Fort Sumter Comment Count

Brian

10/11/2008 – Michigan 10, Toledo 13 – 2-4, 1-1 Big Ten

Civil War Battle

Not to turn this column into a running diary about Douchebags of Michigan Stadium, but after Kicking Competency Lopata went a long way towards being just KC again I attempted to bolt from the stadium as fast as possible. I got caught in the inevitable traffic jam a dozen or so rows up from my seats. A couple rows above me, a middle-aged man stood on a bench and booed and booed.

He was angry. I was angry.

I stooped to pick up whatever flingable bit of detritus I could find, seized upon an empty water bottle, and chucked it at the booer. I missed,* lightly damaging an older man a row behind him. But I did get his attention. And the old guy looked like he was on The Other Side, so eff him.

At this point a shouting match ensued. Shouting matches are never like they are on TV—laced with penetrating logical deductions that leave the yelled-at victim incapable of response—so I mostly just told him to shut up like 10 times consecutively.

At some point he actually said "if this bothers you that much there must be something wrong with you," at which point my irony sensors exploded. It was sort of like this minus the laughter:

He did shut up, though, or at least direct his anger somewhere other than the field.

------------------

Anywhere large groups of Michigan fans interact has fallen into civil war, with people like this on one side…

Listen, I just wanted to vent.  I have supported this team this year. 

I supported them when Utah won, I supported them when Illinois blew us out of the frickin stadium.

This, I cannot support.  I am absolutely disgusted with this.

In my opinion, Calvin Mcgee, Rich Rodriguez, and even Mike Barwis, yup, that's right, Mike Barwis, can go back to West Virginia where they came from.

…and bottle-chucking hippies on the other. That email hit my inbox yesterday around noon; I got a few others like that. You can check the increasingly annoying comments here, where virtually every thread descends into a flamewar within five posts.

And I don't get it. If you read this blog and think I will be at all sympathetic to the idea we should get rid of our extremely successful coach after one year (and hire who? and recruit who?) you have reading comprehension issues. If you use the words "unacceptable"—not actually in this email but man have I see that particular word everywhere in the past few days—and "disgusted" because Michigan's confused, young, and physically inadequate offense can't cobble together drives no matter who they go up against, do you realize that the core community of this blog, including the author, kind of loathes you? I am not on your side.

Sports suck sometimes, especially when you care so much about something you control not at all. I assure you that every Michigan fan was angry on Saturday, and every one had second thoughts about this New Era thing. Some of them chose to swallow that anger, and some chose to give it to someone else. What's the adult thing to do? What would those people in hats have done in 1935?

They would have sucked it up. So suck it up, you pansies. It hurts. Act like a man about it.**

Go do something else. This makes you mad. People say Hinterland is pretty good and it's only twenty bucks. Go play that. Go ride a bike. Or hike into the woods and look at the chipmunk-bears. Build 60-foot sculptures out of balsa wood and your shattered hopes. Just get off the goddamn internet.

Come back in fits and spurts and keep whatever connection you want to have with the program but don't hit that post button when the vein on your forehead is sticking out. It's not that important.

And what does "unacceptable" even mean, anyway? Okay, you do not accept the Toledo loss. And now…? You will inform the internet of this? I see. Congratulations. Go away.

*(Yes, I threw the bottle at Tacopants. If I was one of those guys calling for Threet's execution this would be the height of irony.)

**(Women, in my experience, do not have these issues.)

BULLETS:

  • There are also two camps about the defense: 1) they only gave up 6 points (really nine if you count the chip-shot FG Toledo missed) and that should obviously be good enough to beat Toledo. 2) That one guy caught 20 balls and they had something like 350 yards of offense. I lean towards two; the only reason Toledo didn't score more was Zoltan's munificence and some of their own incompetence. Though they figured out how to defend some of the play action rollout stuff late, it shouldn't take 5.5 games to come up with a response to the quarterback exiting the pocket. Too many opposing teams have been able to remove Michigan's defensive line from the game by leaving in blockers or hitting short passes or rolling the pocket, and Michigan's insistence on leaving in a thousand crappy linebackers against spread formations is maddening.

    Scott Shafer was supposed to be an aggressive man-to-man guy, but Michigan this year has seen a ton of zone and a ton of three-man rushes. WTF?
  • Also, on a late third and one Michigan had a three-man line in the game. Toledo ran and made it easily. WTF?
  • The playcalling made a lot more sense once Threet's injury was revealed. Also Threet's horrible first few passes, though the endzone pick six wasn't inaccurate. If Nick Sheridan was in for reasons other than "starter incapacitated" even my enforced patience was going to be tried.
  • No, this offense would not be any better if it was lining up under center every play and running isos. Banish this from your mind. When you have freshmen at quarterback and most of the skill positions and a line with something like 6 even quasi-reasonable options and the lone senior on the two-deep is the third-string tight end, you are going to be awful no matter what offensive philosophy you adopt. There are like two and a half good players on offense.

    And what would that buy Michigan? A Motor City Bowl invite? I'd like to keep the bowl streak—not going to happen—but if the choice is between a crappy December bowl and some increased chance Michigan is great in 2010, I'll take the latter.
  • I think that "pre-hab" stuff is well debunked.
  • Cissoko seemed to do well, though it was tough to tell with all the zone.
  • Zoltan!

Comments

kgh10

October 13th, 2008 at 5:29 PM ^

Clemons is a true sophomore, he really doesn't belong on that list. Trent has definitely regressed this season after what I saw a pretty darn good performance last season. Definitely dissapointing, but hopefully he'll get it together in time.

DMadCat

October 13th, 2008 at 3:49 PM ^

You know, watching this team for the past six weeks two things have
occured to me. One, this whole team is YOUNG. Young and inexperienced
and learning a whole new way to play football. Watching these games
with really any expectations of success is begging for disappointment.
I look at this entire season as a series of scrimmages. These are just
practice games in a practice season. Watch with that in mind and it's
much less painful.

Two, there are fans and teams that go through this kind of season
every year. Thinking of the reverse, Toledo, while somewhat successful,
has had some terrible years. But there are actually fans that stick
with them throughout.

For what it's worth, I've been a Michigan fan since birth but I'm from
Toledo so for me Saturday's loss was more grimly amusing than
outrageous. As many OSU fans once chanted annually, "It's a rebuilding
year."

GO BLUE! 

drz1111

October 13th, 2008 at 4:02 PM ^

One can boo, yet still believe that the new regime should be given time.

The players did not play well. The have not been playing well. They have more talent, even in a eviscerated, cupboard-bare year, then Toledo.

Booing is a simple statement: that you think the teams performance is an abomination. It has nothing to do with betraying the kids. It doesn't matter that they "tried hard". I was a professor, of sorts, until recently. I had kids who tried hard, and did terrible work. They got and D's and F's. A boo is a F. Losing to Toledo is an F.

Cheering in this context is, at best, patronizing.

 

Boo, loud, long, and until they start to win. 

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 5:05 PM ^

Wow. You saint. We wouldn't want to be positive or stay behind a team that puts everything into what they do, while we invest nothing. Luckily you were there to let them know how poorly they were doing. Once your boos help turn the ship around, hopefully someone sends you an award. 

In my mind, the loss is their F. The post-game talk in the locker room from someone who actually puts work in to help them succeed is their F. The following practices are their F. The boos from fans who haven't done a damn thing is an insult. 

You sound like a pompous ass, 'of sorts,' and you get an F.

Ernis

October 13th, 2008 at 6:12 PM ^

Booing betrays that the booer has a sense of entitlement regarding the performance on the field or the outcome of the game.

News flash: You aren't entitled to anything. You contribute nothing--NOTHING--to the success of the team, but benefit when they succeed. You are a passive observer, suckling emotional gratification from the teat of a winning team. And when things go sour, you squeal like a spoiled pig. Certainly, it is within your right to do so, but do not be the least bit surprised when your infantile display of negativity is met with loathing from those around you. We all feel pretty rotten about a poor performance, but there is a big difference between someone who feels the need to spread venom to everyone else and someone who doesn't completely suck at life.

As for trying to justify yourself--there is no need. We all understand, just like we understand the cries of "agony" from a child whose mother denies them candy at the store. Such a tragedy! My advice: Get over it.

Quit whining.

Grow a pair. 

Grow up. 

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 5:03 PM ^

I can't completely agree.  I know its nice to say you support RR and you are a Michigan man making a loyal stand, but then where were you in defending Carr because based on results he is clearly the most loyal and underappreciated Michigan man of all time. 

I do agree RR has to be given some time and some leeway for producing, but it just doesn't seem like the team is prepared with a good gameplan for opponents.  Nobody has really improved and football basics are terrible.  Come on here, we just lost to Toledo... there is no real excuse, this is just as bad or worse than us losing last year to App State, and worse I would say because I'm not sure RR is the type of coach/leader that can bring this group together.  I thought that we would see it with the Wisonsin win, but they really don't look like a team.  At the very least give Lloyd Carr some credit. 

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 5:04 PM ^

Brian,

I find it ironic how aptly your many criticisms of Charlie Weis now apply to your current coach (and team) - a debacle of a season, a remarkable inability to show any improvement during the season, a failure to properly utilize the current roster, losing to teams with far inferior talent accross the board....

You (and everyone else on the charlie weis is the worst coach on the planet bandwagon) basically have 3 options:

1.  Admit Weis is not such a terrible coach and the previous ND's 2 BCS seasons were not a fluke.  Accept that ND's year last year was a product of piss-poor recruiting by he who shall not be named, defections at key positions, and an unfortunate schedule, mixed in with some admittedly poor coaching decisions 

 2.  Conclude that Rodriguez is incredibly overrated and is a horrendous coach, in fact, one of the worst in college football and should be fired immediately if michigan is going to be respectable in the next 10 years

3. Admit neither, and accept the fact you are a huge hypocrite

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 5:04 PM ^

Brian,

I find it ironic how aptly your many criticisms of Charlie Weis now apply to your current coach (and team) - a debacle of a season, a remarkable inability to show any improvement during the season, a failure to properly utilize the current roster, losing to teams with far inferior talent accross the board....

You (and everyone else on the charlie weis is the worst coach on the planet bandwagon) basically have 3 options:

1.  Admit Weis is not such a terrible coach and the previous ND's 2 BCS seasons were not a fluke.  Accept that ND's year last year was a product of piss-poor recruiting by he who shall not be named, defections at key positions, and an unfortunate schedule, mixed in with some admittedly poor coaching decisions 

 2.  Conclude that Rodriguez is incredibly overrated and is a horrendous coach, in fact, one of the worst in college football and should be fired immediately if michigan is going to be respectable in the next 10 years

3. Admit neither, and accept the fact you are a huge hypocrite

BrianND06

October 13th, 2008 at 5:18 PM ^

Brian, I find it ironic how aptly your many criticisms of Charlie Weis now apply to your current coach (and team) - a debacle of a season, a remarkable inability to show any improvement during the season, a failure to properly utilize the current roster, losing to teams with far inferior talent accross the board....

You (and everyone else on the charlie weis is the worst coach on the planet bandwagon) basically have 3 options:

1.  Admit Weis is not such a terrible coach and the previous ND's 2 BCS seasons were not a fluke.  Accept that ND's year last year was a product of piss-poor recruiting by he who shall not be named, defections at key positions, and an unfortunate schedule, mixed in with some admittedly poor coaching decisions  

2.  Conclude that Rodriguez is incredibly overrated and is a horrendous coach, in fact, one of the worst in college football and should be fired immediately if michigan is going to be respectable in the next 10 years

3. Admit neither, and accept the fact you are a huge hypocrite

kgh10

October 13th, 2008 at 5:38 PM ^

Uh, no and no. That was Fat Ass' third season, this is Rich's first. He wasn't gifted his first two years with all star wide receivers, veteran O-lineman, and a first round draft pick at QB (no he did not make Brady Quinn, Brady Quinn was still quite talented (but young) before he broke out. He was an Army All-American QB out of H.S. and finally matured into a good QB).

You fail to realize that people make fun of Charlie because he's a fuckin arrogant and imbicilic asshole. When you go 3-9 after spouting off that "every one of my teams will have a schematic advantage blah blah blah I'm a fat slob", you deserve to be absolutely TRASHED. He's an asshole, and a mediocre at best coach with NO track record of success (unless gifted with a relatively talented team and cupcake schedule - barring 2007). There's the difference between Rich, who admittedly said this would be a tough year and anyone who thinks otherwise should probably step away from the bottle.

BrianND06

October 13th, 2008 at 6:28 PM ^

and have thrown in a bit of irrational thinking, illogical tangents, and low class weight bashing... 

I never made the argument that it is fair to compare Weis's and Rodriguez's first seasons.  ND did have some veteran talent his first year, but you are over estimating the talent that was in the system and the degree to which it had been developed - 1 highly rated recruiting class, followed by two years in which he who shall not be named decided he would rather work on his golf game than recruit.  I can guarantee you that Michigan has more 4 and 5 star recruits in their junior and senior classes this year than ND did last year, because ND had 2 (thats right, 2).  

I am saying that our season last year is equivalent to your season this year, that both are a product of many things, and poor coaching and player development are likely not the primary reasons in either case.      

As for being asshole, I think it's safe to say that walking out on bunch of college kids you recruited just before the biggest game of their lives qualifies you as a selfish asshole.  And until you develop some sort of rational argument as to how being overweight affects ones ability to coach, I'm not even going to address it.

kgh10

October 13th, 2008 at 6:59 PM ^

A question you should answer for yourself:

Were there any specific things you can point to in watching Michigan games this season where you went, "wow, that was a terrible coaching decision and might've even sealed the loss for his team." Any of them? Looking back at the '07ND season, how many times could you say that about Weis' coaching decisions? I can find video evidence for at least one of those things. En route to our terrible season, at this point, you cannot point to one specific coaching error that took a victory away from this team. You cannot do the same for Weis, whose poor coaching decisions had direct and obvious effects on the games he coached.

Furthermore, if you don't think coaching this Michigan team and switching completely different offensive philosophies into a winner was harder than coaching a bunch of guys who have been in the same system with the same coach for 1-3 years, regardless of talent, I don't know what to tell you. Apples and oranges in this instance.

 

Also, leaving players for another (BETTER) job does not make you a selfish asshole. Just because that job happens to be coaching doesn't make it any different. Trying to reap the benefits of a bowl victory from a job you left makes you a selfish asshole. The issue was far more complicated than that, but I'm sure your rational self realizes this. If you seriously think Weis has been a nice, or even normal person in his coaching tenure, you are bat shit crazy. He's the most condescending foolish man I've ever heard speak, that's another reason why nobody takes him seriously and why he gets bashed so often.

BrianND06

October 14th, 2008 at 3:26 PM ^

The main errors Rodriguez has made were very similar to the errors Weis made last year.  Namely, not picking a starting qb before the season starts and sticking with him (destroys the qb and teams confidence) and failing to coach to the strengths of your players instead of you system. 

Yes, Charlie Weis had some players with more time in his system, but these were 2-3 star guys who he hadnt recruited.  Rodriguez has had less time with guys in his system but more overall talent.  He inherited one of the more dominant defensive lines in the country, as well as some highly recruited skill players.  Notre Dame was completely devoid of talent in its junior and senior classes last year - you cannot say the same of Michigan this year. 

Chrisgocomment

October 14th, 2008 at 3:31 PM ^

You're the one that came on a Michigan blog to get people to admit that Rodriguez is a, how did you put it?  "Horrendous coach", when everything in his past history shows otherwise.

How would it go over if I went to Blue Gray Sky and tried to get Domers to admit that Weis is horrendous?  Probably not so good.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your fool.

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 14th, 2008 at 4:42 PM ^

Again, please re-read (and comprehend) posts before making foolish comments.

I did not intend to get anyone to recognize that Rodriguez is a horrendous coach.   In fact, I believe he is a solid coach who will eventually likely be successful at Michigan.   He has an impressive coaching record, just as Weis has had every other season than last year.  I merely pointed out the striking similarities between Weis's team last year and Rodriguez's team this year to demonstrate that a coach can have a terrible year without being a horrendous coach.     

bvanlee

October 13th, 2008 at 8:02 PM ^

One, why are you perusing a Michigan blog?

Two, I think the situations are a bit different.  Did Notre Dame lose their entire offense from the previous year?  Most of which were drafted?  One of which went #1 overall?  Notre Dame finished with...what...3 wins last year?  We need only 2 more and your comparison isn't valid.  Four more wins and the comparison looks idiotic.

BrianND06

October 14th, 2008 at 2:44 PM ^

I grew up in Michigan and sort of followed Michigan football growing up.  Also, this is probably one of the better college football blogs out there.

Yes, Notre Dame did lose their entire offense the year before.   They lost their starting qb, starting rb, both starting recievers, 3 starting offensive lineman, their starting TE - most of which were drafted or are playing in the NFL.  Many of their replacements were true freshman.

If you can look at your schedule and see two wins (much less four) after losing to a home to a 1-4 MAC team, then I really don't know what to say to you.  

McFate

October 13th, 2008 at 8:37 PM ^

... Weis had: three recruiting classes of his own; three springs to practice and coach them up; three fall camps to practice and coach them up; and two prior years with lots of blowout wins to season his younger players.  And he still stunk the joint up to an astounding degree in his third year.

It's not a double standard to point out that RR hasn't had that luxury, or anything close to that.  His first recruits aren't juniors this year; they're frosh.  Most of them weren't present for the spring, and have just one fall camp under their belts.  If Weis wasn't able to fill the voids that he should have known were coming years away, in his multiple recruiting classes before last year, that's a serious indictment of his competence.  There is no equivalent criticism of RR due to the difference in length of tenure.

It's true that a lot of Michigan optimism about RR "adapting the system to the players (he coached at Tulane!)" and overexcitement about Barwis, has fallen flat. But let's see if Michigan is anywhere in the vicinity of 3-9 after RR has had two more years.

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 11:41 PM ^

1. Charlie Weis's first class really belonged to the coach who will remain nameless. (remember Charlie was coaching in a Super Bowl).

2. The pevious nameless coach recruited 3 OL men in 2-3 years.

3. Michigan is in a postion much like ND was last year. There is no shame in that just reality.

Michigan will be back, but every team goes through cycles. USC was pitifull in the late 90's and early 2000's.

Go Blue Toledo

October 13th, 2008 at 5:25 PM ^

He is terrible! He was exploited repeatedly by Nick Moore, NICK FUCKING MOORE.  I know that we ran alot of zone, but the player is still responsible for their zone.  Toledo threw towards Trent's side at least 75% of the time because they realize how terrible he is.  We had a true freshman starting opposite of him at QB and they still threw towards Trent the majority of the time.  What a bum!

kgh10

October 13th, 2008 at 6:20 PM ^

Actually, Morgan Trent had a darn good season last year so there's a very good reason he's still out there. He showed immense improvement last season, but unfortunately he has seemingly regressed. However, as others have speculated, he's probably playing softer this season as a result of poor safety backup. Last year he was able to have Brandt Englemon and Jamar Adams so I think he was able to stay more in position and do his specific job without having to worry about the lack of safety backup.

gater

October 13th, 2008 at 6:14 PM ^

"Sports suck sometimes, especially when you care so much about
something you control not at all. I assure you that every Michigan fan
was angry on Saturday, and every one had second thoughts about this New
Era thing. Some of them chose to swallow that anger, and some chose to
give it to someone else. What's the adult thing to do? What would those
people in hats have done in 1935?

They would have sucked it up. So suck it up, you pansies. It hurts. Act like a man about it."

 

and by act like a man you must mean throw a tantrum in the stands by whipping a water bottle at another person and screaming at him...bravo

kgh10

October 13th, 2008 at 6:26 PM ^

A middle aged man booing at a bunch of college kids for not beating another team of college kids deserves to get a bottle thrown at him. If the student-athletes can't defend themselves against douchebag booers, it's our job as not shitty people to do so. There are those who do evil things, and there are those who watch people do evil things and do/say nothing about it. Throwing a bottle at a douchebag who is persistently booing after you've asked him not to more than a few times is a rational and logical action, not a tantrum. That's how I see it at least.

gater

October 13th, 2008 at 11:26 PM ^

booing is not an evil thing.  it's a non violent reaction to what happened, unlike throwing a bottle.  if he was hit by it he could have and probably should have pressed charges.  words (and sounds) are protected by the first amendment, throwing things at people isn't

kgh10

October 14th, 2008 at 2:25 PM ^

By the laws of this country, you are correct. By the laws of being a fuckin moron, you are so, so very wrong. By the laws of (Christian) God, Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap....he just happened to reap it on earth by Brian instead of on judgement day. You want to boo a bunch of kids, you deserve to get knocked around. It's a fuckin empty water bottle...what kind of jackass would press charges, or even should press charges after being hit  by an empty water  bottle (outdoors, with wind carrying it). The judges/cops/lawyers I know would laugh you out of a court room for that comment.

Serenity Now

October 13th, 2008 at 7:10 PM ^

(Note:  I did not bother to read the thread.  So if you don't wanna read this...)

Here's a little story for you, since I'm probably older than most people who post here.

I've been a NE Patriots fan since the mid-80's. Let's look at the late 80's/early 90's record:

1993 5 11 0 4th
1992 2 14 0 5th
1991 6 10 0 4th
1990 1 15 0 5th
1989 5 11 0 4th

And let's add the whole "Patriots Missile" fiasco, the multiple threaths of selling/moving the team, the worst stadium this side of Bahgdad's soccer stadium.  And let's just say that when it goes out of fashion to laugh at your franchise, you must have been really bad for a long time.  "At least your team isn't the New England Patriots" wasn't even a funny punchline anymore.

After Belicheck, a by all accounts failed head coach in his first stint, coached the team to a 5-11 record his first year, with an inneffective possible future HOF (at that time) at QB in Drew Bledsoe, and a defense that by all accounts was veteran and should've been better, the fans called for his head, forgetting the descent into irrelevance that Pete Carroll started after Parcells took them to the Super Bowl.

Fast forward to 2008, 3 Super Bowls later, and looking back at that first year makes me really wonder about this HERE AND NOW I WANT AND DESERVE EVERYTHING attitude most people have about sports. Look, Michigan Football has spoiled most people for their entire lives, especially the middle-aged "it was better in may day" crowd.  Change is difficult to accept, even more so when it doesn't work as well as you wish. 

When Belicheck took over, people were bitching and moaning about everything.  From press conferences, to who was starting, to the boring and infuriating bend-don't-break 3-4 defense.  Am I going to compare Rodriguez to Belicheck?  Of course not, Rodriguez had already been a successful head coach before Michigan.  

When they won that first SB in 2001, it was so liberating and special, I still cannot properly express the joy I had on that day.  If I hadn't suffered for so long as a fan, never would've I been able to enjoy this moment the way I did.  

It's not the destination, it's the journey.  And considering how far off the final destination Michigan football is starting this journey, iIf you're going to bitch and moan like a baby along the way... get the fuck off. Now.  For everyone's sake.

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 7:53 PM ^

so true

if only sports fandom were more like economics.... when those who lose utility in consuming certain goods or performing certain actions cease to do those things.

if the team isn't floating your boat any more, the solution is quite simple... hit the road. you won't be missed.

M-Dog

October 13th, 2008 at 7:27 PM ^

Next year is going to be no picnic either.  We'll still be measuring success by making a bowl game.  Any bowl game.

Not until RichRod gets the guys he needs to run his system, and gets them up to speed, will we know if he was a good hire or not.  This means 2010, maybe even 2011, until a judgement can actually be made.  Nothing will happen until then.

So hold on tight, we're stuck on this ride.  We won't know if it was fun or terrifying for quite some time.  If you need to vomit, that's cool, just don't do it on the rest of us.

 

 

 

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 8:20 PM ^

Brian - keep in mind that if a fight breaks out, they don't often get broken up after one punch (see Dazed and Confused). Throwing (empty plastic) bottles isn't setting a good example, and won't lead to anything good, much less changing idiotic boo'ers behavior.  I do commend you for trying to take a stand against them.  Just wish you had found a better way to do it. 

Irony - I am willing to bet most (not all) of the people booing the loudest are the same people that were the most vocal about getting Carr out of the HC position...  Many of us wished for a coach that would go long before the end of a half when we are behind, and then these people boo when that play is picked off...

I might have been one of the few fans that wasn't mad.  The cupboards were bare or close to it at way too many positions for good things to happen this season.  And then throw in a new system, all new coaches, etc.

It has been a long time since a you could say we have had a steady succession of players ready to take over at key positions like OL, LB, CB, S, etc. How many times in the past 5+ years have we kept our fingers crossed that some player would miraculously step from previous mediocre performance to fill a glaring void in the roster? And now the fruits of that mismanagement of recruting has finally come to bear. This was coming regardless. The change in coaching just brought it forward sooner.

The only people that are entitled to good performances are those who try to spur the team on to greater thing through blind support.  The people that make noise on 3rd downs, the ones who spell out a giant M in the stadium etc.  People who tune in across the country regardless of the teams record. Players play for people like that, not for whiney bitches that boo every time they get their panties in a bunch.

If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem. Support our guys out there or give up your tickets for the real fans. And don't come back when things turn around.  We don't want you, and I bet the players and coaches don't either.

I don't agree with everything that has happend, in the coaching change. I wanted them to retain bedford, and campbell, and maybe english. But I still will support my team no matter what.

97Alumnus

October 13th, 2008 at 8:40 PM ^

Brian - keep in mind that if a fight breaks out, they don't often get broken up after one punch (see Dazed and Confused). Throwing (empty plastic) bottles isn't setting a good example, and won't lead to anything good, much less changing idiotic boo'ers behavior.  I do commend you for trying to take a stand against them.  Just wish you had found a better way to do it. 

Irony - I am willing to bet most (not all) of the people booing the loudest are the same people that were the most vocal about getting Carr out of the HC position...  Many of us wished for a coach that would go long before the end of a half when we are behind, and then these people boo when that play is picked off...

I might have been one of the few fans that wasn't mad.  The cupboards were bare or close to it at way too many positions for good things to happen this season.  And then throw in a new system, all new coaches, etc.

It has been a long time since a you could say we have had a steady succession of players ready to take over at key positions like OL, LB, CB, S, etc. How many times in the past 5+ years have we kept our fingers crossed that some player would miraculously step from previous mediocre performance to fill a glaring void in the roster? And now the fruits of that mismanagement of recruting has finally come to bear. This was coming regardless. The change in coaching just brought it forward sooner.

The only people that are entitled to good performances are those who try to spur the team on to greater thing through blind support.  The people that make noise on 3rd downs, the ones who spell out a giant M in the stadium etc.  People who tune in across the country regardless of the teams record. Players play for people like that, not for whiney bitches that boo every time they get their panties in a bunch.

If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem. Support our guys out there or give up your tickets for the real fans. And don't come back when things turn around.  We don't want you, and I bet the players and coaches don't either.

I don't agree with everything that has happend in the coaching change. I wanted them to retain bedford and campbell, maybe english. But I still will support my team no matter what.

MGOBlueDC

October 13th, 2008 at 9:46 PM ^

...but there is nothing wrong with it.  It is part of life, like death and taxes.  No one likes it but you deal with it.  All we can do is stand in the stadium, or in our living rooms, and watch and support the 18-22 year-olds who are on the field playing thier best for their school and for a coach they have, hopefully, bought into. 

I'm a high school football coach and I know what it is like to feel completely ambushed.  To go into a game you should win, or to simply be going into a well matched game, and feel entirely confident in your players, feel you are completely prepared, and that your game plan is flawless...only to watch it go to shit.  The players don't execute, the game plan you prepared isn't effective, and dammit, the other team, thier players, their coaches, they are just better than you today.  I'm not saying this is entirely the case with Michigan, I think it is much more complicated than this, but I feel this is relevant some how.

 I will say this, to... those young men DO NOT deserve to be booed.  The instituion existed before the team, it is a club sport and a tradition, the coach may be making money and some of the kids on the field may make money some day, but they aren't yet.  To boo kids who are playing to the best of their ability is shameful and disgusting.  Just because you cheer for them, doesn't give you the right to boo.  That is a liberty taken only with professional athletes.  Would you boo a high school football team who isn't playing well?  It is classless and despicable, I don't know how to describe it any other way.  Go watch the Lions.

Michigan fans have been spoiled for a really long time.  I mean that in a good way.  We have been fortunate enough to have teams that were successful and won a lot of games.  Now we have to take our lumps and root for a team that is going to go through some growing pains. 

One of my fellow coaches has a saying, "When things get tough, the bitch comes out (of players)." Considering the reactions of some of the "fans" this season, I thought that this to was relevant.

 

TorontoBlue

October 13th, 2008 at 10:31 PM ^

in sports, there is no benchmark for "they tried hard" or "we have a bunch of freshmen" or "the scheme are not what they are used to".  the only thing that matters in sports is the final result on the scoreboard.

M just lost at home to a team from a junior conference with a 1-4 record that lost the previous week 31-0.  M lost its homecoming gme the previous weekend  45-20 - and that team just got beat by Minnesota - a team many on here project M to defeat in Minnie.

Boos have been justified based on the RESULTS on the scoreboard, the only the measure that really matters in sports.

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 13th, 2008 at 10:36 PM ^

Brian,

I think you made some good points here, but again, as mentioned by others the whipping of the water bottle at said booer was a poor choice. Lets face it, this season has been building for a couple of years. Had Carr stayed, there is no guarantee that M would be better than 3-3 right now. Illinois would have shredded any Ron English defense. Winning in South Bend has never been easy. Sure the offense may have been more prolific, but no guarantees on how Mallett may have performed. He wasn't liked all that well by his teammates anyway.

You mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the stadium project is a concrete example how the entire program is being rebuilt.  These difficult days will lead to better results. Next season, its most likely that a starting QB will be named Beaver or Forcier. Nothing against Threet or Sheridan, but they just aren't up to running this offense. They don't get much help up front on the O-line. Look at the number of drops that seem to occur with these recievers (i.e. tipping a pass that gets intercepted). Compare it to the stock market, M is hitting bottom this season, so there is only one way to go, and thats up. 2010 will be the break out season and it will put M back on the map. By then, teams will be afraid to play in Ann Arbor, as the renovations will be completed and helping with the noise level (which I have already noticed in the north end zone). Three years of being a bitch of Barwis will also bring fear to opponents.

Now to you others who may be reading this, if your still pissed off, find something else to put your passion into. Your happiness should not be dependent on how well 18-22 year old boys play a football game. If your a season ticket holder and still pissed off, do the rest of your fellow season ticket holders a favor and spend your money elsewhere.

TinCup

October 13th, 2008 at 11:02 PM ^

Hey folks. I am lifelong diehard...blah, blah, blah. Look, this sucks. This sucks from the ass of hell itself. We all need to hang tight and ride this out. It's going to take a couple of years. And as much as I would love it, you guys are DREAMING if you think Michigan wins 6 games this year. No freakin' way. NO WAY! We will be lucky to win 1 or 2 more games. That's it. Again, it sucks and I am miserable about it. But it is what it is. We are (gulp) rebuilding. Like, literally. And did I say this sucks?

Also, why are the majority of our fans so fucking lame? M stadium is so fucking quiet. It's pathetic. Our attempts at a "Maize Out" are a joke. A joke!!!!!! It drives me insane. So, the booing from our fans makes sense as in my opinion, we are a fare weather group, that has never truly experienced football adversity.

Just wait until Saturday and see the "White Out" at PSU. Now those fans do it right. I love my Wolverines, I just wish we could display more ferver and NOISE. Shit, Sparty gets their joint rockin. And they burn couches while they're at it! Maybe this current state of hell and misery will help bring out a more passion and more vocal fan base (in a positive sense). In the meantime, buckle up boys. This ride is going to suck for awhile.

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 14th, 2008 at 8:36 AM ^

After enduring many years of the same feelings at MSU, we finally got the right Coach and the right program, but it takes a few years for people to understand all that. As to your request for fervor in the stands? It's pretty hard to motivate "OLD" and I mean "OLD" alumni to get excited.They only have seen "winning teams", and they can't remember what they had for lunch, or where their car is parked. The majority of your fans never even attended Michigan, or their children, or Grand children, either. They are low-life factory rats from the surronding areas of Detroit, who are "WANNA-BEES".

blueman

October 13th, 2008 at 11:16 PM ^

No one except UM fans.  UM will only be mentioned in the reports on our opponents like:  PSU humiliates UM 49-3.  The remainder of the season is about limiting embarassment as much as possible.  UM is a 24 Point dog.  That is mortifying.

 UM football is now somewhere over the rainbow.  Why oh why?

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 14th, 2008 at 1:19 AM ^

I like the blog and all but that just  goddamn pathetic.  I mean, who throws a shoe or a bottle for that matter?  Come on, I hope at least of some of you guys with this bullshit attitude that you have to stand up for those poor kids whose hopes and dreams and lives are ruined by hearing boos can see how silly it is.  You can't all really believe that throwing shit is going to make Nick "limp dick for an arm" Sheridan feel better.  Look, I don't boo the players, but really not that big of a deal.  If your a big time program and your team sucks, their probably going to get booed.  Oh well.  I'm sorry if some of the players feel bad about, but I think that the whole free tuition thing balances things out.

In conclusion: Everyone needs to settle your asses on down.

 

Anonymous Coward (not verified)

October 14th, 2008 at 8:45 AM ^

Brian,

I mostly agree with you.  When we see the unthinkable unfold before our eyes, a knee-jerk reaction is an understandable temptation.  But RRod has succeeded wildly elsewhere, and his recruiting efforts have been very strong thus far.  They will likely continue to be strong, as new recruits who do fit his scheme see that they will be able to step in right away and play.

I think that it was highly predictable that the team would struggle, as many have said.  Add to the expected difficulties unexpected player defections and injuries, and disaster naturally ensues.  Patience is required, but we Michigan fans are not good at being patient because we've never had to be.  Even the most storied programs in the nation are not immune to reversals of fortune, even extended ones (see Alabama b/f this year, Notre Dame, USC b/f Carroll, etc). 

I do wonder if the "pre-hab" idea has really been debunked, however.  Could it be that many of the injured (not all, I know) are kids that were attending their senior proms last May?  They are essentially HS players taking college hits.  Do we know anything about WVU's injury history under RRod and Barwis, and whether it was above or below average?  This would likely be a better measuring stick. 

 That said, I appreciate what you say as a voice of reason.  We all need to step away from the ledge.  Nobody this year is talking about 'Bama having gone down to Northern Illinois or Louisiana Monroe, b/c they are crushing good teams and are #2 in the polls.  This, too, shall pass; it'll be a fuzzy memory in 2010 when we are feared again.

 Regards, Kdog89