The Swagger Report: Ten Years, Ten Forgotten Hurricanes

The past decade of Miami Hurricanes football has provided some of the best and worst memories in the history of the program.

From the domination of Nebraska that marked the first national title in Coral Gables in ten years, to missing out on a bowl in 2007.

One thing that you can say though is that the Canes roster has never been devoid of stars, with vocal standouts like Kellen Winslow II, or big play specialists like Devin Hester and Willis McGahee.

But what about the other guys? The players that Miami fans remember but few people talk about?

This is their little moment to shine, with my tribute to some of the most underrated Hurricanes of the past decade, and some other guys that I just wish were still around.

10. Brett Romberg

Brett Romberg was the leader of an offensive line that was, quite possibly, one of the best in the history of the college game.

A couple of the guys went on to be drafted, one became a star in the NFL, but I'm not sure any of them worked as hard back in Coral Gables as Romberg did.

He and roommate/star Quarterback Ken Dorsey had some amazing chemistry as well, something greatly missed over the years that followed.

9. Jamaal Green

The unknown sack-master, Green represents the best of a seemingly never ending revolving door of defensive ends that highlighted the best of the Miami teams in the early 00's.

Guys like Green, Andrew Williams, and Javon Nanton provided some great sparks playing alongside the stars that would always have at least two blockers staring them down.

Green started 25 games in three years, and notched 20 sacks over that span, leading the team in 2002 with ten.

8. (co) Kevin Beard and Ethenic Sands

Two talented wideouts that had no problem playing second, third, and sometimes fourth fiddle to some of the most talented skill position players in the nation.

For their work, they won one national title, and came within one play of another as part of two of the best teams in school history.

The pair would come up big whenever they were called upon, combining for almost 100 receptions, 1400 yards and 11 touchdowns during the two title game runs.

7. Quadtrine Hill

Those of you that read my article highlighting the highs and lows of the swagometer know my fondness for the old fullback.

Pretty much the epitome of underrated, fullbacks often come and go from college football without much fanfare, unless they're particular skilled, like the Jacob Hesters and Brian Leonards of the world.

What Quad brought to the table was consistency, and an ability to do pretty much whatever was asked of him. Though, he was always rated ridiculously high in the NCAA video games, but I'll let that slide.

6. James Lewis

Miami has this thing about safeties, you may have noticed it over the years. The school that would fight hard to be considered as TE U, LB U, and RB U doesn't need to put much effort into the safety category.

Guys like Sean Taylor help solidify what previous generations laid down some time ago. The problem is that only one guy can be the star, and that leaves a big blank spot in the publicity department for some.

See James Lewis, a key cog in the ferocious Miami defense that won the National Title in 2001. Lewis was a solid, silent partner to the greatness of Ed Reed; more on this to come a bit later.

5. Todd Sievers

Say what you want about the position, but Todd Sievers was one of the finer kickers to ever play in Coral Gables. While not automatic like some of the country's kicking greats, Sievers only missed four kicks from inside 40 yards in his Hurricane career.

His big leg might have gotten him in trouble at times, but it helped get the Canes out of the fire on some occasions, too.

During his senior year, he was two of two against Florida, including a 53 yarder, he hit four of his five kicks against Tennessee, and nailed a 40-yarder to send the 2002 Championship game into overtime.

4. Buck Ortega

Honestly, Buck Ortega must have been on the Hurricanes for ten seasons. He is the Julius Hodge of Miami football. Starting out his career as a quarterback named Bucky, his switch to Tight End came with a switch to the name Buck, to exhibit a more mature and powerful image in the minds of defenders, no doubt.

Having just 14 receptions in his college career doesn't begin to tell the story of Buck and what he brought to the team, be it special teams, blocking, and all the other dirty work that no one else wanted to do.

The best part is that he's worked his way onto an NFL roster, and is a now in his second season as a New Orleans Saint.

3. Maurice Sikes

I know that Mo Sikes wasn't as good as Sean Taylor. He wasn't as fast, strong, or skilled, but I still find it very hard to believe he wasn't good enough to be selected in the NFL Draft.

I always saw Sikes as the perfect compliment to the daring Taylor, one there to make plays and the other to keep negative plays from happening.

The latter was Mo's job, and I always thought he did it well, and frankly that was a very necessary position with the way Sean could play.

That was years ago though, and I probably need to move on as I'm sure Mo has, but it's hard to think I'll ever be able to fully shake the question of how 32 teams didn't think he was worthy of a pick.

2. Glenn Sharpe

It's strange not having Glenn Sharpe around any more. The six year Hurricane spent two seasons on the shelf with medical redshirts, but still kept fighting his way back to the squad.

Even worse for Sharpe may have been what happened to him as a freshman, when a questionable call in the biggest game of his life could have easily sunk him and his career before it truly began.

Still, he never gave up, earning the 2006 Brian Piccolo Award, given to the most courageous player in the ACC, and displaying a "Will Not Die" attitude that I wish was still around the locker room.

1. Joaquin Gonzalez

Every Miami fan should know the name Joaquin. While Gonzalez was a key piece of the great offensive line of the early 00s, his name has gone beyond that by way of one of the most famous quotes in college football history.

Ed Reed turned his name into a battle cry, a statement that would ignite almost two years of utter dominance in college football.

"Stop asking me if I'm hurt. I'm hurt, dawg. Of course I'm hurt. Don't ask me if I'm all right. Hell Nah! Joaquin said 'Dominate', and we ain't dominatin'. I put my heart in this ****, dawg. NOW LET'S GO!!"

Thanks for reading, and please let me know a few of your forgotten Hurricane heroes.