The Wolverine

MICHIGAN IN THE PROS reaching the mark on a 28-yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski in the first quarter of a 34-13 win. He fin- ished the game with 236 yards. He's since moved past Joe Montana on the all-time yardage list with 40,866 yards. respect, is better than Joe Montana," Patriots owner Robert Kraft told NFL.com. "I know that's a leap, but I really think he might already be the best of all time. I watch how involved he is, how driven he is. He's like [head coach] Bill Belichick — he's into the details. And he's got a skill that makes him so special, he can process all of it so quickly. "And then, he's just got that qual- "I think that Tommy, with all due troit Lions: Has started all three games for the 1-2 Lions. • Tom Brady (1997-99), QB, New England Patriots: Has connected on 79 of 118 passes for 887 yards with four touchdowns and an interception through three starts for the 1-2 Patriots … Ranks sixth in the NFL in passing yardage and is 10th in completion per- centage (.669). • Alan Branch (2004-06), DT, Seattle ity. Certain people have that sincer- ity. He's a very genuine guy. People can relate to him. People can trust him." Seahawks: Has recorded two solo tack- les, three assists and three quarterback hurries in three starts for 2-1 Seattle. • Steve Breaston (2003-06), WR, Kansas City Chiefs: Has three catches for 32 yards and one punt return for 21 yards in three starts for the 1-2 Chiefs. • Stevie Brown (2006-09), S, New Brady moved into sole possession of fifth place for most career wins by a starting quarterback with the vic- tory over the Titans, the 125th of his career. He'd won 125 of his 160 ca- reer start for a .781 winning percent- age, standing as the highest in NFL history among quarterbacks with at least 100 wins. He entered the 2012 season in a fifth-place tie with John Elway for most career touchdowns passes with 300 and now has 304. Next in his sights: former Minne- sota quarterback Fran Tarkenton, in fourth place with 342. The NFL Network's Adam Breer suggests Brady might already be the NFL's best ever. multiple Super Bowl MVPs," he said. "Four have won three Super Bowls. Two have made five Super Bowl starts. Eight have won multiple regular-season MVPs. Seven have av- eraged 300 yards passing per game over a season. Seven have thrown 40 touchdown passes in a season. But the kid from San Mateo is the only one to make every one of those lists." "Four quarterbacks have won from 2005-07), WR, Free Agent: Suf- fered a knee injury in New Orleans' camp, made the roster but was released before the first game … Spent his first four years with the Saints, but played sparingly, due in part to injuries. • Jason Avant (2002-05), WR, Phil- • Adrian Arrington (Played at U-M NFL PLAYER UPDATES Through games of Sept. 24 Wide receiver Jason Avant, now in his seventh NFL season, started one of three games and hauled in nine receptions for 98 yards for Philadelphia during its 2-1 start. PHOTO COURTESY PHILADELPHIA EAGLES adelphia Eagles: Has notched nine catches for 98 yards through three games (one start) for the 2-1 Eagles. • David Baas (2001-04), C, New York Giants: Has started all three games for the 2-1 Giants. • Jeff Backus (1997-2000), OT, De- York Giants: Has recorded three special teams tackles and two assists, one pass defended and one interception (re- turned 44 yards) through three games for the 2-1 Giants. • Braylon Edwards (2001-04), WR, Seattle Seahawks: Has caught five passes for 43 yards in three games for the 2-1 Seahawks. • Jay Feely (1995-98), PK, Arizona Cardinals: Has made 6 of 6 field goals (long of 47) and all 7 of 7 extra points in three games for the 3-0 Cardinals. HEADLINERS Juwan Howard • NBA Howard hopes to return for yet another NBA season with the Mi- ami Heat after winning a title last year. Teammates hope he'll come back as a coach if the franchise doesn't re-sign the 39-year-old. "Obviously, if he comes into camp and we've got open spots, Juwan is a guy who has meant so much to us. We would love him around, no matter what the case may be, South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "If it's around as a player, if it's around as part of the coaching staff — we just want him to be here. And hopefully he'll want to stay here, and everyone can do whatever they can to make it happen." " Dwyane Wade told the tered August with a 7-11 record and 4.14 ERA. Then he turned up the heat. Richard posted a 5-1 record and lowered his ERA to 3.81 (2.42 for the month) in August, averaging seven and a third innings per start. He stood 2-0 in three starts in September, having improved his record to 14-12. Clayton Richard • MLB Former Michigan pitcher and quarterback Clayton Richard en- OCTOBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 87 Former Michigan athletes in the news this month cently brought in by the Houston Texans for a tryout. Schilling was on the Chargers' practice squad last year before earning his way to the roster and even starting a few games. Stephen Schilling • NFL The second-year pro, cut by San Diego in the offseason, was re-

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