Former Cane and current star Texans receiver Andre Johnson is widely known around the NFL as being a quiet superstar who lets his game do the talking.

Today it was with his fists as he and Titans cornerback Courtland Finnegan got into it. Finnegan is known as one of the dirtiest players in the league and it’s apparent Johnson had enough.

Both players were ejected with the Texans getting the last laugh, dominating the Titans 20-0.

Honorable Mention: Vernon Carey (Dolphins), Devon Hester (Bears), Clinton Portis (Redskins), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Willis McGahee (Ravens), D.J. Williams (Broncos), Kellen Winslow (Bucs), Chris Myers (Texans)

It is discouraging nobody on this list played at Miami in the last five years. That’s a sign Miami’s program needs to make some changes, but that’s for another article.

The following are the top ten Canes in the NFL today, at this moment in time. It’s where they currently are in their careers, not the entire career itself.

Top 10 NFL Canes as of November 4, 2010

10. Santana Moss, Redskins – Moss was one of the most dangerous wideouts in Canes history. He made just as big a impact in the return game as he did on offense.

In the NFL, he has provided great consistency and ranks among the better wideouts out there. He is on pace for a career high 96 receptions this year. Not many get in and out of their cuts as quickly as Santana.

9. Antrel Rolle, Giants – He has the versatility to play safety and corner. He’s big and he can tackle. He was a great pickup for the Giants this summer and plays on one of the best defenses in football.

8. Bryant McKinnie, Vikings – This mountain of a man has owned the Vikings’ left tackle spot for what seems like decades. Sure he’s lost a step at 31, but he is still a disruptive force up front when he wants to be.

7. Jon Vilma, Saints – He might not be as powerful of a hitter as Ray Lewis, but who is? What he lacks in flair he makes up for with smarts and sound mechanics. He’s a disciplined, instinctive linebacker who is rarely out of position.

6. Vince Wilfork, Patriots - Vince is arguably the best nose tackle in football. He is a mainstay on the Patriots defensive line and does an excellent job at filling the gaps at the point of attack with his behemoth 325-pound frame.

And that’s a very generous listing. I remember during his days at “The U” they would leave him in all game even with 30-point leads to get him in better shape.

5. Reggie Wayne, Colts – How’s this for Wayne’s legacy? He will go down as one of the greatest to ever play. Period.

Sure Peyton Manning helps, but he has over 10,000 yards in his NFL career and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. He owns some of the best hands in the game.

4.  Frank Gore, 49ers - The man who once averaged nine yards a carry as a Miami freshman has becomes one of the NFL’s premiere running backs. He has had some issues with injuries over the years but looks to be back on the track of stardom. He has become a complete back and is on pace for a career high 76 receptions this season.

3. Ray Lewis, Ravens – Flat out the greatest linebacker to ever play the game at the pro level. It’s good his time in the NFL will be coming to an end in a few years, although he hasn’t dropped off, because of the more sensitive rule changes regarding hard hits. There wasn’t and probably never will be a more ferocious terror roaming the middle of the field.

2. Ed Reed, Ravens - “2-0 E-Reed boy, knock you off ya feet boy”. My favorite line from the song Ballin Boys-Hurricane Remix by No Good.

Just as Lewis is the most dangerous linebacker of his time, Reed makes a great case at safety. There isn’t a bigger playmaker in the secondary in football. He is a ballhawk and his 48 career interceptions prove it.

He missed the first six games of this season due to injury and there were whispers that Reed’s best days were over. Well nobody told him that. Last week in his return to the gridiron he proved the doubters wrong with two picks.

He also is an incredible runner with the ball and probably could have been an All-Pro running back or receiver.

1. Andre Johnson, Texans - Standing at 6’3″, 225, there isn’t a more imposing physical specimen at receiver in the league. He has the speed to beat you deep and the smarts and route running to carve you up underneath. If he isn’t double teamed he is going to beat you, and even if he is there’s no certainty you’re shutting him down.

He’s also a no-nonsense type of player who doesn’t attract attention to himself for the wrong reasons. With AJ, it’s strictly business. He’s had over 1500 yards and 100 receptions each of the last two seasons.

Andre is the NFL's best receiver.

Risers

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Mike Wallace, Steelers – With Santonio Holmes out of the picture, Wallace will have every opportunity to be the number two guy and could find himself as the Steelers’ top target as the season progresses. He has the speed to be a force down the field and displayed a wide array of skills in his rookie season after hauling in 39 receptions for 756 yards (19.6 average) and 6 touchdowns. Target the speedster in the middle of your draft beginning in round six.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers – After missing five games to open his NFL career, Crabtree came on with 48 receptions for 625 yards to close out 2009. The only thing that could hold him back is the play of quarterback Alex Smith, who has shown signs of becoming a solid starter but hasn’t sold anyone yet. Nabbing him after round seven will pay dividends.

Pierre Garcon, Colts – Peyton Manning is going to produce, a forgone conclusion for one of the greatest to ever play. Although Reggie Wayne is his guy, there are going to be more than enough balls to go around, leaving Garcon as a potentially huge beneficiary. Despite missing the last two games of the season he still had 765 yards receiving and that was during his first year of significant playing time. Like Crabtree and Wallace, Garcon is a great target in the middle of your draft.

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Fallers

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Desean Jackson, Eagles – Jackson was a fantasy monster last year with 1156 yards and 9 touchdowns. That was with Donovan McNabb throwing him the football, not Kevin Kolb. Although Kolb could turn out to be a productive quarterback, that is still an unknown, making Jackson a risky selection.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers - Jackson was the best receiver in all of fantasy football in the first half of last season before he dropped off the map with only two touchdowns in the second half. He is facing a three-game suspension to open up the 2010 season so his value should take a hit. When he’s on the field he’s one of the best, but taking him in the early rounds when he’s facing a shortened season isn’t the smartest idea.

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Rankings

1. Andre Johnson, TEN – The best in the game after the year he had in 2009 (1575 YDS and 8 TD).

2. Randy Moss, NE - This old man still has the goods to be an elite fantasy receiver.

3. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI – The owner of the best hands in football might have a tougher time this year without Boldin and Warner.

4. Reggie Wayne, IND – Manning’s top target is a safe bet, wouldn’t you think?

5. Brandon Marshall, MIA – Miami’s new weapon is going to take the Dolphins offense to another level.

6. Miles Austin, DAL – There’s no more sneaking up on people with Austin anymore. He is a legitimate star.

7. Greg Jennings, GB – The best receiver on one of the most dangerous offenses in football with one of the game’s best quarterbacks.

8. Calvin Johnson, DET - His ability is off the charts, but his quarterback will dicate his success next year.

9. Marques Colston, NOR – The best receiver on a team with the best quarterback in football.

10. Chad Ochocinco, CIN – With Owens across from him he will thrive.

11. Roddy White, ATL

12. Anquan Boldin, ARI

13. Desean Jackson, PHI

14. Sidney Rice, MIN – Will Favre return? If yes, can he stay healthy long enough for Rice to be a star again?

15. Steve Smith, CAR

16. Steve Smith, NYG

17. Hines Ward, PIT

18. Dwayne Bowe, KC

19. Wes Welker, NE - How good will he be coming off a major surgery?

20. Donald Driver, GB

21. Steve Breaston, ARI - No Boldin, no problem. He’s going to be a great player in the near future.

22. Robert Meachem, NOR

23. Santana Moss, WAS – McNabb will revive his career.

24. Mike Sims-Walker, JAC

25. Pierre Garcon, IND

26. Terrell Owens, CIN

27. Mike Wallace, PIT

28. Hakeem Nicks, NYG

29. Devin Hester, CHI

30. Santonio Holmes, NYJ – If not for his four-game suspension he’d be a top 15 receiver.

31. T.J. Houshmanzadeh, CIN

32. Michael Crabtree, SF

33. Percy Harvin, MIN - I’m not sold.

34. Derrick Mason, BAL - The dinosaur is ready to contribute once again.

35. Roy Williams, DAL

36. Jeremy Maclin, PHI  - Sleeper alert.

37. Chris Chambers, KC

38. Kenny Britt, TEN

39. Lee Evans, BUF

40. Eddie Royal, DEN – He will have a bounce back year with Marshall out of the picture.

41. Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ

42. Braylon Edwards, NYJ

43. Austin Collie, IND

44. Brian Hartline, MIA

45. Julian Edelman, NE

Shaq ready to go at in the ring?

Heat

• The biggest, baddest Miami sports brawls (MIA)
• Can the Heat be beat inside? HA (PBT)
• The story of Heat VP, Andy Elisburg (Sentinel)
• Technically the Heat open early October (Sentinel)

Dolphins

• Previewing the Miami secondary (MIA)
• Will Chad Pennington be traded? (Herald)

Marlins

• The Marlins are hurting bad (Herald)

Hurricanes

• Seantrel Henderson took the practice field today in Miami (AP)

NBA

• Barkley did whattt? (MIA)
• The Knicks just got a big-time shooter in Roger Mason
• The Lakers retain Shannon Brown (FanHouse)
• Shaq and Jim Rome in the ring? (Daily)

NFL

• The Broncos defense took a major hit today (ESPN)
• The Texans Andre Johnson just got PAID (CBS)

MLB

• Giants Buster Posey is tearing the majors up (NBC)

SHOD

• Yesterday’s sports hottie of the day is sexy (MIA)

Ken Dorsey (2000 – 2002)

Everyone remembers Kosar, Testaverde, and Kelly as the premiere Canes’ quarterbacks, but what about Dorsey? Sure he looked like he ate a pretzel a day and then never made it big in the NFL, but you cannot ignore the facts. He played in two national championships, winning one and losing the other on the worst called penalty in the history of football. He passed for 8,758 yards. 76 touchdowns, and posted an absurd 38-2 record during his three years as starter. Who cares if he couldn’t sling the ball on a rope sixty yards down field. Dorsey was a gamer, a pure winner.

Runningback -

Willis McGahee

This was brutal choice. My main argument is this: Nobody put more fear into a defense than McGahee did during the 2002 season when he rushed for 1,753 yards (6.2 avg),  28 touchdowns, and had eight 100-yard games (All Hurricane records). Every time he touched the ball he was a threat to go the distance due to his rare combination of strength and explosiveness. If he didn’t get his knee shredded like a block of cheese in the 2002 National Championship, he might be the best back in the NFL today.

Edgerrin James

Edgerrin James was dominant for multiple seasons in Coral Gables, as he was the only Canes back to have two consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus rushing yards, and he ranks first in school history with the most 100-yard rushing games (14). He also still holds the record for rushing yards in a game with 299, which has a good chance of never being broken.

Fullback

Alonzo Highsmith (1984 – 1986)

The father to current Miami backup QB A.J. Highsmith was a 235 pound bull for the old school, fatigue-clad Canes. He won a national title in 2003 over Nebraska.

Wide Receiver

Michael Irvin (1984 – 1987) Irvin finished his career at “The U” with 143 receptions, 2,423 yards and 26 touchdowns(Best all time). He was known for his flash just as much as his playmaking ability and goes down as one of the greatest Canes ever.

Santana Moss (1997 – 2000) Moss narrowly edges out Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne because he was the total package. The former walk-on graduated as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,546), punt return yards (1,196), and all-purpose yards (4,394). He was as dangerous in the return game as anyone in the history of college football and was a threat to take it to the house any time he touched the rock.

Tight End

Jeremy Shockey (2000 – 2001) Shock was a critical part of the 2001 National Championship team, one of the best teams in the history of college football. He possessed the unique mix of size and speed to beat any matchup the defense threw at him.

Tackles

Bryant McKinnie (2000 – 2001)

Leon Searcy (1988 – 1991)

Guards

Chris Myers (2001 – 2003)

Martin Bibla (1998 – 2001)

Center

Jim Otto (1957-1959)

Returner

Devin Hester (2004-2005) The fastest man in Miami Hurricane history with six career touchdowns off returns. He never really fit in on either side of the ball, but his role as a dominant force in the return game made him a game changer. He goes down as one of the most dangerous players in college football history.

Check out the Hurricane’s All-Time Defense HERE