Canes Camp Report: Aug. 8
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes were back in action on the Greentree Practice Fields on Friday as they continue making their way through preseason camp.
After practice, defensive backs Damari Brown and Dylan Day and running backs CharMar “Marty” Brown and Jordan Lyle, shared their thoughts on the day’s session.
Here are some of their best quotes from Friday as Miami continues moving closer to its Aug. 31 season opener against Notre Dame.
Defensive back Damari Brown
On leadership in the secondary:
“About a week in I would say we’re doing good overall being communicators. But I would say Keionte Scott, he’s a veteran. I think he’s going on his fifth year. We look up to him. He sets good examples every day with his energy. I try to lead by example in the corner room. I feel like we have a lot of guys with experience that the younger guys look up to, so I feel like that’s going to be a help this year.”
On the importance of communication on the defense:
“Just being on one page at the pre-snap, during the play with motioning, just being on one page as soon as that ball snaps and knowing there’s going to be a lot of moving pieces and we have to be ready for that; being on one page, no matter what the offense throws at us. We’ll be ready.”
On the challenges he faced last season after getting hurt:
“It was a big, unexpected injury. But, you know, things happen for the better. I just trusted the process, seeing everything through a different lens. I was able to help coach and just be another voice to the guys out there. Once I was able to get on my feet, I even traveled to some away games because I was still engaged heavily. I loved that team last year and this team, we have a lot of potential this year. … I just tried to stay engaged as much as possible throughout that rehab process and just don’t look back.”
On the focus on takeaways in defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s system:
“The ball is the number one emphasis on this defense. Even if it’s punching at it, stripping it, strip attempts. When the ball’s in the air, it’s ours or nobody’s. That’s a big motto in the secondary room. It’s a good job of emphasis he’s put on it since he got here in January about the ball [being] the most important thing. And no matter how, we need to get it. We have to get it at the end of the day.”
Running back CharMar “Marty” Brown
On his transition to Miami after playing at North Dakota State:
“I feel like I’ve fit in pretty well. The coaches made it pretty easy for me. [Offensive coordinator Shannon] Dawson, [running backs coach Matt] Merritt. And also, Lyle and [Mark Fletcher Jr.] and then Chris [Wheatley-Humphrey]. They’ve helped me a lot, transitioning in and teaching me the plays. It’s been pretty easy just having them in my corner and telling me what to do.”
On playing in Shannon Dawson’s offense:
“He’s a general, for sure. He’s very strategic in what he does. I like how he runs it. He’s poised with his offense. He knows what he’s doing. He knows his offense through ins and outs. It’s pretty easy to be in his system, for sure.”
On running the ball behind Miami’s offensive line:
“It’s been great. Everyone runs to the ball. They get off the line pretty quick. You know, it’s a blessing just to be playing behind the o-line here. It’s for sure a blessing.”
On transfer linebacker Mohamed Toure:
“He’s a physical guy. He’s coming from the Big 10, so, you know he’s already stocky. He looks like a veteran NFL linebacker. And the way he just plays the game, he’s really smart. He knows the defense. He’s just an all-around veteran and a good guy.”
Defensive back Dylan Day
On communication on the defense:
“I think the defense is communicating very well right now. We sit in each other’s meetings, linebacker, safeties, all the way down to the d-line. We know each other’s assignments, and it transfers over to the field.”
On making the transition from high school to college football last year and how having a year of experience now will help him:
“I feel like year one, I just got adjusted to the speed of the game. Just getting those reps as a smaller guy out there. I got my weight up this offseason, so this season, I look forward to making plays and fitting in the defense wherever I can. I’m excited to get in the rotation.”
On the defensive backs room:
“I think we complement each other very well. When any group goes out, I feel like there’s no drop-off. We have great teachers and coaches. … I feel like we complement each other very well and we compete. It’s all about competing.”
Running back Jordan Lyle
On running back Marty Brown:
“Marty’s an extremely talented player. Extremely smart. He picks up on things pretty easily. His character is great. He just fits in our room perfectly. I think Marty’s going to be a great add-on to what we’re building over here. I just think Marty’s going to play a big role this year.”
On linebacker Mohamed Toure:
“He’s a dog. He’s a dog. An outstanding player. He can play rush. He can play linebacker. Mo’s extremely smart. I talk to Mo a lot just to see how the defense is moving and how to learn from that side of the ball.”
On quarterback Carson Beck:
“He’s an absolute dog. Carson talks his trash, but you know he’s going to be able to move the ball down the field. He’s extremely smart. I mean, I could speak wonders about Carson. Carson’s an extremely great guy.”
