GoBlueInNYC

April 13th, 2011 at 2:39 PM ^

Well, Roundtree definitely has the Braylon hands. I kid, I kid (not really).

I think Roundtree is the obvious front-runner, but Hemingway has a legit shot of being a real breakout receiver this year.

lbpeley

April 13th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^

and at a glance, I would have put Junior farthest from it. Tree has a lot of catches but a ton of drops, Stonum seems a bit more sure handed plus he's a good returner. Hemingway just seems to be there, his RAC and TD vs UI notwithstanding.

Blue in Yarmouth

April 13th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^

If that is all you remember from Hemingway last year I think you must have slept through most games. He may not have had huge numbers, but he wasn't targeted a lot. He made some great catches and showed the ability to make big plays after the catch on multiple occasions.

I am not necessarily saying he deserves it more than anyone else, just that your comment really shortchanges what he did last year.

Oh, and the fact that Braylon needs to be consulted on this is beyond ridiculous!

profitgoblue

April 13th, 2011 at 3:47 PM ^

Hemingway was, to me, a shining star in an otherwise dreary second half of the season last year.

Also, Braylon clearly enjoys retaining whatever "power" or say he has with respect to the disposition of the #1 jersey.  I would be very disappointed if he has any real say in the process.

 

jmblue

April 13th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^

It's actually debatable whether or not Stonum had better numbers.  He caught 17 more passes but for only 40 more yards.  Both caught four TDs.  Hemingway averaged more yards per game (59.3 to Stonum's 48.7) and much more per catch (18.5 to Stonum's 12.9).  Missing three games due to injury kept his raw numbers down a bit, but he was very productive when healthy.  

IMO, Hemingway seems the most like a classic #1 with his big-play ability downfield. If Denard can improve his downfield accuracy, Hemingway could have a huge year.  There was a stretch in the middle of last year when Denard, possibly hampered by his shoulder issue, simply couldn't connect on the deep ball.

 

mvp

April 14th, 2011 at 1:14 AM ^

Braylon endowed a scholarship with the understanding that the scholarship and the #1 were to go to a wide receiver.

From this article:

<blockquote>The football endowment is meant to cover the scholarship cost for a wide receiver. The plan is to have the recipient wear Edwards' old, tradition-rich jersey, No. 1, though through the first three years of the scholarship, none of the designated players has yet been deemed worthy of donning it in games. Edwards told ESPN.com that he has no say over who gets to wear No. 1, but when he objected to the number being assigned to a freshman defensive back two seasons ago, then-first-year Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez took the jersey back.</blockquote>

Just for the record, the $500,000 endowment came about a year before a *different* endowment of $1,000,000 for Cleveland high schoolers to go to college.  I would HOPE that the head coach and the athletic department would take into consideration the opinion of someone making that kind of financial commitment to education.  

The Braylon Edwards foundation is also running the charity basketball game this Friday and has made many other contributions.  Say what you want about his career, but he has definitely given back to his college and the communities where he's played.  That merits some respect.

I agree that maybe he's fishing for some media attention.  Then again, it is attention for doing a very good thing.

GoBlueInNYC

April 13th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^

Stonum's definitely a solid player, no doubt. But I see Hemingway as having a higher ceiling, in terms of being a go-to wideout. According to mgoblue.com, Hemingway is slightly shorter than Stonum, but a fair bit heavier. I think he can be more of a "throw it up and let the WR go up and get it" kind of threat, on top of his ability to make plays after the catch. I think being able to fight for the ball over defenders will be huge in the new offense.

MaizeAndBlueManGroup

April 13th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^

I love this quote from Braylon:

"He was asking me about the number," Edwards said of Hoke. "I said, 'You know, coach, for the No. 1 jersey, everyone looks to me, but at the end of the day, it's on you. You feel like someone deserves to wear the number, you feel comfortable, you have my blessing to give it to whoever you want.'"

It seems like we always jump on Braylon's case when it comes to the #1 jersey issues, but it really is the coaches decision.

Hardware Sushi

April 13th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^

To be fair, he did freak out and act like a little bitch when Rich Rod gave it away without realizing it's importance. Plus he made a big hubub about endowing the number in some form.

Should the head football coach at Michigan know this (even if he's from WV) and take a little blame? Yes.

Would a phone call from Braylon to Bill Martin or RR (or lone holdover Fred Jackson) have sufficed? Most definitely.

I like the quote, too. Hopefully this is a sign of Braylon growing up.

mvp

April 14th, 2011 at 1:18 AM ^

But the reason he did "freak out" was that the jersey went to a defensive player after he had endowed a scholarship with the understanding that the scholarship, and the #1 jersey, would go to a wide receiver.

RR didn't know about the endowment agreement and when he learned about it fixed the mistake.  End of story.

Section 1

April 14th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^

What bothers people like me was that Braylon apparently went to the press with the story, or willingly gave himself up to the press, without first making a simple contact with the Athletic Department to make himself heard there.  Which might have quickly, quietly and efficiently served the ends that Braylon preferred.

The net result was silly, mostly meaningless press embarassment for the then-new Rodriguez administration.  All because of Braylon's apparent petulance.  Much like Braylon's arrests, or Braylon's paternity proceedings.  And very much like Braylon's other silly and pointless cheap-shot comments aimed at Coach Rodriguez for the remainder of his time in Ann Arbor.

JHey

April 13th, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^

Yeah, that is a 180 from the way he treated RR.

But I have this question:  Why is Braylon the only former Wolverine in on these discussions?  What about AC, David Terrell, Alexander, MCMurtry, etc?  They don't get a say in the #1?

 

IMO:  It was Anthony Carter that started this modern era #1 phenom among the WRs at UM.  He should get the final say.

Section 1

April 13th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^

In fact, Mike Martin is the current recipient of the Braylon Edwards Foundation Scholarship for Football.  It takes about $500,000 to $1m to endow the thing; all credit and honor to Braylon and the Foundation for having done that.

This does represent a new and slightly improved public-Braylon.

But just a couple of days ago, it was the same old shit, including that unholy alliance of bad-Braylon and Mark Snyder of the Free Press, in yet another opaque, inexplicable, incoherent attack on Rich Rodriguez:

Braylon Edwards, Michigan's all-time leading receiver, says he feels comfortable around the football program again, now that Brady Hoke is coach.

Edwards dropped by Schembechler Hall last weekend and was greeted warmly by Hoke, who spent an hour reminiscing.

"When you leave somewhere, and you've played and given your all -- you don't have to be an All-American -- you want to feel welcome. You want to go back and feel welcome," Edwards said today, in advance of his charity basketball game Friday at Ann Arbor Pioneer, benefiting Mott Children's Hospital and his foundation. "You don't want to feel like it's tight security or ... you can't show your mom around or your cousin who flew in from Beijing. You just want to feel that open vibe, and that's what it's beginning to be again. We're always family."

...

"I'm excited about the direction he's taking," Edwards said. "His awareness of the O-State game, the Michigan State game, the traditions, what Michigan football is. Not even that, the Big Ten and how Big Ten football is supposed to be played. So I'm pretty excited about what he's doing. I know our program will turn around soon.

"I shied away from going to Michigan the last three or four years. To go up there and get back in the groove with Brady feels good."

www.somenewspaperinDetroit.com

Braylon could (and surely should) say nothing about Rich Rodriguez's tenure at Michigan, and simply bask in his deserved adulation as a brilliant pass-catcher and a major donor to the University's Athletic Department (thanks to his NFL income) and Mott Children's Hospital (thanks to the good influence on Braylon by Coach Lloyd Carr).

For the umpteenth time, a tip to all current and former Wolverine athetic heroes:  Don't talk to anyone at the Detroit Free Press.

chitownblue2

April 13th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^

I'm just curious:

what is the purpose of awarding a scholarship to an athlete already on full athletic scholarship?

Martin has a scholly. Why does he need this?

Section 1

April 13th, 2011 at 4:45 PM ^

There are a dozen or more endowed football scholarships.  The Athletic Department pays -- in full -- the University (College of LS&A, or whatever) for the student-athlete's tuition, room and board, etc.

The endowed scholarships are special funding sources for distinct athletic scholarships.

So, yes, Mike Martin is a scholarship football player.  The Athletic Department pays the University for his tuition, etc.  And in his case, it is Athletic Department money that came in as an endowment from the Braylon Edwards Foundation.

In reply to by Section 1

chitownblue2

April 13th, 2011 at 4:47 PM ^

so he's not really providing the student with anything (that scholarship would be funded regardless), he's basically just donating money to the AD.

Section 1

April 13th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^

Mike Martin would be on scholarhsip no matter what.  And assuredly, the payment made to LS&A for Martin's tuition is all part and parcel of every other football player's tution payments by the Athletic Department.

So, yes, the Braylon Foundation is just giving money to the Department.

Here; this is getting confusing, so just have a look at this:

http://www.mgoblue.com/victorsclub/honor-roll-scholarships.html

jmblue

April 13th, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^

Yes, but if we didn't have any endowed scholarships, it would be considerably more difficult for our AD to pay the bills.  Tuition for athletes is one of its biggest expenses (especially since the university makes them pay out-of-state tuition for every scholarship athlete, regardless of where they're from).

mvp

April 14th, 2011 at 1:31 AM ^

Endowments are *really* important when looking at how non-profits work.

An endowment is (theoretically) enough money to pay for something in perpetuity.  Say you want to have $10,000 per year, every year.  Assuming a 9% return less 3% per year for inflation means you need $10,000/0.06 = $166,667 dollars to fund that expense forever.

Money can either be used immediately (expense) or put into an endowment fund.  At the end of one year, money that is spent is gone.  But the endowment fund throws off cash every year.  Having someone endow a part of your institution means you never (again, theoretically) have to worry about funding that again.

The size of Harvard's endowment ($27.7 billion) vs. Michigan's ($6.6 billion) is one of the reasons Harvard is so much more influential.  They have a much larger budget base as their starting point.

Section 1

April 13th, 2011 at 5:04 PM ^

Wherein all the money obviously goes into the same pot.  And what you get is a picture of "your" recipient, and a postcard. 

Meanwhile, at Michigan, as opposed to Southern Sudan, instead of $50 bucks it costs $500,000.  And your "child" weighs 238 lbs. and runs a 4.58 40.

buddhafrog

April 13th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^

I don't agree with the hate toward Edwards.  I don't see anything wrong with this statement (disclosure: I was a RR supporter).  Maybe, just maybe, what he said has some truth to it.  True, he could say nothing, but he wasn't overly negative.  Rather, what he said was much more positive about this current staff and Hoke in particular.  He talked about RR in comparison to what he feels now.  He isn't the only one to say this.  I used to not think these things were accurate, but seeing the response towards Hoke by the football alum, I'm starting to believe that there is some truth to these ideas.  To what degree?  I don't know. Does it mean that RR wasn't a great guy?  Of course not.  Does it mean he didn't reach out towards the football alum?  No, it doesn't.  But if I go to your family reunion, it won't look like my family reunion and it won't feel like family - regardless of how nice your family is to me.  

It feels like family to Edwards, and not just Edwards.  That's a great thing.  If that could be communicated a little better without incriminating RR, all the better.  But relax a little.  Edwards didn't say anything too nasty.  He loves the university.  He gave $1mllion to help students (and increase the legacy of his number).  This is a good thing.  He is not a perfect player or man.  He is a Michigan alum.

Section 1

April 13th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^

"Lloyd Carr's University of Michigan... [Coach Rodriguez] is beyond the hot seat... President of the Fire Rodriguez Committee..."

Braylon's been dumb (the Number 1 kerfuffle) and he's been dishonest (the pleas of Stan and Braylon, professing no understanding as to how anybody could misinterpret their support!? for Coach Rodriguez).

Braylon's been a great football player, and he's been a generous donor.  But he's also been selfish and immature.  And to say that he was recklessly disloyal to the Rodriguez program is an understatement.  This is yet one more subject which I can scarcely wait to see reported in John U. Bacon's upcoming book.

AlwaysBlue

April 13th, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^

The family reunion thing is a good analogy.  I don't know what it makes me that I throw my support and benefits of the doubt to the guy who thrilled me when he wore the winged helmet and gave $1 million dollars back to the program.  I can't think of anything more unbecoming and destructive than eating our own but if that's what it comes down to, I'm not going to start with the one with the deeper roots, success and enduring loyalty.

Kal

April 13th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^

Braylon should've had just called RR, instead of tweeting/complaining in public about it, and RR would've abided to his request either way. 

evenyoubrutus

April 13th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^

When I think of the #1 I think of guys who are physical freaks who can go up and make unbelievable catches that result in the whole stadium and everybody in the living room going "Ooooooh!!!" on the replay and guys blowing up for 150 yards and 3 td's against a rival and, most importantly, a guy that every rival fan hates (hates hates).  I don't know that we currently have anyone like that, but let's hope so.

buddhafrog

April 13th, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^

1) Roundtree will never earn the #1 jersey: proof, look at 5:20 of the video.  Roundtree would be down at the one yard line.  OK, I jest, he has a shot.... but still...

2) Braylon Edwards was the 2nd best WR in UM history behind AC.  This video reminded me how much I loved watching him play.  I'm glad he was a Wolverine and won't buy into all the hate on these boards.  Yes, he has flaws on/off the field.  But he's not a terrible guy.  And he loves Michigan and gave me a lot of fun Saturdays watching UM.

chunkums

April 13th, 2011 at 9:56 PM ^

Well we were in an extremely run-centric spread option offense that distributed the ball quite evenly last year, so you really can't say that at this point.  Against ND if I remember correctly we had three WR's close to 100 yards last year.