Unbelievable: After Quarrelling With the Head Coach, The Miami Hurricanes football Key Player Departed From the Team.
And you good people are fully aware of what that implies. It’s time to get out my old reliable reel, get into the Boston Whaler, and start looking beyond my conscious mind for Miami Hurricanes-related ideas.
1) What a fantastic weekend Devin Hester and Andre Johnson had as Pro Canes. Last week, both were chosen to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson hasn’t had to wait long—he was first eligible in 2022. From 2008 to 2009, Johnson was a two-time first-team All-Pro and led the NFL in receiving yards in each of those seasons. At the time, he was simply the finest in the game. And all of this without having a very outstanding quarterback. Matt Schaub performed admirably, but picture Johnson with a quarterback worthy of the Super Bowl. Kindness.
Hester’s arrival delighted and pleasantly surprised me. It is about time that Hall of Fame voters began to consider players who don’t often match the Hall’s criteria for inducting players, and Hester was unquestionably a revolutionary and game-changing player in the return game. Hester was the greatest player of all time, and the Hall ought to honor all facets of the game.
2) It bothers me that Reggie Wayne’s name was left off, but three Canes could not possibly be entering the same class. For the former Colts star, I hope the wait ends next year. Given that his numbers are remarkably similar to Johnson’s, it seems likely that he will be dealt a blow sooner rather than later.
3) Yes, we have reached a stage in our football careers where middle-aged men are being inducted into the Hall of Fame because those elite teams from the early 2000s are now so far away. That truly brings me down. It also highlights how long it has been since Miami was a legitimate football force. Ah, well.
4) On the last possession of the UNC-Miami game, what the sweet and sour hell was that call? Yes, I’m going directly to that and ignoring the great majority of the game. I refuse to participate in the officiating. In this specific instance, I don’t think it was as horrible as some people think it was, even if the lane infraction was really ridiculous. With just over 20 seconds remaining, the way things worked out has me even more twisted out of shape. Miami inbounded the ball, and Pack took it up the floor with the score at 74-71. For whatever reason, he dribbled time out near the top of the key, then stepped forward a couple of feet and jacked up an absurdly long three. It was not close, as expected, and with ten seconds remaining, UNC grabbed the rebound.
How in the name of God’s green earth did Miami pass up trying anything more likely to succeed? To create an opportunity on the perimeter, use dribble penetration. Or with so much time remaining, maybe drive for a two-point shot. Alternatively, try using screens and actions to generate an open shot for someone. Nothing at all. Usually, I won’t be too hard on L because she has earned a lot of forgiveness after last season, but I will still be critical of bad coaching choices when I see them, and it was one, in all honesty.
5) The season is practically over after that defeat. To gain a huge victory for the resume, they HAD to have that game. It’s win the ACC tournament or bust for Miami unless they make it to Chapel Hill (which is extremely unlikely) and defeat Duke (which is also extremely unlikely). Well, anything. There’s still a lovely Final Four banner up in the rafters. For now (and for a good, long while after that), I’ll just relish that.
