Golden Rails ‘Clock Punchers’

The Miami Hurricanes sit at 4-4, which makes for four positive Al Golden press conferences and four where the air left the room. After last Thursday night’s loss to the Virginia Cavalier, Golden’s frustration was apparent as ever.

When interviewed by Don Bailey Jr. in the post game, Golden made a few things clear. While praising the play of quarterback Jacory Harris and wide receiver Tommy Streeter, the first-year head coach had some harsh words for the rest of his team.

Golden stated that he’d “evaluate” the running game, an obvious dig as subpar offensive line play, tight ends (and their lack of blocking) as well as sophomore Lamar Miller, who has fallen off as of late.

Miller started the season with five 100-yard games – his best efforts against Ohio State (184 yards) and Virginia Tech (166 yards). Since the loss to the Hokies, 29 yards at North Carolina, 93 against Georgia Tech and 70 last week versus Virginia.

Mike James hasn’t set the world on fire either, amassing 35 yards on 15 carries the past three outings.

Golden was disturbed by embarrassing, unacceptable, game-changing penalties. Miami was only dinged five times for 51 yards against Virginia, but it was the timing more than the penalty itself. A roughing the passer (Olivier Vernon) on a third down play, resulting in a fresh set of downs and an eventual touchdown, as well as a roughing the kicker on a fourth down, which hurt from a field position standpoint.

When pressed, Golden went even further into the “why” regarding the mistakes, sloppy play and poor execution. In Golden’s opinion, there are still come “clock punchers” on this squad. Too many guys half-assing it. Guys putting in the bare minimum instead of working overtime.

Basically the exact opposite of the type of player Golden and staff are looking for as they work to restore the Hurricanes’ legacy.

Golden again shoulders all blame, vowed to get it fixed and let it be know that players have to “take ownership”, spending all and any free time doing whatever they must to improve. Watch more film. Spend more time with position coaches. Work on their own to better learn and understand the game plan.

There was also another dig at guys seeking “external affirmation”. Weeks back Golden mentioned players searching the Internet and looking for headlines or blogs that praised their play. Golden instead calls for “internal peer pressure”, stating that nothing from outside the program should motivate or demotivate his players.

Duke is on the horizon and the Blue Devils held the Hokies in check last week during a 14-10 loss. Usually thought of as a conference doormat, Duke has given Miami some trouble the past few seasons and is obviously headed south looking to make a statement.

Golden stated that coaches will change plays in all three phases of the game this week, as well as practice.

“You can’t play like that on Thursday night and not do something about it,” said Golden.

As refreshing as it is to know that Coach Golden won’t rest a minute until these problems are solved, it’s still disheartening on two levels.

For starters, you hate to hear that so many still don’t get it. The fact that there are kids with the “U” on their helmet who underachieve — it’s nauseating.

I keep flashing back to ESPN cutting to Michael Irvin in a luxury suite last Thursday night, whooping it up in his Golden Tie tee during big plays, yet complete shell-shocked and disgusted when his U gave up touchdowns of 57, 38 and 73 yards.

It’s bad enough to hear those words as a fan, but for former players and legends like Irvin – the backbone of this program – there can’t be a worse insult to lay on a Hurricane.

Disheartening on a second level is the fact that until some players from the old regime are completely flushed out, this will remain the case. There are some kids on this UM squad who are broken beyond repair, with a sense of entitlement and a sub par work ethic and until they’re gone, replaced by kids that Golden and his staff recruit and coach up, there will continue being letdowns like last Thursday’s loss to Virginia.

The faith in the future is completely in tact, but as a fan, a true belief in the current squad and the next four games isn’t what it was the Sunday after Georgia Tech.

You hoped the old Miami was in the rearview, but unfortunately it will remain until the roster is completely Goldenized and the clock punchers are long gone. – C.B.

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