THE EXTRA YARD: MOCK DRAFT 1.0

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It’s mock draft season, and in a Draft where the Miami Dolphins own the 1st round with three first round picks, many options exist to improve the team. The possibility exists that Miami can stay put and get their man at QB in Tua Tagovailoa, so this Mock Draft allows for this. In reality, the Lions will surely leverage their draft position for an asset or two, or three. One issue that will remain is this, if the Lions move down to #5, is there a player they would be targeting that will go off the board at #4 and thus make the trade down a bad idea? Isaiah Simmons, Jeff Okudah, Tristan Wirfs?

Here is the view of the 1st round from one third of the Trio that makes up the Three Yards per Carry Podcast:

1. BENGALS – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

There has been rumors and innuendo of Burrow not wanting to go to Cincinnati, but all of that got put to rest at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Bengals get a “local” boy to lead the franchise for the foreseeable future.

2. REDSKINS – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

New Head Coach Ron Rivera gets his Julius Peppers. The clear cut best defensive prospect goes to a team in desperate need of a reset, and all the rumors of a QB being taken at #2 to compete with Dwayne Haskins prove to be head fakes designed to entice a team into unloading a haul of assets to get up to #2.

3. LIONS – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

A Staff with little job security is not going to draft the future for some other regime to reap the benefits. Stafford, Golladay,Jones, makes for a potent offensive trio, but their 29th ranked Defense (based on Efficiency) gets desperately needed help in a signature player from Clemson. Simmons, is not too far off from Chase Young in being the best overall prospect in this draft.

4. GIANTS – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

I was tempted to put any one of three Tackles in Wirfs, Becton or Thomas here, so I went with Andrew Thomas who was for the better part of the last 18 months the near consensus top Left Tackle prospect for the 2020 draft. Nate Solder’s stint as the LT for Big Blue comes to an end soon, due to price tag and age (he is 32 years old), and Andrew Thomas steps right in.

5. DOLPHINS – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

The worst kept secret anywhere. For the better part of two years, the Miami Dolphins have committed considerable resources to the pacific northwest contingent at QB (Herbert, Love) but with a keen eye on what is going on in Alabama. No secret they like him, and would take him here. Had it not been for Tua’s hip injury, he was a serious consideration at #1. Tagovailoa is not particularly athletic, and does nto posses a rocket arm. What he does have is uncanny anticipation, football smarts, and great intangibles that have traditionally translated well to the NFL.

6. CHARGERS – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Jordan Love here made a little sense due to rumor, and all the takes coming out of #DraftTwitter, but I’ll just go with the older consensus that Herbert was a top 3 QB prospect and the Chargers get theirs here at #6.

7. PANTHERS – Jeff Okudah, CB,Ohio State

What a gift here for the rebuilding Panthers. They get their QB in 2021, as they fill out a talent deficit in 2020. Okudah is a great start on that. A signature player on offense in McCaffrey, Okudah is just that on Defense. Very lucky to get him at #7.

8. CARDINALS – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

The Cardinals just finished locking up their young LT, D.J. Humphries to a 3 year $45 Million extension, and now they get the best Right Tackle prospect in this draft.

9. JAGUARS – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

The complete makeover of the Jags defense continues. This time with a mammoth Defensive Tackle to compliment edge standout from the 2019 Draft, Josh Allen. This is a pretty good 2 year start on a makeover of what was once a talent laden defense.

10. BROWNS – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Browns have been rumored to be in on any of about 4 different Tackle prospects, and this is as good a fit as any. With their previous LT Greg Robinson facing Free Agency and possible jail time, Becton falls nicely to the Browns at #10.

11. JETS – Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

A reach here in my estimation, but the run on Tackles gets the Jets a bit nervous, and they make sure they get some OL help for Sam Darnold in what could be a make or break year for the QB, and Coach Adam Gase.

12. RAIDERS – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

The Raiders were much improved in 2019, but the disaster that was the WR corp. after the Antonio Brown debacle gets remedied by a guy that can do it all. Lamb will be a welcome addition for Derek Carr, or..Tom Brady?

13. COLTS – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

The Colts have cap space to address many needs, but a veteran QB is not in the cards. They get a young one to groom behind Jacoby Brissett as the Colts learned in 2019 that the answer at QB after Andrew Luck’s abrupt retirement is not “in house”.

14. BUCCANEERS – Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

The Bucs have a lot of the elements for a successful offense already in house, and I believe Arians will figure out the QB position. On defense, Devin White, Shaquil Barrett (he is a FA), Vita Vea and now Kinlaw to pair with Vea up front is a helluva start on improving what is an underrated defense.

15. BRONCOS – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Broncos continue their hot streak of finding offensive talent after unearthing undrafted Free Agent Phillip Lindsay, and drafting WR Courtland Sutton, OT Dalton Risner and TE Noah Fant. 2nd year QB Drew Lock gets even more help in Jeudy. Good looking and young offense, being built in Denver.

16. FALCONS – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

The Falcons need a lot of help on defense, and after taking two offensive linemen in Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the 2019 draft, they turn their attention and resources to the defense with their 2020 1st round pick. An Edge player like Chaisson fits the bill.

17. COWBOYS – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

The Cowboys have a mess brewing in their salary cap. they have a QB that is sure to be expensive that they are not sure they want to pay, a WR that is good in theory, but not at $20 million a year, and a CB that they have all but given up on resigning (Byron Jones). The Defense is still chock full of talent, but will have a deficiency in the secondary after the exit of Byron Jones. CJ Henderson mitigates a bit of that.

18. DOLPHINS – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

I foresee the Dolphins addressing most of their offensive line issues via Free Agency and possibly a trade or two. Fulton gives them the prototypical boundary corner in a Brian Flores Patriots like “system”. Speed? Check, he ran a 4.46 at the combine. Intelligence? Check. Good in man coverage? Check. Xavien Howard and Kristian Fulton is a pretty nice tandem.

19. RAIDERS – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

The additions to the Raider defense last year didn’t bare much fruit, so it continues this year with a rangy, long, physical corner in Trevon Diggs. The secondary should get a boost with 2nd year Safety Jonathan Abrams returning. Diggs is a good start on rounding out that secondary. Rumors were also abound that they could trade for his brother Stefon Diggs, so a family reunion is possible.

20. JAGUARS – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Justin Jefferson joins DJ Chark to form a “all LSU” WR Tandem, and Chris Conley to form a pretty good WR group. Gardner Minshew gets more help with the pending trade of Nick Foles clearing the deck for the 2nd year QB.

21. EAGLES – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

The Eagles have serious issues in the secondary due to possible defections and injury, so it makes sense that they take what most consider, the best safety on the board. Many options for the Eagles here, but they save corner for later rounds and make sure their safety group is squared away with McKinney, Jenkins and maybe…Rodney McLeod?.

22. BILLS – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

The Bills have one of the most talented defenses in the NFL, but they lack playmakers to compliment QB Josh Allen. You ad Higgins to John Brown, Cole Beasley and Devin Singletary, you begin to take better shape as a competent offense.

23. PATRIOTS – A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

The Patriots get a pretty fortuitous drop from Epenesa due to his less than exciting combine performance. The versatile end makes a lot of sense in a Belichick Defensive system. You gotta think that they square away Tom Brady and his pass catchers before the draft.

24. SAINTS – Grant Delpit, S, LSU

The Saints are still in Super Bowl or Bust mode, and could lose some bodies in the secondary. Safety is a desperate need for New Orleans, in what should be a heavy defensive offseason.

25. VIKINGS – Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota

How much sense does this make? A Winfield and Harrison Smith Safety tandem is pretty attractive. He played at Minnesota. His father was a 3x Pro Bowler at Corner for these very Vikings. What a match.

26. DOLPHINS – Josh Jones, OT, Houston

I’m presuming they would have solidified what is essentially the blind side for Tua Tagovailoa by now (in Free Agency) and RB should be taken care of (at least the lead back), so BPA comes in here at Left Tackle in the form of Josh Jones. Yes, the blind side is the RT. But free rushers right into your face as a left handed QB can be a bit distracting. Jones is a skilled, sleek, “Tunsil like” Lineman.

27. SEAHAWKS – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

The Seahawks have tried a lot of different things to “solve” the RB position, including using a 1st round pick on Rashaad Penny a couple years back. Taylor is a very nice addition to a pretty stacked skill position group.

28. RAVENS – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

What do you give the team that has everything? How bout shore up that RB position on the best running team (mostly Lamar Jackson) in pro football? As time goes by, Lamar will run less out of self preservation, so it would be nice to have aback like Swift to take the reigns from an aging Mark Ingram.

29. TITANS – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

Titans already have a sledgehammer run game, (Henry is a FA however), and a superstar in the making at WR in A.J. Brown. Ruggs would compliment this group perfectly, especially if good deep ball thrower (never thought you would hear that right?) Ryan Tannehill returns.

30. PACKERS – Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

So many ways you can go here. Packers have aging Tackles, and can use interior linebacker /Safety help. But we are in Aaron Rodgers last stand and run at another Super Bowl, and this is a tempting pairing. Shenault, to go with Davante Adams gives Rodgers an imposing pair of pass catchers. Super Bowl or bust for the Packers. This pick reflects that.

31. 49ERS – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia

How do you keep a strength a strength (The Defense)? It’s pretty simple. As soon as a position begins to look weaker, you inject some talent. Hall was considered the best CB prospect and a top 10 pick as late as early int he 2019 college season. An ankle injury clouded his future and drops him to #31 to a very lucky defending NFC Champions.

32. CHIEFS – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Chiefs could have gone with playmaking LB Patrick Queen, or perhaps, solidified the RB position with J.K.Dobbins? No. The Super Bowl champs have desperate needs. They have half their secondary out in free agency, and the cornerback position was hardy a strength to begin with. A.J. Terrell had a standout combine, and will interview well. Perfect fit here to the champs.

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Olynyk has Emerged as a Catalyst for Miami Heat

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Kelly Olynyk has emerged into an offensive catalyst for the Miami Heat.

We all know the Heat have some creative ways to get open looks from beyond the arc.

We did not know that they had this.

 

Miami has regained their form after their All-Star Weekend triumphs, and Olynyk is a big reason why.

Olynyk has scored in double figures in five of seven contests entering Friday night and has regained his spot in the rotation with emphasis.

 

With Meyers Leonard out Olynyk has been able to keep the spacing intact and regain coach Spoelstra’s trust.

This resurgence has been brewing for over a month and he is making the most of around 15 minutes per game.

Olynyk shot over 47% from three-point range in February and has carried that into March, going a perfect 6-of-6 to open the month in two games.

 

In the 10 game stretch mentioned above, Olynyk is shooting 61.1% from the field and an absurd 66.7% from deep.

His rebounding leaves a lot to be desired and a regression to the mean on offense is not out of the question.

Yet his reentry into the mix and solid contributions as the season has progressed are encouraging.

Miami has All Stars in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, along with rising stars Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro.

Olynyk has earned and embraced his complimentary role, changing the narrative on his season.

A once maligned player on the fringe of the rotation has fought his way back.

What is more symbolic of the Culture than that?

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What Happened to the Florida Panthers?

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Fans, media, and critics alike are all wondering – what happened to the Florida Panthers?

After a scorching end to the first half of the NHL season, the Panthers have once again collapsed when it counts.

Florida has dropped three straight and five of six heading into a must win against Boston Thursday.

This season was poised to be one of fulfilled hope, with a new coach and goaltender to lead the way.

Instead, the losses are piling up.

 

As are the teams in front of them for the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot.

So, how did we get here?

Offensive Offense

The Panthers managed to get to the All-Star break without being held scoreless in a single game.

In the 17 games since, Florida has been blanked three times.

The Panthers still rank in the top five league wide in goals per game and overall, but the luster is fading.

Florida averages 3.35 goals per game on the season but have been held to three or fewer goals 12 times since the break.

The power play is slowly creeping down the rankings and will be out of the top 10 soon if this trend continues.

Florida has not tallied with the man advantage (0-for-7) on their current three game slide.

The trade of Vincent Trocheck at the end of February was supposed to shake things up.

Except the two main players that came over in the deal, Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark, have yet to make an impact.

The two forwards have combined for a single point – an assist by Haula – in the four games since the deal and are a combined -4.

On the top line, Sasha Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau have crashed to Earth after a strong first half.

Huberdeau and Barkov have combined for a mere three assists over the last five games.

Mike Hoffman has been one of the lone bright spots recently with seven points over that span, the other forwards need to step up.

No Help From Defense Either

While the offense is not doing the squad any favors the play on the blue line has been abysmal.

Unforced turnovers, failing to maintain possession at the line, and costly mental errors have all contributed.

Florida is 29th in the NHL allowing 3.33 goals per game and have only outscored their opponents by one goal total this season.

The penalty kill (21st) has been an issue in the second half and the Panthers rank 23rd in shots allowed per game.

Despite all this the Panthers are just five points out of the wild card entering Thursday’s game versus Boston.

 

It will take a monumental effort for the Panthers to defeat the Eastern Conference leading Bruins, who have won three straight and eight of ten games.

The Panthers will have one more home game on this five game stand, Saturday against Montreal.

Roberto Luongo will have his jersey lifted to the rafters this weekend, the first Panther to earn that honor.

Hopefully his former team will show some inspiration this week and right the ship before it is too late.

 

 

Season Ticket: It’s your time, Bam. Now take your team.

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What’s a Bam? 

It isn’t our intention here to call more attention to the national media ignoramuses, even if it is tempting to directly illustrate their ignorance. So the radio blowhard, the one based in and obsessed with Los Angeles, the one who apparently didn’t know Bam Adebayo’s name back on October 5, 2018, shall not be named.

Well, not by us.

But this isn’t about that guy anyway.

It’s about the Miami Heat’s first-round pick in 2017, the one they likely wouldn’t have been in position to acquire if they had done the right thing by Dwyane Wade in 2016; the one whom they privately described on draft night as the “anti-Hassan” in comparison to the numbers-before-team big man they had unfortunately re-signed to a max; the one they researched more thoroughly than any previous draft prospect without finding a single red flag; the one many Heat fans didn’t want at the time but was anointed by the Heat’s historical frontcourt royalty as the next to carry the franchise tradition; the one that the fickle, unforgiving Jimmy Butler tells associates is “the best teammate I’ve ever had.”

The one who is now a certified All-Star.

And needs to believe he can be more.

It’s your time, Bam.

Take your team.

******

There was so much symbolism at the someday-to-be-renamed American Airlines Arena on February 22nd that some statements slipped under the radar. There was Wade, the franchise icon, the representation of all the struggle and success that comes with carrying that burden, sitting at the podium in the interview room in the bowels of the building, while Bam Adebayo — still only a few months older than when Wade entered the NBA — was absolutely wrecking the poor Cavaliers on the floor, sinking his first seven shots in a rout.

Wade didn’t watch the first half (why would he?) but he has known about Adebayo’s potential before rejoining the Heat in 2018 and becoming his teammate for a season-and-a-half. But at the time, Adebayo was blocked by the pouting presence of Hassan Whiteside, with the Heat wary of removing Whiteside from the starting lineup too soon, for fear of losing the max player’s interest entirely. So this Adebayo is different. And now different questions are being asked.

Not whether Bam’s ready to be a full-time starter. He’s proven it. All his metrics are better with more minutes.

Not whether he’s unique and special. We sensed that. Now we know that.

But whether he can be next.

Whether he can be Wade, in a sense.

And so, yes, the symbolism.

Wade revealed during that press conference that on his path to the court, he turned to Zaire, the one who wants to follow in his family footsteps, the one who is playing prep ball in California, and said to his son simply:

“I’m getting out of your way now.”

And so….

He’s out of Bam’s way now too.

In the Heat family.

No more Last Dances. No more personal documentaries. No more jersey ceremonies.

But a worthy successor, possibly.

 

“One thing about today’s society, you can reach out to anybody and talk to them,” Wade said at that same presser. “I found myself a few times being that older veteran guy who reached out to people and being like, ‘No, don’t do that.’ Or just giving them advice. But someone like Bam, man, right away when I got back to Miami, I knew, you could feel he was special. He’s a special person, right? Basketball, the sky’s the limit for him. As I continue to say, we set a bar. My points, my assists, was a bar that set before me, it was set by Alonzo, it was set by Tim Hardaway, it was set by the greats before me. And that’s all I’ve done. I’ve just set a bar. And I told Bam a couple of weeks ago, before he got announced to the All-Star Game, go take it, go do it, go set a bar for the next kid, and the next child. He may not even be born yet. But continue to set bars….”

When Wade left in 2016, under those unfortunate circumstances, there was no one here to grab the baton. Waiters? Whiteside? TJ? JJ? No way. Now, though, there is. And it’s not Wade’s Marquette buddy, as exemplary as Butler has behaved with the Heat. Butler is 30. He has shown in his six months here that if you care about winning, he cares about you, and you could argue that no one outside of Adebayo’s beloved mother has been more supportive of the 22-year-old, pushing Bam to fulfill his potential, ceding his own standing in similar fashion to what Wade and Chris Bosh did to allow LeBron James to become the best version of himself — even more remarkable when considering what James was when he came here, and how comparatively little Adebayo had accomplished prior to this season. But Butler’s reputation is bruised. The players voting him sixth among frontcourt players, behind Adebayo, was further proof of that. The perception may not be reality, but it exists. For that reason alone, he’s not the ideal heir to Wade in terms of one of Wade’s most important roles: serving as the smiling face of the franchise, the chief recruiter, the one who draws others in.

That is Bam.

It is obvious after every game, with every embrace of an opponent, with those rivals approaching him to share kind words and easy laughs. Pat Riley may have abhorred this fraternization when he was a coach, putting restrictions even on the closest friends (recall Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing?) but it is ideal for his ambitions now. Prized 2021 target Giannis Antetokounmpo, in true Riley style, is against offseason workouts with other stars, turning them down with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, among others. But he works out with Adebayo. Same agent? Sure. But that will assist too.

So he is the face now.

It’s OK for that face to growl a bit more, like Zo’s did.

It’s OK, when you’ve established your unselfishness, to step into a jumper like Chris Bosh did, even when Wade and James were open.

It’s OK, when everyone knows your motives are pure, to call out others like Udonis Haslem has, for nearly two decades.

It’s OK to take it.

And not to wait anymore.

******

What stood out about Bam Adebayo’s All-Star weekend?

Winning the Skills competition, beating two other bigs (including closest clone Pascal Siakam and potential playoff opponent Domantas Sabonis) and a guard who had won that title before (Spencer Dinwiddie)?

Not the performance, as remarkable as that was.

It was the press conference.

Brazen Bam.

He had seen on Twitter that no one really believed he could win the competition — well no but the Heat fans who jumped on the outlandish odds. It was like Vegas had set the number based on the rantings of uninformed radio hosts who are fixated on Alex Caruso rather than centers averaging six assists per outing. 

And he let them know.

 

This is the Bam the Heat need.

The defiant Bam. The emboldened Bam. Even the little-bit-irritated Bam.

The one who “felt great to prove a lot of people wrong” in winning the skills competition.

The one who realized late in the All-Star Game, as he looked down the bench, that “I’m an All-Star.”

The one who later announced that he expected to return for many future weekends.

“Yes,” he said. “I have high confidence in myself that I will be back… and my teammate Jimmy.”

He has high confidence, for sure. He couldn’t be here without it.

But he also has a modesty that, while quite becoming, is also becoming less necessary.

At the end of what had been Wade’s night, in the locker room Wade ruled for so long, Adebayo spoke about his conversations with Wade in “little brother” terms, the kid who keeps it light, respectful of his elders, the clown to keep them young.

Some reality, however, was required.

In the past year-plus, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem — along with Wade — have identified Adebayo as the ideal culture-bearer, even when fans had yet to view him that way.

Bam blushed, laughed and turned his kid when reminded of this.

“Bam, at this point, Zo called you the next one, UD said he was passing the mantle to you, Bosh has said it, Dwyane has said it,” was the statement, er, question. “This is like the Mount Rushmore of the Miami Heat. At some point, are you no longer the kid, and are you the guy?”

The somewhat reluctant response?

“Uh,” Adebayo said. “Yeah, I’ll take that. I’ll be the guy. I’ll take that on my shoulders. Since Mount Rushmore, Miami Heat Hall of Famers saying it.”

Then he got serious.

“But they see something in me. And that’s the thing. It hasn’t hit me yet. Like, it hasn’t hit me that I’ve been to an All-Star Game, and all the work I’ve (done to get) to this point. It really hasn’t me. Just cherishing those moments and hearing those wise words from those guys. It’s a beautiful thing for me. Just for them to show their support and how much they believe in me.”

******

Once February turned to March, and it became just about the season, and this team, his team, Bam Adebayo was asked again in a quiet locker room moment about the All-Star experience.

And how it changed his view of himself.

Yes, it did.

“Just because you’re in the room with a group of All-Stars, like superstars,” Adebayo said. “So you do, you do get an extra, extra energy about yourself. And your confidence kind of shoots up, because you’re like, you look around, and it’s like, ‘I’m an All-Star too!’ So it’s kind of like, wow, why can’t I be one of the top tier players in the league.”

Was there a pinch me moment?

“A.I.,” Adebayo said of Allen Iverson. “A.I. had a conversation with me. And he knew who I was. And coming from a guy like A.I. who changed the game. You just kind of think, ‘You know who I am?’ I mean, Charles Barkley gets paid to know who we are. But A.I. doesn’t get paid to know who Bam Adebayo is. That’s just real. And just for him to come up to me and give me advice and tell me to keep working was a big pinch me moment.”

Iverson told Adebayo he enjoyed the latter’s passion.

“That’s how I’ve always played,” Adebayo said. “Hard nosed, with passion.”

Maybe the radio hosts don’t know, as they harp on Kyle Kuzma’s hair.

But The Answer does.

So what’s the answer?

What’s a Bam?

Whatever he believes he is.

 

Ethan J. Skolnick has covered the Miami Heat since 1996 and now hosts the Five on the Floor podcast and runs the Five Reasons Sports Network.

2020 Miami Hurricanes Position Preview: Wide Receiver

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New Faces: Michael Redding (Fr.), Keyshawn Smith (Fr.), Daz Worsham (Fr.), Xavier Restrepo (Fr.), Rob Likens (coach)

 

Going Places: Jeff Thomas (forgone senior season for NFL Draft), KJ Osborn (graduation), Brian Hightower (transfer), Coach Taylor Stubblefield (previous WRs coach left to Penn State)

 

Projected Starters: Dee Wiggins, Mike Harley, Mark Pope

 

Sleepers: Mark Pope (JR) and Jeremiah Payton (RFr)

 

What was once thought of as the deepest position on the roster one year ago is now undergoing a complete makeover heading into spring practice. Lots of new faces, including the head of the unit are what comprise this relatively young but talented group.

 

Head coach Manny Diaz most recently made the decision to hire Rob Likens as the new WR coach to replace Taylor Stubblefield, who left to take the same position at Penn State. Likens most recently served as the offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Arizona State, before being relieved of his duties.

 

To compensate, Stubblefield brought in four very talented freshmen not only for next season but this spring in Michael Redding (IMG Academy), Daz Worsham (Hewitt-Trussville High, AL), Keyshawn Smith (San Diego Lincoln High, CA) and local kid Xavier Restrepo (Deerfield Beach High). 

 

Michael Redding is probably the most talented newcomer of the group. Redding was ranked as the 31st-best receiver in the nation in the Class of 2020. A big reason why Stubblefield recruited him was his combination of great size (6’3”, 192 lbs.) to go along with great speed (4.4-4.5 range). 

 

In addition, Worsham was a three-star prospect whom Stubblefield was able to pry away from the likes of Alabama. He finished with over 2300 yards and 28 touchdowns in his high school career. 

 

The discovery and recruitment of Keyshawn Smith was a very quick but interesting one, as he initially committed and signed to play for Washington State before coach Mike Leach left for Mississippi State. He was released from his letter-of-intent and it took one in-home meeting with Coach Manny Diaz to convince him that Coral Gables was the place for him, so Smith committed and with a little bit of magic, Smith was also able to enroll for the spring semester. Smith is a very fluid route runner with great speed and good size and even though he was technically the last of the four freshman receivers to sign, many analysts consider him a steal that late in the process.

Restrepo was all-Miami even before he received his official scholarship offer and despite his smaller stature at 5’10”, he’s got a lot of dog in him and will most likely make a huge impact as a slot receiver. 

 

These freshmen are only four of the options Miami has to try and overcome the loss of former graduate transfer KJ Osborn and Jeff Thomas, who opted to forego his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. Osborn set the tone in the locker room from the minute he stepped into the weight room and provided a big veteran presence for the team. He also led all of Miami’s receivers with 547 yards and five touchdowns. 

 

Thomas flashed his speed and game-changing ability from time to time, but at least according to Pro Football Focus, last season was his most yet as he did drop a single pass. His best season came in 2018, when he finished with 563 receiving yards, including a memorable 132-yard game against an LSU defense filled with future first-round picks.

 

Who’s Returning?

 

2019 saw the growth of many of the younger receivers on the team. One is junior Dee Wiggins, who seemed to be the best deep threat will his long, wiry frame. Wiggins caught 20 passes for 335 yards last season to go along with four touchdowns. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOJM-zgce-o

 

Two of those touchdowns were of 50+ yards against Louisville and Florida State, so it should be interesting to see how much Wiggins grows this season, as he is probably the most talented receiver team right now and like all of Miami’s speedy receivers, he should thrive in OC Rhett Lashlee’s spread offense.

 

Mike Harley is entering his senior season and has been steadily improving each year. He finished third on the team with 485 yards on 38 catches in 2019 and he slowly grew into a very reliable option in the slot with his excellent speed.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPiPb7VLo6Y

 

Who are some possible breakout stars in 2020?

 

A couple of names Canes fans should keep an eye on are Mark Pope and Jeremiah Payton. Pope was a five-star prospect out of Miami Southridge High in 2018 and expectations were sky high when he joined the team. He only caught one pass during his freshman campaign, but last year, he started to show glimpses of his ability as he saw increased targets and production: 18 catches for 266 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Coach Lashlee’s offense should bode well for Pope’s development, as it will give him a chance to show his quick feet and dynamic speed to make big plays.

 

Payton on the other hand took the redshirt this past season and is now officially entering his freshman year with the Canes. There were reports that Payton was a problem (albeit a good one) while serving as a member of the scout team and coaches are very excited about him. Fans should expect to see him get plenty of run this season.

 

Be sure to stay tuned to Five Reasons Sports for the latest news and updates on the Miami Hurricanes and subscribe to the Five Rings Podcast as we will continue to cover the beginning of spring practice.

 

2020 Miami Hurricanes Position Preview: Tight End

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The 2020 Miami Hurricanes will field a tight end group that could turn heads.

The Hurricanes have many new faces this year, both on the field and patrolling the sideline.

One place the Hurricanes do have some continuity and carryover is at tight end, a group that could be on the precipice of greatness.

Incoming recruits and transfers have infused talent across the board.

With a revamped offense and a new dynamic signal caller, how will the 2020 Miami Hurricanes tight end group fare?

“Tight End U” in Good Hands

This season could be the time where one proven player rises to greater heights, while another builds on a strong finish.

Junior Brevin Jordan may be the most important player on the Hurricanes offense when the smoke clears.

Coming off first team All-ACC honors in 2019, Jordan should be a favorite target of projected starting quarterback D’Eriq King.

 

Jordan finished his sophomore campaign with only two touchdowns, yet was able to finish third on the team in receptions (35) and second in receiving yards (435).

This was despite missing three games and with a revolving door at quarterback.

Jordan showed in last year’s season opener against Florida he can get it done against elite competition.

 

Rhett Lashlee will use a variety of formations and personnel groups to get Jordan involved out of the spread offense.

With his open field abilities, Jordan should thrive this season.

Joining Jordan as a focus at the tight end spot is junior Will Mallory, who looks to build off a strong finish to last season.

Mallory should also have a lot of opportunities in Lashlee’s offense, his length and athleticism will be especially useful in the red zone.

Lashlee could run Mallory out at h-back to get him in space from the backfield, the options are limitless.

With the spread offense stretching opposing defenses boundary to boundary, Mallory should be able to feast on crossing routes.

 

Mallory was quiet in the first half of the year and finished with just 16 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns.

He had 13 of those receptions in four games after November, with a season high 93 yards on four catches against Duke.

Irvin II Could be a Sleeper

One more name to mention from the tight end group is junior Michael Irvin II.

We all know his pedigree but it has been tough for Irvin to get much run with Jordan and Mallory ahead of him.

At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds he could be a nice change of pace in a possession receiving type role. Perhaps he could see some more playing time in 2020 on a situational basis in some heavy sets.

Irvin finished the 2019 season with two catches for 33 yards, most of those on a 25-yard reception against FIU.

The Miami Hurricanes once again appear to have one of the best tight end rooms in college football.

Both Mallory and Jordan present matchup problems and will surely be a key part of the Hurricanes’ offense in 2020.

Subscribe to the 5 Rings Canes podcast for exclusive Miami Hurricanes content.

 

The Football Dream Becomes a Reality

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Growing up as a Dutch-American kid, with heavy influence from my dad, my first love was football. The non-American kind. I loved playing “the beautiful game.” Being able to run on the field and score goals was something that always made a 10 year old me feel good.

I loved watching the game, too. As a kid, you always want to do like your dad, so I made alliances as a very casual Feyenoord fan. Since a lot of you don’t know, Feyenoord is a soccer club based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Where my family is from. Because of the time difference, I never get to watch games, so there always seemed to be a miss-connection between me and my first love.

The game brings out all of your emotions. That’s the beauty of the game. Since it was my first love, it was also my first heartbreak. In the 2010 World Cup Finals, when Andres Iniesta scored a late overtime goal to win the World Cup for Spain, defeating the Netherlands 1-0. I felt dead inside. I cried for hours.

International soccer was the only time i got that real connection to the passion of the game.

Since i was a kid, I always dreamt about one day, there would be a soccer club i can consistently cheer for. Sitting on the couch and watching the tv, hearing fans chant and scream always amazed me, how people can have such a connection to a team or sport. I always wanted to be a part of it.


 I remember seven years ago, in 2013, I was sitting in high school marketing class, when the announcement came. David Beckham was bringing an MLS team to South Florida! It was finally happening. I thought, “okay in maybe in about two years this thing will get going” well two years went by, then another two years and still no game had been played. They barely had a name, let alone a roster or stadium.

Now finally, after seven long years of waiting, Inter Miami CF will play it’s inaugural game on Sunday.

This team is very Miami. From being linked to some of the world’s biggest stars, from the colors of the jersey, the logo and a roster of players from Latin backgrounds, this team is for Miami.

Inter Miami has fielded a roster to be proud of, a roster that wants to be successful fast. They signed Mexican star, Rodolfo Pizarro to a record fee. They traded for USMNT regular Will Trapp and signed Lewis Morgan from a major team in Europe. There aren’t many sexy names on the roster yet but it’s a good roster nonetheless, that should be competing for a playoff spot.

The Miami sports scene, after the last few years, deserves a breath of fresh air. This is it. I hope fans come out and support this club because there’s a generation of young soccer players in Miami who need this.

There are a lot of people out there like me, who always dreamt of having a soccer club to root for. And no, this isn’t the premier league with the world’s best players. But it’s fútbol, in Miami. What can be better than that?

Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Breaking down the quarterback room

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When you take a look at the quarterback position for the Miami Hurricanes, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Ever since D’Eriq King transferred from Houston, there has been no question as to who will be the number one quarterback heading into the 2020 season. Of course, King is just one of the quarterbacks on the roster . Although he may seem like the clear-cut starter, there are other options available below him.

As far as King goes, he comes to Coral Gables with a tremendous amount of pedigree. This is a player that absolutely lit up the football field while he was at Houston. He threw for 683 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions last year. Those numbers are a little bit lessened due to the fact he decided to redshirt.

In what was a full season for him in the 2018 campaign King threw for 2,982 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. There is no denying that he can be a game-changer for a quarterback position that has desperately needed a spark.

With all this talk about King, it may be easy to forget N’Kosi Perry. In what was a revolving door of starting quarterbacks last season for Perry, he performed well. He threw for 1,045 yards, 8 touchdowns, and three interceptions. His best game last season came against Virginia Tech. In what was a 42-35 loss, he went 28-of-47 on the day, throwing for 422 yards. Tossing four touchdowns and an interception, a 51-yard pass was his longest of the day.

Had King not transferred to the program, Perry would probably be the outright starter. Perry will enter the spring looking to challenge King for the starting role. A healthy quarterback competition would certainly be good for the program.

For this spring in particular, Perry has to come in and prove that he is not just going to roll over and accept the backup role. I will be excited to see him challenge King. My bet is that he will come into the spring focused and ready to work.

Martell intriguing for Miami Hurricanes

Tate Martell is certainly an interesting player. As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, he saw some action in the season opener against Florida on August 24. He would play sparingly, finishing the year in the Independence Bowl. It was there that he perhaps made his biggest impact of the season. He completed a pass for seven  yards and rushed for another five.

As a junior next year, he will certainly have the odds stacked against him. He showed that he could play when called upon last season, so that will certainly work in his favor. However I would predict him at the third spot on the depth chart. His experience is certainly a bonus, especially when you consider that Miami has a young quarterback coming in. However, I wouldn’t expect him to make waves in the quarterback competition. Right now, he has a long road ahead of him. Nevertheless, he will certainly be an interesting player to watch in the quarterback competition.

Van Dyke a promising freshman

Last but certainly not least is Tyler Van Dyke. As a recruit, the pro-style quarterback was the seventh overall quarterback in the 2020 class, and the top player in the state of Connecticut per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

He will probably start at the bottom of the depth chart. That’s not because of lack of skill, but lack of experience. Right now, he needs to get as much experience as possible. In watching some of his highlights, it’s evident that he has a strong arm and good accuracy. That certainly bodes well for the future of the position and the Miami Hurricanes program. He is very polished for a freshman. Now, it’s all about learning the system.

Guts Check: But Where Are Mine?

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To be honest, the last few weeks I didn’t know if I would ever write anything ever again. Nor continue to record podcasts. I seriously contemplated going off the social media grid for good. As recently as yesterday.

I realize I have a flair for the dramatic and am probably experiencing a bit of exaggerated emotion, but I really was damn close to exiting stage left on all this media related activity.

My full-time career, family, life circumstances etc. always make this balancing act a challenge. It’s 100% incremental work. However, my love and passion for the Miami Heat has always been channeled into finding a way to never look at it as work and contribute. Despite the inevitable curve balls that come in this game of life.

Then Kobe Bryant passed.

It’s weird, Kobe Bryant was one of my favorite players until maybe 2004 or so. I even owned a Lakers purple #8 Kobe jersey, Champion size 36. But my fandom for Kobe seemed to take a backseat when I realized that Dwyane was the closest player to him in the league and that was OUR GUY. I had to side with Dwyane and in that decision came a suppression of my fandom for Kobe Bryant. I had never connected those dots until recently because I guess I never had a reason to unpack it in this way.

But underneath the Kobe vs Wade debates that I had taken part of throughout the last 15 years, I now see that Kobe Bryant is one of my favorite players of all time.

First, he was the closest thing I had ever seen to Michael Jordan, which truthfully, I wasn’t sure I would ever see anyone similar the rest of my life. Then, as Dwyane emerged as a mega star, Bryant became the great measuring stick I used to compare my favorite athlete to ever live – Dwyane Wade – to that of the all-time greats.

When I heard the tragic news of the helicopter accident and that Bryant had died, I was in shock like we all were. Up until that moment it hadn’t occurred to me that I never even considered the possibility that Kobe Bryant, or any of these seemingly invincible, larger than life athletes could ever die.

It may sound childish and/or naive, but people like Kobe Bryant aren’t supposed to die. They live forever and we celebrate them until father time prevails.

It reminded me of my own mortality. It reminded me that the time spent with my family is all temporary and delicate. It reminded me that tomorrow isn’t promised for me or any of the people I love.

You would think with all the daily spiritual practices I am immersed in, all the subjective prayer and yoga meditation I do to maintain in fit spiritual condition, that I would be in touch with this reality. But I had fallen asleep.

And that scares me. It made me evaluate how I am spending my time.

Do I bury my face in my phone when I am around my loved ones because of Heat tweets?

Do I sacrifice being present to the moment with my family in the name of ensuring I see every second of a road game at Atlanta – all because I need to see what you are tweeting and ensure you are also engaging with my tweets?

Am I putting my relatively self-centered obsession with Heat basketball ahead of more important things, a daily decision that will one day manifest in feelings of guilt and remorse?

I know I am being irrational to a degree, but it made me take a hard look. I couldn’t ignore it.

The line between this being a healthy creative outlet and an ego trip runs directly through me.

I have friends who need friends. I have loved ones who need love. I have people in all walks of my life who need support in various ways.

So, what the hell am I doing all this for? Am I really going to make a career out of this? Is all this time worth it if it is just a hobby? Is NBA basketball even important enough to focus on?

All this squawking about Heat playoff seeding and recent losses, analyzing this GAME just seemed so empty and shallow. In a way it still does.

Then it hit me.

You do this because you love it.

You do this because you owe it to those around you to be an example to pursue what you are passionate about and just f*cking go for it. You also owe it to those same people to show them how to find this balance that has seemingly eluded me. Life is so damn short man, why not do what makes you happy and do it with intensity? Why not have the guts to find that balance?

My son is as interested in (and as knowledgeable as I am about the Heat) regarding his favorite subject- dinosaurs. He tells me every day he will grow up to be a paleontologist. And I believe him.

But what would abandoning my passion because of self centered grief say to my son when life speeds up and he may flinch at his dream of being a paleontologist?

What would it teach my children about making the most of every moment? Because the Now is all there ever is. Ever.

What would it teach them about finding a healthy balance? Something I have only learned a mere 4 years ago or so..

This thought of abandoning all my deepest passions and retreating from life – effectively cutting myself off from the world outside my own walls – was all ego masquerading as virtue.

That action would say that I was approaching life with the wrong mentality. Acting as a victim of my own inner judge. A prisoner that built my own cell. Nothing could be further from Mamba Mentality.

I don’t even know if this is 1,000 words will resonate with anyone other than myself. It damn sure is a far cry from some of the amazing stuff I have read regarding Kobe in recent weeks.

But I needed to write it. Sometimes putting pen to paper is cathartic and removes that which blocks me from the creative intelligence of the universe.

So, here is this week’s edition of Guts Check. Sorry I’ve been ghost recently– but I have been evaluating if I even had the guts myself.

Turns out I do.

“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.” – Kobe Bryant

RIP Bean

Trocheck Trade Exemplifies State of Florida Panthers

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The trade of forward Vincent Trocheck by the Florida Panthers this week exemplifies the current state of the franchise.

After six full seasons in Sunrise, Trocheck was sent to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday at the NHL trade deadline.

 

In year seven with the Panthers, Trocheck battled injuries and inconsistency throughout the first half.

After playing a full 82 games in both 2016 and 2017, injuries stalled Trocheck in the last two campaigns.

Trocheck appeared in 55 games for the Panthers prior to the deal, the same number he played all of last year.

He leaves with 10 goals and 16 assists, which are well below his career averages.

Trocheck had a career high 31 goals in 2017 and averaged over 26 goals per season from 2015 to 2017.

His uneven performance ultimately made him a casualty of a much needed roster shuffle.

Florida acquired forwards Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark and Eetu Luostarinen along with defenseman Chase Priskie.

Before Carolina, Haula spent his first four years in Minnesota before joining Vegas for the last two seasons.

He appeared in 41 games for Carolina this year, tallying 12 goals and 10 assists. Haula should have an opportunity on the second and third forward lines, and has 44 games of postseason experience on his resume.

 

Wallmark was drafted in the 4th round of the 2014 NHL Draft by Carolina, the 24-year old speedy forward from Sweden has nice upside.

He appeared in 60 games for Carolina prior to the trade, with 11 goals and 12 assists so far. Wallmark can also contribute across multiple lines and along with Haula add solid depth to the forward group.

Luostarinen and Priskie are expected to report to the Springfield Thunderbirds, their AHL affiliate. Priskie is from Pembroke Pines and grew up a huge Florida Panthers fan, a nice story to say the least he gets a chance to play for his hometown team.

While these additions are solid on the surface, when four players are traded for one, typically the one is the bell of the ball.

In this case, Florida made the move while the underperforming Trocheck still held value.

Trocheck symbolized the Panthers season thus far, full of excitement and potential, while somehow far away from complete realization of it.

On paper the Panthers should be more than a fringe playoff contender, they have the components to make a legit run.

Something has been missing since the All-Star break, and changes were needed.

Trocheck was good enough to command a decent haul in return.

Yet not quite on the level where he would not become expendable.

General Manager Dale Tallon had to give Coach Joel Quenneville some flexibility and shake the roster up.

The core was too top heavy and has underproduced, perhaps some new faces will bring some energy for one last playoff push.