The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2021 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE T ampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Tom Brady has broken many NFL records and won more Super Bowls (seven) than any other player in league history, but he is still accomplishing new feats, even in his 22nd season at 44 years of age. The former Michigan quarterback threw nine touchdown passes in his first two games, the most he's tossed through the first two contests of a sea- son in his career. Brady's hot start began on the first night of the entire NFL campaign (Thursday, Sept. 9) against the Dal- las Cowboys. Down 29-28 with 1:24 remaining in the game, Brady and the Bucs offense got the ball back on their own 25-yard line, before the reigning Super Bowl MVP led an 11-play, 57- yard drive to set up a 36-yard field goal attempt for kicker Ryan Succop, who nailed the game-winner. Brady finished 32-of-50 passing for 379 yards and four touchdowns. He threw two interceptions — one on a dropped screen pass by running back Leonard Fournette, and another on a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half, which was picked off by former Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who also had a fumble recovery in the contest. The following week, Brady tossed five scores and no interceptions, complet- ing 66.7 percent of his passes (24 of 36) with a passer rating of 129.2 in a 48-25 triumph over division rival Atlanta. The Bucs are off to a great start when it comes to defending their world title, but aren't satisfied. "I certainly wish that I made a few better throws tonight," Brady said af- ter beating the Falcons Sept. 19. "Obvi- ously, we all wish we could have done some things to be more productive, but it was a good team effort." BRANDON GRAHAM SUFFERS SEASON-ENDING INJURY Elsewhere in the NFL, and on a much more gloomy note, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham's season is over, after the former U-M star rup- tured his Achilles tendon in the team's Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Graham was ranked by his peers as the No. 99 player in the league heading into the 2021 campaign, and had made two tackles and one stop for loss in the Eagles' season-opening win over the Falcons Sept. 12. He took to Twitter after receiving the brutal news that he wouldn't be able to return to action this year, taking a posi- tive approach. "We are still about to shock the world!" Graham wrote. "I will just be leading from the sidelines this year, working to be great for 2022. Appreci- ate all the love, and now it is time for guys to step it up. You have to find the treasure in every situation!" Graham has been placed on injured reserve, head coach Nick Sirianni con- firmed Sept. 20. "My heart breaks for Brandon," Siri- anni said. "It's just a shame. I know it's part of this game. You hate losing the type of player we lost in Brandon. You hate losing the type of person we lost in Brandon, and you hate losing the type of leader we lost in Brandon. … He as- sured he wants to be around as much as he possibly can, and I want him around as much as he possibly can as he rehabs this injury. He's such an important part of this team." Through two games, Brady led the league with nine touchdown throws (two more than any- body else), and ranked fifth in passing yards (655) and seventh in passer rating (113.3). PHOTO BY MATT MAY/COURTESY TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Tom Brady Is Enjoying His Best Start Ever