#1 Jersey

CoachRod does a good job of encouraging the right attitude toward accomplishments.  Notice that instead of saying that the best players on the team like Molk and Martin played "well," he says "consistent."  A coach's job is to alway motivate players, even the best ones, to play even better.  Language is a big factor in communicating that you can always be better.

On the flip side, a coach doesn't want to create lofty expectations that a player cannot achieve.  It may sound like an excuse for poor performance, but CoachRod has said that the secondary is young and even when Denard has been playing well, CoachRod would point out it's Denard's first year as a starter.  This kind of expectation management allows the player to fail without their confidence being shattered.

So what does this have to do with the #1 jersey?  All of the above.  The #1 jersey has the potential of allowing a receiver to think he has made it to the top and thus limit his motivation.  It also has the potential of creating lofty expectations for a receiver only to come crashing down.

This type of tradition where a number is bestowed on a player is rare because it makes coaching another degree more complex.   I expect this tradition to be rarely used under CoachRod, which begs the question if this is even a tradition if tradition is supposed to be a recurring act or event?

Stonum

@2012- Roundtree

2013- ????

However and whenever the #1 jersey is next awarded, it should remain a useful tool in recruiting. I remember when Stonum committed, he made a point of saying how he wanted to come to Michigan and earn the #1 jersey.

Rosenberg is currently writing an article about how Roundtree wants the #1 and RR won't let him have it. RR is definitely not promoting an atmosphere of compliance to the Michigan wide receiver tradition.

I for one like it better when the jersey is worn, and think after that and prior performances Roy deserves it.

If #1 goes to Roundtree, I'm happy for him.  He's worked his tail off, he's been force-fed that GNC weight-gain crap like his liver is being primed for pate and added almost 20% to his body weight since he showed up as a 155-lb. stick figure.  He's consistently the most productive receiver despite being way down the rankings of athletes on his own team.   NFL scouts will brush by him with an "outta my way, kid" on their way to measure Stonum's shuttle run in a couple years. 

Oh, and he has that Donald Duck voice down pat.  Awesome.  But....

Roundtree is the beneficiary of wide-open post routes where safeties have seen Denard take a step in any direction with the ball and suddenly gone all Memento-like on deep zone responsibility, until they see the tat on their forearm that says "Deep Middle" and scramble back so they can catch up to Tree inside the 5.

Personally, to me, #1 isn't so much about productivity or leading the team in catches or being Big 10 player of the week or whatnot.  Wearing #1 is about big plays in clutch situations, and not just the numbers, but the style points.  It's about the balls you catch when you're not wide open.  When you're not open at all.  When the dude has perfect coverage and you jump over, around, through him.  When you juke 3 dudes out of their jockstraps when you're boxed into the sideline and make a ridiculous TD out of it.

#12 is about productivity right now.  Our #1 should be about performance art.

To me, that guy is Hemingway.  The jump balls vs. Indiana and Iowa.  The juggles.  The Houdini act on the sidelines.  The memories I have of AC (vague, until Wolverine Historian came along on You Tube) are of the impossible plays, not the wide open catch and runs.  AC vs. Indiana to the Ufer soundtrack.  Derrick Alexander on the reverse vs. Houston.  Braylon's abuse of MSU.  Terrell on the Wisconsin jump ball and the Orange Bowl.  That's #1 material.  That's art. 

Hemingway is the guy who made the 2008 "Sometimes When You're On" vid turn to color.  Sounds like a #1 kinda guy  to me.

Roundtree, no question.  I don't think he'll get it this year, but here's the case for 2012:

1.) 3 year starter returning for senior season.

2.) Will undoubtedly be the best WR after Stonum, Grady, Hemingway, Odoms leave.

3.) 2011 will be the year Denard shines and our O goes to top 5 in the nation.  Roundtree will gain close to 1,000 yards.

4.) 2012 will be the year Denard shines (more??) and our O goes to #1 in the nation and we WIN THE NC!!!!

5.) After that Watkins and Arnett can battle for it.

Can I get an AMEN!

Amen Brother !

Maybe Rodriguez actually means that he IS touching a jersey thing

#1 Jersey to Stonum or Hemingway.  I want Stonum to get it the most.  Watching him run that reverse.  I think sometimes in this offense he gets overlooked.  Junior is the play-maker.  D Stonum though is the real deal! Without a doubt 'Tree is real good.  Good that he is adding more weight.  I would like Braylon come out and give it to Stonum first.  Just saying.

I think it should be given to the SENIOR receiver who has excelled both on and off the field. If there isn't one, then it should be shelved.

I just took RR's comment to mean that next year's jersey numbers are not on his mind right now.

In my view Braylon Edwards ruined it for everybody by opening his big fat yapper, thinking his perspective of traditions at Michigan mattered most.  What a disgrace, from a guy that wore No. 80 in the first place.

Well, his view didn't matter. And it doesn't.

Willner, Carter, McMurtry, Alexander and Butterfield all received their No. 1's without going into a coach's dog house and "earning" it. 

After Braylon's classic "throwing his dolly out of the pram" and surprising agreement of many UM fans, hell, I don't blame RR one bit for not touching that so called "UM Tradition!" with a barge pole. 

If it has to be a WR, then Roundtree probably "deserves" it.  Sounds like he wants it too.
It's got to be a great motivator, sure, at least until one of the receivers "receives" it. But then what? I guess Braylon never thought about the rest of the receivers....

I sent Braylon an @ message on Twitter lobbying for Roy Roundtree for the #1. He's a clutch player and still has 2 years left. He's only going to get better!