OT: Tommy West speaks the truth...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFaovgvKU4M
Sorry, I could't put the video up, embedding was disabled.
I know that Michigan and Memphis are on totally diferent ends of the spectrum, but after reading what Roh's Dad had to say, and after reading time after time the reasons we are in the situation we are in, I think the UM fan base can take something away from these comments. I myself have been as aggravated as anyone else, and I've made my share of negative comments (you should see the looks I get from my kids while I'm yelling at the TV), but I am going to be positive, and try my absolute best to reserve judgement until this thing runs its course.
Go Blue.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:14 PM ^
Remind me why local media outlets are required to be the mouthpieces for the university and their athletic teams. The media is not supposed to be part of the fanbase.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:33 PM ^
Act as if you want the program to succeed, not tear it down every chance you get and then ask what's wrong.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:07 PM ^
Hate to break it to you, but the sportswriters in Memphis do not have to act like they want Memphis to succeed. If they are writing an fact-base piece, then they just need to remain objective. If they are writing opinion pieces, then they can say whatever they feel like.
No media outlet should ever be beholden to help the subject of what they cover.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^
I saw this and was going to post it myself. I couldn't agree more with what he said. Yes, the media should point out some deficiencies, but how the hell is helpful for Rich Rod if all they do is rabble rouse and make it seem like it is the end of the world? I commend annarbor.com for writing the piece about the redshirt freshman. It's small but its some positive news in a sea of negativity.
Like you said, Fred Roh couldn't put it any better. The players believe, the parents believe, and the coaches believe. How this isn't enough for people I don't understand. I talk to the players a lot and last year you could tell they kind of accepted they sucked, but this year it is killing them. Kevin Koger looked like he was going to tear up on Monday, and JB Fitzgerald was equally hurt. This kind of emotion and passion to be better and give us a reason to sing the victors is what we need on our football team. Maybe I spend too much time with them, but I have no doubt these guys will turn around the program and silence the doubters.
Now I'm fired up dammit! GO BLUE!
November 10th, 2009 at 11:38 PM ^
For some solid evidence of what he's talking about with regards to the media, one should look at the Cincinnati media. Throughout this season they've done nothing but denigrate the Cincy football program... calling it's wins flukey, saying Kentucky would beat them, and running articles speculating on Brian Kelly's future as GAME PREVIEWS. They purposely drag the team down and hurt it's efforts to build anything.
Memphis is in a similar situation, attempting to compete at the highest levels (there was a lot of smoke with them joining the Big East in pre-season) and getting nothing but "lol yeah right, memphis football lol" from the local media.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:08 AM ^
You must really hate the typical article in the business section about a local company that's doing well. There's a complete absence of any truly critical reporting in those articles. It's Chamber of Commerce cheerleading, and it occurs in every paper in every city, and always has.