Leadership, Who Needs It
This leadership thing. Is it something you are born with, like Norman Schwartzkopf? Do you learn it in an academy like Roger Staubach? Is it thrust upon you like Charlie Brown?
Ken Dorsey had a bunch of it. Brock Berlin could somehow borrow some when the chips were down. Kyle Wright has heard about it, read about it even, but he can’t seem to find where they shell it out.
Once you get some how do you pay for it? Who puts the price on leadership anyway? Having ability is one thing, getting ability out of others is just so much work. When does a guy with leadership screw off, play some Xbox, kick back?
Sure being the sole owner of leadership gets you lots of props and most of the skinny girls. What about when things go South? Who catches all the hell? Yeah, it’s that damn guy that failed to use any leadership, what’s he doing, saving it up?
What happens when leadership suddenly abandons someone? Do they get to hang around the water cooler and just be one of the follower guys? Heck no! If you had leadership and left it somewhere or misplaced it, man you’re a leper, get out! Having had the coveted leadership and forgetting where you left it is ten times worse than never having any at all.
And if somehow you stumble onto some leadership, what next? I’ll tell you what next, what next is leadership’s step brother accountability. Accountability boils down to everything bad is directly your doing. Leadership would be heaven without accountability, but he is always there, always watching.
So next time you see someone with leadership, kind of nod to him in respect.
I’m sure that Randy Shannon would appreciate it.
Copyright2007 Ralph Crosby for Canespace.com
I think that UM kids become UM kids because they have the pride on Miami running in their blood. That is why i'd rather have a kid out of Miami (Chavez Grant) over a 4 or 5 star out of Ohio or PA. In the end, kids choose the school that they feel most comfortable with, and then once they get in, they have to compete to earn a starting spot. I want a kid who wants to be a cane no matter what and then is willing to compete. So far, Randy and CO. seem to be getting these kids in this class and last years. Just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 01:16 PM
I agree zakee, if we have an offense that shows up this year, the Army-All American game in Jan. should be a "perfect storm" for our recruiting.
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 01:17 PM
aqua,
yep...
Posted by: NaranjaCane | June 18, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Esteban, if Clarett had come here, we'd be back to back champs. If he wouldn't have stripped ST..that game was OVER! But in hindsight, we'd still have Coker. Which would you choose: A 2002 National Championship or another year being coached by LC (assuming the downward spiral still took place after the NC)?
Posted by: Zakkee | June 18, 2007 at 01:26 PM
I like this blog a lot, good job 86 and all the others. Only suggestion I have is to widen the space where the actual content is, so you don't have to scroll down so far
Posted by: Cory | June 18, 2007 at 01:28 PM
I'd rather have a 2002 NC, but in my mind we do. I will never give OSU credit for that game.
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Hey, Naranja, thank you for the link, but to read the story @ rivals' site I would have to be a subscriber. Is there any way you could post that and the AJ article here? If possible, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
Posted by: Wesley | June 18, 2007 at 01:32 PM
86 and other contributers, I'm impressed, great job another site for Cane info that sprouted out of love for the Canes. The test of how well this ite is when the other team starts posting Cane insults, then you know word is out there.
Posted by: USAFCane | June 18, 2007 at 01:33 PM
wes,
Twist.
Repeat.
That's what offensive lineman Derrick Morse spent a lot of this off-season working on.
It isn't a new technique coach Jeff Stoutland gave to the linemen. And it isn't a hand-eye coordination drill.
It's Morse's job.
"You sit in the warehouse, it's about 85 degrees, and you just twist on Vitamin C caps and pass them down the line," Morse said. "You have to pay the rent over the summer, and it's so I can afford things."
Morse does the job with teammates A.J. Trump and Cyrim Wimbs.
They work the 11 a.m.-4 p.m. shift, sitting side by side and twisting on the tops.
And talking about the team.
"We just talked about this yesterday, how we came to Miami to win championships and win the ACC every year," Morse said. "Well, since we've been here we've kind of been the downswing. This is my last year here, and I don't want to be in the era when Miami wasn't great.
"We're pretty much coming back to greatness, which is great. That's why I can't wait to come out here for my last year and show everybody. I don't want to come back and say my four years at Miami and my true freshman year we went to the Orange Bowl and won it, since then we've won a Peach Bowl and an MPC Computers Bowl. No, man. We want to go to a national championship, the BCS at the least. In a year, two years, we're going to be that powerhouse that we were."
Morse will be a big part of any strides made on offense.
He could play guard or center, although he expects to be at guard in the fall with A.J. Trump getting the first crack at center.
"I know at some point I'll probably have to play center," Morse says. "But I think my home is at guard."
Morse experimented at center in the spring before missing the final few weeks due to injury.
"It was kind of frustrating being hurt this spring, especially after last season and wanting to step up," he said. "But all those guys came out this spring and did real well. That was a positive. They got good experience getting a lot more reps. So that was good.
"I'm almost back to 100 percent. There's going to be a lot of competition going into the fall, too. There's a lot of guys whose motors are running, guys getting in great shape. It's going to be fun."
Morse's intensity is legendary among his teammates.
It's a good match for the intensity of first-year head coach Randy Shannon.
Where does Morse get his nonstop motor?
"I think it just comes down to pride," he said. "I have a lot of pride. Everybody's got an ego, I guess mine's just a little bigger. I'm not going to let this guy beat me. A guy trying to physically manhandle me pisses me off, I guess. And it gets my motor running. From that first collision it's like a firecracker just explodes and you go. That's how you have to play, because if you're not trying to rip their heads off, they're ripping yours off."
* Asked to name young players who are ready to step up, Morse said, "Chris Rutledge had a great spring. We've got a lot of young guys - Chris Barney had a great spring. Joel Figueroa still has a bit to learn, but he's got a motor and intensity. He reminds me of a younger me. All the guys are getting in great shape. It's going to be competitive as hell ... and fun. And we're all going to get better."
* Morse commented on Randy Shannon that "Coach Shannon is a great coach. Every play with him is intense. It's run, run to the ball, make sure you run back to the huddle. Everything is running and go fast, put them on the ground, get up and go do it again. It's intense and everybody does it and everybody's starting to adapt that intensity. It'll overall make our offense very explosive and a lot better this season."
Posted by: NaranjaCane | June 18, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Morse better make sure he comes back in shape or Rutledge might have that spot come fall. I'd feel more comfortable about the center position if he was competing at that spot. Hopefully Trump or one of the new guys holds it down. Pipho isn't a good option at all.
Posted by: Esteban | June 18, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Jake, thats exactly why I want to see some unity and loyalty from the South Florida kids. The people up here don't know or respect UM's successful history, they actually think they OWN us. They beat us (we had many chances to win that game) but they damn sure didn't whoop us, as they believe. These Glenville kids (Troy Smith, Donte Whtner & Ted Ginn's alma mater) don't see anything but O-State, they believe that if they get the best from other Ohio high schools to follow them...OSU will thrash us LOL!! I argue this stuff all the time around here, thats why this South Florida recruiting issue is so important to me. I want to see a Miami All-Star product, coached by RS on the field against the best from wherever...so we can settle this ignorance for good.
Posted by: Zakkee | June 18, 2007 at 02:14 PM
The competition at Guard is gonna be sick! Franklin, Morse, Gunn, Bain, & Rutledge to name a few.
Posted by: Zakkee | June 18, 2007 at 02:22 PM
86, Solar, et al.
Great blog. Never posted on Omar's blog but checked it twice-a-day, everyday. I probably won't post here, either, but I'll be checking it often.
Thanks for the fix.
StCane
Posted by: StCane | June 18, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Lookin good over here!
Great article on Chud-The U should have done everything it could to keep him. Hope he does well with the Browns
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/football/17381740.htm
Posted by: LACane | June 18, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Zakkee, this is the first year in a while where there is actually any doubt who's going to be starting at a lot of the positions on offense. TE? Looked like it was all Farr's, but now he gotta compete with Gordon. OG last year was Morse and Bain automatically. This year all those guys you mentioned and yeah then some. WR? No telling really. We assume Shields, Jenkins and LL will be among the top 4 or 5, but nothing is guaranteed for those guys (i'm curious to see if LL will have the fight to stay toward the top of the depth chart). And of course we got the QB position where we might guess and predict but really its tough to tell at this point who'll be starting. I think FB/H-Back looks like Zellner's job and the OT spots seem set (even though if Barney is in shape he could beat out Youngblood if he's not bringing it at RT). Oh and center is just open to anyone. No clue who starts at that spot.
Posted by: Esteban | June 18, 2007 at 02:33 PM
I hate ignorant people who give no credit to us...but hey, that is just their defense mechanism becase they know "we the best"
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Thanks StCane,
This is a not only a great bunch of guys but loyal to each other also. jump in a post when you are ready, the more true Cane fans the better.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 02:37 PM
LA,
Good stuff on Chud, man we have had some great ones here huh?
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 02:50 PM
I just got in, anything on Pacman's woes in Atlanta this morning?
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 02:53 PM
pacman needs to go on the Ricky tour of India or something. get away from the fake friends bringing you down Pacman.
Posted by: Esteban | June 18, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Ohio State fans are some of the worst I've ever encountered. Some of the things I saw and heard at the Fiesta Bowl when we played them was beyond anything Ive ever witnessed before. It goes without saying, they are a real "classy" bunch.
Oh and they really own Miami with that big 2-1 advantage. They beat the Canes 10-0 in 1977 (LOL!) and the other win was the controversial National Title game. Miami beat them in NJ for the Kickoff Classic in 1999.
You wanna talk about a team that can say they have owned Miami, look at Alabama (another "classy" bunch), they are 14-3 vs. Miami all time.
Posted by: rebirth | June 18, 2007 at 02:56 PM
LACane...that was a great article. Just goes to show you how far C(h)oker let the program fall. And you know The Boss was part of those great teams with that attitude. "Never take anything for granted...you have to earn it"...I cannot wait for this season to kick off. Gonna be making my first visit to the OB (just not sure which game yet) all the way from Toronto.
86Cane, thanks for this Cane blog..gonna miss O's page, now its on to this blog. Glad to see all the regulars (Solarcane, Esteban, Calvin, Canez1, Zakee, Dallas TX Cane, Hassan, Orange N Geen, you know the rest) still taking part in keeping the Legion going strong.
It's all about the 'U'
Posted by: CanadianCane | June 18, 2007 at 02:57 PM
amen
este
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Hey Dallas , thats a good question, Southlake Carroll is like a dynasty here in Texas. I think that will be a good measuring stick for both teams and will be a championship of states in a way between the 2 best of prospects.
I like the sound of competition between the O-line and I predicted that it will be our biggest upgrade of the year.
Posted by: diehard texas fan | June 18, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Weikeeeed mon!
Here is one of my all time overachiever Canes
Check out Rohan in this clothes commercial.
He still looks like he could knock your d*k off.
simma down rasta
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qk7RLOmCkP4&mode=related&search=
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 03:04 PM
so is it safe to say Aldarius Johnson will commit to us this week?
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 03:06 PM
nice link solar...do any current canes have dreds? if so, that is what i want to see them do up there in Norman, OK...those people won't know what what the hell to do.
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Here is a cool clip of Marley hitting everyone in sight as a Cane.
Check out how much heart this man has.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1145502702
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 03:18 PM
What's up guys, just chimming in on the blog from work to see what was up. You guys are really doing well. I'm working on trying to get in touch with Jim Kelly's representative so that I can post an article in the "Where Are U Now?" Not as easy as I thought it would be, but I'm going to pull it off somehow, someway. Even if I only end up giving you his history and what he's doing now. Until I'm able to reach him some way and ask some questions.
Posted by: LyquidEnigma | June 18, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Nice link solar. Rohan was one of my favorite CANES - old school CANES!
Man, I'm not historically the guy all worked up about out uniforms, but watch the R. Marley video and tell me the old orange-white unis aren't the f*%^ing bomb!
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | June 18, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Great vid solar. "Five-eight bundle of dynamite wearing #2" lol! He played with that intensity that we need back! He sacrificed his body and he had excellent balance from his soccer background. I see a little Rohan in Sean Spence of MNW, they have similar builds.
Was that the Colorado game where we had to whoop there a** in that brawl?
Posted by: Zakkee | June 18, 2007 at 03:32 PM
did you guys see the top 10 uniforms that si.com has...texas and michigan were 1 and 2. No florida school was in the top 10. I'd have UM and FSU in the top 10 and definitely UF in the bottom 10
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Lyquid,
I always wanted to know what type of impact Earl Morrall had on Jim Kelly's development as a QB here at the U.
Posted by: aqua | June 18, 2007 at 03:36 PM
Dallas, I guess everybody is waiting for this showdown. Should be a good one. Will U be there?
SLC starts scouting Northwestern:
How serious is Southlake (Texas) Carroll High about football? Enough that new head coach Hal Wasson and a few assistants will fly to Miami this weekend to scout a future opponent.
Saturday's spring game between defending Florida state champions, Miami Northwestern (Class 6A) and Glades Central of Belle Glades (3A), should attract a sizeable crowd at Traz Powell Stadium (7 ET) in Miami. Carroll, which finished No. 1 in USA TODAY's Super 25 football rankings in 2006, will pay close attention to Northwestern in preparation for its nationally televised game with the Bulls on Sept. 15 in Dallas.
The teams are expected to be ranked highly in the preseason Super 25.
The Southlake Carroll coaches will notice QB Jacory Harris and big-play WRs Aldarius Johnson and Tommy Streeter. Defensively, the Bulls boast LB Sean Spence and DL Marcus Fortson.
Northwestern is just as serious about the game. Thursday, Northwestern coach Roland Smith flew to Texas to watch Southlake Carroll's intrasquad spring game. No doubt he'll be impressed with the backfield of QB Riley Dodge and RB Tre Newton, both University of Texas recruits.
Posted by: diehard texas fan | June 18, 2007 at 03:38 PM
Cool Aqua,
When we feature someone, it would be great to have a list of questions from the true fans, rather than "media" questions. So I'll start a list and once I get the hang of this, and get the ability to really talk with some of these guysm, I'll be sure to use the questions provided.
Posted by: LyquidEnigma | June 18, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Dallas/Zak,
I believe RM personified what bringing it as a Cane meant.
I used to have an article where a defensive lineman said they were more beat up after games from Marley helping gang tackle than they were from the other team.
Zak,I'm not sure if that's the Colorado "beat down" game.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 03:46 PM
I haven't made any plans yet diehard, but will either be there in person or watch it on tv. I'd like to go, but honestly have no clue as to where i'll be on Sep 15.
How bout you?
It ought to be really interesting...there's a TON of Div 1 talent on both sides. Without being a HS football psycho, I'd say NW will likely have the more athletic squad. However, SL Carroll will be very disciplined and run "their system" perfectly. All their kids have played in the same system since grade school. Its a formula that works incredibly well for producing HS championships.
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | June 18, 2007 at 03:50 PM
solar,
the pic on your page of KW getting sacked cracks me up. I think the guy tackling him is from Temple... geez...
Posted by: aqua | June 18, 2007 at 03:53 PM
that's the year our back up OTs were lettin the QBs get killed after we had a big lead.
Posted by: Esteban | June 18, 2007 at 03:54 PM
http://cfn.scout.com/2/557847.html
kind of interesting.
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2007 at 03:58 PM
aqua,
I think there is a picture like of Kyle with someone from every team we played draped on his azz
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Yea back when we livin large racking up 19 points a game.
Maybe Kyle's arm was just to damn tired by the fourth quarter.
Launching all those long touchdown strikes will tax a man
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 04:02 PM
You know who has GENUINELY classy fans? Nebraska.
I was at that Rose Bowl in 2001, and was utterly surrounded by Husker fans. I politely informed them that their enthusiasm was misplaced, and not a one of them ever said a bad thing about Miami. Even during and after, they took their bitch-slapping with decency and good humor.
Salt of the Earth, those Husker fans. It's a shame we couldn't have saved up some points from beating them to hang a genuinely embarrassing score around OSU's necks.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 18, 2007 at 04:13 PM
How sweet it is...a new home for the legion...I am looking forward to Aldarius Johnson commiting to the U...this is going to be a very special class...with what we have coming in this year already this team is going to be very scary for years to come...DAU4LIFE
Posted by: Fear The Graveyard | June 18, 2007 at 04:13 PM
solar, I can't watch ESPN anyomore for the fear of seeing highlights of KW getting sacked. especially during draft time, it seems like everyone's first highlight is them doing something against the U.
We all know why...
Posted by: aqua | June 18, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Jake, that article didn't have our secret weapon on the list: Kayne F.
Posted by: aqua | June 18, 2007 at 04:22 PM
aqua,
I was thinking what the people that do the Cane's laundry say, when they are out in the parking lot pressure washing the Orange Bowl out of KWs uni.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Kyle definitely has a career in advertising working for the "One Tough Mother" jacket people.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Back in a few, gotta run and do an estimate,
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 18, 2007 at 04:28 PM
Cav, Butch Hired John Shoop for his OC who was the Raiders OC at the end of last season. His DC is Chuck Pagano who was the DB coach here at UM during Davis' days in the Gables. (His daughter Tara was also one FINE young woman back in college with me.) aqua, ask Johnson how close he is with Streeter and if there's any possibility that he'd balk at being "2nd fiddle", or the slot guy or whatever, at the next level. I don't see why he would, it's not like Santana and Reggie Wayne didn't end up 1/2 on the receptions list at UM when all was said and done.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 18, 2007 at 04:34 PM