Day 2: Shields talk & more from freshmen

Two practices are in the books for the Canes. I celebrated it by having lunch with my homeboy and Panthers beat writer George Richards -- who I rarely see anymore -- at Casola's Pizzeria off NW 17th Avenue and US1. If you haven't been to Casola's, you are missing some great pizza (it's the place I always went to after games at the Orange Bowl).

As for practice, nothing too exciting came out of it Sunday -- just more positive signs from some young receivers, a quick conversation with the oft-troubled Sam Shields and plenty of other notes and quotes.

> Saturday was LaRon Byrd's day to shine. Sunday it was Travis Benjamin's. The former Glades Central receiver who caught my eye during Saturday's open practice was on the receiving end of two long scoring passes according to teammates during 11-on-11 drills Sunday. Benjamin, who can be spotted easily on the field because of his trademark long dreads, has tremendous breakaway speed. Canesport.com, who spoke to trainer Andreu Swasey, reported Benjamin having the fastest 40-yard time of any incoming freshmen at 4.26 seconds. Other top 40-times include receiver Davon Johnson (4.32) and Brandon Harris (4.47). Safety Vaughn Telemaque, who has received rave reviews, was times at 4.75 seconds -- slower than quarterback Taylor Cook (4.59) and defensive end Marcus Robinson (4.56)

> Speaking of Robinson, coach Randy Shannon set some what I consider lofty goals for the freshman when I asked Shannon what he hoped to get out of Robinson at defensive end. Basically, Shannon painted the picture of turning Robinson into a third-down, pass rushing end. "If he can contribute 15-25 plays in game situations, that is great. One guy we had out here was Javon Nanton that played just 15 plays a game and was a third down specialist. He led the Big East in sacks one year. If he can do that, then great, but if not then he is our future."

To me, this is just further proof just how beaten-down Miami's defensive line situation is when you get an 18-year old to arrive in August and you are hoping he can already be counted on for that much action. Robinson played defensive end and linebacker in high school, but was tabbed as the nation's No. 4 outside linebacker by Rivals.com. Freshmen have been contributors at defensive end before -- the late Bryan Pata comes to mind. But Pata was bigger than Robinson and more built for lining up versus 300 pound tackles. It's certainly going to be an adjustment for the kid.

"We have a couple guys down. Since I played d-end in high school, coach made the decision I could make the move," Robinson said. "Physically, I feel good really. I just got to use my technique and I'll be fine. I've put on 15 pounds since I've been here. I'm up to 241. Right now, I got to use my speed, my feet, my technique when I take on a big guy. I'm working with Eric Moncur. He's teaching me pretty much. Steven Wesley too. They're teaching me to be fast with my hands and how to move on the line without standing still."

> I'm not the type of guy who wants to fan the flames, but it's never a good sign to me when reporters try and ask a player a question and UM reps intervene to say he's not interested in answering it. That's what happened when reporters tried to ask Shields about his academic situation (which has been a hot topic/rumor this summer). The fear is Shields had a lot of making up to do in the classroom. Either way, we'll find out soon if he is in trouble. Friday was the last day of summer school and finals and Shannon told us on media day that the coaching staff would be receiving grades early this coming week.

For his part, I got to give Sam credit. He answered other questions and stressed he's matured. Shields said he's also gained weight -- about five pounds -- and is up to 185. Shields said he's lining up mostly on the outside and said freshmen receivers have been doing a good job pushing the veterans.

"I'm just focused on the things I got to do now," Shields said. "I want to help this team win games."

> Sophomore cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke, who started eight games last season despite being one of the thinnest corners I've ever seen, said he's bulked up to 178 pounds this season. He was weighing 160 when he arrived at UM. Van Dyke was awfully impressive from what I can remember in the spring. He said he had a couple breakups during 7-on-7 drills. He said coaches are trying to find the best two corners "and then the next two for a first and second team."

He also spoke highly of the other freshmen -- who he is playing alongside and against -- Sunday.

"Those guys are coming along real well," Van Dyke said. "Those guys have picked up their game fast. Brandon [Harris] is a great defensive back who will help us a lot this year. Vaughn [Telemaque] and [Ramon] Buchanon are ballers right there, real ballers. They'll help us out this year."

"All [the receivers] are good. They got their different styles. LaRon is a big physical receiver. Thearon and Kendall Thompkins are slashy guys. [Davon Johnson] and Travis Benjamin and Tommy Streeter will spread the field on you. You have to watch how you cover them. Those guys are good."

> As for the walking wounded, the same three guys who sat out Saturday and did drills off to the side -- defensive ends Eric Moncur and Allen Bailey and defensive tackle Josh Holmes -- were in the same place again Sunday according to Shannon.

> Tampa Plant tight end Orson Charles (rated No. 1 in the nation by Rivals.com) watched practice again Sunday. In other recruiting tidbits, I got the sense from a few conversations defensive tackle Antwan Lowery would still be welcomed at UM even though the team already has two defensive tackles lined up for it's 09 class. The U though appears to be getting tired of Lowery's games. He was supposed to announce August 1st, but has since negated and reopened his recruiting to include Florida with Rutgers and Miami.

Comments

[cj]

Boy aren't you the enlighten one dipshiit. Did you have to pull your old film projector out to see what big bad bama did long ago in ancient history or was that part of your little project for school? Oh there was that one little title they won in 92. Bet you've burn't that little betamax of yours up reliving the good ole days thats gone. Boy must be a big fan of my comments and really I can't blame you if my stuff sucked like yours I'd probably do the same thing. But guess what they don't.

[canesrule]

"But guess what they don't." - cj

ANOTHER BIASED OPINION

[canesrule]

"They will score alot of points on offense, but at the end of the day you need to have a staunch defense to contend for conference championships, and I just don't see it in northCentral Florida." - MedleyCane

So that explains why the Gators were picked to win the SEC East over preseason #1 UGA?

BLIND AS AN IBUS

[canesrule]

"They will score alot of points on offense, but at the end of the day you need to have a staunch defense to contend for conference championships, and I just don't see it in northCentral Florida." - MedleyCane

So that explains why the Gators were picked to win the SEC East over preseason #1 UGA?

BLIND AS AN IBUS

[canesrule]

"now that they realize we put the lockdown on south florida again" - thug life

What's the no-show count today? I stopped paying attention after the 7th.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

[Canester-Nip]

Bama only has 6 or 7 championships anyway. Nothing before 1936 counts, cause that's when the AP poll was created. Canesrule,get a life and a girlfriend. U should be somewhat embarrased posting on a blog at 3 a.m. for the sake of trying to get under someone's skin. U should be trying to get some skins.

[canesrule]

"about 10 years when shannon does something crazy like go to the nfl" - thug life

or about 5 months when he pulls off another bowl-less season and gets 86'caned.
So who is Duhhhh U gonna promote within next? Nix is looking like the pre-qualified fourth choice for U.

WATCH 1 DOWN

[canesrule]

"U should be trying to get some skins." - Canester-Nip

At 5-7, U should be trying to get more wins.

TBD - A WINNING REGULAR SEASON?

[cj]

That's all you got? "Another biased opinion"
dude thats almost as pathetic as you on this blog wanting deep down to be a CANE! And Medly Cane don't sweat this "wanna be" he is just sweating this game between our underdog Canes and his so called mighty whatevers. I mean seeing as though whats there name again? Oh yeah Gators are suppose to be so great they seem to have everything to lose and we have everything to take from them.

[Savitza]

Why do we continuously answer Canesrule...

Just let him babble and don't answer. He obviously has no life, so just let him be. the more we answer the more ammo he has to act stupid!

Go Canes!!!!!!

[strobocane]

Yo fellas, a friend of mine knows canesrule and he told me the following. When he's stroking it wearing nothing but a Tebow jersey, he does so with his legs extended in the air, bending back towards him, so that when he shoots his load he does so all over his own face. Also, if U think he's wasting time posting on oUr message board, it's nothing compared to the Myspace and Friendster stalking he perpetuates on the friends of his 14 year-old sister. He claims to be a dynamite athlete, but can't field an intramural flag team because his only "friends" are the geek squad PC support teams based in India. Percy Harvin filed a restraining order against him last summer and Brandon Spikes caught him sniffing his mail. He stills lives in his mother's basement, but she has no idea because at 450 she hasn't left her bed since her pimp, his father, slapped her off of it for suffocating one of his best customers, canesrule's cousin. So before you get annoyed at another of his series of posts, or as I like to call them, 'the ramblings of lonely mind,' remember that this inbred, invisible to the world sub-human was put on this planet to show us that even the rules of evolution have exceptions and that, as much as we hate condoms, they can prevent things like canesrule from populating our wondrous planet. Thank you canesrule foe being an invaluable lesson to the rest of us about the dangers of lameness.

[canesrule]

"Yo fellas, a friend of mine knows....." - strobocane

NOTHIN BUT CLASS FROM DUHHHHH U

[canesrule]

"he is just sweating this game" - cj

Please don't flatter yourself. Duhhhh U game is already an after thought! The entire nation, including the Gator Nation, is enthralled with the #1 vs #2 showdown in Jacksonville on November 1st.

DRINK MORE GATORADE

[canesrule]

"the more we answer the more ammo he has" -Savitza

You've only got two feet, every cane on here has already used up their supply.

IF IT TASTES LIKE PENNY LOAFERS....

[cj]

Well slick I hate to break it to you and Gatornation but there ain't gonna be a 1 vs 2 showdown in Jacksonville on November 1st.

[brooklyncane]

PEOPLE JUST IGNORE CANESRULE! WHAT HE OBVIOUSLY WANTS IS ATTENTION & FOR US TO REPLY TO HIS COMMENTS! HE HAS NOTHING ELSE TO COME AT US WITH BUT OUR 5-7 RECORD. HE CAN'T SAY THAT UF HAS MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN UM, HE CAN'T SAY ANY OF UFS' FORMER HEAD COACHES HAVE WON CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BOTH THE COLLEGE AND NFL LEVELS (JIMMY JOHNSON), AND HE DEFINATELY CAN'T SAY THAT UF HAS MORE PLAYERS OR STARS IN THE NFL THAN UM! HE TALKS ABOUT RANDY SHANNON AS A HEAD COACH BUT FORGETS ABOUT THE STELLAR COACHING JOB RON ZOOK DID WHILE AT GAINESVILLE!!! SO ALL HE HAS IS TO MAKE HIS LITTLE COMMENTS ABOUT OUR RECORD LAST YEAR AND HOW THE ACC IS TO TOUGH FOR US! LET HIM RUN HIS MOUTH AND JUST IGNORE HIM, FROM THIS POINT ON HE'S IRRELEVANT TO ME AND I WILL NEVER AGAIN MENTION HIM OR DISCUSS ANY OF HIS "EMPTY COMMENTS"!!!

[ColoradoCane]

Howdy Pards;
Miami 27 UF 23 Miami runs on gators and throws deep. Keep TT on his back on defense. This is 2008. GO UM

[blue]

Canesrule rides a bike, without any seat.

[Canesjunkie]

Having Bosher punt and placekick is not a good situation because these are 2 totally different animals. Either Wieclaw or Uribe needs to step up and take the placekicking job. I would hate to see another NC State situation where we give a game away.

[BLOWOUT]

Good comedy Colorado. Those suppostions require that you have an actual defense. Presently you have none. Match you're sorry d-line against UFs DEEP O-line and what you have is a massacre. DuhU's D-line is mediocre AT BEST. Don't pressure Tim and he will hand you your lunch. YOu'll see on 9/6 bird brain. Keep dreaming about throwing deep. EVERY team that sucks says that. "We just need to go in there and throw some deep balls. Heck with our receivers just bomb deep." You're a colossal homer moron. Get place a large bet on DuhU. Vegas will be spotting you at least three touchdowns probably more. More good comedy to watch you pick DuhU in Gainesville with a crappy defense that has a brand new scheme that they will be trying to figure out, a QB with NO experience, and a coach that can't coach. You will be BLOWNOUT of Gainesville by at least 28 points you inflatable helmet wearing idiot. Oh wait....just throw deep.

UF 52
UM 6

[BLOWOUT]

I forgot to mention. UM is deplorable on special teams and florida is one of the top special teams in the country. YOURE A FOOL.

[canesrule 9'ships]

We are also rans in the lowly ACC

OUr coach is a bumbling idiot

Our defense will be learning a new scheme...FROM SCRATCH

Our defensive line SUX

Our special teams SUCC

Our crowds at home games SUCCC

We rent from wayne who will gouge us to use the kohler toilets

Our coaching staff hasn't developed any players in eons.

Our HC will be gone in 09

We spend our entire summer obsessing about kids who haven't reported to the 12th grade yet and wonder how they will help our team in 09.

WE SUCCCCC

5-7 doormats in the ACC

48-0

51-13

Too many blowouts to list.

[canesrule]

"HE TALKS ABOUT RANDY SHANNON AS A HEAD COACH BUT FORGETS ABOUT THE STELLAR COACHING JOB RON ZOOK DID WHILE AT GAINESVILLE!!!" - brooklyncane

Never have forgotten about the Zooker. For as many times as you imbecile fans of Duhhhh U claim Meyer only won a Title becuase he had Zooks players. With the oversight that if we didn't have #15 we would have never won it in the first place and Zook had nothing to do with recruiting him.

ANOTHER IMBECILE FAN OF DUHHHHH U

[canesrule]

Shannon is the Zook of the South, pretty darn good recruiter, but can't coach worth a lick. At least Zook's recruits qualified, and he was our 3rd choice, not our 4th choice.

PROMOTE WITHIN, U GET WHAT U PAY FOR

[canesrule]

"ALL HE HAS IS TO MAKE HIS LITTLE COMMENTS ABOUT OUR RECORD LAST YEAR" - brooklyncane

I often refer to your 6-6 season with a 1 point win over the Wolfpack (of Nevada) just for kicks. Maybe this year U will pull off a winning regular season, although every sports analyst outside of the 305 doubts it.

LEARN TO READ

[canesrule]

"Canesrule rides a bike, without any seat." - blue

CANES ride stolen bikes, without seats. Then hang them in trees?

IT'S ALL ABOUT THUG U

[canesrule]

"HE TALKS ABOUT RANDY SHANNON AS A HEAD COACH BUT FORGETS ABOUT THE STELLAR COACHING JOB RON ZOOK DID WHILE AT GAINESVILLE!!!" - brooklyncane

In the far stretch that Shannon coached in the SEC, he would have been fired imemediately after losing 48-0. Especially if it was the home game grand finale. U are slow learners, so it will take at least another two post-seasons of sitting on the couch before he is fired. Kirby's goal as the new guy is to keep the alumni happy, behind closed doors he has already made his short list. My guess is that #4 or #5 on that list have no previous head coaching experience so they will gladly come in and attempt to clean-up Randy's mess.

SURVIVAL OF THOSE NOT PROMOTED WITHIN

[canesrule 9'ships]

Randy Shannon is way over his head as a HC. Cut next years schollies by 40% then factor in his ineligibles and you have what will be a very average recruiting class in 09. He is not the dream recruiter you imbeciles think he is. He had a ton of scholarships and and empty depth chart to recruit with in 08. You fools are already drooling over kids that haven't even played in 12th grade yet. Prep school = failed recruits +1. UM is in for a world of hurt. All the rah rah reports from practice has you imbeciles thinking big. You won't even win the stinking coastal division of the stinking ACC you imbeciles. Your marble mouth head coach will find a nice little DC position somewhere for 09. Player development is non-existent in CG, just axe some former players. You have yet to see the bottom cane imbecile. But Marve and marble mouth are gonna take you all the way right?

You're looking up at 5-7

Duke took your sorry team into the 4th quarter..DUKE !!

Clueless morons. Good luck with your third defensive scheme in as many years.

Promote a guy from within that nobody WANTS and pay the price for more years until you fire his no skill set arse.

[canesrule]

Shoot guns in the air and still get on the Urban team.

[canesrule]

Did I mention the SEC suxs?

[canesrule]

canesrule 9'ships seems to have anger problems.

[canesrule 9'ships]

Did I mention the SEC suxs?

Posted by: canesrule

This is just one of the long list of reasons all fans of DuhU look at you as the moron that you truly are. Stool

[Canesjunkie]

canesrule

you post twice as much as anyone on here and we are pretty much going to ignore you because your act is getting old.

how much of your day is spent posting on blog for a team you don't even like? you think Randy Shannon is in over his head as HC..dude you're in over your head a person. your life must be pretty sad now...its only gonna get worse too.

[ufrules]

canesrule must be a gator who is nervous about the CANES. I know I am, but I have to much class to make a horses' rear of myself the way canesrule does on a daily basis.

[canesrule 9'ships]

ufrules = canesrule = canesrule 9'ships = MORON

[billb]

Isn't it time that Gator homer "canesrule" was banned? I get sick on wading thru his inane posts to read something worthwhile.

[blue]

canesrule uses stool softeners.

[canesforlife]

dont argue with this idiot just check um natinal titles compared to the chompers more than uf and fsu combined