"No Excuses" is played out…

Talking the talk versus walking the walk. It’s a big reason I’ve never been a fan of faux motivation and rah-rah chatter. Save that stuff for ‘Rocky’ movies and after school specials.

It was reported this week that senior receiver Leonard Hankerson has suggested the theme “No Excuses” regarding the 2010 Miami Hurricanes. If that phrase sounds familiar, it should as UM used it back in 2008 when then-linebacker Glenn Cook made up and passed out bracelets with the saying on them. (Which inspired the since shelved allCanes original design pictured above.)

For those keeping score, the Canes posted a 7-6 season in 2008 … with a slew of excuses. Too young. Not enough depth. Cold weather. Rain. New quarterback. New defensive coordinator. Bad offensive coordinator.

The biggest issue two years back wasn’t the motivational tactic as much as the fact it was premature. Year two of the Randy Shannon era, this team hadn’t earned the right to do something like that. Miami had valid reasons it wasn’t ready to compete for a title – nationally or conference-wise. The pieces weren’t put together yet and the program was still on the mend.

I respect the attitude of the 2010 Canes and when senior kicker Matt Bosher talk about the team unity and leadership, I applaud it. I just prefer this squad flies a little more under the radar and that actions speak louder than words.

If there are “no excuses” this coming season, that let that be an internal thing. Scratch the passe bracelet idea. Don’t give the media – or cynical fans – any reason to knock you off your perch.

Last season many predicted Miami to possibly go 0-4 out the gate, when taking on Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma the opening month of the season,

The Canes won the shootout in Tallahassee and beat up the Yellow Jackets en route to a 2-0 start. While the Miami program stayed quiet, the hype machine started with the media. Jacory Harris was an instant Heisman candidate and some were penciling the Canes into the national title game.

Miami rolled up to Blacksburg and was shellacked 31-7 by Virginia Tech. A day later, the same media talked about how this team was over-hyped, wasn’t all that and still had to prove itself.

UM as a program never played into the hype, but things still take on a life of their own when ESPN needs to sell ad space and message board folk need something to talk about.

Point being; don’t draw any extra attention to yourself or the program. Save the talking for when you’re on top – not when you’re on the way up.

“No Excuses” works when you’re getting the job done. Had Alabama implemented it after losing to Florida in 2008’s SEC title game, it’d have made for a feel good story regarding 2009’s undefeated, national championship season. Unless you win every game, there’s a blemish and that blemish will produce an excuse.

I respect the fact that Hankerson is attempting to lead here. Entering his senior year, the wideout truly only has one solid season under his belt and has battled the dropsies and concentrations issues the majority of his years as a Cane. After working with former Dolphins wideout Mark Duper last off-season, #85 turned it around and with a solid 2010 campaign will work himself into the NFL.

Hankerson, Bosher or whoever else wants to step up, please do so. This program has been void of leadership for years and something has to give if the Canes want to get to that next level.

That being said, there’s a cheeseball Timmy Tebow way of leading and there’s an Ed Reed way to lead.

Less theatrics and more substance. Motivate your teammates – not the fans or critics. Set attainable goals. Hold everybody accountable.

A rubber bracelet is meaningless when facing 3rd and goal from the Clemson five-yard line in overtime and can’t complete a pass. Same to be said for 3rd and 11, allowing freshman quarterback Kyle Parker to find Jacoby Ford for a 26-yard touchdown on a game-winning play that Clemson had never used outside of practice.

Of course ‘rah-rah’ also had nothing to do with Miami’s focus late in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma when Harris found tight end Dedrick Epps for an eight-yard strike on 3rd and 6 from the OU 36, sealing the win.

Motivational tactics are great until the ball is kicked off. In a game-changing, season-defining, do or die moment it’s about stepping up and having the stones to do what you’ve been taught to do. Bracelets might make some fans feel good, but they don’t win ball games.

These 2010 Canes need to continue bonding and working as a collective unit. As a long-time guitarist, there’s something to be said for musician’s timing and knowing the instincts of the other’s you’re playing music with.

Knowing when your drummer or bass player is going to pull back so you can throw in a fill – it’s the same as a quarterback knowing where his receiver will be and putting the ball there or a corner knowing he can take a chance on an interception because his safety is where he’s supposed to be, ready to make the play if the ball isn’t picked.

I applaud the mindset of this 2010 Miami squad. I just prefer more killer and less filler.

Get it done on the field, motivate yourselves and let the marketing department handle all the fluff.

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