Former players planning show of support
http://michigan.247sports.com/Bolt/Former-Michigan-players-planning-wee…
Former @umichfootball players are planning a weekend of support for the current players starting tomorrow by going to practice.
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) October 9, 2014
Former @umichfootball players told me that the "current players need to know we are here for them even if nobody else is."
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) October 9, 2014
Yeah, ok Desmond.
October 10th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
As someone else pointed out: Desmond Howard can simultaneously criticize the players for not trying hard enough while then saying he's part of the only group supporting them. So why can't fans simultaneously support the players while wanting Dave Brandon fired?
A serious question: Do you think that the coaches or Dave Brandon have relayed any sort of message to them that the vitriol isn't about or towards them? And that its towards Dave Brandon especially? Or have they used it to band themselves to the players (not that the players don't already think that way about the coaches)?
October 10th, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
Right, but nothing about the boycott is about the players. They feel that way, but they could also be told by Brandon and the coaches, "Hey, whatever is happening out there, that's on us. Its about us and our job." And maybe they are being told that and they are still rallying around the coaches, which is understandable. But I doubt it, I'm sure its more of a "NOBODY BELIEVES IN US, ITS US AGAINST THE WORLD, LETS PROVE EVERYONE ELSE WRONG!" type of environment.
When I bring up Desmond, I'm merely pointing out its possible to do two things at once that seem contradictory if you want to look at them from a certain way, but really aren't.
And yes, a lot of the old ballplayers needed a push to support the players last go around when many of them didn't like the old coach. Now suddenly they are all back on board the Michigan brotherhood train.
Did your AD watch game film with the coordinators?
October 10th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^
So couldn't the coaches/Dave Brandon come in and make it absolutely clear its not about them, but instead about Dave Brandon? Couldn't Dave Brandon stand before the football team and apologize for being himself and say he's sorry for ravaging the Michigan fanbase to the point where they feel the need to boycott his very presence?
I get it. Its really just a bit of light brainwashing, that an attack on DB is an attack on all of us.
October 10th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
More simply, college athletes have big egos
Why is it we only hear this sort of entitlement from a few sports though, if college athletes having big egos is the cause?
October 10th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
...and the athletes in non-revenue sports, and most university music programs, and STEM competitions, and etc... think "nobody gives a damn about us".
...and they're largely right.... and they just suck it up and perform at their best anyway.
It's hard to believe the football players are such fragile little flowers dependent on the adoration of the public to get them though, but it sure is starting to sound like it.
October 10th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
I'm not saying they ought to have a sense of entitlement, but are you really surprised that they do?
No - I'm just amazed at the complete and utter lack of any introspection on their part, and their insulation from a student body they are supposedly part of - but obviously feel seperate from and above.
The more seperate and entitled the football team seems, the more I (as an alumni and university employee) start to think we should explore the University of Chicago model.
October 10th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 12:42 AM ^
DO YOU NOT SUPPORT THE TROOPS?!
October 9th, 2014 at 9:07 PM ^
You have a really low view of them. Also, they can protest however they want. You protest your way and they protest their way.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:56 PM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 12:02 AM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 2:32 AM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:44 PM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 12:01 AM ^
Protesting around not buying tickets, using tickets, etc is the only real weapon the fans, students and alumni have unless their name is Stephen Ross. Want proof? Not much reaction out of this athletic administration, former players, et al until a protest involving not showing up, showing up late or leaving came into the picture. Then they turned the conversation to supporting the players. All they're doing is trying to take away the one weapon at our disposal to show our displeasure at what has become of this program.
How effective have the letters and emails been? How effective was the protest last week? It was widely talked about in the media. This is your only weapon that will absolutely bring change, use it. Once the football season is over what weapon do we have then to bring change? More emails?
October 9th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^
This will be unpopular, but I think this is great. Regardless of whether or not our vitriol is directed at the coaches and not the players, it has to be disheartening to see this as a player. Having some former players show support is great. I wish it happened every year. Good testament to the familial culture of Michigan. Good for Desmond.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:11 PM ^
Isn't Desmond the one who called out the players just last week??
October 9th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^
I saw very little support from players(including Desmond) when Rodriguez was here.
October 9th, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^
I actually remember stories of upperclassmen working AGAINST RichRod. Wasn't there a story about a CB who took plays off on purpose?
October 9th, 2014 at 11:54 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 11:16 PM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
We know why you don't like him, Spart.
October 10th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
Some players did. Nothing like the support Hoke is getting now though. And the Carr era players were pretty non-existent.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^
I don't know that this would be an unpopular interpretation, and I would like to think that it is because these former players simply would like to show some organized support for the players that they are doing this. I wish this is something that happened a little more often honestly, because I think any team would love to see those who went before them and hear the experiences that they can share of both on-the-field and off-the-field success. If we're going to be "the Michigan family", this is really something we should have been always doing.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:09 PM ^
Desmond disappoints me the more he opens his mouth.
And let's not forget that this is the same guy that called out every player on the team with the exception of Peppers a few weeks ago.
Just ridiculous that they can weave this narrative that the fans are somehow protesting the players...
October 9th, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 11:18 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 9th, 2014 at 9:10 PM ^
I'm so, so sick of this shit. We support the players! Only the massively ignorant part of the fanbase (which, ours is probably much smaller than most [glances at osu]) is ripping the players. Sure they aren't great this year but goddamn it I still love me some DG and fleet and jmfr! But for the love of god let's get a competent administration in here!
October 9th, 2014 at 9:10 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^
Because it's extremely insulting for the players when people who have bought tickets purposely aren't going for a section of the game to make a point when it could be easily done in many other ways. Some people would rather Ann arbor be nuked and our football program was set back 50 years if it meant Dave Brandon was fired. It's going to do nothing but show we don't support our players because we are not showing up for them, we don't value Michigan football because we aren't attending, and provide fodder for opposing fans.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:18 PM ^
So, wait, this boycott will "nuke Ann Arbor" and "set the program back 50 years"?
Let's skip from Point A to Point D to Point Z. Yeesh.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:38 PM ^
It's our version of the Manhattan Project. Going to be really big.
October 9th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^
We're 0-2 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1967.
Let's see, that was the year I was born and I'm 47, so that means
...congratulations, brother, we're practically there already!
October 9th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ^
Why don't you post a Buckle Up for the Boycott thread tomorrow?
October 9th, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^
So Desmond Howard is tweeting about supporting the players. The same Desmond Howard who 2 weeks ago said on national television that none of the players outside of Jabrill Peppers are pushing themselves enough in practice to be great. Ok, got it.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^
Jersey, because both of those things can be true at the same time.
Maybe Desmond Howards defines "support" as being honest: the players could be doing more in practice yet he still supports them.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:23 PM ^
I see that right after I posted my reply to you, Jersey, someone downvoted your comment. I just want you to know that wasn't me. If I'm taking the trouble to post a reply to someone there is no downvote attached, or if someone posts something I don't agree with, I don't DV for that either. In fact I often upvote people I don't agree with for adding something to the discussion. Especially if it is humorous.
Downvotes are used for obvious trolls or the occaisonal verbally abusive coward.
October 9th, 2014 at 9:27 PM ^
If Desmond can simultaneously support the players and criticize them, why can't people simultaneously support the players and boycott 10 minutes of game time to make a statement?
October 9th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^
CARLOS
October 9th, 2014 at 9:35 PM ^
October 10th, 2014 at 12:06 AM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:21 PM ^
October 9th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^
Everybody here is always talking about how this team has so much talent that is wasted. Not supporting coaches and not supporting players is completely different. That would be like people saying the UM fanbase hated Denard after the 2010 season.