Great to hear.
I'll still save my jubilation until after he announces, though. Gut feelings aren't always 100% accurate.
Sam's are, because "gut feeling" is his euphemism for "silent commitment."
but he had a "gut feeling" about Fred Smith.
Fred called him a few days before he had his press conf and told Sam he was about to commit, but he didn't want Sam to break the story b/c he wanted to have a press conf. Sam told him that he couldn't write a story on him being about to commit and told him to call him after he commits. FS called the coaches at UM and committed. Then he called Sam back, but told Sam to hold the story until his press conf. The day before the press conf a coach from southeastern (recently hired by MSU)took FS to MSU and Dantonio and Izzo put the pow wow on him. When he announced for MSU hs family was pissed b/c they were all set for him to go to UM.
and yet Sam Webb still said he had a gut feeling on Fred Smith. I know that 9 times out of 10 he's right but every once in a while this kind of thing trips him up. I'm not really sure what is factually incorrect about what I originally said, but whatever.
But silent commitments are not done deals, and are subject to change. Sean Parker was also a "silent commitment"...heck he even put himself in a Michigan team photo at an all star game.
HOWEVA, it doesn't change that Sam's "gut feeling" is his way of saying "this is what exists as of now", so the info is both A) as good as it can be right now and B) better than it was before. Worth celebrating, IMO. Yes, things can change, but if you're going to get huffy and insist on waiting til it's "official" then surely you won't be celebrating when he verbals, or did you forget about Beaver, Newsome, Graves, etc.?
He had a "gut feeling" about Sean Parker, and a couple guys from Florida from the last class.
Edit: Beat me to it.
April 20th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
Verbal commitments aren't 100% accurate either so I guess you shouldn't be celebrating the announcement either. We know what Sam's gut feelings are and, especially compared with the rumors that we've had so far, they're definitely worth getting excited about.
EDIT: Sorry, MaizeAndBlueWahoo got there like 3 hours before I did but I hadn't read that far down yet.
April 20th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
Indicating that Hart seemed like a pretty done deal and that he was going to announce during the BarBQ at the Big House event which he planned on attending. Sounds like good news but, lets face it, while a good step, nothing is permanent until signing day. Particularly this year since you know every other coach is pulling every negative recruiting shot regarding NCAA violations and job security that they can. This is definitely going to be a marathon rather than a sprint.
April 20th, 2010 at 11:46 AM ^
SPIKE: Uh, Will? Now, uh, don't turn me into a horned toad for asking, but - what if we come across Ben?
WILLOW: I don't think a doctor's what Buffy needs right now.
SPIKE: Well, yeah. Specially not one who also happens to be Glory.
GILES: What do you mean?
SPIKE: You know... Ben is Glory.
WILLOW: You mean Ben's with Glory?
XANDER: "With" in what sense?
ANYA: They're working together?
SPIKE: No no. Ben is Glory. Glory's Ben. They're one and the same.
ANYA: When did all this happen?
SPIKE: Not one hour ago! Right here, before your very eyes! Ben came, turned into Glory, snatched the kid, and - phht! - vanished. Remember? You *do* remember? Is everyone here very stoned? Ben. Glory. He's a doctor. She's the Beast. Two entirely separate entities, sharing one body. It's like a bloody sitcom! Surely, you remember!
XANDER: So you're saying... Ben, and Glory ...
ANYA: Have a... connection.
GILES: Yes, obviously. But what kind?
SPIKE: Oh! I get it. Very crafty. Glory's worked the kind of mojo where anyone who sees her little presto- chango instantly forgets. And yours truly, being somewhat other than human, stands immune.
WILLOW: So, Ben and Glory are... the same person?
XANDER: Glory can turn into Ben, and Ben turns back into Glory.
ANYA: And anyone who sees it instantly forgets.
SPIKE: And a kewpie doll for the lady.
GILES: Excellent. Now. Do we suspect that there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?
SPIKE: (sigh)
While I agree with you. His gut feelings are running an easy +80% clip.
I think Scout people would reply that at the time they're felt they are.
I have a gut feeling about Chipotle..... ummmm Chipotle
But does he have any inside info? I mean seriously, anyone can get it off recruiting websites and make a bold announcement, but where is his info?
/self-deprecating humor
sam is a mod at scout. he conducted a series of 3 interviews with dee hart and members of his family. dee told him that his decision has been made, and he will announce his decision on may 22. he will be attending the big house bbq on may 22.
Did you not get the "/self-deprecating humor"? If not, go read about 3 posts down.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^
FAIL
All well and good, but until Dee Hart publicly states his commitment, nothing to see here.
For those of you still putting stock in Sam Webb's gut feelings, I give you Sean Parker.
Let's wait until we hear it from Hart.
Bad Geauxfer. Go play with your kids.
I will play with them after I get off the phone with a couple of recruiting analysts. They are asking me how my 3-year-old liked his first visit to the Big House last weekend, about his top five schools, and a "timeline" for deciding on a college.
Sure he was a "God" but now he's just meh...
And for those of you still putting stock in verbal commitments, I give you Kevin Newsome, Pearlie Graves, Shavodrick Beaver, and hundreds of other decommitments. Why should Sam's "gut feelings" be any less worth celebrating than a verbal commitment, if you're going to worry about future changes of mind?
RR's commits for the 2009 recruiting cycle were very different than those for the 2010 cycle. He admittedly rushed and pressured kids to commit in 2009, which led to de-commits.
However, in the 2010 cycle he did not let kids commit publicly if they were going to take any other visits. It's why Cullen did not commit for 6 months, and possibly why Parker ended up elsewhere, because he wanted to visit USC and Washington before going public.
So, I put a lot of stock in current verbal commits from Rich Rod. Moreso than Sam Webb's gut feelings.
Fair point, but the gut feelings are still a huge step up from what we had before. They're based on info a lot more solid than conjecture, and the whole "team picture" thing that people use as proof that anything can happen is also proof that there's good reason to have a gut feeling in the first place.
Sean Parker changed his mind at the last minute. Sam's "gut feeling" means the player has told the coaches that he will be committing. You can't blame Sam if kids change their minds.
Not at all. I don't blame Sam, he is simply catering to a fanbase who pays money to find out the college choices of 16 and 17 year old kids.
So, I'm pretty sure I know where the problem lies.
April 20th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
You make it sounds like you're "above" all this recruiting stuff...
...and yet you comment on a lot of recruiting threads AND you said elsewhere in this thread that you'll "wait for Hart to announce it himself."
It seems like you're just finding random things to be grumpy about. If you don't care about recruiting, then stop reading and commenting on recruiting-related threads. It's really pretty simple.
Sam's gut was right. Sean even took a photo for the cover of the recruiting day Mag with the other AA players for Michigan. At the last minute he switched his commitment to Wash. So when Sam gave his gut feeling he was right at that time. Even if SP would have announce for UM until he signed his LOI it was all academic.
IF SAM WEBB CANT SEE INTO THE FUTURE I'M NOT INTERESTED!
April 20th, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^
THAT'S COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE (! x 10^8) THIS IS MICHIGAN DAMMIT (! x 10^10)
The correct terminology is Intestinal Precognition.
Sam's stomach is like a one-eyed gypsy.
I like this new term...any your lego avatar. I want an whole team of michigan lego dudes to line up and run various plays in anticipation of the Fall.
Whether Hart gives Michigan a verbal or not, it's still going to come down to wins and losses. A poor season probably means he doesn't come here. Win and things will work themselves out. No use worrying one way or the other until that LOI is in.
That said, I'd still love to get a commitment from Hart. Another interview with his mother alone would be worth it.
For a top recruit with offers from elite programs to publicly state he's coming 3-4 months before the season starts is big. Whether he ends up blue or not in the end, it's a nice PR boost for the current staff in terms of other recruits considering the program. Now the staff can say, "Look, this kid had questions, got them answered, and is confident in where the program is going. The National Champions want him, but he wants to come here." It can only help with other recruits in the near term, I think. As you say, none of it matters if the wins don't come, but if they do, the staff can build on the momentum.
Granted, Hart is likely in a position a lesser recruit may not be in in that he can likely change his mind late in the game and still land at a top program. Still a verbal would be all positive in the near term.
or neg someone? Thanks
The gray arrows in the upper right corner.
I was wondering how I was getting points.
you never heard of the points fairy
...we all.
/sarcasm
The MGoBlogerati welcome you.
Don't feed the mods. They need more nourishing fare.
for $750 and I'll have Brian upgrade you to PointGiver status.
Actually, it's all about the little arrows over there on the right of each post, if you feel so compelled. Up-Arrow is I think worth +2, Down-arrow is -1.
In the right hand corner of every text box there is a little up arrow and a down arrow.
Obviously, clicking the up arrow gives the post a +1 and a bump of +2 the users MGoPoints
Conversely, the down arrow decreases the points of the thread by 1 and decreases the uses MGoPoints by 1.
Simple enough...
for asking how to give and neg points. Thanks to all of you who helped me.
...is don't talk about MGoPoints.
When you complain about a neg, you invite the dreaded negbomb. Don't be that guy.
is not lying. Tempers occasionally run very short around here... Don't say we didn't warn you.
On MGoBlog, as in all things UM from 2008-2010 (plus the first two weeks of 2007), you must
TAKE IT LIKE A MAN
Just want to give some props to Don, who yesterday had a gut feeling about Sam's gut.
See this post.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^
Awesome! Now I can bust out my I heart Hart tee shirt. Hopefully my boobs aren't too big after my enhancement.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
Hopefully my boobs aren't too big after my enhancement.Gosh, what a shame that would be.
April 20th, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
Generally speaking, there is no such thing as being too big.