Behind the Mic with Joe Zagacki
Hurricanes football is back! I can’t wait to exclaim Touchdown MIAMI! Fall camp has been held under a radiant sun with high temps. Perfect Hurricanes football weather. The competition has been fierce. For the first time in a long time, I see long player lines at each position for drills.
I’ll add it’s been a while since Miami has had 100 or more players on the field. Coach Richt and his staff have done an excellent job with roster management. It doesn’t appear the Canes will be outmanned. In fact, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown had this to say about the offense.
“We’ve got more talent than we’ve ever had at every single position. We’ve got really good depth now.”
It’s interesting to watch this staff work with the players. They coach them hard, teach them harder and inspire them the most. The players seem to crave every bit of information. I watched freshman wide receiver Mark Pope one day be a little off on his blocking. When Coach Dugans corrected him, Pope never took his eyes off of Coach Dugans. You see that kind player-coach trust every day.
How about what Coach Richt has accomplished in his first two years at Miami. A bowl game win, a 10-win season, a 15-game win streak, a ranking as high as No. 2, an ACC Coastal Division title, an ACC Championship game appearance, a win at FSU, a demolition of Notre Dame, a trip to the Orange Bowl and the most talked about symbol in college football – the Miami turnover chain – and the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility.
Of all the sports the one that needs to practice the most for games, it is football. It has been frustrating through the years to watch the Canes get ready for a big game only to be chased off the field by lightning. Now problem solved.
I’m excited to watch the Miami offense this season. The addition of several lightning quick players added to the mix should create an explosive unit.
My observation of the Miami defense is they look confident. They can play with a bravado. Last year they were No. 1 nationally in sacks, No. 3 in turnovers, No. 4 in tackles for losses and No. 12 in yards per play. The way offense is played today, you must have a defense that creates negative plays, takes the ball away and plays excellent red zone defense. Manny Diaz’s squad checks all the boxes.
Miami has had some compelling and nerve-racking opening games through the years. FSU in 1988-2004-2005-2009. At Penn State in 2001 is one of my favorites, but opening vs. LSU at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium is bound to be eventful.
The game will most likely hinge on play in the trenches. After all, they say the SEC is a line of scrimmage league.
I think the Canes are poised for a really good season. Of course, one can never plan for injuries or simply how the ball bounces. Whatever happens, I am ready to fasten my seat belt for a breathtaking adventure. I hope you are too.
