Monday Pro Canes Report: 26 Hurricanes Playoff-Bound

Jan. 2, 2012

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. Though Week 17 often comes as a chance for teams to rest their starters, Sunday’s action was not without its usual myriad of highlights from Pro Canes. While Jimmy Graham set a new franchise record for catches in a season against Carolina, Antrel Rolle helped lead the New York Giants into the playoffs with his performance against Dallas on Sunday night. With the 2011 regular season officially in the books, 26 Pro Canes will be heading to the playoffs on a chase for the Lombardi Trophy.

Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints) – 8 catches, 97 yards, 1 touchdown
The sophomore tight end finished a dominant 2011 regular season with a spectacular finish in the team’s 45-17 victory over Carolina. Graham, who entered the game only 78 yards short of the single-season record for yards by an NFL tight end, eclipsed Kellen Winslow’s 31-year old mark and set a new franchise for catches in a season with his 99th grab of the year. Though his yards total would later be bested by Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski, Graham finished the year with a whopping 1,310 yards and tied the franchise record for touchdown receptions in a season with 11.
Video highlights: Touchdown Catch | One-Handed Grab  | Up Next: Detroit Lions (1/7)

Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts): 8 receptions, 73 yards
Though his team dropped its regular season finale against Jacksonville, Wayne continued his ascent upwards in the NFL record books with his eight-catch performance against the Jaguars. The 11-year veteran, who finished the season just shy of 1,000 yards, is now tied at No. 15 all-time in career receptions with 862. Playing without starting quarterback Peyton Manning for all of 2011, Wayne finished the season just 40 yards short of his eighth-straight 1,000-yard season.

Antrel Rolle (New York Giants): 8 tackles, 1 interception
With a playoff berth on the line, Antrel Rolle helped guide the New York Giants into the postseason and a crucial 31-14 win over divisional rival Dallas. Rolle, who finished the game with eight tackles, had the most important play of his season in the third quarter. With Dallas down two scores and less than five minutes remaining in the period, Rolle jumped a Tony Romo pass for his second interception of the year. With his eight-takedown performance, Rolle finishes 2011 with a new career-high in tackles, totaling 96 on the year.
Video highlights: Key Interception | Up Next: Atlanta Falcons (1/8)

Willis McGahee (Denver Broncos): 28 carries, 145 yards
Despite his team’s disappointing loss to Kansas City, Willis McGahee is heading back to the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. The ninth-year running back, who rushed for 145 yards against the Chiefs defense, capped the season with the third-highest yardage total of his career (1,199). One of only 15 backs to top the 1,000-yard mark in 2011, McGahee finished the year ranked eighth in the NFL in rushing yards and fifth among running backs with at least 200 carries in average yards per carry (4.8).
Video highlights: 15-yard run | Up Next: Pittsburgh Steelers (1/8)

Heading into the NFL opening week, UM led all colleges with 42 alums on active NFL Rosters.

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