Bad news: Cook, Ponder hurt

The first bad news of the fall has come out -- linebacker Glenn Cook and safety Lovon Ponder (who were both expected to be starters) -- are injured.

As UM scrimmaged for the first time this fall, both were out with injuries. Coach Randy Shannon told reporters Cook is expected to miss between three to four games. Ponder, who was seen on crutches around school Wednesday, could return to the team before the start of the season.

Cook's loss means Miami will be without its most experienced linebacker to start the season. Cook was tied for the lead for most starts with Tavares Gooden with 14. But without question, he was expected to replace Jon Beason as the brainchild and leader of the linebacking corps from the weakside. Now, Gooden or Spencer Adkins will likely replace him in the starting lineup alongside sophomore Darryl Sharpton and Colin McCarthy.

Willie Cooper who made the big interception to save UM from an ugly loss to Duke last season is now expected to carry the load at safety alongside Kenny Phillips until Ponder returns. Freshmen Jojo Nicholas could also see some time there.

Comments

[Cane33]

This is so not cool.........

[Esteban]

Manny, you jinxed Ponder!!

but seriously, i'm just relieved he'll be back in time for Marshall. Hopefully the younger guys make the most of the additional reps they'll get.

I like Cook from a mental standpoint, but from a playmaking standpoint we'll be better off with Adkins in there. I'd just have preferred he won the job over Cook instead of getting it cause of injury.

[green]

hey manny navarro, did you jinx Lovon Ponder with your august 8th blog ; )

[atlantacane1]

people stop panicking! this is no longer the coker regime. the players on this team are going to come through mentally and physically. somebody else will just step in and the canes will be o.k.

[rubcatcane]

Someone will step up and we won't miss a beat.

[OrangeCane]

Ouch, do we know what happened to them? Either way, I think we'll be fine - it just gives the other guys a good chance to get some experience.

[ObviousCane]

Where does bailey fit into the picture with playing time?

[Enought already.]

at least it isn't an ACL.

[Canes305]

I think this might be a case where Cook doesn't see the field again. Adkins or Gooden ends up keeping the gig and we finally have a solid trio out there (with Sharpton and McCarthy) for the first time in a few years.

[norm]

Thank you, Manny.
The LB position is getting really thin. Wish both guys a speedy recovery.

[green]

hey manny navarro, 700+ posts since july 23rd! ALIVE

[green]

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080907aac.html scrimmaging in NEW jerseys. SUWEET

[CanezNC]

I agree with Canes305. Last year, myself and MANY others wanted to see Sharpton on the field instead of Romeo. Sure enough, Romeo gets hurt and Sharpton turns into our best linebacker. I see the same scenario with Adkins... BTW, Sharpton/Adkins/McCarthy will be one fast/physical trio. Bring in T-Good and Baily for relief...

[Esteban]

please green, no post counting.

[green]

no can do, esteban

[green]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/sports/503192,5_2_WA09_BEARS_S1.article news-sun's gene chamberlain: "Former University of Miami coach Larry Coker on Wednesday paid a visit to some old Hurricanes at Bears training camp. Someone should have considered giving him the key to training camp. Coker had a hand in the development of both Devin Hester and Greg Olsen, the two matinee idols in Bears camp. Whenever either player touches the football, it sounds like John, Paul, George and Ringo have taken the stage -- shrieking replaces applause." ROCK STARS

[Tin]

How has the RB situation been utilized so far.. Who is getting the most reps?.. How has cooper caught the ball.. Will there be enough footballs 2 go around in the backfield..
James, Cooper, Jones, and Thomas... Is there a deeper backfield in the nation?

Go Canes Buck the Rest

[Soup]

Manny...nice work! Injuries are part of the business. No time to feel sorry for yourself or your team. Next guy has to step up and play. Simple as that.

"Life caomes at you fast. For that, there is Hurricane football!"

[KM]

I agree that Cook may never see the field again. I never understood why R Davis and Cook received so much PT. It seemed like they were always getting beat.

Big Q: HOW DUMB IS WILLIE WILLIAMS?

[stevecane]

does anyone know who the new recruit we might be getting at the end of the month??

[green]

limp no mo' : ) manny navarro's once-limp blog elicited more posts in the last 2+ weeks (700+) than the preceding 6 months (jan 19 - jul 20). 6 MONTHS! how come? the cavalry arrived : ) CHAAARGE

[green]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2139193&vkey=pr_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla "Marlins ready to host second annual University of Miami Family Night; More than 15,000 UM employees and family expected to participate" largest group event of the season

[Soup!]

Manny...any injury updates?

[green]

http://wqam.com/ QAM previews U 7p - 10p monday!

[green]

http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/198518.html herald's barry jackson: "Jorge Sedano, 29, is expected to leave his job as WIOD's Heat host to join 790 The Ticket to anchor a three-hour talk show ..." 790 putting together a formidable lineup: Sid Rosenberg (UM alum), geldie, sedano (UM fan), Lebaturd (UM alum), Alan Strauss (UM alum) & larry milian (UM fan). notice the thread ...

[green]

http://790theticket.com/

[green]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/umblog is nonchalant jorge milian on greenies? 6 blogs in 7 days! SWEET JESUS

[green]

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/198505.html herald's armando salguero: "Dolphin Stadium is two-thirds through an estimated $300 million upgrade ... 750 new plasma TVs throughout -- including in many bathrooms and even at concession stands in the suite and club seat levels. ... The stadium boasts 360,000 square feet that weren't there last year. Four escalators and four elevators have been added to access the 200 level and the two new restaurants ... American walnut wood finishes are practically everywhere ..." HARDSHIP?

[Manny]

Green, Canespace folk, rest of the Eye on The U Crew.. just an FYI: I'm going to be out this weekend. I have my sister-in-law's wedding tonight and family in for the weekend.

So, I'm taking the weekend off to refresh myself before getting the ball rolling again on Monday and for good.

FYI, there is a lot on tap for me in the coming months including The Herald's High School Football Show powered by Recruitflix.com. I'll be producing the show in addition to helping covering the Canes. It should give me more time to spend with potential recruits.

I've got lots to share from my day shooting interviews at Northwestern this past weekend. But I'll save it for my blog. Hope you all don't miss me too much.

Peace.

[rubcatcane]

Have a good weekend Manny. Enjoy the family but your mistress the U awaits...

[Soup!]

Manny...thanks for the updates and enjoy your time off.

I can't wait for the MNW player interviews. Your blog rocks!

[alf]

Sid is not a UM alum, he went there for less then a year, not even

[green]

alum = graduate or former student. also, Sid Rosenberg considers UM his alma mater.

[green]

http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/199607.html hillary to participate in UM debate. will Obama & edwards follow suit?

[green]

LONDON (Reuters) - News Corp.'s Rupert Murdoch has said he might make the Wall Street Journal's Web site free ...

[green]

did bakas $ucker you in again? why pay for (mis)information when you can get it free?

[Soup!]

Many people in the know say that Bakas knows nothing.

[green]

bakas knows something. when you go out on a limb, prepare to fall ... hard!

[green]

why would QAM saddle Joe Rose (UM fan) with jivin' jason jackson? DILUTE

[green]

ted ginn AIN'T Devin Hester! NO COMPARISON

[green]

our iconic mascot worked the dolphins- jaguars crowd. sign of things to come ; )

[green]

sign of the apocalypse ; )

[billb]

Adkins will not disappoint. He was all everything here in Naples.

[green]

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_6603880 former Cane Ryan Braun: shoo-in for Rookie of the Year

[green]

http://blogs.herald.com/random_evidence/2007/08/poll-the-greate.html greg cote poll: choose the greatest Canes

[green]

http://wsvnmedia.wsvn.com/scejas/IMG_9377.jpg Canes grill captured by steven cejas

[alf]

green

alum - a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university) sid did not

[green]

alf: graduate = degreed

[alf]

green,

alum is not a former student without a degree.

in order to be a part of the alumni assc. you have to be GRADUATED from th school not be a former student of the school

[green]

alf: is Devin Hester a UM alum?