Ryan Mallett

Ryan Mallett speaks, or rather doesn't speak about his alleged drug use at the NFL combine in Indy.

To see the video you will have to scroll the thumbnails underneath to find him. He is wearing a black #9 shirt.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-newtonmallettinterviews022611 

Per NBC and Mel Kiper, Mallett is dropping out of the first round for "baggage". Having gone to the U with the kid, I'd assume by baggage they simply mean douchebaggery.

Or being an idiot.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/08/talk-continues-of-potent...

While none of us know exactly what happened in meetings or conversations between RR and Mallett and between Hoke and Denard, my sense is that it was something like this.

RR - Ryan Mallett you are one of the top pro-style quarterbacks in the country.  I don't really see how you will fit in the offense I intend to run, even though I have no one else available to me that can run it.  I hope you stick around, but if you decide to leave I will understand. 

Hoke - Denard Robinson you are one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country and have dilithium speed.  I would be a fool not to find a way to take advantage of your skill set and experience, even though I have Devin Gardner (and nobody else) to work with.  If you leave Michigan you would have to sit out a year and you would not get the value of a Michigan degree.  The team needs you, I need you, please give me a chance to find a way for us to be successful together.

Happy DAC (day after Christmas), MGoBlog readers.  Most of you are probably quite familiar with Ryan Mallet, who may or may not have been *run off* by Coach Rodriguez.  Here's an interesting take by The Sporting News on his play this year:

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-09/draft-dish/story/draft-dish...

Later in the article you'll see some material on Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod, whom we'll see in a few days.

There are a few Big Ten players in their "Fab 40."  I noticed Adrian Clayborn is still well-regarded.  Wasn't he neutralized by Taylor Lewan for most of that game?  My memory might be spotty.

Check out the below link to ESPN.com's Heisman watch:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/heisman/

FYI - a quick review of the current stats show Denard atop the leaderboard in rushing yards and also in the Top 10-15 for passer rating.  And if they combined his rushing and passing TDs, he would be in the Top 5 for total scoring as well.

[EDIT:  Its pretty amazing how a seemingly minor reply about not liking the nickname "Shoelaces" can quickly get out of hand.  You'd think I had just insulted Denard's mother or something.  Yes, its an original nickname.  No, I don't like it.  But who cares?!  Its just my stupid opinion about a nickname!  FWIW - I think Denard's a beast and I can't wait to watch him play on Saturdays.  He's quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite Wolverines and, coming from a guy that's lived and breathed Michigan football since birth, that's a pretty big thing.]

[EDIT 2:  It's pretty sad that I'm sitting here at my desk worrying that people now think I do not like Denard and am not "all in for Michigan" just because I don't like his nickname.  I better call a therapist!]

A frequent recipient of MGoBlogerati disdain, Ryan Mallett just may have undergone a fairly significant maturation since his matriculation at Arkansas.  Check out this article in which he credits Michigan and in particular Lloyd Carr and Chad Henne as major factors in his current success.

Mallett, who has two seasons of college eligibility remaining, said his leadership skills have been shaped by Michigan and Arkansas. "When I first went to Michigan I was young," said Mallett, 22, who missed the Razorbacks' spring practices because of the foot injury. "I had a great guy in front of me in Chad Henne. He was a very good leader and I watched him and I learned from him.

"I was still young when I came here (to Arkansas). Going under the tutelage of coach Carr and (Arkansas) coach (Bobby) Petrino -- they really helped me understand what I need to do. I've always felt I've been a leader, but I've just matured with the direction of those coaches."

Mallett...said he signed to play for Michigan because he "had fallen in love with the campus and the coaches."

Perhaps with age and experience Mallett has undergone his own transformation to complement his transfer. Meanwhile, with the Heisman campaign underway, Mallett is surely receiving some significant public relations coaching from Arkansas.  Of course, both can be true, can't they?