The comforting thing for me is knowing the history of Michigan (pro-style) QB's through the past 20+ years - particularly their sophomore years of starting...
Brian Griese started in place of an injured Dreisbach in '95 and had a very mediocre redshirt sophomore year. He even threw 3 picks in that unforgettable OSU game that required Tim Biakabatuka to rush for 313 yards in order for us to win that game... 2 years later, Griese's accuracy and clutch mistake-free play was key in winning the national championship... He turned out OK
Tom Brady, while not a sophomore in 1998 but a first-year starter (like Speight was), had a decent but non-special season throwing for 2,400 yards at 61% with 14:10 ratio. While he was not a key factor in losing games for us that year (like Speight was this year) his game-winning moxie didn't actually start showing up until 1999. If Henson had taken over full-time in 1999, Brady's 1998 season would have been largely forgettable... He turned out OK
John Navarre's 2001 redshirt sophomore season (1st year of being full-time starter, but still started 4 games in the prior year and had much more experience going into 2001) was clearly worse than Speight's. Navarre's 2001 was so bad it defined his legacy moving forward - even to overshadow his record-setting productivity in 2002 - until he held the Big Ten championship trophy in his arms in 2003... He turned out OK
Chad Henne's sophomore season in 2005 was actually his 2nd full year of starting (therefore a huge advantage over Speight's season), and it was somewhat of a disappointment. While statistically speaking it was pretty decent (2500 yards, 58%, 23:8), he wasn't a key factor in winning games - with the exception of that last second Penn State win. He was a solid starter in 2005 but utterly dependent on his supporting players to be successful; he was unable to carry the team on his shoulders in his 2nd year of starting. That season showed how much his success in 2004 was based on Braylon's awesomeness and Mike Hart's running... He turned out OK
All this precedent gives me high hopes for Wilton Speight in 2017 and beyond. The difference here is that we have the greatest QB coach and one of the best offensive coaching staffs in the country working with him right now. Speight (from what I saw) showed flashes of greatness in 2016; when he was 'on', he was 'on'. I can only imagine how much more effective he'll become with just more consistency (as he has already demonstrated the ability and intangibles, in my opinion). I think he'll turn out OK
Mettelus' 40 result is particularly encouraging at Viper, as it shows how much quickness/explosiveness he has which was reason for him playing that spot in the Orange bowl. I'm just hoping he has the instincts to match so we can have at least a poor man's version of Jabrill's shot-out-of-a-cannon backfield takedowns and those amazing rundown&tackles to the sideline. I hope Mettelus makes us (kind of) forget about losing out on Willie Gay
Yeah, as much as I love the 247 composite ranking, I think its major flaw is the overemphasis on the number of lower-ranked recruits bringing down the overall score.
I mean, we only got one of the best - if not the best - punters in the entire country, but just because they're never ranked high to begin with our class ranking got dinged. There's no question to me that our class in all aspects - numbers, stars/talent, depth - is superior to that of USC's (good case could be made in comparison to Georgia's too)
Having been on campus there a few times I have to admit it's a nice campus --- not as nice as ours, though, nor UCLA's.
That being said, once you immediately step outside the gates of USC the surrounding area is rundown and unsafe... It's a very interesting contrast separated by just a few yards
I wish for a clone of Owenwu so we could just plug him in at NT while the other plays on OL... Unfortunate that there's just so little depth on OL that we can't afford to move him to DL
This. My first reaction to this announcement was kind of a sad feeling about what could've been, the highest goals he would've helped Michigan achieve if it wasn't for unlucky circumstances and untimely injuries... He as much as anyone deserves to have a championship as a part of his legacy, and no one worked so hard for Michigan as he did... This is kind of the same way I felt about the end of Denard's career
Perhaps... I just really wonder how it would've ended if we hadn't lost Newsome, Peppers, Butt, and if Speight never got injured at Iowa. Yes, it's the nature of college football, but those were the most unluckiest injuries to our most vital players/positions. We'd have been the 2nd best team in the country otherwise
This is definitely a different Penn State team from the one we've faced... Both teams on this field have made huge strides since the first half of the season
Man, my heart was moved seeing Jackson in the booth again and hearing that classic voice... It's sad to see how much older he's become... He truly was the greatest ever
I wonder if they're tearing down Oosterbaan and building the new facility over its location. Oosterbaan's served the team well for many decades and it'd be sad to see it go - but it does seem a little redundant with Glick fieldhouse now.
Does the current team still practice in the old fieldhouse?
If it is true that this doesn't have any bearing on our playoff chances if we just win out, AND...
If it is true that teams gain more from losses than from wins, and learn more about themselves from losses than from wins, I will gladly take this loss ----- ONLY IF ----- *this is what it takes to improve and play to our potential to beat OSU in Columbus
That's a good number of "if's", but I'm really tryin hard to see the bright side here while bein in a lot of pain
This is just unbelievable... If that's the case and he's not able to play in Columbus, this would be yet another QB set-back in a series of such set-backs that negatively impacted us (eventually or immediately) for The Game...
2001 - Henson left and John Navarre started one season too early
2004 - redshirt soph. Matt Gutierrez being injured led to a true freshman Henne starting the season (Gutierrez as the season-long starter would've arguably given us a better chance against OSU than with Henne, as the former was presumed starter around which OC Terry Malone was implementing his "motion offense" during the entire off-season)
2007 - a senior Henne entered The Game with an injured throwing shoulder
2012 - a senior Denard entered The Game with an injured throwing elbow
2013 - Devin Gardner broke his foot in The Game which had an impact on the final play (otherwise could've run in for the score)
2016 - ???????
On the flip side, OSU seems to have the best of luck with QB's by the time they play us...
2001 - soph Craig Krenzel appears out of nowhere and plays his best game against us, defeats us for the first time in Ann Arbor in 14 years, then wins the national title in 2002
2004 - soph Troy Smith appears out of nowhere and owns us for 3 straight years... It can easily be argued that, if starter Justin Zwick never became injured in '04 (right before The Game) and started as planned against us, we would've defended him much more effectively than Smith... In this case, their loss was their gain
2008 - OSU hits the jackpot with Pryor (same story)
2011 - Braxton Miller almost beats us, makes up for it the next 2 years
2014 - Miller, Barrett, Jones
2016 - Barrett runs the ball as much as Denard ever did, but stays healthy (so far)
Comparatively speaking, we just seem to be cursed this century when it comes to having the best QB in his best condition when it came to The Game, while OSU has the best possible fortune. I just don't understand this!
Forgive me if my last post seemed disrespectful... I guess my attempt to be whimsical backfired. My intent was only to express relief to hear Long's positive response (maybe I should've just said it like that).
Great first post - I concur... Except once I read "I sought out David Long because the board seems sure that he's going to eventually join this great class," my heart dropped for a split second because I thought you were gonna say something bad, like, "He gave me this awkward chuckle and said, 'Uh.... we'll see!'"
You couldn't have gotten a better response from him... Really want him the most in this class, after Gary
In 2010 during Fitz Touissant's redshirt freshmen year he had just come off a serious leg injury from the year prior, and during his play clearly showed he was at least a step slower than the speed his highschool film showed (an example of this was one play he broke free in the open field and was run down from behind before the endzone).
Fast forward to 2011, after another year of recovery, there was no question about his open field speed then... He was clearly back to his former self and had really nice long runs where no one could catch him unless they already had a good angle on him (see Purdue and Nebraska games in particular). He was really a force in 2011, where the defense couldn't just sell out on Denard without accounting for him (2012, *sigh*)
I'm hoping Drake Johnson is the same case, that he just needs another off-season to get back into previous form (speed). If that's the case, what a combo he and Smith will be for defenses to account for!
This is how I'd hoped so badly our O-line would eventually become... After OSU I lost a bit of hope for next year because it seemed our starters weren't ever going to reach their potential or recruiting hype...
But, after seeing the fruits of great coaching and preparation today (Thank you, Drevno!), I'm feeling confident we will finally have a MICHIGAN O-LINE next season!
Visions of big-game defensive meltdowns were in my head for much of the 1st half. Credit to Mattison for making good adjustments and unleashing our athletes 2nd half!
I am now feeling content with our returning O-line and running backs in 2016... They finally turned the corner and essentially handled an elite front seven.
Rudock had a clean jersey almost all game long. Deveon Smith and Drake Johnson bumped up their game and demonstrated good vision for the most part. Good things to come in our offense next year! A phenomenal coaching job!
Could a case also be made for greatest offensive guard of all time, Steve Hutchinson (who played in that same time period)? He was definitely the greatest NFL guard of his era... If so, that makes an incredible period of Michigan football even more special, and I feel privileged to have been a student from 1995-2000
I don't deny that game was most-likely a loss going into it, nor that OSU was a superior team talent-wise. However, I do wonder if they were truly 42-13 better than we were... The loss would've been more palatable if it was clear we did everything we could schematically to prepare and make necessary adjustments on defense - and were beaten solely on talent differential. But I don't feel that was the case, hence it will always make me wonder
I will forever wonder how the OSU '15 game would have been different if Durkin's focus had not been split between game-prep and job-hunting that week. Perhaps it wouldn't have made much of a difference, but we will never know...
Congratulations on your first kid, Space Coyote... Been reading your posts and articles for a few years now - always appreciated your insights and opinions
And, the first 3 months of parenthood are the most difficult (at times it's hard to imagine an end in sight), but then at around the 4th month it really does get a lot better!
No kidding... Watching them rushing to the left side to block space while some linebacker shot through the middle unimpeded for a free hit on Rudock was a bit infuriating
Even with Washington's forward trajectory and great defense, I can't imagine them having a recruiting advantage against Michigan for such a great prospect who's choosing between both schools. Washington still had a 6-6 season, and the promise of them matching our level of success over the Harbaugh years is very slim. I would imagine Long would prefer to play in higher-profile games (with more national exposure), greater rivalries, superior bowl games, a bigger&better stadium, a richer tradition - all with a more successful head coach... Right?
This may get a mixed reaction from folks... But Peters' highlights on Hudl - his drop-back, stance, throwing motion, and release - kind of reminded me of John Navarre, but with more athleticism and quickness. His ceiling is obviously higher than Navarre's was, but remember that the latter became a 1st-team All-Big Ten QB (coaches and media) his final year. Looking forward to Peters' accomplishments by the time his own career here is over
I also see a smaller, poor man's version of David Terrell in him. He's not a big receiver, but seems to play big. He has confidence in his athleticism with those long strides and that cutting/juking ability... Great tools, great acceleration. Agree with a post above that he'd be a 5-star player if he had elite top-end speed - but his speed isn't bad either.
This is the saddest I've ever felt after a loss from a non-Michigan college football team... I was really rooting for Iowa to win. This season was a redemption story for their program and their coach, Kirk Ferentz. And, given their long history without an undefeated season or national title, I felt nobody else deserved to win it all and be in the playoffs than they did. My heart goes out to their team and their fans
Next year's starters, with extra coaching and development, should be OK... It's the depth that really worries me... Curious, how much has Gant played on D this season, and how has he done?
Interesting definition of "Bible Thumper"... If holding a prayer with players on the middle of the field - which a lot of coaches do - is the only criteria used to warrant such a negative connotation (that implies a person who forces their worldview upon others and stands in judgemental condemnation over those with different beliefs), that would be quite a stretch.
It would be a little different if he actually forced his entire team to pray regardless of their religious beliefs, but inviting those players who share his beliefs - of which I'm sure are many in the south - to pray with him on the field (or anywhere for that matter) can be understood as one who is just exercising his faith. I guess I'm saying there needs to be more concrete information (than speculation) to justify such a harsh label on a self-professed Christian man.
A comforting read as I wake up still with heartache. I'm just hoping that we got that "devastatingly horrible unfair miracle loss" over with for the Harbaugh era... As I clawed for some kind of perspective, realized that every great coach we've had had experienced such a soul-crushing loss during his tenure: Bo had the late 4th quarter 18-point comeback with Miami (YTM) in '88... Mo had the hail-mary... Lloyd had App State.
These losses were not necessarily reflective of the quality of the coach we've had at the time (while in Carr's case it may have been), but primarily reflective of the fact that all coaches are human, life is unfair, and horrible things still happen during the tenure of great coaches...
And, I find comfort in that Harbaugh is still an great coach (and that hasn't changed), he will continue to do incredible things, and is still on track to re-establish Michigan as a national power.
We've had our MSU '15... Now, I look forward to those wins that will define Harbaugh's program and be remembered in Michigan lore for decades to come - the next OSU '69', OSU '95' (and '96), Penn State '97', Alabama '00... It's our turn now
GO BLUE
Right after the game gotta head over to meet a bunch of friends for a kid's b-day party...
And, all I wanna be doing there is eating, drinking, feeling elated, and just reminiscing on our win the entire time while dreaming about the heights this team will attain...
And then, envisioning myself going home and spending hours in front of the laptop reading snowflakes, muppets, articles, posts, responding to posts, watching highlights, and texting back&forth w/ my buddies on how awesome we are - with a glass of 12-year single malt right next to me...
Sorry, not enough points to start a new thread (and, more and more regretting my lame-ness in never posting here till 8 years into avidly following the blog)... As we're talking recruiting here, are we recruiting any 2016 punters to replace O'Brien? Sorry if this was addressed before
The writer at least a couple times references Fritz Crisler beating MSU in 1954... But he retired from coaching after 1947. Oosterbaan was our head coach at during that time period
One little thing I find remarkable is what I perceive as Harbaugh's understanding of momentum. He does certain things like keeping his defensive starters in to preserve a shutout, or, keeping his offensive starters (mostly) in to break 200 yards rushing... On one hand it risks potential injury to our starters by not pulling them out and prevents backups from gaining valuable game experience...
However, it seems that to Harbaugh what the team gains so much more in return is MOMENTUM - and, he seems to understand its power for continued success. The fact that today they now have done something defensively that hasn't been done in 20 years, and the fact that our running game today did something against the NW defense that no one else could do this year... I see how these milestones can serve as great motivating factors for continued improvement and maintaining a high level of play.
Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but I feel like Harbaugh has a great understanding of momentum and knows how to use it for the betterment of the team
That's an interesting point when you put it that way... Makes me realize that out of Carr's 13 years there was only one offense that was clearly worse than '97, which was 2001, led by a struggling first-year John Navarre with only one playmaker in M. Walker... Makes me more appreciative of how killer that '97 defense really was for us to win the national championship.
At the same time, I just loved that year's offense... They seemed to be a perfect complement to that defense and maximized their potential while making up for their limitations (i.e. Griese's lack of both a cannon and athleticism, lack of a great WR outside of Streets). They had a great line, very good RB-by-committee, probably the greatest combo of FB&TE's we'd had (Floyd, Tuman, Campbell, Shea). That offense embodied smashmouth ball-control... Ah, memories
Funny, when I first read the caption I thought you were comparing this year's MICHIGAN team to 2002's OSU team.... And, my first reaction to it was "Yeah, there are some similarities"... We, like that OSU team, have a dominating (so far) defense and a work-in-progress run-heavy offense led by a game manager QB... The offense at times struggles to put away teams but does just enough to win, kinda like the '02 OSU team. The comparison breaks down where they had a star at RB, and we don't (while Smith is a physical back in the mold of Clarett).
What I hope this year for our offense is when time comes that the defense needs them to come through, they will rise to the occasion and make the most of the opportunity... I trust that they will
One will be hard-pressed to find any glaring faults with the '97 defense, even in that Iowa game... That defense was truly elite. And, to be fair, the '85 defense had trouble stopping Nebraska's power option in the Fiesta Bowl and needed the offense to help out. I'll say in the last 30 years of Michigan football the '85 and '97 teams definitely were the top 2 defenses we've fielded.
The '97 defense was without question one of the most aggressive, attacking defenses Michigan ever fielded. The writer loses some credibility with me if he actually "clearly remembers" our defense that year being bend-don't-break... I was a junior back in '97 with season tickets, went to the Rose Bowl, and what I clearly remember was Jim Hermann unleashing our athletes in all manner of blitzes, aggressive man coverage, and selling out to stop the run (because we had a certain fellow who was able to shut down half the field). With the exception of the first half of the Notre Dame game that year (which was the only time I remember us strangely playing semi-passively which allowed them to score 14 points before half-time), our defense dictated its terms to the offense by forcing them to respond to their play (and not vice-versa). No defense we've had since then ever matched that team's aggressiveness, tenacity, and play-calling on that side of the ball
John Navarre had a record-setting year in 2003 while taking home 1st-team All-Big Ten honors. He certainly had his lumps (as most good QB's do) however was integral to our success that season. His role in the comeback win against Minnesota and the big win against Ohio State (culminating in that 3rd-and-long clutch pass to Tyler Ecker) were especially significant. Carr was right in defending Navarre in 2003
Sorry this isn't a new thread but I understand I need a certain number of MGoPoints to do so...
I was wondering - if Michigan is truly seeking a late-addition punter - *Does anyone here know the contact info of the football recruiting office?
I live next door to a true under-the-radar college-ready punter, Austin Rowley, class of 2015 (about 6'0, 175 lbs) who attends Helix High School (which produced Reggie Bush). He has a reputation here of having a legit Division1A/FBS leg, averaging (his senior year) 46 yards/punt with a 4.5 second hang-time.
Every now and then he'd play around our cul de sak just booming punts the likes of which I've only seen at college/NFL games - and everyone else just gawks. He's a very high character kid (leader in the high school community) and someone I'd actually like my own young sons to turn out like when they're his age
He hasn't yet signed with a school but is interested in a possible opportunity at Michigan and wanted to know the best way to contact our recruiting folks. I know this is a longshot at best, but felt it didn't hurt to ask... Thanks!
Recent Comments
Thoughts and prayers sent your way and for your friend. Thank you for sharing
The comforting thing for me is knowing the history of Michigan (pro-style) QB's through the past 20+ years - particularly their sophomore years of starting...
Brian Griese started in place of an injured Dreisbach in '95 and had a very mediocre redshirt sophomore year. He even threw 3 picks in that unforgettable OSU game that required Tim Biakabatuka to rush for 313 yards in order for us to win that game... 2 years later, Griese's accuracy and clutch mistake-free play was key in winning the national championship... He turned out OK
Tom Brady, while not a sophomore in 1998 but a first-year starter (like Speight was), had a decent but non-special season throwing for 2,400 yards at 61% with 14:10 ratio. While he was not a key factor in losing games for us that year (like Speight was this year) his game-winning moxie didn't actually start showing up until 1999. If Henson had taken over full-time in 1999, Brady's 1998 season would have been largely forgettable... He turned out OK
John Navarre's 2001 redshirt sophomore season (1st year of being full-time starter, but still started 4 games in the prior year and had much more experience going into 2001) was clearly worse than Speight's. Navarre's 2001 was so bad it defined his legacy moving forward - even to overshadow his record-setting productivity in 2002 - until he held the Big Ten championship trophy in his arms in 2003... He turned out OK
Chad Henne's sophomore season in 2005 was actually his 2nd full year of starting (therefore a huge advantage over Speight's season), and it was somewhat of a disappointment. While statistically speaking it was pretty decent (2500 yards, 58%, 23:8), he wasn't a key factor in winning games - with the exception of that last second Penn State win. He was a solid starter in 2005 but utterly dependent on his supporting players to be successful; he was unable to carry the team on his shoulders in his 2nd year of starting. That season showed how much his success in 2004 was based on Braylon's awesomeness and Mike Hart's running... He turned out OK
All this precedent gives me high hopes for Wilton Speight in 2017 and beyond. The difference here is that we have the greatest QB coach and one of the best offensive coaching staffs in the country working with him right now. Speight (from what I saw) showed flashes of greatness in 2016; when he was 'on', he was 'on'. I can only imagine how much more effective he'll become with just more consistency (as he has already demonstrated the ability and intangibles, in my opinion). I think he'll turn out OK
Mettelus' 40 result is particularly encouraging at Viper, as it shows how much quickness/explosiveness he has which was reason for him playing that spot in the Orange bowl. I'm just hoping he has the instincts to match so we can have at least a poor man's version of Jabrill's shot-out-of-a-cannon backfield takedowns and those amazing rundown&tackles to the sideline. I hope Mettelus makes us (kind of) forget about losing out on Willie Gay
Yeah, as much as I love the 247 composite ranking, I think its major flaw is the overemphasis on the number of lower-ranked recruits bringing down the overall score.
I mean, we only got one of the best - if not the best - punters in the entire country, but just because they're never ranked high to begin with our class ranking got dinged. There's no question to me that our class in all aspects - numbers, stars/talent, depth - is superior to that of USC's (good case could be made in comparison to Georgia's too)
Having been on campus there a few times I have to admit it's a nice campus --- not as nice as ours, though, nor UCLA's.
That being said, once you immediately step outside the gates of USC the surrounding area is rundown and unsafe... It's a very interesting contrast separated by just a few yards
Just curious... Does anyone know where we rank among programs, historically, in consensus All-Americans?
I wonder if they're tearing down Oosterbaan and building the new facility over its location. Oosterbaan's served the team well for many decades and it'd be sad to see it go - but it does seem a little redundant with Glick fieldhouse now.
Does the current team still practice in the old fieldhouse?
Yeah, that's strange... Formatting not translating from my outdated phone... Sorry!
EDIT - Fixed!
If it is true that this doesn't have any bearing on our playoff chances if we just win out, AND...
If it is true that teams gain more from losses than from wins, and learn more about themselves from losses than from wins, I will gladly take this loss ----- ONLY IF ----- *this is what it takes to improve and play to our potential to beat OSU in Columbus
That's a good number of "if's", but I'm really tryin hard to see the bright side here while bein in a lot of pain
I had to miss the game, and I'm just stunned right now...
What happened to Speight?
Forgive me if my last post seemed disrespectful... I guess my attempt to be whimsical backfired. My intent was only to express relief to hear Long's positive response (maybe I should've just said it like that).
Great first post - I concur... Except once I read "I sought out David Long because the board seems sure that he's going to eventually join this great class," my heart dropped for a split second because I thought you were gonna say something bad, like, "He gave me this awkward chuckle and said, 'Uh.... we'll see!'"
You couldn't have gotten a better response from him... Really want him the most in this class, after Gary
In 2010 during Fitz Touissant's redshirt freshmen year he had just come off a serious leg injury from the year prior, and during his play clearly showed he was at least a step slower than the speed his highschool film showed (an example of this was one play he broke free in the open field and was run down from behind before the endzone).
Fast forward to 2011, after another year of recovery, there was no question about his open field speed then... He was clearly back to his former self and had really nice long runs where no one could catch him unless they already had a good angle on him (see Purdue and Nebraska games in particular). He was really a force in 2011, where the defense couldn't just sell out on Denard without accounting for him (2012, *sigh*)
I'm hoping Drake Johnson is the same case, that he just needs another off-season to get back into previous form (speed). If that's the case, what a combo he and Smith will be for defenses to account for!
This is how I'd hoped so badly our O-line would eventually become... After OSU I lost a bit of hope for next year because it seemed our starters weren't ever going to reach their potential or recruiting hype...
But, after seeing the fruits of great coaching and preparation today (Thank you, Drevno!), I'm feeling confident we will finally have a MICHIGAN O-LINE next season!
Visions of big-game defensive meltdowns were in my head for much of the 1st half. Credit to Mattison for making good adjustments and unleashing our athletes 2nd half!
I am now feeling content with our returning O-line and running backs in 2016... They finally turned the corner and essentially handled an elite front seven.
Rudock had a clean jersey almost all game long. Deveon Smith and Drake Johnson bumped up their game and demonstrated good vision for the most part. Good things to come in our offense next year! A phenomenal coaching job!
Could a case also be made for greatest offensive guard of all time, Steve Hutchinson (who played in that same time period)? He was definitely the greatest NFL guard of his era... If so, that makes an incredible period of Michigan football even more special, and I feel privileged to have been a student from 1995-2000
I will forever wonder how the OSU '15 game would have been different if Durkin's focus had not been split between game-prep and job-hunting that week. Perhaps it wouldn't have made much of a difference, but we will never know...
Congratulations on your first kid, Space Coyote... Been reading your posts and articles for a few years now - always appreciated your insights and opinions
And, the first 3 months of parenthood are the most difficult (at times it's hard to imagine an end in sight), but then at around the 4th month it really does get a lot better!
No kidding... Watching them rushing to the left side to block space while some linebacker shot through the middle unimpeded for a free hit on Rudock was a bit infuriating
Even with Washington's forward trajectory and great defense, I can't imagine them having a recruiting advantage against Michigan for such a great prospect who's choosing between both schools. Washington still had a 6-6 season, and the promise of them matching our level of success over the Harbaugh years is very slim. I would imagine Long would prefer to play in higher-profile games (with more national exposure), greater rivalries, superior bowl games, a bigger&better stadium, a richer tradition - all with a more successful head coach... Right?
This may get a mixed reaction from folks... But Peters' highlights on Hudl - his drop-back, stance, throwing motion, and release - kind of reminded me of John Navarre, but with more athleticism and quickness. His ceiling is obviously higher than Navarre's was, but remember that the latter became a 1st-team All-Big Ten QB (coaches and media) his final year. Looking forward to Peters' accomplishments by the time his own career here is over
I also see a smaller, poor man's version of David Terrell in him. He's not a big receiver, but seems to play big. He has confidence in his athleticism with those long strides and that cutting/juking ability... Great tools, great acceleration. Agree with a post above that he'd be a 5-star player if he had elite top-end speed - but his speed isn't bad either.
Welcome aboard, Nate!
This is the saddest I've ever felt after a loss from a non-Michigan college football team... I was really rooting for Iowa to win. This season was a redemption story for their program and their coach, Kirk Ferentz. And, given their long history without an undefeated season or national title, I felt nobody else deserved to win it all and be in the playoffs than they did. My heart goes out to their team and their fans
Next year's starters, with extra coaching and development, should be OK... It's the depth that really worries me... Curious, how much has Gant played on D this season, and how has he done?
Right after the game gotta head over to meet a bunch of friends for a kid's b-day party...
And, all I wanna be doing there is eating, drinking, feeling elated, and just reminiscing on our win the entire time while dreaming about the heights this team will attain...
And then, envisioning myself going home and spending hours in front of the laptop reading snowflakes, muppets, articles, posts, responding to posts, watching highlights, and texting back&forth w/ my buddies on how awesome we are - with a glass of 12-year single malt right next to me...
Lord, please... Is this too much to ask for?
It says he's still committed to Penn State... Looks like we have a chance to switch him. Wonder how good of a punter he is
Sorry, not enough points to start a new thread (and, more and more regretting my lame-ness in never posting here till 8 years into avidly following the blog)... As we're talking recruiting here, are we recruiting any 2016 punters to replace O'Brien? Sorry if this was addressed before
That was the best, most beautiful thing I've read today... Thank you
The '97 defense was without question one of the most aggressive, attacking defenses Michigan ever fielded. The writer loses some credibility with me if he actually "clearly remembers" our defense that year being bend-don't-break... I was a junior back in '97 with season tickets, went to the Rose Bowl, and what I clearly remember was Jim Hermann unleashing our athletes in all manner of blitzes, aggressive man coverage, and selling out to stop the run (because we had a certain fellow who was able to shut down half the field). With the exception of the first half of the Notre Dame game that year (which was the only time I remember us strangely playing semi-passively which allowed them to score 14 points before half-time), our defense dictated its terms to the offense by forcing them to respond to their play (and not vice-versa). No defense we've had since then ever matched that team's aggressiveness, tenacity, and play-calling on that side of the ball
John Navarre had a record-setting year in 2003 while taking home 1st-team All-Big Ten honors. He certainly had his lumps (as most good QB's do) however was integral to our success that season. His role in the comeback win against Minnesota and the big win against Ohio State (culminating in that 3rd-and-long clutch pass to Tyler Ecker) were especially significant. Carr was right in defending Navarre in 2003
Hi folks,
Sorry this isn't a new thread but I understand I need a certain number of MGoPoints to do so...
I was wondering - if Michigan is truly seeking a late-addition punter - *Does anyone here know the contact info of the football recruiting office?
I live next door to a true under-the-radar college-ready punter, Austin Rowley, class of 2015 (about 6'0, 175 lbs) who attends Helix High School (which produced Reggie Bush). He has a reputation here of having a legit Division1A/FBS leg, averaging (his senior year) 46 yards/punt with a 4.5 second hang-time.
Every now and then he'd play around our cul de sak just booming punts the likes of which I've only seen at college/NFL games - and everyone else just gawks. He's a very high character kid (leader in the high school community) and someone I'd actually like my own young sons to turn out like when they're his age
He hasn't yet signed with a school but is interested in a possible opportunity at Michigan and wanted to know the best way to contact our recruiting folks. I know this is a longshot at best, but felt it didn't hurt to ask... Thanks!