Marcus Ray leaving WTKA

Submitted by Fieldy'sNuts on
Marcus Ray@Marcus_Ray29 Ive decided to drop the mic & relieve myself of my duties on the @The_MZone & #RaysofLight segment with @SamWebb77 on @michiganinsider. I appreciate the platform & opportunity. I’ll still be on tv/calling games in 2018 #SuckaSeason #RayRocTop25 #BrothaLove #HookItUp #Northside https://twitter.com/marcus_ray29/status/945815844336164864
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yossarians tree

December 27th, 2017 at 1:30 PM ^

On the subject of Sam, whom I hear more that I'm listening to his podcast segments, I love his insider knowledge and his guests and his demeanor, but, man, Sam is a guy who...who....who, Sam is a guy who...needs to uh, needs to...needs to get to his point sometimes. I mean, there is measuring your words and all, but good God man you're on the radio! Spit it out!

 

 

Joined: 08/19/2010

MGoPoints: 22292

You Only Live Twice

December 26th, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^

Marcus is extremely articulate, intelligent and when he wants to be, a charming on-air personality.  Quite a few times this fall he hasn't wanted to be... he was openly disdainful of both Harbaugh and Don Brown, and I never understood why.  It seemed somehow personal.  He carried out his attacks into trolling territory with abandon, unafraid of saying things that flat out made no sense.  Callers trying to curry favor with his moods, which changed regularly, were more painful to listen to than anything Marcus said.  He did try to temper his criticisms with some perspective at times, perhaps as a reaction to some of these callers.

Towards the end of the season, I had the feeling someone at WTKA talked to him because he did a complete turnaround with Brother Love, who was not only more fun to listen to, the underlying satirical quality caught me off guard and I started laughing while in rush hour traffic. 

I was actually looking forward to the 2018 season with Brother Love, so I hope he continues to call in for his Rays of Light segment on Sam's show.

Joined: 09/14/2013

MGoPoints: 9615

BlueWon

December 26th, 2017 at 10:58 PM ^

He has some football insight, no doubt, but he comes off as being very arrogant. He seems really frustrated to me.

Jamie Morris is a much nicer guy and has an equal or better level insight of insight to offer.

Make no mistake, though, the players I've spoken to from the NC team are not JH fans -- he demeaned their degrees.

Joined: 04/10/2015

MGoPoints: 3940

Jasper

December 27th, 2017 at 6:42 AM ^

How can his overall good (AFAICS, anyway) reception from other former players be explained?

It's not like he said "All those guys from Lloyd Carr's University of Michigan got lousy degrees. Ours were much better."

Here's an idea: Winning a national championship tends -- in some people -- to encourage an inflated sense of (football) self-worth. It maybe leads to conclusions like "Mike DeBord would be a good head coach. He was on the staff of a national championship team."

Joined: 12/30/2010

MGoPoints: 3591

bronxblue

December 27th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^

If a former player coaching another team made a somewhat tepid (if stupid) remark about the agree programs usually associated with athletes bothers them that much that they hold a grudge years later, that says as much about them as Harbaugh. I thought Harbaugh was an asshole for saying it, but it astounds me that people like Toomer and Ray seem to hold real anger toward him for really minor slights.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171779

Goggles Paisano

December 27th, 2017 at 5:49 AM ^

I haven't listened to WTKA in over a year.  My favorite segments were when Marcus was on with Sam.  I had no idea he had gone downhill so fast in the last year.  Maybe he is having some personal problems that carried over to his on air show.  That tweet is worded like something of a "F U".  I hope he gets it together.  

Joined: 07/30/2011

MGoPoints: 41232

Eng1980

December 26th, 2017 at 9:36 PM ^

Situation is well described above.  I found some of his stories insightful but I don't think I would be able to remember him if he wasn't the guy opposite Woodson on an undefeated team.  I was about to write him a letter suggesting that he should pause and put a period on some of his statements.  They used to run on like a fan with too many ideas.

Joined: 04/28/2016

MGoPoints: 11970

Zeke21

December 26th, 2017 at 9:45 PM ^

Marcus Ray.  His honest opinion was appreciated and his knowledge of breaking down defenses was unsurpassed.  Go Luck 29.

Go Blue.

Joined: 12/20/2016

MGoPoints: 8751

WorldwideTJRob

December 26th, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^

I agree, he was the polar opposite of Sam(everything is always positive!). Which was refreshing at times. I don’t need someone to tell me my team is great after they get blasted. He was always critical when the time called for it. And gave them praise when it was warranted.

Joined: 07/05/2010

MGoPoints: 31146

maize-blue

December 26th, 2017 at 9:58 PM ^

I believe he always wanted a position on the coaching staff. As time went by and he didn't get any looks, I think he became more and more sour.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

Epic-Blue

December 26th, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^

He’s not a homer suck ass! He tells it like it is! Many fans don’t like the honesty he brings. They guy is great at breaking down defensive tendencies. Right or wrong the guy new his shit!

Joined: 10/06/2013

MGoPoints: 920

chad

December 26th, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^

On how great he was or relating every possible sports story to his days at Michigan. Good riddance. The guy obviously had a chip on his shoulder because he didn't get tan assistant coaching job under Harbaugh after basically begging for it on WTKA.

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 353

newtopos

December 26th, 2017 at 11:21 PM ^

Just looked up the stats:

UCLA 2016 S&P+ Offensive Rank (pre-Fisch): No. 82

UCLA 2017 S&P+ Offensive Rank (Fisch): No. 16

Obviously, Rosen's health also played a part, but that's a pretty remarkable change (even bigger than the improvement when Mattison and Hoke's staff came in and replaced Greg Robinson, et al.).  

Joined: 09/26/2009

MGoPoints: 3434

Honest Abe

December 26th, 2017 at 10:52 PM ^

I cant recall ever listening to MRay on the radio, ive seen him on btn and yea hes critical and outspoken, but Its still MRay and i love what he gave to his team while hear at Michigan... so, Marcus good luck and Go Blue!

Joined: 12/19/2017

MGoPoints: 1788

lmgoblue1

December 26th, 2017 at 10:44 PM ^

His Harbaugh hatred was too much for me. The Shea Patterson comments were way over the top. I enjoyed Rays of Light very much but he's been dark space for a very long time. I love Jamie though, I'll tune back in.

Joined: 10/27/2012

MGoPoints: 12403

Mocha Cub

December 26th, 2017 at 11:12 PM ^

I wonder how many people on this thread throwing shade at Marcus have a framed, autographed picture of the "Take That" SI cover hanging somewhere in their home. It's sad how much this fanbase loves to turn its back on former players just because they've said something fans don't want to hear.

Joined: 11/17/2013

MGoPoints: 23066

fharajli

December 26th, 2017 at 11:34 PM ^

This is supposed to be a family. Family says and does stupid things at times. No reason to turn your back on them. I feel like Marcus did try to provide a different outlook and analysis most of the times. He did troll at times, but nothing out of hand. Sad that the fans drove one of their own to quit.

Joined: 06/09/2016

MGoPoints: -65

F-ckOhio

December 27th, 2017 at 6:59 PM ^

Well Put.  We are all Michigan Family and should pull for each other, even if we disagree with their opinion or way of doing it.  I enjoyed Marcus's story telling of the past.  Some of his inputs were excellent.  How he has reacted to the Michigan Mafia afterthey got after him was poor.  I will miss some of his inputs, Go Blue

Joined: 05/02/2015

MGoPoints: 291

HelloHeisman91

December 26th, 2017 at 11:39 PM ^

I wonder how many people on this thread understand that you can celebrate great memories of Michigan football and can at that same time disagree with those that created said memories.  The idea that you have to agree with the ridiculous things that Marcus says to get a reacton in order to have this signed in your man cabe is ridiculous.  

Joined: 08/05/2009

MGoPoints: 46190

Mocha Cub

December 27th, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^

Who said you have to agree with him? I just don't think people have to go out of their way to bury the guy. My point is I bet most of the people wouldn't have the guts to say their criticisms to his face. A lot of what he's said in the past has been taken out of context. It is what it is. He's a Michigan man whether people like it or not. 

Joined: 11/17/2013

MGoPoints: 23066

allintime23

December 27th, 2017 at 4:25 AM ^

Well when you’re an entertainer or on air personality you’ve got to be able to take it. Marcus could give it out but the first time anyone have any back he shut stuff down immediately and acted like a baby. And because I don’t agree with him trashing a guy that’s had a top 5 defense for half a decade because he has to busts a game doesn’t mean I have to say something to his face. What are you 12?

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15225

ThatGuyCeci

December 26th, 2017 at 11:46 PM ^

In my opinion Marcus Ray made the M Zone the most entertaining segment of all of WTKA. I love Sam Webb and the recruiting roundup but Marcus always made me laugh. Sure his analysis wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies but damn he’s funny and he has some great stories (like how they trolled Peyton Manning on their official visit together). I for one will miss Marcus. I like Jaime Morris as a person but without Marcus there’s no way in hell I’ll be listening to the M Zone anymore.

Joined: 12/30/2015

MGoPoints: 4767