Has Braylon made it impossible for someone to earn the #1 jersey?

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November 10th, 2010 at 10:34 AM
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Communist Football
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Has Braylon made it impossible for someone to earn the #1 jersey?

This article suggests that RR was rather scarred by the outcry from Braylon et al. Quoth RR:

"Roy likes the No. 12 and I think he'd be good just staying in that," Rodriguez told Ryan Terpstra on ESPN 96.1..."We haven't talked about (Roundtree’s number preference) at all, Rodriguez said. I've dealt with that thing a couple of years ago, so we've really tried to put that issue to bed."

Whether any of our current receivers deserve the #1 is something people can honestly debate. But it would be a shame if RR felt like he didn't have the authority to offer it to a deserving receiver. The J.T. Floyd incident in 2008 was an innocent mistake, and it sounds like RR doesn't want to give it to anyone now because he doesn't want to deal with the political outcry from Braylon et al. should he give it to someone they don't approve of.

Once RR was educated about the tradition, surely we can trust him to apply it appropriately.

"I call that Communist football. I'm so tired of it. Good, red-blooded Americans snap the ball, hand it to the guy and have a normal run game or pass game."

—Steve Szabo, Michigan linebackers coach, November 2007

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November 10th, 2010 at 10:35 AM | Hemmingway or Roundtree at this point, (Score:1)
jblaze
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Joined: 08/29/2008
MGoPoints: 3174

would be more than appropriate for expectations going into next season.

"They're stuck with that quarterback (sophomore Braxton Miller) for the next two or three years, that's fine with me. He throws worse than (Tim) Tebow. - Steve Everitt

November 10th, 2010 at 10:57 AM | While I love Roundtree... I (Score:1)
willywill9
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MGoPoints: 11256

While I love Roundtree... I have to agree with this.  But perhaps this is the very reason why he doesn't want to talk about giving it out.  Each receiver has a something different to offer, and each could be a gamechanger.  You could argue M's always had multiple, great receivers... but IMO, Stonum, Roundtree, and Junior are all in the same ballpark of performance.

Either way, I'm glad RR is back to addressing these types of questions.

Touchdown Michigan!

November 10th, 2010 at 11:15 AM | A #1 every year? (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Do you believe that there should be someone wearing the #1 every year (as in the best receiver on the team)?  If not, how do you believe the decision should be made?  I would submit that a #1-worthly receiver should be a once-a-decade kind of player (or something like that) in order wearing the #1 a significant honor.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

November 10th, 2010 at 11:47 AM | Yes, anything to increase the pressure (Score:1)
caup
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1915

on 19-20 year-old kids to produce resutls that aren't UNACCEPTABLE gets my full endorsement!

/s

Go Blue

November 10th, 2010 at 11:53 AM | Or (Score:1)
Silver
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MGoPoints: 250

Something for a young kid to strive for. A goal to be the best and wear the #1 jersey that only few have earned before...

Goals and rewards are good!

Hail

November 10th, 2010 at 12:11 PM | But here's the big "but" (Score:1)
caup
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1915

Goal and rewards, I get all that. BUT what do you think the MSM will do if the next #1-wearer drops a few big passes?

"That shouldn't happen!"

"Maybe so-and-so shouldn't be wearing the #1 jersey!"

Who needs that kind of bullshit.

Go Blue

November 10th, 2010 at 1:13 PM | lame.   (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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lame.  

November 10th, 2010 at 1:50 PM | no. (Score:1)
PitchAndCatch
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MGoPoints: 1244

If that player is someone who is deserving of the #1, he will probably be one of the best players on the team anyways.  I think people will say that about the best player dropping some passes regardless of what number that player is wearing.  I REALLY have a hard time believing that if Roundtree or Hemingway put on that #1, their world would be rocked and they'll start playing tight, etc.  

 

It's an honor to get the #1, but at the end of the day it's another number.  I think if anything it will give the player wearing it even more confidence because he's "the man", and players who play with confidence perform better.

November 10th, 2010 at 4:44 PM | Definetly will bring more attention... (Score:1)
Silver
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But, that would all be considered.  Guys like Braylon and AC dropped a few (or more than a few) and heard worse on the field form DB's....  Elite athletes eat that up and take it as a challenge.  Thats a big part of why they are elite..

Hail

November 10th, 2010 at 11:48 AM | Once-a-decade (Score:1)
VamosAzul
Joined: 11/05/2010
MGoPoints: 200

Id much rather the #1 be given to a once-a-decade type guy. That is the only way the #1 will keep its ora about it. The company that you are in when you put that #1 is legendary and It should stay that way. I'm not saying that Roundtree doesnt deserve it necessarily, but It shouldnt be given out lightly. If Arnett goes Blue tonight (Knock on wood), IMO he could definitely develop into a "#1" guy with his crazy smooth route running and sure hands. 

November 10th, 2010 at 12:06 PM | So just to get this straight, (Score:1)
MichiganExile
Joined: 01/12/2009
MGoPoints: 1109

You have Arnett who has never played a down of college ball and may not even end up at Michigan pegged as a guy that could definitely develop into the #1 guy. Our current best receiver that just lit up the scoreboard and Michigan record boooks, however, may not be good enough yet?

I don't know if Roundtree is deserving of the #1 yet but he is having a phenomenal year and is probably the best candidate. I don't think you can base giving the #1 jersey to a guy off of whether or not a better candidate may show up later.

November 10th, 2010 at 1:14 PM | IMO he qualifies (Score:1)
modaddy21
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Dude just blew up the single game receiving record and is obviously the go to receiver.  Give him the #1

November 10th, 2010 at 2:20 PM | I think (Score:1)
GeoTracker
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He more than qualifies. I think all year we've seen Roy do his business and keep improving. Plus he's still motivated to be even better. He wants to bulk up further.

What's bigger than Roy Roundtree? A bigger and stronger Roy Roundtree.

Give him #1

November 10th, 2010 at 12:54 PM | i have to believe that (Score:1)
BlueArcflash
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i have to believe that shattering a michigan record, something that neither carter or edwards really came close to, has to qualify for the #1. it should probably wait until next season but the record should be a deciding factor and roy has probably as much expectation going into next season as any receiver had going into their #1 season. It seems ignorant to attach the jersey to unreachable stats.

November 10th, 2010 at 1:30 PM | I have to disagree (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

I do not think you can base the decision simply on breaking a record.  If you do, then it plays right into what Don mentions below:

. . . it gives special attention to one player over others . . .

Stats should simply be one consideration and maybe not even the most important consideration.  That's my humble opinion.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

November 10th, 2010 at 3:44 PM | With all the fuss Braylon has (Score:1)
SC Wolverine
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With all the fuss Braylon has made over the #1 jersey, I think it would more likely cause team chemistry problems than add anything positive.  Doesn't this now elevate one guy over his peers?  I suppose if you had a true mind-blowing standout -- like Anthony Carter was (and Braylon, for that matter) -- then it might make sense.  But with the team-first and stable of receivers approach we are taking now, I think it would be better to avoid the subject.  Also, this idea of Braylon having a say in who gets it is totally bogus.  If the guy wants to donate money to UM that is great, but it needs to be without strings attached.  I think the whole thing is now a hassle to Rich Rod and he will completely avoid it.

 

"Football is happening at Michigan... we have that savoir faire."  Dhani Jones

November 10th, 2010 at 10:43 AM | I find your comment quite ironic (Score:1)
mongoose0614
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based on your username..............

"Deserve to Win!"

November 10th, 2010 at 12:15 PM | That (Score:1)
WestCBlue
Joined: 04/08/2009
MGoPoints: 575

was a good post.  LOL

Go Blue!!!!!!

November 10th, 2010 at 5:01 PM | I'm glad you think so... (Score:1)
ldoublee
Joined: 06/22/2009
MGoPoints: 2888

please see the "UP" arrow next to the post.

November 10th, 2010 at 1:06 PM | Ideally it would have gone down like this (Score:1)
Communist Football
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1. Braylon would have brought it to RR's attention privately.
2. RR would give it to a receiver who has clearly established himself as the go-to playmaking receiver.

"I call that Communist football. I'm so tired of it. Good, red-blooded Americans snap the ball, hand it to the guy and have a normal run game or pass game."

—Steve Szabo, Michigan linebackers coach, November 2007

November 10th, 2010 at 1:32 PM | I used to throw the ball to (Score:1)
Carl Winslow
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Joined: 11/10/2010
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I used to throw the ball to braylon.

"Go home, Steve!

 

November 10th, 2010 at 10:38 AM | I think Roundtree should be (Score:1)
Yay Tony Boles
Joined: 02/09/2010
MGoPoints: 178

I think Roundtree should be given 21 in honor of Des.  21 to dominant slot guys, 1 to dominant outside guys.

November 10th, 2010 at 10:42 AM | What about Junior? (Score:1)
Derek
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MGoPoints: 2390

Or are you pulling for a double-switch? Roy to 21, Junior to 1?

LSA, Class of 2009

November 10th, 2010 at 11:09 AM | weird... (Score:1)
three red spiders
Joined: 11/10/2010
MGoPoints: 73

I was actually thinking about this last night...that 21 is as much a part of Michigan lore as 1, but Biakabatuka messes up the slot tradition a bit...you put 313 on tOSU you're part of the lore...

November 10th, 2010 at 11:18 AM | Outstanding Idea! (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

I love the idea.  In my opinion, if the #1 is coveted then the #21 should be coveted as well.  Maybe not as coveted as the #1 (open to debate) but coveted nonetheless!

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

November 10th, 2010 at 10:38 AM | The fact (Score:1)
johnvand
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The fact that somebody has to "earn" it is preposterous.

Just because Braylon was a complete jackoff his first two years and Lloyd had to use it as a motivational tool doesn't mean that it needs to be done with every wearer from here on.  It was a good move by Lloyd, which has been verified by Braylon's behavior since he left Michigan.

Give it to Roy, or use it as a recruiting tool.

Yes, it should only go to WRs.  Trying to give it to a CB was a mistake, but not big enough to warrant the backlash that came.

Braylon is the only person who had to "earn" it.  If his schollarship is structured in any way that somebody has to "earn" it or Braylon has some kind of say in who gets it.  Tell him thanks for the cash, but no thanks.  It isn't worth it.

November 10th, 2010 at 10:41 AM | I'd much rather not give it to recruits (Score:1)
bouje
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I think that people should have to prove stuff on the field before wearing the #1.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand"

November 10th, 2010 at 10:46 AM | Two words... (Score:1)
Baloo_Dance
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...Tyrone Butterfield

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
 

November 10th, 2010 at 1:29 PM | Right on.  Doing that (Score:1)
Schmoe
Joined: 10/06/2008
MGoPoints: 25

Right on.  Doing that two-finger-eye-to-eye-thing.

 

Although Ty did have the greatest dropped pass in Michigan Football History (UVA 1995?)

November 10th, 2010 at 1:41 PM | Agree... (Score:1)
Yostal
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Coming in a close second:

LaTerryal Savoy, 1st and goal from the Notre Dame 5, 0:3X seconds left, Notre Dame 2009.

Craig Barker || The Hoover Street Rag || Twitter

"The Michigan fanbase: a cynical, Eeyorish bunch even in the best of times."

November 10th, 2010 at 5:02 PM | Second should go to . . . (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

Walter Smith.  You may be too young to remember him, but he was a fan favorite back in the mid-90s.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

November 10th, 2010 at 5:03 PM | To say nothing of (Score:1)
tubauberalles
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1032

Braylon's stone-fingered drop of the 3rd down screen pass at the crucial moment of UM's comeback attempt against OSU (whichever year that was).  I can't help but remember that one as the valley to his MSU OT game Everest.

Sigh.

November 10th, 2010 at 5:18 PM | Dear Greg Mathews: (Score:1)
ldoublee
Joined: 06/22/2009
MGoPoints: 2888

Thanks for erasing everyone's memory of my drop.

 

Sincerely,

Laterryal

November 10th, 2010 at 2:00 PM | Why do you need to copy my (Score:1)
MaizeandBlue14
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Joined: 11/09/2008
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Why do you need to copy my avatar?

November 10th, 2010 at 10:51 AM | Unless you use it (Score:1)
briangoblue
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as a recruiting tool to snag the top receiver in the country, like they did with David Terrell. In any case, it's gotten way out of hand and anybody who does get it after this period of dormancy can expect a lot of scrutiny and pressure.

November 10th, 2010 at 1:32 PM | I don't believe that Terrell (Score:1)
Schmoe
Joined: 10/06/2008
MGoPoints: 25

I don't believe that Terrell started with the #1.  he got it after a year or two.  Does anyone remember this?

We used it as a recruiting tool many times though.  I agree with you.  And maybe just maybe Terrell had the #1 dangled as a carrot for future eyars (if I am right).

November 10th, 2010 at 5:00 PM | You're thinking of Braylon, (Score:1)
03 Blue 07
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You're thinking of Braylon, who asked for #1, but had to earn it; Lloyd made him wear #80 to begin. David Terrell wore #1 from day one. Trust.

November 10th, 2010 at 10:47 AM | I disagree.  I love the (Score:1)
1484
Joined: 06/21/2010
MGoPoints: 14240

I disagree.  I love the tradition behind giving it only to electric receivers.  I'm glad a guy like Doug Dutch didn't wear it.  Nothing against him, but there is a certain regality to the number.  It carries cache.  I love that.  I want all our number 1 receivers to earn the jersey.

Hail.

November 10th, 2010 at 11:03 AM | Agree, I think the #1 jersey (Score:1)
Bluerock
Joined: 07/01/2009
MGoPoints: 1148

Agree, I think the #1 jersey is dead to RRod.

I think when the crap hit the fan, well, you know......the death glare.

Endeavor to persevere...
Yes I know hi-jinx (high jinks) is not a word,but it looks good.

November 10th, 2010 at 11:29 AM | (No subject) (Score:1)
MGoShtoink
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November 10th, 2010 at 11:49 AM | I agree, and I don't blame the guy. (Score:1)
Rashman
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We have a LOT of great traditions here at Michigan, and I'm proud of that.  But Coach Rod has had to deal with enough adversity already in his career that I don't blame him one bit for not wanting to get involved with yet another potential controversy.  Once bitten, twice shy.

"True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise - the other, loyalty." -Fielding Yost
November 10th, 2010 at 1:06 PM | My $0.02 (Score:1)
Graham Brown
Joined: 08/29/2008
MGoPoints: 507

More than a recruiting tool, #1 should only be given to seniors as incentive to stay another year (for when we have to worry about those things).

November 10th, 2010 at 10:39 AM | New idea: ask Lloyd to pick. (Score:1)
Derek
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MGoPoints: 2390

New idea: ask Lloyd to pick. He's ... oh, wait, he retired this summer. Still, Lloyd could be the Special Attaché for the Education of Rich Rod about the Tradition of the #1. Or something.

LSA, Class of 2009

November 10th, 2010 at 10:54 AM | And from someone who spoke with him very recently (Score:1)
Bryan
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He's loving retirement. 

I have a Fandom Endurance III merit badge

November 10th, 2010 at 11:32 AM | I assumed as much (Score:1)
Derek
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MGoPoints: 2390

Hence the fake position.

LSA, Class of 2009

November 10th, 2010 at 10:42 AM | The situation has become unduly burdensome (Score:1)
Erik_in_Dayton
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MGoPoints: 6784

I appreciate everything Edwards did for U of M, but as johnvand suggests, I don't like him having a say in who gets the jersey number.  It's just an extra layer of trouble that the coaches shouldn't have to deal with.

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

November 10th, 2010 at 11:53 AM | I brought this bullshit up a few weeks ago (Score:1)
caup
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1915

not many people believed me when I told them this was a clusterf**k that RR wanted to avoid because of the drama Braylon injected into the situation.

I totally support and understand RR's stance on this.

There is NO WAY IN HELL this fiasco would've happened under Bo.

The Team, the Team, the Team.

Go Blue

November 10th, 2010 at 10:44 AM | Yeah Braylon will get what he (Score:1)
evenyoubrutus
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MGoPoints: 4715

Yeah Braylon will get what he asked for.  All that money he's donating to the University, and it won't be used for anyone.

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

November 10th, 2010 at 11:32 AM | The scholarship is used for (Score:1)
Bando Calrissian
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The scholarship is used for another player when someone isn't wearing the #1 jersey.

November 10th, 2010 at 9:39 PM | Which is great, but Braylon (Score:1)
rtyler
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Joined: 10/28/2009
MGoPoints: 431

Which is great, but Braylon donated money to ensure that only one position gets to use a particular number. The point being he wants to see the tradition of giving #1 to wide receivers continue, not fall by the wayside.  That the effect of that action is that nobody gets to wear the number because its use has now been imbued with a little too much sanctity, is ironic.  I don't think Braylon ever expected or was promised rights to name the #1 jersey wearer, he just wanted to see a proud tradition continue. We saw with the JT Floyd situation that issuing the #1 jersey is fraught with potential controversy, and I think it will be a while before RR feels comfortable enough in his place at Michigan to make such a decision.

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