Recent followers of Michigan football would be amazed to watch Tripp Welbourne play. He actually understood the concept of what a safety was supposed to do. And I believe his fellow safety was Vada Murray (RIP, right?), who also understood what a safety was supposed to do. Two safeties who played at the same time, and both understood what they were doing! What a concept!!
Aside from Kate Upton........great footage from 1978. I noted 3 things: (1) Rick Leach was so much more fun to watch as a QB than he has been as an alum; (2) Art Schliester was annoying even before he became such a gamble-aholic that everyone had to feel sorry for him; and (3) HAROLD?????? Woolfolk?
#1 prospect in Michigan after 1995 HS season. Some had him listed as #1 nationally as HS fullback; others had Ron Dayne. Dayne turned out to be a bit better.
Clearly Hutch and McKenzie are the top 2, but there have been some other terrific guards--you just have to go back a bit. 3 of my favorites: Stefan Humphries, Dean Dingman, and Kurt Becker. All were All America their third year ('83, '90, and '81 respectively). Dingman and Becker were 3 year starters; Humphries 2+.
One of the best things about following Michigan football has been the ability to cheer for individuals who match ability with character, who develop before our eyes during their time in Ann Arbor. Personal favorites. There's a great long list and mine goes back to Dave Brown (R.I.P), through Stephan Humphries, Kurt Becker, Rob Renes, Glen Steele, Tyrone Wheatley, and certainly Hutch, to name some of the many. And gimpy John Wangler.
We lose three guys this year who are on my list: Molk, Martin, and Van Bergen.
Fortunately, new ones arrive as old ones leave. Kalis looks like one.
It is not required for a Michigan fan to remember the last name of every recruit who is offered. Once a recruit has committed, learning last names is important--but it's not mandatory until they actually play.
Personally, I never thought I'd be able to learn how to remember Biakabutuka and I don't think I really had that name down at the beginning of his legendary Ohio State game. By halfway through the first quarter, I had it cold, and have never forgotten it (even if I still can't spell it).
It's true that it's impossible to spell, but it's visible on the SI cover in the photo.
Was a SS with the Tigers in the 50s, then switched to outfield. Won the batting title, then traded to Indians for Rocky Colavito--good trade for the Tigers because Harvey was over-the-hill; bad trade for the Indians because Rocky was an icon in Cleveland. Rocky had some good years with the Tigers too, in the early 60s. Besides, Rocky had a great, pre-batting ritual which was copied by many a little leaguer.
Harvey also managed Milwaukee in 1982 when he took Harvey's Wallbangers to the World Series.
Even though I wasn't in Michigan at the time, that was the game that put the Michigan football program on the map and made possible all the good things that followed
Best football game I ever saw in person: the 10-10 tie my first year in Ann Arbor, 1973. Like many of you, I attended many of the games with my future wife, who was a fellow student, although for that one she gave up her ticket so I could go with my Dad.
She was somewhat less technical than I was about what was happening; what she knew was that the game didn't really start until Bo threw his hat down and stomped on it a few times.
Best play I didn't see: AC's catch/run against Indiana.
Just because Braylon says it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.
It's unfortunate that Braylon has basically hijacked everything having to do with the Michigan #1 jersey. I don't begrudge him the honor of wearing it at Michigan, because in the tradition as it developed he "earned" it while playing wide receiver at Michigan. But #1 shouldn't be the Braylon Edwards Award.
In my mind, the real #1 will always be Anthony Carter. No one in recent Michigan history had ever worn the number until AC appeared. It is hard to recreate just what magic AC created at Michigan, particularly in contrast to what "boring" offenses Bo had before. #1 is the pinnacle for Michigan receivers because before AC the wide receiver position was one of the least important positions on the team. AC is the one who made it possible for a wide receiver at Michigan to play an important role in the offense.
I would prefer that #1 go to a player who is special and evokes what Anthony Carter meant to Michigan. As far as I'm concerned, that magic doesn't need to be restricted to a wide receiver. i would be happy if several years passed by and no one was sufficiently special to deserve the jersey.
And yes, I'd be happy to have Denard be awarded #1 because I do think he's special in a way that evokes what Anthony Carter meant to Michigan.
Wow. That is a pretty impressive list of impressive recruits having unimpressive careers. Given that we have some guys on the present team and two hot shot recruits coming up, we should all be hoping the list balances out sometime soon.
Welcome aboard Ace. For your first recruiting hornet's nest: I'd be interested in your take on Mick McCabe's article on Wilcher at Cass Tech, saying he's not at fault for Campbell's underwhelming fundamentals. I'm surprised this article hasn't created a thread--except since everyone has sworn off reading the Freep, maybe no one saw it. The article actually has some merit--but more to the point, the whole controversy has potential to ruffle some recruiting feathers. Since I like Wilcher's status as coach of a UM pipeline (not to mention I like him anyway), I'd prefer not to upset the status quo there.
This site does a wonderful job of remembering Wolverines after their playing days--sadly, most often when they have critical health issues. Please convey to his family that there are a lot of us pulling for Vada.
It is appropriate that a previous comment had a photo with Vada and Tripp Welbourne acting in concert. For all the woe on this site the last few years about how no one on the current Wolverine roster knows how to play safety--Murray/Welbourne were the ultimate matched set. Both were terrific players as individuals but their special gift was how well they knew what the other guy was doing. If Murray wasn't the best safety ever--and he'd be up there on any list--the two of them together were the best I remember.
Wolfman, I agree with your premise 100%, but there is an error: Don Dufek did indeed play in the pros. He was a terrific special teams player for the Seahawks for a few years. Mallory (Mike) and Cannovino (Cannavino?) are perfect examples of guys who were taught--not born--to be linebackers. Nobody's been teaching them like that in Ann Arbor for at least 10 years.
Recent Comments
Absolutely. Put Novak and Britt as the forwards on any team of mine; Morgan as center; Burke and Gary Grant as the guards. Spike off the bench.
Recent followers of Michigan football would be amazed to watch Tripp Welbourne play. He actually understood the concept of what a safety was supposed to do. And I believe his fellow safety was Vada Murray (RIP, right?), who also understood what a safety was supposed to do. Two safeties who played at the same time, and both understood what they were doing! What a concept!!
Aside from Kate Upton........great footage from 1978. I noted 3 things: (1) Rick Leach was so much more fun to watch as a QB than he has been as an alum; (2) Art Schliester was annoying even before he became such a gamble-aholic that everyone had to feel sorry for him; and (3) HAROLD?????? Woolfolk?
He should be the QB in the same way that Antonio Bass should be Capt. Atrocious luck for both of them--and for us!
#1 prospect in Michigan after 1995 HS season. Some had him listed as #1 nationally as HS fullback; others had Ron Dayne. Dayne turned out to be a bit better.
Clearly Hutch and McKenzie are the top 2, but there have been some other terrific guards--you just have to go back a bit. 3 of my favorites: Stefan Humphries, Dean Dingman, and Kurt Becker. All were All America their third year ('83, '90, and '81 respectively). Dingman and Becker were 3 year starters; Humphries 2+.
One of the best things about following Michigan football has been the ability to cheer for individuals who match ability with character, who develop before our eyes during their time in Ann Arbor. Personal favorites. There's a great long list and mine goes back to Dave Brown (R.I.P), through Stephan Humphries, Kurt Becker, Rob Renes, Glen Steele, Tyrone Wheatley, and certainly Hutch, to name some of the many. And gimpy John Wangler.
We lose three guys this year who are on my list: Molk, Martin, and Van Bergen.
Fortunately, new ones arrive as old ones leave. Kalis looks like one.
It is not required for a Michigan fan to remember the last name of every recruit who is offered. Once a recruit has committed, learning last names is important--but it's not mandatory until they actually play.
Personally, I never thought I'd be able to learn how to remember Biakabutuka and I don't think I really had that name down at the beginning of his legendary Ohio State game. By halfway through the first quarter, I had it cold, and have never forgotten it (even if I still can't spell it).
It's true that it's impossible to spell, but it's visible on the SI cover in the photo.
Was a SS with the Tigers in the 50s, then switched to outfield. Won the batting title, then traded to Indians for Rocky Colavito--good trade for the Tigers because Harvey was over-the-hill; bad trade for the Indians because Rocky was an icon in Cleveland. Rocky had some good years with the Tigers too, in the early 60s. Besides, Rocky had a great, pre-batting ritual which was copied by many a little leaguer.
Harvey also managed Milwaukee in 1982 when he took Harvey's Wallbangers to the World Series.
Even though I wasn't in Michigan at the time, that was the game that put the Michigan football program on the map and made possible all the good things that followed
Best football game I ever saw in person: the 10-10 tie my first year in Ann Arbor, 1973. Like many of you, I attended many of the games with my future wife, who was a fellow student, although for that one she gave up her ticket so I could go with my Dad.
She was somewhat less technical than I was about what was happening; what she knew was that the game didn't really start until Bo threw his hat down and stomped on it a few times.
Best play I didn't see: AC's catch/run against Indiana.
Just because Braylon says it doesn't mean it's a bad idea.
It's unfortunate that Braylon has basically hijacked everything having to do with the Michigan #1 jersey. I don't begrudge him the honor of wearing it at Michigan, because in the tradition as it developed he "earned" it while playing wide receiver at Michigan. But #1 shouldn't be the Braylon Edwards Award.
In my mind, the real #1 will always be Anthony Carter. No one in recent Michigan history had ever worn the number until AC appeared. It is hard to recreate just what magic AC created at Michigan, particularly in contrast to what "boring" offenses Bo had before. #1 is the pinnacle for Michigan receivers because before AC the wide receiver position was one of the least important positions on the team. AC is the one who made it possible for a wide receiver at Michigan to play an important role in the offense.
I would prefer that #1 go to a player who is special and evokes what Anthony Carter meant to Michigan. As far as I'm concerned, that magic doesn't need to be restricted to a wide receiver. i would be happy if several years passed by and no one was sufficiently special to deserve the jersey.
And yes, I'd be happy to have Denard be awarded #1 because I do think he's special in a way that evokes what Anthony Carter meant to Michigan.
Wow. That is a pretty impressive list of impressive recruits having unimpressive careers. Given that we have some guys on the present team and two hot shot recruits coming up, we should all be hoping the list balances out sometime soon.
Welcome aboard Ace. For your first recruiting hornet's nest: I'd be interested in your take on Mick McCabe's article on Wilcher at Cass Tech, saying he's not at fault for Campbell's underwhelming fundamentals. I'm surprised this article hasn't created a thread--except since everyone has sworn off reading the Freep, maybe no one saw it. The article actually has some merit--but more to the point, the whole controversy has potential to ruffle some recruiting feathers. Since I like Wilcher's status as coach of a UM pipeline (not to mention I like him anyway), I'd prefer not to upset the status quo there.
This site does a wonderful job of remembering Wolverines after their playing days--sadly, most often when they have critical health issues. Please convey to his family that there are a lot of us pulling for Vada.
It is appropriate that a previous comment had a photo with Vada and Tripp Welbourne acting in concert. For all the woe on this site the last few years about how no one on the current Wolverine roster knows how to play safety--Murray/Welbourne were the ultimate matched set. Both were terrific players as individuals but their special gift was how well they knew what the other guy was doing. If Murray wasn't the best safety ever--and he'd be up there on any list--the two of them together were the best I remember.
Wolfman, I agree with your premise 100%, but there is an error: Don Dufek did indeed play in the pros. He was a terrific special teams player for the Seahawks for a few years. Mallory (Mike) and Cannovino (Cannavino?) are perfect examples of guys who were taught--not born--to be linebackers. Nobody's been teaching them like that in Ann Arbor for at least 10 years.