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.
November 10th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
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.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
is a lousy idea, in part because it gives special attention to one player over others. It should be entirely up to the coaching staff who wears what. I wish LC had told Braylon, "thanks, but no thanks."
November 10th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
Don, do you think giving the #1 jersey is so much different than naming team captains? I would like to think that the coaches do more than just give the jersey to the best performer with the best stats. I like to think that the #1 jersey goes to a great performer but also to a great teammate, etc. For example, without taking a stance on whether he should get the #1 jersey, Roundtree is not only a good ball-catcher but has also been an outstanding downfield blocker as well. These "intangibles" that contribute to the team off the stat sheets. I get your point - no one should be above the team - but maybe they can award the jersey on more than a simple stat-sheet basis? Maybe that's just wishful thinking . . .
November 10th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
Honor Anthony Carter by retiring it for him. Braylon has infused selfishness and individualism contrary to the tradition of BO.
I am not surprised that Braylon has made this about him and not Lloyd Carrs University of Michigan.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:56 AM ^
I can't help but feel like Braylon has usurped AC unjustly as the owner of #1. Maybe if he acted more like Charles Woodson instead of still showing the immaturity that prompted the #1-carrot at the end of Lloyd Carr's stick in the first place I wouldn't have as big a problem with it.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
AC doesn't own that number either. My point is to rub Braylon's nose into his puppy poo in the kitchen he has dropped.
How many times will someone post "The Team" speech..............but at the same time want a tradition that promotes individualism. That is all we need is a twitter, facebook, message board fight over who deserves the number 1 between fans and/or players.
I for one expect to have 2 deserving people at the same time. I can just see our idiot fans who would of blasted tree if we didn't win for his 2 drops and that he doesn't deserve the 1.
This goes back to being all in for Michigan.............not RR, not Harbaugh, not Roundtree, not Jr and certainly not Braylon.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
+1 to you , sir
November 10th, 2010 at 11:11 AM ^
I didn't misunderstand the point- I was with you in your assessment that Braylon has taken ownership when so many other greats (including AC) have worn the jersey before him without the look-at-me fanfare. Braylon has emphasized the #1 to the point where it could be a detriment if handed out again. Why even risk planting that seed of jealousy? The unit as a whole better be pretty tight if they decide to give it out now that it's so blown out of proportion. I would be happier if the criteria was more of a captaincy or reward for hard work rather than a glorification of individual greatness.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:50 AM ^
I think I read somewhere that there is a committee which needs to meet to discuss who gets it. I have no idea what kind of things would go on behind closed doors, or what kind of oath Roundtree would need to take.
seems like a lot of trouble for 1 jersey number
November 10th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
The Oath "i swear to never drop a pass, and run really really fast to the end zone once i make the catch"
November 10th, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^
the oath is more like "I swear to make every spectacular catch possible and then drop a large percentage of the easy catches that hit me right between the numbers".
I loved Braylon, but I can't be the only one who found him to be maddeningly inconsistent, can I? Henne was better off throwing it high to him so he had to make a great play than hitting him in the hands. As great as his MSU performance was, anytime I see Braylon I think of that game and then immediately think of the 4th down drop against OSU. Pretty much sums up his career - at least the way I remember it.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^
Well roundtree dropped that wide open pass for a first down in the first quarter leading to denards first interception, so I'd say he's following in braylon's footsteps quite nicely since he also amassed 246 yards in the game.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:06 AM ^
Simpson's episodes ever.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^
Patrick Stewart = Top 5 greatest Simpsons guest voices ever.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
I have a hard time thinking about things Patrick Stewart could do that wouldn't instantly become one of the top-5 of that thing.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
+1
Who controls the British Crown?
Who keeps the metric system down?
We do. We do.
Who keeps Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the Martians under wraps?
We do. We do.
Who holds back the electric car?
Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star?
We do. We do.
Who robs cave fish of their sight?
Who rigs every Oscar night?
We do. We do.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:57 AM ^
Roy, a man who called himself You-Know-Who just invited you to a secret wink-wink at the you-know-what. You certainly are popular now that you wear the #1 jersey.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^
I don't think RR really likes the #1 tradition. As we all know RR is all about a team effort and not about one individual player. The meaning behind wearing the #1 kind of sets you apart from the team and I think RR may have hesitations about that now. Or maybe I'm just looking way to deep into this.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^
Well if our fanbase didn't overreact about little things and act like complete assholes about things like this then maybe situations like this wouldn't happen, but we are what we are. Whiney babies. Also, situations and things.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
Curious now
November 10th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
A few guesses:
* accusations by Mr. Plow and his belligerent dad about Family Values
* BRAYLON talking about BRAYLON and the #1 jersey and BRAYLON (!!!)
* a Freep article with some fair shots and a load of lies and reaches
November 10th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
Seriously?
We don't pass!
We don't run!
What about the defense?!?!
We don't score enough!!
We score too much!
We punt too much!
We never punt anymore!!!!
I hate when we go run middle, run middle, pass, punt!!!
We never run middle maymore!!!
I hate our old school offense, we need to revolutionize it.
I hate this new fandanggled offense and it trickery. What ever happened to winning the old fashioned way!??!
Carr sucks! RR sucks! Gerg sucks!
We never win anymore!!
We won, but our defense sucks!!!!
Bottom line our fanbase is the most annoying fanbase in the world. Drives me fucking crazy.
November 10th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Wow why not add this gem:
Bottom line our fanbase is the most annoying fanbase in the world. Drives me fucking crazy.
That's a reaction to a little thing that is pretty annoying too. Stop reading every post on here and you'll find its a lot less annoying. You won't find it any different if you followed any other team's site this closely.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
I disagree. While anyone who says Rich Rod flew in the face of controversy due to anything but ignorance of the situation is clearly an ass hole, Rich Rod should've known about #1 and what to do with it.
November 10th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
That is a pretty harsh statement....someone who doesn't agree with you is clearly an asshole.....really?
I would say that your post depicts you as the asshole, not anyone else.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
You guys are making way too big a deal of this. If Roundtree comes to RR and wants the number, I'm sure RR has Braylon's number and he can call him and they can discuss the merits and what sort of groundrules they want to set for him. It is a nice tradition to have( no matter how it evolved) let's enjoy it. Braylon set up the scholarship so I'm sure he wants to give it out. RR was joking when they asked him about the number.
Ease up to the drama.
November 10th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
The idea that a coach should have to call up a former player to ask permission as to whether or not one of the current players can wear a number is beyond insane.
The tradition of a standout wide reciever wearing the number 1 is great and I love it, but Braylon should have no part in who gets it.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^
and then use it as a recruiting tool going forward. I don't think the #1 WR thing fits with the RR era at all, unless you're going to give it to the starting QB each year, just shelve it. Sorry Braylon.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^
Nice to see that I'm not in the minority regarding Braylon spoiling the integrity of No, 1 by the restrictive use of his scholarship. Tell Braylon no thanks and leave it up to RR to decide who and when someone deserves the extra recognition.
Maybe Braylon's gesture was meant with good intentions but to me it always smacked of arrogance.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
For the life of me I can't understand why so much of this focuses on Braylon Edwards. This is and always should be considered the Anthony Carter jersey. How Edwards managed to co-opt this as "his" is a testament to his incessantly selfish behavior, and an equal testament to the class and modesty of Carter, who remains the greates wide receiver in Michigan history.
Can't wait to see how I get slammed for this but enough is enough.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^
Not sure why you would get slammed for stating the obvious.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:06 AM ^
Because Braylon endowed the scholarship, and AC didn't. Pretty simple.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^
Yeah I know and I appreciate that a scholarship is good - but it is frustrating to see another rich, pampered athlete "buying" something like this. I'm sure he spends more on his cars.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^
He could have spent money on another car instead of endowing a scholarship at his alma mater...
When this was announced, the response was more than generally positive. Now Braylon is a spoiled brat? Are we really that fickle?
November 10th, 2010 at 11:57 AM ^
Everyone wants to feel good about someone giving something like that - which is why it was generally well-received. Personally I was lukewarm at best because I thought he was trying to claim the Number 1 as his...for money. When it starts drifting into checking to see if Braylon is okay with who gets No. 1...that''s going way too far. In effect their are strings tied to his donation.
Maybe he could have just made the scholarship donation without the jersey hoopla, ala Charles Woodson?
November 10th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
The guy got behind the wheel while he was absolutely loaded in a city where you can't open a pack of Skittles and not have four pieces roll into the tire of taxis. He punched a midget in a bar. He took douchebaggery to new levels when he spoke of his "New York essence." And the guy has caused TOTALLY UNNECESSARY drama for the program twice when none of us fans needed it - once with spilling the beans about the jersey and again with that "Lloyd Carr's" nonsense.
But we are supposed to bow down to him for life because he gave a scholarship? Go ahead and kiss ass but don't expect the rest to follow. Yes, that was nice thing for him to do. Not so sure how I feel about Braylon as a person though.
November 10th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
How many people donate money to universities for scholarships and then leave it up to the university to decide how best to use that scholarship?
Actually, the question with a far shorter answer would be how many donate money for a scholarship with the intention of being the person who approves to whom it will be given? That is utter nonsense.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
an arrogant, selfish ass?
Okay, good to know.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
Braylon is the one who got the big contract and endowed the $
November 10th, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
Carter was the greatest, period.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^
It is a number that deserves respect. However, I believe it is up to the coach of the day to award it to the receiver that he and his staff deem worthy. I have no problem with whomever Rich and staff assign the number to. Previous players should respect whomever the coaches select and support that decision.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^
The #1 jersey has to be earned. For me that means wins and big stats on th field. Roundtree is off to a fantastic start to his Michigan career but he can still improve. You just don't hand over the #1 because soemone had a couple of big games or because we're starved for the next great Michigan wideout. Personally I would reserve the jersey for a junior or senior WR who has laid claim on the jersey with 2 or 3 years of solid production. Imho, Roundtree is close but he's not there yet...Getting tackled from behind (2 years running) on what should be long TD catches doesn't help matters any...
November 10th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^
plain and simple, give him the #1. He will then have his name on top in 2 records, most yrds in a single game and most yards in a season
November 10th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
Has Braylon made it impossible for someone to earn the #1 jersey?
Yes. Maybe it sounded like a great idea at the time, but what Braylon has done is make it extremely difficult for RR to ever give the #1 jersey to anyone.
RR cannot offer the #1 jersey to a highly sought after recruit, which in itself is a shame. But it is also hard to see how RR can ever give the #1 jersey to any existing team member without potentially disappointing others and somewhat elevating that one player above "the team". At a minimum, RR would have to decide that there is sufficient potential upside to do it notwithstanding the risk it might divide the team. It is not clear to me what sort of situation would come up that would make RR conclude the downside risk is ever worth it.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:21 AM ^
I just can't wait to see the next player that has to earn #16.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^
With more than a hundred years of successful football almost every number is going to have some tradition behind it. Can anybody think of a number that doesn't have a legacy to live up to at Michigan?
The endowed scholarship/#1 jersey is really kind of a disaster. I think this is probably a side effect of the Bill Martin era. Although having a finance guy running the department is great for things like financing stadium renovations, maybe it's not such a good idea from the perspective of players & coaches on the field. Would a former coach like Bo have accepted the proposal for the endowment when he was athletic director? I would guess no.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
The money is given out whether someone wears the #1 or not. Braylon doesn't pick that person, but tradition certainly dictates that it goes to a WR. RR messed up initially. Big deal. He needs to worry more about the state of his team then who wears the #1.
Would Bo have appreciated one of his players donating $500K/year to Michigan? Yes. He's say, "That's a Michigan Man".
November 10th, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
I agree that Bo (or any other AD) would be happy with the donation itself. It's the aspect of tying it into the #1 jersey that causes problems. There is no reason that it couldn't just be the Braylon Edwards Scholarship instead of the Braylon Edwards #1 Scholarship.
Whether the actual agreement is written that way or not, the athletic department basically sold out the #1 jersey to Braylon when they agreed to this. Braylon may not pick the actual person wearing the jersey, but he has made it clear through his behavior that he feels some ownership over it and is willing to use this as a political tool for whatever his agenda is. An athletic director with a background in football/sports would probably (though not necessarily) be more wary of agreeing to a jersey number scholarship than an athletic director whose history is finance.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
they already have to. john navarre had to approve shoelace to wear it after watching shoe's ability to just straight chill in the pocket and pick people apart.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:07 PM ^
The last time Michigan beat Ohio State, we had a #16 at quarterback...Hmmm...