Wednesday September 3, 2003 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu SPORTS 12 Hungry Underwood snatches backup 'pear' Henson swings and misses once again By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Editor Ever since David Underwood arrived at Michigan in the fall of 2001, he's never been afraid to show his roots. Even in Ann Arbor, which Under- wood describes as having "a lot of diversity" compared to his rural home of Madisonville, Texas, the jun- ior is proud of where he comes from. That's because the quaint little town, made up of 5,000 people, is a large part of who Underwood is today: A softspoken, simple guy; a guy who can take something as big as his battle for the backup running back spot, and turn it into something as trivial as a walk down a country road. "Well, (a position battle) is like when you are walking down the street, and you see a pear tree," Underwood explained. "You're real- ly hungry and that pear looks really good. You just kind of reach up and snatch it, and you don't let anyone get it back from you." Underwood reached up and snatched the backup role in spring and fall practice by outworking his competition and improving each facet of his game. Saturday, in Michigan's 45-7 win over Central Michigan, Underwood made it clear no one was getting it back. He rushed 11 times for 64 yards, a career-high total. After two years of waiting his turn, it was a special afternoon at the Big House for the junior. "Playing time was something that I just wanted so badly, so I just went and got it," Underwood said. "I worked hard because I didn't want to be in the position I was in during my freshman and sophomore years." See UNDERWOOD, Page 16 DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily David Underwood had a career day against Central Michigan, with 11 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, securing his place as Michigan's backup tallback. Kickoff 2003 The Michigan football team kicked its season off with a bang this past Saturday with a 45-7 win over Central Michigan. Tomorrow, The Michigan Daily's special football preview section, Kickoff 2003, will be released. Here's what you can look forward to seeing: wAn in-depth analysis on what the big keys are for Michigan to have a successful season. *Feature stories on Chris Peny, who is expected to have a break- out season in the backfield for the Wolverines, and Jeremy LeSueur. *Special look at the competitive Big Ten conference. *WIl Michigan have enough offensive firepower to carry them through the season? And much more ... CHRIS BURKE Goin' to work onsider this the obligatory Drew Henson column for the year. In case you missed it on Monday, ESPN reported that Henson - the Golden Boy-turned rich New York Yankees prospect-turned baseball failure - is ready to leave the dia- mond so he can refocus on a foot- ball career. After initially deciding not to forgo his senior season at Michigan for the NFL, Henson then stunned everyone back in 2001, signing a five-year contract with the Yankees worth $17 million over six years. The contract included a clause that Henson give up football. But after three miserable years in the Yankee farm system - includ- ing this year where he batted just .234 in 133 games, including 122 strikeouts and 28 errors at third base - Henson has reportedly fig- ured out that he should explore his NFL options. That means giving back $12 mil- lion in salary to the Yankees for the next three years. That means giving up the sport that Henson always "dreamed" of playing. And most importantly, that means Henson has now quit both college football and minor league baseball. Or, to put it in terms Henson might grasp easier, that's strike two. Strike one came back when he pulled that Barry Sanders-esque bail on the Michigan football team. Now Drew has swung and missed again, bombing in the Yankees' minor leagues. So, if I may offer a suggestion to Henson, here it is: You had better take a mighty rip at the NFL because you're down to your last hack. Who knows why Drew left - maybe he did really love baseball that much. Or maybe the promise of a $17 million check in his wallet was too much to pass up. Whatever the situation was, the can't-miss two-sport prospect is hanging on by a thread. The NFL's Houston Texans took a stab at Henson in this year's draft, claiming his rights in hopes of this exact situation unfolding. But, and perhaps not surprisingly, rumor now has it that Henson would sit out of the NFL this year, not sign with the Texans, and then reenter the draft next year where he would, no doubt, be subject to receiving more money. By that time, Henson will be 24 years old and have been out of foot- ball for four years. Any team taking him would do so in hopes that the former phenom could regain the form he displayed in his years in Ann Arbor. Any team taking him, though, would also have to hold its breath because Henson's NFL success is far from a guarantee. And, whether it's fair or not, that seems to be the legacy Henson is leaving himself throughout the sports world. He left Michigan not as a great quarterback, but someone who deserted a Wolverine team that had more than enough talent to make a national title run. He now leaves the Yankees as a player who used to be a five-tool future star, but struggled for three years and doesn't want to struggle anymore. It's sad and disappointing how far Henson has fallen. He's no longer the worshiped hero he once was See BURKE, Page 15 4 Natural selection. How smart is this: All the textbooks you need for up to 60% off retail prices. 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