Gotta respect the tough love...

Branden Ore's story has been oft told during recent Virginia Tech telecasts this season.

It's the type of story that announcers love to gush about when they have some down time. Especially late in the game when Ore is amassing 200 yards on the ground, as he's done in back-to-back games.

For those who've missed the feel-good tale, here's the Cliff Notes version.

Ore's coaches felt the running back was complacent. They questioned his work ethic and felt some soul-searching was in order. Just under a year ago, Virginia Tech coaches sent Ore packing. Go home. Figure things out. If you ever get your head on straight, give us a ring. Former QB Marcus Vick had already cast a black cloud over the program with his thuggish behavior. Tech coaches weren't going to let lightning strike twice, idly standing by and watching their program go down the drain due to one player.

Out of school and away from football, Ore got a job working a 7-11 warehouse. Nothing like stocking frozen Big Bite hot dogs and sticky Slurpee syrup to help a young man decide which path he wants to go in life.

After the 2005 season, Ore needed shoulder surgery. His grades were in the toilet - as was his attitude. Self-pity was kicking in, Ore was lashing out and he had become a cancer to his team. A lot of down time stocking shelves in a warehouse opened his eyes and helped him gain some valuable perspective.

Ore re-enrolled this past July and was buried on the depth chart. Coaches had lost faith and it was on him to prove his mettle if he wanted to be a difference-maker this season.

He regained everyone's confidence and has become 'the guy' for a once-sluggish Hokies offense.

I don't care how much disdain I have for Virginia Tech, I love a story like this. Not in the rah-rah, newspaper-selling way the media does. I just love seeing someone get up after getting knocked down.

In an era where the spoiled athlete reigns supreme, it's beyond refreshing to see a young kid who 'gets it' and has that moment of clarity; figuring things out and becoming an all around better person.

It's infectious and in this case it's seeped into every aspect of Ore, making him a better person and a top-notch running back.

The direct contrast to Branden Ore is Ryan Moore and how Miami has handled this young man the past few seasons.

Something tells me that a 'hiatus' from the program between 2004 and 2005 might've been what the doctor ordered. Busting boxes in a warehouse for a few months might've reminded Moore why he came to Miami in the first place. Take football away from a would be, underachieving receiver and see how hard he works to be successful if and when he returns. A ballsy move like that either makes or breaks a man.

Either would be better than what's happened to Moore this past year.

Whatever Moore did at the end of 2005 to get suspended for three games, that was bad enough. Smacking up a co-ed while in the middle of serving that three-game suspension? Beyond unacceptable for a team leader and senior. Moore returned to The U to up his NFL Draft status in 2007.

His immature actions have now sidelined him nine games and counting. Hard to impress the NFL scouts when your on the bench and you're only newspaper clippings are in regards beating up a girl.

Months ago, rumors ran rampant regarding Moore shunning the advice of past Miami receiver greats like Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas. Something is definitely wrong upstairs when an unproven senior receiver at Miami is telling the Playmaker to talk to the hand.

Personally, I believe it's too late for Ryan Moore. He passed that point of no return months ago outside the Rathskeller. While I'm disturbed whenever I hear about a man roughing up a woman, I'm equally as disturbed when people don't see the err in their ways and make the same mistakes over and over. Moore should've been on his best behavior in the midst of a three-game suspension. His life's goal should've been to see the field again as soon as possible.

Had Moore stayed home on August 26th, he wouldn't have been outside The Rat at 2am arguing with a female patron. Days before Miami is set to take on Florida State, no member of the football program should be in an environment like that. We've oft heard the phrase, "nothing good happens after 2 am" and that night at The Rat, Moore's actions were living proof.

Had there been no altercation, Moore would've suited up against Louisville on September 16th. On a day when the Canes' offense sputtered, there's no doubt they could've used a pick-me-up at the receiver position. #85 not only embarrassed his family with his actions, but in the end he absolutely let down his team and the program. One can only imagine where Canes' season would've gone had they upset the Cards on the road two months ago.

Time away from the program might've been the answer for Moore... or maybe things would be the same. An individual has to want to change. Ore did, but Moore doesn't seem to give a damn.

Tomorrow's match up will be chock full of recruits and impressionable young men. Here's hoping that wherever they choose to sign next February, they pay attention to the sub plots surrounding these two high-profile college athletes.

When there's a fork in the road, choose the Ore way - not the Moore way.


.:Canes305:.