Paulus is using Michigan
I know this blog doesn't need a new Paulus thread, but I think we can put a number of things together at this point:
1. Paulus is not going to be an NBA player and, being done at Duke, needs to find something new.
2. Paulus showed up at U of M's practice, either invited or unannounced. He did not work out for the coaching staff.
3. Paulus went on two different shows saying he had an *opportunity* to play at Michigan.
4. Both U of M's coaches (via Tate Forcier) and the university say that Paulus was not offered a scholarship.
5. Paulus, if I'm not mistaken, has never said he was offered a scholarship. He has apparently said, though, that he'd intend to start at QB wherever he went.
6. A bit of hell breaks loose.
Here, then, is what I *think* happened: Paulus came to practice, one way or another. The coaches said something to the effect of "get an NCAA waiver to come here, work out with Barwis all summer, get enrolled, and then we'll give you the *chance* to make the team."
The difference between that what the media has inferred happened (and what Paulus has let be inferred) is one of degree. It's an important difference, though. You can get the impression through the media covering this (i.e., the monkeys chained to the typewriters) that Coach Rodriguez has basically offered to annoint Paulus as the starting QB. That's a heck of a lot different than being just given the chance to make the team, a chance any would-be walk-on kicker might be given.
I believe Jason Forcier is right and that Paulus is using Michigan's name to market himself. Maybe he's misleading the media in a savvy and intentional way and maybe he's just in all of this stuff over his head.
He'll want to know he's being used! And if this is the case, Paulus is going to get visit from Paulie.
I've never seem so many threads and posts about a guy who isn't even on the team yet, and who will more than likely never ever see playing time at UM. There were fewer threads about Pryor, Boren and Big Will. This is ridiculous.
has boiled this down to what has happened. This seems to be accurate and correct. I like the summary, and we shouldn't be surprised. Again, Paulus can come here if he likes, and he'll spend the 2009 season at Michigan the way he finished the last one at Duke - with his ass on a metal bench.
Well, initially I was open to bringing Paulus as he was basically a free QB to add depth, but the media coverage on the situation has made it very annoying. Now I wish this never happened. Is it August yet?
April 17th, 2009 at 10:23 AM ^
aren't we pretty much just using each other if this goes through? paulus is using us to get in shape for a year to go to the NFL. richrod is using paulus to make sure he has another qb for a year. this whole thing is happening because its basically win/win unless this developing drama continues
April 17th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
Greg Paulus does not dictate ESPN's programming.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:27 AM ^
The media ruins everything.
Also, fuck ESPN.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:08 AM ^
Your analysis feels correct.
Tacking onto your thoughts, my guess is that the reason Forcier wasn't prepped for the media by the coaching staff was because Richrod never made Paulus an official offer. Why prepare your quarterback for a media event when nothing has happened?
April 17th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
What could Paulus POSSIBLY be "using" Michigan for? Because he wanted to get on PTI? By announcing that he's got an opportunity to play at Michigan, do you think the Packers are going to draft him with their first round pick and give him millions of dollars to prevent him from playing for their bitter archrival, the Michigan Wolverines?
Rodriguez CAN'T "offer him a scholarship" because Paulus can't sign one until he gets a waiver. However, Rodriguez basically said (according to Rivals' sources): "If you get a waiver to come here as a grad student, you can have a scholarship and compete for the starting quarterback position."
That's it. End of story. You guys - and the media - are blowing this way out of proportion with the "Fuck Greg Paulus" Facebook groups and "Let's join together to keep Greg Paulus away! Hip hip hooray!"
All of you just need to shut up and let it play out. Jesus H. Christ. We need fucking quarterbacks. If he's not good enough, he won't play. If he IS good enough to beat out Forcier, then he'll improve our team. Why is this so hard to understand?
Please make this the last Greg Paulus thread that's posted until he announces what he's going to do. This is asinine.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^
Well said, Magnus. You've cogently expressed my bemusement and disgust about this situation.
I think that my biggest complaint is the criticism I've read about Coach Rod "controlling" his team and "lying" to his players. There's no evidence of either this year, and taking speculation from the MSM as gospel is frightening.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
"What could Paulus POSSIBLY be "using" Michigan for? Because he wanted to get on PTI?" -- yes, publicity
"You guys - and the media - are blowing this way out of proportion with the "Fuck Greg Paulus" Facebook groups and "Let's join together to keep Greg Paulus away! Hip hip hooray!"" - I didn't say any of that stuff. I just said he's letting the media come to a false conclusion.
"We need fucking quarterbacks. If he's not good enough, he won't play. If he IS good enough to beat out Forcier, then he'll improve our team." -- I agree with all of that
"All of you just need to shut up and let it play out. Jesus H. Christ...This is asinine" -- I love you too.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^
People don't just do things for "publicity." They do it as a means to an end. "Publicity" is a very ethereal thing that means...well...nothing. People usually want "publicity" to make money. What does he stand to earn from this? Nothing.
April 17th, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^
Maybe he'll get other offers. Maybe more NFL teams will work him out. Maybe a pro basketball team in Italy will see him on Espn. Maybe nothing will happen.
I'm not accusing the guy of a crime. I was just trying to clarify the situation. I wish he could have come to the team w/ no media attention and competed for playing time just like anyone else.
I don't think quarterback-starved Rich Rodriguez giving the kid a shot to play quarterback will equal a ton of attention from NFL teams.
Regardless, if ANY OF YOU got a chance to be on Dan Patrick, PTI, SportsCenter, or whatever, you would go on those shows. This generation has grown up in the era of those shows, and that's what we all love.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^
Reporters misinterpreting something to make news? That would NEVER happen!
April 17th, 2009 at 12:05 PM ^
Reporters misrepresenting something to make news? That would NEVER happen!
That's better.
Erik in Dayton - I agree with the publicity hound point. I made the same argument on one of the other 72,000 Paulus posts. I started out liking this idea. Then he has to start talking to Dan Patrick, ESPN, PTI, the CIA, KGB, etc. If the kid would have just shut-the-hell-up I think we all would have welcomed him.
After four years at Duke he should know how the media works. I don't buy the "poor-shy kid getting taken advantage of" argument.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If he just keeps quite, refuses interviews and makes a decision w/o the fan fare, I think alot of us may feel diferently about him.