Marve: Transfer requested. Request granted.

A crazy 72 hours in Canestown, each new turn crazier than the next.

Many thought they saw it all when Miami’s coaching staff pissed away the final 2:41 minutes of the Emerald Bowl -18 plays amassing 17 yards, blowing the final timeout and utter chaos on the sidelines – with the game on the line.

A day and half later, offensive coordinator Patrick Nix is released and message boards light up like a Christmas tree. Knee-jerk reactions. Insults hurled. Armchair coaches quick to tell you what they’d have done, pretty much chastising Randy Shannon for continuing to exist.

Before the dust could settle regarding Nix, Robert Marve stole the spotlight and today’s headlines, officially requesting permission to transfer from the University of Miami.

Marve’s departure isn’t a surprise, though the drama surrounding it is. Names being dragged through the mud soap opera-style. Lines being drawn in the dirt. A situation that didn’t have to turn ugly officially has.

Eugene Marve granted a slew of interviews today, letting anyone within earshot know that his son got a raw deal. He painted Junior as the victim, Shannon as the villian and has turned the focus on himself by taking the low road, pouring his heart out for the Miami Herald… and anyone with a mic.

For those who want the short version… Robert is headed elsewhere after Miami granted his release. Marve cannot transfer to (1) an in-state program, (2) and ACC program or (3) and SEC program, which is proving to be the sticking point. Rumors swirled for weeks that Marve could end up at Florida, Tennessee or LSU. If Shannon has his way, Marve will end up at none of the three.

Not allowing Marve to transfer to a Florida school or a conference rival makes complete sense, but the SEC is a head-scratcher. That doesn’t happen without reason.

If there is more to that story, papa Marve isn’t sharing. His one-sided version of this story paints Shannon as a big ol’ meany, out to do nothing more than ruin Junior’s career. The Marves clsim to want the best for their son and lay no claim to any wrongdoing.

The rumor mill says Mr. Marve and/or Junior’s high school coach Robert Weiner, did some behind the scenes recon work Seems there’s been some talk with folks in Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa and/or Knoxville, gauging the interest level regarding the freshman QB.

The heart may have been in the right place, but the head knows better and this is an NCAA violation. The elder Marve is starting to look like the ultimate stage parent, while Weiner simply can’t let go and is trying to meddle regarding the career of his protegee, who graduated Plant High over two and a half years ago.

If all or any of the above proves true, Shannon has reason to be miffed. Blocking and SEC transfer isn’t the opposite of turning the other cheek, but it fits his ‘tough love’ approach and sends a message that the University of Miami isn’t playing any games.

Eugene Marve warns other recruits to pay attention to the treatment of his son. If they’re smart, they’ll instead focus on the mistakes of his son. Had Robert stayed out of trouble the past 18 months, no one is having this conversation today and Shannon’s hand isn’t forced by a player’s disgruntled family.

Randy-haters are using all this to fuel their argument that the second-year head coach isn’t on the right track, blaming their leader instead of the former quarterback who turned his back on the program and bailed on his commitment.

When does anyone remember a first-year quarterback requesting a transfer after starting 11 of 13 games? A perfect 13-for-13 had Marve not smashed a car mirror, missed four classes and continued to put self in front of team.

Anyone painting Shannon as the bad guy, reevaluate your processing skills. That, or quit your gig and earn a living as a defense attorney.

In this case, the plaintiff, Miami’s second-year head coach. A former player, assistant and current head coach that’s given 20 of his 42 years on this earth to the University of Miami.

The defendant, a first-year player who was originally Bama Bound, yet flinched at the final hour. Partly because Nick Saban took over, partly because he and his family were sold on Shannon.

Over the past year and a half, Marve showed his immaturity. A busted car mirror and run from the cops summer 2007 and this fall, benched for skipping class/showing up late. As the quarterback and leader of this team, looking to secure the starting job, Marve never got his priorities straight, on the field or off.

Instead of returning to prove he’s “the guy”, Marve chose to turn tail and run – again putting self over team. 11 starts to the 2 of Jacory Harris and Marve felt slighted. Fifty more attempts than the true freshman, yet claims of being ‘disrespected’.

A question for anyone blaming Shannon, where does personal accountability play into this equation? How is this on the disciplinarian instead of the disciplinee? One one side, a coach who lives and dies with this program and has for half his life, versus a kid who made his share of mistakes and never truly owned up to them?

Marve broke the mirror and ran from the cops. Marve showed up late or skipped enough classes to warrant a bowl suspension. Marve only mustered up 9 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, never separating himself from a true freshman with one less year in the system.

Marve felt he earned the starting job with 212 yard, 2 touchdown, 1 interception performance at Texas A&M. The rout of the Aggies proved the high point of Marve’s short career.

Whatever was ‘earned’ at aTm, Marve gave away when he regressed the next three weeks. Seven interceptions in his next three outings and a 1-2 stretch of football.

A potential game-winning touchdown sailed a few inches high in a loss to North Carolina. Pull ahead in the final seconds and Marve would’ve officially had ‘his’ moment and a legit claim as full-time starter. Instead, a 2-of-8, 6-yard, one interception performance in the first half against Florida State the following Saturday and a three-interception outing against lowly Central Florida a week later.

Marve proved he was serviceable, but never that he was a star in the making. While he proved to be a gamer, he never looked like a student of the game. Marve isn’t polished and needed to be coached up, which proved to be another task Nix couldn’t handle. Though Harris is a true freshman, there seems to be better instinct. Checking at the line. Calling audibles. Looking off receivers and finding his second and third options.

Harris also earned some signature moments, be it a game-winning drive at Virginia or proving he was the spark in a second half comeback at Duke, with a four-touchdown, 35-point performance. Against Cal, Harris showed poise – thrust into his second start in a long-distance, supposed no-win bowl game.

There were boneheaded mistakes, but there was also no quit when Miami was down 14-0 in the early going. Mistakes can be fixed over time and through repetition. You’re born with instincts and that innate desire to want it more than the other guy. Harris prove he has that. Marve never did. It may be deep within, but he got in his own way and as a result it was questioned.

Shannon stated on WQAM that he personally wishes Marve stuck around to compete. Regardless of all you just read above, so do I. In the short-term, the Canes were better with a Harris-Marve duo than without. Harris-Smith and Harris-Cook don’t seem to breed the same level of confidence and hope. No disrespect to Cannon Smith and Taylor Cook, but neither beat out Marve, so it explains the current opinion.

The only ones who wanted out were the Marves. The best man is going to win the starting job. There is no popularity contest, despite popular belief.

If Shannon wants to stay employed, he needs to win ball games. Whoever puts him in the best decision to do so, that man in your starter and he needs to take care of business on and off the field. Your quarterback is your leader and what is your leader saying if he finds his way to the doghouse on two occasions in one season?

Robert, we hardly knew ye. In time, hopefully you grow into the quarterback Miami hoped you’d be. All things being equal, you’re not that guy today. This rebuilding project is for a man, not a boy. Someone who is ready to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Talking about leading the Canes – it makes for great headlines, but it means nothing if your actions prove otherwise.

As disappointing the Grove incident and bowl game suspension, you topped it with the decision to transfer. No desire to battle it out this spring, you waved the white flag, conceded and it appears you’re looking for a ready-made type program already in the hunt, instead of rebuilding where you committed.

Worst of all, blame others instead of looking within. Coach is too hard to work with. Feelings of being disrespected and not given a fair shot, though you were the starter every game this year. (Except the two you got yourself suspended for.) All your answers to these problems lie in the mirror, #9.

The good news? You’re a kid. You have a lifetime to get it right. The bad news? Only have two more years of eligibility to prove you can get it done on the football field. For what it’s worth, good luck. I pulled for you as a Cane, but now you’re a non-factor around here. As a supporter of The U, there are bigger things to focus on than the one who got away.

To the jaded portion of this fan base, before you rush to judgement, let this one settle in.

Only one person involved in this fiasco has the University of Miami’s best interest in mind. He’s the guy who’s still here and the one who will work tirelessly to fix what his predecessor broke.

For everyone else in this production, it’s completely personal.

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