riverraisin

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 5:43 p.m.

Craig L You read my post and choose bits and pieces of it to suit your argument. I did not say that college football is a farm system for the pros (although you can argue that it is, in a way) I said..now follow me here...the best talent goes to the schools that can get them to the next level. We can argue this point ad nauseum, but I stand by my original point. These players stuck with this university for 4 years. In the end, they were failed by their coach.

Craig Lounsbury

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.

riverraisin: I'm not trying to defend RichRods record just object to your NFL farm team "logic". If it was a coaches job to get his players in position for the pros then Bo Schembechlar failed Rickey Leach and Dennis Franklin just to name two for running an option offense, something the pros didn't do. He failed Dennis Franklin twice by letting him even play quarterback since the NFL wasn't too keen on black QB's back then. The pros promptly moved him to wide receiver. All those "3 yards and a cloud of dust" years failed wide receivers too based on your NFL farm system logic. Its not the job of a college coach to gear his system toward the NFL. Your confusing college football with Triple A baseball.

riverraisin

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.

Craig lounsbury All college football players dream of playing in the NFL. Many know they don't have the talent to make it, but many come to a college like the UofM with the intention of playing for a major FBS school and getting the coaching and experience to make it to the next level. Coming to Michigan and having to be coached by this failure of a coach? He did nothing to help these players be the best of the best. Whether you agree with me or not..the best talent goes to the school that will help them achieve their goal of playing at the next level. Right now, Michigan offers very little to attract the best talent. They don't win, they don't run anything similar to a pro style offence, they aren't conditioned properly, they aren't taught basic techniques, they aren't prepared for a game, and worst of all, they are publicly embarassed and ridiculed by their coach. Michigan has been a pipeline to the NFL. We've had some monster players go to the next level. This has been a source of pride for fans and alumni. These seniors could have had that same opportunity. RR failed them miserably

Bleed Maize n' Blue

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.

I, for one, have been extreamly angered by all the gripping and negativity of some of our fans. It is way more tiresome to listen to than having to go through the last three years on the field. I am totally embarrased to say I am a fan of the university the way that our coach has been treated the last three years. No person should have to go through what Coach Rich has gone through. The fans are part of the team in the fact that we need to cheer them on and support them in their decisions. Let the leaders do thier job. They know waaaaay more than any of us. I know exactly the type of people who gripe and complain about everything. I work with these types. These people will never be happy and need help. Rich is dedicated to this team. He is all in. His speech showed it. If I were him, I would have hit the road long ago. He will be successful wherever he goes and I almost hope he kills us if he ever has to play us. I have been a die hard fan for 25 years and am truly questioning the integrity, class, and character of our fan base and weather or not I want to be part of it. I continue to tell myself it is just a select few with big mouths. I hope I am right.

groland

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.

Of course the players are behind the coach in public. In private, I can assure you things are very different. There is not a lot of respect for RR among the players. Furthermore, i do not find his legal troubles very funny at all.

blueinwestpenn

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.

rightmind250 - you nailed another important aspect for me. 'Tis the season for performance reviews for all us... So for academics and athletics, both, it is all about performance against stated, and accepted, standards. What is the accepted standard at our hailed university? Answer: Leaders and Best. That's the standard of our brand. So here are some anecdotes for the performance review. I personally know recruits that say to me: Why go to Michigan?, the football program sucks. Wow. Then, a couple weeks ago one of my friends sends me a Big 10 graduation rate survey for Michigan athletes (and for just football)-- one that goes back to the Carr days, and one that also ranks U of M versus all FBS schools. It is really frightening how we don't graduate at the rate we used to, especially for minorities, and how we've fallen off any standard! Nice performance vs standards. On that measure we are approaching 4th quartile. On football on the field, arguably 3rd quartile at best. This sounds rediculous, but it sure feels like Mary Sue and Bill Martin took the brand as "accepted" and allowed RR new standards of "followers and average," and then only after realizing the mistake, quickly hired Brandon to re-institute a return to higher standards. Maybe its wishful thinking but the contrasts betweeen DB and Martin have me believing we are returning our performance measures back to our previous standards. It will take time, but I trust DB. Annarbor.com you should be investigating what DB means when he says "you only see 5%".. so, what is the other 95% DB in themes pray tell? I hope that some of that 95% considers academics too, so that from a rounded out perspective we can slow down, and ultimately stop the free fall and turn around our brand image. The brand has sure has taken a hard hit over the last half decade.

Craig Lounsbury

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.

riverraisin: Getting the best out of his players is part of a coaches job, not getting them ready to "play at the next level". His job is to win football games for the University not be a farm team for the NFL. Thats what you implied in your first post...."I'll bet every one of those seniors have dreams of playing at the next level. Did RichRod do everything in his power to make that happen?" The two concepts are often similar but not the same.

rightmind250

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.

Hey AA.com, How come you didn't report UM;'s ranking in the B10 of scholar athletes? I will do it for you. UM ranked 10th out of 11. The 2 things UM lacky's like to brag about most, academics and football. This team is a failure at both. Where's the RR bs about how he has increased the academic standards of this football team? Brandon was right when he said he wanted to model his program after OSU. They were tied fopr 1st with 22 scholar athletes. UM had 8. Thats 8 out of 85 team members. Not a real good showing. Hell, Pryor was on the list of 22. He is not pursuing the common UM football player degree of basketweaving. His major is criminology. This program is in a complete freefall. Where's the reporting Pete? I am sure thios is not news to you or your staff.

Terrin

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.

saginaw: Thank you. I spit up my cereal from laughing. Very funny. THeo212: No disrespect intended, but blindly falling leaders does not lead to intelligent conversation. Instead it leads to mindless conversation because you do not have an open mind as to what the problems may be. One can argue that speaking up is the highest act of loyalty. For instance, in the arena of politics speaking up is an act of patriotism. Blindly following your leaders leads to things like legalized hatred. Just saying.

BlueInBama

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 12:56 a.m.

Brother Theo, I was working security that night, and was monitoring the bugs I had placed on each table... particularly, Table 11..... you sir, brought a tear to my eye during your discussion with DB. All Hail The King!

RudeJude

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 12:28 a.m.

From the linked article: http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-football/josh-groban-twitter-rich-rodriguez/ Quoted below is a Tweet from Josh Groban, whose song was played at the banquet. "Coach Rodriguez, I'm very flattered, but crying to "You Raise Me Up" is SO five years ago. #playwelcometothejungle" When Josh Groban owns your coach, you know it's time to move on. This is the embarrassing exclamation point to the Rich Rodriguez Error. Please tell me this doesn't get any worse. Go Blue

CobraII

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.

I feel sorry for the players that stayed & had a coach like this; its all about him!!! My the country road take you home.......

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:22 p.m.

PHXblue, Thanks for your posting about RR and Harbaugh today. These dwindling RR supporters remain in complete denial about their idol after the strange "Hey, it's all about me" incident at the banquet last night.

riverraisin

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:05 p.m.

"Thats not his or any other college coaches job" Oh? Then do tell...What exactly is a coaches job? How does a team win if a coach can't get the best out of his players. Why give a motivational speech before a game if it's not his job to get the best out of his team?

Craig Lounsbury

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:55 p.m.

"I'll bet every one of those seniors have dreams of playing at the next level." If that is true then somebody besides RichRod let them down along time ago. "Did RichRod do everything in his power to make that happen?" Thats not his or any other college coaches job.

riverraisin

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:20 p.m.

I actually feel sorry for these seniors. They have been failed by their coach. Not one of them had the opportunity to become the best player they could be. This isn't a feel good story about the coach, it's a feel bad story for the team. I'll bet every one of those seniors have dreams of playing at the next level. Did RichRod do everything in his power to make that happen? (check that..unfortunately, he probably did)

paperstreetsoap

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:06 p.m.

@matt c That one comment is still up brother. Also I was not surprised my one comment today got removed. Just hoping he got the message first.

PHXblue

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:17 p.m.

RichRod and U-M program was ridiclued nationally today on Jim Rome is Burning, Around the Horn, and Pardon the Interruption... All took shots at RR's manhood and character resulting from the escapades at this banquet. Great publicity for any recruits still considering this trainwreck. On the plus side, Harbaugh appeared on College Football Live and when asked point blank if he would ever coach at Michigan he didnt say he wouldnt, only that he is the coach at Stanford "right now".

Jaxon5

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:03 p.m.

If Theo's post above is true, then following must also be true. Overheard at Table 11, "Who's this Groban kid, and can he play defense?"

Joe

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:50 p.m.

One question for anyone. If DB really does support RR 100%, why haven't we heard him say those words, or any positive words of support? Just askin.

tulsatom

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.

Tight end Martell Webb: Id like to thank Denard, because we have one game left. Good one. In other words, throw it my way a little bit in the bowl game.

Matt Cooper

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:19 p.m.

@soap "But having meaningful and intelligent discussions would leave you out." You post something like that and then wonder why your posts get pulled. Gee. I wouldn't think it that hard to figure it out.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.

Ive already used all the attorneys I need, said Rodriguez, whose legal team has faced entanglements over his West Virginia contract, a failed real-estate investment and an NCAA investigation in the past three years. -- Serious question: Can Rich Rodriguez ever make a comment about someone else, without referencing himself and his personal situations? It is all about him.

The OSU

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:13 p.m.

D21: A point of clarification: the pretty cheerleaders are on the Buckeye sideline!

BlueGator

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:12 p.m.

Terry Foster, in a detnews.com article posted today, wrote about RR's blatant "infomercial" to keep his job last night: "It was not a feel-good moment for people who want the best for the program....This was one of the most embarrassing moments in Michigan football history. It is something Buckeyes and Badgers and Spartans will laugh at for years to come."

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:57 p.m.

The OSU, Nice try. Nah, the 3 Stooges are waiting for RR to be gone first before playing for UM under Harbaugh. As you can see from this totally futuristic picture in the BIG GAME against OSU in NOV 2011: Larry is effectively deflecting the limited span of attention from the onrushing OSU defenders to real purty Wolverine cheerleaders on the sideline with his right hand thus buying Moe some time. Curly is the true GPS navigator/human tee shot for as evidenced by his dead on accurate fingerpointing. The blazing fast Curly has set a record for kickoff touchdowns in a season with 5, thus surpassing the Crimson Tide's Forrest Gump's 4 TDs. Moe, what can I say about him, he is the first one who called RR out, is seen kicking the last second winning FG against the previously undefeated and #1 ranked OSU in A2 in Nov 2011.

The OSU

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.

D21: Your picture of the 3 Stooges pretty well represents the stage of UM football. Moe looks like he only has one leg, which pretty much represents UM's kicking game. Larry is looking the wrong way, which sums up RR. Curly is about to be kicked in the head, which is the state of the BLUE nation.

ViSHa

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.

@ L. Steelmen, just because you "sense" that the players all support the coaches, doesn't make it true. they have been thrown under the proverbial bus many times this year and now their team banquet gets hijacked.......

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

Lorian, Your funny quote, "If Bo were here today, he would be solidly, and vocally, supporting these coaches and players, just like Coach Moeller, and Coach Hanlon". Haha, thank you for providing us with the needed laughs. You is so funny. Keep em coming.

NoBowl4Blue

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

Theo has some serious issues as evidenced by his words. Intelligent conversation would have to exclude him.

ChelseaBob

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.

The players showed a lot of class. They had to listen to how slow they were and how untalented all year. Now to have to listen to this must have been difficult. Especially the tearful plea for his job. I wouldn't have been able to sit through it, especially at that age. I'm proud of our seniors.

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.

Tight end Jon Bills, who was seriously injured in a car accident six months ago: So many teammates came to visit me in the hospital that they were sent into my room in shifts. Coach Rodriguez came every day. RR, thank you for looking after him. Yet, I pray you will find another job as it is time to cut ties with UM. Thank you.

saginaw

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.

Didn't Lloyd Carr lose 5 games in 2005, including to Minnesota? Didn't he lose the final 2 games in 2006 -- when Michigan was loaded with talent? Didn't he get crushed by Oregon in the Big House in 2007, when Oregon could have dropped 60 points on the Wolverine's defense in regulation if they had really tried? We tend to forget why RR was hired. He was hired to give UM a chance to beat OSU. That could really happen in 2011, and Brandon knows it.

edjasbord

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.

"Be a good guy. I dont care what anyone else writes or says. There is a lot of talent and soul in these men. This is unbelievably delusional, unbelievably - or scratch that, for we live in strange times - believably bad. How may times did RR speak directly to or allude to the lack of talent he was left with? How many times did he try to make us think that the issues lie with the players? Obviously, according to his own criteria, RR is not a "good guy."

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:09 p.m.

Theo212...I totally agree man! If everyone got behind this coach and the players, we could proceed with meaningful discussions. I had a chance to hear Brandon on the 23rd at the Toledo UM Club luncheon. I think he is a no nonsense AD, but I also think he supports this coach and team. Even more importantly, I sense that the team itself, is 100% in support of these coaches. Sure, they are young, and inexperienced, on Defense, but in a year, when the injuries heal, we add some recruits, and the kids gain experience, the D, WILL be just fine. The offense will continue to improve, in consisitency, and expand what they can do. If we can improve special teams, MICHIGAN will take it's place in the hunt for NC's on a regular basis. If Bo were here today, he would be solidly, and vocally, supporting these coaches and players, just like Coach Moeller, and Coach Hanlon. Those that stay,WILL be champions!Go Blue!

leathercouch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.

Theo, as the king noted... "We'll let people jump on the bandwagon, thats ok, they may not have a front seat, but they'll jump on the wagon"

paperstreetsoap

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.

So Ed was it removed because it was a personal attack or because I knew it was a personal attack? FYI There are personal attacks from the same people all most every time they post. Referring to people as babies is one example. Please try to moderate more evenly in the future. Thanks Soap

win

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.

Isn't it sad that these guys will leave as the seniors who will associated with the demise of Michigan football. They seem like great kids. I wish their experience would have been better. Every player who comes through Michigan for a four year period should win a big ten championship during his time here. And if they are good and lucky, they should win two.

paperstreetsoap

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:26 p.m.

Hey Rr everyone thinks you're funny, including the other teams in your conference and around the country. Just thought you should know.

paperstreetsoap

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.

Richyrich should have took his own advice.