Cook might miss opener
Linebacker Glenn Cook is expected to miss two to four weeks with a knee injury, which could further thin UM for the FSU game.
By ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ
a1fernandez@MiamiHerald.com
With four key players suspended for its Sept. 4 season opener against Florida State, the University of Miami might have lost another to injury Saturday.
Coach Larry Coker said after the morning practice that middle linebacker Glenn Cook would miss two to four weeks because of an unspecified knee injury, which could put his status for the FSU game in question.
''We don't know yet, but that's the window we've been told,'' Coker said.
``Hopefully, it's two weeks. That's not bad. We need him. He's smart and a good football player.''
Coker also said right tackle Tyrone Byrd is ailing from a knee injury and will undergo an MRI exam. Byrd (6-5, 295), who said a teammate rolled on the knee while he was blocking, was seen wearing a knee brace and limping as he left the field after the morning session of Saturday's two-a-day practice. He returned to the field during the afternoon but was not seen participating in individual or team drills.
However, Byrd said he expected to be back in practice soon.
''This is nothing,'' Byrd said. ``It's just a little swelling, so I'll go do my MRI, and I'll be back and ready.''
Earlier in the week, Coker said it was Byrd's job to lose. But his injury creates an opportunity for junior tackle Cyrim Wimbs, who got a lot of work with the first team Saturday.
Freshmen Ian Symonette (6-9, 338) and Jason Fox (6-6, 265), who Coker said continued to impress him after Saturday's morning session, also are expected to get more repetitions while Byrd is out.
''That was the whole point for me since the spring, was to go out and win the [starting] job,'' Wimbs said. ``A lot of those young cats can play, so it's great competition.''
Redshirt freshman Darryl Sharpton appears to have the best shot to start at middle linebacker should Cook not be ready. Junior Romeo Davis has been moved from the strong side to the middle, but Sharpton has worked more with the first team in practice.
Coker hinted that middle linebacker is one of several spots that are still wide open.
''I don't know if we have a first-teamer anywhere, really,'' Coker said.
``We'll decide all that. We're not into first or second team right now.''
Coker did mention that he has been impressed with Sharpton.
''Darryl has a window of opportunity, not that he needed one, because he was going to play, anyway,'' Coker said. ``That gives guys an opportunity to really step up. He's a real physical player. He has great speed. He's tough. He just needs to get honed in on his assignments better. If he does that, he can be really special.''
Sharpton said he was sorry his chance to start came at the expense of a teammate's injury but that he was confident he could play up to the first team's level.
''I'm real physical, so if you get in my way, you're going to feel me,'' said Sharpton, a graduate of Coral Gables High. ``I know some of our offensive linemen have already felt me. I feel that's my strong point. I just have to work on mastering the playbook.
``I've got the base [defense] down, I just have to master that nickel package, and I'll be straight.''
