Why can't ex-players (DRob in this case) just keep quiet?

Submitted by winterblue75 on
Former Wolverine offensive specialist Denard Robinson was back in Michigan for the Jaguars preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Friday night.
Following the game Robinson was asked about Michigan State winning the Big Ten title last season, "It did sting," Robinson told reporters. "But at the end of the day, the Big Ten won the Rose bowl. It was good that they won it, our little brothers won it, and pulled it out for the Big Ten."
Former Michigan running back Mike Hart was the first one to call the Spartans Michigan's little brother following a 28-24 win in 2007.
"I mean, it’s the truth. I mean, when it was first said (by Mike Hart) it was the truth, and now it holds true," Robinson added last night.
Robinson had one carry for 12 yards in the game but was also a standout on special teams in the Jaguars 13 to 12 loss. He also plans on being in Ann Arbor for Michigan's opener next weekend against Appalachian State.

Wee-Bey Brice

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^

Idk why some M fans have convinced themselves that not trash talking your rival somehow decreases their desire to destroy you. It doesn't. You won't see 'Bama fans telling players to not spew venom at Auburn because they lost last year. If they lost 10 years in a row, you STILL wouldn't see it. This is a sports rivalry and there are no rules that say you can't call your rival a piece of shit because they have the upper hand. Your rival is always a piece of shit. No matter what. That's the rule.

Joined: 05/23/2013

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Mr. Yost

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^

...people like you who whine about it and act like THAT is the reason Michigan has struggled vs. MSU in recent years are FAR more annoying than anyone else who speaks on the topic.

It's not a curse, it's not extra motivation, it literally has NOTHING to do with the football game. Michigan has always looked at MSU at its little brother, regardless of the score on the field. That's not changing...so Hart or Denard saying it isn't doing one thing.

However, folks you YOU that want to whine and tell them to shut up are the ones people truly can't stand.

But you're right...it IS your opinion and this IS a message board. But don't get the panties in a bunch when 99% of this message board thinks your opinion is dumb.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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alum96

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^

Amen.  If they had made a bad hire and we had made a better hire it would have been a footnote that would have had zero effect.  People are making it out as a catalyst. No. Having a competent coach was a catalyst.  MSU was respectful under Saban - they were mostly a joke under every other coach for 45 years.

I am sure it is a motivating factor but that lasts of all about 3 plays in any game.  They now have a very good coach who righted a stooopid ass program and we had missteps.  So that's where we are now.  Once Dantonio goes they are going to have to make a very correct hire as they have the same buffer as Illinois, Purdue, or Minnesota.  With the right coach those programs can all be very good - but they don't have the resources, cache, etc to survive the wrong coach.  Programs like USC, UM, Texas, etc can.  "Little brother" will be there with the next coach...and the next coach... and the next coach. And it won't matter one iota if there next hire is their typical hire.

Looking at MSU historically they rise up for a 10-15 year period every 50 years, so this is their time.  The other 35-40 years is and will be Michigan's time. 

Joined: 04/28/2012

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Heteroskedastic

August 23rd, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^

I do not agree with your opinion, but I have no problem with you voicing it.  I will say, however, that when you essentially state one of the most beloved Michigan men since Charles Woodsen should STFU because he uses a collaquialism that you may not agree with, but most of the other readers feel is an accurate description of a rival, you should expect a strong response and probably be prepared to defend your position.

Joined: 08/23/2014

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BlueinTC

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^

to be as big or bigger and can give a pounding or two or three to the bigger brother,  but they are always the "little brother".  And, even though it's a heated, now lopsided rivalry, it's good to have a relative to  beat up the big bad bully down south when you are weak and vulnerable (not for long, though).

Have fun with it gents...it's only a game.  Yes, it feels great to win, but a win doesn't make you or them a better person does it?  I like a win just as much as anybody, but I feel even better for those kids who work their butts off and walk away with something to show for it.  

Whomever lets this stuff takeover their lives...needs to lighten up...Francis.

Joined: 07/26/2011

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UMxWolverines

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^

There's no reason to give them more bulletin board material in my opinion. We're you all saying the same thing when buckeye players such as Glenn and Boston and I'm sure more were doing it all the time and losing? Which we've done a lot of to sparty lately?

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65635

charblue.

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^

No, never.

And even in this instance, he congratulated MSU while saying how he felt as a former Michigan player and now alum. What's wrong with that? If it pisses off MSU and they need that kind of motivation to ratchet up their always roiling insecure feelings (freely fed and nourished by Dantonio to fuel his team's heart and desire) about this rivalry, then they do.

You can't control how others feel about the Mike Hart label which is accurate fromboth  a historic and victory margin standpoint and always will regardless of recent outcomes in the series. It's as much a part of the rivalry as any controversy that has resulted from the matchup and the history of the programs. 

If tjhey want to keep reacting to it, let them. It changes nothing on the field. You still gotta get it done there. And Michigan has done it a lot more than they have in every department you want to consider, except lately. And, if that's the caveat for concern, it's always nice having home-field advantage three out of the last four meetings. 

Win the game. 

 

Joined: 05/25/2010

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Wolverine Devotee

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:46 PM ^

They use it as "bulletin board material" because it makes them mad. It makes them mad because the truth hurts. 

Joined: 06/29/2009

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MGoBlueFan90

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^

Well, they are still littler brother as far as I'm concerned. If it bothers you so much, go root for MSU. If not, Shut the **** up.

Joined: 02/09/2014

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Bando Calrissian

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^

It was funny when Hart did it. You know, the guy who beat Michigan State four times. And even funnier when Dantonio got so hot and bothered he started jawing at a student-athlete in the press.

It's not funny in the period when they have our number, when we can't as much put up a touchdown on 'em, and they're competing for conference championships and winning the Rose Bowl. Hell, as much as I love Denard, the one win against Michigan State he quarterbacked was the game we couldn't put up anything but four field goals.

Like it or not, we're not exactly "Big Brother" these days. Pick your spots. Right now, this isn't the spot to pick.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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atom evolootion

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^

...should act and talk timidly because of a series of losses? it's shit-talk. denard obviously respects what sparty's accomplished on the field. he congratulates them in the interview. at the same time, though, that's still a rivalry. you can the flames a bit. he didn't come out and just take personal jabs at them. what he said is a meme of the rivalry and if the memes go away, the story of the rivalry--the lore of it in wins and losses--will become sterile...

Joined: 11/03/2013

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atom evolootion

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:47 PM ^

"don't win anything," you say? they've won a few times since hart left. cool. calling them little brother doesn't change that one way or the other. what was the talk before that? what's the series looking like these days? when was their last national championship? how about the number of big ten championships? so you kick ass for a while and then you get you ass kicked a couple of times. do you walk around acting like you got your ass kicked? if you do, that's when you look like you've bitched up. at least you do where I'm from... you don't want to look like you've bitched up... from a football-on-the-field standpoint, where respect is really gotten, michigan respects michigan state enough to adopt their aggressive defensive philosophy. little brother is not a personal attack, but a little barb in the rivalry.

Joined: 11/03/2013

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4godkingandwol…

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^

... is that it is all talk.  We talk trash about something as irrelevant as "little brother" because we can't talk trash about anything of more substance, like winning games.  It's the same talk about toughness that annoys the hell out of me.  Just stop talking unless you have the record to back it up.   If I were MSU, I'd just be laughing at it.  I'd be like, "Okay, yup, we're your little brother who grew up and can kick the shit out of you now.  You just keep sitting back and stay proud about being "big brother", whatever the fuck that means."  

Joined: 08/06/2008

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cp4three2

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^

Institutionally, they are, in fact, our little brother. The university is younger than ours and it is univerally acknowledged that Michigan is a better school. I attended MSU for a semester before going to UM. They are, in every way, from the libraries and academic environment to the student body, the little brother. That's not necessarily a bad thing. 

 

It's not just about football. It never has been, which is why the comment received so much traction.

Joined: 08/03/2009

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alum96

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^

When you need to hand out "bring a friend free" tickets in your best year in 50 years, when there are posts on RCMB such as "would you trade a loss for MSU just so UM loses to App State?" (an actual post last week), and the RCMB has 1 UM post for every 3 MSU posts, you remain little brother.   You will always be little brother. 

That said, until we start winning I'd rather no one say it.  Just let them stew in it.  Getting our tacit approval is what every little brother wants .

Joined: 04/28/2012

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Gulogulo37

August 23rd, 2014 at 2:16 PM ^

Yes, this. I can see why people get annoyed by it, but it's just true. MSU has a ridiculous inferiority complex. A lot of their fans are irate at any praise of UM, a win by UM, etc. Like that awkward coaches clinic a couple years ago when Dantonio interrupted the Michigan coaches. It really doesn't get any more little brother than that.

I also get annoyed at people saying we're only allowed to talk shit if we have a better head-to-head record recently. It's not about wins and losses, it's about their mentality. We have a better record against Minny for the Little Brown Jug (hey, remember that thing?) than we do against State, but that doesn't make them our little brother.

Joined: 03/16/2010

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Lucky Socks

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^

Let's win a few times before we keep climbing back on to our high horse. Michigan arrogance is fine with me, when we back it up. When we aren't, it's very frustrating.

Denard beat MSU once. Just wish we could play the classy loser while we're the loser. We can talk shit after we win.

Joined: 01/18/2012

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An Angelo's Addict

August 23rd, 2014 at 1:50 PM ^

I support Denard and if he wants to call them our little brother (which they always will be regardless of their recent success against us) then that's fine by me. It's the OP's post that annoys me more

Joined: 07/12/2011

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atom evolootion

August 23rd, 2014 at 2:06 PM ^

...of course, they're the little brother. they've got littler wins, littler win percentage, littler championships, a littler stadium, littler heisman representation and a littler fan base.

Joined: 11/03/2013

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