Time To Stand With The U

Lost in the recent barrage of trouble-related news, the Hurricanes actually worked in a scrimmage over the weekend.

Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris were a combined 39-of-57 for 547 yards, with six touchdowns and no turnovers. Wide receiver Tommy Streeter had seven receptions for 148 yards, two touchdowns and looks ready to finally live up to his early hype.

The white team beat the orange, 34-31, but the focus around UM still revolves around last week’s bomb instead of a quarterback competition, depth chart shuffling and the fact that actual football is less than two weeks away.

UM president Donna Shalala released a video statement on Monday, acknowledging that fifteen athletes have questions regarding eligibility (a dozen football players). She let the ‘U Family’ know that NCAA investigators arrived on campus August 15th, interviewing current student-athletes, coaches and staff members. Miami has also hired outside counsel that is “familiar with NCAA investigations”.

Seems ‘The U’ is gearing up for a fight, which seems inevitable right now. On the student body front, a call for solidarity. CanesFest will take place this weekend at the BankUnited Center and this Wednesday, a call for all fans to wear orange in effort to unite.

Regardless of what reigns down, you truly hope this unity-themed approach sticks. Especially in what would become a very difficult season with up to a dozen impact players suspended.

Wednesday marks the nineteen-year anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, which hit days before the 1992 season kicked off. A city in utter turmoil, the defending national champions were something Miamians were able to rally around at a time when there was little joy to be found.

A NCAA investigation and looming suspensions can’t compare to one of the worst natural disasters this planet has seen, but Andrew should serve as a reminder that fan can pull together when need be, if they so choose.

Many in Hurricane Nation have spent this past week emailing Charles Robinson at Yahoo! and other journalists who have taken shots at UM. Others of you have fired over note after note regarding shirt ideas, theories or simply to vent. None of the above are a solution to this problem.

You want to know what you can do? You want to truly unite? You ready to finally bleed for ‘The U’? Have the back of head coach Al Golden this season and support these Hurricanes no matter what comes down. Period. Get your asses in seats on Saturday afternoons this fall, yell your faces off and truly give a damn.

Don’t base your loyalty solely on improvement upon last year’s 7-6 campaign. Commit right now to have this program’s back through thick and thin. Especially at a time like this when it needs you most.

Golden didn’t sign up for this – but he sure as hell isn’t going to run from it, either. Men of character step up and do what they signed on to do, despite a change in circumstance while men void of character rob friends and colleagues of almost a billion dollars, have malice in their heart, spew lies and plot revenge from a prison cell.

When you look at what both Golden and defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio came from at Temple, you could suspend two dozen Hurricanes and this coaching staff still has more to work with than the Owls did last season. Despite the drama, this is still a huge opportunity. Turning around the Miami program is still doable and while there are a few more roadblocks, it’s still a tangible goal.

It’s about overachieving and exceeding expectations for Coach Golden and the last thing he’s going to do is make excuses. Come Labor Day night, Miami will face Maryland with – or without – upwards of a dozen players. At that point it will be about who’s there, not who’s on the bench.

This program, coaching staff and team has been through the ringer this past week and news flash, that isn’t going to change anytime soon. Embarrassment turned to anger, both of which are understood, but what’s absolutely unacceptable is any hint of fear.

Is this not a fan base that prides itself on inventing swagger? Has UM not always had the mantra, “anytime, anywhere, anyplace”? If so, then why are so many people rolling over? Why is the sky falling based on some online allegations of a vengeful criminal?

We’re done. Stick a fork in us. There goes the season. We’ll never come back from this.

Shame on any of you sporting that loser mentality.

Whatever comes down, Miami not only needs to get through this – but needs the support of a take-no-shit fan base. Turn this into a rallying cry. Hold your heads up this season. Everyone spouts that “us against the world” stuff – so live it. Embrace those hateful looks you get from opposing fans the same way this team will when it hits the road this fall.

Conversely, put an arm around your Hurricane brothers and sisters when you see them – a reminder that we’re all living through this together and have each other to lean on. When one starts playing the ‘doom and gloom’ card, kick them in the ass and remind them what being a true Cane is all about.

As yourself W.W.J.D. – as in the legendary No. 98.

What would Jerome Brown do in the wake of these allegations? How would leaders like Alonzo HighsmithMichael Irvin and Melvin Bratton react? Think of the true adversity those 80s-era Canes faced and compare that to this Shapiro-fueled scandal.

Simply put, Miami has cleared bigger hurdles than this. Man up, people. Get your balls back and keep things in perspective. – C.B.

Comments

comments

19 thoughts on “Time To Stand With The U

  1. Great Piece! Why get descouraged before we play the game? I have watched every video and read every article of this new coaching staff and I am convinced that these players will be ready… all of them! What the hell is the nation gonna do when we win games w/o our 12 starters? What new scheme will the next U hater come up with to try and stall the rise back to the top? I am not worried… we may stumble, but we will never fall… U Nation RISE UP!!!! Its All About the []_[] !!!

  2. Good article man, just gotta hope all the players come out with the same attitude and show SI and ESPN and the NCAA that we aren’t goin anywhere and to watch out because Hurricane Season starts Sept. 5th!!! Go Canes! Deserve Victory!

  3. I agree completely! My primary goal is for coach Golden to stick with us, and to that end I am in full support of our team this season. I don’t give a crap about what some slimeball behind bars says, and the ‘reporter’ that published his story probably will ultimately have to admit much of it to be fantasy. I went to UM form 1985-1990, and in those days we were doubted quite often. We always answered that doubt with a solid game (even in the very rare instances when we lost). Brian Bosworth is the most vivid memory of an opponent talking trash to us leading up to the game. If anyone remembers the game it was one of the all time best performances by Miami. We had Bosworth style dummy that we hung from the upper deck of the Orange Bowl, and Miami basically ran that loud mouth over all game long. I look forward to coach Golden making the doubters look foolish this year, and for many years to come. Stay with us coach, we want you to lead us to victory!

  4. honestly i think we should stick it to the hacks at espn and yahoo and just stop talking about this crap. time to start talking football.

    1. ps i love being right. tommy streeter is gonna be a beast this year. streeter johnson byrd no one can line up against that size for size. let tb3(hoping he cured his drops) and thompkins and dorsett run the slot and let smash and dash run wild. suck it espn the canes will be back on top again. so sorry your dream wont ever come true THE U is never going anywhere no matter how bad you want them to leave.

  5. Due, your piece gave me goose bumps. I felt like running through a wall after reading it.

    I will be there every Saturday afternoon and I will be there this Saturday to support our guys and Al Golden. They need us more than ever at this time!!

    GO CANES!!

    []_[] []\/[]

  6. Nice comment from CANEALUM07…clever…also great article…..alot of people hated PSU in the northeast, when I was there,so I can really relate…..I watched Coach Golden and Coach Dinofrio play…both class acts! Hold your heads up high Canes…A great school academically…..5 National Championships in 19 years?….3 plays away from 3 more….Teteseverde convincing Jimmy to throw one more, Cleveland Gary being ripped off in South Bend in 1988, and a tipped ball that was not called against OSU…..Alot to be proud of in addition to 4 baseball championships and a diverse student body….Remember…It ‘s great…to be…..a…..MIAMI HURRICANE!!!!!!!!

  7. I hope the Hurricanes fans step up for me. I live in Ohio and continue to get harassed on a daily basis. I cannot attend games in Miami, but I will be there is spirit. I have been a Canes fan since 1985, through thick and thin, The U will get thru this. I wore one of my Miami shirts the other day, and my co-workers just shook their heads. I said “I am all in” just asked where their Buckeye’s gear was?

  8. This had to be one of the best articles that was written! Period! I just got another UM tat this afternoon. I still wear my UM shirts and hats. I still wear my UM jacket. I still bump the song “orange on one side… Green on da other side” in my car at full blast! UM Pride and I’m damn proud!

  9. This is a funny piece but,TRUE.I”ve blogging on other sites for these scared ass SUPPOSEDLY CANE FANS TO GROW SOME NUTTS!!TIRED OF HEARING THE PISSING AND MOANING,THE SHOW MUST GO ON -AND IT WILL!SO CANERS -GET WITH IT AND LETS GET READY TO WATCH A BEAT DOWN SEPT.5TH.
    CANE 4 LIFE !!
    NOT JUST A STYLE BUT A LIFE STYLE!!!!

  10. Great article CB…been saying the whole time, ever since this started, We Will Get Through This! I have Faith. Everything is going to be fine.

  11. Great article CB…been saying the whole time, ever since this started, We Will Get Through This! I have Faith. Everything is going to be fine.

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