Michigan Muesday up at O-Zone
Michigan Muesday is up at the Ozone http://theozone.net/football/2010/Wisconsin/postgame/MichiganMuesday.html). I hate it when someone is snarky, but so right you can't really argue with them. Several choice quotes:
Comments on the QB situation, largely echoing Brian's desire for a Gardner redshirt:
Seeing the production from Forcier makes burning Devin Gardner's redshirt for absolutely NO reason a terrible decision by Rodriguez. I don't know how good Gardner will ever end up being, but I do know that he'll have one less year to find out.
Some thoughts on our linebackers, with maximum (& deserved) snark:
It only took two and a half seasons, but Rich Rodriguez and his band of gypsy defensive coaches finally stopped their caravan of grift long enough to figure out that maybe they should be starting somebody else at middle linebacker than Obi Ezeh. Kenny Demens got the start and was involved in the game right out of the gate. The Hawkeyes went three and out on their first two series.Then Obi Ezeh came in for Demens. On his first snap, Ezeh got plowed over by a left guard that he never saw. In fact, he probably still hasn't seen him. All he knows is that one moment he was looking at somebody in the backfield, and the next moment he's staring at the sky. He probably thought he teleported.
Bashing the Special Teams play:
Let's start with the good: freshman punter. Will Hagerup has been booming the ball, and when he doesn't boom them, he gets some pretty darn good bounces. He averaged 50.3 yards on his three punts against Iowa Saturday.Everything else was bad. There is no return game to speak of right now. There probably won't be until Michigan comes to Columbus. The coverage units are average at their best, and the place-kicking is as bad as it's ever been under Rodriguez, and that's saying something.
And, finally, an intriguing thought on a "must win" game:
Amazingly, going 0-3 against Ron Zook would probably to do more to influence Michigan athletic director David Brandon's decision than going 0-3 against Jim Tressel.And it should.
October 21st, 2010 at 2:57 AM ^
I really have to say it: Michigan Monday is a great read every week. They really do a great job, as much as it pains me to say so.
October 21st, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^
Then Obi Ezeh came in for Demens. On his first snap, Ezeh got plowed over by a left guard that he never saw. In fact, he probably still hasn't seen him. All he knows is that one moment he was looking at somebody in the backfield, and the next moment he's staring at the sky. He probably thought he teleported.
How unfortunately true.
October 21st, 2010 at 10:25 AM ^
Had me practically ripping my hair out during the game.
October 21st, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^
That would not be Coach Rodriguez's fault. Illinois is clearly to blame because they haven't found a new coach yet.
But it's not going to matter anyways because we are going to win this year, 35-17.
October 21st, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
The Ezeh stuff was funny. Funny because it's true, but stated amusingly as well.
And I love that even in their Michigan recap they can't resist taking a dig at their own kick coverage units.
October 21st, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
i love reading the column. It's obviously biased but usually pretty accurate (and kind of funny).
October 21st, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
ever since tony cut out the snark after the first couple of weeks, it's been much better to read. you can tell he has a pretty good grasp of the game. it's also nice to see this from a third-party perspective. how many fans of other schools would do something like this? ZERO.
his praises and criticisms of the team also show me that the Michigan fanbase is, by and large, pretty spot-on when it comes to evaluating the play of our beloved Wolverines, with a more optimistic tenor. When our criticisms are echoed by a buckeye, it validates what we've been saying all along. that gives me some measure of satisfaction, in an "if only it weren't true, but at least we're self-aware which has to count for something, right?" sort of a way.