Desmond Howard gets Stephen A Smith to "Stand Down" regarding Signgate.
I saw that Desmond's other appearances from this morning had been posted, but I didn't see this one and it's pretty entertaining. I've only watched First Take a few times, but I've seen enough of Stephen A Smith to know that it's pretty rare for him to have his mind changed on a topic. Nice job by Desmond in arguing the facts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpcQppRfj-c
November 10th, 2023 at 1:54 PM ^
Mortal Kombat level 'Finish Him!' at the end.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Those were the days. Kick ass, take vertebrae.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^
It’s almost as if SAS gets paid to have cartoonish takes on sports he knows little about, outside of NBA. It’s a complete clown show on that network when it comes to non-athlete analysts.
Dan Orlovsky embarrassed Paul Finebaum significantly worse on this topic, btw. Greeny had to cut him off.
November 10th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
Can we get a synopsis? I'd rather not listen to a clip involving Finebaum and Greenburg.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
Not thread worthy but I’m loving this tweet. No fear.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:21 PM ^
Stop him! He's stealing the pedestrian walkway sign!
November 10th, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
All the upvotes. Well done.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
Nice kicks. Where is WD when you need him.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:41 PM ^
No khaki?!?! Scandal!!!
November 10th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
The point of Desmond’s argument that seemed to have “turned” Smith’s view was coaching.
Specifically, the halftime scores of the last two Michigan - OSU games, and the final scores. What was the difference? Michigan has coaches with NFL experience and halftime adjustments shut down OSU in the second half.
That NFL experience and adjustments reference seemed to persuade Smith to “back down”.
The specific coaches included Minter, Moore, and Macdonald.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^
I mean, we've been pointing that out here for a while. M's schemes are NFL schemes. Every team has talent in the NFL -- schemes, prep, coaching is a big part of the difference between teams (yes, there are special talents, but great coaching scheme's against that).
Play better chess, bitches.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
93, we’re in agreement.. Michigan coaching and development has been the difference, IMO. It begins with S&C, goes to technique / fundamentals, then scheme, and in game execution.
I would draw one distinction - regarding NFL experience. How many college coaches were successful in the NFL. I believe this is a difference of Harbaugh - he loves his family - and, for the moments he’s not with his family, he’s all about football - live, eat, breathe, teach, and coach.
The culture of this team is special.
One other aspect is Michigan’s roster - it’s not the most talented according to 247, it’s probably “mid teens” which is very good but not at the level of Georgia, Bama, and OSU. It’s development, scheme, and execution.
The last point I’d make which I also believe is a huge difference, but hasn’t been mentioned is - experience. Look at player’s who “could” have entered the draft - but didn’t - Hutch, Corum, etc. Those players who could have left are deeper in the system (an NFL structure) - they understand more - and are executing more effectively.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
Desmond voiced where my head has been at. Ever since the evidence has been pointing at the fact that Stalions acted as a lone wolf, anyone who has continued the "gained competitive advantage" argument has been spitting in the face of the hard work and dedication that this team and vastly improved coaching staff has put in over the last 2 1/2+ years.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
Agreed. One example is Hutch - he didn’t need to come back, but - he was committed and a great example of a leader - as is Blake.
The argument that I cannot stand - keeps coming from Finebaum. He repeatedly says - “Harbaugh was going to be fired after the 2020 season” and (essentially) a losing coach. If you remove the CV season - his win percentage was in the 70’s - and, if a few calls went differently in Columbus, that “monkey” on Harbaugh’s back would have been removed years ago.
This team’s culture is exceptional - and, the players, coach, and staff deserve credit.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:11 PM ^
I thought it was the OL argument. Whether OL domination depends on knowing signs IDK. But I don't actually buy that he changed Stephen A's mind. The whole thing seemed pretty pre-planned to me.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^
Fair point - Des also mentioned the back to back Joe Moore Award winning OL.
Was Smith’s “change of view” predetermined? Who knows - it’s ESPN.
Desmond spent more time on Get Up and raised more points - and, it began with.. “Let the process run to completion, first.”
November 10th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
I agree with you - I think this segment was absolutely pre-planned to allow Stephen A the ability to walk back his prior stance as gracefully as possible.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
Desmond is a national treasure.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
Desmond doing Michigan proud. Go Blue!!!
November 10th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
Smith is an idiot.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
I mean...it's "good news", but I just can't.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
No disrespect to Des, but if that's all he had to say for Stephen A to go "I haven't heard anyone say that yet", just goes to show what an echo chamber ESPN has been about this. Like, how do you not know Harbaugh made staffing changes other than Stallions after 2020? Really?
November 10th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
It's not an echo chamber. It's WWE scripted entertainment.
After three weeks, the ONLY person at ESPN who is capable of constructing a counter-argument at ESPN is Desmond Howard? And he's only able to present this on the morning talk shows they have, instead of tell people off camera so they can have better conversations on air?
They could have been having more honest conversations about this for weeks if they had wanted. They didn't want to.
This is so dumb.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
I don't think they looked at much in terms of actual data or facts at all. I think the attorney's letters pointing out obvious fallacies in their arguments got some attention. I think the coverage is very superficial and scripted with a particular narrative in mind. It's all for entertainment purposes, and is driven by clicks, like a Pavlov's dog scenario.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
ESPN has laid off so many good journalists and yet, somehow, a hawt take-spewing empty suit like Stephen A. Smith still has a job. This epitomizes everything wrong with the media in America.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^
ESPN has Smith, McAfee and Finebaum (along with other blowhards) all on the payroll yet let go of too many great analysts / reporters to count. My neighbor and I agree that McAfee has ruined Gameday to the point where we don’t even care if we tune in anymore.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:17 PM ^
And Rece Davis. Pathetic.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^
And he's the guest speaker at the Michigan Sports Business Conference 🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮
How did they select him??
And is he only backing down so he doesn't get heckled off stage when he comes to A2??
So gross.
He is sports media today.
It is all so gross. Hot takes is code for verbal bile masquerading as news.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:09 PM ^
MSBC was last week. He already spoke there.
I will be honest though. Desmond is the first person I've heard on ESPN talk about the halftime adjustments and coaching hires. He went inside the lines and broke stuff down that these other folks don't care about.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
It’s because he’s all-caps, all the time. Probably why ESPN hired mcafee, because he’s kind of the same way.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Honestly this is great. Des brought it. Stephen A. did the right thing. I grudgingly give him a tiny bit of respect for that.
November 10th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Didn't Kansas hoops win a title over UNC while under investigation? Pretty sure I didn't hear Stephen A. saying their title was tainted, or that they shouldn't be in the tournament. Foolish take to say they cannot compete until the investigation is over.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:13 PM ^
Kansas won a title with Bill Self caught admitting paying players (the worst NCAA offense possible) on a fucking FBI wiretap. Nothing happened.
Auburn won a national title with Cam Newton while he was under investigation. Their title is never considered tainted.
Clemson won a few national titles while getting popped for PED's, a few players suspended but no coaches or claims of "tainted" thrown around
Georgia/LSU/Alabama have blatantly paid recruits and nobody considers their titles tainted.
This outrage is pure clickbait bullshit. In a few months when this blows over, nobody will give a fuck about it just like they lost interest in all those other, more egregious scandals
November 10th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ^
This reminds me of the scene in "Old School" when Frank is debating James Carville, blacks out, and Carville responds with I have no rebuttle that was perfect.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^
I found it
November 10th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
That’s how you debate!
November 10th, 2023 at 2:01 PM ^
Michigan has better coaches than Ohio State does. In fact, Michigan has better coaches than the rest of the B1G.
The "you got outcoached" part really annoys the other coaches. Too bad.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:08 PM ^
Desmond killed it. Wow. Nice job. Got to give it to Stephen A, at least a little, to know when to back down. And the point he made about why no one talked about Football game itself, is a great point. That is because the blowhards at ESPN bunch of whiny teenagers who just want to gossip.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
I give Smith limited credit. He actually changed his mind.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
How the bloody hell is "stealing signs" STILL the talking point? I mean, for fucks sake people. These are supposed to be professional sports commentators? Even Desmond doesn't correct it, nor does he point out that EVERYONE steals signs. Or the fact that most teams in the B1G had OUR signs and were colluding with each other to share them! If both teams have each others' signs, then NO ONE has a competitive advantage because of it.
This is why I've stayed away from ALL national media takes on this situation because they're all shit and disingenuous. I expect Stephen Smith to have a shit take but I expected better from Desmond.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:18 PM ^
The Michigan Difference.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:18 PM ^
Wow, S.A.S. actually concedes that Dezs' argument is solid and stands down - don't see that too often.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:21 PM ^
Not a fan of Stephen A, but great video nevertheless. If I may.... set the video to double speed and time to 2:47. Play, and enjoy!!
November 10th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
Good trick getting an asshole to shut up… well done Dezzzzzzz
November 10th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
"The wolf does not concern himself with the opinion of the sheep." Or put another way, "the Wolverine does not concern himself with the opinion of the bleating dumbass."
November 10th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
It's crazy to me how Stephen A has never apparently heard that argument before. If you listen to rational people, it's been discussed for weeks, but I guess if you listen to people who decide to frame everything in terms of sign stealing then I guess it's understandable
November 10th, 2023 at 2:37 PM ^
Was looking for this earlier because people were commenting on it. I couldn't find it. Thank you so much for posting it. Gotta love Desmond! Go Blue!
November 10th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
Dez deserves another Heisman for shutting up Steve A.
All last season Michigan was a second half team.... generally starting off kinda slow and then taking over the game in the second half... Pretty elaborate scheme.... we know all their signals, but we're going to ignore them until halftime, and then its game on!!!!
November 10th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
Refreshing to see someone say their mind is changed and are "standing down." Don't think I've seen that almost ever on national tv. Kudos to Stephen A. not just because I'm a Michigan homer, but because across a spectrum of arenas (social/political/journalistic/educational) he sets a phenomenal example. Wish we would see more of this in the world, given how hard headed and confirmation biased adults tend to be.
November 10th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
This was very clearly a scripted segment by ESPN for an out for their shoddy initial reporting. Des put out the right argument, but I bet they coordinated this ahead of time so ESPN has an exit from getting egg on their face.