The University of Miami's rich NFL history is nothing new. New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowler, and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a two-time Pro Bowler, have helped add to it over the past decade.
Sunday night, though, in helping the Big Easy to its first Super Bowl title, the two prominent members of the last UM team to win a national title (2001) joined a pretty elite list among those in the Canes' pro fraternity. That would be Hurricanes who have won not only a national championship ring, but a Super Bowl ring too. The list, before Sunday, was only 13 strong (according to the UM media guide). That included:
> Quarterback Bernie Kosar (1983, Super Bowl XXVII)
> Defensive back Robert Bailey (1987, 1989, Super Bowls XXX, XXXV)
> Defensive tackle William Joseph (2001, Super Bowl XLII)
> Receiver Michael Irvin (1987, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
> Defensive end Kevin Fagan (1983, Super Bowl XXIII, XXIV)
> Tight end Coleman Bell (1991, Super Bowl XXVIII)
> Receiver Kevin Williams (1989, 1991, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
> Punter Jeff Feagles (1987, Super Bowl XLII)
> Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (2001, Super Bowl XXXIX)
> Defensive end Daniel Stubbs (1987, Super Bowls XXIII, XXIV)
> Tight end Alfredo Roberts (1987, Super Bowl XXVII)
> Defensive tackle Russell Maryland (1987, 1989, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII)
> Linebacker Darrin Smith (1989, 1991, Super Bowls XXVIII, XXX)
> Defensive tackle Jimmie Jones (1987, 1989, Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII)
It seemed only fitting that as I was walking to the media bus close to midnight, I spotted Vilma and Shockey sitting next to each other on the Saints team bus, soaking in their greatest professional accomplishment.
Shockey didn't have a spectacular night (3 catches for 13 yards), but still hauled in what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown pass, a 2-yard slant pattern he hauled in at the goal line.
"It's a great feeling right now," Shockey said. "I don't care about the catch, I just care about the team. Ever since you start playing football, you're dreaming about playing in this game. I dreamed and prayed all day and night about being in the situation I'm in right now. And that's what happened."
Vilma played a bigger role at middle linebacker. He led the Saints with seven tackles and was credited by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for making checks/audibles "on at least 20 plays" that got the Saints "into the right defenses." No small achievement considering he was going against Peyton Manning, the Jedi master of audibles and checks at the line of scrimmage.
Vilma's biggest play came with the Saints down 17-16 and the Colts facing a third and long at the Saints 33-yard line. Vilma, who was supposed to blitz on the play, checked off and ran back in coverage to bat away a pass intended for Austin Collie near the goal line. If he's not there, Collie catches it and scores.
"There aren't many times when you see a defense actually beat Peyton Manning, especially at a time like this, the magnitude of this game," Vilma said. "But this was one of those rare times and I'm glad I was a part of it."
Buck Ortega backup TE for the Saints, add him to the list.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1215300901 | February 09, 2010 at 11:01 PM
lets not talk about ab he's gone point-blank. d.berry will be acc player of the yr. welcome 2 the u..s henderson. cain4life.
Posted by: greco9828 | February 09, 2010 at 11:51 PM
To the guy who said a Cane has scored in every week including playoffs. I believe no one scored on Championship Sunday. However the U has a regular season NFL scoring streak dating back to week 15 of 2002 - Yes that is 122 consecutive weeks. NFLU baby!
Posted by: PeterFromTheU | February 10, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Manny...How many Canes have played in a Super Bowl (Win or lost)
Posted by: califgolfguy | February 10, 2010 at 01:51 PM
Damm update already. If this blog was a food item it would have been expired already.
Updating this blog is slower then Symotte (sp?) running the ten yard dash!!!!
Posted by: pablo del barrio | February 10, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Manny, being a member of the press should allow you to understand that censorship goes against everything this country stands for.Ever heard of freedom of speech? The fact that you censor this blog shows that you respect your profession and this country very little. But honestly i didn't expect more from you. Keep drinking the koolaid.
Posted by: Donna Shalala | February 10, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Michael Irvin and Kevin Williams won national championships and super bowls with the Cowboys. In addition, several Hurricane coaches under Jimmy also won NCs and SBs with the Cowboys
Posted by: Windy1 | February 11, 2010 at 06:19 AM
2 7s clash: Devin Hester ran the opening kick off for a TD as a true freshman. That stadium almost fell down.
check out Mark Schlabach the doooosh from ESPN- he's got UM as 23 preseason below FSU 17. LOL. He didi that last year also when he picked FSu as preseason top 15.
Posted by: jaime | February 11, 2010 at 06:42 AM
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-02-11/darrell-scott-calls-report-hes-returning-colorado-lie#comments
Former Hurricane recruit, who had UM as a finalist, Admits he made a big mistake going to Colorado. When the aweful Buffs benched him this year......he simply quit football all together!
Posted by: DAU | February 11, 2010 at 09:51 AM
Jaime:
I'm tripping on Shockey because I had to hear him crying about how he was mistreated by the Giants.
The guy ripped Eli Manning for months and the team only improved after he was out of the huddle.
Then he disappears for months to Miami and misses the team's run through the playoffs, but has the nerve to complain when they don't magically know he's in Miami and get him a ticket and hotel to the Super Bowl.
The guys is a front runner...this is the first time he survived more than 60% of an NFL season, so he should just be quiet.
I did enjoy him as a Miami Hurricane. No, I'm not a Seminole at heart.
Performing well as a Cane doesn't absolve you from all future criticism. We all want to celebrate these guys' NFL careers...no problem. This is the other side of the coin.
Posted by: Canesjunkie | February 11, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Manny can you comment on the Barrow to UF rumors?
Posted by: miamimike01 | February 11, 2010 at 03:24 PM
Come on Manny! More blog noise PLEASE. Times are slow and we look to you for inside info or interviews... Thanks my man
Posted by: Real canes fan in Cali | February 11, 2010 at 06:27 PM
Canesjunkie, as a huge Giants fan here and Cane alum you are right on the money with Shockey. He was a whiny cry baby that whole 2007 season. I was extremely disappointed in him the last two years he was a Giant. Complained about everything, this coming from a guy who hasn't been able to stay healthy the last 4 years of his career.
Posted by: NJCanes01 | February 12, 2010 at 01:05 AM
I believe Jeremy Shockey reached this accomplishment in 2008 with the NY Giants...
Posted by: NYCane | February 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Jaime I agree with you on how ridiculous it is to have fsu rated above us considering we beat them, we are returning most if our guys, and we play them at home. The O Line is a huge question mark and will be until the season begins. I'm hoping for the best, but freshmen against some of the opponents we have is scary. Go Canes! BTW, not sure why you deem it necessary to attack anyone who says one thing critical about UM. Many of us are simply frustrated, and probably a little spoiled. It is what it us.
Posted by: Beacane | February 12, 2010 at 11:26 AM
How bout Warren Williams with the Steelers,along with Leon Searcy
Posted by: Caneswin | February 13, 2010 at 08:29 AM