RR's Presser
For those of you that listened was that the worst press conference after a big game ever? I know RR's not going to call guys out and give us coach speak, but that was really a big freakin nothing. Those questions were softer than Charmin. I noticed last week Tim had much more coverage in his notes than I saw when I watched it, so do they ask more questions on the side?
October 11th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
What'd he say about the ankles of Molk and Martin?
October 11th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
Will be limted in practice today but should play Saturday. Fitz will again miss Saturday's game due to his shoulder (might as well count him out for the year) and Odoms did in fact suffer a broken foot.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
Did RR say we should count Fitz out for the year or are you saying that? We have 3 weeks before PSU which is a lot of time for him to heal up. I wonder if they can get a medical redshirt for him to give him 4 years of eligibility still.
Also, did he say how long Odoms will be out? I'm assuming that's probably the rest of the regular season.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:28 PM ^
According to the interview on Rivals, RR did not know whether Odoms' broken foot would be season-ending but it sounds like he will miss a significant amount of time.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:27 PM ^
Im glad they can't just come out and say what he did to his shoulder.. especially since he showed no signs of pain when he was in for the few carriers against BG.
I am really curious as to what the fuck exactly is his injury extent
October 11th, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^
RR meets with the media first and then goes in front of the camera for a few soft balls.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:07 PM ^
Do you know what the point of that is? Seems a waste of time. Last year his pressers were like a half hour. I guess I'll just wait for Tim's update.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
It's posted. It's been pushed a fair way down the front page.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
he's talking about today's presser
October 11th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
Oh good point, I was wondering why he was posting this 2 days later haha.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
after the press conference starts is when RR is finished with the local media and gets in front of the internet feed.
They want different questions for the local media vs TV for some reason.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
He just seemed really tired, like he only got a couple hours of sleep the past two nights.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
this feels wrong. I have been an obsessive Rich Rod supporter since he signed on, and I have posted some things today designed to dismiss my own doubt. But, man, my doubt is winning the fight. And what I have seen of him since, with his "we had some break downs there" and "sure were dissappointed"(s), I just don't know. Win on Saturday Rich, or I think things could start getting messy.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
What exactly is he suppose to say?
October 11th, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^
I have had a similar feeling since the game. I have also been a strong supporter of RR. Even when doubt crept into my mind that some of criticism might not be 100% off, I sort of pushed it away.
But for some reason, after this loss, my confidence in my position is shaken. I know - 1 loss, 1 loss - but it's not just the loss. It's how we lost. We were thoroughly outplayed on offense. We were thoroughly outplayed on defense. We were thoroughly outplayed on special teams. Also, when our offense was struggling, there was ZERO offensive creativity. I was hoping for something, anything, to spark our offense, and it just didn't come. This was another game where it looked like MSU knew what we were going to run on half of the plays.
This mood will probably (and hopefully) pass, and winning against Iowa would go a long way, but for now, there is a good amount of doubt.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^
You know, this is what happens when your team plays a good team. I know it must burn this fanbase to realize it, but Michigan State is a good team coached by good coaches.
There's no reason to have a "good amount of doubt." Football games are normally turned by 2 or 3 plays. Would you have the same feelings of "doubt" if Denard had gotten that pass to Tree in the end zone in the first quarter? If Denard hit that pass to Stonum? If Roundtree hadn't dropped that ball? If the MSU OT hadn't had the false start? And tell me, out of those four plays, what exactly do you blame RR for? The schemes were perfect, the plays were there. The false start was a freak occurrence, the three passes weren't the coaches' faults - the players didn't execute.
It's just one game. Get over it, and get ready for Iowa. I assure you the coaches and players are. There's no reason to think about 10/9 anymore.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^
Not sure that we were "thoroughly outplayed" on special teams. Michigan averaged 21 yds per kickoff return to 14 for MSU. Each team had one punt return: Michigan for 14 yards, MSU for 9. Net yards per punt: Michigan won the battle 44.8 to 36.5. Avg. per punt: Michigan won the battle 47 to 45. Other than going 1/2 on FG's, Michigan outplayed MSU in virtually every other aspect of special teams.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
Completely agree - this loss hurts especially bad, and RR needs to acknowledge that, he needs to say something. For example, Lloyd said after App State - "These kids are hurting, and they should be". It was good to hear him say that it was bad. Knowing that he knew that made me, and I think others, feel better.
Had we played MSU tough, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. But like Bateson said, "it's the difference that makes a difference" - the difference between MSU and us was drastic. Couple that with throwing in the towel with nearly 6 minutes left, and the fact that our guys just seemed to look scared (hesitant, worrying about defenders before actually catching the ball), and this game was especially troubling. I am really losing faith in RR as a leader, as someone who inspires these kids, and who inspires fans to have faith. There are coaches out there that have that (Peterson, Fitzgerald, Meyer, Chip Kelley, Harbaugh, and yes, Dantonio). RR ain't got it. Or at least it seems.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
I'm surprised to read this from you. As one who lost faith in RR long ago, I'm extremely disappointed by the MSU loss but think RR can rally as a leader and get the season back together.
The toughness, for me, has always been an issue. The Big East and Big Ten are completely different animals in that regard. We have monsters like Mike Martin, but his attitude needs to infect the rest of the team. We still have a lot of football to go, but this loss certainly stings.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
I'm just very disturbed by all the qualitative things I saw during and after Saturday's game. I dont mean all the aspects due to lack of knowing the system and wrong players (the putting square pegs into round holes issue). I mean attitude, drive, demeanor, confidence, and so on. I hope you are right, I hope RR proves me wrong. And I do fear that I am drifting more and more into an irrational state. I probably need to just take a break for a while.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
Let's call it....something other than "irrational", but you have a real point about the attitude/drive/confidence. I was fortunate enough to watch a couple of games from the sideline during both the Carr and RR eras. Maybe I'm crazy, but it really felt like the RR teams lacked the leadership from the Carr teams. Confidence didn't seem to be there either. There are probably a number of explanations for that, but that's just my two cents.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:53 PM ^
Could the perceived lack of leadership have anything to do with the fact that the majority of our starters on both sides of the ball are underclassman? That was probably not the case with most of Lloyd teams (not claiming fact here, just my quick recollection). Aside from a few obvious exceptions (Hart, Henne, etc.) most of the underclassman didn't even sniff the field aside from pre-game warm-ups.
I don't think anyone questioned the leadership and drive of this team as we started 5-0...opponents in this instance didn't matter. There's no question that RRod has put this offense in the position to win games. Offensive strategy and play calling are not my concern at this point. I won't beat the defensive dead horse anymore...
GO BLUE!
October 11th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
It could be the youth...although so many folks talk about Denard's leadership. It could also be that the teams were just flat. Keep in mind though that leaders don't need to be starters.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
Wow!!! We lose one game now and Coach rod can't coach.. I think this might be the dumbest thing I've read on this board today. When we win sat make sure you come back on here questioning coach leadership ability.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:53 PM ^
My argument is more nuanced than leadership = coaching ability. To me, coaching is more than Xs and Os, scheming, game day adjustments. And at a program like UM, its more than dealing with just the players and coaches. Its leading the program internally and externally. I do not question RR's ability to coach in terms of system, scheming, Xs and Os. I think he is one of the better coaches when it comes to that. But I do think he needs to be a better leader, he needs to better appreciate rivalries, he needs to tell the fans that losing will not continue (which at the same time makes a much louder statement to the team). After the showing on Saturday, we need to see some leadership, not lingering reminders of someone who quits with nearly 6 minutes left.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:45 PM ^
"this loss hurts especially bad, and RR needs to acknowledge that,"
you have got to be kidding? Announce the ship be sinking after one loss? (App State was a whole 'nother level of pain, and acknowledging that came a few games before Carr retired)
RR has to motivate and move them forward. some defense would be nice. But whether this team goes 5-7 or 9-3 is still TBD......and acknowledging that this "hurts especially bad" would be the beginning of the end of RR.
After all, its only a flesh wound.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^
Did General Custer quit after Custer's Last Stand???!
....
....
....
....well??
October 11th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^
Don't forget that we were totally outcoached.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
How so? I thought our gameplan was fine. The missed redzone opportunities killed us.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
you think of the red zone gameplan?
October 11th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
Gabby Hayes is right about Howard Johnson being right!
October 11th, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^
Thank YOU!
October 11th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
I listened to part of the press conference, and like many have mentioned it was him just fielding some softball questions, but what do you want him to say after he just lost (decisively) to Sparty again. While i think Sparty is much better than most have given them credit for, he then has to host Iowa next week, another physical big ten team with a game managing offensive. There are a lot of similarities between State and Iowa, and the team will be in for another good test. I thought going in that we had a good chance of losing one of the two games, just because they were against physical teams that rich rod has had zero success with. As long as we get Denard back on track, all will be well. Its just unfortunate that we have to follow the Sparty lose against another very good and very experienced team.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:41 PM ^
Yes, playing Sparty and Iowa back to back is a difficult schedule, but to me, this will not serve as an excuse for another bad loss. We are in the B10, so we can expect decent opposition from here on out, with the exception of a few cupcakes. If all we can do is beat up on BG, UMass and UConn, that is telling, isn't it?
Yes, I am just cranky today, but I remember a time when we would view MSU and Iowa, both in the Big House, at a 2 week period with 1 definite win and a likely win in the second.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
You must be pretty old. MSU and Iowa, traditionally, have been good to very good teams.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^
"You must be pretty old. MSU and Iowa, traditionally, have been good to very good teams."
jg2112: Your comment makes less than zero sense. If he is very old, then he would obviously understand the tradition of these teams.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^
Yes, they have been good - for a few years here and there. And we have traditionally been better - consistently.
Calling Sparty "very good" any time in recent history might be pushing it, a bit.
My point is that at the beginning of a season, I always remember looking over the schedule with others, and games like MSU and Iowa - both at home - would never have me just hoping for 1 win. Now I am not trying to lay blame for this - we are obviously down from where we usually are - but as fans, if we look at this 2 game stretch and say, "wow, of course we (either lost both or) won 1 - those were some damn hard games," then our expectations have been reduced far from what they were.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
U of M all time against Iowa 40 - 11 - 4 (that is ownership rights)
and ... yeah I am old.
Go Blue !
October 11th, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^
say "What do you expect RR to say?" Ask yourself, what would Bo say. He'd be infuriated and he'd detail exactly what would not happen again this season. And you know what? He'd be right.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:21 PM ^
Yes - Bo would come out during this press conference, and when some reporter asked him something stupid like, "Coach, what do you think that your team has to do better to win this game," he would reply something like:
"Everything. We have to do everything better. We didn't tackle well. We didn't cover well. We didn't bring enough pressure. We missed assignments. Our receivers couldn't hold on to the ball. We didn't throw well. Our RBs need to get more yards after contact. Our O-line needs to drive the other team into their own backfield. We need to block better. We need to hit field goals."
And he would say it with passion. He would be fired up, and it would be obvious from his answers that no, losing is never acceptable, even during a "down" year or two.
I am not trying to get on RR too much - I really have been an avid supporter - but he needs to get this team fired up again. That 2009 cliff that everyone though we had passed may be right in our path, and it is his job to make sure that we don't go over again.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
what Bo might say. Perhaps the difference is that Bo was always in a position where he believed that he was actually better, or close enough at least, to the next opponent that if M played inspired and well that victory was very likely. I am an RR guy as well, but I don't often get the feeling that he thinks the same way, at least to date.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
...that typically this blog (with exceptions, of course) is down on the press as a whole...making comments about not reading into what is said/printed in the media, etc. However, some are eager to discount RR because of what he doesn't say in a postgame press conference.
Personally, I don't care what RR says to appease the media that most of us don't trust. I am more concerned with what he says to the players in the locker room before, during and after a win or loss. It's asking a bit much of a head coach to take responsibility for convincing the fans and media that he is really upset about the recent loss. Any baffoon can mumble motivational "coach speak" from a podium to look pissed off, but that doesn't tell me anything about the character or desire of a head coach.
Questioning a call or strategy on the field is one thing, but criticizing a post-game presser is a little much...hopefully this is just post-loss venting rather than a continuous mindset.
October 11th, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
but there was only one Bo. No doubt his ways were effective, motivated his players, put fear into the opposition, and endeared him to our fanbase forever.
Would I like to see Rich Rod exhibit those same qualities, perhaps delivering his own version of "The Team, The Team, The Team" this week on the way to an upset over Iowa? Certainly an appealing thought, but to expect Rich Rod or anyone else to take up that mantle is not realistic. I also feel it's not necessary for him to be successful.
Perhaps I'm viewing the world through maize-colored glasses, but in Rich Rod, I see an extremely hard-working, knowledgeable coach who is passionate about Michigan and has the support of the players. I also believe that he can and will ultimately succeed here. Significant progress has been made already, particularly with the O, and I expect continued, steady improvement on both sides of the ball over the next couple of years as more pieces are put into place.
Go Blue. Beat Iowa.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^
Why does coach have to say something to make you feel better? His main job is to keep this team together and ready to beat Iowa on sat. Your job as a fan is to support and cheer for this team no matter what if you"re a real fan that shouldn't be a problem.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
This job you speak of isn't paying me near enough.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
lol... Go cheer on Usc I hear they pay well
October 11th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
easy. I thought he seemed a little bit resigned after the game, but at times it might be better for his health just not to get too riled.
My in-game worries were:
a) seemed a little complacent at the close of the half, both RR and Denard, like they just assumed we would storm back in the 2nd. MSU hates us too much for that.
b) too many first-down calls for Smith that went no where.
c) the punt at the seven minute mark
But this guy KNOWS we've got no defense (hell, they played pretty good), and the offense FELL DOWN. That was that. No coach is going to stand up to incessant scrutiny at all times. You make a million decisions and not all of them succeed.
October 11th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
defense played pretty good?
October 11th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
given the obvious qualifiers: lack of talent, youth. . . yup, they did.