Devastating article on UM football

Submitted by massblue on

"Never at any point in 2013 did Michigan look fully prepared to do all the little things necessary to win football games. Never at any point did Michigan appear to be fundamentally sound. Never at any point did the team's locker room leadership take charge of the club and put an end to a miserable 1-5 close to the year."

 

I hope powers to be are reading this.

 

Here is the link

I dumped the Dope

December 29th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^

That's what I took away from it.  Its easy to put into words the summary of the fiery rollercoaster that was 2013.  Its history now, its over.  The fans still support the Team, but we need more TeamWork.

I hope every player and coach has a severe distaste for the feeling they got after this season...after all of their team milestones (i had goals but I think they generally played with mental toughness and that's got to be a goal) have been erased, and dedicate themselves to working harder than any other team until the milestones get to stay up on the dry erase board.

This is a period of adversity as we all can plainly see.  Going to work every day and hammering away at the fundamentals with passion and energy is the only way I know out of it.  Eventually the skills will come, and once you have command of Skills and Fundamentals then you can work on Strategy.

Edit:  Devastation in my book is something on the order of a career-ending injury, NCAA violations, unexpected transfers, etc.  Not just a newspaper article.

 

UMMAN83

December 29th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^

take the necessary leap next year. When was the last time we won a game that we were an underdog in or a game the staff outcoached the opposition. Seems like we are always on the flip side of these scenarios. Where is the statement game that gives you some faith this program is moving in the right direction. I will wait until next year. Those road games against ND, spart, ohio will be all telling and should seal the deal one way or another. Til then, Spring training is right around the corner. Play ball ...

hennesbe

December 29th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^

People can make all the good comments they want about Hoke and the team.  But this article is reality.  And many people don't see it getting any better.  There isn't a coach on the team that has improved anyones performance.  NONE!.

 

State Street

December 29th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^

If Hoke truly cares about this University, he would step down.

All the rhetoric is totally empty.

This program is regressing, and he knows it.  He's just not cut out for this.

State Street

December 29th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^

I'm not "calling" for anything.  I realize that Hoke would never do such a thing.

My point is that he says he loves this place, but ironically his presence is making us worse.

Your post says it all.  Great leaders identify weaknesses and make changes.  Throughout this whole season, Hoke has made zero adjustments and zero improvements.  

Don

December 29th, 2013 at 1:39 PM ^

Agree that we need to give Hoke the chance to rectify what needs rectifying.

However, he's not in John Beilein's class as a head coach. Their respective records prior to coming to Michigan bear that out, but so does listening to their press conferences. You don't have to listen to more than 30 seconds of Beilein to know that here's a guy who is completely on top of things and can speak authoritatively about strategy, tactics, philosophy and anything else you might want to know about his team.

You can listen to a half hour of Brady Hoke and still not be sure exactly what he knows.

State Street

December 29th, 2013 at 2:02 PM ^

It really makes me wonder...how much of that initial Hoke press conference was staged?  How much was he coached?

In hindsight, he must have practiced that thing over, and over, and over again and been told authoritatively what to say and how to carry himself.

It's like all of a sudden, as the years have gone on, he's become totally uncooperative, brash and rude to each and every member of the media, all of whom are only trying to do their jobs.

The Shredder

December 29th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^

IMO I think this team just doesn't like each other. They don't play for each other at all. If I had to guess I would say the locker room is a mess and when the locker room isn't clicking then your results won't be good. I am sure the gap is the small senior click and all the new and improved talent from the last two years. This of course is just a guess from what I see on the field. As much as I think Lewan is a great player I have my serious doubts about his leadership and character at times.

08mms

December 29th, 2013 at 12:47 PM ^

Agree entirely. Despite all the problems in the late years, I see the start of a culture that would have never been tolerated in the Bo or Lloyd years (Lewans helmet twist, freshman getting into fights on special teams). I guess we wait an see how next year turns out, but I'll be in line at the torch and pitchfork store unless things change dramatically. It's a damn shame when you've got kids like Gardner out there who are prototypical "Michigan Men" leaving so much on the field.

Jimmyisgod

December 29th, 2013 at 11:42 AM ^

When I saw our defensive players hooting and hollering for the cameras after making a tackle on nice gain for K State while we were down big I almost turned the TV off.  I've questioned our senior leadership all season long, last night I questioned it all game long.

Prince Lover

December 29th, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^

Nobody will argue that. So let's be glad it's over. And hopefully, we can put all the "world coming to an end because our favorite football struggled" complaining behind us as well.
The team in the trenches on both sides of the ball struggled. And when that happens,it's tough to win ball games. I believe the teams in the future won't struggle as much in these areas.
Therefore, yes. I do still believe in the future of this program.
Go Blue!!

cadillacjack333

December 29th, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^

Did it feel like they were prepared for KSU?  No.  Unless Lockett is the second coming of Jerry Rice, Michigan's secondary defense was not prepared and looked lost. Moreover, our linebackers filled the wrong gaps and our linemen did not contain the QB.

The reality is that third rate football programs are stronger, more skilled and better coached than us and we are now talking about 6-7 years not one.

However, because of money owed to the coaches and the lack of direction from the AD, it is easier to make excuses.  Our players are young.  We had injuries.  Bad luck.  Bad referees.  Our kicking game let us down in the PSU OT game. The OSU defender made a great play on the two point conversion.  They hit a 61 yard field goal - who does that?  If only Joique did not fumble in the snow.  If only Stafford did not throw his 20th interception in 5 games.

Same team.  Same coaching problems.  Same upper management problems.

If we are looking for the word that describes it and we don't want to use devastating then use LIONIZED or SOL - Same Old Lions.

All I know is this.  Our players deserve better.  From all accounts they are good kids with tons of talent.  It is the adults who are letting them down.  If you are making millions of dollars per year you should be great at your job. Average or good for $4 million per year is not good enough.

 

 

BlueMan80

December 29th, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^

As the article points out, they never really put it all together this year. We can all speculate why...maybe Jordan Kovacs was the glue that held the defense together and allowed Mattison to take chances...but the reality is that fixing it falls on the coaching staff. Brady knows the heat is on and next year will be critical for him, the coaching staff, and the team. We will find out if he learned the lessons of this season and if he is up to the task to lead the program. If next season is a repeat of 2013, I'm pretty sure Dave B will show him the door because he really will have no choice but to hire a new head coach. Personally, I hope Brady demonstrates he is up to the task. We need some stability. Another reboot of the program will throw everything into chaos again and as we see around here on a daily basis, the fan base probably lacks the patience required for another rebuilding effort.

You Only Live Twice

December 29th, 2013 at 1:53 PM ^

Nick is a decent writer, especially given the state of "journalism" today.  The article reads more like venting than analysis, though. And venting isn't exactly devastation.   The Daily piece was a bit more in depth but phrases like "ass-kicking" should be in comments sections, not the main article.  Then again.. journalism... objectivity.... I digress.

As far as MLive coverage in general....does not begin to compare with articles here.

For the past few years I've enjoyed taking part in the MLive blog for away games, but with the deterioration of our season, the MSU trolls have pretty much destroyed the interaction there.  I'll miss some of the regular contributers but it's time to try another liveblog in 2014.  I might have to be brave and attempt to join the one here.  The whole MSU trolling thing has been somewhat of an educational experience, even at my advanced age I never really understood the extent of their obsession with Michigan.  It's a little weird. 

In reply to by You Only Live Twice

langkyl

December 29th, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^

While reading it I thought of two things:

1. How old is this guy, and why is his writing so poor? Are half sentences and constant dangling.....good writing, or just his attempt to be clever, with outdated journalism?

2. He doesn't seem to think Michigan is any good, but who does?



You Only Live Twice

December 29th, 2013 at 5:17 PM ^

however

1) you can only expect so much from journalists these days, especially online. I was trying to be NICE

2) well, we all have questions, more interested in the answers