Happy Monday, everyone.
So, yeah, some big things have happened since I went on a tangent a week ago. Let’s cut the cutesy intro and get to them.
1) Carson Beck was a pickup I did not expect the Canes to get this offseason.
I think it goes without saying that Miami was aggressive in the transfer portal trying to find a capable starting quarterback, since it appears they didn’t have one on their roster after the Pop Tarts Bowl (not counting Luke Nickel, as he’s not here yet). Missing on John Mateer seeming like a crushing situation. I like Mateer a lot and think he’s going to do good things at Oklahoma. I had already made up in my mind about Nickel being the guy right at the get go, but with some serious growing pains in 2025.
Now, with Beck in the fold, the Canes’ 2025 outlook suddenly changes from possible transition year to ACC contender again.
Don’t tell me Beck isn’t a terrific pickup. He threw for almost 7500 yards in two years at Georgia with 52 touchdowns to 18 interceptions in SEC play. I also read where he lost the most passing yards last year by a wide margin due to wide receiver drops, over 600. I very much am looking forward to seeing what he can do with Shannon Dawson working with him. Very good stuff could be coming.
2) If only Jacolby George, Elijah Arroyo, Isaiah Horton, and Xavier Restrepo were still here to throw the ball to.
That’s the next question. Is what they have in house good enough to win? What moves can Mario and the NIL collectives pull off to get a top target in town? Those, to me, are the top questions remaining for this offseason.
CJ Daniels from LSU was a nice get and is intriguing. However, I need to see it to believe it. That’s in part due to Sam Brown coming in and not doing much last year as an interesting pickup from Houston. Is Jojo Trader ready to become the guy?
The post-spring portal window should provide another opportunity to address the position. I guess we’ll see what happens then.
3) Miami has their defensive coordinator in Corey Hetherman.
Not totally sure what to make of the hire, but all I can go on is what he looked like in the job he was coming from. And based on that, you have to love what you’re getting.
Minnesota was flat-out excellent on the defensive side of the ball last year, ranking in the top 12 nationally in just about every defensive category. In particular, his team was strong on the back end, allowing just 176.1 passing yards per game (ninth) while nabbing 22 interceptions (seventh). Areas where Miami desperately needs quick improvement.
Yeah….that ain’t too shabby.
4) Oh, and I just saw this gem as I was wrapping up.
Mario Cristobal, on the notion that Cam Ward quit in the bowl game: “Bullshit.”
He gave a very impassioned defense against what he calls “a false narrative.” The decision on the bowl game was predetermined based on his likely status as the No. 1 pick.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 13, 2025
Well, Mario, maybe it was bullshit to hang your QB out to dry and let the narratives build up about him rather than, oh, I don’t know, EXPLAINING IN A TIMELY FASHION WHAT THE HELL YOUR PLAN WAS AT QB. LET PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED THE TEAM AT THE GAME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
Instead, you let everyone tilt in the wind and let Ward and his reputation get bashed publicly among talking heads and outsiders in the wake of the game because no public explanation was given. This was handled about as damned badly as it could possibly have been done. Instead, you should have owned it and said, “my bad, here’s what particular plan was and why. We should have been more transparent about it. We appreciate the support of the fans who came out and supported us in Orlando.”
My. God.
Anyways, I guess as always, it’s still Go Canes.