This Month in MGoBlog History - February 2006

Submitted by Maize.Blue Wagner on

Previously:

January 2006

We begin on National Signing Day for football, changes are expected on the football coaching staff (but no one is quite sure what they’re going to be), the Basketball team is 15-3 and ranked for the first time since 1998, and the hockey team, well their season hasn’t been too exciting.

February 1 – Wednesday

The day starts off with a Jonas Mouton commitment.

Corey Peters is going to Kentucky. Looks like he went on to be 2nd team all SEC as a senior and drafted in the 3rd round in 2010.

LOIs are in. Obi Ezeh was listed at RB.

A closer look at DT commit Jason Kates. Lots of varied opinions. Brian goes with Gabe Watson.

February 2 – Thursday

Here is an overview of the 2006 recruits on offense. I will list their name, their YMRMFSPA, and my opinion on how they lived up to that comparison (as well as any other nuggets in this post). This was done by user WolverineKeith. Keith, are you still around?

QB: David Cone = John Navarre – nope

RB: Carlos Brown = Tyrone Wheatley – nooooo

RB: Brandon Minor = Leroy Hoard – going to go with no, though I’m too young to remember Hoard. I believe he at least had consistency at Fullback. Through injuries and scheme, Minor never had that consistency.

WR: Greg Mathews = Marquise Walker – Mathews had a few good moments (2009 Notre Dame), but no

OT: Perry Dorrestein = Adam Stenavich – maybe, I guess

C: Justin Boren = David Baas – nope

Son of former UM linebacker Mike Boren. Potential UM/OSU recruiting battle that never was - committed to UM early on.[Though not before his brother Zack paid a visit to the Rivals premium board and posted something along the lines of "Michigan better get on Boren!!! He's slipping away!!! This can't happen!!!" Yes, exclamation points and all. Little Boren is true blue... and not little at all. You can probably consider him Michigan's first 2009 recruit.]

G/T: Steve Schilling = Steve Hutchinson – no

Bullets on basketball win over Penn State. Dion Harris was 7/11 from three?!?!

Unverified Voracity: Um, No. The Chicago Bears are going to interview Ron English for their DB position. RCMB is obsessed with Brent Petway, very odd.

February 3 – Friday

The defensive half of the 2006 recruiting overview:

DT: Jason Kates = Gabe Watson – no

DT: John Ferrara = Norman Heuer – I don’t entirely remember the effectiveness of Heuer, but I believe he was a quality starter so I’m going with no. Didn’t Ferrara end up at OG?

DE: Adam Patterson = Lamar Woodley – not at all

DE: Quintin Wood = Shawn Crable – nope

DE: Greg Banks = Rondell Biggs – Eh, sure. It’s hard to really evaluate these guys who went through GERG and all.

LB: Brandon Graham = Victor Hobson – I don’t think the positions are a good comparison, but I will go with yes, even better.

LB: Quintin Patilla (two Qunitins in one class) = Larry Foote – not a bit.

LB: Cobrani Mixon = Sam Sword – no

LB: Obi Ezeh = Obi Oluigbo – ah yeah I guess so, and even better, though don’t you have to feel for Obi Ezeh? He had a rough career.

S: Jonas Mouton = Prescott Burgess – no, I don’t think so

S: Steve Brown = none listed

K: Bryan Wright = Hayden Epstein – no

This might be too insensitive to say, but I don’t think it would have been terrible if some of these had decommitted before signing day.

Recruiting archives.

Unverified Voracity: MGoBlog is gonna Blog is much more worried about losing Ron English.

English is expected to accept the offer.

This, of course, has turned the Michigan message boards into radioactive waste. Funny: a year ago everyone was wondering what the big deal about this English guy was. A year of half-competent safety play and way, way too conservative playcalling (not English's fault) and the idea of losing him to the NFL is the cause of more garment-rending than any position coach departure I can remember... ever.

Biggest rumor is Malone to the Saints, English to the Bears, DeBoard to OC, and Loeffler is interviewing with the Patriots. Not what people wanted to have happen.

February 4 – Saturday

More speculation and concern. English was offered by the Bears, but first he wanted to gauge his chances as ‘M’ DC. The response he got was “how about CO-DC?”

As Yoda might say: either do, or do not. There is no "co-."

February 6 – Monday

Apparently basketball lost to Iowa and the coaching news still isn’t good, so here is a META post about common phrases that need to die. It’s still true today, though dated. Most notably, the inclusion of “gut”. Sam most not yet have been using that word to signal great things to the fanbase.

February 7 – Tuesday

A look at the rest of the basketball season. Making the tournament shouldn’t be a problem.

Barring total collapse, Michigan is in. They probably need three more wins the rest of the season (Big Ten tournament included) to be assured of a bid.

Unverified Voracity: Duck Duck Goose. English looks to be gone, most likely. Also, the opening of Terry Malone’s recent job is posted.

Want to get hired? Have no idea how? Never fear! MGoBlog is here, with...

MGoBlog's Guide To Being Hired As An Assistant Coach:

·         Try to be good friends with Lloyd Carr.

·         When asked what to do on fourth and medium with the game in the balance, say "punt."

·         When asked what to do on first and ten from the opponent's 16, say "punt."

·         When given the brain teaser about the missionaries and the cannibals, say "punt."

·         In fact, you might just want to say "punt" as frequently as possible. Changing your name to "Punty McPunterson" might be a good idea.

·         When asked what a blitz is, scream "don't mention the war!"

·         Remember: silly mustache == job security.

February 8 – Wednesday

Another coaching rumors post. English is gone, but Hermann sounds gone too. Possible replacements? Mike Trgovac, Teryl Austin, and Jon Tenuta.

Unverified Voracity: What Part of " Un&#34 (not sure that’s the correct title). Brian creates rampant internet speculation with previous post mentioning Jon Tenuta. Also Jonas Mouton wasn’t too happy about English leaving right after signing day.

February 9 – Thursday

‘M’ hockey down the stretch. The team is likely to get a #2 seed in the tournament, but the team is just ok, not exactly inspired.

Official Ethics of MGoBlog. Fascinating post. Kind of the Magna Carta of MGoBlog. If you are skimming this post: READ THIS (sorry, I had to draw attention to it).

And just like that, Ron English is the new DC. Interestingly, this is the first mention I’ve seen of eventual MGoBlog merger partner The Victors.

February 10 – Friday

Michigan loses to OSU in basketball. The post ends on this ominous note:

Amaker's recruited two types of players: guys who would come to Michigan even if Hitler was coach and guys no one else wanted.

Unverified Voracity: Gazongas (!). Jim Hermann might not be gone. Might move to ST coordinator.

February 13 – Monday

Nevermind, Jim Hermann joins the Jets.

All the excitement over Ron English will evaporate right quick if Carr glares at his new defensive coordinator every time a cornerback lines up within spitting distance of a wide receiver. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding. We need aggressive, clever pudding. Or something. This metaphor died.

Unverified Voracity: I AM THE LAW. The 2007 recruiting class looks to be a very good one for the state of Michigan.

February 14 – Tuesday

Part 1 of Brian’s third down research project. It’s a tough read without the graphs he’s referencing.

Unverified Voracity: Vrooooom. Mike Davis is likely out as IU basketball coach (helpful to ‘M’ in the Patrick Beverly recruitment). Steve Szabo is the rumored name to be added to the defensive coaching staff.

February 15 – Wednesday

Part 2 of the third down conversion graphs, specifically looking at FSU, spread teams, and OSU. But still no graphs survive.

Szabo hire is official; also, Ron Lee is the new CB coach.

Overall, I'm pleased. We retained Loeffler, got rid of Herrmann, and found a young, charistmatic defensive coordinator who was pursued by three NFL teams and hired by Lovie Smith. Neither new coach has any connection to the Michigan program--thus they are likely to be the best candidates available. We have a linebackers coach with eons of experience.

Minivoracity with a curling link.

February 16 – Thursday

Another post on the third down conversion stats. Another post that time has ravaged.

February 17 – Friday

And how to improve the third down data and graphs for next season.

Unverified Voracity: Rain Weddin Etc. The blogosphere analyzes Brian’s third down data. Also:

You could probably start referring to the "Michigan Basketball is Michigan State Football and Vice Versa" thing as "eerie" if Michigan were to beat MSU tomorrow, officially kicking off a Spartan season of infinite pain, sending the RCMB into a conniption fit, and causing Brent Petway to chang his IM screenname.

February 18 – Saturday

‘M’ vs. MSU basketball open thread.

February 20 – Monday

Indiana S Artis Chambers commits.

‘M’ did not beat MSU in basketball. Brian tries to remain rational. He says: don’t fire Amaker, but Amaker is struggling to recruit.

February 21 – Tuesday

2007 Michigan Football Recruiting Board. Lots of information here. Some interesting tidbits:

I'd think Michigan will attempt to pick up a second player for insurance purposes -- Stephen Threet?

Two instate blue-chippahs, Ron Johnson and Dionte Allen, have received offers and are expected to end up in the Maize and Blue sooner or later.

Unverified Voracity: Sweep (!). Lloyd knocks Charlie Weis out of the EDSBS Coaches’ Death Match.

February 22 – Wednesday

It appears that the basketball team beat Illinois, though the score isn’t given. Tourney hopes still alive.

February 23 – Thursday

Brian answers questions from readers. These center on both coordinators.

Unverified Voracity: Seeya. K’len Morris is looking good in high school, but Leter Abram’s ankle is not.

February 27 – Monday

Brian has not been able to blog much.

Recruiting board update. QB Mike Paulus added (remember when he almost came to play for Rodriguez?), also WR Leonard Hankerson, and TE Ryan Van Bergen.

Unverified Voracity: Mean Team. Jerome Jackson is rapping, and

The hockey team is a vast disappointment. There's no other way to put it. The latest indignity: a 3-0 third period lead turning into a 4-3 overtime loss in a game that the beautiful woodland creatures of Ann Arbor were fortunate I missed.

February 28 – Tuesday

Brian reviews his football offense preview.

So. I am a Michigan fan from birth. I have two degrees from the school. In 1997 I wandered around the field after the OSU game, dumbstruck, childlike. If anyone I know gets married during the fall I will not only avoid the wedding, I will deliberately sabotage the marriage by any means necessary. Take what follows for what it's worth. Feel free to look upon this preview with a jaundiced eye. I have this pattern: "This is the year, man, 2003! AAAAARGH THE PAIN THE PAIN AAAAARGH. Ok. This is the year, man, 2004! It's the year! AAAAAAAARGH MY EYES ARE BLEEDING. This. Is. The Year. 2005."

But... this could be the year.)

 

 

 

Comments

Maize.Blue Wagner

February 4th, 2016 at 10:00 PM ^

My apologizes to anyone who is superstitious and doesn't want the 2006 basketball season mentioned during this current season. Not going lie, it was on my mind a lot as I sat through Tuesday night's game. 

smwilliams

February 4th, 2016 at 11:40 PM ^

Absolutely scary. I keep thinking. They're 17-6 (7-3) right now. Same record as the 05-06 team. 4 more wins and they'll be in for sure, which would put them at 21-10 (11-7). Welp, the 05-06 team only won one more game the rest of the season and lost in the NIT Championship. There's also the "John Beilein/Tommy Amaker can't recruit" thing.

I can envision a scenario where they only beat NW/Minnesota and finish 19-12 (9-9) and lose in the first round in the BTT and end up a #3 seed in the NIT.

jmblue

February 5th, 2016 at 4:09 PM ^

Important distinction: Beilein's teams tend to improve as the season goes on, unlike Amaker's when he was here.  And of course we are expected to get our best player back from injury soon.

 

Everyone Murders

February 5th, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^

This is great stuff as usual, and reflects a lot of work.  Very few of those recruits' names brought back fond game-time memories, but Brandon Graham's certainly did.

Also, I recall at the time thinking "once Ron English is a bit older and has a bit more experience, he'll be a perfect head coach for Michigan once Carr retires!".  In retrospect, I'm OK with him not being at the helm.  More than OK, actually ... .

Tex_Ind_Blue

February 5th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^

It's mind boggling to see how sparse that class was in terms on contributors. 

Brandon Graham and.... Oh yeah, Steve Brown lit it up for the Giants for a couple of years. 

And then.... 

What happened to the recruiting of that time? How could they miss on so many recruits? 

Maize.Blue Wagner

February 8th, 2016 at 10:43 PM ^

Yeah that's true, and that's kinda what I was getting at with Greg Banks. It really is difficult to evaluate them accurately, and it's probably a disservice to compare them to other players like this. In the end, you really have to feel bad for the guys in this group who stuck it out. 

I had already forgotten that Mouton was drafted in the in the 2nd round.