When the University of Miami program was floundering a couple years ago, one of the complaints -- as voiced by ex-Cane Jonathan Vilma at the time -- was that ``guys are not improving year to year.'' That clearly has changed.

Recruiting has been the biggest key to UM's revival, but also credit the staff's roster management and player development. Some who improved were supposed to be very good (Allen Bailey, Brandon Harris, Leonard Hankerson, etc.), but look at what UM has extracted from players once considered afterthoughts.

Against Wake Forest, tight end/H-back Tervaris Johnson -- who played sparingly at defensive back for two years -- made critical blocks to help win that game. Against Virginia, it was safety Jared Campbell knocking away three passes. (That's the same Campbell who played in one game in 2008 and whose previous football highlight was sitting next to Paris Hilton at this past Super Bowl.)

UM could have left Sam Shields languish on the bench at receiver, but moved him to cornerback, where he has contributed. Coach Randy Shannon wisely shifted Damien Berry from safety to running back in 2008, and he has 356 yards (6.4 per carry) in the past five games after overcoming fumbling problems in practice.

When Pat Hill was injured last month, UM moved running back Mike James to fullback --Jacory Harris told him this week ``how thankful we are'' he has pulled it off. It was Shannon who suggested basketball player Jimmy Graham become a tight end, and he has blocked well and caught four touchdowns.

Shannon followed Jimmy Johnson's advice to try to get something from everybody on his roster. The players deserve credit for improving, but Campbell said in his case, ``I give most of the credit to the staff'' -- including defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff, who kept telling him his time would come.

``That's what our job is -- we're teachers,'' Shannon said. ``We're putting guys in position where they can help us.'' Not everybody has panned out yet (Arthur Brown, Kylan Robinson, for example), but far more have than have not.

• Recent oral commitments from Booker T. Washington running back Eduardo Clements and St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Keion Payne raised UM's 2010 recruiting ranking to 12th on Rivals.com. (UF is seventh, FSU 39th).

``Miami could end up in the top 10,'' Rivals.com's Jamie Newberg said. ``They have to keep [Jacksonville defensive tackle/oral commitment] Louis Nix. There's speculation he could switch to Notre Dame. And they've got to beat out Notre Dame for [St. Thomas offensive lineman] Brandon Linder.''

• UM's offense, under Mark Whipple, has such an NFL approach that Whipple gave Travis Benjamin the routes run by Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, and Leonard Hankerson the routes run by Pittsburgh's Hines Ward. (Whipple worked for the Eagles and Steelers.)

``Coach Whipple treats us like pros, talks about the Steelers and Eagles quite a bit,shows us how Philadelphia ran plays to perfection,'' Graham said. ``He says, `If you were in the league, we would just fine you $10,000.' '' Whipple can appear agitated after offensive miscues. ``The looks on his face are intimidating'' but his words are``encouraging,'' Harris said.

• UM loves how its secondary is developing. Junior cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke is more physical after gaining 20 pounds (to 181) and said he's more willing to accept coaching now. ``Last year, if I gave up a catch or missed a tackle, I would go into a shell.'' . . .Most improved UM basketball player? Center Julian Gamble, coach Frank Haith said.

CHATTER

• One Dolphins player said Patrick Turner has looked good in practice and he cannot understand why Turner isn't playing. . . . For Dolfans looking ahead, here's how ESPN's collection of former scouts rank the draft's receivers: ineligible Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State (ninth among all prospects), Illinois' Arrelious Benn (22nd), LSU's Brandon LaFell (31st), Minnesota's Eric Decker (39th), Syracuse's Mike Williams (44th), USC's Damian Williams (47th) and Cincinnati's Mardy Gilyard (62nd).

• We hear the Marlins have been getting trade inquiries about Matt Lindstrom and are considering dealing him. One Marlins official said Leo Nuñez seems better-suited to close games. The Marlins lean toward keeping Jorge Cantu (who has drawn interest) but would consider an extraordinary offer. Dan Uggla remains likely to be dealt.

• Heat president Pat Riley's contract expires next summer, but owner Micky Arison said Tuesday, ``Every indication I have is he would like to keep going. I'm not concerned.''