Monday ProCanes Report: James Shines for Bucs
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. #ProCanes across the league exploded for 796 yards of total offense in Week 9, including a season-high seven touchdowns by four different players. Veteran wideout Andre Johnson registered three first-half scores in a prolific performance at home for the Houston Texans, while Tampa Bay rookie running back Mike James recorded the first touchdown pass for a Hurricane since 2007 on a perfectly-executed trick play near the goal line.
Lamar Miller (Miami Dolphins) – 16 carries, 105 yards, four receptions, 24 receiving yards
Miami’s second-year running Lamar Miller back put on a show in a thrilling overtime win, totaling 129 yards to help guide the Dolphins to a 22-20 win over upstart Cincinnati. Miller, who ranks second among qualifying backs with a 4.8 yards-per-carry average, recorded the first 100-yard rushing game of his career in the victory. The Miami, Fla., native, who ranks No. 20 in overall rushing yards (448) despite having less than 100 carries on the season (93), has totaled 241 yards over the past two weeks, and has handled the majority of the team’s carries (34) over that timespan, including 16 in the win over Cincinnati.
Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints) – nine catches, 116 yards, two touchdowns
After recording only 37 yards last time out against Buffalo, fourth-year tight end Jimmy Graham exploded for a game-high 116 receiving yards on nine catches, including two touchdowns, in his team’s loss to New York. Graham, who ranks fifth in receiving yards in the NFL (746), is the only tight end ranked in the top 15 in the category. Graham is closing in on the second 1,000-yard season of his career, and has posted five 100-yard games. With two touchdowns Sunday, Graham recorded back-to-back multi-touchdown performances for the second time this season, and finds himself atop the NFL leaderboard in receiving touchdowns (10) through Week 9.
Video Highlights: Dragging It In | 10-Yard TD
Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) – nine catches, 229 yards, three touchdowns
Despite his team’s disappointing defeat, Andre Johnson put up “video game” numbers in Houston’s Sunday Night Football matchup with visiting Indianapolis. Johnson recorded the third 200-yard receiving game of his career, 137 of which came in the game’s first quarter, while registering three touchdowns before halftime for the Texans. His 190 yards at the halftime whistle set a new personal best, while he moved into fourth place in receiving yards (813) by night’s end. Perhaps most notably, Johnson moved past fellow #ProCanes legend Michael Irvin into 20th place in all-time NFL receiving yards (12,067) – one of just three active receivers in the prestigious list.
Video Highlights: Touchdown Number One | Number Two | Number Three
Mike James (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – 28 carries, 158 yards, one touchdown pass
Tampa Bay’s rookie running back enjoyed a breakout game in his team’s heartbreaking loss to Seattle, recording a career-high 158 yards on the ground and recording a midseason candidate for the “Play of the Year.” With his team sporting an unlikely two-touchdown lead just two minutes before halftime, James took a handoff from Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon near the goal line. Rather than plunge into the endzone, James helped Tampa Bay pull off a “jump pass” touchdown, as he hit a falling Tom Crabtree to give his team a 21-0 lead. James, who entered the game with 96 yards in the team’s first seven games, nearly doubled his season output with a dominant performance.
Video Highlights: Can’t Miss Play: Jumpin’ Bucs | 21-Yard Rumble | 18-Yard Run
TheUFootball.com #ProCanes Interview: Mike James
(interview conducted by Max Strauss)
HurricaneSports.com: Even with your busy schedule as a professional football player in the NFL, do you still follow the Hurricanes on Saturdays?
Mike James: “Yeah of course. I watch the guys early every weekend, and I’m always talking about them. I’m very excited the progress they are making and I hope we keep on winning.”
HS.com: What does it mean to be a part of #NFLU?
MJ: “It’s a great accomplishment; I am a part of this elite fraternity, and I am overly excited. I’m blessed. I thank God for the opportunity everyday because it is something you always dreamed of as a kid.”
HS.com: How do you think being a Miami Hurricane has prepared you for life in the NFL?
MJ: “I think it was because of the structure. The structure of how they ran practice, how they taught us things, how they handle things totally prepared me for the NFL.”
HS.com: Do you have any favorite memories from your time as a Hurricane?
MJ: “The Georgia Tech game (2012) when we rallied down from 19 points, that was one of the greatest memories I had. And also hanging out, being with the guys, and being with my roomies and enjoying the camaraderie.”
