Posted: Tuesday April 29, 2003 11:39 AM
Updated: Tuesday April 29, 2003 11:39 AM
SI.com's Luke Winn breaks down the Top 10.
4
MIAMI HURRICANES
Brock Berlin Bill Frakes
State of the Team:
Regardless of whom it lost to the NFL, the well of talent at Miami isn't going to run dry anytime soon. But piece together Larry Coker's comments this spring and it's evident he has issues on offense. The 'Canes' coach was "not totally pleased" with his offensive line, which must fill two mammoth holes vacated by center Brett Romberg and guard Sherko Hasi-Rajouli. At spring's end, Coker was still shuffling his hogs around and had yet to name a starting five. He wasn't as indecisive with his QB situation, but the coach did strangely wait until two weeks after the end of spring drills to name Florida transfer Brock Berlin the starter. Berlin was long pegged as the heir apparent to Mr. 38-2, Ken Dorsey; however, he never distanced himself in spring ball from senior Derrick Crudup, Dorsey's backup in 2002. The 'Canes look to be carried by their defense -- especially a corps of Butkus-caliber linebackers in Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams and Roger McIntosh; a substantial change from last season, in which their porous run D was a well-documented liability.
Up-and-Comer:
Miami's wide receiver ranks were thin during the spring: Kevin Beard is still recovering from his season-ending knee-injury; Akieem Jolla saw limited action and Sinorice Moss sat out for the duration. That gave Darnell Jenkins, a fleet-footed South Floridian from the 2002 recruiting class, the chance to strut his stuff alongside Roscoe Parrish and Jason Geathers. Jenkins impressed Miami coaches and could be a third option at wide receiver and see some action as a punt returner.
Lingering Questions:
The way Coker handled the QB race raised some eyebrows. Adding to that, will Crudup's allegations that race was a factor in the decision be an issue that divides the team through the summer and fall? Crudup, who is black, is a veteran backup and has to be the players' favorite, while Berlin, who's white, is a relative newcomer with a "golden boy" label. ... Miami's linebackers will be amazing, no doubt -- but will the 'Canes really be able to have a dominant defense with four new starters on the line?
Brock Berlin
