FLAWED PROCESS

If you don't believe that the process is flawed, we can start with tonight's 12th Annual Miami-Dade/Broward game, which will be played Traz Powell Stadium at 8. For every Xavier Rhodes (Norland), Renato Cunha (Jackson), Duron Carter (St. Thomas) and Eugene Smith (Miramar), there are dozens of players who are not on their way to FSU, UCF, Ohio State and West Virginia. But go to an early practice and the coaches were scarce -- to say the least.

The crazy thing is the more these athletes need the help and need the exposure, the NCAA has stepped in and given them less opportunity. Parents call me all the time to help out with their child. They are lost because they are running out of options, and while they have spent plenty of money sending their kids to camps and other events, it doesn't seem to be working.

While scouting services have done a tremendous job in helping many of these youngsters get placed, the NCAA frowns on any outside help when it comes to their member institutions and keep a close eye on who comes on to their campuses. Scouting services are indeed ears and eyes more than ever, and should be treated in this manner.

If the NCAA believes that the high school coaches are going to work any harder to get these kids placed, they are mistaken. Miami-Dade and Broward coaches are already the lowest paid in the nation, and asking them to do the job that college coaches need to be doing is unrealistic. This is not Texas and Georgia, where education is put on a backburner in favor of football. It will never be that way.

When you are out watching this evening's game, let me ask you to keep an eye on both squads. Aside from those who have been coveted all year, there are more players competing who have no idea where they will sign on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Don't forget that we are always looking to help our area recruits for the current Class of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. All you have to do is send a DVD and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, Fl. 33009.

Larry Blustein is co-host of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday evening from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? E-mail lblustein@MiamiHerald.com.

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