Richt: Canes are better prepared
Third-year coach likes Rosier’s smarts, UM’s depth as practice begins today.
CORAL GABLES — It’s been seven months since Miami lost to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl to end the season on a three-game losing streak.
The Hurricanes have been using the disappointing finish as motivation in offseason workouts and spring practices. And today, they officially begin a new season, returning to Greentree Practice Field for the start of fall camp.
UM, ranked No. 8 in the preseason coaches’ poll released Thursday, opens the season Sept. 2 against LSU in Arlington, Texas. In an interview with The Palm Beach Post this week, coach Mark Richt touched on a variety of topics.
You’re entering your third season as UM coach. Does this camp feel different?
“It’s a little different in that most everybody (knows) what we’re doing, why we’re doing it . ... I remember when we first got here, we walked through the first practice without the players so the coaches knew and the managers knew and the trainers knew and everybody knew where we were going to be. Just getting the train started is so painful sometimes as far as tedious detail. Now ... it’s nice that everybody kind of knows what’s up.”
How much better is the team’s depth compared to when you arrived?
“Much better . ... We’re three deep in each position as far as just guys that can function. It takes
some pressure off the firstand second-team guys, having to take too many reps, but it also develops young talent.”
Is there an area you’re still concerned about in terms of depth?
“One I’m a little concerned about, mostly because of the youth and inexperience, is the interior defensive line. Those two guys (Kendrick Norton and R.J. McIntosh) left, you’ve got Anthony Moten leaving. All of a sudden, what are you going to do? ... These younger guys are going to have to grow up much faster than you want them to.”
What’s been the biggest area of growth you’ve seen from quarterback Malik Rosier?
“He’s a smart football guy. He really does understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it. He knows the system. He also knows how the system relates to different fronts, coverages, blitzes, twists . ... So he’s got two years of experience and one year of starting experience in the system.
“He has a good understanding and he recognizes things pre-snap, post-snap, things that a lot of guys miss or they thought this and it was something else. He can really come back and tell you what he saw and why he did what he did.”
Was too much blame put on Rosier for the threegame losing streak?
“Yeah, I think so. In retrospect, when you look at the whole season, the guy made some huge plays in some huge moments. His numbers weren’t bad. He ran the ball, he had 500 yards of hidden yardage in rushing as a quarterback. He got some first downs and got some touchdowns with his wheels. And like I always say: Usually when you watch tape, the bigger the pocket, the better he threw.”
How excited are you about this freshman class, especially with the new redshirt rule, which allows players to see action in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility?
”The new redshirt rule, that’s unbelievable. Just a year ago, I could have played (quarterbacks) N’Kosi (Perry), (Cade) Weldon, just to see. Even some of our linemen that we redshirted, we could have played them. And then you may say ‘wow,’ or you might see that they need a redshirt.”
Have any freshmen stood out so far?
“The receivers showed me stuff, the defensive backs showed me stuff. (Brian) Hightower did great things in the spring. You haven’t seen what (Mark) Pope can do yet, you haven’t seen what Cam’ron (Davis) can do. (Lorenzo) Lingard did some things where he broke out a couple times . ... So there’s a bunch of them that are going to play and make an impact for us.”