If I were David Brandon
Endless data points factor into his deliberations about the direction of our football program. The vast majority, especially after a solid 5-1 start, point to retaining RR for a good number of years, especially with what an upheaval of a new hire would do, having to rebuild again from scratch.
I continue to support RR, but with the nature of the offense’s performance in this loss to MSU, it is now clear to me the single most important metric by which Brandon should review the remainder of this season in deliberating RR’s future.
Hearken back to 2007 when Bill Martin bore witness to what Armanti Edwards and Dennis Dixon did to our defense. On the day I learned of RR’s hire, my first thought was it was borne from what those two spread attacks did to our team that year. Of Oregon’s spread attack that won 39-7, I remember USA Today writing:
“Oregon seemed to do whatever it wanted against Michigan. The Ducks led 32-7 at halftime and coasted to the victory against little resistance.”
Watch that game again and you know the score could have easily been 55 -7, but Oregon literally eased up on us.
So Martin hires RR – the father of the spread – and he and all of us instantly began dreaming of days to come when our own Dennis Dixon, clad in a winged helmet, would toy with Ohio State’s and MSU’s traditional defenses much as we had been toyed with at the start of 2007.
Flash to today and it’s a different reality. The reality is that while RR’s spread attack has shown the explosiveness we anticipated, it has yet to do so once against a top tier Big 10 defense. Not once in 2.5 seasons. Yes personnel, yes youth, yes occasional signs, yes Denard for the Heisman, yes re-writing the record books, but anything even remotely akin to Dennis Dixon toying with UM? No.
Perhaps Bill Martin thought more of Ron English than he should have. Perhaps Martin’s greatest mistake was assuming that the Michigan defensive product vs App State and Oregon was indicative of how your typical top tier Big 10 defense would do against a top tier spread attack. I mean, we did end up beating Tebow and Florida that year, albeit after RR had been hired.
If I am David Brandon I would look for one very important sign this year – evidence that RichRod’s offense can truly work against top flight Big 10 defenses.
The UM defense will improve with recruiting and maturity. The offense will as well given this was only Denard’s 6thstart. But if I am Brandon and I don’t see at least one offensive breakthrough against a top tier Big 10 D, and by that I mean at least 5 offensive touchdowns against either PSU, Iowa, Wisconsin or OSU, then I really have to begin to question this hire.
On the other hand, even if the team loses the remainder of it’s games, but the offense actually breaks through and demonstrates the explosiveness we all hope for against one or two of those four remaining top flight Big 10 D teams, then to me, RR’s job remains safe for the immediate future.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
I'm disappointed at the reading comprehension level here. I merely state a simple fact - RR has yet to evidence that his offense can explode against top tier Big 10 defenses, and that if I am the AD, I focus on how it fares the remainder of the season. I never state he should be fired, I never state that it won't succeed. I merely state that to me, that will be the most important metric by which I will judge RR's coaching success this year - how his offense fares against top tier Big 10 D.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:44 PM ^
When lots of people are misinterpreting what you're saying, maybe it's not so much an issue of their reading comprehension and more an issue of you not stating it clearly. You're using weasel words like "explode" and "top tier" that can be stretched to mean a lot of things. Just come out and say what you think.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^
fair point. i thought i was clear, but then doesn't everybody.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
On my reading of his post, he is saying that the MSU game constitutes strong evidence that RR's offense CAN (not did) explode against a good B10 defense, MSU. If our offense executes better in that game -- not to take too much away from State but many of the mistakes on offense were self-inflicted -- then we do explode against MSU. That's not to say that we DID explode against State, but that we COULD HAVE. I think that's a fair point and needs to be taken seriously.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
Agreed! (with jg2112)
October 11th, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^
Webb scored the TD on that drive.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:59 PM ^
If Denard hit Roundtree in the 1st Q, if Tree caught the ball in the 2nd, if Stonum had been hit in the end zone - 21 points right there.
1. Hits Roundtree in the first quarter = 7.
2. Roundtree catches it in the second = 7, but Webb scores on that drive, net 0.
3. Stonum hit in the end zone = 7, but FG was made on that possesion, net 4
So the scenarios you list would have netted an additional 11 points, not 21.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
I'd probably have some perspective. Like understanding today's CF fan. TWIS says Alabama fans weren't that bad, but it must have been written before Finebaum's afternoon show: 19 straight wins and a national title later, they are, in fact, blaming Saban for all manner of incompetence and unpreparedness. And they're ready to dump their QB like a Coke bottle full of chew spit on the side of the road.
Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Miami, Penn State, USC, et al, everyone in some state of completely fucktardasspussyfandom this Monday. We're not any worse... but that's the worst thing: we're typical, like everyone else. Iowa gets smoked this Saturday.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:23 PM ^
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 (14.5 ounce) package tortilla chips
- 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, sliced
Directions
- In a large frying pan, brown ground beef with onion, salt and pepper over medium heat. Break the meat into very small pieces while it is cooking. After the meat is thoroughly cooked, drain off the grease.
- Arrange chips on a microwavable platter. Spread beans over the chips. Layer with 1/2 of the cheese, the ground beef mixture, and remaining cheese. Arrange jalapeno peppers on top.
- Microwave on medium-high until cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:32 PM ^
You do not post at mgo enough sir.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:48 PM ^
I disagree!
October 11th, 2010 at 11:21 PM ^
Where's the RoTel? How could you leave that out?
October 12th, 2010 at 8:43 AM ^
i like to preheat the chips in the oven, like 5 minutes at 200, this helps them from getting soggy right away. also, the oven does a better job on melting cheese.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:26 PM ^
Mind you, I support RR and continue to do so. It is my hope that this offense drops 50 on Iowa and Penn State, and if it happens I will jump higher than anyone. But I have to be honest. I was really looking for some sign with this game on Saturday, that RR's spread can work in the Big 10, and Saturday was a whiff. He has four more shots at it this year. I hope more than anyone that he hits it out of the park, but the point is simple - failure to do so, and to me that goes to the top of Brandon's deliberations for down the road.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^
I say thank God you are not David Brandon. Like i said earlier another pointless post.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
You really think Michigan "whiffed" on Saturday to the point that it supports a theory that the spread may not work in the Big 10? We left a lot of points on the field with two interceptions in the endzone, and any team that throws three picks in a game is going to stall a bit offensively. Those weren't scheme-related or a deficiency in the spread, they were inaccurate throws (Denard had at least two relatively easy opportunities to put another TD on the board; if he makes those throws for a final score of 31 instead of 17, are we still having this conversation?).
Michigan gained 263 yards in a half against a competent Big 10 defense; I don't deny that it was frustrating-awful-pain-vomit to watch, but I don't think you can look at Saturday and say "the Michigan offense whiffed, perhaps the spread is ineffective in conference play."
October 11th, 2010 at 8:26 PM ^
Your pimp hand would be very strong. And you wouldn't post ridiculous stuff.
0 for 2 there, Sparky...
October 11th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
So if the team does well RR's future looks sound, but poorly and his future is suspect?
Boom, Nostradamus'd, I guess.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
Nah, I'm really disappointed that you can't comprehend what I wrote. Read the last paragraph. I stated that even if the team does poorly and loses the remainder of it's games, so long as the offense evidences effectiveness to the tune of 5ish touchdowns at least once against either PSU, Iowa, Wisc or OSU, then I can feel confident the program is on the right track. Too subtle a distinction for you?
At this point I'm done defending myself. I'm as big a UM fan as anyone on this board, but the sense I get is that anyone who dare post without having his head firmly entrenched up our coach's behind is Satan.
It's simple - the offense needs to prove it can be effective against top tier Big 10 D, and so far in 2.5 years has failed to do so. I hope it can as much as anyone. The point of my post is that for the remainder of this season, it is that, and not the scores of the game, that I will focus on in determining how I would judge RR's performance this year.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^
I realize that distilling a thousand word post to a single sentence will fail to do it justice. The sad part is how close it comes.
If your main thrust is that RR was brought to Michigan for his offensive capabilities (does anyone actually think he was brought for his unique knowledge of defensive schemes?), and that therefore RR's offense must produce, then I'm pretty happy with how I've distilled your post.
October 12th, 2010 at 8:49 AM ^
But if I am Brandon and I don’t see at least one offensive breakthrough against a top tier Big 10 D, and by that I mean at least 5 offensive touchdowns against either PSUThe fact that you think Penn State is top tier anything this year....
October 11th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
I would like to talk more about the nachos mentioned earlier.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^
If I were David Brandon...
I'd be rich.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
i think when you hire a new coach, especially in the case of RR and a complete overhaul of the offense, you have to be prepared to give him 5 years. if he cant get it done in 5 years, then we can start having this conversation. the fact of the matter is our offense has made great strides, and they are all underclassmen except two offense linemen. what denard is doing as a sophmore and a first year starter is ridiculous and i get chills thinking about what he will do next year let alone his senior year.
in my opinion as long as we become bowl eligable RRs job is safe this year. now the job security of the defensive coordinators and assistants, especially gergs, is a whole different story
October 11th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
I would be at Domino's right now. I bet he gets that shit for free and can put like a million toppings on, no questions asked. Then I would chow down with the TV on mute while I wait for the lightning to stop so I can watch football instead of these morons at ESPN trying to fill airtime.
Straight gangster.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
Please put the posting threshold up to 1000 points. Would that eliminate all dumb posts? No. But it would get rid of about ninety percent of them, and that would be a great start.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
he has started 6 games now. and he has had ONE bad game and the other FIVE games he was the unchallenged heisman leader. CALM DOWN
October 11th, 2010 at 8:50 PM ^
October 11th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^
Honestly I think all of you need to calm down. The slightest objective post that isn't 10 miles up RR's ass and fans come out of the woodwork to flame and ridicule me, a die hard UM fan. I'll stick to my guns though. I hope this team drops 50 on everyone and wins. I hope Denard wins the Heisman. But come year end, if our offense fails to evidence effectiveness against either Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin or OSU, in my eyes RR has failed this season. That is an objective statement you geniuses. That is not a slander on RR. Most of you will judge the season on wins and losses, I merely state the varied metric by which I plan to judge this season, which is devoid of wins and losses, but rather by the offense's effectiveness vs top tier Big 10 Ds.
Flame away. I'm the bad guy. Gang up on me. I never knew you were all so touchy. Wow.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^
Sarcastically calling others geniuses up someone's ass is not the best way to keep others from flaming on you. Having said that, I think much of the sensitivity around here is in response to people on the outside. So many self proclaimed experts have spent the offseason promising the world that without seven wins, RR is gone. Today, Dienhart questions whether we will win another game. The wagons being circled are partly a function of one of our own being constantly attacked from the outside IMO.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
...because I think overall team performance -- offense, defense, and kicking game -- is what really matters. But I'll defend your right to say it because it isn't totally bats.
+1 to you for trying to look at RR's record objectively.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:54 PM ^
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
- Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
Cheese, see what I did there?
October 11th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
...who are glad you are not David Brandon. If you are a die-hard Michigan fan, then you wouldn't be posting things like this during the season.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
Fair point. I guess any discussion pertaining to the status of our coach, regardless if objective or otherwise, is bad form mid-season. I meant no harm but I can see how the very topic can be perceived as harmful so my apologies to my fellow Wolverine fans. How about we just drop 55 on Iowa and hug it out after! Go Blue.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
How about we just drop 55 on Iowa and hug it out after!
Yes, let's all do this.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^
That being said, I hear what you're saying. As others have noted, Michigan ripped through MSU for part of the game on Saturday. They just didn't close out with points. They're also playing with a first-year starter at QB with (now) six starts under his belt, just as they played with a first-year starter last year and first-year starters the year before that.
I don't think that anyone thinks that the spread offense is a panacea. You can obviously have a great deal of success with it or very little.
I think that the negative reaction you're getting is b/c people are so sick of the axe hanging over Coach Rod's head. Saturday was painful for everyone. It makes me sick to think that Michigan has to wait twelve months to take on MSU again. It feels like you're rubbing salt in the wounds, though I understand that that isn't your intent.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:19 PM ^
Three Hundred Eighty yards against a Big Ten defense and this offense doesn't work?
OP did you miss the first quarter prior to the pick and the fieldgoal? Was the offense working then? Turnovers screw up the offensive output but is that the fault of Rich Rodriguez? Did he not coach Denard well enough?
I support the 1000 point minimum and the "are you serious" tab after the "save" tab.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^
2 chicks at the same time.. Damn straight. I always wanted to do that, man. And I think if I were a millionaire I could hook that up, too; 'cause chicks dig dudes with money.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
I'm glad you're not David Brandon.
October 11th, 2010 at 9:30 PM ^
tl;dr
October 11th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^
A. I'd be rich
B. I would be going to school for free because of A or I just wouldn't be in school and instead texting "naughty" things to Mary Sue Coleman.
C. FREE PIZZA!!!!
October 11th, 2010 at 9:35 PM ^
Yeah, not to pile on like other people here, but I think the purpose of this post was lost in its actual implementation. Yes, Brandon should be looking for strides by the offense, but this year the offense dropped 380 yards on MSU; last year, 251 and that included OT. So in one year, the offense had its worst statistical (and absolute) game of the season and still exceeded last year's total by over 120 yards. Now, if what you mean is that the team needs to win some of these games against the better squads in the B10, then by all means I agree with you. But acting like the offense blew that game or is not making strides is just silly.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
If Brandon is acting like a CEO I would think a full Big House and the sales of #16 shirts would go a long way to wanting things to continue as they are. We have a tremendous "product" to sell. Damn exciting. Even the Chilean miners have probably heard of Denard.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
long-winded.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
I would have a dozen Domino's pizza's delivered to Coach Dantonio's house and make him pick up the tab....
October 11th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^
from "why can't you guys comprehend me". I think that maybe he finally got the message and went away.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:54 AM ^
Nah, I just don't stay glued to a message board 24/7, and actually had dinner, watched Monday Night Football, got up, went to work, now I'm taking a quick break to peek in again. Some fans like myself reach out with stream of consciousness posts like mine in part just to hear the reaction of other fans, to see if we're way off base in how we are perceiving our coach's performance. Regardless, while I didn't feel I was attacking RR directly, I can see how any discussion of his job status mid-season is bad form, and for that I take the high road and admit it was poor form by me. My apologies to my fellow Wolverine fans. For the record I'd bet I've defended RR more than almost everyone on this board, and will continue to do so throughout the season and beyond. Now back to work, and let's all cross our fingers for a good result vs Iowa.
October 11th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^
I'd have a file folder with info on possible replacement head coaches. I'd have one lying around and update it periodically regardless of who the current coach is or what his record is, because you just can't tell what will happen next.
Other than that, I'm waiting until the OSU game is over before drawing any firm conclusions.
My big decision for the night is: pizza or nachos?
October 11th, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
I guess I just don't understand all this business about the B10 being some deathly black hole in which "spread" offenses cannot work. In essence, isn't the "spread" pretty much what you make of it? In itself, defining an offense as a "spread" is very vague. TONS of good ol' fashioned B10 teams with dropback passers and big ginormous uglies throughout have run variations of spread looks. So what I wonder is, is the complaint about receivers and tailbacks being spread around the field to create space between defenders (silly), or is it the fact that the "prototypical spread team" has a mobile QB and runs a read option? (equally silly.) I personally enjoy the ridiculous yardage and high scores of a mobile QB'd read option offense, compared to the endless throwing of rock, rock, rock, punt we've suffered for decades.
Another thing that bothers me is the idea that coaches like Rodriguez, bred in the apparent soft, warm womb that is the Big East, only recruit the speedy little lightweights that will eventually get mashed into a puree in the great mystic blender that is the B10. Sure, RR's brought us some slight statured little ninjas in his early recruiting years, but I defy the notion that that is all he is looking for. Like any coach, at any school, anywhere, his focus in recruiting is strictly to bring to Michigan only the best and highest rated kids for any given position. Thats it.
The only thing I've ever seen from any of RR's offenses has been ridiculous speed, playstation numbers, and points by the bucketful. And that is exactly what we've gotten this year, save for the MSU game. His schemes have worked against essentially every type of opponent and I have no reason to think that as his recruiting classes continue to build, and as wins stack up, they won't be filled with the biggest, fastest and best players available and they won't run roughshod over the B10.
We've lost 1 game where IMHO, our talented, yet sickly young offense got rattled, lost focus and struggled to execute. Dropped passes on guaranteed TD's are not due to schematic deficencies. I thought Denard's interception on the opening drive was a good playcall, and a good read, but a bad throw that he either pushed and it sailed on him, or he was just late and missed his receiver. The coaches, however, regularly put the offense in positions to succeed, but they made some mental mistakes and failed to execute. Young players are simply going to have off days. So everyone, just step back from the ledge, take a deep breath, and we'll talk should we end up with another 1-7 or 2-6 conference season.