Needs

August 27th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^

Yeah, I think over time this will seem cooler, and I particularly like the idea of being accountable to the number, but right now, it feels forced.

If you compare it to the #1, that kind of evolved organically from Carter to Alexander to Terrell to Edwards. It was probably a mistake to stop awarding it, or to give Edwards control over it (it's never been clear to me how much control Braylon has, but regardless...)

As an initiative of the AD, this feels like a marketing attempt, but once we've had 5 people or so wear each legends number, fans might come to associate them with the long line of players that have worn them, and they might acquire the same feel as the #1, of a number initiated by a great that then has a bunch of memorable players wearing it, a number that current players strive to wear in the same way Braylon sought out the #1. And having prominent juniors and seniors switching jersey numbers will come to be a tradition of the program. 

But for the first few years, it's going to feel awkward.

Naked Bootlegger

August 27th, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^

McMurtry (between Carter and Alexander and smooth as silk).   Butterfield (between Alexander and Terrell).     

Carter, McMurtry, Butterfield, and Terrell were given #1 from the get-go.  Alexander and Edwards "earned" it after one or two years in a different number (at least I think this was the case for Alexander).  

gobluepenn6

August 27th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^

It's not like they put a legends jersey on Denard. These guys are true Michigan men who get the honor of wearing an old Michigan legends number.

Avery already changed his number from 9 to 5, Funchal is a sophomore who looks much better in 87 than 19 and gallon worked his ass off for 4 years already. If he wants to wear 21 (probably been idolizing Desmond for quite some time, remember he started on kick returns as RS fr) than let him.

And man Avery looks like such a bad ass in 11 I love it.

ZB75

August 27th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^

Still one more change to come...98 for the ND game right?  I like this Legends program, but at the same time I hate it.  I think my head is gonna explode.

French West Indian

August 27th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^

Playing musical chairs with jersey numbers is a stupid idea and, frankly, an insult to the original men who had the honor of having their jersey "retired".

Clearly, an old tradition means nothing at Michigan when a whiz-bang AD can scrap it for a new "tradition". 

In reply to by French West Indian

HipsterCat

August 27th, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^

it's a nice way to keep the numbers in circulation while still honoring the greats who wore it before. i dont think having one of the team captains, the top wide reciever and top tight end wearing the jerseys would be insulting to anybody.

ijohnb

August 27th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^

be true if these guys were picking these numbers when they came in.  They are picking the numbers they want and then being given these numbers.  It was said above, give these numbers to who wants them with a patch commemorating the legend.

mgobaran

August 27th, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^

He came in and Hemmingway had it. Roy Roundtree (a Senior, who put up huge numbers as a sophomore) took it over last year, now Gallon has had his first chance at it. How do you know he didn't want to be 21 when he got here, but couldn't due to it being in use?

French West Indian

August 27th, 2013 at 1:28 PM ^

"...having one of the team captains, the top wide reciever and top tight end wearing the jerseys would be insulting to anybody."

We're talking about men who went to their graves believing that Michigan was honoring them by retiring the number from circulation but now that they're dead we ask their grandkids for permission and then put the number back in circulation with a girl scout patch on it.  That is insulting.

And is there any other team in all of sports that has engaged in such idiocy?  Or is this unique to our AD genius?

TRIPP3

August 27th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^

I don't like it. It's great to honor them, but it should be shown in the stadium some where. In front of the suites? Desmond is "21" Tripp is "3" gallon should be "10". This is how you remember players, I still talk to my cousins about our favorite players. Going by the numbers, I love woodson#2 but then we name the other players that wore #2 Walter smith, Vincent smith, that we love. Who is going to be old 98?

dahblue

August 27th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^

If they want to honor the "legends" (former Michigan greats and not 1/2 of the B1G, the teams within which I couldn't tell you), why not keep it simple?  Put a small sticker on the helmet.  That's it.  No stupid, overly wordy patch.  No confusion.  The kids get a chance to make their own number legendary and the meaning of "legend" doesn't get watered down.

Dave Brandon, I like that you hired Hoke.  I like that you standarized the Block M.  But dude, less is more.  With the uniforms.  With the shitty Jock Jamz.  With the legends patches.  With the tweeting.  With the weird seating policies.  Less is more.

Leaders and Best 21

August 27th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^

Let the anti-legend people gather and rant.





Seriously, I'm sure the kids wanted these numbers. Heck I would want the same number as Desmond Howard and or the Wistert brothers! I'm sure there's bigger issues with the football team than players changing numbers like getting ready season.

MGoRyan

August 27th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^

I hate, hate, hate these things.  Let these guys make a name for themselves in their own numbers.  Why are we so big on forcing guys to wear numbers of legends they'll never live up to?? 

/end rant

HipsterCat

August 27th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^

people have always worn the same number....

do you remember oh that number 77 was great for us that season oh what was his name. no you remember jake long or taylor lewan or whoever else wore it before them.

Are you going to get confused with chesson and manningham confused because they both are/were #86

Does tom brady, steven threet and jeremy gallon not each have their own legacy in the #10?

each player makes the jersey his own,

MGoRyan

August 27th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^

Not my point.  My point is that they should make a name for themselves in a number that they chose.  Why do we need to all of the sudden change it in order to honor someone else??  Why can't they stick with the number they chose and be the best person to play in that number? I don't get why we have to imply "no one ever accomplished anything in 17, so now your #87 Devin.  Live up to it".  Seems forced.

 

 

1 percent

August 27th, 2013 at 8:33 PM ^

Your point is unfounded. My point is these are 20 something year olds and if they want to change the number of their jersey they should be allowed to without a backlash from a fan base. People will remember Gallon by Gallon not by "10 ... Errr ... 21 ... or something like that." How do you know they aren't sticking with a new number they chose?

Don

August 27th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^

would have been to incorporate their name and number in the architecture of the new additions facing the field. I've never been in favor of giving somebody a different number simply to honor some player who's long been retired, and it doesn't have anything to do with being confused.

Players should make their own legacy with the number they come in with, or are changed to for logistical team reasons. I don't think that Gallon or Funchess will equal or honor the accomplishments of Howard or Kramer with their play on the field, and that's not a knock on Jeremy or Devin. They need to be recognized in their own right for their own accomplishments, whatever they are.

I suspect this is just another tactic to get UM fans to buy jerseys and other memorabilia.

Real Tackles Wear 77

August 27th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^

I can guarantee you that all three of these players were thrilled to be offered the opportunity to wear these numbers, and certainly would have had the opportunity to turn it down if they didn't want to wear it. Isn't the players opinion the only thing that matters?

gbdub

August 27th, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^

I actually like the idea and agree its an honor, I just wish we'd give more to guys like Funchess and Jake Ryan, who can make it their identity over a couple years, and less to guys like Gallon and Kovacs, who, while obviously earning the honor, are already established as something else and will only wear it for a year (or less). What if we'd changed Denard to a Legends jersey for his senior year?



Also, the patch is wordy and ugly.

Class of 1817

August 27th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^

Looks like a large group of folks need to some FOOTBAW to start soon! C'mon...it's an honor for the kids.

Let's just fast forward to 4 days from now when this griping is forgotten and these young men have been recognized with a new Michigan honor.

Go Blue!

MGoRyan

August 27th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^

I doubt Gallon asked to switch.  He's always been #10, and that's what people know him as.  Why would he want to give up that identity and confuse the crowd?

Monocle Smile

August 27th, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^

I seriously, seriously doubt "confusing the crowd" is high on the list of priorities for these guys. Even if they didn't ask for these, they still accepted the offers. Anyone who thinks they were forced upon specific players is kidding themselves.

MGoRyan

August 27th, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^

I'm not saying they were forced to, but being "honored" with a Legends jersey then during it down is probably frowned upon. The same frowns that Gallon and Avery are wearing in that photo.

Blue2000

August 27th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^

What happens if these guys become "legends" in their own right?  If Gallon puts up the monster year everyone is predicting of him, shouldn't he be honored at some point?  Will they use #21 (a number that should forever be tied to Desmond) or #10 (a number that he won't have worn his senior year)?  I think the idea here is fine, but it's a little short-sighted. 

gbdub

August 27th, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^

I figure at some point there will be a wall of fame listing everyone who wore each number as a "legend". That would be a nice way to honor guys who make their own legacy.

Rico616

August 27th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^

I like it. The people complaining "I hate players changing their number their senior year now I have to buy a new jersey" boo hoo. If they were a senior you'd have to buy one soon anyways. Honoring Michigan legends is more favorable than a man complaining about having to learn a new number. Are half these comments even serious?