Who do you think should wear Oosterbaan's #47 Saturday?

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September 3rd, 2012 at 3:32 PM
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Wolverine Devotee
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Who do you think should wear Oosterbaan's #47 Saturday?

Bennie Oosterbaan is the definition of a Michigan Football Legend. He was the first , and one of only two 3-time all-americans in Michigan Football history. Would have been a 4-timer if freshmen were allowed to play back then.

Bennie was part of the famed, Benny to Bennie combination. The tandem of QB Benny Friedman to Bennie Oosterbaan gave defenses nightmares. Oosterbaan played in the first game in Michigan Stadium in 1927 against ohio wesleyan. He was the star of the Dedication Game against ohio in 1927 as well. Bennie was also a star on the hardwood and the baseball diamond, earning 2x all-american honors in basketball and all-big ten in baseball.

Oosterbaan would have went into the NFL, but his religion did not allow him to play on Sundays. Oosterbaan elected to remain at Michigan and be an assistant football coach, serving under 3 head coaches (Tad Wieman 1928, Harry Kipke 1929-1937 and Fritz Crisler 1938-1947) and winning three national championships as an assistant coach. Bennie also was a basketball assistant coach from 1928-1938, the baseball freshman team coach and the eventually the head coach of the Michigan basketball program from 1938-1946. 

When Fritz Crisler stepped away from coaching, Bennie was named his successor. In his first year, Bennie Oosterbaan's Michigan team went a perfect 9-0-0 winning Michigan's second straight and 10th overall National Championship. Bennie retired in 1958 with 63-33-4 coaching record, with a National Championship, 3 Western Conference Championships and a Rose Bowl victory.

When Bennie Oosterbaan passed away in 1990 at age 84, Ron Kramer spread Bennie's ashes around the field at Michigan Stadium.

Thank you, Bennie Oosterbaan. Michigan Football Legend.

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

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September 3rd, 2012 at 3:39 PM | Anyone from the Muskegon (Score:-1 Offtopic)
September 3rd, 2012 at 3:40 PM | While Oosterbaan's playing (Score:3 Normal)
M Fanfare
Joined: 08/17/2008
MGoPoints: 1555

While Oosterbaan's playing career is largely defined by his pass-catching prowess, he was also a shut-down defensive end (back when split ends caught passes on offense, then played the end of the line on defense). Oosterbaan's play was key to holding Illinois' Red Grange to 56 rushing yards on 25 carries in 1925, a year after he famously scored 4 touchdowns in 10 minutes against the Wolverines.

For that reason, I see his number going to an OLB/DE type.

Hail to the college whose colors we wear,

Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:41 PM | In my opinion, no one this (Score:2 Normal)
RonZeroFez
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In my opinion, no one this season.  It should go to a Woodson, Howard, Carter-type player.  I'm not saying that no one should ever get it, I'm just saying that it should remain shelved until  someone proves he deserves it.  I also feel that Howard's #21 should not have gone to Roundtree, who has been just average.

If you don't ride a camel, you ain't shi'ite.

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:43 PM | Call me crazy, but I think it (Score:4 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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Call me crazy, but I think it should have gone to Gallon. That kid makes the 5 foot 8 nation proud (I'm in it).

Seriously though, Desmond Howard was an undersized receiver. Jeremy Gallon is 5'8 and is an AMAZING receiver for his height.

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:44 PM | I bet Howard approved it. (Score:4 Normal)
AmaizeingBlue
Joined: 09/01/2010
MGoPoints: 1344

I bet Howard approved it. Roundtree's a senior and leader on the team no matter what his stats say.

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:54 PM | Yeah, I'm sure that Howard (Score:3 Normal)
RonZeroFez
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Yeah, I'm sure that Howard approved it.  It's nothing against Roundtree; I just believe that these numbers should be worn only by exceptional players.  If you're going to un-retire legendary jerseys (as in Bennie's case), the players must have earned the priveledge, both on and off the field.

If you don't ride a camel, you ain't shi'ite.

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:24 PM | To cite our fearless leader's (Score:1)
MGoViso
Joined: 09/27/2009
MGoPoints: 321

To cite our fearless leader's concerns, only giving it to those who have proved to be remarkable on the field destroys any partial legacy they have built for their number. E.g.: switching Denard to 7 (say if Rick Leach had a legends patch) after his breakout 2010 season would have been moderately to very frustrating.

Give the patches to players without a any collegiate achievements (even to a walk-on!) and it gives them some extra motivation; then, those that do go on to become stars could always have their name added to the patch. E.g.: Denard is given a Rick Leach #7 legends patch coming in as a freshman, then maybe if this season fulfills our hopes and dreams, someday some kid would receive a #7 Leach/Robinson patch.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:29 PM | This is very simple.... (Score:5 Normal)
Denarded
Joined: 12/13/2010
MGoPoints: 2617

This is very simple.... Anthony Avant.

 

Boom!

/Musberger'd

I'm known to many as the songbird of my generation.

September 3rd, 2012 at 10:35 PM | the jersey is to honor oosterbaan (Score:1)
pbmd
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oosterbaan is the michigan football legend not the kid who is wearing the number this year.

the ceremony is to un-retire #47 and celebrate the michigan football legend.  so anybody but clark and or fitz.

pbmd

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:45 PM | If they're going along with (Score:3 Normal)
Denarded
Joined: 12/13/2010
MGoPoints: 2617

If they're going along with the Desmond tribute last year it seems as if another wide receiver or tight end will wear #47. The only significant player in the receiver core I could see wearing it is Jeremy Gallon or Drew Dileo. I can't see Gardner wearing it or Jerald Robinson, Roundtree already has his legend's patch, and I can't see one of the freshman tight ends or Kwiatkowski wearing it. 

I'm known to many as the songbird of my generation.

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:57 PM | Craig Roh. (Score:5 Normal)
joeyb
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Craig Roh.

September 3rd, 2012 at 3:59 PM | This is easy, Denard. (Score:4 Normal)
gater
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This is easy, Denard.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:03 PM | Nobody.  (Score:1)
TIMMMAAY
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Nobody. 

not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:11 PM | Hoke said in the presser (Score:1)
Wolverine Devotee
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Hoke said in the presser someone will wear it.

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:31 PM | To be fair (Score:2)
HartAttack20
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The question posed was not "who does Hoke think should wear #47?" If they are to stick with a receiver, I think Gallon should wear it. If not I have no idea. How many other legends numbers are they planning on using this year? Isn't it something like four (too lazy to look up)?

I can only continue to reference the fact that I live in an onion factory.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:34 PM | #47 Bennie Oosterbaan      (Score:1)
Wolverine Devotee
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#47 Bennie Oosterbaan      End    (Saturday vs air force)

#87 Ron Kramer               End (9/15 vs massachusetts)

#48 Gerald Ford               Center      (10/13 vs illinois)

#11 Wistert Brothers        Tackle      (11/10 vs northwestern)

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

September 3rd, 2012 at 7:21 PM | GRF (Score:2)
qbqrat
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Gerald Ford was also a linebacker.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:18 PM | Hopkins... (Second Choice) (Score:1)
Fhshockey112002
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Had thought it would be Brandon Moore, but with his MCL injury and being out I will go with my second thought and say Hopkins.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:13 PM | Jake Ryan (Score:2 Interesting)
maizenbluenc
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aka Jake Long to some

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:14 PM | Not a bad idea at all. (Score:1)
Wolverine Devotee
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Not a bad idea at all.

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:42 PM | I was thinking Jake Ryan too. (Score:2)
Brown Bear
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I was thinking Jake Ryan too. Good pick.

I poop excellence
September 3rd, 2012 at 4:16 PM | Kevin Koger (Score:4 Normal)
sammylittle
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I would really like to see Kevin Koger wear this jersey against Air Force.  Barring that, I prefer that no one wears it.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:20 PM | You are aware Koger graduated (Score:4 Underrated)
Princetonwolverine
Joined: 10/10/2010
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You are aware Koger graduated last year?

September 3rd, 2012 at 5:57 PM | I am aware he graduated. (Score:5 Normal)
sammylittle
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That does not detract from my desire to see him suit up.

September 4th, 2012 at 12:23 AM | Nice save. /s (Score:2 Normal)
k1400
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Nice save.

/s

I will fight 'til I am dead, a winged helmet on my head.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:21 PM | oops double post (Score:2 Insightful)
Princetonwolverine
Joined: 10/10/2010
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oops double post

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 PM | What about Mike Massey? (Score:4 Informative)
State Street
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What about Mike Massey?

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:41 PM | I'm pulling for Bennie (Score:3 Normal)
Dubs
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I'm pulling for Bennie Joppru, here.

"Welllllllll..."

September 3rd, 2012 at 5:30 PM | How about Ron Kramer? (Score:2)
M Fanfare
Joined: 08/17/2008
MGoPoints: 1555

How about Ron Kramer?

Hail to the college whose colors we wear,

Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!

September 3rd, 2012 at 5:58 PM | Tyler (Score:2)
sammylittle
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Ecker would be even better.

September 4th, 2012 at 9:37 AM | But he would hold onto it too (Score:3 Normal)
willywill9
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But he would hold onto it too long.

Touchdown Michigan!

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 PM | Roh (Score:2)
Willis Ward
Joined: 08/25/2011
MGoPoints: 68

Roh

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:45 PM | I'm not a fan of giving these (Score:2 Normal)
Mark
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I'm not a fan of giving these numbers to anyone. It will be a nice honor for whomever wears it, but I'd prefer to see them stay retired.

September 3rd, 2012 at 4:58 PM | I would not complain if it (Score:2)
evenyoubrutus
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I would not complain if it was Courtney Avery.

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

September 3rd, 2012 at 5:11 PM | I'm also opposed to the un-retiring of the numbers (Score:5 Normal)
Don
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if they're going to "award" the numbers to specific players. I think it places far too much pressure on the awardees, who in most cases are going to come up embarrassingly short of the exploits of the player the number symbolizes. Roundtree and Howard is a case in point. Either keep the numbers retired, or un-retire them but don't try to "honor" a specific player with them. Just award a #21 or a #47 to whoever and focus on the goddamn team as a whole.


September 3rd, 2012 at 5:33 PM | Agreed.  They shouldn't just (Score:2)
robbyt003
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Agreed.  They shouldn't just set dates and give them to best available.  They should make the players earn it and only give it to those who are truly deserving.  

“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler

September 3rd, 2012 at 6:04 PM | I think you're missing the point. (Score:3 Normal)
Mr Miggle
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They are recirculating the numbers as a way to recognize the former players, some of whom aren't well known to many of our fans.

Eating is murder.

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:29 PM | I don't believe that, and I'm not sure why anybody would. (Score:3 Normal)
Section 1
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You mean this is all about raising "fan recognition" for the Wistert brothers?

Give me a break.

It is about policy.  There was pressure to give Desmond Howard a jersey retirement.  And someday a Woodson jersey retirment.  And evening out the notion that Michigan had retired a handful of jersey numbers for white players in the first half of the last century, but none for any black players in the latter half of that century.

Brandon didn't want to retire #21, and then #2, and then, however many more numbers before we ran out of numbers.  Brandon couldn't just stop retiring numbers.  Brandon had to make a policy that covered all, equally.  He had to either retire #21 and ultimately #2, or else he had to go back and reverse the policies for #11, #47, #48, #87 and #98.

Brandon wanted a "policy."  He told speech audiences everywhere, that what he wanted, was a policy.  Now he's got a policy.  At the cost of yet more clutter in the form of patches on jerseys.

When a guy can turn this, into, "Recognizing former players..."  that's a guy who could sell ice to the Eskimos and who could sell pizza to... anybody.  What was really happening here was that Brandon was walking the Athletic Department through a public relations minefield.

 

 

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:53 PM | Honestly, I prefer the (Score:2 Normal)
MGoViso
Joined: 09/27/2009
MGoPoints: 321

Honestly, I prefer the patches. The casual fan does not think to look up the retired numbers and the careers of the players so honored; the patches will get discussed in interviews, press conferences, game commentary, etc. I can hardly see how this will not result in increased name recognition of the honored players by most fans.

If it ALSO happens to fulfill some asinine idea in Brandon's mind, so be it, though I'd genuinely like to know if you have any source on the notion that having retired numbers for white guys only was ever considered an issue.

I hate policy and bureaucratic management too, but this situation doesn't seem to be all about policy to me. Honoring Howard and Woodson somehow seems appropriate regardless of any perceived racial inequity, and retiring numbers ad nauseam truly is impractical.

September 3rd, 2012 at 9:04 PM | "Ad infinitum," (Score:-1 Trolling)
September 4th, 2012 at 9:15 AM | Without a source, why would (Score:1)
MGoViso
Joined: 09/27/2009
MGoPoints: 321

Without a source, why would you claim there was pressure to "even out the notion...?" Or am I misreading a possibly unclear string of sentences?

I like what you bring to this blog, I just know both of us would flip if the Freep printed something similar without a source.

Honest thanks on the infinitum/nauseam clarification, btw.

September 4th, 2012 at 10:59 AM | Go up and ask most Michigan (Score:1)
Wolverine Devotee
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Go up and ask most Michigan fans, and they can't name every player whose number is retired.

Retiring them without a banner or something does no good because It's not on display. Not every Michigan fan is as hardcore as us to know it. 

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

September 3rd, 2012 at 5:53 PM | But that would not fit with Brandon's goal (Score:-1 Trolling)
September 3rd, 2012 at 6:19 PM | I'm with a few other's going (Score:1)
TSimpson77
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I'm with a few other's going with Craig Roh

September 3rd, 2012 at 6:46 PM | Martell Webb (Score:0 Trolling)
September 3rd, 2012 at 6:50 PM | Frank Clark (Score:2 Funny)
death by wolverine
Joined: 09/24/2009
MGoPoints: 489

Frank Clark

"im saying to myself should i do it should i not. I crossed the goaline and hey...fuck it" Desmond Howard on his Heisman pose

September 3rd, 2012 at 7:08 PM | Bj Askew (Score:1)
IncrediblyBLUE
Joined: 03/26/2011
MGoPoints: 588

BJ Askew would be my first choice.

Coach Hoke once told me that a moral victory is still a (expletive deleted) loss.

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:27 PM | Per my reply to RZF above, I (Score:1)
MGoViso
Joined: 09/27/2009
MGoPoints: 321

Per my reply to RZF above, I think it should be given to a previously unaccomplished player; I think Funchess would be a great fit. His style of play may even be the most similar to Oosterbaan.

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:35 PM | I hope we're not giving these (Score:1)
russale2012
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I hope we're not giving these out for the sake of giving them out. I'm okay with unretiring the number and waiting until someone comes along that deserves the number before we give it out to them.

It's been a lot. Its been a roller coaster that for some reason seemed like it would never get good. But you know what? We kept fighting. It's like that old saying goes, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." -David Molk

September 3rd, 2012 at 8:38 PM | I will join the masses. (Score:1)
BlueDragon
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Craig Roh.

Abort, Retry, Fail?

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