Ah, the self-licking ice cream cone of NFL draft coverage. A bunch of journalists and commentators covering what each other says, as if it was "news" that has any meaning.
Wow, what a great diary series! Informative, interesting without overwhelming statistical detail. And, the NFL Draft is glutted with other content that is tedious and of no interest 15 seconds after the first round ends. This is very nice work.
One thing struck me as I read the article. One of the talking points against Title 9 was the fear it would lead to mixed gender teams. What did these people think was already happening when there was no supported women's team?
Background: I played on Michigan's water polo club from 1984-87. Our team, and several of the other teams we played, had 2 or 3 women on the squad. It was already happening!
Today we have a varsity women's water polo team, but none for the men. (I assume there is still a club level squad.) I don't have a problem with that, and I'm proud of the fact our ladies are often the best team in the country outside of California. (Californian dominance is a major thing in water polo; the reasons are TL;DR.)
I'm listening to the radio broadcast on the web (the Michigan broadcast). Is this play by play announcer typical? I'm having a hard time keeping track of who has the puck and which team is in the offensive zone. He seems to be assuming I've memorized the rosters of both teams.
I still gets hives thinking of JJ starting his career in the NY media market. Comparable situation: Kurt Warner. Good guy, grounded, and already played most of his HOF career. He was a vet, but his time in NY was a disaster, while his next gig in Arizona was a triumph.
I think we have to reevaluate our opinion of Warde. A lot of the hate was based on the assumption he would keep Howard (and his mishandling of the hockey situation, and NIL follies).
Now, he has avoided a mistake with MBB, and made a good hire. Given that, and the 100% correct retention of Harbaugh after 2020 (which some sports commentators are citing as perhaps a good example for Kentucky with Calipari), it seems to me he's bringing more good than bad.
I agree on Grant's Vicksburg campaign. He wrong footed Pemberton (whose army was approximately the same size as Grant's) so thoroughly; it was on par with Lee's best campaigns.
Antietam. Beautifully maintained, and they restored the forested areas to what they were at the time of the battle, much easier to visualize the battle. Great for a driving tour because the action moved from the north end to the south end of the battle. You can visit the sites in chronological order. Stopping by South Mountain (where much smaller Confederate force held off most of the Army of the Potomac, allowing the Army of Northern Virginia a chance to concentrate around Sharpsburg) is nearby, and worth stopping.
Bull Run. They have a terrific, Ranger-led walking tour of the main action for the First battle. Short and enlightening, you can visualize McDowell's plan, and see why Jackson's stand saved the day. The Second battle is harder to visualize; the forested areas are not where they were in 1862.
Battle of Seven Days and/or Grant's overland campaign of 1864. There are a series of smaller parks for each of the battles. As with Antietam, you can drive between them and follow the course of one (or both) of the campaigns.
The Shenandoah Valley. Also a lot of smaller parks, which you can visit in chronological order of one of the campaigns. The New Market Battlefield Military Museum is worth seeing.
Fort Stevens, DC. This is part of the system of fortifications around Washington, and where Jubal Early's Corps probed the strength of the system in 1864. Part of the Fort is preserved, and in late June/early July the local Civil War Roundtable hosts a Fort Stevens Day with reenactors, speakers and demonstrations. The group that portrays the 54th Massachusetts (from the movie Glory) often participates. Nearby in Maryland is the Monocacy battle, we're a scratch Union force held off Early for a day, and gave the Federals a chance to reinforce Washington's defenses.
Fredericksburg, the hillside we're the Army of the Potomac launched its futile assaults is preserved.
Those are my thoughts for the area around Washington. If you are going farther west, we can talk about western theater campaigns, or the quasi-guerilla war in Missouri. There are even sites worth seeing in northern New Mexico.
The 2023 offense only looks limited because that is all it had to be. Let's talk about McCarthy's counting stats. Between the defense allowing bupkis in scoring, and the rushing attack delivering early leads (because, truth be told, we really didn't play anyone decent until Penn State), McCarthy rarely played at all in the 4th quarter, and he didn't need to make that many spectacular throws. Why is the NFL slobbering over his potential now? Because they look at process and mechanics independent of final scores. Go back and watch the game tying drive (when we really had to have it) in the Rose Bowl again.
Similarly, the rushing offense only appeared to have lost a gear because it was depth chart time late in many games.
I cannot emphasize enough how unusual, and impressive, was the fact Michigan trailed so rarely over the course of the season. It changed the games. Bad news: our boys didn't get as many chances to show they were as good as any of the great teams in CFB history by making very many spectacular plays; they didn't have to. This team was never pushed the way Iowa pushed the 1997 team. Good news: even with all the personnel lost after the season, they may have a much higher floor than any of us suspect for the upcoming season.
Prior to this season, I expected a big ole' regression to the mean, and a probable loss to OSU. I figured 10-2, no B1G Championship Game, and a middling NY6 Bowl. Instead, we got the optimum Harbaugh team we waited to see all these years. I still think we are due for regression this coming season, but I'm not writing that in ink.
I will offer one (tiny) point in Juwan's favor: his intended roster was devastated by: the Admissions Office, the NCAA, a less than cutting edge NIL Program, and untimely injuries.
With that caveat, he is responsible for recruiting and coaching at the University where he actually is, and not the University he wishes it would be. The one and done 5 star players he actually got on the court have underwhelmed, and the role players left for greener pastures, or gave up on this season and the later half of last season. Moreover, he and his (walk on) son cost the program one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the business.
Maybe he can be a great coach elsewhere, but it's clearly not working here. It's time to move on.
OK, now I'm annoyed. Jim, do you have to go after every single member of your former staff? Is there NO ONE in the NFL or CFB who might be as good as them? You're approaching Lincoln Riley territory.
You assume that Mr. Ross sees the situation in the same way (apocalyptic) you do, and is interested in spending his time leading one of the projects you described. The money may be a rounding error for him, but like every other human being, he has only 24 hours in the day. I imagine he has a few other things going on.
Here is a crazy hockey tournament idea from a non-hockey guy. One game playoffs in hockey are plinko, as many have said. Go to a 4 team tournament with two rounds, best 2 of 3 over a weekend. Keep your neutral site venues, but require they be closer to the higher seed.
Sure would be nice if the official reporters for this site would generate some content on this and other staffing news, maybe dispell some bad info, and put up a front page post. The football content they do generate is excellent, but fora posts have been covering a few holes of late.
OK, now I'm in vengeance mindset. SF won this game on complete and utter random BS in the second half. The Packers had 'em beat too. I'll be rooting for the Chiefs to expose this pack of (colorful Navy expression).
I would not have been devastated to lose this game. But, after dominating the first half, to lose to this BS has me really frosted.
First World problem: when you haven't won for so long, you don't have any snappy chants or cheers for when your team scores. What have the Lions got? Another One Bites the Dust? A sample from M&M? That bombastic trumpet solo they used to play at the Silver Dome? Something from the 50s?
Recent Comments
Dang, double post. I blame the poor cell connection.
Ah, the self-licking ice cream cone of NFL draft coverage. A bunch of journalists and commentators covering what each other says, as if it was "news" that has any meaning.
OW!
MGoBlog: come for the sports; stay for the discussions about banging two coconut halves together.
So, Timmy, do you like gladiator movies?
BTW, I enjoy bantering with you and having you as part of the community.
Wow, what a great diary series! Informative, interesting without overwhelming statistical detail. And, the NFL Draft is glutted with other content that is tedious and of no interest 15 seconds after the first round ends. This is very nice work.
Can the website put Blue Middle on staff?
Thank you for more softball coverage. I like the excursions into the non-rev sports.
This should be a diary entry.
One thing struck me as I read the article. One of the talking points against Title 9 was the fear it would lead to mixed gender teams. What did these people think was already happening when there was no supported women's team?
Background: I played on Michigan's water polo club from 1984-87. Our team, and several of the other teams we played, had 2 or 3 women on the squad. It was already happening!
Today we have a varsity women's water polo team, but none for the men. (I assume there is still a club level squad.) I don't have a problem with that, and I'm proud of the fact our ladies are often the best team in the country outside of California. (Californian dominance is a major thing in water polo; the reasons are TL;DR.)
I'm listening to the radio broadcast on the web (the Michigan broadcast). Is this play by play announcer typical? I'm having a hard time keeping track of who has the puck and which team is in the offensive zone. He seems to be assuming I've memorized the rosters of both teams.
These officials are auditioning for a job with the B1G.
I don't need to go through the rest of the discussion. You have said everything that's necessary. Excellent work.
I still gets hives thinking of JJ starting his career in the NY media market. Comparable situation: Kurt Warner. Good guy, grounded, and already played most of his HOF career. He was a vet, but his time in NY was a disaster, while his next gig in Arizona was a triumph.
I think we have to reevaluate our opinion of Warde. A lot of the hate was based on the assumption he would keep Howard (and his mishandling of the hockey situation, and NIL follies).
Now, he has avoided a mistake with MBB, and made a good hire. Given that, and the 100% correct retention of Harbaugh after 2020 (which some sports commentators are citing as perhaps a good example for Kentucky with Calipari), it seems to me he's bringing more good than bad.
At minimum, he deserves praise for this decision.
I agree on Grant's Vicksburg campaign. He wrong footed Pemberton (whose army was approximately the same size as Grant's) so thoroughly; it was on par with Lee's best campaigns.
Antietam…
A few options:
Antietam. Beautifully maintained, and they restored the forested areas to what they were at the time of the battle, much easier to visualize the battle. Great for a driving tour because the action moved from the north end to the south end of the battle. You can visit the sites in chronological order. Stopping by South Mountain (where much smaller Confederate force held off most of the Army of the Potomac, allowing the Army of Northern Virginia a chance to concentrate around Sharpsburg) is nearby, and worth stopping.
Bull Run. They have a terrific, Ranger-led walking tour of the main action for the First battle. Short and enlightening, you can visualize McDowell's plan, and see why Jackson's stand saved the day. The Second battle is harder to visualize; the forested areas are not where they were in 1862.
Battle of Seven Days and/or Grant's overland campaign of 1864. There are a series of smaller parks for each of the battles. As with Antietam, you can drive between them and follow the course of one (or both) of the campaigns.
The Shenandoah Valley. Also a lot of smaller parks, which you can visit in chronological order of one of the campaigns. The New Market Battlefield Military Museum is worth seeing.
Fort Stevens, DC. This is part of the system of fortifications around Washington, and where Jubal Early's Corps probed the strength of the system in 1864. Part of the Fort is preserved, and in late June/early July the local Civil War Roundtable hosts a Fort Stevens Day with reenactors, speakers and demonstrations. The group that portrays the 54th Massachusetts (from the movie Glory) often participates. Nearby in Maryland is the Monocacy battle, we're a scratch Union force held off Early for a day, and gave the Federals a chance to reinforce Washington's defenses.
Fredericksburg, the hillside we're the Army of the Potomac launched its futile assaults is preserved.
Those are my thoughts for the area around Washington. If you are going farther west, we can talk about western theater campaigns, or the quasi-guerilla war in Missouri. There are even sites worth seeing in northern New Mexico.
Memo to this and two other message creators below: if there is a question mark in the headline, the answer is no.
The 2023 offense only looks limited because that is all it had to be. Let's talk about McCarthy's counting stats. Between the defense allowing bupkis in scoring, and the rushing attack delivering early leads (because, truth be told, we really didn't play anyone decent until Penn State), McCarthy rarely played at all in the 4th quarter, and he didn't need to make that many spectacular throws. Why is the NFL slobbering over his potential now? Because they look at process and mechanics independent of final scores. Go back and watch the game tying drive (when we really had to have it) in the Rose Bowl again.
Similarly, the rushing offense only appeared to have lost a gear because it was depth chart time late in many games.
I cannot emphasize enough how unusual, and impressive, was the fact Michigan trailed so rarely over the course of the season. It changed the games. Bad news: our boys didn't get as many chances to show they were as good as any of the great teams in CFB history by making very many spectacular plays; they didn't have to. This team was never pushed the way Iowa pushed the 1997 team. Good news: even with all the personnel lost after the season, they may have a much higher floor than any of us suspect for the upcoming season.
Prior to this season, I expected a big ole' regression to the mean, and a probable loss to OSU. I figured 10-2, no B1G Championship Game, and a middling NY6 Bowl. Instead, we got the optimum Harbaugh team we waited to see all these years. I still think we are due for regression this coming season, but I'm not writing that in ink.
I will offer one (tiny) point in Juwan's favor: his intended roster was devastated by: the Admissions Office, the NCAA, a less than cutting edge NIL Program, and untimely injuries.
With that caveat, he is responsible for recruiting and coaching at the University where he actually is, and not the University he wishes it would be. The one and done 5 star players he actually got on the court have underwhelmed, and the role players left for greener pastures, or gave up on this season and the later half of last season. Moreover, he and his (walk on) son cost the program one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the business.
Maybe he can be a great coach elsewhere, but it's clearly not working here. It's time to move on.
So, we're ignoring basketball now?
OK, now I'm annoyed. Jim, do you have to go after every single member of your former staff? Is there NO ONE in the NFL or CFB who might be as good as them? You're approaching Lincoln Riley territory.
You assume that Mr. Ross sees the situation in the same way (apocalyptic) you do, and is interested in spending his time leading one of the projects you described. The money may be a rounding error for him, but like every other human being, he has only 24 hours in the day. I imagine he has a few other things going on.
Here is a crazy hockey tournament idea from a non-hockey guy. One game playoffs in hockey are plinko, as many have said. Go to a 4 team tournament with two rounds, best 2 of 3 over a weekend. Keep your neutral site venues, but require they be closer to the higher seed.
Meh, pre draft predictions are as worthless as whatever celebrity frippery they're peddling on Entertainment Tonight.
Hutch is just a couple years too late to get a cameo on The Big Bang Theory.
Those AIs are smarter than you think.
'De da da da…
'De do do do.
'De da da da.'
Is all I have to say to you...
Sure would be nice if the official reporters for this site would generate some content on this and other staffing news, maybe dispell some bad info, and put up a front page post. The football content they do generate is excellent, but fora posts have been covering a few holes of late.
OK, now I'm in vengeance mindset. SF won this game on complete and utter random BS in the second half. The Packers had 'em beat too. I'll be rooting for the Chiefs to expose this pack of (colorful Navy expression).
I would not have been devastated to lose this game. But, after dominating the first half, to lose to this BS has me really frosted.
10 points and 3 minutes? Ballgame.
Decisive loss of the battle of half time adjustments.
C'mon Hutch! Change the effing game. DO SOMETHING!
That was the slowest arriving blitz I've ever seen.
I recommend the coaches employee liberally a rolled up newspaper.
Yes please! End this jack-wad, chicken-choking, steaming pile of a quarter of alleged football activity!
UTTER BULLSHIT! FUCKING TACKLE!!
God hates Detroit.
I would not have been devastated to lose this game, but to lose because of this steaming pile of dog crap!...
C'mon Hutch, change... oh FUCK!
Same old snakebit Lions.
Their entire offense this half is terrible tackling by Detroit, and lucky bullshit pass plays.
Lucky bullshit!
It is known.
Draft DBs, please.
Suck it Bucke... er, Niners!
I effing hate the never sufficiently to be damned Bosas.
SF's D-line is coming up microscopic.
Gibbs and Montgomery have a Reggie Bush/LenDale White vibe going.
OSU DEs coming up small. O-ver-rat-ed.
First World problem: when you haven't won for so long, you don't have any snappy chants or cheers for when your team scores. What have the Lions got? Another One Bites the Dust? A sample from M&M? That bombastic trumpet solo they used to play at the Silver Dome? Something from the 50s?
Least surprising announcement ever...