Braylon1

November 19th, 2009 at 1:44 AM ^

Jamie said what matters, that he supports Michigan and its current coach. I couldn't help but get the feeling by his tone that he expected at least a bowl game out of Michigan this year. Who can blame him? He's not taking an outright pro or anti RR stance by any means, but I can sense that he wants and expects more out of Michigan and very soon.

Joined: 02/02/2009

MGoPoints: 471

PurpleStuff

November 19th, 2009 at 1:48 AM ^

A college teammate of Jim Harbaugh said nice things about Jim Harbaugh. This is amazing. Stop posting this nonsense. Everybody gets that you don't like Rodriguez but he isn't going anywhere. Feel free to climb back on the bandwagon in a few years. Until then, shut up with the Harbaugh love-fest. You are acting like a douche.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

bouje

November 19th, 2009 at 3:45 AM ^

And Morris comments are actually very surprising considering that when he last spoke out was when Harbaugh took a run at Michigan. He said something to the effect of "We aren't friends anymore I told him to lose my number". So yes this actually really did suprirse me. But yes Tom Hagen does have an agenda.

Joined: 09/30/2008

MGoPoints: 4705

tomhagan

November 19th, 2009 at 4:09 AM ^

ohh..purplestuff...another personal attack because you happen to disagree with a person's point of view here. Well damn... all I do is post facts and interesting counterpoints to the kool-aid crowd. Calling someone who simply does that, a "douchebag"...well, that would be pretty Buckeye like of you to just jump to insults. And damn...well being Buckeye-like is the worst insult that you could possibly do to yourself. lol.. :) PS: Bouje...agendas aside...we both know what you did to me prior to this, simply because you did not agree with my point of view...so yeah, does this puts you in the narrow minded buckeye type category? probably... we know what your angle is and how you attack those that you disagree with, without hearing them out first. Sad really. Short sighted and simple minded yes. ** Both of you are indicative of a huge problem with many posters here: You retort to things that you do not agree with, with Insults...rather than sound rebuttals based in facts. You stoop to the lowest common denominator to try to make your point and belittle those that you disagree with. You guys, The other Brian, Magnus, that 1244 guy and others... are simply selling your own intellectual capabilities short (IM making a huge assumption in stating this btw) by jumping to Insults rather than actually engaging in a solid debate as to WHY you disagee with me and WHY your Rich Rod Kool-aid tastes so good to you. Well...Im still waiting for someone....anyone... to tell me exactly what they see in the 08 and 09 Michigan teams (setting possible NCAA infractions, and RR's personal lawsuits and issues aside for this moment) to show proof of solid progress. What do you see on offense, defense, coaching, sideline meltdowns aside, recruiting etc. that could possibly tell anyone that "RR is getting his system in place" etc. blah blah blah... Well....let's hear it!!!! Come On fellas....bring it on... However before you do...I suggest that you place the scope of your comments on Big Ten play...aka Del. State stats need to be tossed out... why can't RR match up even remotely competively in the Big Ten???? crickets. crickets.

Joined: 08/30/2008

MGoPoints: 105

chitownblue2

November 19th, 2009 at 8:49 AM ^

Tom, you understand that what you present are opinions, not facts, right? Virtually nothing you present is a "fact". And you're surprisingly touchy about people insulting you when you insist on referring to everyone as "kool-aid drinkers" or whatever, and call them "Buckeye-lovers". The fact that this is an insult to you, I may add, is telling. OH NOES THEYS EVIL BECAWZ THE RUTE FOR A DIFFERENT FOOTBALLZ TEAM!!!

Joined: 06/03/2009

MGoPoints: 7178

PurpleStuff

November 19th, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^

I could care less about your idiotic opinion. You are a douche because you have filled this, a Michigan sports message board, with three board threads about the head coach at Stanford during the week of this team's biggest rivalry game. And to show why all this Harbaugh talk is just plain silly, let's compare his resume as a Division 1 coach to the one of the guy we currently have coaching the team. Harbaugh: 16-18 record. 0 bowl invitations (though he will get one this year). 0 bowl wins. 0 BCS bowl invitations. 0 BCS bowl wins. Rich Rodriguez: 68-41 record. 6 bowl invitations. 3 bowl wins. 2 BCS bowl invitations. 2 BCS bowl wins (even if you don't think the 2008 Fiesta Bowl counts, he still has one). You don't have to be drinking Kool-Aid to pick the guy with the second resume. You just have to have a brain. Rich Rodriguez turned WVU into a national powerhouse. Harbaugh has essentially won two games in a row at a school that Ty Willingham took to the Rose Bowl. The progress of this team (an offense that has scored 100 more points in one fewer game than last year's team, 5>3, highly rated recruiting classes, abundance of talent in freshman class, etc.), and the rational explanation for their struggles (lack of talent/experience/depth compared to competition) have all been posted on this board ad nauseum. If you refuse to recognize those facts, then all you are doing is whining because you wish the team was doing better. All of us wish the team was doing better, but those of us who know anything about football can clearly see why the team is struggling and why there are abundant grounds for optimism about the team's performance in the not too distant future.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

tomhagan

November 19th, 2009 at 4:02 AM ^

Btw... an interesting point was made during the halftime of the CMU / Ball St. game tonight....I forget the analysts name but he is always very insightful...what he said about Harbaugh was: "Instead of spreading the field and trying to out-speed other teams, which he could not do...he worked with his talent at Stanford and brought them in close to play smash-mouth physical football which suited their style and athleticism. He did not try to out speed teams that he would simply not be able to do, but he worked within the framework of what he had and maximized their ability..." wow...imagine a coach who is willing to put aside his ego to do that.... that is excellent coaching folks.

Joined: 08/30/2008

MGoPoints: 105

griesecheeks

November 19th, 2009 at 6:42 AM ^

i don't necessarily disagree with you on all points, but to suggest that Rich would be a better coach if he changed his coaching philosophy (a la this Harbaugh analyis)... well, i just don't think that would work. Rich Rodriguez, it is quite clear, will live and die by the spread. He is synonymous with it. Would you really want him trying to throw together a smash-mouth offense without any experience running it? hell no. i'd say, prior to coming here, he's done enough to prove he can make his system work when he gets his kind of players in there. now, whether it's going to take root at Michigan... that part is still unknown. we've definitely seen offensive progress this year. the concerning thing is the defense. we need to know what RR's plan is for defense. Offensively, we should be in a GREAT position next fall. Assuming some continuity among the skill guys (and please god may guys stop transferring), I would expect: 1. Tate to look far more polished next fall. 2. Roy Roundtree has established himself as a favorite target. 3. The O-Line should be quite experienced and ready to go. 4. Vince Smith & Mike Shaw should be fine replacing Brown & Minor. 5. Denard will either get much better as a passer and maintain his package as a QB, or they'll find another way to involve him in the offense. I think, though, that as long as the defense remains this vulnerable and void of talent, we're going to be locked in a minimum 3-loss holding pattern.

Joined: 09/06/2008

MGoPoints: 643

blueheron

November 19th, 2009 at 9:35 AM ^

I like to imagine the UMich fan base as anything but whiny and high-maintenance. Oh, well... "... which suited their style and athleticism..." I suppose you could tell us all what RichRod should have done with future NFL Pro Bowler Steven Threet at the helm last year. Which style would have gotten the team 8 wins? C'mon...

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30561

Frank Drebin

November 19th, 2009 at 11:27 AM ^

I don't think Harbaugh had to put aside his ego to run the type of offense that he runs, a pro style. Harbaugh wasn't planning on running the spread, and he hasn't run it in the past. He didn't have to put his ego aside to run the offense he prefers. What benefit would RRod have running an offense that meets the skill set for two years just to change it once he has recruited the players he wants and then confuse the hell out of everyone by implementing his preferred offense. It doesn't make sense. You are simply presenting the same argument as everyone that said we should have kept Mallet and run a pro-style just to win 7 games last year. That would have only set us back this year, or next, or whenever we would have let the inventor of the spread run his offense. Michigan wanted to change its offense to a modern offense, and it just takes time. If you can't be patient, that is fine, but comparing Harbaugh's situation to Rich's is ridiculous, because neither was working with the same situation or attempting to accomplish the same goals.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1514

chitownblue2

November 19th, 2009 at 12:09 PM ^

Harbaugh always ran a pro-style offense. He did in Oakland, he did at San Diego, and he also did at Stanford. Walt Harris also ran a pro-style offense. So Harbaugh didn't "adapt" - he just happened come into a situation where his offense was similar to his predecessor.

Joined: 06/03/2009

MGoPoints: 7178

physics guy

November 19th, 2009 at 5:44 AM ^

There is no denying that there is not a whole lot to be seen in the team's peformance last year to this year to suggest great progress (although scoring is certainly up even if you throw out the DSU stats). But that does not mean that it's time for the coach to go. You simply cannot hire a coach, ask him to change a culture that has been rooted in the ground for 40 years, and expect fantastic results in 2 years. I think someone else on this board pointed out the case of Wannstedt at Pitt. His first couple of years were a laughingstock. I doubt there are too many Panther fans now calling for his head. We have to let this play out for another year or two. Making a change now for the latest hot commodity could send this program into a decade-long tailspin. Do you really think Harbaugh or any other successful coach would want to come here after the last guy was just thrown out after barely two years? RR may be the man, or he may not, but he has to be given his four years to prove it one way or the other.

Joined: 09/25/2009

MGoPoints: 35

mmp

November 19th, 2009 at 7:48 AM ^

I think you only keep him for the third year and beyond if you feel he can get the job done. Being dead last in the Big Ten is not the definition of getting the job done. If not for a gift INT in the Indiana game we could have been facing a season of ZERO Big Ten wins. I think he is a good coach, but we need and deserve a great coach. Is Harbaugh a great coach, I think its a little early to tell, but he is on the path. I have always harbored doubts that WVU rise to the top of the Big East was greatly facilitated by the top three teams in that league leaving. The offense has made some baby steps along the lines of making more third downs, but the D has been atrocious, and will be losing two and possibly three of its top players next year. If they keep RR, it may be tough to pull out the 7-8 wins he will need to calm the fan-base down to secure a fourth year, unless there is a watershed moment for the D. They can all help their cause this Saturday and make this argument moot. Go Blue!!!!!

Joined: 08/04/2009

MGoPoints: 141

MWW6T7

November 19th, 2009 at 8:29 AM ^

Tom Hagan I do disagree with you but if your oppinion is different than mine I am fine with that. That is what this blog is for. The problem I have is the way you present it. You come off as an arrogant jerk who simply thinks that what he says is the only truth or opinion that is significant. It is almost trollish the way you present it. For the most part, everyone here is trying to stand behind this team and staff. If you are not happy, that is your right, but every time you post it is something negative. If you want to support the team then get behind them and deal with what we have instead of constantly wishing for something different. "You are not what your mgopoints say you are" - ME Hope your day gets better!

Joined: 09/15/2009

MGoPoints: 1671

MichMike86

November 19th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^

"The problem I have is the way you present it. You come off as an arrogant jerk who simply thinks that what he says is the only truth or opinion that is significant. It is almost trollish the way you present it." Can't that be said for the people who defend RR?

Joined: 08/04/2009

MGoPoints: -1424

mgoblahhh

November 19th, 2009 at 8:42 AM ^

The only part of the interview that is concerning is the part where he talks about playing hard and letting the chips fall. He does not think the team is playing as hard as they can, I hope RR has not lost the team. If he has lost the team it could explain the second half meltdowns.

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 209

Huntington Wolverine

November 19th, 2009 at 10:17 AM ^

I think there are two factors that can make it seem like the team is playing hard: 1) Playing slow because of uncertainty and inexperience in new schemes 2) Being young which accentuates the first and contributes to a lack of "mental toughness" which makes it hard to play with swagger when the chips are down

Joined: 10/26/2009

MGoPoints: 2588

jblaze

November 19th, 2009 at 8:48 AM ^

Just like Les Miles was exactly 2 years ago. Jamie Morris goes from never talking to Harbaugh because of his comments about Bo and M, to calling him Jimmy. That is annoying. In sum, he doesn't really say anything in that interview.

Joined: 08/29/2008

MGoPoints: 19232

Don

November 19th, 2009 at 8:57 AM ^

That Morris interview was revealing. It's a textbook example of damning with faint praise, wrt to RR. Given his past statements about Harbaugh, I'm surprised he was as positive as he was. Given Harbaugh's smear of the program's academic integrity under Bo, and given his statements that Stanford was his dream job and the place he feels at home and the place he always wanted to be etc etc etc I think there is a near-zero chance he will ever be HC at Michigan. I think RR will eventually get his team into a NC game. Just not sure it will be as HC of Michigan.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148237

blueheron

November 19th, 2009 at 9:38 AM ^

I've seen interviews with Jamie and been left with (sorry) the impression that he's a popular former player that lacks substance. I'd never expect anything amazing from him. Tom Goss lite, maybe. Additionally, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that his mindset (on RichRod) is Old Blue-ish.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30561