Please don't be douchebags
We're about to lose a game.
To all who are about to complain about RichRod, please don't be douchebags. It's a game we were supposed to lose.
Maybe I'm out of line or just on my toes because of all of the douchebag comments this year after any loss, and if that's the case then just calm down. But I'm pretty sure people are going to be saying "Harbaugh" a whole bunch after the game and if so, I think you should just sit on something pointy and shut the fuck up.
That being said, Go Blue. Beat the Buckeyes.
Edit: Mods, if you feel it necessary to take it off then fine, I'm just sick of the...douchebaggy post-loss talk.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:01 PM ^
I wont bash RR and have to say the offensive is extremely explosive, and next season will be even more explosive which is almost unimaginable, but something must be done with this defense. I thought the commentators made many good points, some being RR recruiting of the defense, but more so were the points of fundamentals. Chris Spielman even tho an OSU alumi made a good point about us needing to get back to Big Ten defense of having the traditional Mich 4-3 def. with big meaty boyz on the front four, something id personally love to see. If we could get back to our tough nose Big Ten defense and the offense that RR can run then the sky is the limit, but RR recruiting these types of guys just doesnt seem to be happening because he likes the smaller faster guys. We'll just have to wait and see how this class turns out
November 20th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^
Rich Rod has pretty much proven he can't win with average to good talent. He has not managed the defense/special teams at all. GOOD COACHES don't let shit like this happen!! We need to clean some fucking house ASAP.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^
November 20th, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^
you're right on. michigan hasn't beat an end of year top 25 team since September 22, 2007 against penn state.
the insight bowl is not something to be proud of. it's a consolation prize for mediocrity.
makes me feel like i'm cheering for northwestern.
November 20th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^
"makes me feel like i'm cheering for northwestern."
Careful, there. Michigan is lucky it did not have to play Northwestern.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^
At some point, it'd be great if the RR-defenders dropped the insults levied against anyone who would dare question His godliness. It doesn't make someone a "douchebag" because they feel Michigan is not playing as well as they should three years into the tenure of the head coach. There's no need to constantly drop "STFU" because someone is taking a realistic look at what's happening with our football team.
We have not beaten a bowl eligible team this year.
We have not been competitive against PSU, Iowa, MSU or Wisc.
We nearly lost games against the dregs of the conference (Illinois, Indiana, Purdue).
Our defense will again be young next year and still lacking talent.
Our special teams are terrible (and not just the kicking).
We have not beaten our main rivals since RR came to Ann Arbor.
The people most hoping to see RR return live in East Lansing and Columbus.
You want a Harbaugh reference? Ok. He took a 1-11 team and turned it into a serious contender. That's "rebuilding". RR has only "rebuilt" the terrible team he fielded in year 1 into a mid-level Illinois clone.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
4-8 to 5-7 to 8-4 to 10-1. That is a good rebuilding job, for sure -- those are Harbaugh's records at Stanford in four years.
It also looks remarkably similar to our current path. Just sayin'.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
Did you type that with one eye closed? C'mon...There's a HUGE difference between taking over a 1-11 team (without a drop of recruiting ability) and a 9-5 team (hoisted by the Michigan brand). At least you could have read my comment (which pointed out the whole 1-11 thing) before posting. That's really the big problem with any case for the defense of RR - it demands a willful refusal to accept reality.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Like the reality that RichRod took over a team that went 9-5 in 2007 and also:
1. Lost our top 5 offensive players to the NFL
2. Lost 5 of our top 6 defensive tacklers
3. Has since had 8 guys drafted into the NFL, with only 1 coming before the fourth round and 1 being a punter. On top of that, it looks as though 1, maybe 2 will be drafted this year (and that is being generous). That would 5 guys on offense alone drafted after 07, 10 guys drafted (at most) in the following 4 years.
See, you conveniently left all of that out and only included the records. Why is that? I accept reality just fine.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
If you want to get into the "why they all left" game, that's fine. Why did all their coaches leave? Oh yeah, Rich fired them.
Even if I were to assume your slate of excuses as valid, was RR really left with a team equivalent to a 1-11 Stanford? Do you think it was easier for RR to recruit for Michigan or Harbaugh to recruit for Stanford? Why is it so damn hard for RR-defenders to look facts in the face???
November 20th, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^
how about you look facts in the face about the empty cupboard lllloyd left rich rod. oh thats right you want to ignore that in your agenda to drive someone from west virginia out of town. you rr haters are all the same living in your warped version of reality and delusions.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^
You're right. The cupboard was soooo empty. Those seven underclassmen on offense didn't exist. The eight returning starters on defense. They also were just, what...legos? So RR left him a bare cupboard, did he? Was it Carr's fault that the players didn't all stay? As for hometown...I don't care where RR is from. Did I say one word about his origin? No. Try harder and stick to what was actually said.
And to blame RR's tenure on Carr? Pathetic. A real man doesn't blame his shortcomings on others. I'm sure RR wouldn't blame Carr for the fact that he hasn't done a good job...don't do it for him. It's sad.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:33 PM ^
yeah, your right Llllloyd left rich a bunch of future all americans. llloyd did a great job recruiting his final seasons. A bunch of future all americans there just like those all americans bump left Bo...
Llllloyd also did a great job talking to those that were thinking about transferring and easing their concerns so they wouldn't leave Rich in such a big hole from a roster and recruiting stand point.
What you call excuses are facts buddy. I know you a re rich hater from day one so fuck off.
What is sad is your handle on reality.
PS. Can i have the name of your pot dealer? Whatever you are smoking is reallty potent.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
Nice mouth you've got there, child.
RR is responsible for his team. The state of the program is the result (for better or worse) of it's leader's decisions and actions.
Why to rip on the players though. Very cool of you. Here are some of the solid players with remaining eligibility when Carr left:
Manningham
Arrington
Massey
Schilling
Boren (whether he is hated or otherwise, he can still play)
Jamison
Graham
Crable
Trent
Warren
Mesko
Mallet
Minor
Molk...
November 20th, 2010 at 7:33 PM ^
Manningham-left for money in the NFL
Arrington-Left for money in the NFL
Massey-stayed, less than spectacular player
Schilling-stayed and is captain
Boren (whether he is hated or otherwise, he can still play)-Left because he is lazy and RR did not offer his brother
Jamison-Stayed, average player
Graham-Stayed, All American
Crable-Went pro
Trent-Went pro
Warren-Stayed a year, went for money
Mesko-All American
Mallet-Did not fit the scheme
Minor-Stayed-good when healthy
Molk-Heart and soul of a good OL
So what is your point here? That RR should have kissed the ass of all those players who left for money? That he should have let Boren slack and then offer his brother? It is pretty clear that those who stayed with RR did very well for the most part. So if anything you may have accidentally proven that this coaching staff is competent.
November 20th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
My point is that it's completely false to claim that Carr did not leave quality players in A2. I didn't go through the entire roster, but whether kids stayed or left (and whatever the reason might have been for either decision), maybe it's time to stop blaming the RR era on Carr.
November 20th, 2010 at 9:35 PM ^
I agree with that. Carr was a good coach and a good person. He should not be thrown under the bus after everything he did for the university.
I think it simply comes down to the fact that you think RR has had enough time, not shown enough improvement, and should now be gone. I, on the other hand, think he has shown improvement every year (in record and offensive production), he should be given a 4th year (and in my opinion all college coaches should get 5 years to ensure their 1st recruiting class graduates as redshirt seniors), and we should clean house on the defensive side of the ball.
In the end it doesnt matter as we are not the ones making the decisions. Agree to disagree.
November 20th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
Well said.
November 20th, 2010 at 9:54 PM ^
yeah, your right Llllloyd left rich a bunch of future all americans
The "Lllloyd" crap is as obnoxious as "DickRod" and the like. Grow up.
November 20th, 2010 at 8:35 PM ^
to finally having a JR lead the squad at QB. However, RRod was handed a fairly decent D that has regressed every year since he got here. And I know, injuries have decimated this years D, but year 1 to year 2 we got seriously worse and I am not sure that T. Woolf would have been enough to make year 3 better than year 2.
Add to that a special teams unit that can't kick a FG longer than an extra point (3 years running) and I would like to see a new DC (and staff) come in with a GA assigned specifically to teach the kickers how to kick.
Is that an unreasonable request?
November 20th, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^
What you call excuses I call facts. Every single thing I posted was a fact (although I was guessing as to which seniors will be drafted, but I would like you to point out more than 1 or 2 seniors on this team that will get drafted if you disagree). Here is another fact - we returned 1 starter on offense the year RR took over. But don't worry, those are just the facts, er, excuses, that you fail to mention or even acknowledge. Have fun when RichRod returns next year and all you can do is bitch about how much we are winning by.
Also, we didn't go 9-5 in 07. That will teach me to actually read things you write.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:07 PM ^
RR took over a team that started SEVEN underclassmen starting on offense the prior season. Maybe you think he's without blame for all of the departures? For some that's entirely correct, but a smarter coach does what he needs to keep quality players on the team.
Schilling and Massey were returning starters (that's two...not one...although still a low number). Ryan Mallett would have been a senior for us, getting drafted in the top ten. He left. I think his position coach did too. Oh yeah, RR only retained ONE coach from the previous regime (and Chris Singletary at recruiting coordinator).
You're right...about 9-5...that was a typo. We didn't lose 5 games the year before RR, but it seems we probably will this year. If that happens, RR will not be the coach.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^
If that happens, RR will not be the coach.
Have anything to back that up? No? Cool.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
Yeah. I do, but sharing sources would only result in a chorus of "bullshit" (especially when I'm right). I certainly have as much "to back that up" as those saying "RR will be the coach next year" (like Bigblue02 above and a legion of others). Is hypocrisy the breakfast of the apologists?
November 20th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^
At least if you share sources and turn out to be right you can say I told you so. By not sharing sources you just sound like you're full of shit.
November 20th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
I understand the logic behind that but I got slaughtered a while back for having the gaul to have good inside info (100% accurate) regarding both the bball program and football. I'd rather just have folks say I'm full of shit and call it a day. Whatever happens will happen whether anyone has insight or otherwise.
November 20th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
This.
I'd be glad to put money (or MGoPoints) on RichRod's return. I'm a lot more willing to trust David Brandon than your "resources."
November 20th, 2010 at 8:42 PM ^
My "resources" are limited, especially when it comes to hiring a coach who'll get $3mil+/year.
November 20th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
THE KNOWLEDGE???
...
yes
...
November 20th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
So which part, other than 2 starters returning instead of 1, was I wrong about? Are you suggesting Mallett being drafted in the top 10 and having SEVEN (in all caps so we know you are serious) starters the previous reason changes anything? No. We had 2 returning starters. Some of it RichRod's fault. Some of it not. Basically, what you are saying is, RichRod should have kissed people's ass to get them to stay on the team. I get it. He isn't Lloyd, which I understand angers you, but get over it. He was dealt a shitty hand. I suppose bringing back more than 20 starters next year just means that RichRod wasn't able to recruit well enough before he got here (how many 5th year seniors do we have...I know Wisconsin today was starting 17 4th or 5th year seniors).
And you got me, we would have had 9ish players drafted counting Mallett in the 4 years following Carr. He did a great job recruiting.
November 20th, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
Please. Please. Stop blaming Carr for the failings of RR. I don't care if you (or I) got a dumb statistical tidbit right or wrong, but I do care that anyone would blame the third year of one coach on a coach gone from the program. It doesn't "anger me" that RR isn't Lloyd. It angers me that our program is in a bad place; that our defense is terrible (and not getting better...experience doesn't cure lack of talent/coaching); and that we can't even compete with teams we used to beat routinely.
I'd rather be wrong about RR and have a great team, but that isn't the case.
November 20th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
Would you maybe like some milk and cookies?
November 20th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
DahBlue is having a Tom Hagan-esque meltdown
November 20th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^
I wouldn't mind. I'd trade them for quality wins though.
November 21st, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
Harbaugh has done a great job at Stanford. Stanford is [somewhat] like U-M, but has fewer institutional advantages. Harbaugh would be a good coach for U of M.
Martin in 2007: RR has done a great job at WVU. WVU is [less so] similar to U-M, but has fewer institutional advantages. RR would be a good coach for U-M.
I would quibble with my assertions about how comparable the institutions are (you are probably thinking academics - I would say WVU is easier to get non-academically-oriented football players into, but Stanford has girls and weather). But the main thing Harbaugh (or fire RR) people are missing is that we are not in the post-Carr vacuum anymore. RR supporters are supporting the coach who wants to be here and continue to build on the consistent improvement that has occurred over the last two years.
Who is the best guy to coach this team right now? Rodriguez. When his team demonstrates inexplicable falloff (like if they do worse or no better next year despite having everyone back) I will agree that it is time to move on. But you don't bail on consistent improvement.
November 20th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^
Maybe Rich Rod's first call should have been to Mallett instead of Pryor. Oh. Right. Mallett didn't fit Rich Rod's "system". (That would be the "system" that decimates teams that can baredly beat anybody else but is unable to beat teams that have actual overall winning records.)
November 20th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^
Illinois and ND. Both bowl-eligible. Both comparable teams based on talent and maturity. ND is also a main rival in my book. But we have to get better! We have to improve! RR has to get this team moving in the right dir....wait. 3-9, 5-7, 7-5. Uh. Um. Yeah!
November 20th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
We all need to give each other an MGoHug.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
I agree with the guys talking about how Harbaugh inherited a 1-11 team and improved it, and RR taking over a 9-5 team or whatever.
Look at Dantonio, he didn't have the players to run the spread like he generally used, so what did he do?
HE CHANGED IT
November 20th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^
You've gotta be kidding me.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
Since you obviously worship Dantonio so much, why don't you change your name to MacombSpartan? Dantonio has had experienced QB's since he started at MSU, and a lot of experience all around. Dantonio really hasn't done much more than have one good year and one year that is shaping up to be very good; the other two years were mediocre.
Also, Dantonio's disciplinary standards are different than those of RR. If Dantonio had gotten rid of all the players who participated in the gang raid last Thanksgiving weekend, as RR would have, his team would probably not have as good a record as Michigan right now, and Michigan would probably have one more win.
Michigan has lost to the teams they were expected to lose to. MSU is the only team to beat them so far that they weren't "supposed" to lose to at the beginning of the season. The rebuilidng is right on schedule. Any playing around and bastardizing of his scheme to get a couple of extra wins the last two years would have slowed down the progress in the long run.
So, anyway, the only reason I can think of to use Dantonio's record as a criticism of RR at this point is to do exactly what the OP requested that you not do in this thread. If you can't be all in, why don't you just change alliegences? Sparty can always use another fan. I hope your wife isn't too attached to her couch.
November 21st, 2010 at 12:21 AM ^
Dantonio hasn't won a bowl game. His first year getting double-digit wins is this year, his fourth (In a year MSU doesn't have to play OSU or Indiana or any BCS-conference out-of-conference opponent). Maybe RR can have that kind of success in his fourth year.
November 20th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
I agree. Go blue!!!
November 20th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
"It's a game we were supposed to lose..."
Don't you love the way Rich Rod has transformed the vaunted Michigan football program? Used to be there were no games Michigan was "supposed to lose".
November 21st, 2010 at 3:03 AM ^
Michigan is in the process of rebuilding. Most major programs have gone through this same stage so the original poster was just being realistic about the games we are supposed to win. The vaunted Michigan football program you speak of is going through a rebuilding stage and that is ok. Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Alabama and on and on have all gone through this.
Michigan hired a coach who can take us to the next level but it will take time. Rich is rebuilding the entire team from the ground up. We started mostly sophomores and freshman today, Wisconsin mostly juniors and seniors. That is the reason why the original poster had reasonable expectations. Rich has not lowered the expectations for the long term of Michigan football, he has just been realistic as to what he is working with in the short term.