What’s some good news?

Submitted by Clarence Beeks on January 29th, 2024 at 9:49 AM

It’s been a weird ride since January 8th with a ton of twists and turns, with feels like a continual string of mostly unfortunate news since that mountaintop high. Can we turn that tide and find the good? What are things that we are enjoying, looking forward to, etc.?

rob f

January 29th, 2024 at 12:50 PM ^

I like the move.

If Colt Keith continues his progression plus turns into adequate or better 2nd baseman, the contract he just signed is a definite step in the right direction for the Tigers organization.  This contract helps give the Tigers the financial flexibility to afford to continue to add talent.

Wendyk5

January 29th, 2024 at 10:23 AM ^

He is. He's in Mesa right now at the Cubs Complex, getting ready for spring training and then he'll be going to Knoxville to be the assistant pitching coach for the Cubs AA team, the Smokies. Total dream job. If anyone lives in the Knoxville area, I encourage you to go to a game this summer. Minor league games are great. Last year, Michigan's Jordan Nwogu was on the AA team, so I'm hoping we'll get to see him when we visit. 

Wendyk5

January 29th, 2024 at 10:29 AM ^

And this from him, as it relates to the S & C question in the NFL: he likes to work with the minor leaguers because they're still open to listening. He said the major leaguers are pretty much complete, and have their own programs. The team may request that they improve in certain areas but then the player goes off and does it on his own. If they're rehabbing an injury, they may come and work with people at the complex because it requires a level of medical knowledge that a regular coach (or the player himself) doesn't have. Some guys are more open than others to working with the team staff. 

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^

Honestly, I am not feeling that way.  Michigan won the national championship in 2024.  For the next ten years, I can watch college football of any variety with absolutely no envy.  I will even watch college football after a Michigan loss on the same day, which is unheard of for me.  I assumed Harbaugh was leaving the minute the Washington game ended. Further, the Lions went to the NFC championship game in a year that was, to me, at least one year ahead of schedule and possibly two.  Michigan basketball sucks but we knew that already so I have mentally prepared for that development.  Were on the down side of winter.  Golf season coming soon.

Whose got it better than us?  Nobody.

(Possibly Travis Kelce.  He probably has it better than us).

 

maizeonblueaction

January 29th, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^

Yeah, but you have to realize that Harbaugh was always unlikely to stay forever. He left Stanford because he was never going to win an NC, and the NFL came calling. He got pushed out, and a natural fit was to come to his alma mater. Obviously the last three years have been awesome, but the start was rough, and he was flirting with the NFL for a couple years. Someone finally made him a good offer, so he took the promotion.

I understand it sucks that Minter and Herbert are leaving, but people take promotions all the time, and Moore is young, while being a continuation of the culture that won big for us. In some ways this is just us being a victim of our own success.

bronxblue

January 29th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^

OSU won one title and outside of that weird 2020 season haven't played for a title since. LSU won a title and haven't been back.  Clemson had a short-ish run but are seemingly back to being a step or two behind, etc.  Alabama (and we'll see about Georgia) is the one truly consistent winner during the playoff era but Nick Saban's Alabama run is going to be studied for generations because it is the most insane run of dominance we have probably ever seen in college football given the context and overall competitiveness.  We'll see what happens with UM but there was inevitably going to be a downturn and Harbaugh wanting to go to the NFL for 3+ years straight now was always going to put a cap on any run he'd have at UM.

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 10:45 AM ^

The thing is, there is not really a lot of reason to believe there is going to be that much of a downturn.  Michigan is absolutely loaded on defense next year and they have a lot of components on offense as well.  QB certainly a question mark but teams can win with true freshman QBs and Orji has shown some outstanding potential as a runner, at least.

NJblue2

January 29th, 2024 at 2:22 PM ^

Loaded on defense but just lost their DC who was probably the best coach on the staff. The offense is pretty much starting over outside of Loveland and Edwards. I highly doubt any QB we have playing next year will be great, I'm praying for just ok. I think it's also fair to say that Moore will be a step down from Harbaugh and yes I realize he won games last year as the interim but it's not the same as running everything, everyday.

I think we're going to be Iowa next year, but like a normal Iowa team, not the one from the last few years. After next year, that's when I really worry since most of the defense will be gone after 2024.

rice4114

January 29th, 2024 at 3:34 PM ^

Everyone hates star gazing but there is a reason Clemson is reeling and OSU, Bama, and Georgia keep plugging along. We are more Clemson than Bama. When you basically share the first round of the high school draft (OSU, Bama, Georgia) you have a huge advantage. Clemson isnt beating Bama/Georgia forever and itll be the same for us. Things could change and I think we can still have superior coaching but it will be an uphill battle after these Super Sophs become draft eligible. 

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 10:09 AM ^

Right now, in the sports realm, I am in a very good mental spot.  It cannot be overstated how much the national title did for me in my general sports fandom.

Mental health in general?   Some ups and downs there.  Winter is long and full of terrors.  But sports mental health right now?  Yeah, really good spot.  

south875

January 29th, 2024 at 10:06 AM ^

This is where I'm at as well.  As good as the last few years were, I still never expected that we would win the National Championship.  I swore to myself that I wouldn't complain and I'm keeping to it.  Harbaugh leaving sucks, Herbert leaving sucks, but I'm just thrilled I got to see another NC in my lifetime.

Most of my friends are Mississippi State alums.  After we won they congratulated me and mentioned that their team winning one was something they'd never witness in their lives.  It's just a hard mountain to climb if you aren't Alabama or Georgia and we did it.  The memories will last me a lifetime.

UMForLife

January 29th, 2024 at 10:31 AM ^

Spot on. I feel the same way. We have a championship. That can hold me together for a long time. I am excited to see how Moore builds his team and make it a dominant force. I am also in wait for a few years mode. One championship changed my attitude completely. Exciting times.

Edit: I will add that it is really difficult to win championships at a place like UM with restrictions it has. Look at ND and how much they struggle. I am so glad we got one while ND is still looking for theirs. Oh, obligatory Hell with ND.