August 29 Kickoff Dinner -- Speakers to include Brian

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Celebrate the opening of Michigan Football's 132nd season and kick off the Brady Hoke era with the University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit!

On Monday, August 29, the club will present the annual Football Kickoff Dinner at Park Place Catering in Dearborn, located at 23400 Park Street, near Michigan Avenue and Outer Drive.
 
You're invited to wear your maize and blue as we prepare for each game of the 2011 season; from the season opener versus Western Michigan through the home finale against "that school in Ohio," as Coach Hoke has so routinely called Michigan's greatest rival since his first day back in Ann Arbor.
 
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, wine, and a club favorite, Ann Arbor's own Wolverine Beer! The evening will continue with dinner at 6, followed by the speaking program and drawings at approximately 7:30.
 
Guest speakers scheduled to attend include: Detroit News beat reporter Angelique Chengelis and columnist Bob Wojnowski, two of Detroit's long-standing and most reliable voices on the University of Michigan and Detroit sporting scenes; Brian Cook, the owner and primary editor of the immensely popular MGoBlog.com, the Web's go-to home for Michigan athletics analysis; and Greg Dooley, who, as the editor of MVictors.com, brings a leading historical perspective to Michigan's generations of athletics tradition.
 
The four speakers will discuss their outlooks for the 2011 season, answer questions from the club, and provide their analysis for where Michigan has been and where Michigan can go.
 

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^

Hopefully he gets the talk beforehand that the event is a negativity-free zone and that he should not "pour a lil out for his homie, RichRod".

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^

Is Denard still here?  Did we sign a 2011 class of 10 or more players?  Are we currently able to recruit top players?  Did current players flee the team?  Is the Michigan family still fractured?  Wrong on all.  Can you point to anything that Brian was right about with regard to the new staff?  

All I'm saying is that the guy who attacked the new staff more than anyone in the media (if I'm wrong on that, feel free to point out another) is probably not a good speaker at a Kickoff Dinner.

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^

I'll do a little (and only a little) digging for those who seem too lazy to do it (though I won't sort for radio bits where Brian really lost his mind).  Did he put it in bold and talk about asteroids (like he did saying Hoke would never be hired)?  Maybe not, but let's see a couple quotes:

If there is a change you can go start the Denard transfer watch at DEFCON 2, since Robinson knows what he is—the Big Ten offensive player of the year as a sophomore at quarterback—and where he fits. How screwed up is a program that manages to get both Ryan Mallett and Denard Robinson to transfer away from certain starting QB jobs in the course of three years

Later, Brian gets sarcastically optimistic:

Brady Hoke told the radio Denard Robinson would not transfer. So he'll go through spring at least

He mentioned "possible bad things that could happen"...Um, yeah...and he wasn't down on Hoke...just "the process". 

LSAClassOf2000

July 27th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^

I think  that, like many of us, Brian was skeptical of this hire, and I believe, like many of us, he has be also quick to point out everything that has gone RIGHT before Hoke has even coached the team in an actual game. Because of this site and for his insight, he is a great choice to speak at a football kickoff dinner for the University Of Michigan. 

BlockM

July 27th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^

I love Brady Hoke. I wasn't insanely excited when he was hired, but he's doing a fantastic job so far. Hopefully he's the coach here for a very long time.

That doesn't mean I can't still hold the opinion that RR should have been given another year. 

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^

Indeed that's a fair opinion to hold.  Of course that's a lot different from (sarcastically) saying that Brian should "take the truth and shove it".  Again, Brian was the most vocal member of the media attacking the new coaching staff (and his "truth" was proven wrong repeatedly).  As such, it seems that he isn't a great fit for a Kickoff Dinner.  

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 5:27 PM ^

Because Brian was complaining about something that had not (and, according to the OC, will not) be an issue.  Brian could also write a long post arguing against Hoke's policy to run on every 3rd down (MANBALL!).  Brian would be correct to say that running on every 3rd down is bad policy; but it isn't Hoke's policy.

E.L. blue fan

July 27th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^

So Brian arguing that Michigan should still use the shotgun is a criticism of Hoke? That seems odd when Hoke's offensive coordinator has specifically stated that he will use the shotgun this year more than he ever has before. That almost seems like...I don't know...he agrees with the coaching staff. 

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

I believe Brian was disagreeing with his predicted use of Denard...and then his prediction was shown (again) incorrect as the staff discussed more of their plans for the offense.  Brian was complaining about something before it even happened...and then he was wrong again.  Again, great blog...inappropriate speaker at that venue.

E.L. blue fan

July 27th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^

This doesn't even make sense. In the comment that I replied to you said Brian is criticizing Hoke by saying we should stick with the shotgun. This comment that you just now made is about an entirely different issue (that you think Brian sucks at predicting things). 

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:45 PM ^

The issues are related.  Brian sucks at predicting things.  Yes.  100%.  Many of his predictions relate to Hoke and how Hoke would fail with regard to X, Y, Z.  So far, Brian has been correct on nothing.  The shotgun thing was Brian predicting something; then complaining about his prediction (as if it had come true); finally, his prediction was shattered by the OC (as you mentioned).  So, my point is...should a guy (who complains about program-related things before they even happen) be a speaker at the Kickoff Dinner?  I'd say no, but I'm sure/hope that Brian will keep the prediction/complaints at bay.

E.L. blue fan

July 27th, 2011 at 2:10 PM ^

and Brian has been off on several predictions, but I still think it is a stretch to claim that Brian advocating for the use of the shotgun is a criticism of Hoke. If I said I think Devin Gardner should be the starting QB or Michigan should run a 3-4 defense, that isn't really what I would consider criticizing the coach. 

Edit: This is especially true now before the season has started, if halfway through the season Brian said something like our offense isn't working we need to go from only the shotgun then I could see where that would be considered criticism. 

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^

I think you're missing my point.  Brian was complaining that we were not going to use the shotgun.  But he was wrong.  He made up something and complained about it as if it had happened.  That's not exactly giving the coach a fair shot (as he complained about for RR).

wolverine1987

July 27th, 2011 at 5:30 PM ^

Where did he say we "were not going to use the shotgun?" He repeatedely stated that moving away from the shotgun would be a bad idea. And it is, because of Denard, and we are in fact moving away from it. Borges stated that we will be in it "a lot, maybe 50%." We were in it 100% last year. That is moving away. Now, I'm not saying that will result in calamity, and I don't believe he did either.

Foote Fetish

July 27th, 2011 at 5:36 PM ^

The only thing worse than that would be constantly hopping on every other thread to remind the whole world that Brian once made predictions that were wrong and was also once incredibly unhappy about a University of Michigan hiring decision, and then advocating that Brian be drawn, quartered, set on fire, reduced to a small pile of ash, and barred from any Michigan related speaking activities for the rest of forever.

Boy, that would really be irritating and completely unnecessary, huh?

Not that I also don't love reliving the same ridiculous conversations over and over and over again.  I also love repeatedly hopping on other people's blogs and holding them accountable to every single thing they've ever said ever in their entire lives.  Not only that, I let them know that I'm REALLY upset about it too. 

But really, now.  Football is almost here.

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^

C'mon dude...the head football coach is just a "University of Michigan hiring decision"???  Is that why Brian wrote so many threads to complain about that "hiring decision"?  Or why he went on the radio to complain about it?

Maybe get off the high horse.  All I'm saying (and it's really simple) is that a guy who devoted so much time to attacking the coach probably isn't the best speaker at the Kickoff Dinner.  Period.  

Drawn?  Quatered?  Barred for life?  Holding Brian accountable to "every single thing [he's] ever said in [his] entire life"?  From your high horse, it appears you missed the bullshit you're standing in.

Foote Fetish

July 27th, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^

...my horse would actually be standing in the bullshit.  I am sitting on the horse, and the horse is taller than me - it's a very high horse - so my boots remain spotless and clean.

Your bullshit is actually the bullshit in which I force my horse to stand.  For this, I sincerely apologize to my horse.

Regarding your bullshit argument: I know it's really simple.  You keep telling us.  Not only that, it's the same argument you've been making here for many many months now.  My argument is less an argument - I'm not even asking you to see reason like some of our other posters here - and more just making a plea for you stop it.

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 6:37 PM ^

Keep on making that plea.  My bullshit?  What's "my bullshit"?  Does it compare to all the things that you made up and pretending I said in an attempt to make a point?  Dissenting voices make the world go round.  Enjoy.

By the way, from your high horse, why not even address my point (that the largest media critic of the new staff is not a great fit to speak at the Kickoff Dinner) rather than continually attacking the messenger?  

JeffB

July 27th, 2011 at 9:19 PM ^

So, Michigan hasn't played a game, yet Brian is wrong about a prediction about what will happen when, you know, they play a game?
<br>
<br>Borges can say all he wants about using shotgun. Until we see it on the field, that's all it is - talk.

maineandblue

July 27th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^

There's a difference between complaining and expressing concern about something based on history. There's also a difference between predicting something and expressing concern about something based on history. You make it sound like Brian is predicting (or even rooting for) Michigan (or Hoke) to fail. This couldn't be further from the truth.

mKzoo

August 18th, 2011 at 9:53 AM ^

the empirical evidence supporting the success of shotgun?

So in regards to the other assertions that Brian made (which I was in complete agreement with) which proved to be incorrect: are you saying Brian can't be wrong?  You see, intelligent individuals hold beliefs until evidence forces them to reassess their belief and then change according to new information at hand.  Brian has acknowledged when his predictions have been proven wrong (just as I have).  You, dahblue, seem to ignore this fact.  You appear to have a problem with Brian.

How about this: go start your own wildly successful blog.  Brian didn't get here because he's not smarter than you.

Tater

July 27th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^

Brian's predictions on the field pretty much nailed what happened in spring practice, and he made no predictions for off the field.  So how does that make "every single one of Brian's predictions....false?"

Hoke is off to a great start.  The people within the program who were sabotaging RR are now helping Hoke, and he is rightfully taking advantage of it.  He has proven to be a charismatic leader, and recruiting is off the charts.  But they haven't played a down against live competition yet. We really don't know what is going to happen until they start playing the games.  

Brian has enough class not to scapegoat RR; you don't.  C'est la merde...

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^

Scapegoat???  Wait...you're concerned with RR being a scapegoat for his tenure at Michigan?  And this comes in the same post where you say "we won't know what is going to happen until they start playing games"???  

Ok...lemme get this straight...RR (the coach, the leader, the captain, etc.) is not at fault for his performance at Michigan (which can be evaluated based on his record), but we should wait to evaluate Hoke until he builds a record?    Wow.

 

bronxblue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^

This isn't about scapegoating RR or excusing him for what happened during his tenure, but if you honestly believe the environments both of these men stepped into aren't significantly different, and with it the potential for immediate success, then I'm not sure we are having the same conversation about football.

3rdGenerationBlue

July 27th, 2011 at 3:35 PM ^

Imagine the rumors are true and MGoBlog is purchased by a bigger outfit. As would be the new owner's right they fire Brian and the entire staff (they'd keep TomVH because he is worth it). The transition is painful but the new regime has a different style and a damn the torpedos approach.

Would the long time MGoBlog loyalists embrace the new folks or would they rather have more continuity and familiar faces?

Like most I wanted to see RR succeed but I bet he would do things differently if he had to do it all over again.....and so would Bill Martin.

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^

Of course the environments were different (not that anyone was even talking about that again), but they environments were different...what's your point?

RR took over a team that had a decades-long bowl streak, that had an endless winning-season streak, that had a clean NCAA record and that had internal dissent as to whom the next coach should be.  RR then made the rift worse by his own actions and won no friends by putting a bad product on the field every season.

Hoke took over a team that could barely win a B1G game, lost three straight against MSU, couldn't even get close to OSU, got trucked by Wisconsin, Mississippi State, was on probation, had fallen off the map a bit and then he very quickly reunited the Michigan family upon his arrival.   

* I was replying to Tater who said I was "scapegoating" RR.  Generally, to scapegoat someone is to blame them for the failure of another (see, for example, GERG, Scott Shafer, Freep, former players, the fans, etc.).  You can't scapegoat the guy who helmed the sinking ship.

maineandblue

July 27th, 2011 at 11:18 PM ^

Brian's passion, concern, and intelligence led him to be skeptical of the transition and the process. Since the shock (that myself and so many of us felt) of "the process" wore off, Brian has been cautiously optimistic. Just because you critique something and express your doubts doesn't mean you're not a fan.

dahblue

July 28th, 2011 at 9:23 AM ^

Just because you critique something and express your doubts doesn't mean you're not a fan.

Really?  Let me know where I said Brian is "not a fan".  You'll have a hard time though, because I never said it.  The "not a fan" thing was a frequent (and bullshit) weapon of RR loyalists who couldn't stand anyone making a negative comment about their boy.  They loved to yell "You're not a real fan!" and "GTFO".  Neither of those comments are proper.  Of course Brian is a fan.  All fans can disagree about a number of things, but (AGAIN) the point is simple - the biggest media critic of the Hoke hire (no one else is even close) is not a good fit to speak at this venue.

By the way, don't kid yourself into thinking it was "the process" that Brian (and a few (not "many") of you) was so bothered by.  That was merely an after-the-fact excuse to skip past the hypocrisy of attacking the new coach after years of complaining that RR "was never given a chance".

dahblue

July 27th, 2011 at 12:50 PM ^

Just think it'd be a shame for him to give a repeat performance of some of his on-air meltdowns after the Hoke hire (especially given the constant "the media never gave RR a chance" complaints).  He can do that here all day (it's his blog), but I can't imagine the Kickoff Dinner to be the place for it.

BraveWolverine730

July 27th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^

Wouldn't it be more reasonble to expect him to echo his sentiments in Maple Street Press released recently rather than his knee-jerk reaction when emotions were still running high? It seems more like some posters like you can't let go of this preconceived notion of his feelings on the topic even when his actual staements haved moved far away from that position. 

Ziff72

July 27th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^

Do you actually read Brian's' posts or do you just read a line or 2 and yell based on your own pre conceived ideas?

What predictions did Brian make?

He didn't like the process because it killed our recruiting momentum.  Hoke got a few guys but they were for the most part much lower rated than RR had ready to commit and it killed our OL recruiting which we needed badly. Brian never blamed Hoke for any of this.

I don't recall Brian ever doubting Hoke's ability to recruit.

Brian liked the staff hires so I don't know what you are talking about when it comes to him not liking the staff.

You seem to be unable to seperate Brian's feelings about the way things were handled and the false perceptions about RR vs Brian's feelings towards Hoke-Michigan's head football coach.