While you were gone

Our annual look at the off season just passed for our readers who aren't as obsessive about following Michigan football as we are.

Bo used to say that only three things could happen when you passed the ball, and two of them are bad. In the last couple of years, it seems like you could say the same thing about our off seasons.

In mid December, it was announced that Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer would be leaving. In January, Greg Robinson was hired to take his place. All indications seemed to suggest the Shafer ust didn't mesh with Rich Rod and the rest of the staff. The Purdue game, where Rich Rod supposedly took over control of the defense from Shafer, was seen as a sign that the relationship could not be repaired. Robinson appears to be an upgrade. Despite his dismal record as a head coach at Syracuse, he was defensive coordinator for Texas when the won the national championship, and for the Denver Broncos when they went to the Super Bowl.

The early part of any off season is dominated by recruiting news from January until signing day in early February. This year was no exception, as Michigan pulled in a class ranked between 8 and 14 in the country, depending on who you asked. The class was headlined by a block-out-the-sun defensive tackle from Detroit, a quaterback prodigy from California whose family has a history with Michigan, a top cornerback from Ohio, and lots and lots of speed, some small, some not so small. Of particular interest was the fact that several members of the class, graduated from high early and enrolled in January so they could go through spring practice.

Despite this successful class, much of the news during the season was about decommitments from Michigan. No less than nine players decommitted at some point. Some decommitted to take visits to other schools and then later recommitted. Some chose to decommit after Michigan recruited other players at their positions. And some decommitted because they are no different than most 18 year olds, and aren't completely sure what they want to do with their lives. More than anything, this trend illustrated a changing dynamic is the way recruiting works. With the growth of social media and recruiting websites, more and more information is out there about recruits, and more recruits are committing early. But some local sources, many of whom criticized Rich Rod for taking kids last year who decommitted from other schools, chose to use the decommitments as evidence of his lack of fitness to be coach here at Michigan. And of course, those up the road in East Lansing jumped all over that and used as part of their recruiting pitch, in and out of the media.

The other major source of news during the off-season involved player departures. About a dozen players left the team since the end of the last season. Some left early for the NFL. Most were backups unlikely to play a significant role this year even if they had stayed. But there were two that played significant roles last year that left, QB Steven Threet and RB Sam McGuffie. Both likely would have seen playing time this year, but its not clear if they would have started, or for how long. Threet had the most experience of any QB, but he clearly doesn't fit the spread option as well as the two freshman, Forcier and Denard Robinson. McGuffie started the year strong at RB, but faded as the year went on and he suffered some concussions and Brandon Minor came on strong.

Most of the players departing transferred to other schools quietly, praising the coaching staff, or simply saying they were moving on. Two players made a bigger splash. OL Kurt Wermers left, saying that "the kids on the team now weren't his kind of crowd" and the team was less like a family now. It later turned out that Wermers was academically ineligible when he left. I guess not his kind of crowd meant kids that actually went to class.

The other player who made a splash was WR / former QB Justin Feagin. In late July, he was dismissed from the team for violations of team rules. It would be revealed later that his violation could have included some criminal activity. In short, Feagin was approached by a friend last spring who was short on cash and agreed to broker a drug deal for him with a friend of his down in Florida. Feagin took money from him, and then never followed through on the drug deal. The friend responded by trying to set Feagin's dorm room on fire, but he got the wrong room. Feagin was questioned by police in late July. Later that day he was dismissed from the team. Of course our friends at the Free Press responded by declaring Michigan a win at all costs team and blamed Rich Rod for not doing proper research on Feagin. Of course the Free Press missed an obvious parallel with a team up the road that had a player convicted of felony assault after the last season, serve almost six months in jail, and then let out early so that he wouldn't miss practice time. The double standard, and other obvious problems with the Free Press article were pointed out by bloggers more accomplished than I.

After the worst season of Michigan that any of us can remember, we were treated to a horrible off-season, despite a decent recruiting class with some exciting players (more on this later) and the continued construction on the big house. So you see, the season can't get here fast enough.

While You Were Away

This post is mainly for my dad, who unlike the rest of us, has a life, and doesn't obsessively check the blogs, message boards and RSS feeds for news everyday of the off-season.

Michigan has had a pretty active off-season, perhaps the most eventful in 40+ years. A little synopsis for you. Please take notes as there will be a quiz before you enter the stadium for the first time this year.

Lloyd Carr retired the Monday after the OSU game. Said most of the usual retirement press conference stuff (had a great time, will miss lots of people, no opinion on who the next coach is, trusts Bill Martin to get it right, etc). The coach search was a wild ride of rumors, non-denial denials, plane tracking, and all out meltdowns on various message boards. At one time or another, the following coaches were rumored to be coming here: Les Miles (2 or 3 different rumors), Kirk Ferentz, Greg Schiano, & Jim Grobe. Finally, when it looked like all hope was lost, Rich Rodriguez was announced as the new coach. He dismissed all of the prior assistant coaches, hiring only RB coach Fred Jackson back. He brought a number of his coaches from West Virginia with him, and hired a new LB coach and defensive coordinator.


People in West Virginia were not happy that Rodriguez would leave his alma mater to come here. The University sued Rodriguez shortly after he left to collect his $4 million buyout. Rodriguez vowed to fight it. A six battle ensued, which included a lot of name calling, some silly posturing, and eventually ended up with Rodriguez paying WVU $1.5 million over two years, and the UofM paying $2.5 million. Some people in the local media saw this settlement as indicative of a character flaw on Rodriguez's part.


A number of players left the team after the bowl game. Receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington declared for the NFL and were drafted. QB Ryan Mallet transferred to his home state of Arkansas, stating that he didn't feel that he was a good fit for Rodriguez's new spread offense. Rumor around the blogs was that he might have transferred even if Lloyd had stayed. Offensive lineman Justin Boren, who started 12 games at center and guard last year and is the son of former linebacker Mike Boren, announced he was leaving after the first day of spring practice, stating that he felt that the "family values" of Michigan were eroding under the new staff. He subsequently enrolled at Ohio State, along with his younger brother Zach, who was offered a scholarship there only after Justin transferred. Despite comments from former players, like Desmond, who supported Rodriguez and cited rumors that Boren left because he wasn't guaranteed his starting spot back, some people in the local media saw this as indicative of a character flaw on Rodriguez's part.


Recruiting went well. The Wolverines received commitments from nine players after Rodriguez took over, including a number of players who committed on or right before signing day. A couple of players actually decommitted from other schools to commit to Michigan. This prompted a tirade from Purdue coach Joe Tiller, where he chastised Rodriguez for breaking a "Gentleman's Agreement" between Big Ten coaches not to recruit players who have publicly committed to other Big Ten schools. Tiller referred to Rodriguez as a snake-oil salesman in a wizard hat. Some people in the local media saw this as a character flaw on Rodriguez's part, even though recent history shows that just about every big ten schools has poached recruits from other big ten schools in a similar manner.


Rodriguez brought with him Mike Barwis, the strength and conditioning coach at WVU. After getting a big upgrade to the weight room facilities, Barwis has proceeded to totally revamp the strength and conditioning program, and has become somewhat of a folk hero among the Michigan blogosphere. Depending on which urban legends you choose to believe, he owns a couple of wolves for pets, he used to be an mixed martial arts participant, has never had a player miss an entire season due to injury, and will turn mere mortals into superhuman football machines. He has gotten rave reviews from all of the current players, a whole host of former players now playing in the NFL, both from here and West Virginia, who came to Ann Arbor this summer to work out with him. The hype about him got so deep at one point that MSU had to put out a story about their S&C guys, and how they were just as good as Barwis.


In March, the Ann Arbor News unvailed a huge four part story about Academics and Athletics at Michigan. The articles claimed, among other things, that the athletic department steered kids to certain easier majors (general studies), certain professors who were friendly to the AD, and encouraged independent study programs, and athletes were admitted to school who normally wouldn't go to college. The University of course quickly refuted the report's claims. The reaction from the national media was was one of indifference. When I saw Golden in April, he wondered why this was even a story. This is just standard operating procedure at Division I schools.


Our stadium is undergoing some significant upgrades. Despite some initial skepticism, most reaction seems to be positive. The AD has been warning people to arrive to games earlier, however, do to longer lines to enter the stadium. Construction of the $250 million project is due to be completed prior to the 2010 season. Also under construction is a new practice facility.


After signing a multi-million dollar in July 07, Adidas introduced the new Michigan jerseys. The home jersey remains virtually the same as the last Nike jersey, with the swoosh replaced with the three lines. The road jersey contains large yellow stripes along the sides that has not been warmly received.


So there you have it. Despite all the negativity from the main stream media and national pundits, the Michigan blogosphere seems somewhat upbeat about there chances, with predictions centering around 8-4 or 7-5, with promises of death and destruction for Michigan's enemies in 2009 and beyond.

Lessons in Coach-speak

The Big Ten held its annual Kickoff Meeting earlier this week. As per usual, the meeting was long on cliche and short on actual useful information. As a public service, I would like to provide a little primer on coach-speak

Ron Zook, Illinois:
"First of all, let me just say that I'm very, very proud of our football team and what we were able to accomplish this past year, but I think the thing that as a football coach you have to go on, it's over."
Translation: Did you know that we went to the Rose Bowl last year

"The thing we've talked about football team since we've gotten back from California is that we're not there yet. We still have a long, long way to go. We have to continue to remember why, or how, I should say, how we were able to get to make the progress that we were able to do. So we're excited about it."
That's right, we made the Rose Bowl last year, when none of you thought I knew how to coach.

"There are two things we said when we got back from California. Number one, I said, when you guys watch the tape you're really going to be disappointed because we didn't play the way we were capable of playing. And not to take anything away from Southern Cal; they're a great football program and they've done a great job. But that was the number one thing."
Did I mention that the Rose Bowl is in California. Where it's warm, like almost every day.

Bill Lynch, Indiana
"Thank you. Like the rest of the guys I'm excited to be here and ready to get going again. Summer goes quick but I think all of us as coaches, once we get to this point of the summer, we're ready for our guys to come in where we can work with them."
I'm really glad that some of you guys actually know who I am.

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
"First of all, just say hello and welcome."
Please don't ask about university policy.

"A couple words about our football team this coming year."
And don't ask about the conditioning programs for our incoming recruits.
"We have a real unusual and rare combination, certainly a little different than what I'm used to..."
Some of them don't have their attorneys on speed dial

"...but we still have a relatively young football team this year. "
I'm sure they will before the season is over

"We have a very experienced football team in a lot of ways..."
Just not any that pertain to actually playing football

"...so we're really optimistic about the way things are going to shake out for us and anxious to get started."
I'm really tired of talking to law enforcement officials

Mark Dantonio, Michigan State:
"Where we sit right now as a program, we're on first base. We're on first base trying to get to second."
Maybe the university president will let me feel her up if we beat Michigan

"And I can honestly say we had a chance to win every single game going into the last three or four minutes of the game."
Do you remember where you were when we almost beat Michigan? This isn't over, Pride comes before the autumnal equinox. Is Mike Hart here?

Tim Brewster, Minnesota:
"It's great to be back in Chicago. Starting a new season, a tremendous optimism, very excited about the challenge that we have at the University of Minnesota."
Can you believe they let me come back here again? This season just has to be better than last year, doesn't it?

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern:
Question: Joe Tiller's last year, you've been around the Big Ten for a while. What do you think his impact has been, particularly bringing that wide-open offense to a more traditional conference when he came in?
"I think Joe Tiller will always be looked at in the Big Ten as an innovator on the football field. He'll be looked at, I believe, within our coaching ranks, as someone who has never changed who he is, his personality has always been the same, a tremendous sense of humor, and I'm very excited to have Coach Tiller move into retirement."
One more old guy leaving the game, moves me that much closer to the top. Plus he always makes me think of oatmeal.

Jim Tressel, Ohio State:
Question: Jim, you guys are the overwhelming No. 1 pick in this conference in the preseason poll with Wisconsin, Illinois, but there's no Michigan or Penn State in that top three. How accurate do you think that poll is?
"It hasn't been very accurate in the past, which is a little frightening. But, you know, it's really kind of irrelevant because there is Penn State, there is Michigan, there is Michigan State, there is Purdue, there is Minnesota and on and on and on, and you have to line up."
Did I leave anybody out? It doesn't really matter who they vote second. All your teams are belong to us.

Question: Coach, you're 6-1 against Michigan in seven years. To what do you attribute your success against Michigan and is this perhaps the best rivalry in all of sports?
I sold my soul to Satan many years ago. That and creative financing on slightly used cars

Joe Tiller, Purdue:
Question: Can you take some pride in the fact that so many other schools have adopted your offensive style?
"Not really. I think it was going to happen sooner or later. Young people like to throw and catch and run around and high five each other and enjoy having fun playing the game. I think the style of offense is a fun style, I guess, to participate in."
If it wasn't for me, this league would still be stuck in the stone ages. Hey, who let all these damn bloggers in here?

Brett Bielema, Wisconsin:
"Thank you. It's great to be back in Chicago for media day. Missed you guys. I hope everybody is doing well."
Not really, but it sounded nice

"But we're very excited. We have a great record in night games, and any advantage you can gain on Ohio State and Penn State is a good thing. Hopefully Wisconsin fans if they have a couple more hours to relax in the stadium parking lot."
The family that drinks together, stays together.

Question: As one of the contenders picked by the media, what's it like to not see Michigan up there, kind of a perennial pick for years?
We've beaten them two out of three and are going to run all over their new sissy offense this year.

Joe Paterno, Penn State:
Question: Coach, general thoughts on being inducted into the College Football Hall of
Fame?
I'm not dead yet

Question: Joe, with your own status people talk about retirement. Do you ever just feel bad at times feel like people are trying to force you out when you have a lot to contribute still?
No, seriously, I'm not dead. I feel quite fit, actually. I still kick your ass, paperboy

Question: Coach, you said you kind of get tired of people badgering you, asking you about your contract, about retirement.
So why are you asking me about it?

Question: Coach, is there a certain type of scenario that would unfold this year that would make you feel like hey, this is the time to go?
If you ask the same question over and over again, it might just drive crazier than I already am. BRAINS!!

Rich Rodriguez, Michigan:
"I know I missed some of my colleagues, the Joe Tiller roast, and I'm going to have some fun with him. Only thing, I can't wait to see Joe, because I've been looking all summer on my new snake oil concoction that I want to give Joe."
I stayed up all night thinking of that one

Question: Coach, looking back at the outcome to the lawsuit with West Virginia, do you have any regrets there?
Yea, i wish I didn't have to pay 1.5 million dollars to those SOBs who need to get a life. Any other stupid questions?

Question: As you alluded to, there's been seven months. How have you kind of coped
with that?
We try and take it day by day. Ha! I answered your pointless question with a meaningless answer.

"The players' attitude has been tremendous as far as working hard and buying into it, and also I think from the standpoint of all the questions about a so-called outside guy come in, I've not heard that at all from my fans. Maybe they've said it behind closed doors, whatever, but the places I've been to and talked to Michigan fans, they've been terrific, and I'm really excited about that."
Now if we could just get the Ann Arbor News on board, we'd be set!

Glasnost

For many years, off-seasons in Michigan football was about as exciting as watching paint dry. The only time you ever got any verifiable news was at the signing day press conference, the spring practice news conference and at the start of fall practice. Even then you hard to read between the lines to figure things out: "Lloyd only used one 'tremendous' when describing Steve Schilling, but used two on Mike Boren, so Boren must be further along in practice." You'd hear rumors of things from Rivals or Scout message boards, but you could never be sure of what was real and what was just rumors. Information was horded like water in the Sahara. You needed a kremlinologist just to figure out what was going on. In short, there was a reason why the football building was known as "Fort Schembechler"
But in the last two days, we have gotten more relevant information from Rich Rod than we did in 13+ years of Lloyd Carr. First, he went on the Jim Rome show and announced that in all likely hood Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington were leaving for the NFL, and he hadn't heard from Ryan Mallet. He then followed that up with an impromptu news conference at half time of the Michigan / IU basketball game, where he confirmed the departures of the three offensive stars, and stated we hoped to get a full class of 25 players. Now, in a normal off-season, the loss of most of our offense from this year would send most M fans into a funk. But the fact that this info came from the head coach pretty much as it was happening is so mind blowing as to soften the blow of losing these players.
This truly is a Brave New World.