Unverified Voracity Enloosens Turkeys
Sponsor Note. Had ol' Richard Hoeg on the podcast a couple weeks back, whereupon he both gave us an excellent Gimmicky Top Five topic and executed it well. It was about restoring the credibility of the NCAA with some rule changes, and he impressed with the depth of his thought. "Probity," I thought. "This person would be a good lawyer to have." And he can be your lawyer too, if you're starting up a small business and have a need for founding documents, contracts, and the like.
Also he had no preference between Rich, Richard, Rick, Ricky, and Dick, so if you're picky about names that's five options right there.
Turkeys on the loose. Via Bakers and Best, The Great Markley Turkey Hunt Of 1967:
In January I came across these two photos while browsing through the Bentley Historical Library image bank (the Bentley serves as the historical library and archive for the university). In the past ten months I have told anyone who will listen (and then some) about these pictures. Each time I find myself incapable of fully describing my thoughts on them. Most people react in the way that Ben Wyatt did to Li’l Sebastian. I fear the same will happen here, but I have to try anyways.
I mean, how ridiculous are these? Perhaps it was the fact that it was 4 AM and I had long since given up on falling back asleep, but all I could do when I first saw these was laugh. I was scrolling through a collection of photos from The Michigan Daily, and juxtaposed against campus protests and national conventions they became even more absurd. This feeling of delight and joy quickly moved into deep curiosity. I suddenly had to know everything I could about the story behind these pictures.
Someone had, presumably intentionally, released several turkeys for students to catch in the muddied Markley courtyard. Why? Who sponsored it? Whose idea was it? How many students participated? Where did they get the turkeys from? Was this an annual event?
Some 30 students…celebrated Thanksgiving early yesterday with an Interhouse Assembly-sponsored turkey hunt in the Markley courtyard. Winners were awarded four complementary Thanksgiving dinners – turkey of course – and a splendid time was had by all. – The Michigan Daily, 11/18/1967
From the Bentley Library I knew that both photos were taken by student photographer James Forsyth of The Michigan Daily. Scrolling through several years worth of microfilm turned up an advertisement on November 15th (at right) and a front page photo and description (quoted above) on November 18th. I found no other record in the five years before or after, leading me to believe this was a one-off event.
Perhaps one of the descendants of these unfortunate fowls became the Insane Killer North Campus Turkey of 2015, thus restoring his family honor. The moral of the story is that turkeys should be loosed upon campus more frequently than once every 48 years.
Going long. There have been rumblings about Michigan doing something to tamp down the Harbaugh Goes Somewhere rumors for a year or so now, and... uh...
@gregghenson @mgoblog @SamWebb77 You can’t make this stuff up... Go home ESPN you’re drunk pic.twitter.com/m1o7C2TuDh
— Pete Gothard (@PeteGothard) November 21, 2017
...yeah, now seems like an amazing time for such a thing. So naturally it's former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn who first broaches the possibility of a conversation-stopper:
Brady Quinn says Michigan is working on a lifetime contract with Jim Harbaugh. His full comments to @TheJonasKnox on Fox Sports Radio: pic.twitter.com/NaYfnmMLhm
— Mike Sullivan (@MikeSullivan) November 21, 2017
What that would look like is unknown. How much oomph it would have depends on the buyout, and all that, but since the yammering about Harbaugh's job is invariably done by dim bulbs a LIFETIME CONTRACT(!!!) should be fairly effective at silencing the noise even if it isn't absolutely ironclad. Those people ain't reading the fine print.
Going deep. Hopefully this Smart Football post will be relevant to our interests going forward. It's about the post route, which we've seen Donovan Peoples-Jones wide open on a ton without results until last week:
The trick to throwing the ball deep down the middle past all eleven defenders is (a) find a way to bring up the defense’s deepest defenders so you can throw the post behind them and (b) if those defenders stay deep, don’t throw the post. The way to accomplish both of those goals is to construct a sound concept around the deep post that can provide answers versus a variety of coverages — and strike like lightning whenever the opportunity is right. And for my money, there’s no better way of accomplishing those goals than the Mills concept.
...
The basics of the play are straightforward:
- the outside receiver runs a post route, breaking towards the near goalpost (hence the name “post”) somewhere between 12 and 15 yards;
- the inside receiver runs to a depth of 10 to 12 yards and either breaks inside (known as a “dig” or “square-in”) or runs a hook or curl back to the quarterback;
- the backside receiver runs some sort of route to draw away the coverage, such a corner route, a fade or “go” route or a hook; and
- the remaining eligible receivers (runningbacks, tight-ends or slot receivers) run underneath routes to be checkdown options if the defense covers everyone else.
Together, the play is typically run with play-action to further pull up the linebackers and safeties. And, as the Fun ‘n Gun heyday era clips below show, Mills could be as beautiful as it was devastating.
Michigan's currently getting DPJ open by being very very bad at passing, but if you see DPJ on a post while a TE runs a dig or 12 yard hitch under him, that's Mills.
Getting rid of it. One of these things is not like the other, from PFF via 24/7:
1. Brandon Peters: 5-8 for 112 yards and zero turnovers when blitzed
Before the redshirt freshman went down with an injury on Saturday, he was excelling when Wisconsin would bring pressure, hitting plays to Donovan Peoples-Jones and Zach Gentry down the field among others and had a strong feel for the pocket throughout the game.
By comparison? John O'Korn went 0-5 in similar situations and looked like he has most of the season when the pressure starts to collapse the pocket a bit.
Small sample sizes but the larger picture looks much the same unless O'Korn is able to break the pocket.
Oh. Right. Cease panic. Bill Connelly once again futilely attempts to calm the raging waters with his logic, stats, and whatnot.
S&P+ projected Michigan to win, on average, about 8.9 games in 2017. If I had taken returning starting quarterback Wilton Speight — lost for the season with injury back in September — out of the equation, their projected wins probably would have fallen to about 8.5.
They are currently 8-3 following a loss to Wisconsin, and they will probably be 8-4 after Ohio State leaves town this coming Saturday evening.
Oh, the horror. Oh, the crushing disappointment.
When I wrote, “From a narrative perspective, though, 2017 will be interesting,” this is almost exactly what I meant. When we peer into the future, we can stomach some disappointments in the name of long-term success. When we’re living through those disappointments in the present tense, however, it feels like the sky is falling.
The defense is performing almost exactly as projected; Michigan was projected fifth in Def. S&P+ and is eighth. The offense has been a bit worse than expected (projected 40th, currently 69th), and Speight’s injury hasn’t been the only cause. But it hasn’t helped, and it probably isn’t a coincidence that the Wolverines’ hopes of an upset in Madison ended virtually the moment that emerging QB Brandon Peters also went down.
Good luck, Mr. Connelly. Let's just check the ol' comments to see how it's going. And...
Do we really expect Michigan fans to want to hear context when they're about to be 1-5 in 3 years vs MSU and Ohio State?
...why type anything ever?
Etc.: Jake Butt has music opinions. Larry Prout profiled. Preseason basketball tournaments are a racket, and here's the worst one. Nobody coaches kickers. That seems fine since they're all super good in the NFL? Braylon Edwards remains Braylon Edwards.
November 21st, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^
First and last Cayman Island Classic?
November 21st, 2017 at 10:26 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 4:13 PM ^
Michigan playing in a ballroom in Atlantis was up there in terms of stupidly-run tournaments.
I continues to astound me that UCLA is as consistently bad at football as they have been. I'm sure Jim Harbaugh would make them better, but that's a program that seems destined for #2 status in that city.
November 21st, 2017 at 4:27 PM ^
They've had their moments, but their main issue is a continued string of bad coaching hires. Mora looked to be on the right track until his divorce, and before that they just couldn't seem to get out of their own way after Donahue retired, with the exception of Bob Toledo's Cade McNown fueled good season in '98.
Talent is never going to be the problem there even with the way USC recruits, but they've got to hire a coach who will do something different with them other than trying to basically be a homeless mans USC.
November 21st, 2017 at 6:41 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 10:28 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 10:48 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 9:46 PM ^
Generally, when a succession of coaches who are failing at one school, it's something about the school that is the issue. I think they've been way behind on facilities (although the Wasserman Center just opened this season I think) and I think their big athletic programs are run on the cheap because they actually care about the Olympic sports.
November 22nd, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^
Oh, I agree with you but the coaching has also sucked and that is down to the "hire on the cheap" factor you mentioned earlier.
Mora helped out immensely by helping get the Wasserman Center built and essentially bringing UCLA into the modern era.
November 21st, 2017 at 4:37 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^
Why hasn't the internet created a terrible bowl game or preseason basketball tournament yet?
November 21st, 2017 at 4:26 PM ^
...Never Read The Comments.
even this one - i don't know shit. same as everyone else.
November 21st, 2017 at 4:42 PM ^
for any Michigan fans wringing their hands over Harbaugh, questioning results, crying about records vs OSU and MSU etc, etc perhaps this sobering dose of reality will wake you up. There is another contingent of fans who constantly cry that the current people in charge of things are not the people who should be in charge of things and that they should fire the people in charge of things for other people to be in charge of things. The, once the new people are hired, everyone talks about what an uphill climb it will be to get back to acceptable levels, and how patience is the key. Then, a year and half later, the contingent of people start whining about the people who are in charge of things and start crying that those people should not be in charge of things. It's as if they expect things to improve dramatically and immediately.
Furthermore, its as if they expect the people they get hired to be 100% exactly perfect, or else they will clamor for someone else to be in charge, because the grass is always greener on the other side. They have no patience for things to develop and people to improve with experience, they just have a long history of things being terrible, but apparently also believe it's very easy to be not terrible, even though their team has been terrible for YEARS. Their team rarely gets anything right, but as soon as someone isnt perfect, then they're not good enough for these fans. Also, patience lasts...for about a year (maybe) before they start clamoring for more turnover...and things never get better
Those people are Cleveland Browns fans. You dont want to be as dumb, irrational and misguided as Cleveland Browns fans, do you?
(Note to MGrowOld before he says anything- Im a supporter of the Browns as well, but you know the exact type Im talking about. There are Browns fans capable of cogitation, but they're few and far between)
November 21st, 2017 at 4:49 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 4:58 PM ^
Never go full Cleveland Browns fan. Never.
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:46 AM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:34 AM ^
"going into next year as underdogs to both main rivals, eeek".
You see, this is a really, really dumb statement. You have no idea what is going to happen over the next 6 months in terms of folks leaving for NFL / coming back to school, transfers in / out, injuries, coaching changes, attrition, LOI, and scores of other factors.
I would say it is very unlikely that we start the season as an "underdog" to MSU, whatever the hell that even means (preseason rankings?, Vegas line?).
OSU, yeah sure, they will probably be 1 or 2 in the preseason like they are most years.
You talk about high pay but.given my doubts that you are part of the donor program, you are likely not paying for it. If you are putting money in, then I suggest you stop if you are not happy. I am paying my share and happy and excited to do so.
November 21st, 2017 at 4:46 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 4:59 PM ^
Don't scream into the void, dude. You'll just get laryngitis.
There's plenty of rational people out there. Find them. Talk to them. Sigh heavily at those who say, "I trust my gut!" But no more than that.
November 21st, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 5:01 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^
I would like to think that Harbaugh's lifetime contract includes a clause stating that, upon his death, his remains will be immediately embalmed and installed above the visitor's section of Michigan Stadium. From that time on the opponents will literally have Jim Harbaugh leering over their collective shoulders while they are playing in the stadium.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:04 AM ^
If it was good enough for Jeremy Bentham, it's good enough for Jim Harbaugh.
November 21st, 2017 at 6:25 PM ^
as in anything you keep your job.
If not....
November 21st, 2017 at 6:14 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^
for Jim. Neg away haters out there.
Jim is the guy
Hail
November 21st, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^
...this isn't our education system with
tenure and jobs for life bud....
you get the job done... beat your rivals and compete for Championships or..
,,next man up !!!....PERIOD !!!
November 21st, 2017 at 8:28 PM ^
Says the guy that stated (and defended) that he wants Harbaugh to be replaced by Mike Leach.
November 21st, 2017 at 6:31 PM ^
November 21st, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^
as an employee for the State of MIcjgan is legal.
Regarding our record, it doesn't say much that all our wins were against teams with a losing record. BY ANY measure, the coaching staff has not lived up to expectations or their inflated salaries.
November 21st, 2017 at 8:43 PM ^
BY YOUR MEASURE.
Let's face it, basically every person online who actually studies the film and inside stats of these games, totally disagrees with your conclusion.
November 21st, 2017 at 10:13 PM ^
Since the athletic department is 100% self funded from private dollars, are its employees considered state employees? It may not matter that not one dime of state funds goes to support the athletic department. Perhaps one of our MgoLawyers who is knowledgeable will comment.
As to the notion that our coaches enjoy unearned inflated salaries. Outside analysis of the impact of hiring Harbaugh indicates that in his first year the athletic department made more money from his hire than he and his coaches cost. Further as to expectations, rational folks understand that in the modern era of college football nothing turns on a dime, and that Harbaugh and his staff are on steady progress to create a program that wins year after year.
You're just a troll and not a very good troll at that.
November 21st, 2017 at 7:28 PM ^
If memory serves me right, I recall that Speight was good with a clean pocket, but struggled with mechanics when pressured, ie the back foot throws, overthrows, etc. earlier this season. Are there any stats on that to see if that's accurate? And, if so does that mean we think Peters is our QB next year or is that single thing not enough to overcome Speight's experience? Is another off season enough time to get Peters and the rest of the offense the full playbook? Who should our starter is next year if all are healthy and in the bowl game?
November 21st, 2017 at 8:30 PM ^
It's not a matter of who should be the starter, it's a matter of who wins the competition for the job. As it should be...
November 21st, 2017 at 10:29 PM ^
Based on all 3 QBs game play this year the QB competition at the beginning of the year appears flawed. I'm not sure how they evaluated each player and what their criteria, but it seems like the things that matter most are making good decisions, being accurate, and not turning the ball over. I wonder if knowledge of the playbook and just being loud was over-valued. Peters has performed the best in games but he didn't "win the job" in practice. Even JOK was ahead of him at the start of the season. So, I don't know that I have a ton of faith in proving your ability in practice without getting a chance in games. I think Peters has earned the #1 spot if healthy.
November 21st, 2017 at 11:27 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 12:04 AM ^
This assumes that the Peters we've seen in November is the same as the one in the preseason. It's unknown how much he may have improved.
November 23rd, 2017 at 6:51 AM ^
If I look at how the 3 QBs have developed in some areas and not in others, it makes sense that Peters may have gotten more comfortable/confident and is using his voice better. I doubt he's doing anything drastically different in a few months in terms of his ability to throw accurately and make decisions. The latter seem like inate skills he already has as well as skills JOK does not. In that regard we haven't seen much changes in any of their skills.
November 21st, 2017 at 10:41 PM ^
I won't pretend to know what goes on in spring or fall camp, but something clearly put Speight at #1, JOK 2, and Peters 3. I'll bet that being a returning starter gave Speight a leg up, and playbook command probably got JOK the 2-spot. After all, Peters was running the scout team last year, so he didn't get any time with the 1's & 2's, or much time running Michigan's plays. Also, Harbaugh said Peters wasn't taking command of the huddle in the spring (and early fall). That would put him another step back.
When Speight got hurt, Peters started getting personal time with Pep along with the #2 snaps. Harbaugh said his game and attitude had clearly improved and that he was ready 'sometime around the Indiana game'.
In any case, Peters has been two steps better than JOK. But we're not sure if he'd be better than Speight, if Speight had stayed healthy and could ripen with the offense as the season progressed.
Nonetheless, I'll continue to trust Harbaugh's QB whispering.
November 22nd, 2017 at 1:21 AM ^
Oregon
Tennessee
LSU?Arkansas?A&M?
November 22nd, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
1-5 vs. MSU/OSU? Those are just, like, numbers man.
November 22nd, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
Has anyone else noticed the fact that in the "Mills" video clip, the receiver apparently drops the ball at the 2-yard line? Was that called a Touchdown in context? Craziness.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^
I was just coming to comment this! absolutely insane. He wasn't even close to crossing before he dropped it.
November 23rd, 2017 at 7:41 PM ^
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