'Canes Help Saints to Super Bowl Victory

Former Hurricanes greats Jonathan Vilma and Jeremy Shockey became the 14th and 15th 'Canes to earn both Super Bowl rings AND National Championship rings as the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 last night in Super Bowl XLIV.

Shockey also became the 9th former 'Cane to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl with his 4th quarter TD catch. The 'Canes lead all schools with nine Super Bowl TD's. Notre Dame is second with six. Alabama, Auburn and Texas? Nada, zero, zilch, none.

Here's the list of Hurricanes scoring a TD in a Super Bowl:
Bill Miller, Oakland (Super Bowl II x2)
Pete Banaszak, Oakland (Super Bowl XI)
Ottis Anderson, New York Giants (Super Bowl XXI, XXV)
Michael Irvin, Dallas (Super Bowl XXVII)
Jimmie Jones, Dallas (Super Bowl XXVII)
Duane Starks, Baltimore Ravens (Super Bowl XXXV)
Devin Hester, Chicago (Super Bowl XLI)
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis (Super Bowl XLI)
Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans (Super Bowl XLIV)

Here's the list of Hurricanes with a National Championship ring and a Super Bowl ring*:
Quarterback Bernie Kosar (1983, Super Bowl XXVIII)
Running back Keith Griffin (1983, Super Bowl XXII)
Defensive lineman Kevin Fagan (1983, Super Bowl XXIII, XXIV)
Receiver Michael Irvin (1987, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Punter Jeff Feagles (1987, Super Bowl XLII)
Offensive Lineman Kipp Vickers (1989, 1991, Super Bowl XXXV)
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (2001, Super Bowl XXXIX)
Defensive end Daniel Stubbs (1987, Super Bowls XXIII, XXIV)
Defensive back Robert Bailey (1987, 1989, Super Bowl XXX, XXXV)
Defensive tackle Russell Maryland (1987, 1989, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Wide receiver Kevin Williams (1991, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Linebacker Darrin Smith (1989, 1991, Super Bowls XXVIII, XXX)
Defensive tackle Jimmie Jones (1987, 1989, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII)
Tight end Jeremy Shockey (2001, Super Bowl XLIV)
Linebacker Jonathan Vilma (2001, Super Bowl XLIV)

*active roster players only

'Canes Upset #9 North Carolina 80-69

Shenise Johnson scored 25 points and collected 10 rebounds as Miami snapped a three game losing streak with an 80-69 victory over the #9 North Carolina Tar Heels last night at the BankUnited Center. Johnson also had six assists and tied a career high with eight steals.

Miami won its second game of the season over a ranked team. The Hurricanes defeated then #13 Florida State on January 10th. Miami also ended Maryland's 48 game home winning streak on January 21st.

'Canes Sign 28

The Hurricanes signed 28 high school recruits as part of the 2010 signing class yesterday, including three from Ft. Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas High School: Brandon Linder, Keion Payne and Jermaine Barton.

UM's class was ranked 13th by ESPN, 13th by Scout.com, 21st by MaxPreps and 24th by Rivals.com.

You can see the entire list of 'Canes signees here.

National Signing Day

Today is National Signing Day, or National Letter of Intent day. Now held on the first Wednesday each February, it is the first day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college sports.

I've covered fifteen of these days for Canesport, and I've seen at all. I've seen a kid sign with two schools and a kid walk away from the table and not sign with anyone. There are kids who made up their mind long before this day (like Davon Johnson, above) and kids who play to the media with dramatics better suited for acting school.

Today, I'm scheduled to attend David Perry's signing at University School in Davie, Johnathan Feliciano's signing at Western High School in Davie, and Jermaine Barton, Keion Payne and Brandon Linder's signing at St. Thomas High School in Ft. Lauderdale.

Hopefully, I'll avoid the reality show that was Kayvon Webster's signing at Pace Monsignor High School last year.

Pro Bowl

We gathered as many 'Canes as we could last night at the Pro Bowl. From left to right: Jon Beason, Brandon Meriweather, Ray Lewis, Antrel Rolle, Frank Gore and Andre Johnson. Become a fan of Caneshooter.com on Facebook and see a shot that includes two 'Canes who coached in the game.

Pro Bowl

The NFL Pro Bowl kicks off at 7pm tonight at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, and the Hurricanes will have a record eleven players on the roster.

By way of comparison, the Florida Gators have only had 18 players in the Pro Bowl all-time.

WR Andre Johnson (Houston Texans), WR Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), DL Vince Wilfork (New England Patriots), LB Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), S Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens), S Brandon Meriweather (New England Patriots), OL Bryant McKinnie (Minnesota Vikings), LB Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans Saints), RB Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers), S Antrel Rolle (Arizona Cardinals) and LB Jon Beason (Carolina Panthers) will represent "The U" on the Pro Bowl roster.

McKinnie was kicked off the squad due to too many missed practices. Reed will not play due to injury. Wayne and Vilma will not play as they are in next week's Super Bowl.

"The U has turned out some great players," Rolle said. "We're amongst the best of the best in the league and it shows out there each and every Sunday."

Every recruit should take notice of this roster, or the poster the marketing department issued a few years ago or the cereal box from last year and learn that success in the NFL often flows through Coral Gables.

Mike Rumph Hosts Youth FB Camp Saturday

Former Hurricanes and former San Francisco 49ers defensive back Mike Rumph will hold a youth football camp tomorrow, January 30, from 9am to 3pm on the practice fields behind the Tom Oxley Athletic Center on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Former 'Canes stars Santana Moss and Duane Starks are also scheduled to appear.