Submitted by CanesGirl FL from Fort Myers, FL

Q: Hi Manny, I think Jacory has a very strong arm, but has trouble reading defenses (I realize he is still learning). With Kenny Dorsey coaching QB's at a high school in Bradenton, doesn't it make sense to hire him as the QB Coach or Offensive Assistant? Ken was a master at reading defenses and I believe his INT's were very low during his years at the U. I also want to see the linebackers in the weight room this offseason. They all had problems tackling and getting run over this year.

Answered 11/17/09 16:19:31 by Manny Navarro

A: Dorsey would be a great tutor for Jacory. I'm not sure he's ready to be the quarterbacks coach. But having him here with Whipple as some form of grad assistant would be smart for Miami to do. Dorsey was already doing some of that for the Browns as the third string QB when he was still in the league.

Submitted by ChicagoCane from McHenry, IL

Q: I know he will not end up at Miami, but I have heard nothing on Jeffrey Godfrey. Where do you think he will end up? Also, can you give us a list of the guys Miami is still actively recruiting? It is so hard to tell with these stupid recruiter ($) websites. Thanks!

Answered 11/17/09 16:17:37 by Manny Navarro

A: There aren't many guys Miami is still after. Godfrey is not one of them. He'll be going to USF or FSU most likely. As for the guys UM is after, OL Brandon Linder, OL Jermaine Barton are definitely two of them. Anybody else UM gets at this point is gravy.

Submitted by Michael Messerly from Omaha, Nebraska

Q: How much does Miami miss not having a proven back up on the team. I want to say that Whipple like Taylor Cook and has the skills of Ben Roethlisberger. In hindsight do you think Miami wishes they had Cook on the team? It just seems like Jacory is hurting, but we have no other option at QB.

Answered 11/17/09 16:15:39 by Manny Navarro

A: I think it definitely hurts not having a quality, experienced backup. I said it Saturday. Had AJ Highsmith really been ready and Miami not down 23-7, we probably see Jacory on the bench in the second half. His hand was injured and he was playing with pain. Jacory also said today not having a player he knows could really replace him if he struggles has led him to take more chances than usual.

Submitted by Michael Messerly from Omaha, Nebraska

Q: Whipple is a great OC, but Miami is getting burned by the going to the deep ball all the time. J12 has been under throwing or throws into double coverage. We have 2 big tight ends and it seems like we never use them underneath. or also how come Miami doesn't use the 3 step quick pass to help out the O-Line it just seems like that would be there all day

Answered 11/17/09 16:12:14 by Manny Navarro

A: I think Whipple did a nice job using the screen pass to the running back a lot better last week. But you are right. I'd like to see Jacory do less playaction, where he has to take a seven step drop and look deep and more intermediate passes, slants, rollouts, etc. Miami's offensive line obviously can't do the job consistently for him to be throwing deep all day. And his arm/hand is obviously hurt.

Submitted by Chris from Scramoncin

Q: Manny, where do you think Miami will end up in the bowl picture and what are the chances we play Gerogia, USC or Notre Dame ?? Gracias.

Answered 11/17/09 16:10:27 by Manny Navarro

A: At this point I think the only way UM goes to the Gator Bowl is if they and Notre Dame win out and the Gator Bowl looks to peg a Canes-Fighting Irish matchup. Otherwise, the Champs Sports Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl and Music City Bowl are the likely destinations. If Miami goes to the Champs Sports Bowl, they'd face a Big Ten team -- likely Michigan State or Northwestern. If they go to Meineke, they'd face a Big East foe, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Rutgers are possibilities. Go to the Music City Bowl and you have to face an SEC Team. I'd say Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, even Mississippi could end up there.

Submitted by shane from miami, fl

Q: What's the word on Linder? There was a rumor he was going to commit yesterday.

Answered 11/17/09 16:01:58 by Manny Navarro

A: Linder's father told our Larry Blustein Monday Brandon won't be making a decision until after the season.

Submitted by Keith from Miami

Q: Manny, basketball played amazing. Do you expect this type of offense often or was it just their opponent. I still like that most teams play down to competition. Your thoughts. Also Brandon Knight to Miami where do you see that?

Answered 11/17/09 15:49:53 by Manny Navarro

A: BK to Miami I would consider that a longshot. I don't think it is going to happen. As for the basketball team, let's wait and see what happens when they actually play somebody. I like Durand Scott. He could be the best freshman UM has had since Darius Rice. He's the type of playmaker that can take this program to the next level.

Submitted by Caneiac from Washington, D.C.

Q: What does this team need to do to successfully regroup (i.e., get 3 straight Ws to end the season!)?

Answered 11/17/09 15:47:17 by Manny Navarro

A: I think what you want to see if you are a Canes fan is for this team to finish strong and not wheeze to the finish like they have the past two Novembers. A sign of growth is being able to win games when players are hurt, when you are shorthanded. The Canes are trying. They are playing hurt. They playing banged up. But the bottomline is they have to finish on the right side of the scoreboard.

Submitted by HurricaneRic Machiav from atl

Q: Hey Manny, whats hood ? Just what wondering whats wrong with our defense? I know there are at least Bailey, Harris, Armstrong, Telemaque, Buchanan, Spence, Forston, Vernon, Futch are 99% 1st round NFL pick..Ojomo, McCarthy, Campbell, are probably 2ND round with that amount of talent why isn't our D better? I watch most games on Saturdays anybody getting picks except us I mean its like there waiting on the pass but our safeties seems to be trying to stop the run, are we running the wrong coverages? it seems like every week somebody is scoring 21 points or better Manny Help..whats really good? yeah i heard there not ready, the injuries but i still think our d should be better..what's wrong?

Answered 11/17/09 15:45:24 by Manny Navarro

A: The reality here is that there aren't that many first round picks or second round picks playing on this defense right now. First rounders and second rounders are guys that make plays to win games. Other than Allen Bailey and Colin McCarthy, who has done that this year for this defense? Where are the interceptions, big sacks and fumbles? Not here. Some of these guys might have the talent to be that good one day, but they aren't showing it enough. That is the bottom line.

Submitted by Doc Mac from Asheville, NC

Q: Manny: I feel UM has improved on the field and many of our players have obviously shown some greatness, so why am I still so uneasy? Tell me if I'm being to fanatical, but am I still seeing the same confusion on the sidelines as we all did 3 years ago, are we seeing similar poor clock and game mgmt, and are there times when the cameras pan to the UM sideline and the staff looks as lost as the players on the field (which by the way gives me a sick feeling and usually is followed by something bad for UM). What are u hearing from others in your profession around the water cooler on these topics?

Answered 11/17/09 15:42:29 by Manny Navarro

A: We talked about this very subject today. I'm not a psychologist, but any time Miami loses the genuine feeling across the board is here we go again. Here's the question I posed to other reporters today: If UM wins out and finishes 10-3 -- which is very possible -- do we still not define this season as a step forward? Absolutely. The thing is Canes Nation doesn't measure success by progress. They measure success with championships. This team has gotten better. Which offense would you take? This one, or the one that had one completion three years ago against N.C. State? It's no contest. The problem is there are still a lot of room for improvement. Clock management, player development, creating turnovers, offensive line. This isn't a finished product by any means. But this is a better football team. It's up to Kirby Hocutt to decide if Randy Shannon can take this team the following level. The one where this program is competing for an ACC title, a national championship. Right now, I see a lot more room for improvement than being close to a title. Let's see how this team finishes out. If UM goes 3-0, wins a bowl game and establishes some momentum toward 2010, then I think you have to endorse Randy for at least one more year.

Submitted by DocMac from Asheville, NC

Q: Manny; The Fumble/Pitch whatever it was that UNC advanced for a TD, I thought that when a ball was fumbled forward it couldn't be advanced? The official stat book has it listed as a fumble, I could've sworn that was the rule, even if it were a pitch it still couldn't be advanced. Am I thinking NFL rules?

Answered 11/17/09 15:36:51 by Manny Navarro

A: Hard to say DocMac. I've heard different answers from different people. As far as I know it is illegal at any football level to pitch the ball forward. In this case, the play was ruled as a fumble. At the college level it seems defenses are allowed to advance a fumble forward. But at the NFL level, because of the infamous Holy Roller play, it is not allowed. Strange. In this case, there is no doubt Burney was trying to pitch the ball. He admitted as much after the game. Officials still ruled it a fumble.

Submitted by Raul from Hialeah, FL

Q: Oye Manny, I guess you would be better adapt to answer this question. Is it a coincidence that the kid from St. Thomas (L. Joyner) has Chris Carter as a coach and also has Ohio St. so high on is list? Do you see this occurring as often in HS recruiting cause you know its a dirty business man. Thanks

Answered 11/10/09 17:16:01 by Manny Navarro

A: Hard for me to believe Chris Carter would get himself involved in anything shady to be honest. The players Ohio State gets from St. Thomas Aquinas are ones they recruit. Obviously, having Carter there helps. But Aquinas coach George Smith has been around too long to let any funny business that would bring on an NCAA investigation happen under his watch.

Submitted by Mark from ATL, GA

Q: Watching UNC-FSU play...FSU exploited their speed at wideout vs UNC. Don't you think that we have to do the same, foot on the throttle to open this game up? UNC's QB did not look good, if we pressure him, I believe he's throwing a pick or 2...thoughts?

Answered 11/10/09 17:11:02 by Manny Navarro

A: Miami is going to have to win this game by taking some chances with the blitz on defense and playing conservative with the running game before swinging for the fences with their big-time receivers. If Jacory sits back and tries to throw UM to a win, it is not going to happen. North Carolina's defense has improved week to week. Miami needs to be able to run the football and keep the pressure on UNC's bad offense to respond.

Submitted by ChicagoCane from McHenry, IL

Q: Manny: Any news on Lemonier? Have you ever spoke with him? What are your thoughts?

Answered 11/10/09 17:09:16 by Manny Navarro

A: I've spoken with Lemonier several times. I just don't think he's UM material. The kid knows there is a lot of competition at UM and doesn't like the fact he'd have to sit and learn. I think he's going to Florida State.

Submitted by Nathan from Naples, FL

Q: Whats your prediction on where we go bowling this year? Think there is any shot at a BCS at large?

Answered 11/10/09 17:08:26 by Manny Navarro

A: Yes. But Miami needs several teams to lose: TCU, LSU, Pittsburgh, Iowa, Oregon. If UM gets to No. 9 or 10 in the standings and finishes 10-2 I think somebody takes them.

Submitted by Caneiac from Washington, D.C.

Q: You wrote earlier that the recruiting priorities are Linder and Barton, followed by C. Jones or a TE, and finally a WR. What about S Brian Robinson at Aquinas? Also, and details about those WRs? Thanks!

Answered 11/10/09 17:05:33 by Manny Navarro

A: It looks like Allen Hurns finally made his intentions known. I think he could potentially end up being the only WR in this UM class. Miami would like Ivan McCartney or Michaelee Harris. I think Harris is the only player they really have a shot at. Brian Robinson has never been really recruited by UM.

Submitted by shane from miami, fl

Q: LeGarrette Blount punched another player and was, at the time, suspended for the year and everybody thought it was an appropriate punishment. Brandon Spikes tried to gouge another players eyes and was suspended by Urban Meyer for a half. Why is this not a huge story and what do you think the reaction would have been if a Hurricane player did the same thing?

Answered 11/10/09 17:04:13 by Manny Navarro

A: UM, like it or not, will always have its troubled past. So, whenever a UM player gets in trouble or gets into a fight, you can expect the national reaction to be there go the Canes again. I thought the Spikes story did get a lot of media attention, thus why he ended up missing the Vanderbilt game entirely instead of for just a half. But you are right. Certain schools do a good job disciplining their players. Others handle it differently.

Submitted by Caneiac from Washington, D.C.

Q: Please tell us about NCs strengths and weaknesses on O and D. Also, how do we match up with them? Thanks again!

Answered 11/10/09 17:01:35 by Manny Navarro

A: Carolina's strength is its front seven. There might not be a better one in the country. I asked UM coach Randy Shannon if the UNC front seven was on par with Oklahoma's and he said they were better. They have the fifth-best yardage defense in the country and 11th stingiest scoring defense. Their pass defense ranks fifth. It will be a struggle this week to score points. Their offense is the complete opposite -- 109th in the pass, 93rd in scoring. This team doesn't have the weapons it had last year. But they can have some success running the football. UM is going to have to continue to play good run defense.

Submitted by Adam K from Weston, FL.

Q: I understand that the first priority is to protect the QB. Do you think that Harris should be given more of a green light to take off with the ball when the pocket is wide open and the receivers are covered? He did have an 8 yd run off of a broken play last week.

Answered 11/10/09 16:54:58 by Manny Navarro

A: I think UM's coaches ought to encourage him to roll out and run out of the pocket more. But really to either get the ball away or duck out of bounds.

Submitted by mark from gastonia, nc

Q: It looks like we may only have a few scholarships left to hand out who do you think we are locks to get? Hopefully Linder is one of them.

Answered 11/10/09 15:54:01 by Manny Navarro

A: Linder could be one of them. I think there is a good chance UM gets him and Barton. After that, everything else is gravy.