Coach Rodriguez on "The Herd", ESPN radio today
Not sure what exact time and it hasn't been announced by Colin yet. The show runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. Anyone finds out, update/edit my post with the info. I gotta leave.
Enjoy.
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player?rd=1#/live/?callsign=ESPNRADIO
February 9th, 2011 at 12:00 PM ^
and that was not letting Shaffer hire whomever he wanted to (he may have hired the same WVU crew, but likely not). If he didn't trust Shaffer to do this, he should have hired a DC he trusted 95% with the D.
His other (very related) mistake was in not recruiting D players as hard as O players.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^
I agree with you on on the Shaffer part. That was probably RRs biggest failing as a HC. But to say RR wasn't recruiting D as hard as O is garbage.
According to rivals, RR got commits from 84 kids (I am not counting the new guys Hoke brought in except Bryant, who was probably going to Michigan no matter what).
Of those 84, 44 of them were brought in and are either playing or plan on playing defense.
Of the 84 commits, 41 of them were 4 stars or higher.
RR brought in 21 4 star defensive recruits while at Michigan. He brought in 20 offensive 4 star recruits.
Please stop spreading shit.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:11 PM ^
Colin Cowherd said Lamarr Woodley was getting old during SB week and might not have a chance to win another SB (he mentioned Harrison as well). After I heard that, I gave up on Cowherd forever. I already didn't like the guy, but to call a 26/27 guy "old" is beyond comprehension for me.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
RR still uses the word "we" when referring to Michigan. That makes me a sad panda.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
I can add comments again!
February 9th, 2011 at 12:34 PM ^
February 9th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
There has been an argument put forward that RR did not take personal responsibility for the teams shortcomings. Fair argument, however the evidence offered does not compute. one can not say that he did not take personal responsibility, then use a qoute saying " WE did not execute". We is a possesive, by its very nature it includes a group at large and the speaker into one unit. By using the word we he implicate the team, the coaching staff, and himself as underperforming. When one implicates them self as a party guilty of malfeasance, doesn't that mean that they are taking responsibility. At least in a court of law it does, that is why we have the 5th amendment priviledges. In a criminal proceeding if a defendant were about to use the word we in reference to codefendants and taking responsibility, a quick recess would be in order, followed a 5th amendment plea. If your argument against a concept, can be used as an argument for a concept. You should choose a different argument.
( not trying to be douche, just give us a better rationale)
February 9th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
he isn't speaking in a court of law...nice speech though
February 9th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
After losing to Utah in his first game as coach of the Michigan program:
"I told them I was proud of the way they competed, the way they hung in there,'' Rodriguez said. "I didn't want anybody pointing any fingers ... As long as they keep a good attitude, we'll be OK.''
After losing to OSU in 2009:
“We’ll beat Ohio State when we’re better than them,” Rodriguez said. “When we have a better team than them, we’ll probably beat them. It’s as simple as that.”
Seems pretty accountable to me. He's also showing that his players and his staff and him are in it all together.
mmay and raider probably wanted him gone before Harbaugh was locked up. Coach Rodriguez is gone. No need to kick a classy guy when he's down.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^
"I deserved to be fired. I probably shouldn't have been hired in the first place and was hoping for more time until they figured me out. A fine institution such as Michigan deserved better than me. I had no belief that we were ever going to improve. I inherited the best group of athletes in Michigan history and squandered it. I really appreciate the support I received from every portion of the fan base and local media. I really hope to coach again although it's obvious that my system can't work."
February 9th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
Wow. I must be really important to get my own statement! Frankly, I'm a bit upset that RR didn't call me personally to apologize for doing such a poor job. Of course, I don't think he has, as yet, publicly read my recommended statement:
"While my time in Ann Arbor was not without its difficulties, I worked my hardest to do the best I could for the kids, the program and the university. Sometimes, despite the best intentions, things don't work out. I wish Michigan the best and look forward to my next challenge."
I advised RR against saying things like the following, but he didn't listen:
-"Witch hunt may be a little too strong of a word, but there was certainly an agenda"
-"We have a formula that can take a team to BCS bowls and compete for national championships. If I'm at the right school that gives you total support and is pulling in the right direction, I think we'll do that."
-"I tried to show him as best I could. He wasn't involved in athletics [before getting to Michigan]. I've been a head coach in Division I for 10 years and coaching for 25. I know college football."
February 9th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^
Probably without even realizing it, Cowhead managed, along with RRod, to highlight perfectly why he failed at Michigan.
They were going over the incredible class of D-lineman entering the NFL draft this year from the Big 10, Heyward, Watt, Kerrigan etc. As I'm listening I'm thinking, HERE IT IS!! Plain as the nose on your face Rich. You built your reputation, and the credibility of your offensive scheme in the Big Least, where you NEVER had to face, week in and week out, the future NFL level of competition you faced in you 3yrs in the Big 10. France thought they had the strongest & best equipped military in the world in 1938. 2yrs later they found out otherwise.
Its really not even a knock on coach Rod, I certianly believed in his genious too. I saw enough Pat White era W.V. games to have me just tickled at the thought of that coming to AA. I'm just pregmatic enough to take an objective look at why it failed. Saying "we were just to young" is not comprehensive enough to explain it all. There are many examples of young teams having far greater success in various schemes to let this alone be the attributable cause.
Does this mean spread and shred will never work in the Big 10, NO. Thats not the assertion I'm making. It means that a QB heavy, read option offense is not suited to play against the highest level of competition. Wildcats worked in the NFL, for about a minute, then the athletes on D just adjusted. Imagine if the read option or wildcat was all that an NFL team had?? Well folks, thats all we had, and as long as he was the coach, it was all we were going to have. Better he be gone now than on Denards 5th concussion and Devins 3rd.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
the offense worked incredibly well, and had nothing to do with Rich Rod getting fired.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^
While our offense was very good, I think we had way to many weaknesses to be considered 2nd best offense in the country. Our receivers consistently dropped passes, our running backs were very unproductive and defenses really didn't even have to respect the handoff to the running back, our line consistently shot our offense down with penalties, and we were careless with the football, especially in the red zone. An offense with this many flaws cannot be considered the 2nd best offense in the country.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
which I trust more than any other metric.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
Ok, and we can throw stats around all day, and maybe statistically they do measure up to the 2nd best offense in the country, but just using the "eye" test, they are more likely a top 25 offense. I mean was that the 2nd best offense against Ohio State? What about Mississippi State? Or Michigan State? And while they did move the ball and score against some of the teams like Iowa or Wisconsin, it wasn't what I would consider the second best offense in the country on the field. Just an FYI, am I in no way saying that offense is why RR got fired. If you put together a solid defense with the offense we had this year, we would have been a very tough team to beat.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:39 PM ^
is that our eyes lie pretty much constantly. To use baseball as an example, because that's where stats have advanced the most, our eyes told us that Jack Morris was a great pitcher, even though he was actually pretty damn "meh." And our eyes say that JD Drew kinda sucks, even though he's an incredibly valuable baseball player.
The point of stats like FEI is that we're not very good at making judgments based on what we observe.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
Agreed, but I just can't understand how this ranking system has us #2 offensively. We had so many breakdowns and flaws. And it has Oregon, one of the teams that almost everyone on this board hoped our offense would resemble in a few years, like 8 or 9 spots lower than us. Oregon definitely was one of the top 2 offensive units in the nation, and they have them down there with the likes of East Carolina and Ohio State. Maybe stats can sometimes tell you stuff you don't see, but the opposite is also sometimes true in that they tell you stuff that can mislead you.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^
Against who?? Oh yeah, the champ of the Big East and a few other patsies. Keep banging that drum PLEASE. Nothing makes me happier than hearing that droned on over and over again by people who must watch completely different games than me. I see a one trick pony that, once the D-end and Linebacker start working together and understanding the reads, gets shut the fuck down. Wildcat anyone?? Hows it working this year?? Are they still using it at all??
Do you think that the run & shoot was a great and viable offense too?? Where did it go??
I did not indict spread style offenses in general. They ARE viable at all levels but must be continually "morphed" and changed to meet the competition as they "morph" themselves. Even the ol run & shoot has some pieces of it remaining all over the league. Did we(Rod) morph or change his scheme?? Nope, ol trick pony just ran the same shit and blamed 3rd and 9 on poor execution. I blame defenses that "wised up" while he didnt "keep up".
Go back and see the top rated offenses in the NCAA/FBS over the past 10-20 years. It'll help you to understand how stats can be misleading.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
At the end of the entire season Michigan had the 2nd best offense according to FEI.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:44 PM ^
because I didn't see many teams with a second year starter at QB or with as many underclassman as we fielded consistently. With mostly JRs starting next year, I think it is safe to say we would have shredded most D's.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:42 PM ^
February 9th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^
given up by basically every good team on our schedule.
February 9th, 2011 at 10:41 PM ^
February 9th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^
Oregon was three points away from winning a national title with a zone read offense against probably the number one overall pick in the draft.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:34 PM ^
thats right, Oregon ran their QB how many times?? For how many yards?? Spread & Read Option are NOT the same thing.
Once again, Denard will be many concussions to the better for this, as well as Devin & whomever else follows. Anyone care to dispute the record on read option QB's & their durability in the BIG 10?? Juice was the only real example and he was twice the physical strength of Denard yet missed a pretty good amount of time due to injury.
Pryor might be a ring selling moron but he knew better than to hand his physical livelihood over to a read option guy. Probably watched film and saw Pat White take too many hits, then thought about if those hits came from the future NFLer's in the Big 10.
Read option is the wishbone of the 21st century, its gone, done, finete. Will you see remnants of it, yes you will, as with all the other past shemes. Good news is, Denards rushing records for a QB might stand forevermore as a tribute to the "pure" read option offense. Sadly so will our W/L record that went with it.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^
Oregon ran the read option. It's a read option offense. They probably ran the read option more than we did, and they definitely ran a wider variety of read option plays (extensive use of the mid line etc.).
February 9th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^
Oregons "read option" ran the QB 93 times in 2010 and with Masoli in 2009 it was 121 attempts.
Denard ran the ball 256 times in 2010. Pat White had 165 & 197 attempts in 2006/2007.
Nobody's "read option" compares as an equiviolent to RR's. His is FAR more dependant on going against an amatuer D-line/linebacking core(big east) than any other. Face it, its like playing against a good wing-T in highschool. They always scored on us early because we'd get all screwed up trying to read the fakes & losing lane integrity. Once the coaches settled us down and got us looking at the right things we'd shut it down.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
and we had the 2nd best offense in the country according to FEI.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
and if we'd just played Umass a few more times too huh?? You realize that if me & Bill Gates are standing in a room alone, the average salary in that room is probably 7 billion yet thats in no way representitive of the cumulative success of the people in that room.
I dont have the patience, check the top offenses according to FEI for the past 25yrs. See how they finished. I'm betting mighty Hawaii was one of them.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:25 PM ^
Form your beloved FEI
2007 offensive ranking/overall ranking
Florida(1/5)
Texas Tech(2/32)
Navy(3/60)
Hawaii(4/54)
2008
Texas (1/4)
Texas Tech (2/15)
Oaklahoma (3/3)
Tulsa (4/39)
2009
Cincinatti (1/14)
Houston (2/39)
Nevada (3/93)
Idaho (4/100)
So, do you think FEI offensive ranking is an effective measure?? I say some years, yes. Most years, not so much. I only wish it went back another 10 yrs. 2nd ranked offense means jack shit unless you want to set your goal as being Idaho, Nevada, Tulsa or Hawaii. The prettiest girl at a party full of mingers is not the same as being a supermodel.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
You're pretty dumb.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
Or is this just how you roll?? If so, you're mother is a truckstop trixie. Of course I know thats not true(probably) but if you're going to post something just to be a dick. I have no choice.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
That's just how I roll.
I mean, I'd explain why you're dumb but you wouldn't get it because, well, you're pretty dumb.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
Please, explain. I'd LOVE to hear in detail how dumb I am. Please leave nothing out, I can take it.
Better yet, SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH weasel. If you cannot add to the conversation just sit there and breath(though your mouth I'm sure) and leave the debating to those who wish to participate.
If all you can add to ANY conversation is "Your pretty dumb". You've just demonstrated beyond any doubt some serious immaturity. Are you like 7? Does your mom know you've been on the computer??
Either participate or STFU boy.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
You mad.
February 9th, 2011 at 5:58 PM ^
February 9th, 2011 at 7:16 PM ^
I understand that I let "beavis" lure me into being his "butthead" for a moment there. Wont happen again. Much easier to just ignore petulant children.
February 9th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
You still don't understand what you posted. You don't understand what FEI is.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:00 PM ^
That's because he's dumb.
February 10th, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^
do you need some TP for your BUNGHOLE too. Huh....Huh, huh.
Moron.
Yeah, after setting up entire Statistical Process Control systems for several manufacturing companies and overseeing TS certification for said systems, I really have no understanding of something as "complicated" as DVOA. Thats just too "fancy" for me.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^
They sure as shit ran Masoli all the way to the Rose Bowl last season. If we had LaMichael James, we would have ran Denard a lot less too.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
How would we even know if we indeed DID have LaMicheal James?? I'm so anxious to see how Hopkins/Cox/Touissant do in Hokes offense. I think Hopkins could be a better back than James(more size/strength). Of course as history shows, in RR world its QB first and damn the torpedo's full ahead, until he busts his head or knee or shoulder.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
Not to bash on our stable of running backs, but we don't have LaMichael James.
Edit: Just FYI, Steve Slaton ran for 3,923 yards on 644 attempts for 52 TD's under RR. Seems like he might run a great running back when he has one...
February 9th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
Let me have our 2010 team and play in the big east. We'd have a "great" running back too. I bet our defense would have been ranked in the top 1/2 of that conference as well. Turnovers, well RRods team always have a problem with that regardless of which conference their playing in. Although it balanced out better in the big least because those shitty ass teams were giving up as many as they took. Not so much in a real conference.
The guy was a GREAT 2nd tier college coach who innovated and was able to overachieve against occasional 1st tier teams using the element of surprise. When he got to the top level of college football he failed. He should go back to the 2nd tier and tear it up and be happy doing so. Some coaches move up the ladder and do well, some do not. Revising the matrix for success does not success make.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
"Turnovers, well RRods team always have a problem with that regardless of which conference their playing in. "
Show your work, please, because this is 100% pure Colombian bullshit. You should try actually looking at the stats from his time at WVU before spewing this nonsense.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
I'll do it for you.
Turnovers lost:
2007 - T34th
2006 - T11th
2005 - T14th
2004 - T56th
2003 - T31st
2002 - T2nd
2001 - T108th
February 9th, 2011 at 4:44 PM ^
Slaton was a Heisman finalist and a First Team All-American. If that doesn't qualify I don't know what does.
You're changing the topic though, from your totally incorrect statement that RR's offense revolves completely around the QB. Good job running away when evidence proved you wrong.
February 9th, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^
I've posted how many times Denard & Pat White attempted runs in RR's scheme. Likewise I accurately compared Oregon(everybody's favorite comparison) & their QB's attempts. The numbers clearly demonstrate that RR's read option is HEAVILY biased towards running the QB.
Slaton was indeed a heisman finalist, did you know that Andre Ware was a heisman winner? Was he "great" or just in the right situation at the right time?
Granted, Slaton looked to do OK in the NFL, for a minute. I'm not writing him off yet as I do think he was/is a talented back BUT..If Hopkins goes for 1600 next year and it wouldnt surprise me. I will refuse to believe that he "magically" got great simply because he was on the planet breathing for an additional year.
February 9th, 2011 at 5:14 PM ^
Slaton did well in the NFL until he was hurt. Yes RR ran the quarterback more than Chip Kelly, but Kelly never had a QB like White or Denard. RR would be an idiot not to run them more than anyone else.
Had he ran Smith or Shaw or if Fitz had been healthy everyone here would be correctly screaming bloody murder that Denard wasn't getting enough carries. When you have a talent like those two, you use it. Period.