ak47

September 21st, 2016 at 11:39 AM ^

Yeah seeing that was his first game back since graduation was a little suprising since he does seem to care about Michigan, but the love fans show him now has always been a two faced thing of trying to reclaim him because of pro success not because he was beloved while here.

Joined: 05/05/2011

MGoPoints: 33614

Leaders And Best

September 21st, 2016 at 11:52 AM ^

I kind of disagree with this. I think the fans liked him a lot by the end of his playing career especially after the year he had in 1999, and his career peaked in his final games capped with the 2000 Orange Bowl. I just think his legacy was somewhat overshadowed by the 1997 National Championship team. Those late 1990s teams were unbelievable.

Joined: 09/09/2009

MGoPoints: 22312

Elmer

September 21st, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^

I was not happy during Brady's senior year when Lloyd would yank him and play Henson.  I thought Brady had clearly passed Henson and was playing well.  

If Lloyd was still coaching the team today, I wouldn't be surprised if Shane Morris was getting snaps based on his perceived potential and arm strength.

 

 

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 5418

Hail-Storm

September 21st, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^

Henson came in for, I believe, the 2nd and 3rd quarter while Burress manhandled our defensive backs.  Then Brady finally got back in and threw for over 200 yards in just the 4th quarter to try to lead a come back. I think he stopped splitting time after that. Brady would have won that game in a shootout if he was in the whole way. I used this game and his game against Alabama to dispute with patriot fans that he couldn't throw.  I argued, he played within the system, which was heavy on run and play action, and when he did get the chance to air it out, he could. Living in New England, they definitely weren't sold as well, with another Drew (Bledsoe) being the fan favorite and franchise QB.

I do remember the Henson chants my freshman year in the first home game. It was just the true beginning of my Michigan football fandom. 

I'm guessing Drew was never a good possibility for his kids' names.

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9776

ijohnb

September 21st, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^

I think this is kind of ESPN trying to shape a story to fit an interesting narrative.  I don't remember Brady ever expressing any anger toward Michigan at all and that speech when Hoke was here was rousing and seemingly heart felt.  He has not had a lot of free Saturdays since he graduated.  I would guess he would have taken in a game if he had some more free time.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

FrankMurphy

September 21st, 2016 at 6:50 PM ^

I was in undergrad during Brady's time at Michigan and no one I knew blamed Brady for Michigan's failure to realize its potential. People did see Henson as the future of the program due to his immense raw talent and recruiting hype, but I don't remember there being an outcry for him to start over Brady. In fact, there was never any question that Brady was the starter. Lloyd just brought Henson in for a few series each game just to throw off opposing defenses, but Brady played the overwhelming majority of snaps. Henson threw only 45 passes in 1998 and 89 in 1999. The idea that Henson and Brady split time equally, that Lloyd used a two quarterback system, or that there was some type of QB controversy during Brady's time at Michigan is an enduring myth kept alive by MSU fans who hate Michigan more than they love MSU. 

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 31938

Nolongerusingaccount

September 21st, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^

I went to undergrad at the same time (95-99) as Brady, and there was a split of fans who wanted Henson to be the heir apparent. I was pro-Brady and thought that the 99-00 team was shortchanged a bit by rotating QBs. There was no doubt, however, that there was room for debate. Henson had all the tools in college.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 07/13/2012

MGoPoints: 2264

Leaders And Best

September 21st, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^

The 1999 and 2000 teams were really close. Both those teams lost some heartbreaking games. The 2000 team lost 3 games by a total of 7 points and blew 4th quarter leads in all 3 games. I think a lot of fans still believe if Carr had not juggled the QBs in 1999, that team does not lose to MSU. Still hard to explain what happened in that 1999 Illinois game. Illinois scored something like 4 TDs in the last quarter and change to shock us at home.

Joined: 09/09/2009

MGoPoints: 22312

J.

September 21st, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^

That was actually mentioned in the article.  Of course, that wasn't at the football stadium, which is why all of the pregame hype I heard was "Tom Brady back at the Big House for the first time."

Besides, even that wasn't the first time he was back at Michigan.  This speech was linked on the board a couple of years back:

Joined: 03/11/2012

MGoPoints: 13057

Mr. Yost

September 21st, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^

They did forget that...however, they said for a game.

Woodson had the same factoid that he hadn't been back for a game...but he'd be on campus and around the program since then.

Not sure why for a game matters for guys who play professional football, lol. They're pretty busy this time of year.

Some make it work in the Bye week if we happen to be playing, other guys have other ways they want to enjoy their ONE week "off" from what, early August to Jan/Feb.?

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Leaders And Best

September 21st, 2016 at 11:49 AM ^

I think this is how some great ones perceive slights, but it was not like Tom Brady was hated during his playing days. He was in a unique situation having to follow Griese and the 1997 National Championship team with Drew Henson coming in as a freshman. And to add to it, the team got to an awful start in 1998 going 0-2 in his first two starts. He maybe got booed in one game (1998 Syracusse). He went 20-3 as a starter after that so I don't think there were many that followed. I could see having a problem with Carr for juggling the QBs or the notoriety Henson received, but I don't think you can blame the fans for that. I'm sure the autograph lines for Rashan Gary were probably longer than the ones for Ryan Glasgow this past spring.

I think most fans that follow the program fell in love with him in 1999 as that was one of the best years a QB had at Michigan.

Joined: 09/09/2009

MGoPoints: 22312

WolverineHistorian

September 21st, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^

I don't think he got half the negative feedback from fans that John Navarre got. The fans literally groaned and sighed every time Navarre ran on field to lead the offense....during the spring games. Brady was very frustrating at times during 1998, although he did improve as the season went on. But in 1999, he was worlds better. The Penn State game and the Orange Bowl against Alabama put him in legend status for me. He was overshadowed by Henson, yes. But I don't remember fans outright hating him.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

Leaders And Best

September 21st, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^

I can see how Navarre may have a problem with the fans. And I think every first-year starting QB can be frustrating at times. Griese was the same way, and even lost the job to Dreisbach in 1996. People forget that Griese had to fight for his job just like Tom Brady. But he had the good fortune to have 3 years to play along with Dreisbach's injuries & regained the job in 1997.

Brady was in such a unique situation with 2 QBs like Griese and Henson surrounding him. His window for playing time was much smaller and under a lot more pressure with Henson following him.

As for Henson, I think some fans like myself don't remember him as fondly for splitting time with the Yankees and leaving his team in 2001. It screwed the 2001 team over and put John Navarre in a really bad spot.

Joined: 09/09/2009

MGoPoints: 22312

oriental andrew

September 21st, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^

I graduated in 99 and followed the 99-00 season closely (of course). 

Agree that there was a split about Brady, particularly since he started off slow (although man, Donovan freakin' McNabb). That first season he started, there certainly was a vocal part of the fanbase who wanted Henson and cried for him every time Brady made a mistake. The throw in the fact that they split snaps in the first half of 99 and I can see why Brady is a bit bitter. However, it's also worth noting that most, if not all, of the team was behind Tom Brady.

https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/michigan-alabama-flashback-teammat…

By Stephen J. Nesbitt, Daily Sports Editor
Published August 31, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — There is no quarterback battle at Michigan today. It’s Denard Robinson’s job, no questions asked. Twelve years ago, it wasn’t that way. One quarterback had to fight for the starting spot every season he was at Michigan.

 

That quarterback was Tom Brady.

During interviews for a story on the 2000 Orange Bowl, a game in which Brady set Michigan and Orange Bowl records with a 34-for-46 passing night for 369 yards and four touchdowns, his former Michigan teammates reflected on the Brady they knew before he won four Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.

Brady was also upstaged by receiver David Terrell, who made 10 catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns that night in Miami and took home MVP honors.

Below is the additional coverage from the players’ look back at that season that culminated in a 35-34 overtime victory over Alabama in the Orange Bowl.

DRAFT HORSE vs. QUARTER HORSE

For half of the 1999 season, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr split snaps between Tom Brady and Drew Henson at quarterback. Henson would start the first quarter, Brady the second quarter and the hot hand would take over the second half.

The decision to split snaps was a controversial one among the Michigan fan base. Here’s how a few members of the team felt about the quarterback battle:

Ian Gold, senior linebacker: “Do you want the draft horse or the quarter horse to run the race? We look at it today and see how much success the draft horse has had and it’s a no-brainer. But you had this young quarter horse coming in, looking pretty, running fast, slinging the ball like Tom’s slinging it today.”

Drew Henson, sophomore quarterback: “After Michigan State, we had a stretch run for the Big Ten. For continuity’s sake and trying to win the league, we were just going to go with Tom to start in November.

“I knew the next year was going to be my year. Tom and I had a really good working relationship anyway.”

Bennie Joppru, freshman tight end: “I don’t know how many teams have an ongoing quarterback controversy and end up the No. 5 team in the country.

“I thought both were great quarterbacks. Drew was in my class, so in the back of your head you want your closer friend to be the guy (to start) — Drew was one of my best friends on the team, so obviously I pulled for him — but at the end of the day we just wanted to win football games.”

Jason Kapsner, senior quarterback: “Being a day-in-day-out observer as a quarterback in practice everyday watching this, for me it was really never a decision: It was always Tom’s job. I think Tom earned the job in practice everyday and I think Drew was not ready at that point. He wasn’t the leader of the team, he hadn’t earned it in practice, but for reasons that were there, there was a lot of pressure to play Drew.”

Aaron Shea, senior fullback: “It was one of those things that Coach Carr had to do. You had an Ohio State fan in George Steinbrenner who was going to give Drew $3 million to leave (to sign a contract with the New York Yankees) and he was very highly touted, talented guy. I loved both Drew and Tom. But that was Tommy’s team.”

Ian Gold, senior linebacker: “Do you want the draft horse or the quarter horse to run the race? We look at it today and see how much success the draft horse has had and it’s a no-brainer."

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 56047

WolverineHistorian

September 21st, 2016 at 12:22 PM ^

A small correction on that Michigan Daily article: The first half of 1999, it was Brady who started the 1st quarter and Henson the 2nd. Then the coaching staff would meet at halftime and decide who would play the entire second half. If I'm not mistaken, Brady started the second half of the majority of those games. Henson was picked to play the second half against MSU because he threw that gorgeous 80 yard TD bomb to Marcus Knight shortly before halftime. The Illinois game, which came after a bye week, is still something I can't explain all these years later. Henson was only in that game for 3 plays, I don't know if he was injured or what. But blowing a 27-7 lead at the tail end of the 3rd quarter and losing 35-29, it still makes me want to throw up. The next week against Indiana was when Brady was full time starter and it remained that way the final 5 games of the season.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

rkfischer

September 21st, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^

The Syracuse game was dominated by Donavan McNabb. Our defense couldn't stop him. My daughter and I attended the game and it was very frustrating because the defense seemed unprepared. The fact that it was Brady's first home game was a bad coincidence. The fans saw Michigan win an exciting Rose Bowl and National Championship in January and had high expectations. Out of left field comes a spread team that Carr/Jim Herrmann did not know how to handle. This was after Michigan lost the opening game of the season on the road against ND. Fans took some frustration out on the offense & Brady but the mistakes may have been wide receiver related. Watching the game live, the fans in the stands were flabbergasted with the Michigan coaches. The article is not correct of course but brings back the controversy of Brady vs. Henson. There is an important lesson here. Sometimes the player without the hype ends up the better player. Brady vs. Henson and how that motivated Brady to improve would have been a better story. 

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 315

BursleyHall82

September 21st, 2016 at 11:49 AM ^

I'm not sure if the writer is overselling the "Brady never felt the love from U-M until now" angle. He's never felt it as a football game because he hasn't been able to attend one until now, but he has surely felt the love from U-M fans over the past 17 years.

Joined: 07/14/2013

MGoPoints: 26979

Bb011

September 21st, 2016 at 11:52 AM ^

It's not that surprising this is his first game back since he has been busy with the patriots every year since graduation on the weekend. He has been back to the university plenty of times post graduation, just not a game because he has a job which happens to take place during the fall too.

Joined: 09/02/2010

MGoPoints: 4721

CRISPed in the DIAG

September 21st, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^

I've followed the Pats over the years and Brady has consistently linked himself to the University by wearing gear, friendly wagers with teamates, talking about big wins or losses, etc. Not sure there's much to see here, but whatever.

Joined: 11/08/2010

MGoPoints: 47452

B1G_Fan

September 21st, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^

I can honestly say I was a huge Brady fan back in his college days. I could never understand why they made him share time with Henson. I didn't follow recruiting back then and I had no idea the pressure to play Henson. I just saw them on the field and it seemed to be Brady would score points, Henson would come in and the other team would catch up and we'd put Brady back in to win it in the end.

Joined: 10/11/2012

MGoPoints: 3411

Hail-Storm

September 21st, 2016 at 4:28 PM ^

Henson's issue early on was that he was the "athletic" QB, and he relied on this too much.  In his first year he would look off his first lead, and start to scramble if something wasn't there, rather than use his athleticism to move in the pocket and go through his reads.  Brady had no qualms about his athleticism, and seemed to have an amazing sense of where the pocket was and moved through his progressions.  Some of my favorite plays were when he would tuck the ball and run for some of the slowest 15 yards you'd ever see.  By Henson's Junior year, he was throwing the ball to multiple receivers and looked very poised.  

I wish Lloyd Carr would have opened up the offense more often with Brady though.  When he did, he was fantastic. 

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9776