Sir Lance-a-lot-to-prove after '05... & doing so

Miami Football got after it again this past Saturday (April 8th.) Injuries were still prevalent, but at The U that only means the next guy in line has to step up and make plays.

Thankfully this time around 'that guy' was Lance Leggett.

Leggett was all world as a frosh in 2004 but then fell off the map last season - progressively getting worse every pass which was thrown his way. Not only was last year's Peach Bowl a blow to the Canes collective ego, it was also Leggett's worst performance at The U.

We all know that the true measure of a man is how he handles adversity. Anyone can look the part when they are at the top of their game - but how do the handle the criticism when the wheels look to be falling off?

If you're #9 you flat out rededicate yourself to getting better. Since the Peach Bowl debacle, Leggett has lived in the weight room, the practice field as well as the track.

In March he won the 110-meter high hurdles and qualified for NCAA Regionals. He was named ACC Performer of the Week as his time of 13.89 broke the meet record and was the fastest time record in the ACC this season.

Weight room regimen and work with strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey have helped Leggett pack on 16 pounds of man-weight this off season and he's received praise from Coach Coker - as well as QB Kyle Wright - for the amount of time he's putting in catching balls and getting better hands.

The hard work is proving to pay off dividends. With Ryan Moore and Darnell Jenkins sidelined for the scrimmage - it was on Wright and Leggett to work their magic against the first team defense. Both delivered.

Leggett scored three touchdowns in the scrimmage - two on the deep ball, which is something drastically missing from Miami's offense in 2005. The other score was on an inside slant - a play which the Canes haven't run often since Frank Costa was throwing it to Jammi German back in 1994. Credit new offensive coordinator Rich Olson for bringing some of the imagination back regarding the aerial assault - especially with the short game.

Wright stated that Leggett has been 'flying by guys' this spring, just leaving defensive backs in the dust. He's also been more physical getting off the line.

At day's end, it's only spring practice - and one scrimmage at that. Still, to see Leggett responding the way he has - that is big time. Recent off seasons have been filled with sound bites and some hot air about players being 'hungry' and ready to get after it in fall. In this case, Leggett has flown under the radar and just done his own thing. He's choosing to speak with his actions - which is what it'll take to eventually dominate the position and eventually lead. He is winning back the respect of his teammates (some of which questioned his work ethic after the Peach Bowl) one catch at a time.

Hopefully Moore will follow Leggett's lead when he returns to the field. Between those two and Jenkins - this trio can definitely make the media eat its words regarding premature talk about the demise of wide receivers at The U.