Brian Cook Appreciation Thread

Submitted by jsquigg on

It's been a rough year for all of us, but I feel it's been especially rough for the main author who has had to deal with more than enough shit of late.  I, for one, am addicted to this community and am thankful I'm not the one expected to give so much weekly content.  Spread your thanks for Brian, and on the same note Ace, Seth, Heiko, and anyone else who makes this site what it is (I know I've forgotten too many of you).  I'd rather go down fighting as a Wolverine than win as a Bucknut.

BlowGoo

December 1st, 2013 at 12:24 AM ^

Thanks, Brian and everyone else on the mgoblog staff.

Out here, surrounded by ND fans, this site is an oasis of blue tranquility. And I appreciate it, negative points and all!

Thanks for making me feel part of a great community.

GotBlueOnMyMind

December 1st, 2013 at 12:27 AM ^

I want to direct this especially at Brent Jones (@dawggoblue on the twitters) who tweeted at Brian: "if you were to quit being a Michigan fan no one would care. Remember that. Get off your soapbox."

I single him out, from all th poeple Brian retweeted, because this guy in particular deserves public shaming. Few have done more to improve the knowledgeability of the Michigan fanbase than Brian, and our fanbase would not only miss but also be hurt by losing Brian much more than losing Brent, myself, or virtually any other individual fan. I probably will never agree with Brian regarding the best offensive scheme (I much prefer a West coast offense predicated on timing routes and setting an under center running game up with the pass to the spread concepts that Brian espouses). However, without what I have learned on this site, I would not be knowledgeable enough to legitimately discuss these ideas. Nor would I recognize that one of the reasons I like the West coast offense is the 3 and 4 wide sets which spreads the defense, thereby serving many of the same functions that the "spread" does; that is preventing defenses from being able to cheat.

tl;dr Thanks Brian, you my boy.

Skornne

December 1st, 2013 at 12:30 AM ^

I too have been lurking on this site for many years, but have been provoked into finally making an account in light of the recent shitstorm.  Brian, yourself and Spencer Hall are my two greatest internet heroes; I've been following you guys since I was in high school, and I don't know how I would possibly be able to stay as well informed about this glorious game or the team I love without you.  Please, ignore the trolls, and take heart that your work is greatly appreciated to those who actually care about Michigan Football.

duffman355

December 1st, 2013 at 12:49 AM ^

I've been reading the "front page" of this website for a few years now, but never got big into the board.  To me this site is one that provides, analyzes, and critiques information about Michigan sports.  I personally find that extremly valuable and interesting.  So to Brian, Seth, et al, keep up the good work, you put out a great product.

gobluescrewosu

December 1st, 2013 at 1:03 AM ^

Like most places on the internet, there is an annoying dose of nitpickyness and condescension on this blog among posters and it's the main reason I don't post much.  But I've been reading this blog for years almost religiously and I personally consider it the definitive word on Michigan football, a topic I am very passionate about and have been since I was old enough to understand the game while watching Michigan play on Saturdays with my dad 20+ years ago. 

I don't feel closure until I read Ace's wrap-up and I don't want to jump to any conclusions until I read Brian's analysis and UFRs.  I don't always agree, but I agree a great deal of the time with Brian's perspective.  This blog is, dare I say, revolutionary in sports journalism and I sincerely appreciate what Brian and the rest of the contributors do here, as I am sure so many of us silent supporters do.

burge333

December 1st, 2013 at 1:13 AM ^

Hi, I have been viewing for years, I love the content and the hard work Brian, Seth and Ace do. I appreciate it and the Michigan community is better for it.



I do hope you clean up some of the negativity and crazy statements. At the very least none of it should be flying towards Mgoblog.

GoBlueInIowa

December 1st, 2013 at 1:58 AM ^

I am very appreciative of Brian and MGoBlog staff. As someone that is living in the middle of Iowa, this blog has, over the past couple years, became my lifeline to the fanbase (so I don't feel so alone on the world j/k). I really enjoy this board. However, the negativity recently has been annoying. I kind of relate MGoBlog to a bunch of fans sitting at a bar talking Michigan sports - some guys getting a little too excited, but are tolerable and their beating of dead horses become kind of comical. But recently, it seems that we have a couple of drunk assholes showing up to just get in a fight. Hopefully, Brain and the staff can figure out a way to bounce these idiots out. Maybe we need a cover charge?



As stated by others, I feel that Ace's and Brian's write ups are the end of the "game experience" - we have the build up to the weekend's game, the game itself, then the analysis from the MGoBlog staff - I know see this as the complete experience. Also, really love the podcast - please continue these thru at least the b-ball season - they are really enjoyable to listen to, even when they are talking about painful games.

Nick Sparks

December 1st, 2013 at 2:39 AM ^

Brian knows how I feel about him. I check the site 99% of days.

And I totally see where he's coming from, lately I get more anxious reading half of the comments on here. I can't wait for whatever changes he has in mind (even if it means banning me)

BIGBLUEWORLD

December 1st, 2013 at 4:28 AM ^

I mostly just read, but this is a good source for info and opinions.

I know it seems weird when you write something about football and someone comes back with a personal attack.  A lot of people sitting at a keyboard like to pick a fight they would never have the guts to start in real life.  Or they play the opposite game just to be difficult.

My suggestion: Don't be afraid to let things flow. 

I agree with Brian that no one should never get comfortable with losing. 

Thanks to all those associated with the blog.

Swayze Howell Sheen

December 1st, 2013 at 5:10 AM ^

Brian has made something amazing here, cut from whole cloth and a marvel to behold. Can you imagine what the mgoblogosphere would be like without this treasure? 

I remember trying to keep up with Michigan football by reading newspaper articles on the Internet - what a woeful state of affairs that was. 

I hope Brian finds a way to negotiate his new status in life, not just as simple maintainer of this blog but as a bit of a public figure. Putting yourself out there can be painful, especially if you're not too thick-skinned. 

 

Blue in Yarmouth

December 1st, 2013 at 6:33 AM ^

I find it sad that all the snowflake threads and complaining about AB threads get a bazillion posts and an appreciation thread for the guy who developed this awesome site gets < 100. Hopefully that's because the thread was started late in the evening or something but given the state of things lately I'm not altogether confident of that.

To Brian and the rest of he staff: I do appreciate all you do for this community of loyal UM fans and for much of this season it was this very site that kept me sane. I love many of the personalities that frequent this site (there are obviously a few exceptions, but not too many) and enjoying spending far too much of my time here. 

Keep up the good work guys. It is very much appreciated. 

weasel3216

December 1st, 2013 at 6:42 AM ^

To Brian and his team. The blog users have changed the culture on the board and comments the last few years but the overall content of the blog has remained a constant staple that has provided hours and hours of great reading. Again thank you to Brian, his team, and all the mods that keep mgoblog the best football blog.

Hobbes

December 1st, 2013 at 7:10 AM ^

Another infrequent poster saying thanks for the great content and hard work. Don't let a vocal minority of malcontents and rabble rousers overwhelm you.

Blue2000

December 1st, 2013 at 7:11 AM ^

There are plenty of Michigan blogs out there, but none comes close to the depth of analysis and quality of writing on this site. It's hard to articulate how much Brian has done for the fanbase by creating this site. I know that I'm a better and more knowledgable fan as a result of it. It's a shame how many people take this site for granted while spending so much time reading it. Bitch all you want, I guess, but remember, you aren't paying for its content and Brian doesn't owe you anything.



Thank you Brian for all you do. Here's hoping for a football season in the near future that doesn't repeatedly kick you in the balls.

evenyoubrutus

December 1st, 2013 at 7:26 AM ^

I would not be the fan I am today if it weren't for MGoBlog. I know that sounds corny * Infiniti but my understanding of the game, the strategy, the players, coaches the AD- everything could be traced back to my reading of MGoBlog. This kind of information is not just readily available for anyone to find, but it has been put in a place that is accessible (and free) and presented in an entertaining way.

Thanks, Brian & co.

Blarvey

December 1st, 2013 at 7:53 AM ^

Thanks to the MGoBlog staff and mods, and to the posters that remained humbly optimistic and sane.

For the past couple weeks I was not sure if "OSU is gonna blow us the fuck out" was some reverse psychology meme (if there is such a thing) or just typical hyperbole on a fan board.

Magnus

December 1st, 2013 at 8:10 AM ^

Thanks for giving me a place to waste my time for long periods. If I didn't have this place, I might be in some terribly unsanitary locale . . . like the gym.

Bobby Boucher

December 1st, 2013 at 8:22 AM ^

We all share his concerns, but he seems pretty intense lately.  Maybe Brian should fly to Florida for a week for some much needed rest and relaxation in early January!

4roses

December 1st, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^

and the entire staff at MGoBlog. This has been an extremely trying period in my long fandom of Michigan Football. Having coverage of the team that is competent, informative, insightful, and humerous has made it just a little less bearable.   

Michighen

December 1st, 2013 at 8:51 AM ^

Thanks Brian and staff.  Seriously though LSAClassof2000 that naughty dentist thing has to go. I can't be the only grad of the illustrious UM Dental School it irritates.

Former_DC_Buck

December 1st, 2013 at 9:08 AM ^

I've read Brian's work since at least 2005 when a Michigan coworker introduced me to it. We were both B1G fans living in exile in the DC area and were hungry for more B1G news and info than what we would find localy. I had been sharing Ozone columns with him and he finally found this and the MZone. While I often commented over there I resisted the temptation to post here. There was a playful nature to the MZone that I felt more comfortable with.

However, I read MgoBlog daily. I find it a fascinating insight into the Michigan program (yes, I can use the word.). I think the years of exile made me a different kind of fan than had I never left Central Ohio.

Enough about me, though, I just hope Brian continues the blog and can come to some kind of peace. I'm not sure if he'll ever be truly content, I'm not sure if it is in his nature. I did almost send something to the bowling alley, but couldn't figure out what to send and what message to send with it that wouldn't come across as smugly superior.

Brian, you have a great site. I admire your passion and your ability to keep going even though most of the last seven seasons have not been what you hoped to see from the team you love. I was attending OSU during part of the Cooper years. Met my wife at OSU and we have five degrees between the two of us from there. We suffered through the Cooper era and didn't have to do it everyday with our hopes and opinions out there for the world to read. Again, I admire your passion, your hard work and your ability to deal with the critics and naysayers. You have a great staff. You and they do great work and college football would be less informed and less entertaining without you and your cohorts.

Good luck with your changes and good luck to your team in the bowl. I'm one of this weird Buckeyes that like to see you do well except when playing us.

You Only Live Twice

December 1st, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^

i think I remember you from MZone... from your classy writing style.  if you are who i think you are, glad to see you here on MGoBlog!

Hoping the others will post here also.  We will always be loyal MZone fans, but understand completely how real life might take precedence over a blog.

 

 

 

Former_DC_Buck

December 1st, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^

I missed you guys this season now that Yost is going mostly twitter only. I went by my real world first name over there, most everywhere else I go with this handle, at least since 06 when we moved back.

I think I saw a post here from you saying you and your sister were going to the game. Hope you had a good time even though it didn't end the way you wanted.

Princetonwolverine

December 1st, 2013 at 9:11 AM ^

Thanks to Brian and everyone else that makes this blog run.

Without it I would never have gotten a shirt as a gift that reads

  "Yes, I am a Michigan blog addict"

I wear it with pride.

 

 

DetroitBlue

December 1st, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^

Keep up the good work and don't let the trolls get to you too much. Like many others have said, I greatly appreciate this blog and all the work that goes into it. It sounds like we'll be getting the ability to neg bomb trolls into oblivion, which should help as well.