Chatter on Canes issues:

• The struggling secondary: Coach Randy Shannon said Tuesday he's considering changes for Saturday's FSU game, and cornerbacks Bruce Johnson (ranked the nation's 32nd-best senior by Scouts Inc.), Chavez Grant and DeMarcus Van Dyke are ``not doing what we want them to do, but we only have five corners. We can't pull rabbits out of a hat.''

The Canes, who allowed 15 touchdown passes last season, already have relinquished eight, and Shannon said it's shocking that UM has only one interception (and that's from defensive end Eric Moncur). One player said freshman cornerback Brandon Harris should be starting -- Shannon said he's already playing about 35 snaps a game. Harris said Tuesday he has begun getting first-team snaps in practice, opposite Johnson, with Grant playing some nickelback. At safety, Lovon Ponder might play more.

• Patrick Nix: Shannon strongly endorsed UM's scrutinized offensive coordinator: ``He's doing a great job . . . has done a tremendous job with [the quarterbacks]. . . . We're getting points.''

Some players would like to see more deep balls. But on the decision to run on a third-and-12 with UM ahead against North Carolina in the fourth quarter, Robert Marve said: ``I'd call the same thing. Why force the ball in a situation you don't need it to be forced in . . . especially a freshman?''

Ex-Canes receiver Michael Irvin has one beef: He said the system Nix brought from Georgia Tech places too much burden on receivers to read defenses. ''When you leave the huddle and you're worrying about reading defenses, you go to the line lacking confidence,'' Irvin said by phone.

• Player rotation: Marve insisted Tuesday that being replaced for a series or two by Jacory Harris doesn't hurt his rhythm. Graig Cooper was rested some after a fantastic start against North Carolina because ''we need Cooper fresh,'' Shannon explained. In fact, all players rotate and none plays an entire game, players say. Linebacker Colin McCarthy said players no longer tire late in games. Still, UM has been outscored 37-17 in the fourth quarter.

• Receiver battle: With all the freshman talent, why has senior Khalil Jones started three of four games? ''Everybody is playing the same amount of reps. Somebody has to start,'' Shannon said. (About eight receivers are playing close to the same amount -- Davon Johnson plays a bit less but more recently, receivers coach Aubrey Hill said.)

Jermaine McKenzie, who hasn't played, ''will have an opportunity this week,'' Hill said. Kendall Thompkins hasn't played the past two games; redshirting is an option. Hill said coaches would like to get the ball to Sam Shields, who has only four catches. ( Thearon Collier is injured.)

CHATTER

• No Dolphins regular-season home game has been blacked out since 1998, but several are at serious risk because season-ticket sales plummeted from 61,121 in 2006, to 54,646 in 2007, to less than 50,000 this season. For blackout purposes, 67,000 tickets must be sold.

Just less than 10,000 tickets remain for Sunday's Chargers game, and the Dolphins will consider asking for an extension on the 1 p.m. Thursday blackout deadline. More than 10,000 tickets remain for several other games, and WFOR-CBS 4 isn't going to buy nearly that many.

• Though Miami's third-most expensive veteran offseason pickup (Ernest Wilford) has disappointed, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said he feels ''very good'' about the front office's most expensive veteran additions -- guard Justin Smiley (''been our most consistent starter on the offensive line,'' center Samson Satele said) and defensive end Randy Starks (sack and interception, and might be Miami's strongest player physically). ''All of a sudden the guy has really come on,'' coach Tony Sparano said of Starks. ``He's gotten in much better shape.''

• Point guard Marcus Banks -- who impressed the Heat with his defense and summer commitment -- says he has learned to slow down in setting up an offense (which coaches want to see) ''instead of going 100 mph.'' And he credits Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, who ''took me under his wing,'' and Gary Payton for their counsel.

• Though Hanley Ramirez was very good hitting mostly leadoff, one veteran teammate said he better adjust to hitting third next year to maximize his RBI potential and contract; bemoaned Ramirez's sometimes ''lazy'' defensive play; and said players thought Jorge Cantu and Ricky Nolasco should have been team MVPs instead (Marlins beat writers voted for Ramirez). ''Where's his defensive focus day in, day out? That's what makes Derek Jeter so special,'' one NL scout said.

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