Adios, Adrian...
Adrian Peterson announced today that he's bailing Oklahoma a year early to enter the NFL Draft. As a Canes fan, it's great to see other programs feeling the effects of juniors declaring early.The U was ransacked after the 2003 season, losing Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow II and Vince Wilfork a year early, along with seniors Jon Vilma, D.J. Williams and Vernon Carey. The 2004 Draft had those six Canes (three juniors, three seniors) all going in the first round. A new record.
With big money on the table, no one can blame Peterson for going pro. Look at injuries sustained by big name college players this decade. Draft stock can plummet and millions of dollars can be left on the table if a player is injured. From a business standpoint, you can't compare that kind of money to the camaraderie felt between teammates. Hell no.
We mention the Peterson announcement here on a Canes site because of Saturday September 8th, 2007. Miami is headed to take on Oklahoma and coming off of 7-6 with a new coach at the helm, I am all for #28 kicking rocks and heading to the next level.
I've debated this point with some other fans lately, as they were rolling out the old, tired mantra of , "anyone, anytime, anyplace." Not right now, people. I'll still give you "anyone" and "anyplace" but not "anytime" in our current state.
I'll still put Miami up against "anyone" but and I have no issue with the Canes taking their show on the road "anyplace" but regarding timing, we need that to work in our favor right now.
When Miami takes on Oklahoma, it'll be the start of a whole new regime. The home opener is September 1st against Marshall. A week later, the Canes first road trip to Norman since 1985. Miami will barely be a top 25 team when the polls are released later this year, and Oklahoma will be somewhere just outside the top ten, most likely. Especially with Peterson gone.
Beating the Sooners with the best back in the nation would be a tremendous feather in the Canes' cap, but it's a big time challenge for a team that needs to develop a winner's mentality out the gate. Miami lost 2 of 3 to open 2006 and the wheels completely fell off down the road after climbing to 5-2. Once the Canes began playing decent foes again, a four-game losing streak ensued.
What's more important right now, style points or getting the win? Beating Oklahoma in their house will be huge for Randy Shannon's young team. The Peterson factor, combined with the fact the Canes are rumored to be closing the deal with Sooners co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin - that'd give Miami an early 2-0 advantage entering their road opener.
Taking away their biggest offensive threat and poaching one of their offensive playcallers, helps negate OU's homefield advantage. Still, nothing has been inked with Sumlin, so file this under "we'll see".
A win for Miami in Norman could put the Canes at 2-0 and would start all that, "are the Canes on their way back under Shannon?" type talk. Conversely, a loss has the critics in full force questioning if The U made the right move.
At day's end, Miami needs that win. Down the road no one will remember or care if Peterson was there or not. They'll just remember who won the head-to-head match up between two powerhouse programs and recent National Champions.
When we're on top again, I'll re-adopt the old, "anyone, anytime, anyplace" mindset, but for right now I'm thrilled Peterson is gone, giving Miami's defense an edge on September 8th.
.:Canes305:.
posted by allCanes.com at
11:42 AM
6 Comments:
What exactly is the sche. for next year?
Next year's schedule is listed below. The OOC games have dates, but the ACC dates aren't released until the last week of January. (ACC games aren't listed in any particular order below.)
Either way, tough road ahead with trips to Oklahoma, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Boston College. Interesting road match up AT North Carolina, where we last lost in 2004 and this year the pot was sweetened as it pitts Butch Davis against Randy Shannon.
9-1 Marshall
9-8 @ Oklahoma
9-15 Texas A&M
10-6 Florida International
TBA North Carolina State
TBA @ Florida State
TBA @ Boston College
TBA Virginia
TBA Georgia Tech
TBA Duke
TBA @ North Carolina
TBA @ Virginia Tech
Hey Canes305, what a great introduction to this game that will be the biggest thing facing Miami next fall. I love college football, every year teams are presented with an opportunity to show the nation what they got. Our Schedule lists a number of big games, but I believe, OU is our opportunity to show the nation that we are ready to play with the big boys again! Nonetheless, I think Boise State's win over them should be the driving force behind Miami's mental training. Boise State physically, could not match up with OU, but their mental preparation, which was seen all over that field on January 1. IF we develop that winners mentality as you say, no one can stop us!
Go Canes
I'm a true Hurricane and I can't tell you how much it pains me to the pit of my stomach that the Gators have one the national championship. The media built all the hype up of the Gators game, the support, the special stories, blah-blah-blah! Then, when they won, "OH-BOY" the state acted like this was the first team in the state to have won the championship. As a "HURRICANE" I feel disrespected by the state of Florida. ESPN is talking dynasty for the Gators, the "HURRICANES" have already fulfilled that! The media is talking about National championships for Florida in Football and Basketball. Well, I believe back in 2001 didn't we do that in Baseball and Football? On the TV show "Tailgate Overtime" on the Sunshine Network (which I believe is sponsored by Gator alumni funds) stated that Florida State is closer to being sucessful than Miami?????? OK, I don't know if all of you true "HURRICANES" are tierd of all of this bull---- talking. But it's time to bring the swagger back, it's time to once again be one of the most feared, most despised, but yet most dominate schools again. Randy Shannon I hope you focus on taking that 7 and 6 record and cramming it down the throats of each and every opponent you play in 2007. I hope every team that plays Miami is confident because that will make each win, that much sweeter. I don't care if it's Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Florida State, or the old men that play flag football at the old high school on the weekend. The nation better recognize, we're putting everyone on notice "THE U" is back. In 2007, we will when the ACC and destroy some poor team in a BCS bowl (and my mouth waters for LSU) In 2008, I will really enjoy whipping up on Florida and soon to be 380lbs quarterback Tim Tebow on the way to our next National title. Who's the real football team in the state, who's the real dynasty, who has the most championships? It's "THE U".....
Signed Big A from the 321 to the 305! (A true Gator Seminole Hater)
As a "HURRICANE" I feel disrespected by the state of Florida.
Dude, get used to that. When HASN'T that been the case? When we win, we're cheating thugs. When we lose, we're thugs. Our five titles are "yesterday's news" but when a Florida or Florida State win, the media stops, listens and kisses ass.
ESPN is talking dynasty for the Gators, the "HURRICANES" have already fulfilled that!
We were a dynasty in the 80s and had a nice run this decade, but didn't close the deal in 2002, were snubbed of a shot to play in 2000 and while we had the defense in 2003, our offense let us down twice that year and kept us out of the title game, much like USC in 2006.
The media is talking about National championships for Florida in Football and Basketball. Well, I believe back in 2001 didn't we do that in Baseball and Football?
Sadly, no one really considers college baseball that important except programs who are successful. While Florida would LOVE a baseball title, the two big time college sports are football and men's basketball. As much as I hate the Gators, the fact they won both and their hoops team is #1 again this year... that's more impressive than a football and baseball title.
I will say that in 2001, we were much more dominant, tho. We waxed Stanford, 12-1 for a title and pasted Nebraska, 37-14 in an undefeated 12-0 season. We didn't back into a title game.
It appears we are getting Patrick Nix from Georgia Tech for an OC.
What do you think????????????
Signed Big A from the 321 to the 305!
PS: I'm still a Gator/Seminole hater...........
Post a Comment
<< Home