Tag: Jake Long

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: David Harris

David Harris

New York Jets inside linebacker David Harris made 11 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup in a 9-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Harris has been a steady presence on the inside over the last decade, and Sunday was his best game of the year so far.

HONORABLE MENTION

• New England Patriots QB Tom Brady was 23/32 for 319 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception in a 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks
• On the other side, Seattle DE Frank Clark made 5 tackles and 1 sack in the same game
• Carolina Panthers WR Devin Funchess caught 3 passes for 56 yards and 1 touchdown, a 38-yarder, in a 20-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs
• Philadelphia Eagles DE Brandon Graham made 3 tackles and 1 sack in a 24-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons
• Green Bay Packers FB Joe Kerridge played in his first NFL game. He was released earlier in the year by the Washington Redskins

BAD NEWS

• Minnesota Vikings OT Jake Long suffered an Achilles injury and is out for the year. This may be the end of his career after multiple ACL tears and now an Achilles issue. He’s only 31 years old, which isn’t ancient, but he just can’t stay healthy.

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Former Michigan Athletes: Free Agency Update

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.

NFL Network: Top 100 Players of 2012 – #59 Jake Long

2012 Pro Bowl

Charles Woodson will be Michigan’s only representative in tonight’s Pro Bowl

Tonight’s Pro Bowl will be a little light on former Wolverines (rosters here), but not due to poor performance.  New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was selected, but he’ll miss the game since the Patriots will be in next week’s Super Bowl.  Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long was selected, too, but he’s missing the game due to an injury.  That leaves Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson as the lone player representing the Wolverines.  Woodson made 74 tackles, 2 sacks, and 7 interceptions for the Packers this past season.

The lone Detroit Lions representative is wide receiver Calvin Johnson, despite the fact that quarterback Matt Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards . . . but Johnson is sitting out the game due to injury, too.  He had 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011.

The game will be broadcast on NBC at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Tom Brady

Sexy. And Gisele Bundchen ain’t too bad, either.