Hurricane Sports Nation

HSN recently got the chance to catch up with local Miami Hurricanes beat writer Manny Navarro to talk about the upcoming season.

Manny has been covering the Canes forever and noone has a better feel for the the team than he does. Here is the transcript from our interview.

HSN: The Canes are no longer a young team, there are no more excuses left. Do you think Miami is a BCS team this year?

Manny: It all depends on injuries. If they stay healthy, I think they will be. But, there just isn’t enough depth at certain positions on this team should players get injured that this UM team will remain among the elite nationally. Linebacker is one of them. If Colin McCarthy or Sean Spence go down, I don’t think UM can survive and win the conference. Same with the offensive line. Orlando Franklin and Brandon Washington are players this team can’t afford to lose. Although, there is plenty of freshman talent that could eventually fill in for those guys. But early in the season, UM can’t afford any injuries on the OL. Most importantly, above all, is quarterback. Jacory Harris has to play in all 12 regular season games for UM to have a shot at the BCS.

HSN: What players without much game experience will finally get a chance to show their skills on the field this year? Can you name a few canidates?

Manny: Adewale Ojomo is going to be a stud for this team. He was supposed to be last year before he was sucker punched by that walk-on. I think the major improvement across the board will be pass rushing. There is a better position coach this year who is harping technique and all of those former young guys are now juniors and seniors. Miami’s defense is going to be good because guys like Adewale Ojomo, Andrew Smith, Marcus Forston and Micanor Regis are going to be beasts. As far as other positions, I think Storm Johnson and Lamar Miller are going to make huge impacts in the running game and return game.

HSN: It seems as though Graig Cooper is already practicing full contact in camp. Do you think he will play a signifigant role in 2010 or will he redshirt?

Manny: Hard to say right now. I think Cooper is going to do all he can to avoid a redshirt. He wants those NFL dollars. I think if anything,we’ll see him on special teams and in third down situations. If his knee can hold up, he’ll try to make his way to the NFL that way.

HSN: Who do you think will end up winning the kick and punt return duties for Miami this year?

Manny: If he’s healthy, Graig Cooper has to be one of those guys. It almost seems like the perfect role for him since I don’t think he can afford the wear and tear of 15-20 carries. After that, Kendall Thomkins, Storm Johnson and Lamar Miller seem likely candidates.

HSN: Can Seantrel Henderson come in like Jason Fox and start from day one, or will he have to wait his turn? We haven’t heard many reports on Seantrel’s progress in camp can you share anything with us?

Manny: Jason Fox came in and started right away because UM had no choice. I think in this situation, the Hurricanes believe they can ease Seantrel into the mix, let him play some in a rotation before he earns the job full-time. I know coaches love his footwork and raw ability and think very highly of him. The only way he would start from Day 1 in my mind is if Joel Figueroa or Orlando Franklin go down with injuries.

HSN: Recently Steven Wesley came out and said that Coach Shannon booted him off the team for no apparent reason. The story sounds a little strange do you have any information about this?

Manny: I don’t have anything significant beyond what I read in The Lakeland Ledger just like you did. I did receive a letter from a few of Wesley’s family friends who were irate about the situation. From what I understand, Wesley was only one semester away from graduating and they were disappointed Shannon didn’t let him do it at UM. But Shannon reserves the right to pull scholarships from kids if he so chooses. It doesn’t look good obviously.

HSN: Do you feel that Lee Chambers can actually get some playing time at the corner position this year ala Sam Shields in 2009?

Manny: I think it’s going to take some time. Chambers is only a junior. I think he’ll see the field in spot duty — dime situations, etc. If he’s on the field right away UM has some serious problems in the secondary. Remember,Chambers is making this switch in the middle of the fall. If I remember correctly, Shields made his switch in the spring. This is what Shannon said about Chambers progress at corner on Saturday: “He’s learning. He’s competing. He doesn’t know all the coverages, but he’s really doing well for his progress only being there three or four days. We don’t expect him to come out `I know this whole defense.’ Give him about maybe the fifth game of the season, something like that, and he’ll probably be where he needs to be.”

HSN: Do you think Chase Ford can leap Richard Gordon on the depth chart and claim the starting tight end spot? We hear he has great hands, but he may not have the strength to block bigger D1 linemen.

Manny: The tight end position at UM is really two positions — blocking tight end and pass catching tight end. Ford is the latter. He’s going to be the guy making catches this year. Gordon will be in on rushing situations. He’ll make a few catches just to keep the defense honest. But Ford is the guy UM has slotted as the pass catcher.

HSN: Who do you think is the favorite to win the right tackle spot? There are so many players competing for that position is there a front runner yet?

Manny: Joel Figueroa. I know Fig has been nicked up a little in camp. If he doesn’t start there, Jermaine Johnson is probably next in line at the moment. But watch out for Henderson if he plays well in the final scrimmage.

HSN: We know Randy Shannon loves to play seniors, but do you think Kylan Robinson has what it takes to play middle linebacker at Miami?

Manny: No. My philosophy is simple. If you’re really good, it shouldn’t take you more than two years — including a redshirt season — to get on the field. Robinson has four career tackles and has been in on two plays defensive plays in his career. Colin McCarthy will be the starting middle linebacker. Robinson will be an emergency backup.

HSN: Out of this group of receivers (Streeter, Davon Johnson, Hurns, Thompkins) who do you think sees the filed first?

Manny: Kendall Thompkins. With Thearon Collier out, UM has an opening a slot receiver first and foremost. That is what Thompkins does best. After that, Tommy Streeter, Johnson and then Hurns.

HSN: We all know Ray Ray Armstrong can bring the wood, but his coverage skills may be lacking. Reports have surfaced that Jamal Reid is a natural at the safety position and he can really cover a lot of ground. Is there a chance that Jamal overtakes Ray Ray?

Manny: I don’t think so. Ray Ray gives Miami a facet Reid and others haven’t — somebody to be scared of coming over the middle. Reid may be able to cover the field well, but he and Vaughn Telemaque are similar in that regard. I think Ray Ray is getting pushed hard in practice (put on the second team) because Shannon wants him to be at his best when the season starts.

HSN: In all your years covering the Hurricanes what was your favorite story to cover? Who is your all time favorite player for the Canes?

Manny: I would say the most fun I’ve had covering the Canes has been following the Miami Northwestern kids Jacory Harris, Aldarius Johnson, Sean Spence, Marcus Forston — from high school to becoming big stars on the team. I knew Jacory and those guys before they were anybody. It’s been cool to see them grow up. As far a favorite all-time player, good question. As a fan of the Canes growing up and as a kid my favorites were Michael Irvin, Randall Hill, Steve Walsh, Danny Stubbs, Alonzo Highsmith, Jerome Brown. I just loved the swag of the old guys.

HSN: On the recruiting front, what players do you think are must gets for the Hurricanes in the Miami Dade and Broward County area?

Manny: Teddy Bridgewater. He’s really the only one. I think Bridgewater is going to be a Heisman trophy winner down the line. He’ll bring in great players with him because of how good he is.

HSN: What is your prediction for the 2010 Miami Hurricanes? We’ve read on your blog that you predict at least one loss for the U.

Manny: Like I’ve told my friends, this team could do everything perfect and still lose a game this season. The schedule is that tough. They could also suffer a rash of injuries along the offensive line, at linebacker or lose Jacory Harris and struggle to finish 6-6. The schedule is that tough. Either way, this is the most talented UM has had in five years. They should be better than last year. I’m going with 10-2 (losses to Ohio State and either Florida State/North Carolina in the regular season) before UM rebounds and beats FSU in a rematch in the ACC Title game. Then, it’s an Orange Bowl date with the Florida Gators. If I’m a Canes fan, that’s a great season.

HSN: Thank you for your time Manny good luck covering the Canes this season.

Manny: No problem Kenny, same to you.