Winter Sucks, Winter Musings

Winter is only 7 days away and been here for 6 weeks. This Sucks

Here we are on a Random Wednesday in mid December, The holiday season is crashing down on us. I have to honestly say, not my favorite time of year.

However, here we are on Wednesday Dec 18, 2019. a fairly random day in many respects until I was reminded of something, but a few Michigan things have been accumulating and I had some time,

-The OSU Sting still hurts. I was disappointed in the effort and the will of the team. I went back and read my Wisconsin Analysis and found several of those insights peeking through again. Lack of Toughness still seeps through. Had to be 10 dropped passes by our fabled Receiver Core. That cuts the belly out of any game plan. Too many in critical situations all year. I can't blame coaching, that's on the individual and there are pockets of softness in that core that remain. Tarik Black wants Greener pastures, My reaction, meh! No big loss for Michigan. I give the kid credit for rehabbing a couple of rough injuries  but he was not a factor this year. Ronnie more CowBell beat him out and he seemed to lose focus. Probably good for all involved. Nico to the NFL?? ok I get it, he'll get drafted, take your chance and go, DPJ, has to be one of the all time under achievers on the HYPE/PRODUCTION ratio. Probably even beats the Ricky Powers Ratio. I never felt like that guy was all in for Michigan ever. Good luck with that last game tape. The highlight of the Game for me, and a strong indication of some of the quality in our coaching staff. Chase Young, No Tackles, No Sacks. After eating the league alive all year, We Punked Him, Same for the Gee Willikers Guy from Spartyland and the guy from Iowa and Penn State. We shutdown premier or Self promoted premier Defensive lineman all year. Hats of to the O-Line, Ed Wariner, and I'm sure Lost in Space and Jimmy had some contribution.

- Bowl Game  We're playing in a game over our heads, Sure its a made for TV movie but I'm happy to be playing on New Years Day against a high quality team and a villain. All of this makes us be more focused in the preparation and that will make us better. Not one player appears to be skipping the Bowl. I think something happened behind the scenes, its more than just the chance to finish what you started and play Alabama and a chance to get a last chunk of game film for the Scouts. I don't have high hopes but I think we will benefit from the experience regardless of the outcome and I'm so glad not to be playing in some half ass game against Wake Forest in Wichita State or Yonkers, Have fun Sparty. Keep Telling yourself you accomplished something.

-Recruiting. I guess today is another signing day. Sounds like we'll pull in a quality but unspectacular load of fresh Wolverines. Gets hard to follow anymore, I never know what class were really on.  No real top 50 Blue Chips this year. Lots of bark about how we can't compete with OSU on the recruiting trail. I suppose that's true and I can live with that, as I am convinced that something smells in Columbus, but follow the money and you'll have your answer but nobody wants too.

-OSU lost their Co-DC to Boston College. Keeps Donny Brown here, which I still believe is good for us. ( I know I canned him at the Tailgate after OSU) but I reconsidered, Great Article on the MGOBLOG about how he fares against OSU compared to peers. On a data driven basis there was a compelling argument. I'd encourage you to read it. GMISAD Refer to my OSU blog if you need translation

-Basketball.  Lots to talk about here that I will save for another day, but I will say I am really impressed with Juwan. Great Attitude, Great performance so far, Player development looks much better than expected with contributions going 10 deep.

-Best Wishes to all the Michigan Faithful, Thanks for making it a fun year under some tough circumstances on and off the field and Happy Holidays. 2020 will be here quick and we'll be teeing it up again.

- Dec 18, isn't a just a random Cold Day in December for Michigan Fans, Thanks Ashley for making it a little nicer.

OHIO STATE AIN'T SHIT

Ok, We went to Bloomington, started a little slow, Tightened the noose on Defense, Shea had a career day, even though he still struggles to hit guys in stride, We won going away, no known injuries. Game over.

Now what we have all been waiting for!

Buckle Up your Chin Straps everyone!

What's your first recollection of this Game?  

Mine was 1973, in the basement workshop with my Dad, listening to Ufer on the old clock radio. and Mike Lantry missing 2 Field Goals. Years later Mike ended up having the seats next to me for a few years. Nice Guy!  Never had the guts to ask about the Kick,   
Thanks for your Service! If you don't know his story check it out. Waiting for him to be Veteran of the Game!

Was there any more sinister of a character than Cornelius Green? He was the epitome of evil to this 8 year old boy! Dennis Franklin the Arc-Angel!

Its pretty interesting the parallels that start to align with 1969,  The prior year beating, The Bad Loss Early on that questioned the teams soul. A big turnaround mid game, mid year and rolling into the rest of the season. An opponent characterized as the best team in the country

Its easy to get caught up in the nostalgia but this game still comes down to the players and the coaches.  As Bo told his charges in 1969, This game will come down to individual matchups.  Is John Runyan better than Chase Young at 12:00 on Saturday. If he is, then is Jalen Mayfield better than Chris Young at 12:30 on Saturday when they move him to the other side. Is Cameron Magrone, fast enough to catch JK (Not Today) Dobbins at the corner and Justin Fields on the QB Draw?  Is Lavert Hill better than Binjimin Victor/Vector. Is Nico Collins going to win the even ball at the peak, Is Don Brown better than Cryan Day anticipating the scheme and the adjustment. Does he have the answer for the crossing routes? I bet its the first play from scrimmage! Is John, Gattis, Robinson ready to scheme a Real Big Game. Is there a twist to the scheme that has not been shown? Iron Bowl's don't count.   Everything else is White Noise.

Michigan has some things going for it, Pride, Home Field, Justin Fields is a pretty boy from Georgia that has never had to play a tough hard hitting game in a hostile stadium in the cold (Currently 38 and Snow), GMISAD

The Bucknuts crumbled a bit when PSU started to get some momentum, Can we expect this in our game? Fortune never seems to shine on us in these games but they were challenged and sort of held serve.  Are they in game condition for a 4 qtr shootout?  Most of the key player have strutted through about 2 1/2 quarters a game all year. Are they mentally and physically conditioned enough to go a full 4 qtrs with every play being critical.  They weren't in 1969! How bad does the NCAA want Alabama in the Playoffs, do we get a call??

Who will be the player that has been solid, but not high profile, that plays over his head?  Josh Uche? Tarik Black? Sean McKeon?

On paper Michigan is a large underdog, But were playing this game on the field, not on the arena of public opinion, So lets Tee it up and be ready to write another verse to the old Uf Classic,  ending in

As Pasquale lead the Victors, They Laid Cryan Day Away.

The 12th man will be at the Corner, ready to go! IT'S A BIG GAME  Come Join Us.

The 13th man will be guiding things from Valhalla, we'll need you buddy!

Recollections of 50 years ago

Graveyard Walk, Tuesday 6:00pm Meet at the base of Burton Tower

GMISAD?  Greg Mattison Is Still A Dick!  Carl, Please Introduce the entire OSU Coaching Staff on Saturday! Will Mattison be on the sideline or hide in the Box, Put his yellow ass on the Big Screen

Ah Yes,The world is back on its axis

For all the Mazie and Blue Faithful it has been a long slog.

LNU has been quite the pest for some time. Most of it self inflicted I would say, Recall

1) We gave the keys to Brady Hoke for a couple years
2) We let some rugby kid try and catch a punt snap, In a critical point like that I have always wondered why you don't put a Safety behind the punter.
3) John BarleyKorn, singing in the Rain
4) TackleGate on Desmond, Of course I tackled him, the CB said in the postgame interview
5) Clock Bob or whoever that clown was

But Saturday just felt right, Yeah it was cold but the sun was shining. There was a pep in everyone's step and a quiet confidence that we were going to take of business with these boys. I haven't felt that vibe in awhile!

We didn't get off to a running start but the noose just kept tightening and the Sparty Immaturity took hold.

A few observations

-Lost in Space is slowly maturing. but still the occasional I'm way smarter than you play calls.  1st and Goal and we have Haskins taking the direct snap in the backfield. Eliminates any threat of a pass. Eliminates any handoff to anyone else. 11 guys crashing the run between the tackles. Doesn't work? just line up and run it again.

-McCaffrey to Patterson and chuck it in the stands. Shit can this stuff.

-The usual cheap shots and jaw-jacking. I guess its part of the fabric of the rivalry. I can live with it but its always fun to watch StormTrooper Dantonio try to distance himself from it with his post game comments about trying to warn his kids about it.  Not real proud of Mettelus running to their sideline and waving good bye

-Took the students way to long to get the Little Brother Chant going.

-Did I see anything that convinces me we are ready to toe it up with the BuckNuts, in a word, nope but we'll see

-LNU was really targeting Ambry Thomas and having some success. I know he came back and got the INT but he was getting picked on, OSU will exploit that I predict.

-LNU has a the beginnings of a Dumpster fire smoldering here. Nobody has the guts to fire Dantonio, but he has lost this team and doesn't have much in the hopper. In some respects it reminds me of the end of the Lloyd era. NO I AM NOT COMPARING DANTONIO TO LLOYD. These guys all run out of steam and spit at some point. The new President wants nothing to do with the Athletic Department, The AD is just a toadie of Izzo. Watch very closely what happens with the upcoming deposition in the Charles Blackwell Lawsuit. There is dirt there I predict. No compelling candidates out there either.  Stop with the Narduzzi chants, just stop.  I predict that Dantonio, stays to collect his $4.3 Mill payment and then he tries to engineer some special Oscar Mayer special advisor status role and handpick his successor from the staff. My bet is Tressel, out of loyalty to the Pride of Youngstown. Can you even have pride if you chose to live in Youngstown. Sounds like a town Jerry Sandusky would call home.

-Receiver Core gets better and deeper. I'd love to see Collins stay, DPJ leave and let the rest grow.

-Patterson is still quite inaccurate, but at least getting it to the right Zip Code now. I like Jim's comment today that you can't expect to be eating Potato Salad today if you just planted potato's yesterday. This year will be a process with hopefully a strong carryover to next year on Offense. Donny Brown just keep reloading and making chicken salad out of whatever you give him.

-The last TD was a FU to Dantonio, I love it!  Like Bobby Axelrod says, What the point of having FU money if you don't say FU with it once in awhile. Thanks Jimmy!

-Indy can be a trip up game, of course we'll be looking past them. We may need another Johnny Wangler to AC moment in this one!

-Great to see all the Gen2's at the Tailgate. Us Old Schoolers were out numbered but not out gunned. Great bunch of kids but I have to start packing more beer!

-This one, I really missed Russ

Geez I hate these Guys!

Geez I hate these Guys!

   Ok, Its the first week of September, Mardi Gras is tomorrow morning and we just kicked Domer's Ass like the red headed step child that you are.  We got our Signature, win beating a top 10 Team, that is every idiot pundits darling to slide into the CFP. The new offense looks ok, nothing special yet but hey, the run was working, the rain was torrential and looks like Jimmy learned his lesson about trying to win with the pass in a monsoon, from the John Barley Korn disaster of years past.  Ok, we have a couple of patsies on the schedule to mow through the next couple of weeks and then ease into the Big Ten with a visit from Illinois and Purdue before the serious things get going. We'll be bowl eligible by then.

Wait, what's that big bag of Candy doing on the table by the door? Why am I hearing Christmas music when I scroll through my Sirius Channels.  

Uh-oh. I've just been informed that its late October, we've lost 2 games already and haven't played LNU or the Bucknuts yet. 

I must have been drinking, Donnelly must have slid in an extra bottle of Zupaca this week.  Don't worry though I'm not wearing a hospital gown and no staples in my head. Must have kept things under control a bit.

Checking back to my earlier posts, I seriously questioned the heart of this team. Well deserved. Time to evaluate whether this team has Flight or Fight. Well I think about halftime last week, something switched. Jimmy's starry eyed comment to sideline babe about this being "Their Finest Hour"!!  Always had a soft spot for Lord Winston, and the Royal Air Force against the long odds of the Schicklgruber's but I digress. I think that Lord Khacki went into that locker room, and said enough of this Lost in Space shit, we're running the plays you all ran last year so well. 

Bend over Gattis, Jimmy's driving.

He almost pulled it off. Feel bad for Ronnie, More Cow Bell, but you have to catch the damn ball to be a hero. There are only a few Desmond's or even Roy Roundtree's . The O-Line took control and started to be physical. Cam McGrone is sending Betsy Ross back to the sewing table and looks great. Tough Loss but maybe an inflexion point.

In trot the Domers, drop the shifter into Low, Lock in the Hubs, were sending this guys out of here on a rail, they'll be soo embarrassed they won't show their face around these parts for a generation.

I like most of what I saw. Patterson managed the game and the elements and let the line take Control.  The Defense was in the Domers huddle the whole game. Only after the standard, Domer officials call to extend the drive did they finally get on the scoreboard. hell we even trounced them on the first drive when the ref's gave them another possession on the phantom roughing the punter. Come on, You all knew it was coming.

I love the effort from Steve Spanellis. This Domer just got de-pantzed and lost all his lunch money. This team is coming around!!  Time to get in the portal, buddy, Your game is done. Call Sparty, they have some openings.

Random Observations

-Night Games Still Suck. Regardless of the weather, especially in late October. its a money grab

-Why do we get the storm of the month again on a night game

-Nice Tailgate, Slow and Easy all afternoon and evening, rolled in about 12:30 and No GridLock!

-Its been a nice Tailgate Season, For the first time I can remember, I have seen damn near all my roommates this year. Dean, the original, Superfan, Glossop. Brian,and his 12 inch Pizza Vroom, Mike AND Steve Throop, and even Judge, must be an election year,  Newblatt have made a live appearance this year. Great to see all you guys!! Lots of great memories. Thanks Russ, I know you sent these guys around to help fill the void.

- What's up with that Dumpster Fire up at LNU?  Mark Dan-Nunzio is losing guys left and right, but can't get any of those QB's to hit the bricks.  Lewarke's in, no he's out, Try the Lombardi kid, nope that didn't work, back to Lewarke, Don't we have some other scrub? Yeah, Theo, Save the Day, Shit he doesn't know the plays. back to Lomardi, Lets try Lewarcke. Hey lets play Izzo's Kid. Something is wrong, Something is very very wrong up there. My conspiracy theory is that Mark, has some serious skeletons that he doesn't want out and he's feeling an overly warm toilet seat. They fought hard to get his upcoming deposition scope narrowed (and lost) and delayed until after the season is over. They are worried. Something is there, I smell blood in the water. Depositions are fun when you are an observer and hell when you're the target. Those lawyers are going to crack him. He's too cocky and that's the WORST way to go into a deposition. This will be fun. Everyone will be in the portal by then anyway.

Keep the momentum going, throttle Sparty, Be ready for the Hoosiers and let the chips fall where they may at the end. It can still be a nice season

Go Blue!

So what did we learn?

All I heard everywhere I went, was   But it was Rutgers!

I have to say, I've struggled to find come up with any meaningful analysis this week.  Stop, I don't want to from you, so what else is new.

OK, Michigan did not fumble in the first series, They scored a touchdown on a nice individual effort from Nico Collins, But it was Rutgers

Shea, had more time in the pocket and made better decisions with the passing game. Of course there is a strong correlation there, But it was Rutgers.

Defense pitched a shutout, without our Starting MLB. Kwitty Paye was all over the field, seemed like one of the few that really wanted to bounce back from last week. Maybe a spark of leadership there.  But it was Rutgers.

Daxton Hill got his first playing time. Made a nice special teams play and showed some speed on the field. Gotta start somewhere.

Running Game was Meh, None of these guys seemed to really inspire yet.

Joe Milton got some meaningful PT and made a nice pass on the TD throw. Arm strength is real and it was effortless throw. But it was Rutgers

Rutgers is so bad that they canned the coach after the game, not sure if he had to Uber back to Jersey or what. Kind of a snarky move by the administration but that's Jersey.  They reached deep for a replacement, The TE Coach whose resume is entirely from High School Coaching.  Look for them to retread Greg Schiano,

We did what we were supposed to do but did we see anything to say this team can compete with elite teams, or even Iowa?  I don't know. I'm inclined to say no but we'll see. Getting Gattis on the field for play calling seemed to help, the tempo was better. Every year there are games like this, I'm glad we took care of business, no serious injuries, no crazy outcomes. It was Rutgers, Check the Box and move on.

I keep hearing complaining about Rutgers in the Big 10, Its all about money, NY Money so just live with it.  I recall that Northwestern was a doormat for 30 years too, but today they are reasonable and have been for awhile, so things go in cycles. Every conference has a Rutgers

I watched T__ Bucknuts vs the CarmelCorners. Was a brutal game. Doesn't give me a lot of inspiration as T__ Bucknuts are tough. Don't like to say it but they are playing at a different level.


Best T Shirt of the Week,  

You Can't Spell CockSucker without   OSU

We'll learn a lot more this week.

See you all at the Corner!!

Symptom or problem?

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

We all saw what we saw.

Did you have the same impression as I did, after Wisconsin marched the field on the first drive?  Going for 4th and 1 on your own side of the field in the first drive?  Very obvious they had no fear.

Michigan punched back though, broken play, finding Ronnie, More Cow, Bell for a long gain to inside the 5. Great, We have them on their heels, we can punch this in and call it even. Here comes Ben Mason. Ok we have failed miserably on short yardage, lets bring back the hammer. Wait everyone is standing there looking at each other, the clock is ticking down. Timeout. Long commercial ensues. Wisconsin gets to catch their breath, react to the personnel.  Fumble Game Over.

Not my words but straight from players on the team in the press conference. Reactions are everywhere, all bubbling up on Jimmy. That's how the world works, he knows it. He admitted it in the Press Conference. We got Outplayed, he said,  We got out coached, he said. Acknowledgement is the first step of recovery. Unfortunately the comments by several of the players showed no acknowledgement. Many of the comments tried to minimize the issue. These guys aren't even in our division, they played really god and we didn't, they said.  I found their reaction after the game more humiliating than their performance in the game. The comment of how great everyone played in the 4th Quarter from the Senior Safety should get you benched immediately

Guys, Wisconsin just stole your lunch money and de-pantsed you in the middle of the playground.

I see layers of issues here

Players
1) Can't hold the ball. That's on you. What's a coach need to do besides tell you, Hey Johnny, its really important that you don't drop the ball. This is how we lose games.

2) Do your assignments. Stay in your gap, If you go somewhere else, that area is not covered. Guess what, the other team has a bunch of guys with binoculars watching to see if you stay in your gap?

3) They other team on consecutive plays attempts to decapitate your QB. Honestly the first one was just football but the rules are the rules. The second one was a guy that has no respect for you and wants to see if you have any more lunch money that your mom sowed into your underwear. Dirty but that's the nature of the game.  Did you see one Michigan Player charge that Safety after that play? Did you see Jimmy storm onto the field?  Sure the ref's called the penalty and the kid was ejected. That's not the point!  Where is this teams Pride! If you have to coach it into them you are screwed. Players have to Play and Players have to have the Warrior mentality. Somebody in Blue needs to get ejected on that play and get some rabbit punches in first.

Coaches
In my opinion coaching comes down to a few simple principles

1) Identify your strengths and develop strategies to exploit them against your opponent. I'll help
Gattis since I know you're new here. You have dominant Wide Receivers. You have at least 3 on the field all the time plus a tight end. Your QB is better on the run. He is Brett Favre not Tom Brady. Roll him out and let the routes develop. If they don't he'll run and he's pretty good at that if he isn't hurt.

2) Identify your weaknesses and develop strategies to minimize their exposure. You have no Defensive lineman.

3) Be prepared for what the other team is good at. Guess what, Wisconsin is going to run the ball between the tackles until you stop them. Playing your safeties 20 yards off the ball isn't the answer

4) Demand Fundamental techniques. Physical and mental and be able to exploit pockets of chaos. Like having a play ready on the second play of the game after a big drive, Gattis.   Practice Quick Strike situations. Don't show that your just as surprised as everyone else in the Stadium that something worked. You must have a go to play that the team knows to call after any gain of more than 30 yards. It has a 1 word name and the QB is yelling the word running down the field. Run straight to the line of scrimmage, line up and go. Force the other team to burn a timeout.

Something is wrong here

Jimmy has lost his fire and enthusiasm, something has changed in him. Only he can solve that. I have faith in him. I hope the bunker mentality is setting in. You have seen enough to know who you can charge the hill with and who you can't. I know you can't fire everyone today but take charge, set some examples and make some toilet seats really warm in the coach's room and in the huddle.

I'd start with Gattis, Take away his play calling duties. 

I'd be drafting my list of candidates for the next DC too. The performance against the last 3 top ten teams was dismal and that shit about exploring the Temple Head Coaching job during the offseason smelled.Mattison is still a bitch for quitting but it had its roots in something

The TV catching him saying   "Fuck Me" after the illegal procedure penalty wiped out the team MVP Will, need at least one guy with some, Hart. pinning Wisconsin on the 3 yard line said a lot to me. Jimmy is not in a happy place right now. He knows it, I think he has known it for awhile and took a bit too much advice from those around him. Jimmy, Channel Bo, Not his play calling but his discipline, self confidence and passion

Where will the new leadership come from in the locker room?  There seems to be a dearth here but we may have a couple of candidates.  Jon Runyan and Aiden Hutchinson. I'm betting that John Sr. and Chris will have some blunt father/son discussions and impress on them what it means to be a Leader.

Moving on.

Rutgers may seem like good medicine but be wary.  Its not clear we have a QB for this game. If we are starting Joe Milton and our 4th string running back things will be ugly. Defense will have to win the game. I expect a win, bet the farm on Rutgers and the spread though.

We'll be at the Corner this weekend, happily pontificating about how we'd solve everything. Stop by and Share with us!

Anybody Remember the Band     THE THE?  My New Old Favorite Band!!!

Is there a Silver Lining in that Cloud?

I sure hope so.  I tend to be a very optimistic person.  I try to see the best in the situation.  Find ways to see the bright side.  However, based upon what I witnessed on Saturday, the Glass was only 1/4 Full.  My text to some family members near the end of regulation was “Beautiful Day.  Offense sucks.  Defense sucks.  Coaching sucks”

And on Sunday, I started reading the recaps.  This gave me some optimism that the Glass is more than Half Full.

Army

Army is a good team.  I know, they are not a Top 20 Team.  But, consider the following:

·         Army had won 10 straight games going back to 2018.

·         Army beat Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl 70-14.

·         In 2018, Army took Oklahoma to OT.  The Sooners prevailed 28-21.

·         While Army is One Dimensional on offense, they do it extremely well.  The Triple Option had not been seen by Michigan in a long time, and we will not see it again for quite a while.

UM Defense

As stated above, Army runs a precise (limited) offense to perfection.  Michigan held them to the following lows:

·         243 Total Yards (200 Rushing Yards) – lowest yardage since 2017.

·         3.7 Yards per Play (3.3 Yards per Rush) – lowest since 2015.

·         3 Turnovers – most since 2017.

And when it counted the most, Michigan’s D came up big.  Lavert Hill intercepted the pass when Army was on the 5 yard line.  The last turnover ended the game as we sacked the Army QB in OT forcing a fumble that we recovered.

Two of Army’s TDs came on short fields.  Their second TD came after we fumbled the ball on our 40 yard line.  Army also scored in OT starting at the 25 yard line.  We held them scoreless in the second half as well.

Special Teams

The Special Teams were solid on Saturday.  Moody made 3 PATs, and a clutch 43-yard FG in OT to win the game.  Our punter only punted once, but nailed it for 61 yards.  And the second team punt returners and kick returners did a decent job.  This should greatly improve when Donovan Peoples Jones

(DPJ) is cleared from the IR (hopefully against Wiscy)

Offense

I don’t have much to offer here, except for a gut feel.  Patterson is playing with an injury.  I believe this limited the play calling and affected his passing accuracy (No clue as to why we didn’t play McCaffrey more).  This will improve with the bye-week.

We have yet to see Speed-in-Space.  Not sure why we run it to the interior of the line 15 times in a row.  However, my gut tells me that Harbaugh is not going to show anything.  In years past he refused to tell the media who is the starting QB the day before the game.  We know he has his eccentricities.

Two of our best players have not played yet.  Runyon Jr. is our best offensive lineman.  When he returns at left tackle, the line will become noticeably better.

DPJ will add another huge weapon to the offense.  Black, Collins and Bell have been solid, and DPJ will only give opposing Defensives even more problems.  We have also gotten solid play from TE with Sean McKeon.  Charbonnet has proved a solid runner who can block as well.  He should do nothing but improve week after week.

Chris Knight (aka Special K, CK or KnightTrain)

Well, What did you expect?

I found myself asking this question to myself over and over all weekend. I found that I kept answering in what I hoped I'd see, not what a rational analysis would generate.

My emotional reaction is that the team did not look all that well prepared and the performance was generally underwhelming.  Yet looking at the stat line, We won a game, scoring 40 points, generating 453 yards of offense. Held the opponent to 67 Yards Rushing and 4-13 on 3rd down conversions. 

We started the game with the following

1)     2 Freshman Starting Tackles

2)     Freshman Starting Running Back

3)     By most accounts our best receiver and punt returner on the sideline

4)     A completely new offensive system

5)     An offensive Playcaller that has called fewer plays in his coaching career than the MMQ2

6)     Our highest potential DT out of the game on the first series with a hand injury

So I expected us to look unorganized and sloppy at times. I expected the inexperience at this positions would generate some mistakes. I expected some missed block, some offsides or holding calls. Not so much

What I didn't expect was 

1)  Our senior QB to fumble on the first play.

2)  Our Senior All Big Ten CB who flirted with the NFL to drop a walk-in Pick 6

The New Offense
Overall the temp is a little better, Stretching the field is a bigger priority and we probably didn't really show much.
My underlying fear in all of this is that Gattis has to much of an I'm to Cool for School Mentality. Young guy with some success and fortunate enough to operate in stable situations with exceptional talent.  Reminds me a bit of Matt Patricia with this I'm the smartest guy in the room personna.  This was most obvious with the 2 QB in the game stunt. Neither Shea or Dylan are better than at least the top 5 Receivers. So we create a 10 on 11 matchup. What's the point Smart Guy? Enlighten Us?  By the way, all the rules to protect the QB don't count when your QB is lined up as a receiver.  If I'm the DC on the other side, I am telling my biggest hot head to jack up the QB/Receiver and take the targeting call. If one of those guys gets hurt we're in BIG Trouble.

Observations
-Zack looked great, especially on Pass Protection
-Freshman Tackles were solid but I want Runyan back, healthy for Wisconsin
-Patterson was solid but his timing was off on the deep balls
- Bell,   Hands like feet
-Lots more deep pass routes that will stretch the defense
-Great to see Ambry Thomas back on the field AND Making Plays. VG looked serviceable as well
-Can we get Ma and Pa Glasgow a nice bottle of Wine and some sexy Lingerie and get busy getting us more Walkon's. Three sons that make the Starting Lineup in a Top 10 Program in the modern era is unfathomable. Jordan reminds me a lot of Jordan Kovacs.
-Freshman Class looks great. Lots of Solid Contributions and some of the biggest names are on the field yet (Hill, Hinton)
-How does Bryan,  the Human Parking Block,  Mone make an NFL Roster?
-DPJ not playing again, Always something with this guy.
-Nico Collins is the real Deal,  Reminds me of a combination of Deven Funchess and Jason Avant and the good parts of both.
-Stop the 2 QB Thing, It makes you look dumb. I like the idea of getting McCaffrey some meaning-full playing time as the QB. This has the feel of the Brady, Henson era. He's capable and the experience will only help for the future.  By the way Joe Milton shows me nothing. Big drop off there.
-Put Mason back in the backfield and give him the 4th and 1, 3rd and Short Hammer head.
-Great call on the Albrecht,  Somebody figured out quick that we would lose a challenge and Yards near the goal line. Looked dumb at first but Genius!

Up Next

Some   ARRRMMMY Training.  I love watching the Acadamies compete in Football. The personification of Discipline and Toughness. In the end I think dominant athletes win out as long as frustration doesn't set in. No Dumb Penalties and hang on to the Ball and we will be ok. Will not be an exciting game but a good character builder and we probably get a cool flyover or at least a parachute drop.


Reminder to All that this will be our Game to honor the MMQ at the Corner. Everyone is Welcome. Its an early game  so some food before and after the game are planned, No specific menu. These people will eat anything. See you Saturday!

Go Blue!

Hello Michigan Fans, 

We are on THE cusp of a new and surely exciting season!

It sure won't be THE same after big changes and some Big Losses!

Quick Evaluation of THE Losses

2)  Chase Winovich.   Heart and Soul of THE Defense, THE embodiment of THE College Athlete, Worked through THE whole Lineup Card to find a place in THE Starting Lineup and through grit and determination turned himself into a High Round Pick. Thanks for sticking with THE commitment and playing your heart out in THE Bowl Game.

3)  Devin Bush,  Speed, Speed, Speed, and Speed in THE right direction. Great Playmaker, will be missed

4)  David Long  Lock Down Corner that taught teams to pick on THE Nickel.

5)  Rashan Gary,  Meh

6) Karan Higdon, Meh

7) Zack Gentry, Thanks for opening up a Roster Spot to get another one of THE great receivers on THE Field

8) Al Washington  don't let THE door hit you in THE ass

9)  Greg Mattison,   Fuck You.  Can I say that here?

and

1)    THE MMQ.

With very mixed feelings and emotions, I cautiously step into THE breech living on THE inspiration of one of Bo's lasting Lessons regarding,  THE Next Man Up. On THE Battlefields of centuries past, it was THE unwritten rule that when THE kid carrying THE battleflag got shot, you dropped your gun and picked up THE flag and marched forward.   Always wondered how you got to be THE dumbass that got to carry a flag into a gunfight.  In THE end you don't replace a legend you just hope to honor THE tradition and be true to yourself and THE cause.

RUSS is missed by us all and will be missed even more THE 17 GameDays ahead of us as Michigan Fans.

As tradition goes a Bottle of Jack has been sacrificed and it is without shame or doubt that I make the Prediction that Michigan will win 17 games in a row.  (Ok I just copied that from last years blog)

For all MMQ Fans, Friends of Russ, and Tailgaters near and far, we have decided we will make THE U-M Army Game our tribute to the MMQ and Russ at THE Corner of Hoover and Greene. We hope to see a great crowd! We'll make it a Big Game and will even have a few remarks from our standing Sergeant at Arms   Major Dean Glossop.  Why do I have THE scene in my mind of Patton addressing the Ladies Auxiliary?

We are having difficulty resurrecting THE distribution of THE MMQ.  Please forward to any and all Michigan Fans and have them respond to my email if they want to be added or deleted from THE MMQ Distribution.   tomhall86@comcast.net

Go Blue!

Hello MMQ fans!

Obviously some difficult circumstances this year. We’re working on what the future of MMQ will be. but for the moment we will use it to communicate upcoming Tailgate Plans. We are planning a tribute to Russ at the Army Game, so it would be great to get as many of our friends out. More details to follow but we already have heard that Superfan, will be in attendance!

JH MHBBC - Feedback, E-mails, Texts and Tweets

So, everyone has an opinion one way or the other.  It was strange that as I was driving home I couldn’t fine one XM – Sirius station talking about this hire! 

After that mind-blowing search, I flipped it over to the local stations. 1050 AM (which I can barely get in my area) was praising the hire as one of the best college coaching “gets” in 25 years.  In fact they looked at and compared Juwan to the last 25 NCAA Hoops hires and in just about every head to head comp I heard, they would have taken Juwan.  That included Chris Beard at TTU based on the fact that before this season, would you have hired Chris Beard not knowing what he was capable of?  

THEN, I tuned into 97.1 and the local village idiot named Mike Valenti that wears the Green “S” on his chest that was pooh-poohing this hire last night.  HE claimed that Michigan NEVER EVER would have done this with their football program  - handing the reins to a “complete unknown” as far as his capabilities at the collegiate level.  “All Sizzle and No Steak” were his EXACT words.    I turned the radio off at that point.  It’s kind of like politics.  You’ll never change a conservative or liberals mind no matter how hard you try.  One is logical, the other is emotional.  It’s a rare person that can see the middle and the things that are “correct” for society.   That’s Michigan and Sparty in a nutshell.  Sparty’ll ALWAYS HAVE THE CHIP and Michigan will always be the Big Brother, superior in all ways.   

An Open Text to Michigan's Newest BB Coach:  

Dear Juwan:  Please make sweeping the LNU a number 1 priority for next season.  I don’t know how you’ll do it, I don’t really care what it takes.  Use dynamite if necessary but completely DESTROY those clowns when the time comes. 

Some other takes:

I don’t think you ever use the “JH” moniker for Harbaugh, so you’re probably ok.  But this is going to suck for the “JH” crowd.  Shared initials! 

Huh.  Yeah, I never really thought about it until just now.  I used JB a lot as I used to get tired of typing out Beilein’s name as it wasn’t a natural word or combination of letters.  But Harbaugh, Harbs, Jimmy, are what I use and I imagine I’ll use Howard in the future quite a bit.

Is the Howard hold-up because he wants an out clause if the NBA offers him a head coaching position without any pay-off clause?

This didn’t seem like any kind of issue to me.  Juwan Howard was the 5^th pick when he was drafted and was the FIRST PLAYER EVER to sign a contract for over $100M dollars.

https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/06/sports/howard-2-deals-2-teams-200-million.html

  

I don’t believe Howard needs the money and I doubt the amount he was making was a driving factor.  HE was looking for the opportunity.  IF anything, my guess he was actually trying to figure out how he could get his assistants more money as he knows how the game works.  By taking $2M annually for 5 Seasons, that opens up a lot of room for salary for the assistants.

Would you sign someone as your head coach if he said that he might leave next year for another position?

Uh…Isn’t that a risk when you sign ANY COACH, regardless of the buyout?  People bail all the time.  Especially in hoops.   I mean, we just watched it happened!  And we just watched UCLA go through all that with several coaches that had hefty exit fees and we also saw that some of those are negotiated down and some actually keep the coach at their current school.  But here’s my take:  Do I WANT to keep a coach that looks at another offer and thinks he’s getting a better deal at a better institution or in the Association that what he’s got with me?  In the case or Juwan, $2M is peanuts.  IF he has any early success, you can bet that contract is renegotiated to get him to stay.   I know it’s a pain in the ass to go through in less than 5 years, but that’s the world today friends.  There are very few lifers.

Why didn’t one of the teams in the NBA hire Juwan?

I’ve been kind of scratching my head on that one also.  And I believe it’s a combination of things.  Juwan was coaching under one of the best NBA coaches out there.  He also coached under Pat Riley.  So while he probably learned a LOT, what could you say about his potential success as a head coach in the NBA (or college?).  Now, in Michigan’s case, he’s an alumni, former player, will probably be able to recruit and he may be successful.  Michigan was willing to take the gamble for $2M a year.  The NBA guys probably looked at it and said, “Not yet.”    I think the better question (that I can’t answer either) is if Juwan got an offer from any of those teams, did he turn them down? 

Just read your post of yesterday….EXCELLENT WORK!!!  I wholly concur. 

Well, Thanks!  I do appreciate that, even though there’s not much there that I believe anyone looking at the tea-leaves correctly couldn’t have concluded otherwise.  Now, if you want to put a bias on it, by all means, there’s about a THOUSAND different positions you could take on this one…But I do think it was Michigan’s best option, though it clearly wasn’t Warde’s first option (Cooley) which again, I’ll never understand other than Warde knows the guy…

This hire is a mistake.  Michigan just took the “one and done” mantra to the next level…

I really don’t know how you can classify it as a mistake yet.  If there’s anything we all should have learned by now is you don’t know who’s a good or bad hire until you know.  And then you’re either extremely happy or figure that you’ve just wasted the last 4 years or whatever with a bad decision.  Don’t get hung up on what is a mistake right now.  Let things play out.  I’m sure there were many people that thought Bo Schembechler was a mistake in 1969.  That one worked out ok.  The MMQ initially thought Lloyd Carr was a HUGE mistake.  But again, I worked with Moeller and knew him the best.  What does anyone really know? 

Hang in there MMQ, Juwan is not done yet, and Rick Pit is still in the wings. Boy that would sting, eh???

We shall never speak or mention the words “Michigan” and “Pitino” in the same sentence ever again.  Those who do will be banished from the Blog!

It Could Have Been Worse...In Fact, I'm Starting To Have High Hopes!

  

I have to leave the office before any official confirmation has come out on this.  Here’s to hoping that whatever the hold-up is, it gets resolved soon and Howard can head to Ann Arbor, find a house and meet with players, recruits and staff.

https://mgoblog.com/content/hello-juwan-howard-head-basketball-coach

So, it’s Juwan (well, not yet)!  Immediately after Cooley rejected the Michigan opportunity (I don’t believe there was an offer – THANK GOD FOR SMALL FAVORS -  in spite of all the rumors) Warde made his way down to Miami, conducted an interview with what is apparently one of the current NBA’s best defensive assistants and former Michigan Fab Fiver Juwan Howard. 

And he returned to Ann Arbor and penned up an offer.

It could have been worse.  The “Cooley Mess” I simply didn’t understand:  This guy’s best offensive team only ranked in the 100’s in KenPom.  Can you imagine a fanbase that has been part of teams with single digit offensive efficiencies and leading the NCAA in lack of turnovers getting a guy like Cooley?  They would have wanted his head on a platter after the first 20 Turnover game.  Or sooner.

Juwan comes with cache and a swagger few other coaches could have matched given what he’s accomplished.   With endorsements from some of the NBA’s greatest, including LeBron, Wade and Webber and Rose (for obvious reasons), he also got a lot of nods from coaches and other players in the NBA who claimed they wouldn’t be the player they are today without Howard’s tutelage. 

Juwan also knows Ann Arbor, a lot like it’s current football coach.   He knows the funny floor spots in Crisler Arena.  He can hold up two NCAA National Championship appearances.  And a plethora of other stuff…

So, is there risk here? 

Read This:

https://sports.yahoo.com/juwan-howard-the-latest-moldbreaking-nba-hire-in-college-basketball-192726324.html

Well, do you want than answer in one word or two?  Hell YES there’s risk here!  Juwan has never been a head coach anywhere.  He’s never recruited.  And he’s been away from the college game for over 25 years.  Anyone thinking there isn’t risk is an idiot.  Will he be able to keep the current staff intact?  As I wrote a little earlier, Yak interviewed with Shaka Smart but nothing has come out of that discussion.  My guess is Yak has fallen in love with Michigan and Ann Arbor and wants to stay here and continue building what’s a pretty damn good program.  I think if Howard can keep at least Yak and 1 of either Washington or Hayes, than he’ll have already had a small victory before he watches the first ball tipped in the 2019-20 season.  Will Howard be able to retain the current recruits?  Remains to be seen.  How will he be on the recruiting trail?  My guess is he’ll figure it out.   And how will Howard adjust to being a head coach down from the super-paced and athleticly deep NBA?  I mean, I’ve been watching the play-offs and the things that Steph Curry can do from anywhere on the floor just blows my mind.  Can Howard manage a game with way less talent than what’s on a typical NBA squad?   IT all remains to be seen….And,

ALL OF THAT IS RISK!!!!

But it’s not unmanageable risk and it’s risk that I’m sure Juwan has more than defined for himself.  With two sons going through the AAU gamut, he’s familiar with the recent kids in varying programs and top recruits that are available.   And he was an AAU kid himself.  Not to mention that he’s got the backing of NBA names behind him.   I mean, consider this:  

How many guys can walk in and hold up a tweet of LeBron  and D-Wade saying “Juwan’s the MAN!”

But, I have a hunch Juwan won’t do that.  In fact, don’t be at all surprised if you hear Brian Dutcher’s name getting mentioned by Juwan as someone that Juwan might call for advice.  Once a Michigan Man, always a Michigan Man.  And Dutcher will help, of that I’m sure.  Dutcher is currently coaching at San Diego State where he took over for Steve Fisher.   And who knows?  The 74 year-old “Fish” might even give his old player a pointer or two in recruiting. 

AHEM:  So, would you care to rank all of these worry beads so we know what we should be most concerned with?

Sure.  Again, my biggest concern:  This fan base is now SO USED TO BEILEIN BALL that as soon as that one ugly turn-over game happens, were all going to be, “What happened to the ball control we had under Beilein?”  Or worse, Michigan, sort of like this past season, loses some of its offensive swagger and ability.  Gotta get that back.  And will Howard be able to manage the college game?  

2.  Retaining the coaching staff and some of the Beilein culture.  Say what you want, I think Beilein’s fingerprints should be embraced and they should continue on with how Michigan should look and act on and off the court.

3.  Recruiting.  Somehow, I feel like this will be the least of our worries if Juwan can land a really big name.  If he can do that, the others will follow, assuming Michigan is showing an interest.

All in all, this is probably the best outcome this ordeal could have had.   Yeah, Jay Wright would have been the ultimate catch, but Jay Wright, I’m convinced, isn’t leaving for anywhere else.  He’s going to be at Villanova until he retires.  Think of him as Coach K for the Wildcats.   So, as I said on Monday, I can live with this.  I certainly don’t have the same trepidation I had when Rich Rod was hired.  OR the simply “Whatever” hire of Brady Hoke. 

Nope.  Warde did as good as he could do.  And that’s all you can do.  History will bear out whether it’s a good decision or not. 

Overall, I’m a little bit excited to see what Howard can do! 

All Hail - Juwan Howard? Could It Happen?

I was a huge Fab 5 fan.  When we, Michigan Fans, believed that it was Steve Fisher that managed to land the Fab 5 of Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, I think all thought that Fisher was a genius recruiter and that Michigan had to potential to be in the National Title search for 3 or even possibly 4 seasons! We believed it so much that a bunch of us (loyal readers and slappies TJH, TMcD and others hopped in a Chevy Astro and drove to the Final Four in Minneapolis in 1992. 

That’s how much we believed.   

What we eventually came to learn was that when Mitch Albom authored “Fab Five” in 1993,  Brian Dutcher played a HUGE ROLE in getting the “key” player in that group to Michigan.  Dutcher realized that if he could get the first domino to fall, the rest would follow.  And Dutcher knew exactly who that was:

Juwan Howard

Juwan was the key as he was the most mature and Dutcher knew that Juwan would assist in recruiting the rest of the Fab 5.  Dutcher paid more attention to him than any of the other 4.  He ate at Juwan’s Grandma’s house.  Had fried greens for the first time.  When Juwan came to Michigan’s Hoops Camp, Dutcher made sure Jimmy King attended Michigan’s Camp at the same time and made them roommates.    Dutcher knew that Howard was the most important piece. 

And Guess what?   Juwan signed first.  If you don’t remember or need to recall, read the first couple of chapters for free on Amazon…

https://www.amazon.com/Fab-Five-Basketball-Trash-American/dp/0446517348

.

And right after Juwan signed, Jimmy King followed.   And Ray Jackson soon followed after that.   However, it wasn’t until those three worked on Webber and Rose for a couple of months that those two decided to come along and make Michigan history as one of the greatest recruiting classes to ever go to one university.   Granted, Rose’s coach ended up on the bench at Michigan, also, sort of securing the Rose commitment.  But at the time, there was nothing illegal about that. 

But before I get to far ahead of myself and why I think Juwan would be the “Fit” Michigan is looking for:  A Defining Moment:   On the same day that Howard had signed his LOI, Juwan’s grandmother died unexpectedly and both Dutcher and Fisher showed up to her funeral a few days later.  Howard realized at that moment that Michigan was more than just a school or a university…

Michigan is Family.

So, if you’re asking me what I think about Juwan Howard, I’ll say this:  I don’t know if he can be a head coach.  I don’t have a clue (same as everyone else) as to whether or not he can recruit.  I know he came “THIS CLOSE” to winning a National Title in College.  I know he won an NBA Title with the Miami Heat and LeBron James.  And I know he was on the NBA All Star team several times and has interviewed for several NBA head coaching positions.  But he has either turned them down or they’ve turned him down for whatever reasons. 

But I can tell you this:  Juwan Howard is definitely a Michigan Man.  He still speaks highly of Michigan and the degree he earned from Ann Arbor. 

Jalen Rose seems to agree with me.  And wouldn’t it be great to see Rose as an assistant at Michigan?    I think so!!!

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/130/michigan-wolverines

At the same time, do you go with a guy with absolutely no head coaching experience but a lot of love for his alma mater?   Decisions like this can only really be summarized and judged in the sometimes long aftermath that follows this type of decision.  Nobody had a clue as to whether or not a deeply devoted Jesuit coach from WVU would be any good at Michigan.  Bill Martin decided he WOULD be good for Michigan and would get Michigan back on the map. 

Looking back, it was probably one of Bill Martin’s Greatest Decisions in all of his tenure as Michigan’s AD.   But we needed time and perspective to get to this point.  But not ever decision Bill made paid off like this one.    

Because Sailboat Bill also hired Rich Rod.  From WVU.  And that looked like a better hire, at the time, then Beilein.   And I’m pretty sure we all know exactly how that worked out.

Bottom Line:  Warde Manuel might be making a good or a bad decision with whomever he hires.  We simply won’t know until there’s time behind the decision as to whether or not it was good or bad.  And that’s all there is to it.

Make the best decision you can, support the individual and keep things moving.