Does anyone know why David Dawson isn't getting a chance at LG? The season preview listed him as the top backup to Braden, and now he's not even getting garbage time snaps.
Alum, have you considered including what position they have coached? Durkin, in addition to being DC, was the LB coach. So Michigan needs a DC and a LB coach. I know Gibson primarily handles the secondary, but with Zordich and Jackson already at Michigan where would Gibson fit in? Who would handle the LBs? Are there any guys on your list who primarily handle the LBs (or DL if Mattison moves back to coach LBs)? Seems like a relevant consideration.
This is a good point - neuroscientists now recognize that our brains (especially the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision making and impulse control) are not fully developed until age 25 or so. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708
What's interesting to me about the article is the contrast to be made between Malzahn and Borges. Several times Brian has opined that Borges' philosphy appears to be a Boise State "just plays" approach, i.e. a grab-bag of different plays that don't necessarily have any relationship to one another. The idea, I think, is that when your players can properly execute all the plays it makes it hard for the defense because there is no context or pattern to try and discern what the next play will be. Malzahn, on the other hand, has apparently embraced a "sequential" approach to offensive playcalling. Malzahn has a base play or two with counters and counters to the counters, and the idea (if I understand the article right) is that as the defense adapts to the base plays, that dictates the next play called. All the plays are tightly interrelated and make up a coherent whole.
I'd love to hear from some of the coaching types (Magnus, Space Coyote, etc.) about the pros and cons of each. I'm sure both approaches can be successful given the right conditions. But one of the things the article repeats is Malzahn's willingness and even desire to adapt and tailor his offense to the players he has. Many have criticized Borges for not doing the same - is that something that, on some level, Borges (and probably Hoke as well) is just philosophically opposed to?
Another infrequent poster saying thanks for the great content and hard work. Don't let a vocal minority of malcontents and rabble rousers overwhelm you.
There's a lot of criticism of Susan G. Komen here and elsewhere - probably rightly so, as only approximately 6% of funds Komen raises goes to actual research/cure efforts. The rest goes to PR, marketing, and corporate salaries/expenses. If you're inclined to give, a much better recipient of your money is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) 88% of funds raised goes to research.
And the down sign over Gallon's head has the bottom portion of the 2 cut off, so it looks like a big question mark over Gallon's head, as in "WTF is going on here?!"
Is kicking the DE out an easier assignment than others? If so, what about switching Lewan and Schofield - let Schofield kick the DE out and get Lewan to handle a harder assignment inside?
According to yesterday's Unverified Voracity, the players are also the ones who want to hear Pop Evil. Are you still okay with giving the players everything they want?
I'd like to hear about the division, if any, between Bo-era and Carr-era players' views of the Rodriguez tenure. I have it in my mind (perhaps erroneously) that Bo-era players were generally more willing to give Rodriguez a chance and see how it all turned out, while Carr-era players were much quicker to jump on Rodriguez for abandoning Michigan tradition, etc. Is this true? Was there a pattern to how former players viewed Rodriguez?
Notre Dame consistently brings in excellent recruiting classes but still stumbles on the field. Why does this columnist now think that just because Hoke can bring in a top 3 class, the rest will be easy? Not to say that Hoke et al. can't bring 'em in and also coach 'em up (Hoke uber alles), but rebuilding a program that can routinely beat Ohio and compete for national championships isn't going to be "easy" just because of recruiting.
Barkevious Mingo did indeed win the NOTY tourney, on the strength of a steampunk-themed campaign run by Orson Swindle at Every Day Should Be Saturday -
Did anyone else click through to Jake Ryan's recruiting profile and laugh when Brian listed "having Greg Robinson as a position coach" as an asset of Ryan's that Obi Ezeh didn't have? My, how times change.
The player on the far right in the first picture looks like he's puking pine trees. I think that would hurt, and is a very fitting image for the end of the hockey team's season.
This is exactly right. As Bo used the term, "Michigan Man" meant someone who wanted to be at Michigan and was committed to the school, not someone who was looking around at / had committed to coach another school. So frustrated at how this term has been twisted and warped.
I hate myself for saying this, but either Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart deserve to be on that list. Douchebags both from a school I hate, but they could play.
Sticking by Vlad Emilien after his injury and reaffirming his scholarship offer while other programs backed off is another good example of what you describe, and while that decision may have cost the team a usable scholarship in the short term I think, over the long term, it's the kind of principled decision that builds programs you can be proud of.
Although, it is a little funny that I'm wishing he would be a bit less principled and stop being so damn loyal to Gibson et al., in much the same way that Lloyd stubbornly stuck with DeBord and Gittleson.
If Turner had stayed he'd have torn his ACL tripping over a squirrel or lost a finger in a blender or some other such freakish happening would have prevented him from contributing. Just have to grin and bear it, I suppose.
Recent Comments
They're hilarious. I was hoping for a cameo from Brian or Seth, but it was great nonetheless.
Does anyone know why David Dawson isn't getting a chance at LG? The season preview listed him as the top backup to Braden, and now he's not even getting garbage time snaps.
Alum, have you considered including what position they have coached? Durkin, in addition to being DC, was the LB coach. So Michigan needs a DC and a LB coach. I know Gibson primarily handles the secondary, but with Zordich and Jackson already at Michigan where would Gibson fit in? Who would handle the LBs? Are there any guys on your list who primarily handle the LBs (or DL if Mattison moves back to coach LBs)? Seems like a relevant consideration.
There's a similar article up at Grantland about Gus Malzahn and the evolution of his offensive philosophy - http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/10236856/gus-malzahn-offensive-evolution
What's interesting to me about the article is the contrast to be made between Malzahn and Borges. Several times Brian has opined that Borges' philosphy appears to be a Boise State "just plays" approach, i.e. a grab-bag of different plays that don't necessarily have any relationship to one another. The idea, I think, is that when your players can properly execute all the plays it makes it hard for the defense because there is no context or pattern to try and discern what the next play will be. Malzahn, on the other hand, has apparently embraced a "sequential" approach to offensive playcalling. Malzahn has a base play or two with counters and counters to the counters, and the idea (if I understand the article right) is that as the defense adapts to the base plays, that dictates the next play called. All the plays are tightly interrelated and make up a coherent whole.
I'd love to hear from some of the coaching types (Magnus, Space Coyote, etc.) about the pros and cons of each. I'm sure both approaches can be successful given the right conditions. But one of the things the article repeats is Malzahn's willingness and even desire to adapt and tailor his offense to the players he has. Many have criticized Borges for not doing the same - is that something that, on some level, Borges (and probably Hoke as well) is just philosophically opposed to?
There's a lot of criticism of Susan G. Komen here and elsewhere - probably rightly so, as only approximately 6% of funds Komen raises goes to actual research/cure efforts. The rest goes to PR, marketing, and corporate salaries/expenses. If you're inclined to give, a much better recipient of your money is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) 88% of funds raised goes to research.
The series Space Coyote did on Maize 'n Brew said that he would be without internet access all weekend. So I doubt he's even seen this.
And the down sign over Gallon's head has the bottom portion of the 2 cut off, so it looks like a big question mark over Gallon's head, as in "WTF is going on here?!"
Is kicking the DE out an easier assignment than others? If so, what about switching Lewan and Schofield - let Schofield kick the DE out and get Lewan to handle a harder assignment inside?
Team became varsity in 2000. Before that it was a very successful club sport.
But doesn't that just take us back to the problem of execution and Gardner not being able to hit these simple routes?
Mack Brown was recruiting that stuffed beaver as a safety.
Like Fred Flinstone travellin' around with bald feet
Brian's Norfleet voice sounds like 8-Ball the Tiger. http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2010/9/20/1699828/the-clemson-tiger-recalls-a
Hasn't Hoke said he's actually not that big of a fan of early enrollment? And it's not a guarantee of future success. http://mgoblog.com/content/tuesday-recruitin-skips-prom
Junior admirals are usually called rear admirals, right? The "Zoltan Mesko Rear Admiral of Space (And Special Teams)" has a nice ring to it.
USC is on that list twice, and there is no Stanford.
Bill Connelly at SB Nation has a 10-2 Michigan team playing in the Gator Bowl against 6-6 Florida. I'd take that. http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/11/7/2545039/college-football-bowl-projections-2011-oregon-oklahoma
Glad to see HOLD ON TO THE DAMN BALL make an appearance.
According to yesterday's Unverified Voracity, the players are also the ones who want to hear Pop Evil. Are you still okay with giving the players everything they want?
I'd like to hear about the division, if any, between Bo-era and Carr-era players' views of the Rodriguez tenure. I have it in my mind (perhaps erroneously) that Bo-era players were generally more willing to give Rodriguez a chance and see how it all turned out, while Carr-era players were much quicker to jump on Rodriguez for abandoning Michigan tradition, etc. Is this true? Was there a pattern to how former players viewed Rodriguez?
Notre Dame consistently brings in excellent recruiting classes but still stumbles on the field. Why does this columnist now think that just because Hoke can bring in a top 3 class, the rest will be easy? Not to say that Hoke et al. can't bring 'em in and also coach 'em up (Hoke uber alles), but rebuilding a program that can routinely beat Ohio and compete for national championships isn't going to be "easy" just because of recruiting.
Funk's hat was like that too, it must be the Hoke staff style.
Barkevious Mingo did indeed win the NOTY tourney, on the strength of a steampunk-themed campaign run by Orson Swindle at Every Day Should Be Saturday -
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/04/28/mingovia-thanks-you/
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/04/27/mingo-thanks-you/
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/04/20/once-more-mingovians/
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/04/14/victory-is-in-sight-mingovians/
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/04/09/your-leader-calls-on-you-again-mingovians/
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/04/06/attention-citizens-of-mingovia/
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/03/18/barkevious-mingo-needs-your-help/
You're welcome.
Did anyone else click through to Jake Ryan's recruiting profile and laugh when Brian listed "having Greg Robinson as a position coach" as an asset of Ryan's that Obi Ezeh didn't have? My, how times change.
you blowhard!
I'm having the same problem - after you comment on a thread, you can no longer moderate any of the comments on that thread.
I completely support this - make the banner say "Every Day Should Be Charles Woodson Deserved the Heisman Day" or something like that.
Parole granted!
The player on the far right in the first picture looks like he's puking pine trees. I think that would hurt, and is a very fitting image for the end of the hockey team's season.
Solo Alone is also a good one. I imagine beatniks snapping their fingers and contemplating the poetic nature and melancholy of his (her?) existence.
Better yet, "GTFO Mike Brown County." He's got no clue.
And no one there for to give you no pain.
This is exactly right. As Bo used the term, "Michigan Man" meant someone who wanted to be at Michigan and was committed to the school, not someone who was looking around at / had committed to coach another school. So frustrated at how this term has been twisted and warped.
Congrats Mathlete, if you're reading - thanks for all the great content this season.
The ice for your soul-dong, however, is complimentary.
Still doesn't beat being an analrapist.
I hate myself for saying this, but either Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart deserve to be on that list. Douchebags both from a school I hate, but they could play.
Sticking by Vlad Emilien after his injury and reaffirming his scholarship offer while other programs backed off is another good example of what you describe, and while that decision may have cost the team a usable scholarship in the short term I think, over the long term, it's the kind of principled decision that builds programs you can be proud of.
Although, it is a little funny that I'm wishing he would be a bit less principled and stop being so damn loyal to Gibson et al., in much the same way that Lloyd stubbornly stuck with DeBord and Gittleson.
Nothing about the exalted Space Emperor of Space could possibly be OT on MGoBlog.
Hypnocat is making me confront the depths of my soul's terror at the thought of losing this game. DO NOT WANT.
I second the motion to name the last play of the Illinois game as the "Great Illinois Blitz of 2010." Nicely phrased.
Also - south endzone.
Thesis: this offense is crazy good.
Antithesis: it doesn't matter because the defense is terrible, and this team still can't beat any Big 10 opponent besides Indiana.
Synthesis: fix the defense and the team will be unstoppable.
Makes perfect sense to me.
If Turner had stayed he'd have torn his ACL tripping over a squirrel or lost a finger in a blender or some other such freakish happening would have prevented him from contributing. Just have to grin and bear it, I suppose.
As Brian said post-Woolfolk: YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH GIVE ME A FUCKIN' OTTER!!
First thing I thought of when I read this post.