Tag: Former Michigan Athlete of the Week

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Tom Brady

Tom Brady, before he had sexy hair.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Year: Tom Brady

Tom Brady had a great season in 2010

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a superb season in 2010, and I think he’s reached a point where the media kind of ignore his statistical awesomeness.  Brady finished the season 324-for-492 (65.9%) with 3,900 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions.  His quarterback rating of 111.0 is the fifth-highest rating of all time, behind the likes of Peyton Manning, Steve Young, Joe Montana . . . and the 2007 version of himself.  It was so good, in fact, that he’s the first player to win the NFL MVP by a unanimous vote.

Runner-up: Charles Woodson, the Green Bay Packers cornerback, finished the regular season with 92 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), 13 passes broken up, and 2 sacks.  And his Packers just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, 31-25.

Second runner-up: Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley ended his regular season with 50 tackles, 10 sacks, 2 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), 5 passes broken up, 3 fumbles forced, and 2 fumbles recovered.  His Steelers lost to the Packers in the Super Bowl, 25-31.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: LaMarr Woodley

LaMarr Woodley

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley is headed to the Super Bowl.  He helped oust the New York Jets by a score of 24-19.  Woodley had 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 pass breakup.

Honorable mention: Green Bay Packer Charles Woodson had 3 tackles as the Packers beat the Chicago Bears, 21-14. 

The Steelers also have backup linebacker Larry Foote and backup safety Ryan Mundy, both of whom are Michigan products.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Rich Rodriguez

Former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez led the team onto the field in 2008

Okay, Rich Rodriguez never played football at Michigan.  But he was Michigan’s coach, and he did a very nice thing for charity and the people around Ann Arbor.  Rodriguez donated over 400 items to the Salvation Army to be auctioned, and the proceeds total almost $13,000.  Kudos to Coach Rodriguez.  I was not a fan of his hiring and he frustrated me at times when he was in Ann Arbor, but he seems like a guy who got a raw deal in many ways.  I will be rooting for him to succeed wherever he ends up, whether it’s this year or next.

Honorable mention: New York Jets inside linebacker David Harris had 12 tackles, 1 pass defensed, and 1 interception returned for 58 yards in a 28-21 victory over the New England Patriots.  The win advances the Jets to the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I hate the Jets and despise their coach, but Harris played a good game.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Mario Manningham

New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham had 8 catches for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Unfortunately for him, the Giants lost to the Eagles on a last-second punt return by Desean Jackson.  Final score: 38-31.

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Alan Branch had 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 forced fumble, but the Cardinals lost to the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 19-12.