Before I get going, I just wanted to apologize for my allCanesBlog absence. My parents were down from Boston, and aside from the countless toys they brought my son, they also smuggled in some sort of ebola-like plague virus that wiped me out for the better part of two weeks.
Even when I was able to function, my ability to sit in front of a computer for more than ten minutes was gone. I’m almost back to normal now and ready to talk Canes.
I want start by to giving props to the five @ProCanes who were named Pro Bowl players. Vince Wilfork, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Frank Gore and Jimmy Graham more than certainly deserved the nod and I’m actually surprised Devin Hester didn’t make it as a special teamer, but I’m biased.
While Miami’s continued dominance in the League is noteworthy and something that fans like to hold up high as a sign of continued importance, despite an inability to get back to actually winning meaningful games, it’s also somewhat of a curse.
I remember discussing this same philosophy seven or eight years ago, but it’s just as true now, if not more so. As UM has made the transition to NFL U, it’s no surprise that too many Hurricanes tend to have their sights set on the NFL, rather than the resurgence of the program.
In the past, a player would have to be a sure top 15 pick before thinking seriously about coming out early. After all, the idea was to win a ‘ship at The U. But as more and more of players have become dominant in the NFL and brought their stories of fame, fortune and everything else that comes with being an NFL player, more and more then-Hurricanes became enamored with the idea of being a next-level player.
Over the past few decades decades, the NFL guys that came back to workout at The U had won titles. They were able to express how important it was to them that the current group win a title and work their butt off to do it.
Now, many of the NFL guys that come back not only didn’t win a title, but the teams they played on had marginal success and never even came close to winning the conference. There are no stories of beating a Nebraska or Oklahoma to win it all, or tales of regular season do or die moments where they persevered and stayed on the undefeated path en route to a title game berth.
They can however talk about their brand new 7-series BMW with aftermarket rims, a Brickell Key winter condo that overlooks the bay and a hook up at KOD or Liv.
Football players, or any amazing athlete, by nature are full of confidence. While fans can sit back, logically seeing that a player isn’t yet NFL-ready, the athlete may choose or ignore, or simply doesn’t see the same thing. Especially when there are dozens of people in their ear telling them how good they are. Fans’ logic simply isn’t players’ logic.
I’m sure there’s a ton of factors that go into guys like Brandon Washington and Marcus Forston making, what I believe are, ill-advised decisions to go pro. One of those factors has to be the emphasis that we as Cane Nation put on our guys in the NFL.
From “The Streak” to Pro Bowlers, to every other accolade our NFL guys have received, it’s easy to see why an already-confident Cane would be blinded by the possibilities at the next level. The only problem is, while there are five guys that made the Pro Bowl, there are a bunch of former Canes out there who didn’t even reach the NFL.
You think those guys wouldn’t kill for another year of eligibility at The U if they could get it? Heck, I wish I had another year left? (Anyone know if there’s an open bed in Eaton, roo 310?)
IN OTHER NEWS : allCanes Radio is off this week but for those who missed it, we had an unbelievable conversation with Philip Buchanon last week regarding his NFL journey and his goals in the global business world, with some great anecdotes mixed. If you didn’t listen in on No. 31, dig in the archives and pull up last week’s convo. It’s definitely worth the listen.
Speaking of great businesses, we’ve been so lucky to have the support of The Titanic Brewery and the Miami Seaquarium this year for allCanes Radio. We thank them for all they’ve done and look forward to an even better relationship in 2012.
If you’d like to help support the show, we’d love to promote your company on the air, and right here on allCanes.com. For more information on sponsorship packages and our VERY attractive rates, email me.
Once the new year kicks off, look for plenty of hoops knowledge in this space, both on the men’s and women’s teams.
Hope you’ve had a great holiday season, and we all hope it’s a great 2012 for our Canes.