Shoelace Working Wonders for Our National Perception

Submitted by Voltron on

I'm not sure if this warrants a new thread, but I've been thinking pretty much since getting home from the game on Saturday about how much of a blessing it is to have a guy like Denard on the field for us. We've heard so much negative crap about our program for two years and now we have turned the page with the most talked about player in the country.

The reason I came to think about this is that we just played to a one-possesion difference in the final score against UMass, and yet the national media is only talking about Denard having another huge statistical game. I haven't heard much of anything (except on the blog) about the debacle that it could have been. Instead, we hear the positives about a strong game from our incredible QB, and how some other guys around him (Shaw and Stonum) steeped up to take some of the load off his shoulders.

Denard, keep breaking ankles, keep running fast, and keep being the ultimate team player. Go Blue

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TheOracle6

September 20th, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^

Lots of recruits are looking at us more too.  A defensive recruit loves a good offense that can put up points like crazy, and an offensive recruit at the skill positions can come in and make defenses pick their poison.  This week sports nation is coming to Ann Arbor, I'm quite certain that if we didn't have Denard and the team wasn't doing as well as it is then they don't make the trip.  Excited for more positive MSM because that really helps the program from a lot of stand points.

Joined: 09/02/2010

MGoPoints: 1636

VectorVictor05

September 21st, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^

Have you watched our games at all?  We've actually executed maybe 4-5 plays total that are "meant" to go for big yards.  All of our other big plays are results of good blocking in the run game or a WR making a play to get upfield.

Would you prefer Denard slide at midfield to "give the D a rest" instead of turning it up for an 87 yd TD?  Would you prefer Stonum run towards UMass DBs on his bubble screen turned 60+ yd TD?  You take points whenever and however you can get them at all times...any plan to do otherwise is ridiculous.

Think of it this way.....if, for instance, our offense had 3 possessions in a 10 min. time frame and got 17 pts, and our D got one stop out of the 3 times the opponent had the ball, we would be up 17-14 (conservatively).  If we grinded it out and only got one score and our D gave up a TD on the opponents possession, then we're tied 7-7.  That is a very crude way of showing that the more we score it doesn't f'ing matter how our defense plays.

Joined: 03/30/2009

MGoPoints: 1594

cjpops

September 21st, 2010 at 1:28 PM ^

for instance, our offense had 3 possessions in a 10 min. time frame and got 17 pts

17 points would require a field goal, so, that's clearly not going to happen. :-)

the more we score it doesn't f'ing matter how our defense plays.

Wow.  Really?  What if UMASS recovers the onside kick?  Does it matter how the defense plays then?  What about special teams?  Is that important at all?

Would you prefer Denard slide at midfield to "give the D a rest" instead of turning it up for an 87 yd 

It's not about the defense getting a rest.  They can't stop a nosebleed rested or not.

Of course Michigan wants to score as many points as possible.  That makes total sense.  I wouldn't mind milking the play clock down.  Take your time is all I'm saying.

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 1945

asianballer31

September 20th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^

thats a good point.  i usually get a ton of shit from my friends cause their all into carolina, vatech, or sec schools and michigan has been doing badly.  Now, all they can talk about is how lucky we are to have denard.

I think the main reason is the national media's incompetence as a whole, not to take any luster off of denard's magnificence.  ESPN and co.'s knowledge of each non prime-time game is essentially limited to highlights and stats, both of which Michigan has been piling up this year.  The national media also loves a good story, which denard provides as well.  Combine flashy offense, come from behind wins, and college football's top fanbase with unreal stats and the moniker "shoelace" and you have yourself a nation willing to overlook a "scare".

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: -4

Dreisbach1817

September 20th, 2010 at 7:50 PM ^

I honestly think that Denard gives Michigan its best marketing/image campaign since the Fab Five.  I mean, it is no exageration to say that the Fab Five was a generational phenomenon.  Teenagers across the country instantly became Michigan fans and it carried with it an image that transcended basketball itself.  Denard has appeal that may eventually get to that level.  Not there yet, but growing by the day.  Now just think about what that can do for publicity and recruiting.

Joined: 01/12/2010

MGoPoints: 5991

Kyrie_Smith

September 20th, 2010 at 7:57 PM ^

All that ability and he's still humble. Not to mention classy and intelligent. If he stays healthy we have a chance to win every game we play. Not since Charles Woodson have we had a more talked about player. The Heisman is his for the taking.
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Joined: 09/02/2009

MGoPoints: 1

TheLastHarbaugh

September 20th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^

It's definitely true. The most Sparty Spartan I have ever met (and that's saying someting seeing as the vast majority of my best friends are Sparties) has hopped on the Denard bandwagon, and thinks well of him. Also, a few of my bandwagoning friends have jumped aboard the Nard Dawg express.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

MGroBlue

September 20th, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^

spending time in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Asheville sporting my Michigan gear.  I was told several times a day that Michigan has one hell of a quarterback and how much fun they are to watch this year.  Most of these people were SEC or ACC fans.  Also, I received this same comment from high school age up to the blue hairs.  Clemson fans seem to really like Rich as well.  Long time reader, first time poster, but thought this was worth sharing.

Joined: 09/20/2010

MGoPoints: 40