Tag: Former Michigan Athlete of the Week

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Brandon Graham

Wait, can someone remind me why the ’09 defense wasn’t awesome?

The Philadelphia Eagles are a train wreck, but at least their 2010 first round draft pick has started to make an impact.  Graham only played about half of his team’s snaps in a loss to the Cowboys, but he started the game and showed well, particularly in the first half.  He finished with six tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss, and a few quarterback hurries.  Most game recaps praise his quickness and play against the run but comment that his production fell off as the game went on.  The performance is Graham’s best showing since tearing his ACL and meniscus in late 2010.

Honorable Mention:  Eagle teammate Jason Avant had his best game in a while, as well.  He caught five passes for 79 yards in the loss.  Avant is listed as a starter at WR and should see his numbers improve whenever Philadelphia gets a competent quarterback.

Miscellaneous:

• The often injured and always outspoken Braylon Edwards didn’t do a thing in Seattle’s upset win over Chicago, but he did feel the need
  to burn a few bridges via tweet, something he has become quite adept at doing.  Unfortunately, Edwards was waived by the Seahawks on Tuesday.  Here’s to hoping he finds a new home – if only because he is a Michigan man.
• 49er Mario Manningham re-injured his left shoulder in a loss to the Rams.  He caught five passes for 37 yards in the contest.
• In his second start of the season, Chad Henne went 18/41 passing for 208 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a loss to the Bills.      
• Stevie Brown had four tackles and may no longer be the frontrunner for the NFL MVP.
• Mike Martin had two tackles in a loss to the Texans.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Chad Henne

Chad Henne led his team to a 24-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans despite being sacked an unbelievable seven times.  The victory is only the second of the season for Jacksonville, and the win marks Henne’s first start of the season after beating out the tenth overall selection of the 2011 NFL Draft, QB Blaine Gabbert.  Henne went 17/26 passing for 261 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the win.  Henne’s play has improved greatly since his days in Miami, and his passer rating on the season is now an even 100.  Mike Martin had one tackle in the game for the Titans.

Honorable Mention:  Mario Manningham, Henne’s former go-to wide receiver, had a 40-yard reception in the first half of his 49ers win over the New Orleans Saints.  He finished the game with five receptions for 69 yards.  He now has 36 receptions for 412 yards on the season.

Miscellaneous:  

• Stevie Brown had three tackles as his Giants beat up on the Packers
• Brady Threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns; he rushed for another score.  He would be mentioned above, but I’m sick of writing about Tom Brady.
• David Harris leads the Jets in tackles and had ten in a loss to the Patriots.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Chad Henne

“In command”

Chad Henne is once again a starting quarterback in the NFL following his 354-yard, four touchdown relief performance against the Houston Texans.  Henne gets the starting nod for the Jaguars over Blaine Gabbert, the tenth overall selection in the 2011 Draft.  Gabbert has been unimpressive during his limited time in the league and holds a not-so-good 77.4 passer rating this year.

“[Henne] took command of the offense,” Jacksonville’s head coach Mike Mularkey said.  He’s been a starter in the league.  He’s had some success at that position.” 

But truth be told, Henne hasn’t had much success.  Over the course of his four year career, he has failed to end a season with a passer rating above 80 or finish a year with more touchdowns than interceptions.  Nevertheless, Henne has never lacked for talent — as Michigan fans well know — and is surely aided by his four years of NFL experience.  He’s been performing much better this year with his new team, currently holding a 96.5 passer rating.

Honorable Mention:  David Molk isn’t the best Michigan center in the NFL just yet; that
distinction belongs to Jonathan Goodwin.  He starts for the division
leading 7-2 San Fransisco 49ers, and his team beat up on the 7-3 Chicago Bears
on Monday Night Football last week.  49er teammate Mario Manningham had 2 catches for 45 yards in the game.
 
Miscellaneous:

• A bye week is the only force that can prevent Stevie Brown from dominating the world.
• Brady threw for 331 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions his 59-24 schooling of Andrew Luck and the Colts.
• Brandon Graham didn’t register any stats as his struggling Eagles team lost to the Redskins.
• HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  EAT GOOD FOOD, RELAX WITH FAMILY, AND WATCH NFL FOOTBALL!

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Steve Hutchinson

Steve Hutchinson

Steve Hutchinson has never been named as TTB’s former Michigan athlete of the week, probably because it’s hard to judge the performance of an offensive lineman if only given the chance to glance at game recaps and stat lines.  Even with that excuse, Hutchinson’s absence from this series just isn’t cool, man.  Here’s a quick, incomplete rundown of many of the career accomplishments from one of the greatest Wolverines of all time:

• Four-year starter for Michigan at offensive guard
• National Championship winner
• four-time All-Big Ten selection
• Two-time All-American
• First round NFL draft pick
• Signed the richest contract ever by an OG
• Seven-time Pro Bowl selection, seven time All-Pro

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Brandon Graham

Is that you, Magnus?

Pickings were slim this week, so I went with Brandon Graham despite his team’s 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints.  Graham had an impressive play early in the third quarter on Monday Night Football when he came hard off the edge, stripped Drew Brees and recovered the fumble.  The ensuing drive lead to an Eagles touchdown and temporarily gave them a sliver of hope.  Graham finished the game with two tackles.  He now has 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble forced and one fumble recovery on the year.

Honorable Mention:  LaMarr Woodley puts the look of terror into the eyes of opposing quarterbacks.  Don’t believe me?  I present to you Exhibit A:

Exhibit A

Woodley sacked Eli Manning late in the forth quarter on third down.  The sack forced a Manning fumble, and although it was recovered by the Giants, the play lead to a punt and helped Woodley’s Steelers pull out a close win.  (No, there is no Exhibit B.)

Miscellaneous:

• Stevie Brown disappointed his team, family and Michigan alumni by playing in a game this year in which he failed to pick off a pass and return it half the length of the football field.  But he did make eight tackles, including one for a loss.
• Steve Breaston broke out of his funk and caught a couple balls for seventeen yards.
• Leon Hall had five tackles and continues to be a starting CB for the Bengals despite a lingering leg injury.