The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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men's football year seniors in the middle trio of positions from the line. "I'm here to help lead this team, help our running backs get the yards they need to gain to be successful, and lead this offensive line with the younger guys," he said. "When you've got young guys like [freshmen] Kyle Kalis, and Ben Braden and Erik Magnuson, those guys, I want to be a part of their lives for one more year and help them develop into something that they can possibly be in my position in a couple of years." Lewan's teammates cheered him 20 minutes earlier, when he told them of his decision in a team meeting. He'd consulted with former U-M All-American Jake Long earlier, and while Long didn't tell him whether to stay or go, he offered plenty of reasons why he stayed before signing a lucrative NFL contract. U-M head coach Brady Hoke appreciated the message sent by Lewan's decision. "It's a strong message," Hoke said. "The one message Taylor and I talked about, and that he mentioned to me early, was that offensive linemen here, they stay. There has been a tradition of that, with Jake and [Jon] Jansen and Hutch [Steve Hutchinson] and all those guys … to be a guy who is mentioned with those guys is important." There's more he wants to show, Lewan promised, beginning immediately. "There's a tradition of great offensive linemen here," he said. "I have no doubt in my mind this offensive line will be successful, if we do what we have to do in the offseason. There's time, but not enough time. "We've got young guys, and that's one of my biggest reasons for coming back — to help those guys out, but most importantly, to push this team, have these seniors push this team to know that, when we step on the field, we're going to be successful. "Our goal is the Big Ten championship. Coming back, pushing, and doing all the things we have to do, we can win a Big Ten championship." Final Tally Shows Denard Robinson Near Top Denard Robinson produced more yards in a Michigan football uniform than anyone who ever pulled one on. It might be a while before anyone comes close to his mark of 10,776 total yards. The Michigan senior finished up his career with 100 yards rushing in a solid Outback Bowl effort, putting the final numerical update in the U-M record books. Here's how he stacked up, when the final gun sounded on his career. Career Passing Attempts Rk. Player Attempts 1. Chad Henne 1,387 2. John Navarre 1,366 3. Elvis Grbac 835 4. Denard Robinson 747 5. Tom Brady 711 5. Todd Collins 711 • Robinson made one final passing attempt in the Outback Bowl, failing to complete it. His arm issues hampered him throughout the second half of Michigan's season.