Greg Mathews - #1 jersey?
As it is Spring and the post-Paulus era has given me far less Blue discussion fodder, I'm interested in the possibility of Greg Mathews getting the #1 jersey for the fall.
Obviously, he hasn't had nearly the career as other #1's (no 80 catch, 1,000 yard seasons, etc.), but I think it bears considering that Mathews stats were trending towards a breakout Junior and Senior season before last season's offensive collapse. With more consistent qb play, I'm inclined to think that Mathews stats, even with his brief injury last season, could have been drastically more impressive at this point in his career. Perhaps, the coaching staff should consider the epic drop-off of qb talent last year and revive this important tradition for a guy that seemingly could have earned it with his numbers. The guy had nearly 40 catches from the 3 spot in the Mallett/Henne 07 season and with Mario/Adrian gone, he seemed poised to take the reigns. Though we'll have to wait until the 09 season to see how good he can be as a first option with a qb with reasonable accuracy (assuming Forcier's the guy), I think the coaching staff could recognize Greg, not as a statistical marvel, but as a senior whose weathered the rough transition and is now ready to lead.
For aesthetics sake, reviving the #1 tradition this year could give some of the younger guys something to strive for. Even for me, growing up out of state (SEC country) and not a Michigan fan, I remember always thinking the #1 was a pretty bad-ass tradition - one that said 'this guy has worked hard and will soon be playing on Sundays'. While Mathews numbers might not add up, I've always heard that Mathews is a solid worker (07 Maulbetsch Award) and the #1 could cement his status as the natural leader of our young receiving corps.
Tough sell, but thoughts?
April 20th, 2009 at 11:14 PM ^
Mathews will start in the fall, but there was a time this spring where he was fighting for the starting job. As upperclassmen, I don't know that David Terrell or Derrick Alexander or Anthony Carter or Braylon Edwards was ever in danger of losing his job... This seems to bode unwell for earning the "legendary" #1 jersey, but I could be wrong.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^
I can't see him earning the #1, but like magnus i could be wrong. I do agree i was excited before Mallet transfered that Matthews could have a huge season, and be next in line. IMO I can't see anyone wearing the #1 jersey until Ricardo. Only person with a legit shot is Stonum IMO, but i really do hope RR keeps that tradition going.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^
Neither Arrington or Manningham wore #1, though one of them probably could have had they returned for another year. Although Manningham probably blew that opportunity with his off field issues. However, to hand out the #1 jersey just for the sake of having the tradition continue IMO potentially lowers the bar for all possible future recipients of the jersey. I would rather one of our WRs step up and earn it, even if that means we go a season or two without the #1. Whoever dons the #1 should not pale in comparison to the likes of AC & Braylon. Not to suggest that Greg may not get there, because he may very well have a great year. I sure hope he does! GO BLUE!!!!
April 20th, 2009 at 11:25 PM ^
Mathews won't get there. We will be a run-heavy offense, we'll have a freshman QB, and Mathews is a senior this year. He's not going to reach Anthony Carter-level heights.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:32 PM ^
Agreed! I think Stonum and Roundtree (now that he can see) have a better shot than Mathews.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:48 PM ^
Roundtree is nearly as skinny as AC so he's got that going for him as well.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:48 PM ^
Perhaps the better question is "Will anyone reach AC, Braylon, Terrell-level heights under the new offense?"
I only found one 1,000 yd season by a WR under RichRod at WVU - 1,006 by Chris Henry in 2003, which seems miraculous given that it was done with only 41 receptions (and probably while drunk).
While Mathews might not be the ideal candidate, most future "#1's" will probably not have AC/Braylon numbers as long as we run the spread. If the #1 tradition is to exist at all, it will have to be awarded for intangibles or leading the team in receiving at something to the tune of 600-800 yds.
I think it's possible. RR never really had a vertical threat QB-wise.
If a receiver is good enough, and there is a QB who can throw to him, he will get the ball.
If you look at the offenses he coordinated at Tulane and Clemson, there was substantial passing yards:
Rod Gardner has over 1000 yards in 1999 and 2000(they through for more yardage those years than any year we had Henne or Navarre)
In 1998, both PJ Franklin and Jujuan Dawson had over 1000 yards at Tulane. Shawn King's 3495 yards passing would be a Michigan record.
So, he has definitely thrown the ball in "this offense". He didn't thrown the ball as much with Rashard Marshall (poor accuracy) or Pat White (if you had Pat White's skillset, why would you?).
April 20th, 2009 at 11:57 PM ^
could not agree with you more. Mathews is not or will never be Edwards Carter or the others. Keep the #1 for exceptional recievers, not decent ones.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:49 PM ^
No love for Junior Hemingway? Maybe I'm the only one that sees huge upside there.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:06 AM ^
I see it also, but the only thing tangible he has going for him is his deep endzone haul in against Utah. Other than that he's a bit of a question mark like Roundtree.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:32 AM ^
A full year of health, redshirt-sophomore season, and Matthews getting the tough-Avant-like yards and multiple slots and an experienced TE will open up Hemingway for some long balls and tds.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:17 AM ^
chatter on this board about Ricardo, I thought it was a foregone conclusion that he would be the next #1 in the near future. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Je'Ron Stoke has the physical credentials, let's keep his name in mind.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:18 AM ^
What aboutt if one of the receiver does really well throughout this season, and REALLY stands out among the rest, how bout unveiling the #1 for the OSU game and hopefully a bowl game
April 21st, 2009 at 12:38 AM ^
A little extra motivation and moxie, I like it. +5 for you sir.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:40 AM ^
there is no rule that says we have to have a #1. the michigan #1 jersey is so special because we dont just give it to anybody.
i would feel it near blasphemous for matthews to get it. it would take so much away from the 'real' #1's. there are plenty of other michigan wr's that had way better careers and didn't get it (manningham, marquis walker, mercury hays to name a few).
if there is even a rumble of this going on in the locker room i feel like some booster will have another sit-down with rrod and explain to him about 'tradition' again.
Tyrone Butterfield Greg Matthews IMHE
April 21st, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
If we're using the "better than Butterfield" criterion, we'd have too many candidates. It's best to pretend that his tenure never happened.
This should have the same simple decision criterion as retiring a jersey:
Is there any question that the individual deserves it?
If so, then the answer is no.
Well, he's better than Butterfield. So there's that.
I hear that Huron High is actually working out a deal with the University of Michigan to allow a certain transfer player to literally wear the #1 in maize and blue for the upcoming season.
Because, of course, it's already his.
Seriously, I do think that the next player to wear it will be Ricardo.
had the inside shot before the transfer to North Dakota State.
should only be reserved for good teams. Take the wings off the helments till the team "deserves it" also i dont think this team, if it ends up like last years team, should be allowed to run under the mclub banner untill they win. This university is a tradition of winning, and unless you win you shouldnt be allowed to be part of the tradition. I pay my money to wear michigan apparel, but if we dont win (yes i am a part of the team psychologically) i dont wear the Block M becase that is disgrace to the tradition of winning.
the only way to judge how good a reciever is is by looking at his stats... Things like leadership, commitment, good teamate, that crap is all over rated, and should never be used to judge a football player
Number 1 should only be given to kids that run sub 4.4 and have 40 inch verticals, wings and banner only for winning teams, michigan apparell only for winning fans, thats the way it should be.
gsimms can crack skulls metaphorically, as well as literally.
you are way off base with this sarcastic point you are trying to make. Every reciever on the team works hard, but they all don't deserve the #1 jersey. He doesn't deserve it because he hasn't done anything on or off the field (especially on) to really seperate himself from his fellow recievers. He's a great kid, good attitude, good work ethic, but not on the same level as the #1's in the past and I don't want this to become another area of our program where we are lowering our standards.
P.S. I think it would actually be cool to see the players have to earn their helmet wings during spring ball, and make a big deal about recieving them at the end of the spring practices. Kind of like what Parcell's did with the Dallas Star for training camp that one year...
April 21st, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^
that was just made more funny by a serious response, is that as fans we have no freeking clue, or say in why someone gets the number 1 or not. The only reason anyone ever talks about the number was becsause of a ploy that Lloyd used to try to motivate a disgruntled tallented kid to try harder. For all we know Lloyd could have said, "braylon you arent going to get the number 1 that you want unless you run two miles a day after practice"
there was no "on field production qualification" even then, why should there be now?
I could imagine someone in Notre Dame stadium while rudy was being carried out saying
"come on players, you are ruining the tradition here at ND by carring out a player that isnt even very good, we are better than that!"
April 21st, 2009 at 11:26 AM ^
I am a graduate of this great university and your comments really p**s me off. The university is an educational institution that is one of the best in the country and also happens to be very successful in athletics. If you don't support your team even in hard times you don't deserve to be called a U of M fan. The MClub supports these young men because they wear the school colors and that will never change. One bad year and you want to rid the team of all the traditions-go to H**L! And that isn't Hail. I expected a slice of "humble pie" last year, but got serve the whole darn pie. Could the team have won a couple more games by RichRod postponing implementing the spread-probably, but I still don't think they would have made a bowl game. That would have meant trying to implement a whole new system this year and put the team behind a whole year.
As far as only being able to judge a WR by his stats- get a clue! Yes they are important, but don't tell the whole story. How many bubble screens would have gained more yards last year had a WR made a block. How often did the WR find an open spot to help out his QB as he was running for his life. Which WR led the way in practice trying to help other WRs improve. I don't believe Matthews deserves the #1 and I think Miller is showing what it takes to EARN that honor, but lets wait to see his production on the field. I will team one thing, Ricardo is what every M recruit should be-True Blue!
Would Mike Hart be held in such high esteem around hear based on his measurables (short and slow) or because he was a warrior and team leader who would do whatever was necessary to win!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:35 AM ^
I can't tell if you're being serious or not, but gsimmons was being sarcastic.
One good sarcastic rant deserves another. The team really needs one of WRs to step up this year. Hopefully, improved QB play will make it that much easier. Word last year was they weren't the hardest working group, but then again the ball was hardly ever thrown more then 5 yards down the field. Tate seemed to hit the WRs/RBs in stride during the spring game so that bodes well if it continues come September.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:37 AM ^
i stand corrected...
April 21st, 2009 at 12:54 PM ^
Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.
Who cares if he wears #1 or not? This is a concocted tradition, anyway, that started only recently.
But, I'll play along. Lloyd held the #1 jersey out until Braylon proved it, correct? Well, he didnt go out and say you must catch X amount of balls and score Y amount of touchdowns before giving him the #1 jersey. Instead, he challenged Edwards to be a team leader, during the off season, and challenged his work ethic. Eventually Edwards landed his coveted #1, but it was not due to a monster 12-catch game against ND, for example.
If Matthews, as a senior in the lead up to an extrememly important year for the program, exhibits those very same qualities, and then some, that Edwards did in that off season, then by all means let him have the #1 jersey. He is a senior at a position where we have a ton of budding stars in the sophomore and freshmen classes. If his leadership is there, giving him the #1 jersey would be a great statement to those younger players that there is more to being a football player at UM than memeraly catching passes on the field and racking up stats.
You guys are way too caught up in stats. You know who wore the #1 jersey proudly and was a great Michigan Wolverine? Greg McMurtry. Yet, I never see anyone here list him among the greats to wear the #1. Tyrone Butterfield also wore the number proudly, even if he didn't leave a huge impact on the UM record books. He did make perhaps the most important play in the comeback vs UVA (sorry, OC and maizeandblue wahoo).
Edwards earned the #1 jersey through sweat and leadership in the off season. If Matthews does the same, then RR ought to give him the jersey.
Besides, as stated above, Matthews was following the same career trajectory as all the great UM modern WRs. Without regime change, system change and major QB issues last season, I have no doubt we'd be talking about an all-conference performer right now. If I were Matthews, I would have thought long and hard about transferring as the change drastically altered his pro draft prospects and his role on the team. But, he stayed in Ann Arbor, gutted through a shitty season and he's got one last year in the Maize and Blue.
If he's been a senior leader and impressed RR as such, then I endorse Matthews carrying on this "tradition."
April 21st, 2009 at 10:05 AM ^
Another thing that people fail to realize about the #1 "tradition" is that the tradition of the best receiver on the team "earning" it started with Braylon. And it is very likely that Braylon asked for it because of his father's admiration of AC. As far as I know, prior to Braylon, the #1 was assigned to a true freshman.
While Desmond was clearly the best receiver on the team and was recruited in 1989, Derrick Alexander (who red shirted in 1989) wore the #1.
I think that the #1 being earned is a cool tradition, but let's keep in mind that its really just been applied to one player.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:54 AM ^
IIRC, Desmond actually was a tailback in high school - and Alexander started out wearing #37 or something like that. He switched to #1 as a redshirt frosh.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:36 AM ^
I also find it strange that McMurtry is not mentioned in the "great WR to wear #1" class. Although he was primarily a WR and only returned a few kicks, his receiving stats rival those of Desmond Howard (with much fewer TDs though.) Perhaps it was because he wasn't a huge game-changing WR.
I wouldn't complain if they gave it to him. But to me, it all depends on whether he is a leader in the locker room--not whether his numbers are Braylon-esque.
It seems very, very likely that he would be the go to receiver right now, no questions asked, if there had been no transition. Since he's stuck it out without any complaints as far as I know, he should be rewarded with some recognition. When you think of all of the crybabies we've had to endure through, we should keep in mind the ones who rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
Plus, if he doesn't pan out this year we have an ingenious decoy for the Stonum/Roundtree/Hemingway tandem!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:12 AM ^
players and each of them could change the game (MSU '04). Manningham was close to that type of guy but he's off the field issues probably kept that from happening. I have not seen a game changer at WR yet on RR's squads. We could have had AC, Braylon, and Terrell last year and we still would have won 3 games.
I think you cheapen the meaning of the #1 jersey if you start lowering the bar of what it takes to earn it. You can blame scheme, QB play, WRs, coaches, etc, but their is nobody on last year's team or that we've seen in a real game this year that even comes close to being a recepient of the #1 jersey. A #1 can take over the game and makes things happen out their. I just don't think we're mature enough as a team to have that guy out there.
Matthews is a good possession receiver, but he does not possess the game breaking skills of Braylon, David T, AC, or the other #1's from the past. That's not saying he's not a hell of a football player or a tough Michigan Man; he is all of that, but we've yet to see him take over a game. Most of that was because he was behind some of the other guys in 07, had to play with bad Qbs last year, so this will be the first year he can really be the go to guy.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
had to ask for the jersey, that was braylon...
and he didnt have to earn it by being a game breaker, he had to earn it by being a great teammate, a hard worker, and a leader... If the coaches feel that Mathews is that kind of guy, and if he asks for it, he should get it...
that is the tradition that i would best like to emulate, and according to the foundation, that is what the "tradition" should be about
"The Scholarship Endowment for the University of Michigan's No. 1 football jersey was announced in April 2006. The charitable gift provides support to a student/athlete wearing the No. 1 football jersey. The scholarship endowment will recognize future athletes who demonstrate character and commitment both on and off the field. Athletes wearing the No. 1 jersey are selected by U-M's coaching staff."
"The gift is the largest pledged to the department by a current professional athlete and links the Braylon Edwards Foundation to the No. 1 jersey. The new endowment will be awarded to the Michigan football player who wears the No. 1 jersey. If no player currently wears the No. 1 jersey then the award will be granted to another player who exhibits exceptional off-field behavior and conducts himself as a team player."
April 21st, 2009 at 11:43 AM ^
It should be noted that Carter, Alexander, and Terrell (the other good receivers to wear the #1) were all given the jersey as freshmen - no "earning".
April 21st, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
Yes, but now that Braylon's endowed the scholarship for the jersey, I think the rules are a little different. Players should now earn it like he did, IMO.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
"The scholarship endowment will recognize future athletes who demonstrate character and commitment both on and off the field."
"If no player currently wears the No. 1 jersey then the award will be granted to another player who exhibits exceptional off-field behavior and conducts himself as a team player."
April 21st, 2009 at 12:17 PM ^
And, if Matthews qualifies via off the field actions, then let him wear it. I dont care if his stats dont measure up.
I think that's fine. Mathews may not be an all-time great, but he's a solid player and seems to be a good locker room guy.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:22 PM ^
Anthony Carter didn't have to "earn" the No. 1 jersey as a freshman in 1979 when he arrived on the Ann Arbor campus from Florida.
It was handed down to him from PK/P Greg Willner, who was an unsung hero of UM's 1977 and 1978 10-2-0 seasons(look back at UM's kicking game in 1979 to see how important Greg Willner was.)
It's 2009. 30 years later. A new Florida kid is coming to Ann Arbor this fall. Not a wide receiver, but could play one on TV.
Give the No. 1 jersey to Denard Robinson.
Greg Mathews is a senior. Good wide receiver. Will have a great year. But No. 13 suits him.
Or just retire the No. 1 jersey altogether, because this fairy tale about "earning the No. 1jersey at Michigan" is all about Braylon Edwards. And he's gone.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:24 PM ^
Let's see:
Block FG at the buzzer, UM loses 12-10 to ND.
Block punt in the fourth quarter, UM loses 18-15 to OSU.
Is this what you mean?
Give #1 to our incoming schollie kicker, for all I care. But, I like the Denard idea also.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
1979:
UM loses to Notre Stain 10-12 - blocked UM FG attempt in waning seconds. UM missed a few FGs that day and went for it on 4th down several times too.
UM loses to Purdue in WLF 21-24
UM loses to OSU 15-18. Went for 2 because FG and PAT unit sucked. Blocked punt cost UM 15-12 lead.
UM loses to UNC 15-17 in Gator Bowl. 2pt defeat to a 7-3-1 team who's coach Dick Crum said he was "embarrassed" to be playing a team the caliber of Michigan.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:39 PM ^
The birth of the Spoilermakers moniker.
Man, I still remember listening to that one on the radio with the whole family.
I wonder is looking at these results surprises some of the more insane, fly-off-the-handle posters we have here.
You know, the ones who said Lloyd Carr's team sucked at special teams and overall preperation.....our UM history books will show that some of our other coaches had this issue as well.
I had forgotten about some of the other adventures in kicking that you highlighted from that game.
And, no Gator Bowl discussion is complete without mentioning the fact the Lawrence Taylor flat destroyed John Wangler, tearing up his knee in the process, in that game.
Or just retire the No. 1 jersey altogether, because this fairy tale about "earning the No. 1jersey at Michigan" is all about Braylon Edwards. And he's gone.
Tell that to Braylon. Remember his reaction last year when RR wanted to give the jersey to a non-WR?
Hence the quote "it's all about Braylon Edwards."