Man - I wish I could be that honest and self-reflective so soon after losing a job - incredible maturity by Juwan and it makes my respect for him grow. It seems like the situation had gone sour in all directions and it was time to move on, but it definitely seems like he'll succeed in the right circumstances after he gets time to recover.
I believe Ernis is a regular listener of the MGoRoundTable on the radio, but missed it yesterday and then was further saddened when the usual recap/link wasn't posted to MGoBlog following the show's airing. In the interest of comedy, Ernis then fabricated a reason for why it may be late, involving Craig Ross losing his shit on the airwaves in the early segment, but ultimately I think the true reason is, as also mentioned, Seth is in Europe.
I think this hire can certainly work, and hearing that this "moved the needle" for the Michigan defensive room and that he lit a fire watching tape of the game against OSU is super reassuring.
The thing that makes me queasy is the fight with Daboll last year. Blitzing repeatedly after your head coach calls for a conservative game plan since you have a first-time starter at QB - and doing so while getting 640 yards put up on you - scares the hell out of me. This is Coach Moore's team, he's proven capable to the task at every step - he took an o-line from middling to best in the NCAA, then he took a team many thought was doomed to huge victories over OSU and PSU. He's proven to be somebody who steps up to any challenge if you let him cook.
I'm scared Wink won't let him cook. He wouldn't let Daboll cook, and Daboll was more proven than Moore.
I think that's on the twitter thread - probably transporting the reasons he gives for being skeptical (which are quite detailed and knowledgable, even if you don't know who "Manuel Excel" is) and crediting the originator might have been a better angle to come at this from than "Manuel Excel and Space Coyote don't like him so I don't" - but the fact remains, they do have long threads going through both their perceived positives and negatives and trying to bubble up the things that are unknown to them as outside observers that could sway it either direction.
I guess I'm just saying - the threads are a good read that will make you a more informed fan, even if they are silly twitter handles.
I was on student council at my (small, private) college, and it seemed like the president of our student council was more focused on the regional and national college boards they were a part of that brought them prized resume bullet points, than, like, doing the job at our school.
...Anyway, just a story I randomly thought of. Nothin' to do with nothin' or anything.
Side thought not worth a thread of its own - if forced to choose between Corum and Frank Gore Jr. in this draft, will Harbaugh's mind simply melt? One of his favorite players of all time vs the son of his favorite player of all time?
Cover the name up on the resume, and JB has been second in command of a special teams unit that has ranked second, third, and seventh in special teams SP+ in the last three years. The top guy just went to the nfl.
It's going to be hard to beat that resume. It's just that.. It's us. We are that good the last three years in every phase of the game.
It's odd that we all keep talking about Orji and Davis, and the staff, in everything I see, keeps talking about Denegal. Even in his Chargers introduction yesterday, Harbaugh shouted out Denegal (as an example of the torch being passed for coaches just as it is for players - from McCarthy to Denegal). Seems like Davis Warren gets more rub from the fanbase than Denegal.
As much as I want an Orji just like everyone else - I wonder what they're seeing in practice.
Lo, here the gentle Minter mounts up on high and leaves this place - yet shall always remain the majesty of his bouncing wave to the Columbus sidelines.
I'm sorry and will miss him, but "he gone", man. I'm to the point this morning where I just want all the announcements that will be hitting next week to hit so that we can start to see Sherrone and Clink and the crew build on what's been established. Jim and John's cadre of Ravens have given us an incredible view from their shoulders. It's not bad to be born on 3rd base - that's a gift. It's bad to not recognize what you've been given and respect those that made it possible and then take it even further. New era. LFG.
I'd been nearing Bills fandom due to their glorious culture and Two Bills Drive - but I've never seen another NFL blog / board that isn't just soulless SB Nation horseshit.
YES. This is the pain I need. Solidify my fandom with a few salty terrible seasons, a fanbase in uproar, wanting coaching staff blood. Let their marked signs of improvement fall on deaf ears amidst unreal and uneducated expectations. Then let it slowly turn around. Forge my new fandom in the fires!
I try really hard to understand myself. I meditate. I journal. I'll never understand, though, why nothing would lock me into lifelong fandom more than a nice 5-12 season where they show so much promise, get off to a 3-0 start, start getting national media hype, only to go on a terrible losing streak that's an exercise in futility and false starts, followed by 2 wins at the end that show signs of what's to come, but ultimately serve no purpose other than to cost them draft position.
Other than this drive to the national championship, I'm not sure my fandom has ever been more peak than when the only thing we had going for us was just how good the Catlab video with Hoke playing Tuba before the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
I really do love how loaded up they are next year - the rivalry needed a storyline better than "Michigan kicks their ass again" - now we get to be the underdog coach seeking to establish himself against Mr Burns' Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team.
We're still going to kick their ass again, but once again with a narrative!
I mean, maybe? - but if the AD just screwed your close friend and mentor, you probably don't sign with the same program from Tress' perspective, right? I'm sure Herbert would have taken him to LA instead if the well water was poisoned here? I guess there's a lot I'd be willing to put up with for the kind of raise Tress probably got to take over, but I don't know.
A season like 2020 was bound to fray any relationship. To Warde's credit, he did what many on this board hated, and retained Coach Harbaugh giving his plan a chance. None of the last three years would happen without that.
Say what you will about whether any of this is his fault - but, also give him his credit. If he quickly hires Coach Moore, maintains the team, maintains the recruits - he easily survives this.
I just love the way Blake's smile and all of its implications for how successful OSU's attempts have been both defy this blur filter in the header image on this article. They've always spent millions out of spite, whether in investigation firms or homes for recruits' families - that's nothing new. The transfer portal brings another wrinkle that's a little more public in just how much they're spending. The difference is that the last few years we found the antidote. If we continue to focus on ourselves, one-track mind, taking on the next challenge that's in front of our face, we'll continue to enjoy the smile of frustrating those who are driven by spite. We beat a complete NFL roster in the Rose Bowl this year. Looking forward to the challenge of doing the same in Columbus next year.
Also weird when that article says Harbaugh knows Greg Roman because "Harbaugh's brother, of course, is the coach of the Ravens where Roman was last offensive coordinator" ...ignoring that JIM Harbaugh virtually made Greg's career first at Stanford, and then with the 49ers, rather than just knowing him tangentially through his brother. Seems sus.
How does a dispersal draft work in a lower league that isn't much of a feeder league at this point? Like, does Channing Stribling move to Birmingham for 3 months for $53,000? Or do I not understand how much they're making?
In my evolving position on how much to think about next year's depth at this point, it is instructive to note that Josh Wallace joined this team in June of '23, came in, and made huge plays all the way down the stretch shutting down the nation's best receivers. What a contribution, what a player, and good luck in the pros!
Everything is gonna be alright - there are Josh Wallaces out there.
I like this approach, because then each player that announces a return is a bonus. It's fun to think about where this team will go and how they continue to establish their identity.
My company is based out of Atlanta, so I've had a lot of conversations with Georgia fans about how last year felt after finally breaking through in 2021 - "house money" is the term that comes up a lot. It was amazing to win, but wouldn't have been unbearable to lose at that point, finally having gotten the monkey off their back. I think that will be us next year - but maybe we copy them and just go win the whole thing again for fun.
If we do, we'll need to follow a path like Georgia did.- they lost 14 starters and had 15 drafted. They brought back Ringo and Nolan Smith but the rest of their defense was unproven and unknown beyond that. Last year was really odd, in that CB2 was the only question, and there seemed to be 4-5 possible answers to it. I think we just have to remember most years in college football are full of questions until 3-4 weeks in. Our staff has shown a great ability to find answers.
Oh my God. Just thinking of the roar if Jim announces the extension at the parade followed by JJ returning as the torch-bearer between the last era and the next one. Wow.
They both have more than earned the right to do whatever they want and be cheered forever - but man, I hadn't even thought yet of the full heights this weekend might reach!
I seem to have stepped in it here - I'll take the crow now in advance of later as it's clear how bad my take was.
Y'all are obviously right - honestly a combination of not quite realizing how much Semaj did this year and not fully remembering how Norfleet never came close to his potential. I was searching for someone who started out as a gadget receiver and eventually became something more, but didn't seem like a locked-in game-breaker early. Breaston seemed too lofty for how good he looked his freshman year, and I over-compensated.
I stand corrected and also with increased hope for next year's receiving corps. The whole idea of what the next team will look like is just entertainment at this point and a way of extending the glow of this season. Apologies for feather-rankling.
The portal era makes this hard - you need to develop players and let them grow and learn for them to hit A+ status, but that will never happen if you continually recruit over top of them with B+ players. Would a player like Trever Keegan have developed the way he did if we'd brought in experienced players above him each year - I don't know. But, at the same time, maybe you just bring in competition and let God sort it out. I think optimal strategy is still being developed.
WR makes me scared because there aren't a lot of bullets. The other positions like TE and DB - you kind of see a path. I just don't think Semaj showed enough to be considered more than a Norfleet esque gadget guy, and none of the under-classmen looked can't miss. I guess I'd like the same approach as with OL portal recruiting last year where we give ourselves more bullets in spots without clearly developing or developed players where we might have whiffed for a cycle or two.
This is super helpful. I could be wrong, but I believe Barner and Harrell accepted Senior Bowl invites and thus will not be here - but even so, this is incredibly reassuring even if several others leave.
It might be that I/we've were spoiled by this year where there were essentially no question marks going into spring camp and have memory-hole'd that it's very, very common to have a lot of unknowns less than a week after the last season ended. :)
We will see it play out - with Johnson and McBurrows, Pollard, Hill, Harris all seeing time in front of him, I'm not sure he was the projected starter - he also might have just preferred playing offense and wanted to find a place. Totally understand and support players trying to find the fit that's best for them and being empowered - I think that might be even more of a positive change than just the NIL they hopefully can capitalize on.
I will say - reading back over the recruiting posts and afterward for Semaj, Karmello and Fredrick Moore did make me feel much better. With Morris as a more proven possession receiver, we'd just need one or two other hits.
Recent Comments
Not to mention, he can probably get Cade to swing by during recruiting visits!
John U. Bacon out here aliasing the board to get the subject of his next book...
Nuh uhhh
Man - I wish I could be that honest and self-reflective so soon after losing a job - incredible maturity by Juwan and it makes my respect for him grow. It seems like the situation had gone sour in all directions and it was time to move on, but it definitely seems like he'll succeed in the right circumstances after he gets time to recover.
I believe Ernis is a regular listener of the MGoRoundTable on the radio, but missed it yesterday and then was further saddened when the usual recap/link wasn't posted to MGoBlog following the show's airing. In the interest of comedy, Ernis then fabricated a reason for why it may be late, involving Craig Ross losing his shit on the airwaves in the early segment, but ultimately I think the true reason is, as also mentioned, Seth is in Europe.
Basically: "Bitch, where's my fucking podcast?"
Geeze, man - Wink just got started. Give him a chance.
Wink and Clink so quickly became Brink and Drink.
Well, this board is less fun to be around a month after a national championship than expected...
I think this hire can certainly work, and hearing that this "moved the needle" for the Michigan defensive room and that he lit a fire watching tape of the game against OSU is super reassuring.
The thing that makes me queasy is the fight with Daboll last year. Blitzing repeatedly after your head coach calls for a conservative game plan since you have a first-time starter at QB - and doing so while getting 640 yards put up on you - scares the hell out of me. This is Coach Moore's team, he's proven capable to the task at every step - he took an o-line from middling to best in the NCAA, then he took a team many thought was doomed to huge victories over OSU and PSU. He's proven to be somebody who steps up to any challenge if you let him cook.
I'm scared Wink won't let him cook. He wouldn't let Daboll cook, and Daboll was more proven than Moore.
Rogaine Warde
I think that's on the twitter thread - probably transporting the reasons he gives for being skeptical (which are quite detailed and knowledgable, even if you don't know who "Manuel Excel" is) and crediting the originator might have been a better angle to come at this from than "Manuel Excel and Space Coyote don't like him so I don't" - but the fact remains, they do have long threads going through both their perceived positives and negatives and trying to bubble up the things that are unknown to them as outside observers that could sway it either direction.
I guess I'm just saying - the threads are a good read that will make you a more informed fan, even if they are silly twitter handles.
I was on student council at my (small, private) college, and it seemed like the president of our student council was more focused on the regional and national college boards they were a part of that brought them prized resume bullet points, than, like, doing the job at our school.
...Anyway, just a story I randomly thought of. Nothin' to do with nothin' or anything.
As long as we all move real slowly and obey our thirst, everything will be alright.
It's…
It's an insider fight!
It's Henschke and Webb, both games are tight! They grabbin' points like they grabbin' Sprite!
We could still hold an event to make us all feel better. Foregone Conclusion of the Stars. Are the Sklars up to anything tonight?
Side thought not worth a thread of its own - if forced to choose between Corum and Frank Gore Jr. in this draft, will Harbaugh's mind simply melt? One of his favorite players of all time vs the son of his favorite player of all time?
Cover the name up on the resume, and JB has been second in command of a special teams unit that has ranked second, third, and seventh in special teams SP+ in the last three years. The top guy just went to the nfl.
It's going to be hard to beat that resume. It's just that.. It's us. We are that good the last three years in every phase of the game.
It's odd that we all keep talking about Orji and Davis, and the staff, in everything I see, keeps talking about Denegal. Even in his Chargers introduction yesterday, Harbaugh shouted out Denegal (as an example of the torch being passed for coaches just as it is for players - from McCarthy to Denegal). Seems like Davis Warren gets more rub from the fanbase than Denegal.
As much as I want an Orji just like everyone else - I wonder what they're seeing in practice.
Apparently Hutch actually played school while he got that Applied Exercise Science degree.
Hopefully they can give him an Assistant HC position and a salary bump - obviously he has been integral to the team's success, and is a favored son.
I believe so, and that means it's MGoPurge time around here. Experiment with all your shittiest takes until they get it fixed!
Lo, here the gentle Minter mounts up on high and leaves this place - yet shall always remain the majesty of his bouncing wave to the Columbus sidelines.
I'm sorry and will miss him, but "he gone", man. I'm to the point this morning where I just want all the announcements that will be hitting next week to hit so that we can start to see Sherrone and Clink and the crew build on what's been established. Jim and John's cadre of Ravens have given us an incredible view from their shoulders. It's not bad to be born on 3rd base - that's a gift. It's bad to not recognize what you've been given and respect those that made it possible and then take it even further. New era. LFG.
I'd been nearing Bills fandom due to their glorious culture and Two Bills Drive - but I've never seen another NFL blog / board that isn't just soulless SB Nation horseshit.
YES. This is the pain I need. Solidify my fandom with a few salty terrible seasons, a fanbase in uproar, wanting coaching staff blood. Let their marked signs of improvement fall on deaf ears amidst unreal and uneducated expectations. Then let it slowly turn around. Forge my new fandom in the fires!
I try really hard to understand myself. I meditate. I journal. I'll never understand, though, why nothing would lock me into lifelong fandom more than a nice 5-12 season where they show so much promise, get off to a 3-0 start, start getting national media hype, only to go on a terrible losing streak that's an exercise in futility and false starts, followed by 2 wins at the end that show signs of what's to come, but ultimately serve no purpose other than to cost them draft position.
Other than this drive to the national championship, I'm not sure my fandom has ever been more peak than when the only thing we had going for us was just how good the Catlab video with Hoke playing Tuba before the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
I really do love how loaded up they are next year - the rivalry needed a storyline better than "Michigan kicks their ass again" - now we get to be the underdog coach seeking to establish himself against Mr Burns' Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team.
We're still going to kick their ass again, but once again with a narrative!
I mean, maybe? - but if the AD just screwed your close friend and mentor, you probably don't sign with the same program from Tress' perspective, right? I'm sure Herbert would have taken him to LA instead if the well water was poisoned here? I guess there's a lot I'd be willing to put up with for the kind of raise Tress probably got to take over, but I don't know.
If we end up needing a new DC, Sherrone did get his coaching start from Charlie Strong..
Welp. This is awkward for Joey Bosa now.
A season like 2020 was bound to fray any relationship. To Warde's credit, he did what many on this board hated, and retained Coach Harbaugh giving his plan a chance. None of the last three years would happen without that.
Say what you will about whether any of this is his fault - but, also give him his credit. If he quickly hires Coach Moore, maintains the team, maintains the recruits - he easily survives this.
The prophecy was foretold lo in 2006: We need a new CARR with MOORE miles.
We need a head coach who can beat Ohio State...
Only 2% milk on tap.
Edit: My small, obvious joke was obviously made a few seconds before me.
I just love the way Blake's smile and all of its implications for how successful OSU's attempts have been both defy this blur filter in the header image on this article. They've always spent millions out of spite, whether in investigation firms or homes for recruits' families - that's nothing new. The transfer portal brings another wrinkle that's a little more public in just how much they're spending. The difference is that the last few years we found the antidote. If we continue to focus on ourselves, one-track mind, taking on the next challenge that's in front of our face, we'll continue to enjoy the smile of frustrating those who are driven by spite. We beat a complete NFL roster in the Rose Bowl this year. Looking forward to the challenge of doing the same in Columbus next year.
Also weird when that article says Harbaugh knows Greg Roman because "Harbaugh's brother, of course, is the coach of the Ravens where Roman was last offensive coordinator" ...ignoring that JIM Harbaugh virtually made Greg's career first at Stanford, and then with the 49ers, rather than just knowing him tangentially through his brother. Seems sus.
What's Carroll's deal, man?
In the words of Tuco, "TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT, YEAH - Blue, Yellow, Pink, whatever man, just keep bringing me that."
I think I'd take the last three years of only PATs at this point.
How does a dispersal draft work in a lower league that isn't much of a feeder league at this point? Like, does Channing Stribling move to Birmingham for 3 months for $53,000? Or do I not understand how much they're making?
I DON'T GIVE A PISS ABOUT NOTHIN' BUT THIS UFR!!!
At least TWO major offensive weapons back, with Loveland as well. LFG!
Strictly for the sake of the aesthetics of the board sidebar, I feel like JS should decide next.
In my evolving position on how much to think about next year's depth at this point, it is instructive to note that Josh Wallace joined this team in June of '23, came in, and made huge plays all the way down the stretch shutting down the nation's best receivers. What a contribution, what a player, and good luck in the pros!
Everything is gonna be alright - there are Josh Wallaces out there.
Seemed like the staff was hyping up Denegal in repeated interviews in the playoffs - could definitely be in the competition next year.
Just to update - Trente said he was heavily leaning toward leaving and Nugent has declared his intent.
I like this approach, because then each player that announces a return is a bonus. It's fun to think about where this team will go and how they continue to establish their identity.
My company is based out of Atlanta, so I've had a lot of conversations with Georgia fans about how last year felt after finally breaking through in 2021 - "house money" is the term that comes up a lot. It was amazing to win, but wouldn't have been unbearable to lose at that point, finally having gotten the monkey off their back. I think that will be us next year - but maybe we copy them and just go win the whole thing again for fun.
If we do, we'll need to follow a path like Georgia did.- they lost 14 starters and had 15 drafted. They brought back Ringo and Nolan Smith but the rest of their defense was unproven and unknown beyond that. Last year was really odd, in that CB2 was the only question, and there seemed to be 4-5 possible answers to it. I think we just have to remember most years in college football are full of questions until 3-4 weeks in. Our staff has shown a great ability to find answers.
Oh my God. Just thinking of the roar if Jim announces the extension at the parade followed by JJ returning as the torch-bearer between the last era and the next one. Wow.
They both have more than earned the right to do whatever they want and be cheered forever - but man, I hadn't even thought yet of the full heights this weekend might reach!
I seem to have stepped in it here - I'll take the crow now in advance of later as it's clear how bad my take was.
Y'all are obviously right - honestly a combination of not quite realizing how much Semaj did this year and not fully remembering how Norfleet never came close to his potential. I was searching for someone who started out as a gadget receiver and eventually became something more, but didn't seem like a locked-in game-breaker early. Breaston seemed too lofty for how good he looked his freshman year, and I over-compensated.
I stand corrected and also with increased hope for next year's receiving corps. The whole idea of what the next team will look like is just entertainment at this point and a way of extending the glow of this season. Apologies for feather-rankling.
The portal era makes this hard - you need to develop players and let them grow and learn for them to hit A+ status, but that will never happen if you continually recruit over top of them with B+ players. Would a player like Trever Keegan have developed the way he did if we'd brought in experienced players above him each year - I don't know. But, at the same time, maybe you just bring in competition and let God sort it out. I think optimal strategy is still being developed.
WR makes me scared because there aren't a lot of bullets. The other positions like TE and DB - you kind of see a path. I just don't think Semaj showed enough to be considered more than a Norfleet esque gadget guy, and none of the under-classmen looked can't miss. I guess I'd like the same approach as with OL portal recruiting last year where we give ourselves more bullets in spots without clearly developing or developed players where we might have whiffed for a cycle or two.
This is super helpful. I could be wrong, but I believe Barner and Harrell accepted Senior Bowl invites and thus will not be here - but even so, this is incredibly reassuring even if several others leave.
It might be that I/we've were spoiled by this year where there were essentially no question marks going into spring camp and have memory-hole'd that it's very, very common to have a lot of unknowns less than a week after the last season ended. :)
We will see it play out - with Johnson and McBurrows, Pollard, Hill, Harris all seeing time in front of him, I'm not sure he was the projected starter - he also might have just preferred playing offense and wanted to find a place. Totally understand and support players trying to find the fit that's best for them and being empowered - I think that might be even more of a positive change than just the NIL they hopefully can capitalize on.
I will say - reading back over the recruiting posts and afterward for Semaj, Karmello and Fredrick Moore did make me feel much better. With Morris as a more proven possession receiver, we'd just need one or two other hits.