Diamonds in the rough find their way into NFL Playoffs

Last year the 0-8 FAU Owls took on the 6-3 FIU Panthers on November 12^th 2011 in the annual Shula Bowl The annual rivalry game between the 2 aforementioned schools. Two solid schools in the South Florida area not known for their football programs. The game was a straight blowout with the Panthers of FIU putting a Beat down on FAU 41-7. We didn't know it back then but in that game we saw 2 of what would become the best rookies at they're positions in 2012 Alfred Morris and T.Y Hilton. Foreshadowing of what would take place in they're NFL rookie seasons happened in that game. Alfred Morris rushed for 110 on 21 Carries and broke the FAU record for rushing yards previously held by Charles Perry. T.Y Hilton electrified the Panther faithful with a 97 yard punt return TD. Needless to say these guys came out of nowhere and became key contributors for 2 playoff teams.

In the 3^rd Round of last year's NFL draft the Indianapolis Colts took a gamble. They traded up in the 3^rd round with the 49ers for the 93^rd pick,that Gamble came in the form of FIU Panther standout wide Receiver T.Y Hilton to go along with 1^st round draft pick and franchise QB Andrew Luck of Stanford. The Gamble paid off Hilton stepped in for the injured Austin Collie and took full advantage of his opportunity. He went on to collect 50 receptions along with 861 yards and 7 Touchdowns. He emerged as a solid number two receiver behind Reggie Wayne and set several records along the way. He was the 1^st Colts player in History to score both a receiving and punt Return Touchdown in the same game when he did it against the Buffalo Billis on November 25th. He also set a new Colts Rookie record for 100 yard receiving games with 4. At the end of the season Hilton ranks 2^nd in receiving yards behind only Justin Blackmon (865 yards) and 1^st in Punt return yards with 300,Not bad for a third round gamble.

In the 6^th round the Washington Redskins drafted Alfred Morris from little known FAU in Boca Raton, Florida to go play with RG3 in our nation's capital. He came into training camp with Tim Hightower, Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster all projected to start in front of him. He beat the odds won the job over three other backs and was named the opening day Starter. He would also make History by breaking the Redskins single season rushing record set by Clinton Portis (1,516 yards) with 1,613 yards of his own along with 13 touchdowns. Isn't that crazy? An FAU Owl broke a Miami Hurricanes Record for rushing. The only guy who had more yards then Morris was Adrian Peterson who fell 9 yards short pf having the greatest season in the history of mankind. He may be only five feet 9 inches tall but Alfred Morris is a big time back.

The Colts went 11-5 and won a wild card spot after going 2-14 last year. The Redskins won The NFC east for the 1^st time in over a decade. It's crazy to think that at this time last year nobody knew about Hilton or Morris and now this Saturday they will be playing in the NFL playoffs. It's crazy how a year changes things. So next time you are watching the NFL draft and you don't feel like watching the 3^rd or 6^th round then I say “Shame on you” because you never know the Next T.Y Hilton or Alfred Morris could be in that round.

Duke you gotta be kidding

When I sat down and planted my rear end on my living room couch Saturday too watch the Miami Hurricanes season opener vs. Boston College I had really no idea what to expect. I had a plethora of questions. How young are we? Who is gonna replace Sean Spence? And most importantly who is replacing Lamar Miller?  That third questions answer came in the Form of true freshman running back #8  Duke Johnson he had 2 back breaking Touchdowns of 54 and 56 yards. He displayed a great amount of speed and power. His ability to change direction at the drop of a dime had me thinking about all the old great Miami tailbacks who had that ability. This was hands down the BEST debut from any UM running back I have ever seen. At the end of the game his stat line looked like this.

7 carries 135 yards 19.3 yards a carry 2 Touchdowns

WOW!

He was explosive and every time he touched the ball positive things happened for The “U”. He had a grimyness  too him that the whole offense seem too feed off of. When getting hit he would never immediately go down and pick up those all important extra yards you need to move the chains. On his 1st Touchdown where he ran for 54 yards he took what looked like it was going to be a 1 yard loss evaded a tackler charged up the field broke another 2 tackels accelerated with nothing but daylight and topped it off with a stiff arm for what I and the rest of canes nation hope is the 1st of many Tds for Duke. He was most definatly the best player on the field today. He was a huge part of the 41-32 Win for Miami. I’m not the only one who is taking notice of the freshman though. Lebron James Tweeted “Duke Johnson the truth out there for the u! True Freshman #SpeedKills” . Not even one game and the reigning finals MVP is a fan of the kid. Longtime Um supporter and former Rap artist Luther Campbell tweeted in plain English “Duke Johnson will be the greatest Running back in UM history” . That’s a bold statement especially when you think of all the great former running backs in the programs history. Clinton Portis, Willis Mcgahee, Edgerrin James, Frank Gore, Lamar Miller That’s a lot too live up too and overcome. I honestly believe though that as long as his head is on straight he has a great chance too join all those great names.