You Asked for it, You Got it: No.2 Jersey to Get No.1 Jersey Status

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July 29th, 2011 at 1:48 PM
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MGoShoe
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You Asked for it, You Got it: No.2 Jersey to Get No.1 Jersey Status

According to A2.com's Kyle Meinke, Brady Hoke intends to begin reserving the number 2 jersey for the top Michigan cornerback. Also, no one will wear the number 1 jersey this year.

The first-year head coach said Friday at the Big Ten media days in Chicago he not only will continue the tradition of handing out the No. 1 jersey to Michigan’s top receiver, but hopes to institute a similar decorum for the No. 2 jersey.

He would like to save that number for Michigan’s top cornerback.

Hoke, who coached on that 1997 team’s defensive staff, was asked if any of Michigan’s talented wideouts would wear the No. 1 this year.

“No, they gotta earn it,” Hoke said. “And they’re going to have to earn No. 2, after (Vincent Smith) is gone.”

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July 29th, 2011 at 1:49 PM | That sounds (Score:5 Normal)
MGoBlake
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Tremendous

Formerly known as PahokeePahokee

July 29th, 2011 at 1:50 PM | Me (Score:3 Normal)
pasadenablue
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Likey

This is home...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgijdypJUEQ

July 29th, 2011 at 1:50 PM | Amazing... (Score:4 Normal)
Sen. ClayDavis
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The greatest defensive college football player of all-time deserves an honour like this.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

 

 

July 29th, 2011 at 6:00 PM | Tom Zbikowski? (Score:4 Funny)
YakAttack
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Did you know he's a boxer?

 

http://semichigansports.com

July 29th, 2011 at 1:53 PM | IMO, this is a much better (Score:5 Normal)
Waggles
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IMO, this is a much better way to honor a player than retiring his jersey. Now, every time a player earns #2, we'll see him making plays and think, "Wow, just like Woodson used to do" or "Man, Woodson was better than this guy.."

Next year: Roy Roundtree #1, Blake Countess #2?

ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

July 29th, 2011 at 1:57 PM | I could see Roundtree getting (Score:1)
joeyb
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I could see Roundtree getting #1 if he stops dropping passes, but Blake Countess hasn't even practiced with the team yet. There is nothing to suggest that he will even be a starter next year.

July 29th, 2011 at 1:59 PM | Oh, I completely agree. That (Score:2 Normal)
Waggles
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Oh, I completely agree. That was just me being hopelessly optimistic about a CB stepping up where we really need someone, and Troy will be gone after this year, so he can't earn it

ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

July 29th, 2011 at 2:36 PM | The comparison (Score:5 Normal)
PurpleStuff
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Since this is the point in his career where Braylon got to wear #1 (start of his junior season), it is interesting to see what both he and Roundtree had accomplished at this point in their careers.

Roundtree: 104 catches, 1,369 yards, 10 TD

Edwards:     70 catches, 1,073 yards, 10 TD

And it isn't like Edwards never dropped a pass in his career.  Roundtree took a redshirt year so it isn't exactly apples to apples but it is odd to see how differently the two players are perceived due to factors that aren't necessarily performance related.

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

July 29th, 2011 at 2:41 PM | The dropped passes didn't (Score:1)
joeyb
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The dropped passes didn't really bother me until he dropped 5 in a row in one game. Up until that point, they were frustrating, but still understandable.

July 29th, 2011 at 2:53 PM | I'm not thrilled with them either (Score:2)
PurpleStuff
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Just pointing out that the next two years look very promising for Roundtree, despite a big perception gap between what he's done and what Braylon had accomplished at the same point in his career (when there was virtually no doubt that Braylon had "earned" the #1 jersey).

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

July 29th, 2011 at 5:18 PM | Comparing Braylon's 2 year (Score:1)
jbibiza
Joined: 10/08/2009
MGoPoints: 1945

Comparing Braylon's 2 year stats to Rountree's is misleading.  I have not looked up the numbers but I clearly remember that Braylon had very little impact as a freshman partly because he was "not on the same page" with Lloyd, and also the former policy of not throwing to freshman wideouts.  He burst onto the scene with a tremendous year as a sophomore (wearing #80) and part of the motivation was to get the #1 jersey.  Roy on the other hand had pretty good numbers as a redshirt freshman to add to his strong sophomore year, but nothing like Braylon's sophomore production.

 

jbibiza

July 29th, 2011 at 7:25 PM | Sophomore season (Score:3 Normal)
PurpleStuff
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Roundtree: 72 catches, 935 yards, 7 TD

Braylon:  67 catches, 1,035 yards, 10 TD

The gap isn't all that great (and both did it over a 13 game season).  Add in the fact that Braylon's offense threw the ball a little more and Roundtree was splitting catches with 2-3 other productive wideouts (Hemingway, Stonum, and Odoms when healthy) while Bennie Joppru was the second leading receiver on that 2002 team, and the numbers are pretty darn close.  You are right that Braylon basically did nothing as a freshman and that accounts for the overall difference, but Roundtree really didn't get a shot until late in the year at which point he put up 3 or 4 very productive games to close out the season.

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

July 29th, 2011 at 11:13 PM | To be fair, if we are going (Score:1)
joeyb
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To be fair, if we are going to include context, Braylon didn't have Safeties crashing down right after the snap to stop Denard, leaving the middle of the field open.

July 29th, 2011 at 2:01 PM | Vincent Smith is a junior. (Score:3 Normal)
Logan
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Vincent Smith is a junior.

July 29th, 2011 at 2:43 PM | True, but can we not have a (Score:1 Normal)
Waggles
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True, but can we not have a DB and RB with the same number? I was under the assumption they just can't be on the field at the same time (see: Hayes & Avery, Hawthorne & Gardner, T. Robinson & Countess, Clark & Mealer, Herron & Bryant, Shaw & Carter, Hemingway & Taylor, etc.)

ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

July 29th, 2011 at 3:06 PM | I'm just going by Hoke's (Score:2 Normal)
Logan
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I'm just going by Hoke's quote in the OP.

July 29th, 2011 at 3:12 PM | That may be the case, but (Score:1)
Raoul
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That may be the case, but Hoke specifically said it wouldn't happen until after Smith departs:

“No, they gotta earn it,” Hoke said. “And they’re going to have to earn No. 2, after (Vincent Smith) is gone.”

I think the intention is to have only one player (the top defensive back) wear no. 2, which means no one on the offense will be able to wear it after Smith is gone.

Twitter: @Raoul_000

July 29th, 2011 at 3:35 PM | WR (Score:3 Normal)
exmtroj
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I've felt the last couple years that Hemingway is our best receiver, if anyone were to get #1, it should be him.  Dude makes plays.

 

 

"All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch"

July 29th, 2011 at 1:56 PM | Hate to have to point it out, but... (Score:0 Flamebait)
July 29th, 2011 at 1:58 PM | Traditions have to start (Score:5 Normal)
nowayguy
Joined: 08/08/2009
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Traditions have to start somewhere.

July 29th, 2011 at 2:01 PM | The #1 jersey is most (Score:1 Normal)
IncognitoWolverino
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The #1 jersey is most definitely a "tradition" when it comes to Michigan football, it goes back decades. And as for the #2 jersey, nobody saying this is a time-honored tradition. Hoke just said he'd be starting a similar tradition for the top cornerback.

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

July 29th, 2011 at 2:06 PM | How? (Score:4 Normal)
PurpleStuff
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If you mean, "some guy who was pretty good wore that number", then pretty much every number is a "tradition" at Michigan.  "Earning the #1 jersey" is not a tradition.  The best player at the position in school history (Desmond) never wore #1.  It is something Lloyd Carr used to motivate Braylon Edwards.  That is it.  Everyone else who wore it got to wear it from day one, and some of them weren't all that great at playing football. 

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

July 29th, 2011 at 2:35 PM | With all due respect to Des (Score:4 Normal)
Brimley
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I saw Anthony Carter play live, and in a far less pass-oriented scheme than was being used when Des was around.  AC was an astonishing talent.  No Heisman, granted, but it'd be pretty easy to make the case he was the best WR to take the field for Mich.  When a WR takes on the 1, in my mind he's trying to meet AC's very high standard.  And that works for me.

Because I'm old and grouchy

July 29th, 2011 at 4:27 PM | Sounds like (Score:2 Underrated)
Cope
Joined: 10/07/2010
MGoPoints: 1060

you deserve all due respect as a veteran fan of the team. Wish I could've seen that too. But six wide receivers, dating back to 1979 and Anthony Carter, I'd say, is a tradition. That's where it started. Heck even the Michigan football website calls it the most coveted jersey number in Michigan football [lore] on its tradition page:
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021910aad.html

A Journey of Father and Son
http://mysonsfirstbible.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-things-you-may-have-miss...

July 29th, 2011 at 3:30 PM | T. Butterfield aside, (Score:1)
Guttman
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I'm not sure that "weren't all that great. . ." bit is true for post-AC #1s. . .and yes, yes, Butterfield did save at least one game for us single-handedly.

Er, I guess it was double-handedly, now that I think about it.  Best drop in UM Football history.

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July 29th, 2011 at 2:07 PM | I have thought this would be (Score:2)
Baldbill
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I have thought this would be a cool idea for a long time now, glad to see it happening. I look forward to having a #1 receiver and a #2 corner on the team.

Semper Fidelis

July 29th, 2011 at 4:30 PM | 1979 (Score:1)
Cope
Joined: 10/07/2010
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Three plus decades, so yep, I'd say your counting is right on. And it may not have been an "earned thing" before Braylon, but it certainly was an important wide receiver tradition.

A Journey of Father and Son
http://mysonsfirstbible.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-things-you-may-have-miss...

July 29th, 2011 at 9:05 PM | " And it may not have been an (Score:2)
BlueGoM
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" And it may not have been an "earned thing" before Braylon, "

That's the point - the having to earn it thing wasn't an issue until then.

July 29th, 2011 at 1:58 PM | Best return man/ smile (Score:1)
U2GoBlue
Joined: 07/27/2011
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get's number 21

July 29th, 2011 at 1:59 PM | Denard's switching to (Score:2 Normal)
Waggles
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Denard's switching to 21?

/bestsmileever

ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

July 29th, 2011 at 2:55 PM | Fine with me...but PLEASE (Score:2)
MGoDC
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Fine with me...but PLEASE DONT LET OUR STARTING QB RETURN THE BALL!

July 29th, 2011 at 2:04 PM | I pity the WR that has to (Score:3 Normal)
BlockM
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I pity the WR that has to line up across from whoever takes the #2.

@pnbloem | Ultra-MGoBoard

July 29th, 2011 at 2:14 PM | Good move by Hoke (Score:2 Insightful)
MichNukeEng
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If this is ever done again, it should be for #77 to the best offensive tackle. Beyond that, IME, is unnecessary.

Michigan's offensive style requires more players that have greater interactions with the Higgs field.

July 29th, 2011 at 3:38 PM | I wholeheartedly (Score:1)
Engin77
Joined: 07/02/2008
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endorse this suggestion!

Taking it one week at a time

July 29th, 2011 at 3:40 PM | maybe not necessary, but (Score:2 Normal)
Guttman
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There's a guy on the current team who we're all hoping (I hope) will remind us that #7 was--at least once--a great number for MI QBs. 

No, not talking about Henson. . .

 

 

Our eyes may be a window to the soul, but our email. . .our email is an unfiltered and objective record of its contents. . .

July 29th, 2011 at 4:34 PM | Remember (Score:1)
Cope
Joined: 10/07/2010
MGoPoints: 1060

when we all wanted Henson to take over for Brady as a true freshman? Ah, hindsight...

A Journey of Father and Son
http://mysonsfirstbible.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-things-you-may-have-miss...

July 29th, 2011 at 7:00 PM | Gardner will get his chance (Score:1)
MichNukeEng
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For now, I'm plenty content with letting Denard show the country why he deserves the Heisman... and to retire his number.

Michigan's offensive style requires more players that have greater interactions with the Higgs field.

July 29th, 2011 at 2:16 PM | Maybe we (Score:2)
Mgoscottie
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dig up ole 98 and give it to Denard if he can start kicking successfully.....

I don't care who wins, as long as it's Michigan.....

July 29th, 2011 at 2:24 PM | IMO... (Score:2)
Mr. Yost
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The next person to wear #1 will be in this recruiting class....#2? Blake Countess.

“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”

July 29th, 2011 at 2:29 PM | So which CB from last year (Score:1)
brandanomano
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So which CB from last year gets the number 2?!

Special Teams means special times!

July 29th, 2011 at 2:37 PM | Troy Woolfolk? (Score:3 Funny)
MichNukeEng
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I was more impressed with his 2010 film than anyone else I saw on the field.

Michigan's offensive style requires more players that have greater interactions with the Higgs field.

July 29th, 2011 at 3:36 PM | Kudos to Hoke! (Score:2 Underrated)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
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Best thing he's done since arriving in Ann Arbor.  (Not that he's not doing great things - this is just the best)

 

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

July 29th, 2011 at 3:37 PM | So... (Score:1 Normal)
Tha Quiet Storm
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So basically #2 will become like #1 where there is talk of someone getting it every year, but no one ever actually gets it. 

My suggestion would be to hire an official MGoNumerologist/Tarot Reader/Astrologer to give each incoming freshman a personal consultation and assign each of them a number based on a complex pseudoscientific formula and/or process.

July 29th, 2011 at 4:07 PM | Hm (Score:3 Normal)
Hyphen
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.

I think we know who this should be

.

yes

.

I miss the Arb.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:01 PM | agree (Score:2)
BlueGoM
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Honestly I think things are getting a bit out of hand with this whole jersey thing.  It wasn't even a tradition until Braylon asked for the jersey and Carr told him to earn it.

I think the #1/2 jersey should be given to a senior WR/CB who's shown good  leadership, scholarship  and work ethic, in addition to on-field performance.   I'd like to see who gets to wear it each year, which senior gets the honor, even if he hasn't broken records on the field.

 

July 29th, 2011 at 4:28 PM | Not the greatest statement about the receiving core (Score:2 Normal)
TXmaizeNblue
Joined: 09/22/2010
MGoPoints: 930

If Hoke is already saying there will be no #1 receiver - he must not be too impressed with what he sees at that position.

July 29th, 2011 at 4:40 PM | posted from iPhone (Score:1)
Brovak
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I don't think it's so much that he doesn't like the receivers, I think the staff wants to base it on in-game performance rather than practice. I think it goes out to Roundtree next year, don't you worry.

July 29th, 2011 at 6:19 PM | 77 (Score:1)
The FannMan
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Depending on how Lewan does, maybe 77 for the offensive line?

Maybe three reserved numbers is a bit much, but its July.  Humor me.

"Nobody cares what you think!"

July 29th, 2011 at 6:29 PM | Hoke is HC and can certainly (Score:1)
markusr2007
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Joined: 10/21/2008
MGoPoints: 3421

do almost whatever the hell wants to motivate his players, but honestly, who knows who will step up and be the next great football player at Michigan? And who knows what number they'll be wearing? It could be anything.  This is the way it's been for a long, long time at Michigan and many other schools too.

What if Michigan recruits a 4-star quarterback wearing No. 16 who ends up winning the Heisman Trophy? All of the sudden No. 16 becomes a coveted number? I mean, where does it all end?

In my view, Alabama gets it. They don't retire any jersey numbers, and that decision is definitely not for a lack of great ball players at Bama.  After all these years, every Crimson Tide jersey number is special and historic. 

And so it with Michigan.  Think of all the great players who have worn number 33 or 32 or 25 at Michigan?  Some where fantastic players, and the great thing is they will be worn by many more great players in the future (hopefully).

This "earning of the jersey" stuff, man.  What if you have a great sophomore year, but then you're unexpectedly beaten out by a much better player during your junior and senior years? Do you have to relinquish your No. 1 or No. 2 jersey to this better player?  C'mon man. 

Here's an idea. Let just them suit up and play some football. How about that?

 

 

July 29th, 2011 at 7:19 PM | Mostly right (Score:1)
Brimley
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MGoPoints: 211

Agreed on retiring numbers.  I don't like it.  But.....I like that some numbers come with a certain cache.  Maybe not a committee or coaches' decision deal, but letting a kid know that taking a number comes with a good dose of tradition and expectation.  And, as you note, then he needs to get out on the field and live up to it.

Bo did that kind of stuff exponentially--"I hang my jacket on the same hook that Fielding Yost used." (imagine a low growl)  Can be a great motivator.

Because I'm old and grouchy

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