Miami Supends 4 Players

[Vote Quimby2]

I don't know how much of a hit it will be for them. I mean it's still scUM, but this does bring a bit of a smile to my face.

 

 

CaneSport.com Staff

CaneSport.com

 

Talk about it in The Tribal Council

An already tumultuous offseason got even more hectic for the Miami Hurricanes today with the announcement by coach Larry Coker that four players are suspended for the season-opener against Florida State.

 

 

Associated Press

 

Ryan Moore will miss the season's first two games due to a violation of team policy

Receiver Ryan Moore is suspended for the first two games; tailback Tyrone Moss, linebacker James Bryant and DB/WR Rashaun Jones are suspended for the season-opener.

 

Moore and Moss could have conceivably started vs. the Seminoles.

 

Moore also was suspended for last year's Peach Bowl, and Coker said his current suspension is related to that suspension.

 

"They're [all] suspended for violation of team policy," Coker said. "That's all I'll say about that. Sometimes as a head football coach you have to do things that are not pleasant."

 

Coker made clear this is purely a football suspension. It was not related to academics.

 

"It comes down to me," Coker said.

 

Asked if it's all related to the same incident, Coker cryptically answered, "It's all the same incident – violation of team policy. I know it's broad, but that's the answer."

 

How do the suspensions affect the team against FSU?

 

"It makes it a lot harder to (win)," Coker said. "They're hard enough to beat as it is. We're not trying to back into the Florida State game – we're going to have a good football team. And when we take the field against Florida State we're going to be ready to play. We're going to have good football players on the field. There's no excuses. I'd be very, very concerned if we didn't have other good players. But we have other good players to get ready to play.

 

"You lose good players, it has an effect. Our expectations haven't diminished. Charlie Jones will be ready to go (at tailback). We have some depth. I'm excited about our wide receivers. They're a little under the radar. We're going to have an outstanding group of wide receivers."

 

Coker said true freshmen Sam Shields and George Robinson will help with Moore out.

 

"And Darnell Jenkins has been just fabulous in the off-season," Coker said. "Lance Leggett – you're going to see a special player there. Khalil Jones ... we have numbers. We have talent. It's a matter of this talent needs to really step up. And you have the multiple formation things we use – Dedrick Epps at wide receiver and tight end. Greg Olsen ... numbers I don't think will be a problem."

 

All of the suspended players are eligible to practice this fall.

 

The message Coker hopes this sends to the team?

 

"I don't know I did it to send a message to the team," Coker said. "A message is sent – we have high standards here. This is not a short term fix for me from the standpoint, `Let's make it all work out and I'm going to go to whatever NFL team or other college team.' I want this to be a long-term situation and do things the right way, for the right reasons.

 

"We're a program of quality kids. These kids are good kids. But we've got to get this message across. If it does send a message. It's `We're going to do things the right way here.'"

 

* Coker also said there was no update on Willie Williams, adding "I don't anticipate Willie being on this team."

 

Here's what else Coker was talking about today:

 

Q: What kind of depth do you see with the freshmen?

 

Coker: We're not in it to redshirt. We want guys to get themselves ready to play. We have four, I think, phenomenal prospects on the offensive line. Dedrick Epps is going to be special as a tight end. You mention Sam, George. Colin McCarthy at linebacker, this guy's special. I could go down the whole list. But it's really a solid, solid class. Especially I think we have to look at depth at cornerback with Ryan Hill, Chavez Grant.

 

Q: Talk about playing FSU and Louisville so early – that's a lot of pressure early.

 

Coker: They're two extremely talented teams. Louisville may be more talented than any team we play. We have them on the road. I'm very anxious to play them. It's going to be a tough game.

 

Q: Do you expect Javarris James to play as a true freshman this year?

 

Coker: Yes I do. He's going to have to show us that he can't play, and I believe he can. He's definitely a talent.

 

Q: Talk about what you saw from Javarris in high school.

 

Coker: Javarris is a terrific football player. That's why the Florida schools, USC, Oklahoma … everybody recruited Javarris. He's a leader. He is really a tough kid also.

 

Q: Could Javarris be part of the return game?

 

Coker: We're going to get a look at that. He and Kylan Robinson also. That's why Kylan was moved to running back (in high school), because he returned a couple of bad kickoffs for touchdowns. He just picked them up, ran through everybody.

 

Q: With Sam Shields as well, what other freshmen might be involved in returns?

 

Coker: You have to look at Chavez, Ryan Hill. You always want to look at those type players in August practice.

 

Q: What's the difference with Rich Olson here?

 

Coker: I think experience and leadership, and he's really pulled together the staff, done a good job with that. Rich has a good offensive mind. His experience in college and 10 years in the National Football League, that's invaluable. And he has a good rapport, a good toughness with the players.

 

Q: How concerned are you with four new starters on the offensive line?

 

Coker: You're always concerned. I'd be more concerned if we didn't have talent. We do have talent. I wish those players had more experience, but they don't. If you give me a choice of experience or talent, I'll take talent. … Those four true freshmen offensive linemen, I think they're going to be special. Now, will they be special on Sept. 4, 2006? Probably not. But they're quite a group. A guy that weighs 380 and vertical jumps 30 inches (Ian Symonette)… They're very, very talented, have great size. Plus they have a little bit of an attitude.

 

Q: If they're in the two deep they'll play this season?

 

Coker: Yes. No doubt about it.

 

Q: What position do you expect for Jason Fox?

 

Coker: Jason's an extremely talented kid. That might be a possibility to look at him at center. He probably will play tackle for us. He's a little like Eric Winston. He's really had a good summer.

 

Q: Do you monitor fan websites, pay attention to it?

 

Coker: I really don't. Our media people are aware of those things. Things I need to know, I'm sure they would share those with me. I don't follow them closely at all. I think my daughter does, but I don't.

 

Q: Does she tell you stuff she sees online?

 

Coker: Yeah. `You were at the mall today, weren't you?' [laughter] Really important stuff.

 

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[Gonkis]

A guy that weighs 380 and vertical jumps 30 inches (Ian Symonette)…

 

I think he's closer to 330 than 380, but 6'9" and runs a 5.4s 40-yd dash per scout.com. He's a freak. Wonder why he had no interest in Okie or Texas?

['canes2004]

I like Coker and all, I mean he seems like a nice guy, reminds me of my grandfather actually, but I think it's time to bring in a young coach to reign in the team again. So much talent in S. FL to pick from, just need a leader to guide them.

 

As to answer to your question VQ2, I think the suspension will be a pretty significant hit especially playing your homo's right out of the gate. Would rather tune up with FAMU or something (you know pre-season ) but playing FSU without some key guys to start the season could mean trouble.

 

p.s. You have a PM.