Miami Hurricanes Football Mid-Season Grades: Defense/Special Teams

Leaders

Tackles: Denzel Perryman – 32 (4.0 TFL) solo tackles, 13 assist tackles, 45 total tackles.

Sacks: Thurston Armbrister – 5.0 sacks for 54 yards

Interceptions: Denzel Perryman, Raphael Kirby, Ladarius Gunter and Tracy Howard all tied with 1

Pass Deflections: Denzel Perryman, Ladarius Gunter and Corn Elder tied with 3

Forced Fumbles: Thurston Armbrister and Deon Bush tied with 2

Defensive Line

Since Al Golden arrived at the University of Miami, the defensive line has been the unit that has received the most slander by fans and the media, and absolutely deservingly so. Led by Anthony Chickillo, who has one sack and has recovered two fumbles so far this season, the Canes defensive line has improved since last season. Now, how much improved are they? That’s up to you to decide depending on your expectations. Personally, I think they’ve improved from last year (it would be hard not to), the depth is a little bit better this year and so is the talent. The additions of Calvin Heurtelou and Courtel Jenkins have proven to be good ones and Olsen Pierre has been playing much better, too. Adding Chad Thomas has also helped out a lot.

The ‘Canes definitely miss Al-Quadin Muhammad as their pass-rush hasn’t been too good this season. Miami only has 13 sacks through six games and that puts them tied for 37th in the country with about 13 other teams. They are on pace for 26 sacks, which puts them below the 29 sack total from last year.

Although the unit is much improved in terms of talent, the results have not yet followed, and I already know who you’re all going to blame for that, and you should.

Grade: C

Linebackers

In the summer, Alex Figueroa and JaWand Blue were arrested for some really inappropriate stuff that I don’t really want to get into. When Figueroa and Blue were kicked off the team, Miami lost a potential starter in Figueroa and a depth guy in Blue. The dismissal of those two caused some panic amongst the fans because of the lack of depth at the position, even before the dismissals. There were questions on Raphael Kirby, Jermaine Grace and Thurston Armbrister when the season began. Armbrister has been the team’s most improved player this season, and he leads the team with 5 sacks, which puts him tied for 15th in the country. Kirby has been a solid contributor, but he’s struggled some in coverage. Grace has done a good job in coverage and shows his sideline-to-sideline ability, but he still needs to continue to fill out his body.

Denzel Perryman, who was named captain at the beginning of the season has been solid during his senior season. He still hits just as hard as anybody in the country and continues to be the team’s best tackler. Perryman leads the team with 45 total tackles and also accounts for one of the four interceptions produced by the Hurricanes defense. In fact, the linebackers (Perryman and Kirby) have as many interceptions as the secondary this season, but we’ll get to that unit in just a second.

The linebackers have been solid this season, but the scheme and how far they’re playing off the line sure isn’t helping them. All in all, this question has put a lot of questions to rest six games into the season.

Grade: C+

The Secondary

Sep 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Deon Bush (2) tackles Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Fredi Knighten (9) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the season, this was the unit of the defense that had everybody excited. Six games into the season? This is the unit that has everybody wanting a lot more. If you go by numbers, the Miami secondary is one of the best in the country. Miami is sixth in passing yards allowed with 146 a game, while only allowing five touchdowns through the air. Numbers some times lie, and they’re lying here. Miami’s played six games and only Louisville had a balanced attack, the other five had a run first offense and they kept having success doing that, so why pass?

Like I mentioned earlier, the linebackers have as many interceptions as the defensive backs do this season. That’s not very good. Deon Bush has been good after his injury-plagued sophomore season. He’s tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles, and he seemed to be the only guy who was up to the challenge against Ameer Abdullah. Tracy Howard isn’t even a starter anymore and he’s definitely taken a step back this season. Dallas Crawford, who was at running back last season, has been solid. Kiy Hester transferred to Rutgers and never played a snap for Miami. All of those things have eventually resulted in Miami starting Nantambu Akil-Fentress at safety. Nothing against Fentress, but, no.

Through six games this unit has disappointed pretty much everyone this season, and hopefully they find their form because Miami will actually start playing teams that like to throw the ball, really soon.

Grade: C-

Special Teams

The disasters with the ‘Canes special team began right from jumpstart. Louisville’s Corvin Lamb returned a kickoff against Miami, and the unit has gone downhill since then. It feels like every kickoff has the chance to be taken back to the house, and that’s a horrible feeling. On the other hand, the return game of Phillip Dorsett and Stacy Coley isn’t working as well as it did last season, Michael Badgley has done a serviceable job at kicker, but has missed his only opportunity to make a kick further than 34 yards. Justin Vogel has been pretty good punting the ball, but we’re all used to Pat O’Donnell so it’ll take some time for fans to like him (not to mention that he came from Florida.) And the ‘Canes are even having a hard time stopping a punter run for a first down.

It’s been an uphill battle for Miami, and that ultimately falls on the special teams coach. Coincidentally enough, guess who that would be? Yup. Al Golden.

Grade: C-

Overall

If I had to summary this in one sentence, it would be this: The defense isn’t very good, and you can start the blame with the defensive coordinator.

If you’re a Miami Hurricanes fan, you’re hoping for six games of improvement out of these guys, and if doesn’t come, you’re free to call for all the firings that you want.

Grade: C-

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