Miami's Defense Is Thinning

[Cane from the Bend]

One of the areas Miami's opponents have exploited in recent years, is the inexperience and lack of depth in our Line Backer core.

This year we've improved quite a bit, however, since the start of the season, our roster has taken a hit --- the worst was just announced this week.

This past weekend, Raphael Kirby injured his right knee while making a play against Virginia Tech, and will now miss the remainder of the 2015 season as a result.

Al Golden: "I’m crushed, Raphael represents what we want in a Miami Hurricane. He’s a leader. He’s unselfish. He holds his teammates accountable, and he’s a big part of who we are. We are tremendously disappointed for Raphael, he is the true definition of a leader on the field, in the community and in the classroom. His commitment to our team and our goals has been unquestioned over his career, and he will be sorely missed. We will support Raphael through his recovery as we continue to lean on his leadership for our team.".

Kirby played in 39 games for the Hurricanes, ending his career with 124 tackles. His senior season ends now with a team-leading 44 tackles. Kirby is the third loss at the linebacker position for us this season; alongside Darrion Owens & Marques Gayot whom are also out due to injuries.

Miami will look to fill the gap with either 6 ft 2 in 251lbs Sophomore DL Trent Harris, or 6 ft 2 in 245lbs Sophomore LB Juwon Young.

This Saturday, Miami will take on Clemson. It will be a tremendous test against an offensive that has the explosive potential the Tigers have.

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I hope for Raphael to make a full recovery, and that he is able to play football again in the nfl. He's a good kid, with a strong outlook.

Too often we get lost in the nonsense of rankings, wins & losses, that we forget these players are more than just athletes. They are young people who have a future in front of them. And things such as this should remind us all, it is a game at the end of the day --- Yes, several of these players will go on to make a career out of that game. As well, there are real coaching & staff jobs on the line. But when all is said and done, perspective needs to settle in. we need to remember all of those players who gave their all for a sport many will never play again. A sport that help them get an education they may not have otherwise been able to acquire. But also a sport many have gotten injured playing, just so we may have some sense of bragging rights, while Universities cash in on these young lives.

So, I ask you all, the next game you sit to watch --- be that in the comfort of your home, or a friend's place, local sports bar/club, even Stadium --- that before kickoff, pray for [or wish, even hope for if you do not prescribe to religion] the safety of the players. Even those of your rivals' team(s), as off the field, these guys do have individual lives. And hating them individually is pretty petty in the grander scheme of things.

Keep them in your thoughts so their efforts will not have been in vain.

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[Cane from the Bend]

To further illustrate this thread:

Mississippi State LB Dez Harris suffers third ACL tear of his career this past Saturday against Louisiana Tech. Harris will miss the remainder of the 2015 season. He worked his way back onto the field after overcoming a torn ACL against Auburn last season. And that he was on the field for that game is an accomplishment on its own, after his first torn ACL, suffered at McAdory High School in McCalla, Alabama, caused him to miss the remainder of 2012 and the entire 2013 season.

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LSU may have lost TE Dillon Gordon for the year. LSU tight end Dillon Gordon injured his left Achilles in Saturday’s game versus florida in Baton Rouge. Les Miles fears it may be enough to bring a premature end to the senior’s 2015 season.

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Spartans special teams hero undergoes surgery in Ann Arbor. One day after Jalen Watts-Jackson returned a fumbled punt attempt for a touchdown, giving Michigan State one of the more improbable wins ever witnessed in the history of its rivalry with Michigan, Watts-Jackson had to go through surgery Sunday morning in Ann Arbor. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio announced Watts-Jackson had dislocated and fractured his hip. Dantonio said Watts-Jackson told him the injury happened as he was being tackled into the end zone. [although his teammates jumping on him in celebration surely did not help the cause] --- Mark Dantonio: "It’s unfortunate everyone piled on him" --- Jalen Watts-Jackson was carted off the field and stayed in Ann Arbor overnight so he could go through surgery on Sunday morning. He will be out of action for the next three months without being able to put any weight on his hip. With that being the case, the fumble return for a touchdown will more than likely be the final play Watts-Jackson makes this season.

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Notre Dame loses OL Alex Bars for the season to leg injury. Left guard Alex Bars will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured ankle that he suffered in Saturday night's game against USC. Bars is the seventh Notre Dame player lost to injury this season. Bars started at left guard against Navy and USC when teammate redshirt freshman Quenton Nelson, suffered a sprained ankle in a loss to Clemson on October 3. Nelson, though not 100%, returned to the field of play Saturday night, and replaced his own replacement for the remainder of the game. --- Brian Kelly: "Quenton Nelson came in and performed admirably in relief of Bars. He’s not 100 percent, but he went in there and didn’t miss a beat. That’s the expectation here. You’re going to have to play banged up. We’re never going to put you in there if it’s a compromising situation. He was not 100 percent, but he knew his team needed him, he went in there and came up big for us."

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And that statement by Brian Kelly truly sums it all up, doesn't it?

It's what we've learned to expect from these kids. Put them in there whether at full strength or not. Hey, if you want to keep your starting job, then you won't complain about it. He's a tough guy, he can handle it.

But it's not supposed to be their job. Their job is in the classroom first. That is the definition of Student Athlete. And how many of these kids get injured, because they are too afraid to say anything, and figure, "I'll just play through it".

Something seems to be getting lost into translation in today's society.

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[billybud]

A lot of attrition this year.....on several teams.

FSU, also is extremely thin at LB....

Starting inebackers have also been hit hard...Matthew Thomas, Tyrell Lyons, lost for season and Terrance Smith is not practicing due to ankle injury, Lorenzo Phillips has been out on injury and Northrup playing is with injury.

FSU's defensive backfield has been depleted by injury. Against Louisville they had to play a four year walk on practice team guy at corner. His first game at any position other than special teams.

FSU's "Rudy"

FSU has a guy (Elliot) who is a RS Senior walk on. He has been a practice squad player for four years and this year Jimbo rewarded him for his effort and gave him a scholly and let him play on the kickoff aquad.

He had played on the offensive side in high school then was not recruited and went on with his life for two years. When he returned to college, his father talked him into trying out for a walk on spot at FSU. He has never played a down in his career. Due to an injury depleted defensive backfield, Elliot was inserted into the Louisville game.

And he made the INT that iced the game. He was mobbed by the other 10 guys and the celebration continued on the sidelines...the whole team was so happy for the senior.

[Cane from the Bend]

FSU's "Rudy"

FSU has a guy (Elliot) who is a RS Senior walk on. He has been a practice squad player for four years and this year Jimbo rewarded him for his effort and gave him a scholly and let him play on the kickoff aquad.

He had played on the offensive side in high school then was not recruited and went on with his life for two years. When he returned to college, his father talked him into trying out for a walk on spot at FSU. He has never played a down in his career. Due to an injury depleted defensive backfield, Elliot was inserted into the Louisville game.

And he made the INT that iced the game. He was mobbed by the other 10 guys and the celebration continued on the sidelines...the whole team was so happy for the senior.

Now that's perspective.

I like that story. Good for Jimbo to recognize heart and dedication. I hope Elliot gets his opportunity to see more field time this season ... maybe a coffin nail tackle or interception vs the gators.
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[Vileborg]

It's sad but the reality of life is that very few people turn out where they thought they would be. My childhood dream was to be a research engineer, cure cancer and Alzheimer's, win the Nobel peace prize, and become president of the United States.

I'm a software developer with an associates in accounting who has been a baker, a mover, a roofer, a framer (both houses and picture frames), a pipe layer, a bingo caller, an auto mechanic, a machine mechanic, a computer mechanic, a cable technician, a travelling electronics technician, a CAD drafter, a construction project manager and an electronic systems designer. Sometimes it's not about how much you hold on to things but how well you bounce when you let go.

Sorry to hear about Kirby, he is definitely an awesome player.