BlockM

September 19th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^

That's what I like to hear. No excuses, just a promise of more effort. I tell you what, this team certainly knows how to say the right things all the time.

bronxblue

September 19th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^

That's leadership on the defensive end.  You have to like to see a young kid step up and acknowledge a bad effort.  I fully expect this team to turn up the heat against BGSU and IU the next couple of weeks, then watch out MSU. 

snoopblue

September 19th, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^

He takes responsibility for the performance. That is great to see and says a lot about his character. Although I would like it if the head coach, Defensive Coordinator and Special teams coach stepped up and take some responsibility and explain themselves.

Mgobowl

September 20th, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^

The coaches are not on the field executing plays. That responsibility falls on the shoulders of the players. It's not like the coaches were blowing sunshine up anyone's ass after the game. Everyone acknowledged that there were issues in all facets of the game.

jtmc33

September 19th, 2010 at 10:52 PM ^

When the defense allows zero touchdowns the rest of the year on the way to a 13-0 season, we will put that quote on a tablet and replace the M on the Diag with it.  Tebow style.

bdsisme

September 19th, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^

Just what you want to hear from one of your leaders on defense (even though he's "only" a sophomore).  If you ever read/hear extended interviews with him, you quickly realize why he received all those scholar-athlete / student-athlete awards.  Very professional, respectful, and motivated.  Exactly the type of guy I envision of being a "Michigan man".

BlueinLansing

September 20th, 2010 at 12:41 AM ^

Michigan sophomore defensive player to ever speak up like this.  Or better yet, be allowed to speak up like this.

 

Its a different culture folks, sit back and enjoy the accountability.

bleedzblue

September 20th, 2010 at 12:45 AM ^

Roh is already one of the leaders on this team this team as a sophomore, he's a great kid with even better work ethic. The biggest thing that concerns me from those quotes was this " we didn't make adjustments during the game." This is the responsibility of Gerg, not the players. Gerg has to be able to make adjustments or were just going to continue to get beat again and again on defense. What makes a team good is the ability to adjust during the game both offensively and defensively. Gerg has to be able to make correct adjustments or this is not going to work. I did not like that quote at all.

M_Born M_Believer

September 20th, 2010 at 12:49 AM ^

Didn't Mike Hart promise a better performance against ND a few years back???

And didn't Jim Harbaugh promise a win against tOSU????

I am not expecting this defense to become the best in conference, but I do expect them to put forth maximum effort.

Now follow up on the promise and this program can start to solidfy itself and grow....

Don

September 20th, 2010 at 7:18 AM ^

That decision still looks pretty iffy to me. When one of your best players is openly admitting that the defense wasn't prepared and there were no adjustments in-game, that's as much of an indictment of the coaching staff as it is the players themselves. I can understand a letdown after two emotional games, but the performance on Saturday went far beyond a simple letdown. As far as the argument that UMass is better than many teams in D-1A (including Minny, Illinois, and IU) goes, I can't derive much comfort from that, even if it's accurate. That still leaves MSU, Wisky, Iowa, PSU, and OSU, and there's no doubt that those coaching staffs are reviewing the UMass game film closely. And probably laughing while they do it.

maizenbluenc

September 20th, 2010 at 7:58 AM ^

Eh - They regressed this week, but Ezeh and Mouton have both improved. For that reason alone (throw in Stevie Brown here), I think GERG is the real deal.

I think the wagon hitch Rich needs to question is Tony Gibson: Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coordinator. We've had a constantly revolving cast back there. Supposedly high touted recruits who either arrive and underperform, or don't arrive at all (and therefore chould no thave been offered). And then there is the argument that these other teams seem to be able to get more out of lesser recruits.

Add to that the struggles finding a kicker, and catching and holding on to punts two or three years in a row ....

 

 

ND Sux

September 20th, 2010 at 8:23 AM ^

Based on what, exactly?  He has shown success in the past for sure, and deserves more time, but not convinced as of today.  Say what you want about "players have to make the plays", but in the end the coach is responsible for the system, and making sure the players execute within it. 

Mouton is improved, not sure about Ezeh.  What I saw Saturday was our LBs not able to fill the gaps and stop the UMass rushing attack, plus they gave up outside contain several times.  Our defensive numbers stink,...THAT's the "real deal" so far. 

I love the enthusiasm on this board, but a dose of reality isn't a bad thing either.  As Don put it Saturday, there is a lot of whistling past the graveyard going on right now.  Fortunately the offense is clicking. 

Rasmus

September 20th, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^

Is that right? Is he really the special teams coach?

I always figured the assistant head coach thing was no big deal and probably reflected a dynamic in his friendship with Rich -- that Rodriguez regularly discusses head-coaching decisions with Gibson, so why not give him a title that reflects that.

But for Tony to be special-teams coach while also handling the most problematic aspect of the team (the defensive secondary) does appear to be too much. Kind of crazy, really.

Don

September 20th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^

True, but the UMass videos ought to bring a smile to their faces. Granted, they're probably thinking much more about the games immediately in front of them first. Put it this way—I doubt very much that there is anything they've seen in the first three games that puts any fear in their minds. We don't have a dominant D line in terms of getting to the QB (partially thanks to the bizarre reluctance of referees to call holding), our LB play is spotty and inconsistent, and the secondary is a work in progress.

And then there's our special teams. What a fucking disaster.

Forget eight victories—getting to six is going to be up entirely to our offense, and is going to be difficult enough. Get out the Maalox and the scotch and get ready for a lot of 45-42 games that go down to the wire.

lexus larry

September 20th, 2010 at 8:14 AM ^

Are the other Big Ten coaches laughing at Brian Kelly, too?

I would argue the fact of the matter is, as Rich Rod has openly stated, a lot of guys are not only young, but playing their first collegiate games, as well.  Look around college football, and look at the decisions/performances of Dayne Crist, Kirk Cousins, Steve Threet (still can't throw a swing pass with touch), Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton will still be out of position, having played 4 years (and started 3 years both).   Some of it has to be on the players (new or veteran).  While we can all do the coulda/woulda/shoulda, imagine how the schemes if Donovan Warren and Troy Woolfolk are in the secondary.  New, raw players back there means an entirely different strategy. 

Not necessarily defending the result, just saying, they're doing what they can with the hand dealt.

Don

September 20th, 2010 at 8:38 AM ^

Kelly's genius reputation is certainly taking a hit, that's for sure. Combined with his arrogant, sarcastic demeanor, and it's an interesting reprise of Charlie Weis. I think he's a far more accomplished coach than Weis ever was or will be, but it looks like the Kelly era is starting out pretty bumpy.

jamiemac

September 20th, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^

I'll ask this in as many threads as possible

Why the hell are we so pissed off after a win?

Chill out, folks. Jeebus, I havent even thought about the Umass game since it ended.

michiganfanforlife

September 20th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^

because we all want to believe that this team is headed to a bowl game this year. If not, all hell will break loose and carnage will ensue. The UMass game looked much more like our team last year than the first two games. We got pushed around on defense, and smacked in the mouth by a AA team. I don't care who they are, they made us look like a highschool defense out there. How can you be happy about our D? How many running plays did they have where our defense didn't even touch the back until he was 12 yards down the field? If they don't fumble up 17-7 at the end of the first half, it would have been 24-7 at the half and we probably would have lost the game. We got lucky there. Maybe you didn't watch the game at all?

All I know is that walking from the staduim, the entire crowd was down and out. We are all worried about what Big Ten teams will do with us if this tiny school can do whatever they want on offense.  I am done with GERG. He is awful, and he had no clue how to adjust to the 5 plays that team ran. The QB waggle (play aciton) play worked for them about 15 times in the game, and that points to a lack of scheme change in the second half.

jamiemac

September 20th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^

BOOOO!!!! You need to Enjoy Life better!!

As somebody who walked away from the stadium after a much better Michigan team lost and was rocked all day by an FCS school, this was hardly a dejected walk away from the stadium.

You facts are also a little skewed as far as timeline of the game, so maybe you didnt watch it......probably too busy crying UNACCEPTABLE.....

It's a game. And Michigan won. Going away basically in the second half.

imafreak1

September 20th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^

UMass averaged 4.4 YPC so that suggests that their runners didn't get "12 yards down the field" before being touched very often.

Right now, Michigan is 3 wins away from that bowl game you desire so badly. Hopefully, they can get to 6 wins so no 'hell will break loose' and all that 'carnage' can be avoided.

Beavis

September 20th, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^

Remember the Indiana game last year?  Remember how bad we looked, and instead of saying "this might be a 6-6 team this year" we said "well maybe Indiana is good finally".

Although our offense is better than last year's team, our defense is bi-polar, and our special teams is most certainly worse.  There is no way that UMass is "good finally". 

People that ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.  Personally I've gone from "10-2 is a distinct possibility" to "I'd be very happy with 7-5". 

jamiemac

September 20th, 2010 at 10:10 AM ^

Actually 2009 IU was one of the best offenses they have had in a while and as a follower of the program the last 20 years, the Hoosiers werent half bad a year ago. Man, they let a ton of W's slip away.

But, why in the hell do you have 10-2 expectations anyway? A team off back to back losing seasons, clearly a member of the bottom 60 of all teams after the last two seasons.....yeah, let's go ahead and expect a double digit win season. No wonder why you cant be happy

Also, check out the Sagarin Ratings if you want a true value of who we played on Saturday and where they really stack up compared to the college football world.

It was a classic letdown game........we've seen teams lose these types of games already this year. Michigan didnt lose their letdown game, in fact the other team never had a chance to win in the second half.

I still enjoyed the heck out of my day in Ann Arbor, and had a blast the rest of the football weekend.......why cant others follow suit, I wonder?

uminks

September 20th, 2010 at 11:13 AM ^

A ball control offense that will keep the defense off the field.  Even though the defense had an off day, I think they have turned the corner from last years low point. I look forward to this defense improving through the season.  Work on the run defense and stop the run.  We cannot let opposing offenses keep our great spread offense on the sidelines. This is my biggest worry as we had into b10 play.