FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Former Bulls ready to help the Canes
Posted on Sat, Aug. 02, 2008
BY BARRY JACKSON
AL DIAZ / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
UM freshmen who played on Northwestern High's national championship team pose during Media Day on Friday. Front row, left to right: Sean Spence, Kendall Thompkins, Jacory Harris, Marcus Forston, Aldarius Johnson. Back row: Ben Jones and Tommy Streeter.
With UM practice opening Saturday, one fascinating subplot the next few years will be watching the impact of the seven Miami Northwestern freshmen, who did not lose a game the past two seasons.
''That could be the future of UM,'' senior safety Randy Phillips said. ''It's great to have winners around us.'' Plus, they are ''very humble,'' senior safety Lovon Ponder said.
Quarterback Jacory Harris said the seven (including January arrivals Harris, Sean Spence, Aldarius Johnson and Marcus Forston) ``have a discussion daily that we are not going to lose.''
Phillips predicted Friday that Johnson ''at some point this season will be the No. 1 receiver. He had the best spring of the receivers.'' Credit former UM star Andre Johnson for mentoring him.
Harris, who gained 15 pounds to 183, hasn't played in a loss in four years and said he is ''quicker'' and ''more elusive in the pocket'' than he had been, and he and front-runner Robert Marve looked good Saturday. Ponder said Harris -- who studied the playbook with Johnson until 2 a.m. last week -- amazes him with his ability to decipher defenses: ''He's one of the smartest quarterbacks I've ever been around.'' No wonder Harris said among NFL players, ``I resemble Tom Brady because of smartness.''
Spence, who was with the second group of linebackers Saturday, gained 15 pounds (to 210), but ''a lot of people say I'm too small at 6-0.'' Yes, ''he's undersized,'' senior linebacker Glenn Cook said. ''But he's a playmaker . . . a big surprise.'' And UM people won't be surprised if Forston starts opposite Antonio Dixon at defensive tackle at some point in 2008, though Dixon and Joe Joseph were with the first group Saturday. ''Forston's so quick for a 305-pound guy,'' offensive tackle Jason Fox said.
Among other Northwestern newcomers, tackle Ben Jones is behind several veterans and receivers Tommy Streeter and Kendall Thompkins face stiff competition against five returnees and five other freshmen, including summer standouts Johnson, Louisiana's Laron Byrd and Glades Central's Travis Benjamin. Coach Randy Shannon raved about Byrd on Saturday, and Marve said Benjamin impressed most of the six June receiver arrivals and is the ``fastest guy I've thrown to.''
But ''Kendall [who caught a long touchdown pass Saturday] is a great route-runner and Streeter is elusive with great hands,'' receiver Khalil Jones said. And Johnson? ``He will be one of the best to come through here.''
CHATTER
• So can fans finally trust Ricky Williams? ''What I would say is maybe, maybe not. You can trust on Sundays, I will show up and play hard.'' But Williams, continuing to impress at Dolphins camp, said he has never felt this motivated. ''Ever! Ever!'' he said. ''I've never had motivation to play. I just played because it was what I was supposed to do.'' Now there is a fiancée and three children to support, which drives him.
• Among reasons for this Dolphins regime's faith in Jason Allen is sentiment this defensive system -- based more on reacting -- will play to his strengths. ''Too much information,'' Allen said of last year's approach under Dom Capers. ''You can't play the game thinking.'' . . . Matt Roth has gotten most of the first-team snaps at left defensive end, but Kendall Langford (another sack Saturday) is challenging, Randy Starks has shown pass-rushing skills in recent days and Phillip Merling (bulked up from 270 to 290) has had some good moments, though he said he wasn't happy with his play early in camp and must get stronger.
• One high-level Red Sox official said he expected Manny Ramirez would end up with the Marlins, but the Marlins backed off Wednesday night and justified asking for an additional $2 million (on top of paying Ramirez's salary) to cover salaries of the compensatory draft picks Florida would get for losing Ramirez to free agency this winter. Plus, Florida's refusal to include outfielder Mike Stanton -- who leads his Single A league with 27 homers -- helped kill the deal. . . . Although Detroit sought bullpen help in a trade for Ivan Rodriguez (who was sent to the Yankees), the Marlins justifiably did not want to deal potential future closer Matt Lindstrom.
• Already forgotten, Miami Arena will be demolished within a month, owner Glenn Straub said. Retail stores might go there.
• Sightings: Nets star Vince Carter storming away angry after twice (in one night) being denied entrance into Mansion for wearing shorts.
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