I was definitely pacing back and forth, making a path in the hardwood floor. My phone was going nuts with texts from friends, some UM fans and some just fans by proxy (i.e. they're rooting for my team since theirs isn't in the game). My wife took the kids into another room and told them to be silent because I was hanging by my last emotional thread. My normal 45 bpm heart rate was up to 112 according to my smart watch.
No exaggeration, I jumped up and threw my hands in the air so hard that my (unzipped) zip up hoodie flew off my body and went airborn. I completed my full-sleeve UM tattoo this year, so this all feels so magical (I did a half sleeve 4 years ago, finished the remaining half this year) My heart hurts, this is a STUPID game... And I love it. Go blue! BET
This article is amazing, I knew OSU was playing specifically to take JJs legs out of the game, but I didn't know to this extent.
One thing I think we could do better is on the plays where JJ hands it off on his reads, he can still take his own run. Once he hands the ball off, he often just sits there watching the play (or so I thought). Faking his run after the read can freeze a LB just long enough to open up a better lane for the RB.
I am very excited for a DT that exemplifies the animal traits of a wolverine: Vicious and punches above his weight class. That being said, as someone who played football in that same northeast prep league... It's not a very good league. Any league where I can be a starter, it's a weak league.
- I didn't notice which players it was, but our interior D line didn't look great this game. I can't say who in particular, but I did see us get blown off the line more than a few times to make the run game easier for them... at least enough times that they shouldn't warrant praise in this post.
-why, oh why, didn't we just tell Peppers to stick on Wadley on passing plays? A virtual "RB spy" if you will. I love Don Brown, but he seemed to drop the ball on in-game planning and rest his trust in overall talent, which can't work all the time. Our overall pass defense was good, but if we had contained the running backs from turning dump off plays into long gains, we would have been much better off. Once or twice? not the end of the world. Every dump off (when Beathard is throwing a dumpoff every 2-3 passes because the rest of the D was so good) was a money play for them.
- I have not been on the Speight love train all season. I trust Harbaugh, but man do I hate Speight. He may be the best QB we have (a scary thought), and it is never good to swap QBs so late in the season, but I have been dreaming of next year and Brandon Peters. The blog writers love to say that you never want to replace a returning starter at QB, but Speight has got to go. His passes are all over the place sometimes. It's not like they are consistently long or consistently short, because those are in-game adjustments that can be made. He can not make such adjustments. He is not good enough, in my opinion. I am not trying to start a lynch mob, but I am prepared to bench the kid next year.
As I did not pay attention to WVU ever, and have no idea what he looked like out of highschool... but this profile reads a lot like I view Bruce Irvin. Pass rush specialist, decent against the run, a little undersized for what people may ask of him, yet everyone thinks great things about him. We all laughed when Seattle drafted Irvin, and yes he went WAY too high, but the guy can fly and is a beast rushing the QB... I am excited
I am with everyone here, it seems, about wanting him to stay for more than one season. On top of that, I believe he needed to prove more before truly being considered for a HC job. Young, fiery, all good... however, how much can be attributed to other assistant coaches like Mattison. Can we really say Durkin developed people? Is it impossible to tell after one year? How much of his perceived success really belonged to JH will show next year I guess, and like everyone I hope we can keep the recruiting up without Durkin, as he was vital to the south. Swiping Pruitt would be huge!
The thing that bothers me the most is that Durkin was taking interviews instead of prepping for the biggest game of the year. The conclusion was foregone, but I still would want to max prep for that game. It will be funny to beat up on Maryland now, instead of it being sad to do so. Screw the Terps, In Harbaugh we trust!
The only part that was confusing is spring break. I remember it being like the last week of February, so not only was that pretty chilly and not technically spring yet, but it never conincided with any other school. So we went on random trips to various locations, and we were like the only people our age there. It was nice in some ways because we could always find a way into bars or never wait in any long lines, but it makes it harder for a "crazy spring break" story unless you just did crazy stuff (like we did)
I know a lot of top recruits try to take a step back during the recruiting process when it gets to be too much, but has the recent chatter been that Gary will be going somewhere else? I know it's good to have backup plans just in case, but I have been reading a lot of "in case Gary goes elsewhere". Are we being careful, is it pessimism, or is there writing on the wall and I am missing something?
I do agree that he is way past the tinted glassses and went too far, but I can't name a Meyer guy in the NFL that I would want on my pro team. I admit I may just be biased or forgetful right now, but: Hernandez obv a criminal, Tebow washed up and overrated, Brandon Spikes is pretty much a joke... Even Alex Smith pretty much sucks in my opinion (no arm strength, minimal stats worth noting other than his lack of turnovers). Again, I may just be missing a bunch or not even knowing certain guys played for Meyer. But to me, it seems like he is a GREAT college coach, knows how to win at this level at any cost... but his style doesn't translate to the NFL and he doesn't need to care about that as long as he wins in college. I am envious of his success, but he doesn't teach skills that win after college.
to me, it's not really hype that I am talking about, just high hopes. I was trying to say that I need them to be good, and I do believe the D-Line being able to stop the run better, maybe rush the passer a little more consistantly without bringing a blitz... and Peppers... that should help things a lot. Never mind the overall better coaching for the entire team. I am not saying I expect this to be a top rated D in the country, but I am hopeful we can be respectable and not a detriment
I have very high hopes for the defense this year. I don't need leaps and bounds (see: first year under Mattison) but I want respectability. I feel like our offense might put them in some bad situations, so I need a solid defense to help me sleep at night
as excited as I am about these recruits and the possible chain reaction to come... hearing the word "dominos" anywhere near our football team will always make me shiver. Damn you Dave Brandon!
in theory (not trying to nitpick, sorry ahead of time), but Braylon would have actually played in the 2004 spring game, but in 2005 he would not have. If he graduated after the '04 season, the next spring game was in 2005. not sure if you are just one year off
yea I know, but I mean even people who don't care about the rivalry (see: my entire family) know that it's complete shit. I just don't get how the NCAA or big ten doesn't do something about it more often. Just baffles me that people can be so wrapped up in some minor recruiting violations or video games that things like rape, domestic abuse, and assault/battery can just be ignored. We all know MSU is lax on their standards for what makes someone a decent human being, but cmon now
exactly how does MSU get away with the lack of discipline? I mean the Braxton Miller thing is just weird, not even mad about it... but kids actually committing crimes, being put in jail... I don't understand how Dantonio has the power to let it slide. shouldn't someone higher up in the school or even the NCAA have the ability to say "no, that is not ok, he is going to be punished worse" ?
Side note, I know there is a position like this, I just wanted to act-the-fool to point out how odd it seems that no one is intervening to offset the "Ole!" / revolving door that is Mark Dantonio
Does anyone out there think Mattison just said something along the lines of:
"Michigan is a heck of a school. You are being presented with a great opportunity because of your athletic skills to attend such a fine institution and play football there."
I was lucky enough to attend UM as an out of state student...and I know a 3.1 wasn't going to cut it. Nebraska is fine, but it's no Michigan. That family just loves the drama... We dined and dashed, and we left the huskers with the check.
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I was definitely pacing back and forth, making a path in the hardwood floor. My phone was going nuts with texts from friends, some UM fans and some just fans by proxy (i.e. they're rooting for my team since theirs isn't in the game). My wife took the kids into another room and told them to be silent because I was hanging by my last emotional thread. My normal 45 bpm heart rate was up to 112 according to my smart watch.
No exaggeration, I jumped up and threw my hands in the air so hard that my (unzipped) zip up hoodie flew off my body and went airborn. I completed my full-sleeve UM tattoo this year, so this all feels so magical (I did a half sleeve 4 years ago, finished the remaining half this year) My heart hurts, this is a STUPID game... And I love it. Go blue! BET
This article is amazing, I knew OSU was playing specifically to take JJs legs out of the game, but I didn't know to this extent.
One thing I think we could do better is on the plays where JJ hands it off on his reads, he can still take his own run. Once he hands the ball off, he often just sits there watching the play (or so I thought). Faking his run after the read can freeze a LB just long enough to open up a better lane for the RB.
I'm 5'11" and my wingspan is 6'4.5"
Almost as freaky as Wafle, but I feel a connection to this missing link
I am very excited for a DT that exemplifies the animal traits of a wolverine: Vicious and punches above his weight class. That being said, as someone who played football in that same northeast prep league... It's not a very good league. Any league where I can be a starter, it's a weak league.
We usually say "Wusster" or "Wusstah" as spelling. The "oo" is more like "book", not like "hoot".
It's my hometown!
- I
few things to note:
- I didn't notice which players it was, but our interior D line didn't look great this game. I can't say who in particular, but I did see us get blown off the line more than a few times to make the run game easier for them... at least enough times that they shouldn't warrant praise in this post.
-why, oh why, didn't we just tell Peppers to stick on Wadley on passing plays? A virtual "RB spy" if you will. I love Don Brown, but he seemed to drop the ball on in-game planning and rest his trust in overall talent, which can't work all the time. Our overall pass defense was good, but if we had contained the running backs from turning dump off plays into long gains, we would have been much better off. Once or twice? not the end of the world. Every dump off (when Beathard is throwing a dumpoff every 2-3 passes because the rest of the D was so good) was a money play for them.
- I have not been on the Speight love train all season. I trust Harbaugh, but man do I hate Speight. He may be the best QB we have (a scary thought), and it is never good to swap QBs so late in the season, but I have been dreaming of next year and Brandon Peters. The blog writers love to say that you never want to replace a returning starter at QB, but Speight has got to go. His passes are all over the place sometimes. It's not like they are consistently long or consistently short, because those are in-game adjustments that can be made. He can not make such adjustments. He is not good enough, in my opinion. I am not trying to start a lynch mob, but I am prepared to bench the kid next year.
Randy Gregory?
As I did not pay attention to WVU ever, and have no idea what he looked like out of highschool... but this profile reads a lot like I view Bruce Irvin. Pass rush specialist, decent against the run, a little undersized for what people may ask of him, yet everyone thinks great things about him. We all laughed when Seattle drafted Irvin, and yes he went WAY too high, but the guy can fly and is a beast rushing the QB... I am excited
I am with everyone here, it seems, about wanting him to stay for more than one season. On top of that, I believe he needed to prove more before truly being considered for a HC job. Young, fiery, all good... however, how much can be attributed to other assistant coaches like Mattison. Can we really say Durkin developed people? Is it impossible to tell after one year? How much of his perceived success really belonged to JH will show next year I guess, and like everyone I hope we can keep the recruiting up without Durkin, as he was vital to the south. Swiping Pruitt would be huge!
The thing that bothers me the most is that Durkin was taking interviews instead of prepping for the biggest game of the year. The conclusion was foregone, but I still would want to max prep for that game. It will be funny to beat up on Maryland now, instead of it being sad to do so. Screw the Terps, In Harbaugh we trust!
The only part that was confusing is spring break. I remember it being like the last week of February, so not only was that pretty chilly and not technically spring yet, but it never conincided with any other school. So we went on random trips to various locations, and we were like the only people our age there. It was nice in some ways because we could always find a way into bars or never wait in any long lines, but it makes it harder for a "crazy spring break" story unless you just did crazy stuff (like we did)
I know a lot of top recruits try to take a step back during the recruiting process when it gets to be too much, but has the recent chatter been that Gary will be going somewhere else? I know it's good to have backup plans just in case, but I have been reading a lot of "in case Gary goes elsewhere". Are we being careful, is it pessimism, or is there writing on the wall and I am missing something?
Mike Tirico actually said out loud on the air "This is the worst officiated game of football I have ever seen in my life!"
This was on my birthday too, so I was obviously having a bad celebration. Though it helps my college friends remember my exact bday every year...
I do agree that he is way past the tinted glassses and went too far, but I can't name a Meyer guy in the NFL that I would want on my pro team. I admit I may just be biased or forgetful right now, but: Hernandez obv a criminal, Tebow washed up and overrated, Brandon Spikes is pretty much a joke... Even Alex Smith pretty much sucks in my opinion (no arm strength, minimal stats worth noting other than his lack of turnovers). Again, I may just be missing a bunch or not even knowing certain guys played for Meyer. But to me, it seems like he is a GREAT college coach, knows how to win at this level at any cost... but his style doesn't translate to the NFL and he doesn't need to care about that as long as he wins in college. I am envious of his success, but he doesn't teach skills that win after college.
to me, it's not really hype that I am talking about, just high hopes. I was trying to say that I need them to be good, and I do believe the D-Line being able to stop the run better, maybe rush the passer a little more consistantly without bringing a blitz... and Peppers... that should help things a lot. Never mind the overall better coaching for the entire team. I am not saying I expect this to be a top rated D in the country, but I am hopeful we can be respectable and not a detriment
I have very high hopes for the defense this year. I don't need leaps and bounds (see: first year under Mattison) but I want respectability. I feel like our offense might put them in some bad situations, so I need a solid defense to help me sleep at night
that gum loses its flavor so quickly...
as excited as I am about these recruits and the possible chain reaction to come... hearing the word "dominos" anywhere near our football team will always make me shiver. Damn you Dave Brandon!
in theory (not trying to nitpick, sorry ahead of time), but Braylon would have actually played in the 2004 spring game, but in 2005 he would not have. If he graduated after the '04 season, the next spring game was in 2005. not sure if you are just one year off
yea I know, but I mean even people who don't care about the rivalry (see: my entire family) know that it's complete shit. I just don't get how the NCAA or big ten doesn't do something about it more often. Just baffles me that people can be so wrapped up in some minor recruiting violations or video games that things like rape, domestic abuse, and assault/battery can just be ignored. We all know MSU is lax on their standards for what makes someone a decent human being, but cmon now
exactly how does MSU get away with the lack of discipline? I mean the Braxton Miller thing is just weird, not even mad about it... but kids actually committing crimes, being put in jail... I don't understand how Dantonio has the power to let it slide. shouldn't someone higher up in the school or even the NCAA have the ability to say "no, that is not ok, he is going to be punished worse" ?
Side note, I know there is a position like this, I just wanted to act-the-fool to point out how odd it seems that no one is intervening to offset the "Ole!" / revolving door that is Mark Dantonio
Does anyone out there think Mattison just said something along the lines of:
"Michigan is a heck of a school. You are being presented with a great opportunity because of your athletic skills to attend such a fine institution and play football there."
I was lucky enough to attend UM as an out of state student...and I know a 3.1 wasn't going to cut it. Nebraska is fine, but it's no Michigan. That family just loves the drama... We dined and dashed, and we left the huskers with the check.