Predictions on who will wear the vacant Legends numbers? (#11 & #21)
Kind of talked about it a little yesterday.
My picks for who will wear the vacant Legends numbers are Chesson for #21 and Countess for #11.
The only reason I think they'd give Chesson #21 is because he's the only true receiver to have any significant playing time. This year is interesting because this is the first year we don't have a clear choice for #21 unlike 2012 and 2013.
Something I don't see happening but would make sense would be for Funchess to change from #87 to #21 since he is pretty much all but listed as a receiver, and Butt to get #87 since he's a TE.
This would drive many people crazy who already can't keep up with the crazy amount of number changes, though.
Your picks?
I think it's a unique way to honor past players--certainly much better than, for example, a ring of honor painted inside or outside the stadium.
It also directly connects the players who wear the numbers and the team itself to the Michigan legacy. I've been in the football lockerroom a couple of times and those special lockers stand out as a reminder to UM's former legacy as much as the Team 135 signs.
I don't know about most fans, but I don't find it too difficult to keep up with the number changes. There's only been a handful of them to date--21 Jeremy Gallon & Roy Roundtree, 47 Jake Ryan, 48 Desmond Morgan, 11 Jordan Kovacs & Courtney Avery, 87 Brandon Moore & Devin Funchess, 98 Devin Gardner. It's not rocket science.
I suppose if anyone gets #21, it'll be a wide receiver and Chesson does make sense. Butt could be the heir apparent to #87 from Funchess because I doubt they're going to have DF change jerseys twice.
The Wistert Brothers were all offensive linemen, so that number's not likely to go there. I imagine it'll stay in the secondary.
One day in the future, we'll see #1, #21 and perhaps #98 all at the WR position with #47 and #48 at LB, #11 in the secondary and #87 at tight end. It'll then be so common place that we won't think twice about it--except to generate offseason discussion on who gets and/or deserves it for the next season.
This 100%.
I'm sure there were angry alums back when Crisler brought in the winged helmets and got rid of the black helmets with the white stripes on them.
The average Michigan fan probably had trouble naming the five retired numbers. I bet more than 75% can tell you the Legend numbers now and who they're honoring.
You really think that 75% of all fans can rattle off the "Legend" numbers, and who they're honoring? I doubt that 75% of MGoBloggers (a pretty extreme segment of the fanbase) could name the "Legend" numbers, and who they're honoring.
I've underestimated the scale of the bubble you live in. I say again, reality is out there if you look.
I have MGoPoints so I proclaim myself important MGoBlogger and representative of all MGoBloggers. So let's see here...
obviously 11 and 21...99?...47...48? But who they are for, I have no clue. Ford is one....Oosterbaan...Harmon....Wistert? Don't even ask me to try to match names to numbers
Which Mather? Jerry or Marshall?
You are exactly right about Denard. He is and will always be #16. I liked the idea someone posted a while ago about having one home game a year be designated a legends game where all the "legends" jerseys are worn by certain deserving upperclassmen.
Won't we look back in 20 years and say "Hey, remember when every good receiver we've had for two straight decades has had their number changed to #21?"
Imagine if we changed Denard to #7 for Michigan QB's. I'm glad he kept #16. Now #16 and Denard will always be associated. It's better that way
Do you have a problem remembering Braylon Edwards? After all, he did start his career with #80 before he got the #1 jersey. I would also add that he's also associated with that number by most Michigan fans as well. What about Jeremy Gallon or Roy Roundtree? Have you forgotten those two guys yet or will it take a couple of decades for that to happen?
The things that make those players memorable wasn't the number changes. It was their production on the field. If you say Braylon Edwards and Michgian State or Roy Roundtree/Jeremy Gallon and Notre Dame, then you have an immediate image of those players's feats in those game--and that doesn't tie into the number they wore at the time.
The distinction there is desire; I really hope both Gallon and Roundtree wanted the jersey, similar to Devin, Kovacs, Avery, etc. There weren't any problems originally, since Hemingway was already wearing 21. It's when guys start changing, every season sometimes, that I can see problems. Gallon in particular didn't look very thrilled with it, despite saying all the right things. That's the biggest difference with Braylon; Braylon lobbied HARD for the 1, and even had to wait a year and prove himself to get it. If a guy feels that way about one of the legends jerseys, I'm 100% behind it. But if you're forcing it on someone just so it's out there every year, that's what I (and I'd presume a number of those less enthusiastic about them) have issues with.
Great players are often associated with their number. Braylon is 1, Woodson 2, Desmond 21, Denard 16, Mike Hart 20, Jake Long 77. It'll be a shame when our list goes Braylon 21, Woodson 21, Desmond 21, Denard 21, Mike Hart 21, Jake Long 21, etc.
Obviously those guys aren't all receivers so that wouldn't happen but my point is why force everyone to take the same numbers over and over again? I love that players can forever associate themselves with a number in our minds
It is undebateable as to which player made the #1 jersey special at UM. I am surprised any UM fan was unaware of this, doubly so for poster who associated it with Braylon first because he's a site member, therefore, should have a much keener knowledge of UM football. It was he -Braylon- who wanted the #1 jersey, not to make it special, but because it already was. No doubting he had a great career here but had AC been at UM after we adopted the pro-style offense his staggering numbers may have been even greater. There are a few other reasons this jersey will always be his, no matter the size of endowment extended by Braylon. He never dropped a catchable ball that I can recall and he also was one of the greatest return men in UM history. Considering the number of times we threw the ball during his time here, his cumullative average, scoring a TD every fourth time he touched the ball, pulling what is now referred to as a "Forcier" on another ND defender, etc. becomes even more remarkable.
And as an aside, I dislike the conditions that Braylon placed on who should be worthy of wearing the number as if he owned it and had every right to lay down the terms associated with having the honor of wearing it. It contradicts the true meaning of The Team, The Team, The Team and it's my contention this was his true purpose all along, so some fans like the one you referred to would actually do what he did and mistakenly honor the wrong player.
I think it was a nice idea to bring back these numbers. Sadly, the players who had worn them were mostly forgotten and this brought some well deserved attention to their legacies. Going forward, I'd just as soon see them awarded like any other numbers. Let them go to freshmen unless an upperclassman asks to switch. I'd make an exception for 98. One or two earned jerseys should be enough.
I think they should give Braylon #11. Gotta motivate that guy.
Well you're on the biggest Michigan sports blog on the interweb so odds are a lot of people on here care
You even talked about how you're buds with Peppers on Twitter.
It's been talked to death.
That was about him getting #2.
The #21 is a bigger question since there are no clear candidates and the numbers are given out yearly.
But all of those were discussed as well...you even made the now famous GUARANTEE that Countess or Taylor would wear #11.
I made the counterpoint that Wilson could easily wear it as Kovacs and Avery were the last two to have it and they were both safeties. Not saying he will, but it certianly puts a crimp in any guarantee. Because it would make perfect sense if Wilson did.
As for 21, clearly it'll be Chesson or Funchess and Butt would get Funchess' legacy # if he switched.
They're the only two with experience. Flip a coin.
The Funchise gets #1
There seemed to be a #1 in the Peppers photo yesterday...but that could be someone just messin' w/ us.
Offseason kinda thread
Ugh. Yep.
This weather is such a tease. It's 60 degrees in SE Michigan. Has me wanting Football so bad and we're only in June.
I am not a fan of any of the crazy number changes except for the formerly coveted #1 jersey. I would perhaps agree to also having a coveted #2 jersey but that's it. If you want to honor the legends, a sticker or patch should do without all the changes. I would rather less time be devoted to this issue by the program and more go into other things tht are actually necessary for player and team development.
Thanks, Dave. Your new idea is working wonderfully.
I like legends jerseys, but I just think we have too many. At the rate we're giving them out, everyone on the team will have one.
Unless someone wins a Heisman, I doubt there will be anymore Legends inducted into the program.
Other than #21, every number was once retired.
Until #2 gets added.
/soon hopefully once all requirements are met
Indeed
#21 needs to have the ball in his hands!
Hoke says 'we're not sure yet' on Jabrill Peppers wearing No. 2
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) June 13, 2014
Hoke says Peppers may wear No. 5. Players have to earn No. 2.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) June 13, 2014
This "earning" business is garbage.
There will never be a set standard for every player...and if you wait until the player does something big, he may keep his own number.
Manningham wanted #1 coming in, after he had success in #86 he kept it. Not that it was offered, but when asked, he wasn't interested.
And earn it? Bullshit. JUSTIN TURNER had the number.
Sam McGuffie, Vince Smith, Shawn Crable, Cato June...all these guys wore #2 and didn't have to earn it.
We're just making shit up as we go along. You have to "earn" #2, but the player who made you come up with that isn't even a legends patch, lol.