The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS tin has made an impression in Tennes- see. Martin impressed at a number of positions in a recent practice against Atlanta, with The Tennessean reporting he was in the backfield on a number of occasions. "He did a tremendous job against the • Rookie defensive tackle Mike Mar- Falcons," Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said of the third-round pick. "We stunted and gave him a chance to move around, and he did what we needed him to do. Again, it's good when he's going against their second or third team. You'll be surprised. In prac- tice, we're going to put him in with the first group. Koger is coaching at Saline (Mich.) High school while rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon. Koger was expected to go in the late rounds of the April draft before the injury. "I started jogging two and a half, • Rookie free agent tight end Kevin " retty, coming off a season in which he led his team in points with 65 (33 goals, second on the team, and 32 assists, good for third), is appar- ently destined to stay in Canada for some time. Pacioretty signed a six- year, $27-million contract extension reported to be worth $4.5 million per season following the 2012-13 season, avoiding becoming a restricted free agent at the end of this year. "This is something I wanted to get done," Pacioretty told The Vancouver Sun. "I think once the team knew I wanted to get it done, they jumped on the opportunity as well. "The biggest thing for me is, my three weeks ago, so it's definitely get- ting stronger. My calf is starting to fire, Koger told MLive.com Aug. 13. "I'm somewhere between a jog and a sprint. I haven't been doing much cutting yet. Hopefully by sometime in late October, early November or mid-November I'll be healthy enough to try out for some teams. Manningham is in a crowded situation in his first season with San Francisco, but the former New York Giant isn't complaining. Head coach Jim Harbaugh told The San Francisco Chronicle he had five guys sharing the role of No. 1 re- ceiver heading into camp — Manning- ham, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn. "As long as we're winning, nobody will have anything to say," Manningham • Former Michigan wide receiver Mario " said. "Yeah, we've got a bunch of good receivers and there's only one ball. But if we're out there winning — if we've got to run the ball the whole game to win, that's perfectly fine with me. I'm all about the team. "I feel like if you put any us in there, we can get the job done. That's the con- fidence we have, and that's the confi- dence the coaches have in us. " The NHL MAX PACIORETTY " career has been maybe plagued by instability and just to be able to call Montreal home for seven years is such an honor. I want to do whatever I can to help this team win, and this will help me focus on that for years to come." Pacioretty's 2010-11 season came to a scary end when he suffered a fractured vertebra and concussion at the hands of Boston Bruins defen- seman Zdeno Chara in March 2011. He returned to play in the opener as well as 78 other games, winning the NHL's 2011-12 Bill Masterton Me- morial Trophy awarded by a Profes- sional Hockey Writers' Association vote to the player deemed to best demonstrate perseverance, sports- manship and dedication to hockey. "It's always been my mentality that I want to focus on winning hockey games right now," he said. "I think when you're playing for yourself and playing for your contract, you kind of get away from the team mentality. So just being locked up for six years, I feel at home. "The organization has taken a chance on me, and now my job is to prove to them that I can help this team win games. I hope to do that for seven more years." Major League Baseball Montreal Canadiens forward and former Michigan icer Max Pacio- SIGNS LONG-TERM DEAL TO STAY IN MONTREAL 96 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2012 Chris Getz is used to being doubted, at times even pushed aside for the next, hot prospect. He's also getting accustomed to proving he's not easily replaced. Getz has once again become a regular in the Kansas City Royals' OPPORTUNITY — AGAIN CHRIS GETZ IS MAKING THE MOST OF AN Getz was hitting .283 with nine doubles, three triples, 16 RBI and nine steals through 61 games this season. PHOTO COURTESY KANSAS CITY ROYALS lineup, a year after being passed up for Johnny Giavotella down the stretch of the 2011 season. "I just stayed positive," Getz told The Kansas City Star. "Obviously, this is just the way the game is. "I figured I'd just keep working hard and try to seize every oppor- tunity and show value — even if it's as a bench guy coming in late in games or getting spot starts. Just bide your time and wait for another opportunity. "I'm playing with more confi- 29 points higher than his career av- erage entering the season. His .367 slugging percentage was 60 points higher, though he had yet to hit a home run and has only two in his career. "He's swinging the bat OK," Roy- dence. I feel I've contributed more here this year than I have in the past. Granted, there have been some inju- ries, but when I've been out there, I feel like I've been pretty productive." Getz was batting .283 as of Aug. 15, als manager Ned Yost said, "but he really fits if our projected production guys are producing." The Royals ranked 10th in the American League in runs and last in