Evan as a Cane fan, Thomas's remarks were just WAY over the top. I would call it amateur, but even that would be too kind.
I think Larry Coker had the most outlandish comment though. From the Miami Herald: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/colleges/university_of_miami/15762949.htm
''I think this will affect the image of this program, but in a very positive way,'' Coker said. ``This won't be a negative for the University of Miami.''
The only positive I see from this for the program is that it speeds Coker's demise.
As for the fight itslef, which was a farce in which both teams totally lost control and acted like a bunch of 12 year old thugs, I can understand it somewhat in this regard. The initial fracas broke out when FIU players slammed Miami's holder to the ground and began kicking him in the head. I'm sorry, but a bunch of immature kids (we forget that that's exactly what 98% of college players are) who see something like that happening to one of their teammates, and they're going to come onto the field and defend their mates. That in no way excuses what occurred, and I wholeheartedly agree with the suspensions that were handed down. As I said though, I can understand it in that light.
What really irks me though, is the coverage. Every article and clip I've seen is about the Miami side. Bear in mind, that there were two teams involved. The "other" team had 8 players tossed initially vs. 5 for Miami, and a total of 18 suspensions vs. 13 for Miami. Every bit of coverage is making it out like the fight was Miami's fault alone and they had the most players tossed for it. Ridiculous, slanted coverage. Then again, as a Cane fan, it's what I expect.
Hell it's one of the few incidents in the past 20 years that actually looks WORSE each and every time you see it.
Kinda like the Orioles-Yankees brawl in the late 90s or the Clemson/South Carolina brawl a few years ago.
"Bear in mind, that there were two teams involved. The "other" team had 8 players tossed initially vs. 5 for Miami, and a total of 18 suspensions vs. 13 for Miami."
FIU head coach Don Strock seems to be getting a pass here - is it just because he's an ex-Dolphin?
"''I think this will affect the image of this program, but in a very positive way,'' Coker said. ``This won't be a negative for the University of Miami.''"
Unbelievable. I had go to that link to read what surely could NOT have been said by Coker - but sure enough, there it was.