CC: Rittenberg's Latest Opinion Piece on CC
Is it just me, or has the quality of what Ritt is writing gone down over the past month or so. He is usually pretty decent for an ESPN guy, but this latest piece has the look of "I have absolutely nothing to write about so I am just going to write words on a page to see what happens."
Basically, he says that he "hopes" that DB is not delaying his decision on RR just to avoid $1.5 million. No opinion as to whether that is what DB is doing. No info. Hell, he doesn't even say why he hopes that this is not the case.
I usually like this guy, but this is the second or third CC piece that he has written that has been completely terrible.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/21331/hoping-michigans-delay-not-about-money
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^
ESPN sucks?
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^
is that they show sports on TV and you can decide to watch it or not.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
They have time to show sports on TV, now that we know who is the most NOW.
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:31 PM ^
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^
Honestly, I think DB is enough of a CEO type he might just be doing this for the money. You can't take the businessman out of the man.
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^
Wouldn't it be the other way around?
just sayin'
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^
What he meant was, "You can take the man out of the business, but you can't take the business out of the man."
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:17 PM ^
1.5 million is about 1/3 of gross revenue from one home game. I highly doubt DB is so concerned over that money that he would make literally the biggest decision he has to make over it.
Not to mention that all of the old, rich alums apparently hate RR and would be willing to pony up the money in a heartbeat to see him gone. The buyout is a non-issue.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 PM ^
I got a solid 2 minute chuckle out of this. I enjoyed it very much. +1
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^
with this article. It would not make any sense for a school like Michigan to wait this out for 1.5 million dollars. Just have a few weddings at the big house and you got 1.5!
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:10 PM ^
I know MICH athletics is self sustaining but 1.5 mil is a good chunk of change. Doesn't the
stadium's pro turf cost like 2 mil to replace? ..and they don't replace that every year (even though new is so freshibly nice.)
If they are waiting, then at best, I think money may be part of the reason – but not the sole reason – for the delay.
In the end, this piece feels like an attempt at reframing an issue for article quotas and/or just frustration from AR.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
I completely agree...I suspect Brandon has a plan, be it to do nothing, in which case it MAY have cost us something in recruiting, but not much, or make sweeping changes.
In any case, Brandon's complete lack of affirmation of RichRod and his program, and the lack of Harbaugh having signed the contract newly offered by Stanford cannot be ignored. One of those times that less is more. We shall know soon enough.
December 23rd, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^
i liked his bit about osu. but yeah, this looks like he just needs to pass the time.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
Of course Rittenberg has to pass the time. What can you expect him to right about, though? Nothing is really happening right now so all he can right about is his opinion on coaching changes and bowl previews, oh and the occasional OSU player suspension. Didn't read the article because I don't care, but I guess you can't expect much more out of him at this time of year.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^
I like the way you kept your misuse of right consistent in your post. But you could have done this on purpose, write? Write.
If I could I would +1 you
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
had me rolling.
Their senior season, 2011, is their last chance to fulfill that potential and overcome the "underachiever" label they inherited from the 2006-07 teams. What a waste it would be if they literally sold that opportunity away for a few bucks.
Brings new meaning to the O$U BUCKS
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 PM ^
I'd take more issue with the underacheiving bit. The 2006 team was 11-0 and #2 in the country going into The Game. Losing that and the bowl game sucked, but I don't know many 11-0 teams that are "underachieving".
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 PM ^
Sure, it would be ridiculous to characterize 11-0 and a #2 ranking as "underachieving".
Problem is that the season was 13 games long. And yes, I'd argue that 11-2 was less than a full success (an "underachievement"?) given the team we fielded.
That's fair, no?
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
+1... because I know somebody's going to neg you for it being CC
P.S. -1 to anyone who complains about CC posts in this post
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
This latest thread has the look of "I have absolutely nothing to write about so I am just going to write words on MGoBlog to see what happens."
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
And your post was definitely a valuable read for those on this board.
I posted the article because there are many on this board that, like me, want to read anything that is Michigan-related out there. I offered my commentary on the article because, I dont know, that's what you do on a message board.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Here's a picture of Denard smiling. Makes all differences of opinion seem trivial.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
So, you commented on something because that's what you are supposed to do? That's an interesting concept.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:06 PM ^
The lighting in Rittenberg's parent's basement is becoming dimmer.
Ma, the lightbulb! I never know what she is doing up there!
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:13 PM ^
What?
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^
He said, "Ma, The lightbulb! I never know what she is doing up there!"
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
LOL bloggerz live in their parentz basements. (I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt)
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:21 PM ^
In the spirit of Kwanzaa I'll not be snarky here.
His parent's basement's lights are dimming.= his content quality is dimming.
Quote was from Wedding Crashers.
Yes, lulz, he lives in his parent's basement.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
In fairness to Rittenberg, as a "beat writer," he likely does have a quota of stories he has to file per week or per month. And really, what is there to write on Illinois or Purdue right now?
There are a limited number of Big Ten-specific topics, and the hot one is Michigan's coaching "situation." So while you're right that this piece doesn't really say anything, sometimes as a journalist you really do have to churn out words about something even when you have nothing to say. Sad but true.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:21 PM ^
There is a reason why his content is free. He is like 95% of all bloggers. can't expect much.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 PM ^
Could his lack of quality writing have to do with no Big Ten teams playing?
/rhetorical
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^
No, lack of quality writing is due to lack of talent, creativity, skills, work ethic, etc.
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
but that doesn't apply to Ritt. He has proven to be fair and objective, qualities typically lacking in sports writers.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
why dont brandon jus sell sum buildings or the fight song or somethin if he needs the bills?
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:52 PM ^
Your avatar + your username + this comment = pure gold. +1.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
And I just discovered the Craigslist thread. Win.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
But once I did, wow. That was great. If I could give you a second +1, I would gladly do it.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
Must be a slow news day at ESPN... and NCAA had to ruin the OSU tattoo story by announcing the penalty before the story breaks.
Perhaps Rittenberg should write about the NFL prospects of Terrell Pryor...
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
That would be a short and sad story.
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
Perfect for the day before the holiday weekend... allows him to get out early for the day.
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
What do you want him to do? He's already said pretty much everything he has to say on the subject. There's no new info and nothing else going on with the program in late December. Still, he has to write something because it's his job.
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^
folks in the MSM as well as bloggers eventually know the shelf life of a particular meme. It appears that Ritt has moved on from the DB is blowing recruiting meme, and on from the he's got RR dangling on a string meme. The next meme to be explored will probably be more the why's of DB time line. I speculate the next or one of the future themes will be DB is recruiting by proxy, it seems the net result of his waiting period seems to be more kids are commiting to UM rather than to the coach. Over all I really don't see any problems with the article it does not seem to be offensive or degrading it does not disparage or make false claims about any of the principles in the article.
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:35 PM ^
My guess is that DB told RR when he initially took control that he would evaluate the football program at the end of the year. Once he made that statement, he was going to stand by it. And he's not going to tell the media that he made a promise/verbal commitment to RR.
Barring a meltdown in the bowl game, I think DB announces a 1 year extension for RR before Jan 5.
December 24th, 2010 at 8:53 AM ^
the blog equivalent of the "Hey, taste this - it's horrible" - Who cares about this, again? And if it's so bad, why post it here? I just don't get it. Happy Christmas all you mgo'ers out there. Be safe and I hope you get some cash to go along with those slippers you'll only wear once.