The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS He's aging off the field — on it, however, Tom Brady seems stuck in time. The former Michigan quarter- back is still among the league's top players, having recently led New England to a five-game winning streak for the ninth time in his career when the Patriots beat the New York Jets, 49-19. Brady told WEEI radio the most TOM BRADY CONTINUES TO IMPRESS recent run might be the best of his career. "I hope so, and I hope I'm getting better and better and making more improvements," he said. "I think that's what our coaches expect of me, and that's what they expect from ev- ery player, is to keep getting better," he said. "There's certainly no reason why you shouldn't. You should make your improvements. You should learn from your mistakes. I think our team has done a really good job of that." Brady, now 35, continues to pro- tect the ball at a remarkable clip. He's thrown only three interceptions through 11 games. "Tom has done a great job of it and handling and ball security involved up until the point he gives it to some- body else. "He works hard at that, he works hard at his mechanics, his technique and certainly decision making. He does a very good job at all those things." Detroit Lions-record streak of 186 straight starts came to an end on Thanksgiving Day. Backus was inactive for the first time in his 12-year career be- cause of a hamstring injury he suffered in a loss to Green Bay a week earlier. He had never missed a start since the Lions took him in the first round of the 2001 Draft out of Michigan. Backus hoped to return Dec. 2, noting Nov. 27 he was pain free. "I'm feeling better, troit Free Press. "We'll see how it goes." has always made that a high priority on his personal execution as a quar- terback," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "He handles the ball on virtually every play. Even if he hands it off, there's still a certain degree of ball from 2005-07), WR, New Orleans Saints: Suffered a knee injury in 5-6 New Orleans' camp, made the roster but was released before the first game … Re-signed and was put on injured re- serve … Spent his first four years with the Saints but played sparingly, due in part to injuries. • Jason Avant (2002-05), WR, Phila- • Adrian Arrington (Played at U-M NFL PLAYER UPDATES Through games of Nov. 26 HEADLINERS Charles Woodson • NFL Woodson is known more for his exploits on the field, but he's ensuring his legacy off it, as well. The Green Bay Packers safety an- nounced in early November he was donating $100,000 to the Red Cross in order to assist families devastated by super storm Sandy on the East Cost. reliever J.J. Putz was in Trenton, Mich., in November as the guest of honor at the Trenton Education Foundation's annual Signature Event fundraiser. He was enshrined on the Trenton Educational Wall of Fame and also had his high school jersey retired. J.J. Putz • MLB The former Michigan pitcher and current Arizona Diamondbacks Former Michigan athletes in the news this month overs as of Nov. 27 thanks to Brady. He had 24 touchdowns to three interceptions, and his interception percentage (0.7) was the best mark of his career. Tom Brady • NFL The New England offense had suffered a league-low eight turn- " Backus told the De- • Former Michigan tackle Jeff Backus' NFL NOTES delphia Eagles: Has notched 27 catches for 283 yards in nine games played (three starts) for the 3-8 Eagles … Re- cently sidelined with a hamstring injury. • David Baas (2001-04), C, New York Giants: Has started all 11 games this year for 7-4 New York. • Jeff Backus (1997-2000), OT, Detroit Lions: Had started 186 straight regular- season games before seeing his streak end Thanksgiving Day due to a ham- string injury … Has started 10 games this year for the 4-7 Lions. • Tom Brady (1997-99), QB, New Eng- land Patriots: Has connected on 274 of 421 passes for 3,299 yards with 24 touchdowns and three interceptions … Has also rushed for two scores this sea- son for the 8-3 Patriots … Ranks fourth in the NFL in passer rating (102.6), fifth in passing yards and tied for fourth in touchdown passes. • Alan Branch (2004-06), DT, Seattle Seahawks: Has recorded seven solo tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, 11 assists, two passes broken up and five quarterback hurries in 11 starts for the 6-5 Seahawks. • Steve Breaston (2003-06), WR, Kansas City Chiefs: Has caught seven passes for 74 yards and returned one punt 21 yards in nine games (four starts) for the 1-10 Chiefs … Has missed two games recently with injury. • Stevie Brown (2006-09), S, New York Giants: Has recorded 32 solo tack- les, three tackles for loss, seven assists, a quarterback hurry, five special teams tackles and two assists, six passes broken up, five interceptions (four returned 41, 44, 37 and 46 yards), a fumble recovery and a special teams fumble recovery in 11 games (seven starts) for 7-4 New York. • Braylon Edwards (2001-04), WR, Seattle Seahawks: Has caught eight passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in nine games (one start) for 6-5 Seattle. • Jay Feely (1995-98), PK, Arizona Cardinals: Has made 18 of 21 field goal attempts (long of 61 yards) and all 21 extra points in 11 games for 4-7 Arizona. • Larry Foote (1998-2001), LB, Pitts- burgh Steelers: Has recorded 50 solo tackles, 27 assists, three sacks, five tack- les for loss, three quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a pass broken up through 11 starts for the 6-5 Steelers. • Jonathan Goodwin (1999-2001), C, San Francisco 49ers: Has started all 11 games this season for 8-2-1 San Francisco. • Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, DECEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 87