Rodriguez assumes B. Smith is gone
Interesting comments from RR tonight.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, speaking tonight at the National Football Foundation/Detroit Free Press all-state banquet, where he was the guest speaker, said Smith might not be back. "I don't think his mother wants him (to)," Rodriguez said. "Because he wasn't in the last team meeting, I assume he's gone."On the bright side, he seems to indicate that the door for Cissoko may be open, as ever slight as it seems.
On dismissed cornerback Boubacar Cissoko's possible return to the team: "I think he'd like to. I know he has to do a lot of academic work to make sure he's eligible anyway."This is all from the Freep. Link is below if you're so inclined http://freep.com/article/20091216/SPORTS06/91216060/1054/Teammate-U-M-d…
December 16th, 2009 at 9:17 PM ^
Freep will follow this up with:
Rodriguez Disconnected from Players
And
Rodriguez Soft on Academics
December 16th, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^
Rodriguez claims Smith's mother wishes she had given her son up for adoption.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
Rosenberg's mother wishes she had given her son up for adoption.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:54 AM ^
I was hoping for a retroactive abortion.
I don't truly hate anyone, but for Rosenpuke, I am very close to making an exception. The freep's relative silence on the EL frat-bashing has me even more PO'd than what they did to UM did, because it confirms the paper's agenda.
I expect stuff like this on politics because opinions are subjective by definition, but I really can't understand why a paper would cover the two biggest instate universities with such a double standard. This is looking more and more like the TV commercial where two little girls are asked if they want a pony: one girl gets a toy pony and the other gets a real one.
Sadly, the other papers in the state aren't doing much better on the EL "troubles," but at least they didn't go out of their way to "expose" UM for things they didn't do. Basically, the double standard exists throughout the state, but the freep is the only paper that goes above and beyond the call of mere bias.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:22 AM ^
Oh, I forgot:
Rodriguez Gorges on Second Course at Banquet: Children of MSU Alumni Nationwide Starving
December 16th, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^
I actually almost like the scenario better where Smith leaves and Boubacar stays. I think Boobie has tons more potential, and keeping him and (fingers crossed) Warren would allow Woolfolk to slide back to safety along with whoever else (Turner,Emilien,Kovacs, Williams etc) takes the other safety spot. Although this is best case with Cissoko and Warren coming back, this would actually make me feel hopeful about our secondary next year.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:48 PM ^
If Cissoko and Warren both came back next year, the defensive backfield would be beyond deep and with tons of talent.
Most importantly, if those two were back there, most of the freshmen cornerbacks could go on the redshirt track.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:04 PM ^
warren, barring an un-forseen circumstance, is not coming back
December 16th, 2009 at 11:24 PM ^
Unfortunately, I know you're right.
For all the reasons I think you know you think.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:59 AM ^
Do you guys really see him going in the first round? If not, do you think he still makes the jump even if he is projected to go closer to where I think he would go (late 3rd round)?
December 17th, 2009 at 9:31 AM ^
dumb to enter the draft if scouts tell him that he is going to be a 3rd or later round draft pick. he is only going to get big money if he is picked in the first or second round, and he'll only be guaranteed to make a team if he goes in the first 3 rounds. but if does enter and then runs a piss poor 40 time at the combine he could even fall further down draft boards.
December 17th, 2009 at 11:12 AM ^
Personally, I do not see him going in the first round, because I believe a lot of high-level 3rd year players are going to make the jump (maybe 20-30 more than usual), and Warren's draft placement will fall accordingly.
Personally, I think he would be a very good pickup for a team in the 2nd round. I'm not sure he would go that high, however. Heck, Brandon Graham is most likely a 2nd rounder and he was otherworldly this year.
EDIT: Given the volume of defensive backs that Rich Rod is recruiting this year, I think he is planning on the fact that Warren will be gone. I think he's leaving as well, regardless of his draft position.
December 17th, 2009 at 12:54 PM ^
that is all.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:19 PM ^
"I think Boobie has tons more potential..."
Well, that quote could quite easily be taken out of context.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:06 AM ^
Like with the construction of the Big House, the builders had the foresight to anticipate the need/desire for expansion some time in the future.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:24 PM ^
..I also completely believe that any of these kids who want to walk out on a full ride to one of the top universities in the world should promptly be shown the door and forgotten about. Can we please have some perspective? Sometimes these discussions about recruits, transfers etc. can border on the ridiculous.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:32 AM ^
Consider we are dealing with young men aged 19-22 or so. Fickle times in a young person's life. I don't know about perspective, but I know I wouldn't want to tell a young man to give up on his dreams of playing football AND getting a degree to just ride pine, get blasted for four years in practice, but stick around because a Michigan degree might mean getting a better job when he's 35.
These young men have an opportunity to do what they love while in college--participating in sports, getting on the field, enjoying a little bit of limelight. If Brandon ends up as a starter for Rutgers, Bowling Green or GVSU and ENJOYS it--well, that's HIS perspective and that's just fine.
And to your other point--you don't just show them the door if they waver. That might cost you half your roster. A coach is a lot of things rolled into one, and one of the most important is being part of a kid's support network--maybe the ONLY part--and yeah, some kid from another part of the country might have many occasions to question himself. A coach can't toss these guys to the curb just because they go thrugh some down times.
December 17th, 2009 at 10:27 AM ^
If he works his butt off and makes it back onto the team it will show that mistakes can be overcome with persistance and hard work. Isn't part of a coach's job teaching these boys how to become men? If so, then I say bravo if he makes it back.
It's not like he spent the summer in jail or anything.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:25 PM ^
Brandon - I know you are probably not reading this. Football aside however, it would be in your best interest to get your UM degree and take advantage of everything it offers. I know many people who transferred out after their sophomore year who very much regret it. Think it over for your future young man. I cannot think of a finer place to be.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
Hopefully he makes the right decision for this future, but it is probably in his best interest to stay to get a degree. He can obviously transfer somewhere and get a perfectly fine degree, but Michigan has a lot to offer. Almost all collegiate athletes will leave college and then not go pro in their sport. He has to be focused on that.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:07 AM ^
the problem is college football(or should I say BCS) players do not think of it this way. They only think about football and how they can find ways to get more PT. If he wants to transfer, then fine with me because it's his prerogative to go somewhere where he can play S in college level.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:56 PM ^
i wonder if athletes realize how many doors a u-m degree opens. their are so many execs around the nation with u-m degrees and michigan alumni tend to take care of one another. also what does "i don't think his mother wants him to" mean. does that mean she doesn't want him to transfer or that she doesn't want him to return to michigan
December 16th, 2009 at 11:15 PM ^
...has an astoundingly consistent ability to turn a basically innocuous story into one with an anti-Rodriguez slant. I suppose it keeps him busy.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:36 AM ^
Is a microcosm of what is really bad about our media today. The emphasis on sensationalism with disregard for actual fact reminds me of Fox News. Sorry to bring politics into this, but there are also many other examples of "news" that trys to get you to react, and attempts to get a rise out of you. Where did all the real reporters go? Did they lose their jobs to people like Rosenpuke? Someone should start a paper called "No Bullshit." They could focus on real stories with real facts, and maybe even talk about good things going on in our society. Wow, news that doesn't just depress you - is that possible? The focus in news today is all negative, and it makes me sick.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:44 AM ^
But what do we watch? What gets our attention?
You tell the Freep they suck--yet they are in an extremely competitive industry and are fightingfor survival. They publish something about Michigan--they get tons of hits, and advertizing dollars.
We all have a choice to turn the TV off, not click on the links, or put the newspapers down. But we don't.
The American Public thinks and reacts from base instinct--primal urges and thoughts. The media caters to that.
December 17th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
I hear the "If he doesn't want to be here then go..." arguments but unfortunately with the current state of the program we are in no position to show talented players the door. If nothing else, Smith is a beast on Special Teams and the team will miss him in some area this upcoming season if he does leave.
I would be shocked if Boo Boo is back. Maybe a little Adrian Arrington treatment would get his head back on straight.
December 17th, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^
Rich Rodriguez is not showing Brandon Smith the door.
Smith has had that door open since the summer. He's only deciding to walk through it now.
Your argument is more germane as it relates to Cissoko.
December 17th, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^
How naive and stupid can people be to just walk out on scholarships like theirs? If he really has a desire to play in the NFL how can expect to do that if he cant crack the starting lineup for a subpar defensive unit? I say goodbye to him and have fun flipping burgers in a few years. Him being 20 means nothing, I am going to be 22 in a few weeks. In my time of being out of high school, I went through the Naval Nuclear Power School(out of navy now due to medical), I earned a degree in nuclear engineering, currently working on another engineering degree, and work for the government as a radiological control inspector. I had to work harder than any of these selfish athletes could imagine, I have no sympathy for them. I would love for them to go through the nuclear pipeline I went through then go on a deployment operating nuclear reactors. I wish I would have had that free education to do something I love.
Heck, I'm sure all of us would.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^
It's either a Michigan degree or "Would you like fries with that?"
Poor Brandon Smith. Oh what the hell--we can't all be perfect like you, Dlash.
And for the record, I call BULLSHIT on that wish list of personal accomplishments.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:35 PM ^
"wish I would have had that free education to do something I love?"
Question: How do you figure this young mans education was free?
Also...If you are not doing what you love, you are not living...you are surviving. And please, dont say "you had to work harder than any of these athletes" because unless you went to school full time and had a full time job while you were in school, you dont know the half, going to school and playing a sport in school is like having TWO full time jobs. Michigian is not a playground of the stupid!
December 17th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
Free meaning full ride scholarship. It was free in the aspect of the money he pays in tuition.
I personally love what I do.
Great point though, I stand corrected. I came off too strong and incorrect, I did not intend for myself to state my reasoning the way I did. I understand they have tough lives and they must work extremely hard. I do retract my statement in regards to myself saying I worked harder. They are two completely different scenarios, and I made a bad statement. So my sincere apologies to any student atheletes or people offended.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^
I never said I was perfect. I am far from it. I was just stating I had to work my a** off, so it disgruntles me to see athletes to be so careless about education.
Bull huh? well if you'd like I will give you my office phone number as well as send you copies of my accomplishments. I dont see how it is unreasonable. I did receive 70+ credits for nuclear power school alone. While currently, I attend Old Dominion.
Seriously, no need to call a person a liar because he is proud of what he has achieved. Especially when that person is not bragging, only making a comparison. It says alot about your character to say such things. Please grow up
December 17th, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^
Don't have a "nuclear" meltdown about it. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Some friendly advice: you can't win this battle for the simple fact that this discussion has nothing to do with you and, yet, you keep making it about yourself. With that said, yes, your accomplishments are impressive. Feel better?
December 17th, 2009 at 2:51 PM ^
Exactly why I apologized for some statements. I did chuckle at the joke though, quite a good one.
On another note, has anyone heard whether he plans on tranfer. Also, any thing more clear on that words said by his mother? (meaning not wanting him to return, or not wanting him to leave)