Excellent Borton's Blog
http://www.michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1000847
The last two paragraphs are the best:
"I was convinced on Saturday night that he'd (Rodriguez) whiffed on this one (decision to play Denard on the last drive). But the more behind-the-scenes conversations that afforded themselves, the more insights that cropped up, and the more distance there was between the ugly ending of the Iowa game and now, the easier it is to see why everything played out the way it did.
You can still disagree with the decision. That's part of the game within the game. But if you don't at least admit you don't know what you don't know - and that the guy with his finger on the button in some instances does know - you'll be swinging blindfolded, more often than not."
October 12th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
And I agree with it.
As an observer, I think actually knowing what is going on rarely happens. I tend to believe that RR has a better grasp of what is going on than I do.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^
That's the question I ask myself when I get worked up about something Rich Rod has done.
For example, when Rodriguez looked completely pissed off during the Iowa game and was yelling at Tate on the sidelines, I thought at first perhaps he is getting too worked up, letting his emotions get the best of him. But then I thought to myself, I distinctly remember Bo yelling at his players, always trying to make them better. I agree there is a fine line between destroying a player and motivating them, but you have to trust a coach who has been as successful as Rich Rod has been in the past knows these kid's limits.
While I agree that Rich Rod hasn't done enough on the field to garner comparison with Bo, it is still worthwhile thinking about so that we don't prematurely judge the man.
Just a thought.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:59 PM ^
I'm sure there was more going on than meets the eye, but it's super lame that Borton won't say exactly what. Probably plays into the whole, not wanting to lose his inside seat of interview/witness access. That's one of the advantages to a guy like Brian who keeps a distance and can say what he wants.
Still, I don't have access to the article, am I misguided, did he reveal anything?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
Glen Mason's wife? I mean, he's 70, right??
October 12th, 2009 at 4:05 PM ^
Well... Tate had to be put in his place a bit. He was also injured and not playing well.
This is a bit loose from the UM QB...and Im not sure if this was before or after he texted the ABC sideline reporter:
http://www.mikedesimone.com/m09/iowa/aa03.jpg
He is only a freshman and has great talent. Hopefully he can harness this energy and put it to better use on the field.
Im sure that Tate will do that. Putting DRob in the game was not a bad decision by RR and didnt lose the game.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^
I think we need to ask ourselves if the Notre Dame, IU and MSU comebacks went to Tate's head? Does he really think he can make something out of nothing on every play? Does he really think he can mouth off to Rich (if that's what he did)?
If he did think any of those things, he's got something else to think about now. We now know Rich will throw somebody else in there with the game on the line. There are no guaranteed starters or minutes on this team (except for maybe Graham and Warren) so Tate's got to get it together. I think he can and will. But Rich is not a patient man - even with freshmen.