September 19th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
OMFG He hates RIch Rod and were gonna lose forever and are team are cheaters and family values and losing and too much training and infractions and blah blah blah.
Probably because UofM already gets a bunch of props/media attention/publicity. Why not get your high school love?
September 19th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^
and I get the sarcasm, but I think the OP has a bit of a point. I have a pretty good idea where most NFL skill players (and a few of the linemen) spent their college careers. I haven't run the numbers, but it seems to me that most pro football players happily rep their U. tOSU folks especially, whereby we get the lowercase t.
Yeah, it doesnt' really matter, so far as we can prove. But wouldn't it be nice if everybody knew how many NFL folks came from UM?
September 19th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
All he did was ask a question (and a legitimate question at that).
September 19th, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^
And all I did was answer and provide some hilarious sarcasm to boot.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^
I had to rewind twice to hear what he was saying, and was not very pleased.
EDIT: Maybe because he didn't graduate from UM? That's my guess at least.
EDIT EDIT: Not very pleased because I like pointing out former UM players to my NY friends, not because I think he's obligated to mention Michigan or that not doing so reflects poorly on his relationship with the university.
September 19th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
I agree with you--the fact that he didn't graduate is probably the most plausible reason why he wouldn't give UM a shout-out. The understanding I had was that when RR took over, he more or less told Manningham and a few others that there was going to be some changes, so it might be in their mutual best interest to move on (to the NFL).
That said, Manningham is one of my all-time favorite Wolverines. The catch against PSU in '05 and his 3 TDs vs ND in '06 are some of my fondest memories of M football.
September 19th, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^
I have a hard time believing that he told a future NFL wideout that it would be in his best interest to move on. I don't care what kind of changes one's making, you don't tell a player like him to take a hike.
September 19th, 2010 at 11:21 PM ^
I don't think RR told him to GTFO in so few words, but at the same time--RR was installing a completely different system and wanted to do things his way--where everything was earned. For instance, Justin Boren left citing "family values" or whatever, but what I've heard around here was he wanted to rest on his laurels and didn't want to put in the effort that RR required. I'm not saying Manningham was lazy by any means, but after being in Lloyd Carr's regime for three years, would you, as a 21 year old kid, want to bust your ass physically and learn a whole new offensive system for uncertain rewards, or make the jump to the NFL and get paid? As much as we all love college football and think that playing for M or any other premiere program is tremendous honor (and it is), but it really comes down to $$$. While I'm sure playing for honor, the love of the game and all those things we like to think they play for factor in, playing in college is the only real way for these guys to get into the NFL (as Maurice Clarett so ably demonstrated). So, what I'm saying in a roundabout way is that instead of saying "hey, hit the road, kid..." I'd imagine RR might have said something to the effect of "We're making changes. We'd love to have you on the team, but if you don't want to do XYZ after 3 years of Lloyd Carr's system, I'm sure you'll be able to find a home in the NFL. No hard feelings." Manningham and RR aren't dumb, but they both had very different goals in 2007-08.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:39 AM ^
I'm sorry, but you are flat-out wrong. Mario never planned to stay for his senior year. It had nothing to do with the coaching change.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
Is the idea "we're going to make you work hard in training here at Michigan now. You'd be better off going to the NFL. They don't expect you to work at all there." Sigh.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:16 AM ^
Mario was set to leave in 3 years no matter what. Ditto with Adrian Arrington who made a pact with Mario to leave in 3 years. It's nothing that RR can do to bring them back. This is coming from a couple of players that I've talked to.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:36 AM ^
Mario made up his mind to leave long before RR got here. It was an open secret all season that his junior year would be his last.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
I saw that too, but several other players gave a shout out to their High School's as well. I suppose when Michigan wins the National Title in a couple years he may want to mention Michigan.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
September 19th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
Oh no, not these posts again...
September 19th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
i just asked this question on a different thread, is he another player unhappy with coaching staff? it's upsetting hearing grad not say Michigan during these games.
September 19th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^
He left early and therefore did not graduate.
September 20th, 2010 at 6:31 AM ^
A good amount of NFL players did not graduate and yet still manage to shout out there college especially Miami players. I don't really care what they say however, your hypothesis is flawed.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
A lot of people say their high school. Knowing Mario, I really doubt it is some kind of shot at Michigan.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^
Read into it all you want but its very, very, very, irrelevant.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:04 PM ^
I heard it and knew there would immediately be a thread.
Honestly, who gives a fuck? Mario is allowed to say whatever he pleases. Would it be nice if he said Michigan? Sure. But I don't think RichRod and DB are loosing sleep over every NFL player who chooses not to.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:04 PM ^
a shot against Michigan. I've heard of these guys from Carr's regime doing this and it just seems ridiculous. Regardless of who is coaching now, most of the players are in the pros because the college they went to prepared them. Wouldn't they want to give that college props?
September 19th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
Every time the Steelers were on MNF/SNF, he'd mention Detroit Pershing i/o UM. It didn't reflect any animosity to UM-- he even participated in the alumni flag football game a couple years back.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
i was just asking if anyone knew his stance on the new staff. from what i know of mario while being at school during the same period he was one of the nicest players and wouldnt speak out against his school if he was unhappy about something personally. im currently in law school with a couple of athletes from Michigan who have nothing but pleasant things to say about him
September 19th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
He's the nicest guy and doesn't look to speak out to cause trouble. You're turning jay-walking into the Warren commision.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^
More like "Warren (G Harding) commission." Zing!
September 19th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
Larry Foote does the same thing. I seem to remember a couple other Michigan players do it too. Not sure how many other players do it as I imagine it just sicks in my head more when Michigan does it.
I dare say Larry Foote was one of the first do it at least in recent memory. One of the first I noticed at the very least.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^
I remember one guy last season said his grammar school. Took it to the next level.
Go Giants!!....even though it doesn't look good.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^
are just as bad as the "why is desmond wearing the opposing teams colors???" posts... we know what school mario went to, the majority of NFL fans know what school mario went to... so who gives a fuck to what he says in his intro... if he wants to represent his HS let him...
September 19th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
The sky certainly isn't falling and I don't think it's a huge deal, but I'd much prefer him showing some U of M pride. I may be mistaken, but I think he was the only player (of 44) in the game who gave a shout out to his HS instead of college.
Folks made a stink about it last year when Braylon and Harris did the same thing for the Jets, and many people interpreted it as a passive-aggressive dissatisfaction with our program (we were looking pretty ugly at the time). IIRC, Braylon's dad spoke to him and he apologized a few days later.
Again, I don't think Rich or the fans should be losing sleep over this, but personally I feel a swell of pride in hearing NFL players announce U of M on a national stage, or even better, when Woodson introduced himself years ago as "Mr. Woodson, y'all know the school." I sure hope my WolverJets give a proper shout out next week.
September 19th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^
Charles can do no wrong.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^
Woodson said his high school once too.
September 19th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
Probably just my perception, but it seems former U-M players are more prone to stating their high school than players from other universities. Kind of a bummer, AFAIC. When it comes to recruiting, every little bit of publicity helps, so while these guys certainly have the right to rep their high school, they're not doing Michigan any favors when they do this.
September 19th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
Manningham TD!
September 19th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
TOUCHDOWN MANNINGHAM!
September 19th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^
Parabola.
September 19th, 2010 at 11:13 PM ^
...concave down, the GMen are making me a sad panda tonight.
EDIT: Well at least Mike Hart is getting some snaps....
September 19th, 2010 at 10:42 PM ^
I believe that Woodson said his high school when the Raiders played in the Super Bowl. ZOMG HE HATES MICH!!!
September 19th, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
today before the Jets game. And his dad seems supportive of Rodriguez. I'm another one who remembers Larry Foote doing it, because I too was disappointed. But I'm pretty sure he started that while Carr was still coaching. Can you others comment on that?
September 20th, 2010 at 12:36 AM ^
Caught Manningham doing it also - no idea what the motivation is. Wondering if Toomer has been talking to him - Amani has not been particularly kind to Michigan (really RR) in recent days and he still spends time around the Giants.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:03 AM ^
Because on his planet, there are no high schools.
September 26th, 2010 at 8:58 PM ^
Well, David Harris just did it. At least Henne and Long gave props to Michigan.