Denard made good decisions (which is probably the most important thing), but his passes were wobbly.
Tate's passes were all crisp spirals, right on target. He also looks more decisive with his running than last year, at least in other videos. Not so much freelancing and playing chase-me-in-circles like before.
I still like D-Rob for starter in the opener, especially because UConn struggles against the spread, and Denard is best suited to punish a team like that.
I'd give Tate at least three drives, just to keep the defense off balance. Timing is important, though. Don't want to screw with a QB's momentum.
Bottom line: I think our offense is really going to be clicking this year.
I was looking for a discussion about whether blogs are fair game for taxation. And whether taxing bloggers would make the Bleacher Report types a bit more responsible like MGoBlog types. No Tea Party grumbling intended, for you politically hyper-sensitive types.
Couldn't agree more I was saying last year that they should move him to safety. That's what he played in high school, and it's a pretty huge need for us -- maybe not quite as bad as CB.
Kovacs is a sure-fire tacking machine, but he's highly suspect in coverage. Probably a good idea to have JT take his spot, as much as I hate to see the end of that Cinderella story. Turner could be a great spur, as well, but it seems like we're getting stacked at that position.
What I don't like is the idea of having players cut weight when they're at their natural size. Doesn't sound like JT's bulk comes from eating too much or working out excessively. Anyway, a weak and starving CB is a bad CB, unless the other team is throwing T-bones.
Stand firm on this, Brian. It's the only thing that makes sense, emotions aside. Firing RR after a sub-par 2010 would be disasterous, and would only prolong the recovery by another 3-4 years. I don't have that kind of patience. And besides that, I think Michigan will be unstoppable once RR gets this thing rolling. My prediction since he stepped on campus (minus Pryor) has been that 2011 would bring massive happiness. I was thinking 2010 if we did land Pryor, but, alas, we don't have him. Fine by me at this point. Forcier, Robinson and Gardner are a sweeter deal for longterm success.
I'm just glad we're attracting hordes of top prospects again. Reminds me of the good ole days. This program is mysteriously gaining traction, despite its recent woes. You can sense that from all the recruiting bits on the nets.
Offer, offer, offer that kid now. He's a perfect fit for Rich Rod's system.
We should probably redshirt him for his first year at Michigan. That way he has two years left after this guy, "The Gift," graduates.
Wait, maybe "The Next Reggie Bush" is the older one.
The overarching problem here is people believing there is "nothing else available to them." Man always has choices. Sometimes the right choice is the hardest path, but there's still choice. Boo Boo should have manned up and worked through the difficulties in his life. There's nothing to respect about his decisions. Nothing at all.
Let me tell you what I did in college when that happened. I got a JOB! And it wasn't selling dope. Stop making excuses for stupid behavior. It doesn't do anyone any good.
To each his own, but I, for one, like a little variety. Thus, a change is seasons is good for me. The last place I want to be through winter and fall is Cali. Where are the leaves? Where's the snow? Vacation is the exception. Love your state, Michiganders!
What do you think? Put Justin Turner in his old HS position, since we're just as hit up at safety as we are corner. Keep Woolfolk at CB. He did well there at the end of the season. Floyd gets the other CB spot, since he has experience and there's a chance he's decent. Memory may fail, but I don't remember him getting toasted too much last year with his limited PT.
The backfield would look like this:
CB - Woolfolk
CB - Floyd
S - Turner
S - Kovacs
I think we could be solid at two of those positions (with Woolfolk and Turner), possibly three (if Floyd works out).
Kovacs works his butt off, makes great open-field tackles, and hits like a mo-fo, but he can't cover. I'd say that's our weak link. God bless the guy.
You can take the slow, five-year rise to RR glory (he's a proven winner), or you can take seven years -- more likely it'll turn out to be 10 -- with whatever Saban character you feel like rolling the dice with. Are you so made at Rich Rod that you want to prolong this rebuilding process?
If RR gets us to a bowl in 2010, he stays. Anyone who thinks we should get rid of RR after that is out of his stupid-ass mind -- not only that, but begging for a coaching carousel and a mish-mash roster that lead to prolonged misery.
We're committed to this guy. Deal with it and give him a fair chance. The last two years have been misery, and 2010 isn't likely to spell euphoria. But this program will see major success before RR's contract expires.
Anyone who doesn't think Rodriquez can win big with his guys -- including at Michigan and in the sacred-mighty Big Ten -- is out of his stupid-ass mind. Completely out of his stupid-ass mind.
Sure, if Michigan "stinks ass" in 2010, Rich Rod will have a hard time keeping his job. If there's improvement, he'll stay. And we don't have to win the Big Ten for that to be the case. Not yet.
Here's to not stinking ass.
Navy also brings a massive, nation-wide fan base, but it's true that this just wouldn't work. Service academy athletics aren't consistently good. Not that Navy couldn't beat or at least give hell to most of the Big Ten football teams this year.
Jake Locker would fall flat on his face if he joined the NFL next season. He's over-rated like nobody's business. Tons of talent and potential, but totally not ready. He'll be exceptional with another season under Sarkisian, but he needs that extra year. The Huskies went 5-7 this season. 0-12 last year. Maybe 2-10 his first year. I know the coach sucked, but come on.
Remember this was Locker's first season as a pro-style QB, too, so I'll say it again: he needs that extra year with Sark.
As for the potential for injury, keep in mind that he signed a big baseball contract awhile back. It's not like he's hurtin' for money. Plus he can always invest in a fat insurance policy.
I'm actually very encouraged by our D-line's play this season, and I think RVB was a pleasant surprise. If Will Campbell makes strides, we'll be alright.
Overall, the D should improve next year about as much as our offense did this year, and the rising tide will lift our boat that much more -- not to a B10 championship, but to a bowl game.
This is a rebuilding process, and I'm fully prepared for it. I say no to any coaching carousel fiasco.
I think for myself, and the reason I read this blog is because it resonates with me. This street-crack reinforces my beliefs more than it changes any perceptions.
...is worth two in the bush.
If ND offers a job to Brian Kelly, he'd best remember this adage and take the damn thing. You don't speculate about what might happen next year or second-guess a Big Job because it might involve a major overhaul. You take the job, deposit the money, roll up your sleeves, and do your best. Then bite the dust like all the rest on this coaching carousel.
Reminds me of Inkster beating Steubenville. Serious character-testing wins for our quarterback recruits this year. Looks like we may have some real fighters in the 2010 class.
From Spartanburg coach Freddie Brown:
“This is what life is about, and we’re teaching them life’s lessons. You just keep fighting, and things will turn at some point.”
I'm going out on a very sturdy limb here to say: mmm...I'm right and you're wrong.
Just kidding, rlew. You seem like a smart guy, probably one of those Michigan grads. I'm only having fun. Doing a bit of mental gymnastics, if you will. I think we see fairly well eye-to-eye on blogs and the infosphere.
And for the record, I try very hard never to make a point unintentionally. They taught me that at Albion.
Private entities can censor too. Glad to see this wasn't the case here. That's a good way to lose trust, credibility, and readers.
Also, information spreads. That is fact, not a point on which reasonable minds can disagree.
Finally, trying to staunch the flow of leaked information is useless.
So I'll spill the beans at the risk of getting the boot forever. Not worth being here anyway if that's the way things are going to be. You can't stop the flow of information, like it or not. If these rumors are wrong, we'll know soon enough and people can crucify the person who spread them.
Guy claiming two degrees of separation from team says that:
* Tate was taking snaps with second team while Sheridan was with the first
* Fight broke out between Woolfolk and Shaw
* Cissoko dismissed
Personally, I don't see a damn bit of harm in these rumors, even if they're wrong. Anyone who's played football knows the occasional practice fight is bound to happen. And what the hell difference would it make if the whole world was under the false impression that Sheridan was starting next Saturday?
[Edit] Ah, for shit's sake! Just saw why that post was taken down, and it has nothing to do with censorship. Oh well. I'm not deleting this. There's been enough of that for one day.
You super-sensitive D-Rob apologists need to stop. The kid is flat-out not ready to play QB. He's a liability right now. That all changes if we make him part of the slot rotation. He could tear it up, assuming he has hands.
By the way, a position switch DOES make sense for a freshman who's two months into his career. More sense than watching him turn the ball over and under-throw receivers. We need to use our guys where they'll make the most impact.
That doesn't mean D-Rob stops taking practice reps at QB. Just that he plays slot or running back when Tate's practicing under center. Or would you prefer he just sat on the sidelines during that time?
You act like D-Rob is going to get his feelings hurt and bolt if the coaches do a position switch. Shoelace is a big boy, and I'm sure he wants to do what's best for the team.
Tate is our best option at QB. We just have to accept that for what it's worth and hope for a bowl game. Things will get better next year. Tate will be slightly more polished then, and closer to the form we saw him in against ND. D-Rob will be...much less like Sheridan.
As for now, I can't help but think what it would be like if we could combine Tate's slightly superior field vision with Denard's blazing speed. Not that Tate's slow by any means, but how many times have we seen him roll out on a broken pass play with one guy to beat -- a guy Denard could burn -- and get stopped for a gain of three, maybe four? And how many times have we seen Denard trying so hard to look for a receiver -- probably to prove himself as a passer -- that he doesn't see open field?
If I were running these guys with a Playstation controller, we'd be 8-0.
Oh well. Beats the living hell out of last year.
Touche. It's easy for everyone to talk about the "right decision" and setting an example for high schoolers when we're playing Delaware State.
Also, people had better wake up. This game could lead to an embarrassment much worse than the App. State debacle if we take the Hornets for granted.
I'd go with the usual lineup and move to backups if/when we break the 17-point-lead barrier. NO PLAYING WITH CONCUSSIONS. If Tate has a concussion, I'd go 50/50 with D-Rob and Sheridan. Believe it or not, I think Sheridan has better eyes for the field than Shoelace right now. Denard isn't seeing things evolve, like receivers getting wide open before he lofts the ball in the air 500-style.
D-Rob is about as good as Sheridan was last year, only he has crazy speed. He'll be a monster threat for us one day, but that day isn't 10/17/09.
Sincerely,
World Police
What would you do
If you were asked to give up your body for football?
What would you do
If asked to make the ultimate sacrifice
Would you think about all them people
Who gave up everything they had?
Would you think about all them Steve Youngs
And would you start to feel bad?
Winning isn't free
It costs Molks and Tates and Minors
And if they don't all chip in
They'll never pay that bill
Winning isn't free
No, there's a hefty fuckin' fee.
And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five
Who will?
MSU taking over as the state's elite program? That's not even worth addressing.
But there is a shift we could see happening: the Big House taking over as the loudest, most raucous college football stadium in The Great Mitten. Show Spartan fans that you really can be crazy-loud and classy at the same time. I'm liking what I experienced at Michigan Stadium during the ND game and what I've been hearing on TV. Let's double it!
The only shift this state is going to see is Michigan getting twice as dominant in every aspect. The rich shall get Rich-er in this case.
I recall at least two defensive offsides calls on MSU. This could have been Rich Rod making adjustments, or it could have been a random screw up by a team that's notorious for discipline problems.
Since Rich Rod "invented" the spread, he should be able to figure out a fix for this snap-timing problem. I'd like to see a lot more Spartan offsides next year at the Big House, and the crowd should be extra raucous when this happens -- it'll show off our awareness/IQ (as in: we're onto you, sucka) while getting under the skin of the defense.
Boren will dominate whoever lines up against him in 2009, so get comfortable with it. Then get ready for Big Will to spank and punish Angry Baby severely in 2010.
Better first name: Munchie
Better last name: Kickingstallionsims.
Overall, I lean toward Kickingstallionsims, although Munchie Legaux smacks of a legendary name.
Pat White was clearly bigger than Forcier coming into college -- pads or no pads. Check out this link and click back twice.
http://westvirginia.scout.com/PictureGallery.aspx?PlayerId=36364&Title=…
White is now about 6-1, 190-200 lbs. Forcier will grow into that frame, but it's going to take time. Same with Robinson.
The QB spot will be shared this year by three (Sheridan, Forcier, Robinson), lest our freshman Jesus end up thrice concussed or stuck in a body cast. Fast quarterbacks can run, but they cannot hide from the big hits forever.
I predict Michigan will win a few more games, somewhere between five and seven. I'd say five if I had to bet big money on it.
People will be throwing up...their hands at that point and calling for Rich Rod's head. It ain't gonna happen, nor should it happen. Our coach should stay put until his contract expires, barring a string of consecutive years without progress.
The Wolverines will surprise everyone in 2010 by taking first or second in the Big Ten and going to a major bowl. After that, they'll compete for the national championship, and everyone will sing Rich Rod's praises.
I'm as anxious as the next fan, but we have to be patient and realistic.
Rich Rod won't ever leave town if Michigan is willing to pay market price for his services. That price is going to rise after his contract expires. He could very well have one national championship under his belt by then, either in 2011 or 2012 I would guess.
Also, why leave the winningest program with the largest fan base when you've already found success recruiting the dickens out of Florida?
That being said, Michigan's AD will get Milesed if he thinks Rich Rod is going to sign for a bargain price.
Raper is an awesome name?!?! What penitentiary are you from, dmccoy?
Something tells me we should pass on this guy. A Raper with bad grades sounds like trouble, regardless of how fast he is.
All name joking aside, this is Michigan. We need to maintain some standards, not do whatever it takes to land speedsters. That's Florida State Criminoles territory.
Tressel seems to have a good shot at Devin Gardner. The kid's favorite color is red, and he talks as though he might have to play against Cameron Gordon one day. What about Bolton, from Orchard Lake St. Mary's? He's a highly-rated dual-threat, and about the same size. Didn't rack up as many yards on the ground, but his numbers are still impressive.
Sam McGuffie should find one good friend -- one single person who he doesn't feel self-conscious around, maybe even a dork-wad or an outcast. Self-consciousness can be suffocating, especially for a person who's in a new environment by himself.
Take a year off. Just don't leave Michigan. That won't make things any better.
Recent Comments
Loved reading what you captured. Keep it up. You're living the life with this gig.
I think RR's career record against ND is 2-2. He lost once with WVU, and now he's 2-1 with Michigan.
The last Michigan QB who ran like Denard was a Bo Shembechler guy, so I would definitely say this is good ol' Michigan football.
Denard made good decisions (which is probably the most important thing), but his passes were wobbly.
Tate's passes were all crisp spirals, right on target. He also looks more decisive with his running than last year, at least in other videos. Not so much freelancing and playing chase-me-in-circles like before.
I still like D-Rob for starter in the opener, especially because UConn struggles against the spread, and Denard is best suited to punish a team like that.
I'd give Tate at least three drives, just to keep the defense off balance. Timing is important, though. Don't want to screw with a QB's momentum.
Bottom line: I think our offense is really going to be clicking this year.
I'd be willing to burn Devin Gardner's redshirt to beat Ohio State. I think he'd be down with it too.
I was looking for a discussion about whether blogs are fair game for taxation. And whether taxing bloggers would make the Bleacher Report types a bit more responsible like MGoBlog types. No Tea Party grumbling intended, for you politically hyper-sensitive types.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaay-menn
That just means we can even up the record against this clown.
Couldn't agree more I was saying last year that they should move him to safety. That's what he played in high school, and it's a pretty huge need for us -- maybe not quite as bad as CB.
Kovacs is a sure-fire tacking machine, but he's highly suspect in coverage. Probably a good idea to have JT take his spot, as much as I hate to see the end of that Cinderella story. Turner could be a great spur, as well, but it seems like we're getting stacked at that position.
What I don't like is the idea of having players cut weight when they're at their natural size. Doesn't sound like JT's bulk comes from eating too much or working out excessively. Anyway, a weak and starving CB is a bad CB, unless the other team is throwing T-bones.
Like an immediate-impact player who plays safety or corner. That would be a godsend.
Stand firm on this, Brian. It's the only thing that makes sense, emotions aside. Firing RR after a sub-par 2010 would be disasterous, and would only prolong the recovery by another 3-4 years. I don't have that kind of patience. And besides that, I think Michigan will be unstoppable once RR gets this thing rolling. My prediction since he stepped on campus (minus Pryor) has been that 2011 would bring massive happiness. I was thinking 2010 if we did land Pryor, but, alas, we don't have him. Fine by me at this point. Forcier, Robinson and Gardner are a sweeter deal for longterm success.