Monday Presser 9-29-14: Players
Frank Clark, Jake Ryan, and Joe Kerridge
Joe, you’re obviously part of the offensive group. Did you notice anything different about Shane in the huddles after he took that hit and through the rest of the game when you talked to him?
JK: “With Shane, I was on the sideline. I was focused in trying to pay attention to the game. I really didn’t have any communication with Shane throughout that part of the end of the game, so I wasn’t aware of any of the symptoms or anything like that.”
Have you noticed anything, seeing him around the building the last two days, that’s been unusual?
JK: “No. I haven’t seen him in the building, but that’s a question for coach Hoke.”
This is a question for Frank and Jake. Does the team get together after a loss like that and the fallout from it and has there been a team meeting? Does there need to be? Do you guys talk about it, and what do you do going forward?
JR: “I think just us as leaders need to bring guys up and get people’s heads up. After a loss like that that’s what you need to do, and we came in and we did what we needed to do. We got our film in, we got our practice in, and it’s just about keeping guys up and keeping guys focused.”
This is for any one of you. I’m wondering how much communication there is between yourself and maybe coach Hoke on the sideline when you see someone get injured or if you see something happen; if you can go up to him and say something or what that’s like on the sideline.
FC: “I feel like really that’s out of our power. If someone gets injured or things aren’t going in our favor, that’s our coach’s power. He controls everything at the end of the day, [and] we just follow the rules.”
Then if you have an injury, say, on the field, how much of a say do you have in getting back on the field? Are you able to simply tell them, ‘I’m fine’?
FC: “We play football. It’s a difference between being injured and being hurt. Anybody can play hurt, but not many people can play injured. But if you want to play football, if you want to go back on that field as a player he’s going to allow you to go back on that field if it’s not too bad.”
[More after THE JUMP]
I just wanted to clarify. Have you had a players-only meeting since Saturday’s game?
FC: “I mean, no, not really. The expectations are very clear. It’s not rocket science. When you lose, you lose and it’s very obvious why you lose, but the expectations are very clear. We know what we have to do to get better as a team and as a defense particularly. But like I said, it’s not rocket science. It’s not hard to figure out why you lost. We missed too many tackles as a defense. We gave up too many big plays, and when you do that you’re going to lose games.”
You guys have talked about the goal still [being] intact, but do you start shrinking the vision, maybe looking game to game now at this point?
JR: “It is going to be tougher but we can’t do that. We have to stay focused on what our goal is. Like I said before, it’s keeping those guys positive, keeping those guys in the right state of mind and lifting guys up and taking those necessary steps forward to improve each day.”
How difficult is it for you guys to have all this focus off the game of football as far as the media’s concerned? Does that hurt you in terms of [as] a team or your approach to the next game?
JR: “Wait, say that again. I’m sorry, I didn’t understand.”
The fact that there’s so much focus off of the game of football right now because of the Shane Morris controversy-
JR: “There’s no focus off the game of football right now at all. It’s just going in, working, getting the film in, treatment if it’s necessary and we’re just going to go every single day like we’ve got to play. We’ve got Rutgers next, and we’re taking those necessary steps forward to improve.”
For Frank and Jake, do you feel it necessary when you’re out and about to defend Brady Hoke to other people? Do you guys talk about that because his job is under so much scrutiny?
FC: “No. I’d defend coach Hoke from the get-go. That’s been my coach. That’s the only coach I’ve known since I’ve been in college and I believe coach Hoke is a great guy. His job being under scrutiny, that’s just what the people see. No one really controls that but the people in the program. As far as coach Hoke, we’re all behind him. We’re not giving up on coach Hoke. We don’t see him going anywhere no time soon, and as long as he’s still here for us we’re going to still come in and work for that man.”
For any of you: what did you see from Devin in terms of handling being taken out of the starting role and then coming back in and kind of just all the things going on with him right now? How is he dealing with all that?
JK: “He’s been a leader on and off the field, through practice, everything. He’s handled it really well. You don’t see any difference in what he’s doing being first or second. He’s been putting in the hard work and doing everything that he can to either help Shane or help himself to progress for this season, for this team.
Brady’s mentioned that sometimes he thinks it can be good for a guy to get away from the game and watch. How was he on the sidelines?
JK: “He was a leader on the sideline, for sure. He was coming to people if someone were to make a mistake on offense, he’d come up and tell you and let you know. He’d talk to us, get us going, things like that. When he couldn’t be on the field he was being a leader off the field.”
October 1st, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
Ugh, haven't read yet, but already know this is going to be brutal. I feel so bad for these kids. They did nothing wrong, and don't deserve to be put in the middle of everything like they are. Especially Shane.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
"That’s the only coach I’ve known since I’ve been in college and I believe coach Hoke is a great guy. "
October 1st, 2014 at 9:19 AM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
I think a bike as head coach could have gotten us to 2-3 this year for a few million less than what we're paying Hoke.
October 1st, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
Whoa, slow yr roll there, pardner. We've seen the damage caused by a twosie. You think just an ordinary bike would have been the wiser move?
October 1st, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^
They just want to do the best for the team, and get a fabulous education. Can't imagine the distractions they are dealing with now.
October 1st, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^
What a real pain the press can be. It's these kids job to go to class, get an education, and work hard at practice & on the field at game time. They shouldn't have to non stop field questions about Shane or Hoke. I can understand a few questions about focusing on the next game as such, but come on. Yea for the reporters that asked football questions.
October 1st, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^
Pretty lame to be asking those questions of these guys. What's the point?
October 1st, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^
but they trot the kids out to ask such questions. A lot of talk about the kids and protecting them, but this just seems like more abuse.
October 1st, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
Does Michigan have to put players out there for press conferences? Genuinely curious.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:08 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
Those are three great representatives of Michigan who know that, given the current climate, these press conferences are show pieces, and nothing more. I strongly suspect they either have been instructed to give no red meat to the media, or they are inherently savvy enough to know that they have to be extremely cautious in discussing team matters.
So the fact that there's no real information here is a testament to the players' intelligence and maturity, I suppose.
October 1st, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^
Of course they have been given media training. Michigan atheletics is a major enterprise covered by all levels of media organizations. It's normal and prudent to media train athletes to best represent the school to the public.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:47 PM ^
Yeah, of course they are given media training . . . but that doesn't diminish the fact that they represent well, and intelligently. Because ya know . . . "everyone kills people, murders people, steals from you, steals from me, whatever."
October 1st, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
even though today is Wednesday. Monday's information wasn't as clear as it is now.
I love how people think the players are told what to say and not say. They are part of a team and they instinctively will protect their own when talking to the media. It would be nice to see a little retribution protection when a teammate takes a blantant late hit like the one on Saturday though.
Go Blue!
October 1st, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
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October 1st, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Every Power 5 school has PR reps that prep players before talking to the press.
October 1st, 2014 at 10:08 AM ^
Understandable, I suppose, with the feeding frenzy. But UM is 2-3 and on a fast-train to not making a bowl. I know the "communication/concussion" situation is important and hard for everyone not to focus on, but I'm still depressed our team appears to be downright bad at football. Perhaps historically for UM bad.
Who knows? Maybe all this distraction from their performance will allow them to relax/focus/get angry/whatever and play much better, starting on Saturday. Not counting on it, but we can hope.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
This is exactly my sentiment also. I am going to cheer these kids on Saturday night and hope for the best. I just want to see that desire and passion that I have come to expect from a Michigan team. I haven't seen it since last OSU game.
October 1st, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^
What I don't get is why, after a 2-3 start, there has been no players-only meeting?
It makes me question why Hoke has decided not to have captains over the course of the season, or could it be that Hoke felt that there was no one with the degree of leadership that was necessary to assume the role of a team captain(s).
Either way, it is a concern.
October 1st, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/09/michigan_players_retu…
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October 1st, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
I wish they would put in some Offensive Lineman to ask them point blank questions like : Does Funk do anything in practice to make you better ? Or like Jake: with a lot of Linebackers on the team would you want to give DE a shot ? or maybe go back to OLB where you seem more comfy ? How do you feel that RR won 3 games with threat and sheridan and overall less talent than your highly rated group ?
October 1st, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
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October 1st, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
Non-Morris Question (asked in semi-earnest, but mainly out of DEEP frustration): there have been teams that win some games totally *despite* their coaches, right? That does happen from time to time? The mediocre coach whose team plays over their (and *his*) heads, often through sheer motivation and a refusal to accept the supposed inevitability of losing due to an inherent talent disadvantage? OK, so only one of those is clearly applicable to us, (i.e., speaking charitably, the lackluster coaching). The talent we supposedly have in abundance. So, exactly why aren't we able to muster the stuff to defeat the Utahs and Minnesotas of the world? (I mean, I guess recent-historically, that's the only kind of team we reliably beat, so maybe my premise is simply off. Quite possible, I volunteer that.)
And please, don't get me wrong; I'm not calling *anybody* a quitter--far from it--and, yes, I am completely fed up with Hoke, (possibly moreso Brandon), and agree that major, top-down changes must be made, but am I the only one who is waiting for a Michigan recruiting talent differential, or general team pride and a sense of history and duty, or at least some serious individual effort and fighting spirit to get us through some of these games?
If you can't muster a single point against Notre Dame, or a single offensive TD against Utah--is it totally wrong for me to look at the guys playing the game and stammer out, "Hey, Michigan is the winningest program in history because it's more than just a coach. It's more than an offensive or defensive scheme. It's more than a current record. And, hey, this isn't the NFL--you're college kids playing other college kids. This isn't Apollo vs. Drago--and if it is, YOU are supposed to be the Drago to most other teams' Apollo! Not to be a Football Luddite, but would you mind, um...FIGHTING HARDER!? Juke that guy! Break a tackle! Hold onto the goddamn ball!!! Fffffuuuuu...!"
It's still the kids who play these damn games, is it not? Even piss-poor teams can often summon the will to get a single TD (even two!) a game--Christ, practically by accident sometimes. Short of some (ha!) running back coaching, Brady Hoke has virtually nothing to do with a guy going down with a single arm bar tackle on his thigh. Or dudes just ditching their training and trying to one-hand catches, etc. Yes, most of me knows this all *starts* with coaching, but another part of me says: these guys just are not having any fun out there.
There's no 'Joie de Football', as my game-watching friend and I call it. They're not nearly hyped up enough. They're obviously going through the motions. All you have to do is look at our lack of an in-your-face-response to protect our own players, OR, conversely, to see an example of us doing it right, look at our Herculean effort last year vs. Ohio. That loss--that LOSS--is one of the proudest moments I've ever experienced as a Wolverine fan.
Can we really not play any better than this? Even under current circumstances? Explain Penn State rising to the occasion to prove something to themselves and their critics after a friggin' kiddie raper beef. Is Brady Hoke any worse than Jerry Sandusky? Yeah, not hardly. We've heard a lot about the fans supposedly "quitting" on the team--but the fans have been putting up with this kind of embarrassing horseshit non-football since the current players were, like, 11 years old. I have to ask, (and please don't negbang me to kingdom come), but if all the Michigan Men are indeed sticking together, dissecting film, "practicing great", (whatever that means. I've heard you play how you practice, so that's not exactly true, is it, Brady?), but...could a few bother showing up on one of these Saturdays? Shit, man.
(And anybody who has the time, feel free to explain to me my schmuckiness on these points--I just want to enjoy Michigan Football--one of the great passions of my life--again. That doesn't always mean winning, but it ALWAYS means competing 100%. That I'm not seeing. At all.)
October 1st, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
... who ordered a double steal with the two slowest players in baseball and brought in a rookie starter over one of his three lockdown Death Star relievers.
Sometimes it just works out. And sometimes you can do everything right and still lose.
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