We are now two weeks into the NFL season, and former Michigan Wolverines continue to ball out and have successful post-college careers. As I have come to learn writing these articles up, this is going to become the “Tom Brady and Friends” program on Maize n Brew. So, once again, let’s start with how the GOAT did on Sunday.
Tom Brady
24/36, 276 yards, 5 TDs, 1 fumble
Yup, this checks out. The GOAT played well. Very well, in fact. He helped his team get off to their 2-0 start by throwing five touchdown passes in a big 48-25 victory over the NFC South division rival Atlanta Falcons.
Brady connected with Gronk twice, Mike Evans twice and Chris Godwin for his five scores. He did also lose a fumble, but it didn’t cost his team the game by any means. Even the GOAT has to make a mistake every now and then.
Josh Uche
3 tackles (3 solo), 2 sacks, 2 TFLs, 2 QB hits
The second-year linebacker had a monster day against the New York Jets, but oddly enough, most of his production was late in the game. He was able to get to rookie quarterback Zach Wilson twice and take him down for sacks. Here is one of them:
Rookie Pass Rush Grades 2020:
— Jack Cavanagh ↗️ (@javanagh87) September 19, 2021
Chase Young - 76.5
Josh Uche - 75.1@PFF_Patriots
pic.twitter.com/PfIbKqQwd6
Uche is off to a good start so far, with three of his four total tackles being sacks. His snap percentage also increased from Week 1 to Week 2, so you should expect to see more out of Uche this season for the Patriots.
Michael Onwenu
Another player who is likely in line for a lot of playing time this season on the Patriots is another former Michigan Wolverine — guard Michael Onwenu.
The second-year lineman has had a decent impact on the team thus far, and played every snap in their win over the weekend against the Jets. But Patriots fans on social media were clamoring for Onwenu to take the place of starting right tackle Trent Brown, who didn’t play in the game due to a calf injury.
The other replacement options weren’t playing well, so it will be interesting to see if Onwenu gets shifted over to a position he never played in college, but is likely very capable of playing. He has been that good for New England, so keep your eyes on this one.
Brandon Graham
This will unfortunately be the only time I highlight Graham in these articles this year, as he tore his Achilles tendon during the Philly loss to San Francisco. He didn’t make the stat sheet in the game, but Graham has been one of the most consistent Wolverine contributors in the NFL since he got drafted in the first round back in 2010. Hopefully the 33-year-old is able to come back stronger and better than ever in 2022.