I have yet to see anyone come close to being a frustratingly consistent "just inside the line" jump shooter. Jackson seemed like the best 19'8" (before they moved the line back) jump shooter who ever lived, which only increased his confidence in that terrible shot.
I agree with pretty much everything stated by Ace/commenters about Stauskas, but I'd also add that he had great court vision. Incredible passer and very unselfish.
... and was close with the Parker family. (I think Lloyd and Parker coached together somewhere, maybe Illinois). Parker has a son with special needs who idolizes Lloyd. Not surprising.
... in this game: Was that not out of this formation? Seem to remember both Kerridge and and Fitz heading outside to DG's right after the shotgun snap.
No, this is not the same thing as Sandusky, but it's an example of how this is a problem for any institution. Even if it turns out there was no evil intent by the non-reporters at U-M Hospital, the old "pass the buck; somebody else will take care of it" approach is what enables pedophiles in society. And it can happen anywhere.
Seth writes, "The score was close but true to the short-lived rivalry, Michigan beat the snot out of them." I have a different memory of a great back-and-forth game (including the "Transcontinental" featuring Drew Henson after Brady faked an injury) that found Michigan down 10 with maybe 5 minutes left. Two clutch Brady drives later (the latter of which was cued by a great punt return by someone I'm forgetting) plus some Ian Gold blitzes/sacks and it's a Michigan win.
... in that "Portlandia" sketch about music snobs having a meeting with their preschool teacher? Good stuff.
Personally, I would recommned GTR's "The Hunter" -- awful late 80's "supergroup" composed of members of Yes, Asia, Genesis, etc. ("GTR" = "Gunning to Rock" in a totally non-ironic sense) -- playing a terrible, terrible rock balad. Everyone in the stadium will try to slit their wrists with a dull butter knife rather than listen to it again. Also: anything by Glass Tiger.
From my years in school in the early 90's, the rap often heard against Mo was he recruited too many top recruits from outside of the Midwest who weren't "excited to play for Michigan." So when these blue-chip recruits couldn't crack the starting lineup, they became cancerous and the team chemistry went to hell in '93 and '94. No idea if this was really true, and as noted above, Mo's sample size is too small based on rosters. I'd be interested in seeing his recruiting classes again though.
When Lloyd came in, he said he was going to focus on guys who "wanted to play for Michigan." Obviously, every kid wants to start, but there certainly seemed to be great team chemistry in the mid-to-late 90's under Lloyd. Whether that had anything to do with recruiting these "Michigan fans" (as opposed to recruiting really talented kids who lived up to their potential), I (again) have no idea.
.... Anthony Thomas or Chris Perry era. One of them, I forgot which, was injured (broken finger?) in the first half and didn't return in the second half. Mayo blasted Carr in his post-game column for not playing the running back in the second half. He obviously didn't feel like inquiring into (or listening to) the reasons (it was disclosed in the post-game presser), he just fired off a column to bash Carr. This Forcier gaffe is an even more comical and egregious example of Mayo's laziness, but he's been mailing it in for a long time (like most sports print columnists).
Someone could probably put together a Venn diagram to show that the Michigan fans who are still convinced that Navarre was the anti-Christ are substantially co-extensive with the Michigan fans who are still convinced Lloyd Carr was the anti-Christ. It's just a waste of time and energy to engage these people -- kind of like trying to have a rational conversation with Mel Gibson.
Also, I'm not sure if I'm using a Venn diagram correctly in the above hypothetical, since I haven't used my engineering degree since I graduated 16 years ago. Anti-Christ!
From Brian's digging, it does look like things were starting to go off the rails before Rodriguez was hired.
When was Labadie hired, and was he always in the same role?
And didn't Draper take on a new role when Rodriguez came in? I seem to recall he transitioned from Director of Football Operations to an Associate Athletic Director for football, or something like that.
.... and then proves it's a Rorshach test by reading an obvious game of telephone (seriously, the only thing missing is "PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER") as proof that Carr has an agenda.
Full disclosure: I am a Carr fan, so further proof of the Rorshach test.
I can't believe it's still early May. This is going to be the longest off-season EVER.
.... should be the new name for the 3-3-5 given Brian's description ("One of the best things about having a hybrid-laden defense is it minimizes situational substitutions in today's fast-paced modern football environment.").
I'm obviously not advocating for wasting a year of eligibility for Gardner, but I think he will be needed to win some games this year -- whether it's because of an injury or because of (hopefully temporary) ineffectiveness of Tate/Denard. I doubt that he'll be behind Denard re: the playbook by fall (he's here in the spring, and he has much more QB experience than Denard did in H.S.). If Tate won games last year as a true frosh, why can't Gardner? By all spring practice accounts, he is the only one of the 3 QBs who doesn't "panic" and take off out of the pocket unnecessarily. I think he'll be in the mix.
Given descriptions of spring practice thus far, I think Gardner has to get game experience this year, and fairly early. If Tate gets banged up, someone who is something of a passing threat must be ready to play. While it sounds like Gardner still has mechanical issues, it also sounds like he's already way in front of Denard in throwing downfield. And Gardner's not so shabby running the ball himself.
Could Rosenberg have been harsher in his critique toward Calipari? Obviously. But I have no idea how you can read that article and think the author (even a jerk like Rosenberg) is in the "approving" camp.
And this passage doesn't employ sarcasm?
"And when those appearances had to be vacated, Calipari sold the NCAA on the idea that he wasn't personally responsible. (Rose, his star recruit from Chicago, surely had somebody take his SAT in Detroit -- Worldwide Wes's town -- without Calipari's knowledge. Of course.)"
"Of course" = sarcasm. Q.E.D.
I have no idea why you're bringing up the Feagin article. I'm not defending what Rosenberg has written about Rodriguez's program. Rosenberg is a jerk. He's been doing a hatchet job on Rodriguez since RR got to town. I get it. And I certainly agree with that premise, like just about every Michigan fan. But just because Rosenberg wrote this Calipari piece doesn't make this an approving article about Calipari.
OK, I get that folks are amped up to attack everything Rosenberg writes. Yes, all of the abuse he and Snyder take for "Practice-Gate" is well-deserved given their shoddy/shady reporting and anti-RR agenda. Here though, Rosenberg is simply using sarcasm to call Calipari dirty, but a guy who wins games. Sounds right to me.
Like Clubber Lang, I'm predicting pain tomorrow: Sounds like they'll sit Minor out, Brown can't run through an arm tackle, throw in the weather creating some yakety sax (esp. by the punt returners), to say nothing of the sieve-like defense, and it will be awful to watch. More of the same, basically.
As Principal Skinner would say, "Prove me wrong, children. Prove me wrong."
OK, I'm done dropping names.
I think (2) explains (1). If you don't trust your safeties (and who in their right mind would?), how can you possibly play press coverage? They've also been occasionally using Warren as a deep half safety anyway with Williams playing up near the LOS (which didn't work against Illinois all that well).
No argument on (3). Mouton got pulled after Purdue's 1st touchdown for leaving his assignment.
As bas as these guys play at times, and as many huge plays they give up with their terrible instincts, the coaching staff just needs to pick a lineup and stick with it. All the rotating deck chairs don't make a difference during the game if the players are already lacking confidence and proper instincts. The kids have to believe they won't get pulled for one mistake, otherwise they'll have such paralysis by analysis that they'll make even more mistakes. The back 7 (except for Warren) feels the panic from the coaching staff and just gets panicked themselves.
The Oregon offense pre-Chip Kelly wasn't exactly a traditional passing attack. I have a vivid memory of being in Autzen Stadium in 2003 while the Ducks ran an array of unconventional spread-like plays to confound the Michigan defense with blaring jet-engine-like crowd noise for four hours (and that was just my ex-girlfriend sitting next to me, but seriously). I realize Bellotti went deep into his bag of tricks for that game, but he was always a bit of wildcard offensively, which is probably why he liked the cut of Chip Kelly's gib to begin with.
I seem to remember Warren pressing his guy (Floyd, mostly) with safety help and Cissoko giving 10 yard cushions to his guy (Tate) with no safety help. Hence Cissoko giving up nauseating 12-yard gains all day. Warren held up for the most part, but did get beat a couple times by Floyd (safeties nowhere to be found, natch).
He was limping noticeably for most of the game, and especially after he got hurt being thrown into Hemingway. If we had any depth at all, he probably would have been shelved in the 2nd half. So I understand why he was being asked to give a cushion to WR's. GERG has shown that he will play CBs in press on occasion (see ND game, with mixed results), but looks like he just doesn't trust the safeties (can you blame him?).
In high school at least, Cissoko was rated a pure corner with all the tools (speed, hips, confidence) except for height. If he comes back on the team, I don't see him being moved away from his natural position, especially when (1) Warren may not be here next year; and (2) even if Warren is back, both corners will be seniors.
Even if he does play, it will be his first game action in a month, and he didn't exactly start the year out great, if I recall correctly (at least by the standards set for him, which are high, since he's considered our best O-lineman).
And yeah, from RR's presser yesterday, sounded like Minor should be full-go this week for the first time this year.
I thought Gerg finally adjusted and took away the bubble screens in the 2nd half. Given the defense's propensity to give up big plays (and sketchy safety play) the last year or two, I can understand why he was prepared to die by a thousand cuts on bubble screens.
Gerg tried the man coverage against ND and it didn't work out so well. They're not as good as ND's bunch, but MSU has 3-4 very capable receivers as well, so I can also understand the soft zone coverages (as painful as it was to watch -- almost as awful as watching the Purdue game last year). I don't think MSU went max protect as often as ND did though.
the D-line for gumming MSU's run game. Mouton had an absolutely awful game, and he should get some serious wind sprints for his matador job on Cousins' 41 yard scramble. A completely half-hearted effort. No excuse for that. Ezeh made some plays and seems to be getting better, but he still disappears (caught in the wash) for long portions of the game. Stevie Brown is the only LB having a good year. Isn't he the only LB that Hopson doesn't coach?
Mental lapses *probably* had less to do with giving up many points to the Illini center he was checking than the fact that the Illini center he was guarding was almost A FOOT TALLER THAN HIM. Yeesh.
Threet is definitely banged up -- he was throwing decently (albeit to Tacopants fairly often) before and now he's now throwing rainbows like an 8-year old stuck at 3rd base for the first time. Who had expectations for this offense this year anyway? Sort of pleased the O-line is making some strides in the run game with no keeper threat and not much passing game. Of course, we have absolutely zero chance to win (or even be competitive) with Sheridan this week, but hopefully Threet is healthy enough to at least play the last two games.
Defensively, I am apoplectic. Nothing induces a string of profanities like watching this defense in 2nd and 3rd and long. They somehow manage to top (bottom?) their brutal performance each week. Makes 2005 seem like a sweet memory. Worst ... defense ... ever.
Recent Comments
I have yet to see anyone come close to being a frustratingly consistent "just inside the line" jump shooter. Jackson seemed like the best 19'8" (before they moved the line back) jump shooter who ever lived, which only increased his confidence in that terrible shot.
*
*
I agree with pretty much everything stated by Ace/commenters about Stauskas, but I'd also add that he had great court vision. Incredible passer and very unselfish.
... and was close with the Parker family. (I think Lloyd and Parker coached together somewhere, maybe Illinois). Parker has a son with special needs who idolizes Lloyd. Not surprising.
RIP.
... in this game: Was that not out of this formation? Seem to remember both Kerridge and and Fitz heading outside to DG's right after the shotgun snap.
... of a Pavement album cover. Good stuff.
.. and HAS happened here (albeit on a much smaller scale), at U-M Hospital: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-penn-state-michigan-sex-allegations-20120715,0,3797163.story
No, this is not the same thing as Sandusky, but it's an example of how this is a problem for any institution. Even if it turns out there was no evil intent by the non-reporters at U-M Hospital, the old "pass the buck; somebody else will take care of it" approach is what enables pedophiles in society. And it can happen anywhere.
Seth writes, "The score was close but true to the short-lived rivalry, Michigan beat the snot out of them." I have a different memory of a great back-and-forth game (including the "Transcontinental" featuring Drew Henson after Brady faked an injury) that found Michigan down 10 with maybe 5 minutes left. Two clutch Brady drives later (the latter of which was cued by a great punt return by someone I'm forgetting) plus some Ian Gold blitzes/sacks and it's a Michigan win.
... in that "Portlandia" sketch about music snobs having a meeting with their preschool teacher? Good stuff.
Personally, I would recommned GTR's "The Hunter" -- awful late 80's "supergroup" composed of members of Yes, Asia, Genesis, etc. ("GTR" = "Gunning to Rock" in a totally non-ironic sense) -- playing a terrible, terrible rock balad. Everyone in the stadium will try to slit their wrists with a dull butter knife rather than listen to it again. Also: anything by Glass Tiger.
From my years in school in the early 90's, the rap often heard against Mo was he recruited too many top recruits from outside of the Midwest who weren't "excited to play for Michigan." So when these blue-chip recruits couldn't crack the starting lineup, they became cancerous and the team chemistry went to hell in '93 and '94. No idea if this was really true, and as noted above, Mo's sample size is too small based on rosters. I'd be interested in seeing his recruiting classes again though.
When Lloyd came in, he said he was going to focus on guys who "wanted to play for Michigan." Obviously, every kid wants to start, but there certainly seemed to be great team chemistry in the mid-to-late 90's under Lloyd. Whether that had anything to do with recruiting these "Michigan fans" (as opposed to recruiting really talented kids who lived up to their potential), I (again) have no idea.
.... Anthony Thomas or Chris Perry era. One of them, I forgot which, was injured (broken finger?) in the first half and didn't return in the second half. Mayo blasted Carr in his post-game column for not playing the running back in the second half. He obviously didn't feel like inquiring into (or listening to) the reasons (it was disclosed in the post-game presser), he just fired off a column to bash Carr. This Forcier gaffe is an even more comical and egregious example of Mayo's laziness, but he's been mailing it in for a long time (like most sports print columnists).
Someone could probably put together a Venn diagram to show that the Michigan fans who are still convinced that Navarre was the anti-Christ are substantially co-extensive with the Michigan fans who are still convinced Lloyd Carr was the anti-Christ. It's just a waste of time and energy to engage these people -- kind of like trying to have a rational conversation with Mel Gibson.
Also, I'm not sure if I'm using a Venn diagram correctly in the above hypothetical, since I haven't used my engineering degree since I graduated 16 years ago. Anti-Christ!
Thanks Coach.
From Brian's digging, it does look like things were starting to go off the rails before Rodriguez was hired.
When was Labadie hired, and was he always in the same role?
And didn't Draper take on a new role when Rodriguez came in? I seem to recall he transitioned from Director of Football Operations to an Associate Athletic Director for football, or something like that.
Anybody know this stuff?
.... and then proves it's a Rorshach test by reading an obvious game of telephone (seriously, the only thing missing is "PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER") as proof that Carr has an agenda.
Full disclosure: I am a Carr fan, so further proof of the Rorshach test.
I can't believe it's still early May. This is going to be the longest off-season EVER.
Threet is definitely banged up -- he was throwing decently (albeit to Tacopants fairly often) before and now he's now throwing rainbows like an 8-year old stuck at 3rd base for the first time. Who had expectations for this offense this year anyway? Sort of pleased the O-line is making some strides in the run game with no keeper threat and not much passing game. Of course, we have absolutely zero chance to win (or even be competitive) with Sheridan this week, but hopefully Threet is healthy enough to at least play the last two games.
Defensively, I am apoplectic. Nothing induces a string of profanities like watching this defense in 2nd and 3rd and long. They somehow manage to top (bottom?) their brutal performance each week. Makes 2005 seem like a sweet memory. Worst ... defense ... ever.