That is easily the dumbest and most annoying defense mechanism on the board for when we fail on a huge target, and rarely is actually accurately used. Bottom line is, every year you want to get the best possible players, especially at need positions, regardless of what is coming down the pipe in terms of local recruits. We missed on Collins, but it's cool because Sony and Cook are amazing; but then in discussions about missing on those, it's ok because Yearby is better and in 2015 we're getting Joe Schmoe. Same old tired ****.
The principal reason why we as Canes fans should have some hope that we can return to the top is not our facilities, resources, on-campus stadium, or booster network; rather, it's the local pipeline. But if we're not tapping that pipeline to maximum degree, then we're doomed to hoping for ACC division titles and middling records for the rest of time. If we don't land the Sony Michels and the Ermon Lanes, we're never going to be elite again. That is a fact. And yes, those players are not make or break, in and of themselves, but the point is that building a program requires acquiring a stable of talented players, not just a few elite players scattered about the roster, a Duke Johnson here or there. The term "can't miss" is stupid, because you can miss anyone and survive, but at the same time, the more we miss kids like that, the less likely it is that we'll be great again.
So yea, we should be dejected if both Sony and Cook go elsewhere because those are to 5-star RBs in our backyard, we're thin at that spot, and Yearby, though highly talented, appears to be a niche-type back (not a full-time, 20 carry a game back). And that's one example. What's going on at DT is downright absurd and inexplicable (unless it's the scheme that scares off kids, which is then explicable).
I love Al Golden. I think he's a god-send for the program. But he's got to win 10 games this year and secure the best recruits in SoFla. If not this year, then there is reason to believe it will never happen for him.
The principal reason why we as Canes fans should have some hope that we can return to the top is not our facilities, resources, on-campus stadium, or booster network; rather, it's the local pipeline. But if we're not tapping that pipeline to maximum degree, then we're doomed to hoping for ACC division titles and middling records for the rest of time. If we don't land the Sony Michels and the Ermon Lanes, we're never going to be elite again. That is a fact. And yes, those players are not make or break, in and of themselves, but the point is that building a program requires acquiring a stable of talented players, not just a few elite players scattered about the roster, a Duke Johnson here or there. The term "can't miss" is stupid, because you can miss anyone and survive, but at the same time, the more we miss kids like that, the less likely it is that we'll be great again.
So yea, we should be dejected if both Sony and Cook go elsewhere because those are to 5-star RBs in our backyard, we're thin at that spot, and Yearby, though highly talented, appears to be a niche-type back (not a full-time, 20 carry a game back). And that's one example. What's going on at DT is downright absurd and inexplicable (unless it's the scheme that scares off kids, which is then explicable).
I love Al Golden. I think he's a god-send for the program. But he's got to win 10 games this year and secure the best recruits in SoFla. If not this year, then there is reason to believe it will never happen for him.
