Movie Team Dynasty Report

[Coach D'Amato]

Coach, you guys really seemed to run up the score against the sooners. Having beaten them before - in your last game for the NC no less - what was the motivation behind that?

Well Tommy, we kind of rushed our game against them in January, milking the clock the best we could. I was late for an online dynasty appointment , and they're an even tougher crowd than this, so we really wanted to show how dominant Miami could be when they actually tried.

You were worried about a virtual league with a title on the line?

You say that like the outcome was in doubt. I could have beat them with Nick Sheridan at QB.

Besides, nobody really likes me anyway outside of Miami, and half of this stadium doesn't either. I'm paid to win ballgames, not friends.

 

[Coach D'Amato]

Coach, talk a little bit about that new receiver of yours. The talk this offseason was how you would replace all-everything Terrell Owens. How does Marcus compare?

Favorably, and I don't mean just talent. We have plenty of guys who can run around and make plays. TO made them as well as anyone, but needed a dozen new hookers every night and to be treated like an insecure 5 year old in order to execute. Why do you think his production dropped off when the media focus shifted from his numbers to Miami's ranking & title hopes?

Marcus has the size, speed, hands and toughness you look for in a WR, but more importantly he's quiet and hungry. He doesn't want sunshine blown up his ass and he wouldn't listen if we did.

While this might have been his biggest play:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEedrn5qnc4]YouTube - rankintd[/ame]

What I loved seeing from him were the tough catches over the middle - nd OU lays a licking to you, I'll tell you what - and the scramble drill plays. A lot of receivers finish their route and stand still or aren't sure what to do. Many times OU's secondary took away the pass for 3-4 seconds, but Marcus kept working and found a way to get open for Willie, once for a score. He's mature beyond his years.

Now make no mistake, Jimmy Sanderson is still our premiere wideout, but with teams rolling their coverage and personnel to take him away, it gives our other weapons a lot of chances to make plays. That's why you're seeing guys like Rankin, Walker & McCartney emerge.

 

[Coach D'Amato]

One more comment before I go "unwind" with Miss Berkley.

You guys always ask what was the difference in this ballgame or that series. It's pretty simple, who wants it more? Our defense isn't special because it has great athletes. Every school has those. Miami is special because of what we've got inside.

Take my #1 corner, true sophomore Michael Washington. When you look at him on paper, a 6'5" corner with great hips, speed & instincts, every NFL scout is frothing at the mouth. But it's the desire beating in his heart that makes him special. Last week, he had OU's WR wrapped up with help coming. He did what he was coached to do, stand him up and strip the ball. An unlucky collision from the "help" broke the tackle and Washington fell flat on his face. Did he sit there sulking?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhQdJMdXphc]YouTube - hustle[/ame]

Nope, he chased that slippery devil for 40 yards and kept him out of the endzone. They never reached the endzone on that drive, thanks to #20. That's what makes us great.