Raising Canes: Swasey Time

While other college football teams were practicing in preparation for their bowl games at the end of the 2011 season, the players at the University of Miami were making a serious investment of sweat equity into the 2012 season.

Instead of practicing the Hurricanes were participating in "Swasey Time": an intense and highly structured period of weight lifting to build strength, speed and stamina for now and next year.

Long time UM strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey was overseeing the completely redesigned and newly implemented off-season workout program as directed by head coach Al Golden.

It has been rumored that Golden had each player sign a formal "personal contract" that stated in very specific terms what each player had to do during the Holiday break to remain in good standing with their head coach, the university and the team.

Included in that contractual agreement with every player was at least two general requirements:

1. Complete fourteen supervised strength and conditioning workouts.
2. Read two books: "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" and "Talent Is Never Enough".

It is no secret that the players at Miami have not been "U Tough" enough over the last several years and Golden is committed to correct that problem. To be totally fair and honest, while most fans and several former 'Canes who are now NFLU players have praised Swasey for his work at UM,  a few others have seen him as part of the problem and not the solution.

Nobody will debate the fact that Miami was out-muscled, out-lasted and out-toughed last season and Golden has made it his personal priority, along with Swasey, to get the Hurricanes back to winning the battles across the lines of scrimmage and all over the field for all four quarters.

That is something that Miami has not done in the past several years and clearly did not get done in 2011 in spite of the new strength and conditioning program put in place.  To be fair, many knowledgeable people have said that it may take up to three years to catch up to where the 'Canes should be strength wise. 

But the questions still remain: Does Swasey have it and do all of the current players get it?

Golden even publicly used the term "clock punchers" to describe certain players on the team and openly stated that he would have none of that, and none of them, on his team in 2012.

The only question University of Miami fans have is: Will the Hurricanes be "U Tough" enough to win the games in 2012 that they lost in 2011, many of those in the fourth quarter?

That is a question that only Al Golden, Andreu Swasey and the 85 players with "The U" on their helmets can answer.

Comments

[ftmcane]

first?

[Ohio_Cane]

Well done, FTM!

[ftmcane]

Why thank you Ohio. Soup, i've got a shirt already so if there is someone who needs one it's on me.

[SOUP]

FTM...Glad U got your 2011 Canespace shirts because the sirts are all gone so there will be no more shirts until 2012.

We will have a new design for next year and next season. Hopefully with better results!

[Ohio_Cane]

Per Scout.com, Canes still recruiting Bama commit, TE Laith Harlow

http://miami.scout.com/a.z?s=13&p=2&c=1142499&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fmiami.scout.com%2f2%2f1142499.html

[Ohio_Cane]

^^ Also, TE Anthony Russell from Daytona

http://miami.scout.com/a.z?s=13&p=2&c=1142495&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fmiami.scout.com%2f2%2f1142495.html

[ftmcane]

works for me heffe!

[hassan]

Very well done, soup did you write this? Very well done and this subject has been a recurring theme the past 12 months and will continue to be probably for the next 12-18 months until we become UTough. I remember way back in the day on Omar's blog i was always the guy that would bring up the strength #'s and 40 times, It is not all about the #'s as Da skreetz points out and the #'s do not tell the entire story, however they are part of the equation and a team that can move weight will win more games then one that gets pushed around. Win you look like an Alabama or LSU team you can strike fear into opponents and sometimes that is worth 7 points right there. I know you can look great coming off the bus and still not win but it is a part of it, We can see our football IQ has risen from about an 85 wearing a dunce cap riding the short bus to our football 101 class, to last year we had about a 100 football IQ. We was avg in penalties etc. As our bodies of this team become stronger Golden will continue to coach the minds to become more football smart and more mentally tough. Once we play like Ray Lewis Tough with the Brain of Ken Dorsey football smarts we will become a championship team again.

[Strauzer]

The OL and DL need to be MUCH stronger if we are going to be more competitive. Talent is there but as that book says "Talent is never enough"

[SOUP]

1. Very well done, soup did you write this?

2. Very well done and this subject has been a recurring theme the past 12 months and will continue to be probably for the next 12-18 months until we become UTough.

Posted by: hassan | December 27, 2011 at 02:30 PM

1. Si mi amigo, I wrote it!

2. It will be the topic of discussion here for the next week or so. I am writing a few related articles on the subject that will post over the next week or so.

[Ohio_Cane]

DT Earl Moore has rescheduled his official visit to UM.

http://miami.247sports.com/Article/DT-Moore-Reschedules-UM-Official-54508

[Q]

Love the post and love the videos that Golden has. We see them being coached and taught. That's great. See my boy Denzel putting in work.

[SOUP]

See my boy Denzel putting in work.

Posted by: Q | December 27, 2011 at 02:57 PM

Some weight room winners: Mike James, Denzel Perryman, Gionni Paul, Clive Walford, Malcolm Bunche, Eduardo Clements, Allen Hurns and Phillip Dorsett.

Some weight room losers: No names but they know who they are. LOL

[The Dude]

To kind of tack on to what hassan was saying and something I have preached before. How many times did you see a DB just fall down while covering Andre Johnson? Its because they were scared half the time they were covering him, he was such a beast physically that guys were just scared. The list goes on and on for those kinds f guys that weve had in the past.

[Ohio_Cane]

This sounds like something Golden would do. Surprised he doesn't have a patent on this idea lol.

Even has a quote that sounds like Golden: "The idea is a simple one: that if a team trusts it's process, eventually they'll get their desired outcome, even if it doesn't seem likely at any one point"

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Dwane-Casey-put-a-1300-lb-boulder-in-the-Raptors?urn=nba-wp12469

[Ohio_Cane]

If you would like to cry today, I give you "Girl Tells Santa She Wants Dad Home From Iraq, Doesn't Know Santa is Dad": http://bit.ly/v1MVuw

Wow, try to hold the tears back.

[hassan]

I think our team will be way stronger in Sept 2012, This amount of weight room work this winter, + the amount the players are being asked to do themselves, plus a revamped UTough and summer program, all of this is WAY more then we did in the past. Our new nutrition commitment will pay dividends.

Ok I wanted to talk a lil about the incoming class, I do not see any true speed merchants or weight room freaks, that does nto mean they can not turn into that. TB was a 4.4 guy all through HS and he started training and became a 4.2 in about 1 summer. Vernon is a big guy but he was not eye popping big til this past year. Our incoming class has guys that I think can be pretty special, Davis and Duke look to have great football speed and can improve as they are still young guys that will add speed and strenth, our DT that just rescheduled is said to be pretty strong is at 290 now and looking to add muscle mass. Gadbois looks to be big and strong and Flowers is a massive 17 year old. We have had out share of freaks at UM but some of our best players ever were not stand outs in the weightroom or track, but could ball. Ed Reed is not a overly big or fast guy but of course is an all timer, Ray Lewis was a smaller LB, Reggie Wayne does not have ideal measurable's. the list goes on and on, we need guys that can play football as well as a sprinkling of elite athletes that can be game changers that opposing coaches fear on both Offense and Defense.

[canesteeler]

Hassan great post. Bottom line is we have to become a more physical team amd more intellectal team. The punt screw up TB had during the FSU game was a symbol of some of the bone head plays our team of the past 5-7 years have made. In Golden I trust!

[SOUP]

Bottom line is we have to become a more physical team amd more intellectal team.

Posted by: canesteeler | December 27, 2011 at 04:44 PM

There IT is right there.

[SOUP]

Hassan...one thing that I know from SEVERAL sources is that Golden is recruiting football players who can play MULTIPLE positions, not just one.

[VA Cane]

SJMPARMAN

awesome article my friend, TonyCane you also were great. I am glad to see some of the weaklings and clockpunchers go....you know who you are. Hell my kids have more championship qualities than a lot of these kids. So many just seem to go through the motions; hell I want to win all the time. I know its impossible, but I will take my kids 67-2 in 5 years anytime.

We look tiny. Remember Wisconsin? Shit we were beat before the game. FSU dwarfed us as well. I do not care about height; bulk and muscle, speed and quickness. I was 5'7" and about 168 in college, but I was fast as hell, quick as a cat.....solid and hit like hell. We have to do that.

I just ordered the 2 books these cats gotta read; I need to learn as well. It will only make my guys better. Country Azz VA Cane!!!!

[VA Cane]

Merry Christmas Canesteeler,

spot on with TB. Nothing against him as a person, but thats been the story since the glory. Offsides, late hits, holding, loafing, bonehead plays.....and the damn TOS, which result from not thinking kill us. Is it too much to ask someone to think, learn,and work so they do not make the same mistakes? No!! Physical is the name of the game, we have got to want to hit and punish people.

[hassan]

Bein multiple is a big plus, We need horses, right now we have a Hyundai racing Ferrari's.

[SOUP]

WURD ON DA SKREETZ IZ...

1. Yo, theres alot of f n angry Miami ballahs out about town b!tchin about this new workout program. Boi asked me to take a look at it. 1 thing bruh, either you take football serious or walk that soft azz somewhere else. Sh#$s alot more intense then last year.

2. Im gonna try that sh$# with a few bois. Will report on it over the weekend. Lifting ill be ite. Those speed drills are going to be tough lol. I aint ever been mistakin for bein fast lol. It involves alot of reps bruh. Ill say this, if you ride with it you will build that endurance.

[SOUP]

Physical is the name of the game, we have got to want to hit and punish people.

Posted by: VA Cane | December 27, 2011 at 06:41 PM

There IT is right there.

[SOUP]

For those of you wondering: What ever happened to Bobby Washington one of the leading rushers in Dade County history:

http://www.davesez.com/archives/000368.php

[SOUP]

Bobby Washington's college career at a glance:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/161912/bobby-washington

[IraqiCane]

Thanks for another great article Soup.

GO CANES!!!

[CaneRock]

I thought TB had a good season, can't blame Him for all that went wrong this past season. To take it further, TB's gonna open some eyes at the combine, don't be surprised if He houses one in "The League" next season...

[CaneRock]

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The National Football League announced its 2012 Pro Bowl Rosters on Tuesday and the Miami Hurricanes lead all NCAA programs with five players chosen to play in the annual all-star contest on Jan. 29 in Hawai'i.

The Ravens' Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, the Saints' Jimmy Graham, the Patriot's Vince Wilfork and San Francisco's Frank Gore make up five of the 11 players from the Atlantic Coast Conference to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Read more:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122711aaa.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[orange 'n green in the vein]

86, I hope you had a great birthday this year and an even better 2012 coming up.

Funny, only 1/5 of those UM football players ever played a down of ACC conference football in their career.

[Q]

With the kids Miami has committed you dont see any eye poppin kids but look at Allen Bailey,Sean Spence,Olivier Vernon,Dyron Dye. When they get to Swasey he will get all he can out of this bunch.

These next couple of months should be very interesting so I cant wait to see what happens with recruiting,spring practice and the NCAA The main factor that matters to me is the staff stayed intact. And like VA Cane i will read these books I just love what Coach Golden is doing.

[86Cane]

86, I hope you had a great birthday this year and an even better 2012 coming up.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | December 28, 2011 at 02:16 AM

Birthday was fabulous.

Next year is shaping up nicely.

Hope things are going well for U and that you are recharging your batteries for 2012!

Just don't get caught wearing jorts OK? LOL

[86Cane]

And like VA Cane i will read these books I just love what Coach Golden is doing.

Posted by: Q | December 28, 2011 at 05:00 AM

Q...I'll have a preview on the books for you tomorrow AM. After you read them write something for the blog?

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - Recruiting Update: Miami has offered JUCO WR Josh Ford, 6'4" and 210 lbs. Timed at 4.4 40-yard dash. Highlights: http://ow.ly/1CPPhE

[Ohio_Cane]

Ray Lewis in ELITE company, again:

"Ray Lewis was named to his 12th career Pro Bowl on Dec. 27, which puts him in elite company among several NFL legends including fellow UM alum and NFL Hall of Famer Jim Otto.

According to NFL.com:

Otto played his entire Hall of Fame career at center for the Raiders and was voted to 12 straight Pro Bowls from 1961 to 1972.

Merlin Olsen and Bruce Matthews own the NFL record with 14 Pro Bowl appearances. Jerry Rice and Reggie White both went to 13 Pro Bowls, while Lewis achievement ties him with Otto, Ken Huston, Randall McDaniel, Will Shields and Junior Seau"

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane - JUCO WR Josh Ford: What's there not to like, hands, speed and likes contact. Miami's competition is Maryland. I think he picks UM.

[Ohio_Cane]

By my count, there are 5 former Canes in the Pro Bowl this year.

[SOUP]

By my count, there are 5 former Canes in the Pro Bowl this year.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 28, 2011 at 10:34 AM

That is correct.

CaneRock posted the article above.

[Ohio_Cane]

That is correct.

CaneRock posted the article above.

Posted by: SOUP | December 28, 2011 at 10:49 AM
-------------------------------------

Blah, missed that. This not being able to get to the comments section on my iPhone is driving me nuts.

[SOUP]

If U are an athlete, high school or college, check this out:

http://www.powersports-academy.com/About_Us.html

[SOUP]

Interested in the world's BEST vertical jumps ever recorded?

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/records/vertical-jump.htm

[SOUP]

Wanna know why VT pushes us around the field?

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/13734/powerlifters-capture-national-records-at-local-usapl-meet

[SOUP]

Guess which ONE University won the NCAA Powerlifting National Championship all of these years?

Men's Powerlifting (18) 1978, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010.

[MDCane]

Guess which ONE University won the NCAA Powerlifting National Championship all of these years?

Men's Powerlifting (18) 1978, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010.

Posted by: SOUP | December 28, 2011 at 11:52 AM

VT?

[Clwtrdan]

We still have shot at some of these kids.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1185&CID=1309644

[SOUP]

VT?

Posted by: MDCane | December 28, 2011 at 12:20 PM

NO

[Ohio_Cane]

Guess which ONE University won the NCAA Powerlifting National Championship all of these years?

Men's Powerlifting (18) 1978, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010.

Posted by: SOUP | December 28, 2011 at 11:52 AM
----------------------------------------

La Tech

[CaneRock]

Guess which ONE University won the NCAA Powerlifting National Championship all of these years?

Men's Powerlifting (18) 1978, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010.

Posted by: SOUP | December 28, 2011 at 11:52 AM

Louisiana Tech...

[raizecane]

So that means LA Tech will push us all over the field and beat us soundly??