OT: Who is Albert Breer? (Harbaugh-to-NFL rumors)
While we're in a brief quiet period waiting for recruit news, I thought some might find this interesting.
For what little they're probably worth, the Harbaugh-to-NFL rumors are getting propagated on several sites this morning (e.g., CBS Sports). They're all traced to Albert Breer.
Who is Albert Breer? He's a journalist for The Shield (NFL): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Breer
Based on a quick look around the WWW, it seems that he may have a colorful history:
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/oh-court-of-appeals/1479719.html
This mug shot looks like his younger self, though the age is wrong:
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/proxy.php?ima…
I can't say for sure that it's the same Albert Breer, but he can't say for sure that there's any substance to the "rumors," right?
December 13th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^
December 13th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^
and continued that trait through the end
December 13th, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^
Some of you guys are going to very miserable Decembers and Januaries and Februaries the next 5 years until you realize every NFL opening will have Jim Harbaugh listed as a "top candidate" with hundreds of rumors and stories to that affect as he is as close of a sure thing as you get who is not already in a NFL job.
You can either spend those next 5 years chasing your tail and reading all these stories with sweaty palms or live life and accept that maybe one day in the future it happens but until then just Hulu and chill.
Harbaugh is now what Gruden and Cowher were 3-6 years ago,and Parcells was 7-10 years ago... the coach on EVERY list for EVERY opening.
I hope Brian develops some sort of policy against posting every rumor every day about NFL jobs because it is going to be non stop for 3 months every year.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^
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December 13th, 2016 at 9:56 AM ^
December 13th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^
This is the issue for me. I don't mind Breer and think this stuff is not needed (oh no, he urinated in public in college!), but I do think it was pretty shady.
He (allegedly) makes a comment to Cowherd off-the-air implying that it was "serious" about the Harbaugh to Rams rumors. He then clarifies on Periscope that he said, no, that's what he would do, not that it had any legs to it. But the damage is done from a recruiting perspective and it's a dead period. So he gets to deny the wording of it (because he didn't say it on the air) while hurting his alma mater's rival during a key recruiting period. Maybe Cowherd misherd it and ran with it. Or maybe Breer wanted him to "mishear" it. That is exactly how you'd play it if you wanted to be underhanded about it.
In fact, we know that it did get to recruits if you read some of the insider notes.
It's crappy and he deserves to take heat for it. But that's about it.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:53 AM ^
^^This.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
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December 13th, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^
because this is very accurate. There will be a sine curve of time in which Harbaugh remains on the considered roster, and only the passage of years will erase him.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^
Urban Meyer HC
Mork Dintini DC
Grimice McPurpleface OC
December 13th, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^
He was arrested for urinating in public while an undergraduate, and that gives him a "colorful history"? I suspect many on this board have much more colorful histories than that.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:59 AM ^
how many comments can be posted before this thread is destroyed.....
December 13th, 2016 at 10:03 AM ^
Harbaugh rumors based on one second hand quote that was later walked back.
The person spreading the rumor—Cowherd—has had widely publicized conflicts with JH.
The person originating the rumor--Breer--not only comes from OSU but also previously smeared UM alums while praising OSU players. He praised ex OSU QB Braxton Miller, who had not even gotten a single NFL first down until Nov 13.. Meanwhile, he spread negative rumors about Tom Brady, who won 3 super bowl and 2 NFL MVP awards and holds at least 22 NFL all-time records. Nearly 3 years ago, Breer spread rumors that Tom Brady might “be on the clock” for replacement by his backup.
How did that rumor turn out, Albert?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000352556/article/new-england-patr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Breer
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/12/12/13925508/jim-harbau…
http://www.nfl.com/player/braxtonmiller/2555348/profile
December 13th, 2016 at 11:00 AM ^
December 13th, 2016 at 12:13 PM ^
The 4th SB he won but his WR Deion Branch got the MVP (probably because the NFL committee thought TB had already won too many awards himself). Branch did not later distinguish himself when he left the pats and TB was no longer throwing to him.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:04 AM ^
Says the Rams are going after Pete Carroll. So, just to restate the point, no one knows nothing about nothing.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/rams-wishing-big-for-next-head-coach-…
December 13th, 2016 at 10:12 AM ^
Now that I know his name, I know never to listen to him again.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:15 AM ^
The baseless rumors all get more traction because of the general mindset the NFL is a superior destination.
I don't think they understand that the subject of the rumors doesn't view it that way.
And they would never admit if they knew.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:19 AM ^
What an interesting case. Albert Breer was charged with public indecency for urinating in public and was able to get his case dismissed in the lower court. That part isn't so unusual. What is seemingly unusual is that the City of Columbus decided to appeal that decision so it could take the matter to trial (!). Appealing a matter takes time and money. For the City of Columbus to devote public resources to overturn a decision in a simple public urination case must mean there were bigger concerns at play. I'm guessing the City feared the trial court ruling would lead to more idiot OSU people (redundant) pissing in public, or that it was already a big problem, and wanted a clear reaffirmation of the statute in the common law record. They made an example of our poor, public pisser, Albert Breer.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^
How about the fact that Mr. Breer had Vorys represent him??? Lol Vorys is a pretty big corporate shop and here they're litigating over pissing in public.
I wonder if this was a pro bono thing???
December 13th, 2016 at 2:52 PM ^
Yeah, that too was interesting. This kid (I'm assuming he was a kid at the time) managed to get Vorys to handle his appeal, or his family did. Strange.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:33 AM ^
Cmon really???? There's nothing in the NFL for Harb,. He's football Jesus in Michigan and most of the country. He's one of the highest paid caoches in college and pro football. He's in the top three most popular active college coaches (Saban and Meyer).
I think he loves the game too much and wants to teach it in its more pure form and that's teaching it to guys who are hungry, not spoiled, lazy, millionaire athletes. He likes being in control and he has that. I think there's more to prove on a competitive level that will gavanize his standing in history by turning his alma mater back into a perrenial powerhouse that plays for championships and kicks Ohio States ass consistently.
I believe the timing of these rumors are put out there to scare recruits and theres nothing to worry about. I think he will be here until he retires for good. He has the best job on the planet, he knows it and he will be the next Bo at Michigan.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:40 AM ^
And to add to that, IF Harbaugh is the type of individual we think he is... he hasn't accomplished anywhere near to what he wants to accomplish here at UofM. While I love where we're headed... we haven't won our division, we haven't won our conference and we haven't been in the playoffs, let alone win the whole thing!!! This is what Jim signed up for, to take Michigan to championship games... to be truly elite again. We're not there yet, we're CLOSE... but not there. I'm imagining that the recruits have been told this many times over... but Harbaugh strives to be the best... he's got some work still left to do here!
December 13th, 2016 at 11:01 AM ^
Yessir, and I dont believe the NFL offers a meaningful challenge to him. He's been to the superbowl and getting back there and winning one more game is far less a challenge than beating Urban Meyer and playing in National Championships every year. He's a fierce competitor and his current job affords him a chance to compete like no place else.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^
Michigan people seem to be incredibly paranoid about losing Harbaugh. Like 36 hours of this. Chill out. I never said he was going anywhere. twitter.com/cameronstaley/…
December 13th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^
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December 13th, 2016 at 10:59 AM ^
He's pretty much an idiot that doesn't deserve all the attention he's getting, so please stop giving him more.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:14 AM ^
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December 13th, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^
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December 13th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^
1. Stephen Smith
2. First Take
December 13th, 2016 at 4:03 PM ^
It was on the TV at the gym. I was powerless. Like Clockwork Orange powerless.
December 13th, 2016 at 12:17 PM ^
Might want to consider not watching Stephen Smith.
December 13th, 2016 at 12:28 PM ^
on the run from war crimes in the Fatherland during WWII. Albert Breer? Seriously?
December 13th, 2016 at 1:27 PM ^
Source very close to Jim Harbaugh just texted me: "Jim isn't leaving Michigan. He may never leave Michigan." Just passing along.
December 13th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^
To be sure there are lines (no physicality, don't involve his family, etc.)
But, this stuff should stop. I would like to live in a world where I can read something that purports to be fact and be able to believe that there's a good faith effort behind the reporting. I understand that the current incentives aren't there. So the incentives have to change. The current heap of abuse on this guy is changing the incentive structure out there. So, I applaud the efforts.
I agree that we shouldnt' be so naiive to be shocked when next year the same thing happens. Hell, it could happen in a few weeks with the next firing. But, that doesn't mean that no one should do or say anything.
(Note that I would encourage complete civility in cases where opinions are expressed that are reasonably clearly enough opinions.)
December 13th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
December 13th, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^
He's 63. If Harbaugh does leave, it probably won't be until he wins a natty, so maybe 4-6 years? By then, Les could be 70. He's not going to go through the entire process of starting over as a head coach with a completely new university at that age.
And even if he did, he'd coach for MAYBE 3, 4 years tops.
December 13th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^
Just trying to rattle the cage and generate clicks.
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December 13th, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^
Honestly, if it wasn't for the effect this kind of nonsense has on recruiting, it wouldn't even be worth acknowledging. This whole episode only illustrates how devoid of actual substance 99% of traditional sports journalism is.
December 14th, 2016 at 3:22 PM ^
Breer denies saying that he said Harbaugh to Rams to Cowherd on Dan Patrick Show this morning.
http://www.danpatrick.com/2016/12/14/mmqb-coms-albert-breer-denies-ramh…
Here's an article putting more of the blame on Cowherd than Breer:
http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/anatomy-of-a-dumb-rumor-how-colin-cowhe…
After Harbaugh comes out with his quote yesterday, Cowherd clarifies that Breer never said Harbaugh expressed interest, just that the Rams would be interested in getting Harbaugh. That the Rams, or *any NFL team,* for that matter, would be interested in Harbaugh is not news. I mean, what NFL team wouldn't be interested in Jon Gruden?? Not really that insightful of a statement on Cowherd's part, but sounds like he was talking like it was a big relevation that the Rams would be interested in Harbaugh. Either that, or he did think that Harbaugh could leave Ann Arbor.
Interesting twist. Cowherd has bashed Michigan in the past and had the spat with Harbaugh--I think he's just sloppy sometimes. And of course, Dan Patrick has beef with Cowherd so he has Breer come on to clarify, the implication being that Cowherd was the one who f***ed up.
Breer had a video interview with Harbaugh last season where he got the happy as a "pig in slop" quote:
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/06/23/jim-harbaugh-michigan-nfl-kirk-cousi…