The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2017 THE WOLVERINE 71 F ormer Michigan quarterback Tom Brady missed the first four games of the season due to his suspension resulting from the Deflategate ordeal … and now he's the front-runner for NFL MVP honors according to an ESPN.com panel. Brady received seven of 13 first-place votes and was far ahead of Oakland quarterback Derek Carr. "He's 8-1 since returning from sus- pension. He's playing without [in- jured tight end] Rob Gronkowski. He's the best player at the most im- portant position on the best team," ESPN.com wrote. "And if you doubted that, he threw for 406 yards and three touch- downs against the Ravens on Mon- day night [Dec. 12] and rescued a game New England's special teams almost gave away." Through Dec. 14, Brady had com- pleted 233 of 340 passes for 2,876 yards with 22 touchdowns and only two interceptions for the 11-2 Patriots. FORMER WOLVERINES ON NFL ROSTERS Through Dec. 14 • Richard Ash (Played at U-M from 2010-13), DT, Jacksonville Jaguars: Signed to the 2-11 Jaguars' practice squad for the second straight year … Was promoted to the active roster in week eight and contributed four tackles (one solo) in a 36-22 loss to at Tennes- see … Did not see any action in the next three contests and eventually re- turned to the practice squad. • Brennen Beyer (2011-14), DE, Baltimore Ravens: Signed to the 7-6 Ravens' practice squad for the second straight year. • Tom Brady (1996-99), QB, New England Patriots: Has connected on 233 of 340 passes (68.5 percent) for 2,876 yards with 22 touchdowns and two picks in nine games since returning from a four-game suspension resulting from the Deflategate investigation … The Patriots were 11-2 overall, and 8-1 with him in the lineup … Led the NFL in passer rating at 113.6 through Dec. 14. • Alan Branch (2004-06), DT, New England Patriots: Has started all 13 games for 11-2 New England … Re- corded 41 tackles (21 solo), one sack, one pass broken up and one forced fumble. • Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks: Has recorded 36 tackles (18 solo), 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 12 games (five starts) for 8-4-1 Seattle … Tied for 20th in the NFL in sacks. • Blake Countess (2011-14), DB, Los Angeles Rams: Was cut by Philadel- phia Sept. 3 and signed to the 4-9 Rams' practice squad Sept. 4 … Has played in two games this year, but has yet to show up on the stat sheet. • Devin Funchess (2012-14), WR, Carolina Panthers: Has started seven of 13 games in which he's appeared for 5-8 Carolina … Hauled in 22 receptions for 362 yards and four scores. • Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OG, Detroit Lions: Has started the last eight games and played in 12 for the first place, 9-4 Lions during his rookie year. • Brandon Graham (2006-09), LB, Philadelphia Eagles: Has started all 13 games for 5-8 Philadelphia … Recorded 47 tackles (34 solo), five sacks, one pass broken up and two forced fumbles. • Leon Hall (2003-06), CB, New York Giants: Has played in nine games with two starts for 9-4 New York … Notched 26 tackles (18 solo), one interception and two passes broken up. • David Harris (2003-06), LB, New York Jets: Has started all 12 games in which he's appeared for 4-9 New York … Compiled 75 tackles (52 solo), 0.5 sacks and two passes broken up. • Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Jack- sonville Jaguars: Has taken one snap this year for the 2-11 Jaguars, but has not thrown a pass. • Willie Henry (2013-15), DT, Balti- more Ravens: Was activated for one game, but has yet to play in his rookie season for 7-6 Baltimore. • Joe Kerridge (2012-15), FB, Green Bay Packers: Signed to the 7-6 Pack- ers' practice squad Oct. 3 after being released from Washington's and was added to the active roster Nov. 13 … Has yet to carry the ball or catch a pass. • Taylor Lewan (2010-13), OT, Ten- nessee Titans: Has started all 13 games this season for 7-6 Tennessee. • Patrick Omameh (2009-12), OL, Jacksonville Jaguars: Lost for the sea- son and placed on injured reserve fol- lowing a leg injury suffered during a 26-19 loss at Detroit Nov. 20 … Played in 10 games for 2-11 Jacksonville, start- ing seven. • Thomas Rawls (20010-13), RB, Se- attle Seahawks: Saw action in six of 8-4-1 Seattle's first 13 games … Has carried 72 times for 293 yards and two scores, and caught 11 passes for 91 yards. • Denard Robinson (2009-12), RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Has played in 12 games with one start for 2-11 Jackson- ville … Has 37 carries for 127 yards and three receptions for 22 yards. • Jake Rudock (2015), QB, Detroit Lions: Signed to the 9-4 Lions' practice squad in his rookie season and was pro- moted to the active roster in week 12 … Has yet to throw a pass in his rookie season. • Jake Ryan (2010-14), LB, Green Bay Packers: Has started eight of 11 games he has played in for 7-6 Green Bay … Recorded 64 tackles (44 solo) and three passes broken up. MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Tom Brady Is The NFL MVP Favorite Brady threw for 2,876 yards with 22 touch- downs and only two interceptions while leading the Patriots to eight wins in his first nine games after returning from suspension. COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS/KEITH NORDSTROM