CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Stephen Morris' bye week included the reinforcement of an important lesson: the need for a quarterback to maintain his composure.
The reminder came after the University of Miami senior watched "my favorite quarterback" Tom Brady and the New England Patriots struggle in beating the New York Jets on Thursday night.
"(Brady) was very frustrated -- you saw that on the field and on the sidelines," Morris said Tuesday. "The next day, I saw an article saying he needed to control his body language. Me and Coach (Al) Golden talked about that exact same article.
"That's how I feel at times. You're frustrated because you know things are open and you want to get to it and it's a big game like Florida ... or even FAU was a big game ... and you're not able to get to it. So you really have to control your emotions. You gotta control your body language on the sidelines, you've got to encourage players, and you can't really get down on yourself. You gotta get ready for the next opportunity you get on the field."
Morris and the Hurricanes return to action on Saturday night, when they'll play Savannah State at Sun Life Stadium.
During season-opening wins against Florida Atlantic University and Florida, Morris, at times, displayed frustration with the 'Canes passing game. He completed just 51.9 percent (27 of 52) overall with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Junior wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who had 58 receptions last season, has only 3 catches for 66 yards and a TD in 2013.
Offensive inconsistency had not been anticipated with Miami's veteran unit. Most confusing has been the failure of Morris and the receivers to be in sync.
Then again, the bond between a quarterback and his receivers can be a season-long process.
"You can look at guys like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers and how those guys communicate with their receivers and how throughout the rest of the season they get better and better," Morris said Tuesday."I think that's what it really comes down to. As you continue to play games, you'll be able to understand more, you'll be able to feel better with the receivers. It's a lot different than being on the practice field.
"On the practice field you're able do a lot of things, but in the games it feels different."
The Hurricanes used last week's bye-week practices to focus on themselves instead of an opponent.
"Practicing harder on catching the ball, running specific routes, timing with the quarterback,"said tight end Clive Walford, who has a TD among his 5 receptions.
"With timing, you always have to work at it. Depending on the defense that the defense is playing, that has a lot to do with timing, too."
Morris said the bye week presented a chance to rest up and focus on specific areas.
"For myself, being a lot more calm in the pocket, understanding the offensive line is doing their job and I have to trust those guys and trust the protection," he said. "Receiver-wise, we just have to correct little things, maybe where we were one or two steps off in a route."
Another factor affecting the offense could be the presence of new coordinator James Coley.
"It's not really new plays but it's new ways to do certain things," Morris said. "It's not like a new system per say, but it's a different look at it."
The offensive line also plays a major part in the passing game by providing protection and by helping to establish a running game that can open up an aerial attack.
"I thought (pass protection) was fairly good (through the first two games), I'd give us about a 'B,'"offensive line coach Art Kehoe said."I'm not worried about Stephen at all. I'm more concerned with rushing for 50 yards against Florida and having to do a lot better than that."
Morris said he had little doubt the Hurricanes offense, specifically the passing game, soon would be clicking.
"A lot of things might not come to us the first two games," Morris said. "And the offense obviously is going to take a little more time developing that timing and chemistry, but it's a long season. I'm excited to see how we're going to grow and develop in these next couple of games."
Charlie McCarthy can be reached at mac1763@bellsouth.net or on Twitter @mccarthy_chas.
