Rush to Judgement
The Conway meltdown has brought up something that has kind of bothered me for a while. With our depth problems the past few years we have been forced to play many young players and the minute they get on the field they are immediately "scouted" by the masses and so labeled despite the fact we know little or really closer to nothing about the million of circumstances surrounding their play.
When you saw the highlight of Conway in the open field did you know...he had an ankle sprain, it was in the 4th qtr and he had never left the field during the game, he had just run 2 fly routes the play before, he's 15-16 years old and at 6' 4" could still be adjustin to his body? All of thes things could have greatly impacted his speed.
T. Jones got on the field as a true frosh at a position he was switched to just weeks before and he was immediately dismissed. Someone actually said he looked too slow.
M. Shaw got hauled down in Minny as a freshmen and people said he wasn't the home run threat we hoped for. Later we learned he had pretty severe groin injury.
V. Smith was labeled M. Hart slow when he got hauled down last year despite the fact he had carried the ball several plays in a row and we had no idea how fast the guy that caught him was.
I think it has something to do with the unknown being better than the known or the grass is greener theory. I'm just glad now that J. Turner wasn't thrown on the field before he was ready or we'd all have a true freshmen depth chart at CB.
Just a little patience people.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
Isn't part of what Michigan pays a king's ransom to Rich Rodriguez relate to his ability to identify talent and recruit them to represent the university. The failure of your position is the assumption that because you saw an internet video and heard some bitching on the internet that this player isn't among "the best" as you see it.
Assumptions made because of internet video and a lack of Rivals profile are ridiculous.
February 21st, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
also have a ton of HS football recruits in their own back yard. Michigan not so much so. In last year's Rivals 100 the state of Florida had 16 players, Texas had 14, and Michigan had 1. The staff has to overcome the weather, the state of Michigan's economy, and what has happened on the field the last two years. Would I have liked to see the staff wait given the small number of available scholarships? Hell yes, but they see something they like in the kid and that is good enough for me.
Having been at the Bball game last night I can vouch that the staff was busting their tails with Zettel, Beyer, and a host of others that are more highly rated.
February 21st, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
No, you don't understand. I just won the Orange bowl last night with Temple on Heisman. I know what I'm doing and my opinion matters. Everyone knows that if you recruit a 5 star player they are better than a 4 star player and can play as true freshmen no matter the position the play. Why does everyone know this? Because that is how my xbox works. I know exactly how good each player is because they all get a 0-100 number based on their skill.
Why doesn't Rich Rod get this?
February 21st, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
I don't think anyone is arguing that there are several players through out history who were 3-star athletes that ended up being great players. However, is that the exception or the rule? The Exception.
Espn recruiting class rankings:
2006- Fla, USC, Texas
2007-USC, Fla, Texas
2008-Miami, Clesmon, Ala, Fla
2009-LSU, Ala, Texas, Usc
Again, I don't think it's coinsidence that you see these schools competing for a National Championship each year, they have the best talent. Sure, you can argue Miami and Clem
son weren't but they would have beat the Wolverines last year.
I'm not basing my opinion on video games, I haven't played NCAA since college. I have experience in recruiting and I'm sorry that my opinion is different from you but you can't argue that a 5 star athelete is more likely to be succesful than a 3 star athlete, again theres always exceptions but not always.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
I don't think there is much argument that a 5* player is likely to be more productive than a 3* player. That's true. But, how do you expect to get commits from a top 25 player when our combined record in the last two years is 8-16? Just because we're Michigan?
That sits well with us, the Michigan fans, but most recruits don't care whatsoever. They see results and the last two years, we have not been producing like Florida or Texas.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
you're not speaking to entitlement or arrogance just because it's Michigan, are you?
Come on, down in front, dammit.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^
But your logic is flawed. Not every team is on an even playing field for recruiting. Winning gives you an advantage. So teams that win consistently have an easier time recruiting top notch talent which then allows them to win even more games.
When you lose, you're at a disadvantage. Texas and Florida have been winning recently. We got our asses handed to us by Appalachian State and then proceeded to nose dive the past two years.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
How many unranked and 3-star guys do Florida and Texas have right now in their 2011 classes??
February 21st, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
I have experience in recruiting too. I won the Orange Bowl with Temple! My opinion on the internet means that I know more about college football than, you know, a real coach.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
I know more than the coach. As a fan, I have the right to be disappointed in how our recruitment has been going and how the team has been playing. Forgive me and the rest of us if we are a little frustrated.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
Is anyone forcing you to stay on the bandwagon? I'm sure everyone is frustrated based on how the team has played, but it's almost baseball season and I hear the Yankees could use more fans like you.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
bandwagon. You don't know me and I think its wrong to make those assumtions. I lived in Ohio my entire life, I've been spit on, had beer bottles thrown at me, forced to sit in hallways for a week instead of a classroom during Michigan vs. Osu week, and once I was even refused the right to be served food because I was a Michigan fan. I have been loyal to this team all through life and regardless of how they play I will always be true blue. I understand your opinon and your stance on the matter but I really don't appreciate you accusing me of a bandwagon, if you knew me you know that's the furthest thing from the truth. Again, I understand everyone is frustrated and if we were winning you and I wouldn't be having this debate. All I ask is you respect my opinion and other similar opinions because I respect yours and I understand where you're coming from. Were both fans, loyal fans, so lets agree on that.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^
"You don't know me and I think its wrong to make those assumtions (sic)."
Isn't this EXACTLY the problem with people who feel compelled to bash the coaching staff (and/or the recruit) in this case?? The staff has seen him up close in a 7 on 7 context, has seen complete film (not just highlights), has actually met the kid, has spoken with people who know him well and know his game, etc. The rest of us have done none of that, yet the assumptions are flying.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:47 PM ^
I never bashed a recruit or the coaching staff. At this point I'm willing to concede defeat because I'm obviously fighting an uphill battle in defending my opinion. From now on, before I post my own personal opinion, I will see if it agrees with the consesus of the board, and if not I won't post it.... obviously that's how this works.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
I enjoy it when someone says something stupid, they get called out for saying something stupid, and then have the gall to blame it on 'group think' on mgoboard and get passive aggressive about it.
We haven't been recruiting with the likes of Florida, USC, and Texas because, you know, we suck and Florida, USC, and Texas don't. If you win games, and win a lot of games, it's really easy to recruit. We haven't been recruiting like Alabama because we don't bend the rules like Saban does to get kids to sign on the dotted line.
Everyone is frustrated that we haven't won the last 4 national championships, but just get over the 'But we're Michigan and we are better than that' meme...because frankly we are not better that than. It sucks to be disappointed in not getting things to go your way, but that is life.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^
I agree with most everything you say but I would also add that we do get some elite level players because we are Michigan. The difference between most schools and Michigan is that if we win we will get most of the players we want. Wisconsin, not so much.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
sorry for the double post
February 21st, 2010 at 1:16 PM ^
Reply to David from Wyoming: I agree with you, I'm just frustrated. Winning cures everything so hopefully next year at this point everyone is happy because we just won a bowl game and beat OSU.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Don't get me wrong, I'm just as frustrated. Is it Augest yet?
(I hope you haven't taken anything I said to personal, I was just stressed this morning)
February 21st, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
Actually, you are right in that you didn't bash... my apologies for lumping you in with others.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
isn't what you are bitching about what they compensate Rich Rodriguez to figure out; that being talent recruitment for the football team. Perhaps he is fairly knowledgeable about this stuff (see Omameh, Patrick for example).
February 21st, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^
No you do not have experience in recruiting.
February 21st, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
ESPN had Isiah Bell rated higher than Will Campbell. Rivals and Scout had Campbell a 5 star and Bell a 3 star.
I notice you cut out of the rankings so as not to include ND. Where you afraid that by having ND in there your theory would be blown to hell.
As for Alabama, they have only been good the last two years and maybe that has to do with all of the over recruiting they do. In the 4 four year recruiting cycles they have taken between 104 and 113 players. How the NCAA allows them an extra recruiting class every four years is beyond me considering it is giving Bama a UNFAIR advantage over other member institutions.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^
hilarious.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
I'd plus 7 that if I could.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
Thank you, but I'll just let my Orange Bowl trophy speak for itself. Trust me, it looks awesome in my imagine display case next to my two Coach of the Year awards.
February 21st, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
I've just kindof assumed that there are plenty of douches on the board to go along with everyone that tries to be upbeat and respectful while maintaining realistic expectations. Is anyone brave enough to wander over to MLive to see what kind of nuclear holocaust is going on there? I'd bet it's 100x worse than what happened here.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
Wow. Um I try to long on this morning and it seems like I have been banned. Seeing as how I haven't posted since Friday I was wondering what in the Hell happened. My old name is MichMike86.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^
So someone hacked your account and acted like a lunatic? Sorry, it was so...you.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
Seriously? I've flamed a little before but nothing major. I don't really care if you believe me or not but I'd at least like to see these lunatic posts. Can you point me in the direction of them?
February 21st, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
Jeff, I hope you read this today because the shit storm is comin. You took it wayyy too far. Retaliation for spoiled milk? Really?
To anyone who was offended by something that MichMike86 posted I apologize because it was not me posting. My roommate seemed to have been bored while I was out last night. I could care less about the points but the bad rep sucks because most will probably not believe me. Nothing I can really do with that.
The only thing I don't quite understand is how those posts got negbanged so hard. I read them and they look stupid but not like negbang material. Anyway, this is my new name. Sorry if what was posted under my prior name was egregious. The only thing I can promise is that revenge will be swift.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
A regular on this site?
February 21st, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^
No. He's a fan of both UofM and State. Football for UofM and basketball for State. If he ever does get an account I'll be sure to repay the favor.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
this sounds like the worst roommate in the world.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
Haha. He's not that bad. You know the ones who only root for the top teams. Yankees, RedWings (now the Pens), State/UNC bball, and Michigan/USC for football. Not sure when but he'll stop with Michigan soon. But when we start winning he'll be right there. Aggravating but what can you do?
February 21st, 2010 at 1:05 PM ^
After seeing you post enough times on mgoblog, that was definitely your usual style last night. It might have been a brief period of involuntary schizophrenia, but it was definitely you.
The fact that you are trying to concoct some lie about your roommate makes this even more ridiculous. Just go away for a while, and come back when you are no longer prone to childish episodes.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
Thanks Dr. Oz. I know I've pissed you off in the past so I wouldn't expect any other kind of response. All the more power to ya. Cheers.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
Stop posting plz
February 21st, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
The meltdown from last night was a lot more similar to your usual posting style (e.g. sheeple?) than this artificially nice, reformed version.
Take some time away and get back to posting as your usual self (minus the name calling and denigration, of course). Before the nukes started falling, I actually enjoyed the edginess and humor.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
I missed your meltdown, but the moderator's revision of your posts are just freakin' hilarious.
A gem:
"again with the recruiting thing, as in i know all about it, etc.
i also makes some vague ultimatum about michigan needing 8 wins to satisfy my limp, sad, tiny, bent penis"
Another:
"i will also insult this person and again claim to know more about recruiting then persons that are paid to do so and therefore insult a 17 year old that could pound my acne-ridden face through a cinder block if he choose to do so"
Some funny shit from the mods in that thread.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
Yeah. I went back and read them and was seriously dumbfounded that something like that could get negged so hard. I think the penis one is probably the funniest. Seriously though, any of you who have seen my posts know that I'm not a flame. I've definitely pissed some people off who neg me on site but nobody can be loved by all. Like I said vengeance will be swift.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
but nobody can be loved by allGhandi would have to disagree with that, but he would do it in a nice way. Just admit that you had a meltdown and move on. Look at bouje.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
I really don't know that much about Ghandi except that Sir Ben Kingsley rocked at portraying him. Like I said, there are some who won't believe me and that's cool. It's out of my hands so there is no need to worry about it. I've said some questionable things about players being studs and the whole fag epidemic with GeauxBlue. The only thing I'd really like to know is what was actually said. If I really did such a thing I certainly wouldn't come back with a similar name. I'd create a new one and that would be that. I'm not a sociopath for heavens sake.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
Got to agree with DFW on this one - if you really had just seen your posts for the first time today, like I had, you would have known right off that they were modified. Instead, it seems that in trying to cover up and pretend like someone else posted them, you are having to lie to cover previous lies.
I dont really care either way, I know you previously as a opinionated poster, which, being one myself, I tend to appreciate. I'm just telling you how it looks.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
I see what you're saying. I don't really wish to continue to play this out so I won't rehash anymore after this. I clicked on my mgoblog link this morning and instead of being signed in it showed that I wasn't. I went to sign in and it said I was blocked, which is a nice way of saying banned. I created a new name because I figured someone could help explain why I was banned. Used the search function when nobody was responding and the first one up was the Shawn Conway thread by Tim. I read them and they seemed stupid and obviously weren't me. Earlier this week I played a joke on my roommate and poured him a bowl of cereal with spoiled milk in it. He took a spoon full and after getting it in his mouth he puked. I laughed and expected some form of payback but nothing this severe. Like you said, I am opinionated but I know the boundaries. I know some will think that this is all make believe Peter Pan bs and say that I'm lying about having a meltdown. Honestly, I have no problem having a meltdown but I'll save that for the football season and if we start out 0-3. Meltingdown over a new commit is a waste of a meltdown. Anyway, I'll let my posts speak for them self and remember not to have firefox remember me on this site.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^
then you're an even bigger d-bag off the site than on. But since you probably made up that story about giving your roommate the spoiled milk, I suppose it's an open question how big of a d-bag you are.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
We play jokes on one another all the time. It's what me and all of my friends did growing up and still do. It's really not that bad.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
Okay, first of all, if you and your little buddies are still playing practical jokes like giving each other spoiled milk, then you probably haven't actually grown up yet.
Second, I am not a doctor but I would think spoiled milk could potentially make someone sick. You did say your roommate vomited after consuming it. I would say that a "joke" of that kind crosses the line into a minor criminal assault, but whatever.
Third, if these jokes of yours aren't "really all that bad," then what explains all your posts, under the new name, expressing indignation over your roommate's revenge trick, which--if it really happened, which I highly doubt--was both (i) at least minimally creative, unlike your Tom & Jerry nonsense, and (ii) did not expose anyone to actual physical danger.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
I am not at all grown up yet and still like to be a kid, I've had a roomie, a couple years back, pour 3 gallons of water throughout my room (no electronics), and the reason why I am pissed on this one is that it went out of the realm of our surroundings and hurt my standing in a place that I come to read and discuss. I would never do that. If I were to seek revenge for this in the way he did then I could start a rumor and tell all the girls we know that he has ED. That is way too far. I have no idea how old you are or if you ever were involved in lockerroom humor. It appears that you were not. If you consider these things bad then you really have no idea.