This. To spell out what's implied here, the defense can't signal in a new play until after it's clear the offense has completed its signal, for a couple of reasons. One is that you don't want defenders to start show the new D prematurely. Second is the D coordinator may need to make a judgment about whether the O really did change its play, or is re-signaling the same play in an effort to dummy the defense out of a look it doesn't like. I'm sure there are other possibilities too. In any event, the fact that a person near the coordinator is watching the other team signal and then maybe change position does not necessarily show that signals have decoded; there are other possibilities.
If this is correct, two issues are easily resolved: alleged violations of NCAA rules about in person scouting (see above) and alleged violations of B1G rules about sportmanship (assuming proof that other schools stole signs and shared the information).
That leaves only one issue: who leaked extremely misleading stories to the press at a time and in a way that might have given their school an unfair competitive advantage? THIS is a candidate for worst scandal in history, or something like that. I think it's essential that the B1G get to the bottom of that issue quickly and suspend the coach of any school that can't prove its innocence.
How to investigate? One possibility would be to ask each member school to release the "investigative firm" from any obligation of confidentiality it may have to that school or anyone associated with it.
Tyler Johnson left his hair in his eyes for the photo. A guy on every roster does this; the most obstructed vision was a kid who played for Indiana. But until now, I didn't get around to pointing out how they remind me of ...
Agreed. At some point, a writer who didn't publish a story, and thus has not agreed to keep the info confidential, will reveal the name of the PR firm/investigator that approached them with a story like this, and also find a way to tie that firm to another B1G school.
I'm not taking any position here on what actually happened, just eagerly anticipating the fight or at least posturing these folks will have before settlement. Seems like one thinly veiled threat is to request discovery into how MSU responded when other senior staff were found to have extramarital relationships, as Tucker's attorney characterizes it. Even though any discovery into that, if allowed, would presumably remain confidential, it seems like a decent threat. I'm betting Tucker gets a substantial settlement, whether or not we ever learn the amount.
When I was in school, some player guaranteed victory at OSU. Not exactly the same, because it was focused on the team rather than himself. Still, that was another kid who was so confident it bordered on arrogant ...
For my fellow traditionalists, we may be on the verge of returning to something like the 1970s if Cal and Stanford come. That would give us the Pac 6, the OOC schedule (Maryland, Rutgers), and several games a year that resemble the Rose Bowl. The fact that those Faux Bowl games are in the Midwest half the time seems like an improvement from the standpoint of fairness. All we need is a deepfake AI Keith Jackson for play by play.
I'm your age. In the fall of 1976, my father took me to Ann Arbor for the Wake Forest game. This was my first football game of any kind, and I remember learning to follow the ball and count the downs. This seems to have worn me out, and in the second half I fell asleep. We were high up in the student section, near the goal line I think, so there was room for me to lay out on the seats by then.
Although they didn't become my sports heroes that day, I did learn the name Rick Leach and, I'm pretty sure, Harlan Huckleby.
I reffed IM basketball in the late eighties and benefitted from the experience and the small amount of extra cash. Moby seemed like a very nice guy and effective manager of IM sports. I was surprised at the time when I learned about his background in baseball; it is good to learn more detail now. RIP
If I understand correctly, MacDonald learned under the guy they fired and presumably uses the same basic approach the defense. Without knowing anything about what went wrong with the Ravens this year, seems unlikely that the perfect replacement is his less experienced protegee, MacDonald. Could be wrong if the problem was something isolated and discrete like work ethic or being a jerk to the players, but I'm guessing that wasn't it.
Ufer's scoring horn. I'm that age, and was even in the stadium when they honked it to end the moment of silence after he passed (before Illinois game).
I have a worst that isn't mentioned. I was at Stewart to Westbrook in 94 and that sure sucked. But it was also a good game and felt a little bewildering but mostly just like horrible luck.
A game that felt worse was Sparty in 1990, after the failed two point pass to Desmond at the student end not too far from where we were. I had a sense that there was something wrong with the play, but it was just too fast and there was no big screen replay at that time. So it was just a sick feeling. Plus Sparty. It was only after I walked home and saw it on the replay that I knew what had bothered me.
I remember the heat and hearing a new name from the PA announcer -- a freshman DB named Woodson who was involved in some plays. Brady was there too on the sideline. So in addition to memorable ending, this game can also be remembered as the first college game for those two.
I want to underscore the hype about speed and change of direction. I attended the game pictured at the top - the state semi-finals - without knowing anything in advance about Worthy or his potential interest in Michigan. Was there to support the blue team (Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills). In warmups, Worthy stood out more than any player I have ever seen (and many DI guys in this league). I was sure he is the second coming of Anthony Carter, who I also got to see in person multiple times. The #1 jersey and the slight frame helped. He looked great throughout the game, which he won with a kickoff return for a TD untouched.
There's a more direct Michigan angle to this. I believe that the now-former EMU athletic director who hired this coach is Heather Lyke, class of around 92 and a softball player for Hutch. Last I knew, she had moved to Pitt, and may still be there.
I remember that. Seems like his name was announced several times. And also, even though he didn't see the field, this was also the first game on the sideline for a young QB who is still playing the game.
So even though the heat, the frustration and the great ending were what stood out that day, I now think of the game for the goats.
And not just a baseball player. Quarterbacked Flint Central to the Class A semifinals. I remember a national TV feature on this during the Thanksgiving Day games that year.
Yesterday, I signed up my 11 year old for tackle football in the fall. It will be his first season.
I would hate the idea that I'm putting him at an unreasonable risk. Anticipating that this day would come, I have tried to read as much as I can about this subject.
For the moment, the reason I'm not uncomfortable with him playing is that these studies seem to be based on former NFL (and occasionally college) players. It's very hard to see my son playing past high school. Also, the NFL (and sometimes college) sample of the studies introduces other factors besides collisions. Specifically, there is reason to suspect that roids are a contributing cause, or perhaps even the cause, for some NFL cases of CTE. And with guys I know played through high school only, I haven't seen any evidence or even heard anecodotally concern about material cognitive decline attributable to football.
With that said, if I'm wrong about any of that, please reply with details. It's important to me personally to have the best information I can. Thanks.
I had not thought about Coach Heathcote in years, and I'm mildly surprised to realize he made it to 90 years. In terms of ability to scream at the refs until he was red in the face, he was second only to Bobby Knight. Expressing righteous anger must be better for your health than I had thought.
Having watched both play extensively, I join those who believe Carter was a step above Desmond Howard or, if it matters, any other receiver to ever play the game then or since. Besides just my impression, remember what he did in some of those NFL playoff games for the Vikings. In '88, he exceeded 200 yards in a playoff game against the Niners - couldn't be stopped even by the pros.
In the dark days of winter when opening day is a half-year away, I imagine what would have happened if AC matched up against Woodson. Both had high end speed. Do AC's moves and acceleration beat Woodson's strength, brains and overall athleticism?
... against the Chiefs. I had attended both his first college game in 1995 and the Heisman-clinching game against the Buckeyes in 1997, and wanted to see him in person one more time. I also wanted my boys to see him live once. This was their first NFL game.
It was a big day for the Raiders, who were at that point still very much in the playoff picture. He still moved the same fluid way. Though a little slower, he rose to the occasion as always causing two fumbles, one of which he recovered himself and returned 30 or 40 yards. Just as against the Buckeyes in 1997, he was essentially keeping his team in the game single-handedly.
But in the second half, the Raiders QB threw three picks to give away the game. He gave it everything to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone without success. After the Chiefs' clinching TD, which pretty much knocked the Raiders out of the playoffs, CW walked off the field slowly with his head down low, far away from his teammates, and didn't talk to anyone. It was sad to see, but a fitting end to the competitive career of the GOAT.
Went straight through to grad school. It was an emotional day for that reason alone. I didn't see the pose at the time. Now, my nine year old has a poster of the play on his wall.
Not just in his tone, but the characterizations. Even when we were not listening to him, it was impossible to see a player run into the end zone without feeling him pass the 20, the 10, the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. I couldn't think of Earl Bruce without Darth Vader coming to mind.
And the tone was much more than excited yelling. I remember distinctly from my youth being down late to Arizona in an early season game in 1978. Ufer's voice made it clear that getting that last yard to score and take the lead was going to be the most important thing in the world. Similar thing with with the revenge game against State in 1979.
Am I the only one who sees the connection between Ufer's calls and this blog? None of us can see an overthrown pass without knowing it was intended for Tacopants. Or see Jim Tressel without focusing on his sweater-vest (and what were obviously cheaty pants). And we all register the desperate need to win on a scale of 1 to 10.
In my humble opinion, Brian has been the Bob Ufer of the internet age. We are blessed to have had them both.
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1994 Colorado. I was there in person.
Honk honk honk!
This. To spell out what's implied here, the defense can't signal in a new play until after it's clear the offense has completed its signal, for a couple of reasons. One is that you don't want defenders to start show the new D prematurely. Second is the D coordinator may need to make a judgment about whether the O really did change its play, or is re-signaling the same play in an effort to dummy the defense out of a look it doesn't like. I'm sure there are other possibilities too. In any event, the fact that a person near the coordinator is watching the other team signal and then maybe change position does not necessarily show that signals have decoded; there are other possibilities.
If this is correct, two issues are easily resolved: alleged violations of NCAA rules about in person scouting (see above) and alleged violations of B1G rules about sportmanship (assuming proof that other schools stole signs and shared the information).
That leaves only one issue: who leaked extremely misleading stories to the press at a time and in a way that might have given their school an unfair competitive advantage? THIS is a candidate for worst scandal in history, or something like that. I think it's essential that the B1G get to the bottom of that issue quickly and suspend the coach of any school that can't prove its innocence.
How to investigate? One possibility would be to ask each member school to release the "investigative firm" from any obligation of confidentiality it may have to that school or anyone associated with it.
Tyler Johnson left his hair in his eyes for the photo. A guy on every roster does this; the most obstructed vision was a kid who played for Indiana. But until now, I didn't get around to pointing out how they remind me of ...
And somehow all can see better than me.
Agreed. At some point, a writer who didn't publish a story, and thus has not agreed to keep the info confidential, will reveal the name of the PR firm/investigator that approached them with a story like this, and also find a way to tie that firm to another B1G school.
Echos…
Listen! You can hear
Echos of Ufer yelling
Wangler to Carter!
For the younger folks
That game was Seventy-Nine
Corso coached IU
Yeah the Gameday guy
He was once the Hoosier's coach
Made them good briefly
Corrected meter - thank you very much!
…
Caution! I was young
Michigan ranked number one
Lost to the Gophers
Another young fan
Was Jimmy Harbaugh, who will
keep that day in mind
I'm not taking any position here on what actually happened, just eagerly anticipating the fight or at least posturing these folks will have before settlement. Seems like one thinly veiled threat is to request discovery into how MSU responded when other senior staff were found to have extramarital relationships, as Tucker's attorney characterizes it. Even though any discovery into that, if allowed, would presumably remain confidential, it seems like a decent threat. I'm betting Tucker gets a substantial settlement, whether or not we ever learn the amount.
I used a second round fantasy pick (12 team league) for Jahmyr Gibbs. His play will be a huge factor in how my fantasy team does.
Go Lions!
When I was in school, some player guaranteed victory at OSU. Not exactly the same, because it was focused on the team rather than himself. Still, that was another kid who was so confident it bordered on arrogant ...
For my fellow traditionalists, we may be on the verge of returning to something like the 1970s if Cal and Stanford come. That would give us the Pac 6, the OOC schedule (Maryland, Rutgers), and several games a year that resemble the Rose Bowl. The fact that those Faux Bowl games are in the Midwest half the time seems like an improvement from the standpoint of fairness. All we need is a deepfake AI Keith Jackson for play by play.
In Honolulu, headed to Cheeseburger in Paradise. It’s sports-centered with many screens.
Wonder what Walker Lyons is thinking.
Standing in front of the Parthenon. I was explaining some of the history to the group I was with and she asked to listen in.
I'm your age. In the fall of 1976, my father took me to Ann Arbor for the Wake Forest game. This was my first football game of any kind, and I remember learning to follow the ball and count the downs. This seems to have worn me out, and in the second half I fell asleep. We were high up in the student section, near the goal line I think, so there was room for me to lay out on the seats by then.
Although they didn't become my sports heroes that day, I did learn the name Rick Leach and, I'm pretty sure, Harlan Huckleby.
In the stadium, on that side of the field, at the 10 yard line or so, half way up. I could easily see that Hayes' feet landed in bounds.
In the stadium, on that side of the field, at the 10 yard line or so, half way up. I could easily see that Hayes' feet landed in bounds.
I reffed IM basketball in the late eighties and benefitted from the experience and the small amount of extra cash. Moby seemed like a very nice guy and effective manager of IM sports. I was surprised at the time when I learned about his background in baseball; it is good to learn more detail now. RIP
If I understand correctly, MacDonald learned under the guy they fired and presumably uses the same basic approach the defense. Without knowing anything about what went wrong with the Ravens this year, seems unlikely that the perfect replacement is his less experienced protegee, MacDonald. Could be wrong if the problem was something isolated and discrete like work ethic or being a jerk to the players, but I'm guessing that wasn't it.
I should have started with: Excellent work. Thank you for doing this!
At TE, consider adding Walker Lyons of Folsom, California. He's a 4*/top 100, and has Michigan listed in his final 11.
Ufer's scoring horn. I'm that age, and was even in the stadium when they honked it to end the moment of silence after he passed (before Illinois game).
Best: January 1, 1998 Woodson's interception in the end zone, which brought back hope for the NC I'd been waiting for most of my life.
Worst: Bo passes away on the eve of 2006 game, dampening spirits around what could have been a focused effort and an all-around great day.
I have a worst that isn't mentioned. I was at Stewart to Westbrook in 94 and that sure sucked. But it was also a good game and felt a little bewildering but mostly just like horrible luck.
A game that felt worse was Sparty in 1990, after the failed two point pass to Desmond at the student end not too far from where we were. I had a sense that there was something wrong with the play, but it was just too fast and there was no big screen replay at that time. So it was just a sick feeling. Plus Sparty. It was only after I walked home and saw it on the replay that I knew what had bothered me.
I feel like there was a catch very much like this on DPJ's high school highlight film. Good to see it, maybe again!
I remember the heat and hearing a new name from the PA announcer -- a freshman DB named Woodson who was involved in some plays. Brady was there too on the sideline. So in addition to memorable ending, this game can also be remembered as the first college game for those two.
It means he will participate in spring practice, 2021, assuming it happens.
I want to underscore the hype about speed and change of direction. I attended the game pictured at the top - the state semi-finals - without knowing anything in advance about Worthy or his potential interest in Michigan. Was there to support the blue team (Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills). In warmups, Worthy stood out more than any player I have ever seen (and many DI guys in this league). I was sure he is the second coming of Anthony Carter, who I also got to see in person multiple times. The #1 jersey and the slight frame helped. He looked great throughout the game, which he won with a kickoff return for a TD untouched.
Worthy is going to be a great one.
There's a more direct Michigan angle to this. I believe that the now-former EMU athletic director who hired this coach is Heather Lyke, class of around 92 and a softball player for Hutch. Last I knew, she had moved to Pitt, and may still be there.
I remember that. Seems like his name was announced several times. And also, even though he didn't see the field, this was also the first game on the sideline for a young QB who is still playing the game.
So even though the heat, the frustration and the great ending were what stood out that day, I now think of the game for the goats.
And not just a baseball player. Quarterbacked Flint Central to the Class A semifinals. I remember a national TV feature on this during the Thanksgiving Day games that year.
Yesterday, I signed up my 11 year old for tackle football in the fall. It will be his first season.
I would hate the idea that I'm putting him at an unreasonable risk. Anticipating that this day would come, I have tried to read as much as I can about this subject.
For the moment, the reason I'm not uncomfortable with him playing is that these studies seem to be based on former NFL (and occasionally college) players. It's very hard to see my son playing past high school. Also, the NFL (and sometimes college) sample of the studies introduces other factors besides collisions. Specifically, there is reason to suspect that roids are a contributing cause, or perhaps even the cause, for some NFL cases of CTE. And with guys I know played through high school only, I haven't seen any evidence or even heard anecodotally concern about material cognitive decline attributable to football.
With that said, if I'm wrong about any of that, please reply with details. It's important to me personally to have the best information I can. Thanks.
My only Rose Bowl was Bo's last game. Phantom hold on the fake punt allows SC to win.
Stanley Edwards' touchdown in 1981 to clinch the win over Washington and Bo's first Rose Bowl is my favorite memory.
Seems like it will be awhile for another Rose Bowl, as it is out of the CFP cycle unitl Jan. 1, 2021. I'll go to that one, though.
I had not thought about Coach Heathcote in years, and I'm mildly surprised to realize he made it to 90 years. In terms of ability to scream at the refs until he was red in the face, he was second only to Bobby Knight. Expressing righteous anger must be better for your health than I had thought.
RIP
Just saying.
I was in Lansing Public Schools in the 70s. Couple of guys who went on to play for Sparty were pretty good. One in particular.
It's very difficult to avoid the sense that there is more to the story about exactly why Paterno protected the guy over all those years.
Having watched both play extensively, I join those who believe Carter was a step above Desmond Howard or, if it matters, any other receiver to ever play the game then or since. Besides just my impression, remember what he did in some of those NFL playoff games for the Vikings. In '88, he exceeded 200 yards in a playoff game against the Niners - couldn't be stopped even by the pros.
In the dark days of winter when opening day is a half-year away, I imagine what would have happened if AC matched up against Woodson. Both had high end speed. Do AC's moves and acceleration beat Woodson's strength, brains and overall athleticism?
... against the Chiefs. I had attended both his first college game in 1995 and the Heisman-clinching game against the Buckeyes in 1997, and wanted to see him in person one more time. I also wanted my boys to see him live once. This was their first NFL game.
It was a big day for the Raiders, who were at that point still very much in the playoff picture. He still moved the same fluid way. Though a little slower, he rose to the occasion as always causing two fumbles, one of which he recovered himself and returned 30 or 40 yards. Just as against the Buckeyes in 1997, he was essentially keeping his team in the game single-handedly.
But in the second half, the Raiders QB threw three picks to give away the game. He gave it everything to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone without success. After the Chiefs' clinching TD, which pretty much knocked the Raiders out of the playoffs, CW walked off the field slowly with his head down low, far away from his teammates, and didn't talk to anyone. It was sad to see, but a fitting end to the competitive career of the GOAT.
Went straight through to grad school. It was an emotional day for that reason alone. I didn't see the pose at the time. Now, my nine year old has a poster of the play on his wall.
Not just in his tone, but the characterizations. Even when we were not listening to him, it was impossible to see a player run into the end zone without feeling him pass the 20, the 10, the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. I couldn't think of Earl Bruce without Darth Vader coming to mind.
And the tone was much more than excited yelling. I remember distinctly from my youth being down late to Arizona in an early season game in 1978. Ufer's voice made it clear that getting that last yard to score and take the lead was going to be the most important thing in the world. Similar thing with with the revenge game against State in 1979.
Am I the only one who sees the connection between Ufer's calls and this blog? None of us can see an overthrown pass without knowing it was intended for Tacopants. Or see Jim Tressel without focusing on his sweater-vest (and what were obviously cheaty pants). And we all register the desperate need to win on a scale of 1 to 10.
In my humble opinion, Brian has been the Bob Ufer of the internet age. We are blessed to have had them both.