Morgan Trent? From the Detroit News
• Morgan Trent, former U-M cornerback, played one year under Rodriguez: "I'm not surprised because I know what happened, and I know what kind of rules were broken. I couldn't see how they were going to get out of that.
"Whatever steps need to be taken (to restore Michigan's winning tradition), I'm all for it. What is happening right now obviously is not working. I don't know how long they're going to let this last until changes are made. This year is going to be the tell-all what's going to happen. We can't have three losing years in a row. Not at Michigan. To lose seven of last eight games (in 2009) is an embarrassment."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100223/SPORTS0201/2230443/1361/Lloyd-C…
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^
Unless he believes there needs to be a change, he should keep his mouth shut. To do anything else simply undermines Rodriguez without purpose, and therefore harms the program.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^
The coach who had the QA guys at practices and who over ran practice time limits and whatever else might, and I mean MIGHT have something more to do with harming the program than a former player.
At what point does the TDoR Kool Aid Kompany stop blaming the entire civilized world for the mess the program is in right now and look at the guy in charge?
February 24th, 2010 at 2:11 AM ^
I said that he shouldn't be undermining Rodriguez unless he feels that Rodriguez should be replaced (which he did not) because it harms the program. I did not say that other people hadn't done more damage.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
Failing to publicly support (or at least not comment about) Michigan's football coach gives other coaches is intrinsically damaging to the program. Unless he feels that Rodriguez should be fired, he should keep his opinions to himself in the public eye, or they will be used by other coaches to dissuade recruits from coming to Michigan. And if he does feel that Rodriguez should be fired, then he should just say so.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^
This is the best post in this whole godforsaken thread.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
I mean you can't really be mad at Trent because he's right: there were violations and Rodriguez needs to avoid a losing season this year or he's getting the boot.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:35 PM ^
Rational thought? How refreshing.
+1
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:06 PM ^
Are you Morgan Trent?
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
Just level-headed.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
Or Trent could have said something like what Carr said, quoted tonight in the same Detroit News story. Or what others were quoted as saying.
Or even what Braylon Edwards said after his handlers let him know what a shit-stupid thing it was he had done on Monday Night Football, and when he subsequently said;
"Last night during my pre-taped introduction, as a way of paying tribute to Coach Carr, I indentified myself as being from 'Lloyd Carr's University of Michigan.' I had no intention of showing any disrespect to Coach Rich Rodriguez. I love the University of Michigan and will always be loyal to its coaching staff past, present and future."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100104/SPORTS0201/1040414/Braylon-Edwards-…
Or, Trent could have just said something stupid. Check, stupid.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:57 PM ^
You have a high point total.
You post a lot.
Often your points are good.
Today they are not.
This last one mocking the blogosphere about "rational thought" shows you as an ignorant arrogant ass.
Take a seat tonight. Turn off the computer.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^
Wait...I'm nearing meltdown mode because I'm defending Morgan Trent from being trashed mercilessly for voicing his opinion?
That's rich.
Hey, if I'm going to get negbanged or banned for not flying off the handle like so many other posters, so be it. I'd rather that happen than be a poster who's calling him "a piece of shit" or saying he should have "never been born."
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:12 PM ^
alledging someone is in a meltdown and suggesting they turn off the computer for the night is usually saved for times when people, you know, are actually melting down. magnus' rational opinions are not even close to that...
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^
Go Blue
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:37 PM ^
"family" that would pull shit like this. Didn't your momma teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, then shut the FUCK up. All these former players that like to point fingers need to...
Anyway, this fucking nightmare can end any time now.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:38 PM ^
Is he going to need Leon Hall to run across the field and make his retraction / apology for him too?
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^
What a dick thing to say.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:47 PM ^
stabbed and twisted the way his comments seem to come out. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, the opportunity to remove foot from mouth, and wait for him to explain, reiterate, "f5" that comment so it makes more sense. The "News" did write this in the 'Michigan' section, maybe it just comes out wrong on paper. Hopefully he clears things up.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
Winning cures all.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^
Morgan, Morgan, Morgan... He really didn't need to say that publicly, but I wonder just how many former UM players feel the same way. I bet it sucks that they used to go 9-3 or 10-2 every year and now we haven't even had that many wins in 2 seasons. I can understand him being pissed, but support the team and the program, even if you don't like the coach.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
"What is happening right now obviously is not working. I don't know how long they're going to let this last until changes are made."
...is exactly what I was saying after the first two games of 2007.
What is this "we can't have 3 losing years at Michigan!" "somebody think of the children!!" bullshit? We have had 3 losing years at Michigan in the past. Every other team in every other sport, professional or otherwise, has had 3 losing years. We're rebuilding. It takes time.
Some of our fans, ex-players included, are spoiled brats. You don't get automatic W's for putting a winged helmet on, Morgan. You have to fucking work, scratch and claw for success.
What does he want us to do, spend $10 million/year and hire Urban Meyer or something? Jesus Christ this is getting ridiculous. Have some fucking patience.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:06 PM ^
Sometimes I wonder how this board would react if we hired Nick Saban. He's basically the John Calipari of college football without the major violations.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
I wonder what random former player is going to be in the papers next? Crable? Woodley?
My money is on Bass lol
Seriously though, I am soooo over this sh*t.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 PM ^
And who is currently lacking in adult supervision.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
"supports" the program, believes in the program and is behind the program, then he or she doesn't make any comments in the media acknowledging his/her 'knowledge' or participation iwth the ALLEGATIONS. If he is asked under oath in front of an NCAA panel or the unversity, then yes by all means explain fully what you know.
No good or justice or improvement of the situation will happen by admitting or agreeing to what has been written in slanderous articles or allegations. If he wants to admit it to the bOard of Regents or to the AD behind closed doors, fine.
I can't think of another prominent football program where former players are calling out or ever have called out the current staff, guilty or not. If there is a lack of family values anywhere at Michigan, then the finger-pointing and back-stabbing of the 'family' itself is where the values are lacking.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^
Some of these allegations were confirmed to a certain extent today by our own AD. It's not like saying there were violations was speculation anymore.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
David St. Hubbins, "This is Spinal Tap", 1984.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
I'm fine with Trent voicing his opinions, though you kind of wish he didn't make the statement about knowing violations were going on. For one thing, I'm fairly certain if most of the athletic department apparently was unaware about some of the rules being violated, Morgan Trent wasn't up-to-date about the rule book either. So insinuating that he had clear knowledge of violations is disingenuous.
Beyond that, though, he's entitled to his opinion as a fan, and attacking him because of it is unnecessary.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^
but it's pretty classless to pile on just so he can say "I knew". What possible good can from speaking out now or any time?
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^
I wrote this ( http://acetoolshed.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-should-have-been-swallowed… ) in October of 2008 at my old blogspot and I had begun to regret it because I used some very harsh words about Trent. Now I realize I was right all along and he is truly a piece of shit.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:42 PM ^
Now I'm off for a shower.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:43 PM ^
That type of blog post makes me embarrassed for you.
Seriously, he didn't live up to your expectations on the football field, so you say he's a "piece of shit" and you "hoped he tore his ACL" and you wish he'd never been born?
Please go be a fan of another team. We don't need fans like you.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
We shouldn't bash Morgan Trent because he was not the greatest player in college or because he has seen success in the NFL. He also has the right to voice his opinion. However, he is criticizing the coaching staff for violations that are very minor and shouldn't matter that much. Why? Because many top college programs do THE SAME DAMN THING. Extra practice by 20 minutes a day. One extra member of the staff supervising the workouts. These are all very small and shouldn't matter that much, but people like the FREEP and the anti-RR crowd do all they can to blow it way out of proportion.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
"for violations that are very minor."
You don't know that.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^
What I meant was that though the violations may not turn out to be minor, in the eyes of the public how can they be seen as anything but minor? Since when should a little extra practice be the death of a program?
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
Nobody's saying that it should be the death of the program...except perhaps Sharp or Rosenberg, who are clearly insane but have no clout with those who decide the punishment.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:13 PM ^
but I guess I'm just confused as to why Morgan Trent views this as a big deal.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
then who cares if Trent talks about it?
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
These are potential MAJOR VIOLATIONS. It *is* a big deal. There's a reason it's all over the news and there about 10 threads about it on this board.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 PM ^
The violations may be a big deal to him. But the actions that they took are not that big of a deal. The violations and the stuff they did are different things if you think about it. The violations are the stuff they did, overblown.
February 24th, 2010 at 1:58 AM ^
I have no idea what you meant, here
February 24th, 2010 at 2:39 AM ^
And the winner of the 2010 John Madden comment of the year goes to goblueritzy92! Congratulations!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
Ha I guess sometimes it's hard to make people understand what you mean when you can't say it in person.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^
On the contrary, I think it is all the rabid pro-RR folks that are blowing this out of proportion.
First, the fact that other schools may break the same rules doesn't excuse UM's violations. Rules are rules. The coach is responsible for making sure we follow them. If RR didn't do so, then he should bear the consequences. People need to accept that. I am a fan of RR and hope he does well, but the situation is what it is.
Second, if the violations truly are minor, then what's the big deal of Trent acknowledging them? Part of the problem here is a failure to acknowledge wrongdoing-- 2 of the 5 "major violations" involve UM staff not being up-front about the allegations. If some UM players had to go the media to get this problem addressed, then so be it--better they do so right away then let the problem deepen.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:13 PM ^
I agree somewhat that the pro-RR crowd is helping to probably overreacting a bit, but at the same time, it is troubling that former players are going to the media and being somewhat cavalier with the facts and their opinions about UM and the current regime. At this point, former players should simply say that they understand these are serious allegations but that they support their alma mater and expect it to all work out. Not talk about violations they "knew" were happening, not how the coach needs to get his ass in gear, etc. We all know that; everyone who follows sports know that you have to win and stay out of the gutter. I'm not saying he has to be a "company man" and not speak out, but at the same time don't make largely baseless claims when you know that is what the media is looking for. Just keep it short and simple.
Also, let's not kid ourselves into thinking that Mr. Trent was the only player contacted for this article. There are other players who were on the team the past 2 years, yet I don't see anyone else from RR's era interviewed. Where's John Thompson, Terrence Taylor, Will Thompson, Sam McGuffie, etc.? My sense is that the reporter wanted a juicy quote, and once he found it (via Trent) he was happy.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^
You make some good points, but I guess the thing we don't really know is, what viable options did the players have--and if they did have less-harmful alternatives, did they take advantage of them? If the players tried complaining to the coaches or administrators and were ignored, then who can blame them for turning to the media? If the players had reason to believe they would be benched or otherwise face unfair repercussions if they complained about the extra practices and such, then maybe they were justified in going outside the program right away.
If RR had an open door and the players could have gone in and addressed this without it turning into a circus with the Free Press and NCAA investigations, then yes, that's exactly what they should have done. But that's a big if.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 PM ^
I agree - if the players felt that nobody else would listen, then certainly go to the media. But from what I know about this event, it was based on a couple of freshmen being ambushed at media day and one or two unhappy players who left UM. And from what was reported today, it didn't sound like RR was running a sweatshop and the players were in fear for their careers.
But again, these might be mere rationalizations. My sense is that everyone is either trying to dump more water on the UM boat or trying to bail it out, and neither side is going to really talk to the other until much later. I still hold that when all is said and done, these violations will be relatively trivial, and the type that are forgotten shortly thereafter.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:58 AM ^
I guess because I really don't see these infractions as being all that "major," despite the headlines in a certain Detroit newspaper, I'm less concerned about needing to circle the wagons. I suppose there's always a risk that the NCAA tries to make an example out of UM so that other schools start taking the practice limitations seriously, but I don't think that will happen.
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^
You make an interesting point and people should not bash Morgan Trent for being an average player at Michigan (with a hot mom). However, as an alumni, a team member and NFL player it would be pretty easy for him to contact, say, Rich Rodriguez or Dave Brandon and set up a meeting. If he was truly concerned with all things Michigan he could express his concerns in the family and "keep it in the room" exercising a level of professional respect for the program. I suspect this is why people are angry with Morgan Trent just now.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:49 AM ^
Are you serious? Set up a meeting? Its just not appropriate for a meeting. He obviously wants to speak loudly. What would he say? Trent: "Look Rich, I am not happy with how things are going. If you do not win next season, I think you should be fired" [awkward pause.....] Rich: "Um... Ok.... Your concerns are noted, thanks. But we both know I am doing my best" [awkward pause.....] Trent: "um......okthanksgoodby"