football

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg has a new article up at espn.com on the coaching situation at Michigan.

There isn't much new news in the article. However, there were a handful of interesting comments. Among others, 

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon says he is very comfortable waiting until after the bowl season to evaluate his coaches. Rich Rodriguez is not.

And also,

On Monday, Rodriguez and his boss walked by each other at least twice without making eye contact. Brandon insisted he's not worried about Rodriguez feeling unsettled about his future with college football's winningest program.

Lastly, from RR on recruiting,

The Rodriguez-led coaching staff is trying to persuade high school seniors to commit, or stick with their commitment, to Michigan even though there's uncertainty about who will be coaching at the school next season. Rodriguez said his status at the school has created an obstacle in recruiting, but he has an answer for recruits and their parents when they ask a question he can't really answer. "I tell them we're planning on being here and being their coach," he said.

As I said, while not much is new, this seems to allude to some level of current discomfort or strain in the relationship between DB & RR.

Well folks, we have our first work of PR. Hollywood is releasing the guaranteed blockbuster film titled The Beaver. Mel Gibson has the lead role of GERG Robinson.

From the Daily Telegraph:

Mel Gibson has had to endure questions about his stability following a string of controversies. Now he is preparing to relaunch his career by playing a man who befriends a hand-puppet beaver after suffering a breakdown.

Coincidence? Conspiracy? GERG's hair finally landed him stardom?

Enjoy the trailer, I played it three times in a row in utter shock and disbelief of the great clips that will eventually make it to this board:

Chicago OL Chris Bryant is coming in for an official visit this weekend with his parents. He does not have any other visits planned after this, but he could schedule a few if he decides he needs to. 

Michigan is in good position with Chris, but he does have some concerns about the coaching situation. He plans on asking about those concerns this weekend. I don't expect him to make a decision this weekend, but it's not out of the question. I don't think he really knows what he wants to do at this point until some things are cleared up. This visit will be for him to see more of the social life and how he interacts with the players. 

"There's a sucker born every minute." In this case, me. In the euphoria of our 5 - 0 start, I thought we had a good chance to beat Michigan State. This was a fatal miscalculation. In the hubris of that moment, with blind confidence in then Heisman front runner Denard and in the proud and sure confidence of Michigan's return to glory, I made a wager. A foolish wager. One requiring the wearing of Michigan State garments in a public setting, and the possible sacrifice of my first born child.

After the loss, I was required to take my senior daughter on a campus visit to Michigan State, on a beautiful Fall day. She was not swayed, and is planning to attend Kansas State. (A planned major in animal science with the goal of large animal vet school does not make Michigan a viable location for attendance.) Disaster narrowly averted . . . I can't imagine the pain and humiliation of Michigan alumni who have offspring attending Michigan State. I wonder if there are support groups for those unfortunate souls.

The second part of the bet was paid off yesterday. Needless to say, this goes down as a day of great personal shame and infamy. Sigh. At least the tie I wore was reasonably tasteful. Muted green and silver stripes with a single "Michigan State" at the bottom is tolerable. A loud, garish green and white polyester abomination with a field of leering Sparties would not have been. Lesson learned.

Note to self:  should Michigan somehow get through the first 10 games next year without a loss, do NOT, repeat, do NOT, make a wager with colleagues from Nebraska, or nephews from Ohio State. Yes, I believe 2011 will be a good year. Yes, I believe that we will be in all our games. But no, this ginger does not want to take the chance of wearing Nebraska or Ohio State red.

According to Rivals, we'll be in the 7th best bowl to watch this offseason.  But, they also play up the 'Mullen is the hot name, Rich Rod once was' angle as well.

UMGoblog just tweeted it.

Home to HaHa and Dee, this reeks of Saban pulling something out of his bag of many tricks. Hopefully Dee is solidly blue and doesn't give in to Satan. I mean Saban.