RichRod as Cinderalla Man
Maize n Brew Dave has posted a nice piece comparing RichRod to a tired boxer.
When I look at Rich Rodriguez these days I see a tired man. Not tired in the sense that he is broken, resigned, or half asleep. Tired like a boxer at the end of the fourth round, stung by a right cross he didn't see coming, and covering his noggin as he absorbs shot after shot to his mid section, waiting, praying that the final four seconds on the clock tick down and allow him a moment to collect himself. Looking at him, I get that sense. Not that he's out of fight. Far from it. He just needs a breather. A break from the constant stream of questions about CARA forms, stretching time, and his future as Michigan's head football coach. Each one a repeated jab or hook he's glanced off time and time again, but each one costing him something.
But he knows that bell is still a long way off, no matter what the clock says.
But what kind of fighter is RichRod? Will he get off the mat when he's laid low? Will he answer the bell after he's taken a beating? How will he respond to the most bleak stretch of his career?
Not too long ago much was made of the Lloyd Carr's use of Ron Howard's adaptation of [the James Braddock] story, how Carr and Russell Crowe became friends because of it. But the real story is how Michigan in 2007 resembled Braddock. How they got up off the canvas and fought back. Now, the story is how Rodriguez will respond. And perhaps after three years of bitter complaints that Rodriguez and Carr have nothing in common, maybe now those complainants can find a link between the coaches.
I see a lot of Braddock in Rodriguez. He's been hurt. He's been written off. But his best fights are still ahead of him. Right now he needs a moment to gather himself, much like Braddock did. Whether Rodriguez falters like Fraizer or succeeds like Braddock remains to be seen, but he is capable of both.
Either way, come August, he will come out swinging.
Watch out UConn, watch out ND, watch out Big Ten: you're about to experience something that hasn't been seen in these parts for what seems like an eternity.
Watch out UConn, watch out ND, watch out Big Ten: you're about to experience something that hasn't been seen in these parts for what seems like an eternity.
Heck yeah.
Nice read, thanks for sharing. I'm really excited for this season. I just miss college football Saturdays!
that if he has players practice for too long a QC official turns into a pumpkin?
...to make sure the CARA forms are filled out properly and submitted to Compliance.
I just listened to "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel while reading this. It was emotional.
Adding a comma to your title would really change the nature of this post, man.
Last year, the Freep article unleased the hounds of Hell on an unsuspecting Western Michigan team. It was only the accumulation of injuries that eventually blunted their attack. Now, those beasts are a year older, more experienced, more determined and healthy. That mean streak has been lacking for more than a decade, and its about to be let loose.
I can't wait.
I can't wait to see RR's Michigan Wolverines pwning a bunch of n00bs on the football field this September. RR, if you're out there, we're all behind you. Cleanse this abomination from our fair state and country. We're backing you up no matter what.
It's pieces like this that make me wish I were better at putting my thoughts and ideas into words. Thanks for sharing.
two years is Michigan under Rich Rod came out swinging and guns blazing in game 1. In 2008 Michigan was overmatched by an eventual BCS game winner in Utah. But Michigan was right there in the end and darned near won that game. In 2009 Michigan dominated WMU in a fashion reminiscent of the 'old Michigan'. In 2010 I expect a fired up squad that will show no mercy against a very good opponent in UConn.
FCK.SHT.UP.
Many of the public appearances he's been at are pressers concerning the NCAA stuff, and he simply can't afford to appear ebullient or enthusiastic during those events; he has to appear serious and chastened. At semi-private UM-related events in other cities, he's described by attendees as relaxed and cracking jokes. The fact that RR is still personable and positive when not in NCAA-related pressers is amazing to me. Most men would have either wilted or exploded under the relentless pounding he's been taking over the last two years.
It gets me ready for football and we are still months away. Thanks for posting. I am more concerned about the reports from the papers after RR and crew hang 84 on Purdue. I was at the game last year and saw the handshake fiasco first hand...it was surreal. Coaches and teams don't forget that crap.
RR is more like Coach Doyel from Hoosiers. He comes in with a new system that upsets all the old local geysers who have never known anything different. He keeps getting harrassed by the locals( I look at the 1 big guy who brings his son back and tells all the local ninnies to get out of practice as D. Brandon) and is nearly run out of town as his kids are starting to get the system, but is saved by the star player. Who will be RR's Jimmy Chitwood figuratively?? Most likely Tate won't throw an ultimatum at Brandon "Coach stays I stay coach goes I go" and watch as the Freep recolis in horror when Brandon rips up the ballots and gives RR his job back, but some exciting wins will do much the same.
than 1.) beating Ohio State, even if by one point, and 2.) pounding the freaking crap out of MSU.
Hallelujah!
He's Muhammad Ali! He has been using the rope-a-dope technique to make everyone think he is tired and needs a breather. The guy is not down and definitely not out. Michigan football is exciting to watch and is going to get better as RR's schemes are able to be fully realized.
Cinderella? More like Robert Oppenheimer -- RR is a football genius assembling the right team of talent to restore Michigan football preeminence and save the world from football evil.
But drop one mutha fuckin' bomb on their heads, too.