Why didn't Josh Furman Travel?
The title says it all. Various internet outlets have said he was healthy yet didn't travel with the team but little other info has come out since. I didn't see anything on the board about it nor have I read any remarks from the coaching staff. Is this related to his incident in April for which he was later cleared? His presence would not have made a difference but he could still prove to be a solid contributor for this team. Does anyone have any insight into why he was left home?
September 4th, 2012 at 8:34 PM ^
I doubt it was a legal thing, or he would have been announced with Fitz and Clark, right? If the coach kept three guys home because of legal issues, why would he only announce two of them? This is a tough one, but I don't think that's the issue.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:40 PM ^
I just find it odd that we made it all the way to Tuesday night without any explanation for his absence when he was supposed to be our starting kickoff returner alongside Norfleet. He has great speed and was an excellent special teams player for us last year. With our secondary depth now suddenly less than what it was four days ago, it would be nice to have him around to contribute.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
If I were the coach and it was legal related, i wouldn't say anything unless it was absolutely obvious, as was the case for Frank Clark and Fitz Toussaint.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 8:57 PM ^
and the tone in which he answered that question I think says more than the answer itself.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:36 PM ^
I think Rothstein said that 'it wasn't injury related'... he said read into that whatever you want..
September 4th, 2012 at 8:37 PM ^
I think he's normally the gunner on punt coverage and Countess was playing in his place. So yeah, it could have made a big difference. Hopefully he's just dinged up and not in the dog house again.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:47 PM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 8:48 PM ^
Hoke said Countess is a starting gunner so he wasnt in for Furman.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:12 PM ^
Hoke has stated that Countess is normally the gunner on punt coverage.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:43 PM ^
He went to the Big House. There wasn't anyone there, so he went to Alabama. How was he supposed to know that Michigan was playing Alabama in Dallas?
September 4th, 2012 at 10:36 PM ^
I know this probably means very little to you or anyone, but thanks for the good laugh.
September 4th, 2012 at 10:59 PM ^
I lol'd. Well played, sir.
I'd say the most likely reason is a disciplinary issue, but team rules as opposed to a legal thing. Being late for curfew is a good guess. The best guess, of course, is that we won't find out from Hoke.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:44 PM ^
I heard he missed curfew.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:07 PM ^
Same thing I heard.
September 4th, 2012 at 10:22 PM ^
Now if you guys heard it from the same source, that's not so good.
September 5th, 2012 at 6:53 AM ^
I heard the same thing but it was from the guy who posted two spots above you. Does that count?
September 5th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
Well, if you read news anywhere from any source on the internets its supposed to be true so, yes, that definitely counts.
September 5th, 2012 at 11:23 AM ^
he was boinkin' some chick and that's why he missed curfew......
I made that up but it still might be true
September 5th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
Sounds like a good reason so I choose to believe it.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:51 PM ^
He was listed as the #1 guy on the 'chart for KR. I think we can all conclude we found our guy in Norfleet.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:08 PM ^
Norfleet was fine in KR duties, but if we have yet to see Furman, how can we "all concluded we found our guy?"
September 4th, 2012 at 9:20 PM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 10:19 PM ^
I liked what I saw from Norfleet as potential from a freshman in his first game, so I don't want this to sound critical of Norfleet, but it's not like he was extremely successful. He has a lot speed, but he will need to actually look for cuts at some point. He averaged 22 yards a return.
For comparison, Tay Odoms averaged 21 yards a return* and I don't think anyone would watch his returns and say he's obviously "the guy" to return kicks for any team.
*obvious caveats about kickoffs from 35 vs. 30
September 5th, 2012 at 8:18 AM ^
Our blocking on Kick Returns was awful, there were usually about 4-6 unblocked guys everytime. I thought Norfleet did a great job and I'm willing to bet he scores at least 1 touchdown on a KR this year.
September 5th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
Furman and Norfleet will both be back on KOs...my assumption is that typically Norfleet will get the ball but if they're going "left" and "right" then Furman should get his fair share.
As for punt return. Norfleet is #2 behind Gallon.
September 4th, 2012 at 8:52 PM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 9:24 PM ^
I like the way Hoke has been handling these disciplinary issues. It would have been easy for him to start Toussaint on Saturday, but he knows that these aren't just football players. I like his style. Definitely keeping Michigan classy.
September 5th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
Easy to start Toussaint this Sat or last Sat?
September 4th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 9:34 PM ^
Nothing. It is best for local media to know as little as possible, especially the Freep.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:52 PM ^
I can understand how this would be agitating in the world of social media, but it's got it's pluses. If Furman's got personal reasons that he couldn't make the trip, then maybe it's not anyone outside of Schembechler Hall's business to know. Takes some pressure off Furman that the outside world doesn't know his problems.
Not saying Furman currently has problems. Just speaking hypothetically.
September 5th, 2012 at 7:17 AM ^
September 5th, 2012 at 8:41 AM ^
Furman's a grown man. It's between him and the coaches (but let's not stop the speculation).
September 4th, 2012 at 9:29 PM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 10:46 PM ^
But did anyone tried to trick him with a spiked glass of milk. B.A. style.
September 5th, 2012 at 8:56 AM ^
Try toast points next time.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:37 PM ^
Rest of team will likely MAKE curfew the rest of the season.
September 5th, 2012 at 12:03 AM ^
September 4th, 2012 at 9:42 PM ^
Looking at this at an educational or parental level.....sometimes Coach Hoke is protecting his players from both the media and the fans. We are making speculation here, but we cannot destroy Furman's character because of whatever he did because we honestly don't know what he did. For example, if a friend of the family asked why my son was grounded for a reason unknown to this friend, I would not feel obligated to tell this friend. It would be between me and my son. Coach Hoke does view these young men as family and mentors them in fatherly manner.
I don't necessarily like that I don't know what Furman did to not travel, but I'm willing to live with it.
September 4th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^
I like not knowing as much information in this case. Since Toussaint and Clark were already out for disciplinary reasons, it was one less piece of bad press I had to read before the game.
September 4th, 2012 at 10:22 PM ^
Because he's smart and is saving his money for retirement. #antijoke
September 4th, 2012 at 10:34 PM ^
Furman was being economical and opted for the staycation
September 4th, 2012 at 10:49 PM ^
Because he didn't move his pivot foot when he picked up his dribble?
*wh wh*
Is this thing on?
September 5th, 2012 at 8:20 AM ^
has hurt my brain.
September 5th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^
Groin injury
September 5th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
Are funny together.
September 5th, 2012 at 10:01 AM ^
Isn't it possible that Furman, who hasn't played a meaningful snap on defense in 2 years, and isnt' on a defensive depth chart, isn't one of our best X number of guys?