Who will/should be permanent captains?

Submitted by Magnus on

The permanent captains for the 2009 season will be announced tomorrow. Who do you think they should be? They're probably all seniors, so that narrows it down.

My guesses:

Ortmann - He's always a team spokesperson, so it only seems natural that he would be a captain.

Graham - Obviously.

Moosman - He's sucked it up and played center when it's obviously been difficult for him. He was a good guard.

Steve Brown - The guy persevered through four years, but he always seemed to have a smile on his face, even when everyone was all over his back for his safety play. Then he was open to switching positions and has been one of our best defensive players this year.

This leaves Minor, Carlos Brown, Grady, and Mathews out in the cold. As much as I love Minor, I think he had some attitude issues at various times, especially when McGuffie was playing ahead of him last year. When it comes to the games, he's a warrior, but I'm not sure if that shows in the locker room.

Discuss.

Raback Omaba

November 18th, 2009 at 10:11 PM ^

Except on the Minor thing. He's been solid. I think the McGuffie thing happened because he was injured, no real sour grapes from Brandon.

Brandon Graham gets to be the captain of the captains.

Magnus

November 18th, 2009 at 10:34 PM ^

Last year I remember him being asked something like, "What do you think about coming off the bench?" or "Why have you been coming off the bench?" and he responded with, "I don't know. You're going to have to ask the coaches."

Maybe that was just him being his quiet self, but whenever anyone says "Ask the coaches," it seems to hint at the existence of tension. Or maybe he was just frustrated because of the wrist injury.

Anyway, if he's named captain, good for him. Personally, when I see him run the ball and block, it makes me want to get out there on the football field and fuck. Shit. Up. Even though I'm old and would probably break.

jtmc33

November 18th, 2009 at 10:25 PM ^

Those three for sure.. I"d add Moosman as the fourth.

Would love to see Savoy get the nod for the fact that he stayed for 5 years, graduated, played little but never transferred when the door was open. A nod by the coaching staff for dedication to the team and University... no matter your contribution on the field.

PurpleStuff

November 18th, 2009 at 10:13 PM ^

Any idea how many they will have? Your guesses are as good as anybody (I think Graham and Stevie Brown should be locks). There are a lot of great people in this small senior class. Really hope they get a chance to go out on top Saturday.

MH20

November 18th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^

I agree wholeheartedly with Graham, S Brown, and Ortmann. Not sure on Moosman, my guess is either Minor or C Brown for the 4th spot. Probably Minor.

TESOE

November 19th, 2009 at 2:16 AM ^

When you go through football practices like Michigan demands, devote hours to a playbook, feel the Sunday pains...it's important to the players. I don't think you would hear "I could care less." from a single player.

RR has changed this up, probably for the better, though I don't think this should be reserved strictly for Seniors - nor has it by tradition. A leader is a leader regardless of class.

I think as you get older it's more important as a fan. I have spent hours reading about some of these guys. Some of these names bring back some serious nostalgia from childhood. Leadership makes a huge difference on the field as well. It's important to honor those who other players looked up to. Andy Moeller was no All American but a team captain and leader. Others carried other honors along the way. My two lifetime faves are Don Dufek and Ron Simpkins (simply the best).

Some of these names...it's excellent company. A huge honor...and I have to say important.

1879 David N. DeTar
1880 John Chase
1881 Walter Horton
1882 William J. Olcott
1883 William J. Olcott
1884 Horace Prettyman
1885 Horace Prettyman
1886 Horace Prettyman
1887 John L. Duffy
1888 James E. Duffy
1889 Edgar McPherran
1890 William C. Malley
1891 James Van Inwagen
1892 George B. Dygert
1893 George B. Dygert
1894 James Baird
1895 Fred Henninger
1896 Henry M. Senter
1897 James R. Hogg
1898 John W. Bennett
1899 Allen Steckle
1900 Neil Snow
1901 Hugh White
1902 Harrison "Boss" Weeks
1903 Curtis Redden
1904 William M. Heston
1905 Fred S. Norcross
1906 John S. Curtis
1907 Paul Magoffin
1908 Adolph "Germany" Schulz
1909 David W. Allerdice
1910 Albert W. Benbrook
1911 Fred L.Conklin
1912 George C. Thomson
1913 George Paterson
1914 James W. Raynsford
1915 William D. Cochran
1916 John Maulbetsch
1917 Cedric C. Smith
1918 Elton E. "Tad" Wieman
1919 Angus Goetz
1920 Angus Goetz
1921 Robert L. Dunne
1922 Paul L. Goebel
1923 Harry G. Kipke
1924 Herbert F. Steger
1925 Robert Brown
1926 Benny Friedman
1927 Bennie G. Oosterbaan
1928 George Rich
1929 Joe Truskowski
1930 James Simrall
1931 Roy Hudson
1932 Ivan Williamson
1933 Stanley Fay
1934 Thomas Austin
1935 William Renner
1936 Matt Patanelli
1937 Joe Rinaldi
1938 Fred Janke
1939 Archie Kodros
1940 Forest Evashevski
1941 Robert Westfall
1942 George Ceithaml
1943 Paul White
1944 Bob Wiese
1945 Joe Ponsetto
1946 Art Renner
1947 Bruce Hilkene
1948 Dominic Tomasi
1949 Alvin Wistert
1950 R. Allen Wahl
1951 William Putich
1952 Merritt Green
1953 Richard O'Shaughnessy
1954 Ted Cachey
1955 Ed Meads
1956 Tom Maentz
1957 Jime Orwig
1958 Joh Herrnstein
1959 George Genyk
1960 Gerald Smith
1961 George Mans
1962 Bob Brown
1963 Joe O'Donnell
1964 Jim Conley
1965 Tom Cecchini
1966 Jack Clancy
1967 Joe Dayton
1968 Ron Johnson
1969 Jim Mandich
1970 Don Moorhead
Henry Hill
1971 Frank Gusich
Guy Murdock
1972 Tom Coyle
Randy Logan
1973 David Gallagher
Paul Seal
1974 David Brown
Dennis Franklin
1975 Don Dufek
Kirk Lewis
1976 Kirk Lewis
Rob Lytle
Calvin O'Neal
1977 Dwight Hicks
Walt Downing
1978 Russell Davis
Jerry Meter
1979 John Arbeznik
Ron Simpkins
1980 Andy Canavino
George Lilja
1981 Kurt Becker
Robert Thompson
1982 Anthony Carter
Paul Girgash
Robert Thompson
1983 Stefan Humphries
John Lott
1984 Doug James
Mike Mallory
1985 Brad Cochran
Eric Kattus
Mike Mallory
1986 Jim Harbaugh
Andy Moeller
1987 Jamie Morris
Doug Mallory
1988 Mark Messner
Jon Vitale
1989 J.J. Grant
Derrick Walker
1990 Jarrod Bunch
John Milligan
1991 Erick Anderson
Greg Skrepenek
1992 Corwin Brown
Chris Hutchinson
Elvis Grbac
1993 Buster Stanley
Ricky Powers
1994 Steve Morrison
Walter Smith
1995 Jarrett Irons
Joe Marinaro
1996 Jarrett Irons
Rod Payne
1997 Jon Jansen
Eric Mayes
1998 Jon Jansen
Juaquin Feazell
1999 Tom Brady
Steve Hutchinson
Rob Renes
2000 Steve Hutchinson
Anthony Thomas
James Whitley
Eric Wilson
2001 Eric Brackins
Shawn Thompson
2002 Bennie Joppru
Victor Hobson
2003 Grant Bowman
Carl Diggs
John Navarre
2004 David Baas
Marlin Jackson
2005 Jason Avant
Pat Massey
2006 LaMarr Woodley
Jake Long
2007 Jake Long
Mike Hart
2008 Mike Massey
Tim Jamison
Will Johnson
Terrance Taylor

Forgive me...I love Michigan...because I went to school there...because it's Michigan... (even if we don't go to a bowl game). Beat Ohio State!

maizenbluedevil

November 18th, 2009 at 11:25 PM ^

So it's 4? I was wondering about that.

- Graham
- Mesko
- Minor
- Moosman

Those are my guesses.

I mentioned in response to Brian's blog post, and I'll repeat it here, I wouldn't be surprised to see Stevie Brown. I flat out admire the kid for persevering, bouncing back, and becoming one of our stars on D. I don't know if he's a vocal leader, but his actions speak volumes.

BrayBray1

November 19th, 2009 at 12:18 AM ^

after everythings he's been through, he has made quite a turnaround and has had a big impact on D. BG and Zoltan are locks.
Then to round it out I'd have to go with Minor- Yes, he's had the injury bug, but he stuck with the team through thick and thin and has really played his heart out, all while dishing out pain to opposing team's Defenses.

TESOE

November 19th, 2009 at 2:30 AM ^

Leaders lead, and when they don't play you know it. Seniors don't have a right to this honor.

Minor was a serious mouthful for Tate all year, scolding, cajoling and leading.

Damn I wish Mesko had made a first down on that fake (aborted) punt.

This season went by so fast. I love this team. They had heart at times that seemed enough to win it all. I truly feel there is a core in Mike Martin and Dave Molk to build a championship on.

Let's be serious though... BG is "the" Captain. Let's just have one this year.

chitownblue2

November 19th, 2009 at 8:45 AM ^

I don't mean to belittle this, but...what's the point of appointing "permanent captains" the day of the final game (or second to last, if we win)? I'm sure it matters something to the players, as an honor, but they're going to get to be captains for a game...just like, you know - the "game captains".

ThWard

November 19th, 2009 at 11:24 AM ^

At first blush, I agree, but I think the point is buried in your post - "I'm sure it matters something to the players" - I think it clearly does... in some ways, it's a hell of an honor for the players to say, mostly after the fact, that the team considers you to have been the captains - i.e., the players selected acted as captains without the fancy title, or without the sense of obligation by the title... they just were.

edit: if you can understand what I was getting at, despite horrible syntax, kudos.

Magnus

November 19th, 2009 at 8:54 AM ^

I agree somewhat, although these four guys will be the ones who have their names go down in the "history books" as captains. They'll be on plaques and in the media guide and such.

jblaze

November 19th, 2009 at 11:54 AM ^

I don't know how these guys act in the locker room, but I would vote for Kevin Grady. That kid was a 5* guy who never really played, switched positions to FB, seems to get praise in practice, overcame adversity (missed 1 year due to injury, DUI...) and embodies how a player should play.

I love his resilience and never-complain attitude.

Magnus

November 19th, 2009 at 11:57 AM ^

I think naming Kevin Grady captain would send a bad message. He's had too many off-the-field issues to be captain material, in my opinion. I would be very surprised if he gets named as one of the four.