The Miami commentator certainly doesn’t need any convincing that this brawl was good for Miami… and of course, it’s bizarre and wildly irresponsible for a commentator to suggest that a brawl that involves the swinging of helmets and stomping players while they’re down can be construed in any way as a good thing.
The play-by-play guy is talking, and describing what’s happening until the other guy jumps in and starts talking like Ray Lewis outside of a nightclub before the Super Bowl. At that point, the play-by-play just seems bewildered and is like, “Alright, fuck it, then. You talk.”
But you know… maybe that guy’s right. Maybe all the fans that were screaming and holding up the ‘U’s are right. A week or two ago, I was telling people that Miami’s next head coach should be Dennis Erickson. Miami had lost its swagger… the guys on the 7th Floor hadn’t been able to get any pussy for months. Maybe Miami has to choose between a Dennis Erickson lifestyle, scaring the hell out of people, and winning every game by 40… or a Larry Coker lifestyle, with only two or three arrests per year, and an 8-3 record. Maybe it’s one or the other.
I know there are clean teams out there that can also win… but Miami’s just not one of them. It’s not in their nature. It’s like asking Andrew Dice Clay to do a 60-minute set and make people laugh without making any sex jokes. Some things just aren’t meant to be.
So hey, maybe this was a good thing… not for college athletics, FIU, the Florida legal system, or any sense of public decorum, but for Miami. For ‘The U.’ Maybe they had to go out there and say, “Yeah, we might suck this year… but we’re still the motherfuckers who will beat you with our helmet and put the cleats to you when you’re lying on the ground.” Maybe this was the first step towards setting a new tone in the post-Coker era (which is certainly coming).
And speaking of the stomping… that was #19 Brandon Meriweather’s proudest moment since this play.
twoeightnine Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 2:33 am
damn, not only did he knock him on his ass, he then hurdled him.
Jeff Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 3:00 am
If Steve Lyons can fired for his incoherent babble, can this announce be fired for encouraging violence?
The Big Picture Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 3:56 am
spot on, MJD. this is the what we’ve come to expect from a fucking football program that recruits from the local prison…The U is back to basics and letting everyone know that, hey, they may not be the most talented this year, but they’re the baddest mutha fuckas around.
dave Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 10:04 am
You probably already heard, but the “color” analyst for that broadcast was former Uster, Lamar Thomas.
Big Daddy Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Are you serious? The commentator that thinks this is a good thing is nuts! I am all for playing hard and aggressively, but this type of response is out of the question. Hit hard and dominate the other team, but do it between the snap of the football and the sound of the whistle. If this is OK, how long until we actually see the “shot” from the movie “The Last Boy Scout?”
Dave Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 11:21 am
MJD,
I normally love your stuff, and think you’ve got your head on right. And when you started this entry, I’m thinking, he’s on the mark again.
But then you gave me the swerve. And what we wound up with was:
Worst. MJD. post. ever.
John Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Highly ironic that Coker hasn’t been able to get the U to show any heart (or even a pulse) all year… they finally do and now he’s not only denouncing it, but he’ll probably get fired over it.
The Dude Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Unfortunately, this is a case of a bad reputation for the U. I was at the game and it was clear that FIU started this brawl. They were chippy and taking cheap shots all night prior to this incident. Then when the FIU player took down the kicker’s holder and started to beat him up, the benches cleared.
FIU started it. But because the U is what is is and can’t shed it’s past, it’s going to get blamed and bashed for this.
unc_samurai Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Is George Teague going to strip Lamar Thomas of his announcing gig?
mjdReader Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
Agree with #6.
Lamar Thomas has to go. Heck, Lamar even got the play by play announcer going, he should go too. This was a disgrace.
telly Says:
October 16th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
If around 45% of the U’s players weren’t on a college football team, they would most certainly be in prison.
Babs Says:
October 17th, 2006 at 12:40 am
I just read Lamar Thomas’s “rap sheet” on Deadspin. Can anyone explain to me how the fuck someone like that got the job as a colour commentator? Fucking horrendous.
troy polomalu's hair Says:
October 18th, 2006 at 4:03 am
TWO TEAMS ENTER, ONE TEAM LEAVES!
TWO TEAMS ENTER, ONE TEAM LEAVES!
I love college football.