If the "ERMAHGERD" shirt (v1) said "DEHRNERD" somewhere on it, it would be my favorite of the bunch.
I also really do like the concept of the "Make the World Michigan" tee... However for some reason the picture just isn't working for me... To me it just looks like the state of Michigan surrounded by a cirlce (its not clear that it's supposed to be the globe). If there's a way to modify that one to be a little more obvious I think you'd have another strong shirt.
As for the "Unretired" shirt, is it possible to change the jersey number to "21," or is that some sort of copyright/liscencing issue? That would make that one much more obvious as well...
I think you have a few gems there with the runners up, they just need a few tweeks...
Don't increase ticket prices! As a recent Alum just getting on his feet, it's hard enough to pay the $500 minimum donation + $400/per package. Hell, just to get in the door this year cost me $1300 - and that's just for 6 games! Freaking ridiculous! I want to come and support my boys, but even a modest increase, plus seat donations, could easily be over $1000/year (not that my situation is unique). It's like a kick in the nuts I tell ya!
Too much either way is way presents a problem. You don't want it too bright, but you don't want to look dull or washed out either. I like Seth's colors up top personally.
Also, bravo on the Sounders reference. I'm a huge Sounders supporter, but I agree, the highligher "electricity" kits are just atrocious. Did anybody see those horrendous Cyan kits they wore last night in the CCL? *Vomits in mouth* Let's hope the Michigan maize and blue never reaches anything like the Sounder's third "Electricity" and Cyan kits...
How do you figure football is not suited for playoffs? It seems to work at all other levels of football, including the FCS, Division 2, and Division 3. I think those athletes would have something to say about being on their A-Game for the duration of those playoffs. Personally I feel that corportate greed is more to blame for why we haven't seen the advent of a playoff in the FBS. Bowls are a complete boon to the organizer's pocket books, and why would they want to give up their cash cow... err "ruin tradition." Let's stop pretending that the reason we don't have a playoff is becuase of the athletes or their health, or because of breaks (do they even have breaks during bowl season for these athletes?). It comes down to money, plain and simple.
Now I agree, we don't need to get crazy and have a huge 16 team playoff or anything like that, and add another 4 weeks to the season. But I think there's a way we can work within the given calendar and instill a little more integrity into the system while maintaining a high level of play.
With that comment, I think you and I are trying to say the same thing. But you're right in a certain regard with the playoff, the advent of the BCS has definitely hurt viewership. All games are essentially meaningless outside of the NC. As long as we have the BCS we'll never have the same viewership as we once did... but that being said, we're never going back to the old way. We can only hope for a system that includes enough meaninful games (without diluting a playoff with too many games) to increase viewership to prevoious levels and reach new heights.
How do you figure that it'll drive down less interest in the other games? IMO the interest would stay the same for the other games... The outcome of any other bowl game, doesn't affect the NC game currently, so why would adding a 4 team playoff make any difference? It seems to me, based on those viewership numbers that people are still watching... why would they stop because of the playoff?
Fanbases are still going to support their teams regardless, whether they're inside or outside of the 4 team playoff. Are you not going to watch Michigan in the Sugar Bowl becuase there's now a 4 team playoff that you're not involved in? Absolutely not! You'll be watching the game, screaming your lungs out like you always would.
The only difference now is that you're now talking about 3 games, all near the same level of excitement as the NC. In the end, I can only see this as a benefit (to both viewership and in dollars), you're energizing 4 fanbases and ensuring that those 4 fanbases will be involved in watching all those games - not only to see if your team wins, but who you're going to play when you do.
It would be interesting to see, given the drops in revenue, what viewership has been doing. How is the BCS performing year after year in this timeframe? Has basketball viewership been increasing?
If theoretically, football has been decreasing, and basketball has been increasing, wouldn't that point to the "meaningful games" argument (the fact that more meaningful games on TV would cause viewership to rise)? If that's the case, it may point to weariness in the public with the current BCS system... If revenue and viewership keep declining, it may actually force the BCS to rethink their system (finally!)
I'm hoping that's the case, getting more fanbases into the NC discussion will only help make the postseason that much more exciting. But, let's hope that if this happens, the moneygrubbers don't mess it up (all neutral site games at sterile stadiums, 16 or 32 teams, etc)
Another thing to consider is the AC situation in the garage. I've never lived in Georgia, but I'm sure one of those hot, humid summer days will make the man cave absolutely unbearable...
The sum of the WAR for the offense is 15.3, for Pitching, 9, for a total of 24.3. These numbers even include those who are not currently on the team, but have played this season.
A good indicator of our rotation's performace lies in the WAR (Wins Above Replacement) that the team can expect from the players' performace. For the first time all season, the Tigers finally have a rotation that is positive and contributing... For example:
JV: 6.2 WAR
Scherzer: 1.8 WAR
Penny: .7 WAR
Porcello: .6 WAR
Fister: .2 WAR (This will definitely improve since he's only had one start for the team, but had a 2.8 WAR with Seattle, despite a 3-12 record)
And for some comparison, here are some other starters that the team has played around with this season...
You might want to check those facts... I did a little digging, and since 2002 the only MLB team to win a division with a negative run margin was the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 (this obviously means that it has never happend in the AL Central). Believe it or not, the D-Backs actually had the best record in the NL that year and won the NLDS. In all honesty run differential is a useless statistic that doesn't really tell you anything about the performance of the team or how well they will perform in the playoffs.
Realistically, Penny hasn't performed that poorly for a 5th starter (the role which he was signed to fill). Now that we have shored up the rotation with Fister, as long as Penny can maintain/marginally improve we'll be okay. Also, in all likelihood, Penny would be moved to the bullpen come playoff time anyways, so nothing to worry about here, especially in the weak AL Central.
When you were looking at the All-Americans, perhaps the reason why you didn't find everything is because you didn't use other lists (2nd Team, Freshman Team). Perhaps this is why you thought people had more AA noms than your list indicated...
In the end, I hope his program gets nutured - but that he remains their coach. It would be so gratifying seeing our boys in blue run up and down the field as he watches his shell of a team getting destroyed year in and year out and him being able to do nothing about it. With the slimy cogs removed from his program that made it so successful over the past decade, the power will shift back north where it belongs. Soon enough they'll lose their edge in recruiting and performance and it'll take them a while to recover.
Karama's a bitch isn't it Tressel?
I know we all want to see competitive games between Michigan and OSU, but after this last decade with JT at the helm, squirming his way to victory, I wouldn't mind seeing some Michigan Basketball-esque futility (after the Ed Martin Scandal) rain down on Ohio. Probably won't happen, but I can dream can't I?
I was wondering if there is any video floating around out there to see the M[arshall] Banner fail? I'd love to see the fail that is all the running around like a bunch of idiots and the whiffing...
It's posts like these that make this blog worth reading. Although we all have an overwhelming sense of DOOM we need to remain defiant and support our boys, just like the Mealers.
Does anybody know where you can stream the Olympic coverage streaming online for free? I'm stuck in the Dude this afternoon, and I'd really like to be able to watch the USA vs Switzerland game.
Recent Comments
All sorts of win.
Anything is funny with people who look like "human-sized" thumbs. Kinda like Honey Boo Boo's mom...
If the "ERMAHGERD" shirt (v1) said "DEHRNERD" somewhere on it, it would be my favorite of the bunch.
I also really do like the concept of the "Make the World Michigan" tee... However for some reason the picture just isn't working for me... To me it just looks like the state of Michigan surrounded by a cirlce (its not clear that it's supposed to be the globe). If there's a way to modify that one to be a little more obvious I think you'd have another strong shirt.
As for the "Unretired" shirt, is it possible to change the jersey number to "21," or is that some sort of copyright/liscencing issue? That would make that one much more obvious as well...
I think you have a few gems there with the runners up, they just need a few tweeks...
Don't increase ticket prices! As a recent Alum just getting on his feet, it's hard enough to pay the $500 minimum donation + $400/per package. Hell, just to get in the door this year cost me $1300 - and that's just for 6 games! Freaking ridiculous! I want to come and support my boys, but even a modest increase, plus seat donations, could easily be over $1000/year (not that my situation is unique). It's like a kick in the nuts I tell ya!
Too much either way is way presents a problem. You don't want it too bright, but you don't want to look dull or washed out either. I like Seth's colors up top personally.
Also, bravo on the Sounders reference. I'm a huge Sounders supporter, but I agree, the highligher "electricity" kits are just atrocious. Did anybody see those horrendous Cyan kits they wore last night in the CCL? *Vomits in mouth* Let's hope the Michigan maize and blue never reaches anything like the Sounder's third "Electricity" and Cyan kits...
Heck, I wasn't even born (1987) when they won last! Hazzah for first B1G Championship in my life!
It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!
How do you figure football is not suited for playoffs? It seems to work at all other levels of football, including the FCS, Division 2, and Division 3. I think those athletes would have something to say about being on their A-Game for the duration of those playoffs. Personally I feel that corportate greed is more to blame for why we haven't seen the advent of a playoff in the FBS. Bowls are a complete boon to the organizer's pocket books, and why would they want to give up their cash cow... err "ruin tradition." Let's stop pretending that the reason we don't have a playoff is becuase of the athletes or their health, or because of breaks (do they even have breaks during bowl season for these athletes?). It comes down to money, plain and simple.
Now I agree, we don't need to get crazy and have a huge 16 team playoff or anything like that, and add another 4 weeks to the season. But I think there's a way we can work within the given calendar and instill a little more integrity into the system while maintaining a high level of play.
With that comment, I think you and I are trying to say the same thing. But you're right in a certain regard with the playoff, the advent of the BCS has definitely hurt viewership. All games are essentially meaningless outside of the NC. As long as we have the BCS we'll never have the same viewership as we once did... but that being said, we're never going back to the old way. We can only hope for a system that includes enough meaninful games (without diluting a playoff with too many games) to increase viewership to prevoious levels and reach new heights.
How do you figure that it'll drive down less interest in the other games? IMO the interest would stay the same for the other games... The outcome of any other bowl game, doesn't affect the NC game currently, so why would adding a 4 team playoff make any difference? It seems to me, based on those viewership numbers that people are still watching... why would they stop because of the playoff?
Fanbases are still going to support their teams regardless, whether they're inside or outside of the 4 team playoff. Are you not going to watch Michigan in the Sugar Bowl becuase there's now a 4 team playoff that you're not involved in? Absolutely not! You'll be watching the game, screaming your lungs out like you always would.
The only difference now is that you're now talking about 3 games, all near the same level of excitement as the NC. In the end, I can only see this as a benefit (to both viewership and in dollars), you're energizing 4 fanbases and ensuring that those 4 fanbases will be involved in watching all those games - not only to see if your team wins, but who you're going to play when you do.
It would be interesting to see, given the drops in revenue, what viewership has been doing. How is the BCS performing year after year in this timeframe? Has basketball viewership been increasing?
If theoretically, football has been decreasing, and basketball has been increasing, wouldn't that point to the "meaningful games" argument (the fact that more meaningful games on TV would cause viewership to rise)? If that's the case, it may point to weariness in the public with the current BCS system... If revenue and viewership keep declining, it may actually force the BCS to rethink their system (finally!)
I'm hoping that's the case, getting more fanbases into the NC discussion will only help make the postseason that much more exciting. But, let's hope that if this happens, the moneygrubbers don't mess it up (all neutral site games at sterile stadiums, 16 or 32 teams, etc)
Another thing to consider is the AC situation in the garage. I've never lived in Georgia, but I'm sure one of those hot, humid summer days will make the man cave absolutely unbearable...
The sum of the WAR for the offense is 15.3, for Pitching, 9, for a total of 24.3. These numbers even include those who are not currently on the team, but have played this season.
A good indicator of our rotation's performace lies in the WAR (Wins Above Replacement) that the team can expect from the players' performace. For the first time all season, the Tigers finally have a rotation that is positive and contributing... For example:
JV: 6.2 WAR
Scherzer: 1.8 WAR
Penny: .7 WAR
Porcello: .6 WAR
Fister: .2 WAR (This will definitely improve since he's only had one start for the team, but had a 2.8 WAR with Seattle, despite a 3-12 record)
And for some comparison, here are some other starters that the team has played around with this season...
Oliver: 0 WAR
Furbush: 0 WAR
Below: -.2 WAR
Coke: -.3 WAR
You might want to check those facts... I did a little digging, and since 2002 the only MLB team to win a division with a negative run margin was the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 (this obviously means that it has never happend in the AL Central). Believe it or not, the D-Backs actually had the best record in the NL that year and won the NLDS. In all honesty run differential is a useless statistic that doesn't really tell you anything about the performance of the team or how well they will perform in the playoffs.
Just for the record, the Tigers have the easiest remaining scedule in the AL by average opponent record:
Tigers: 50-58
CHW: 52-57
CLE: 53-56
LAA: 53-55
NYY: 54-54
TEX: 55-54
BOS: 55-54
Realistically, Penny hasn't performed that poorly for a 5th starter (the role which he was signed to fill). Now that we have shored up the rotation with Fister, as long as Penny can maintain/marginally improve we'll be okay. Also, in all likelihood, Penny would be moved to the bullpen come playoff time anyways, so nothing to worry about here, especially in the weak AL Central.
If we absolutley, positively have to have a mascot (which I don't believe we should) I offer up two suggestions...
1. A livig, rabid, half starved wolverine in a tiny cage that we randomlly let out of its cage on the opponents sideline
2. Every two years we hire the Ohio Bobcat just for the Ohio State game and pay him to tackle and beat up Brutus the Fuckeye.
When you were looking at the All-Americans, perhaps the reason why you didn't find everything is because you didn't use other lists (2nd Team, Freshman Team). Perhaps this is why you thought people had more AA noms than your list indicated...
Hope it works out for him, I just don't see him going that high in the draft. So sad to think of what might have been.....
Also, OT, but that clip reminded me. Who's excited about the USMNT playing a gold cup game in Detroit?
Personally I can't wait - I already have my tickets purchased!
Hunwick wins the interwebs!
Although it is interesting to hear that some in the fanbase are turning against the guy who brought them so much success...
In the end, I hope his program gets nutured - but that he remains their coach. It would be so gratifying seeing our boys in blue run up and down the field as he watches his shell of a team getting destroyed year in and year out and him being able to do nothing about it. With the slimy cogs removed from his program that made it so successful over the past decade, the power will shift back north where it belongs. Soon enough they'll lose their edge in recruiting and performance and it'll take them a while to recover.
Karama's a bitch isn't it Tressel?
I know we all want to see competitive games between Michigan and OSU, but after this last decade with JT at the helm, squirming his way to victory, I wouldn't mind seeing some Michigan Basketball-esque futility (after the Ed Martin Scandal) rain down on Ohio. Probably won't happen, but I can dream can't I?
WIN.
I was wondering if there is any video floating around out there to see the M[arshall] Banner fail? I'd love to see the fail that is all the running around like a bunch of idiots and the whiffing...
It's posts like these that make this blog worth reading. Although we all have an overwhelming sense of DOOM we need to remain defiant and support our boys, just like the Mealers.
HAIL!