Thank you 2016 Michigan Football seniors
They committed here mostly expecting what they saw us do in 2011 to be what they would be doing.
It did not go like that. They had no idea what they were walking into, truly. Their first season of play was a disaster followed by a 10x worse disaster where lots of things happened on and off the field.
What they did the final two years was fix it. These seniors have laid the foundation for the Harbaugh era.
12-13 from 2013-2014
20-6 from 2015-2016
"Laying the foundation" is not always followed by a 20-6 record in 2 years where playoffs were in the discussion late in the season.
That's a turnaround. This a special group that has put the program back in the national spotlight where it should be.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:48 AM ^
Is it mean that I want to see the senior offensive lineman leave?
December 31st, 2016 at 12:51 AM ^
No, not at all. But their play has improved significantly the past two years and I salute them for their hard work and determination. We may fault the talent, but not the heart and hustle.
December 31st, 2016 at 8:51 AM ^
O-line actually DID improve from 2015 to 2016.
In 2016 the o-line was able to dominate mediocre defenses. That was not the case in 2015.
Still, gotta get to the level where the o-line can produce at a higher level against very good defenses. Not there yet. Better. But not there yet.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:54 AM ^
Gotta respect and thank them for what they did for Michigan for the last 4/5 years while looking forward to future offensive lines that can play with top level competition.
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December 31st, 2016 at 12:59 AM ^
They gave it all they could and I think they were even maximized beyond their potential.
Night and day from 3 years ago. A lot of bad habits were erased in just 2 years.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:14 AM ^
Completely agree. We could've (and should've) won games against some of the best teams in the entire country with Hoke's oline recruits. The future is bright.
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December 31st, 2016 at 3:08 AM ^
I have to disagree and thats the first time I ever down voted tou WD. Our O line was made up of 4 and 5 star recruits from tackle to tackle, they have played better since Harbaugh came on but, not by much and to say they played above their potential is ridiculous.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:38 AM ^
It's my opinion that the last staff ruined a lot of guys.
Just look at the QBs. Every one that played under them got worse as they played more.
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December 31st, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^
They sure did regress under Hoke & were nearly gone for good.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:01 AM ^
Just frustrated by Hoke recruits. Hoke unfortunately slowed their development .
December 31st, 2016 at 1:19 AM ^
Yeah, he did. I also trust Harbaugh's selections of 4/5 star offensive line recruits much more than Hoke's (obviously), this line will be one of the best in the country in a season or two.
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December 31st, 2016 at 9:28 AM ^
To be frustrated by Hoke recruits is to be frustrated by Butt, Darboh, Chesson, Lewis, Peppers & Taco. The offensive line had its issues but that doesn't negate the fact that he recruited some serious talent on this roster.
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December 31st, 2016 at 10:55 AM ^
There is no question Hoke increased the talent level on the team from the RichRod era. That does not mean the talent consistently matched what other top teams have, specifically on offense. The QB situation was not good. The RB's lacked a true difference maker. Darboh and Chesson are really good, but neither is an elite consistent game changer. And then there is the O-line. Yes, many were highly ranked, but O-line is one of the most difficult to measure. Kalis had all of the physical and attitude attributes, but he made many mental mistakes all the way through his final game. Magnuson consistently played really well but was susceptible around the edge against high end talent. Even Cole is really good until you put a man mountain in front of him. So the O-line each had weaknesses which could be exploited by teams with the right combination of players. True success will be when all five on the O-line do not beat themselves AND they have the physical ability to keep up with anyone they play against.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:50 AM ^
Poor timing, we all want to say the right things and all of us appreciate what these guys have to the team(far more than we ever will)but it's not the right time. Let people have some time to get the disappointment out of their systems, instead of doing the "Look at me!!!" thing. Please.
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December 31st, 2016 at 2:02 AM ^
Hey asshole - I want to be angry and depressed and hate things!!! Your LACK OF ANGER IS CRAMPING MY STYLE.
December 31st, 2016 at 2:15 AM ^
More along the lines of not doing this two minutes after a gut wrenching loss, but have it your way.
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December 31st, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^
He definitely needed to make sure he was the one posting the blanket, board-wide "thank you seniors" thread. Timing be damned.
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December 31st, 2016 at 12:54 AM ^
Those who stayed rebuilt the foundation for future champions.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:57 AM ^
There are no "special groups" at Michigan without ever walking off the field happy vs. Ohio State.
December 31st, 2016 at 8:29 AM ^
You seem like a truly miserable person. Seek help.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:59 AM ^
Yep, thanks for losing every single big game you ever played in, often in devastating fashion!
December 31st, 2016 at 1:59 AM ^
Won last year's bowl game.
December 31st, 2016 at 2:33 AM ^
dominant fashion.
December 31st, 2016 at 2:06 AM ^
"...and ruining my life since I invest way too much of my personal self-worth in Michigan Football."
Finished that for us!
December 31st, 2016 at 12:59 AM ^
Yeah great, of course we appreciate them. Everyone is frustrated. Has Peppers said anything yet?
December 31st, 2016 at 1:40 AM ^
"Harbaugh says Jabrill's hamstring tensed up jumping for a ball. Tried to go during warmups, and couldn't go.". Peppers said if this game was Sat, he would 100% play. Still seems odd to me.
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December 31st, 2016 at 4:10 AM ^
cmon man
December 31st, 2016 at 1:01 AM ^
Feelingspost
December 31st, 2016 at 1:04 AM ^
I appreciate all the hard work the guys put in. Clearly worked their asses off. Many will have long NFL careers. However, they didn't accomplish typical Michigan goals.
1-3 (2-3 for 5th yrs) vs MSU
0 wins against OSU
No Big Ten Titles
No playoff appearances
One Citrus Bowl win
Now they have played some great games and built up respect for our program, but for whatever reason this group never got over the hump. They had their opportunities and for the most part squandered them.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:22 AM ^
That's the whole point of turning around a program.
Your numbers aren't going to be great because you're turning it around.
Refs took two wins over rivals away. Sypniewski was run over in 2015 and obviously what happened this year.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:24 AM ^
This group of guys were 3 plays away from at least 3 more wins and a big ten championship and possibly more. They left glory on the table. It is what it is
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December 31st, 2016 at 8:40 AM ^
3 plays ... well if I could have 2 plays back, it would be the delayed handoff to Smith in the Iowa game (safety) and exact same play last night on 1st and goal form the 1. Just WTF - 1st down at the 1 should mean 4 straight Kahlid Hill FB dives. We need no other play, period.
Given NO Peppers, a horrible 1st half for Speight and possibly Lewis' worst game of his career ... what would any of us expect ? It likely wouldn't be that we lost in the last 40 seconds of the game. Too many positives ... though play calling must improve (see first sentance above).
Go Blue!
December 31st, 2016 at 1:50 AM ^
The program is turned around when you actually win those games. The job isn't done. Losing a close game is some MSU/ Detroit Lions level mediocrity. Fun to watch for a little while, but it gets old quickly.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:32 AM ^
I have to agree with you there...going 10-3 is good but I wouldn't call it a complete turn around. When we start winning the conference and beating our rivals regularly then we will have the turnaround we all desire
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December 31st, 2016 at 11:05 AM ^
That's something Jake Butt said in an interview midway through this past season. He said the first thing Harbaugh had to do was teach them how to win and not expect it to fall apart when bad things started to happen. He was then asked if that was accomplished and he said he wouldn't know until they were faced with that situation. The last four games proved it is really hard to change a culture of losing big games. I have no doubt the types of players Harbaugh is bringing in will not have this problem. I think this is one of the reasons Harbaugh is trying to turn the roster over so quickly. He wants his players with his attitude to dominate the roster as soon as possible, even if it means giving the firm handshake to guys who would normally get their fifth year.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:04 AM ^
Terrible way for Lewis and Butt to end their otherwise spectacular careers. Feel great for Taco who definitely earned some money today. Sad for linemen who came in with such promise and worked their asses off but could never "get it" enough to fulfill their (predicted) potential.
Bittersweet end to the season for sure.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:05 AM ^
the Michigan Seniors. Thank you for helping to move the Michigan football program so far forward these past two years.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:05 AM ^
Love this senior class. They will be very successful moving forward. Believe me! Good luck to them. They have my rooting interests.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:10 AM ^
If the Wolverine's had pulled this one out, I think Taco would have been M.V.P.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:17 AM ^
Thank you, Taco. Thank you.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:36 AM ^
I see O'Korn is coming back for 5th year. I'd rather the young guys gain experience .
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:39 AM ^
Stfu. It's a competition. Doesn't matter how old they are. Best man plays. Pay attention.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:43 AM ^
I'm sorry John, but I don't see the point in a 5th year QB returning even in a backup role with good young talent on the roster
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:45 AM ^
Maybe for an education? Or potentially he doesn't want to transfer AGAIN. you are dense.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:48 AM ^
Yeah, silly me to think all 5th yr seniors are welcomed back.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:49 AM ^
Why wouldn't he be welcomed back to the university?
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December 31st, 2016 at 9:10 AM ^
Not "not welcomed back" as in Chris Weber not welcomed back; not welcomed back as in "5th year guy, not having a spot, maybe better to look elsewhere...." Is what he is saying. Calm down.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^
You really think Harbaugh is going to force a guy to leave the program after he already sat out a year so he could come here? It's not a video game son.
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December 31st, 2016 at 1:53 AM ^
Also, he has another year of eligibility.
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December 31st, 2016 at 8:29 AM ^
Neg away, but hope Peters presses hard in the spring....