Canes Spring Practice Report: April 3
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes were back on the Greentree Practice Fields on Thursday as spring drills continued at Miami.
After practice, head coach Mario Cristobal, defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor spoke with reporters and shared their thoughts on the day’s workout and how things have progressed this spring.
Here’s some of what they had to say Thursday, in their own words…
Head coach Mario Cristobal
On the progress of quarterback Carson Beck, who continues recovering from an injury:
“Progressing well, probably a little bit ahead of schedule. I know everybody would like to see him throw it, really wing it out there. Again, everything is ahead of schedule and we’re very excited about his progress, excited being around him because of his level of football IQ and the way he understands the game. [There’s] a natural presence about him.”
On how Beck is involved with the team, despite his injury:
“The best way you possibly can. In this sport, you’ve got to take as many mental reps as you possibly can. It comes in the form of meetings, on the chalkboard, in the walkthroughs; during the course of practice, being behind the quarterbacks, getting every signal, communicating, verbalizing, make sure he is going through his audibles, any check, any adjustments, protections; meeting with the offensive line coach, meeting with the coordinator at length, daily. I mean, every possible minute we can grab with him to continue the progression of this while the rest of his body progresses is invaluable. So, that’s what we’re doing.”
On how the team has progressed throughout the spring:
“I’d say today was a really big overall for the defense. It felt like so much of it came together today. I feel like whenever you install something new, you see flashes and then you have head-scratching moments and whatnot. Then you see more progress and you see it in the form of guys communicating. We communicated really, really well and we moved fast. Today looked like a day where we played to our ability. The guys weren’t stuck, weren’t paralyzed with confusion. They were able to just go, just cut it loose. … That’s what it really looked like today and so, I’m looking forward to seeing some more of that on Saturday.”
On the importance of building depth for the offensive line through recruiting:
“There’s a chance we could have four, five guys drafted next year. And we’ve really built these trenches from the inside out. And I mean, historically, we’ve had a really good track record for playing high school offensive linemen and that’s really important to state. I know we have James Brockermeyer this year. We had big [Zach] Carpenter the year before, but that’s been at center, where we needed some maturity. But I mean, we’ve really gone heavy on making sure we develop our young guys. And this is a year where we need a lot of offensive linemen. I mean, quite frankly … we may lose five, six, seven guys. We need to sign five, six, seven guys. And that’s being, I would say, conservative.
“We need guys that can come in and play. We legitimately need guys like we’ve coached in the past that have been able to come, like [Francis Mauigoa], Anez [Cooper] over a couple of games was a starter. Other guys are coming along really well, but we need some really, really high-level, highly motivated, high work ethic guys coming and playing. So, we’re not anywhere close to being done on the o-line. We need some more real dudes.”
On cornerback back Xavier Lucas:
“He’s a really good player. He is. And again, he’s an even better human being and he’s being pushed. He’s being challenged. I think all those DBs are. I mean, I could go right down the line and talk about each one of them, but since you mention him specifically, you see, besides his specs, a 10.4-hundred-meter guy that he has experience and was an excellent player in high school. And so far, he’s done a really, really good job. He still has a way to go, and we still have to push him, but so far, there’s been really good progress and looking forward to seeing what he can do on Saturday.”
Defensive lineman Rueben Bain, Jr.
On how he thinks his spring has gone:
“I feel like it’s been going pretty well. Real competitive, especially with the o-line. Trying to just focus on small details that are really going to help me get to that next step, then working every day after practice with [defensive line coach Jason Taylor] and putting in all the extra work that’s needed for me to get where I feel like I need to be. It’s been [going] in the right moment, [going] in the right direction. If I keep it up, I feel like I’ll be alright.”
On the progress of the defense this spring:
“[It’s] coming together real well. I mean, like today was a real dominant day for us. Guys flying around, making plays. A lot of new guys [were] making plays, that you really don’t see making plays. Everybody’s gaining confidence in the scheme so we can just make checks without even having to look at the DC. We can just basically run it. He gives us a call, we just run it, make all the checks that we need, and I feel like with that, we’re going to play a little faster [because] we have the confidence that we need. We’re going out and just playing free.”
On new defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis:
“He works with the tackles, but really, we crisscross so much with coaching and training throughout the d-line room that he kind of works with everybody. He’s a little more energetic than JT, so, he definitely brings that energy and juice needed to practice. He’s a little more outspoken. In my mind, shoot, he’s just like an older version of Armondo [Blount]. He’s going to say what he wants to say. He doesn’t care how you feel, but it’s in a positive manner. It’s in the right direction, just trying to get you better, get the team better.”
Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa
On depth and competition in the offensive line room:
“We’re all competing for a spot and that’s what I like about our offensive line group. We’re all just trying to get on the field and trying to compete to play in the game. Every day has been competition. I know some people are coming for my job and I’m trying to keep my job. It’s all what it is.”
On communicating with quarterback Carson Beck while Beck continues recovering from his injury:
“He’s been talking to us about protection-wise [things]. … This guy has watched all the film, and I feel confident about this guy. He comes in and talks to us about, ‘Hey, can I do this? Can I do that? Can I send the protection this way? I know this guy’s going to come like that’ and that brings us confidence. He’s been a great guy. He’s taking us out to eat this Saturday, so I’m pretty excited for that. …
“That communication is elite because we know when he comes in, we’re not starting from the bottom. But we’re continuing on from where we left off and those types of things. We don’t want to go back. We want to keep striving forward.”
On his family’s excitement ahead of the NFL Draft, with his brother, Francisco Mauigoa, being draft eligible:
“Yeah, we’re excited for that. That’s in God’s hands and we’re just happy for him and wishing him the best.”
Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor
On how he thinks the defense is beginning to come together:
“We’re communicating a lot better. I think guys decided to build a lot more chemistry. We basically run through plays every single day, so, yeah, the biggest thing is communication, and guys are starting to play together a little bit more.”
On freshman defensive lineman Hayden Lowe:
“He’s violent and he has a high motor and he’s physical. You look at Hayden, he’s a huge specimen. Strong build, ripped, tall, but his effort and his motor [are] what make him stand out.”
On his role as a leader for the defense:
“I want to lead by example, but I also need to talk to the young guys, and anybody who needs help, small little details, coaching, whatever they need on the field, off the field. My biggest role is just obviously on the field, but after that, it’s just being there for all the younger guys and making sure they can get the most out of it and not make some of the mistakes I made, or I can help them on certain, different things.”
