[LOCKED] You are entitled to....NOTHING!

Submitted by New Carr on January 1st, 2019 at 5:47 AM

I am exhausted by the absurdity and unrealistic expectations placed on UM football and Harbaugh. The "why aren't we Bama or OSU yet crowd".... get a fucking grip and grow up.  Yeah, it sucks that it is taking longer than we expected and hoped for...and shit, god forbid, maybe we don't get to elite status. UM is not a football factory, it never has been.  We will hopefully compete for the playoff (we have been 1 game short in 2 of Harbaugh's 4 seasons - after the dumpster fire that was the RR and Hoke years) and it seems we are a few players and schematic changes away from getting there.  The "unacceptable", "I feel insulted", entitled, recency bias, torch and pitch fork, reactionary crowd need to find another fucking team or grow the fuck up. We all want better - as an alum, nothing would be more amazing than to attend a national title game.

We are not elite, but SURPRISE!- we don't suck anymore.  And if you give the man more than 4 years, and stop canabilizing the program through negativity and staff turnover, we'll probably get even better than the three - 10 win seasons he has produced in 4 years after inheriting a moribund program.  

And no, Harbaugh is not perfect and has plenty of flaws and we can critique it all, and the team was uninspired for that UF game and there is much improvement to be had and criticism is absolutely warranted.  But if you think anybody better is walking through the door to take the job, which does not allow for SEC win at all costs tactics (and with this delusional and entitled fanbase nonetheless - some who absurdly want him out after 4 years of clear improvement over the past 20 years) get a clue.  Harbaugh is the best thing for UM football and it means more to him to get them over the top than any of you vitriolic spewing morons.  How long did it take Dabo to get Clemson to this point? - And we sure as hell know he can cut corners that Harbaugh can't.   

Harbaugh can easily walk back to the NFL as a top 5 coach and not have to deal with our shit, delusional fanbase, or media just waiting for his every misstep or failure.  Just be happy he has stuck around to get us to where we are, including this great incoming recruiting class....Oh, and he's done it without cutting corners, keeping some semblance of the student-athlete experience about which we all like to boast, unlike the Bama's and OSU's of the world running farcical university experiences to poor mask what are NFL football factories.

If you wish to share tactical, coaching, schematic or talent critiques, I think this board is fair and open to it.  If you just want to spew UNACCEPTABLE, I AM ENTITLED TO MOAR WINS! - go fuck off.  You aren't entitled to shit.

[edit: mgowill] Probably best to lock this now since it seems to be going in circles.
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Harbaugh

You Only Live Twice

January 1st, 2019 at 12:55 PM ^

In 2017, Clemson's class was 16th, with two 5 star commits.  In 2018, they pulled in five 5 stars.

2019, two 5 star - and their class is still ranked higher than ours.  

Now, going back to the Carr years, in the early 2000s Alabama was caught cheating and was on the verge of receiving the death penalty.  This isn't Michigan fans falsely claiming they were cheating; they were caught and by all accounts, including Bama insiders... should have gotten the axe. It's entirely possible other schools might have picked up some NFL talent that might otherwise have gone there - I'd have to research to find out and no time for that today.

Joined: 09/14/2013

MGoPoints: 9615

Optimism Attache

January 1st, 2019 at 7:55 AM ^

Sure, we have a program with actual principles and a moral compass, especially compared to those guys.

But let me voice an unpopular view: Michigan probably also has bag men. I don't think it's necessarily the black and white difference wrt recruiting that you make it out to be. 

Joined: 09/13/2011

MGoPoints: 23980

Frank Chuck

January 1st, 2019 at 9:20 AM ^

This response is hilarious.

OP fails to recognize his own cognitive dissonance.

 

On the one hand, he makes a case for why Harbaugh is a top-5 coach. But in the OP, he tells fans that the fans are spoiled/entitled for expecting a supposed top-5 coach to deliver top-5 results despite being the 3rd highest paid coach in football.


I'm going to go ahead and assume OP doesn't excel at logic.

 

That said, I think Harbaugh can learn from Dabo Swinney.

Swinney's program changed with 3 things:

1. 2011; hiring an elite OC in Chad Morris (Clemson has built upon the system he implemented)

2. 2012; hiring an elite DC in Brent Venables

3. Getting an elite QB in Deshaun Watson which elevated the program to true national championship contention. (Tajh Boyd was very good but he lacked Watson's intangibles.)


The best leaders know what they don't know. Hence, they hire people to fill those voids.

Harbaugh hired Don Brown who has delivered mixed results - dominant against overmatched teams but bad outcomes against elite offenses. Brown needs to mix in some zone.

Harbaugh needs to take the next step and adapt the offense. (He's actually done a lot of little spread-ish things (beyond zone read) that have sometimes gone unnoticed but that's another sub-topic.)

Harbaugh needs to unleash the QBs. He should expect more from his QBs.
Shea freaking Patterson not getting to 3,500+ yards and 30+ passing TDs with 2-3 future NFL WRs (DPJ, Nico Collins, and Tarik Black) and a capable (future NFL?) TE in Zach Gentry is an indictment on how behind we are on offense.

Joined: 05/01/2015

MGoPoints: 15858

wolve1972

January 1st, 2019 at 9:41 AM ^

I agree 100% about Meyer and Saban not being NFL coaches. In fact, Meyer has stated so on several occasions. But here's the part that's escaping you: they're both HOF COLLEGE coaches. And the last time I checked, UM was college and not part of the NFL.

And everybody else cheats to get to the top ? OK

Joined: 12/07/2018

MGoPoints: 6789

wolve1972

January 1st, 2019 at 10:22 AM ^

Yep. Why is it so hard for some to understand that CF and the NFL are different games ?  Or maybe they do and just don't want to admit it. Dealing with college kids versus steroid infested grown men that don't want to hear BS are totally different situations

Joined: 12/07/2018

MGoPoints: 6789

The Truth Hurts

January 1st, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^

Is Michigan really playing school these days?  With all the transfers, I can't keep track of who graduated and who didnt.  We have to get rid of 10 more kids to accommodate the incoming signings.  Also, besides 1997, when have we been an elite team?   Besides 1997, what big games have we  really won? 

Joined: 03/30/2011

MGoPoints: 3598

SysMark

January 1st, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^

Didn't love your initial rant but pretty much agree with you here.  Clemson and Bama are winning by pushing (breaking) the rules...not via better coaching.  Saban showed what he could do on a level playing field in the NFL.  Harbaugh showed he can win anywhere, with superior coaching.  This will happen...just hang in there.

Joined: 11/15/2008

MGoPoints: 21734

CHUKA

January 1st, 2019 at 10:23 AM ^

He has done nothing to prove he is a top 5 COLLEGE coach. You guys can bring in NFL stats and what not but that is not relevant to what is occurring now. A top 5 college coach (ex. Saban, Meyer, Fisher) would have us winning by now, especially given the resources we can provide. Solid coach, not great coach - probably the best we can get though for years to come honestly.

Joined: 10/22/2016

MGoPoints: 1082

Northfielder

January 1st, 2019 at 11:35 AM ^

Sure are a lot of 3 and 4 month trolls on here.

Another of Maizen's accounts? JPC, Dayton, WolverineRxblue? All unhappy little campers.

Please go to Red Cedar or 11 Warriors and clutter their blogs with your ramblings. You all would fit in nicely with that crowd.

Joined: 05/19/2015

MGoPoints: 559

gustave ferbert

January 1st, 2019 at 7:09 AM ^

This post (was needed and I agree with it) demonstrates how much of a toxic fan base we are. The program is suffering from a cult of personality.  It takes a while for the program to get reestablished.  Unfortunately for us, it takes longer because of missteps on behalf of the administration. 

But when someone like Sam Webb has to go out and urge the fan base to stfu because we risk losing recruits because of our vitriol, or do our best to take to the blogosphere to demonize the coaching staff after a ten win season; then we are toxic.  It is reminiscent of the Nebraska years after Osborne left and the fan base ran Frank Solich out of town after a 9 win season.  That was some 15 years ago and they still haven't turned it around. 

Even after all of that, above everything else, it just makes us look bad.  It provides fodder for other fan bases to point at us and laugh.  

The temper tantrum the posters threw on this board yesterday because Don Brown MIGHT leave was ridiculous and embarrassing.  Not only are we not entitled to anything, I don't think we deserve what we have.  

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 46379

Dayton Blue

January 1st, 2019 at 7:22 AM ^

How do you defend the lackluster play calling?  Don’t you root for Michigan to do their best?  Do you think the play calling puts the team in a position to do their best?  Or do you think players read mgoblog and hang their heads?

The 10-3 record is great but how badly unprepared the team looks in losses is what fans (yes, FANS) complain about.  

Joined: 09/01/2018

MGoPoints: 3

Michigan Arrogance

January 1st, 2019 at 7:33 AM ^

No one's defending it. There are things to fix. Too many voice their feelings on the internet making them look like entitled babies (e.g., Superfan). How about instead we talk about what could be fixed and let the coaches fix them? That's what adults do instead of inventing uncreative nicknames for them, whining about acceptable performance on Twitter and eventually running them out of town.

 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 35515

EJG

January 1st, 2019 at 9:59 AM ^

How do you defend the lackluster play calling?  You call plays your players can execute.  I saw some new wrinkles against Florida.  What were the results?  Dropped passes, missed blocks, weak efforts to fight through arm tackles.  Execution sucked more than the play calling in the Peach Bowl.

Joined: 04/04/2011

MGoPoints: 1249

gustave ferbert

January 1st, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^

I don't defend the lackluster playcalling.  I understand JH's mindset.  You're fourth and four inches.  Bench Mason couldn't get 4 inches behind Onwenu?  With JBB in there it's a fait accompli. 

I also understand the difficulty of the need to alter the entire system because the defense is centered on one player (Bush) who is sitting out.  And Losing three contributors after the OSU game, all of a sudden there is a depth crisis.  We win against FSU in the orange if Peppers plays. 

But you're missing my point.  My point is that the reaction from the fanbase is so toxic that some very excellent members of the program probably don't appreciate the lack of support.  And they are likely to move on.  

In the spring I'm very harsh on the softball team.  The softball fans idolize Carol H.  They will probably fund a statue when she retires.  They chew me out every time I point out that they don't beat Florida, or blow a conference championship, or field one of the best teams in memory and botch the college world series.  I'm that critical for a reason.  I attempt to mirror fan base's behavior when it comes to the football team on to another successful program. 

However we treat arguably one of the best coaches in ALL of football, not just college like shit. . .Imagine what this program would be like if we channeled our passions into support rather than criticism?  An emotional Jon Falk on Sam Webb's radio show was saying the morning JH was hired.  That finally when other teams come into Michigan stadium, they are going to be going up against all of Wolverine Nation.  No factions, no one who is butthurt because this coach (English) didn't get picked or that coach (Miles). 

For if we don't this program is going to just wallow in mediocrity while we get lapped by Scott Frost.  And it will be another 10 years before we accomplish anything substantial.  I'm sorry but 15 years since a B1G championship has been long enough.  

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 46379

Maize and Luke

January 1st, 2019 at 8:19 AM ^

How about this, stop telling fans how they should fan. You are not special. This hot take of yours is not unique. Thanks for......nothing.

Joined: 01/19/2014

MGoPoints: 9080

cobra14

January 1st, 2019 at 8:25 AM ^

First Harbaugh will not be a top 5 coach in the NFL because the NFL is changing and he will be behind just like he is in CFB. I almost wish he would go back to prove to everyone how behind the guy really is.

Second I don’t understand people like OP and their thinking. They strive for the norm. It’s hard to argue with people like this. Because Jim is better than the dog shit before him the argument is “it could be worse” Sorry to me that’s negative thinking disguised in positive spin. Everything can always be better. That’s what the process is about. And he has had 4 years of this process to do a lot of head scratching things. 

I don’t want him fired but guy is on thin ice with one year to fix it imo before fans and players are completely done with him and his weirdness. 

Joined: 05/16/2012

MGoPoints: 8448

cobra14

January 1st, 2019 at 9:10 AM ^

Hahahahaha. Did you watch any games in San Fran? RPO’s hahaha. You just proved you have no idea what an RPO is. PA is not RPO. Do some homework before you try to insult. 

 

Some of you clowns think its an RPO immediately when QB puts ball into RBs stomach and pulls. Here is a hint it isn’t 

 

Joined: 05/16/2012

MGoPoints: 8448

KennyHiggins

January 1st, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^

Pretty well said, IMO.  I know we should expect over-the-top negativity on a blog, but as Michigan alums, with the benefit of intelligence and perspective, we should all aspire to be better.

Joined: 12/03/2016

MGoPoints: 12486

SalvatoreQuattro

January 1st, 2019 at 8:48 AM ^

Michigan has underachieved under Harbaugh. That is undeniable.

I say this as a huge Harbaugh fan. He is the first Michigan  QB I can remember watching. One of my first and favorite memories is watching Harbaugh raise his hands to his head and claim he can't  hear in order to draw a penalty  while playing at Wisconsin in 1986. I distinctly remember my dad saying how smart that was.

So it pains me to have doubts creep into my brain about Harbaugh at Michigan.

 

Starting with 2015 OSU UM under Harbaugh has shown a disturbing tendency to collapse in the second half of games. 2017 PSU, 2017 Wisconsin, 2017 OSU, 2017 South Carolina, 2018 OSU, and 2018 Florida. Michigan fell apart in these games. 

 

Then there is the collapses at the end of the season starting with 2016.  Three losses in four games in 2016(Iowa, OSU, and FSU); three straight defeats to end 2017(Wisky, OSU, and South Carolina); two straight defeats this year(OSU, UF). 

Michigan doesn't finish. In fact, it seems they get weaker as the season progresses which is at odds as to how Harbaugh's teams performed at Stanford and with the 49ers. Michigan appears to be mentally weak. They don't respond well to adversity which is odd when the HC used to be called "Captain Comeback".  

UM's offensive issues can be fixed if Harbaugh goes out and hires a top flight OC to run it. The offense needs a single voice, not a chorus. I believe much of UM's issues on offense stem from  too many cooks in the kitchen. I sincerely hope Harbaugh can humble himself to do this. Otherwise the offense and the program will continue to stuck in neutral.

 

Joined: 11/30/2010

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