#77 another #1 Jersey?
I know Taylor Lewan has only started one game and those were only non-conference, but if he does turn out to be the real deal over the next four years, maybe Rodriguez could start another new jersey tradition? Lewan asked for #77 when he came into the program because it was Jake Long's. If Lewan ends up being good also, maybe in the future the #77 jersey would be awarded and have to be earned. Seems every coach adds something to the Michigan tradition and this might be a good addition for Coach Rodriguez.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^
RR has done this with a couple of guys lately, I wouldn't exactly call it a tradition, but he gives the jersey numbers of guys who've recently been very successful for the maize and blue, like giving Jibreel Black #55. IIRC, JT Turner was given #2 with the understanding that that's consistently been a playmaker on the D for a while. It's not really a tradition like number 1, but the numbers are given out to motivate the kids
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^
Not to be an ahole, but look at how well that #2 jersey panned out for JT Turner.
And let's also remember that Lewan was oblivious to the significance of #77 during HS. Some kids place a lot of importance in a number. Personally, I could care less. In fact, keeping in line with Lewan's sense of humor, he should have picked 69 and if asked why he chose that number, "Because if you are against me in the trenches, i'll dominate ya up by flipping you over and blowing you away." Of course, he'd say this whil putting his finger up to lip
.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^
But I didn't mean to suggest it as a recruiting tip, just as a motivational tip once the kids get on campus.
RR: LOOK AT JAKE LONG PANCAKE VERNON GHOLSTON. DO YOU WANNA DO THAT SON? DO YOU WANNA DO THAT?
Lewan: UH. YES SIR. YES.
(Throws 77 at him, both walk away, getting played off by the Coner)
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
His dad told him to wear #77 his first season, but Lewan didn't know the significance of the number unitil after that season when his dad said you're wearing that number because it's Jake Long's number, so he did know about the significance before he got here.
From the paper that shall not be named. - "In high school, he's like you got 77, you're going to wear 77 in high school. I said, OK, it's a cool number or whatever. I didn't realize I was wearing that, and he told me after the season, oh, by the way, you're wearing that because of Jake Long. They are big shoes to fill, and I'll do my best."
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
before he even showed anything. Not to hate on JT, but he got that jersey based on the expectations of being the number one recruit in Ohio that year. WTF, how could you sizzle and burn like he did??? Anyways, I'm all about traditions, need to uphold 'em, and if you take it upon yourself to do so, THEN DO SO!!!
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:33 AM ^
Trezelle Jenkins hopefully will step up and set up a scholarship in the #'s honor similar to Braylon and the #1.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
Thanks for jogging the memory.
A few years back I stopped into the Harold's Chicken Shack that he and his wife own on 8 Mile and it was pretty good.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
I like the idea, maybe save the #2 for the best DB.
Edit : DGDestroys beat me to it. I just hope we don' t run out of numbers
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
How sweet would the next decade be if every position had historically great performers to the extent that every position had a number special to it?
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
It's bound to happen eventually. I'm drooling at the thought of whomever receives the next #16
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
he can spit fire like the coner. :)
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
People also forget that before Jake Long, there was Jon Jansen...4-year starter on the O-Line culminating with a national championship (and a long, successful NFL career). 77 is already very established, and I like the idea of giving the number to the rock of the OL.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
Don't Fat Elvis Tony Pape himself rocked the 77 in his day.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
#43 should be reserved for the guy with the best haircut.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^
This has got to be my favorite one so far.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:34 PM ^
for serious? That moniker made me laugh, well done.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^
Why don't we just reserve every number for every position that has ever been played - that way everyone can have a number from a former player. That would be a GREAT idea....
(neg away for my dissent if you desire)
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
#1 for the best WR, and #2 for the best DB. Long is awesome...but to me those are the two numbers that are iconic. Every time I see a Woodson highlight I think about that #2, and it is totally weird to see it on a running back.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
What about #21 for Desmond.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
Certainly a classic, esp. w/ Biakabutuka following up on Howard as a legendary #21. Have we had any other greats w/ that # since then, though?
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
Nothing comes up for me, I just think the Heisman winners should be more special. Maybe like a real small H on the left chest. Probably stupid idea. Otherwise, with our rich tradition, we would easily run out of numbers.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^
Maybe not a great, but Jeremy LeSueur was a solid multi-year starter at CB. He had a very good senior year in '03.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
You are right, I forgot about him. Definitely an important contributor.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 AM ^
I'm with you. We don't have enough numbers to do this.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
1. So long as Michigan doesn't sell out the idea to every different position group, it wouldn't be hard to award a #77 jersey to the best offensive lineman. Heck, Michigan is known more for its traditionally-great offensive linemen than its traditionally-great wide receivers.
2. It's 1000 times better to award great play with a great number than award great play with marijuana stickers on your helmet.
3. Can we do a similar tradition where we award the worst safety on the team with Stevie Brown's number? /sarcasm
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
...Michigan has had so many great players that reserving jerseys much would bump into incredible difficulty...indeed what of Dierdorf, Ford, Harmon, Oosterbaan, Hutchinson, Desmond, Lytle, Woolfolk, Harbaugh...and that's a pretty partial list just from my memory.
Maybe, aside from the #1, you let the new players make new legends for each number.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:13 AM ^
not giving out too many # 9 jerseys. Especially to players that will be on the field at the same time! Go Blue!
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
Wait that I thought #1 was in honor of Tyrone Butterfield and his legendary drop against UVA in '95??
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
#41 for legendary punters
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^
Don't forget #7 for QBs (Leach, Henson, Henne, Gardner).
We made an exception for Chris Floyd because, well, would you say no to Floyd?
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
Status: Warlord
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:16 PM ^
should be retired. No DB will ever be greater than Woodson, hence no one should be allowed to wear it.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
"gimme any number you want. I'll make it famous!"
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
As much as I like the number 77 (it was my number in High School) and applaud the recognition of linemen, I'm not in favor of awarding any jersey but the #1. It's not that the tradition has officially been going on that long, but #1 represents something bigger at Michigan than any of the others would. In some ways it is the special number at Michigan. Adding other numbers to be earned by great players just sort of dilutes the uniqueness of the tradition.
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:14 PM ^
is 98 retired? shouldn't it be?