Ohio State loaded the box two years ago, and Donovan started getting about 80 yards a carry. Penn State loaded the box last year, and we blocked it up.
That's very true. However, I have to point out that none of the players of those remarkable O-lines are on the team anymore. Not saying that these guys are a bunch of slugs by any stretch. Still, expecting them to perform at those Joe Moore-levels may be asking a little too much.
I don’t think most fans realize that a lot of these players don’t grow up with the same emotional ties to the university that many of us have.
Fair point. However, many Michigan athletes didn't grow up with UM ties, yet they became ardent UM supporters during their time here. They may not have been born one, but they became one.
So if Phelia hasn't become one after three years of wearing that uniform, and playing with teammates who are busting their butts in front of the crowds at Crisler, she ain't going to become one. If she doesn't want to be here, then leave.
I'd completely forgotten about it, until I went outside, thought the daylight looked weird, saw neighbors looking up and remembered "Oh, right - the eclipse." A neighbor gave me a pair of glasses, and I saw it at the near totality of 98+ %. The air was definitely cooler. The muted sunlight reminded me of when I shared a bedroom with my brother. When I had to work an early shift, I drape a towel over my bedside lamp so that the glare wouldn't wake him up. The room would have a slightly orange glow.
When I was 22 my Dad was 53, and the idea of spending three hours in the car with him would have bored the hell out of me. But then, neither of us had any idea he'd only be alive for another seven years. So grab those moments whenever you can.
I'll buy this. I don't have anything for or against Purdue (they're not Michigan nor one of Michigan's enemies, so ... meh.) But anything that sticks a finger in the eye of IU basketball fans is OK by me. Hated that program ever since Bobby Knight threw his first chair. So, Boiler Up!
Can't get worked up about Dug leaving. Was he the best player on the team? OK, sure. But since that team lost three times as many games as it won, and lost 17 of 20 conference games, that doesn't mean much. Being the best player on a team this bad, in the words of Charles Emerson Winchester, is like being the best hockey player in Equador.
I learned that last year, and I found it shocking. I never played an instrument so I'm no expert, but since when was a penis required to play a cornet?
I met Kell, Kaline, and Ernie Harwell at a business function when they were working as the Tigers' announcers. I mentioned to Kell some statistical oddity about his 1949 batting title season. He replied in that twang, "You know, somebody told me that a couple years ago, and ah didn't know that all this time!" Like I was doing him the world's biggest favor by telling him, and he appreciated it so much. Harwell was famous for his warm personality (and it was true), but Kell was just the same. A real gentleman.
Whereas Kaline ... well, maybe Al was having a bad day, or he just didn't want to be there. But I remember another ex-Tiger at Fantasy Camp that if you see Al around camp (he was a special assistant to Mike Ilitch), it's better if you leave him alone. Having met him at that function, I had no problem following his advice.
i went to Tigers Fantasy Camp in '04. During the first day meet & greet with the ex-Tigers who were working as camp coaches, several got up to say a few words (often funny, sometimes profane, all entertaining.) When Mickey Lolich stepped up to the lectern, he started with "Please don't ask me any questions about Denny McLain, because I'd like to enjoy my week here." It got a big laugh, but I got a feeling that Mickey wasn't kidding. Another '68 Tiger confirmed it later: Lolich can't stand McLain - and among the Tiger players, he wasn't alone in that opinion.
The same ex-Tiger told me that Denny knew the location of every after-hours club in every American League city. The ex-Tiger confessed that he went with Denny once, and spent the next day short on sleep, hungover, and praying that he wouldn't throw up or get put in the game. Never again, he said.
For years I was one of the many who criticized Brock for not sliding, even though it was normal for him to go in standing up. I always thought that if he'd hit the dirt, his foot would have gotten in clearly. But Brock said years later that if he'd slid, Freehan would have blocked him off the plate. Considering Freehan's size and defensive excellence, Lou had a fair point.
The other thing about the play was that it took a perfect throw by Willie Horton to get him. Often during the season, and certainly during the Series, Horton would be replaced in the later innings for defensive purposes. Horton was not a great defensive player, but at that moment, he was a good as anyone.
Not really uphill. As I recall (and granted, this was in 1988, so the memory is apt to be rusty), the ground does have a slight upward slope when you get across the Emmitsburg Road to the Stone Wall. It's a rise more than anything.
Of course, after a mile of shot and shell and frontal and flanking fire, I'm sure it seemed high enough to those men under Longstreet's command.
That was painful. Ten points up with six minutes to go, and then, gone. For a supposedly good defensive team, Michigan could not get a stop in the 4th quarter.
I saw it with my Dad when I was 27, and I just shook my head when I saw the distance. A mile of open ground, moving straight into the range of every gun on the ridge, numbers depleting every minute, and Lee thought it would actually work? As you said, mind-boggling.
Fredericksburg is the one I've always wanted to see. Burnside's repeated direct assaults up Marye's Heights have been so condemned in books that I want to see it for myself. An attack uphill, on open ground that gave no opportunity for a flanking maneuver, against a two-tiered entrenched defensive position with well-manned rifle pits at the base, and interlocking cannon fire from the summit.
It wasn't that he tried it. It's that he tried it 14 times.
Small world. My greatx3 grandfather was also in the 24th Michigan, Company C. Wounded at the Fredericksburg Crossing during the Battle of Chancellorsville, then wounded a second time in the first day's action at Gettysburg. Limped for the rest of his life.
Exactly. I'm still reveling. I'm not ready to begin anticipating yet.
And with the basketball season being what it was, I've probably been reveling in the football memories a little longer than usual. It's been the perfect balm for the tire fire at Crisler.
Love that scene. It was both frightening and funny as hell, and it was the perfect visual set-up for the "bigger boat" line that followed. This was a great direction by a guy who really knew what he was doing.
Several years ago I worked at Wayne State's College of Nursing. In my completely unbiased opinion, nurses are badasses. Whenever I've been in the hospital, they are the ones who gave the majority of the care and got me the information I needed. (Like, "What do they think is really wrong with me?") I'm not dogging doctors in the least, but God Bless Nurses.
Recent Comments
The only way their passing game could be worse is if they threw it backwards.
Ohio State loaded the box two years ago, and Donovan started getting about 80 yards a carry. Penn State loaded the box last year, and we blocked it up.
That's very true. However, I have to point out that none of the players of those remarkable O-lines are on the team anymore. Not saying that these guys are a bunch of slugs by any stretch. Still, expecting them to perform at those Joe Moore-levels may be asking a little too much.
It keeps you busy, but it gets you nowhere.
Sounds like every girl I dated in high school. Alas indeed.
I'm waiting for the one entitled "Cheap, Two-bit Opinions." Then I'm all over it.
Ashamed to say this took me a minute.
Econ 101: What's a good price for crayons?
Math 101: Counting all 64 crayons in the big box (AP class)
Colonial History 101: Give me liberty or give me crayons!
I've watched the original, and it really isn't.
But sir, I've heard from other sources that he's projected to go to Michigan State.
Shut up, Wesley!
And trying to hide them by wearing gloves in July will prompt strange looks from others.
Trust me on this.
I don’t think most fans realize that a lot of these players don’t grow up with the same emotional ties to the university that many of us have.
Fair point. However, many Michigan athletes didn't grow up with UM ties, yet they became ardent UM supporters during their time here. They may not have been born one, but they became one.
So if Phelia hasn't become one after three years of wearing that uniform, and playing with teammates who are busting their butts in front of the crowds at Crisler, she ain't going to become one. If she doesn't want to be here, then leave.
I'd completely forgotten about it, until I went outside, thought the daylight looked weird, saw neighbors looking up and remembered "Oh, right - the eclipse." A neighbor gave me a pair of glasses, and I saw it at the near totality of 98+ %. The air was definitely cooler. The muted sunlight reminded me of when I shared a bedroom with my brother. When I had to work an early shift, I drape a towel over my bedside lamp so that the glare wouldn't wake him up. The room would have a slightly orange glow.
Funny, the things you remember.
When I was 22 my Dad was 53, and the idea of spending three hours in the car with him would have bored the hell out of me. But then, neither of us had any idea he'd only be alive for another seven years. So grab those moments whenever you can.
This would be nice.
I'll buy this. I don't have anything for or against Purdue (they're not Michigan nor one of Michigan's enemies, so ... meh.) But anything that sticks a finger in the eye of IU basketball fans is OK by me. Hated that program ever since Bobby Knight threw his first chair. So, Boiler Up!
I'm still waiting for the MGoBlog lucky astrology mood watch I was supposed to get when I broke 25,000 points.
It's probably in the same place as my Hogwarts letter.
Can't get worked up about Dug leaving. Was he the best player on the team? OK, sure. But since that team lost three times as many games as it won, and lost 17 of 20 conference games, that doesn't mean much. Being the best player on a team this bad, in the words of Charles Emerson Winchester, is like being the best hockey player in Equador.
Exactly. Coming from Yale, you'd think he'd be a lock.
I'll show myself out ...
I learned that last year, and I found it shocking. I never played an instrument so I'm no expert, but since when was a penis required to play a cornet?
The possibility exists that you are factually correct.
Agree on Penix's ball placement. That interception to Sainristil hit Mikey right in the zero.
I met Kell, Kaline, and Ernie Harwell at a business function when they were working as the Tigers' announcers. I mentioned to Kell some statistical oddity about his 1949 batting title season. He replied in that twang, "You know, somebody told me that a couple years ago, and ah didn't know that all this time!" Like I was doing him the world's biggest favor by telling him, and he appreciated it so much. Harwell was famous for his warm personality (and it was true), but Kell was just the same. A real gentleman.
Whereas Kaline ... well, maybe Al was having a bad day, or he just didn't want to be there. But I remember another ex-Tiger at Fantasy Camp that if you see Al around camp (he was a special assistant to Mike Ilitch), it's better if you leave him alone. Having met him at that function, I had no problem following his advice.
True. He also got 13 runs of support (12 by the third inning) which made the job a lot easier.
You never saw my Dad. He had so many dark strings going from one side of his head to the other that it looked like latitude lines on a globe.
i went to Tigers Fantasy Camp in '04. During the first day meet & greet with the ex-Tigers who were working as camp coaches, several got up to say a few words (often funny, sometimes profane, all entertaining.) When Mickey Lolich stepped up to the lectern, he started with "Please don't ask me any questions about Denny McLain, because I'd like to enjoy my week here." It got a big laugh, but I got a feeling that Mickey wasn't kidding. Another '68 Tiger confirmed it later: Lolich can't stand McLain - and among the Tiger players, he wasn't alone in that opinion.
The same ex-Tiger told me that Denny knew the location of every after-hours club in every American League city. The ex-Tiger confessed that he went with Denny once, and spent the next day short on sleep, hungover, and praying that he wouldn't throw up or get put in the game. Never again, he said.
For years I was one of the many who criticized Brock for not sliding, even though it was normal for him to go in standing up. I always thought that if he'd hit the dirt, his foot would have gotten in clearly. But Brock said years later that if he'd slid, Freehan would have blocked him off the plate. Considering Freehan's size and defensive excellence, Lou had a fair point.
The other thing about the play was that it took a perfect throw by Willie Horton to get him. Often during the season, and certainly during the Series, Horton would be replaced in the later innings for defensive purposes. Horton was not a great defensive player, but at that moment, he was a good as anyone.
He's a manky Scots git.
Not really uphill. As I recall (and granted, this was in 1988, so the memory is apt to be rusty), the ground does have a slight upward slope when you get across the Emmitsburg Road to the Stone Wall. It's a rise more than anything.
Of course, after a mile of shot and shell and frontal and flanking fire, I'm sure it seemed high enough to those men under Longstreet's command.
That was painful. Ten points up with six minutes to go, and then, gone. For a supposedly good defensive team, Michigan could not get a stop in the 4th quarter.
I saw it with my Dad when I was 27, and I just shook my head when I saw the distance. A mile of open ground, moving straight into the range of every gun on the ridge, numbers depleting every minute, and Lee thought it would actually work? As you said, mind-boggling.
Fredericksburg is the one I've always wanted to see. Burnside's repeated direct assaults up Marye's Heights have been so condemned in books that I want to see it for myself. An attack uphill, on open ground that gave no opportunity for a flanking maneuver, against a two-tiered entrenched defensive position with well-manned rifle pits at the base, and interlocking cannon fire from the summit.
It wasn't that he tried it. It's that he tried it 14 times.
Small world. My greatx3 grandfather was also in the 24th Michigan, Company C. Wounded at the Fredericksburg Crossing during the Battle of Chancellorsville, then wounded a second time in the first day's action at Gettysburg. Limped for the rest of his life.
He's why I have this username.
Maybe he'll go to the coffee house I went to in L.A. The barista offered me service with either indifference, apathy, or a complete lack of interest.
I said I didn't care.
Exactly. I'm still reveling. I'm not ready to begin anticipating yet.
And with the basketball season being what it was, I've probably been reveling in the football memories a little longer than usual. It's been the perfect balm for the tire fire at Crisler.
The moose outside should have told them.
Only if he can fill it up with some happy little trees. (Or some reasonably satisfied bushes, at this point.)
Minutes? Hell, we can promise them hours or days, if they want.
What we can't promise is that we'll have four other guys on the court at the same time.
Well, thanks for the offer, pumpkin, but I wasn't replying to you.
Or, as I once heard it called, "Shiv that Mofo Day."
Or…
That's "CCH" Pounder.
Or are you finally taking the advice of so many people on this blog and getting the H out of here?
I took a nap, and dreamed of a team that knows how to shoot and play defense.
OK. I pick Michigan and I hate Ohio State. (Did I do it right?)
PS: And I will NEVER bow! I will, however, welcome our new insect overlords.
Love that scene. It was both frightening and funny as hell, and it was the perfect visual set-up for the "bigger boat" line that followed. This was a great direction by a guy who really knew what he was doing.
Whereas the basketball team ...
Why in the world would a 25 year old ever beat on an 80 year old?
I take it we're looking for a reason other than the obvious, "Because he's a gutless pussy."
This like having the most skilled helmsman back aboard the Titanic.
In the immortal words of Archie Bunker, the gods are claiming their pound of fish.
It's almost as if he was not fully aware.
Homey the AD.
Several years ago I worked at Wayne State's College of Nursing. In my completely unbiased opinion, nurses are badasses. Whenever I've been in the hospital, they are the ones who gave the majority of the care and got me the information I needed. (Like, "What do they think is really wrong with me?") I'm not dogging doctors in the least, but God Bless Nurses.
Does your daughter have a specialty?
From what I've been told by friends who are nurses, I'd have guessed that they were too exhausted to smile.
If that were true, Juwan would be cleaning out his office as we speak.