Former Miami QB displayed some tough love today regarding current gunslinger, Kyle Wright. In a Miami Herald article, Walsh stated that while he likes Wright, the kid is not an elite quarterback… yet.
Walsh led the Canes to an undefeated season in 1987 and the program’s second National Championship. As a senior in 1988, Miami went 11-1 with the only blemish being a controversial call leading to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame, the eventual champs.
Over two years, Walsh amassed a 23-1 record at The U and has earned his right to chime in on the current situation. Regarding Wright, Walsh said the following:
(Regarding whether Wright belong on the distinguished list of all time Miami QBs?) “Not yet. He hasn’t done anything. I really like Kyle, but you have to perform between the lines. I hoped Kyle would have been further along. He needs a signature season. This certainly isn’t one.'”
ESPN’s Todd McShay shed further light on the subject by stating that, Wright has been an “underachiever, though you have to take his supporting case into account.”
Another scout/analyst stated, ‘”Everything seems like it has to be perfect for Wright to do his job at the maximum result. He thinks too much in the pocket, never gets comfortable. He’s a Day 2 draft prospect coming into his senior year.”
Harsh statements for the 2003 Gatorade National Offensive Player of the year and uber-recruit to swallow, but they’re spot on.
For the record, I am a Kyle Wright supporter. Fan who have called for Kirby Freeman this season are dead wrong. Wright has his flaws, but from what little we’ve seen of #7, he is much further along than Freeman and remains Miami’s best QB option.
Wright has done his share of talking this season. Be it before the Florida State game, the Louisville game (both losses) or in post game interviews. He’s oft made statements about wanting to go out on offense and “bury” opponents on the scoreboard. Obviously that hasn’t been the case.
Weeks back I wrote about Wright and how I felt his career would’ve been different had he wound up at Southern Cal or Texas (he chose Miami over both). Superior coaching staffs and stronger depth charts would’ve helped develop him better. That said, Wright is at Miami and if he wants to play at the next level, now is the time to turn it around. Less talk, more action.
This is year #2 as a starter and Wright is yet to get his ‘signature’ win. Even last year’s 27-7 victory at Virginia Tech – it was a team effort, relentless defense and solid game plan which earned Miami the win. It wasn’t stellar quarterback play or a game winning drive.
The only ‘comeback’ Wright truly has under his belt was the final score in a 14-13 win over Houston. Outside of that, he didn’t get the job done against Florida State two straight seasons, as well as losses to Georgia Tech, LSU and Louisville which hurt his resume.
Georgia Tech rattled Wright’s cage as a starter in 2005 and even batted him around a bit as a back up in the 27-3 back in 2004.
No better time to make a statement than against a favored team, on the road – especially when they’ve haunted you two straight seasons.
Keep the quotes to yourself this week, Kyle. Prep for Georgia Tech, kick some ass and shake this stigma of being an underachiever who can’t get the job done.
.:Canes305:.