Kyle Wright; The Least Of Miami’s Concerns

I’m reading a lot of anti-Kyle Wright posts this week and I don’t really get where they’re coming from. I know this is Miami and there always seems to be some sort of quarterback debate. Costa or Collins. Collins or Clement. Clement or Covington. Kelly or Dorsey. Berlin or Wright. Hell, this week you can even go pro and throw Culpepper or Harrington in the mix. But Wright or Freeman? Give it a rest, people.

We’re all pissed off over the 2-2 start. No one is walking away from the 14-13 win over Houston with heads held high and chests puffed out. Everyone in the know realizes that the Canes ‘survived’ that game. They didn’t dominate. That said, Wright is hardly the problem here.

Funny how a few years can change everyone’s perception. I still recall being online a few years back when Wright announced that he was choosing the University of Miami over both Texas and Southern Cal. This was a big time feather in the cap for Coker and staff. The strong-armed QB from Danville, CA was going to be the next in line at Quarterback U.

The recruiting gurus gave Wright all the accolades. 2002/2003 Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year. A Parade All-American. SuperPrep National Player of the Year. Rated the nation’s #1 player and #1 QB on Allen Wallace’s SuperPrep Elite 50. Tom Lemming’s #2 QB in his Prep Football Report. The list goes on.

I’m not sold on high school accolades. It’s a whole different ball game when these kids reach the collegiate level. Still, there’s a reason three of the better programs this past decade were all in the running for Wright’s services. This is a kid whose high school coach called him a “once in a lifetime player.” There was obviously something special about Kyle Wright.

In regards to all the critics and Kirby Freeman supporters, I ask the following. Had Wright chosen USC or Texas, where would his career be today? Had Wright joined the Trojans, he’d have carried a clipboard the past few seasons and he’d be a first year starter this season. He’d have backed up Matt Leinart the past three seasons and he’d have benefited from Norm Chow’s influence in 2003-2004 – as well as Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin.

Current USC quarterback John David Booty signed with the Trojans after Wright turned them down. Wright would’ve battled freshman Mark Sanchez for the 2006 starting job.

Wright also would be playing behind one of the better offensive lines in college football and would benefit from having wideouts such as Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. Throw in top recruits like Vidal Hazelton and Patrick Turner, future Trojan greats. He’d also be handing off to Chauncey Washington and super-frosh Emmaunel Moody.

For the record, both Hazelton and Moody had Miami on their radar, but choose USC instead.

If Wright took his skills to Austin, TX back in fall 2002 he’d have carried the clipboard and backed up Vince Young the past few seasons. This year he’d have battled freshman Colt McCoy for the starting job. The Longhorns boast a big time offensive line, playmakers like WRs Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman as well as RB Selvin Young. Longtime offensive coordinator and QB coach Greg Davis would have spent the past three seasons molding Wright and at days end, KW would’ve answered to Mack Brown at Texas and Pete Carroll at USC.

Wright also could’ve flipped a coin and won a National Championship at either USC or Texas the past two seasons while Miami stumbled to 9-3 seasons and back-to-back Peach Bowl appearances.

When you look at the current state of Miami as a whole, Wright should be the least of everyone’s concerns. In his time as a Hurricanes he’s never had 1) a solid offensive line, 2) a big time running back, 3) a solid tight end or 4) superstar wide receivers.

Not exactly a recipe for success.

Look at the talent Ken Dorsey had in his time at Miami. Between 2000-2002, he was loaded in all four areas where Wright has nothing. Offensive line? The 2000-2001 lines were as good as Miami has ever seen. Bryant McKinnie, Joaquin Gonzalez, Martin Bibla, Brett Romberg and Sherko Haji-Rasouli all had Dorsey’s back. Literally.

Big time backs? Dorsey saw the best Miami ever had all in a row. James Jackson. Najeh Davenport. Clinton Portis. Frank Gore. Willis McGahee. As for help with the passing game, having the likes of Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Roscoe Parrish, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow II didn’t hurt Dorsey one bit.

Wright’s had an overweight Tyrone Moss for half of 2005 and first-time starter Charlie Jones the rest of the season. Jones has been supplanted by Javarris James in 2006 and Moss is still overweight with a nagging injury. Receivers? Ryan Moore is sidelined due to temper, Aikeem Jolla bailed for New Mexico and Wright’s biggest threats right now are true freshmen – Sam Sheilds and converted CB Ryan Hill.

As for Greg Olsen being the next Shockey or Winslow, not quite. Olsen may have potential, but he’s underachieving and has more big time drops than catches these past two seasons.

Stick Wright behind center between 2000-2002 and you’re looking at a completely different quarterback. Same argument if he’s suiting up at Texas or USC today. Wright’s skill set has not been developed at Miami. True, he is making some fundamental errors (i.e. holding onto the ball too long, etc.) but there are times where he looks like he really ‘gets it’ out there. He just doesn’t have the talent surrounding him nor are his coaches helping him elevate his game to the next level.

Hopefully things come together as the year progresses, but anyone who truly believes Freeman would step in tomorrow and run that offensive better than Wright – they need to have their head examined.

Kyle Wright is Miami’s best option under center right now. Deal with it.

.:Canes305:.

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