The New York Times even had their say, as sports writer Judy Battista attempted to craft a clever little tale. She spoke of the length of the streak, mustered up an anecdote about streak-starter Warren Sapp playing his entire career and even participating on “Dancing With The Stars” before the streak would end.
Like most, she got her shots in about Miami’s recent demise and the fact that some smaller schools are producing some random first round talent these. As if it’s so unheard of that a Delaware (Joe Flacco) or Tennessee State (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) can trap lightning in a bottle once in a blue moon.
Credit to Judy for getting some quotes from Howard Schnellenberger, the legend who officially put Miami on the map, as well as Tom Luginbill, the recruiting expert who pinpoints the program’s decline (recruiting-wise) in 2003. Schnellenberger got his digs in about Miami’s previous coaching regime not focusing enough on local talent, chasing too name national big names. She even got a quote from Larry Coker, a man still in denial and defending his tenure:
“The overall talent in South Florida wasn’t as good as it has been as far as really great talent. The key for Miami is always the talent level in South Florida. When I left, I think there was good talent. Were there six first-round draft choices? Obviously not, but the talent was good.”
Keep telling yourself that, Larry. Banished to Nowheresville, Texas after two years in the TV booth.
Of course there were the cliche statements that national, non-Miami writers will make. Battista took her cheap shot at the Orange Bowl (“But just as the decrepit Orange Bowl stadium crumbled a few years ago, so did Miami’s supremacy”) and dig that UM was losing recruits to smaller in state schools (“es have proliferated, more teams play on national TV. That has helped put lower-profile teams on the recruiting map. On national signing day in February, Miami Pace defensive back Kayvon Webster, who had committed to Miami, signed with South Florida”).
It what should’ve been a pro-Miami article, applauding what has been accomplished over the past fourteen seasons — 33 first round draft picks — Battista instead finds a way to stroke Florida and Urban Meyer, praising the UF coach for “hurting Miami the most” by “making inroads into what had been Miami recruiting territory”. She goes as far to say “everyone agrees” with this sentiment.
Battista then enters “idiot” territory when she wrongly explains the Bryce Brown situation. Forget that his signing with Tennessee has absolutely zero to do with today’s NFL Draft or Miami’s streak – she’s quick to point out that he signed with the Vols, “even though his older brother plays for Miami”. I’m sure that had nothing to do with Randy Shannon pulling Brown’s scholarship offer and taking the Canes out of the recruiting battle for the top flight back. Nice fact checking, Judy.
Enough about yet another ignorant writer who followed the standard “How an outsider covers Miami” type fluff piece. Today is about celebrating the streak, acknowledging why it’s coming to an end, learning from mistakes and starting a new.
Bruce Johnson will be the lone Cane drafted this year… if he’s drafted at all. The last time Miami had a mere one draft pick was defensive back Gene Coleman in 1980. The last time no Canes were drafted? 1974. The 2009 Draft will either match 1980 or 1974 today. That’s how far this thing has fallen.
I spent the better part of this decade longing for NFL Draft weekend; a spring time football escape. A reason to talk Canes and a day when ESPN would stroke all things UM for several hours on end. It was basically a free, subliminal infomercial for next year’s recruits. “Come to Miami, become an NFL superstar someday”.
A lot of folk in the anti-Shannon camp get miffed when the rest of us beat the anti-Coker drum. “How long are you going to blame Larry?”, they ask. Personally, I’ll blame him until his final recruit is off campus and no longer part of this team.
How can you NOT blame Coker when you watch today’s draft? Today a fourteen-year old streak ends. One that even endured the late 90s probation era. Butch Davis still brought in top flight talent when UM was stripped of scholarships and on probation. Coker was recruiting when the program was reaching BCS games and riding a 34-game win streak and he still found a way to screw things up. No recruiting coordinator in place, no in roads with local high school programs and his thumb nowhere near the pulse regarding UM’s culture and the way things are done.
This isn’t about Urban and the Gators, Bryce and Kayvon’s last minute snub or the effects of a move to the ACC. This is about an old man and first time head coach who had no business taking over one of the strongest brands in college football.
Coker ran this thing into the ground, which is why 2+ years after his departure Miami is still going 5-7 or 7-6 and it’s the sole reason the Canes are matching numbers achieved in ’80 or ’74 on draft day, instead of enjoying the success the program has grown accustomed to.
Rebuild it, Randy. Get this thing back on track and let’s start a new streak in 2011. (Yes, ’11, not ’10. Keep the seniors home next year as part of the rebuilding process.)
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Wow. That NY Times article was pure garbage. That broad is absolutely clueless. I bet she's never even been to a Canes game and known nothing about the program, other than that we were supposedly "thugs" in the eighties.
Seriously, what did Bryce Brown or Kayvon Webster have to do with anything? Amazing how these writers literally invent new ways to get a dig in. Way to pick on the demolished Orange Bowl, too. Stupid moron.
I'm on board with All Canes here. Coker was a cancer and anyone who doesn't blame him for what we're watching today, you're an utter fool. He is the lone reason the U of M is in the position it is in today.
Great analyis of our current troubles and their roots in the Coker era.
I'm looking for a turnaround year this season, followed by some serious broken-field running in 2010.
- CAT5 Cane
Another great blog. It's amazing how many "Cane Haters" there are out there.
People never realized how much talent we actually put out there. No repect they just hate on us.
Larry "The Clapper" Coker is def. the reason we are in this state. I don't care what the Randy Haters say either. We will rebuild and be back with first rounders soon!
Go Canes and thanks for the great blogs!
Miami streak of first round players ends with a an embarrassing 0fer, meanwhile Rutgers gets its first first round draft pick ever.
That's called a sea-change, the end of an era, a new world order.
Hi Miami, you're yesterday's news.
Ahh yes, another Rutgers roach trolling on a Canes blog. Little dick syndrome, and all.
You got your inaugural first rounder. Cute.
It's not a "sea-change" or "end of an era" you fool. It's called an aberration.
Miami had 33 first rounders over the streak, 26 of which are from this decade alone.
62 total Canes drafted since '00 and 84 drafted during the streak itself.
The only 'new world order' is Randy Shannon replacing the inept Larry Coker. You can pin this decline on one man -- an in over his head, first time head coach who had no clue how to recruit south Florida.
Yesterday's news? Please. The only yesterday's news is RU --- who had five good minutes in 2006 and has since fall back to a middle of the pack Big East team.
UConn had a first rounder go before Britt. By your genius rationale, I guess there's a 'sea-change' in the Big East, as well. Huskies are the the new team to beat.
I am amazed that all these loser Rutgers fans troll around here the way they do. Why? Miami pounded you like a drum the entire time we were in the Big East.
You had ONE good season two years ago and you're an average program. Great, you have a DC for head coach who spent five minutes at Miami. That doesn't make you a new version of "us".
Y'all are a freakin joke.
hahaha Rutgers... thats just funny. U had a first rounder for the first time so you think the times are changin? ur must be dumb. Ray Rice backs up Willis McGahee. We will be contending for a NC in a few years and ull be stormin the field as U upset Louisville.. So glad im not a Rutgers fan. It must be real hard on U. Baby dick.
This Rutgers chatter is laughable.
305, you hit the nail on the head... these RU fans have such Cane envy and little wee-wee syndrome. The only thing worse than Miami's (temporary) slide is that RU had their one year run when we were down. Now they think they're hot s##t and can play the "IF" we played you, we'd beat you game... all because they're still scarred from the ass beatings The U gave them over the years.
I hate Rutgers. Can't wait until we're back just so it can shut their ignorant, white trash Jersey asses up.
Mike T.
Wow..... what's it say for Rutgers when Miami's back up linebacker Spencer Adkins is drafted before your starting quarterback Mike Teel?
The streak is over and it sucks, but you know, that won't be touched by another programs. All programs have an ebb and flow, and we are just coming out of ours. USC was bad in the 90's, OSU was bad in the 90's, Notre Shame has been bad for 20 years...Miami is turning it around. I am not happy the streak ended, but what are you going to do? We still put players in the league every year. We still have PRO BOWL PLAYERS YEARLY repping us. If players want to make it in the pros and get a degree, you come to Miami. If you want to win by gimmicks where success doesn't necessarily translate to the next level, then head North. We produce Pro talent. Period. As far the people who pile on, yet no nothing about us, F them. Talk while you can, because it's coming to an end soon. We're back for good and will run you the F over.
-Columbus Cane