burst back as he recently has ripped off a series of long gains against the stout Miami first team defense. Larry Coker has been very impressed with Gore's fall performances and has named him teh starter. Sophomore Tyrone Moss was a pleasant surprise last year giving good performances. He is extremely strong in the lower body and a very solid, but not explosive runner. Incoming freshman Charlie Jones is another slasher with good power and good speed with vision as well, and Andrew Johnson is very much like our Tatum Bell in that he possesses very explosive speed and is a homerun threat anytime he sees the ball. At WR, Miami is led by Redshirt Soph. Ryan Moore, who is built physically almost like Andre Johnson. He is very physical and can push DBs around. He also has very good speed. He was the top ranked WR coming out of Orlando Dr. Phillips. Moore has first round caliber ability but needs more refining in his routes and hands. Moore led all Miami players last year in receptions, including Kellen Winslow. Short, explosive speedster Roscoe Parrish is battling relatively unheard of Darnel Jenkins for the other starting position. Jenkins has had a fabulous spring and fall and really has impressed in all facets, remember that name. Santana Moss's little brother Sinorice and former Louisiana standout and current bust Akieem Jolla are the key backups. Freshman Lance Leggett probably has the biggest upside of anyone. He is tall, lanky, adjusts to the ball well, has great hands and super leaping ability. Alot of recruiting analysts labelled him the next randy moss and he is impressed so far in Miami's camp and will not redshirt. He does need to gain weight though. The starting Tight End Battle is led by Kevin Everett and Greg Olsen. Everett is a great athlete and great blocker but just has stone hands. Olsen, however is the real deal and the NEXTt GREAT MIAMI TE. He runs great routes and has great hands. Watch out for this kid. Olsen is a redshirt freshman who was the No. 1 ranked TE coming out and will play for Miami this year after sitting out after his transfer from Notre Dame.

hey guys. No it isnt from canestime, i am currently writing it all up.

So we can read all that? Good grief.

The Boy Wonder ;)

At OL, Miami is in a deep state of flux. The line is anchored by All America candidate junior LT Eric Winston. Winston was a 5 star all american TE in Odessa TX in a running offense. He started out his career as a FB/HB in 2002 and played substantially. As his weight ballooned however to 280 pounds he asked to be moved to the line. Playing left tackle for the first time in 2003 as a true sophomore Winston performed brilliantly. Named Miami's Best OL by the Miami coaches at the 2003 Miami Football awards banquet and Big East All First Team, Winston excels in pass blocking and has alot of grit, charisma and heart. He is nicknamed "Animal" cause he just is. Winston will most likely leave after this year and should be a mid first round prospect. He needs to work on his run blocking but with another year he should improve. His pass blocking is already super. The rest of Miami's line however is questionable. Center Joel Rodriguez struggled mightily last year. RT Rashad Butler filled in for the oft-injured Vernon Carey well, but now he is hurt and is unlikely for the FSU game. Manning the guard positions are Tony Tella (who is nursing an injury as well and may not play) and Chris Myers. Myers is a very good RG who can also play center. He is an NFL prospect. Due to injuries, sophomore Andrew Bain, a good HS player but an unknown quantity at the college level will recieve playing time from the get go and JC transfer Tyler McMeans will as well.
Miami's Special Teams is a solid unit outside of the punter. Punter Brian Monroe struggled mightily last year and i wont believe he has improved until i see it. Returning Punts is Antrel Rolle who did a fabulous job. Speedsters Roscoe Parrish and Devin Hester (who returned a kick for a TD against Fla.) are dangerous on KR. Kicker Jon "IceMan" (a reference to his ability to kick well in the clutch and his facial likeness to Val Kilmer in Top Gun) Peattie is a great kicker and one of the nation's best in my opinion. He has the leg and doesnt feel pressure.
Overall, i think this squad is much like 1994. QB play, WR play and RB play will be good but not great, (just as Frank Costa, James Stewart, Jammi German and Chris T. Jones were okay) The OL outside of one guy is a question mark. The Defensive Line, like its 1994 counterpart is an absolute beast and the rest of the defense is very, very solid, albeit very young and mistake prone in a few areas and some threatening depth issues.
SoCal's Game Prediction: Florida State 21, Miami 17.

Well SoCal, I for one appreciate the work you put into this. It's much better than an acquisition list or other such garbage from the Boy Blunder.

I have one constructive criticism, though. With a long post like this it's a lot easier to read when there are spaces in between each paragraph. Otherwise, you did an excellent job.

thanks breck. let me edit it to make it in more paragraph form.
* edit: im trying to move the first sentences across but it isnt working somehow.

And this is from a Cane fan?

The Boy Wonder ;)