RichRod: Season Five
I think that most rational thinkers here would agree that RichRod's fifth season (where about half of his first full recruiting class will be seniors) will be his make or break season here at Michigan: here's a look at how that team might end up looking (or at least the upperclassmen of that team)...
*I'm going with the assumption that Grimes, Murphy, and Furman are all silent commits. I also think that we're going to get both Hankins and Parker, because Drake will not qualify.
QB: Forcier (Sr), Gardner (Jr/So), D. Robinson (Sr), Jones (Jr/So)
...It's going to be a three or four year starter here, should be a strength. D-Rob is probably an all-out Percy Harvin by this point. Conelius is probably somewhere else as well.
SB: Smith (Sr), Toussaint (Jr), White (Jr/So)
PB: Cox (Sr), Hopkins (Jr/So)
...Three great all-purpose backs, two solid powerbacks, this group should be a strength. Still though, if we can land Demetrius Hart, he'd be a game changer here.
WR: Stokes (Sr), Miller (Jr/So), J. Robinson (Jr/So)
WR: Gordon (Jr), Jackson (Jr/So), Williamson (Jr/So)
SR: Roundtree (Sr), T. Robinson (Sr), Drake!? (Jr/So)
SR: Gallon (Jr), Dileo (Jr/So)
TE: Moore (Sr)
...There's going to be a lot of talent here. No super-studs, but a lot of great players. If Jackson isn't going to be a TE, then we NEED to land one in this next class. Roundtree's going to be the leader of this group, inside or outside? - we shall see. There's going to be a TON of competition amongst the top five outside recievers.
LT: Lewan (Jr)
LG: Omameh (Sr), Khoury (Sr)
C: Barnum (Sr), Pace (Jr/So)
RG: Washington (Jr), Mealer (Sr)
RT: Schofield (Jr)
...Look at this athletic offensive line! Studs with the speed to get to the next level at each position. I can't wait to watch five seasoned rich rod recruits on the oline at once! For a sneak preview of how this is going to open up the running game, take a look at the 2008 Fiesta Bowl.
NT: Campbell (Sr), HANKINS!? (Jr/So)
DT: Ash (Jr/So), Talbott (Jr/So)
DE: LaLota (Jr), Wilkins (Jr/So), Murphy (Jr/So)
Q: Roh (Sr), Paskorz (Jr/So), Kinard (Jr/So)
...S.T.U.D.S., studs. This looks like one of USC's defensive lines. Big Will at NT, Ash at DT, LaLota or Wilkins at DE, Roh at Q, studs all-around. Depth looks like it should be there as well, but we might be in trouble if we can't land Hankins.
MLB: Bell (Jr), Demens (Sr)
WLB: Jones (Sr)
SLB: Hawthorne (Jr), Furman (Jr/So)
...This might be the most athletic group of LB's in Big Ten history, but the talent level isn't THAT high. If there was one area where we needed to land some STUDS in the next two classes, it would be here. Still though, it'll be interesting to see how these big barwis-ized safties develop as LB's.
FS: Robinson (Jr/So), Gordon (Jr), Johnson (Jr/So)
SS: Emilien (Sr), PARKER!? (Jr/So), Vinopal (Jr/So)
CB: Turner (Jr), Grimes (Jr/So), Jones (Sr), Avery (Jr/So), Brown (So/Fr)
CB: Christian (Jr/So), Floyd (Sr), Witty (Jr/So), Talbott (Jr/So)
...I repeat, S.T.U.D.S., studs. This looks like one of USC's secondaries. Robinson at FS, Emilien or Parker at SS, three stud corners in Turner, Christian, and Grimes. There's going to be a ton of depth here as well!
K: Gibbons (Jr)
P: Hagerup (Jr/So)
...Stud recruits at both positions, I guess we'll see.
IN CONCLUSION, I can't imagine that this team doesn't win the Big10 and goes to a big BCS bowl game. The start of Big10 domination, perhaps.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
I agree, looks very nice
December 21st, 2009 at 9:56 AM ^
I LIKE STUDS!!!!! lol
December 20th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^
I think most "rational" thinkers pretty much agree that THIS year is "make or break."
Look, if Rodriguez stinks it up this year--he's gone. I think that pretty much sums up rational thought.
Let's say the team sucks ass this year and next year (again). Who the fuck would think he deserves a fifth year?
What next, "Look out in 2019!"?
December 20th, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^
I completely agree with you. Of course you are going to get negged by The Sunshine and Lollipop crowd, but in all truthfulness this year is make or break and anyone thinking RR can endure another losing season/no bowl finish with a new AD coming in is delusional. This is it, and I'm confident he will get it done.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:16 PM ^
The "Sunshine and Lollipop Crowd" are apparently the enemies of the "Three Star Mafia"...
December 20th, 2009 at 10:57 PM ^
is a MUST this year or else I may have to just move to Florida. For Meechigan's sake and for RR sake we better get to a fricken bowl game this year. I've already got my tickets to the outback bowl for next year. Haha
December 20th, 2009 at 10:57 AM ^
Posts like this make my head hurt. How about let's have RR keep his job through next year then we can worry about 2011 and then 2012.
Of course we don't have to worry about 2013 since the Mayans predicted the world would end so he really better GIT ER DONE!
December 20th, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^
All posts by this OP make my head hurt regardless.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:42 PM ^
I'm still waiting for his next meltdown
December 20th, 2009 at 2:08 PM ^
He's a motherf-ckin S.T.U.D.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^
I think with a new AD coming in that if RR doesn't do much better this year they may have an itchy trigger finger. I would love to see RR get 4-5 years, I think all coaches should, but will that happen with a new AD coming in? It is very hard to project a lineup that far in the future too as we don't know what attrition or recruits will change the makeup of this team.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
Sure, if Michigan "stinks ass" in 2010, Rich Rod will have a hard time keeping his job. If there's improvement, he'll stay. And we don't have to win the Big Ten for that to be the case. Not yet.
Here's to not stinking ass.
December 20th, 2009 at 7:44 PM ^
a fourth year.
I put **should** inside of stars, however, because for the first time, there are records in 2010 that could get him fired.
I don't want to say what that record is, but I'd tend to give RR a one-year pass if the offense shines but we struggle on defense.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:50 PM ^
because if we fire him in two years we are just gonna have to go thru this again. I personally don't want to, and I know others dont either. I say we keep him the length of his contract and evaluate from there.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:28 AM ^
Love the enthusiasm. I agree, we're looking good in the next couple years as our young players develop. Not sure about the comparison to USC's secondary. I just don't think the raw athleticism is there. The moment that sticks out to me was watching Carlos Brown streak past Emilien during the spring game with ease. Maybe his knee gets better? Also, sounds like Christian is skilled, but a little lacking on speed from reports. Still think they could be real good though.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
It is hard to argue with what you say, but you need to consider that the fan base may not be that patient.
If next year shows some level of improvement, say at least 7-5, he will get year four. A trap that is easy to fall into is to assume that the general Michigan fan base has the same level of sophistication as those who regularly read Mgoblog. If you don't understand the personnel issues, you would blame RichRod's coaching for the difficulties we have endured the last two years.
Personally, I give him two more years to take us to a position where the last game of the season has us a win from Pasadena or better, although if we win ten games, no one is going to pull the plug.
A factor that you don't consider in your analysis is the NFL. If some of the players you noted have reached high levels of accomplishment you suggest, you need to consider that some of them may be gone. Sam Bradford's injury definitely changed the rules.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:10 AM ^
You mean, most of the Michigan fan base is not as sophisticated as a bunch of guys (myself included--no pretense of "sophistication" on my part) who spend their days on message boards arguing over hypotheticals, 19 year old kids, and whether Rodriguez is doing a great job despite the results we've all seen? You mean they're not as sophisticated as grown men who make up depth charts of their favorite college football teams?
Those poor, unfortunate, unwashed masses!
December 20th, 2009 at 11:32 AM ^
I thought I had implied "most" fans, but you are absolutely, dead nuts right on the mark, including your description of the so far uncurable pathology which affects so many of us who frequent this board.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:39 AM ^
And I too have that incurable pathology. But dammit, if loving message boards is wrong, I don't wanna be right!
December 20th, 2009 at 12:22 PM ^
I think he's meaning that most of the fanbase just shows up for games and gets their Michigan football news from the Freep and/or Rosenberg or in 30 second updates on the radio. That is the sophistication nuance, I suspect...I am sure most of the brie and chardonnay crowd in my section that are shaking their canes and rattling their keys in anger are doing so after working up some foment reading the Freep beside their maize and blue motorhomes pregame. They are not keeping up on the relevance of RichRod's recruiting on MGoBlog...likely not contributing to the Tiger Woods porn title thread either...just sayin.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
Lots of use for that word for a bunch of guys who have never played college football.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
As far as RR’s recruiting, I think he has done a good job of recruiting in an effort to fill holes in the team. It’s like trying to patch a sinking ship while at sea, just fill the holes with whatever you can get your hands on easily, but serviceable. In fairness to RR, he had a lot of holes to fill and has offered the big recruits but the low win-loss ratio at Michigan might play a factor in not landing an abundance of big time recruits.
As far as RR’s longevity at UofM, I think that any progress next year will almost guarantee another year at the helm of UofM football for RR and his staff. Even the biggest Debbie-downers would be hard to argue that next year will not see progress given the youth returning (a lot of the youth have experience) and the talent potentially leaving to play on Sundays around the conference.
Given the problems faced by RR in his first two years; huge senior class leaving before he was the man in charge, imbalanced recruiting in previous years, abnormally high attrition (due to many factors), new schemes all around, and the Jihads, I am convinced that the new AD and MOST people involved in end or extending RR’s career at Michigan would be aware of the afore mentioned issues and would give him the opportunity to coach his recruits at least until a senior class of HIS graduates. I predict we will see a minimum of three more years of RR at Michigan.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
I like the optimism, let's just hope the team starts turning the corner this year. The last thing I want to see is Rich Rod get fired and the team rebuilding all over again.
Assuming that Tate develops into a solid starting QB and is a four year starter, redshirting Devin Gardner is extremely important. The last thing we want is for him to play in limited time in 2010, only to blow a year of eligibility and leave him only a year to start. There are downsides to the redshirt, though. By redshirting Gardner, Denard would likely remain at QB for next season. I know Denard was a true freshman this year, but I just don't think he has the passing abilities to be a QB in the Big Ten. Hopefully Rich Rod will be able to find some ways to use him at other positions while leaving him at QB.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:00 PM ^
year 5 is getting ahead of yourself. I hope that this team turns things around next year and can beat maybe 3 teams in the Big Ten. That would be nice. I will not predict any sort of longevity for RR until he starts winning at UM. I loved the coaching pick and I really like his style of play. I just hate seeing our program suck more than Boise State. Hell, we are a low level team in a bad conference right now. As soon as they start a defense that can stop anybody, I'll start to entertain thoughts of a future with RR. Right now, I'm skeptical. Show me, baby. Show me some Defense for once.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:05 PM ^
This has to be the emo/saban guy. Let's worry about this year, because it is make or break. There's a good chance we will win 7 or less games, and if we do RR might not be here the year after.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:21 PM ^
If RR gets us to a bowl in 2010, he stays. Anyone who thinks we should get rid of RR after that is out of his stupid-ass mind -- not only that, but begging for a coaching carousel and a mish-mash roster that lead to prolonged misery.
We're committed to this guy. Deal with it and give him a fair chance. The last two years have been misery, and 2010 isn't likely to spell euphoria. But this program will see major success before RR's contract expires.
Anyone who doesn't think Rodriquez can win big with his guys -- including at Michigan and in the sacred-mighty Big Ten -- is out of his stupid-ass mind. Completely out of his stupid-ass mind.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^
2010 is the make or break year for Rod, not 2012. Anything less than 7 wins and I wouldn't be surprised if Rod was let go. Either we make the leap forward or fall into a deep abyss for the next few years.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^
Oh you've seen them play? How did they look? Highlight mix tapes yes/no!?!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!?
December 20th, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
Looks like a party of two...
December 20th, 2009 at 5:11 PM ^
I'm not entirely sure how this fits... but I like it.
December 21st, 2009 at 9:25 AM ^
considering I had somehow convinced myself that Jessica Biel was in Party of Five. Google imaging "Jessica Biel Party of Five" was enjoyable, but the realization that I had my wholesome family dramadies confused was a humbling experience.
I just figured that RichRod:Season Five somehow equalled Lacey Chabert: Party of Five.
December 21st, 2009 at 2:45 PM ^
So who equals Jennifer Love Hewitt?
December 20th, 2009 at 11:02 PM ^
weiners
December 20th, 2009 at 11:12 PM ^
That's so fetch
December 20th, 2009 at 12:55 PM ^
Blast this Ohio wireless network! Bad enough I have to live in this Godforsaken hole of a place, but now it even messes up my postings....
December 20th, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^
Regardless of the comments on this board, we do not know the thoughts of the people who would be making this decision. Make or break at what level? Number of wins, bowl game, Big Ten championship, beat OSU/MSU/PSU? Make or break for how long? 1 additional year or 3 additional years or ?????
I think that the question will be one of progress made as viewed by AD and President, and that we will not see him fired or offered a big extension (a la ND with Weiss). The Michigan athletic department and administration has a long history of giving coaches time provided they don't hit any NCAA infractions skids.
That's what past history says, and I'd say the likelihood is great that they will stay on that course!
December 20th, 2009 at 12:45 PM ^
although I don't agree his 5th year will be make or break, I do agree that we will have tons of talent by then. I was gonna make a post about something like this but got lazy so I'm glad you took care of it...+1
December 20th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^
"Tons of talent" assumes that kids don't transfer if we keep losing. It also assumes that our recruiting classes won't slide lower and lower each year as kids pass over Michigan, the last place team in the Big Ten.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:28 PM ^
...yeah even if we have "tons of transfers" the only reason I see this happening is if we get some solid play-makers in the class of '11, '12 which will take over the starting spots to make for transfers. There will be tons of talent because despite the transfers, most of the players listed here will stay and we aren't even accounting for other top recruits we get after '10. Plus after RR smashes next year, you're prediction of Michigan being the last place team in the big ten will be as relevant as your posts on mgoblog...
December 20th, 2009 at 3:06 PM ^
1. I said "transfers". Not "tons of transfers". You said "tons of talent" and backed that up with nothing but your hopes, dreams, lucky rabbit's foot, and crossed fingers.
2. You don't understand how recruiting works, do you? You seem so blind with RR loyalty that you assume we can continue losing and get great recruits. It doesn't work like that. The more we lose, the harder it becomes to get strong players. Note, for example, our current class. It's not bad...but 15-20 nationally isn't great, nor is it what we used to do. We aren't even in consideration for the majority of top recruits. Teams that win are. Our class will be good, but not Michigan good.
3. I'm not predicting a last place Big Ten finish. I'm stating the FACT. We finished last in the Big Ten. LAST! Step back and consider reality before you spout off about my posts.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:46 PM ^
I was positive your "season 5" post was a joke. Seems not.
I can't imagine any "rational thinker" believing that RR will be given five years to show what he can do. Next season is his last chance.
I understand that folks want patience with RR, but the notion of giving him five years for his experiment makes me ill.
Even a couple more years of losing could destroy our recruiting for years to come. If you think the alumni base will tolerate even a third year of losing, you're nowhere near rational. You're insane.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:56 PM ^
There's no guarantee Rodriguez will see year 4, let alone year 5.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:46 PM ^
As we have seen Rodriguez seems to turn things around in his third year with a team. Now weather or not he has the right players yet is left to be decided. It seemed like the first four weeks he had things moving after the ND upset. Then came Indiana and we suddenly just didn't play like we were ranked 25th. In my opinion had we not of had that call go our way in our conference opener, Indiana probably would of beaten us. We in reality would have lost all our Big Ten games. But this coming year we have to do better in conference play. I am very sick of losing to Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State. If Rodriguez wants to help guarantee his stay here then a victory if MSU would definitely help. Losing to Sparty 3 years in a row is disgusting I'm sorry but that’s a game we need to win this year. Michigan just needs to be a consistent team and then we will do fine. Road wins are must wins this year and weak teams like Purdue and Illinois should be easy games for us. There is really no excuse for losing to these teams three years in a row. I'd love to see us beat OSU in Ohio Stadium but it's a difficult task no doubt. As long as we go 500 or above, beat MSU, ND or OSU and make a bowl, I'll be happy.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
Last year at this time UMers were telling the world that Rodriguez turns things around between Year 1 and Year 2--now YOU say it's Year 3?
Holy shit. We had it all wrong.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:58 PM ^
His year with programs comes around once it's in the third season. BTW I never said anything like that. Just and FYI I joined this board this year so pal I know I never said anything like that.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:53 PM ^
i still think 2011 is our national championship year. just wait
December 20th, 2009 at 4:17 PM ^
RR's pattern has been one of improvement everywhere he goes. I can't imagine this team not getting better next year. Even with its defensive woes, this team was good enough to go 8-4 before injuries to Molk and Forcier. When Molk came back for a series, UM marched down the field pretty easily on PSU. When he was reinjured, they couldn't move the ball at all. That is no coincidence.
The OL will be a year older, bigger, and more experienced. Molk should be back barring the unthinkable, but they should be more able to sustain his loss if it happens again. Forcier should be healthy enough to have his pre-injury velocity on the ball again, and between DG and a more experienced Denard, there should be a much more viable plan B at QB.
Also, I feel that the defense will be more like the defense that finally "got it" against OSU than the one that allowed Purdue and Illinois to walk all over it. They'll miss BG, but there should be enough improvement across the board to compensate for his absence. This should be enough to make a big difference in what is still a pretty weak conference once you get past the top three teams.
This team could easily end up being the surprise team of college football next season. And the one great thing about all the feces the MSM has dumped on UM the last two years is that they have set the stage for a decent season being a big "comeback story." The MSM may suck in a lot of ways, but they do love a comeback almost as much as they love to wallow in a massive fail.
This season, Michigan was just bad enough to be beaten by the tier of MSU, Purdue, and Illinois. Minimal improvement will turn those games into victories. They should sweep their OOC schedule, and really shouldn't lose to Indiana, MSU, Purdue, or Illinois. That means that they should win eight, and if they can beat any of Iowa, Wisky, PSU, or OSU, they will be at nine or higher.
It may be another year before they are as good as PSU or OSU, but the amount of improvement needed to get to eight games isn't really very much. I can't imagine them not getting there.
Negative speculation of RR's future would probably be better tabled and revisited at the end of next year if anyone really wants to. Your mileage may vary.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:04 PM ^
I very much agree. Even with Warren leaving the D will benefit from across the board improvement. There is now enough young talent that you can expect 3-4 to emerge next year, either from recruits or the current roster.
Also agreed on the MSM. When we were 4-0 they were already on the "comeback", and anointing Forcier the savior. As soon as we start winning the bandwagon will fill up.