Miami football team will have starting spots decided this week

This is the most critical week of training camp according to Miami football head coach Manny Diaz. After Saturday’s second scrimmage of training camp, most of the starting spots are expected to be decided.

Quarterback, offensive line, defensive tackle, safety and one of the cornerback spots are still to be decided for the Miami football team. The remainder of this week and Saturday’s scrimmage are expected to solidify the starting spots for the Hurricanes.

Manny Diaz has mentioned throughout the offseason he wants starters solidified two weeks before the season opener against Florida August 24. Diaz said on Monday after Saturday Miami is ready for the 2019 season to set sail. The Hurricanes want to take two weeks to prepare for Florida.

That means that players and positions like QB, potential offensive tackles Zion Nelson and Kai Leon Hebert, defensive tackle Jon Ford and safeties Gurvan Hall and Amari Carter have to start preparing to play Florida and not just for their positions in general. After Saturday’s second scrimmage Miami will focus on Florida.

Consider this week akin to week three of the NFL preseason. Starters play about a half in those games before sitting out week four. The Hurricanes starters won’t sit out for the third scrimmage, but the positions will be solidified by then. Diaz spoke about his expectations for the remainder of training camp.

"“This is the most important week of their 2019,. That’s what we’ve told them. Everything they trained for – every weight they lifted, every sprint they’ve run, everything they’ve done – has been for this six-day period between right now and next Saturday.Because after next Saturday, we have to set sail on the 2019 season and not everyone is invited on the boat. If you want to be on the boat, you’ve got to step up this week. You really have to bring it. You have to compete all week.This is going to be a hard week, intentionally. We told them it’s going to be hard. We have to find out…this is really our last evaluation of separating the ones who like it from the ones who love it.”"

After the way the 2018 season ended ina blowout loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl Diaz is looking for players who bring effort and passion to the Miami football team. During the Hurricanes glory years, practices were often tougher than games. It’s going to take a long time for Miami to get back to that level.

For now the Hurricanes just need to compete on every snap, every play, every series, down, quarter and game. They are going to win by being tougher, faster and stronger than their opponents. Most weeks they will not win on talent alone. That is what Diaz means by “separating the ones who like it from the ones who love it.”

Since taking over for Mark Richt in December, Diaz has stressed passion and having fun. He has backed that up but wants a business-like approach by his team within that concept. Solidifying the depth chart following Saturday’s second scrimmage will help everything else fall into place.