coldnjl

August 5th, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^

I am confused as to why they didn't go after Ace...I feel he is ten times the writer BB was and did an amazing job with recruits when that was his gig...

Joined: 12/31/2009

MGoPoints: 13934

Space Coyote

August 6th, 2014 at 9:26 AM ^

1. Ace gets to continue living in AA. Not sure if he's in grad school or not, but the flexibility of MGoBlog is likely a benefit over other work places.

2. I think Ace is similar to me in the way he looks at recruiting (and similar to Magnus): I like to follow recruiting, I think it's interesting to read the roundups and quotes and all that stuff, but I want no part in contacting kids. I don't mind that other people do it - after all, I read the things those people say when available - but it's not something I want to do.

I thought BB improved as a writer to better fit what he was trying to do over the course of his time here. It began on a pretty bad foot, but I thought he made strides. I'm sure the crew here (particularly Seth, who helps edit a lot of the content) helped in a big way, but it comes down to BB putting in the work to take the next step himself. So congrats to him on that. 

My personal feeling is that MGo doesn't need a BB though. Not a slite against BB, or Steve L, or TomVH (ok, any blog needs a TomVH), but I actually think Ace's recruiting roundups are a better and more significant contribution to the blog, and that the fit for the types of things those guys are doing is better for the recruiting sites. Obviously, people love the free content here, but I just feel that market is oversaturated or getting that way, and MGoBlog is better off remaining with the current crew of Brian, Ace, Seth, and the intermittent escapades of a meandering Golden Retriever in a football uniform known as BiSB.

Joined: 06/18/2009

MGoPoints: 38962

rob f

August 6th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^

what I thought was the case, as I felt BB's writing style and ability weren't quite up to the standards I was used to reading on MGoBlog.  The front page content here takes the back seat to absolutely no site on the internet, and while I eventually came to appreciate the content that Brandon contributed, it felt from day one of his time here that the the ability to craft his thoughts into written word was not one of his strengths.  Yes, Brandon seemed to be making strides, but how much of it was was self-improvement vs. editing, we'll probably never know, which is fine anyway.

As I (and others) have posted in this thread, more or less kiddingly, if there exists any chance whatsoever of re-hiring TomVH, then I hope it is pursued to the nth degree.  And I'd be more than happy to pay a nominal monthly or even a yearly membership fee to see it happen, if that's what it would take.  Otherwise, unless a top-notch up-and-coming talented writer becomes available, lets see the site work with Ace's recruiting roundups. 

 

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 194365

Magnus

August 6th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

A membership fee would drive down the traffic to this site significantly. There are certainly plenty who would contribute, but there are also lots of people who wouldn't. One of the things this site has going for it is "Hey, it's free. Don't complain about free stuff." If people start paying for memberships, THEN they actually have a right to complain about quality, frequency, and types of content, not to mention ads, format, membership, freedom of speech, etc.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166007

Seth

August 7th, 2014 at 3:17 PM ^

Lots of folks have, solicited and otherwise, suggested a membership fee. Let me say it again:

It. Will. Never. Happen.

MGoBlog seeks to be the place for the best content on Michigan sports for free, and our entire business model is built on that. That's who we always want to be. If you feel like you should pay for this stuff, or that you're really happy you didn't have to pay for this stuff when you used to not have money and now you do have money, hit up Beveled Guilt, which revenue goes directly to paying for better content.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149216

BlueCube

August 7th, 2014 at 3:41 PM ^

a starting point. I'm sure it can be frustrating that you lose the talent so quickly. At the same time it is something the blog should look at as an accomplishment. I sensed something with Brandon because it seemed things were being shown on his twitter account that were never posted on the blog. It seemed like he liked the contact more than the writing perhaps. Maybe I was seeing something that wasn't there. I wish Brandon well in his career and have every confidence that MGoBlog will find a quality replacement.

I don't agree with everything on the blog but I would definitely hate to be without it. As Magnus and Space Coyote have mentioned, I could never be the one chasing these kids for a story but there is a place for it and I'd miss the updates if they were not on the site. It's not like it is going to end if the blog decided not to chase these stories. I think it's important to do it tactfully and I have confidence in you and Brian to keep things under control. That puts you in front of most sites.

Joined: 12/12/2013

MGoPoints: 45965

gustave ferbert

August 5th, 2014 at 10:05 PM ^

Brian's journalist tree is much more impressive than Lloyd's coaching tree. . fwiw.

 

Thanks for all the work Brandon.  Your notifications of recruits going silent was an amazing indicator.  

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 46362

mrkid

August 6th, 2014 at 7:19 AM ^

The league needs to do something about all these "one and done" writers. Could you imagine what kind of team we would have if these guys stayed all four years?

Joined: 09/12/2011

MGoPoints: 9440