Manny Navarro started working for The Miami Herald as an editorial assistant in 1995. A graduate of Braddock High (Class of 1996), he studied print journalism at Florida International University. Manny was the Herald's Miami-Dade County high school beat writer between the 2002-2006 seasons. He currently covers University of Miami football and basketball as well as recruiting news.
UM Sports Chat
Chat with sportswriter Manny NavarroMost Recently Answered Questions
Questions 81 - 110 of 1618 (Page 4 of 55)Submitted by Hoggie from Boston, MA
Q: Hey Manny, do you see Ray Ray Armstrong cracking the starting lineup this season?
Answered 08/10/10 14:45:53 by Manny Navarro
A: Absolutely. I think the kid is too gifted not to be on the field. Right now, I believe he is running with the second team in part because coach Shannon wants to push him to be even better. Ultimately, I see Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque starting every game for UM this season.Submitted by Richard from Raleigh, NC
Q: Manny could you Please send me a response to this. I check your blog every Tuesday for a live chat becuase it says you chat at 1:00pm every Tuesday. However, the last question was in February. Did you stop the chats? Is the link taking me to the wrong page? Or do you not resume the chat until closer to the season. Please a quick response is all I need, have to be sure I'm not missing any canes info up here in NC. Thanks.
Answered 08/10/10 14:37:26 by Manny Navarro
A: I'm back to answering questions this week Richard. Not sure it will be exactly at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. every Tuesday since practice schedules vary and I'm still covering the Marlins. But I will check in periodically to answer questions now that practice is underway. Keep sending them.Submitted by D-Rod from Miami,Fl
Q: Will the WR psiton be re-opened a bit to see about Thompkins, Streeter, etc...?
Answered 02/23/10 16:39:49 by Manny Navarro
A: Everything always reopens in the spring. Thompkins, Streeter and the rest of the receivers will be competing for playing time. Only guys who are really safe is Leonard Hankerson, LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin.Submitted by david from miami lakes
Q: The Herald reported Quad Hill had a professional boxing match last week, but I have seen no follow up in the paper. Any news?
Answered 02/23/10 16:36:09 by Manny Navarro
A: He won his fight pretty easily. I think we did have a follow up.Submitted by Larry from St Croix
Q: I read about schools like Texas Having Junior Days (two of them this month) and the success they have from them concerning recruiting. Does the "U" have these? If not should we? Personally I thing RS needs to smooze and coodle next years superstars. I know he wants guys to want to be Canes and thats great if you are winning and at the top tier in college football. We are not and need the top ten in Dade to come aboard. Why not host these stars and give them a t-shirt and a hat and show them Miami's history.
Answered 02/23/10 16:28:52 by Manny Navarro
A: I agree Larry. Canes need to do something like this.Submitted by Lamont from San Diego, Ca
Q: Manny, do you think any of the running backs on the roster will transfer?
Answered 02/23/10 16:23:58 by Manny Navarro
A: There is a chance Lee Chambers could. He just hasn't seen any real playing time and has Lamar Miller, Mike James and Storm Johnson pushing him.Submitted by Jackson from Fort Myers FL
Q: What is the status of Graig Cooper? Will he be returning this season and how did surgery/rehab fair for him?
Answered 02/23/10 16:22:32 by Manny Navarro
A: Shannon told us on national signing day that Cooper was already rehabbing. We know his surgery went well and there is a chance he could be back in late September.Submitted by PJ from Sanford,Fl
Q: Hey Manny do we know when and where this years spring game will be?
Answered 02/23/10 16:20:19 by Manny Navarro
A: Miami is trying to schedule it for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 27th at Traz Powell Stadium. But the stadium has already been booked by Nike for a high school combine event. We should know something over the next couple days.Submitted by Dan from Orlando, Fl
Q: Manny, we all know that Miami has the NCAA record for longest home winning streak at 58 games. Who has the current longest streak in Division 1 and what is the number?
Answered 02/09/10 15:27:42 by Manny Navarro
A: Boise State is up to 44 in a row. I believe that's the longest current active streak. The Broncos are hosting Oregon State on Sept. 25 this year. The rest are pretty much cupcakes.Submitted by ChicagoCane from McHenry, IL
Q: Manny - Last year you gave us Brandon Linder as a "must get" in recruiting. Can you give us a few "must gets" for next year's class? Thanks, as always.
Answered 02/09/10 15:21:27 by Manny Navarro
A: I think the top guy at the list has to be Miami Northwestern quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. He is a special talent and considering UM has always had a connection with Northwestern, this is a kid they MUST GET.Submitted by Joe Baron from Clearwater, Fl.
Q: How is Jacory doing since surgery?
Answered 02/09/10 15:19:51 by Manny Navarro
A: According to Randy Shannon, Jacory is coming along well and might be back for the end of spring football. We'll see.Submitted by Elliott from Kendall
Q: Are the Canes falling behind UF and FSU on the recruiting front? The Gators obviously are a top national destination but with the energy and new blood on the Seminole staff, should Canes fans worry?
Answered 02/09/10 15:19:05 by Manny Navarro
A: Yes and yes. Florida State has some big-time recruiters on staff and the Gators have already made it known they are getting back into South Florida for kids. I think that's a big reason UM hired away Mike Cassano. He is a good recruiter and can help locally for sure.Submitted by pole from coral gables, fl
Q: What's ur early prediction of the 2 man depth chart for the 2010 season?
Answered 02/09/10 15:17:25 by Manny Navarro
A: Offense... QB: Jacory Harris | AJ Highsmith RB: Damien Berry | Mike James or Lamar Miller FB: Patrick Hill John Calhoun WR: LaRon Byrd or Aldarius Johnson WR: Travis Benjamin or Thearon Collier WR: Leonard Hankerson TE: Chase Ford | Richard Gordon (if he comes back) LT: Orlando Franklin | Malcolm Bunche LG: Brandon Washington | Harland Gunn C: Tyler Horne | Shane McDermott RG: Joel Figueroa | Harland Gunn RT: Ben Jones | Jermaine Johnson Defense LE: Marcus Robinson | Steven Wesley LT: Allen Bailey | Micanor Regis RT: Curtis Porter | Jeremy Lewis DE: Olivier Vernon | Adewale Ojomo SLB: Jordan Futch | Tyrone Cornelius MLB: Colin McCarthy | Jordan Futch WLB: Sean Spence | Ramon Buchanon CB: Brandon Harris | Brandon McGee CB: Demarcus Van Dyke | Jamal Reid SS: Jared Campbell | Ryan Hill FS: Vaughn Telemaque | Ray Ray Armstrong K: Matt Bosher P: Matt Bosher KR: Travis Benjamin and Mike James PR: Thearon CollierSubmitted by Mitch Ratnow from Chicago,IL
Q: Manny---have you heard of any inside info about Seantrel Henderson opening up his recruitment and signing with the U??
Answered 02/09/10 15:08:09 by Manny Navarro
A: No inside info Mitch. That family has been throwing off their hometown newspaper writers and everyone else in the country with their decision making process. Other than what has been written by others -- New York Times, etc. -- I have no clue as to what Seantrel will do. All we know for sure is he hasn't signed yet, liked his trip to UM and could consider them or Ohio State if he doesn't choose to stick with the Trojans. UM hasn't quit recruiting him.Submitted by Leo from Raleigh, NC
Q: Manny what do you think are the odds that UM men's basketball can beat UNC in a few weeks? I have tickets to see the game, originally, I was going for the sake of being a true and loyal fan, but now with UNC dropping almost as many ACC games as UM, I don't know, could a win be possible?
Answered 02/09/10 15:06:05 by Manny Navarro
A: I don't have a lot of confidence in this UM team at the moment Leo. Honestly, they are about as bad a UM team as I've seen since I started covering the team. Even the 2006 team which finished 4-12 in the ACC seemed to have more fight than this one does. They haven't given up. But unless they've had a tremendous day shooting the ball (like they did against Virginia Tech), they really haven't even been in the game. Feels like a long season to me.Submitted by Michael from Estero Florida
Q: Now that recruiting is out of the way, its time to look forward to next year. Since Bobby Bowden will not be at FSU anymore, will a beat down of FSU still have the same meaning? Afterall, beating a guy with a name like Jimbo just seems wrong...like beating up the "special" kid in school. Thoughts? Also, do you have the schedule for the Spring Game, Fan Appreciation day, etc? Thanks for all that you do.
Answered 02/09/10 14:10:51 by Manny Navarro
A: Michael, I've been told that the Spring Game is tentatively set for March 28th. As for FSU, beating the Seminoles will always be important for UM regardless of who is the coach there. It's a rivalry that has huge implications in recruiting every year.Submitted by Shaun from Plantation Fl
Q: Mannolo what up pimpin. Thanks for the hard work. Which players do you feel or do the coaching staff feels will have a big impact next season? Excluding the obvious like Jacory Harris. No doubt Harris will neeed to be Heisman potential if the canes are to play in a BCS bowl game;which should be expected by all. Yes expected by now we need to see the "honays"(spainglish) of this team. Lastly what is your biggest unit of concern on the team going into next year? Thanks your the best beat writer in Sfla. Outie 5,0000 yodabaker
Answered 02/09/10 13:33:00 by Manny Navarro
A: Big things are expected from Sean Spence next year. He has to bounce back from his injuries and what was a subpar sophomore season. Jordan Futch, Ray Ray Armstrong, Vaughn Telemaque, Demarcus Van Dyke... all guys who are expected to take the next step in 2010. Offensively, I know they think Lamar Miller will make an immediate impact -- special teams and in the backfield. My biggest areas for concern are offensive line and tight end. Both are huge, huge question marks entering the season.Submitted by Sean from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Q: Hey Manny, What is your take on the U's football schedule this year. How do you think we fare? Have you gotten to see anything of Chase Ford. Is he legit? Finally what do you think about that new RB coach. Is he any good? Thanks
Answered 02/09/10 13:30:33 by Manny Navarro
A: I think the best thing about new running backs coach Mike Cassano is his history with offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and UM's program. He's also a very good recruiter, having been the recruiting coordinator for FIU. As for the schedule, it's going to be another tough start. Three tough road games back-to-back-to-back with Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Clemson. The best part of the whole deal, though, is UM will have more than a week to prepare for each of them. As for Ford, no I haven't seen any of his video. But I know this staff is excited about him and his potential. They have to be. He is going to be the No. 1 tight end on this team this coming season.Submitted by Tyler Gauge from Jax, Fl
Q: Manny I'd have to say this NSD was a success for UM. Sure it's not highly rated, but the past few classes have been so we addressed our key areas then. This class needed to be solid, the mortar that holds this team together past this next season, and I'm confident Shannon and Co have done just that. Plus it never hurts to know that the nucleus of your class is already on campus, and there appears to be no real academic issues w/ the remainder of the class, as other schools I'm hearing are having to deal w/.
Answered 02/09/10 12:51:32 by Manny Navarro
A: You are right, there aren't many academic issues to deal with this in class. But, time will tell if UM quality or just quantity in this class. In the end, it's up to the players and coaches to make it all work.Submitted by Darryl from Stockbridge, Ga
Q: Manny, I have never questioned Randy Shannon as The U's headcoach and I'm trying to maintain my optimism. But when I look at recruiting, South Florida in particular, I am concerned that so much of the local talent is going elsewhere. What is the recruiting situation? Is it not supported financially? Is it not given the effort from the coaching staff? Have the high school kids become disillusioned by the program that most of them once dreamed of playing for? What really is the problem?
Answered 02/09/10 12:49:38 by Manny Navarro
A: From my perspective (and I'm not saying its the right one), I feel like the kids locally are not as enamored with the program as they once were. They might have grown up fans of the Canes. But it's been eight years since UM won a national title and six since it played in a BCS game. The fact this program won't have a first round pick for a second straight year is another negative against it. Kids want to play for the best programs, the ones that will get them to the NFL, that will play for national championships. Do they still want to play for the Canes? Part of them does. But I think winning goes a long way. Three years ago when Shannon took over, there was a feeling of rebirth, a level of excitement of being a part of the new U. Florida State is going through it now. Miami needs to win this year, needs to have a strong season to generate that excitement again for kids, not just locally, but around the country.Submitted by Terry from KC, MO
Q: Manny, your article on recruiting said Shannon liked class, the experts didn't. When did Rivals become experts? I thought coaches were the real experts in recruiting vs. internet wannabes.
Answered 02/09/10 12:45:48 by Manny Navarro
A: Terry, in every field there are "so called experts." Like it or not, every media source in the country goes to Rivals.com, Scout.com, Tom Lemming, etc. for perspective on recruiting. They are independent parties who base their opinions on players and teams. The bottomline is "the experts" thought UM could have done better. The coach thought his class was just fine. In the end, they are both opinions. We won't know the truth until three years from now.Submitted by Michael from Estero Florida
Q: You just wrote "Obviously those numbers could change based on who in the 2010 class doesn't qualify academically, etc." Do you know of any of this year's recruits that may not make it in?
Answered 02/09/10 12:40:26 by Manny Navarro
A: There are a few kids who still have some academics to take care of, whether its getting their GPA up or their test score up. One for sure is LB Travis Williams.Submitted by Larry from St Croix
Q: Great coverage as always Manny. How could we find out what the "U"'s recruiting class rankings were prior to winning their championships?
Answered 02/09/10 12:37:48 by Manny Navarro
A: You would have to do an extensive archive search. Plus, there weren't nearly as many publications back then as there are today. Scout and Rivals.com didn't start ranking classes online until 2002. The only people who really did any of that prior to it were guys like Tom Lemming.Submitted by Kevin from Oakland, California
Q: Your probably going to get this question a lot. With the 2010 recruiting class finished, what are the plans for 2011? How many scholarships do we have? What are our positions of need (I still think we can improve at TE and we have already offered Nick O'Leary, Austian Seferian-Jenkins, and Chris Barnett)? Who are the high priority recruits? I see James Wilder has Miami listed as his leader while Teddy Bridgewater says he feels good about the U. And what about Tim Jernigan? Thanks in advance.
Answered 02/09/10 12:26:03 by Manny Navarro
A: Lot to answer here Kevin. First off, UM will have 17 seniors on the roster next year and a number of juniors on the NFL's radar. So, I would imagine based on those numbers alone, UM would have between 17-22 scholarships give or take. You look at who will be leaving and come up with your needs that way as a foundation. UM will be looking to sign 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1-2 TE, 2-3 OL, 2-3 DEs, 1-2 DTs, 2-3 LBs, 2 DBs. Obviously those numbers could change based on who in the 2010 class doesn't qualify academically, etc. Plus, if there are other transfers. James Wilder, Teddy Bridgewater, Tim Jernigan are all players Miami is chasing hard after and would be the top recruiting targets in the class. After that, I'd say DE Anthony Rabasa, TE Nick O'Leary. But we have 350-plus days until National Signing Day 2011. A lot can change from here until then.Submitted by mark from gastonia, nc
Q: Shannon has done a good job this year with what he has coming in on the o-Line, DBs, LBs and RB's but why do we continually bring in dual threat QBs when we run a pro style offense? Wouldn't you agree that 75% of theis class will be red-shirted?
Answered 02/02/10 14:59:07 by Manny Navarro
A: Mark, I think regardless if Miami brought in 20 five-star recruits or none, the majority of these kids wouldn't be seeing the field in 2010 anyway. Miami has a lot of sophomores and juniors who they are counting on for next year. As for the dual-threat QB, Stephen Morris was handpicked by offensive coordinator Mark Whipple for his offense.Submitted by Brian from Miami
Q: With the Pro Bowl this weekend and the U very well-represented, did any alumni get involved in this past weekend's recruiting visits? Thanks again, keep up the great work!
Answered 02/02/10 14:55:18 by Manny Navarro
A: Technically it is against the rules for professional players to make contact with recruits. But if guys "bump into each other," it's not a big deal. Word is that's what happened with Seantrel Henderson and Bryant McKinnie. I'm sure there are other stories of this happening, too.Submitted by Eric from Marco Island, FL
Q: Manny, Have we heard anything about future opponents lately? Why not adopt the UF philosophy and play the cupcakes so that we can do better during our in conference games and maybe some of our depth can come back as the 2nd 3rd and 4th stringers can get some playing time against the cupcake teams in case our 1st stringers get hurt (like a good number did down the stretch this year)?
Answered 02/02/10 14:54:07 by Manny Navarro
A: Miami has never been about playing Troy, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan every year Eric. From my conversations with athletic director Kirby Hocutt, his premise is to have Miami play road games in areas that would help with recruiting -- Texas, California mostly. I think a big reason UM played the tough schedule it did this past season was to create some buzz for the program. Let's not forget everyone in the country was talking about UM after it's 2-0 start. Even after the Virginia Tech loss, UM was playing on national TV against Oklahoma. That was a good thing. Another factor -- and let's be honest -- the ACC isn't the SEC. The Gators play in a conference given a lot more credit than anywhere else in the country. They can get away with the cupcakes because of it. I'm not sure if UM does the same they don't get passed over in the BCS.Submitted by Ryan from Fort Lauderdale
Q: Manny what are your thoughts on the Rick Petri hiring? He seems like he will be a big improvement over Hurtt as a coach and motivator, which was pretty lacking over the past few years, no one really improved their technique or moves.
Answered 02/02/10 14:50:40 by Manny Navarro
A: There's no question Petri has far more experience at this than Hurtt did. Most agree Clint climbed into the position a little too quickly and would have benefitted from more time with the defensive line coach who was here with him his first year (I can't remember his name for the life of me). Petri is a high energy guy, old school guy who has earned a lot of respect from others. All I've heard are good things about him. Miami will definitely benefit from his experience.Submitted by Brian from Miami
Q: Are we getting burned by overloading at positions? 2 years ago, we picked up a ton of WRs. Now many WR recruits don't even look at the U beyond their depth chart. And in 2 years, those WRs will leave and the cubbard will be bare once more. This year it's O-Line (though that's the one position we should stock up at every year). I understand it's a need, but are we doomed to this cyclicality?
Answered 02/02/10 14:49:04 by Manny Navarro
A: Interesting point Brian. I'm not sure you hurt yourself by taking a lot of guys at a certain spot in one class because in the end, the situation usually works itself out. Guys will transfer, redshirt or get injured. I think Miami just needs to do a better job grabbing at least 1 or 2 kids per position in each class and avoid missing out entirely at a spot in a particular year.Submitted by John from Atlanta, GA
Q: With Whipple as such a hot commodity, what is Randy Shannon's plan after he leaves? Who are some possible candidates for the OC job? It doesn't look like anyone on the current staff could fill that void.
Answered 02/02/10 14:47:02 by Manny Navarro
A: Randy would definitely have to go outside the program again to find an offensive coordinator if Whipple leaves, which most expect to happen after next season considering the amount of interest he's commanded this offseason. Who would be a candidate? Anybody who is a QB coach at the professional level looking for a jump up to a coordinator position at the college level or a former college coordinator on the unemployment. You never know really. Once guys land new jobs, the entire landscape changes.
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