Tag: LaMarr Woodley

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Ryan Mundy

Ryan Mundy

New York Giants free safety Ryan Mundy had 6 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and 1 interception that he returned 91 yards for a near touchdown. Unfortunately, the Giants lost by a score of 36-31 to the Dallas Cowboys. Mundy had 86 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, and 1 pass breakup at Michigan from from 2003-2006 before transferring to West Virginia for his senior year in 2007.

Honorable mention: Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley had 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, and 1 quarterback hurry in a 16-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans; teammate Zoltan Mesko, previously released by the New England Patriots, averaged 44.1 yards on 7 punts in the loss. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall had 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 pass breakups in a 24-21 loss to the Chicago Bears. And in case you were wondering, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson had 2 carries for 1 yard in a 28-2 loss to Kansas City (which featured Junior Hemingway on a 3-yard touchdown reception).

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.

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. 

Wolverines in the NFL: 2011 Regular Season Statistics

David Harris racked up 85 tackles and made 4 picks in 2011

Offense

Quarterbacks

Tom Brady:  5235 yards, 65.6 completion percentage, 39 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 105.6 QB rating

Chad Henne:  868 yards, 57.1 completion percentage, 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 79.0 QB rating

Ryan Mallett:  Did not accrue any statistics in 2011

Running Backs

There aren’t any former Michigan running backs who play in the NFL.  (Don’t be in a rush, Fitz.)

Wide Receivers

Steve Breaston:  61 receptions for 785 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 carry for 25 yards

Jason Avant:  52 receptions for 679 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 fumbles lost

Mario Manningham:  39 receptions for 523 yards, 4 touchdowns

Braylon Edwards:  15 receptions for 181 yards

Adrian Arrington:  2 receptions for 31 yards, 4 games played

N/A (Jake Long, Stephen Schilling, David Baas, Jeff Backus, Steve Hutchinson, Jonathan Goodwin)

Cornerbacks

Charles Woodson (also played safety):  74 tackles, 7 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 17 pass deflections

Leon Hall:  32 tackles, 1 fumble recovered, 2 interceptions, 7 pass deflections

Morgan Trent:  16 tackles, 1 fumble recovered, 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections


Safeties

Ryan Mundy:  37 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection

Stevie Brown:  5 tackles


Linebackers

David Harris:  85 tackles, 65 solo, 5 sacks, 4 interceptions

Larry Foote:  47 tackles, 1.5 sacks

LaMarr Woodley:  39 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 interception

Prescott Burgess:  3 tackles, 3 games played

Jonas Mouton:  Did not accrue any statistics (Injured Reserve)



Defensive Linemen

James Hall:  50 tackles, 6 sacks

Alan Branch:  34 tackles, 3 sacks

Tim Jamison:  19 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble forced, 1 fumble recovered

Brandon Graham:  4 tackles, 3 games played

NFL Network: Top 100 Players of 2012 – #63 LaMarr Woodley