The U

I've had the University of Miami players in the NFL pegged as a Flea Flicker topic for some time now. The NFL Network's premiere episode of the 100 Greatest Players got me thinking about them again. It's not so much the talent that the school has sent to the NFL that I find remarkable, and they have certainly done that. Miami has 10 players on the list, more than any other school. It is the closeness of the group that intrigues me. They are like a family. Actually, they are a family, and it spans generations. It might have started in "the thug" days of the late '80s and early '90s when the school exploded on the college football scene. Perhaps, it was the criticism brought down on those players and teams that brought them together, strengthened their bond. Whatever it was, it stuck and it grew. From Michael Irvin to Warren Sapp to Ray Lewis to Andre Johnson, the family grew. I know of no other school where the membership means so much. It was never so apparent as after the tragic murder of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. The Miami players, all the Miami players before, during and after Taylor, came together for him, his family and for each other. They were all there.

Talent has flowed out of the U for over 20 years now. From Frank Gore to Reggie Wayne to Devin Hester to Carlos Huerta to Bryant McKinnie to the incredible Ed Reed. Well, maybe not Huerta, he's a kicker. They are scattered all over the NFL. To be a Hurricane means something to the Hurricane players. As great as their talent is, their commitment to each other may be even greater.