Cooper adds speed to 'Canes lineup

Thanks to Graig Cooper, the University of Miami football team might find what has been missing from its offense for the past couple of seasons -- breakaway speed.

Cooper showed glimpses of that last season in gaining 682 yards rushing as a freshman. And he appears to be ready to produce a regular infusion of big plays for an offense that scored 16 or fewer points six times last year, including the last four games of the 5-7 campaign.

Miami coaches also need players such as Graig Cooper to help take pressure off freshman quarterbacks Robert Marve and Jacory Harris. Marve, who red-shirted last season, played better in Saturday's spring game, but Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon wouldn't say Marve separated himself from the 175-pound Harris, who lost weight because of a battle with bronchitis.

"They had three turnovers, which is unacceptable, but they managed the game well," Shannon said.

During the 'Canes' spring game, Cooper sped by defenders for 27- and 44-yard touchdown runs.

"A lot of track, man, a lot of track," Cooper said. "I work on a lot of explosion with (assistant track) coach (Amy) Deem." It also helps that the sophomore-to-be has added 12 pounds.

"We wore him down last year, and at the end of the year he couldn't make those runs," said Miami running backs coach Tommie Robinson.

The 'Canes put Cooper and tailback Javarris James on the field together a number of times Saturday. James, a junior-to-be who ran for 582 yards in an injury-riddled 2007 season, had two 21-yard catches while playing slot receiver. James also had a 25-yard run.

"It makes (defenses) accountable for everyone," Robinson said. "We can run or spread you out, and catch the football and do things."

James also dropped a couple of passes, but that seemed to be a problem for Miami's wide receivers, too. Khalil Jones, Aldarius Johnson and Ryan Hill all had drops.

"Maybe we have to get them out into the public and get used to the crowd," Shannon said. "Khalil Jones had a wonderful spring. He didn't have a drop in 15 practices."

New Miami wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill acknowledged the drops but added that his main receivers -- Jones, Johnson, Hill, Leonard Hankerson, Kayne Farquharson and Sam Shields -- are getting better as a group.

Shields leads the returnees with 27 catches for 346 yards and three TDs, but Johnson is the player most feel will be the go-to guy.

"(Johnson is) competing with those guys, making plays, a smart kid," Aubrey Hill said. "I think he'll be fine. How much better he'll get will be based on how hard he works in the summer and how he handles two-a-days and, from game-to-game, can he improve."

The tight ends haven't caught many passes, but Shannon has been raving about Dedrick Epps. Richard Gordon also has had his moments.

On the offensive line, coach Jeff Stoutland said tackles Reggie Youngblood and Jason Fox have improved, as expected. Xavier Shannon, Randy's son, can play several positions, but probably will wind up at center. Stoutland also likes the progress of left guard Chris Barney.