#1 Jersey - Your thoughts?

Submitted by michiganfanforlife on
I was just thinking about the #1 Jersey, and how this year's team needs to give it out to someone. The magic of wearing that number for Michigan is unexplainable by any chart or statistic. There's something about putting that jersey on for WR's at our school that makes guys step it up to the next level.

Who would you nominate for the next player to wear the coveted #1? I would like to nominate Roy Roundtree for this year. No, he's not the tallest, fastest, quickest reciever we have. He simply makes big plays on the field, and he seems to have a knack for coming up with a great catch when the game's on the line.

EGD

May 15th, 2010 at 12:37 AM ^

I think Odoms has been the most productive receiver over the past couple seasons, but really I don't know that anyone has quite earned the #1 yet.

BiSB

May 15th, 2010 at 12:33 AM ^

We need someone to play well enough to deserve it.  Simply having someone wear the jersey doesn't do any good.

Braylon wasn't the man because he wore the 1... Braylon wore the 1 because he was the man.

michiganfanforlife

May 15th, 2010 at 12:46 AM ^

then the tradition will go away... RR should start giving it out every year IMHO to use some old school Michigan mojo. We can use all the help we can get, and why not give a reward to the best WR of the year?  Besides, I thought Braylon started a scholarship that tied in with the jersey.

chillmodious

May 15th, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^

Think about it this way, and ask yourself:

Would PLAYER X fit on this list?:

Angus G. Goetz LT 1919-20
Robert Jerome Dunne G 1921
Paul G. Goebel E 1922
Harry Kipke HB 1923
Dave Whiteford DB 1973-75
Gregg Willner PK/P 1976-78
Anthony Carter WR 1979-82
Greg McMurtry WR 1986-89
Derrick Alexander WR 1990-93
Tyrone Butterfield WR 1994-96
David Terrell WR 1998-2000
Braylon Edwards WR 2003-04

Now, obviously the likes of Gregg Willner and Tyrone Butterfield kinda look like outliers when you contextualize things, but the point is that the #1 shouldn't be a "reach."  That is what you would be doing by awarding one of the current roster players with the coveted sweater.  This is not to say that one of our Michigan Men can't or won't earn it by displaying that unique combination of leadership and talent (what the French call a certain "I don't know what"), but right now even the 'best' player(s) on the roster have not shown enough to warrant it.

My $0.02

jmblue

May 15th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^

Willner's not an outlier.  He wore the jersey before it had any significance.  Carter established it as the jersey for the elite WRs.  It is reserved for that position as a tribute to AC.  I like this idea better than retiring numbers, and I wish we'd do it with #2 for DBs as well.

chillmodious

May 15th, 2010 at 10:06 PM ^

A clarification RE: Willner...

I meant an 'outlier' specifically because he wore it before the legend grew.  It looked like I was putting him on par with Butterfield though, so my bad.

I completely agree with the #2 idea for DB's btw.  In fact, when I do my Dynasty recruiting in NCAA Football, I always re-number the players according to this metric (e.g. QB gets #10; star DB gets the #2; RBs get #32/#20/#23; etc.)

Tater

May 15th, 2010 at 12:59 AM ^

I am guessing Roundtree, but it's really wide open.  We're going into RR's third year now, and I hope this is the year when some stars begin to emerge.  I have never seen it so uncertain; it almost seems like there is nobody who is guaranteed to be "the man," but nobody who is guaranteed not to be, either. 

I guess that's part of what makes college football so much more fun than the NFL, though.  The last two years sucked, but it really is an exciting time to be a Wolverine fan.  Watching the next two seasons unfold has the potential to be one of the best experiences in the history of the program.  To reframe it, these next two seasons could be seasons those of you who are young will still  be remembering fondly when you get to be as old as I am.

Then again, as I am told, my cup is "always half-full."

OHbornUMfan

May 15th, 2010 at 6:32 AM ^

A week or two ago somebody generously posted footage from Carr's first game as head coach, againt UVA.  I had completely forgotten that Butterfield wore #1.  I remember being pumped about him after reading a fluff piece about how fast he was - but then he lived up to his name.

Real Tackles Wear 77

May 15th, 2010 at 1:16 AM ^

...which does not put as much of a premium on the downfield passing game, I think it may be a while before anyone puts up the type of numbers that would have earned them the #1. Which leads us to an awkward conundrum: change the standards or continue to go 1-less for years?

TESOE

May 15th, 2010 at 2:13 AM ^

year. 

I don't really know what criteria RR and Braylon laid out for this (clearly LC and Edwards had something in mind.)  I'm interested to know exactly what this means to the players who are awarded this jersey.  It runs contrary to RR's team / game captain philosophy.  It is clearly a sign of leadership to fans that have followed Mich since 79 at least.

I think some modicum of achievement is required, along with the dubious honor of high expectation.  In that respect no one on this team is entitled at this point (though Roundtree finished strong.) 

Roh is closest I think - starting as a true freshman on the DL is no small accomplishment.  Certainly the expectations are high wrt to Roh.  There is no mention in the MGoBlue announcement   or  Braylon's website  that a  receiver has to win this (though I think I have heard Braylon say that on the radio.)

I don't think that any financial or material benefit to the players is possible - so I don't really know what this would mean other than a vote a confidence in and acknowledgement of whatever player wears it.

Next year I hope to see DRob wear this with pride and expectations.

TESOE

May 15th, 2010 at 3:20 AM ^

The endowment should say it is for a receiver - but it doesn't - in the Inter-Tubes at least. 

If it's for WRs then Slots don't count...or do they?  Could Koger take the jersey?  How about a back out of the backfield (like DRob? perhaps?)

This #1 tradition is in its infancy.  It's interesting, but I don't think it is now what it will be in 50 years.  The only player to earn it so far is Braylon himself - in what grew out of his personal relationship with AC and LCs fondness for AC and his legacy. 

I'm sure Braylon put some words to his endowment, but I don't see it anywhere (which admittedly doesn't mean much.)

Note anyone can endow a full ride athletic scholarship for $500,000.  Braylon's donation pins this number to wide receivers as well?  I think you are right, but it may be more generalized in the future...especially if not codefied...as obviously this was and perhaps still is not...

griesecheeks

May 15th, 2010 at 3:00 AM ^

Noone this year deserves it among the wideouts. If Roundtree continues his hotstreak and develops into a consistent go-to guy, he oughta get it as a junior or senior

bluesouth

May 15th, 2010 at 3:09 AM ^

SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NO. 1 FOOTBALL JERSEY The Scholarship Endowment for the University of Michigan's No. 1 football jersey was announced in April 2006. The charitable gift provides support to a student/athlete wearing the No. 1 football jersey. The scholarship endowment will recognize future athletes who demonstrate character and commitment both on and off the field. Athletes wearing the No. 1 jersey are selected by U-M's coaching staff

samsoccer7

May 15th, 2010 at 3:12 AM ^

I also agree with those that say nobody should get it yet.  This offense is still a work in progress, not necessary the fault of the WRs, but they haven't exactly helped the progression either.  I think 2011 is when we should be expecting a true #1 heading into the season.  Essentially, if there's any debate, then there isn't a clear cut guy and nobody should get it.

TATEisGREATyo

May 15th, 2010 at 3:26 AM ^

I say Odoms, been there from the start of RR era....but if he doesn't get it, then DC Stonum or VINCENT FUCKING SMITH WILL!  BOOK THAT SHIT!

jbibiza

May 15th, 2010 at 8:24 AM ^

Ricardo embodies the true spirit of Michigan Football.  He has been professing his love for the program since early in high school, and his dedication to the Maize and Blue culminated in his move to Ann Arbor for his senior season.  That move cost him dearly in ratings and prestige and may have slowed his development as he lost a year of competing at the highest level.  Ricardo's enthusiasm for MICHIGAN knows no bounds and it is reflected in his incredible recruiting efforts.

Will his performance on the field merit the coveted jersey?  Time will tell, but I would not bet against it because this young man has the talent, the desire and the perseverance to make that dream come true.  Possibly in 2011, but more likely in 2012.

jrt336

May 15th, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^

Why does someone need to wear it? The #1 jersey is special and we probably shouldn't see it more than once a decade. It should be given to a dominant WR-1,000+yds and 10+TDs. Braylon's had 85 catches, over 100 yardsm and 14 TDs in his junior year. WR wearing #1 should be able to take over games.

johnvand

May 15th, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^

Why does everybody say it has to be earned?  Just because Lloyd used that to motivate Braylon?

If I recall, Braylon is the only wearer who had to "earn" it.

I say use it as a recruiting tool.  Even make a special recruiting tape/montage with all the #1 receivers and show it to the one kid you're going to offer it to.  

We have all seen the Arnett tapes, and can hopefully agree he's the real deal.  Dangle that #1 in his face and see what happens.  If he's still not interested, put the #1 back in the vault, wait till we need a little extra push with the next 5* type super receiver, and move along.

johnvand

May 15th, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^

Are we sure the scholarship says it has to be "earned?"

I thought it merely payed for the scholarship of whomever is wearing the #1, and if nobody is wearing the #1 it goes to somebody else who "exemplifies leadership."

I didn't even think the scholarship said #1 had to be a WR, which is what all the hubub was about when RR gave it to a DB.  There weren't any "rules" against giving it to a DB, just tradition and Braylon's big mouth.

Hope Braylon never plays NCAA 2010, it keeps trying to give the #1 to my incoming kicker.

Magnus

May 16th, 2010 at 10:10 AM ^

The following is a quote from Braylon that I found on Bleacher Report:

"I’m glad you gave me a Go Blue question because Rich Rod gave the No. 1 jersey to an incoming freshman DB, and the No. 1 jersey has never been worn by anybody outside of a wide receiver,” Edwards said. “It dates back to Anthony Carter, (Greg) McMurtry, Tyrone Butterfield, Derrick Alexander, David Terrell, and yours truly. So I’m going to have a talk with him about that the next time I see him.”
When is that call coming, Edwards was asked?
“He’s getting that call soon–very soon. Exactly, we have a jersey scholarship fund for this whole deal. What is he thinking?”

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/205011-the-controversy-over-the-no-1-jersey-at-michigan

So not only is Braylon Edwards misinformed (the #1 has been worn by non-wide receivers), but it seems as though he's insistent that the #1 should go to a wide receiver.

mgovictors23

May 15th, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^

I would want Martavious Odoms to get it. He's been here since Rich Rodriquez arrived and he is a tough SOB after a lot of fans complained about him after his freshman year. But I do think if Roy plays like he did a whole season like he ended the last four games next year he will be the most serious canidate. Also look out for Ricardo Miller in the future, I wish all the players had as much love for Michigan as him.

jmblue

May 15th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^

I don't get it.  Rodriguez is a very common last name.  Rodriquez is not.  The two do not sound alike, nor are the letters "q" and "g" even very close on a keyboard.  So why do so many people type "Rodriquez"?