Happy Monday, everybody. I hope your week has gotten off to a good start.
We are now officially under two weeks until the Miami Hurricanes kick off their season against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday, August 31 at Hard Rock Stadium. A top ten tilt between two intriguing rivals. Man, I can’t wait.
So, let’s get into it and see what’s popping lately about the Canes….
1) It’s tough to know how dudes are going to look coming out of fall camp, so it’s wise to take fall camp performances with a grain
of salt.
I am guilty of hype buying and Kool-Aid consumption from time to time myself (even recently), but I am trying (key word: trying) not to have expectations from who has stood out in fall camp translating onto the field until I see it with my own eyes.
And it’s tough to take what coaches are saying at full value, too. I listened to Mario this week talk about the offense winning in the latest scrimmage, and then the defense coming back and answering, and then the offense responding again. It all sounds good, but who knows how that will look in a real game against a real opponent.
Same for the players and positional groups themselves. If Mario’s words last week are true, then just about everyone on the team is a stud, it feels like.
2) But where I will buy in more is when he speaks strongly about established players that I know can deliver the goods, and that’s what he did about Rueben Bain, Jr. in his meeting with the media last week.
Mario said last week that “Rueben Bain has had about as strong of a camp as you can have. Part of that is because every single day, it’s him versus Francis Mauigoa, Markel Bell, Matt McCoy.” And that stuck with me, because I know he’s as good as there is at the college level, and when Mario takes the time to point that out first when asked about older veterans on the team, that says something. Bain is that difference maker that this defense needs to play like the first-round draft pick he’s been projected by many to be, so if he’s tuned in and ready to go, then I like to hear that.
Mario also praised Akheem Mesidor, speaking of defensive linemen, noting he’s slimmed and added some power and speed. That’ll work. A good pass rush is as important as anything, particularly with a secondary looking to basically become reborn again after playing dead for much of 2024.
3) It was a mixed bag for some former 2024 Miami Hurricanes offensive players in the NFL last weekend.
Cam Ward went 2/7 passing, but he threw one of the most impressive passes of the day, allowing the defense to clear and firing a missile behind them to Van Jefferson, which was dropped.
Some have debated whether that ball should have been caught. I can see both sides, but put me in the camp of those who put that on Jefferson. Bottom line: that’s a top-level NFL throw right there. Patient, with anticipation, great location, zip.
Elijah Arroyo caught two passes for 19 yards in Seattle’s 33-16 win over Kansas City. His roster spot is locked, and his role in Seattle’s offense appears secure.
But I’m a touch concerned about Damien Martinez, who had a solid showing with 11 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. D-Mart was always looking at RB3 at best with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet on the roster. But George Holani, who was on the Seahawks’ practice squad last year, appears to have a leg up for what is likely the third and final RB spot. Have to think Martinez, if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, will get a practice squad spot if he clears waivers (which might not happen with his intriguing talent).
We’ll see how they all look in their preseason finales this week.
