Articles like this are one of a few things I miss about being back home.
Miami Herald beat writer Manny Navarro’s access to The U allowed him to uncover some things about the Canes’ strength and conditioning program, as well as the man behind it, Andreu Swasey.
Some local writers simply collect a check regarding their coverage of the Canes. Their thumb is nowhere near the pulse and their negativity comes through via the articles they craft. Navarro is the opposite. Obviously a diehard fan, Manny writes about what the fans want to hear about and in this case, sets many of the critics straight.
Log on to any message board and read the anti-Swasey rants. So many outsiders thinking they’re insiders, wanting Miami’s long-time strength and conditioning coach fired. Blame for any on the field injury lumped on Swasey instead of the brutal nature of the game or dumb luck.
If you haven’t read Navarro’s piece from last Friday, click here to do so. It’s a must-read. Manny doesn’t just give his own take; he goes to the source, talking with NFL U alum – many of which return to Coral Gables every off-season to train with Swasey.
Jon Vilma. Roscoe Parrish. Kellen Winslow II. Sinorice and Santana Moss. D.J. Williams. Kelly Jennings. Clinton Portis. Jon Beason. Reggie Wayne. Ed Reed. Jeremy Shockey. Willis McGahee. Antrel Rolle. Edgerrin James.
These guys even bring some other NFLers with no ties to The U. Plaxico Burress and Chad Johnson head down south simply to train with the same Swasey many fans want gone.
While many fans are quick to blame the strength and conditioning program, past Canes put the blame on a lack of leadership and hint at the dropoff in overall talent. Simply put, Swasey isn’t the issue — the players and a lack of heart are to blame.
“I don’t know who the leaders are with the team. They don’t showcase it on the field — at least from me watching on TV. I know when I was in school we had vocal leaders. Ed Reed would do it on the field and then come back and tell us we’d better do it, too. We had enough respect not to let our teammates down. We were scared to not go out and execute and win,” said Sinorice Moss.
”Last year when I was down there, I really saw a great group of freshmen who you could see understanding the system. You saw flashes in them this season, signs that tell you they’re going to take the program back to where it needs to be. Aldarius Johnson, Travis Benjamin, those guys made plays. But young guys take time to develop on the field. Fans got to be patient, let Swasey take over.”
If that’s the take of a former player, it’s good enough for me. Someone who’s not only been knee-deep in it, but keeps coming back for more every off-season – feeling the strength and conditioning program at Miami is better than the one his NFL franchise offers.
Like Randy Shannon, Swasey too needs time to turn things around. You’re only as good as the players at your disposal and right now it looks like the best of Swasey are all playing on Sundays, not Saturday.
Manny also posted a lot of additional Swasey material that couldn't fit into his story on his blog, "Eye on the U." You should go check it out – he's got a full interview with Swasey and a lot of S&C statistics comparing the '01 team to the '08 team.
(I linked the blog on my handle, so just click "Cane Mutiny" to get there…)
Great article and I 100% with what Sinorice said..99% of the fans understood that the freshmans and a few sophmores get it but thats about it..its so true that if the heart and soul of a kid isnt into it you cant make them get it..its about dedication to DAU and knowing that the U on the helmut stands for pride and character..Nobody is bigger then the team and all they have to do is look at the coach and listen to the former players that come back here..look at how tight they stay when they have left DAU..its a bond that will never be broken..because like it was said they never wanted to let the others down..just listen to RAYLEW and SAPP talk about passing the torch..
Stay infortamive, San Diego, yeah boy!
bill young leaving for ok st?? got ne thing on this all canes
Nice article on the strength coach. I was on the Miami Herald’s website and noticed an article that said Bill Young may leave for OK State. Young says he is torn, but OK State is offering an annual salary of $700K – which is reportedly much more than he makes at the U. Hell, I doubt Coach Shannon makes that much. With no ties to UM, I would be willing to bet he runs for the money. The same article also mentioned Mark Whipple (Asst. Offensive Coach) of the Philadelphia Eagles. Have you heard anything regarding any frontrunners for the O Cord job?
Jamie
FL Panhandle Cane
This was a great article by Manny in getting into what Swasey's philosophy behind his S&C. If he wasn't a great coach, all of these NFL guys would not come back year after year (even non Canes). I knew nothing about this guy but saw him on the sidelines, so it was great to get some information on a man who has a huge impact on the team.
As far as leadership goes, it will probably take a young guy to do it. I can see Spence, Forston or someone of that ilk. The past few season, I have seen no real excitement, or guys barking at each other out there. Football is a lot of emotion as well as execution and The U is built on emotion. We need guys to unfuse that into the whole defensive or offensive unit. Offensively, it has to be Harris. He needs to play with more urgency and not play it cool. He can be laid back but also show emotion and lead, and I believe he will fill that role.
If Young leaves, I think it will really set us back. We'd have to find a new guy, input a new scheme and the players have to start all over again. This is really the last thing we need right now. I can't blame him if he leaves for his alma mater, but it sucks for us. For coaches it comes down to money most times, which I understand, and that will be Miami's yearly challenge. We don't have the budgets of UF, FSU, Ohio State, so we have to find guys who want to be here for something special. Guess we'll see how it unfolds.
-Columbus Cane
Notice that most of those players are there for speed and agility, and not strength?