Summer Workout Question
I know this has been beaten to death, but I just saw a note from an insider where he mentions that about 20 guys did not participate in summer workouts. I have never played div 1 football so I don't know what usually happens but this seems incredulous to me. I had a better participation rate on my high school team 20 years ago. I know about the whole voluntary vs involuntary, but the way RR & Barwis set up their program I just assumed you either participated in the program Barwis set up for you or you were never going to play so you either just quit or transferred. I didn't see there being a gray area, considering the whole "playing time is voluntary" quote from RR.
If anyone has played or has intimate knowledge of what actually is supposed to happen I would appreciate it because this just doesn't compute. I assumed the weight coaches got everyones class schedule and they scheduled your workouts around your class schedule and you showed up 3-5 times a week to get your work in.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:10 AM ^
The coaches really emphasized the voluntary aspects of the workouts this summer, what with the NCAA case and all. Some guys took that to heart, though it probably wasn't a great choice for them.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^
Question is, did they not participate all together, or did they just not show up for every single one?
August 16th, 2010 at 9:57 AM ^
The phrase used was "actively partcipate in summer workouts". Not sure what that means. I think it could all be bs, but I find this fascinating. I'm always looking at the psychology of things. So basically what this guy s is saying is we have players on the team that are elite athletes that chose to come to Michigan to play football, but then said eh I don't care for playing time, my teammates or getting better, I'll just cruise thru and go thru the 5 months of practice so I can keep my free education and keep partying. It doesn't compute to me.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^
20 guys does seem high, but isn't there ~105 players on the team if you count all of the players without scholarship? Hopefully, the percentage of participation is high among scholarship players.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^
I'd like to believe that, so I say your sources are impeccable. Mostly walk ons didn't show up and the insider sensationalizes it to keep subscriptions up. I'm sold.
August 16th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
wasn't this an issue during the Lloyd Carr days as well, that weightlifting during the summertime was an individual endeavor? I recall an anecdote about LaMarr Woodley getting after Brandon Graham to get into the weight room in anticipation of the 2006 season, because he was so upset about how 2005 went and how players didn't work as hard as they could.
Also, Jake Long with his own personal trainer, etc.
If we're talking over 80 guys doing the workouts, I think that's a good position to be in.
August 16th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
It must really suck for them the first couple weeks of camp getting back in shape the tough way. Also considering it was in the nineties all last week I bet they learned their lesson.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
It's quite possible that some players went home for the summer, or at least for part of it. Going back to see family/friends can really get in the way of on campus offseason workouts, but I wouldn't ever fault a kid for doing that. The workouts may not be exactly the same, but after at least a year in the Barwis system players should know what a workout is like and how to get a similar one in when they're at home.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:16 PM ^
coupled with injuries, some kids not enrolling in summer classes (not on full scholarship may not be able to afford it), 20 is not surprising.
(you must be enrolled to participate in workouts)
also, i'd assume he meant "consistently participating" as in only missed a couple here and there.