What started out as a GameDay blog…

This post was originally a game day blog, but after a 17-14 embarrassing loss, no one needs to waste their time on that rant. I can sum it all up in about 1/3 of the space.

This team sucks. End of story. I expected more, as did the coaching staff and majority of the fan base. We were wrong. There are some bright spots, but as a ‘team’ and collective unit, the Canes are a joke. Six years of Cokerism aren’t going to be erased overnight. Nor can Miami rebound immediately from some horrid recruiting.

I’ve heard the coaches imply this team doesn’t lack talent. That’s bull. It does. Miami is a joke at all too many positions. Linebackers. Defensive line (outside of Eric Moncur and Calais Campbell). Secondary (Kenny Phillips, excluded). Some of the underclassmen show promise, but the majority of the upperclassmen have Miami in “stick a fork in ’em” mode.

This was the last hurrah for a slew of Canes this year. One last chance for some upperclassmen to prove they weren’t Cokerized. We wanted to expect the best and hope for some lucky bounces to help momentum. Instead it’s been the opposite. A season full of untimely injuries and underachieving has done the Canes in.

Offensively, Miami is done as well. Graig Cooper can’t carry this team on his own. Bruce Feldman told me months ago that Shawnbrey McNeal was going to be a stud and we saw glimpses of that today. Javarris James has looked average lately. Cousin Edgerrin needs to can all the “Baby J will be better than me” nonsense. No way in hell that’s ever the case.

Kyle Wright killed the Canes today, but with missed opportunities instead of turnovers. Overthrowing receivers on sure touchdowns actually hurts more than four interceptions. Wright showed some grit at times, but he left at least 14 points on the field today by not hitting receivers in stride. Pathetic for a fifth year senior. I can’t even blame that one on four offensive coordinators the past few seasons. It’s inexcusable.

It’s time to split reps between Wright and Kirby Freeman. I’m not wavering in my belief that Wright is the better of the two, but with the ACC out of reach it’s time to let your junior get some reps. No need to solely play the senior as his career ends in five games.

And for the record, I am vehemently against burning the redshirt of Robert Marve. Hell no. Had there been no car accident and halt in his progress, he’d have competed early on. He needed to be ready to return with Miami at 1-1 after the Oklahoma loss. At 4-3 it is absolutely a waste to let this kid get a handful of reps against the likes of Florida State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College.

Miami needs Marve from 2008-2011, or at least 2010 if he’s all that and bails early. The bigmouths need to stop all this Marve talk for 2007. It’s pointless and stupid.

The ACC is out of reach. Maybe not numerically, but anyone with a clue knows Miami is screwed with this remaining schedule. At Florida State next weekend. NC State and Virginia at the Orange Bowl the next two weeks and then road games at Virginia Tech and Boston College. The Canes are looking at 6-6 with this remaining schedule. 7-5 would be a miracle right now.

Miami has been outcoached in the past, but that’s not the case this year. These Canes are simply being out-hustled, out-talented and absolutely lack the heart shown by their opponents. You can see the wear and tear on the face of Randy Shannon. He’s preaching his gospel and only a few Canes are getting it.

Andre Ware provided color for the game and when he wasn’t dropping lame “New Jack City” references, he continued to drive the point home how he believes Shannon will right this ship. From hanging out on campus this week, sitting in on meetings and being around the new Miami coach, he believes that recruiting will bounce back under the first year leader.

I agree 1000%. I have all the faith in the world in Shannon. I know the talent will return to Coral Gables and that playmakers will take over this roster in the next few seasons. It’s just not going to happen today.

2007 just became a funeral procession. Five games left on the docket and two more at the Orange Bowl. For those keeping score, Miami is 0-5 in it’s last five road games and hasn’t won a meaningful home game since Louisville in 2004. It’s time to wipe the slate clean.

Good riddance, OB. There were some amazing times there, but this is hardly a farewell tour. The 34-17 win over Texas A&M was the last home hurrah. The homefield advantage is gonzo and has been since for over two seasons. These final two games are the equivalent of life support. Head by for the last eight quarters of ball there, pay your respects to the old girl and pull the plug.

Dolphin Stadium isn’t a dream venue for the Canes, but it’s a fresh start. It’s a step forward. A modern facility which many say puts Miami from the worst stadium in the ACC to the best. Shannon and staff feel it’ll help recruiting tremendously, as the youngins of today are into Jumbotrons and a cutting-edge NFL stadium.

Bring it on. Whatever it takes to weed out the current lack of talent and bring in the stars of tomorrow. I’m all in.

Ride out the next five games. Bench the dead weight. Get the freshman some reps, start building for tomorrow and pray for an upset here or there to provide a few bright spots of what will be a very bleak second half of 2007.

.:Canes305:.

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