Recent Comments

I enjoyed watching Braylonfest but, as others have noted, that win came against a mediocre team with a tradition to match. Burke's shot and UMich's win last night came against what is generally a top-tier team.

I'm reminded of the '79 IU football game that causes so many people to go apeshit. Anthony Carter's play was spectacular and I understand that it was historically significant (awakening Bo to the possibilities of passing, etc.) but people seem to forget that Michigan was tied to a Big Ten doormat in the Big House (rather than trailing OSU in Columbus).

Dang near crapped myself watching them go between the buildings. Impressive.

That's nice all-the-way-around. Thanks, OP, for sharing.

How much would you give to see a remake of that ad with Fred Jackson as the star (and shown on the jumbotron prior to the next edition of UTL)?

He's still the fastest flat-footed dunker (meaning, from ground to rim, without a running start) that I've ever seen at Michigan. Incredible physical ability ...

I can't watch highlights of him, though, without thinking of how his NBA career might have gone if he'd played to his strengths (and modeled his career after, say, Akeem Olajuwon instead of Magic Johnson or some perimeter guy). It's not like he did poorly (multiple All-Star appearances attest to that), but he may have been in the "all-time greats" conversation.

Albrecht played some meaningful minutes, as a freshman, in a tough Big Ten road game. He's already exceeded my expectations.

At the risk of being disrespectful to some Michigan Men, I'd say that UMich had one *position* (LT) of an O-line in '06. None of the guys other than Long, IIRC, played in the NFL.

She didn't think much of Notre Dame, either:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/kate-upton-piling-notre-...

Not SIAP ... I'm pretty sure I saw this sometime in the last year, but (IMO) it's worth another look:

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

28 feet!

"... childish anti-Freep requirement ..."

Sorry -- trying to frame the discussion that way pretty much cancels out any good points in your post.

I can't think of a holiday more appropriate for this board.

Three brothers playing D1 football ... pretty impressive. Here are the Cardinals:

http://ballstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=67659&SPID=7633&DB_LAN...

http://ballstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=67659&SPID=7633&DB_LAN...

It's not *easy* to see the resemblance to Jake, but it's there (at least a little bit).

Didn't know that his dad played at Wake Forest ...

How, again, did the Big Ten manage to tie an inferior (in 2012, anyway) conference in its yearly challenge with them? Oh, yeah -- MSU and Wisconsin played poorly. At least, that's my memory.

Considering his high profile (and, really, common sense) that seems odd. What difference would one more guy make in the big picture (Tunsil, maybe, aside)?

Nice idea, but RichRod didn't understand the OSU and MSU rivalries. He appeared to have a good grasp of the ND rivalry, though.

No way -- Norfleet is way more stacked/jacked/whatever than those guys. He's a couple of inches shorter than Richardson and probably easily outweighs him. The numbers aren't as extreme with Hollowell.

Late to the game here, but ...

Wasn't Norfleet's most important feature his elusiveness "in space?" That's what I remember from the recruiting write-up. If so, is there a reason he can't be Gallon-esque (or maybe Odoms-esque) as a WR? I wonder if he maybe has hands of stone and they've already written off that possibility. If so, bummer ...

I wondered about his connection to UTEP before I read this:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/12/8/3742588/sean-kugler-u...

I like the setting of UTEP's stadium.

Any story on student basketball fans that doesn't involve Dick Vitale and the DUKIES (!!!) is OK with me.

"... on through Malone in the 00's."

Sorry ... not even close.

Send me a list of the NFL guys after the Hutchinson-Backus-Williams trio from '00 and before Schilling. It's a *very* short list (Jake Long, David Baas, and one other guy whose name I can't remember).

He couldn't keep up with his less-heralded O-line classmates. By his own admission (see CalifExile's comment), he didn't do what was necessary while at UMich. Nobody's fault here ...

The continued use of the oh-so-clever (/s) scUM tells me all I need to know about the majority of the fans at MSU and OSU. That's apparently the best they can do after who-knows-how-many years.

Leaders? Legends? They sound more like the names of "breakout groups" at some widget sales conference at the O'Hare Radisson. Lame.

They don't have Robbie *Hummer* around this year.

"... letting the Fab Five's complete story be told in that 30 for 30 documentary."

So, instead, ESPN could profit?

I agree with your main point and I wish he'd apologize.

I think UMich is better off without him and vice versa. He appears to be in a better place for his overall style. After what happened from '08 to '10, then '11, I'll be more open to people who suggest that cultural fit is really important for a coach.

Arizona got smoked 49-0 by Oregon, but they've been in every other game (including -- d'oh -- UToledo, which worked out OK in *Tucson*) until the very end.

It will be interesting to see how he does with a new (and probably young) QB next year.

Double-dose of prune juice for Jasper this morning ... last night was rough (even with the pleasant diversion of Arizona and Toledo) and I didn't have enough roughage yesterday.

For those without long memories (or experience), this type of thing has happened before. Just a couple of samples:

* Recently: Oregon in 2007, in Ann Arbor. 39-7. After the game, their coach politely hinted that they could have poured it on even worse. For those without even short memories, this predated the hiring of Rich Rodriguez. Important detail ...

* Way back: Florida State in 1991, also in Ann Arbor. 51-31.

With a few pleasant exceptions (1997, most notably), Michigan has long been behind the handful of elite teams in overall talent. When they've been stacked on offense (the rule rather than the exception) they've had significant holes on defense (say, in the secondary other than the alpha corner of the moment).

If Hoke can keep recruiting at a high level, he could wind up with the most talented teams (again, overall) that Michigan has seen in many years. It just won't happen overnight.

Is Taylor Lewan a "southern speedster?"

The reality, which even some Sparty fans can't see, is that Dantonio has made hay largely with the Midwestern 3-star run-off. With the exception of '09 he has won very few 4/5-star recruiting battles against UMich (even from '08 - '11).

A bunch of his players in the Rivals 5.5 - 5.7 range have become NFL draft picks.

It's an outstanding achievement really, almost BoiseState-esque. Too bad that he's coaching Sparty and that he's a jacka$$.

I think context is important. Jethro isn't necessary disrespecting the song (which is appropriate for the video on multiple levels); he's just commenting on its effect in the video.

I classify posts like this with the useless non-UMich obituaries. It's not Ty Issac is off-topic; rather, it's the idea that no interesting discussion can be expected to occur (other than silly Kiffin remarks). What's anyone supposed to say other than "Sucks ... hope the kid gets better?" It doesn't have enough value as pure news, either, IMO.

I don't generally consider the (Detroit, not LSU) Tigers on-topic and I wish there were fewer posts about them, but at least something like "Is Verlander having his best/worst month?" is a topic where you could expect to see a diverse set of responses. This post, not so much ...

I don't think they'd take two "developmental" prospects in a single class. (I'm assuming it wouldn't be easy to get a top-end prospect unless Morris somehow winds up looking overrated over the next year or so.)

You can't be serious! Our time-of-possession stats would be horrible with a quick-strike offense!

/s

Seriously, some people here seem to believe that a pound-the-rock/ball-control offense means that you'll ALWAYS be able to run 10-15 plays on a drive.

"When there's a two sport athlete, the scholarship is given to the higher grossing sport money wise, which is football over track."

Not that I doubt you or anything, but where exactly does it say that? I wasn't aware of that rule.

In case anyone is curious, 30% of the 2011 class (http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/commitments/2011/mi...) is gone after only one year:

Barnett, Brown, Carter, Jones, Posada, Rock

Various reasons, as usual ... also, not too surprising given the circumstances (coaching change, timing, etc.).

Even crazier, 44% of the 2010 class (http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/commitments/2010/mi...) is somewhere else after two years:

Christian, Dorsey, Johnson, Jones, Kinard, Pace, Rogers, Talbott x 2, Vinopal, White, Williamson

For the sake of comparison, 2009 (http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/commitments/2009/mi...) has lost 36% of its members after three years:

Bell, Emilien, Forcier, Jones, LaLota, Stokes, Turner, Witty

Gonna be a few holes in the upperclass ranks in a couple of years ...

I'd be surprised if he does *not* read this blog. It's been highly rated by several different sites and he's likely aware of that.

Everything up to and including the kitchen sink required ... I'm surprised they didn't also add "Must be able to impede progress of blocking sled when it's being hammered by Jeff Backus."

A cynic would say that this is just a set-up to "import" someone.

I'll bet they're hoping to get this cheap, too.

Could be, but I'm guessing otherwise. With the help of the writers here, we've seen numerous cases over the past few years where sportswriters choose quick and easy over lengthy and thoughtful. Anyway, as I noted, it's more of a good thing than a bad thing for the team.

Condolences to Neil Reed's family and friends. 36 is way too young.

*****

Also, another day, another useless post of an obituary that has nothing to do with University of Michigan sports. Will it ever end?

What's the motivation here? Does EricTheActor want extra points for being virtuous?

I really think the obituary posts should be reserved for people with ties to UMich.

Created an account just to post that, eh? So happy to have a Boy Scout join the party! MAJOR VIOLATIONS!!! Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk.

I'm glad to see a few reasonable posts here. Why can't the "binary" types just stay on MLive? Lloyd was a class act most of the time, but he did occasionally slip. Nothing wrong with that ...

Anyway, congratulations to him. What I liked best about Lloyd was that he realized there was life outside football and he seemed to share that philosophy with his players.

Some may feel that this is a fascinating issue with many interesting wrinkles. But, JoePa and Sandusky make me angry and emotional, so nothing less than SCORCHED EARTH will do for Penn State. THROW THEM OUT!!! [1]

/s

1: If that ends up happening after a careful review (which, by the way, I think we should patiently await, while we get back to *UMich* sports) I won't be surprised or upset.

What's going on? A few thoughtful remarks and (keeping with the spirit of how JoePaGate has been handled so far on MGoBlog) a lot of this (subtracting politics if you can ... I have no allegiance to Tom Tomorrow's stances):

http://www.thismodernworld.com/arc/2007/TMW10-24-07colorlowrescopy.jpg

Agreed -- I don't know of a better way to see the beast (the WWW) breathing.

Speak for yourself. Whitlock is a slob on multiple levels.

Big is one thing (and that they were), agile is another entirely:

Can't play manball 'less you can *move* a little bit. Only Baas and Long did that at an NFL-level for a long stretch. The tide seems to be turning with Lewan, Schofield, and most likely a bunch of the '12 and '13 guys.

I think it's interesting that many of the really obscure states had their only representatives many years ago.

Along those lines, how did someone from Montana wind up at UMich way back in the 1880s?

... with all respect, since you're generally a classy (sorry ... using an MLive word) poster, you really need to get out more.

For every sad & pathetic childless 40-/50-something (and, yes, they surely exist), I've seen at least one person who probably shouldn't have bothered having children.

Only rarely have I seen you go "broadbrush" on this 'blog. Did this post hit a nerve?

I'd like to see the future Wolverines dominate their competition and convince all (not just some) of the still-available recruits to commit to UMich. A couple of decommits (in the general direction of UMich) from USC, OSU, and ND would be nice, too.

"I am praying to God ..."

-1 (On a blog like this, that amounts to politics. Sorry.)

"... my mother told me about my grandpa's passing this morning ..."

+3 (Or maybe more ... very sorry ... I've had a couple similar experiences lately and it hurts.)

"... is the damage so severe they should leave our conference?"

-1 (Redundant)

-1 (Loaded question)

"My good friend who I work with loves PSU so for him this whole situation and yesterday's article is making him considering joining a new fanbase."

-1 (Mention of a friend whose position is apparently exactly the same as yours ...)

"He hates tOSU so I'm hoping he'll join my side with Wolverine Nation."

-1 (Bolstering friend {and, indirectly, your own position} by mentioning tOSU ...)

"Btw a side note my grandfather lived to be 89 played NCAA basketball at Kent State in the 1950s and was a veteran of the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Stan Musial served on the boat he was on also and he always told me Tom Harmon was the toughest runner he ever saw. He met him and his wife also."

-1 (Amazingly oblique reference of a UMich saint for no apparent reason ...)

Score: -1

The writers know how their bread gets buttered (hint: SEC! SEC! SEC!).

It might just be me, but I think Ms. Dragas (enemy of the provost) looks like a first-rate See You Next Tuesday:

On appearances alone I'd be inclined to side with Theresa:

LBJ handled his departure for Cleveland clumsily, and he may have some character flaws. Fine. I'm still dazzled at the number of people who buy into the simple-minded narrative that he's a punk (if you like MLive) / the devil (many others).

Fly Southwest from El Paso to Chicago Midway, take the CTA Orange Line downtown, walk to Union Station, and board the Amtrak "Wolverine" for Detroit. Or, if you want to get there on time, take Megabus to Ann Arbor / Detroit.

I'm about 13% serious.

The 1:40 post of tigers17fan seems to indicate that no sarcasm was intended.

- - -

Quibble time: Do "Michigan Men" have a monopoly on ideas like teamwork? I doubt it. Assuming the little "friends on the team" claims are true (no idea here), why not just say that Hoke has good "people skills" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCC_PxRWVI4) and be done with it? Why is it necessary to say "Michigan Man?"

Also, was it necessary to simultaneously beat the dead RichRod horse? If Rodriguez was such an interpersonal disaster, do you think the team would have rallied around Hoke last January the way they did? As well, if Lloyd was all about teamwork, why did some his players apparently quit on Rodriguez? (Don't tell me -- they were perfect angels corrupted by the hillbilly. Actually, I'd accept that to some degree.)

.

This is amazingly reminiscent of Nick Hill:

* Undersized

* Fast

* Local kid (same high school, even)

* Slightly better offers (Cal and Iowa vs. Stanford for Hill IIRC)

Prediction: He's going to be a slightly better version of Nick Hill at a school slightly beneath UM in (football) prestige. Good return man, probably a good change-of-pace back, but not (for now, anyway) someone we're going to miss.

It's funny -- I knew about the album *way* before its association with the movie. In fact, I learned about it from much younger relatives.

I agree that it looks good by that measure (based on interviews, etc.), but I think it's way too early to make that judgment.

I've long been annoyed at *these* types of MGoBoard postings. Wouldn't it be easier to just wait for Ace's post? Then, all the comments could be in one spot.

This is terribly sad. I can't imagine how his friends, family, and (especially) parents (who are, presumably, alive) feel.

- - -

Now, why on earth did the OP see fit to post this on MGoBlog? It has *nothing* to do with Michigan sports.

Also, what the hell can anyone say in response, other than something like I said above the dashes here? What useful discussions / debates can possibly take place?

Obituaries of this type are one my least favorite things about MGoBoard.

Sorry.

Funny that he's not going to OSU, not so funny that he'll likely strengthen the country's most annoying football conference.

Quite a large number of low-profile schools (CMU {!}, GWU, Long Beach St., Boston U., Florida Atlantic, UTEP) in that list.

Also, if you're a Hawkeye/Cyclone fan, it must hurt to see the Yankees of college basketball (UNC) come in and steal someone (Paige) from your backyard.

This is so *Lions* it almost hurts. Keep the Fords involved and there will always be potential for nonsense (going back at least to Reggie Rogers). Is it a curse? I haven't a clue, but it sure is darkly interesting.

I agree this is +1 interesting, but not for the reasons people may think. :)

"I've been keeping this to myself for a couple years but I feel now is the time to share this ..."

Oh, really? Much like the comment included in the OP, I'm inclined to say what you provided is BS until proven otherwise.

Also ...

"My insincts indicated to me during the middle of the 2008 season that we were in for a brutal era w/RR and I was hoping I was wrong but I'm usually accurate with these things."

Wow -- what a Nostradamus you are! Never mind the QB situation or one of the least talented offensive teams of the modern era.

I can at least *imagine* RichRod doing all those things. Doesn't mean they actually happened ...

Forget geography and Notre Dame. (Neither position may be reasonable ... just run with it for a second.) I say we take UVA, UNC, Duke, and Georgia Tech. Leave the weaker academic schools to the SEC. None of those four would be logical additions to the Big 12.

Read smotheringD's column, then read his signature. Some humor in the juxtaposition ...

I realize this is a dead-horse topic, but I have another question for the list:

6. Could you explain what you meant by "Midwestern ethos?" (Sounds like 10th-grader broad-brush stereotyping to me ...)

I agree (!) with Section 1 that the presentation sounded undisciplined. (He didn't exactly say that, but seemed to imply as much.)

In hindsight I don't think that Rodriguez had a high ceiling at UMich (that is, when you correct for all the nonsense he had to endure), but we'll never know for sure.

No personal disrespect intended, funkywolve, but your post reminds me of the people who credit Lloyd with two national championships.

That's right, two. It goes something like this:

* 1997 (Ahhh ... pleasant memories.)

* 2006: Were it not for Crable's poorly timed hit, UM would have played Florida and, of course, won, since they beat them the next year! (Please ignore that Florida lost an entire defensive line in the '07 draft: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/history/college/FL)

Need it be said that's Lloyd's get-out-of-jail-free card will always be that last wonderful game? It overshadows the Appalachian State and Oregon debacles in the minds of his most ardent supporters.

For some reason, these parts always kill me:

Walking past a beggar, spare change or ignore?

shit ima be askin him 4 sum change

If you could have one super human power what would you choose?

come on now i wanna fly i hate walkin dat shit overrated

I'd like to add (in an OT sort of way ... not in direct response to this) that the Big Ten was 1-9 vs. the Pac 10 during the '70s.

Agreed -- it's several degrees south (I guess) from what I'd prefer. Quick release, though, and he seems comfortable shooting after movement ...

Did anyone else notice a lack of "hops" from a guy who's supposedly 6'4"?

Theme music (appropriately titled): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5tVXLO-h9w

I was going to suggest "foggier" neighborhoods, but I see that others have already covered that possibility.

Richmond / Sunset would (IMO) be no-brainer choices for the OP, 'cept that s/he is just finishing school and (presumably) an early 20-something.

Yeah ... all those 4-stars from SE Michigan ...

2008: none (Aside: Here and below I understand that it wasn't fully RichRod's class.)

2009: Chris Norman, Jeremy Gainer (http://rivals.yahoo.com/michiganstate/football/recruiting/commitments/20...)

2010: "Tom" Gholston who, by most accounts, was never going to UMich regardless of who was coaching (http://rivals.yahoo.com/michiganstate/football/recruiting/commitments/20...)

2011: Lawrence Thomas (ditto) (http://rivals.yahoo.com/michiganstate/football/recruiting/commitments/20...)

That's four guys in four years. Again, if the gossip is to be believed, only 2009's recruits can be counted.

Did RichRod strike out completely? Let's see.

2008: Boubacar Cissoko, Kenny Demens, Mike Martin (Again, yes, all Lloyd's recruits, strictly speaking ... included here for the sake of completeness.)

2009: William Campbell, Cameron Gordon

2010: none (d'oh)

2011: Raymon Taylor, Brennen Beyer

So, what was your point, again? In raw numbers (4-4 for the '09 - '11 classes) it looks like a draw to me. Hardly an epic disaster.

Did anyone else find this part of the e-mail hilarious?

"At the very least, I hope the coaches reach out the Edwards family and keep any discussion out of the social media."

Perhaps Braylon could learn from the example.

"... a neighborhood about as safe as the worst part of detroit ..."

The _worst_ part? I highly doubt that. Temple is not in a nice neighborhood, but have you browsed around the east side of Detroit lately?

I personally don't care about the Heisman. It's at least half PR. Two words for everyone: Gino Torretta.

Why not ask, instead, if Hoke will coach a #1 draft pick? That would be worth far more than the trophy for "Most Valuable Offensive Player for a Generally Popular Team from a Power Conference that Wins at Least Ten Games," or whatever the Heisman really means.

* Who appointed "boogs" (the OP ... *sorry*, OP) as the moral guardian of MGoBlog?

* What prompted the long-winded post at 12:35?

* Why I am responding at 2 in the morning? (I'm on call, that's why.)

For 90+% of MGoBlog users, the OP is stating the obvious. S/he might have more impact posting here:

I count two opportunities for this:

Really late to the game here ...

I can see picking Petrino for at least one reason: There's a shorter distance between Public Petrino and Real Petrino than there is/was betweeen Public Tressel and Real Tressel.

Pretty much everyone knows Petrino is a jacka$$ and he doesn't (AFAICS) go too far out of his way to play defense on that point. Tressel, however, has inspired "WWTD?" thinking in O-H-I-O while playing loose behind-the-scenes.

No-brainer ... it needs to come to the game. Aside from the obvious humor potential, there's nothing more amusing than watching the facial expressions of a meathead whose masculinity is being threatened.

On the plus side, we probably won't have to worry about him leaving early in '13. Also, it is (for real) nice that he has connections to guys past and future (Novak, McGary, GRIII).

Aside: He's not the only Spike Albrecht in the general area.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/spike-albrecht/7/242/762

... in a twist on Huxley's quote (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/aldoushuxl161879.html), you've found something more interesting than pr0n.

Nice diary ... I'm glad Hoke is here. Nitpicks:

* RVB and Hemingway were in the '07 class, so they predated RichRod's arrival. Junior actually played in '07. As I've noted at some other point, he caught passes from six different QBs while at UM (Henne, Threet, Sheridan, Forcier, Denard, and Gardner).

* I do not remember a sense of optimism following last year's spring game. People were pretty nervous about the offense. As well, any optimism (however justified) on the other side of the ball was tempered by the prior year's results.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/walking-sports-database-scorns-walking-...

I think that's a good point. The few teams (UCLA, Arizona, and ... ?) that have traditionally been threats to make the Sweet 16 are either in transition ('zona) or trouble (UCLA).

First:

* I've embraced the idea of soccer as "The World's Sport" and I've enjoyed watching parts of several World Cup games. Sophistication of the game aside, I _generally_ find it boring as pure entertainment, but I'd still pick it over baseball and NASCAR on TV. For what it's worth, I think it's a great sport for kids.

* Sports coverage on TV was boring before ESPN got big. Trust me -- I'm old enough to know.

To the congratulations part of the message:

Congratulations to ESPN, a network that I now loathe (aside: http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-only-matter-of-time-before-a-spo...), for successfully creating demand (viz, for overseas soccer) where very little existed. MANCHESTER UNITED has joined TIGER WOODS, YANKEES AND RED SOX, KOBE, PEYTON, et al. on SportsCenter and no one seems to find that odd. Amazing. Maybe not as amazing as televised poker games (FML ... seriously), but still amazing ...

I'd guess that the OP hit about one thousand nerves with this post.

Agreed -- there are several good names in that bunch.

Good times, though I found it an odd mix of authenticity (AFAICS, anyway) and Spartydom (as though they had to do that to get a certain number of people milling around).

Hard to believe, but he was listed at 210 in his recruiting profile:

http://mgoblog.com/content/2011-recruiting-frank-clark

I think his roster weight was in the 220s. Is it just me, or does he appear to be 240-something at this point?

IIRC, back in '95 there were calls from several quarters for John Runyan to suit up after Traylor got injured in the infamous Explorer rollover. He'd been a HS basketball star (I think) and would have helped the team at least a little bit.

RVB actually addressed that in a recent interview. He said something about trying the flow this past year before the divots up top got too big (to the point where he'd have a Dana Holgorsen "skullet"). He's probably moving to the next level (so to speak) with his 'do.

I'd say his batting average in that area is well north of .950. I can recall only one instance (Tressel something) where I thought he missed the mark. (Sorry -- can't recall the exact quote. It was something that, IMO, was a bit too lukewarm and supportive of Tressel's actions.)

I don't know whose fault it is (Andy Moeller?), but aside from Jake Long and David Baas, there was a long pre-RichRod O-line dry spell here. Anyone who speaks of "getting back to UMich offensive lines" should be prepared to head to 2000.

Speaking of RichRod, he had one year with (ultimately) no recruits in that area. Aside from Lewan (looking good at this point) and Schofield (maybe), I don't see any future pros from his 3 1/2 classes.

What you said, x 2. It's not apples and oranges, but it's close. Very different players ... I'm reminded of the nameless UMich football alum who, in a Rivals article, compared Drake to ... Mike Hart (!?).

Here's my preferred role for Drake: Gunner on the punt special teams unit.

Hilarious, and very consistent with all things Joubert IIRC. I thought he wound up being a decent player for UMich (and a good character), but his hype:substance ratio was one of the worst of all time.