Junior offensive lineman Brandon Washington is “bothered” that his starting job has become an open competition and that sentiment itself might be the biggest issue with the current state of Miami football.
Seantrel Henderson is back on the field post-surgery and due to what head coach Al Golden feels is a lack of production at left tackle, competition at the position has be re-opened, which Washington disagrees with.
“Of course, it bothers me,” said Washington. “Like I said I was an all-conference guard and they asked me to move out there because of the injury to Seantrel. Now, they’re telling me the three inside guys are solid and that possibly won’t change.”
Washington has started twenty consecutive games for the Hurricanes, second-most behind senior Harland Gunn, and while Washington’s play has been good, it hasn’t been flawless. Last week at North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples got the better of No. 72, finishing the day with three solo tackles, three assisted, 3.5 for loss and one sack on quarterback Jacory Harris.
A little history lesson for Mr. Washington and one that I’m sure Coach Golden would echo. The University of Miami became a dominant force in college football because of competition, not a lack thereof. Boasting about being an all-conference guard is like bragging about getting to the ACC title game.
This is ‘The U’ – where you aspire to be an All American and to win national championships. Where “team” is more important than “me” and you do what your coaches ask of you. This isn’t about putting together a personal highlight reel or wowing NFL scouts by using this season to showcase your skills at a certain position so you can improve draft status.
If this coaching staff felt Washington was best suited to punt, then the junior should be stretching out and getting that leg ready.
Competition makes you a better athlete and a better person. Something tells me Coach Golden is pushing Washington because he knows deep down this is what will make the kid tick. It probably would’ve been wise to not spout accolades off to the media, but it was reactionary and in the moment, so it should be forgiven.
Some parting advice for Brandon – build your case for a starting job on the practice field with actions, not words for the newspapers guys to blast in order to create controversy.
“Open” competition means the job is as much yours to win as it is Seantrel’s as it is anybody else out there in competition. If you really believe it’s yours then go out there and take it, amigo.