For the next few days, I will be taking a look at the changing roster and  analyzing various aspects of it (i.e. positions, key departures, key arrivals, depth chart, etc.).  First up, key departures.

This wasn’t a great year in terms of NFL talent, yet another sign that UM has certainly reached rock bottom, but there were still contributors on the field that will not be suiting up on labor day in Tallahassee.  Here is a look at these contributors:

Bill Young – Not a contributor ‘on the field’ really, but someone who will definitely need to be replaced seemlessly.  As defensive coordinator he showed he was not afraid to bring pressure and as the year went on, the sacks piled up for the Canes.  The defense wasn’t great, but that is to be expected with only a year of coaching.  Young took big money at his alma mater, you can’t argue with that (kinda like Roy Williams leaving Kansas for UNC, it hurts at KU, but you can’t hold a grudge against someone going home).  This is by no means a knock on John Lovett (new DC), but a second year under the same DC would certainly have shown improvement.

Kayne Farquharson – A great possession receiver.  The miami native only played two seasons at UM after transfering in from El Camino JC in California and probably couldn’t have come at a worse time, when the program was in utter disarray.  However, he was still a productive receiver on the field.  In two years he had 27 catches for 355 yards and 4 touchdowns.  He had good size and speed and had he been here for four years, could have been a much bigger contributor.  I think his senior year would have been much different had he caught that fingertip catch against UNC as time expired.

Glenn Cook – He wasn’t a dominant linebacker by any means, but he did lead the team in tackles, and he showed great improvement his senior year.  He won’t be playing on Sundays, but somehow managed to get drafted by the Cubs (literally out of left field).  Still, he had major contributions on the field and his absense will need to be filled.  He probably could have had an NFL chance if he didn’t try to put everyone he had to tackle on Sportscenter’s top ten.

Spencer Adkins – This is really only here because he is the only Cane with an NFL contract and is playing for the Falcons.  He didn’t do much on the field, Bill Young used him in some interesting sets where he would line up at DE and he made some plays there, but overall, his contributions were not great.

Check back later for Key Arrivals.

Related posts:

1. The U Report: Roster Analysis – Running/Full Backs
2. The U Report: Roster Analysis – Key Arrivals
3. The U Report: Roster Analysis – Defensive Backs
4. The U Report: Roster Analysis – Offensive Line
5. The U Report: Roster Analysis – Receivers