national champs baby
Brandon Smith Likely To Transfer
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This has been the hot rumor the past couple days and TomVH has confirmed that redshirt freshman safety/LB Brandon Smith has received transfer papers and is looking to move on. Hurray.
Smith was a top-100 "athlete" in the hybrid Rodriguez/Carr class who technically committed after the transition had been announced but, like JT Floyd, was a Carr recruit all the way who was just stringing out his commitment for reasons unknown. So this could be a "Carr guy" moving on to a place he'd rather be. In any case it's the departure of one of the most highly rated players in a class entering its third year at a position, be it linebacker or safety, of desperate need.
Smith didn't seem to be working out, as he was too big and slow for safety and spent his game as a quasi—linebacker starter on skates, but there's zero upside here. He could have put on 20-30 pounds easily—his "frame" was a reason he was rated so highly—and eventually turned into a contributor at linebacker. At the very least he would have been a relatively veteran body on a defense that needs every last potential contributor. BONUS: Michigan can't even add anyone to replace him because of a mysterious but apparently real oversigning change that prevents Big Ten teams from backdating players who enroll early*. DOUBLE BONUS: Before the season I took a look at Michigan's APR and concluded that sanctions resulting from transfers were unlikely, but the attrition has continued at a pace that makes me nervous.
*(Which will definitely help the struggling conference compete nationally.)
December 6th, 2009 at 2:52 PM | 
So...
So...
December 6th, 2009 at 2:55 PM |
Laa, Laa, Laa
Laa, Laa, Laa
OK, my fingers are in my ears and I am officially yelling Laa, Laa, Laa, Laa for the next several months.
Life should not be a journey to the grave to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What A Ride!" HST
December 6th, 2009 at 2:57 PM |
I posted this link on the board
I posted this link on the board
http://umgoblue.com/aspplay/Brandon-Smith-debating-on-transferringWhat-d...
Some comments from him and Toney Clemons.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:01 PM |
What the fuck man
Poop
Just
What the fuck man
Poop
Just
What the fuck man
Poop
Just poop all over the place
December 6th, 2009 at 3:04 PM |
And I will proceed to
And I will proceed to
And I will proceed to continue to cry myself softly to sleep.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:07 PM |
I am not a Rich Rod hater
I am not a Rich Rod hater
I wanted it to work. I wanted the SEC style to take root here in the Midwest. And who better than RR?
But I realize, and you all will to, it will just take you a bit longer for you, that it hasn't worked and it won't worked.
Best case scenario for 2010: 6 wins: Cherryland Motor City Bowl.
Then the new AD begins the search.
Sorry to have to be the one to say it, but not as sorry as I am to have to face it.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:24 PM |
i'll remember you posted this
i'll remember you posted this
you know, when RR's still coaching in 2011.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:22 PM |
That'll teach me!
That'll teach me!
Of course, given Mary Ann's track record, I could be wrong.
Even if I'm right.
December 6th, 2009 at 6:05 PM |
Who in the hell is Mary Ann?
Who in the hell is Mary Ann?
Oh you mean Mary SUE Coleman the University of Michigan President. Yes given her track record with coaches he should get more time.
You obviously show that you know jack shit about Michigan when you get the name of the President wrong.
Next time when you want to stir up the pot/be a douchebag try to get your facts straight.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand"
December 6th, 2009 at 6:23 PM |
Maybe he was watching
Maybe he was watching
Maybe he was watching Gilligan's Island.
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
December 6th, 2009 at 6:48 PM |
No, you're right
No, you're right
I said Ann not Sue. Logically, therefore, everything else is wrong.
Dumbass.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:04 PM |
dumbass?
dumbass?
Since when did the board evolve to such a classy place?
My sign up date does not reflect that I am a veteran of the Haloscan era...when things were completely "Wild West" on the board. I lurked the new site for quite a while before deciding to jump in an comment for periods of time and then retreat into the Canadian wilderness after signing day (mostly).
I never encountered the sort of banhammer inducing idiocy that I have run into on the board in the last two weeks. First TomHagan, more recently that guy with 7 new names every day...and now this.
It is not hard to stay classy. Remember, Michigan Man?
If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone
December 6th, 2009 at 11:37 PM |
Easy cowboy
Easy cowboy
Don't take your marbles and run back to Canada.
Fellow suggested that since I typed Mary Ann, not Mary Sue, that I must therefore be completely wrong about all things Michigan football.
That is, on its face, a dumbass remark. And I'm sure your Canadian ears can handle such rough language.
Now, as I've said many times before, it's Brian's site. He can ban me at any time. I invite him, in fact, to read every single one of my posts. I am a Michigan Man through and through. As such, 8 wins in two years is not acceptable to me. I do not see this team with the talent to win more than 6 next year. 14 wins in 3 years is not acceptable to me.
Now, based on my long history with the university, I do not believe, in light of such a (presumed) record and a new AD, that there is any way RR stays beyond 2010. Yes, saying it again makes me a broken record. I will not (try) and say it again.
For I am sad.
December 6th, 2009 at 11:50 PM |
As such, 8 wins in two years
As such, 8 wins in two years
As such, 8 wins in two years is not acceptable to me.
Get over yourself. It happened, and you have no say over it, or the road to improvement.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:05 AM |
which is why dumbass
which is why dumbass
i state that *I* do *not* *believe* that Mary Sue Ann, the athletic dept., the rich alums and the *new* AD will keep Rich Rod.
Exactly like you, I have no control over the team's wins and losses.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:47 AM |
Just so you know...
Just so you know...
the name is Duuumaas.
When you reach the end of your rope tie a knot and hold on...
December 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM |
We ought to file that one
We ought to file that one
We ought to file that one under "Educational"
December 7th, 2009 at 12:07 AM |
Nobody cares what is or what
Nobody cares what is or what
Nobody cares what is or what is not acceptable to you. Please just start cheering for another team. You won't be missed
December 6th, 2009 at 6:48 PM |
No, you're right
No, you're right
I said Ann not Sue. Logically, therefore, everything else is wrong.
Dumbass.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:56 PM |
Easy for you too say.
Easy for you too say.
But now i no that soon you will to, that wut you did now might have been known and that Mary Ellen will then not now know to, as well.
Dumbass.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:16 PM |
I have no idea what you're
I have no idea what you're
I have no idea what you're trying to say because your typing at an OSU level and not a Michigan level...
successfully achieved 1 year self-imposed posting ban 4/10/13
December 6th, 2009 at 10:21 PM |
Sorry.
Sorry.
I guess I fail at speaking brianshallese.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:53 AM |
Sorry....
Sorry....
It's "you're" in both places. You brought up the typing police!
When you reach the end of your rope tie a knot and hold on...
December 6th, 2009 at 8:28 PM |
Hey, Mary Ann,
Hey, Mary Ann,
what your game, can anybody play?
No, that's Carrie-Ann. Who is Mary Ann?
Taking it one week at a time
December 6th, 2009 at 3:28 PM |
Ouch
Ouch
But I realize, and you all will to, it will just take you a bit longer for you, that it hasn't worked and it won't worked.
Wow, that sentence is like a punch to my English Language Dong...
December 6th, 2009 at 6:52 PM |
so if we go 7-5 or better next year...
so if we go 7-5 or better next year...
...will you agree never to post on this board again?
December 6th, 2009 at 9:25 PM |
deal
deal
count on it
December 6th, 2009 at 3:07 PM |
tags
tags
How ISN'T the phrase "Angry Michigan Safety-Hating God" used somewhere in this post?
December 7th, 2009 at 12:19 AM |
Let's just save time
Let's just save time
and change it to "Angry Michigan-Hating God".
M'Dog
December 6th, 2009 at 3:10 PM |
Fuck.
Fuck.
That is all.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:13 PM |
My dong is down for the
My dong is down for the
My dong is down for the count. I can't take any more punches.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:18 PM |
#1) SHUT UP!!! The sky is
#1) SHUT UP!!! The sky is
#1) SHUT UP!!! The sky is not falling.
#2) Redshirt frosh Brandon Smith had a lot of potential, yes. But he was also listed behind walk-on soph Kevin Leach at WLB. And walk-on frosh Jordan Kovacs at FS. He didn't have the man-to-man coverage skills to play SLB, and if S. Brown would have gotten hurt, walk-on frosh Floyd Simmons would have replaced him. His best bet was probably to put on a ton of weight and stick at WLB. He probably would have started at some point. He probably would have been average to above average. Nothing more, nothing less.
MLB: Ezeh (Sr), Fitzgerald (Jr), Demens (So), Bell (Fr)
WLB: Mouton (Sr), Leach (Jr), Jones (So)
SLB: Hawthorne (Fr), Kovacs? (So), Simmons (So), FURMAN? (Fr)
Most of the mistakes Ezeh and Mouton made last season we're mental, and are thus correctable. Those two will be better next season. Still, Fitz and Leach are going to puch both of them. Demens and Jones are going to get better as well. Bell adds to the position this season also. Save Leach, these are all great athletes with a lot of potential. We'll be fine!
I told people to go F*ck themselves, therefore I have been banned
December 6th, 2009 at 3:41 PM |
i'm not sure why
i'm not sure why
you've gotten such poor reviews for this post, you haven't said anything to warrant it. guess it's a sensitive sunday today
December 6th, 2009 at 5:23 PM |
Thank you
Thank you
I could not have put it any better. Things will improve in the second year under the same DC. Depth will not be so big of an issue and the athletic ability is there.
I am very concerned, however, about unused scholarships. Is there some kind of hardship waiver that UM can apply for to get in more than 25?
Nice post blueadams.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:51 PM |
Missing the forest for the trees
Missing the forest for the trees
You're right, the sky isn't falling. It's already fallen. What else do you call 8-16 over the last two years at a place like Michigan? The main reason for this year's collapse was a defense that had been decimated by attrition. The problem is that Brandon Smith's transfer seems to indicate that our problems with attrition aren't over.
Galileo was also chastised.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:14 PM |
Let's calm down
Let's calm down
Brandon Smith was barely in the two deep. From the two deep the team loses, at most, 3-4 players for 2010. Plus, the following players become available and probably will contribute:
Brandin Hawthorne
Mike Jones
Isaiah Bell
Anthony LaLota
The Talbott kids
Cullen Christian
Courtney Avery
Adrian Witty
Marvin Robinson
JT Turner
2-3 more commits (Hankins? Ash? Furman? Parker? Beachum?)
I see 12 actual contributors coming on board next year, and Brandon Smith is out the door. Why come you're so concerned?
December 7th, 2009 at 1:12 AM |
don't forget Thomas Gordon,
don't forget Thomas Gordon,
don't forget Thomas Gordon, there have been some positive reports about him
I know from experience dude. If you know what I mean.
December 7th, 2009 at 8:04 AM |
So you think the 250 lb DT
So you think the 250 lb DT
So you think the 250 lb DT Talbott Kid, and the Two-star CB Talbott kid might contribute? In what way, exactly?
You're just listing young players randomly. Let's all admit the defense is screwed next year and (without a signing-day bonanza and all the greyshirt skeeziness that would involve) likely for years to come. Brandon Smith, of course, being merely the the icing on the cake here.
All these kids transferring probably does not help our recruiting pitch much, I'd imagine.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:07 PM |
plus one
plus one
folks are a bit sensitive...what with Bowl season coming up and having to watch Little Brother and the Tebow love fest...
Nice post.
If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone
December 6th, 2009 at 3:19 PM |
My Michigan dong has been punched so many times
My Michigan dong has been punched so many times
It's officially female.
My new course for hope: a hell of a lot of patience, with Mike Stoops/Arizona results. Forget dreams of national prominence in 2010 or 2011, but there is still reason to believe that Rodriguez will get the program where we want it to be, given time. There is also little reason to believe that a coaching change would lead to immediately improved results; the issues with the program will take some time, whether with Coach Rod or Coach X.
(Ask me again this time next year if I'm still willing to be that patient).
Denard's 2010 was spent redefining what one man can do.
December 7th, 2009 at 8:09 AM |
I know you're not a troll
I know you're not a troll
But if you were, this would be the most amazing act of trolling ever, if results were to be judged on its negative effect on the collective psyche of the board:
"My new course for hope: a hell of a lot of patience, with Mike Stoops/Arizona results."
That honestly made me feel nauseous.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:21 PM |
dammity damn
dammity damn
It seemeth that the "remain calm" poster is an endangered species on this board. Hard to call this one - if he couldn't earn PT on that defense......
No radio. Nothing of value.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:10 PM |
well said
well said
the guy's a project player on a deficient defense...what does that tell you? I wish him well and hope he can find a situation educationally that is good for him.
If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone
December 6th, 2009 at 3:22 PM |
How much would APR reduction
How much would APR reduction
How much would APR reduction of scholarships really affect us? It seems that the "no back-dating" scholarships rule already seems to limit us. Can we just count those?
December 7th, 2009 at 2:34 PM |
What about players transferring in?
What about players transferring in?
Does anyone know the rule for that? I guess Michigan's academic rules make it harder than usual, but is it not possible to poach a few players from elsewhere in college football -- have them come in with two years of eligibility left or whatever? Could the lost scholarships be used on them?
Otherwise, it doesn't seem like we'll be back at truly full strength until Rich has five full classes under him. Next year is only the second, really.
Recruiting is a crapshoot -- B. Smith is a perfect example. There are going to be a lot of recruits who never start or even play much. That's why Rich needs time. He was 15 scholarships short in 2009. Next year he'll be, what? 10 or so?
December 6th, 2009 at 3:24 PM |
whatever
whatever
i couldn't care less about losing a guy who couldn't beat out a walk on. it's getting really old when people freak out over every bench player that wants to transfer so he can play instead of watch.
@brianshall - seriously? maybe you should think about transferring too.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:54 PM |
sigh
sigh
its depth at a position of need, on a unit of need (defense), we're already dangerously below the scholarship level, he was a redshirt freshmen, and, finally, i dont know about everyone else, but i am really starting to get sick of the mass exodus of transfers.
we'll see if brandon smith is the only one but the more this happens the more i begin to think that whatever is going on over there doesnt look like its working. or at least the players dont think so.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:12 PM |
well, yeah...
well, yeah...
...it's "depth," but it didn't appear to be depth that the coaches valued all that much. rarely has there been a better setup for a talented kid to get on the field, and smith wasn't able to do so. i hope he makes it somewhere else, for his sake, but i'm not hopeful.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:36 PM |
numbers
numbers
He isn't very good yet, but sometimes those overmatched young players grow into serviceable veterans.
When you don't have established players, you need numbers because the more candidates you have, the better the chance that some of them will turn out to be good enough. Our numbers just went down by 1.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:41 PM |
It's 2:40 in the afternoon...
It's 2:40 in the afternoon...
Is it too early to start drinking?
Please God - Help me. I can't take much more of this.
Flush twice - it's a long way to Columbus.
when can we start panicking?