August 16th, 2014 at 3:20 PM ^
The first one came August 13, signed by Brian (per my order) with a UGP return address. Today I received a second copy, not signed, with an MGOBLOG return address on Metty Dr, in Ann Arbor and a Duluth, MN bulk mail permit. I'd be glad to send the extra copy back if needed.
I've read most of it, appreciated the skill and expertise of everything I've read, and enjoyed all of it except for the section on the offensive line, which is is not enjoyable because it is honest and probably accurate.
Thanks for helping me get ready for the season, and GO BLUE!
August 16th, 2014 at 4:10 PM ^
It came in a white envelope and it's in mint condition....
August 16th, 2014 at 6:19 PM ^
August 16th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^
August 18th, 2014 at 4:02 AM ^
... and I concur that it's a great read. The OL section is ... brutally honest but not without hope.
Overall, the staff predictions match my expectations - 8-4 (losses to MSU, OSU and two of ND, Maryland and Northwestern) as the floor, 10-2 as the ceiling, both with encouraging signs for the future.
I am eager to see how the coaches resolve the truckload of talent at WR, LB and CB - at those spots, our second team would be at worst solid! That kind of depth is awesome to see.
I will take an anti-blog-binky position and predict that Norfleet will be buried. His short-area quickness won't be enough to trump the superior catching radius and precision routes that his competition brings, and that we'll end up with Funchess, Darboh, Chesson and Canteen as our top four wideouts. (Yeah, that's a chalk pick, but we're not trying to beat the other's gal's brackets, right?)
I am not sure what to make of the Bolden hype, or Jake Ryan's transition - it depends on how quickly he can develop the recognition to couple with his play-destroying tendencies - but I am optimistic about the LBs in general. If Bolden displaces Morgan, or Gedeon pushes past anybody, they'll be displacing a talented, solid player and it will say more about their plusses than the second guy's minuses.
I'm betting that one of the CB's (Stribling?) ends up displacing Jeremy Clark/Dymonte Thomas at SS on passing downs, when we roll into a Cover Two/Three and the run-stopper isn't as important. If Peppers really continues to ascend Hype Mountain, we could be seeing a nickel of Wilson, Lewis, Peppers, Thomas, Countess - Lewis and Thomas play press corner, Peppers at NB, Wilson has centerfield and Countess gets to play robber.