Mr Miggle

May 26th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^

If they take the medical hardship they're done playing. They would no longer count against the scholarship limits although their education would continue to be paid for. You seem to be thinking of them taking a redshirt, although I don't see how that would lead to your conclusion.

Zoltanrules

May 26th, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^

If they want a player to medical, the player has no real option not to do so. The player hypothetically could sit out and transfer in 2016. Or take the medical, get their degree, and then transfer. Those who dont start here are MAC targets and can shine in a smaller arena. Some just quit after getting their degree knowing there is no future and want to preserve their bodies.

yeah I think the system sucks and treats players like cattle, while coaches can come and go with little restriction. Not being critical of how UM is doing it specifically, just the state of where CFB is and is going.

WolvinLA2

May 26th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^

I really don't like these 5th year transfers.  I wish these kids would play for the team they committed to.  I'm not wishing Blake any ill will, but you play for Michigan, not Auburn.  

Vote_Crisler_1937

May 26th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^

Agreed! You want the kid to commit to you every single day by choice. Not because he made a decision while still in high school and can't get out of it. That's too often a hostile and counter productive environment.

The player felt you deserved his commitment as a high school kid. You have a responsibility to make sure they still see it that way as 5th year seniors if you still want that player to play for you. You shouldn't just get to keep the player forever once a single signature has been signed.

-that in response to WolvinLA2.

That said. Countess seems like a good guy and I hope for the best for both Michigan and Blake in their own separate endeavors.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

WolvinLA2

May 26th, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^

So do you think this move is in the team's best interest? If you believe what you just posted, this is equally wrong. Countess is thinking about himself, not the team. At some point, public perception made it OK for kids to put themselves in front of their team. "He should do what's best for him." At one point, players had a team-first outlook. That doesn't happen anymore.

WolvinLA2

May 26th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^

They don't owe the fans or schools anything? The kid got a free degree. If it wasn't for the school or fans, that wouldn't have happened. You're entitled to your opinion as well, but mine is that he owes us to stick around. I get upset when coaches tell players they can't stick around, and I'm equally upset when players do the same to the coaches.

HAIL-YEA

May 26th, 2015 at 8:27 PM ^

cut it out man, his arguement is valid it's just that you are being stubborn. Paractice and training for football are not some for of currency. their education is better than free. The players are in a sort of apprenticeship during which they are compensated with housing, food. and some spending money. And after the school invests in them for a few years these kids are taking what they have learned and giving it to opponents. I think in most cases this stinks, and I agree with wolvinla

NCMtnBlue

May 27th, 2015 at 12:16 AM ^

The worker trades labor for a wage.  The practice and training are not the currency.  They are the labor which is traded for a wage.  In this case, the wage is an education.  You can agree with his sentiment, but his argument is still not valid from a purely logical standpoint.

 

Michigan4Life

May 26th, 2015 at 4:53 PM ^

if Blake has any NFL aspiration which he does, he needs to transfer for the interest of himself.  Why stabotage your stock when you won't see time on the field or doesn't fit the system? He went where he felt where he can maximize his NFL draft stock.  I don't blame him one bit.

Saying he should stay for the team is the dumbest statement because you need to look for yourself at some point.  I bet, LA guy would feel differently if he's the athlete, not a fan. 

The FannMan

May 26th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^

LA - I get where you are coming from.  I am a traditionalist who thinks that college football would be better off with fewer bowls, a mythical National Championship, less money, and more guys like Bo and Woody. 

However, we are not going to get that.

The current game allows the coaches to bank the cash, but the players are cut out of the deal.  Also, while I don't have numbers, it seems that coaches move more - voluntarily and otherwise - than in the past.  A kid has zero guarantee that the guy who recruited him will be there at year 5.  At many schools, players that don't fit the new staff are "invited" to leave or take medicals.  (From the other posts, there is some smoke that is going on at Michigan.) 

In short, given the modern game, I don't have a problem with a guy like Countess who has a degree but wants to play a fifth year somewhere else.  

I would still rather return the game to 1982, but that ain't happening.

Der Alte

May 26th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

Given that Blake has a newly minted M degree, he shouldn't take long to grasp the difficult concept that although Auburn's team nickname is "Tigers," its battle cry is "War Eagle!"

Many folks, especially down here in the South, have a hard time getting their minds around that. Anyway, good luck Blake.

ckersh74

May 26th, 2015 at 11:21 PM ^

I don't see where Mr. Countess owes the University of Michigan anything, and vice versa. He played here for four years. He graduated in that timeframe. He held up his end of the bargain, and the university honored their end as well. 

Blake Countess has fulfilled his obligation to the university. The man graduated, and on time, to boot. I don't know what more you can reasonably expect from any player upon entrance to school when you first get started. If you think he owes the school more, well, the adjustment is yours to make. 

Best of luck to him the rest of the way,.