Tag: Stevie Brown

NFL Wolverines: 2013 Statistics

Denard Robinson, Chad Henne, Jordan Kovacs

Despite the football program’s recent and not-so-recent struggles, Michigan continues to be well-represented in the NFL.  Here’s a list by position group:

Patrick Omameh did not see game action with his team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 


David Molk was not in the league during the 2013 season after being cut by the Chargers; however, he recently signed with Chip Kelly and the Eagles and is listed on the team roster.

Hit the jump for the defensive players.

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: Stevie Brown

“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:

• Following a nine-game absence, Charles Woodson is medically cleared and expected to play in the Packer’s playoff game on Saturday against the Vikings.  He joins Leon Hall (Bengals), Alan Branch (Seahawks), Jonathan Goodwin (49ers), Tom Brady, and Zoltan Mesko (Patriots) as U of M’s representatives in the playoffs. 

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Jason Avant

It was a strong week for our former Michigan athletes, but no one had a more eye-popping performance than Philadelphia Eagle Jason Avant. His team won 23-21 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he finished with seven receptions for 133 yards, including one of the most impressive one-handed grabs you’ll ever see. Avant has 38 receptions for 495 yards through 13 games, and his play looks to be improving alongside that of QB Nick Foles.  Teammate Brandon Graham had two tackles in the win.

Honorable mention:  Stevie Brown picked off Drew Brees twice as his Giants routed the Saints; he returned the two interceptions a total of 91 yards.  Brown is now second in the NFL with seven interceptions and is also the Giants’ new single-season record holder for most interception return yards with 259.  In addition to the picks, Brown had eight tackles, 2 pass breakups, and a forced fumble in the game.

Miscellaneous: 

• Tom Brady and the Patriots beat up on the one-loss Texas by a score of 42-14.  Brady threw for 296 yards and four touchdowns and torched the Texans on play action.  He is quietly having another MVP-caliber season.
• David Molk, banged up after nearly a full NFL season, was
  placed on the Injured Reserve for the Chargers.  The move cleared up a
  roster spot that was filled by a healthy lineman, fellow Wolverine and current teammate Stephen Schilling. 
• After being released by the Seahawks, Braylon Edwards re-signed with one of his former teams, the New York Jets.
• Martell Webb was released from the Colts’ practice squad.
• Cam Cameron, who coached at Michigan from ’83 to ’93, was fired as the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.
• David Harris recorded 10 tackles and a sack in a win over the Jaguars.  He has a team-leading 101 tackles through 13 games.
• Steve Hutchinson was placed on the Injured Reserve for the Titans due to a knee injury.
• Jonas Mouton recorded his first career tackle against the Bengals earlier in the month.
• Chad Henne went a dismal 21/43 passing with zero touchdowns and two interceptions in his third start of the year.  Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville’s starter to begin the season, was recently placed on the IR, so Henne should get a few more games to prove he’s starter-quality.   

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Stevie Brown

Stevie Brown, “Proud Michigan Man all day everyday.”

If you pay any attention to Touch the Banner on Thursdays, then you know by now that Stevie Brown has miraculously transformed into the second coming of Charles Woodson.  Given that, it should come as no surprise that earlier in the week Brown made two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a team high eight solo tackles as his Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 29-26.  Brown was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week and now has five picks in the last six games.  It will be interesting to see how much playing time Brown gets going forward as starting safety Kenny Phillips is scheduled to be back in a week or two.

Honorable Mention:  Tom Brady put on a jolly good show for the fine people of London by going 23/35 for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the Patriots’ 45-7 victory over the Rams.  Patrons remarked that a smashing time was had by all.

Miscellaneous:

• Steve Breaston did not have a reception in the month of October and has caught only four passes on the season.  He made 61 receptions last year.
• Brandon Graham had a season high four tackles.
• Jonas Mouton is listed as second string on the Chargers depth chart but still has not posted any stats as a pro.
• Larry Foote recorded five tackles and a sack.  He now leads the Steelers in tackles, sacks, fumbles forced and fumbles recovered.
• Mario Manningham has been battling a shoulder injury but his status has been upgraded to “probable” for the 49ers’ upcoming game against the Cardinals.
• Jason Avant had a season high four receptions for 45 yards.
• Jake Long is still doing his thing.  He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.