Here it is, my (all-post-1980) Miami Hurricanes team. I will discuss this tomorrow on the podcast with D-Money.
I decided to stick with the players I really got to see a lot of. Guys like Jim Otto, Ted Hendricks, George Mira, Chuck Foreman, Dennis Harrah, Ottis Anderson are certainly all-time great Hurricanes, but I really didn't get to see them play on a regular basis.
I did this basically off the top of my head, so I reserve the right to change my mind. Also, I based this on their careers at the University of Miami. What they did in the NFL was not really factored in. Later on I might do a full all-time 85 player Hurricane roster.
But my list/team isn't just about stats (although production absolutely matters), but game-to-game impact. Which guys do I want representing Miami going into a big game? Those are the things that were considered. With the proviso that I can always change my mind based on new information
And keep this in mind, I'm just a fan with an opinion. That's it. Please feel free to disagree....
QB- Jim Kelly - the most important player in program history --and best pure arm talent. 'QB U' of the 80's began with him, and without him, the dynasty of that decade never launches. I will die on this hill.
RB- Edgerrin James -- best all-around 3-down back in program history. Key building block of the Butch Davis rebuild. Who can forget that UCLA game?
FB- Alonzo Highsmith -- was drafted #3 as a fullback. Could've been a top five pick on either side of the ball.
OT- Bryant McKinnie -- the blindside of Ken Dorsey was never a concern with Mt McKinnie
OG- Chris Myers -- hard-nosed scrapper inside
C- KC Jones - four year starter, and a personal favorite of Art Kehoe
OG- Richard Mercier -- this former mogul skier was the best pulling guard in program history
OT - Leon Searcy -- it's either him or Cici Mauignoa.
TE- Jeremy Shockey -- so many blue-chippers at this spot, but Shockey was both an elite pass catcher and a tenacious blocker
WR- Eddie Brown -- an absolute game breaker who made so many big plays in the 83 national title run
WR- Michael Irvin -- 'the Playmaker', what else needs to be said?
Slot WR - Xavier Restrepo: X was incredibly productive, but Malachi Toney is just getting started. And I want to note, if Miami played in a spread in his days, Santana Moss might be my guy, here. But 'the Carol City Comet' would be in my all-time Miami WR room in ANY system.
K- Carlos Huerta: 'the Ice Man' was Mr Reliable in the clutch
KR- Devin Hester: Miami has had some great returners, but Hester has to be the choice, here
ST - Tremain Mack : tough to leave out Bubba McDowell but Mack won games with his special teams work
DEFENSE
DE - Danny Stubbs -- still the all-time program leader in sacks
DT- Warren Sapp -- his 1994 campaign is one of the five greatest individual seasons for a Hurricane
DT - Jerome Brown -- the tone setter for the 80's renegade Canes. Great speaker at Steak Fry's, too
DE - Rueben Bain -- one of the foundations of the Cristobal rebuild, best ever at setting the edge in the run game.
OLB - Darrin Smith -- the most complete outside 'backer I've seen at Miami
MLB - Ray Lewis -- was a tackling machine from day one
OLB- Dan Morgan -- one of the most decorated defenders in UM history for his 2000 season
CB - Ryan McNeil -- sound and reliable every game
CB - Antrel Rolle -- the physical prototype who muscled receivers
Slot /Nickel CB- Keionte Scott -- 'Agent O' might have been on his way to the Thorpe Award before his injury last season. This is a relatively new full-time position, I was tempted to put Phillip Buchanon, here, because I think he would've been a great slot corner, but he didn't really play this spot.
S - Ed Reed -- a no-brainer
S - Sean Taylor -- another easy choice. Was robbed of the 2003 Thorpe Award
P - Jeff Feagles -- it's either him or Lou Hedley.
Coach - Jimmy Johnson
Athletic Director - Sam Jankovich
School President - Joe Echevarria
Sebastian the Ibis - John Routh
Cheerleader - Yamma Yamma
Stadium - the Orange Bowl
Jacket - Starter
Team Travel Gear -- Fatigues
