I never got around to giving you my thoughts on Saturday's spring game because I was a little tied up with other assignments -- the IndyCar 300 (Saturday night) and the Marlins opener on Monday. So, since most of that analysis may be a little stale, I've decided to do a Live Q&A segment tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. where I thought we could discuss it.
That being said, with football -- the official live blood of Eye On The U -- now on hiatus until the fall, I wanted to get some ideas from you guys on how we can keep this blog going. Obviously, we will have Canes baseball to discuss (even though I hardly cover the team) and I'm sure there will be offseason news on both football and basketball (which I do cover extensively). But I wonder if it will be enough. So, I need your help. Any other ideas and suggestions are welcome. Feel free to leave them below along with your questions for tonight.
See you at 7.
Q: Manny, any idea how many recruits end up in prep school? I heard some didnt qualify, wvilla at hallofcanes.com, is always showing you some love, do you know him? Thanks for all the info and updates, by far the best Canes blog out. Posted by: canesncowboys | April 01, 2008 at 08:45 PM
A: I've heard probably 2-3 end up in prep school. But we'll find out for sure in August. Walter and I are good friends. He used to be the high school editor at The Herald before he became a writer. Great guy. Thanks for the compliments and the question.
Posted by: Manny Navarro | April 02, 2008 at 01:28 AM
Manny
Can we get the spring speed and strength numbers from Swasey? Omar used to get that and we would talk about the fastest cane and strongest cane I wonder if anyone steals Shields crown. Anyone remember when Maxey beat Hester. Hester won it back the next year but you do not run a 4.2 every time.
Posted by: Hassan | April 02, 2008 at 05:05 AM
Manny... Damn son... working late last night! Sorry I missed the live action!
Suggestions:
After completing write up on positions and players of the "08" team ( I'm still waiting), Suggest to contact new studs of "09" that have been offered... Do a special cameo on each and get their view of where Miami sits on their top 3 teams list... if out of top 3... then pass.
We only want players with the heart beat of the U. Thump, THUMP-THUMP,THUMP-THUMP!
CANES.
CAT-5
Posted by: Cat Five Cane | April 02, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Am I the only one here to think about this ? But why doesnt everyone ananlyze the Football team when all the rest of the recruits get on campus. We are still missing a bunch of impact recruits.
Am I right or am I right?
Posted by: A Realisst | April 02, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Suggestion for future blog coverage - Interview UM players on what sealed their decision to come to DA U. I would really want to know the dynamics and the how they made their decision. The how and why they came to UM.
Posted by: AndyMiles | April 02, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Manny, it would be interesting to know how the players are doing in the weight room. Considering we have a lot of young players on the team, their development in the weight room would be a good indicator. Thanks
Posted by: TommyG | April 02, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Yo..i guess people have started to drink the kool-aid. As much as I would love to think that we are going to go 10-2 or 9-3, I just don't see it. We are two things, extremely talented and extremely inexperienced. Unfortunately the second one usually shows before the first one. So we are going to have some struggles.
We have major issues at CB and DL. Not to mention the fact that the WRs need Belitnikoff to give them some stickum to hold on to the ball.
We'll be really good soon, but don't put too much pressure on the team and then in game 5 if we are 2-3 or something everyone starts ripping on the team. That would suck.
Posted by: Jayel | April 02, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I am so sick of these teams: USC, Ohio State, UF getting all this coverage. Fox Sports.COm picked another Oh. State- UF matchup. i swear, I will jump off the Pier 66 bridge if that happens (relax, I did it back in the 80s when I was stupid and young).
If only the Big 10 had a real "conference". Oh wait, Michigan beat UF last year I forgot.
Can anybody in theBig 10 please beat those cheating overrated luckeyes? Please. Stop choking when it counts, Mich., Purdue, and Iowa, Wisconsin.
If the canes beat the gayturds, I am inviting all of the 305 to party at my house in the 239.
Posted by: Jaime | April 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
What are the weakest units on this team?
I'm thinking the following:
1. Offensive Line - We don't open any holes for the running game and our QB only has time to throw slants, outs, and screens.
2. Special Teams - Noone is like Devin Hester, but can someone get us some decent field position. The kickoff and punt teams look week, runners were close to breaking a couple on us last year. Remember when we used to run through the end zone??? I didn't see this once last season.
3. Cornerbacks - DVD and Harris will be a good tandem, but what do we have after that?
As for waiting for the recruits to get on campus....they might help with specials, but there isn't much OL and CB help.
8-9 wins???? Get real people, thats asking a lot of these kids. What are you going to do rip them when the don't win the ACC....that wouldn't be right.
Posted by: Canesjunkie | April 02, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Hey Jaime...
You living in Naples? I am moving over there in July from Miami... any pointers on cool bars/areas to hit up? I got some peeps over there but dont know much about the nightlife...
Anything you got would be much appredciated. I also plan on setting up a sick gameday entertainment room in my house over there for away games (im coming back to miami for the home games)...
mike
Posted by: mike p | April 02, 2008 at 03:36 PM
MANNY WHAT IS THE SAFETY SITUATION LOOKING LIKE... DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEA WHO CAN BE STARTING AT THAT POSITION.. I KNOW WE DONT HAVE AND ED REED OR A SEAN TAYLOR ( R.I.P.) BUT DO YOU THINK WE CAN HAVE A STAR PLAYER AT THAT POSITION THIS YEAR... ALSO DO YOU THINK THAT MIAMI WILL THROW SOME SPREAD PACKAGES IN THE OFFENSE THIS YEAR..........
Posted by: miamiboisince85 | April 02, 2008 at 05:07 PM
I still stand my prediction of the Canes going 7-5 in '08. 2009 is the year it comes together, IMO. Even better if they get rid of Nix.
Posted by: Carlos | April 02, 2008 at 05:53 PM
9 wins
8 at worst
Posted by: SFCane | April 02, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Riddle of the week (football trivia):
Who was the player who scored all of the points for the Florida Gaturds in a losing effort to Da U, but played for Da U? Answer tomorrow.
Hint, but for his inadvertant scoring for the Turds, the Canes would have shut out the hapless Gators, instead of merely humiliating the slithering-through-shit reptilians.
Posted by: canesrule | April 02, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Manny...GREAT job, sorry I missed the action! I'm in the 305 and went to the Canes Baseball game against FAU last night to cover it for The Space.
GO CANES!!!
Posted by: 86Cane | April 02, 2008 at 11:11 PM
YEAH MANNY, I HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR BLOG. WHY DON'T YOU BEGIN WITH THE NAME OF YOUR BLOG MANNY. HOW ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME TO "DA' CAPITAL U"...HUH MANNY, HOW'S THAT SOUND, YOU LIKE? OR SINCE THE U LOGO HAS A DISCONNECT AT THE BOTTOM, HOW ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME TO "THE U CONNECTION", HUH MANNY? AND HOW ABOUT SOME THEME MUSIC MANNY, HUH MANNY? YOU DON'T HAVE A SONG THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE AS AN INTRO FOR YOUR READERS BEFORE THEY ENTER YOUR BLOG...MANNY?
OR HOW ABOUT A PLAY-LIST FOR YOUR READERS TO LISTEN TO WHILE READING YOUR BLOG MANNY? YOU DO KNOW THAT YOUR LOYAL READERS CAN READ AND LISTEN TO MUSIC AT THE SAME TIME, RIGHT MANNY? AND PICTURES MANNY, MORE PICTURES. WE GET TIRED OF HAVING TO WAIT FOR A NEW PICTURE OF YOU HAVING TO COME OUT ON A YEARLY BASIS. WE WANT TO SEE YOU IN ACTION MAN, WE WANT TO SEE YOU COVERING THE GAME, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NEAR THE CHEERLEADERS MANNY. BUT YEAH MANNY, THOSE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS, I'LL GIVE YOU MORE IF I CAN COME UP WITH SOME. AND IF YOU USE ANYTHING I SUGGESTED MANNY, LET ME GET ME-ME BABY. IT'S 2008 BABY, GET WIT' THE PROGRAM.
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 03, 2008 at 06:49 PM
To the person who keeps posting in all caps:
It is easier to read your posts when most of the letters are lower case and you only capitalize the appropriate ones. The all caps is very daunting especially on long posts.
Posted by: SFCane | April 03, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Hi Manny,
I always like to hear projections on who will start...let's see, how about your take on the D this year, given what you've seen to date and how the players have performed? I know its early, but what the heck....
Posted by: AlpahrettaCane | April 03, 2008 at 08:00 PM
you might want to watch your back on the post by 5and7sux. this person is a freak. thanks for the U info always. peace.
Posted by: rohan | April 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
HERE'S A NEW NAME FOR YOUR BLOG MANNY--IF YOU'RE UP TO SUCH SUGGESTIONS--"CONNECTING THE U", YOU LIKE? I THOUGHT SO.
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 03, 2008 at 10:15 PM
C'MON SF CANE, YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT PICTURE OF MANNY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HIS YEARBOOK PICTURE..................OF HIS FRESHMAN YEAR IN HIGHSCHOOL!!! C'MON SFC, IT'S 2008 BABY, WE DO HAVE SOMETHING THEY CALL UHHHHHHH..............COLOR, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 03, 2008 at 10:21 PM
OR HOW ABOUT JUST PLAIN "CONNECTING U" MANNY? DAMMIT MAN, I'M HOT TONIGHT BABY, I'M SO HOT, I'LL MAKE A HOT POTATO JEALOUS. IT'S ELECTRIC!!!!!!
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 03, 2008 at 10:28 PM
5AND7SUX U SUCK! AND YOU ARE CORNY THAN THE GUYS FROM NEBRASKA!
Posted by: 86 | April 03, 2008 at 10:46 PM
It's not even that he's corny. That @sshole doesn't make any sense. No one ever understands what he's talking about. I hate that guy. Then, I say something to him and other idiots get all pissed off.
Posted by: Robert | April 04, 2008 at 12:24 AM
OH MAN, THERE YOU GO AGAIN MR. ROBERT, GETTING ALL UPSET AGAIN MY FRIEND. HOW ABOUT TRYING REPEATING THIS TO YOURSELF TO SETTLE THAT CHEMICAL IMBALANCE OF YOURS: TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDS. IS THAT HELPING ANY... HUH MR. ROBERT?
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 04, 2008 at 02:31 AM
Checked out ESPN's ACC notebook, is it me or is every team in the ACC having issues. We've got the only positive story in the whole thing. I still don't think that will translate to 9 wins, but I can see where everyone is so optimistic about winning the conference.
My thought, screw the rest of the teams...if we do what we need to do...there won't be any issues in 2008. If we lose to teams, it will be because of youth, inexperience, and depth...not talent. Any problems we might have will get corrected over time. Noone can out-recruit us now, so the wins will start coming in bunches in 09 & 10.
Posted by: Canesjunkie | April 04, 2008 at 11:00 AM
The only thing that will help me is me putting your head through that computer of yours, so that we don't have to read your rambling and nonsense.
Posted by: Robert | April 04, 2008 at 11:18 AM
"SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO READ YOUR RAMBLING AND NONSENSE."
CAN YOU NOT READ OR SOMETHING. I WENT BACK AND CHECKED MY COMMENTS, AND I DIDN'T SEE ONE MISSPELLED WORD OR INCOHERENT SENTENCE. MAYBE YOU HAVE DYSLEXIA IN ADDITION TO YOU BEING MENTALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY CHALLENGED. YOU NEED HELP MR. ROBERT, AND YOU NEED IT BAD MAN. TAKE YOUR MEDS, OKAY ROBERT, TAKE YOUR MEDS MAN.
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 04, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Hey Robert, don't start your angry bs again. I thought we all told you before....stop posting on this blog! Nobody wants to hear your whinning about how you don't like 5 and 7. Grow up and go back to the Gayturds blog you friggin bandwagoner!!! That is where you came from isn't it Mrs. Robert? What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Didn't think anyone would find out you were a gayturds fan until we got this recruiting class? What a sorry sorry boy:(
Posted by: Leave5and7alone | April 04, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Manny, as the draft approaches why don't you do an article on which school has lost the most under classman to the NFL since 2000. I think UM would win by a wide margin. I also think this has had a major impact on the decline of the program.
Posted by: KM | April 05, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Posting under different names now, huh? Wow, you're a loser. I'm a Gator fan now, am I? A bandwagoner? Can you please tell me how someone is a bandwagoner when the team is 5-7? Idiot. By the way, I never said there was anything grammatically incorrect in your posts. You just don't make any damn sense and I guess you think you're being funny or something but you're not. No one understands what the hell you are talking about. And then, you have the balls to call someone else mentally challenged...lol. Read your posts, you psycho. You are a complete jackass, not to mention a p*ssy.
Posted by: Robert | April 05, 2008 at 11:06 AM
When you guys post in capital letters...does that denote anger or loudness?
Posted by: M.H. | April 05, 2008 at 01:28 PM
OK MR. ROBERT, POST SOMETHING--ANYTHING--IN ONE OF MY COMMENTS THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. YOU'RE JUST MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING. YOU'RE BEGINNING TO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD WHEN IT COMES TO CRITICIZING ME. AND NO, I AM NOT POSTING UNDER THE PSEUDONYM OF "LEAVE 5AND7 ALONE", I THINK YOU'RE JUST OBSESSED WITH ME MR. ROBERT. BUT I'M SORRY, I JUST DON'T SWING TO THAT SIDE OF THE FENCE, HATE TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE.............MR.ROBERT. I GUESS EVERY TIME YOU SEE MY NAME IT MUST MAKE YOU HYPERVENTILATE OR SOMETHING, AND HERE'S SOME ADVICE THAT'LL REMEDY THAT................MR.ROBERT: BREEEEEEEEATHE(GASPING FOR AIR)...MR.ROBERT, BREEEEEEEEEEATHE. SO YOU KNOW, JUST CHILL OUT MR.ROBERT, CHILL, IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT...............MR.ROBERT.
Posted by: 5AND7SUX | April 05, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Awesome. Robert is on again dishing out his personal brand of e-pain.
Keep up the good work, Robert. You are definitely making a difference in the world.
Posted by: Carlos | April 05, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Manny, I know your not a baseball guy, but the #1 starter on the #2 team in the nation has missed his last 2 starts. Any chance that someone over there at the paper might be able to find out what's going on? I'm not expecting any analysis, just a half baked effort on what should be a big story might be nice.
Posted by: Mephistopheles | April 05, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Carlos, shut your mouth before I do something about it. Leave5and7alone, what is the problem with having more than one favorite team? huh? I've been a lifelong gators fan but I just don't like the way the program is going. So it's time for me to make a switch. The canes have the best recruiting class in the nation so what would be a better team to root for. That doesn't make me a bandwagoner you stupid sob. 5and7, your remarks are that of an 8 year old. Learn how to type or I will break your fingers so you can't!!!
Posted by: Robert | April 06, 2008 at 12:34 PM
LMFAO
Posted by: Carlos | April 06, 2008 at 02:33 PM
your all gay for caring about what other people say so much...shut up and root for the canes in a positive way
Posted by: TTcane | April 06, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Any news from The Nike Football Training Camps that kicked off on Sunday afternoon at the University of Miami?
Posted by: AndyMiles | April 06, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Losers posting under my name. God, I hate you people. Carlos, I'd listen to the fake Robert's 1st sentence.
Posted by: Robert | April 07, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I've seen several posters bothered by 5and7's posts. Most of us just choose to ignore him. Although I must say, his posts are really weird. The guy is seriously out there. I'm surprised he hasn't been banned yet. I guess the herald doesn't have a moderator.
Posted by: kenny | April 07, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I have to disagree with the comment about Miami getting beat by Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson (the new coach of GT) is gonna be running the option in a conference like the ACC? I just don't think it's gonna work. Way to much speed. We all know how the option works against teams in the state of Florida. It don't! If they decide to throw, who are they gonna throw it to? Senior receiver James (the other Johnson)Johnson quit the football team because of the option. Johnson's decision comes after receivers Colin Peek and D.J. Donley announced plans to transfer and another receiver, Greg Smith, was moved to A-back in spring drills. Last year Paul Johnson's team threw the ball 136 times and they ran it 804. My personal opinion, that won't fly in the ACC. If we get beat by Georgia Tech, we are screwed this season.
Posted by: spyhazard | April 08, 2008 at 10:54 AM