Herbstreit: "I think it's an absolute joke"

Submitted by bwlag on
Just on SportsCenter, Herbie sounded pretty ticked off about the whole nonsense. Some other stuff: "I think that it's a bit of a witch hunt." "It's pretty easy to select a group of people to find that can turn their back on Rich Rodriguez after a 3-9 year." "It's easy to pick on a guy...after the worst year in school history." "I find this really insulting to everything that Rich Rodriguez and everything that he and his training staff have stood for." Limits are exceeded "across the board." "It's very well-known [in top-25 programs] that if you are a player and you want to start, then you have to put in more time than the NCAA suggests." "Whatever it is, you need to get your tail over to the facility and put in the work if you want to start." He also suggested that the culture/work-ethic before RR wasn't as high, and they're suffering some culture shock. "Almost all of them have bought in, but you're going to talk to guys that have graduated, who were in the Lloyd Care regime, or players that have transferred, obviously they're going to take some shots after a 3-9 year." Hopefully it will get played again and not buried because it's not nearly as juicy as OMG MOST WINNING PROGRAM EVER CHEATERS!!!

jg2112

September 1st, 2009 at 2:53 PM ^

It's starting to turn. Brewster, now Herbstreit. Good. If factions in Ann Arbor and Detroit are going to stab Rodriguez in the back when they can, I have no problem with support from Minneapolis and Columbus. I've had enough with Rodriguez's name being smeared. No man deserves what he's had to endure the past 20 months. 60 points on Saturday.

wile_e8

September 1st, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^

And the next shot in the turn comes from... East Lansing? Dashiell Bennett slowly coming around on Deadspin:
First, let's back up a bit and look at the Free Press story again. There are basically two parts to it. The one that seems to be getting the most focus is the claim that Michigan players routinely spend more than 20 hours a week on football related activities during the season. This is not unique, nor is it a problem for the NCAA. Players can spend as much time as they want on football, provided that everything above and beyond the 20 hours is voluntary.
I wouldn't worry too much though, Ann Arbor, because the fantasy I imagine—the one where U of M gets the death penalty and college sports becomes a place of goodness and hope? That won't happen. At worst, you'll get a slap on the wrist, the team will start winning again and everyone will forget why they hated Rich Rod in the first place. Most of all, sports will not change, because it is fueled by competitive people who take every advantage they get, any time they can get it. The NCAA has no real interest in putting a stop to that. Maybe they shouldn't have one.
He also comments on the Freep completely ignoring the idea that some of the hours put in the the players don't count towards the 4 hour / 20 hour limits, but I was beginning to feel like I was copying and pasting the whole article.

HartAttack20

September 1st, 2009 at 3:08 PM ^

I have always liked Herbstreit and I feel like he is one of the few people affiliated with ESPN that will throw all judgements out the window and just tell it like it is. He is my favorite guy at ESPN, and I'm glad he still doesn't buy in to everything. At least somebody at ESPN knows what they are talking about. Thanks you Herbsteit.

BlueBulls

September 1st, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^

I've never hated Herbstreit, just never really loved him. I don't know if it's the OSU thing or the Les Miles thing. I appreciate that he reps the Big Ten and his commentary is usually pretty good. Maybe it's just that, while I like Lee Corso, ESPN's other college football analysts drive me nuts (May, Forde, Holtz) and I just lump him in. Either way, from now on I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and he gets:

W0lv3r1n3

September 1st, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^

Is it me or does it seem like our 'enemies' are the only ones defending us? Meanwhile our 'friends' are the source of this insanity. Seriously, though, Tim Brewster, Herby, and Carson Butler are three of the people I'd have expected to 'pile it on' so to speak. It's even more awkward considering they defend us while two prominent alumni cause all of this. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer... I guess.

poguemahone

September 1st, 2009 at 3:58 PM ^

which is, uh, yesterday, since his show runs Monday-Friday. Still, I'm surprised how brazenly he has defended Michigan against a pretty severe onslaught of 'HURR DICKROD' callers. To be sure, he expressed disgust at having to defend you guys, but he's been kicking ass and taking names.

BlockM

September 1st, 2009 at 2:55 PM ^

I used to hate Herbie. Absolutely hate him for no real reason. Seems like he may be a bit more reasonable than I thought. It should also help the perception in the media that he's saying these things because 1) he's one of the most recognizable college football analysts/announcers out there right now and 2) he's partial to OSU, so he's not going to go out on a limb unless he actually believes it.

bwlag

September 1st, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^

Herbie's never really bothered me. Maybe it's because he's seems so much more reasonable/sane than Corso and is not a complete homer but tries to give an honest analysis. Of course, I was in school at the same time as Herbstreit and he never beat Michigan.

BlockM

September 1st, 2009 at 3:30 PM ^

By "partial to OSU" I didn't mean that he was an unapologetic homer. I just meant that people know he played at OSU, so this carries a little bit more weight. Like I said, I don't know why I hated him, but from now on I shall take him for what he is: a level-headed graduate of the worst school on earth, and a good newscaster.

Shock G

September 1st, 2009 at 2:55 PM ^

Word is commentary out of Columbus will be coming soon - complete with a video from Kurt Coleman on what a typical week of practice and football related activities is for him, a senior captain.

Wolverine96

September 1st, 2009 at 2:56 PM ^

+10 for Herbstreit. To be honest, Herbie is rather fair and balanced when talking on a national stage. When he is on his radio show in that city to the south he is a OSU SOB.

evenyoubrutus

September 1st, 2009 at 2:56 PM ^

He will say it again on Saturday at 10:02AM right after "Yeah we're comin' to yo' citay" because that will undoubtedly be the first thing they talk about. I have always like Herby, personally. Maybe I'm the only M fan who does (and I'm probably about to get like 50 negs) but for a former Buckeye who got beaten down by Michigan, I beleve he is relatively fair.

PhillipFulmersPants

September 1st, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^

for "me too" Brutus, but I'm with you. I've always thought K.H. did a pretty decent job. He knows the game, and while his analysis may not be always dead on (whose is?), I think it's pretty objective for the most part. About 25 posts as of my reading, and no obligatory "Boom Herb-streeted!" ... hmmn ... I have yet to read the Brewster thread. I hope my faith will be restored over there. Also, lest someone call me a traitor, I'll say this: Herbie's hair bugs me. There's the venom.

teldar

September 1st, 2009 at 3:49 PM ^

I've thought for several years now that Herbie actually has a surprising ability to be honest and impartial. I live in Columbus now, surrounded by OSU fans, and I think I may appreciate him more than most of the OSU fans who are fans of his simply because of his past. I truly feel he has tried to be fair and unbiased in the past and this is a perfect example.

MichFan1997

September 1st, 2009 at 2:57 PM ^

If there is ever a Buckeye who will get my praise, it will be him for realizing that standing up for what you believe in is bigger than Ohio State vs Michigan. Classy move.

TTUwolverine

September 1st, 2009 at 2:57 PM ^

This is going to be difficult, but ...*gulp*... here goes. Kirk Herbstreit is one of the best at what he does, minus his Les Miles Gaffe. I enjoy his analysis, and I think he does a great job. There. I said it.

evenyoubrutus

September 1st, 2009 at 3:09 PM ^

doesn't really count, because he's not a reporter, he's an analyst. So technically that does not ding his job performance. His reporting the news was kind of like a columnist doing an expose on a team that he is supposed to be opinionated about, not that that would ever happen around here.

ColoradoBlue

September 1st, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^

I've always liked that Herbstreit fella. Anyone else see a trend developing? Ex-players (in the media or otherwise) - particularly those with significant playing time - are pretty quick to dismiss this. Fascinating.

ColsBlue

September 1st, 2009 at 3:00 PM ^

The Dispatch has been pretty quiet about this whole deal. One, short wire article on the second page Sunday, no mention yesterday. Normally this would be front page news (front page, front page). When the Dispatch passes on the story and Kirk Herbstreit defends a Michigan program, you know the story is garbage. This has turned much quicker than I'd thought it would - continue Freep boycott, enjoy more unexpected defenders to come, and look forward to a Michigan victory this Saturday. Business as usual???

Heinous Wagner

September 1st, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^

Well, I was wrong about Herbstreit and glad to be so. This proves that a mainstream media figure can indeed be sensitive to accusations of having an agenda. Are you paying attention, Mssrs. Rosenberg and Snyder?

sec20

September 1st, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^

When he is on ESPN I have found him to be very fair towards Michigan. I do not hate Herbie, but I can not say that I am a fan, but I do respect him and his work on ESPN