Legacy Lost

I was just watching my Dynasty Series DVD of the Miami Hurricanes 5 national titles, and it got me thinking of a good parallel for the 2001 team vs. my favorite Canes team, the 2002 version. What would that be? Well, none other than Godfather, Parts 1 & 2. Lets get this shit on a hoagie.

Starting at the top:

Both dynasties were lead by a true leader. One that gave a legendary game changing speech. “I swear, on the lives of my grandchildren, that I put my heart in this shit dawg! I put my heart in this!” Vito cleared the way for his successor to return to the States, thereby allowing for his eventual revenge. Ed Reed 2-0 got the floundering Canes back on track at halftime of the FSU game. To avenge the title game appearance the Seminoles stole from the Canes in the 2000 season, Reed put them all back on track to a deserved blow out win, ending FSU’s 54 game unbeaten streak at home, before it surpassed the Canes own undefeated run.  

In the Godfather Part 2, you had new stars emerging from out of nowhere. Frank Pantangeli, Hyman Roth, Johnny Ola, and namely a young Vito Corleone. New stars that, in my mind, made the sequel better than the first. Exactly like my opinion of the 2002 Canes squad. You had an emerging secondary, led by first year starter Sean Taylor, and freshman Antrel Rolle. Vince Wilfork manning the middle. Andre Johnson returning a year better, and with some great summer courses to keep his mind sharp. Kellen Winslow showing the most talent at TE in the Canes already superb history at the position. But namely, you had the nation wondering, who would replace the horse in the backfield, the star of the 2001 squad, Clinton Portis? Well, you had your De Niro, already here. Willis McGahee tore through the entire season, breaking out on the road in the Swamp, his “burning towel Fanucci” moment. 

You have the tradegy in both Part 2’s: Michael emerging victorious, but losing his entire family doing so, and Willis going down right when the Canes offense is gaining momentum in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Both had directors who haven’t done anything since their peak. Ok, this is a stretch because Coppola had multiple fantastic films where Coker was literally given a national title team and ruined the entire program. Well, I guess you could compare it to Coppola churning out Part 3 without using the best and only plot line available (Michael vs. Tom, for control of the family). Really Francis? You couldn’t come to an agreement on Duvall’s salary? You are going to kill, off-screen, the second biggest remaining character of the entire series, because you wouldn’t pay him even close to Pacino? Give me a fucking break. 

Both Part 2’s had villians who were fish out of water. Hyman Roth was from Miami, and did most his business in Cuba, escewing the New York old school lifestyle. Jim Tressel was an up and coming coach from Ohio, who cheats and cheats, and everyone knows he cheats. Did I say he cheats? Actually, I couldn’t care less when I hear about recruiting violations, or academic fraud. All that matters is what happens on the field. Tressel is a great coach, I wish he would’ve stayed in D-1AA, but that doesn’t mean he’s in the top tier. In the Big 10, if you’re Ohio State, and you don’t win 10 games a year with that talent level, you suck. He has been proven to be what he really is these past two title games: a great local recruiter, who can scheme against and beat lesser opponents (the rest of the Big Ten, save a normal Michigan team) or can out coach an equal talent team with a bad coach (Lloyd Carr). Put him up against a team with better talent (LSU) or a better coach (Florida) and shit gets ugly. Michael Irvin should have threatened back judge Terry Porter with a pair of scissors, made him follow Frank Pantangeli’s lead, and stick to Omerta, and we’d all be in a better place. 

Michael, I will live off this blown PI call for many, many years...

Now, I know no one will ever be able to win an argument and call part 2 better than part 1, for both The Godfather and the Hurricane teams. It truly is a legitimate debate, and one I will continue to have with anyone willing to listen. But when people pull out the trump cards (Best actor ever in Part 1; won national title in 2001) it makes it hard to keep up the argument unless doing so with an educated opponent. Which usually isn’t likely with another Canes fan. 

And, in the end, everything was ultimately fucked up by an over his head reject, who lucked into his status level in life. First Fredo lets the Don get shot in broad daylight, and then he helps Roth to make a hit on Michael, leading to the entire breakdown of the Corleone family. Compare that with Larry Coker, who lucked into the HC job, only because Butch Davis didn’t want it going to Schiano, so he lied about coming back and waited until Schiano took the Rutgers job before leaving for the NFL. Luckily, they both met the same fate. If only Randy would have Al Neri’ed Coker’s ass sooner…

Wish that was you Larry....

Now, if the Canes could just get back to mere Godfather Part 3 status, I would be (temporarily) happy.