Wishing Everyone A Merry Canesmas

Canes305 wants to wish everyone in Hurricane Nation a Merry Christmas. If you’re reading this blog today, stop.

Turn off the computer and go hang out with your family and friends. Get smashed on egg nog. Complain about the gifts you didn’t get. Thank God it’s Monday, yet feels like Sunday and you’re not at work. Whatever you do, don’t spend the day online. I’m logging off as soon as this post is complete.

Going 6-6 this year basically ruined our college football season, but I did take the time to make note of my top five things Miami fans can be thankful for:

#5 – One more game. Yeah, I know it’s the Blue Turf Bowl in Boise and that it’s a lesser game for a .500 team, but it’s still a game. It’s a chance to watch the Canes one more time in 2006. The majority of us spend the off-season complaining about not having any football to watch. We then get 11-13 days out of 365 to watch The U suit up and take the field. That comes out to one game per month, on average.

It may be Boise and the opponent may be Nevada, but it’s still the Canes and it’s still a game. Root ’em in on New Years Eve… in HDTV, no less.

#4 – We’re still the Canes. Yes we’re down, but needs are being addresses. In 2005 Miami went 9-3 and got rocked in a bowl game. As a result, four coaches were fired. After 6-6 this year, the axe fell again. While you never want to see good people lose their jobs, it’s comforting to know that mediocrity is not accepted at The U. When things aren’t going as they should, the ship will get righted.

It’s been a sub par couple of years, but lest not forget this is a program which won a title five years ago, had one stolen four years ago, made four straight BCS games (2000-2003), had 22 player drafted in the first round this decade and rung up a 34-game win streak a few years removed from the probation era. Opposing fans can shove it. We’re still Miami and we’ll be back on top soon enough, so get your cheap shots in while you can.

#3 – A lot of talent returns in 2007. Depending on if certain players bail for the NFL early or not, Miami could have somewhere around 18 starters returning next season. The Canes went 6-6 in 2006, but with some fine tuning, better game planning and a little more attitude, there’s no reason this wasn’t a two-loss team at worst.

Miami’s defense will be loaded next year and the offense will have a whole new look once an offensive coordinator is hired in the coming weeks. Don’t sleep on the ’07 Canes.

#2 – Recruiting needs are being met. Miami was thin at receiver in 2006 and only landed two pass catchers last Signing Day. Entering 2007, the Canes look to have a half dozen receivers locked and loaded. This new staff is focusing its efforts on the areas where Miami has been weakest the past few seasons and they’re seeing that 6-6 isn’t as big of a deterrent as the haters thought.

Kids still want to be a part of The U and if anything, the sales pitch rings true; Miami is only a few players away from being a big time contender again. The recruits know that and the special ones are ready to jump on board and be “that guy”.

#1 – It’s a Randy Shannon thing. Fine, maybe the process of bringing on a new coach, throwing big names out there and having a consultant oversee the process left some of us mildly disappointed when Miami promoted from within and didn’t land a big fish. But then the dust settled and everyone realized that there could be some benefits to staying in-house.

Shannon is Miami. Born and raised. Overcame tremendous adversity. Won on the field and off. Made it to the NFL. Learned from past Miami coaches. Climbed the ranks at The U and took bits and pieces from all those who were here before him. He waited patiently, turned down other opportunities and longed for the day he’d take over as the Canes next coach. That day is finally here.

The Larry Coker Era officially ends next week. Ride it out with Coker for one last game and then get tremendously excited for the Shannon Era.

Here’s hoping Coach Shannon will turn this thing around. He wasn’t my first choice when this search started, but now that the smoke has cleared (and others have said “no”), he really is the only choice to attempt this clean-up.

A strong disciplinarian who knows The U inside and out, Shannon will recruit the hell out of South Florida and will hopefully start bringing in kids who want to be Canes. He’s already proven that with his recruiting efforts and when he lands a top notch offensive coordinator, watch it go. Miami will be back.

Give thanks today, Canes fans. We’re putting 2006 to bed and the hope is that the future looks bright.

Merry Canesmas and R.I.P. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul.

.:Canes305:.

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