Harbaugh Tweets Common Sense

Submitted by HelloHeisman91 on

There R B-Ball teams & other NCAA teams that spend summer breaks traveling to countries around the world for team bonding & team development

— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 20, 2016
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NittanyFan

February 19th, 2016 at 10:39 PM ^

As I said, the IMG camp was a smart decision by Harbaugh. And no matter what: the camp IS happening in 2016.  So this is "victory Michigan" no matter what. Now we're just arguing over the scale of the victory.

If PSU did this and was looking to keep the off-campus practice option open in 2017 (e.g., win by an even larger margin), I'd be a proponent of PSU's HC and AD being MUCH more aggressive and being 100% direct.  "Screw you, SEC, let's talk about what is really going on, what your real motives are."

Be direct & aggressive, don't refer to irrelevant sports, make some of the sort of arguments Brian was making in his post.  That is the winning strategy.  (perhaps less Tweeting too, but that's just me being anti-Twitter)  I don't think the current strategy is a winning strategy.

It's just a message board.  Not like my argument means crap anyway.  I'm sick in bed, the g/f went out and I half just like the "sport" of debating.

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1WhoStayed

February 20th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^

Nittany, It's nice to get a POV that isn't tainted by our love for UM.

IMHO, a better argument against Harbaugh taking the team to Florda is the "slippery slope" it may introduce. For example, what's to stop a team from taking an annual trip to Maui for practices? That would seem to be a distinct recruiting advantage. Schools could argue that it's unfair because not all programs can afford the same. 

An annual/bi-annual trip to Hawaii woud seem like an attractive perk to a player considering where he'll sign.

And for the record, I'm not against the UM 2017 trip to Hawaii.

PS - Apologies for the a-holes that feel the need to sling mud.

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NittanyFan

February 20th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^

It's an interesting topic.  I certainly thought the IMG idea was a smart idea --- everyone's looking for an advantage and Harbaugh found one.  Good idea by Michigan.

People bring up summer basketball foreign tours.  That's a fair point, but in looking up the rules that's only allowed once every four years.  E.g., can't do it annually.

Maybe that's another path to compromise: only one off-campus spring practice for football every X years.  I hadn't heard about the Michigan/Hawaii/2017 idea.  I do think there's value to student-athletes getting some breaks, time to be "not football players."   

Look forward to my visit to AA (God willing) in September!  I grew up a U-M fan, part of why I visit here.  Had a good time in AA in 2014.  There was no mud-slinging then.  I've been to ~ 25 PSU games outside of State College since November 2011 and only one time was "mud ever slung."  

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Snowbro

February 19th, 2016 at 7:21 PM ^

At this point does the SEC think ANYONE believes their concern is for athlete well-being, and not just competitve disadvantage? They've gotta know how dumb and whiny they look by now.

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SAMgO

February 19th, 2016 at 7:22 PM ^

Okay I know this is like blasphemy speaking out against our lord and savior and all, but does anyone else think Harbaugh should just stop tweeting about this particular issue? I am in 100% agreement with his stance on the issue, but he's made his opinion pretty clearly known publicly and I'd imagine even more so behind the scenes. I don't see what good it does us at this point to have Jim tweeting more about this and continually bringing the issue up.



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Snowbro

February 19th, 2016 at 7:27 PM ^

Yes, I agree his point has been thoroughly made from our perspective, because it's freakin obvious the SEC is full of shit.

But I think it's worth driving home how ridiculous their argument is. Plus, it's not like the issue is disappearing on its own...I'm pretty sure someone posted an article on the topic this morning. 

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big john lives on 67

February 19th, 2016 at 7:47 PM ^

This is one of the strongest points. This type of trip is literally done all over the place throughout the NCAA. Sparty even allowed there basketball team travel to Texas mid-season. Even club teams train like this. Other football teams including M have trained in SD with the Marines. This is such a non-issue that it is not even funny.

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doggdetroit

February 19th, 2016 at 10:10 PM ^

I don't see how this is a weak point. It's actually a very strong point.

People who are in favor of off campus practices such as Harabaugh's point out that Winter and Spring sports teams practice and play games during Spring break. People who are against off campus practices counter this by saying that those sports are in season as opposed to football which is not in season during Spring break. Well, Harbaugh is now pointing out that many teams (Fall, Winter and Spring) practice and play exhibition games during Summer break, which is not in season for any sport. If that's acceptable (and it has been acceptable for quite some time) why is not acceptable for football to practice during Spring break?
 

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jblaze

February 19th, 2016 at 7:34 PM ^

The problem is that other than Harbaugh and some random bleacher type guys, nobody is supporting Harbaugh publicly. No coach, no commissioner, no "famous" writers... He needs to be vigilant in order to make his point since he doesn't have help.

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Chicken22

February 19th, 2016 at 7:49 PM ^

Harbaugh is a genius. Everybody else is envious of him, so they come up with something crazy try to prove that he is cheating. But then Haarbaugh just states the facts and proves he's not. 

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dbjack

February 19th, 2016 at 7:51 PM ^

SAMgo, another thought would be to do exactly what Harbaugh is doing. It may rile some feathers but it might make NCAA president think if he wants to cross  the Rubicon.  It might backfire on him. Where coach is already in the minority of big wigs....i.e. NCAA pres. SEC and ACC... commissioner's.  Just a thought.

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UMProud

February 19th, 2016 at 7:55 PM ^

That bitch Delaney better come off the golf course and start talking some shit.  Getting sick of our guy having to fighting these empty suit motherfuckers all alone.

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Wendyk5

February 19th, 2016 at 8:05 PM ^

I mentioned this lower in the thread (response to Nittany Fan) but didn't Hoke take the team to San Diego to train with Navy Seals? How is that any different? 

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Stu Daco

February 19th, 2016 at 8:16 PM ^

It's ridiculous how much attention this is getting.  Some students are practicing football in Florida over spring break.  That should be about #6,347 on the list of things to care about.

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aiglick

February 19th, 2016 at 8:20 PM ^

What's ridiculous is that teams practice at high schools for their bowl games all the time so really this spring practice at a high school isn't even that innovative. I remember we were complaining when Alabama set up shop at Clinton-Dix and Hart's high school for their bowl game that year. At least practicing at a high school is within the rules unlike what the bag men do. Emmert and the NCAA have completely lost any shred of credibility. We need a vote of no confidence.

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