The “lead, follow or get out of the way” mindset continues with Randy Shannon.
The past few weeks, he’s dealt with the types of decisions that will either cement his legacy as the man who brought Miami back, or the one sent packing should this rebuilding project fail.
Today’s news focused on uber-recruit Bryce Brown. The top-ranked prospect in the nation remains unsigned and knee-deep in everything wrong with the recruiting game. Tennessee. Oregon. LSU. Southern Cal. All in the picture two weeks after Signing Day, though the talented running back remains “committed” to Miami.
Two weeks after the fact Brown is still aloof, speaking mostly through ‘mentor’ Brian Butler and continuing with his ‘me first’ mentality. Team Brown is ready to announce a decision on March 16th — almost a month past Shannon’s deadline — and seemingly against the wishes of Arthur Brown Sr., who made it clear he wants his son to be a Hurricane.
“That would be my ideal preference, for he and his brother to play together,” the elder Brown told the AP. “That’s always been my preference.”
Too bad junior is choosing the heed the advice of a money-grubbing former rapper and telemarketer instead of the man who brought him into this world.
Rumor has it come midnight Wednesday the scholarship offered Brown is expired and off the table and a new one isn’t expected to be offered. Smart play by Shannon, taking control of the situation. The Canes don’t need another ‘me first’ headcase. Team players. Miami-style athletes. There’s a formula here. Everything needs to come together for the Canes to truly be ‘back’.
This is a chess match and Shannon just made a big move. Miami drew a line in the dirt, yet remained politically correct and kept the door open, barring Wednesday ends with Brown not signed.
A verbal commit for almost a year, Brown was set to be an early enrollee and ready for spring ball. Instead, he’s the Canes biggest distraction early this year. Unsigned, undecided and unfazed, Brown isn’t coming across as the type of player a program in repair can depend on when working their way back.
With his head screwed on right, Brown would be a coup for Miami. The first big time, big body back behind center since Willis McGahee left town. Brown is the real deal on the field, but if his head is elsewhere he’ll never be the guy the Canes need.
Lamar Miller and Mike James will prove to be much better overall prospects for Miami, as their desire to compete, rebuild and put the program back on the map are as important as their on the field abilities. Shannon seeks out ‘team first’ type players and both fit the mold.
Come Wednesday Miami’s hands are clean. The ball will remain in Brown’s court and the weight of the world on his shoulders. His “gimmie” school will be gone and for the first time in a long time, there’s nothing to fall back on. Proactive instead of reactive; something which hasn’t been the case at The U for years. Set the tone. Remind these kids who’s in control.
This situation is no different than life in the dating world. If you’re in a relationship and your significant other wants to date around, what do you do? Sit idly by and remain someone’s fall back option? Watch how little they respect you if you’re the type to sit there and take it.
The more mature option is to pull away from said relationship, let the other person sort their head out and see what happens if paths cross again down the road. They say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone and that we want that which retreats from us. Maybe that’ll be the case regarding where things are at this late in the game.
Brown may be the best back in the nation, but no one is bigger than the program. Great call on Miami’s move to pull out of the sweepstakes on a technicality. Your move, Bryce.
Another ‘team first’ decision was the recent move of Sam Shields from wide receiver to cornerback. The pundits are against it, saying Shannon is ruining Shields’ career with an offense-to-defense switch entering his senior year. A more realistic approach is to point out that Shannon is truly giving Shields one last opportunity to shine.
Shields isn’t going to play receiver in the NFL, no matter how impressive his high school stats and love received from recruiting websites a few years back.
Few would’ve felt that after his impressive freshman campaign (2006), when Shields hauled in 37 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns. The last two seasons combined aren’t as impressive as Shields’ first go around.
Seven new receivers were brought on board in 2008, including proven playmakers in Aldarius Johnson, Travis Benjamin, Thearon Collier, Davon Johnson and LaRon Byrd. Tommie Streeter and Kendall Thompkins both redshirted and will be ready to compete this fall.
Even the biggest Shields bleeding heart has to admit the senior’s chances of getting his head right and stepping up at wideout are slim based on the current level of competition.
What motivates one player might turn another off completely. Shannon knows this and is continuing to work on Shields, where another coach would simply write him off. Last year Shields earned his way out of the doghouse with spirited special teams play, capitalizing on his speed and showing he was more physical as a hitter than he was as a receiver.
If there’s any hope for Shields, it’s on the defensive side on the ball – most notably cornerback, where the Canes are weakest.
Shields won’t become a lock-down corner overnight, but he has the tools and potential to help the Canes fill a much-needed void. Few expected him to excel on special teams. Maybe he’ll surprise on defense and maybe Shannon knows a little bit more about this kid’s skills set and mindset than some folks pecking away on a message board.
There’s a reason for this move. Besides helping the program and team, it could also save the career of a wideout who simply hasn’t panned out.
In a matter of week Shannon took the power back regarding Brown, is refusing to give up on Shields, reeled in another big time recruiting class and added two veteran coordinators to his staff. Never ceases to amaze me how people in the anti-Randy camp can miss all that, choosing to nit pick and focus on the little stuff.
Seeking counsel from mentors, learning what it takes to build a top-flight staff and a preaching ‘team first’ mentality, Shannon is absolutely on the right track, whether some folks see it or not.