I like Charles Woodson’s profile better, but apparently the NFL doesn’t like free promotion and disallows embedding. Brady and Woodson are the only two former Wolverines on this year’s list. Last year, they checked in at #4 and #36, respectively, and were also joined by Jake Long (#59) and LaMarr Woodley (#63).
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| Larry Foote re-signed with the Steelers |
Jake Long visited St. Louis, took a physical, and entered into contract negations with the Rams, but he left without inking a deal. Long was reportedly asking for more than $10 million per year, which now appears unlikely to happen. The five year veteran and four time Pro Bowler is expected to either sign with the Rams or stay in Miami.
The New York Giants ponied up over $2 million to put restricted free agent Stevie Brown on a one year, second-round tender. That means that the Giants would receive the second-round draft pick from any team that outbids them for Brown’s services. Still, the Giants continue looking for more help at safety and might even strike a deal with Ryan Mundy during his scheduled visit.
Larry Foote re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after flirting with the Arizona Cardinals. The three-year deal comes on the heels of a season that saw him rack up 113 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. Teammate LaMarr Woodley restructured his contract the same day to free up over $4 million in cap space.
49er safety free agent Dashon Goldson landed a big deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and that left the door open for Charles Woodson. The ’97 Heisman winner returned to the Bay Area–where he spent the first eight years of his career as an Oakland Raider–in order to meet with the 49ers. Woodson has expressed a strong desire to play for a Super Bowl contender during his 16th NFL season, and might be available at a discount to the right team.
Steve Breaston’s sudden drop in production last year can probably be chalked up to knee inflammation and early arthritic symptoms. Breaston contemplated a knee procedure, but has decided to forgo the surgery as he tests his value on the free agent market. Breaston visited the Steelers and Browns this week, but walked away without signing a contract. While waiting for a new deal, Breaston is staying busy by passing out free iPads to kids at his former high school.
Leon Hall scored the first touchdown of this year’s playoffs on a twenty-one yard pick six during the second quarter of his Bengals’ 19-13 loss to the Texans. He also posted four tackles and a pass deflection in the game. The interception was Hall’s third in the last four contests and the second that has been taken back for a touchdown.
Leon appears to be fully recovered from tearing his Achilles tendon late last season and is the winner the Ed Block Courage Award for his work and persistence during the rehabilitation process. The award is voted on by teammates and given to those who “exemplify commitments to the principals of sportsmanship and courage.”
Honorable mention:
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| “Many years from now, I will be awesome.” – Brown, ’08 |
Another interception, another 40-plus yard return, a couple more items to throw on the already large pile of evidence that suggests Stevie Brown is a good starting safety with a bright, highlight-filled future. Brown wins the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week award for the second time this year as he and his Giants wrap up their season with a blowout over the Eagles. Brown finishes the year with eight interceptions (2nd in the NFL), 307 interception return yards (1st in the NFL, Giants’ single-season record), 76 tackles, two fumbles forced, two fumbles recovered, and 11 pass break-ups. Expect those numbers to earn him plenty of dollars and attention from teams around the league when he hits the free agent market in March.
Honorable mention: Tom Brady threw for 284 yards and lead the Patriots to a 28-0 win over the Dolphins.
Miscellaneous:
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| Courtesy of Boston.com |
The Patriots were down 21-7 in the third quarter to the Buffalo Bills before Tom Brady led his team on six straight touchdown scoring drives to pull out a comfortable 52-28 win. Brady ended the game with 340 yards through the air and three touchdowns. The performance put him into 11th place on the NFL’s all-time passing list. The Patriots are 2-2.
Honorable Mention: Charles Woodson, now back to playing safety full time, tallied eleven total tackles and one pass break up as the Packers rallied for a 28-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints. His team is also 2-2.
Miscellaneous: