Seriously, I don't know how Denard does it, but he makes me like him more and more as a person the more exposure he's given! Go Blue, Denard and thanks for being such a great ambassador for the University of Michigan.
Congrats Brian! Here's hoping that you've met a woman as understanding as mine that allows you to yell, stomp, curse (generally act like a little child) 10-12 Saturdays in the fall and still sticks around!
Was at a software users conference and one of the vendors brought him in to sign autographs. I mentioned I graduated from Michigan and we shared a "Go Blue!" moment. Talked for a few minutes about the NFL lock-out and his upcoming HC job in San Francisco. He was pretty cool and down-to-earth. He stayed way after his scheduled time to make sure everyone got their stuff signed and seemed to genuinely make an effort to engage people.
OT (to this thread)...I don't have enough points, so I figured I'd post this anyway. I met Jim Harbaugh, and his dad, at a software user's conference a couple of weeks ago. He kind of wandered in and just happen to sit in the group of couches I also occupied.
My initial impression was that he is a really nice guy, though that may have something to do with the fee he was getting to sign autographs?! He signed a few things for me (which will not be for sale!... ZING tSIO) and I snapped a pic of me, him, and his dad on my phone! He also stayed well past the scheduled time to make sure everyone in line got their change for a signature and he seemed to genuinely try and make conversation with each person he met.
We got to shoot the breeze for a bit. I mentioned that I was a '00 grad and he smiled and said "Go Blue!" I brought up the fact that much of the Michigan fanbase, including myself, had assumed that he would be our next coach after RichRod, though our current coach seems to be doing pretty well for himself. Interestingly enough, he responded with... "I was this close to taking the job (making the inch close sign with his fingers)". Just wonder how true actually was considering all the questions that were previously raised about The Process?
Anyway, sorry for going so far OT and reviving the whole CC topic.
All-in-all, I think we are in a great position with the guy we have! I'm just hoping Mattison makes this D world beaters this year and Borges uses just the perfect amount of zone-read option to win Denard the Heismen! Hey, one can always hope, right?!
Is it just me, or does Denard look like he's smiling through someone's soul with his eye laserz?! Who else is hoping that Denard stares through the soul's of many an opposing defense this year and makes them fall apart like an overly soggy oreo!
OT (to this thread)...Also, I don't have enough points, so I figured I'd post this anyway. I met Jim Harbaugh, and his dad, at a software user's conference a couple of weeks ago. He kind of wandered in and just happen to sit in the group of couches I also occupied.
My initial impression was that he is a really nice guy, though that may have something to do with the fee he was getting to sign autographs?! He signed a few things for me (which will not be for sale!... ZING tSIO) and I snapped a pic of me, him, and his dad on my phone! He also stayed well past the scheduled time to make sure everyone in line got their change for a signature and he seemed to genuinely try and make conversation with each person he met.
We got to shoot the breeze for a bit. I mentioned that I was a '00 grad and he smiled and said "Go Blue!" I brought up the fact that much of the Michigan fanbase, including myself, had assumed that he would be our next coach after RichRod, though our current coach seems to be doing pretty well for himself. Interestingly enough, he responded with... "I was this close to taking the job (making the inch close sign with his fingers)". Just wonder how true actually was considering all the questions that were previously raised about The Process?
Anyway, sorry for going so far OT and reviving the whole CC topic.
All-in-all, I think we are in a great position with the guy we have! I'm just hoping Mattison makes this D world beaters this year and Borges uses just the perfect amount of zone-read option to win Denard the Heismen! Hey, one can always hope, right?!
I think there a couple of factors that student athletes face, particularly those that wouldn't normally be able to afford a college education without an athletic scholarship, that do warrant some sort of additional compensation, not necessarily in the form of a monetary stipend.
1. Student Athletes have additional demands on their time that are not present for the normal college student.
2. I believe, colleges have the ability to revoke scholarships on a year-by-year basis
3. Because student athletes have additional demands on their time (ie Training, Practice, Film Study, etc...) that are related to their sport it impacts their ability to choose a major that could maximize their future income potential so they can dedicate the time to their sport.
Things that could remedy the situation:
1. Restructure the way athletic scholarships are administered. I don't really have a clear strategy on how this should be handled, but something needs to be done about coaches that cut upper-classmen to sign under-classmen (looking at you SEC).
2. Defer some sort of compensation in the form of a 529 account so that athletes have an opportunity to continue different areas of study in areas they may not have been able to do while they were competing after their athletic eligibility is up.
I don't think the focus of the NCAA should be on making allowances so that an athlete can go on an extra date here or there, or go to a movie, but should be about providing an education that may or may not have been attainable for a person due to their extraordinary athletic ability and ability to represent a give university/college well.
If a college athlete can't understand the future earnings potential of a college degree in a marketable skill and the odds that are stacked against success in sport at any professional level, that is on them and their support system (family, friends, teachers, etc...).
I'm definitely of the often mentioned belief that it is the trenches where games (and eventually championships) are won.
That's one of the aspects that I really enjoy about Coach Rod's (and Barwis') approach to this team and one of the main reasons I have quite a bit of optimism, mainly for the offense, this year is multiple comments on how good and how much competition there is amidst the O-line.
It really feels like this is the first year in what seems like a while that we have not only talented depth, but also young and pretty experienced depth on both the offensive and defensive lines. It's the depth that allows you to "reload" every year.
I'm not knocking on Carr, because I know that he put out some pretty impressive linemen in his day, but it seems that the class of linemen that Coach Rod and Barwis create is on another level when it comes to athleticism. Then again, I know that injury always plays a huge role, (please have mercy angry michigan linemen hating god!) so here's to a injury-free line-of-scrimmage controlling season!
I too tend to cry when I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Something seeing those families and the excitement of getting those homes really gets me.
Then, I think about their new property tax bills... and it makes me cry even more!
I've heard a lot of athletes have a residence in FL b/c there is no state income tax! Well, at least the ones that can afford it.
Then again, isn't there some crazy rule with regard to state income tax that is dependent on where the game is played? For instance, even if your a team member of the Falcons (I'm from the ATL), if you play a game in Philly, you have to report that as income from PA?
I guess it could be that you'd have to pay both a state income tax on where you played and where you claim residence?!
I'm not tax attorney... so, FWIW.
I don't think I've ever been so excited to see pics of our team practicing! It's been a long winter.
BTW... who's gonna do the "Weapon Of Choice" vid this year? Wouldn't it have to be like 3 hours long to showcase all of them weapons?
I totally agree that the UCONN game is not a cupcake. They've had some pretty decent rushing statistics the last few years, though I guess the question remains how the HB and OL replacements will fair. Hopefully our D-line will be up to the task and our LBs will show some substantial improvement in 2010.
I'm really hoping that 1 D-Coordinator over 2 years will have some impact! Come on Gerg! Do a Stevie Brown on them!
I'll never forget seeing him rumble down the field late during the Wisconsin game! You just knew the Wisconsin D was thinking, "there's no way he's keeping the ball." Suddenly Threet's in the open field and getting run down. In my mind, I'm repeating, "please HOLD ON TO THE BALL!"
Ahh.. the bright spots for us fans have been somewhat few and far between these past couple of years.
Here's hoping for marked improvement in 2010!
Looking forward to seeing how these young men perform on the field this year.
agreed on your comment about wanting to see a spread team shred tosu, especially considering the talent that richrod is stockpiling these days, i would love to see the ducks roll over tosu.
it would be payback for all of those hair-pulling games where troy smith/vince young/etc... (fill-in your spread qb that can run) ran all over our team!
definitely looking forward to m-football in 2010!
My favorite media "Death Touch" reference is from the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic... Blood Sport.
[Frank Dukes trying to register for the Kumite encounters a very skeptical official... maybe this guy was an usher at Yost?!]
Victor: What's the hold-up?
Official: He says Senzo Tanaka is his shidoshi.
Victor: What's the difference if Bruce Springsteen is his shidoshi?
Official: If Senzo Tanaks is his shidoshi, then show us the Dim Mak.
Ray Jackson: [turns to Frank] What the hell is a Dim Mack?
Official: Death touch. (In an ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE asian accent!)
I think a huge part of the "inexperience" of Tate has to do with the area of making reads, specifically from the perspective of the rushing aspect of our offense.
I played in a triple option offense in high school (Wish-bone!) on the O-line and it takes time for a quarterback/running back to get comfortable in understanding what the other can do. Add in the mix that Tate is facing different defense fronts that are probably way more athletic than anything he faced in high-school. In addition, the shuffling and under performance of the offensive line has also played a role.
I really feel like his ability to make the right read will improve as he continues to gain experience into his Soph/Jr/Sr years.
Of course, this will always be dependent on the OLine's ability to make the blocks.
Which brings up another question... does anyone else feel like we haven't seen a "dominant" O-line at Michigan in like the past 4-5 years? This may just be a function of the way things have been during the rebuilding phase of our offense under RichRod, but it seems even during the last few years of the Lloyd era, other than Jake Long, we haven't seen a Michigan team in quite awhile where the O-line was actually a strength of the team. Of course, injuries always seem to be a factor along the line as well.
Though Molk has definitely been very effective when he's been healthy. Arghh... Angry Michigan Offensive Line Hating God!
Can someone please hurry up and perfect the Adamantium infusing bone technology so we can use this on our players?! Come on UofM Medical Center!
Does anyone else feel like they could effectively coach young kids in the zone read option offense after reading these "Picture Pages" posts?!
Seriously, Brian et al, thanks for this info.
It just makes the games more entertaining (or frustrating) to be able to decipher the game within the game!
Didn't we run a Lloyd version of the spread in the win against Florida? All I remember is Henne in a shotgun slinging it to our fast receivers all day. And Mike Hart's fumble at the 2! Man... now that I think of it... that was one upside down game!
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Is the bracket community already locked? I tried creating one and clicking the button didn't do anything.
And makes us happy as little school girl!
Seriously, I don't know how Denard does it, but he makes me like him more and more as a person the more exposure he's given! Go Blue, Denard and thanks for being such a great ambassador for the University of Michigan.
Congrats Brian! Here's hoping that you've met a woman as understanding as mine that allows you to yell, stomp, curse (generally act like a little child) 10-12 Saturdays in the fall and still sticks around!
Was at a software users conference and one of the vendors brought him in to sign autographs. I mentioned I graduated from Michigan and we shared a "Go Blue!" moment. Talked for a few minutes about the NFL lock-out and his upcoming HC job in San Francisco. He was pretty cool and down-to-earth. He stayed way after his scheduled time to make sure everyone got their stuff signed and seemed to genuinely make an effort to engage people.
Is it just me, or does Denard look like he's smiling through someone's soul with his eye laserz?! Who else is hoping that Denard stares through the soul's of many an opposing defense this year and makes them fall apart like an overly soggy oreo!
OT (to this thread)...Also, I don't have enough points, so I figured I'd post this anyway. I met Jim Harbaugh, and his dad, at a software user's conference a couple of weeks ago. He kind of wandered in and just happen to sit in the group of couches I also occupied.
My initial impression was that he is a really nice guy, though that may have something to do with the fee he was getting to sign autographs?! He signed a few things for me (which will not be for sale!... ZING tSIO) and I snapped a pic of me, him, and his dad on my phone! He also stayed well past the scheduled time to make sure everyone in line got their change for a signature and he seemed to genuinely try and make conversation with each person he met.
We got to shoot the breeze for a bit. I mentioned that I was a '00 grad and he smiled and said "Go Blue!" I brought up the fact that much of the Michigan fanbase, including myself, had assumed that he would be our next coach after RichRod, though our current coach seems to be doing pretty well for himself. Interestingly enough, he responded with... "I was this close to taking the job (making the inch close sign with his fingers)". Just wonder how true actually was considering all the questions that were previously raised about The Process?
Anyway, sorry for going so far OT and reviving the whole CC topic.
All-in-all, I think we are in a great position with the guy we have! I'm just hoping Mattison makes this D world beaters this year and Borges uses just the perfect amount of zone-read option to win Denard the Heismen! Hey, one can always hope, right?!
Denard stares through the soul... FTW!
Go Blue!
I think there a couple of factors that student athletes face, particularly those that wouldn't normally be able to afford a college education without an athletic scholarship, that do warrant some sort of additional compensation, not necessarily in the form of a monetary stipend.
1. Student Athletes have additional demands on their time that are not present for the normal college student.
2. I believe, colleges have the ability to revoke scholarships on a year-by-year basis
3. Because student athletes have additional demands on their time (ie Training, Practice, Film Study, etc...) that are related to their sport it impacts their ability to choose a major that could maximize their future income potential so they can dedicate the time to their sport.
Things that could remedy the situation:
1. Restructure the way athletic scholarships are administered. I don't really have a clear strategy on how this should be handled, but something needs to be done about coaches that cut upper-classmen to sign under-classmen (looking at you SEC).
2. Defer some sort of compensation in the form of a 529 account so that athletes have an opportunity to continue different areas of study in areas they may not have been able to do while they were competing after their athletic eligibility is up.
I don't think the focus of the NCAA should be on making allowances so that an athlete can go on an extra date here or there, or go to a movie, but should be about providing an education that may or may not have been attainable for a person due to their extraordinary athletic ability and ability to represent a give university/college well.
If a college athlete can't understand the future earnings potential of a college degree in a marketable skill and the odds that are stacked against success in sport at any professional level, that is on them and their support system (family, friends, teachers, etc...).
Wow... I just noticed the time stamp. 1977! That's pretty crazy. I guess f*ck was a bad word even then! :)
Markly was my Freshman year dorm and this is COMPLETELY fitting! Love it!
Go Blue, Beat OSU!
I'm definitely of the often mentioned belief that it is the trenches where games (and eventually championships) are won.
That's one of the aspects that I really enjoy about Coach Rod's (and Barwis') approach to this team and one of the main reasons I have quite a bit of optimism, mainly for the offense, this year is multiple comments on how good and how much competition there is amidst the O-line.
It really feels like this is the first year in what seems like a while that we have not only talented depth, but also young and pretty experienced depth on both the offensive and defensive lines. It's the depth that allows you to "reload" every year.
I'm not knocking on Carr, because I know that he put out some pretty impressive linemen in his day, but it seems that the class of linemen that Coach Rod and Barwis create is on another level when it comes to athleticism. Then again, I know that injury always plays a huge role, (please have mercy angry michigan linemen hating god!) so here's to a injury-free line-of-scrimmage controlling season!
Seriously, what is it about this game and this team that consumes me so thoroughly?!
Well, here's to another Fall and Winter of hanging my hopes on a group of 18-22 year olds!
Wouldn't trade it for the world! Well... maybe the WHOLE WORLD!
I too tend to cry when I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Something seeing those families and the excitement of getting those homes really gets me.
Then, I think about their new property tax bills... and it makes me cry even more!