Monday Morning @ProCanes Report: Reed & Lewis Star
Sept. 12, 2011
Canes in the NFL: Super Bowl | Pro Bowl | NFL History | NFL Draft | Senior Bowl | ProCanes
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Monday Morning ProCanes report will weed through all the NFL highlights and news to bring you the information you care about the most… what the former University of Miami Hurricanes did during the week prior. Through 14 games in week one of the 2011 NFL season, there were at least seven standout performances.
Perhaps no performance was more important than extending the NFL-record streak of 140 regular season weeks with a touchdown by a former Hurricane. That was extended by Jimmy Graham (class of 2009) in the NFL opener on Thursday night between the Saints and Packers.
If you were ever curious whether or not the 140-week touchdown streak is important to the Canes, watch Ed Reed’s speech to the 2011 team.
Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens): six tackles, two interceptions, four passes defended
Reed, who led the NFL in interceptions with 8 in 2010, wreaked havoc on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense in Week One. Reed made two key second-half interceptions, both inside his team’s redzone, which halted waves of Pittsburgh momentum. The seven-time Pro Bowler, involved in seemingly every big defensive play for the Ravens, celebrated his 33rd birthday on Sunday with a blowout win over the Steelers, 35-7.
Video Highlights: Reed Intercepts Roethlisberger in 3rd Quarter | And Another in 4th Quarter
Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens): seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble
On a day when the Ravens’ defense recorded an astounding seven turnovers, Lewis battled Reed for the rights as the biggest contributor to his team’s victory. Lewis had an interception less than a minute into the second half, catching a tipped pass near the line of scrimmage that set the Ravens up for a dominant defensive quarter. The middle linebacker, who was selected to his twelfth Pro Bowl in 2010, also recorded a forced fumble in the redzone in the second half.
Video Highlights: Lewis Intercepts Big Ben | Lewis Strips Moore
Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints): 4 receptions, 56 yards, 1 Touchdown
On opening night of the 2011 NFL season, it was Jimmy Graham who officially increased the streak to 140 straight regular season weeks with at least one former Hurricane in the endzone. Graham caught a late touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Brees that nearly put his team in position to knock off the defending Super Bowl champions. Graham’s fourth quarter score was not enough, however, as the Packers triumphed at Lambeau Field, 42-34.
Video Highlights: Graham’s 5-Yard Touchdown
Andre Johnson (Houston Texans): 7 receptions, 95 yards, 1 Touchdown
In a marquee match-up of former Hurricane wide receivers, Andre Johnson helped lead the Houston Texans to a 34-7 victory over division rival Indianapolis. Johnson, who finished sixth in receiving yards during the 2010 NFL season, made a terrific touchdown grab in the second quarter that solidified the Texans’ lead. With his team driving, Johnson demonstrated his famed quick reflexes by catching a deflected pass from quarterback Matt Schaub in the back of the endzone to increase his team’s lead to 24-0.
Video Highlights: Johnson Makes Difficult Catch for TD
Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts): 7 receptions, 106 yards, 1 Touchdown
On the opposite sideline at Reliant Stadium, Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne was one of the few bright spots on a tough day for the Colts’ offense. Wayne made a tremendous catch of his own, stretching for a ball near the corner of the endzone and making sure to tap both feet inbound for the touchdown. Despite the highlight reel catch, however, Wayne could not guide his team to victory, as the Colts fell to the Texans in Houston.
Video Highlights: Wayne’s 6-Yard TD | 36-Yard Catch | Walking the Line
Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers): 7 receptions, 129 yards (combined)
The two former Hurricane tight ends were instrumental in the success of quarterback Cam Newton, who tied a rookie debut record of 442 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. Carolina, who traded for Olsen and signed Shockey in the offseason, came just short of an opening day victory, falling to the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium by a final score of 28-21.
Video Highlights: Olsen’s 43-Yard Catch | Game Highlights
The ProCanes are not done for the NFL weekend and we will have updates if they have standout performances. Tonight, DeMarcus Van Dyke and Richard Gordon will make their professional debuts for the Oakland Raiders against fellow rookie Orlando Franklin, Willis McGahee and D.J. Williams of the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The early game between the Patriots and Dolphins features Vince Wilfork (Pats) and Vernon Carey (Phins) at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Heading into the NFL opening week, UM lead all colleges with 42 alums on active NFL Rosters.
For all the most up-to-date information on Canes in the NFL, make sure you bookmark ProCanes.com.
