Blake Appreciation Thread
I know this was covered alot yesterday, but when I wake up this morning to a focal story on College Football Final about the death threats and suicide suggestions that are being thrown Blake's way, it sort of pisses me off. So this thread is meant to counter that as much as possible.
Hell of a season so far. Hell of a game. I'm glad your with us.
Shit happens. Do you best to brush off the morons. True Blue will stand behind you.
Keep up the great work. And GO BLUE!
October 18th, 2015 at 9:21 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
Thanks for pointing them out. At the time of the play, I was thinking, "Just fall on the ball!" Yeah, maybe rugby instincts took over.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 9:07 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 9:15 AM ^
Michigan was outgained by about a 2/3 margin and yet led almost the entire game. It's pretty hard to chalk that up to anything other than a massive advantage in field position. Blake's punting was the biggest reason for that. And it sure as shit isn't his fault he punted SEVEN times. I'd go looking there before I started singling out anyone else.
October 18th, 2015 at 9:39 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 9:21 AM ^
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." -- Vince Lombardi
October 18th, 2015 at 9:40 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
those who throw things across the room, break furniture, kick the dog, and pout for the next week. Uh, no.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
He said it off the cuff, but later remarked he should have said something like "The preparation and work to win isn't everything, it's the only thing."
You don't get it. Vince would be hard at work trying to get better today. Just like Harbaugh.
October 18th, 2015 at 9:38 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 9:38 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
had so many things go wrong. Low snap. O'Neill funbles the low snap. He picks it up, spins toward sideline, and has the ball punched out of his grasp. MSU player catches the ball and runs with blockers in front. Two UM players unable to get through blockers to tackle the guy, and others unable to carch up to the play. If any one of those parts of the play had gone differently, we'd be relieved at a close win.
As others have pointed out, other players on previous plays in the game blew assignments big-time. O'Neill's error was magnified because it came at the end of the game.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
is a really good punter. He was a big reason M almost won the game with his great punts giving MSU bad field position.
He totally screwed up the last play. No getting around it.
But those posting threats, etc., just need to get a grip. I mean that sort of thing is just so far out of line that... I don't even know how to respond to people who do those things. Ridiculous.
October 18th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
Blake has been a good punter, but come on. The extra field position in a 38-0 win over Northwestern doesn't make up for what might be the single worst mistake in Michigan football history.
October 18th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^
People, we need an "appreciation thread" not to support mediocrity as some are suggesting here. Nor do we need it because one of the most valuable players on this team screwed up in a way that mightily contributed to a loss. We need an appreciation thread because he is one of ours and some fucking morons are threatening him. That's not how Michigan people act. And if you don't get that, learn it.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:01 AM ^
Any of the college review programs, but give me a break.
Is it really possible that some douchebags would lower themselves to that low level to issue threats?
I get it....the kid made a mistake........Rudock made a bunch of mistakes.....the coaches are right up there to, but come on people, how about a little bit of compassion for another human being who happens to be on our team?
October 18th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^
The purportedly unbiased referees who made more mistakes than anyone that detrimentally impacted the outcome of the game.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:02 AM ^
Blake O'Neill is a man, not a child, a man, and by god I hope he's man enough to hold up his hand and say to his teammates: "Listen, fellas, I let you down today, I can't undo it, all I can do is to ask you for forgiveness and to give me a chance to prove over the rest of the year that you were right in doing so."
That's all anyone can ask for.
What we don't need are desperate white knights so eager to be elementary school teacher nice that they want to distort reality and blame it on everyone *but* Blake O'Neill. Blake O'Neill is a child, Blake O'Neill can't be expected to punt in a clutch situation, it's the coaches' fault, it's the QB's fault. Jesus, get a grip and stop being so eager to make excuses.
And the kid thing pisses me off more than anything else, there's people Blake O'Neill's age who are handling accounts at major consultancies and can get you and 800 other people laid off with the click of a mouse. Stop infantilizing grown men as a blame-deflecting mechanism.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^
....however, as long as grown men are willing to infantilize themselves by acting like spoiled toddlers who just had their lollipop dropped in dog shit, all because one of the most incredible plays that ever happened in the game of football cost your team 1 victory, fuck it you're wrong.
Football is not a "man's game" its a game that belongs to us all.
But Football IS a TEAM game which means you win as a team and lose as one.
None of those players out there get paid like an employee but you compare them to an employee in a completely unrelated way.
It's just a game, sorry that Dr Pepper, Gieco and Doritos have convinced you that there is some great import to it; there is not, Blake dosen't need to be "held accountable", you don't need to hate MSU and OSU fans nor do you need to be so serious. You do these things because it is in your nature and it feels good to think you're superior.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^
is at the heart of all success and every good coach preaches it. Players are held accountable for their mistakes and get the coaching they require to hopefully not make the mistake again. If that does not yield the desired result, they will lose their position, simple as that.
In sport, whether you get paid or not, you're defined by your performance. It's never been different, even in the youth teams I played for. Maybe things have changed since I was a kid and nowadays it doesn't matter anymore if you're good or if you suck.
But if you don't want to accept that this is a business, a big one, then please go ahead and stop following it or perhaps you can carry on living in some fantasy land where Michigan is not paying its football coach about 6 million dollars a year. Presumably not to be nice to people but to win football championships.
October 18th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^
....that greed is destroying college football? Because that would be tragic.
Yes UofM's punter "sucked" on the last play of the game and it lead directly to a loss, he will be fairly "held accountable" in the lockeroom by his team just as everyone else who had a play they "sucked" on. He will not be fairly held accountable on twitter, on sports blogs, on the tv, during "not top 10", "come on man", "you had one job to do" and every time that clip is played over the next 20years (which will be A LOT).
Maybe, since he's on the TEAM we are fans of, we should try to be the supportive ones.
O wait, now I get it: Blake "sucks" as a punter and you guys "suck" as fans.
October 18th, 2015 at 1:23 PM ^
Coach Harbaugh acknowledged that O'Neill made a big mistake which cost us the game in the end.
It is wrong to send abuse to O'Neill, but I also have a problem with the excuse mentality. There is nothing wrong with fully accepting Blake O'Neill's responsibility and closing the chapter and moving on to the next one.
October 18th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^
I didn't see that quote but it seems that word is missplaced.
HE MUFFED A SNAP!
That happens probably 25 times every single weekend in college football.
I'm not trying to "excuse" his mistake, especially the fact that he showed very little poise at a crucial time but those are coachable things and we have the coach to do it. However, I don't think you can magnify the importance of a muffed punt just because this one lead to the worst possible outcome.
Now, did he freak out in the heat of the moment and exponentially compound his minor and correctable mistake into the most unbelievable way to win a game that I have ever witnessed?
Absofreakinlutely! And I have never felt such a mix of amazement, euphoria and crushing dissappointment but topped off with a gigantic smile because I was able to witness something that unique-AGAIN!
Because that wasn't the first time being a fan of UofM football had me witnessing something unique, from:
AC's last second TD at Indiana, the fantom touchdown, Robbie Bosco, Rocket Ismail, Desmond's 4th and 1 TD and Hiesman pose, Kordell Stewart, Charles Woodson, Charles Woodson, Charles Woodson, Charles Woodson, '97 team, the Championship, Rose Bowl '05 that I saw live, App State and countless others.
Even when it doesn't go UofM's way it's always a spectacular ride to be a fan!
October 18th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
"Which punter gives us the best chance to win going forward?"
Answer: It's still Blake O'Neill.
No one is going to deny that it was a collosal mistake. But those who go as far to issue death threats aren't trying to make Michigan better in the remaining games. They're playing a small-minded game of gotcha.
We all need to be adults enough to understand that a player that has made a mistake may still be the best option going forward.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^
Great punter, bad luck. Michigan is back. Go blue!
October 18th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 10:18 AM ^
Blake looks at MSU lining up all eleven to come at him ...& we have gunners out with nobody. He knew we didnt have the right play call & choked. A lot of blame on coaches for this as well.
Put Rudock back there, act like your going for it & pooch punt. Perfect call right there IMO.
October 18th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
Michigan would have their punter throw to his left across the field for a completion. It also looked like one State player back to receive. This is from the angle shown on Michigan replay this morning. Agree, Michigan should have been in Max protect. The receiver on the left should have been close to the line of scrimmage . State rushed eight players to Michigan's five on the line. The punter's rugby style kicking( moving to the right and forward) negates some of the blocking protection from the three addition blockers. Too many State players close to Blake too fast. He should have had more time even with the dropped ball. Not the best blocking scheme for getting off the punt. And that's all they had to do is get off the punt with enough time.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
I have never been so excited for a punt as I was for his 80-yard masterpiece. I pooped myself a little bit I was so happy.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:33 AM ^
is an amazing punter. And he's probably an amazing person. My regret is that we don't have him for three more year's. Blake O'Neill is close to the best punter in the nation. His punting is artistry. Has there been a more excellent punter in my 46 years of watching and listening to Michigan football. Maybe. Wish we had him for three more season's. I love Michigan football. Go Blue!!!
October 18th, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^
anyway. Shit happens. We lost. Anyone trying to blame the loss on a young man for one play is ludicrious.
I was pissed we lost, but never conisdered Blake as the reason. There were so many other plays that were more of a problem and add them up and we got what we deserved.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
he came through so many times. one mistake he will not forget but we will. on hell of a kicker. think were we would be without him
October 18th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
I agree. If Harbaugh would have called plays to at least drain a bit more time off we wouldn't even need to punt. If we could have averaged just 2 seconds more on 1st through 3rd down then there is 4 seconds left....you run a play where rudock throws a bomb to Chesson Deep....or simply throws it away if he can roll out for 4 seconds.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
Love you Blake. We need you going forward. Keep doing your best.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^
who made mistakes and could be held responsible for the loss: Henry's personal foul, Interference on Lewis, Holding penalty on Braden, etc. This happened to be the last mistake. Kids make mistakes and the wins and the losses are for the whole team and coaches. One can even point to a few mistakes by the coaches. The stupid people post threats and other stuff have no understanding of the game and probably never played a team sport at the competitive level.
The whole TEAM lost the game but played a terrific game.
Let's move on.
October 18th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^
MGoBloggers, please send a tweet to Blake showing your support as well.
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October 18th, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^
No Worries Mate!
Remember:
"a wiser man than myself once said, 'Sometimes you eat the bar, and , well, sometimes it eats you.'" The Stranger
October 18th, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
The play was not all Blake's fault. It was a team blunder. They did not max protect vs. 11 man rush. Snap was low.
October 18th, 2015 at 12:40 PM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^
October 18th, 2015 at 1:47 PM ^
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October 18th, 2015 at 1:51 PM ^
O'Neill has been a great punter, including in the MSU game. He's young and effective. Everyone makes mistakes...especially in the heat of the moment. No one should be threatening him or being cruel. I'd love to see some of the haters in that position...or ANY position on a football field. To all the people berating this kid, SHUT UP! Do you not think he feels bad enough already? Blake, keep up the good work...one mistake does not define you or your team play.
October 18th, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^
In a good way.