It’s back to depth fueling competition at The U…

Randy Shannon has endured his share of blows from the critics. When the first-time head coach took the reigns in late 2006, Miami was in shambles. Not quite the depleted squad Butch Davis coaches to a 5-6 season in 1997, but not too far behind.

Gone was the depth that allowed the Canes to ‘reload’ instead of ‘rebuild’ every off-season. Except this time around it was lazy recruiting and abandoning South Florida talent that led to the demise. Not a Pell Grant scandal or lack of institutional control.

Known for being some of the harshest critics out there, it’s the Miami fan base who’s been hardest on Shannon. Immediate results were expected and when a 5-7 was the result after year one, emotion bested logic and a proud fan base was humbled. Half a decade earlier, Miami was playing for back-to-back National Championships and waltzing their way into four straight BCS games. After year one of the Shannon Era, Miami’s season ended late November for the first time in a decade.

Shannon’s mission when taking over a battered and bruised Miami program; focus on local talent and rebuild the depth chart. With year three kicking off in just over a month, we’re finally seeing Shannon’s plan coming to fruition. Positions like linebacker and the secondary are still a class or two away from being rebuilt, but the Canes are ready at wide receiver and competition is going to be the driving force, making or breaking many in this bunch.

Simply put, competition is what made Miami into “Miami” two decades back. There was no resting on laurels, always feeling the guy behind you nipping at your heels, wanting to take your job. Upperclassmen playing hurt and ignoring injuries for fear they’d never see the field again if a hungry freshman got a chance to shine.

Both Susan Miller Degnan and Manny Navarro profiled Louisiana-bred wideout LaRon Byrd in Wednesday’s Miami Herald. Navarro talked of Byrd being loaded with “talent and swagger” – which better be the case if you have the stones to wear Michael Irvin’s number 47 on your chest.

Swagger. An insanely overused term these past few years. There have been a lot of Canes who talked that talk, but never walked the walk. Fat and happy off the program’s history, many assumed they’d strap on that helmet and things would simply fall into place. They never knew how much blood and sweat was left on Greentree, building up this program, working their way to 12-0 or 11-1 seasons. Many players came to Miami when the getting was good, with no clue what it took to get there. Hence the eventual demise.

Those on board now – they’re a part of the rising. Whether it’s a Sean Spence, Jacory Harris or Marcus Fortson – you’re talking about kids who grew up loving the Ed Reed-era Canes, saw their beloved program nosedive and consciously made a decision to sign with The U, with the goal of bringing Miami back.

Swagger is a state of mind. It’s confidence, not cockiness. You believe it to your core. It’s not false bravado, which has been the case as of late. Shannon is changing the Miami culture recruit by recruit. Winners from winning programs. Kids from the area who grew up Canes and feel honored to be a part of something special. That’s not enough to make a difference year one, but after you reel in three full classes with this type of mentality, it becomes infectious. Old school is new school again.

The wideouts have been put on notice; only the best will play. The receiver rotation is being shortened this season. Last year everybody got their shot and saw the field, but nobody stepped up and became that go-to guy. Coaches don’t blame the players for the lack of production. The rotation didn’t allow for consistency, which is the reason things will change this year.

“They’ve told us the bus is going to be shorter,” Byrd said. “I love it. It’s going to bring out the best of both worlds. You’re going to see who really wants it, who is going to back away from the competition and if it gets the drive out of you. You cut the list, say only three are going to travel and people are going to work harder. I love it, love the challenges.”

Byrd’s counterparts better bring that same thunder, or it’ll be no mystery who’s making plays and who’s watching from the sideline.

Aside from Byrd, the other wideouts vying for a spot in 2009: Travis Benjamin, Thearon Collier, Leonard Hankerson, Aldarius Johnson and Davon Johnson, as well as Tommie Streeter and Kendal Thompkins, both injured and redshirted in 2008.

Wide receiver isn’t a position for the weak this year, which was all part of Shannon’s plan – finally coming to fruition year three.

From day one, this was a four to five year rebuilding process. Two years down, year three around the corner and an insane amount of depth at a position where the Canes have always thrived.

Once linebacker and secondary are as deep as this year’s receiving corps, these Canes will officially be back. For now, sit back and watch the fireworks as it’s game on with the wide outs.

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