Wolverines in the NFL: Week 1 (From Scout)

Submitted by canzior on

How all former Michigan football players fared in NFL week one action:

• Richard Ash (Played at U-M from 2010-13), DT, Dallas Cowboys: Got cut by the Cowboys, but was signed to the team’s practice squad.

• Ben Braden (2013-16), OG, New York Jets: Made New York’s practice squad as an undrafted free agent.

• Tom Brady (1996-99), QB, New England Patriots: Completed just 16 of 36 passes for 267 yards with no touchdowns in a 42-27 loss to Kansas City.

• Alan Branch (2004-06), DT, New England Patriots: Recorded two solo tackles in the 42-27 home defeat at the hands of the Chiefs.

• Jake Butt (2013-16), TE, Denver Broncos: Still working his way back from the ACL injury suffered in the Orange Bowl … Started the season on the physically unable to perform list and will be out for at least the first six games.

• Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Dallas Cowboys: Played in a 19-3 win over the New York Giants, but did not register a tackle.

• Jehu Chesson (2013-16), WR, Kansas City Chiefs: The rookie played in the Chiefs’ 42-27 win at New England, but didn’t catch a pass.

• Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks: Notched one tackle and a half sack in a 17-9 loss at Green Bay.

• Jeremy Clark (2013-16), S, New York Jets: The rookie did not play in the preseason, still rehabbing from his ACL injury suffered early last year … Was moved to the reserve/Non-Football Injury list Sept. 1.

• Blake Countess (2011-14), S, Los Angeles Rams: Registered three tackles (two solo) in a 46-9 win over Indianapolis.

• Amara Darboh (2013-16), WR, Seattle Seahawks: Played in the 17-9 loss at Green Bay, but didn’t catch a pass.

• Devin Funchess (2012-14), WR, Carolina Panthers: Caught two passes for 20 yards in a 23-3 win at San Francisco.

• Ben Gedeon (2014-16), LB, Minnesota Vikings: Started and notched two tackles in a 29-19 win over New Orleans on Monday night.

• Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OG, Detroit Lions: Started at guard in a 35-23 win over Arizona.

• Ryan Glasgow (2013-16), DT, Cincinnati Bengals: Notched one tackle in his NFL debut, a 20-0 loss to Baltimore.

• Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles: Compiled two sacks and two tackles for loss among four total stops in a 30-17 win at Washington.

• David Harris (2003-06), LB, New England Patriots: Made one tackle in the 42-27 loss to Kansas City.

• Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Served as the backup signal-caller for the Jaguars’ surprising 29-7 win at Houston.

• Willie Henry (2013-15), DT, Baltimore Ravens: Was inactive for a 20-0 victory over Cincinnati.

• Delano Hill (2013-16), S, Seattle Seahawks: Missed Seattle’s 17-9 loss at Green Bay due to a shoulder injury.

• Kyle Kalis (2013-16), OG, Washington Redskins: The undrafted free agent was signed to the Redskins’ practice squad after a solid camp.

• Taylor Lewan (2010-13), OT, Tennessee Titans: Started at tackle in a 26-16 loss to Oakland.

• Jourdan Lewis (2014-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys: Had been injured in camp with a hamstring, but still made the 53-man roster … Missed the Cowboys’ 19-3 win over the New York Giants. Expected to suit up this week.

• Erik Magnuson (2013-16), OL, San Francisco 49ers: Made the team as an undrafted rookie free agent, but was not active for the Niners’ 23-3 loss to Carolina.

• Patrick Omameh (2009-12), OG, Jacksonville Jaguars: Started in the Jaguars’ 29-7 win at Houston.

• Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, Cleveland Browns: Started at safety in a 21-18 loss to Pittsburgh, and notched four tackles and broke up a pass … Also returned three punts for 33 yards, including a 25-yarder, and one kick 14 yards.

• Thomas Rawls (20010-13), RB, Seattle Seahawks: Did not play in the 17-9 loss at Green Bay due to an ankle injury.

• Jake Rudock (2015), QB, Detroit Lions: Did not play in a 35-23 win over Arizona other than as a holder.

• Jake Ryan (2010-14), LB, Green Bay Packers: Started and notched two tackles (one solo) in the Packers’ 17-9 win over Seattle.

• Michael Schofield (2010-13), OT, Los Angeles Chargers: Signed with the Chargers after being waived by the Broncos … Did not appear in the 24-21 loss to the Broncos on Monday night.

• De’Veon Smith (2013-16), RB, Miami Dolphins: Made Miami’s practice squad as a rookie free agent.

• Channing Stribling (2013-16), CB, Cleveland Browns: Was unable to make the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, but was the last addition to the team’s practice squad.

• Dymonte Thomas (2013-16), S, Denver Broncos: Played well enough in the preseason to make the practice squad as an undrafted free agent.

• Fitz Toussaint (2010-13), RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad after being cut.

• Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, Jacksonville Jaguars: Played in the Jags’ 29-7 win at Houston, but did not record a tackle.

• Chris Wormley (2014-16), DT, Baltimore Ravens: Didn’t dress for the Ravens’ 20-0 win over Cincinnati.

Those who were waived following camp:

• Kenny Allen, P, Baltimore Ravens (2013-16): Punted well, but couldn’t make the team.

• Brennen Beyer (2011-14), DE, Baltimore Ravens: Released after two years with the team after signing an injury settlement with the team.

• Matt Godin (2013-16), DT, Houston Texans: Had been playing well with four tackles in two preseason games before tearing his ACL and getting waived … He’ll miss his rookie year.

• Joe Kerridge (2012-15), FB, Green Bay Packers: Reached an injury settlement with the team after injuring a calf before the final preseason game.

Michigasling

September 15th, 2017 at 12:10 PM ^

Whatever NYC team they were playing, going to see Denard and Henne and surprised to see UDFA Ash.  He looked so healthy, played so well, and even watched when he joined the other D-linemen on the sidelines huddling with the coach.  Definitely looked like one of the gang.  They put him on the practice squad and I think moved him to active near the end of the season, then trading him near the end of last season. 

Jasper

September 15th, 2017 at 10:39 AM ^

Good for Smith and last year's offensive linemen. By getting to the (Adam) "Stenavich" level [1] and beyond (Magnuson) they've exceeded my expectations.

[1] Former Michigan O-lineman Adam Stenavich spent several years at the practice squad level before (I think) going into coaching.

LBSS

September 15th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^

Yeah it always bugged me that he didn't finish his career at UM. He was so good until they changed defenses on him and suddenly asked him to do something he wasn't prepared or built for. Felt bad for the guy, glad he did the right thing for himself and that he's making it in the league.

Plus he's from Maryland and I'm from Maryland so I always pulled for him a bit extra.

Magnus

September 15th, 2017 at 1:13 PM ^

Chris Partridge has zero linebacker coaching experience, but he's a LB coach at Michigan on a good defense. I think all the consternation about Manning coaching the cornerbacks was blown out of proportion. Maybe he wasn't a good cornerbacks coach, but it's not BECAUSE he had only coached linebackers (and running backs). 

Mike Damone

September 15th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^

4* or 5* that played at Michigan got a raw deal from an overall coaching preparedness standpoint under the RichRod/Hoke years.  Look at that list above - I am guessing that Rudock, Godin, Kalis, Magnusson, Hill and J. Clark might not be in position to play pro ball without Harbaugh and his coaching team's impact.  Others had to overcome those poor coaching obstacles (see Rawls).  Even others will not be able to overcome them for a pro career (see Gardner).  

I am sure these successful "case studies", if communicated right, have to help w recruiting.  Know we state it every day - but we are so lucky to have Harbaugh and his staff.

Mike Damone

September 15th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^

4* or 5* that played at Michigan got a raw deal from an overall coaching preparedness standpoint under the RichRod/Hoke years.  Look at that list above - I am guessing that Rudock, Godin, Kalis, Magnusson, Hill and J. Clark might not be in position to play pro ball without Harbaugh and his coaching team's impact.  Others had to overcome those poor coaching obstacles (see Rawls).  Even others will not be able to overcome them for a pro career (see Gardner).  

I am sure these successful "case studies", if communicated right, have to help w recruiting.  Know we state it every day - but we are so lucky to have Harbaugh and his staff.

Magnus

September 15th, 2017 at 10:58 AM ^

It's not common, but it happens. Generally, if you've got the talent to be a viable starter or quality backup, the NFL recognizes that. Sometimes you have guys bounce back and forth between the practice squad and an emergency backup/special teamer, but it's rare for a guy to be a practice squad guy and then turn into a star. That's why it's such a big deal when something like that happens, like with Kurt Warner.

Mike Damone

September 15th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^

but I can't believe not one NFL team is interested in having Denard Robinson on roster as a backup RB, kick returner, or for those teams w only 2 QBs active, emergency QB.

Wish the Lions would pick him up - but he probably wouldn't be a good fit.  Theo Riddick kind of plays that role, and is damn good at catching passes out of the backfield.  As a Lions fan, it has taken therapy and a good hypnotist to help me forget where Theo Riddick and Golden Tate went to - ugh - school...

mGrowOld

September 15th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

I'm more surprised that Denard lasted as long in the NFL as he did, not that he's out of the league now.  Small running backs have a VERY short shelf-life in the NFL unless their superduper outstanding at pass catching and that was never Denard's strong suit.

 

PopeLando

September 15th, 2017 at 12:13 PM ^

Some guys are just used up in college. Guys like Mike Hart and Denard Robinson. For Sparty, you could argue that Stanton was used up in college.

By the time they got to the pros, there was little left in the tank. Of course, for Denard, Hoke's policy of ignoring injuries kinda fucked him...

Michigasling

September 15th, 2017 at 11:06 PM ^

Obsessive data-checker, not-so-obsessive memory.

EDIT: I obsessively checked my data, and remembered what I forgot:  He made the special teams tackle, but there was a penalty against NE on the play, so, the play being nullified, the tackle officially doesn't exist.

AC1997

September 15th, 2017 at 1:45 PM ^

Pretty impressive list overall and more guys than we've had in a long time.  While I agree with the comments about the RichRod/Hoke transition and coaching.....Hoke did sure recruit some guys.  

I happened to be watching the game and Darboh nearly ended up on the Top-10 plays list with an amazing attempt at a pass in the middle of three defenders.  Great play, had the ball briefly, went upside-down and landed nearly on his head.  Didn't count because a defender knocked it out just before he landed.  

 

AC1997

September 15th, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^

Michigan is finally back to nearly having a full roster in the NFL....

Offense:

  • WR1 = Funchess
  • WR2 = Chesson
  • LT = Lewan
  • LG = Magnuson
  • C = Glasgow
  • RG = Omameh
  • RT = Schofield
  • TE = Butt
  • WR3 = Darboh
  • RB = Rawls
  • QB = Brady

     
  • Two backup QBs in the league
  • Two OL and Two RB on practice squads

Defense:

  • CB1 = Lewis
  • CB2 = Countess
  • FS = Wilson
  • SS = Hill
  • LB/S = Peppers
  • LB = Harris
  • LB = Ryan
  • DE = Graham
  • DE = Clark
  • DT = Branch
  • DT = Henry

     
  • Backup LB in Gedeon, Backup DE in Charlson, backup DTs in Wormley/Glasgow
  • Practice squads get you two CB, a S, and another DT