Former players planning show of support

Submitted by carlos spicywiener on

http://michigan.247sports.com/Bolt/Former-Michigan-players-planning-wee…

Former @umichfootball players are planning a weekend of support for the current players starting tomorrow by going to practice.

— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) October 9, 2014

Former @umichfootball players told me that the "current players need to know we are here for them even if nobody else is."

— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) October 9, 2014

 

Yeah, ok Desmond.

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westwardwolverine

October 10th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^

As someone else pointed out: Desmond Howard can simultaneously criticize the players for not trying hard enough while then saying he's part of the only group supporting them. So why can't fans simultaneously support the players while wanting Dave Brandon fired? 

A serious question: Do you think that the coaches or Dave Brandon have relayed any sort of message to them that the vitriol isn't about or towards them? And that its towards Dave Brandon especially? Or have they used it to band themselves to the players (not that the players don't already think that way about the coaches)? 

 

Joined: 11/26/2013

MGoPoints: 9007

Reader71

October 10th, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^

First, Desmond Howard carries more weight than the fans. He played here and won a Hessian. Fans haven't. In a players mind, Desmond just means more. Second, Desmond can criticize because his criticism is seen as informed. Fan criticism isn't generally seen that way, because most fans haven't the faintest clue about what an actual football team does. Look at the comments on every other board/article/etc. Third, the team knows they are underperforming and deserve criticism. How do they move past that? Coaches coach better, players play better, fans cheer harder, old players show their support more clearly, etc. So when the fans give up, players are upset. As for if Brandon has anything to do with this, I have no idea. My first hunch is no. As a player, I never once met my AD. He wasn't around. Brandon isn't that kind of AD, it seems. I also don't think the old ballplayers need any pushing from anyone to support the team. But I am leaving room for the possibility that Brandon does have a hand in this, because I read mgoblog and have kind of come to believe that he is just a really bad person.

Joined: 08/30/2009

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westwardwolverine

October 10th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^

Right, but nothing about the boycott is about the players. They feel that way, but they could also be told by Brandon and the coaches, "Hey, whatever is happening out there, that's on us. Its about us and our job." And maybe they are being told that and they are still rallying around the coaches, which is understandable. But I doubt it, I'm sure its more of a "NOBODY BELIEVES IN US, ITS US AGAINST THE WORLD, LETS PROVE EVERYONE ELSE WRONG!" type of environment. 

When I bring up Desmond, I'm merely pointing out its possible to do two things at once that seem contradictory if you want to look at them from a certain way, but really aren't. 

And yes, a lot of the old ballplayers needed a push to support the players last go around when many of them didn't like the old coach. Now suddenly they are all back on board the Michigan brotherhood train. 

Did your AD watch game film with the coordinators? 

Joined: 11/26/2013

MGoPoints: 9007

Reader71

October 10th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^

The point is that even if none of this is about the players, THEY see it that way. This isn't theoretical. I've been one of them. And I've been talking about this fan/player disconnect since before any of this started. My responses about Desmond aren't my opinion so much as the way players see criticism from Desmond. Most will believe he wants them to succeed and is telling them why they aren't (desire to be great). They might disagree with his criticism, but they won't see it as harmful. Whereas they will see a boycott as harmful, because it is not an effort to help this team win. My AD didn't watch film. I don't really have a problem with Brandon being in there, either, to be honest. He's an old player, he wants to know how the team is being coached. BUT, if he were to say one word, I would want him not only fired but tried in a football team tribunal and possibly hung. He isn't supposed to coach, even if he wants to get in there and see how the coaches are working.

Joined: 08/30/2009

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westwardwolverine

October 10th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^

So couldn't the coaches/Dave Brandon come in and make it absolutely clear its not about them, but instead about Dave Brandon? Couldn't Dave Brandon stand before the football team and apologize for being himself and say he's sorry for ravaging the Michigan fanbase to the point where they feel the need to boycott his very presence? 

I get it. Its really just a bit of light brainwashing, that an attack on DB is an attack on all of us. 

Joined: 11/26/2013

MGoPoints: 9007

Reader71

October 10th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^

They could, I suppose. But why not use it as motivation? It might help them win, which is what the coaches are there for. More to the point, coming out in front and saying this is only about the AD is only adding another distraction/headache for the players. By not addressing it, they might just want to ignore it, even if they aren't actively using it as motivation. You're asking for the guys that you want fired to advocate for you to the players, basically. Comong, man.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

pescadero

October 10th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

...and the athletes in non-revenue sports, and most university music programs, and STEM competitions, and etc... think "nobody gives a damn about us".

 

...and they're largely right.... and they just suck it up and perform at their best anyway.

 

It's hard to believe the football players are such fragile little flowers dependent on the adoration of the public to get them though, but it sure is starting to sound like it.

Joined: 03/28/2013

MGoPoints: 11992

Reader71

October 10th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^

That's one way to see it. Another is to realize that home field advantage is real and part of the reason for that is that players feed off of the positive energy of their fans. I don't think that is controversial, and I don't even think you disagree. You just want to paint your picture. As to your point above, yes, football players are more egotistical than lacrosse players. The same can be said for basketball players. There is a reason for this, though, no? There is no lacrosse recruiting industry. Lacrosse is not the most popular sport in the country. Lacrosse players aren't the big men on campus. We make them into entitled people. 110,000 people don't go to see lacrosse games. I'm not saying they ought to have a sense of entitlement, but are you really surprised that they do? You're on a Michigan football blog. You are part of the problem.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

pescadero

October 10th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^

I'm not saying they ought to have a sense of entitlement, but are you really surprised that they do?

 

No - I'm just amazed at the complete and utter lack of any introspection on their part, and their insulation from a student body they are supposedly part of - but obviously feel seperate from and above.

 

The more seperate and entitled the football team seems, the more I (as an alumni and university employee) start to think we should explore the University of Chicago model.

 

 

Joined: 03/28/2013

MGoPoints: 11992

Jason80

October 9th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^

Michigan's consumers are voicing displeasure with the product and direction of the program. A generation ago were the customers that were very angry about new Coke trying to destroy that company? Am I against the hard working folks at GM if I avoid looking at their cars for a couple years because I am concerned about the quality/safety of those products? If Brandon has made Michigan football into just another business then expect these reactions, that is until we stop caring enough to even complain.

Joined: 10/05/2014

MGoPoints: 4099

bj dickey

October 9th, 2014 at 9:56 PM ^

That's precisely the point! This isn't and shouldn't be about business. The players, coaches don't see it that way. Most fans don't see it that way despite recent efforts by Brandon. I know where you're coming from. There are better, more effective ways (in fact, this wont be effective at all given recent studemt tardiness) without the friendly fire hurting someone.

Joined: 10/03/2014

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gbdub

October 10th, 2014 at 12:02 AM ^

Well, people have to sacrifice real hours of their lives to earn real dollars to spend on watching this crappy edition of Michigan football populated by players that apparently hold them in contempt - and most of them are still showing up! So where's the support for the fans? No, in that direction, the relationship is all business.

Joined: 02/16/2010

MGoPoints: 26718

Jason80

October 10th, 2014 at 2:32 AM ^

I'll complain then take my money elsewhere but if folks want to organize a boycott more power to them I say. As far as the friendly fire you reference, if it does happen it might be because Dave is using student athletes as his shield right now. But I do not think that applies in this instance as the majority of student athletes at UofM managento compete during their individual careers largely ignored by both the student body and the greater Michigan community. If 100,000 fans are an entitlement for UofM football players going forward Dave better get his friends in state gov working on that legislation because a season ticket campaign run by a Brandon dept in 14-15 is going to put us way short of those goals I'd wager.

Joined: 10/05/2014

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Blue Ninja

October 10th, 2014 at 12:01 AM ^

Loving the whole argument that a Fire Brandon chant is so much more effective than a protest. Sorry they've been doing that for weeks, what has it gotten anyone?

Protesting around not buying tickets, using tickets, etc is the only real weapon the fans, students and alumni have unless their name is Stephen Ross. Want proof? Not much reaction out of this athletic administration, former players, et al until a protest involving not showing up, showing up late or leaving came into the picture. Then they turned the conversation to supporting the players. All they're doing is trying to take away the one weapon at our disposal to show our displeasure at what has become of this program.

How effective have the letters and emails been? How effective was the protest last week? It was widely talked about in the media. This is your only weapon that will absolutely bring change, use it. Once the football season is over what weapon do we have then to bring change? More emails?

Joined: 11/17/2009

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Sports

October 9th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^

This will be unpopular, but I think this is great. Regardless of whether or not our vitriol is directed at the coaches and not the players, it has to be disheartening to see this as a player. Having some former players show support is great. I wish it happened every year. Good testament to the familial culture of Michigan. Good for Desmond. 

Joined: 04/23/2014

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B-Nut-GoBlue

October 9th, 2014 at 11:54 PM ^

I feel like I recall Molk, Van Bergen, and such players stating there was sure as shit NO support from people within the program that should have been supporting them through a tough 3-4 year stretch and they were quite bitter about it, rightfully so, calling out these former players and people from within the program who had pretty much turned their backs on them (likely because of their coach). /yes, that's one sentence.

Joined: 09/30/2011

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LSAClassOf2000

October 9th, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^

I don't know that this would be an unpopular interpretation, and I would like to think that it is because these former players simply would like to show some organized support for the players that they are doing this. I wish this is something that happened a little more often honestly, because I think any team would love to see those who went before them and hear the experiences that they can share of both on-the-field and off-the-field success. If we're going to be "the Michigan family", this is really something we should have been always doing. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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phil

October 9th, 2014 at 9:09 PM ^

Desmond disappoints me the more he opens his mouth.

And let's not forget that this is the same guy that called out every player on the team with the exception of Peppers a few weeks ago.

Just ridiculous that they can weave this narrative that the fans are somehow protesting the players...

Joined: 09/30/2008

MGoPoints: 856

Jeff09

October 9th, 2014 at 9:10 PM ^

Ah, yes. If only the asshole fans would just get off the poor players' backs, they would loosen up and start whooping some ass out there! Lousy no good fans whose opinions don't matter one bit anyhow!

I'm so, so sick of this shit. We support the players! Only the massively ignorant part of the fanbase (which, ours is probably much smaller than most [glances at osu]) is ripping the players. Sure they aren't great this year but goddamn it I still love me some DG and fleet and jmfr! But for the love of god let's get a competent administration in here!

Joined: 06/25/2011

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ThadMattasagoblin

October 9th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^

Because it's extremely insulting for the players when people who have bought tickets purposely aren't going for a section of the game to make a point when it could be easily done in many other ways. Some people would rather Ann arbor be nuked and our football program was set back 50 years if it meant Dave Brandon was fired. It's going to do nothing but show we don't support our players because we are not showing up for them, we don't value Michigan football because we aren't attending, and provide fodder for opposing fans.

Joined: 08/24/2011

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jerseyblue

October 9th, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^

So Desmond Howard is tweeting about supporting the players. The same Desmond Howard who 2 weeks ago said on national television that none of the players outside of Jabrill Peppers are pushing themselves enough in practice to be great. Ok, got it.

Joined: 12/20/2008

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You Only Live Twice

October 9th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^

Jersey, because both of those things can be true at the same time.

Maybe Desmond Howards defines "support" as being honest:  the players could be doing more in practice yet he still supports them. 

 

Joined: 09/14/2013

MGoPoints: 9615

You Only Live Twice

October 9th, 2014 at 9:23 PM ^

I see that right after I posted my reply to you, Jersey, someone downvoted your comment.  I just want you to know that wasn't me.  If I'm taking the trouble to post a reply to someone there is no downvote attached, or if someone posts something I don't agree with, I don't DV for that either.  In fact I often upvote people I don't agree with for adding something to the discussion.  Especially if it is humorous.

Downvotes are used for obvious trolls or the occaisonal verbally abusive coward.

 

Joined: 09/14/2013

MGoPoints: 9615

michiganman01

October 9th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^

Everybody here is always talking about how this team has so much talent that is wasted. Not supporting coaches and not supporting players is completely different. That would be like people saying the UM fanbase hated Denard after the 2010 season.

Joined: 08/27/2013

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