The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2019 THE WOLVERINE 77 BY AUSTIN FOX D espite the fact that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be 42 years old when the 2019 NFL season kicks off in September, he has continued to perform at a high level. A 2018 campaign that saw him throw for 4,335 yards (seventh most in the NFL) and 29 touchdowns en route to his sixth Super Bowl title only reinforced that notion, and Pro Football Focus once again declared him the game's best quarterback heading into 2019. "Yes, he's still the best in the busi- ness," PFF wrote after it tabbed him No. 1 on its July 22 list of the game's 10 best current signal-callers. "Even at 41 years old, Brady turned in an elite 90.6 overall grade in 2018, making it the fourth consecutive season he's earned an overall grade of 90.0-plus. His passing grade on passes with a step of separation over the last three years leads all qualify- ing signal-callers, and his passing grade on tight-window throws ranks fourth on the list. "Surprising no one, Brady also earned a starting role on PFF's 2018 NFL Clutch Team for his efforts in one-score games this past season." The rest of the outlet's top five included the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees at No. 2, the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes at No. 3, the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers at No. 4 and the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck at No. 5. The NBA MORITZ WAGNER TRADED TO THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS Former Michigan forward Moritz Wagner's (played at U-M from 2015-18) time in Los Ange- les came to an end after just one season, when the Lakers traded him to the Washington Wizards June 27 along with two other players and a 2022 second-round pick in what was part of a three- team deal that featured former New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis being shipped to the Lakers. Wagner made a minimal impact during his rookie campaign in the NBA, averaging just 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.4 minutes over 43 games while connecting on 41.5 percent of his shots. The former first- round pick (25th overall in 2018) scored in double figures eight times last season, with his best perfor- mance being a career-high 22-point, six-rebound effort against the Boston Celtics March 9. In his first NBA Summer League game with the Wizards July 8, Wag- ner posted eight points in 16 min- utes, but wasn't necessarily happy with his performance. "I would say it was a typical Wag- ner debut," he noted afterward. "I missed a lot of layups, but I got my feet wet. I didn't have a great day, but that's how first days usually go for me. I'm glad I got the rust off." FORMER WOLVERINES ON MLB ROSTERS Through July 21 • Rich Hill (Played at U-M from 2000- 02), LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Suf- fered a forearm tendon flexor strain dur- ing his June 19 start, and is expected to be out until mid-September … Owns a 4-1 record and 2.55 ERA in 10 starts and 53 innings of work for 67-35 Los Angeles. • Ryan LaMarre (2008-11), OF, Atlanta Braves: Has spent the entire season in the minors, hitting .301 with six homers, 42 RBI and a .367 on-base percentage in 83 games for Triple-A Gwinnett. • Zach Putnam (2006-08), RHP, Bos- ton Red Sox: Continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in March and has yet to pitch in 2019. • Clayton Rich- ard (2005), LHP, To r o n t o B l u e J ays : D i d n o t m a k e h i s f i r s t a p p e a r a n ce o f the season until May 23, due to a stress reaction in his right knee suf- fered in March … Has stumbled to a 1-5 record and a 5.96 ERA in 10 starts and 45 1 ⁄3 in- nings for the 38- 63 Blue Jays. ❑ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Tom Brady Rated As The Best Quarterback In The NFL Yet Again Ryan LaMarre • MLB The outfielder for the Gwinnet Stripers — the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate — went 3 for 4 with three runs scored July 14, cranking out a home run and seven total bases in a 5-4 victory at Charlotte. Jordan Poole • NBA The Golden State Warriors guard scored 23 points in an 88-80 NBA Summer League win over the Los An- geles Lakers July 8, nailing 7 of 15 shots from the floor, including 3 of 8 from deep. Duncan Robinson • NBA He poured in 26 points and pulled down eight re- bounds in Miami's 101-100 overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in NBA Summer League action July 13. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news Pro Football Focus gave Brady an elite 90.6 overall grade in 2018, making it the fourth consecutive season he has earned an over- all mark of 90.0-plus. PHOTO BY JIM MAHONEY/ COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS