814 East U

December 30th, 2014 at 1:17 AM ^

Per NFL sources Harbaugh was taken hostage by Michigan and the Raiders and Bears are set to make rescue attempts (per multiple reports). The Jets think that Michigan thinks they can thwart said attempts...maybe, but nothing is done until it is done. Until it is done it is not done.

-NFL insiders

Joined: 10/24/2012

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Tater

December 30th, 2014 at 3:44 AM ^

We have been told so much about Harbaugh "preferring the NFL" that many of us beieve it on some level and think that it took an interevention by his friends and family to get him to Ann Arbor.  

But what if Jim Harbaugh made an intellectual business decision to return to Ann Arbor?  What if he realized he didn't want the job of rebuilding a program that was going to have to give up at least two first rounders and two second rounders to get him?  What if he realized he may be uprooting his family to LA in a couple of years if he takes the Oakland job?  What if he realized there was always going to be the risk that a putz like Baalke would turn up in the GM's seat anywhere in the NFL?

What if Jim Harbaugh decided he was better off professionally and personally at the University of Michigan than he would have been coaching anywhere in the NFL next year?

That is what I think really happened.

 

 

Joined: 08/13/2008

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Muttley

December 30th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^

What he talked about most were the relationships that formed in the journey.

Instead of "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing", Vince Lombardi later lamented that a correct phrasing of his outlook would have been along the lines of "Preparing to win is the only thing".  Perhaps with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind uncompromised by the suits.

Joined: 07/07/2009

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Njia

December 30th, 2014 at 8:49 AM ^

For Oakland, it's actually worse than that. From what I have read, Oakland still owes picks to Cincinnati (?) coming out of a grade a couple of years ago. They are also loaded up with free agents, so salary cap is an issue as well. For Harbaugh to go to Oakland in exchange for draft picks would have been an awful move for him. These so-called "reporters" have to know that. The only reason they wouldn't report it is because they don't want to be cut off from any access to those "inside sources" by whom they are evidently quite happy to be fed shit sandwiches.

Joined: 09/15/2009

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Marley Nowell

December 30th, 2014 at 1:20 AM ^

I'm really tired of these NFL threads. I really don't give a shit about how much better everyone who works for the NFL thinks the NFL is. College football fans root for the schools they attended or lived in close proximity to and follow age old traditions with marching bands and fights songs. NFL fans root for laundry.

Joined: 07/31/2008

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Boogeyman

December 30th, 2014 at 1:23 AM ^

Where Oakland would have to offer like 12 million to equal Michigan's 8 million due to taxes. However I do not thing this is about money for Coach Harbaugh. Although he will be paid well, and deservingly so. I just believe, that Jim is coming home to restore order to the University that is near and dear to his heart, where he can do no wrong and be appreciated for the genius he is.

Joined: 12/27/2014

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SeattleWolverine

December 30th, 2014 at 1:58 AM ^

CA does have a higher state income tax but the numbers aren't even close to that. Marginal rate above ~ half a million is 12.3% so about 3x that of Michigan. Still, 8% of $8MM is only $640 so if you gross that up $750M or so you wind up at about the same after tax number. Of course, there may be ways around those taxes...but that's another topic. Even at $9 million in CA your after tax income is above $8 millon in MI.

Where the Bay Area is much worse is the cost of housing. It varies a bit by where you are but if you want a baller mansion, especially in SF you would pay way more than you would in Ann Arbor. I mean even general housing in SF is what, maybe 4 times the price of what it would be in Ann Arbor. I mean you can go East Bay or somewhere way out or whatever but you'll pay in one form or another.

Joined: 11/07/2012

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jhackney

December 30th, 2014 at 1:23 AM ^

1st: Watch your tone Garafolo or you'll get Harbaughed like Jimmy Schwartz.

2nd: You're proving an excellent point that we already knew, not everything is about money. These roots run deep.

3rd: I have from a reliable source that Garafolo left his mother at home knowing she had no elbows and walked on her hands.

Joined: 12/11/2008

MGoPoints: 19772

jmblue

December 30th, 2014 at 1:31 AM ^

This is a pretty safe assumption.  He formally closed the door on the NFL on the very first day he could have been available to another team.  Had he wanted to he easily could have provoked a bidding war among franchises.   Nor did he try to leverage any outstanding offers against what we were offering.  He wanted Michigan and got it.

 

 

 

Joined: 11/07/2008

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MGoBlueRidge

December 30th, 2014 at 1:55 AM ^

I don't understand the anger towards Garafolo from a few in this thread. It's not like he is saying Harbaugh should have taken the Raiders offer. This just confirms, yet again, that he came to Michigan because he wants to be here, and not, as other NFL lackeys keep trying to say, only for the money.

Joined: 02/17/2013

MGoPoints: 381

SECcashnassadvantage

December 30th, 2014 at 1:51 AM ^

He said an NFL team will have his services. Is he ever going to admit he was being a dick even up to the end. F your NFL gig, and you lose, you get nothing, good day sir.

Joined: 01/25/2014

MGoPoints: 2662

CoverZero

December 30th, 2014 at 2:49 AM ^

Harbs loves Michigan football.  Its one of his passions.  He is also ultra competitive and wants to be a LEGEND by rebuilding Michigan football the right way.  He also gets to spend quality time near his parents, and have a great community to raise his children in.

I dont know why that is so hard for some people to believe...unless they have a vested interest in spinning the Pro NFL spin.

I like this Garafolo guy's energy. 

Joined: 08/30/2014

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Quail2theVict0r

December 30th, 2014 at 6:41 AM ^

Except it wouldn't have been more money -- or at least very unlikely -- because of the taxes in San Fran where he lived vs. Michigan and Ann Arbor. People always look at the lump sum and forget how crazy expensive everything is there, including taxes. $1 million buys you a four bedroom home in that area of California....$1 million here buys you a crazy big house + four car garage. 

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