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.