Canes Position Battles To Watch For (Part I)

Tomorrow the journey begins for our 2010 Miami Hurricanes, with training camp and two-a-days ready to set off. Here are a few things to look out for in training camp.

TE Richard Gordon

1. Tight Ends-  This has been a problem position for Miami ever since the departure of Greg Olsen. If the Miami offense wants be more than good and become elite, we need to see the great tight end return to the "U".  Senior Richard Gordon is penciled in as the starter coming into training camp, I would keep the eraser nearby. This kid has gotten 4 years to prove himself and has done nothing with the opportunities given to him. Watch for one of the newcomers, Billy Sanders (So.) or Chase Ford (Jr.) to step in and try to revive the tight end tradition at the "U"

Colin McCarthy(44) & Sean Spence(31)

2. MLB- The linebacker group as a whole is the weakest part of our defense coming into this year, mostly based on the depth or lack there of.  Junior Sean Spence has the potential to be an All-American, but his lack of size really does bring concern. His Freshman year he was completely out of gas after an amazing start to the season, and last year he was battling injuries the whole season. Senior Colin McCarthy, what he lacks in athletic ability he makes up in leadership. He would be a great candidate, in my opinion, to play MLB for the Canes this year. He is instinctive and quick to read the play. With the talent that is emerging at defensive tackle  should not be touched by offensive linemen. Senior Kylan Robinson was the starter coming out of the spring and most improved player, but he might not be the starter at the beginning of the season when we line up for real against FAMU. He will feel heavy pressure from incoming Freshman Kevin Nelson, redshirt Freshman Shayon Green, and the public pressure to move McCarthy to the middle and start Jordan Futch (Jr.) at the outside linebacker position. This will be a battle to keep your eye on.

Orlando Franklin

3. Offensive Line-  This is the most important group of the offense. We are more than set at the "skill positions". But none of that matters if the Offensive Line does not block. We suffered a whole year of Matt Pipho opening the flood gates at the Right Tackle spot. The constant injuries on our offensive line did not allow this team to get in rhythm late in the season. Orlando Franklin (Sr.) filled in nicely for Jason Fox when he went down late in the season, which aggravates me more that Pipho was in there the whole season. With that being said,  it's time for me and the fan base to move on and realize that we have a tremendous amount of size and talent in this offensive line. We cannot have a rotation of offensive lineman coming in and out of the game. We need 5 starters to play together, barring injury the whole season. Joel Figueroa (Sr.) will be moving to right tackle which says to me that neither Ben Jones (So.) or Jermaine Johnson (R-Fr.) are ready to start and play. Senior Tyler Horn will start at center, but news from the players is that highly touted freshman Brandon Linder has been extremely impressive during workouts this summer. We will see when the pads are put on. If he were to  challenge for the starting center spot he will have to grow up fast, for whoever starts at center will make all the line calls. I would like to see Sophomore Brandon Washington step up get the nod at left guard. He is physically impressive , but plays too high. He  has to work harder on his footwork, and we have to see if his big body can go full speed in a 60 minute college football game. I say if he puts the work in we're looking at a Vernon Carey type player. We have to mention the No. 1 OL recruit in the nation, Seantrel Henderson,  in the mix. Yes, he has the body to get in there right away, but we're going to have to wait and see if he has the smarts and footwork to get in there and play with the big boys. The canes have some elite defensive ends on this team that will work him hard all through training camp. If the shows the coaches he can hang with them I see no reason why he should not start right away at RT (eventually moving to LT when Franklin graduates) and moving  Figueroa back to right guard. This will absolutely be the group to keep an eye on during training camp because without the holes, the running backs cannot run, without pass protection,  Jacory will not have time to throw and make the right decisions.

Canes fans keep an eye out for these battles during training camp, and lets support this team. This team has the potential for big things this year!

GO CANES!!!!