Moore: A Career Perspective & Swan Song

Ryan Moore is back, at the perfect or most inopportunte time depending on who you ask.

Word is that Moore will be charged with two misdemeanors next week regarding his late August on campus altercation with a female patron at the Rathskeller. Knowing the status of the case, Larry Coker has officially/unofficially reinstated Moore this week, stating that an eight game suspension is long enough for everything that’s transpired since the pre-Peach Bowl incident. #85 has been practicing with his teammates and many feel he’ll see the field this weekend at Georgia Tech.

While I disagree with Moore’s actions, I am a firm believer in the judicial system. If the charges are being downgraded to two misdemeanors, there is no reason Moore should miss another game. Conversely, had he been charged with something more serious, I’d have no issue with Moore being booted off the team.

Whatever your take on the situation, Moore is back when Miami needs him most. Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Virginia and Boston College are in the queue. A much more daunting task that Houston, North Carolina, FIU and Duke – in theory, a cakewalk four-game stretch in which the Canes went 4-0.

Miami was missing some key components in last week’s survival game at Duke. Between injuries and suspesions, the Canes were down 15 players. 16 if you count Moore, who’s been out since the Virginia season finale in 2005.

All players will be back for Georgia Tech and all are needed if Miami is going to pull the upset.

I don’t know how much of an impact Moore can have this Saturday. He’s been out of the mix for so long. Is he in playing shape? Is he good to go? If you listen to the soundbites out of Coral Gables, sure. But I stopped listening to soundbites after the 31-7 loss at Louisville. The Canes said all the right things and did all the wrong things on September 16th.

If I could quote prog-rock legends Rush, “Show Don’t Tell”. Prove it on the field, fellas.

Moore’s career at Miami has been well documented. Here are the Cliff Notes. A solid 2003 campaign as a freshman, #85 played in all 13 games and hit the ground running with a 4 reception, 67 yard and 1 touchdown performance in the opener against Louisiana Tech. Hurricane Nation felt it had found Andre Johnson’s replacement and expected big things from the 6’3″ receiver out of Orlando.

Moore’s numbers fell off drastically in 2004. Due to a foot injury, he started only two games and saw action in six. 2005 didn’t prove to be much better, though Moore had a career-high four touchdowns on the season and raised his average to 16.6 yards per catch.

2006 has been a waste for a kid who returned to Miami as a senior, hoping to help his NFL Draft status next spring. Moore was initially suspended three games – the Peach Bowl through the FAMU game. While suspended, the altercation at the Rathskeller occured and five more games wound up being tacked. The punishment ended once the legal system did its job.

With five games left in the regular season, Moore’s time to shine is now. The clock is ticking. Enough is enough. The underachieving. Rumors of a piss-poor attitude. A lack of concentration. Off-the-field issues. Ryan Moore came to Miami a big time recruit entering the 2002 season. Outside of 2003, Moore has been a big time bust.

That said, he can turn it around on a dime if he makes the most of his final 5 to 7 games as a Hurricane. The natural talent and the experience are both there. Opposing defenders aren’t Moore’s biggest challenge, winning the battle between his ears is. Moore is his own worst enemy.

Ryan Moore, you OWE the University of Miami something. Injury, a questionable work ethic and suspensions have marred a once promising career. There were also pre-season stories about you refusing help from former Miami greats like Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas – a definite no-no at a program which prides itself on the legacy created by the program’s legends.

The beauty in all that? Down at The U, you’re judged in the now – not the past. Just ask your head coach. Few remember the good Coker years (2001-2003) and he’s now feeling the wrath that back-to-back 9-3 seasons and 1-2 starts bring in Coral Gables.

As easily as fans have forgotten the good Coker has done, they can also forget the first three years of the Ryan Moore Era if the final five games are a difference maker for this 5-2 team which controls its destiny.

It’s time for Ryan Moore to man up. Forget the past. Ignore the criticism. Just get out there and do what brought you to Miami in the first place.

Catch the damn football and find the end zone.

.:Canes305:.

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