Tag: Steve Breaston

Michigan’s 10 Longest Plays vs. Northwestern

Here’s a look at the top ten longest plays over the years against the Northwestern Wildcats.

1. Jehu Chesson 96-yard kickoff return touchdown (2015)
2. Jamie Morris 80-yard kickoff return (1984)
3. Anthony Carter 78-yard punt return touchdown (1979)
4. Tyrone Wheatley 74-yard touchdown run (1991)
5. Steve Breaston 67-yard punt return touchdown (2004)
6. Elvis Grbac 65-yard pass to Amani Toomer (1992)
7. Elvis Grbac 64-yard touchdown pass to Desmond Howard (1991)
8. Stan Edwards 62-yard kickoff return (1977)
9. Lawrence Ricks 60-yard touchdown run (1981)
10. Anthony Thomas 60-yard touchdown run (1999)
11. John Kolesar 60-yard punt return (1988)

Hit the jump to see video of the top three plays.

Ranking Michigan’s Wide Receivers

Previously, I ranked the Michigan quarterbacks (LINK) and running backs (LINK) from the beginning of the Lloyd Carr era onward. That corresponds with the time that I have paid close attention to Michigan football.

Now we will take a look at the receivers. Because I don’t have an endless amount of time, I have to trim this down to guys who started at least twelve games in a Michigan uniform, which represents roughly one full season as a starter. The lone exception here is Devin Gardner, who started a bunch of games, but mostly at quarterback.

Hit the jump for the list.

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.

Steve Breaston Released by the Chiefs

Breaston looking bored

 As you may have heard, Steve Breaston was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.  Breaston played for Michigan from ’03 through ’06 and finished his college career with 156 receptions for 1,696 yards and ten touchdowns.  He also made a name for himself as an electric returner, racking up over 3,500 yards between punt and kickoff returns.

After college, Breaston was drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals where he spent four years.  He appeared in almost every game, and averaged 60 catches per season in the years following his rookie debut.  In 2011, Breaston signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and continued his solid receiving production with 61 catches for 785 yards.  But for some reason, Breaston’s numbers fell off a cliff in 2012, and he struggled to even get on the field, finishing with only seven catches.

It seems unlikely that at only 30 years old and after years of consistent production that Breaston has nothing else left to offer.  Here’s to betting that the 2012 season was just an outlier and that he will find a home with another NFL team in the not too distant future.

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.