Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
’Canes hoping ‘strikers’ give defense a boost
New position will help match up with evolving offenses, Diaz says
CORAL GABLES — It was, for Manny Diaz, the best kind of problem to have.
As the Hurricanes defensive coordinator assessed his various position groups and evaluated the players he’d have coming back this season, he came to a stark realization: the depth Miami had managed to build at safety was going to make it hard for the Hurricanes to get all of those talented players on the field.
And so, Diaz and outside linebackers coach Jonathan Patke approached several of their veterans about the possibility of using their coverage skills at a new position they were calling the “striker.”
Romeo Finley, one of those veterans, was intrigued. So was Derrick Smith, who like Finley, arrived at Miami as a safety.
“When coach told me, I was like ‘This is what I’m accustomed to, playing in the box,’ ” said Finley, a junior who had seven tackles last season. “When he told me I was going to play this, I liked it, I was excited about it. First day out I felt comfortable so I’m just trying to get better every day.”
Added Smith, “I love it. It’s like you can do everything at once. It’s like they’re using me to my full ability. I like that.”
As the Hurricanes continue working their way through camp, Finley, Smith, De’Andre Wilder and strongside linebacker Zach McCloud have all been getting work at Miami’s new position.
“It’s like they’re using me to my full ability. I like that.” Derrick Smith, UM sophomore safety
The hope is that when the season begins Sept. 2 against LSU, they will help give the Hurricanes another defensive weapon that can be used against some of college football’s ever-evolving offenses.
“At its core, it’s a nickel (a fifth defensive back) and people have been playing nickel for a million years. That’s not new,” Diaz said. “I think what is new is having that guy, his job is probably more advanced in terms of being able to play man, run through and play run in the box, play matchup zone. Just do all different things that we do. I think having that guy be an every-down guy that has the ability to cover like a [defensive back] and hit like a linebacker is probably … because of what the offense is doing in terms of run-pass conflict stuff, that’s probably what you’re seeing more of now.”
As to what kind of players will fit that mold for Miami this season and moving forward, Diaz said the Hurricanes are looking for big-bodied safeties and smaller-sized linebackers. Versatility doesn’t hurt, either.
McCloud, who along with fellow junior linebackers Shaq Quarterman and Mike Pinckney has been starting at linebacker for the Hurricanes the past two seasons, has also welcomed the chance to work at striker alongside some of Miami’s converted safeties.
Whether McCloud lines up there, at his traditional strongside linebacker spot or anywhere else the Hurricanes need him, he said, makes no difference as he looks to build on his 48-tackle performance of a season ago.
“I am always excited. You know, I love to do new things. If they told me to put my hand in the dirt, and rush the passer like that, you know, I would be excited for that. I actually, have been bugging them, kind of, to let me do something like that. But I am excited to do whatever I can to help the team. I know that is kind of like a really generic answer, but I really mean it when I say it. … Call me linebacker, call me striker, I’m doing both.”
Finley, meanwhile, says working against Miami’s speedy slot receivers Jeff Thomas and Mike Harley has helped prepare him for the season.
“I get to match up against probably the best two slots in the country every day so that’s helping me out a lot,” he said.
Blades, newcomers impressing
Already this week, former St. Thomas Aquinas standout Al Blades Jr. earned praise from coach
Mark Richt for his performance early in camp.
On Wednesday, Diaz, too, noted the cornerback has played particularly well, especially considering he wasn’t on campus during spring practice.
“Of the ones that just showed up, it’s hard because they flash on different days and times,” Diaz said. “I would say Al Blades, from a consistency level, he shows up. … We’ve been very impressed with the things we’ve seen from Nigel Bethel, Pat Joyner, same. But I’d say Al, of the ones that just kind of got dropped off to school, has probably been a nose ahead of the other ones.”