The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 71 BY CHRIS BALAS F ormer Michigan quarterback Tom Brady is now 40 years old, has five Super Bowl rings, four Super Bowl MVPs and two league regu- lar-season MVPs … and it looks like he's not done yet. Brady led the New England Patriots to a 7-2 record through nine games, tops in the AFC with Pittsburgh, and a five-game win streak as of Nov. 12. He also led the NFL in passing with 2,807 yards. "I try to help people along with the things that I do that make me feel good," Brady told SportsOnEarth.com. "I do really love the game. I love prac- ticing and playing. I love being with my teammates and working hard. It is fun for me and I plan on doing it for a long time." It's rubbed off on his teammates, including tight end Rob Gronkowski. "He's just great, but it's kind of been the same thing since day one when I first got here," he said. "Noth- ing's changed with him. He's always fired up. He's always pressing hard. He's always in the meetings. He's always on top of his game. It's just great. It keeps you going, too. "A guy like him leads us the whole way, especially at the point he is in his lifetime, too." FORMER WOLVERINES ON NFL ROSTERS Through Nov. 13 • Richard Ash (Played at U-M from 2010-13), DT, Dallas Cowboys: Has played in four games and registered five tackles (three solo) and one pass broken up since moving up from the 5-4 Cowboys' practice squad. • Ben Braden (2013-16), OG, New York Jets: Has been on the 4-6 Jets' practice squad all season. • Tom Brady (1996-99), QB, New England Patriots: Has connected on 231 of 343 attempts for 2,807 yards with 19 touchdowns and two intercep- tions for the 7-2 Patriots … Leads the NFL in passing yardage, is tied for sec- ond in touchdowns and ranks second in passer rating (108.3). • Alan Branch (2004-06), DT, New England Patriots: Has played in eight of nine games, starting three, for the 7-2 Patriots … Has notched six solo stops. • Jake Butt (2013-16), TE, Denver Broncos: Still working his way back from an ACL injury suffered in the Or- ange Bowl … Is on the physically un- able to perform list, but is practicing … Hopes to be activated soon for the 3-6 Broncos. • Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Dallas Cowboys: Has recorded seven stops (five solo), one sack and one pass bro- ken up for the 5-4 Cowboys. • Jehu Chesson (2013-16), WR, Kan- sas City Chiefs: Has seen action in five games for the 6-3 Chiefs, primarily on special teams … Has caught one pass for 10 yards. • Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seat- tle Seahawks: Has started five of nine games for 6-3 Seattle, and compiled 18 tackles (10 solo), 4.5 sacks, one pass broken up and one forced fumble … Tied for 32nd in the NFL in sacks. • Jeremy Clark (2013-16), S, New York Jets: Was moved to the reserve/ non-football injury list Sept. 1 and has yet to see action for the 4-6 Jets. • Blake Countess (2011-14), DB, Los Angeles Rams: Has played in nine games this year for the 7-2 Rams, and notched 15 tackles (12 solo), one in- terception (returned 19 yards) and one pass broken up. • Amara Darboh (2013-16), WR, Se- attle Seahawks: Has six receptions for 58 yards for the 6-3 Seahawks. • Devin Funchess (2012-14), WR, Carolina Panthers: Has hauled in a career-best 43 receptions for 535 yards and five scores for 6-3 Carolina … Ranked 20th in the NFL in receiving yards and tied for 17th in receptions. Since Brady turned 39 a month before the 2016 season, he has thrown for 54 touchdowns against just seven interceptions in 24 games and orchestrated the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. PHOTO BY DAVID SILVERMAN/COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Tom Brady Is Showing No Signs Of Slowing Down After 10 games played, Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess had already set or equaled career highs with 43 receptions, 535 receiving yards and five touchdowns. PHOTO BY MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ/ COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS