The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Mario Manningham And Chad Henne Among Those Testing Free Agency F BY CHRIS BALAS the heroes of the New York Giants' Super Bowl win over New England, hauling in a fourth-quarter pass on the sidelines that set up the winning touchdown. His best memory in a Giants uni- form might also be his last. Victor Cruz supplanted Manning- ormer Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham was one of bor — he's battle tested and a smart, seasoned veteran." Defensive tackle Mike Martin mea- sured 6-1, 306 and notched 36 reps of 225 pounds, second among defensive linemen tested. He also posted sixth at his position in the 20-yard shuttle (4.25 seconds). NFL.com also projects Martin as ham in the lineup this year, even after the former U-M star caught 944 yards in passes in 2010, spurring Manning- ham to test the free agent waters. "Mario Manningham believes he is a No. 1 receiver, believes he should get paid like a No. 1 receiver and be- lieves there's an NFL team out there that agrees with him," the New York Post wrote. "If he's correct, then he's unquestionably played his last game for the Giants." Manningham said he'd love to stay in New York, but added: "It's not up to me … it's a business, too. "I feel like a lot of times where they could have took Hakeem [Nicks] and Victor out, I could have made plays, or they could have took me and Victor out and Hakeem could have made plays," Manningham added. "I feel like any of us can make a play at any time. You need a lot of good receivers these days." Former Miami Dolphins quarter- a fourth- to sixth-rounder, while CBSSports.com has him as the draft's No. 10 tackle prospect. "He lacks a consistent anchor Henne has spent his entire pro career thus far in Miami, but he may be headed for the New York Jets this offseason. "Some league insiders believe Henne is ticketed for the Jets." back Chad Henne, Manningham's quarterback at Michigan, is also looking for a team. He's coming off shoulder surgery, but several NFL franchises are giving him a look. ESPN.com reported Henne could be close to a deal with the New York Jets that would have him back up starter Mark Sanchez. "With $20.5 million in guarantees fared well at the NFL Combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis. Center David Molk, after playing through a torn tendon suffered just before the Sugar Bowl win over Virginia Tech, impressed with 41 reps of 225 pounds on the bench, tops among offensive linemen. His total was tops for a center since combine records started to be posted in 2005. Molk measured 6-1, 298, and was Michigan's three representatives WOLVERINES FARE WELL AT NFL COMBINE over the next two seasons, Sanchez is the clear-cut starter, so there will be no competition, per se," ESPN.com's Rich Cimini wrote. "But the Jets will try to upgrade the No. 2 spot, with Henne expected to be their top tar- get. He already knows the offense, having played under coordinator Tony Sparano in Miami. 102 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 projected by NFL.com to go between the fourth and seventh rounds. CBS- Sports.com ranks him as the No. 6 center in the draft. "Molk doesn't look like much, but against double teams and just does not have the right frame to be an NFL starter," CBSSports.com opined. "Because of his ability to penetrate against one-on-one blocks, Martin could be a solid rotation player in a 4-3 scheme as a three-technique tackle and move to the nose on pass- ing downs." Finally, wide receiver Junior PHOTO COURTESY MIAMI DOLPHINS Hemingway improved his stock with a MVP performance in the Sugar Bowl, and he also showed well at the combine. He finished third among wide receivers with 21 reps at 225 pounds, first in the three-cone drill (6.59 seconds) and the 20-yard shut- tle (3.98 seconds), and second in the 60-yard shuttle (11.16 seconds). NFL.com projects him as a fourth- to seventh-rounder, as well. "It's obviously still quite a long process. There's still more workouts, more interviews and [all]," Heming- way's agent, Joe Turner, told the Sun News. "But the combine is very her- alded and is an important step to see pure athleticism and skills. When you combine that with his produc- tion at Michigan … he is one of the premier receivers in this draft." he is very aggressive and plays big- ger than he appears," the website noted. "He lacks elite physical tools, but you can't measure heart and de- sire. He has 42 career starts under his belt and worked through several dif- ferent offensive systems in Ann Ar- guard Steve Hutchinson in March. The five-time first-team All-Pro pick was due to earn a $6.95 million salary this year, but struggled with injuries the last two seasons. Hutchinson left Seattle in 2006 to • The Minnesota Vikings released left NFL NOTES sign the richest contract for a guard in league history.