ChiCityWolverine

October 20th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^

We all read about the male modeling stuff, but add in that accent and I'd be very uncomfortable introducing Blake to any girlfriend or wife of mine. Mr. Steal Yo Girl times a billion. 

Oh and he seems like a smart, confident, and composed guy too. Still one of the nation's best punters. 

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 3757

Dawkins

October 20th, 2015 at 7:32 PM ^

Fucking Baumgardner: "Uh, ya know, a lot of guys wouldn't be able to just move on from this like you're saying you're doing."

Shitstain.

Joined: 05/24/2015

MGoPoints: 5799

DairyQueen

October 21st, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^

Even Harbaugh hates Nick. I could put together a reel of the times Nick has asked an inane question and Harbaugh has snuffed him. Also Nick doesn't really ask questions he just kind of mumbles language, and expects the interviewee to just pick it up and run with it (which DOES work, and isn't a terrible interview technique, but it clearly hasn't worked and he hasn't adapted). Hoke would take the bait, but, Harbaugh has that insane hyper-vigiliance where he's listening to every word, carefully, and after Nick's wandering rambling statement, Harbaugh becomes incensed.

Nick's writing isn't terrible. But his pessimism about life/everything is apparent immediately. Even Brendan Quinn has called him out on it, during the video-reports, that Nick isn't happy unless everything is "miserable". Go watch Nick's post-game Utah, he's super up-beat. And then the other post-games, although he praises UM, he's clearly low-energy.

Nick should cover Indiana or Purdue, not Michigan. He'd be happier. (edit: EMU!!!!)

Harbaugh senses Nick's love of misery, and will have none of it.

They couldn't be more opposed personality-types!

Joined: 04/20/2014

MGoPoints: 6642

Reader71

October 20th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^

He handled this amazingly. I would never have been able to speak to the press about it, and I might have never been able to get over it at all. Amazing. But thank God we're winning, or else a lot of assholes would be on here demanding tears.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Everyone Murders

October 20th, 2015 at 7:35 PM ^

First off, as others have noted, what a great ambassador for the program.  Very level-headed and mature guy, with brilliant perspective.

But also credit to the coaches.  MANY coaches would have put him off limits, but the Michigan coaching staff obviously recognized his maturity and put him out there.  That has to give O'Neill and his teammates confidence in the coaching staff.  And if I were advising a recruit out there, I'd note that this program treats its upperclassmen/grad transfers as young men who are able to speak for themselves.

Compare this to the MSU players going the douche route at the student section (while their teammate is hurt), and it seems all that much more great ... to be ... a Michigan Wolverine.

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

RobM_24

October 20th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^

I suppose being a model helps things, lol. It'll be nice if his infamous play leads to more opportunities down the road for him. He's definitely well known now.

Joined: 01/27/2014

MGoPoints: 64456

weasel3216

October 20th, 2015 at 7:50 PM ^

Pretty impressed with his responses. A lot of dumb and repetitive questions. Great representative of the team and university. I especially liked the "yeah I would have got it off" response to the "would it have been blocked anyways" question.

Joined: 08/09/2009

MGoPoints: 3502

Gentleman Squirrels

October 20th, 2015 at 7:51 PM ^

Excellent interview. He seems to have a great attitude and a great support around him. I'm curious to anyone who knows, does Blame have any chance of playing in the NFL? His versatility and strong leg should be an asset to any team.



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Joined: 06/03/2014

MGoPoints: 43421

Hail Harbo

October 20th, 2015 at 10:59 PM ^

From where he's punting has a lot to do with his average.  If he is predominately punting from the opponents side of the field, then his average will probably be lower because he's working with less available range.  And yes, everytime he prevents a touchback he is robbing his average of 2-10 yards with each kick.

Joined: 06/18/2015

MGoPoints: 13428

UMfan21

October 20th, 2015 at 7:55 PM ^

Outstanding interview and young man.

One discrepancy I thought odd.  Blake was asked if any coaches told him to fall on it if he bobbled it. He seemed surprised and said "no, you never plan for the worst".

I will have to re-read Harbaugh's presser, but I thought Harbaught said they went over this scenario before the snap.

Doesn't change a thing and maybe I'm remembering it incorrectly.  Something about it just made me think it was a disconnect.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51255

UMfan21

October 20th, 2015 at 7:57 PM ^

Nevermind.  The question was asked, Harbaugh didn't answer it

 

During the last play, did you have any other options besides punting and did you talk to your center and your punter about, hey, if there is a botched play fall on it? What was said in the conversation, and again, did you have another option?

“Yeah, the options were to go for it- I mean, if you go for it you leave them a hail mary opportunity. Could protect up and throw a long pass; probably still though, it’s going to eat up seven seconds so they would have the hail mary opportunity. So, ran through those scenarios and felt like the best decision was to punt it and told them to catch it and punt it. They didn’t have anybody back. When they lined up to the punt they didn’t have any returners. Just a matter of catching it and punting it, and we messed it up.”

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51255

D4pp3rD4n

October 20th, 2015 at 10:43 PM ^

I was reading through these posts to find the same thing.  It seems to be an unfortuanate situation of "everyone knows what to do" that grew up on American football vs "I'm not quite sure what to do so I'll use my best judgement" kind of thing.  He seemed to genuinely not know to fall on the ball in that situation.  

However, Harbaugh appeared to be perplexed (albeit, briefly) as to why he didn't fall on the football.  That falls on either O'Neill or Baxter, but it ultimately reflects on Baxter for not making it clear as to what to do in that situation.

Joined: 09/21/2013

MGoPoints: 543

Stu Daco

October 20th, 2015 at 8:04 PM ^

What's so stark here is the contrast between the character of a guy like Blake and the MSU team. It's night and day, and a big reason why I'm glad to be a Michigan fan even in a loss.

Joined: 08/23/2015

MGoPoints: 8748

BLHoke

October 20th, 2015 at 8:10 PM ^

This kid is a fuckin boss. He's speaking to the media like a seasoned vet that's been in the NFL for 10-12 years.

P. S. I'm a heterosexual male... But with those looks, that accent and now the national recognition and empathy... He's booty count is gonna be astronomical if he so chooses! Lol.

Joined: 08/17/2011

MGoPoints: 5018

Avant's Hands

October 20th, 2015 at 8:11 PM ^

Very impressive. I will readily admit he handled it much better than I did. I have avoided everything football related from that moment until tonight. Just been in shock. It's great to see that he hasn't let it get him down.

Joined: 10/22/2011

MGoPoints: 9271

wayneandgarth

October 20th, 2015 at 8:11 PM ^

I'm just repeating what each you also heard, what a great guy. Wow, he really won't let this define home. Seems like just a fantastic man. So glad he is one of ours!

Joined: 10/10/2012

MGoPoints: 12960

Moonlight Graham

October 20th, 2015 at 8:22 PM ^

We've heard Coach Harbaugh use the phrase "Leaders Eat Last," and that's from a book by SImon Sinek. You can sense Harbaugh's leadership in O'Neill's response. He know he's safe, he's part of the team, he can speak about the play freely without fear. He and Harbaugh trust each other, and his teammates still trust him. 

Joined: 09/12/2011

MGoPoints: 7559