ANGAR Reality Check
Just your reminder that no matter how angry/bad/sad/depressed you feel. You're never going to feel worse than the guys out on the field
Gardner fumbles.....stays on the ground, head buried....they tried to pick him up....but he wouldn't budge.
— angelique (@chengelis) November 23, 2013Gardner was barely audible, extremely down: "I lost the game myself, I fumbled the ball when they trusted me to drive down and score."
— angelique (@chengelis) November 23, 2013Devin Gardner fighting back tears at media podium, says he was trusted to win the game, blew it with a fumble.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) November 23, 2013November 23rd, 2013 at 5:28 PM ^
How great would it be if t here was an offensive coordinator at Michigan who took these losses to heart this way? After all Borges has done much more to destroy Michigan's offense than anything the players could do.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:32 PM ^
In Borges' defense, I've seen him walk through the Blue Lot after big wins looking like he just went to his own funeral. Hell, after OSU in '11, he looked more like he was on the verge of throwing himself off a cliff than a guy who just helped to engineer a rivalry win. Guy seems to put a lot of pressure on himself, even if the results don't necessarily indicate it.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:58 PM ^
I've seen the transcripts of his press conferences. He just says meaningless things to reporters like every other coach in the world! That is NOT ACCEPTABLE!!! Doesn't he know how upset I am that he called a play that didn't work? My weekend isn't as much fun now!!! He needs to come to my house, say he is sorry to me personally and let my dog eat out his eyes. Then, Bandon needs to let me fire him. You see, I need his pain to validate my emptiness after a loss. The Smiths songs just don't do it anymore.
/s (yes, I think the /s is necessary.)
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:27 PM ^
Ha ha, thanks for the laugh.
AND PUT ON A HEADSET, BRADY HOKE! I GET SO ANGRY THAT YOU DON'T WEAR A HEADSET! IT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT AND MAKES ME BEAT MY DOG! ARRRRRGGGHHGHHGHG!!!
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:28 PM ^
Chunks: What's the mood like right now at the UGLi (or Union), from your seat at the computer? Are the students restless? What's the security situation like- you alright? We need you on this board, and a "vagrancy" charge or something would mess that up.
Stay strong out there this winter.
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:38 PM ^
"Guy seems to put a lot of pressure on himself"
Probably because he knows he's a fraud and he's afraid of being exposed as such.
I'm totally on the anti-Borges bandwagon after this game. 158 yards total offense. Sheesh.
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:47 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:57 PM ^
Okay ... I never said or implied anything to the contrary.
He can care all he wants. It is results that he's being paid to produce.
He's not producing results. No objective analysis of the season's offensive statistics -- and in particular the trend of those statistics -- would yield any other conclusion.
My point is that to the extent he exhibits symptoms of stress, it's because he is trying very hard to hide the fact he's simply not an elite OC.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:30 PM ^
Feel bad for Devin, he is taking a carpet bombing out there every week. This was the "cleanest" week he had. I don't doubt his heart but his development has been very poor this year. He looked Vince Youngish vs Notre Dame but it has been really down hill since ...that INT for TD in 2nd half vs ND seemed to be the start. He looked bad for a few series until Fitz made a big play and then got his confidence back. Then the Akron game with all the turnovers, then UConn. He has not recovered.
He has gone from a mistake prone risk taker early in the year, to a risk averse tackling dummy post Minnesota. I think his last 2 games have been his poorest - last week he should have been intercepted 3-5x by any reasonable measure and today he, for the first time in a while, had plenty of time in pass protect and continued to go to first option and make a lot of ill advised poor decision but he is also shell shocked by this moment. So what is 3 seconds to us in the pocket, probably feels like 0.5 seconds to him as he now expects to get blown up on every drop back. His WRs also played awful for him this week - Funchess with 4 drops I believe, and Gallon with a drop. And no run game whatsover obviously.
I hope he is resilient and comes back in the spring rested, relaxed, and with clear mind. I hope his ability to read defenses takes about 4 steps because he needs that. His OL next year I fear is not going to help him much again. It is just a sad situation.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:35 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:46 PM ^
I am frustrated with the coaches, frustrated with the results, frustrated by the fact that we have been so far below our rivals for so long. But, I feel for the kids. They continue to fight and do their best. And, although they aren't really kids, they also aren't quite grown men yet either. They are young guys trying to grow up to become men, and they are working their tails off against a lot of adversity. I feel for them, but I am still frustrated as heck that MSU continues to roll and exceed expectations every year while we do the opposite. And, I can't even compare us in any way to OSU. They jumped so far ahead of us in such a short time it's not even funny.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:48 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:49 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:53 PM ^
If so, I support what you said, but I don't think you know. And, even if he does is that a decision he would make right after the game? You're also assuming Hoke knows Gardner's mental state afterwards and assuming they have already talked prior to him talking to the media. I doubt Hoke decides after every game who talks and who doesn't, and only does so after speaking with each player individually first. I have a feeling the PR guy does that. I question the coaches on a lot things, but I'm not sure that's a fair criticism.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:57 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:09 PM ^
Realistically, how quickly after the game do you think Gardner talks to the media? He still has his pads on. I'm sure Hoke has a thousand responsibilities after the game. I would not be at all surprised if Hoke never gets the chance to talk to Gardner after the game prior to either one of them talking to the media.
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^
There are plenty of legitimate issues to be raised regarding our coaching staff, but this is not one of them.
Complaining about our players being allowed to speak with the press, which is a routine obligation, is not rational. That's a "scorned ex-girlfriend" kind of complaint - where you're so upset about the team losing that you've come to hate everything the coach does. (Complaints about Hoke's attire and "lack of emotion" are some others in this category.)
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:39 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:55 PM ^
@ jhender +1
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:02 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:11 PM ^
I'm sorry but this post is hilarious.
Actually made me LOL.
November 23rd, 2013 at 8:54 PM ^
Come on, this is ridiculous. College players across the country face the media after losses - it's part of what they do. It's grasping at straws to vilify Hoke over permitting a routine postgame procedure to take place.
November 23rd, 2013 at 5:51 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:07 PM ^
at the time, to feel like the glaring thing you did to end the game, decisively for the other team, is entirely on you.
But as you get older and look back, a ton of other missed opportunities/mistakes in the other 58 minutes were just as bad as yours, however it just happened at a key moment in the game.
My frame of reference is baseball. I've thrown tens of thousands of pitches, and had terrible games, given up grand slams, key hits in relief that "lost the game" so to speak. I took a lot of that hard. But I never gave up the rock and went back to first base.
My example is not D1 football, Im not an elite athlete, and I'm not DG, but in my mind its somewhat similar. It really builds mental toughness. 25 years later, I can take criticism from anyone and not feel bad. I know if I'm doing a good job or not, and I know what I have to work on. Its not baseball anymore, obviously, but the lessons carry over into life.
Devin's giving us all he has, he cares about the team, he's emotionally invested despite the other fails earlier in the game, he never blames anyone else. What more can you ask for? I can't think of much. In the end, its still a game. Albeit played on a national stage with multimillions of dollars surrounding the events and teams, but its a game.
For anyone to be hyper critical of a player like that, in my mind, demonstrates true lack of perspective, or having ever been in organized competition.
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:29 PM ^
I was at the game today, and even with how cold it was (18 at kick-off), I had a great time. I had my season-ending near cardiac event when we lost to Penn State. Since then, I have been serene about the team, screaming during the games, but later just understanding that it is not our year for a million different reasons.
After we had the pick-six at the beginning of the game, Kinnick was pretty quiet until the freakin' 3rd quarter. Then hell was slowly unleashed on the field and in the stands. All the Hawkeye fans were cool, and I recommend coming to Iowa City for a game (especially when it's warmer!)
I think we are going to be more competitive than people expect against Ohio State, but we still lose by two scores. Then, we win our bowl game (how, I have no idea - maybe Chesson and Green give us hope for 2014).
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:44 PM ^
I think we are going to be more competitive than people expect against Ohio State, but we still lose by two scores.
I hope you're right; I fear you're not.
November 24th, 2013 at 3:04 AM ^
One of my favorite road venues since it is only a 6 hour drive for me. Illini fans are a little more rowdier but I like the old stadium there. Have not been to EL or OSU for a game but they are too far for me to drive on a weekend off. I try to take in one early September UM game at the big house when I'm up visiting family.
I remember the '03 loss. It was a good game so no complaints. Even the Iowa fans were telling me that Michigan was a great team. I had a good time and it was such a good game, even though we lost!November 24th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^
I have hope for Chesson, but not when Gardner never progresses thru his checks.. Chesson blew by everyone straight up the field in i think the 4th quarter for a wide open touchdown and instead Gardner threw to Toussaint for that screen
November 23rd, 2013 at 6:56 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 7:25 PM ^
November 24th, 2013 at 3:07 AM ^
But he could try out as a FA. Though I think one more season will be good for him.
November 23rd, 2013 at 7:32 PM ^
It is easy to be disapointed - but those guys gave it their all.
November 23rd, 2013 at 7:59 PM ^
I don't understand people blaming DG for this disaster. He has been under borges for almost 3 years now. borges is his qb coach. He obviously has not been taught how to play the position. He looked better last year just playing on instincts. this has to tell you that borges is completly incompetent. He cannot coach a mobile qb and he cannot call plays that suit his team. Any one blaming Devin has not ever played ball at any level. With the beating he has taken I can't believe he is even out there right now.
I think he is a warrior and a talented football playter with no guidance. I thank him for giving his all for MICHIGAN.
GO BLUE.
November 24th, 2013 at 7:39 AM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 8:16 PM ^
November 23rd, 2013 at 8:24 PM ^
I'm not sure many of us understand the psyches and dedication of these relatively young and emotional adults. A long time ago a first sergeant reminded me before an important mission, "Sir, none of these soldiers wants to fail, and they don't want the unit to fail. Never forget that."
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
That's good wisdom. Also above, about the pitches. I agree with all of these sentiments. These types of things build mental toughness, and the way Devin has handled things, to me, is the way you want a player (or yourself in your career, or an employee; any thing that requires effort, commitment, teamwork, and emotional investment)...to respond. He doesn't point fingers, and he asks "what could I have done better?" He's a hell of a leader in that regard.
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
Gardner got hexed with that damn # 98 jersey. Not sure if that was Hoke or Brandons ... but bad move imo.
Feel bad for DG fumbling. He gives it his all anyway ...
November 23rd, 2013 at 10:20 PM ^
Why not let him go out and earn his own retired number? That was all so dang premature. Heck Henne did way more than DG did at equivalent points in their careers. Way too much marketing and way too little development going on at M. Nice package (updgraded facility) but mediocre (by most standards) if not awful (by M's) product. Nobody underachieves their recruiting classes by a wider margin than this management team. They did hex DG.
November 24th, 2013 at 3:15 AM ^
is really in to ancestor worship.
Only with our eyes firmly directed to the past can we ensure that the 2x4 called the future smacks us squarely right upside the head.
November 24th, 2013 at 12:16 AM ^
OMMMMMMMMMM...........
OOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM........................................
November 24th, 2013 at 2:49 AM ^
He still has a lot of potential but he's been beaten up too much this season and has lost his confidence. I was hoping the team would play well and he would continue with his OT success against NW but that did not happen. Gardner will just have to try hard against OSU, even if we get blown up. Just don't quit and work hard during bowl practice and into next spring.
November 24th, 2013 at 3:13 AM ^
and decide to block some of the defenders during the next game? That would be a nice thing to do.
November 24th, 2013 at 5:39 AM ^
November 24th, 2013 at 9:06 AM ^