SB Nation - Allen Roberts

Practice/Injury Report: Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) at Washington Redskins (1-1)

Josh Kirkendall — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:04:40 -0000

FRIDAY: Bengals cornerback Leon Hall, listed as questionable, didn't practice for the second time this week with a calf. However there's optimism that he'll play, largely because he was taking part during the walkthrough portion of Friday's practice. Donald Lee sat on Friday and his status appears doubtful, but we'll be surprised if he plays. Everyone else participated fully (save for Dre Kirkpatrick obviously), including Carlos Dunlap, Bernard Scott and Jason Allen. All of whom are listed as probable.

THURSDAY: After going limited on Wednesday, Bengals cornerback Leon Hall rested on Thursday with a calf. Robert Geathers, Donald Lee and Jeromy Miles were limited for a consecutive practice. Kevin Zeitler, limited on Wednesday, was full go on Thursday, as was Jason Allen, Carlos Dunlap and Bernard Scott.

WEDNESDAY: As promised earlier on Wednesday, running back Bernard Scott (hand), defensive end Carlos Dunlap (knee) and cornerback Jason Allen (thigh) have returned to full practice, which is a significant indicator answering the question if they'll make their regular season debuts this weekend against the Washington Redskins.

On the other hand Leon Hall (calf), Jeromy Miles (hip), Kevin Zeitler (hip) and Robert Geathers (groin) surfaced on this week's injury list, listed as having limited participation.As for the Redskins, wide receiver Pierre Garcon, safety Brandon Meriweather and cornerback Josh Wilson were all listed with limited participation on Wednesday.

BENGALS	THUR	FRI	SAT	STATUS
Dre Kirkpatrick (knee)	DNP	DNP	DNP	OUT
Donald Lee (thigh)	LP	LP	DNP	DOUBTFUL
Leon Hall (calf)	LP	DNP	DNP	Questionable
Robert Geathers (groin)	LP	LP	FP	Probable
Jeromy Miles (hip)	LP	LP	FP	Probable
Kevin Zeitler (hip)	LP	FP	FP	Probable
Jason Allen (thigh)	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Carlos Dunlap (knee)	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Bernard Scott (hand)	FP	FP	FP	Probable

REDSKINS	THUR	FRI	SAT	STATUS
WR Pierre Garcon (foot)	LP	LP	LP	DOUBTFUL
S Brandon Meriweather (knee)	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
CB Josh Wilson (head)	LP	LP	FP	Probable

DNP - Did Not Participate
LP - Limited Participation
FP - Full Participation

Steelers Vs. Broncos: Secondary, CB Ike Taylor Key For Pittsburgh At Denver

Neal Coolong — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:30:51 -0000

Steelers CB Ike Taylor walked away from the 2011 season far from the swag he often professes.

His words suggested slunk shoulders, even with his chin up. At the time he didn't know he'd have a chance to correct his "worst game as a pro" in Week 1 of the 2012 season.

He also didn't know the complete 180 the Broncos would take in terms of who was throwing to the receivers Taylor often defends so vigorously.

For a team to be successful against a quarterback like Peyton Manning, it must achieve outstanding execution from all 11 players on the field. All of those who will see the field in this game were a part of the Steelers - except S Robert Golden - during the Broncos 29-23 win that ended their 2011 season.

Taylor might be the one with the biggest ax to grind though.

Taylor is the unquestioned alpha dog of the cornerback position within the team. He's been swaggin' since he joined the team in 2003, and he's had his share of off-games. His eagerness to chalk up a pick off Tim Tebow was apparent, and the Broncos used it to their advantage by slipping DeMaryius Thomas behind him as Tebow scrambled outside the pocket.

Tebow will probably never again throw for 316 yards. Thomas - as any receiver would - will be hard-pressed to ever reach 204 receiving yards again. Taylor, though, can expect to be challenged Sunday, and the same goes for his teammates in the secondary.

Manning has more 300 yard games than the city Denver has mountain bikes. While there is some wisdom to the notion the Broncos still may run the ball, considering the amount of success the Manning-less group had rushing last season . But Tebow was the difference between a decent running team and an outstanding one.

Assuming the Broncos won't subject Manning's surgically repaired neck to sprint options and quarterback draws, it's safe to bet vertical passing in the thin mountain air will be on display Sunday.

For as good as Manning is, he's going to make throws, whether he's fully recovered from his injury or not. It'd be smart of the Broncos to test Taylor early, to see if he has recovered mentally from Thomas's torment. There will be plenty of time to try to feel out first-year starter Keenan Lewis, or nickel back Cortez Allen. But they will want to see if Taylor is 2011 Wild Card Playoff Taylor, or the Taylor who has entrenched himself as the Steelers' best cornerback.

Even without FS Ryan Clark roaming the deep secondary (he will be replaced by FS Ryan Mundy), it's a calculated risk to aggressively attack a defense that does not surrender big plays often deep down the field. But as far as the secondary goes, Taylor will likely be the one to show the Broncos whether the film of last year's game they watched in preparation for Week 1 is a fluke.

In other words, will Ike be swaggin'?

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Packers vs. Bengals: Cincinnati's Injury Report

Evan "Tex" Western — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:00:41 -0000

As we all know by now, the Packers will have nine players missing tonight's preseason game in Cincinnati with injuries. However, the Bengals will be missing their fair share of players as well, including several key contributors to their offense. Here's the breakdown of the Bengals who won't be playing tonight.

TE Jermaine Gresham (knee)
The Packers prepared as if Gresham would play, having scout team players wearing pinnies with number 84 on them (and also 18 for A.J. Green, but he's playing). However, Gresham's knee injury, suffered about a week ago, will keep him out. He's expected to return for the start of the regular season.

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (foot)
The Bengals' new starting running back will also likely miss tonight's game, as he recovers from a sore foot that he tweaked in the team's first preseason game. He's currently listed as day-to-day.

RB Bernard Scott (hand)
Scott is the second-string running back, but suffered an undisclosed hand injury early in training camp, keeping him out all preseason. The Bengals hope he'll return around the start of the regular season, but with little information coming out, that's tough to tell.

DL Carlos Dunlap (knee)
Dunlap also was injured in the first preseason game, on this play. Let's just say that headline says it all. Dunlap is scheduled to be out another two to three weeks, and could very well miss the first game or two of the regular season.

But wait, there's more! (after the jump)

DL Robert Geathers (knee)
Geathers tweaked a knee early in camp and didn't expect to miss a lot of time, but he hasn't played in preseason games so far and will be held out again tonight. With him and Dunlap both out, UDFA Luke Black will likely get the start at left end.

CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee)
The first-round pick from Alabama will be held out of this week's game, as he is just returning to practice this week but hasn't participated in drills yet.

LB Rey Maualuga (knee)
I hate to rain on PA's parade, but the Bengals' middle linebacker is questionable for tonight's game. He sat out last week against Atlanta after spraining his knee in the opener.

CB Adam "Pacman" Jones (undisclosed)
Little is known about Jones' injury, other than that it will keep him on the sidelines for tonight's game.

CB Jason Allen (undisclosed)
See above.

The Bengals also have placed three players on Injured Reserve: guard Travelle Wharton, defensive back Shaun Prater, and running back Rodney Stewart. Linebacker Dontay Moch will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season, but is playing and practicing during the preseason.

While the number of injured Bengals is fairly close to that of the Packers, they will likely be without four starters (Gresham, Green-Ellis, Geathers, and Maualuga), two key second-stringers (Dunlap and Scott), and a first-rounder who was expected to push for a starting spot (Kirkpatrick). It makes the Packers' injury report look a little less intimidating, as Green Bay will only miss one starter in Desmond Bishop and one other prospective starter in Davon House.

Related stories ahead of Packers vs. Bengals

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Ranking Bengals Defense Heading Into The NFL Draft: Who Is Safe And Who Is Out

Josh Kirkendall — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:30:14 -0000

Now that we've entered April (the month), we've quickly approaching the 2012 NFL Draft. The countdown for the rest of us non-draftniks has begun. So in preparation we've decided to create a list of players on the current roster that we broke down into four categories, much like the weekly injury lists. They are: Safe (100 percent certainty of making the roster), Probable (75 percent certain), Questionable (50/50) and Doubtful (25 percent certain). In truth there's little to differentiate between "safe" and "probable", used as a not-so-sure measure to hint that the NFL draft may generate some affect at that particular position. We also broken this down into offense and defense (kickers and long snappers are probably "safe"). Earlier today it was offense; now let's take a look at defense.

SAFE

Defensive End (3): Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Jamaal Anderson
We only included Anderson for his contract, worth $6 million over two years. Unlike Derrick Harvey (below) the contract Anderson signed indicates that he's likely making the roster, at least given a one-year tryout that will reward the Bengals for a second-year if he bounces back in 2012.

Defensive Tackle (3): Geno Atkins, Domata Peko, Pat Sims
Atkins might be the most effective defensive tackle pass rusher in the NFL, while gaining considerable production as a run stopper. That being said Sims and Peko are this team's best defensive tackles against the run. Last year's squad was more effective when all three defensive tackles were rotating based on the situations.

Linebacker (3): Rey Maualuga, Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson
It's one of the more unsurprising roster predictions (like quarterback) with last year's starting linebackers expected to start this year's regular season opener -- unless Maualuga is suspended. And even if he is, he'll remain with the Bengals.

Safety (1): Reggie Nelson
Without a doubt Nelson was Cincinnati's most productive safety in 2011, signing a four-year deal worth nearly $19 million as a reward.

Cornerback (2): Leon Hall, Nate Clements
Leon Hall is expected to make a full recovery by training camp and Nate Clements is entering the final year of a contract, typically labeled a "contract year".

PROBABLE

Defensive End (1): Robert Geathers
If this were a cash-strapped team with a payroll pressed against the salary cap, we think it would be questionable, even doubtful, that Robert Geathers' contract would survive into the 2012 regular season. However cash isn't a problem and no defensive end started more games than Geathers in 2011. We know fans simply want Geathers gone due to his lack of production compared to the contract he received after his breakout season in 2006, but defensive coaches like Geathers and if the team doesn't make a serious run for a defensive prospect during the NFL draft, then he's likely returning for the final year of his overvalued contract.

Linebacker (2): Roddrick Muckelroy, Dontay Moch
These guys are virtually safe, barring a dramatic shift at linebacker that we're not expecting to take place. Muckelroy and Moch are the only linebackers signed into 2013, except for Keith Rivers with an out-clause on his contract for that season.

Safety (3): Taylor Mays, Robert Sands, Chris Crocker
Crocker should probably be listed as a sure-thing, but we're not 100 percent confident that he is (more like 99.9 percent). That being said Sands and Mays are this team's younger core of safeties that spent 2011 developing. We imagine that development will have to translate into some form of production during training camp and the preseason. However the coaching staff likes big safeties and they're both big safeties.

Cornerback (2): Jason Allen, Adam Jones
Adam Jones showed enough filling in for the injured Leon Hall last year, earning a one-year deal during the offseason while Jason Allen signed a two-year deal to help strengthen the team's depth chart at cornerback.

QUESTIONABLE

Defensive End (1): Derrick Harvey
We're well aware that the Bengals signed Harvey only weeks ago, but his $760,000 salary indicates (in baseball terms) that he signed more of a minor league deal than a guaranteed spot on the 2012 roster. If the Bengals find help at defensive end through the draft, Harvey could be the one getting axe. Sure Geathers could also, but he has a greater cap hit and a history of being far more productive overall (not just the category of pass rusher).

Defensive Tackle (1): Nick Hayden
We'll be completely honest. We know very little about Nick Hayden, who took part in 33 defensive snaps in the span of two games (Texans, Rams). Defensive tackles, especially run-stoppers are hard to gauge because their role isn't so much based on noticeable production -- it's allowing other players to get the recognition for it.

Linebacker (3): Keith Rivers, Vincent Rey, DeQuin Evans
Rivers probably should be listed as probable, but I'm not 100 percent confident that he's 75 percent certain of making the roster (did you totally follow that?). Vincent Rey is a special teams contributor and the longer that Dan Skuta remains unsigned, the better Rey's chances are to make an eventual contribution to the defense next season (think possible Maualuga suspension). Evans is somewhat of a dark horse, after spending 2011 on the practice squad while signing as an undrafted free agent.

Cornerback (1): Brandon Ghee
Injury issues have stalled Ghee's development since suffering a scary head injury during the preseason of his rookie season. If his durability concerns are behind him, he could be a riser on this team's depth chart, but his job security will be severely threatened if the Bengals draft a first-round cornerback during this month's NFL Draft.

DOUBTFUL

Linebacker (1): Micah Johnson
To be honest the only time I remember he exists is when I check out the Bengals.com roster chart.

Cornerback (1): Rico Murray
Probably a bit unfair, graded so poorly. But a first-round cornerback prospect would hurt his already slim chances of making the 2012 roster. However his two saving graces would be special teams and his versatility; depending on how well Ghee responds this year, I wouldn't necessarily count Murray out just yet.

Lookin' Ahead: Cincinnati Bengals Signed Through The 2013 Season

Josh Kirkendall — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:00:34 -0000

We know it's entirely too early to examine the 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, especially since the NFL draft will inflate much of the team's roster with four-year contracts through the 2015 season. However we've had readers and commenters ponder how this roster will look in 2013, mostly due to predictive analysis of the team's draft plans for the 2012 NFL Draft. Since we were asked to check it out by our faithful, we decided that it would be, at the very least, interesting.

Currently the Bengals have 26 players (perhaps 27 based on language of Keith Rivers' contract) signed through the 2013 season. Further down the road than that, there's 14 players signed into the 2014 season. But that's getting a little ahead of ourselves.

Now here's a listing of players signed through the 2013 season.

Quarterback (1): Andy Dalton signed a four-year deal, of which enters the third season in 2013. Bruce Gradkowski only signed a two-year deal, which expires after the 2012 season and Zac Robinson's current contract only applies to this offseason.

Running Back (1): BenJarvus Green-Ellis' contract extends through the 2014 season, with Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard and Cedric Peerman entering 2012 as the final season under contract. Aaron Brown is under a future's contract.

Full Back (1): Chris Pressley signed a two-year contract as a restricted free agent on March 7, sealing him through the 2013 season.

Wide Receiver (4): In a sense the Bengals have some long-term stability at wide receiver, with A.J. Green and Ryan Whalen signed through the 2014 season. Jordan Shipley and Armon Binns are signed through 2013 with Andrew Hawkins and Brandon Tate entering the final year's with their respective deals.

Tight End (2): Both Jermaine Gresham and Colin Cochart are signed through 2013, with Gresham's five-year deal expiring after the 2014 season.

Center (1): Kyle Cook signed a five-year deal in early September 2011, which extends through the 2015 season.

Guard (2): Free agent acquisition Travelle Wharton and Clint Boling are both signed through the 2014 season. Otis Hudson, the team's third guard signed in 2012, is entering the final year with a base salary of $465,000.

Tackle (2): With Anthony Collins signing a two-year deal and Andrew Whitworth signed through the 2015 season, the Bengals already have two tackles signed for 2013. Andre Smith is entering the final year under contract while Matthew O'Donnell is on the offseason roster.

Defensive End (2): Carlos Dunlap's four-year rookie contract expires after the 2013 season, as does free agent acquisition Jamaal Anderson. Michael Johnson, Robert Geathers and Derrick Harvey are entering the final year under contract.

Defensive Tackle (2): Domata Peko's contract extends through 2014 with Geno Atkins' four-year rookie contract expiring after the 2013 season.

Linebacker (2 or 3): Currently the Bengals have Roddrick Muckelroy and Dontay Moch as the only signed linebackers heading into the 2013 season, with seven existing contracts set to expire after this season. Keith Rivers is a bit fluid, as he's signed through 2013, but there's a clause that could get Cincinnati out of that final year, making him a free agent after 2012.

Cornerback (3): Jason Allen signed a two-year deal worth $8.2 million during free agency, giving Cincinnati three cornerbacks into the 2013 season (Leon Hall, Brandon Ghee). Nate Clements, Adam Jones and Rico Murray have expiring contracts after this season.

Safety (3): Reggie Nelson, Taylor Mays and Robert Sands are your safeties signed through 2013, with Chris Crocker entering the final year of a four-year contract given to him after the 2008 season.

Special Teams (0): Mike Nugent will be playing on a one-year franchise tag, while Kevin Huber's four-year contract expires after 2012. Thomas Weber is signed to an offseason contract with Clark Harris tendered a one-year contract. As of this posting, the Bengals have no kickers or long snappers signed beyond 2012.

2012 Chicago Bears Roster Turnover: Running back

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:19:32 -0000

Thanks to our friends at Pro Football Focus, we'll have access to their Premium Content to assist in our position by position look at the possible 2012 Chicago Bears roster. We've already broke down the quarterback position, and next up we'll stay in the offensive backfield. If the Bears truly want to expand their running prowess under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice, then they'll need to get to work on this position. Starter Matt Forte is technically a free agent and questions surround the others on the roster. After the jump more details...

Matt Forte - Free Agent - Forte isn't going anywhere. I don't care who the new G.M. is, he'll have his Pro Bowl running back locked up somehow. Either via the franchise tag, which the Bears can use for the next two years, or via a long term contract. Even with the Martzfense out, and it's reliance on a pass catching back, I still think Forte will get his share of receptions. He's just too good a receiver not to. I wouldn't be surprised to see him line up more in the slot as the new O.C., whoever it ends up being, tries to take advantage of favorable match-ups.

PFF had Forte ranked as the 4th best RB in the NFL, with his 18.1 rating behind top dog Fred Jackson's 24.0. As a receiver he was tied for 3rd and his running ranked him 5th. The only negative PFF had on him was his blocking, which was tied for 50th at a not that bad -1.3. Breaking the blocking down even further, they had him for 1 sack allowed, 1 QB hit allowed, and 7 QB pressures allowed. Considering how often he's left on the field these numbers are relatively good. Surprising to me was that even with missing 4 games he finished ranked 5th in their missed tackles stat, which records the number of tackles either broken or avoided.

Tyler Clutts - Signed through 2013 - I liked seeing the Bears use a traditional fullback after a year of the H-Back experience. And I did think Clutts had a solid season, but PFF thought otherwise. They had him ranked as the worst full back in football last year. Not just the worst, but his -18.6 grade placed him below every single player that took a snap at the position. Jacob Hester graded a 64th worst -9.7, meaning that Clutts was more than double as bad as him. I'd like to say that his lack of touches hurt his grade, but it was his league worst blocking grade of -16.3 that did him in.

Marion Barber - Signed through 2012 - If it wasn't for the debacle in Denver, Barber would have had a fine season. He spelled Forte, and gave a different look to defenses, but the emergence of Kahlil Bell may signal the end for Barber. He's due $1.9 million next year with a $250,000 workout bonus and $100,000 roster bonus, so the Bears may elect to let him go before being stuck with the bonus money. PFF had him with a neutral grade for the season, slightly behind Bell.

Kahlil Bell - Restricted Free Agent - I expect Bell to return to the Bears after his play the last few weeks, but anyone that thinks Bell is just as good a player as Matt Forte is wrong. Bell is a poor man's Matt Forte, with his all around skill set a notch below what Forte has. Bell is a nice one cut runner, with better than average hands. He showed some tough running filling in for Barber the last two games, but he also showed some carelessness with the ball. PFF had him graded with a neutral 0.7 just behind the next guy...

Armando Allen - undisclosed terms - Allen will remain the property of the Bears next season if they so incline, and after his successful stint in the last two games I expect him to be back next year competing for a roster spot. After being promoted from the practice squad on December 19th he performed admirably as the #2 tailback. As I alluded to above, PFF had him graded just ahead of Bell by a .2 margin.

2012 OUTLOOK - A lot will be determined once the Forte situation is clearer. If Forte is locked up long term, then I wouldn't expect the Bears to draft a RB in any round, but if the threat of a hold out is real or if by some odd reason they decide to let him leave, then I'd expect them to take a flier on someone in the draft. They'll no doubt bring in a few kids to compete this off season, and since Robert Hughes finished the season on the practice squad he may be a camp body too.

My gut tells me that Forte will have a deal in place at some point before the season starts.

If you missed our look at the quarterback position click here. Next up on Thursday is the tight ends.

More Proof Miami Basketball Is Basically Julian Mavunga And Some Other People

Matt Sussman — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:26:44 -0000

It's been well-chronicled that Miami RedHawks basketball has suffered heavy roster turnover. Ex-starters Antonio Ballard and Nick Winbush graduated. Orlando Williams is suspended in basketball purgatory. Allen Roberts has an owie. The team is a not-so-good 2-5 and I hope that Julian Mavunga upgraded his famous mechanical legs, because they're going to need those mythical apparati this season.

Actually, maybe they're already in use.

In this early season Mavunga leads the team in points and rebounds, naturally, but it's necessarily what percentage of his output that interests me. He's scoring 42.9% of the team's total outcome, which is tops in Division I basketball. The next hoggiest player is Savalance Townsend, netting 34.8% of Arkansas-Pine Bluff's point total.

Rebounds? Mavunga leads the country with 41.9% of the team's rebounds. Field goals? Yes, Mavunga leads that too: 34.5% of Miami's shots. Free throws? This is madness: Mavunga has taken 62.9% of the team's free throws. The next-highest percentage is 44%.

He's also averaging 39.0 minutes a game, fourth in the country.

It reminds me, in a warped way, of the Wally Szczerbiak-led team in 1998-99, in that Sczcerbiak took the meaning "led by example" to a perverse extreme. When Wally World reached the Sweet 16, he accounted for 35.8% of the team's season points and over half of their NCAA tournament scoring. The only difference is that the 2011-12 incarnation of the RedHawks isn't even a top-half MAC basketball team, but with all the miscellaneous absences from the team Mavunga is going to have one whale of a senior season, maintenance of mechanical legs withstanding.

Miami Loses Orlando Williams Permanently, Allen Roberts for Season

thechuck_2112 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:44:39 -0000

As our blog emperor noted yesterday, with the indefinite suspension of Orlando Williams and the injury to Allen Roberts, Miami's basketball team is effectively Julian Mavunga and a bunch of younger guys. Thanks to recent news out of Oxford, we now know it's going to be that way for the rest of the year.

Williams, a junior guard, was a key player for the RedHawks last season, starting in 29 games (appearing in 32) and averaging 10 points. Earlier this fall, he was suspended for theft. Yesterday, he pleaded no contest to the charges, getting a $350 fine, five days suspended, a year of probation, and court costs. And, from a basketball standpoint, the Dayton Daily News confirmed that Williams is a "former guard" who "is no longer enrolled at Miami."

More bad news was revealed in Miami's game notes (link goes to a PDF) for tomorrow's matchup against Troy. Allen Roberts, a junior guard who beat writer Pete Conrad last reported could miss "anywhere from five days to five months" with a knee injury, will be out for the season after having surgery this month. Roberts, who hasn't played a minute all season, will presumably redshirt, giving Miami seven (seven!!) scholarship players in the class of 2014. Some brief thoughts on what this all means after the jump.

Now more than ever, Miami is Julian Mavunga and some younger guys, and those younger guys will have to step up. Freshman Brian Sullivan has shown a lot of promise so far, ranking among the MAC's top shooters in the early going. Josh Sewell and Quinten Rollins, sophomore guards who were key contributors last season as freshmen -- Rollins started 24 games at point guard -- will be expected to pick up a lot of slack, as will small forward Jon Harris, a solid long-range threat who impressed off the bench last season. And Bill Edwards will need to be the transfer everyone hoped him to be.

Charlie Coles knows that you don't win games with style points, and win or lose, Miami certainly doesn't play a pretty game of basketball. Unless everyone on the team not named Julian Mavunga (currently averaging 20 and 10 a game, and scoring over 34% of Miami's points) makes an effort to make up for what Miami lost in Williams and Roberts, things could go from being "not pretty" to "ugly" in short order.

MAC Basketball Preview 2011-12: Miami RedHawks

thechuck_2112 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:15:47 -0000

Any preview of the upcoming Miami basketball season has to start with a discussion of Charlie Coles. The winningest coach in Miami and MAC history, beloved around the conference and around the country (but curiously reviled by a sizable chunk of his own fan base), Coles is a legend in Oxford: under his leadership, from 1997 to 2001, the RedHawks made five straight MAC title games; in 1999, of course, Miami made the Sweet Sixteen (plus appearances in 1997 and 2007, and NIT appearances in 2005 and 2006); and, to top it all off, he's just about the nicest guy you could possibly imagine, who's not only successful, but does it "the right way."

But it's been rough sailing for the RedHawks lately. Miami has often faced the toughest out-of-conference schedule in the MAC, and sometimes the entire country, playing insane guarantee game slates to bring in money for the rest of a cash-strapped athletic department. (Last year, for example, the RedHawks played Duke, Ohio State, Kansas, and San Diego State, though the last game was in an exempt tournament rather than for a guarantee.) That tough schedule hasn't paid dividends in MAC play, with Miami usually finishing 10-6 or so and coming in anywhere from second to fifth in the East, depending on tiebreakers.

During these past few choppy years, Charlie Coles has been working under his most recent contract extension. That extension expires at the end of this season. Coles is getting up there in years and has a pretty scary health history. But nothing about his future with Miami has been announced -- there hasn't even been a mention of discussion about next season, let alone any concrete plans. There are, however, some tea leaves to be read, and after the jump, I'll do just that. (As an added bonus, I'll also include actual basketball-related content!)

So here's my first prediction of this preview: 2011-12 will be Charlie Coles' last season at Miami. As I said, there hasn't been any open discussion of what's going on behind the scenes, but I think there are two pretty strong clues that's what will happen. First is the offseason hire of former Butler and Iowa head coach Todd Lickliter to replace Jimmy Lallathin, who moved to Kennesaw State. (For those of you keeping track at home, that makes Lickliter the #3 assistant; technically, he's junior to Jason Grunkemeyer.) This gives Miami two guys on the bench who can take over a program immediately: Lickliter and longtime Coles assistant Jermaine Henderson, who's been the associate head coach since 2005.

Second is the schedule. Although there are buy games at Ohio State and Vanderbilt, this isn't the usual murderer's row, and it's conceivable (though see below on whether this is likely) for Miami to make it through out-of-conference with a winning record; for once, the RedHawks might even hit the 20-win mark. But the real standout date here is a November 21 game at Division II Saginaw Valley State. You read that right -- Miami is playing away at a D-II school. But SVSU isn't just any old school. Charlie Coles was the longtime head coach of Saginaw High School, former Miami associate AD Mike Watson is the AD for the Cardinals, former Coles assistant Frankie Smith is their head coach, and -- this is a big one -- Charlie's son, Chris, is an assistant on Smith's staff. This game screams farewell tour. I expect that sometime in March (though here's hoping it's sometime in April!), we'll have a press conference announcing a coaching change, and that Charlie Coles will finally step aside from a job and a university he loves with all his heart.

Anyway, on to basketball!

The Roster. The big story here is that, at this moment, Miami only has 7 of its 13 scholarship players available. Vince Legarza, Bill Edwards (eligible this year after sitting out last season as a transfer from Penn State), Allen Roberts, and Quinten Rollins are all injured, while Orlando Williams is suspended indefinitely, and St. Francis (PA) transfer Will Felder will be eligible next season. Edwards and Legarza are expected to be available relatively soon, though maybe not in time for the opener against Dayton. Over on Miami Hawk Talk, meanwhile, there's speculation that Williams' indefinite suspension is really his removal from the team, and that he'll never wear the red and white again.

Fortunately, first-team All-MAC big man Julian Mavunga returns to do his best impression of Dirk Nowitzki. (Miami fans have long been puzzled about why Mavunga insists on playing out by the three-point line, but then he did lead the RedHawks in scoring and rebounding last year.) For Miami to succeed, Mavunga will need help from a healthy Edwards and from 6' 8" sophomore Jon Harris, who put in quality time off the bench last year. Also expected to step up this year is swingman Josh Sewell, who showed flashes of brilliance last year, but, according to Coles, needs to work on his control. And, with Rollins and Roberts injured and Williams possibly gone for good, two freshman guards -- Brian Sullivan and Will Sullivan, who aren't related, will have to step up big at the guard positions. Brian looked solid at the point in a squeaker exhibition win against California (PA), but the season will definitely be a trial by fire for him.

The Schedule. The season begins next Tuesday at Millett, where Miami takes on Dayton in the first Mythical Miami Valley League matchup of the season. The RedHawks get Xavier and Cincinnati on the road, and Wright State at home. (Side note: outside of the Big Five in Philadelphia, how many schools have at least four out-of-conference games set in stone each year?) Miami is likely to go 1-3 over those games, with the lone win coming against Wright State, but never underestimate the ability of a Charlie Coles team to beat Xavier when they shouldn't. In addition to the aforementioned Saginaw Valley State game, the RedHawks get Troy and Southeast Missouri on the road, Belmont and Evansville at home, Ohio State on the road, William & Mary at home, Vanderbilt on the road, and a home BracketBuster date. If the RedHawks are healthy, I think 6-6 is doable, and 7-5 at least possible. (Not making any BracketBuster guesses without an opponent.)

Conference-wise, the RedHawks seem to have drawn the short straw in crossover games, getting Eastern Michigan and Toledo at home, but having to play Western Michigan and Ball State on the road. That said, you can usually count on Charlie to get to ten wins in MAC play, and even last year's 16-17 squad went 11-5 in conference.

The Bottom Line. Unfortunately, unless Doug Penno walks through that door to hit another bank shot, I don't think Miami is going dancing this year. The RedHawks will finish the regular season something like 17-12, make it to the semis of the MAC tournament (because it seems like that always happens), and bow out in an ugly game (because it seems like that always happens too). Next season, Coach Henderson or Coach Lickliter will be patrolling the sidelines for the Red and White, and everyone -- especially me -- will miss Professor Hoops.