The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS game at center to earn his first ring in his first season with the Giants. Baas battled through a number of injuries this season and persevered through a big challenge Sunday. He told the Herald-Tribune in Sarasota, Fla., that he spent two and a half hours a day in his Indianapolis hotel room each night taking notes and preparing for the game. "You want to be perfect," Baas said. "It's a huge game — a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity — so I want to make the most of it." And he did. Baas snapped per- since been speculation about his fu- ture. He told Vikings head coach Les- lie Frazier he plans to return for one more year, KSTP-AM reported in late January. "He's doing fine," Frazier said. "From what I was told, he's past that concus- sion that he had, and I know he wants to still play. At least that's what he told me — he said he wants to play." Hutchinson, 34, will earn $7 million group," Chicago general manager Stan Bowman told the Sun Times. "I speak very highly of his character, as well … He's got a long pedigree of being an offensive performer. I still think he's got a lot left to add to our group." "I have played with some pretty "I like what he brings to our if he stays with the Vikings in 2012, but reports indicate Minnesota could look to move him. fectly and did an outstanding job against New England tackle Vince Wilfork. "I'm not shying away,'' he said The NHL before the game. "I've gone against challenging players all year. You can single him out if you want, put him on a pedestal and say he's all this and that. I give him great respect, but I'm not going to downgrade us. People underestimate us. We'll just all have to see." Another Wolverine, meanwhile, also helped seal Brady's fate. For- mer Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham made one of the better catches in Super Bowl history when he hauled in a 38-yarder on the left sideline to set up the game-winning score. He somehow managed to get two feet down inbounds and hang on to the ball in heavy traffic. "Wherever I was at, as soon as the twilight of his career, but at least one team still thinks he has some gas left in the tank. The Chicago Black- hawks traded 25-year-old defense- man Brian Connelly to the Calgary Flames in exchange for the 36-year- old forward in late January. Morrison has spent parts of eight Brendan Morrison may be in the BRENDAN MORRISON IS TRADED TO CHICAGO high-end wingers before and found some success," Morrison added. "I still like to think I'm a guy who can contribute in that matter and be counted on a nightly basis to help supplement what Chicago has as far as offense goes." Morrison tore his left anterior cru- ciate ligament last year, but signed with the Flames in the summer. He has missed time this year due to soreness, but is getting closer to full health. "I forced myself back into action seasons with the Vancouver Ca- nucks in addition to the Flames after starting his career in New Jer- sey. He has also played in Anaheim and had amassed 200 goals and 601 points in 923 regular-season games before the trade, including 11 points in 28 contests with the Flames this year. ball hit my fingertips I just froze my feet and just fell. I knew I was either going to be hit or hit the ground," Manningham said. "I knew some- thing was going to happen, but I knew I couldn't let that ball go." Manningham caught five passes for 73 yards, including three on the final drive. Former U-M running back Jer- ald Ingram, the Giants' running backs coach, and former Michigan player and assistant Jim Herrmann, New York's linebackers coach, also earned Super Bowl rings. Former Michigan punter Zoltan sooner than I anticipated," Morrison said. "I don't think there were any issues as far as re-injuring the knee. I needed more time on some explo- siveness. I know it's fine. I've been playing the past two months with it. It's strong; it's solid. Skating is get- ting back to where it's always been." Morrison had yet to provide a spark to a struggling club as of Feb. 13. The Blackhawks were mired in an eight-game winless streak, and Morrison had yet to notch a point for the team in five games. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month 4-2 win over the New York Islanders Feb. 9 — their third straight victory. Pacioretty scored in all three periods. His first goal was his 20th, and he led the Habs with 23 goals as of Feb. 13. Max Pacioretty • NHL Pacioretty's first NHL hat trick gave the Montreal Canadiens a Mesko kicked three times, averag- ing 41.0 yards and 37.7 net per punt. He dropped one inside the 20. guard Steve Hutchinson missed the end of the regular season in Minne- sota with a concussion, and there has • Former Michigan All-American NFL NOTES year during their run to the NFC title game, received the team's Bobb McKittrick Award in January as the offensive lineman who exemplifies intensity, courage and sacrifice. He was in his first year with the squad. the NFL Combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis. Center David Molk, who played through a torn tendon in the Sugar Bowl, was U-M's other invitee but won't participate due to his injury. Mike Martin • NFL The soon to be NFL rookie is one of two Wolverines invited to MARCH 2012 THE WOLVERINE 111 Jonathan Goodwin • NFL Goodwin, the starting center for the San Francisco 49ers this