This Ship Is on the Right Course

There were so many questions coming into this season for Coach Randy Shannon and his football team. How could this team make it through its early schedule and not come out totally defeated? Could Jacory Harris, provide the leadership and on the field command of this team, that he showed when steering Miami Northwestern to greatness? Is Coach Shannon a head coach, or just a great coordinator and recruiter? These questions and more were hanging in the balance when this team began its season.

Questions Answered
This team, being lead by underclassmen, has shown how much they learned playing as freshmen. The collapse last season came from a lack of depth. This season, freshmen are playing again and stepping up, but a superb junior and sophomore class is leading the way. We can see the maturation in this team when it rolled over Georgia Tech, or how they came back from halftime to show Duke who’s the boss. Even with countless injuries to vital players, they continue to plug in new baby faces and they continue to play at a high level. This is a direct effect of the excellent recruiting and development coming from Coach Shannon and his staff.

Coach Shannon is the man who was able to bring in a NFL pedigree offensive coordinator, Mark Whipple, to reshape the offense into the type that yielded countless NFL pros. Miami in the past has paid its bills by having a pro-style offense with the players to match. Countless players have come through those doors and have been developed to simply dominate, that is what separates the Canes from the USF Bulls. The recruiting classes since Shannon has taken over have replenished this team with talent. Under Larry Coker, the team suffered through a lack of talent and development. Shannon has provided discipline and structure that will prevent UM from sustaining any PR black eyes.

Jacory Harris has been a field general. He has provided the whole team with a stable leader. He is a sophomore who has played like a season veteran. Does he turn the ball over too much? Absolutely. But he also has the ability to take over a game with a single throw. He is a winner and will lead the team to become a national championship contender. Playing at Traz Powell Stadium in front of the whole community, he has done nothing but win, and that is all he knows. The high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in Miami-Dade county football has given us the diamond under center that we desperately needed. The pose that we have seen all year long comes from seeing and feeling what big time football is at Miami Northwestern.

This season has proven that we have the right team in place to remain in the conversation for years to come. We have seen Coach Shannon board this ship during a violent storm, navigating it out of the storm clouds to sunny, calm seas. We have a ship that has a destination in mind and that destination is prominence.

The Future of the Florida Marlins

The Marlins as always have plenty of young talent that is scratching the surface. But, with this scratch, and to continue it, owner Jeffery Loria will need to open his wallet. The stadium is being built, and the stars for the future success are aligned. The elephant that is in the room is the contract status of pitcher Josh Johnson. This ace that can lead this staff for the next 6-8 years has become the type of pitcher that you want starting game 7 of the World Series. Time is ticking and by coming to Johnson with a contract offer sooner than later would show this kid the level of confidence and willingness to pay to win. The Marlins track record of not paying is not very attractive around the league. Players see the team as a stepping stone to greater day instead of a home. This culture of trading proven talent for unproven talent just to unload salary needs to end. Hanley Ramirez is locked up, but the stars that will lead this team to sustained playoff appearances aren’t. Cameron Maybin, Chris Coghlan, Gaby Sanchez, and Anibal Sanchez are all going to be key cogs in this bright future. Along with infusing some quality veteran leadership this team will be a force. But for this to happen, Loria and the front office will need to pay players, show them that this is no layover, but a destination. Baseball in South Florida should be an easy sell; no income tax, beautiful weather, a brand new stadium, and a proven front office. Only time will tell where the front office team will steer this ship in the coming years, but to create a winner, greater culture must be set. If they are waiting on the fans to show up, build a steady playoff contender and they will come.

Jacory Harris And The Pull It Out

Looks as if Coach Randy Shannon choice to go with Soph. QB Jacory Harris was the correct move. Harris broke Kenny Kelly's record for most passing yard against Florida State. This offensive battle went down to the wire with Miami winning 38-34 in front of 87,000 at Doak Campbell Stadium. The defenses allowed the quarterbacks to carve up the secondaries with no pass rush. Harris played cool, collected and never seemed nervous or bothered at anytime in the game. Greg Cooper and Travis Benjamin also provided sparks throughout the game. This Labor Day game brought back memories of this rivalries storied past, with missed kicks, speed and athleticism. But this night belonged to Harris, going 21-34 , passing for 2 and rushing for 1 touchdown. He displayed the savvy of a seasoned quarterback even though it was his first game; knowing that he was the man and the success of this team was on his shoulders. The Canes faithful had a scare when Harris was hit and injured by FSU CB Greg Reid. However, the toughness and calls by new OC Mark Whipple put Harris in a position to continue on. Harris a member of the 2008 National Champion Miami Northwestern Bulls, was prepared young for the big stage, winning is all he did from the time he picked up the football. Though the Seminoles played well, in the end Jacory "Cool Breeze" Harris, summoned the swagger and greatness of Hurricanes past, to lead this team to victory and credibility.

Tavaris Jackson Held Out

Before last nights game, there was a small but steady stream of people wondering if QB Tavaris Jackson could create a battle with another strong performance. However, Coach Brad Childress and company decided to silence this talk by keeping T-Jack out of most of the game. If he was given the opportunity to play a substantial amount of time, we may have seen this talk grow louder. Farve had a good game and with this performance is now in the drivers seat. Viking defeated the Texans 17-10 with a strong performance from RB Adrian Peterson. Personally, I would have loved to see Jackson push Farve to the "brink of the bench". In the long term Jackson gives the Vikings the best option in the future, by in the win now league, the front office believe that the had to go for a hale mary and bring in Farve. Hopefully, Jackson will sit back and learn something from Farve and become a better QB.

09-10 Season Preview

The Miami Dolphins had an amazing 2008-09 season. Coming off a 1-15 season they shocked both Brett Farve and the NFL world as a whole. Now the hard work begins, no one will be surprised by the play of the Dolphins and will be ready for them every week.

The Draft
With the Bill Parcells and Co. back in the war room ready to better equip their team for the upcoming season, they began with the secondary. Selecting the CB Vontae Davis and following that pick with a gifted QB/ATH Pat White. In the third round they selected a personal favorite, CB Sean Smith from Utah. This draft will allow the Phins to further develop the wildcat formation that has been now dubbed the “WildPat” offense. By drafting two of the better corner backs in the draft, they will create heavy competition in the secondary. Sean Smith is a player that when developed, can cover the likes of Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Lee Evans. Parcells and Sparano continue to try to turn this team into a well disciplined, big, strong machine that will be able to play in the months of November and December when softer teams fold.

Free Agency
The Phins began free agency early by going out and signing the Cameron Wake for the CFL. Wake is a hybrid OLB/DE who is expected to create havoc in the backfield for unsuspecting quarterbacks. The solidified the offensive line by signing Joe Berger and trading for former Oakland C Jake Grove and sending C Samson Satele. To replace the loss of Randal Hill the Phins signed safety Gibril Wilson to a five-year contract; signed safety Yeremiah Bell to a four-year contract. Vernon Carey was also received a new multi-year deal. Both Bell and Carey were critical pieces that were needed to keep continuity. DE/OLB Jason Taylor has danced his way back into a Dolphins uniform after a unsuccessful stint in Washington.

Outlook
The Dolphins will start the 2009 campaign off certainly better equipped than last season, however as the defending AFC East champions, the target is on their backs and teams are ready. With the reliable Chad Pennington starting his second season under the helm of the offense, Sparano has an accurate passer who rarely makes mistakes. Disciplined as he may be, getting the ball down the field to WR Ted Ginn Jr., will be important to allow Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to have some area to move. TE Anthony Fasano is highly skilled and his ready for a breakout season to follow last season’s success. With the addition of QB Pat White to run wildcat, and allow this formation to be both a passing and running option, teams will have a new wrinkle to worry about. This confusion will allow the offense to put up enough points to give there dynamic defense room to work with.
Joey Porter and company created pressure and turnovers throughout the season. Without much pass rush from Mr. Porter’s colleagues, Jason Taylor’s return will be a welcomed addition. Sean Smith and Vontae Davis are coming along nicely during OTA’s and training camp, showing the athletic abitlity to play in the NFL. This defense should be a major strength for the team and keep the team competitive in every game.

Dolphins should finish with the season around 10-6 on the strength of the defense and new wrinkles to the wildcat offense.

Draft
1 - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois (5-11, 203)
2 - Pat White, QB/WR, West Virginia (6-0, 197)
2 - Sean Smith, CB, Utah (6-3, 214)
3 - Patrick Turner, WR, USC (6-5, 223)
4 - Brian Hartline, WR, Ohio State (6-2, 195)
5 - John Nalbone, TE, Monmouth (6-4, 251)
5 - Chris Clemons, S, Clemson (6-0, 208)
6 - Andrew Gardner, T, Georgia Tech (6-6, 305)
7 - J.D. Folsom, OLB, Weber State (6-3, 230)

Free Agent Additions
Joe Berger ,G,Dallas
Jason Taylor,DE,WAS
Tony McDaniel,DT,JAC
Eric Green,CB,ARI
Jake Grove,C,OAK
Gibril Wilson,S,OAK

Expectations Week

Evaluating South Florida’s football teams for the upcoming season.

Tuesday Miami Dolphins

Thursday Miami Hurricanes

Saturday FIU Golden Panthers and FAU Owls.

Kobe vs. MJ? Now That's Crazy Talk!!!

I can't believe that this is even being talked about, seriously "Kobe vs. MJ?". Kobe is nowhere near Micheal Jordan in the discussion of greatest players. MJ could do everything, and I mean everything better than everyone on the court. If it weren't for his unspoken two year suspension from the game he would have 8 championships. After the Bulls won their first championship during the Jordan era, we didn't even debate who would win the next season; it was just expected. Beginning the season we still had Boston as the best team and they probably would have beaten the Lakers if injuries hadn't derailed there season. 90's Bulls no questions, no debate. MJ is one of, if not the greatest swing defenders, and a incredible help side defender. He could shoot the three, his mid range game was unheard of, tremendous at getting down the lane, and lets not forget the post up game that allow him to continue to play at a great level even with a bad knee. Could he pass? Yep. Rebound? Absolutely. Basketball knowledge? Kobe who? This debate is only because all we have is baseball right now. Come back to reality please and lets all recognize Kobe Bryant as a great player, but he is no MJ.

South Florida Sports is Back!!!

After a long pause in publishing, South Florida Sports is back with new and in-depth sports journalism. Expect to see daily additions to the page, and look forward to more contributing writers. Writers will not only cover the local teams, but teams that our South Florida teams face throughout there season. This blogs intent is to information, opinion, and a forum for discussion.


Evan A. Payne