Sean T.

Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.

Well said, WVtroll.

wvtroll

Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 3:10 p.m.

PortageLkBlu, You're absolutely right. We have a difference of opinion, you and I. What bugs me is that others say I'm wrong or you're wrong if it doesn't agree with their feelings about something. Your "we" doesn't include everyone, so that alone is a misstatement, but for the most part, it includes a lot of people. I'm still claiming to be an indifferent commenter, not an old WVU fan or MSU troll. If everyone on UM stays and wins, that's great. But I still see, as an outsider to all the uproar about RR here, how he performed previously, and to some degree, in the current times. All of you have the right to love or hate the guy, just be objective as you consider why you feel so. Blind faith is not always a good thing, although in your church, it sometimes is the only way. Faith in your coaching staff is not the same thing as faith in your religion. Being able to forgive is a very high quality to possess, as well, but how long can you keep overlooking what continues to happen? I get the feeling the believers will continue to praise RR up until the moment he is removed. If things don't get better up there, will you still tout his greatness after such a departure, or will you say then that he stunk? At what point does praise turn to something else?

GoBlueClassof1989

Mon, Aug 23, 2010 : 10:40 a.m.

HailtoASquared - well said. We weren't the perfect program under Lloyd Carr. I just think the selection process used when RR was hired wasn't very good. I felt that the short list included who's hot now, as opposed to looking deeper and finding the best long term fit. From the start, I felt that RR was a sleezy guy and hoped he'd prove me wrong. Sadly, the recent actions (NCAA violations) have only confirmed what I believe. If he goes, we must dig deeper before hiring again.

Bob

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.

Austin White is no longer in the program, Rodriguez said. We wish him well and well help him in that (transfer) regard, but hes no longer a part of the Michigan football family. Whites family declined comment about his situation today. The 6-foot, 190-pound freshman enrolled in January and spent the spring getting acclimated to U-M. But this fall he was one of the players challenged by Rodriguez and forced to wear a wingless helmet to earn his way into the coach's good graces. Read more: RB Austin White off Michigan's football roster | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100822/SPORTS06/100822023/RB-Austin-White-off-Michigan-s-football-roster#ixzz0xMZl9SHn

Sean T.

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 1:54 p.m.

Portage, Looking at the talent we've had in practices and spring games, Austin White stands out. Reminiscing over the young RB's that played a bit last year I'm not that impressed so that is how I evaluate the situation. I made a viable question,"where are all the posters that said he wasn't good anyway"? Also I don't fortune-tell, I analyse and speak of facts. I know he's a real talent and I hope it can translate it to the field. No need to state the obvious, everyone knows when the first game is and we are all waiting to see how the lineup will pan out. Jumping the gun again huh?

MichFanTex

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 10:03 a.m.

He gone. Thanks RR.

Robbie Webb.

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.

Simmer down, Macabre Sunset. ''A coach who can get elite athelets.'' Haha! That's cute. I guess all those guys Rodriguez recruited were terrible. Denard Robinson, Devin Gardner, Forcier, Craig Roh, Taylor Lewan, Quinton Washington, Cullen Christian, Marvin Robinson, Josh Furman, Richard Ash, William Campbell, Stephen Hopkins, the soon to be Dee Hart, etc, etc, etc. I can go on. You and all the other Rich Rod doubters (I say doubters because you will like him soon while he's still at Michigan) will be eating some delicious humble pie very, very soon!

dagwood444

Sun, Aug 22, 2010 : 4:28 a.m.

Staff: shouldn't Tater's off topic shot about Coach Izzo cause you to remove his comment? What does the MSU basketball coach have to do with UM football? Or is this a double standard policy?

Macabre Sunset

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 4:31 p.m.

I don't care where our next coach comes from, as long as he's smart enough to coach to his talent and can attract elite athletes. Sweater-vest guy was a I-AA coach before he went to Ohio State. Seems to have been a good hire for them.

MikeB

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 2 p.m.

Some of you guys are hilarious. Harbaugh huh? Why don't you all go back and dust off our Les Miles posts, oh wait you did already, sorry. This was a brief report about a kid still on the team who some of the local football "pundits" had reported as leaving. BTW, the Pryor story was cute but I bet he uses a spell checker though. Maybe real men don't?

PortageLkBlu

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.

Mr T. let's not jump the gun, the kid hasn't taken a snap in a game and he hasn't taken a hit. For all you fortune telling gypsies ya gotta wait and see, the first game is in 2 wks. then is the time to Start Predicting the season I myself will give it at least the first 3 games before I get out my crystal ball or read your palm.

PortageLkBlu

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 10:20 a.m.

wvtroll, I hate to rain on your parade but what your preaching goes for you to.you see our "Mentality" is that we support our coach and we also would like to see better results. You ask why we support our coach well we believe his goals and objectives will pay off, we understand he made mistakes however, we don't feel those mistakes are unforgivable based on the nature of the mistakes and his intentions. We understand your wanting to bang your head against the Wall and that's okay go ahead and bang your head I'll understand. What we have here is a good old American difference of opinion which I have suspicions we will have even if RR takes us to the National Championship game. The preacher at the local church made a mistake recently that caused half the church congregation to leave our church permanently, I and my wife stayed becuase we forgave his mistakes and we feel the message he is trying to get across is a good one now that there my friend is an understandable difference of opinion "Mentality".

PortageLkBlu

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.

A2D2 right on, I couldn't have said that better. Pay attention complainers.

Sparky79

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 8:32 a.m.

@InsideTheHall - I don't believe AnnArbor.com was the source of this "credible" rumor. I believe it started with a "credible" poster at MGoBlog and a few other sites picked it up (Scout, maybe?). Ever since that post, it grew to Austin White's status being off the team, trying to get back on the team, not on the team, etc... All AnnArbor.com did was put the rumor to rest, which, good for them, they asked a valid question to the U-M staff and got a firm answer which clears it up for us. I don't know if White ever left the team to begin with, and not sure why since IIRC he was an early enrollee, so it's not like practice under RichRod and Co. is new to him. I'm still amused by the few who want to blame RichRod for this. Get over yourselves.

InsideTheHall

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 8:13 a.m.

Internet rumors should not be reported as "news". If a "credible" source cannot be linked to the rumor then it is not fact and merely internet static. We expect more from A2.com!

Howard the Duck

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.

"BTW, have any of RR's critics here noticed that Tom Izzo currently has a higher percentage of attrition from his roster at MSU this year than RR does at Michigan during the same period? Let the "Izzo isn't a good coach because he is running his players off" talk begin." tater tater tater (rolleyes)

wvtroll

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.

GoblueinNE_PA, There seems to be a real difficulty by a lot of the forum members here to understand that "like the team, dislike the coach" mentality. I've spouted that many times before as the way I feel. You're banging your head against the wall trying to make others understand that concept. By indicating your feelings in this manner, most will disregard any other logic you present concerning any other topic, no matter how solid it is.

ChelseaBob

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 6:41 a.m.

JIM HARBAUGH COME HOME! We can't take much more of this.

johnnya2

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 12:55 a.m.

@ Lorain Steelmen: Just because medical marijuana passed does not mean you should be smoking and tying craziness. To compare Bo to RR is not only stupid, it is inaccurate. If you want, take a look at just the records of the two men in their first two seasons. RR could go 13-0 this year and will not compare to Bo. Tose who stay will be champions after RR is fired. By the way, RR has never stayed anywhere, so I guess that proves what kind of champion he is. @HailToASquared I hardly think Lloyd represented mediocrity. Look at bowl records, wins against top 10 opponents, and CLASS versus the only coach in the history of the program who has had been accused of LACK OF COMPLIANCE. His last two schools have BOTH had issues with the NCAA. He is the common link. I am waiting for him to come up with the next lie about how he was promised something, so he can take more money from UM. He had no problem lying to HIS ALMA MATTER. Think how Alabama is feeling they didnt get stuck with this POS coach. @tater When RR has the record that Tom Izzo does, he can get away with it, but RR has used the "cupboards were bare", "new system", "the dog ate my homework" excuse. When these players he recruited leave will he continue? I never see Tom Izzo make excuses for losing. I'd also say, Tom Izzo is rarely out coached. Unless your opinion is, the talent at EVERY Big Ten school except Indiana is BETTER than Michigan's, the coach cost them the game.

HailToASquared

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:12 p.m.

GoblueinNE_PA- while I am a true blue and am obsessed with michigan football... I disagree with your "Our point, often, is that this guy has screwed up the best college football program in the country and we can't stand it.". He did not screw up the best football program in the country. I don't know about you but I remember being very upset about how the M stood for mediocrity, seeing as how outside of 2006 we were not playing like one of the best teams in the country in recent years. And go figure, that 2006 year we lose to Ohio State to ruin our National Championship birth.. just like Lloyd did many times in the end, lose to Ohio State. Not saying that this is any better or fun with rodriguez, but i cant stand to listen to people who act like Michigan was in the best shape of its life and rodriguez came in and tore it the **** down. If Michigan is really as good as we all love to say we are- we can't have what Lloyd was doing or what Rodriguez has done so far. Somebody has to really step up and take the conference over- hopefully Rodriguez can do that and if not, David Brandon is probably going to have to make the biggest hire of his life in finding the next Michigan head coach.

A2D2

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 10:58 p.m.

Dateline, August 20th, 2011. unconfirmed internet rumor.........heard on the street..........according to reliable sources.............. Tyrelle Pryor has asked for and has been given his outright release by Ohio State just days before his senior season. Pryor, who many thought would turn professional with the Toronto Argonauts, decided instead to transfer to Youngstown State to play for first-year coach Rich Rodriguez. Although we're not sure quite how, Rich Rod is certain that despite the objections of the NCAA, Pryor won't have to sit out a season.. When questioned about the move, Pryor said Youngstown State would be quite competitive this year, because despite earleir claims to the contrary, Rich Rodiguez actually IS a snake oil saelsman and actually DOES have a wizard's hat.. Pryor could not comment further, because he was late for Youngstown State's Sunday midnight practice. Eleven Graduate Assistants close to the program have told us that reports of 12 hour practices on Sunday are being propagated by "haters and hurters", and that practices actually consist of no more than 2 hours of drills and 9 or 10 hours of stretching.. In a related story, the ASPCA has called the removal of penguin decals from the helmets of "certain" Youngstown State players as "brutal, barbaric, and just plain dumb." when pressed, the ASPCA retracted their comment by saying, "We didn't want to start anything, especially with Phil from Pinkston, but we just don't like it, and we're late for a break".. While practices are closed to the public, Rodriguez told the press after yesterday's practice that, "the bird's an honor to have on your head. On Sept.4th when we come running out through the gap in the bleachers against the Pauley school of Cosmotology, only those worthy of the bird will be given the bird............". back to you, Sam.

Sean T.

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.

What happened to all the posters that said he wasn't that good anyway? This kid may be the answer at RB if he can touch the field, so let's go Blue!

NoBowl4Blue

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 6:44 p.m.

The kid has potential as he looked good on Big Ten Network preview last evening. He could be a star in future for Coach Harbaugh

GoblueinNE_PA

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 6:17 p.m.

I think a lot of you misunderstand. Just because some of us don't like the coach, doesn't mean we don't support the team, bleed maize and blue, and want all these kids to stay. Our point, often, is that this guy has screwed up the best college football program in the country and we can't stand it. As to Austin White, I missed the hysteria apparently. I hope that's all that it was, we'll need this kid in the future.

PortageLkBlu

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 5:28 p.m.

Sunset tell me it ain't so, did you really say that?

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 5:21 p.m.

Maybe it's time to admit the policy of shaming a player publicly by having him practice in a helmet without the Princeton wings is going a little too far. Especially with freshmen. The best way to handle a minor discipline problem is through firm guidance and providing positive role models. I've seen no evidence our lame-duck coach is capable. I'm glad Austin decided to stay. Hopefully, he's learned lessons despite the poor leadership involved, and will be able to contribute in the future when there's a real coach in charge.

clarklaker

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.

I am glad he is still with the team. Keep the faith,go blue

umgoblue47

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 4:34 p.m.

lets try this again... the rumor's of austin white leaving the team were just that rumor's. boy the trolls and haters must be dumbfounded (as if struck dumb with astonisment and suprise) this can't be... go blue!!

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 4:13 p.m.

Message to Austin White...Turner left the program a few days ago, and had he stayed, and continued to work, to earn that CB spot, he would have been, in GREAT postion, to get major PT, when Woolfolk went down. It ain't easy man, but this is still a TEAM game, and those teams that win, have MORE than enough glory to pass around, to those who will stick it out. 41 years ago, an unknown coach from Barberton, Ohio arrived in Ann Arbor,and said, "Those that stay, WILL be champions! It was tough back then as well...very tough! Now, this group of MICHIGAN players is very, VERY close, to proving his words correct again. Coach ROD is more like Coach Schembechler, than you'll ever know!! They both know the value of hard work, team chemistry, and commitment. Gentlemen, you ARE on the verge, of creating (or re-creating)THE TOP D1 program in the US! So stay the course...put your HEARTS into it! Those that stay WILL be champions, in 2010, just like 1969. Be a part of something that is so much BIGGERr than yourself. Welcome to Michigan, guys..embrace the challenge, and GO BLUE!