A Dude

December 29th, 2016 at 11:18 AM ^

Maybe it is because I am getting older, but I really hate when reporters ask questions like this.  Following some of the beat writers on twitter and they always talk about coaches giving such dry responses.  It is honestly because so many of the questions are trying to get a sound bite to write some sensationalist headline. 

Literally bikini's and oranges have no bearing on the game and game prep, yet he is asked pointless questions about both.

Joined: 10/10/2011

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ijohnb

December 29th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^

is even more illuminating and funny to me is that I believe Harbaugh when he says that he "doesn't know what they are talking about."  Not that he doesn't know what beaches and bikinis are, but that I don't think he equates Miami, specifically, to beaches and bikinis.  

I think that his mind just works differently.  I think his train of thought is very obtuse, and that he takes questions only at face value.  Bikinis and beaches are not unique to Florida or Miami, and I don't think he understands why he would be any more or less inclined to view either or seek to view either because he is in Miami.  I don't think he is being evasive.  You can see his bewilderment on the video below.  I think he is geniunely, almost painfully confused.

I think he would react the same to a question regarding swimming or boating in the Great Lakes.  "There are lakes everywhere, so why would the presence of these specific lakes make me any more or less inclined to pursue acquatic endeavors."

Another example of this in kind of a different way is when he was asked by Cowherd about what the first thing he did when he got to Michigan.  As opposed to listing the first thing of note for its humor or irony, he began listing off his entire agenda, including very mundane tasks.  I understand why reporters are befuddled by Harbaugh.  He does march to the beat of a different drum.

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The Mad Hatter

December 29th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^

My comment was based entirely on...

"People with this condition may be socially awkward and have an all-absorbing interest in specific topics"

 

Sound like anyone we know?

Joined: 02/17/2015

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charblue.

December 29th, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^

He has multiple children. He grew up on the Michigan campus. He's had multiple experiences living his life as a big time college athlete and pro quarterback. He understands the terrain. He understands the question that he was asked in different ways. He chose to respond as only a  coach would to those questions. Don't ever think there is a disconnect. There is only his reality of response.

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teldar

December 29th, 2016 at 11:19 AM ^

Doesn't seem line he fielded it very much. More denied the option of something other than football. Having said that, very funny exchange and i I'm sure he knows something about it since he has like 6 kids and his wife is pregnant.

Joined: 07/14/2009

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DonAZ

December 29th, 2016 at 11:41 AM ^

I think two filters were invoked in Harbaugh's brain:

  • #1 -- "Bikini" = potentially controversial, and not worth it
  • #2 -- "Bikini" = not football, so definitely not worth it.

I would think #1 was a brief flash in his head, and #2 was the bright red light that directed Harbaugh to answer how he did.  I imagine Harbaugh's focus is 100% football right now, and anything that doesn't map to that is set aside.

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dragonchild

December 29th, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^

I'd flip the order though.  Harbaugh will sometimes start his own digressions, when the mood strikes him.  But this wasn't about football, so probably not worth it, and potentially controversial, so definitely not worth it.

I don't find this unusual in the least.  I'm a lecherous old fart myself and kinda dumb, but not THAT dumb.  Put a mic in front of me (not that I recommend it) and I won't be a prude so much as I'll just act like I'd never even heard of sex.  Someone else can walk that plank.

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Blue_In_Texas

December 29th, 2016 at 11:21 AM ^

These reporters man. Jesus. We get to see guys like Lewis and Peppers and Wormley play for M for the last time against a top 2 or 3 rb in the nation and they are asking about the beach lol. 

Joined: 01/09/2016

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East German Judge

December 29th, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^

Scientifically speaking, while the lower garment of clothing does seem to posses most of the physical and dimensional attributes of said bikini, the upper item appears to fail in qualifying as such. However, I would need to examine this much more closely and conduct several tests to give a conclusive opinion. /For Science!

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