The Perception

“The dog is no longer there with many Hurricanes. They lack that hunger to be great. Yesterday I heard a USF player say something to a Cane in a joking manner. He told him “Just like a Cane. Last one to show up, and first one to leave.” That cut me deep, but its the truth. That’s the mentality at that program these days with about 70% of the talent there. Until that mentality is gone, and the hunger returns, I can’t see UM getting back to the top.” – Omar Kelly, Dolphins reporter and blogger for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Reality

Even the most glass half full, kool aid drinking, orange & green glasses wearing Canes fans will admit that some of Miami’s players didn’t work as hard as they could / should have and there was a sense of entitlement.  To say 70% of the players share that mentality is nothing more than shock “journalism” from a guy trying to leave a digital footprint that leads back to his online articles and twitter account.

The fact of the matter is the current Miami players want to be the group that returns the program to a championship level.  They are sick and tired of hearing about how it used to be and how much of a disappointment the last 6-7 years have been.   They are ready to erase the memory of the end of the Larry Coker era.  They are ready to erase the memory of the Randy Shannon era.

Whether or not Al Golden is the guy to lead the program back remains to be seen but right now the players are buying what he’s selling.  Whether or not the current group of Canes is talented enough to win remains to be seen but right now they are  working harder than they have in a long time.