Appreciating Alex Drain (and MGoBlog)
During this morning of diaries and general everyone loves everything love fest, I want to take a quick moment to shoutout Alex Drain.
The vast vast majority of people who frequent this board found it and appreciate it because of some content that Brian wrote or created. As Seth has taken a more active role, I think most of us long-timers have really grown to appreciate his yin to Brian's yang, and how their 1-2 dynamic really does create a nice balance. (Let's call it the best version of this site's different personality 'blends' over the years)
That said, your addition to the site, Alex, and your contribution to the efforts here has been nothing short of outstanding.
I don't have a great memory for these things but did you start here the season this all started? Is Michigan 40-3 during the time Alex Drain has been contributing to MGoBlog? If so... well thanks for being a human rabbit's foot!
But nonsense aside, in a time where too often writers/creators are more interested in being opinionists and personalities (especially the ones who are young like you), you march in an opposite direction. You write. You create thoughtful logic-based arguments with foundations established by the work and research you do to formulate them. Your contributions on the audio content are some of my favorite things here on the site.
In short, you make this site a better place. Thank you for your thoughtful writeups and all the work you've done, and contributions you've made here over the past few years.
And that goes for everyone, Brian and Seth of course, all of the contributing writers, the mods (except for that dastardly handsome bastard RobF!), you all do such great work to make this the best fan space (for any team) on the internet. Thank you.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:34 PM ^
My fandom and my elation would not be what it is today without MGOBLOG. I would be a less emotionally healthy individual without it. It is a godsend.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:35 PM ^
In an era when quality independent sports blogs have nearly gone extinct, MGoBlog remains a shining example to all and an indispensable resource and community for Michigan fans. Thank you Brian, Seth, Alex, and the rest of the crew. The leaders and best!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:42 PM ^
The analysis and football breakdowns here are second to none. I've looked and looked for other team related blogs to find similar levels of content and not once has anybody come close. This site is world class and I can't thank the staff behind this operation enough. We appreciate you guys!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:39 PM ^
This site is the best thing that ever happened to my football fandom. Thank you!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:40 PM ^
Absolutely.
Oh, and not getting much work done today. 🤷🏻♂️
Don't even care. Should be a holiday.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:41 PM ^
It isn't?
January 9th, 2024 at 12:42 PM ^
Alex is going to get hired by UM as an analyst.
your work is outstanding, young man
January 9th, 2024 at 12:53 PM ^
I've often times thought this exact thing, the kid knows how to dissect film!!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 1:04 PM ^
Don't say that. We need him here!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:43 PM ^
Hear, hear!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:44 PM ^
Hear! Hear! And his scouting and breakdowns of opponents is always spot on. I am amazed every game when his assessment of the opposing team's and player's strengths and weaknesses bears out precisely as he has evaluated.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
I want to thank Alex for also losing his mind about the lack of PAP, QB run and intermediate passing. I was losing my mind for a solid 1.2 hours. On a rewatch, it wasn't as bad as my brain was telling me. But during the game, glad to know I wasn't the only one going insane. I appreciate a wild, fire all the offensive coaches, lolz.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
Logged in to upvote and post that I love Alex, his analysis, and his ability to break down film and opposing teams. He's a kid genius. Brian is definitely my favorite writer/analyst but Alex is 1b!
Give Alex Drain a raise!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^
I'll be honest - when we were trudging through less glorious times, this blog and my role as a moderator came up in numerous therapy sessions. Then, for probably a good six months at the beginning of 2020, primarily for reasons of physical rather than psychological health, as I had what was my final reckoning with addiction, I left it.
Then I came back, just in time for 2-4 and that angst, then it seemed like the football version of the "Aneurysm Of Leadership", an event we probably didn't see, took place somewhere out of view.
Then, we embark on a 40-3 run that ends on top of the college football world. Weirdly, I thank this place for restoring a joy that this place also zapped from me, if that makes sense.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:59 PM ^
Alex Drain is young and I appreciate his maturity and enjoy listening to his input on the podcasts. He is professional in his speech and conduct.
January 9th, 2024 at 1:11 PM ^
Here here!!
This mornings NC game recap was the best written recap all year. Dude saved his best for the right time...
January 9th, 2024 at 1:11 PM ^
Yep.
Thanks Alex!
January 9th, 2024 at 1:13 PM ^
I could not agree more! Thank you so much!
January 9th, 2024 at 1:13 PM ^
A great writer and talented analyst. Must have had great teachers!
January 9th, 2024 at 1:20 PM ^
Amen to this. Top-notch stuff
January 9th, 2024 at 1:23 PM ^
I’m starting to worry some team is going to snatch him up as an analyst because his scouting always seems on point
January 9th, 2024 at 1:28 PM ^
There is no site - like MGoBlog - period.
The best site - for the best team - for the best university - for the best fans.
January 9th, 2024 at 1:32 PM ^
Yeah love this place yada yada yada.
BUT FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD, WHERE ARE THE UFRs????
January 9th, 2024 at 1:34 PM ^
crystalizing many of my feels into words that will last a lifetime.
Greatly appreciated.
January 9th, 2024 at 2:04 PM ^
Maybe it was Alex, and not Connor Stalions responsible for our success. We know it wasn't JJ or Blake or Harbaugh or Minter or a football culture previously unknown to mankind. In any event, we are so fortunate to have a site we want to check in on 5 times a day replete with smart, thoughtful writers who are passionate about Michigan football. It was therapeutic to read the rebuttals to all the bullshit.
January 9th, 2024 at 2:08 PM ^
Alex's analysis is amazing and often prescient. When he said the Huskies were gonna have some trouble with our offense, I relaxed. And, as usual, he was right.
January 9th, 2024 at 2:31 PM ^
I don't remember FFFF being so useful and accurate as the last couple of seasons since Alex took over (no offense intended to writers of seasons past but I'm sure plenty given).
January 9th, 2024 at 2:45 PM ^
Alex is the greatest MGoBlog hire since Seth!
January 9th, 2024 at 2:45 PM ^
I know UFR was the early site's calling card, but now I swear that the FFFF is the current comparative advantage over all other blogs. Alex writes these fantastic summaries, Brian uses them in his preview, and week after week, the game basically goes the way they predict. This blog's advance scouting is peerless.
January 9th, 2024 at 2:55 PM ^
He has quickly and quietly become one of the best game film analysts out there. Bet.
January 9th, 2024 at 9:35 PM ^
I don't remember much of a formal introduction of Alex to the blog. Maybe there was and I missed it.
He was just a name that started showing up as author to some articles. I didn't know if he was an MGoBlog employee or a guest writer or whatever.
But he has been producing some great content. Especially before the Rose Bowl and the NC, his FFFF was the content I waited for most.
Tip of the hat to you, sir.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:44 AM ^
This blog is the best - thank you to all the owners/writers/contibutors/moms and posters.
What a magical trip these last 3 years have been (I joined in '08), so I know what the other side of the coin is like, and I much prefer this side.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
Alex is INCREDIBLE. He is so good at finding that one thing to look for that you usually have to be a coach to see.