tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91487139843856982682024-03-13T20:15:37.291-07:00Amaizeing TsThe Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-39595943249402500622010-01-14T21:19:00.000-08:002010-01-14T21:20:58.903-08:00Midnight Maize 42<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=c17ec6a4f2/height=550/width=470" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="470px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=c17ec6a4f2" >Midnight maize</a></iframe>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-76361674357025045762010-01-12T01:52:00.001-08:002010-01-12T01:53:10.759-08:00New Diggs<a href="http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/">http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/</a>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-44465843170086607692009-03-17T22:08:00.000-07:002009-03-17T23:51:08.245-07:0011 Years: From Sadness to MadnessAs Tom Petty said…"the waiting is the hardest part."<br /><div><br /><div><div><div align="left">The 11 year drought of Michigan basketball being left out of the big dance ended recently. But, technically… the Wolverines have not officially danced since 1995 according to NCAA sanctions, so… if one takes that into account… the wait has been even more agonizing and will-breaking for true fans of the maize and blue. From the bleak and embarrassing Brian Ellerbe era through Tommy Amaker's group of underachieving (and occasional Sparty beating) players, the road was tough to endure. Let's not forget the black eye result of the Martin (booster) scandal that plagued the program for some time.<br /><br />A new era finally began in April of 2007 when Michigan hired the highly respected John Beilein from West Virginia. This marked a new beginning for the basketball program and has proven to be a successful step forward after many years of shame, mediocrity, complacency and Selection Sunday sadness. </div><br /><div align="left">To flashback … I remember when Ellerbe took the job after Steve Fisher resigned. The program was already under heavy investigation and the consequences were looming. Thus, Fisher knew he had to get the hell outta dodge. Of course Ellerbe took Fisher's kids (Bullock, Traylor, Conlan, Baston, etc.) and went on a memorable run to claim the first ever Big Ten tournament title, but as I stated above… that year and all of the glory that was the Fab Five beforehand would be later omitted from the NCAA record books. The banners of significant achievement were also taken down in Crisler Arena. </div><br /><div align="left">As the program started its downward spiral, Tom Izzo and the Spartans gained the upper hand and Big Ten dominance followed shortly after. Izzo also established a firm stranglehold in regards to recruiting, especially within the state of Michigan. I believe the determining factor that prompted me into hiding as a Wolverine basketball fan was the game against MSU in Ann Arbor (circa 2000-01'). The team took a 30+ point thrashing that evening and I basically refrained from watching any games for nearly a year. Embarrassing??? Why that's quite the understatement…<br /><br />I consider my memory to be strong at most times and I tend not to forget most names that have played for the Wolverines, but the amnesiac effect of the Ellerbe era only allows me to recall the names (some good, some bad) of Avery Queen, Josh Asselin, Jamal Crawford (if he counts) and… Lavell Blanchard. Hmm… Bernard Robinson, Jr. is also worth mentioning.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">The short-lived uniforms of those days were also forgettable.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"></div><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/queen.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 233px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 354px" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/queen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Following the Ellerbe debacle, the program desperately needed someone to clean it up. Michigan's choice was former "Dukie" player and assistant Tommy Amaker. The Amaker days did shed some positive light and reasons for optimism, however, matters just stayed the same and a sense of complacency started to become the norm. Amaker's second season at the helm (02-03) displayed good progress, but the program was under its last year of NCAA probation. The 03-04 season made me smile as the Wolverines won the cute (but shitty and aggravating after a while) futile NIT tournament. I had perceived things were moving forward, but I was proven otherwise. </div><br /><div align="left">The 05-06 season was when my patience had finally hit a point of exhaustion. The Wolverines only needed to win one more game over a mediocre Minnesota team they had beaten twice prior by well over double digits. Sadly, the result was a loss and yet another NIT berth. It was frustrating because programs such as Purdue and Ohio State had improved significantly with new coaches during that time.<br /><br />The closer I evaluated Michigan basketball, the more I started to notice that Amaker just wasn't getting the job done. This was for various reasons such as players like Dion Harris, a former Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan, remaining the same throughout his career. The same can be said about Courtney Sims as he never really progressed either. Sims also failed to dunk a basketball on a few occasions, even when being directly under the basket. </div><br /><div align="left">The bottom line came down to whether if Amaker was just not that good of a head coach OR he wasn't raking in the necessary talent. It was actually a mixture of both in my opinion. The complacency was made quite apparent during the last two years of his tenure at Michigan, which resulted in the same old song and dance. I grew weary of the post-game interviews that included players saying "we tried" and "they were just the better team." That type of talk clearly reflected upon Amaker and the current state of the program at the time. As soon as another NIT bid was accepted, I knew Amaker's days were drawing to a conclusion. I don't dislike Amaker, though. He deserves a great amount of respect for the way he cleaned up the image of the program and made it somewhat respectable.</div><div align="left"><br />His firing coincidentally arrived on my birthday two years ago and Michigan clearly had an important choice to make… </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>a) This-</strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"></div><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/nit-champs2004-1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 395px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/nit-champs2004-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">..Oh! Cheer up, Bernard (far right)! Strike up some Queen! </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Weeeeee are *#66*, My Friends!!! </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>b) The visual definition of March Madness-</strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/selection.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/selection.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/celebration_470.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 470px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/celebration_470.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Michigan made a wise choice by bringing Coach Beilein to Ann Arbor and I can only hope the second WVU experiment goes the same way this fall in the Big House. Anyway, basketball is the topic here and that's a completely different article. I applaud Beilein for the job he has done in such short time because 10 wins to 20 wins is one hell of a turnaround, especially after years of continuous disappointment. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">No, these players aren't notorious for their baggy shorts, black Nike socks, and shaved heads… they are just a solid bunch that plays a mean 1-3-1 zone defense and loves to shoot the three ball. Deshaun Sims and Manny Harris (Amaker recruits) have excelled tremendously as a dangerous inside/outside duo in Beilein's system. Other players such as seniors David Merritt, CJ Lee, and Jevohn Shepherd have become more valuable on the cour and their vocal leadership has also paid off. In addition… fellow freshmen Laval Lucas-Perry, Stu Douglass, and Zack Novak also deserve praise for a remarkable season. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Although there were times late in the season when I thought the Wolverines would pack it in and settle for the NIT, they simply did not. Regardless if they lose to Clemson in the first round or if they make a surprise run in the dance, this season was a great achievement. It was also a long time coming... </div><br /><div align="left">Hail! Hail! Beilein! </div></div></div></div>Duane Breckenridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03154720777735710877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-45892122165330577052009-01-21T20:29:00.000-08:002009-01-21T20:44:42.825-08:00When it Rains... It Pours..The wolverines have lost their last three games. Cold as could be.. Manny had his worst game ever vs PSU. Sims looked lost vs OSU and looked like he was some where else. Coach B said this team will struggle and he didn't lie. I am not sure if this team is gonna be dancing. I see NIT unless they get Hot soon. They have NW next who just beat MSU at MSU and so they could easily come into Crisler and win. <br /><br />The NW is a must win. If they want anything to do with March Madness. Their schedule gets brutal coming up. UCONN,MSU Wis ect ec.. I don't have to explain. UM gonna have to find some heart because they have zero size and they need to start attacking the lane and grabbing boards. Thanks to some crap AAU coach our big ran off to Baylor.. I won't even say his name. That was a huge blow. <br /><br />It's time for the team to either sink or swim. It's gotta start with NW. <br /><br /><img src="http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=C4&Dato=20090117&Kategori=SPORTS06&Lopenr=901170813&Ref=PH&Item=24&MaxW=600&MaxH=450&border=0&Quality=100">The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-16443607155057803812009-01-17T15:20:00.000-08:002009-01-17T15:23:38.412-08:00Bj Mullens is classy<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ccs-WKeuVRE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ccs-WKeuVRE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />You better hope Manny didn't see this... Class act clown.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-11311490154225222222009-01-16T23:14:00.001-08:002009-01-16T23:22:33.295-08:00baby it's cold outside<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=C4&Dato=20090114&Kategori=SPORTS06&Lopenr=901150802&Ref=PH&Item=4&MaxW=600&MaxH=450&border=0&Quality=100"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 450px;" src="http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=C4&Dato=20090114&Kategori=SPORTS06&Lopenr=901150802&Ref=PH&Item=4&MaxW=600&MaxH=450&border=0&Quality=100" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't get a chance to talk much about the UM loss to Ill but their isn't much to say other than no one showed up. Manny had an ugly 20pts, Sims went 3-14 and was owned by some skinny punk center. This game scares the hell out of me because all it takes is some size and UM is in big trouble, they really have no centers(sorry Zack Gibbson). I also get the feeling that some nights Sims just doesn't have the same energy he should. He looked like he was some where else most the game. Huge game vs the theeeeeeee Ohio state tonight. We need this one to keep up in the big ten race. 8-10 wins is the key.. We need number 4 today.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-86224307419008996372009-01-14T12:50:00.000-08:002009-01-14T13:30:13.866-08:00Thus God gave us youtube!!Every Wed I will post UM youtubes to help us get through the week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This one I made after the Capitol one Bowl.</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/znb638IqTDY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/znb638IqTDY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Game Winner for UM</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WpmkPy5T7NE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WpmkPy5T7NE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Braylon Edwards highlights, one of my favs..</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zcSFN-7OUzc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zcSFN-7OUzc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not many get to see the UM basketball plays entrance.</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mmoAXAs9ZxQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mmoAXAs9ZxQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some 1989 love... 20 years later.</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rp4VJblkOPg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rp4VJblkOPg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-26978594446579157532009-01-13T08:50:00.000-08:002009-01-13T09:18:37.410-08:00Hawkeye's handled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=C4&Dato=20090111&Kategori=SPORTS06&Lopenr=901110821&Ref=PH&Item=10&MaxW=600&MaxH=450&border=0&Quality=100"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 450px;" src="http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=C4&Dato=20090111&Kategori=SPORTS06&Lopenr=901110821&Ref=PH&Item=10&MaxW=600&MaxH=450&border=0&Quality=100" alt="" border="0" /></a><a id="publishButton" class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="if (this.className.indexOf("ubtn-disabled") == -1) {var e = document['stuffform'].publish;(e.length) ? e[0].click() : e.click(); if (window.event) window.event.cancelBubble = true; return false;}"><div class="cssButtonOuter"><div class="cssButtonMiddle"><div class="cssButtonInner">Publish Post</div></div></div></a><br />It was a great game from start to finish for my Wolverines, as they beat up on Iowa 64-49. It wasn't even that close. UM played it best D since the Duke game and went inside-out on offense..Finally! To the Rundown!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Rundown!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manny Harris:</span> Filled up the stats as always. Having 18 points and some nice drives to basket. Shot only 4 threes. Had a few TO that could have been avoided but good game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deshawn Sims:</span> Great game, played tough on the inside. Had 16pts. Would have had more but a few shots just rimed out.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kelvin Grady:</span> Another solid game form the former EGR star. 8pts and 4 dimes with "0" TOs! Been playing very well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LLM: </span>As you know I mean Perry but call him "mack". Had a nice game. Got to the lane and knocked in a few 3s. He been a huge boots for this team.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zack Novack:</span> Not his best shooting day but still makes great basketball plays and HOBO's.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zack Gibbson:</span> Once again Zack had a rough game. 1-5 and 1 reb.. Yes you read that right. He's lucky he's 6-9ish..<br /><br />Michigan plays at 8:30pm at Ill on wed. Could a very tough game to win. Um doesn't have much experience on the road and Ill is gonna be looking for pay back. A huge win if UM can pull it off.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-2875004071924153072009-01-09T10:14:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:02:25.972-08:00Holy Indiana!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BG&Date=20090108&Category=SPORTS15&ArtNo=901080445&Ref=AR&Profile=1069&MaxW=328"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 404px;" src="http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BG&Date=20090108&Category=SPORTS15&ArtNo=901080445&Ref=AR&Profile=1069&MaxW=328" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />90% of the UM vs IU game was spent me cussing at the TV. It was pretty frustrating watching 3 ball after 3 ball go up only to be clunked off the rim. Most of yelling consisted of "It's not you're night!" "Manny yea drive ball, what? NO don't Jack that Three!" "Take it to the f-ing hole!" "You know it's not against the rules to shoot inside the 3-point arc?". I was scaring my wife most the night.<br /><br />Then a funny thing happened. UM started playing D and IU started looking like IU. A few 3s dropped and before you know it we have a ball game. You gotta give CJ Lee all the props in the world for coming in and hitting those two huge 3s. You also gotta admire Coach B for having the nuts to bench his superstar when he isn't producing for a walk on.<br /><br />I want to thank Devan Dumes for taking it to the rack when he should have pulled it out and let UM foul him. That lead to Little Laval Lucas-Mack hitting that last three to tie the game. It was ugly as hell but the air just went out of Assembly Hall. I knew if UM could force it into OT they would win. In OT IU choked hard and missed seven FTs. UM played just good enough to win with a few scares mixed in. One being Manny Fouled on a 3-point shot. It was a big time bone head move and then Grady stepping out of bounds at the end almost giving IU light. Overall a very rough game but it gotta make you feel good that this team finds a way where Amakers Teams always found a way to lose. Now if they could just play Defense..<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Rundown<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manny Harris:</span> Rough Game. Jacked a lot of bad 3s. Terrible foul on a 3-point shooter. Needs to get back to attacking the rim more. Did hit some big FTs and one three down the stretch.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deshawn Sims:</span> Solid game, needed more touches. Seemed like IU had a hard time with him but UM failed to get the ball to him enough. Jacked two many bad threes(like everyone).<br /><br /></span></span><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zack Novak:</span> Played very Hard tonight and even looked like a leader at some points. Didn't shoot the best but put it all out there. Had a huge play when he kept a reb alive to Sims.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CJ Lee:</span> Played hard as well and the walk on caption hit two huge 3s. Well played sir..<br /><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laval Lucas-Mack:</span> Played a good game. Shot a few quick 3s but was a big reason why UM won the game. He has came on strong and looks like a great transfer. He missed a few bunnies but played better D then most.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kelvin Grady:</span> Ok game for Grady, Hit a few threes. Never really got out on the break(where he shines). He did step out at the end but other that, nice night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zack Gibson:</span> He frustrates me more than most. He travels every time he touches the ball. He just looks awkward out there. He didn't play well and see's the floor for his size alone. He is avging 2.2 rebs a game! Mr.Novak is avging 2.6 rebs a game.... Yikes. Needs to improve.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu Douglass:</span> Still a bit unsure while on the court but hit a nice 3 when needed and doesn't do much to anger me. For me he's in the middle. He hasn't followed up that UCLA game yet.<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Make sure to watch Michigan take on Iowa this Sunday at 11:30am.<br /><br /></strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-18404169538099220782009-01-09T10:09:00.001-08:002009-01-09T10:14:02.479-08:00ChangesWell I have decided to close the store for now. J(the one with talent) and I are just to busy at the moment to keep pumping out shirts. I am not saying it closed forever but as of now it is. I plan on focusing more on blogging. As you can see I have blogging guide to the right and that will let you know what is on the menu each day. I just wanted to thank all who have bought shirts(many of you). It was great seeing a few at the UM games. So now the Blog is now the "aMAIZEIng Blog. Let it stand from this day forth...The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-42732783557102036282008-12-29T22:30:00.000-08:002008-12-29T22:58:35.798-08:00It's been awhile...Well I have been a bit dejected since the fiasco that was the 08 UM football season. Took a break from the blog and took time to reflect. I also got to dive into the basketball team. Something that excites me almost as much as the football team if not just as much. I was a huge Fab 5 fan back in the day. I have a 1989 UM NC t-shirt. This team has been a long time coming.<br /><br />What John B has done in a year and half is nothing close to amaizeing... Yeah just like the blog. He turned Grady into a trust worthy PG and Manny Harris into a superstar who does it all. Most important got Manny to stop turning the ball over. He has a 6:1 dime to TO. That is off the charts for someone who had the most TO in the big ten last year. It will be interesting to see if he can play this good through the Big10 season. Shepperd looks like a basketball player for the first time ever in his four years at UM. He can thank Amaker for wasting the most his time here. I was lucky enough to go to the Duke vs UM game and met Coach Carr and a few of the players. Everyone was really cool. Manny even posed for me while i was taking a snap of him with my Phone. Carr was a class act even with a billion fans in his face.<br /><br />Our $15 tickets were well worth it. Damn cheap and I have refed girls JV games where people pay $5 to see girls not play basketball but run around the court with their heads cut off. So great deal to see Duke and UM. Here our the pics.. Late but here.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262363_7749.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262364_7961.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262370_9252.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262372_9689.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262375_362.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262376_593.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262377_819.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262378_1042.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262380_1506.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262383_2257.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262385_3464.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262386_3703.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262388_4181.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262390_4662.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262391_4899.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1529/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2262392_5144.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1132/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2235544_6927.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1132/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2235543_9734.jpg"><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1132/110/44/517965574/n517965574_2235535_7358.jpg"><br /><br /><object width="176" height="144" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/54255140574" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/54255140574" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="176" height="144"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="176" height="144" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/54252660574" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/54252660574" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="176" height="144"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="176" height="144" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/54248605574" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/54248605574" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="176" height="144"></embed></object><br /><br />So thats all I got. I hope to get back to posting more. With Basketball in full swing I should. I think some things will change around here so there's a heads up.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-70962200876900867032008-11-16T08:46:00.000-08:002008-11-16T08:47:31.886-08:00Stumped by the basketball guru...Prior to the 2008 season, I read an article by a beat writer for Michigan basketball and it was just his prediction on how the season would go. I was shocked to find out that the prediction he had made projected the Wolverines at a lowly 4-8.<br /><br />My thoughts were that this writer was clearly out of his element and that he should stick to his main focus (basketball), but… now that the season has almost concluded I cannot help but notice that he just may be right. I once again have that feeling that I had after the loss to Appalachian State (foot in mouth) so… my apologies do go out to the wise basketball guru for the maize and blue.<br /><br />Honestly, I never saw this type of outcome….<br /><br />The season is not over yet, though. The Wolverines now sit at 3-8 and have already clinched their all-time worst record in 129 years of football. Their last game is essentially their bowl game in Columbus this weekend and they can either fulfill the guru’s prediction OR finish as bad as Notre Dame last year (3-9). It is indeed realistic to believe that the Wolverines have heavy odds to overcome in order to pull off a win against the Buckeyes, but I never take anything for granted in the rivalry and I assume that fellow Buckeye fans feel the same way.<br /><br />I have observed that the Wolverines have showed the capability of playing toe to toe with any team this season. However, with the exception of Minnesota, they have lacked the ability to put together a full game. There have been games in which the offense starts out smooth, but then it stalls or turns the ball over. I expected the offense to be erratic with mediocre QB play and a lack of leadership, BUT… the defense has also been inconsistent… more so than the offense in certain respects.<br /><br />The defense has been the most disappointing factor this season because I thought the veteran leadership would be more opportunistic and cause turnovers. A dominating defense would help a young offense by creating a short field. Instead, there has been poor secondary play and a huge amount of blown assignments (poor tackling, out of position, lack of proper speed, being overly aggressive, etc.)<br /><br />I believe the only way that Michigan has a chance in Columbus is if the defense is indeed opportunistic and causes turnovers. Stopping Pryor and Beanie Wells are also important factors and it is possible (see PSU), but … it is quite unlikely to eliminate both. If Boeckman was still the QB I would feel a bit more optimistic, but that is not the case.<br /><br />The offense needs to have a solid plan and that must include running the ball effectively. That has been the main problem in the rivalry of recent. The Buckeyes have been winning on the ground (especially during the Hart years). If the Wolverines come out and run the ball like they did against Penn State then I will be very happy. All that would need to happen then is smart and consistent QB play and that’s where the doubt begins. With Threet being hurt recently and… Nick Sheridan seeming to be the best option… is great cause for being nervous. We have yet to see Feagin throw the ball so… you never know. He could be a wild card for coach Rodriguez.<br />This year’s game is no different than any other against the Buckeyes; I think the team will play inspired football. The only thing that I question is for how long they will do so….<br /><br />Go Blue! Beat the Buckeyes!Duane Breckenridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03154720777735710877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-27774520321682058712008-11-09T09:10:00.000-08:002008-11-09T09:13:16.432-08:00Message Board IdiocyYanks at it again, a local idiot over at the scout board.<br /><br />I have been one of the biggest advocates of putting Feagin in from the beginning, and everyone kept on bashing me and continues to. They cant admit that they were wrong, so they use that he only had 35 yds and then 6 carries for 15 yards. The problem with saying that is that the offensive line didnt block at all today. Most of the yards on the ground were because of the big plays by Minor, Shaw and Feagin. If the o line actually blocked today, Feagin would have probably had 70-80 yards, seeing how bad Minnesota was when the guys got through the defensive line.<br />People bash you because of the things you have said about Nick Sheridan....you know...that guy who won the football game today? Are you ready to "admit you are wrong"?<br /><br />---------------------------------------------<br /><br /> <br />You called Nick Sheridan childish names and then you come out and try to lecture people about saying how right you are. Look at how wrong you are, Nick played the best of any QB this season who you bashed. You said the oline played awful, that is so wrong it's not even funny. They pushed the Minn line around all day, even dumb ass Pam Ward saw that and commented on it. When the team has a big day on the ground it isn't because the line sucked... They had their best game of the season.<br /><br />The Whole Justin thing is dumb too.. Dominated? Are you serious? He came in and had a few nice runs. Juice Williams dominated us, when you throw for 300 yards and run for 100 yards and a handful of TDs. Justin came in and played well for about 6 snaps? No one owns you anything. You're contradicting yourself all the time. Instead of this dumb thread you should have made one about how wrong you were about Nick Sheridan.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-29747491578133281972008-11-04T10:34:00.000-08:002008-11-04T10:40:40.242-08:00Trick ... or... Treat?Keep digging that hole Justin. I hope you eat yourself to the 2nd unit. You will be lucky if that happens when you come to AA in 09.<br /><img src="http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/JustInCaseYouWereConfusedWhoTheDickWas_A969/borendouche_thumb.jpg" />The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-74224970660097861932008-11-01T07:32:00.000-07:002008-11-01T07:33:17.102-07:00The Streak Continues.The Michigan Wolverines have slipped into a horrendous 2-6 record here in 2008 and things are a bit upside down in the world I know as college football. The past two weeks were quite disappointing, but as the losing streak goes along… one tends to be desensitized to a certain degree. Numb or comatose could also fairly describe the postgame feelings of a Michigan football fan ever since the win over the Wisconsin Badgers back on Sept. 27th.<br /><br />I would say that this season has been long due to the losing, but I would be lying. The truth is that the 2008 season has been too fast in general and believe me- that's fucking great! I would rather a season such as this go by as quickly as possible. I'm still rooting heavily for the maize and blue as always, but the loss to MSU last week was a will breaker to say the least because I know that the Wolverines are most likely not heading to a bowl game. The PSU loss was expected I guess, but still a disappointment and yes… the same ole shit.<br /><br />Same ole shit consists of:<br /><br />1. Teams inability to put a complete game together.<br />2. Lack of consistency on offense.<br />3. Failure to score more than 7 points in a 2nd half.<br />4. Erratic QB play<br />5. Turnovers<br />6. Poor tackling by a supposed veteran defense.<br />7. Horrendous secondary play (worst I've seen ever)<br />8. Stevie Brown<br />9. Stevie Brown<br />10. Lack of solid leadership.<br /><br />I guess that the best thing that we fans can hope for is a BIG win to end the season and I don't even have to say who that opponent is. Let's just say that it would be the equivalent to a Super Bowl victory. However, I'm somewhat of a realist so hopefully the Wolverines at least keep that little ugly jug in Ann Arbor. Umm… wait… I'm looking ahead past Purdue this weekend and I shouldn’t, especially since the Toledo debacle.<br /><br />Go Blue! Beat Purdue!Duane Breckenridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03154720777735710877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-32716972965919642422008-10-21T10:48:00.000-07:002008-10-21T12:29:30.789-07:00Message Board IdiocyThis a new thing I am gonna do. I may catch alot of heat for this.. I may catch none. I hang around the UM message boards alot. I see idiocy everyday on UM Boards. Some of the things people say amaze me.. Alot of times they leave me speechless.<br /><br />I will post a few threads and posts of down right "are you for realz?" posts from Scout/UmGoBlue and Mlive(the worst message board).<br /><br /><h4>How about running a 2 quarterback system? </h4><blockquote>Have Threet/Cone and Feagin split time. Feagin would be a great change of pace, and would keep the defense off balance and confused. I am one of the posters on here that believe Feagin should start, but since others and the coaches don't seem to agree, I am proposing a 2 QB system.<br /><br />I fully believe that Feagin should start already. Hopefully, he starts on Saturday for the game against little brother</blockquote>By <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&up=yanks26ngoin" title="Profile for yanks26ngoin">yanks26ngoin</a><br /><br />Now Yanks has 730 post and you would figure have some sort of wits about him. Threet/Cone? This almost seems like one big joke. For 1. We have Threet who is the best QB on our roster. 2. Sheridan won the third string job over Cone last season on Carrs team(that says something). 3.These coach's know these player inside and out. Watch them Practice everyday. Believe it or not, they know who got the goods. 4.Cone is a DII player at best and Justin so so wet behind the ears he standing in a puddle.<br /><br />Now you think we are losing now, wait tell this high octane combo hits the field. We will have more 3 and outs then rushing yards. INT will double. Cone and Feagin combo? Are you serious? For real?<br /><br />http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&f=2019&t=3234621<br /><h4>Sheridan<br /></h4><blockquote>GTFO. he is the worst player ive ever seen play qb. he's a joke, and i seriously hate him. who let him on this team? he sucks.</blockquote><br />By <span class="profilelink"></span><a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&up=wolvs05" title="Profile for wolvs05">wolvs05</a><br /><br />Another high post count of almost 4000. Now I will agree that Nick is bad and should be no where near a D1 playing field. With that said he was put into this playing situation By Mallett transfer and many QB recruits who didn't sign on to UM last year, forcing RR to take the "not ready" Justin Feagin. <span class="profilelink"></span><a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&up=yanks26ngoin" title="Profile for yanks26ngoin">yanks26ngoin</a> responds with another award winning post...<br /><br /><blockquote>"ho do you think? our very own coach, the guy who most people love to death, Rich Rodriguez"</blockquote><br /><br />Wrong wrong and wrong. Nick walked on under Carr. He was added to the team to be a practice player. That was supposed to be his role. Due to the things mentioned above he was thrown into a playing role.<br /><br />I am sure Nick knows he doesn't belong out there. He knew when he walked onto the team. It's not his fault. He plays with the tools he has. Those Tools are DII tools. He does what he can. Now again on the topic of hating on players. They are not getting paid, in Nicks case he never intended to play. When you say you hate him.. I mean you sound like you need more to do outside Michigan football. How can you hate someone you never met or someone who knows they are over there head? If RR had a choice or better QBs he wouldn't be playing.<br /><br />A Great post from <span class="profilelink"></span><a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&up=Skeletor" title="Profile for Skeletor">Skeletor</a> on this topic.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Sheridan deserves our sympathy, circumstance pushed him into a situation that he can't handle. It's not his fault, he's a better football player than most of us here and yet he comes short at that level. Also, he is very inexperienced and that is a valid excuse.<br /><br />But also don't forget that all but a very few players will eventually get to a level where they come short, Sheridan made it further than a lot of kids. He does not need to be ridiculed or hated for the fact he probably isn't good enough to be Michigan's QB.<br /><br />I am saying this because it is not right if the frustration and disgust of our fanbase is directed towards that kid, that's a very nasty thing and it's not just that he's a collegiate athlete, it's that this is a kid for whom Michigan isn't some stop on the route to the NFL, a stint in the minors, this is it for that guy. There's no need for that guy to walk around the rest of his life with that tag "Sheridan that QB who was effin terrible"</blockquote><br /><br /><span class="profilelink"></span><a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&up=Skeletor" title="Profile for Skeletor">Skeletor</a> says it way better then I could. Hits it on the head. Stop hating on college kids.. <span style="font-weight: bold;">This College kid came to college to get an education.. Not to play football.</span><br /><br />Wolvs05 ends with another classy post...<br /><br /><blockquote>"yeah well its his fault he blows."</blockquote><br /><br />http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&f=2019&t=3225816<br /><br /><span id="subject73551" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" > <span style="font-size:130%;">Isn't UM a "private" college?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">This one comes from the UMGoBLUE board. I am not welcomed there and do not post. I do lurk and I found this.<br /><br />"</span>I just read something saying it's a public school??? I always thought it was private. Now I'm confused "<br /><br />Poster <a href="http://www.umgoblue.com/aspplay/showprofile.aspx?memid=1943" class="titlehead" onmouseover="ShowMenu(event, 1943, false, 'Fonzie', false, false, true, true)" onmouseout="hideMenu()">Fonzie</a> has over 500 post. He's a big fan. Just a dumb question.. I mean we all ask them but I just found this one funny. Here are a few responses.<br /><br />"Michigan, UCLA, and Cal-Berkeley are usually considered the top public universities in the country. "<br /><br />"There is a reason that it's called the University of <b>Michigan</b> and not Ann Arbor College."<br />This was posted by a buckeye fan and is very flawed and is wrong.<br /><br />"I'm confused...what does any of this have to do with football? "<br /><br />from the worst UM board.. MLive...<br /><br /><b>I believe Michigan Football<br /><br /></b><blockquote>is headed (almost there) for the Big 10 basement and will stay there for several years, RR has the talent e.g. (1st half of PSU game) but they team quit e.g. (2nd half of PSU game) The only fix I see is to rid ourselves of Bill M. and Lloyd C and RR and staff and beg Les to reconsider. </blockquote><br />By <i> <a href="http://www.mlive.com/forums/profile.ssf?nickname=NColbert" target="NColbert" onclick="window.open('','NColbert','scrollbars=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,resizable=yes,width=600,heigh=400')">NColbert</a></i><br /><br />Just wow.. I don't even know where to start. First off, we have the talent? Scroll down the blog and check out where our 05 Senior class has gone. The team did not quit. Threet got hurt and our back up is over his head. PSU is that good too IMO. Get rid of Carr? Ahh.. You do know he is not the football coach right? Carr gave his soul to this university. I hate to break it to you but he's our "Bo" now. With adding Carr into you're idiot post you lost you're right to even be listen to. I got news for you, RR isn't going anywhere. You will be cheering UM when things turn around and it's so sad.<br /><br />A few Responses<br /><br />"The difference between the first half of the State Penn game and second half was the QB play you idiot. Threet in the game = Michigan scoring. Sheridan in the game = Michigan not scoring.<p> I know that you're just a troll and making outlandish statements is your thing but I felt the need to call you out anyhow."</p><p>"young team and they're gonna be inconsistent. Also, psu didn't play their best half of football either. Sheridan's horrible and when he had to come in, it was over. Sorry you feel this way. Don't break an ankle jumping off the bandwagon. "</p><p>"congratulations, you just<b> </b>won the award for "MORON of the day"."<br /></p>Well that it for the idiocy of the day. I hope to have more next week.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-63951561858733067632008-10-20T08:11:00.000-07:002008-10-20T08:12:33.082-07:00The 2005 Class.. v1.YIKESA poster named <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&up=OrionWolverine" title="Profile for OrionWolverine">OrionWolverine</a> over at scout.com UM board posted the 05 class. Just more evidence for "you" people on why this team is so bad. Our best players from this class are Taylor and Zoltan... A DT and a freaking punter! I don't care who the coach is that is tough to win with. Not to mention the lack of leadership with so few seniors.<br /><br /><br />McKinney - Gone<br />Germany - Gone<br />Criswell - ....crickets chirping...<br />Richards - Gone<br />Slocum - Gone<br />Bass - *sigh*<br />Moosman - Played in 7 games before this season<br />Logan - Has played sparingly<br />Brandon Harrison - Finally a contributor, unfortunately not very good<br />Zirbel - Hurt this season<br />Ortmann - Played in 13 games before this seaon, only two starts<br />Forcier - Gone<br />Butler - Very good at holding and jumping before the snap<br />Taylor - A great DT<br />McAvoy - 7 games, only 1 start before this season<br />McLaurin - Gone<br />Mesko - A great player, unfortunately he's just a punter<br />Simpson - Gone<br />Sears - Gone<br />Savoy - Had he ever done anything?<br />Manningham - Gone to the NFL<br />Schifano - Gone<br />Kevin Grady - Lookin like a bust<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This is football physics "you" people! You can't win with it.</span><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.lngs.infn.it/lngs_infn/immagini/public/educational/WYP2005_logo_400.gif" />The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-26188938080339945602008-10-18T09:11:00.000-07:002008-10-18T09:20:13.781-07:00Patience is required.The Michigan football team took quite a blow after losing their fourth game of the season against Toledo last Saturday. As a result, many fans, including myself, were not very happy with the outcome. Yes, this type of season was somewhat expected, but… losing to a MAC team for the first time in 25 attempts and being 2-4 tends to leave an impression or feeling that us Michigan fans are unfamiliar with.<br /><br />The feeling that I refer to is in regards to coping with a possible losing season and not seeing the Wolverines in a bowl game for the first time in 30 plus years. It is indeed a tough pill to swallow because throughout my years of being a fan of the maize and blue- I have only endured 7-5 and 8-4 records. Well, this season seems to be heading for something like 5-7… maybe 6-6 at best. Am I disappointed? Certainly! Who isn’t??? My generation has not been accustomed to seeing a Wolverine football team play so inconsistent and flat, but perhaps we have been too spoiled and our expectations demand immediate results that are just not feasible during this time of transition.<br /><br /><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/large_101108-wolverines-toledo-2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/large_101108-wolverines-toledo-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*insert "picture says a thousand words" cliche' here*<br /><br />I believe it is quite irrational for fans to call for Rodriguez’ head after only six games because it is clear that he is equally as frustrated with the teams lack of ability and execution on Saturdays. One must look at the facts before they criticize and solely blame Rodriguez for this down season. The truth is that no offense can be consistent with a majority of freshmen playing at all the skill positions. Also, Rodriguez is doing the best he can with an apparent makeshift offensive line that changes from week to week. It was already made clear before the season started that the QB position and offensive line were areas of concern. Rodriguez also said on numerous occasions that the offense wasn’t quite where it needed to be. The things that he said way back in the spring still hold true now, so… at least he was being honest.<br /><br />The bottom line is that Michigan football fans wanted a change and now we have it. However, it just so happens that a rough transition accompanies this change. If the spread offense is the future of football then we must be patient and hope it develops in the near future. I would expect for Rodriguez to have things clicking properly by the 2010 season because all of HIS players should be well adapted by then. Next season will be an improvement and there could be a great chance of seeing flashes of what Rodriguez’ offense is more capable of doing, but …2010 seems to be the season for ultimate results.<br /><br />In the meantime, I shall invest in some Snickers bars because I’m not going anywhere nor am I giving up on this team. Coaches like Bob Stoops, Pete Carroll, Jim Tressel, and Nick Saban all struggled in their first seasons. Rodriguez also had his times of adversity in the early stages at West Virginia and eventually the Mountaineers achieved success, so I am willing to be patient for a couple of years as opposed to being pissed and done with a coach that hasn’t even completed a whole season.<br /><br />I guess if there is one positive observation to make… the Wolverines are still only 1-1 in the conference and perhaps they will make a late charge, however it is quite unlikely. It doesn’t matter, though. They can play spoiler or lose out and I would still be a fan of the maize and blue. I suggest that the anti-Rodriguez crowd look toward Morgantown, WV this season for an indication of how much of a difference his presence made as the head coach. The Mountaineers are struggling with a once highly ranked team with experience to boot.<br /><br />Give Rodriguez the necessary time needed and take the future into consideration.<br /><br />Go Blue!Duane Breckenridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03154720777735710877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-61449435974386396282008-10-17T16:21:00.000-07:002008-10-17T17:02:08.544-07:00"You" Michigan People<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images.athlonsports.com/d/10077-1/RichRod_1.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I am talking about "you" Michigan people, you people who freak out when we lose to Toledo and call for coach's head after "six".... yes Six games! "you" people might wanna think about a few of these aspects of this team.<br /><br />-Two Freshmen QBs play like crap<br />-Oline that would have a hard time with GVSU<br />-New System<br />-Bad QB play<br />-Lost every skill guy to the NFL<br />-Jr & SR RBs who have have sticks of butter for fingers<br />-A Defense that is playing in a new system<br />-Injuries to some key players<br />-A awful 05 class<br />-Players built for Pro Style in a spread<br />-Bad QB play<br />-Bad QB play<br /><br />Get over it people! it's gonna be a process. I knew that. After seeing the UTAH game I knew this team could lose to anyone. I was at the Toledo game and wasn't shocked at all. I felt it is what it is.. All that crap I listed adds up to a bad team.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />Change to adapt</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Yes change and set this team back another year. You go changing the offense around and this team would be set back yet again. Ask Auburn how well that worked. You must stay the course. It will get better but you gotta hang on. The spread will start to form starting sometime next year(IMO). You will start to see the upside of 2010 starting next year. We are in the spread and it's staying that way. <span style="font-size:130%;">Deal with it!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Fire the "Rod"</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">If you are on this boat then you must be bat shit crazy... Do you know what a firing of coach after 6 games would do to the program? It would turn us into Nebraska today. Recruits would see how unstable our team is everyone of our commits would de-commite. No coach wants to go to a school and be threaten to be fired after 6 games. We would fall to the levels of our basketball program. "You" people need to think before you start flapping your big fat heads. I had a few run in with idiots at the game who were chanting to fire RR after the game, I gave them a big F you, God for bide that Michigan has a year of transition.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />"You" People in 2 years</span><br />I know these same people who are calling for change after 6 games will be right there cheering UM on when the wins start rolling in. That makes me sick. Support the team through the thick and thin. Bo would tell all you to go to hell if he saw the way "you" people have acted. If in year 4 and the team looks the same as it did last week then fair game, act like a ass and call for change. Six games in? Sit down, support and shut the hell up because I know in two years you will be there chanting "go blue" when Tate Forcier runs in a 35 yard TD in the spread.<br /><br />It's not the end of the world... We are not doomed. It's the Life of change. Deal with it and...<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Those who stay will be Champions</span>... Remember that "you" people.<br /></span>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-14006905304861565332008-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:002008-10-14T17:12:47.858-07:00UM loses, but we still have a blastWell it sucked UM lost to the Rockets(crappy mascot huh?). I will talk more about that tomorrow. Today I share pictures. It was maybe the craziest tailgate yet, that included a pair of dancing Mexicans named Jose and a tailgate party that got moved to a car pool outside Lansing. I got some great shots from row 2, so I was happy. Enjoy.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Before the game</span><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961868_4097.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961871_4798.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961873_5241.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961875_5712.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961870_4553.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961876_5937.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961877_6166.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961882_7321.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961909_4447.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961911_5007.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961913_5556.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961916_6487.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961924_8823.jpg" /><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />The Game</span></p><p><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962166_8720.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962171_87.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962180_2895.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962204_202.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962211_2450.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962214_3482.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962212_2794.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962220_5665.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962224_7076.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962227_7826.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962259_7653.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962262_8410.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962263_8656.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962265_9257.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962266_9556.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962267_9817.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962270_631.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962274_1709.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962277_2536.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962294_7505.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962306_1254.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962379_7442.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962386_9258.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962393_1050.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962391_457.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962392_807.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962404_3971.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962410_5664.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962412_6195.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962415_7028.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962419_8117.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962420_8392.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962445_3121.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962467_1856.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962468_2106.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962469_2366.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962472_3166.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962473_3434.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962475_3997.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962480_5375.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961891_9701.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961893_206.jpg" /></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">After the game</span></p><p><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961901_2270.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961898_1477.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961905_3326.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961906_3585.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961984_163.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961989_1298.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961993_2860.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961996_3671.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1961999_4384.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962002_5125.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962003_5386.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962004_5630.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962005_5897.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962006_6147.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962007_6402.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962011_7455.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962012_7706.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962014_8212.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962015_8468.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962016_8726.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962018_9321.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962019_9581.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962021_117.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962023_658.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962024_926.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962025_1204.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962026_1551.jpg" /><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;">After Party in a random Car pool lot</span></p><p><br /><img src="http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962073_2937.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962082_5184.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962096_8566.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962103_333.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962100_9572.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962118_4455.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962106_1105.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v351/110/44/517965574/n517965574_1962122_5597.jpg" /><br /><br />Well Thats it.. Crazy day at the Big House. Those pictures might make you never come back again..</p>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-52592276339984634412008-10-09T21:27:00.000-07:002008-10-09T21:40:05.127-07:00Project Michigan HelmetSo I had this old crappy football helmet that has been in my mom garage for years.It had some junk purple paint on it. It is old school from the the 70's. It has the two bars and its big and bulky. Well I figured why the hell not make it into a UM helmet so I could wear it to the game this weekend. So if you see an old school 70's UM helmet in the endzone, it's me. I will be the one acting like an idiot. My brother will be wearing a Micheal(Halloween) mask. Can't miss us.<br /><br />So here are the pics from my project. I am no way a artist but the helemt came out way better then I could have hoped for. If anyone has an old helmet lying around then do it. It was fun. Any questions let me know.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3355.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3356.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3358.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3359.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3360.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3361.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3362.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3363.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3364.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3365.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/RTA24/107_3366.jpg" /></imh>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-35372741260286273752008-10-09T12:00:00.000-07:002008-10-09T13:38:28.746-07:00Homecoming Horror ShowThe Wolverines get a break from Big Ten action this weekend. Perhaps, once again… they need to take a step back and possibly use the upcoming matchup with Toledo as a glorified scrimmage. However, nothing seems to be coming along easy for the Wolverines this season, so I advise them to not look ahead too much.<br /><br />Illinois came into the Big House with a good game plan and my hat goes off to them, but the Wolverines failed to execute on both sides of the ball. They failed to make big plays on offense in the first half when they were given the opportunity and they also gave up too many big plays on defense. This team is a schizophrenic mess. They seem capable of having their spurts or times of greatness, but they have yet to put a complete game together. I blame that primarily on inexperience and poor execution.<br /><br />The offense started out with a roar in the first quarter and then quietly whimpered as halftime drew near. Threet was having his best game and just so happened to find a new target by connecting with Martavious Odoms on several occasions. Greg Matthews also had a solid game. The running game was working when the pass was flourishing, but once the Illini started to blitz Threet and plug the holes… the unraveling began.<br /><br />Turnovers were a factor late in the game as it became a blowout. RB Michael Shaw showed signs of greatness in the first two games this season, but ever since then his play has been on the decline and I don’t expect too much out of him throughout the rest of the season. His turnover was costly as the Wolverines were trying to make a comeback. Odoms, who was having a phenomenal day on kick returns, fumbled the ball as well. However, despite his turnover… he had a great game on special teams and Rodriguez might want to stick with him.<br /><br />The defense possibly played their worst game of the season thus far and I hope it will be their last. Granted, Juice Williams is a great football player and appears to have outstanding leadership qualities, but when a defense surrenders over 400 yds on the account of one player… there is reason to be concerned. The whole unit was blowing plays and missing assignments and I can’t even recall how many times they fell for Illini fakes. The defensive line applied pressure on the running game, but they could not stop Williams in that department. Taking nothing away from Obi Ezeh’s great effort, the LB’s appeared lost on many plays. The secondary looked like a bunch of amateurs as the Illini took a page out of the Notre Dame playbook by hurting the Wolverines with the deep ball. Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren both took a lashing, as did Stevie Brown and Charles Stewart.<br /><br />This was a team loss in every aspect. The inconsistency of the offense prompted the defense to fall victim to the Illini’s high octane offense. By the time the Wolverines tried to attempt another miraculous comeback the defense was already spent. Personally, I believe the Illini are the most talented offensive team in the conference and perhaps the Wolverines will not get burned again this season like they were against them. I’m still worried about the offense above anything else because after Toledo they enter the heart of Big Ten play with some tough opponents, especially on the road. The defense will more than likely learn their lesson and try to correct their mistakes. I wish I could say the same about the offense, but… they have not given me any signs or indications that they can take control and lead this team, therefore… my optimism is wearing thin.<br /><br />Zoltan was a bright spot, though… as usual.<br /><br />The Wolverines need to get serious or they will be Motor City bowling during the holidays.Duane Breckenridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03154720777735710877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-89389522282877104102008-10-04T08:47:00.000-07:002008-10-04T09:12:36.474-07:00The Good, Bad, and the Ugly (in reverse)The first game of Big Ten play certainly kicked off with extraordinary surprise. The Wolverines were just flat out bad in the first half only to turn it around completely in the second against Wisconsin. Steven Threet and the offense were responsible for five turnovers and it appeared to be Notre Dame all over again, but… thankfully the defense held their own and kept the team in the game.<br /><br />I must admit that I was swearing at the television as every pass play seemed to have been for negative yardage. I also thought that Rodriguez should've alternated RB's a few times because McGuffie was being picked up in the zone blocking scheme almost every time. The deep ball was pretty much ineffective, too. Every play when Threet attempted a long pass was either overthrown or intercepted and I put the blame on both the QB and WR's for that. The WR's seemed confused in the first half as some of them ran the wrong routes.<br /><br />I'm not going to put too much emphasis on how inept the offense was in the first half because adjustments were eventually made in the next half, but the turnovers were unacceptable and simply cannot continue. This is not the Pac 10 where if you turn the ball over multiple times… you are still in the game. The Big Ten actually has something called a defense! So, the offense is still using training wheels as of right now and I can only hope that the mistakes start to decrease against Illinois and the upcoming games. There has been offensive progression here and there, but I would like to see a complete game.<br /><br />The Offense:<br /><br />Threet made some stupid decisions in the first half, but the important factor was that he wasn't rattled and he didn't lose his confidence. He managed to finally throw his first interceptions of his college career against the Badgers and he sucked it up and played through it. Even Brady and Griese had their share of stinkers during their career, however, it was how they persevered and improved through times of adversity that made them better QB's and essentially better leaders. Threet appears to have the intangibles for being a good leader and he is also smart, so once the whole offense is on the same page… his ability will flourish.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/Threetrun.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/Threetrun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p> </p><br /><br />Yes, he has wheels. Granted, not the fastest wheels, but he's not afraid to go the distance when he is given the opportunity.<br /><br />The running game improved as the game went further along (like most of the offense) and I am glad that Rodriguez eventually turned to players such as Minor and Grady to add a spark. McGuffie was snuffed out in the first half by a good Wisconsin defense, but the second half included more of a traditional running game by just handing off from the middle. The zone/ spread scheme was not working at first, so… kudos to Rodriguez and the players for making the right adjustments and executing them properly.<br /><br />The offensive line gave Threet a great deal of pass protection, but the passing game was seriously contained for the most part. As I stated earlier, bad decisions and route errors accounted for a mediocre first half. The second half wasn't much better, but it was adequate. I am assuming that Carson Butler's days as a starter are numbered because freshman TE Kevin Koger is looking like the real deal. Rodriguez was contemplating on redshirting the kid, but Butler's thuggish meltdown in Southbend must have contributed to the coach's change of heart. I want to see more out of the TE position. Odoms and Stonum are still learning out there apparently. Matthews was good despite his turnover on a kickoff return. He managed to catch the ball whenever it was thrown to him.<br /><br />You know… I wish this offense could put a complete game together so I wouldn't have to speak in terms of halves. It's quite frustrating!<br /><br />Overall grade: C+<br /><br />The Defense:<br /><br />This unit deserves a lot of credit for the victory over the Badgers as they were able to leave the halftime deficit at only 19 points. It very well could've been much worse and by worse I am referring to Oregon last season…. Yikes! They did what they had to do and I'm sure they were aware of how demoralizing a 1-3 start would've been. Thanks to great leadership and conditioning the defense pulled through to the very end.<br /><br />The defensive line was scary to put it mildly. They contained RB PJ Hill and were able to sack the QB five times. Considering the fact that the Badgers have a pretty damn good offensive line… much credit is due. Jamison and Johnson applied pressure as did Taylor. Taylor was also the vocal leader out there, but Graham was a BAD! BAD! MAN! Graham possibly had his best game as a Wolverine and was awarded the honor of Big Ten defensive player of the week.<br /><br />Please excuse the MC Hammer reference, but…"Obi don't hurt em!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/l_6cb328de3f914c488e2c7deac68e7da5.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/l_6cb328de3f914c488e2c7deac68e7da5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>The LB's are coming into form as there appears to be a solid crew out there with Mouton, Ezeh, and Thompson. Thompson, the lone senior, caught a critical game changing interception in the second half that gave the Wolverines the lead for good. He also busted up his chin during the game. In the post game presser he wasn't sure when or how it happened, he was just pumped and thrilled about the huge victory.<br /><br />The secondary also played well. Warren and Trent let a few big plays go, but not until the final minutes. I must admit that the much maligned safety Stevie Brown showed improvement. He wasn't burned or victimized by any big plays. He actually laid on some serious hits in the open field. He's known for being a hard hitter, just as long as he doesn't over pursue.<br /><br />Overall grade: B+<br /><br />Special Teams:<br /><br />K.C. Lopata never kicked anything other than a PAT. Zoltan was Zoltan (again). Umm...in order to avoid redundancy… Rodriguez still needs to find a competent return game. It's getting to the point where it's just bad comedy… seriously.<br /><br /><br />It was the biggest comeback in Michigan Stadium history and quite possibly what this team needed to make this season a success. Go Blue! Beat Illinois!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/img10998369.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/dbreck77/img10998369.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Duane Breckenridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03154720777735710877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-18524255270328597692008-10-02T10:56:00.000-07:002008-10-02T11:12:34.216-07:00Thats a-Maize-ing news paper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yoz8VZ4fNDw/SOUMLLcrc6I/AAAAAAAAAFc/oDLTKB66LCQ/s1600-h/107_3346.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yoz8VZ4fNDw/SOUMLLcrc6I/AAAAAAAAAFc/oDLTKB66LCQ/s400/107_3346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252617926588724130" border="0" /></a><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Detroit</span> Free Press must be fans of the blog or it's just a crazy luck. I want royalties! Oh wait..<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few Notes</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carson Butler:</span> Maybe be benched for the rest of the season. He is now 3rd under Massey and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Koger</span></span>. If you are behind Massey that says something. It says you are to big of a head case, please leave. I expect Carson gone maybe during the season or after.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Junior Hem:</span> Has Mono, will be out.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Brown:</span> Out with bad foot. Feel bad for him because he can play but the football lords have dubbed him "injury prone".<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Minor:</span> Still moody about his role but will see more time this week. From what I hear he is moody most the time.<br /><br />I will be at the Toledo game on the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span></span>. I am getting married on the 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span></span> and this is my bachelor party. I am guessing we will be tailgating at the High school. If anyone wants to come hangout feel free(email me). I should get some awesome pics at the game since I will be in Row B(2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span></span>). I hope to sneak on the field as well after the game, we will see how that goes.The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148713984385698268.post-6618354788217794672008-09-29T14:02:00.000-07:002008-09-29T14:09:53.964-07:00Hate of the Month: Mark May is a D-Bag!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.adrian.edu/sports/images/helmet_sticker_big.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.adrian.edu/sports/images/helmet_sticker_big.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Welcome to Ryan Millard's first hate of the month. Mark May I don't even know you and I hate ya guts! What can be said bad about a guy such as Mark May. He was quite the football player in his day. Played @ Pitt and for the Washington Redskins. He is also in the College Football Hall of Fame.<br /><br />Did you know that in his Junior and Senior seasons @ Pitt he didn't give up 1 sack. Also, he was a 1st round draft pick and a 1 time Pro Bowler. But it's not his skills on the field that have me ready to bitch slap those Lens Crafters gay looking glasses off his face. It's his constant shitty analysis of college football and how certain teams or going to match up for the games ahead. Does this guy even have a fucking clue? I mean he is a former O-lineman and we know how smart they are. It's like he does no research and espn tells him "ah just wing it, go with your gut." I don't think he's ever picked a winner of a game even at halftime. Not to mention he sucks on Dave Wannstedt's wang and is always picking his Pitt Panthers. Yeah Dave Wannstedt's a good coach. Maybe for a class C high school in Idaho. The guy has never won anywhere. How do you keep getting jobs without producing a winning record. Man I gotta get a hold of his agent. Oh thats right you are friends with Jimmy Johnson, that explains it. So if you know a guy who wins a Super Bowl you just get hired anywhere.<br /><br />Must be nice. And how come Dave never smiles, for God's sake he looks like he listens to Emo or something. But anyways back on Mark Gay oops! I mean May. I just love how he hates the Big Ten and says they are a sub par conference. Yeah Mark cause the Big east is really on a tare aren't they? Shit Pitt almost lost to Iowa 21-20. Iowa is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten. Not to mention they lost to Bowling Green HA! LOL! Good lord Pitt's toughest opponents this year are University of Southern Florida and West Virginia. We've already seen WVU collapse twice. So don't give that strength of schedule crap. And one more thing Mark. Leave Lou Holtz alone! He's an old man for crying out loud, he could die any minute. I'm not a big fan of Lou either but every time to old coot says something May rolls his eyes or knocks him down. Act with some class you fat imitation of Will Smith.<br /><br />I hope one of these days Lou takes his oxygen off, gets out of his wheelchair and bitch slaps you so hard his 105 year old hand falls off. Well maybe Lou slurs so much in his face that every night Mark gets a Lou Hotlz shower of saliva. It's probably mostly made up of Ensure and Fibercon. Way to go Lou! Well I've said what I needed to, man I feel better don't you? This has been a hate-a-tori-um of fun can't wait till next time. Until then Mark May gargles my <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >man chowder and I hate ya guts! </span>The Shredderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661208942617845636noreply@blogger.com0