Unverified PANIC OH GOD PANIC
So… hey. How are you guys doing? A brief update on the post from earlier today that has way more comments than the other one: in the comments and on MGoBoard a commenter put up a "wait just a minute!" sort of post stating that he had a friend who knew players on the team; he had confirmed earlier that McGuffie wasn't going anywhere. Unfortunately:
Well after doing more sleuthing..
4 other sources have texted him back and have said that he is gone....
*sigh*
FWIW.
On to other matters, I guess.
No, wait, the same matter. A variety of thoughts:
- I'm actually most concerned about the Chambers transfer because Chambers played at a position with no depth, whether it's safety or LB. Does Michigan's average YPC next year drop if all of McGuffie's carries are taken by Shaw, Brown, and Minor, all of whom have looked pretty good when healthy? Maybe, maybe not. Do we really need all the lottery tickets we can scrounge to find competent safeties? Hell yes. Running back is the spot on the roster that can take the attrition best.
- That said, please refrain from posting the standard "that guy sucked anyway" posts. At best those are sour grapes, and at worst they're flaming retardation. I'm removing diaries/comments/message board threads in that vein and severe offenders are getting the ban hammer.
- In terms of the program, I'm not concerned about guys who aren't seeing any PT and committed to another program entirely deciding to leave. This encapsulates Babb and Chambers and the other couple guys who are getting some transfer buzz. McGuffie is another matter, but given his indecision on signing day, his general reticence with the media and other team members, and the weird situation that went down at the Northwestern game (even if he had a death in the family it sounds like McGuffie didn't tell Jackson that when he elected not to play, given Jackson's reaction) I don't think this one is a shock.
As far as scholarships go. At this point I assume Michigan is not going to offer Andre Criswell a fifth year, and Laterryal Savoy may or may not get one. I thought Butler was a goner but if he's playing at DE he may stick around for the chance to prove himself a viable NFL option and Lord knows Michigan needs DEs next year. Brandon Graham is making noises like he'll return, but that's 50-50 IMO.
The recruiting board currently shows 21 definite openings (11 seniors, 4 unused going into the year, the Patilla, Hill, Babb, and Boren transfers, and the Witherspoon and Slocum academics issues). Chambers, McGuffie (should he stick with his decision), and Criswell make 24 with a number of other possible defections on the horizon.
So: how many can Michigan take? Last year's class was 24 but Stonum can be backdated, so 23 carry forward. Michigan can take 25 in a class but two of the seven early enrollers can also be backdated, leaving Michigan a max of 27 slots in this class. I think we will see them suffer enough attrition to max that out. Career backups on 3-9 teams who have to endure Barwis are probably thinking "Indiana State has a good program in Not Vomiting Every Weekday."
Now, can Michigan fill those slots? With 18 current commits and three guys who seem likely to join up (DTs Campbell and Graves and S Emilien) they're at 21. It seems likely they'll pull in a couple more OL; from there things get dicey. There are now enough names on the WR board (and enough opportunity) to expect them to pull one in; ditto cornerback. That's 25, but there are three commits wavering. It might take some snake oil to get it done.
You're halfway to level four. Reader Steve Sap displays a sense of terrific timing and provides a version of Fandom Endurance III for possible stickers, buttons, or tattoos:
I expect to see this on someone's head next year.
I'm borrowing that picture for my facebook profile pic. Classic.
...check his Facebook page?!?!?!?!
Kidding. I think?
That saw this coming? With McGuffie I mean. Ive been saying for weeks to my buddy that I bet he will transfer out. He just doesnt fit as a RB in the Big Ten. I think if we use him as a slot receiver he would be amazing. Ill be sad to see him go but we have the depth at RB to be fine without him.
but if this is true, couldn't he have just waited a week? Could this be any more disruptive?
This could be the difference between Michigan losing 42-17 and Michigan losing 42-10.
M'Dog
I don't think McGuffie has announced anything. The fact that news leaked isn't his responsibility.
http://www.wolverineliberationarmy.blogspot.com
Panic was replaced quite a while ago by a vague sense of doom, that the next two years are going to be real fun, in a Callahan or Franchione sort of way.
I hope to god Berenson doesn't retire while Martin is still A.D.
Quote: "I hope to god Berenson doesn't retire while Martin is still A.D."
I cried.
"I'm Leslie E. Miles and I approve of this message."
how 'bout them Lions?
Go Blizzle Fo Shizzle
Is he making the trip to C-Bus, or did he already turn in his helmet? What the hell, lets try and get one more game out of him. Maybe a rousing, upset for the ages would shake some sense into the boy.
So now Scout is pretty adamant that SM is not going anywhere.
This is sooooo fun right now.
I understand Brian also sat there for the entire game without even a hat!!
I found out that my gloves are about the best sponges ever developed (ugh).
Do you have to be hatless and handwarmerless to qualify for Fan Endurance III ??
A Damn Buckeye who can type???
Or maybe Justin Boren is showing them how-- at least he had a quality education for awhile.
"I will fight, 'til I'm dead, with a Winged Helmet on my Head"
Because Sparty's going to beat Penn Shtate? Please.
Returning 20 starters back and the only thing you can do is boast about an impending victory over a 3-8 team? Don't I wish I were a Buckeye right now.
we luved lloyd, but we luv richrod more. don`t you guys miss carr? signed ohio <3s richrod
We are The Champions, my friend...
Fandom Endurance III! Seriously, standing out in the cold to watch a 3-7 squad well on the way to another L... we are truly Wolverine Warriors! It was so excruciating, I can't believe how much of I a true fan I am.
Prepare thy self for a full day of punishment upon the turf of the Ohio Stadium. Thou willst become as dust under the cleats of the Champions of the Big Ten Conference, again.
We are The Champions, my friend...
"Thou willst become as dust under the cleats of the Champions of the Big Ten Conference, again."
The Penn State game was a few weeks ago.
Blogging the once-resurgent Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com.
We're playing Penn State again?
We're 3-8 and will probably be starting a walk-on at QB. If you don't completely destroy us, you basically suck.
Who will suck at dusk on Saturday, perhaps your wolverine?
We are The Champions, my friend...
Not your strong suit.
Please make it stop. This year has been so painful - much more so than I expected. I was thinking maybe 7-5 or even (gasp) 6-6. Boy was I naive.
McGuffie looked really good at times earlier in the season although I always worried about injury. He's just not very big. Strong but small frame. I hope he stays but Brian's right about being able to absorb a loss at RB better than some (many) other spots on the field. Rob Lytle looked to be in pretty good shape on Saturday. I wonder if he's got any eligibility left.
said that Sam went to Texas because there was a death in the family. And that his availability is questionable. He didn't seem to be trying to cover up. I'm still hoping that Sam will stay. He is by far the most important of those wavering. It's possible that these defections will stir up the "family values' crap. He did mention that there will more attrition beyond the seniors leaving.
What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve and...Those Who Stay WILL Be Champions.
The University of Michigan is about excellence, Tradition!
50/50 odds on Graham returning are a lot better than what we thought at the beginning of the year. Sounds good to me.
Blogging the once-resurgent Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com.
Well Brian, I'm doing as well as can be expected. The season has been a bummer and I'm not really happy to read about transfers/departures but what can I do? I'm in no position to speculate, about anything, and visit your blog for information and the latest "gossip". I appreciate all of your hard work, Tom's hard work and everyone here that chips in their two cents. I could go without all of the angst/sleen comments but that's part of what makes this blog great. I think banning someone for voicing their opinion is a little over-the-top (unless it's mindless ranting ad nauseum) but it's your blog. Thanks for asking - Dave.
Nobody home...
Oh well.
:)
-Bend It Like Gingell
Brian,
How well does Michigan "keep recruits" compared to other NCAA schools, i.e. other Big Ten schools? I want to hear some rational scientific data, something to the effect of "Whoa, just what a minute. Michigan doesn't have it that bad, man, look at this program over here..."
I mean, can we keep pretending that Michigan didn't rake in the No.2 ranked recruiting class in 2005! The No.1 ranked recruiting class that year? Tenne-freaking-see! When I look at that 2005 UM class and the remaining remnants on this 2008 team (seniors), I cringe. Just what the hell is going on here?
Even if Michigan somehow hauls in a surprisingly good 2009 class, it doesn't appear as though the UofM or its football program can hang on to them very long. Is this a trend just at UM or other schools too? And if so, why don't any transfer to Michigan?
Using the word "attrition" in the state of Michigan was once reserved only for UAW leaders cursing over their membership numbers. Now the entire college football community is using the word, and it seems to be always associated with the Michigan Wolverines football program!
Russell Davis Off-Tackle Touchdown!
seems like we usually do fine except for losing mostly depth-chart guys but i barely know what i'm talking about. hopefully we don't have a mass attrition like louisville had. didn't they lose like 20-some scholarship players?
was a pretty big transfer for us, but I would also like to see stats on what attrition at other schools is on average and a historical attrition rate for U of M
Also, I am a little worried about our depth at outside receiver if all these transfers really happen. I don't want to be a WVU clone. I want a real passing game.
Brian,
I don't post that often, but I am itching to post my feelings on the possible McGuffie transfer and the hilarious over-reaction by the fandom. If I respond to that itch, I would like some form of immunity from being banned, as I have been highly critical of the young man's abilities since he got here. I have expressed this not only in response to other's post about "Jesus," but also in the live chat during games. Will my request be granted?
I just get this picture in my mind that you are headed toward the guillotine and you are pleading with King Brian to spare your life. Just come out with it. What good is this site if we can't hear other people's interpretations of the team?
That's exactly how I feel because I know I am in the small minority when it comes to this subject. But really, I never understood the non-stop gushing over the kid. He had a couple of good games, and a dope highlight tape, but "we" placed him on Mike Hart status before the dude even finished half his freshman season. Then RR openly admits that he started the season because the obviously better RBs were injured, not practicing, and at the time, couldn't be trusted. I'm sorry...I watch way too much football to fall in love with a RB that constantly get smashed behind the line of scrimmage and can't break tackles. Same offensive line, but with the other running backs playing more prominent roles, we don't have nearly the zero/negative plays. I hate to see any kid leave Michigan (proud alumni '02) because it is the greatest institution og higher learning period and he could have developed along with the rest of the team. But football wise, excuse me for not shedding a tear for losing the next "great one."
I definitely do not think we're losing the next great one, but I am disappointed with the news. He's a freshman and who knows where he'll be in 1 or 2 years (college weight training, maturity, better vision). My biggest disappointment comes in the hit to the depth. Sure we have Minor, Brown, Shaw and Grady (Fitz next year - possibly some of those slot guys). But, we've seen how important depth is. Like you said, McGuff was playing b/c of the lack of another option. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple (Brown, Grady) of the RBs previously mentioned in the next transfer rumor...
I definitely think Shaw is the premier back in the class. He finishes his runs, gets yards after contact and is willing to lay a block on LBs. He'll improve on all of these also. But depth is so important as shown this year.
...I have info that McGuffie isn't going anywhere. Take it for what it's worth, but I trust the guy who told me.
Babb, Chambers, Clemons, Savoy, Horn & Cox are the ones on the fence (or out the door).
None of them worries me too much and while McGuffie's departure wouldn't be a world-crusher, it would suck to lose a talented guy like that who would probably be the #1 back in 2010-11.
Hail to the Victors.
With all due respect... (and I did say "with all due respect") the fact that you trust your source means absolutely fuck all. Whether you trust him/her or not is totally irrelevant to wether or not he/she is totally misinformed.
That being said, I hope McG stays. If he doesn't, as others have said ad nauseum, we'll be fine at RB.
Where this could hurt us, potentially, is with future recruits. A high profile recruit leaving after 1 season just doesn't send the right message to incoming kids, and could scare some off.