Leadership

Submitted by Bielfeldt's Calves on

Are we not better than this? Complaining and finger pointing? Mobs, torches and pitchforks? Is this the definition of a Michigan Man?

My apologies for invoking the “Michigan Man”, but honestly doesn’t this program, this team deserve a little more from us? As a fan base we’ve been spoiled. Think about the streaks that just ended. No, this time take a breath, sit back and really think about it. Now compare that to any other program in the nation. Now again I ask you, wouldn’t a little support be warranted here?

Look I’m as frustrated a fan as anyone else after last season and so far this season. And I know the easy thing is to complain and shake your fist in anger, but is that leadership? I think not. A good leader motivates. A good leader inspires. A good leader sees what is in front of him and gets more. As a fan how exactly do we lead by complaining or booing or carrying pitchforks and torches to stadium and main?  

Personally, I saw some good things yesterday. I saw a young QB throw with confidence for the first time all season. He had zip on the ball. Perfect? No. Better. Yes. I also saw the maturation of a RB. Maturing into someone who can lead with his actions on the field. Sound like the character of someone else in the same position we know and love? I saw a special teams touchdown, a punt return to be exact. I saw our 111th ranked offense score 35 points. Did you think that would have been possible two weeks ago? I’ve seen a defense week in and week out with its back against the wall, tired and battered play their hearts out.

Leadership is defined as the capacity or ability to give guidance and direction. We as fans can’t make the big locker room speech to lead the team. We can’t fire up the huddle to lead the team. We can’t throw or reel in the big pass to lead the team. We can’t come up with the key sack to lead the team. What we can do is raise our voices to lead the team. For me, I’d rather do my best to direct this team in the right direction. We demand the best out of the team, shouldn't we atleast give them our best. 

I’m going to do my best to lead, like a Michigan Man should.

Fans
complaining
firing

Comments

zoltan the destroyer

November 2nd, 2008 at 10:52 AM ^

It hurts, but this season in particular really brings out the fact that "leaders and best" does no always apply to our fanbase. Generations of Wolverine fans haven't had to deal with losing, and it isn't pretty. The true fans will lead the way, as you said. Let's go Blue.

Joined: 10/28/2008

MGoPoints: 427

mth822

November 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 AM ^

I just heard from a reputable source that the team is in utter rebellion against the system. Disgruntled, and then some. If this is the case then I would say to Michigan's players,"You, the individual is on scholarship, win or lose, good coach or bad. If you want to play in the NFL do all you can NOW, because in the NFL there are bad owners and bad coaches and bad teammates. This,"seasoning," the Michigan players have received this season may lead to a few of them having even longer NFL careers than some of their contemporaries from other schools. All is not well, but even in that, there are lessons to be taken away. I would like to know if anyone has heard anything at the player level. 

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 25

mth822

November 2nd, 2008 at 12:58 PM ^

I shouldnt of used the word rebellion. But he said they've folded and given up on it. But No he's really is an insider who actually chastized me for saying these losses are on the guys. It does not matter if I get verification online or not. I really trust this guy and you would as well. But the point is this, no matter what, as a player you need to represent yourself. We've all had lousy prof's, bad bosses and so on. That can't change us and if it does we are the real loser. Thanks turbo cool.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 25

Chrisgocomment

November 2nd, 2008 at 1:03 PM ^

I've heard there is a group called "LB's" or "Lloyds Boys" on the team that haven't bought in or are losing faith in the new coaches.  Of course, I heard this from Terry Foster so you always have to consider the source.  Just this week Terry Foster said the coaches don't want to be there (Michigan)....which is a pretty dumb thing to say...where did he get that information?  I'm guessing he just made it up to light up the phone lines.  Terry Foster is a known boob, mth822 you are not known...how can you be trusted if a "journalist" can't be?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1287

mth822

November 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 PM ^

Doesnt matter who the source is if theres a burning building. You see someone yell,"fire," you're no genius for claiming to have reported it or whatever. In this case it's the first Ive heard of it. I think its on the players though. Thats what I told her as well. There's only so much you can complain about coaches as a player. 

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 25

arod

November 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 PM ^

all of the fans were like you. Then... well then.... uh.... the team would still suck. yeah. But it would really help the team to... uh... okay it really won't change their play much at all. Wait, what was the point again? Oh yeah, that the team is looking to its internet fanbase for leadership. I think that is pretty clearly bullshit.

Joined: 11/01/2008

MGoPoints: 611

hat

November 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 PM ^

I have nothing but the utmost respect for the players who sacrifice their bodies and have to be full-time students as well, with no financial compensation beyond their scholarship. I don't feel nearly as sorry for the grown men who are paid extremely well to coach a child's game, especially when the results are extremely poor. I will grant the offensive coaches a pass because of the circumstances, but I won't be as charitable on the D. I don't believe that our defensive staff is the optimal one for this program, so why should I blindly support them? If the posts above are correct, the players are drawing the same conclusions.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15