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terry richardson

An Interview with Terry Richardson Comment Count

Tim August 6th, 2011 at 11:53 AM

A brief interview with MI CB Commit Terry Richardson at yesterday's Sound Mind Sound Body High School Media Day in Southfield. Read to the end for the THRILLING CONCLUSION, in which Terry talks about whether he'll be taking official visits to other schools.

Terry [in the video above]: I am committed to the University of Michigan. I picked there because it's at home. You know, family and friends, and a lot of close people to me, they all love Michigan. So, I thought that was the best fit, and that's why I picked them.

Tim: You've been committed to Michigan for a little while. Does being at an event like this with you future teammates Shane [Morris] and James Ross help you get a family vibe going?

Terry: Yeah, I mean, it's cool. Actually, I grew up with James, so we've been playing together for a long time. Shane, I've just kinda met him these last two years. He's a good kid, he's a real good quarterback. So basically, you know, it's a good vibe, to right now be committed to them.

Tim: Are you excited to see a lot of these talented players joining the maize and blue down the road?

Terry: Yeah yeah yeah. Actually, I want to see Michigan get back on the rise. You know like how they are supposed to be. You know, and the best way to do that is by getting the best players.

Tim: I know you've talked a little bit lately about taking visits to other schools. Is that something you're still planning on doing?

Terry: Um, that information, that's between me, my family, and the Michigan staff. I talked to them about it, so you know, right now, I really don't know [if I'm going to take other visits]. But if I do, I told the staff I would let them know, so they were OK with that.

I cut the interview short there, because it was clear Terry was annoyed about getting the same question about visits over and over again. At the very least, it seems like he and the coaches are on the same page (for now) about whether he can take visits, and what that means for his commitment status.

Shane Morris interview (in personal e-pinion, the best of the bunch) coming early next week.

Comments

Mr Mackey

August 6th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^

Very classy to cut the interview short there, Tim. I'm sure he's getting pestered a lot about it, but as long as he and the coaches are on the same page, I'm good with that. 

Just out of curiosity, what is the SMSB media day? I know a couple guys like LEVITICUS PAYNE committed there, but what else do they do there?

Joined: 12/26/2010

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blueblueblue

August 6th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^

I disagree - you assume that the verbal phraseology gives us the entire meaning of the statement. This is a common problem when interviews, social processes full of a welter of other cues (e.g., tone, context), are translated into written language for purposes of communication. The ease of communication afforded by written language comes with loss of content (it's a trade-off). An issue is when readers fail to appreciate this, or when authors purposefully fail to elaborate what they know was the intended meaning, or when interviewers fail to follow-up with a question asking the interviewee to expound on the meaning of a statement. But, often alternate interpretations of a statement slip by the interviewer in the heat of the moment, and for good reason - the interviewer is reading many other cues, more than he/she is aware of, to get the in situ meaning of the statement. 

That's why Tim chimed in above. Its telling that he didnt notice the alternate meaning until he typed up the interview - until he converted it to its verbal phraseology. Its professional of him to chime in, and I would give more credence to his elaboration of the statement than just the statement itself. 

Joined: 12/28/2008

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MGOUSMC

August 6th, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^

Which also leads me to believe that's why the staff has once again started to have conversations with Armani Reeves.

Richardson seems like a good kid, but i also understand that Coach Hoke and company are all about getting recruits that are quality players, period.

Joined: 05/17/2011

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734mgoblue

August 6th, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^

Sure, we've seen commits leave institutions in the before, but if there's any question about a kids intention, then the entire class and school should be under the microscope. It's always been the Michigan way of not only finding quality players, but quality people. Terry is a Michigan Man along with the rest of his class. I have a feeling that Terry and the 2012 class will make a big impact at the big house, which is what every commit wants a chance at.

Joined: 07/09/2011

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TXmaizeNblue

August 6th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^

The purpose of the illustration was to point out what "commitment" means.  Commitment by definition means:  the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself; an obligation, promise, etc that restricts one's freedom of action.  Granted we live in a day where it's common practice to redefine terms to fit one's fancy, but by definition the young man is not committed if he is flirtting with other universities. 

Joined: 09/22/2010

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Charlie Chunk

August 6th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^

He's young so I don't read a lot into what he's saying.  I think he's getting schooled every day by the players, the coaches, and the press.  Not everyone that steps into the limelight is polished and ready to deal with it.  That comes with time and practice under different circumstances.  He's a young man trying to figure it all out.  Give him some time to work it out in his own way.

Hell, he probably just wanted to see a few places around the country for free.  He made his commitment to Michigan before he got all of his fun trips done and now he realizes he can't go on them.  If I were a betting man, that's how I'd place my money!!!  Go Blue!!!

Joined: 05/02/2011

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Schweddy Balls

August 6th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^

Sorry to beat a dead horse but you either are fully committed or you are not. Terry is obviously not fully committed and that is absolutely ok with me. I am sure he is fully aware that UM would love to have his services but that if he is going to look around and take visits then the coaches have the same right to pursue other players. Hopefully his pending visits will help him realize that Michigan is the place for him. If another school seems to be a better fit for him, then so be it. But, I do believe it is a good thing for him to take visits if he has the opportunity. It's just unfortunate that the recruiting process is how it is. Maybe he should not have given his verbal so soon. The bottom line to all of this is that he should pick the school that is best for him and the only way he'll  be able to do that is to visit the top schools on his list.

Joined: 06/25/2011

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psychomatt

August 6th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^

So long as Terry and the coaches are being honest and up front, and it sounds like they are, he should be able to visit other schools all he wants. In fact, it's better that way. The last thing we need are players who feel pressured to come to Michigan and wish they had looked around more after they enroll. At the same time, with several top CB prospects still interested and planning official visits to AA, Michigan is likely to be fine no matter how the recruitment of Richardson plays out.

Joined: 08/25/2009

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UMfam

August 6th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^

i wish folks would just leave this kid and this "question" alone.  Terry is UM bound for now and thats all we can say.  He's an exceptional talent and speaking as a former HS kid who was recruited I can understand how someone can have their mind made up but why he want to take visits.  The situation will play itself out with and without our repetitive opinions of what Terry is doing or thinking.   Regardless of what we think this is Terry's life, let him live it as is and play it out.   We have excellent recruiters in our coaching staff thus we are at a luxury of having a few kids interested in playing for us.   Sometimes our arrogance and ignorance of a fan base clouds reality that Terry is a young adult about to make possibly one of the biggest decisions at this point of his life and there are many things he has to consider or he was like me and just wants to enjoy the ride even though he may know how the ride will end.  Either way leave him be.  No one knows his thoughts and drawing baseless conclusions framed as "opinions" is a wasteful use of time and can only harm our chances of keeping him because it only shows one side of our fan base, one that only thinks for the better of self than others wants and desires.   

Joined: 01/17/2011

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Magnum P.I.

August 6th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^

I respect your opinion, but I disagree with you. Making inferences based on recruits' words and actions is what being a fan of college football recruiting is all about. Nobody is being arrogant or ignorant by speculating on what he'll do and what the coaching staff will do in terms of DB recruiting. I think T-Rich is a good player and a good kid, by all indications. It also sounds like he may be interested in looking at other schools, as he's suggested from the very beginning of his process. And that's fine. People on the boards are simply curious about what will happen. Because we're fans of Michigan football recruiting. This case is especially interesting because it's the first cycle with this coaching staff, and it sounds like they might have a unique policy for dealing with situations like this. 

Joined: 07/16/2009

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bob_ufer

August 6th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^

"i wish folks would just leave this kid and this "question" alone.  Terry is UM bound for now and thats all we can say.  He's an exceptional talent and speaking as a former HS kid who was recruited I can understand how someone can have their mind made up but why he want to take visits.  The situation will play itself out with and without our repetitive opinions of what Terry is doing or thinking.   Regardless of what we think this is Terry's life, let him live it as is and play it out.   We have excellent recruiters in our coaching staff thus we are at a luxury of having a few kids interested in playing for us.   Sometimes our arrogance and ignorance of a fan base clouds reality that Terry is a young adult about to make possibly one of the biggest decisions at this point of his life and there are many things he has to consider or he was like me and just wants to enjoy the ride even though he may know how the ride will end.  Either way leave him be.  No one knows his thoughts and drawing baseless conclusions framed as "opinions" is a wasteful use of time and can only harm our chances of keeping him because it only shows one side of our fan base, one that only thinks for the better of self than others wants and desires."

Joined: 12/29/2008

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bob_ufer

August 6th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^

"i wish folks would just leave this kid and this "question" alone.  Terry is UM bound for now and thats all we can say.  He's an exceptional talent and speaking as a former HS kid who was recruited I can understand how someone can have their mind made up but why he want to take visits.  The situation will play itself out with and without our repetitive opinions of what Terry is doing or thinking.   Regardless of what we think this is Terry's life, let him live it as is and play it out.   We have excellent recruiters in our coaching staff thus we are at a luxury of having a few kids interested in playing for us.   Sometimes our arrogance and ignorance of a fan base clouds reality that Terry is a young adult about to make possibly one of the biggest decisions at this point of his life and there are many things he has to consider or he was like me and just wants to enjoy the ride even though he may know how the ride will end.  Either way leave him be.  No one knows his thoughts and drawing baseless conclusions framed as "opinions" is a wasteful use of time and can only harm our chances of keeping him because it only shows one side of our fan base, one that only thinks for the better of self than others wants and desires."

Joined: 12/29/2008

MGoPoints: 103

aaamichfan

August 6th, 2011 at 6:11 PM ^

This may sound a bit dickish, but I'm hoping he does take visits elsewhere so we can begin looking at other DBs. He's a good player, but I'm pretty confident that the staff can find another better player in this class.

Joined: 10/23/2009

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Go Blue Beau

August 7th, 2011 at 2:49 AM ^

All I see is comments from Terry about how much he loves camps at Oregon and Florida, and could see himself going to school there. I have no ill will towards him, but go ahead. I'd love to have him too, but if that is his stance, I'd rather have Yuri or others over him anyways, both talent and commitment wise.

Joined: 11/23/2010

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Don

August 6th, 2011 at 6:56 PM ^

If TR doesn't like getting annoyed about getting the questions, then either decommit or don't take any visits. It's not complicated. If you're taking visits, you're not really committed.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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bubblelevel

August 6th, 2011 at 8:04 PM ^

He is going to take visits.  He is still looking to get more attention.  In the several weeks since this started I'm sure he has talked to friends/family/coaches.  There is no way he would still hedge if he wasn't intent on taking visits.  It's actually kind of insulting to the other commits in my opinion "hi, I'm TR, I'm committed to the U of M...", but I'll keep this whole situation doubtful by not coming out and saying "no, I will not make other visits, I'm done".  He has the right to do what he wants - just don't play a game. 

Joined: 06/01/2011

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Mr. Yost

August 7th, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^

He and the coaches ARE on the same page...right now, he's committed. But if he takes visits, they'll be looking around and have the right to pull his scholarship should someone step up and want to be in this class.

 

Not connecting this to Armani Reeves, just saying it seems clear that they've told him if he's looking around, they will too and nothing will be guaranteed.

 

My question would be, would they replace his scholarship with a DT or another position? Say, Danny O'Brien (assuming Pipkins was already committed).

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