Next Seasons Legend Jerseys
With all this talk about whether or not Peppers would take #2 if he were offered the number, it got me thinking...
Next year, who do you think gets the other legends jerseys (if anyone)?
Would it be too much to see Funchess go from 19 - 87 - 21?
Just would like to see a discussion on who you believe deserves what.
EDIT: And this is not me saying that I believe that Peppers will get #2 next year.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^
Why couldn't Peppers get 11 since it seems that the coaching staff wants to put DBs in the Wisert Bro's number?
December 5th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^
An unproven player should never get a reserved number. I could see Countess or Taylor getting a reserved number before the season starts, but none of the other DBs.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:56 PM ^
Disagree. Taking a number from someone established so they can wear a legends number is one of the biggest things I don't like about the Legends Jersey program. Give it to the young guys as a motivational tool and let them try to live up to it.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^
The big question. Does Gardner keep wearing 98?
December 5th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^
He is going back to 12, admiting he had a terrible year and was not worthy of the praise to wear that number. Are you serious?
December 5th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
Whoa whoa whoa. I don't want to rip it off of his back. I think it is awesome that our QB wears 98. And if anyone deserves it, it is Devin Gardner after getting his ribs ground into a fine paste over the past month. And even furthermore after that OSU game.
People on this site didn't want him to wear it for more than 1 game. I was just bringing up the possibility that it could be just a 1 year thing.
I personally wouldn't be shocked if DG wanted to hang up 98, and go back to 12, out of respect to Tom Harmon. But it is his call to make.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
Musburger said he would wear it for the remainder of his career the night it was given to him for what it's worth.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^
we all know Brent Musberger is NEVER wrong.
After all, he told us that the throwback screen to Gallon that went for a touchdown in UTL 1 was, " a play that Michigan worked on in practice." Duh.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
To Smith....but...yeah
December 5th, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^
Worthy of wearing a legacy number, there is no way, except being thrown off the team would they ask or allow you to return the number. Never going to happen.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
Did anyone else check Devin's season-end stats and do a double take?
60%
2960 yds
21-11 TD-INT (+11 Rush Tds)
Who was the last 3000 yard passer at M? Navarre? and before him?
Caveat, of course, is "The Three Good Games"
1248 YDS, 10-1 TD-Int (+5 Rush Tds) against ND, IU, OSU
1712 YDS, 11-10 TD-Int (+6 Rush Tds) against the other 9
Still, he has the potential for a Vince Young 5th year senior season.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:35 PM ^
I know that this is a completely unrealistic extrapolation, but:
If you were to stretch those three games into a full year, Gardner would have
- 4992 yards, 40-4 TD:INT (+20 Rush TDs) over 12 games. ABSURD.
Now, for the sake of not losing our minds, let's just cut that in half and then extrapolate the remainder:
- 3744 yards, 30-12 TD:INT (+14 Rush TDs) over 12 games. ALSO ABSURD.
Bottom line: this is why I don't math.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:48 PM ^
wow, plus 8.6 YPA
that's the season of a returning Heisman candidate
December 5th, 2013 at 3:15 PM ^
Who was the last 3000 yard passer at M? Navarre? and before him?
Navarre in 2003 posted the only 3,000-yard season in school history. Gardner's 2013 season is already #2 all-time.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:28 AM ^
Absolutely. First of all, he'll be a 5th year senior, his team's starting QB, and someone who's toughness and determination was obvious through a difficult season.
Second of all, why would you give your QB an honor and then take it away from him? "We thought you'd earned it, but we just think you'd better go back to being #12." You don't do that to your QB.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:28 AM ^
I assume the current numbers won't change.
47 - Ryan
48 - Morgan
87 - Funchess
98 - Gardner
It is possible that the coaching staff won't give out 11 or 21 next year because I can't think of anyone deserving. Maybe Countess to 11 since Hoke seems to like DBs in that number, but no WR deserves 21 right now.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
And give Butt 87
December 5th, 2013 at 3:16 PM ^
Why does Funchess need to change? I think 87 is a pretty badass receiver's number.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
to wear any Michigan jersey number when they commit a portion of their lives to the university. I believe that Legends Jerseys present something toward which they might aspire. Let the people that see the players on a daily basis decide who deserves to wear a given number, it should never be subject to a decision by fans.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:29 AM ^
why would you take the legends jersey from your 5th year senior quarter back who just threw for 2960 yds and 21 touchdowns while rushing for another 11 tds and almost 500 yds?
December 5th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ^
And please for the love of god, let anyone who wants a certain number to wear that number*.
Said player doesn't need to live up to a legend. Just represent them through hard work, and keeping your chin clean. The reminder of who that legend was can be seen no matter if it was Gallon wearing #21, or Joe Reynolds who wore it.
*Except #1 which is for the elite WR's, #2 for the elite DB's, and IMO, 98 should be unofficially retired out of respect from our players to M's biggest hero.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
Full agreement with this. Give the numbers to freshman next year (or any returning player that specifically wants it). If they become contributors, great, if not, so be it.
The patches will get seen and occasionally a TV guy will take note. Pretty much the same thing that happens today. When was the last time a TV guy mentioned Funchess wearing 87, Morgan wearing 48 or Avery 11? I don't recall it once this season, but it's probably happened. In any event, aside from Harmon's 98 and 21 because of the Desmond connection being fresh, the rest of the world has moved on from caring.
Allowing players to have the numbers early in the career allows the player and the fans to identify with that number. I think that's more worthwhile than trying to swap in 4-5 new numbers every year.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:39 PM ^
"Except #1 which is for the elite WR's,"
Like Greg McMurty in 1986? Oh wait... he was 4th on the team in receptions, 2nd in yards receiving.
Like Derrick Alexander in 1990? The distant second best receiver on the team behind Desmond Howard...
Like Tyrone Butterfield in 1994? When he never even saw the field... Or 1995 and 1996 where he caught all 4 receptions he had for his career...
Like David Terrell in 1998 - where he was the 6th receiver on the team.
Generally it wasn't given to the best receiver on the team in the past - just A receiver.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:42 PM ^
Just becase you repeat the same inane comment in two threads doesnt make it any more valid. Again, the #1 didnt come with the standard with that is applied to it now. Things change. And in this case, the less they stayed the same.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
"Things change."
Has anything really changed, or is Braylon just an outlier trying to keep attention on himself?
...and if things have changed - is the change worthwhile, or should we revert to our historic behavior?
December 5th, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^
My only comment on the Braylon thing is that RR committed a boneheaded act, and Braylon reacted boneheaddedly. In my opinion, both are equally to blame for all the hype around that event.
As for whether things are better or worse now - I would agree that they are worse now since the #1 has not seen the light of day for years. I think it should be given to the best WR on the team when the previous recipient graduates. Thus, compeitition begins when other WRs know that guy is leaving. It then acts as a motivating tool. Just like the Heisman is given out every year, even though there is not a Harmon or Woodson every year, the #1 should always be in play.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
I am still a proponent of giving #1 & #2 out to freshman. They should just be position group numbers. And IMO, it would make sense to give it to a 5* freshman you believe can contribute right away over a 3* that might need a few years before seeing the field.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^
If anyone gets #21 it should be Norfleet. I don't think that the "criteria" for the legend jerseys have been established as of yet besides nominal positions and some seniority.
IMO #21 should go to a tiny receiver/returner, so Norfleet is perfect.
#11 is also available as Avery is graduating, and I'd love to see it on a DL. Willy Henry perhaps?
December 5th, 2013 at 10:32 AM ^
Norfleet? He had 5 receptions for 37 yards this season. Some comments on here are just stunners.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
It's a dame shame how far we done fell.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
That was no dame, that was my wife...
December 5th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
and he returns kicks, and probably punts next year, both of which Desmond did. Avery wasn't playing when he was awarded a legends jersey, same with Brandon Moore, but they were seniors, and saw the field.
If you don't think a little guy returning kicks should wear 21... who should? If the standards are ridiculously high who is ever going to wear one of these? Does Morgan really "Deserve" to wear a president's number?
December 5th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^
He does. 4 year starter and hails from the west side of the state just like President Ford. Morgan wearing 48 is my favorite legends jersey choice so far.
December 5th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
It's not like Courtney Avery "deserved" #11 based off his past play. He got it because the coaches liked his leadership and progression.
December 11th, 2013 at 5:39 PM ^
Just because Norfleet is short and returns kicks and punts doesn't make him worthy of the 21 designation. It is supposed to be earned.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
The thing that is missing from this board is prospective. Someone offers an opinion and ten people fight to make themselves look stupid by slamming them. Did none of your mothers teach you that if you don' have something nice to say don't say anything? Dennis Norfleet is a warrior no doubt about it. I most like his coverage on kickoffs. If you watched at all this year you would have noticed that he is the first one down the field on coverage and he always seemed to be in on the tackle. A stretch to call him a receiver maybe, but he packs a lot of football player into that frame.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:23 AM ^
Actually, I find your comment more stunning than JeepinBen's. So, because I think it's rediculous to think Norfleet deserves the #21, I am accused of not watching a game this season? I am implicitly accused of thinking Norfleet is not a warrior or a good special teams guy? Having watched all but one game, I think he is both. But he is still far, far from deserving the #21.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^
Do you think that Desmond saw that honor as "no one is good enough to wear my jersey unless they win a heisman?" Or do you think that Desmond might want his honor, you know, worn and on the field?
December 5th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^
There is no clear choice as to who deserves it - our best WR is graduating, and our second best is a TE/WR hybrid. But, the next best true WR is Chesson with 13 catches for 213 yards. However, I can say that Norfleet, in my opinion, is not deserving at this point. Perhaps he will be soon - but he has to show more being a decent special teams play. Being short and tough is not a qualifier.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^
i think some people just type shit just to be typing.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^
I honestly just use MGoBlog to practice getting my WPM up to a respectable level:
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^
Hopefully nobody. Except for maybe one game. I think the Legends Jersey thing is so stupid. It doesn't give anybody a chance to create their own legacy.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:32 AM ^
One-game legend jerseys (homecoming?) is a fantastic idea that delivers the best of both worlds. So it will never happen.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^
Legends jersey are stupid. It should be a one game honor (or maybe senior season). It deprives the players of leaving their own legacy.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^
I don't disagree. Allowing a player to establish their own legacy is important, however with the potential for lots and lots of talented players that could attend Michgan over time, you start running the risk of retiring too many numbers.
"Starting WR, #87....Joe Smith...
Starting DE, #87....Steve Jones....
Starting kicker, #87...."
When we typically field over 100 kids and we're already doubling up numbers, this could be problematic in a number of years.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ^
This is why the Legends Jersey idea is stupid...
December 5th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ^
Is there any turning back from the Legends jerseys? I understand what there thinking was but it just isn't pleasing the fan base, IMO. I'd be fine with the special jerseys/patches being worn for one game (maybe homecoming or The Game, even) but I think for the rest of a players career causes too much chaos.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^
you know coaches refuse to notice freshmen greatness right away. they wait them out, no jerseys until you make a play. I don't anyone getting one. I wouldn't be against countess getting one. I could maybe see Raymon Taylor getting 11 if countess gets 2 but I bet countess gets 11 and that's all.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
This is the issue I have. Freshman are just as capable as anyone to be able to wear a legends jersey if they would want that number and no upperclassmen wanted to change to it. These things shouldn't be forced on to anyone. Just offered to everyone. Seniority should be the pecking order though.
The #1 was given out to true freshman until Lloyd wanted Braylon to "earn it." And now no one wears the number.
Why can't we go back to that?
December 5th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^
would you want that to happen with a patched freshmen again? it would make a mockary of getting that jersey.