In the wake of the 28-point loss to Florida State weeks back, a lot of Miami football alum started jawing. Sports talk radio lines were flooded, former players were airing the Canes out on their shows and everyone had an opinion regarding what Randy Shannon “needed” to do.
A lot of focus on what these ‘critics’ said, but after last week’s inspired win over North Carolina, the focus should be on those who actually walked the walk while others simply talked.
Darrin Smith and Eric Winston were both on campus last week, doing what they could to inspire, but it seems the biggest impact came from former defensive back Antrel Rolle.
The Homestead native dropped by campus last Tuesday, looking to get real. The team had their own ‘players only’ meeting, where grievances were aired and the mantra of taking responsibility was driven home, but the Rolle conversation was something different. Old school reaching out to new school, in an effort to show them the proper way – and the current Canes were all ears.
Rolle met with the entire team and again separately with the defensive backs. He let the squad know they’d been taking a back seat while the coaches were getting heat for piss-poor play. A message as delivered; do something about it.
“He spoke his honest opinion on some issues. It was true, it was undeniable. As a team, finally hearing that from an outside influence, but also somebody still close to the family, it kind of hit close to home,” said cornerback Brandon Harris, who had an interception, a few break ups and got an excessive celebration penalty in last Saturday’s 33-10 victory.
“Usually when you hear things you’re able to wash it off. But hearing it from a guy of his caliber, who has been here, who has been a part of the program, it really stuck with us. In the back of our minds we were kind of like ‘Man, we can’t let these guys down.’ They’ve established this program to where it is and we have to keep it going. He said a lot of good things to us. A lot of guys took it and ran with it the rest of the week.”
Rolle is one of many NFLers who come ‘home’ to workout in Coral Gables every off season. He’s developed a solid relationship with current Canes, especially defensive back Ryan Hill.
“I’ve been talking to Antrel for awhile,” Hill said. “I know his mindset. He has that killer instinct, that dog, typical Miami player. For him to come back and talk to us, I felt like guys bought into it. One of the things he mentioned was that he didn’t think we were having fun… he put the dog back in us.”
By whatever means necessary, it was time for the Canes to wake up and if this is what it took, so be it. Run with it. Build off it. Let it fuel your fire.
Safety Vaughn Telemaque stated this week that it’s no secret; Miami needs to run the table. Normally I’m not a fan of all the chatter, but based on the recent play of No. 7 and his desire to step up and lead, hopefully others fall in line and take those words to heart.
Behind closed doors, Telemaque was one of three Canes who called the team meeting (B-Harris and Sean Spence were the others). On game day he’s been the guy talking smack and making plays.
Since October kicked off, Telemaque had a fumble recovery at Clemson, an interception against Florida State, two picks at Duke and a momentum killing fumble recovery again North Carolina, who was up three and about to make it 10-0 when Spence and Ramon Buchanan popped Anthony Elzy before he crossed the goal line.
The fumble wound up in Telemaque’s arms an the Canes dodged a huge bullet.
When not creating turnovers, Telemaque was last seen getting in the face of Miami’s offense in between drives. Much has been made about he and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple jawing, but what was really said has finally come to light.
Telemaque and the defense owned their mishap, giving up an early 76-yard touchdown run, but told the offense to keep holding up their end and let them know the defense would take care of business. No. 7 has finally found his groove, is channeling his inner Ed Reed and is stepping up to become the leader this team needs. Hopefully others will follow his, B-Harris and Spence’s lead.
Some sideline jawing. Big hits. Defensive turnovers. Solid ground game. Potent aerial attack. Dancing and celebrating after big plays. It was a far cry from the antics we saw in the 80s and early 90s, but it was a loose style of football the Canes have long been associated with and it could be the turning point for a squad seeking an identity.
Shannon has said for weeks that there are leaders on this squad that were on the brink of stepping up. He also let it be known that the kids had to get there and that the coaches couldn’t make them. Somewhere between that statement, the Florida State loss and some past players sharing their thought, a light switch seems to have gone off.
Miami is a two touchdown favorite on the road at Virginia this weekend, which means nada. The Cavs will come to play and the Canes need to stay within their game. Follow the blueprint from last week regarding a reliance on the ground game, high-percentage pass plays, big defensive hits and creating turnovers.
Combine on that with the real-deal ‘swagger’ shown on the field last weekend and running the table becomes a much more tangible goal with five to seven games remaining.