You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sun, Jan 24, 2010 : 6:53 p.m.

Ex-Michigan receivers Tai Streets, Desmond Howard root for Rich Rodriguez, Michigan football

By Dave Birkett

BIRMINGHAM - Tai Streets has been coaching AAU basketball for 10 years, since he was still playing in the NFL. But Streets, the former Michigan receiver, wouldn’t make any promises about his playing acumen before taking part in The Curtis Granderson Celebrity Shootout Sunday at Birmingham Seaholm. “We’ll see,” Streets said. “Just like Rodriguez.”

One of four former Michigan football and basketball players taking part in the event - Desmond Howard, Jimmy King and Jalen Rose also played, and Lloyd Carr served as honorary coach - Streets said he hopes the Wolverines are on their way back to prominence under third-year coach Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez is 8-16 in two seasons at Michigan and the Wolverines have missed out on a bowl both years. “I guess next year will be a big year, probably,” Streets said. “I think Coach Rodriguez has his own recruits in and all that, so we’ll see. Hopefully. I think everything will work out.”

Howard, the former Heisman Trophy winner and current ESPN analyst, said he wasn’t surprised at Michigan’s struggles last year. The Wolverines started 4-0, but lost seven of their last eight games behind freshman quarterback Tate Forcier and an inferior defense. This year, Howard said he expects Michigan to make a bowl. “It only takes six wins, so I think they can,” he said. “They were a very young team last year. Now you’re looking at a more experienced team. They’re still going to be young, but young with experience, which can actually be a dangerous combination for their opponents. I think yeah, they should definitely win at least six games.” As for Rodriguez’s long-term fate at Michigan, Howard wouldn’t offer any predictions. “I’m not God, I can’t predict the future,” he said. “I think that Rich is a good coach and he has a good staff and they’re trying to get things turned around and they’re a hard-working group,” Howard said. Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

Comments

GoblueinNE_PA

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.

This tepid response to this question is telling. It's looking like more and more folks are jumping ship and quite frankly, I think they're right. I don't see much more than 6 wins on the schedule and that's not good enough. We're Michigan for cripes sake!! Six wins gets a coach fired, not a contract extended. WTH is wrong with us that we'd accept this pathetic performance. I hope for the best and will live and die by the team every weekend, but I don't expect much better 4 wins next season. Here's hoping I'm wrong and they double that number at least.

chosen1

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.

All ex players are rooting for Michigan. No one,fans or alums, want to see the team continue to struggle. That's common sense. But I don't think there were any ringing endorsements in those comments. I would love to see the team have a huge year, but I don't think winning 6 or 7 games alone constitutes a big turn around. Our ooc is weak, UCONN is the exception, and if we don't go at least 4-4 in conference than is there really improvement?

Man in the Mirror

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 10:30 a.m.

...you only have to win 6 games to make it to a bowl. They can win 6 games. It's only 6 games. Wow...high expectations to root for indeed. I GUESS next year will be a big year, PROBABLY. I THINK Coach Rodriguez has his own recruits in and all that, SO WE'LL SEE. HOPEFULLY. I think everything will work out. I like this level of "ROOTING" confidence....

NoBowl4Blue

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.

Sad optimisim for the coming season is 6 or 7 wins. RR is not long for U of M.

rightmind250

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.

Howard? There's somebody that knows nothing. What was his prediction on the Rose Bowl this year?

T.Gold/Sean T.

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 2:54 a.m.

I'm not to fired up about RR but I'm willing to think that 6 wins is progress. The defense will be putrid at best so if RR can get 6 wins then I'll get off his back until the next season. Not!

Big House

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 2:03 a.m.

Amazing how our lofty goals of the past have dwindled. I remember when Moeller and Lloyd had all those 8 win seasons and everyone wanted them fired. But then LC won that nat'l championship in 1997. I thought it was time for Lloyd to go too, but damn I long for those 8 win seasons now!!!

buzz

Mon, Jan 25, 2010 : 1:33 a.m.

RR and UM will do that. I have faith in UM and RR. The D will actually be improving in my opinion, the D-line will be bigger and better even with out Graham. many ppl wont agree but thats jus my opinion. Many Red-shirt players who were highly recruited will step in and will make plays. So will these players who are in the 2010 class. The Offense will be more dynamic. DRob will improve his throwin and probably has during this offseason and will contribute alot wit passing as well as running so he'll be more dangerous. Tate will gain more bulk so he can take more punishment. I too expect 8 wins atleast, but 6 wins and a bowl game is good enough for me. May not be much for u guys but is shows improvement. Hopefully the wins are against ND, MSU, OSU, Penn St, and UConn. Actually i hope UM will go undefeated;D. but many will say thats impossible but i expect the impossible GO BLUE!!!!!!

azwolverine

Sun, Jan 24, 2010 : 9:43 p.m.

I have no doubt they'll have at least 6-7 wins and get to a bowl. This team was a 2 point loss to Purdue from getting to a bowl last season. The question is, is that good enough? If we simply replicate last year but beat Purdue and/or Illinois, have we truly made the progress we need to make 3 years into Rodriguez being here? In my opinion, no. In two years, we have beaten no one with more than 7 wins. Michigan, in my opinion, needs to win at least 8 games, including ND and MSU as well as either PSU, Wisconsin, or OSU. I think we should also expect to be competitive in every game...no more blowouts or losses to losing teams. 6 wins and a bowl is what EMU aspires to. At Michigan even 8 wins constitutes mediocrity. It's year three of the RR experiment...it's time to produce.