Amaizeing Ts

Midnight Maize 42

2010-01-14T21:19:00.000-08:00

Midnight maize

New Diggs

2010-01-12T01:52:00.001-08:00

http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/

11 Years: From Sadness to Madness

2009-03-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

As Tom Petty said…"the waiting is the hardest part."

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

The short-lived uniforms of those days were also forgettable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

His firing coincidentally arrived on my birthday two years ago and Michigan clearly had an important choice to make…

a) This-

..Oh! Cheer up, Bernard (far right)! Strike up some Queen!

Weeeeee are *#66*, My Friends!!!

b) The visual definition of March Madness-

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.

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.

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...

Hail! Hail! Beilein!

When it Rains... It Pours..

2009-01-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

It's time for the team to either sink or swim. It's gotta start with NW.

Bj Mullens is classy

2009-01-17T15:20:00.000-08:00

You better hope Manny didn't see this... Class act clown.

baby it's cold outside

2009-01-16T23:14:00.001-08:00

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.

Thus God gave us youtube!!

2009-01-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Every Wed I will post UM youtubes to help us get through the week.

This one I made after the Capitol one Bowl.

Game Winner for UM

Braylon Edwards highlights, one of my favs..

Not many get to see the UM basketball plays entrance.

Some 1989 love... 20 years later.

Hawkeye's handled

2009-01-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Publish Post

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!

The Rundown!

Manny Harris: 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.

Deshawn Sims: Great game, played tough on the inside. Had 16pts. Would have had more but a few shots just rimed out.

Kelvin Grady: Another solid game form the former EGR star. 8pts and 4 dimes with "0" TOs! Been playing very well.

LLM: 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.

Zack Novack: Not his best shooting day but still makes great basketball plays and HOBO's.

Zack Gibbson: Once again Zack had a rough game. 1-5 and 1 reb.. Yes you read that right. He's lucky he's 6-9ish..

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.

Holy Indiana!

2009-01-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

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..

The Rundown

Manny Harris: 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.

Deshawn Sims: 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).

Zack Novak: 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.

CJ Lee: Played hard as well and the walk on caption hit two huge 3s. Well played sir..

Laval Lucas-Mack: 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.

Kelvin Grady: 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.

Zack Gibson: 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.

Stu Douglass: 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.

Make sure to watch Michigan take on Iowa this Sunday at 11:30am.

Changes

2009-01-09T10:09:00.001-08:00

Well 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...

It's been awhile...

2008-12-29T22:30:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stumped by the basketball guru...

2008-11-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

Honestly, I never saw this type of outcome….

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.
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….

Go Blue! Beat the Buckeyes!

Message Board Idiocy

2008-11-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yanks at it again, a local idiot over at the scout board.

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.
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"?

---------------------------------------------

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.

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.

Trick ... or... Treat?

2008-11-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

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.

The Streak Continues.

2008-11-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

Same ole shit consists of:

1. Teams inability to put a complete game together.
2. Lack of consistency on offense.
3. Failure to score more than 7 points in a 2nd half.
4. Erratic QB play
5. Turnovers
6. Poor tackling by a supposed veteran defense.
7. Horrendous secondary play (worst I've seen ever)
8. Stevie Brown
9. Stevie Brown
10. Lack of solid leadership.

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.

Go Blue! Beat Purdue!

Message Board Idiocy

2008-10-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

This 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.

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).

How about running a 2 quarterback system?

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.

I fully believe that Feagin should start already. Hopefully, he starts on Saturday for the game against little brother

By yanks26ngoin

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.

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?

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&f=2019&t=3234621

Sheridan

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.

By wolvs05

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. yanks26ngoin responds with another award winning post...

"ho do you think? our very own coach, the guy who most people love to death, Rich Rodriguez"

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.

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.

A Great post from Skeletor on this topic.

"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.

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.

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"

Skeletor says it way better then I could. Hits it on the head. Stop hating on college kids.. This College kid came to college to get an education.. Not to play football.

Wolvs05 ends with another classy post...

"yeah well its his fault he blows."

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&f=2019&t=3225816

Isn't UM a "private" college?

This one comes from the UMGoBLUE board. I am not welcomed there and do not post. I do lurk and I found this.

"I just read something saying it's a public school??? I always thought it was private. Now I'm confused "

Poster Fonzie 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.

"Michigan, UCLA, and Cal-Berkeley are usually considered the top public universities in the country. "

"There is a reason that it's called the University of Michigan and not Ann Arbor College."
This was posted by a buckeye fan and is very flawed and is wrong.

"I'm confused...what does any of this have to do with football? "

from the worst UM board.. MLive...

I believe Michigan Football

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.

By NColbert

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.

A few Responses

"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.

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."

"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. "

"congratulations, you just won the award for "MORON of the day"."

Well that it for the idiocy of the day. I hope to have more next week.

The 2005 Class.. v1.YIKES

2008-10-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

A poster named OrionWolverine 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.

McKinney - Gone
Germany - Gone
Criswell - ....crickets chirping...
Richards - Gone
Slocum - Gone
Bass - *sigh*
Moosman - Played in 7 games before this season
Logan - Has played sparingly
Brandon Harrison - Finally a contributor, unfortunately not very good
Zirbel - Hurt this season
Ortmann - Played in 13 games before this seaon, only two starts
Forcier - Gone
Butler - Very good at holding and jumping before the snap
Taylor - A great DT
McAvoy - 7 games, only 1 start before this season
McLaurin - Gone
Mesko - A great player, unfortunately he's just a punter
Simpson - Gone
Sears - Gone
Savoy - Had he ever done anything?
Manningham - Gone to the NFL
Schifano - Gone
Kevin Grady - Lookin like a bust

This is football physics "you" people! You can't win with it.

Patience is required.

2008-10-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

*insert "picture says a thousand words" cliche' here*

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.

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.

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.

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.

Give Rodriguez the necessary time needed and take the future into consideration.

Go Blue!

"You" Michigan People

2008-10-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

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.

-Two Freshmen QBs play like crap
-Oline that would have a hard time with GVSU
-New System
-Bad QB play
-Lost every skill guy to the NFL
-Jr & SR RBs who have have sticks of butter for fingers
-A Defense that is playing in a new system
-Injuries to some key players
-A awful 05 class
-Players built for Pro Style in a spread
-Bad QB play
-Bad QB play

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.

Change to adapt
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. Deal with it!

Fire the "Rod"
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.

"You" People in 2 years
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.

It's not the end of the world... We are not doomed. It's the Life of change. Deal with it and...
Those who stay will be Champions... Remember that "you" people.

UM loses, but we still have a blast

2008-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Well 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.

Before the game

The Game

After the game

After Party in a random Car pool lot

Well Thats it.. Crazy day at the Big House. Those pictures might make you never come back again..

Project Michigan Helmet

2008-10-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

So 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.

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.

Homecoming Horror Show

2008-10-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zoltan was a bright spot, though… as usual.

The Wolverines need to get serious or they will be Motor City bowling during the holidays.

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly (in reverse)

2008-10-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

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.

The Offense:

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.

Yes, he has wheels. Granted, not the fastest wheels, but he's not afraid to go the distance when he is given the opportunity.

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.

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.

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!

Overall grade: C+

The Defense:

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.

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.

Please excuse the MC Hammer reference, but…"Obi don't hurt em!"

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.

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.

Overall grade: B+

Special Teams:

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.

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!

Thats a-Maize-ing news paper

2008-10-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Detroit Free Press must be fans of the blog or it's just a crazy luck. I want royalties! Oh wait..

A few Notes

Carson Butler: Maybe be benched for the rest of the season. He is now 3rd under Massey and Koger. 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.

Junior Hem: Has Mono, will be out.

Brown: Out with bad foot. Feel bad for him because he can play but the football lords have dubbed him "injury prone".

Minor: Still moody about his role but will see more time this week. From what I hear he is moody most the time.

I will be at the Toledo game on the 11th. I am getting married on the 25th 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(2nd). I hope to sneak on the field as well after the game, we will see how that goes.

Hate of the Month: Mark May is a D-Bag!

2008-09-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

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.

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 man chowder and I hate ya guts!

Turnovers, Tempers, and Big Ten play

2008-09-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

After the debacle at Southbend a couple of weeks ago, the Michigan Wolverines have had a week off to reflect and… hopefully improve as Big Ten conference play is set to begin. There was very little to be impressed with against Notre Dame as there was an overwhelming amount of turnovers and a great deal of immaturity shown by the players (and coaches). However, there were some bright spots observed. The QB issue appears to be resolved and it looks like Sam McGuffie is ready to become the next great RB at Michigan. The offensive line also seems to be coming together.

Common sense would lead you to believe that no team can expect to win football games with six turnovers. It doesn't matter if they are young OR… if there was a rain storm. Fundamental mistakes will bury any team, especially if they find themselves in a 21-0 hole in the opening quarter. Notre Dame is not a good team this season and I believe that Michigan had no business losing to them. The Wolverines dominated the Irish in offensive yards and they also controlled time of possession, so… yes… turnovers do kill.

Mistakes were made by several players. Brandon Minor fumbled on the opening drive THEN Michael Shaw mishandled a kickoff return on the following one. When the Wolverines appeared to be gaining momentum in the second half Kevin Grady fumbled on a potential scoring drive in the red zone. My bets are that Minor and Grady are pushing themselves deeper and deeper on the depth chart. When the rain started to come down, three more turnovers eventually sealed the Wolverines fate as they were unable to pull off the comeback.

In addition to turnovers… players started to lose their composure on the field. TE Carson Butler, who is a veteran mind you, allowed his frustrations to get him kicked out of the game. This was something very un-Michigan like. Sure, players will scrap and talk trash at one another from time to time, but… this was carried out in pure meltdown fashion. I expect that type of behavior out of teams like Miami or Michigan State, but not Michigan. It is critical that Rodriguez keeps this team under control, especially during times of adversity. Losing a game is indeed frustrating, but this team cannot afford to lose its overall focus because there is still plenty to play for.

Perhaps it was because the opponent was Notre Dame, but… the offense had its best game thus far as it showed good balance. Steven Threet earned the right to become the starter probably for the rest of the season. His confidence and inability to throw interceptions may have been the determining factor for coach Rodriguez. The McGuffie that everyone expected to see from You Tube fame seems to be coming along. The other RB's such as Shaw and Brown are still close behind, but McGuffie is undoubtedly the leader. Plus, it looks like Rodriguez has found his Steve Slaton. The WR's had their best game. Matthews is looking like the #1 option and Stonum made some solid diving catches. I've been waiting for Stonum to arrive. I had been criticizing Rodriguez for not going deep enough on pass plays, but now that Threet is the solid choice… I expect a lot more of the deep ball. Plus, the offensive line appears to be much improved since the opening game and that will allow Threet more time to make a decision.

The defense was solid despite the fact it was put into some horrible short field situations. Most of the scoring came off of the early turnovers, but there are still some issues at the safety position as Stevie Brown was again victimized and burnt. It seemed like WR Golden Tate was the only problem that the Wolverines had. I might also add that there was very little pressure applied to QB Jimmy Clausen and that was rather disappointing, considering the fact that he was treated like a rag doll in last season's game. Plus, the Spartans were able to abuse him last week. *sigh*

The special teams took a step backward. Zoltan Mesko was terrific, but there are still issues with the return game. I'm still not a believer of Donovan Warren being involved in returning kicks. I like Martavious Odoms or Brandon Harrison.

The Big Ten season is ready to kick off and I hope the young Wolverines understand that the conference appears to be wide open. Ohio State is overrated and relies too much on one player. Granted, they have a decent defense that could carry them a long way, but… I see them losing a couple of games. Penn State hasn't been tested and Illinois was never considered a favorite of mine. Other teams such as MSU and Purdue are cute, but… they don’t have the tools to contend. The MSU Ringers will struggle with a bad QB. I'm also not buying into the Dantonio defense just yet. Wisconsin is a big game this week because they look like the best team in the conference. They play physical on both sides of the ball and have a knack for pulling off close victories. They are also well coached.

If the Wolverines want to redeem themselves and attempt to make some noise in the Big Ten this season… they must beat the Badgers this weekend at home. Going 1-3 to start the season could very well be demoralizing.

In any case, hope springs eternal and Go Blue!

Oh yeah… how did he injure his leg? He has legs?!?!?

Reviewing Miami (OH)

2008-09-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines were able to pick up their first win of the season last Saturday versus Miami (OH). The win was not pretty, but it was a much needed victory and there was slight improvement on the offensive side of the ball. The running game evolved while the passing game took a step back.

I figured the Wolverines would be able to run the ball effectively against the Red Hawks because Vanderbilt was able to do so, but I didn't expect Steven Threet and the passing game to struggle as much as it did. The defense was nearly perfect as they picked up right where they left off against Utah the previous week. There were a few big plays given up by the secondary, but the Wolverines red zone defense held the Red Hawks to only two FG's.

Rodriguez alluded to the "Good, Bad, and the Ugly" to sum up his first victory and… one could certainly agree with that particular assessment. This game was basically a glorified practice for the young Wolverines as they were still trying to find a true identity on offense, but the road ahead is destined to get harder as the team travels to Notre Dame this weekend. Basically, the bad and ugly factors of play need a makeover… quickly. Some of the good consisted of the Wolverines playing a near error free ballgame. They managed to not turn the ball over and they also only had two penalties. Trust me! Those are the right kind of stats to have, especially from a young team that is trying to learn as they progress this season.

The Offense:

The first quarter started with a bang as the Wolverines offense moved down the field with precision. Threet connected on a short pass to Martavious Odoms which turned into quite a gain. RB's McGuffie and Shaw also chipped in. The surprise was Threet's ability to scramble in the open field. He scored the games first touchdown and actually ran the ball ok, BUT… his passing accuracy still needs improvement. When Threet tried to pass the ball to an open WR, his throws were way too high. Now, I don't know if you can solely pin the blame on Threet because the receivers appeared to be confused as well, plus, they are also young and Greg Matthews did not play. If a passing game was developed, I believe that the score could've been more lopsided.

The running game was the brightest and most consistent part of the offense as Sam McGuffie showed off his potential as a threat in the backfield. He had great speed in space and turned out to be dependable either running or catching the ball. Michael Shaw's skills were also on display, but he was slowed down by a minor injury later in the game. I tend to agree with RB's coach Fred Jackson when it comes to these two freshmen, they appear to have a great amount of talent and they will only become better as the season progresses; particularly because they are seeing a lot of playing time over the veterans.

I did not see Carlos Brown out there, but…Kevin Grady and Brandon Minor both had limited time. However, Minor scored the only time he was given the ball and that was in the fourth quarter. I see Rodriguez playing more of the veterans against the Irish this weekend, especially if Brown is healthy. Grady and Minor could be used more in the red zone.

Overall Grade: C+

The Defense:

Despite a few problems in the secondary and a small inability to penetrate the OL, the Wolverines defense was impressive. The only criticism that I can think of was at the safety position where Stevie Brown was repeatedly victimized (like Utah game).

The LB play improved as Jonas Mouton added great physicality and high intensity on the field. The front line stopped the running game for the most part, but they didn't attack the opposing QB until much later in the game. There wasn't really one dominant individual out there, it was more of a collective effort. However, some of the key players were Brandon Graham and Terrence Taylor. Freshman Mike Martin also contributed quite well.

Overall Grade: A-

Special Teams:

Well, the rugby experiment didn't last for very long and Zoltan Mesko was back in form, but… the special teams had some setbacks. Kicker K.C. Lopata made a 47 yd FG, but also missed one of 41 yds. There was also a botched extra point. This doesn't necessarily concern me too much because I'm certain they will be a bright spot throughout the season.

However, the return game could use some repair. I don't think Donovan Warren should be fielding punt returns. I believe he could be effective from time to time, but his place should be primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Rodriguez mentioned that the return game is a work in progress and plans to possibly use Boubacar Cissoko or Martavious Odoms.

Overall Grade: C

Go Blue! Beat Notre Dame!

Jimmy Clausen Hair Tips

2008-09-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

What is with Jimmy Clausen's hair? I mean for real! It's like a phenomenon of epic gay awesome hair. I think Jimmy says to himself.. "hey I am so ugly.. It really doesn't matter what my hair looks like." When I was watching the Irish play on Saturday I couldn't help but laugh out loud every time I saw him with his helmet off our saw his profile picture. Even one friend point and said "D-BAG!"
I then shook my head and agreed... That's the word.. D-bag. Lets take a look at the Jimmy D hair secrets that we have the pleasure of seeing.

The "I am actually trying to look good" Hair

Jimmy says not much done here. Just go be you're self and look natural. No product or anything. Before The Irish got into the Jimmy so to speak.

The"Look tough hair"

Not much changes from the "looking good" hair but a bit more "puffed out". Still no product. Jimmy Just combs out all his thin horse like hair, so it puffs out and makes him look bigger... Like Animals in the wild.

The Famous "Emu WTF Spike".

We all know this one. It's famous! This when we Jimmy took the D-bagness(yeah I can make up words) to a whole another level. For this d-bag/WTF cut Jimmy uses LOTS of Product! Like so much you're hands get all gross and no matter what you do it won't wash off. He uses a whole bottle of "Spike Guido Gel" to get it just right and then finishes it off with some hair spray.

The "Nash"

So now that brings us up to speed and why my friend pointed and said "D-Bag!".. It's the.. NASH! Made famous by Steve Nash the great NBA point guard. It's very easy. Just grow you're hair out and never touch it! The only thing you do is comb it 300 strokes. Don't even wash it. Look like big foot, grow a peach beard to help aid the hair and make it even more D-bagish(more made up words).

Steve Nash got away with it because he's Canadian but Jimmy who is even uglier then Steve Nash can't... You look like a D-Bag(the word of the day) Jimmy. Just Shave the head and we all can go home happy. I hope Tim Jamison tackles you by that Hanna Montana hair you have coming out of the back of you're helmet.

If Jimmy has anymore new hair styles or tips check back here for the latest.

Maybe next we will hit on... Is Jimmy "a Gay?".

Did He hook up with Brady Quinn and learn the play book?

Reviewing Utah

2008-09-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

The 2008 football season opener against the Utah Utes was basically a letdown and there was a clear indication that the Wolverines have a lot of work to do. The offense had several issues as the OL couldn't make the proper blocks to allow the running game to excel and there was also too much inconsistency at QB. The defense was solid for the most part, but they gave up too many big plays in the first half and the Wolverines had to crawl out of a hole in order to make things interesting.

I cannot be too upset with Rodriguez and his staff because it appeared that they made adjustments at the half, but it is crucial that this football team learn from its mistakes and not be down on themselves. Yes, Miami (OH) is not Oregon, but… they cannot afford to have another game full of miscommunication, poor execution, and hesitancy. As coach Rodriguez said in his press conference, this team is in no shape to play poorly and still expect to win games.

The Offense:

I was not surprised by Rodriguez starting QB Nick Sheridan over Steven Threet, however, I was curious as to why he didn't make a switch much earlier in the game. Sheridan started off ok, but as the first half developed… he looked like a deer in headlights out there as the running game was unable to help him. Threet was eventually put in and looked much more confident controlling the offense and he also showed more ability to throw the deep ball. He managed to connect on a TD pass to Junior Hemingway when the Wolverines tried to come back in the fourth quarter.

Threet was far from perfect, though. There were two critical moments when the Wolverines failed to convert on big plays. The first one was the 2 pt. conversion and the second one was when he tried to hit a wide open Darryl Stonum on a decisive fourth down play with under two minutes remaining in the game. Both throws were a little too wild and high for the receivers to really have a chance to make the reception. Hopefully, this was only a case of the first game jitters and Threet has more accuracy on his passes as the season progresses. Rodriguez said that the QB competition is still open, but Threet definitely has the upper hand after his performance on Saturday.

The running game was nearly non-existent. I guess we now know that when Rodriguez emphasizes "or" on the depth chart, he means it. Freshmen RB's Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw had a significant amount of carries throughout the game as veterans Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown spent most of their time on the bench waiting. Rodriguez tried to establish the run in the first half, but the OL had so many breakdowns that all of the RB's were pretty much swarmed by the time they tried to make a cut or avoid a tackle. I would say that the failure of the running game primarily rests on the OL issues, but I also think that Rodriguez should've used Lloyd's guys a bit more often and try to run them up the middle. It certainly wouldn't have hurt.

The receivers were good whenever a decent pass was thrown their way. You could tell that Sheridan was not fond of the deep ball as most of his passes consisted of bubble screens and short routes. When Threet entered the game, we could finally see what the receivers were capable of, especially Junior Hemingway and Greg Matthews. Matthews is the player with the most experience, but Hemingway showed great ability as a potential threat down the road… if he remains healthy. Fellow young receivers like Darryl Stonum and Tony Clemons will get better as the QB position becomes more solidified.

The offense will eventually come along, but the main problem that needs to be addressed is the OL. Besides that… the QB must make better decisions and not be so confused. There was a great deal of miscommunication out there and that has to be fixed quickly. Rodriguez needs to mix it up a bit more when it comes to running the ball and I think he will do that this week. He said that he used a small and limited amount of running plays versus Utah because he didn't want to confuse his players. I'm sure the coach will make the proper adjustments this week and try to utilize the talent and open up the playbook.

Overall Grade: C-

The Defense:

In order to properly summarize the defense, one must look at both halves. The first half consisted of a great run defense, but the linebackers and secondary were quite weak against the pass. There was also a lack of pressure on QB Brian Johnson, which allowed him to look like a Heisman contender against a defense that was supposedly stronger and more dominant against the spread offense. Big plays were given up as safety Stevie Brown was burned on a 55 yd pass and freshman LB Marell Evans proved that he wasn’t ready after being victimized repeatedly. However, those two should not be singled out because the whole unit was mediocre during the first half. The only credit that I can give the defense during the first half was that they kept the Wolverines in the game. Most of the scores consisted of FG's.

The second half brought hope as the coaching staff and players clearly made adjustments. The front line dominated and chased Johnson around the backfield and accumulated five sacks. The Brandon Graham that I expected this season finally showed up. Also, the LB play improved as sophomore Jonas Mouton gave them a much needed boost. Obi Ezeh let his game speak as he collected 14 tackles and an interception. If Ezeh continues to put up those types of stats, he will undoubtedly earn a great amount of Big Ten honors throughout the season. The secondary also improved as Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren were able to defend with more consistency. I think a lot of it boiled down to applying more pressure on the QB and limiting his time to make decisions. Once the line was able to break through the blockers… it was obviously open season on Johnson.

Most of the mistakes that the defense made were largely associated with Shafer's decision to work with the all too familiar 4-3 defense that was used during the Hermann years. Once that Shafer made the adjustment at halftime and changed things at LB, the nickel packages were much more effective as the results were significantly different. Shafer deserves a lot of credit for his halftime adjustments and there is no doubt in my mind that IF the defense plays like that all season… and continues to fly to the ball… the Wolverines will win more games. As everyone is fully aware, the leadership is on the defensive side of the ball.

Overall Grade: B+

Special Teams:

If there was a bright spot in the game, it was definitely with the special teams unit. Despite Rodriguez' attempt to bring back the rugby experiment from a few years back (Iowa game 2003), the special teams looked impressive. Kicker K.C. Lopata hit a 50 yd FG, so there shouldn't be any controversy at that position. The unit also blocked a FG and… a punt. These are all great signs and it is a sigh of relief knowing that the Wolverines appear to be solid in this department. Just as long as Zoltan Mesko returns to his standard form in the punting game, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Overall Grade: B+

Go Blue!

Odds & Ends & Toes

2008-09-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

The "Toe"

We I saw Bennie go down, I figure it must be an ankle or maybe a tear in the heel. Something bad... Nope a Toe... A freaking toe. Yes big Bennie Wells was carted of due to a toe. I really question this guys toughness and wouldn't be surprised if he was an NFL bust(Like most OSU RBs). Could you see Mike Hart being carted off the field due to a hurt toe? It's not even broken! I dunno I thought it was very "pussy". Like he couldn't get up and hop off the field. Good luck Bennie.. Don't break a nail.

The Utah Game
I haven't talked at all since the game. I expected what I saw. It just sucked. We all had it so good when we didn't have to worry about QB play. Nick was awful, he looked like a walk on. Threet was a bit better but missed some easy throws(first down pass to Stonum..Duh!). I expect to see Threet start vs Miami. He also screwed the 2pt conversion twice in one play. First by not making the correct read and giving it to Sam for a easy run in 2pts and not hitting Clemons who was open. Speaking of Sam, my jaw dropped when I saw that he was starting. He showed flashes but a few times forgot that this wasn't high school anymore and tried to run backwards when the holes weren't open. I still can't wait to see more of this kid. minor had great burst, I will say that. He looked faster but once again he put the ball on the turf and he still needs to correct this until then I expect him in spot work. Brown.. Not sure if he's hurt or what but I want morrrrrr... We will see. The o-line I won't even get into. Its a mess. MgoBlog handled that mess today so I didn't have to. We will see what D shows up this week. Besides Obi Ezeh who looked more like David Harris the rest of the LBs were awful. I expect Mouton to start soon, which I thought he should have anyway. Warren made a few mistakes but the D showed what it can do. Duane will have a game review with Grades very soon.

The Refs
Not blaming the refs for the lose because Michigan beat Michigan but they were very bad in some spots. The missed neutral zone call and the no flag on the play clock as it hit zero before the snap of the 53 yard FG Utah hit. It would have made it a 58 yard FG attempt. Little things like that do hurt.

Tate is coming..
We got a verbal from Tate Forcier. If I were him and saw that game, hell I would have gave my verbal too. He has a great chance of starting next year. With a 78% comp in high school as a Jr is very impressive. Can't wait tell he gets here.

Grady back?
Looks like Kevin Grady will be back vs Miami. I was thinking he should have been gone until the Big Ten season but RR sees different. I wonder if he will even get a shot at RB? Unless Grady comes out and surprises us with greatness he has been sorta of a bust. Then again he was built for Carr's Michigan team and not Rods. He still wasn't as good even in Carr's O. Welcome back Kevin, don't blow it.

KICKOFF! 2008 Michigan Football Live Blog!

2008-08-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

The "Preview"

2008-08-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

The moment has nearly arrived as the 2008 Michigan football season is about to kickoff. After saying goodbye to a great head coach in Lloyd Carr, Ann Arbor welcomes the young and innovative outsider Rich Rodriguez to roam the sideline of the Big House. Rodriguez' arrival wasn't exactly easy after taking the job, but he has since moved on and seems pretty determined to coach his hungry and eager Wolverines to a successful season.

This season will be interesting as there is a great deal of uncertainty as far as what the Wolverines are capable of doing under a new coaching staff. Most of the uncertainty falls on the offensive side of the ball due to a lack of experience and a new system, but the talent and depth are there in key playmaking positions such as RB and WR. The QB position and the offensive line seem to be the areas of major concern. So… we shall see what unfolds. The defense is well rounded and doesn't lack experience, so they may have to be the ones that lay the hammer down for the majority of the season.

Offense:

The QB position is a two man race between redshirt transfer Steven Threet and walk-on Nick Sheridan. Rodriguez has already made it clear that both have made necessary strides throughout the offseason and appear to be the Wolverines best chances to win this season. Threet is a traditional drop back passer that resembles the likes of Grbac, Brady, Navarre, and Henne. He definitely adds the dimension of being able to throw the deep ball, but the main question is whether he can adapt to Rodriguez' system and make the offense work consistently. Sheridan is different because he is a bit more athletic and mobile, but his passing range is not as impressive. However, he appears to be a very smart guy and if he manages a drive well enough to utilize the talent surrounding him by throwing short accurate passes, then he just may be the one that wins the job. I give the edge to Threet as of right now, but I would not be shocked to see Sheridan receive a good amount of playing time. Rodriguez' main focus is to

The offensive line is without a doubt the backbone to running a successful scheme and it appears that this season will surely include some growing pains. It's not based on talent because they just may have that… eventually, but it also comes down to proper experience and sufficient depth. Rodriguez has needed to improvise and shuffle the line around because of injuries, transfers, and graduation. The only returning starter is right tackle Stephen Schilling and he seems to welcome the leadership role upon himself. Schilling is accompanied on the right side by veteran David Moosman and former defensive player John Ferrara. The left side is occupied by juniors Mark Ortmann and Tim McAvoy, but freshman Ricky Barnum will see time as well. Ok, here's the real scary part and it is the center position, which happens to be quite crucial to any offense. Since Justin Boren went down south to tOSU and… Cory Zirbel was injured; the void is basically being filled by freshman David Molk or David Moosman. So… yes… it will be interesting and sometimes nasty, but as Lloyd used to say: "hope springs eternal".

There is also a problem at the RB position, but I assure you that it's not a bad one. There just happens to be a stable full of talented backs and the clear starter is yet to be named. My opinion is that junior Brandon Minor has the edge, but Carlos Brown has more speed and might work better in the spread. Oh yeah, then there's a couple of freshmen that have made a statement throughout camp. Their names are Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw. Both McGuffie and Shaw have earned significant praise from Rodriguez and his staff and plan to see a great deal of playing time. I think all of the RB's will be used this season and there is a chance that McGuffie or Shaw will catapult into superstar status when Big Ten play comes around. Rodriguez will utilize these guys to their potential and they will determine how often the Wolverines score on offense. Overall, things look bright.

The WR's and TE's are just as deep as the running game, but there is also a lot of youth within the positions. Since Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington left for the NFL the only player with a decent amount of playing time is junior Greg Matthews. Matthews was very dependable on short routes and slants, but he has never really gone for the deep ball. In any case… he's a dependable guy who will make the catch and not be afraid of a potential hit and I expect a good season out of him. Freshman Darryl Stonum has been labeled as the next explosive WR for the Wolverines and due to the fact that he enrolled early and started practicing… he just may live up to the hype. He has tremendous speed and has proven that he can make the big play. Other WR's include Junior Hemingway and LaTerryal Savoy. Hemingway appeared to be talented in limited action last season, but an injury has slowed him down a bit. I expect Savoy to see some action, but since Rodriguez has brought the spread to town… we will be introduced to his valuable weapon known as the slot receiver. The main guys that will be used in this position will be freshman Martavious Odoms and Tony Clemons. There has been some good mention about Odoms, so… watch out! Rodriguez will most likely use both.

Carson Butler is the apparent starter at TE because of his athletic ability, but he certainly has company beside him. Mike Massey is a senior veteran that is also quite capable of making an impact and newcomer Kevin Koger was highly touted during camp. There will be a lot of competition at the TE position and I'm positive that Rodriguez will go deep… like most of the playmaking positions on offense.

Defense:

The front line really wants to get out there and put on a show for the fans on Saturday. The DE's are probably the most talented duo that we have seen in years at Michigan. Senior Tim Jamison is a beast that has big time ability once he breaks through blockers. The other end is occupied by junior Brandon Graham, who just happens to be my favorite player on the defense. Graham already made strides last year as he consistently punished opposing QB's, but he needs to improve against the run. He's primed for a Lamarr Woodley type of season. Seniors Will Johnson and Terrence Taylor control the middle of the line. Taylor had some problems last year, but the strength and conditioning has really made him a different type of player. Now that he has slimmed down, perhaps his talent and capabilities will be more visible. I think his performances against Appalachian State and Oregon are behind him now. Johnson is another guy who looks to improve from a disappointing 2007 season that was plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. The Wolverines also have depth on the DL and freshman Mike Martin has been mentioned as an instant impact player that will definitely see time on the field.

The LB's are unproven for the most part as the best player is a sophomore. Obi Ezeh showed promise as a freshman last season and will undoubtedly be the leader for a core of players that haven't seen much playing time. Now that Ezeh is more prepared, I expect great things out of him. He is accompanied by two sophomores Marell Evans and Jonas Mouton on the weak side. Both will battle for the starting spot. Senior Austin Panter will control the strong side. Johnny Thompson backs up Ezeh in the middle and could also see significant time. There is depth at the position, but much like the OL… they lack experience. This position has disappointed as of recent. I have seen too many missed tackles and blown assignments, even from veterans, but I hope to see some improvement this season. My expectations are not that high, though.

The defensive backfield could be just as great as the DL is projected to be. The CB's have both seen a good amount of playing time. Fifth year senior Morgan Trent was decent last year and appears ready to leave his legacy as a great leader in 2008. Trent is accompanied by super sophomore Donovan Warren, who earned Big Ten accolades for his performance last season. Warren appears to be in the same mold as Hall, Jackson, Woodson, and Law. Yes, you can say "shutdown" corner, but that term is severely overused. Warren is a tremendous talent and I anticipate him and Trent to have an outstanding season as they blanket opposing receivers. The backups to those two will be sophomore Troy Woolfolk and freshman Boubacar Cissoko. Both have earned praise from Rodriguez and Cissoko has been labeled as quite versatile.

The safeties are experienced and very very fast. Junior Steve Brown will occupy the free safety position and he will be backed up by fifth year senior Charles Stewart. Strong safety belongs to Brandon Harrison who is also a senior. I believe he will get the job done as he is also a seasoned veteran that has been contributing since 2005. As I said… these guys are fast! Also keep an eye on sophomore Artis Chambers and incoming freshman Brandon Smith as they will also be incorporated into the defense.

Special teams doesn't bother me as kicker K.C. Lopata showed great consistency last year after the dismal Gingell experience. Punter Zoltan Mesko has already shown all-American potential and I expect him to pick up right where he left off. The return games will be interesting because there will be new faces performing the duties. On kickoffs and punts, Rodriguez will most likely use Martavious Odoms, Donovan Warren, Michael Shaw, and… possibly Morgan Trent. Brandon Harrison is also considered an option. Special teams should be impressive this season.

The 2008 season will be interesting to say the least and I expect Michigan to play with purpose and intensity. After a disappointing 2007 season, the Wolverines know how important the first game is and they will be ready and determined to entertain on Saturday against Utah. The term of "deserving victory" has been the key since Rodriguez took the job in the winter, but we shall see how that philosophy translates when the Wolverines take on their first challenge. The offense will have its fair share of mishaps, but they should improve significantly by the time Big Ten play comes around. There is too much talent on offense and I'm sure Rodriguez will utilize each athlete and push the limits of their capabilities. If the offense is slow coming out of the gate then the veteran defense will have to pick up the slack and force turnovers. Overall, the season should be fun and I expect the Wolverines to surprise the majority that doubts them.

Here's to a great season and GO BLUE!!!

-By Duane

Lloyd Tribute

2008-08-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

As a new season and era is on the horizon for the Michigan football program, I would like to reflect and pay tribute to Lloyd Carr, the former head coach of the Wolverines.

To sum up Lloyd's head coaching career at Michigan… he definitely experienced both the sweet and sour sides of the job. The first half of his career included a national championship in 1997, a good bowl record (4-2), and the domination over archrival Ohio State (5-1). However, the latter part of his career would turn out to be the complete opposite. From 2001 till 2007, Lloyd's record against the Buckeyes dropped off significantly to a 1-6 record. The Wolverines also had trouble winning bowl games during that span.

I was always a big supporter of Lloyd Carr, even through his times of heavy criticism. I respected him not only as a great coach and teacher for the maize and blue, but also as a man of admirable character. Even though press conferences typically weren't his cup of tea and he tried to make them as boring as possible, he would occasionally throw a wrench into the reporter's scheme of questioning… and that was quite entertaining. Now, some would label that as being a jerk, but I disagree. Lloyd always seemed to maintain that persona throughout his career and you just have to respect that on some level. If there was an injury or an issue with a specific player (in his doghouse), he would provide information in the best way he saw fit… undoubtedly his way.

On the subject of press conferences, I remember listening to one a few years back and Lloyd was talking about the origins of the rivalry between Michigan vs. Minnesota (Little Brown Jug). He always enjoyed educating everyone about any type of old rivalry. It seemed as if he took more pleasure out of talking about the past and history than answering questions from the reporters. Lloyd would also break out the occasional quotes from the likes of Churchill, Hemingway, etc.

What I believe went wrong in the latter part of his career was that the college football culture and game were changing. The play calling has become more innovative and the players need a new type of philosophy or motivation. Perhaps the players of this day and age need a bit more than quotes from historical leaders and classic writers. Maybe the players aren't responding to the allusions of Mt. Everest or World War II anymore. This was not Lloyd's fault because change is inevitable. You have to respect a coach that was always loyal to his team and stood by every individual player who wore a winged helmet.

When I think of Lloyd's influence on the players, Braylon Edwards (WR) in 2003 comes to mind. Edwards was in his doghouse at the beginning of the season for "not being on the same page." As most Wolverine fans know, Edwards wore the heralded #1 jersey that year because he believed he had earned the right to do so, but Lloyd didn't quite see it. In any case, after being in the doghouse for a few games, Edwards' performance on the field soared like never before. He would later go on to have a record breaking senior season the next year and become a two time Big Ten champion. His character and leadership also developed significantly.

To Lloyd Carr, the game was always second to character. He believed that character defined the individual overall, not just accolades and talent. Lloyd also valued education and the importance of a player trying to expand his potential beyond the football field. His success and legacy at Michigan will always be remembered and he knew exactly when to walk away from the game and players he loved with a passion.

In the early spring Lloyd held a press conference and talked about what he had been up to since retiring last November. He told the reporters that he watched quite a few films and did some traveling out of the country. Hmmm… that's probably what I would do, too.

Duane

Live Blog Test, Join me!

2008-08-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Live Blog! Come one come all!

2008-08-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

We will be having the Live blog to kick off the 2008 season. Everyone is welcomed(yes even buckeyes). Come Chat with aMAIZEing T staff. Ryan from the R&R show will be there and Duane and Jason may make appearance. We will have a shirt give away. So come on out and chat some Michigan football and get ready for the 2008 season. It will be on Aug 29th at 10pm est. It will run tell 1am or whenever. Should be a good time for all. I will be having a test run of the software on Thursday during the day at 3pm est. Feel free to drop in and chat with me as I test out the new live blog software. Thanks to all who show.

Go Blue!

The shirts! GLC!

2008-08-22T18:28:00.001-07:00

Well here is the final version of the shirts! Now on sale.

First here is the back with all the names. I am posting this so you can double check and make sure you are on the shirt. I am pretty sure I got everyone.

Now here are some pics of the shirts.

I also made shirts with no names on the back for anyone who wants to save some $ or didn't make it on the shirt.

The Link to the store and the GLC section
Get Loud Crew Section
aMAIZEing TS Store

Also another program reminder of our Late night Live Blog on Aug 29th. It's the kick off to the Michigan football season. Come talk Michigan football with aMAIZEing Ts. Starting at 10pm on friday night. Any and all fans are welcome! Any questions just throw me an email.

Get Loud Shirts and Live Blog!

2008-08-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

I am waiting for my test shirt to show up. As soon as I get it and approve it the Get Loud T-Shirts will go on sale. I expect to get it. hang Tight

Live Blog!
We will be doing a late night live blog on Aug 29 th to kick of the season. The Live Blog kicks off at 10pm est and will go into the wee hours of the night. Any body can chat with us and with other fans. Just be here! Ryan Millard from the R&R Show will be there and a few other aMAIZEing ts family members will be there.

Sneak Peek at Get Loud Shirts

2008-08-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

Got a bit of a look at the get loud shirts. Let me know what you think. They will be done by friday or Saturday. I will have a shirt with no names for 15.99 and the one with names should be 17.99 or 18.99. A maize one will be 19.99. Thanks to all who joined. Duane will have a season preview up very soon.

Drama.. and more.

2008-08-14T10:08:00.001-07:00

Thoughts on Rodriguez and the Offseason Drama

This summer I was told that Michigan fans including myself shouldn't trust new Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez. Even though this was the perspective of a tOSU Buckeye fan, I still listened thoroughly and allowed them to state their case. Their main argument as to why I shouldn't be a big fan of Rodriguez was mostly related to the way he left his alma mater and his football team at West Virginia.

I responded by admitting that despite his loyalty and devotion to the Mountaineer program, business is business and opportunities such as the Michigan head coaching job only come along once in a great while. The reality is that Rodriguez was bound to leave WVU at some point because he is relatively young and his coaching philosophy is definitely among one of the most innovative in college football. It is obvious that Rodriguez found something in the Michigan job that he didn't see when Alabama came along knocking last offseason. Believe me; it wasn't all about the money because Alabama was prepared to offer him a hefty contract.

Perhaps Rodriguez was intrigued by the possibilities in Ann Arbor and continuing the great tradition that has been occurring for well over a century. I'm not trying to knock WVU, but Rodriguez will be given broader access to talent by recruiting for a place such as Michigan. If his system translates according to plan, he could achieve a great amount of success.

Rodriguez basically built the WVU program and made it a national power when it was in the shadows of mediocrity. Yes, it is a shame when eras come to an end or when someone moves on, but Rodriguez did not leave WVU just to spite the Mountaineer program and its fanbase. As I stated earlier, football is not only a sport, but it is a business in some aspects… a very competitive one at that. If Rodriguez chooses to leave the Michigan program at some point, I would not wish any type of ill will upon him (like Mountaineer fans). People have to admit that for every Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden there is also a Nick Saban or Urban Meyer. Some coaches just want a greater challenge or want to compete on a different stage.

But, wait…. There is more!!!

There was actually more drama in Ann Arbor during the offseason, however, I will not discuss the WVU buyout fiasco. The matter has been settled…

The loss of recruit Terrell Pryor was well covered and documented , especially since he picked tOSU over Michigan, but it didn't really surprise me. From my understanding, even before Rodriguez took the job, Pryor was heavily leaning towards the Buckeyes. Will it hurt the Wolverines in 08'? Maybe… only time will tell. If Steven Threet ends up disappointing then it may have hurt the Wolverines THIS season. However, Rodriguez has done a hell of a job recruiting QB's for the 09' season, so the future appears bright. Pryor may be a talented player, but I was not a big fan of his "larger than the game" press conference in order to prolong his commitment. It just seemed like he didn't have a team first mentality. Plus, when I heard him refer to his new team as "The University of Ohio State", I wasn't impressed… he also mumbled it as if he were rapping like $0.50. Anyway, I wish Pryor the best (except against Michigan) and maybe he'll learn how to pronounce… "The Ohio State University."

The topic of family values was also brought up during the offseason. Well, the supposed erosion of family values to be more specific. Former offensive lineman Justin Boren apparently could not hack it once Rodriguez and his staff took over. I don't really need to explain this in great detail. Boren was mentioned a few times last season during Lloyd Carr's press conferences as being a player that was failing to adapt or constantly struggling. Boren sounded like a loafer to me. This is what I believe…. Rodriguez and his staff (probably Barwis) hammered Boren repeatedly and he still couldn't adapt. After the coaching staff laid on some colorful words of constructive criticism, Boren basically gave up. Plain and simple, he quit on the team because there was no more leniency or an expanded learning curve. Result: Boren transferred to the Buckeyes. Good riddance, Justin. I personally do not think this particular loss will hurt the Wolverines at all this season. Sure, he was a veteran, but he was still making freshmen mistakes last season as a sophomore. Trust me, if Lloyd complained about him, I can only imagine what Rodriguez and Barwis thought of his performance and work ethic.

It certainly has been an interesting offseason in Ann Arbor and it has been full of drama and controversy, but the season looms and a new era is beginning. I don't expect anything to tame down during the upcoming season. Rodriguez and the Michigan football program will continue to receive a great deal of coverage, be it good or bad.

By Daune

Gone for a few days

2008-08-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

I Will be camping for the newt few days. When I get back I will be starting on the Get Loud Crew Shirts. Thanks to all who added their names. The winning phrase on the back will be "You Can sit at home!".

While posting on mlive and trying to get people to join up for our cause, I got this repley to one of the topics..

It is NOT your right to stand and block the view of the people behind you. Yell all you want but people pay for SEATS and it is their right to use them. So grow up and learn that other people have rights too.

My Reponse was..

Then stand the hell up! I wish there were no seats in the big house. Everyone in that damn place should stand up. We would stand for the whole game at our High school games. Students and parents. If you wanna sit stay at home. Go be 80 and drink a warm glass of milk.

He did not respond... Other then that.. Everyone welcomed the group with open arms! Thanks again and look for the shirt soon. I will send out an email to all who left theres when the shirts are ready.

GO BLUE!

Last Day!

2008-08-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

Today is the final chance to join the crew. Add your name so you can change the Big House! After today I will not be taking anymore the names.

Get Loud Crew 08-09

2008-08-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

It's that time again. Wanna join the loudest Group in the Big House? If you like telling old farts behind you to shut up when they say "down in front" then you belong in the GLC. We strive for cheering and making the big house loud. Will people yell at you? Yes.. But it's our duty as fans to stand and cheer.

This year I am out to make the cheapest shirts possible. This year it will either be white or Maize to keep costs down. I will also make one without the list of names to make it even cheaper. The last few years we have done well with this shirt, many names have went on it. I have seen people wearing them at the Big House. It's great to be apart of the GLC, we have a mission and that is to be the loudest kids in the stadium.

Now if you want on the back of this shirt.

Just leave a comment in this post with your name. You then will be added to the shirt. If you are a Michigan Alum please put your year of graduation next to your name. If you leave your email as well I will send out a mass email when the shirts are ready. They will be ready a week before UTAH, if not sooner.

Just click comments in the left hand corner of the post, then click Name/URL and add yourself.

Myspace
I am no longer using myspace as a sign up. If you want on the shirt you must comment on this blog topic! Do not leave names in my comments section on myspace. I just don't get to myspace enough.

Thanks to all who join! Just click "comments" up in the left hand corner to leave your name you want on the shirt.

Poll
There is a Poll on the right of the page. It has possible sayings for the back of the shirt. Please vote. The high vote will be put on the back of the shirt.

Deadline
Deadline for sign ups in Aug 8th 2008. One week for sign ups!

Email
If you have any questions please email me at amaizeingts@gmail.com

GO BLUE!

Fight Club

2008-07-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well looks like Jake Long got the best of Phillip Merling. He took a 1-2 punch at the monster from Michigan. It sounds like Jake didn't do much. I'm guess he gave him the "WTF are you doing? I could pick you up by your head look".

Long, who was much more surprised than hurt -- it actually looked a little bit like bullets bouncing off Superman's chest -- did not retaliate and the little scuffle was broken up quickly.

First Rule of Fight club.. Don't talk about Fight Club.

"I just stood there and took it," Long said. "It was just the heat of the moment. When you're working hard, stuff like that flares up. But it wasn't too much."

The full Story here

The Passion

2008-07-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

I would like everyone to welcome our new writer Duane Breckenridge. This is his first post about how he became blue. I will be posting his posts until I get him a password. I hope you all enjoy!

My passion for the Michigan Wolverines stems back to when I first started watching college football. Since I've spent a significant amount of my life in Florida, it was quite weird that I didn't follow the likes of UF, FSU, and Miami, especially since those teams were among the elite during the early to mid-1990's. My father's Midwestern roots would lead me to follow Big Ten football. I was intrigued by the teams and the tradition.

The first Michigan game that I ever watched was versus Notre Dame in 1990. It was a tremendous introduction to what would later become a mandatory habit every fall from then on. From the fight song to the winged helmets, I was completely drawn into the greatness of Michigan football and the classic rivalry. It did not matter that the Wolverines would later lose that game by a close margin; I was and would always be a fan of the Maize and Blue from that point on.

Since I live in Florida, I have only been to the Big House a few times, but I have managed to see the Wolverines every time they have made it down here for a bowl game. Yes, that is a good and bad thing. Although it is a treat to see them play in a bowl game, a trip to Florida for New Years does not necessarily suffice. Most fans, including myself, would much rather see them play in the Rose Bowl.

In any case, I always enjoy watching the Wolverines and I am anticipating the upcoming season because it is the beginning of a new era. The years of Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr were quite special as they continued the tradition that Bo instilled into Michigan football, but I have a sense that Rich Rodriguez is bringing in something completely different. I am referring to a new coaching philosophy and attitude. Michigan football has needed a change for quite some time and any true fan of the Maize and Blue must understand that a transition requires patience. Radical changes have been made in Ann Arbor and all of the fans await the results of what we expect to be a positive progression. The microscope will be placed above Michigan Stadium on August 30th when Rodriguez coaches his first game and that observation will continue into mid-November when the Wolverines travel to Columbus.

-Duane Breckenridge

In with the New...

2008-07-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well this is it. The people have waited and now they are here. I for one was sad to see Nike get dropped. I am fan of Nike, I feel it's the best out there. This new Adidas jerseys are okay. It will take some time warming up to do. I hate how they have the huge Adidas logo right on the front. Why not just take the number off and put "Adidas" there instead. It's to damn big.

The aways I'm still not sure if I love em or hate them. It's gonna have to be a wait and see on those. Until the players put them on I can't tell or maybe even until they run onto the field. The most busy Michigan jersey for sure but I guess "we keepin up with the Jones". It's really not a big deal, the play on the field is more of a issue to me..

The Search for the chosen One's begins..

2008-07-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

What aMAIZEing Ts is looking for.
-Someone who bleeds Blue
-Who can post once a week.
-Who can write some what or better then me..
-Who likes blogging
-Who will plug the blog

I am looking for 3-4 writers who can write about Michigan once a week. You can write about current issues with the team or it's players. You may write about the past. I would love to have a recruiting guru. I have a very loose sense of humor and so I have no issues expressing anything Michigan weather it's positive or negative. I like real feelings when it comes to writing. Example, if Michigan plays like crap and you want to vent about the game.. I welcome that. You also maybe called on to make an appearance on the R&R youtube show here and there. First I will ask the chosen one's to send me there posts but once I get to know you I will set you up on the blog with a User & password.

Perks
Writers will get a few bucks of T-shirts if they wish to buy.

How To Become Chosen?
-Email me at ryandanger69@hotmail.com or message me through our myspace.
-Explain you're Michigan background or passion.
-If you have any blog experience
-If you are a expert at anything(like recruiting, history ect)

The "Search" starts July 11th and ends the 17th. So all entries most be submitted by the 17th! I will post all entries and their work for people to vote on through the weekend and through that Monday.

If this sounds like something that interest you then send an email my way.

Braylon Edwards says Good Luck!

Major Update

2008-07-06T09:50:00.001-07:00

Will be redesining the blog soon. This one is just old now and makes me not want to post updates. New Shirts for the season will be coming soon as well. The blog will be sorta a mess so links to the store and other things may not work. Hang tight.

Grady+Beer=Bad

2008-07-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well Mr.Grady was arrested on a DWI charge last night. This is a big let down since he was doing so well after his ACL tear and reports said he was becoming a force in the offence as well. It will be interresting to see how Rich handles this. Will he sit out a game? Who know... I do know this.. Kevin Grady is better then that.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- Kevin Grady, the former East Grand Rapids High School star running back and currently a member of the U-M Wolverines, was arrested in Wyoming early Wednesday morning for driving while impaired.

Grady, who didn't play much for the Wolverines this past season due to injuries, will be arraigned July 9.

Credit to WOOD TV 8 for breaking the story.

On a side note we will be cooking up some new shirts for the 08 season.

Mail Bag!

2008-01-21T18:58:00.000-08:00

I hate adding fuel to the Pryor rumors and all that jazz cause I think the kid eats it up but I got this interesting email from a one "Mr.G". He had a bit of inside view from the hole called Ohio...

HEY THERE I JUST READ YOUR ARTICLE & THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE A STORY WITH YOU. MY GF & I ARE BOTH HUGE MICHIGAN FANS & LIVE IN COLUMBUS, OH. MY GF WORKS FOR A LOCAL RADIO STATION HERE, & THE OTHER DAY THEY HAD THE LOCAL TV SPORTS BROADCASTER IN THE STUDIO AFTER HE HAD FINISH AN INTERVIEW WITH PRYOR. HE SAID THAT DURING HIS CONVERSATION PRYOR TOLD HIM "I GET SO MANY PHONE CALLS FROM THE SCHOOLS RECRUITING ME THAT I DON'T EVEN ANSWER THE CALLS ANYMORE". THEN ABOUT 10 MIN. LATER PRYOR'S PHONE RANG & HE ANSWERED IT. THE SPORTS CASTER THEN SAID TO HIM "I THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T ANSWER YOUR PHONE ANYMORE". PRYOR THEN TOLD HIM "OH, THAT WAS MY MICHIGAN BOYS, I ALWAYS ANSWER WHEN THEY CALL".

THE BUZZ AROUND HERE IS THAT MICHIGAN IS WHERE HE IS GOING TO GO. IT WILL BE MICHIGAN OR HE WILL SHOCK EVERYONE & GO TO SOMEWHERE LIKE OREGON. BUT THE PEOPLE HERE IN COLUMBUS ARE ALREADY SAYING HE IS NOT GOING TO BE A BUCKEYE. GOD I HOPE THEY ARE RIGHT!!!

GO BLUE!!!
-GUSS

Yes the cap button was stuck on Mr.G's keyboard but that's cool. I don't know if this screams "Going to Michigan!" all over but does say Michigan is gonna be right there. I still think OSU has a slight edge but I could be so wrong(Like Eli). It sounds like the state of Ohio is worried unless you talk to the OSU insiders who call hima "Lock". That I say is pure crap and Michigan or OSU could win this kid over at this point. I have learned in the world of recruiting that there is no "Locks"(ROJO anyone?). Then I asked if this info was 100%.. His reply.

The story is all 100% true

Then I just got a random Comment from a one John...

People seem to overlook the fact that Tom Brady is just one more amazing pro quarterback turned out by the machine known as MICHIGAN.

Yes that can be true at times. Maybe because his time at Michigan was a rocky one where fans chanted for Drew Henson and got benched at times in favor of Henson who at the time looked like a athletic god stud. We all know how that went. Brady did go on to beat Bama and play well at Michigan but I feel there are bad feeling and could be why he doesn't go back much or at all.. Random Brady pic! BOOOYEAH!~

Gator Chopped!

2008-01-02T18:46:00.000-08:00

Not sure where that was all year but DAMN...

BEST BUY!!! .. and Football.

2007-12-30T11:12:00.000-08:00

Even if Michigan ends up losing the bowl game, at least Mike Hart gets a New PS3. The Vibe I have gotten from the news is that everyone is thinking about next year and kids are not happy about coach's being fired. In my last post I said Mallet isn't going anywhere and to stop talking about it. I was wrong....

"I'm not concentrating on that right now," Mallett said during Wednesday's media function as Michigan prepares for the Capital One Bowl against Florida on Jan. 1. "We're going to play a bowl game. I'm not going to talk about (my future) right now."

What will factor in on Ryan staying?

"That's big," Mallett said. "He recruited me and everything. So it's kind of
important. We're going to see how it plays out."

I hope RR keeps Scot Loeffler but it's looking bleak. I have heard Scot has many offers from other schools. He's a Pro style teacher of the game. I just don't see RR keeping him. I think Ryan could be awesome in RR's O but he has to give it a chance. I think Ryan maybe 50/50 right now. Speaking of Ryan, take a look at this bizarre picture. Not sure why it's so mind boggling to me but it is..

I don't know maybe it's just me. But it's weird.

On to the Best Buy shopping spree!

So I guess the team got some nice things. They work hard so it is deserved. I just hope all this crap doesn't hurt them for the game. With all the things flying around on this team, I just can't see them winning this game. I hate to say it but it hurts. The Gators are a very good team. I hope we win but it's gonna be tough. Guys are just thinking about next year or the NFL. Carr deserves a win but it maybe impossible for this team to focus on it and come out and match the Gator speed.

Big Break Over

2007-12-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well to any of my readers, I have been on a big break. Since Thanksgiving. Alot has happened since then.. Like Michigan has hired a new coach, Michigan Basketball still sucks, Tons of Mallett rumors and I got a Michigan Mini Helmet for Xmas. Lets start with the new head man in AA.

RR in AA

Do I like the hire? Yes. I do have a few worries with this hire. Let run with my worries.

-Will our WR become nothing but blockers and zombies who catch 5-10 yard passes. Are the days of long bombs to the special #1 jersey over? I can't think of one good WR. That could because I can throw better then Pat White. I just don't wanna see our WR Talent be wasted and "if" we keep getting that "NFL" WR Talent we have always had.

-That bring me to my next worry. How will Michigan players do at the next level under RR? The spread really will not get you ready for the NFL. Michigan has always had lots of good pros. I feel that may go away with not having Pro style QB's and funny spread O's. I feel College football maybe getting to the point where if you wanna win you run the Spread. If you wanna put out good pros(unless you are USC)and lose, run the pro style. I guess time will tell.

-Is the Spread the real deal? Or is it a flash in the pan? I remember when the Option was the rage, now I really don't think it works well at all unless you are playing NCAA 08 on the XBox 360. I guess the Spread has been solid but I have my worries with almost everyone going to it.

-3-3-5? What the hell is that? This is a big worry. That if he does go with this that it will be long days in the Big Ten. The Wiss's of the worlds would run all day on this. I don't know much about it but I will say I don't like it.... for what ever reason.

-Will anything be lost? Number one jerseys etc? I hope not. I love what Michigan offers with all its history. I hope RR keeps it alive.

As for as getting kids to come to UM. I think the place does the job for you at times. So I am not worried about it. I know he can get kids to come. I do like the hire. It brings Michigan up with the times. It was needed. We don't wanna be the next Miami or FSU. Next years UM team won't look a thing like this years. All new starters and Offence. Its gonna be bizarre...

Michigan Basketball Still Sucks

Found this on google and it gave me a chuckle. Gone are the days of Cwebb, Rose and others posing for pics. Now we have..... Reed...A kid who isn't on the team anymore. I know its gonna take a bit for coach B to work some magic but its been so long and this team is pretty bad. Getting beat by TA was bad but it being "Harvard" made it even worse. If Coach B had to win one game this season it was that one. They did alright when UCLA came to town. I think we are 3 years away from getting to the big dance. I think we said that when TA first showed up... Sigh..

Ryan Mallett Leaving?

NO! Stop asking and talking about it!

I also got a Mini UM Helmet for xmas. Its cool. Well be back in a few days for the bowl game. The last old fashion Michigan football game ever maybe.

The 43rd Turkey Bowl

2007-11-20T10:13:00.001-08:00

Not to many of my readers will care much about this article but it's something very important to me and my family. Every year on thanksgiving my family has a football game. The first Turkey bowl game was held in 1964. My Grandpa,Dad and uncle started the game. This year will be the 43rd game. It's something that everyone in the family looks forward to and some what of a bragging right for the year. I have been playing since middle school. I have played longer then that but doesn't really count since I was young and really didn't play.. Just sorta ran around and got a pass here and there for fun. When I was younger I remember just standing off to the side with my cousin Charley just watching and getting in the game here and there. Watching my Dad,Grandpa uncles and older cousins go to war no matter the weather. As I got older I started to play more and then it became something I couldn't wait for. It's something very special to the Aylsworth family. It's something that will go on to the end of time. The great thing about the game is that anyone can play. You don't have to be an Aylsworth to play. We have had many different friends and even yes even Girls can play. I am at the moment trying to get Girls taken out of the game but have had no luck(I'm kidding, don't roll you're eyes ladies). The game has even made it in the local news. Everyone around Greenville Michigan knows that if they drive by the practice fields on Thanksgiving morning that they will see the Aylsworth family playing turkey bowl.

Weather
Getting back to weather, we have played in it all.. Some years its great out and some years it's a real bitch! In Turkey Bowl 41 the temp was -10 with the wind and had a good amount of snow on the ground. When you threw the ball in the air, it just sorta got caught in the wind and then would take a dive bomb into the snow. Alot of dinks and dumps that day. There was one big play in the game when Mike Packard used his cannon to unleash a 40 yard bomb to myself(Ryan Aylsworth) for a TD that wrapped the game up. I have no idea how we did since it was so nasty out but it happened. It was like God smiled on our team for 5 seconds. It doesn't matter how bad it is. We still play. This year looks like it may snow but I doubt anything as bad as TB 41.

Rules
The rules are very simple. Two straight completions is a first down. Most TDs win.. Some years have came down to field goal kicks.

My Take
My take on the game as late. There has been some great TB games the last 5 years and only one blow out. The game is something that makes my Thanksgiving very special. Makes me happy and thankful I have such a great family. The last few years the game seems to be getting bigger and bigger with more people. It's something that has bothered me but it's what happens with us kids growing up and starting families of our own. I am just as much at fault since I have invited two new people this year. Last year was the most amount of people that I can remember. It was very crowed on the Field it felt like 10 on 10 football. Just to many people and only one ball to go around. Maybe the problem is that I really wanna have fun in this game and I am very competitive. My idea for this year is that if we have at least 20 people(which I think will happen) we should split off into 4 teams of 5 and then you have 2 games going on and winners meet for the TB championship. I think a mini tourney like that could only add to turkey bowl. Play games to three Tds and the winner goes on and loser play a 3rd place game during the championship. I think people would have alot more fun and everyone would see the ball and make bragging rights even greater. I am sure I would have problems convincing people of that(the more older folk) but it's something I think makes sense with all those people. It will be like trying convince the NCAA to drop the BCS crap and start a college football tourney. Just throwing that out there.. If you like it, take it.. If not throw it back.

The Players
Here are some of the faces that have made Turkey Bowl what it is...

The Legends
These are the fine men who started and made Turkey bowl

Grandpa- CLAUDE Aylsworth(retired)

Sorry no pic of Gramps.. I did a Google image search but no luck. Probley because Gramps doesn't even know what the Internet is.. But anyway Gramps started the game. He still wonders around the field watching the game and sometimes spotting the ball. Not sure if Grandpa will make it to the game this year after a very serious surgery in which we almost lost him. I am so thankful that he is still here today to enjoy the turkey bowl with us. He makes impact on everyone around him and we have him to thank for all of this. Thanks Grandpa CLAUDE!

Uncle Jon- Jon Aylsworth(active)

Many would say Jon took TB to the next level. Made it is what it is today. He spread the word about the game. Jon pretty much runs this thing right now. But his son Jack seems to be next in line to keep it going. While picking teams every year Jon will make claim that he has never lost. It's sorta a Tradition for Jon to say that. Is that True? No.. Is it funny? Yes. Jons only weakness on the field is my zubaz...

My Dad- Tom Aylsworth(retired)

My dad also one of the starters of this great game. Since I can remember my dad hasn't really done much on the field. I can remember him playing hard when I was very young. It's pretty fuzzy. My best memory of my dad is in his last Turkey Bowl where he was in the backfield smoking and really being a poor Free safety... He might as well just laid down and smoke.. O wait he did. Health issues put a end to his career. The sad thing is that he doesn't even show up anymore. He just settles for asking how the game went while he stuffs his face with a turkey leg during dinner.

The Prime Timers

Theses guys the players in there prime. The guys who gives us Turkey Bowl Highlights.

Cousin-Jack Aylsworth

Jack has been great on and off the field. He has started making yearly shirts and hoodies. Jack been someone that will take this game to next level once his father steps off the field. On the field Jack has had many highlights and many low lights.. One low light is when Mike Packard push Jack to the ground and Jack was never the same the rest of the game. He cried like a girl the rest of the game about how that wasn't fair. This was like four years ago... But Jack has fielded many winning teams and doesn't really have a position. He sorta plays everywhere. Jack will go down in TB hall of fame.

Family Friend-Mike Packard

Mike has been in the game for sometime. Mike maybe the best QB to ever touch a Turkey Bowl football. Mike has a cannon of an arm and at times takes risk, it pays off most the time. Mike has had many long bombs for Tds and my favorite QB. Mike highlights also include a 5 ints in one game playing D and his low day was when he was still drunk from the night before and came to the game smelling of Jim Bean and Indian food. Mike threw about 4 Int that day and lost. Mike is also know for being someone that will get in your head and take you out of your game as he did to Jack a few years back. Mike has made his mark.

My Brother-Justin Aylswoth

Justin(my bro) is whats "next" in the turkey Bowl. Justin has size and a good nose for the ball. Justin really has just started coming around a few years back. Justin scored a Few TDs last year and is ready to take the next step as a Great WR in the series. Alot like his older brother in many respects. Justin still has some work to do on the D side of the ball. Justin will be going into the this years game in the Best shape of his life. "You are all Witnesses".

Me-Ryan Aylswoth

It's hard to write about myself. I don't like to toot my own horn but I am the prime time Game breaker. The WR deep threat that can strike at anytime. I play the game to hard since it's just for fun and I take it very serious. I have hooked up with Mike on many TDs and think about Turkey bowl in June. I look forward to this. I shocked the turkey bowl world last season with wearing Chicago Bull Zubaz's! For you young kids that zebra stripped pants. They gave me an edge. My quote to the other team is "Give them nothing, but take from them everything".

Cousin-Steve Davis

Steve has played many many years. Since he was young. Steve in many ways is the "X-Factor". Steve plays hard and is the best team player out there. For some reason Steve always looks the warmest to me when it's cold out. I swore he doesn't get cold at all and this makes him a threat since he's always "Hot!". Watch out for this Cat. Steve will make his mark this year.

2nd Cousin-Spencer Calkins

The Calk has played on and off for some time. His legend in this game is saying he will show up and then not and then the next year not being invited and then he shows up. No one ever knows when Spence is gonna show. Spencer has a great football back ground since he played for Greenville High.

Cousin-Charley Kemp

My cousin Charley was a freakin force in this game. The fastest guy on the field. Maybe the Best WR to play the game. Almost impossible to cover and ran great routes. Turkey bowl really misses Charles due to the fact that he is in the NAVY at the moment and instead of making the family proud on the football field he makes us proud in the NAVY. Hopes he can get home one day to soon to play again.

The Girl
Cousin-Amy Aylswoth

Amy has played for a long time and has made her mark as a great girl player. Amy is the only girl to INT a pass and return it for a touchdown. She also handles punts or tries to at least.

Rookies

This year may have a few new comers and they make impacts.. or not.

Ryan Millard

Friend from work. Played football growing up and can throw a football with the best of them. maybe has a great future in the TB.

Jose Alegria

Jose a roommate of mine is small and nimble. He may not look like much but he plays hard. He's got some Mike Hart in him. It's tough being a rookie in this game, we will see how he does.

Candace Taylor

My wife to be and best friend. The TB doctors did not clear her to play last year due to a nasty cold. Candace at the moment is sick again. Will see be cleared? Only time will tell. She can catch well for a Girl so watch out!

I am not sure what will happen this year but I can assure you it will be fun and make everyone's Thanksgiving a special one. Thanks to the family for being great and thanks to all who read. I hope this gives everyone a insight into my family and my thanksgiving. For my regular readers, we will be back with a R&R show after Thanksgiving. God bless. GO BLUE!

New R&R! We talk Carr and the % Game

2007-11-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

New R&R Show! Smack Sparty!

2007-11-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

On the latest R&R Show we bring on a MSU fan Mike Packard who makes such bold predictions that Brain Hoyer will go Pro and MSU will play in the motor city bowl. That and more in this newest R&R show.

R&R Show 7 and Cross Bones!

2007-11-02T06:49:00.001-07:00

This week on the R&R Show we talk Minn game and Trash Drew Stanton. Also some Nut Michigan fan talks football with me at a gas station. New shirt as well. We have a Michigan Helmet and Cross bones. Enjoy and go blue!

Fresh Baked R&R Show and some AA

2007-10-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

On the R&R Show we have our guest host play some Meeeeechigan Trivia and we talk Michigan vs Zook. We also would like to show some love with this new AA shirts. He's playing like a superstar this year and he deserves a few shirts. Also some common Go Blue shirts and a new AT shirt as well. Enjoy the show and shirts!

R&R Show 5 and H4H.com and AT become friends

2007-10-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

R&R Show 5! We talk Purdue game,Mid season grades and Mike Hart Heisman hopes. Alot of BS as always. We also had the guest host drawing for next weeks show. The winner is... ahh you will have to watch the show. Hart4Heisman.com and aMAIZEings Ts are working on a shirt and I hope we will have that for you soon. ENJOY!

R&R Bye Week and Hart Breakers

2007-10-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Ryan & Ryan Show is on a Bye week, for a number of reasons. We have a few tech problems at the moment and what can we say about the EM game? The R&R crew has a Man crush on Mike Hart and the rest of the team...... Well we love Arrington too. On the next show we talk Purdue game,Play the Michigan stock market and announce the winner of the guest host contest. We do have a few Ts for Mike big record. ENJOY!

R&R Show 4! Trashing BTN! Wanna Host?

2007-10-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry we got the show up so late this week. Ryan had to run to Vegas and blow tons of dollars on $50 stakes and hang out with beautiful women. So the show is late and we are sorry. We talk NW game(a little bit),Mario and trash the hell out of the BTN and comcast. We are also having a drawing for a guest host to come on the show. So if you are interested please leave you're name and email in the comments section. If you are viewing this through myspace, please leave you're name in the posted blog on myspace or message me it. The tapping for the show will be for the Purdue game. You must be available on Tue around 4pm to do this show, its through the phone.. So you gotta have one of those too. We will have the drawing on the next upcoming show, so you only have tell Oct 7th to get you're name in! Thanks for listening! GO BLUE!

Number 1 in the BCS!

2007-09-29T00:36:00.000-07:00

Yes thanks to all the people who has been listening to the R&R Show. Keep sending those great emails with topics. We will be doing a special drawing for a guest host soon and maybe a "Best michigan fan triva show". We are now the number 1 BCS Michigan youtube show! The rankings

1.The R&R Show
2.......
3.......
4.-------

Ahh.. Alright maybe the only.. Thanks! GO BLUE! Beat NW and thanks to all who listen.

R&R Show 3 and New Ts!

2007-09-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Well I thought I should youtube it to make it easier. I hope it does. There are 4 parts so enjoy! We talk Penn State game, All time Michigan greats and Henne. I had issues with the last 2 parts so I didnt have time to add pics to what we are talking about. Please keep the comments and emails coming for topics you would like to see us talk about! We also have 2 new shirts! A new Mario shirt and Warren Shirt! Check thoses out!

The R&R Show EPS 2.. ND and New Joe Pa Shirt!

2007-09-18T19:42:00.001-07:00

Well here is Show 2. You can find the first show under this one. We talk about the ND game, Mr.Sears and the good ol MAIL BAG! I also say something perverted.. Ahh I didn't mean to.. And I feel idiotic. Thanks to all who sent to the mail bag! Keep them coming for the next show! Leave topic idea's in the comments area or on the myspace. Thanks! Enjoy!

R&R Show 2

Great new Joe Pa Shirt! Pre game sale! Save a few bucks!Lets make it 9 in a row!

The R&R Show Eps 1

2007-09-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

Well, we got our first podcast show up. I hope you all enjoy it and I hope we don't sound like bumbling idiots. There are a few glitches(come on it was our first show!) Ryan's audio was giving us problems. I fixed it up the best I could. This will be fixed by next weeks show.Please give us comments about what you think and if you have any questions or topics you would like us to talk about on the show, please leave a message in the comment section or on my myspace. Please leave a name or something(myspace address) so I can give you a bit of a shout out on the show when talking about it you're requested topic. Enjoy!

Click below for the first show!

We talk about The Duck game, carr and Mario Doggingham

The R&R Show EPS 1

Podcasting and Losing

2007-09-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't even want to talk about the ASU game, I'll skip that. I do want to chat about the Duck game.. I was there. I'm in the middle of setting up my podcast. Watch for that in the comming days(hope by Thur). We will also have some new Ts comming. So lots of new stuff comming! Check back soon! Prey to God for help and GO BLUE!

Comming Soon! *If anyone has any topics or questions they would like discussed on the first show, please leave a comment or message me on myspace*

The Sky is Falling

2007-09-02T00:35:00.001-07:00

More later when I wake up from this Nightmare.

Wolverine! Slash Slash!

2007-08-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

X-Men+Michigan Football= FREAKING SWEET!!

Any X-men/Michigan fan will get a kick out of our new Wolverine T! We also have a shirt for that Big QB from Texas! Check em out!

Prints for sale!

2007-08-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

My great friend has some of his Michigan Art for sale up on Ebay for dirt cheap! This stuff is great for getting signed on fan day! Here is a sample and the Link !
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZblueyz922

It's that time again!

2007-08-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well it's been awhile. The off season is now behind us and now fan day is only a few weeks away! What better way then to show you're blue than to sport a trusty new T! We got two new ones. First we have the Super Mario T-shirt here. For you gamers this really hits home and then we have Cannon 7 Ts. You know how Yao has two little people standing on top of one another to make him tall? Well Henne really has a Cannon for an arm. We will be bringing you a Super Mario line, with more Mario bros mixed in and many more new Ts as the season starts up! So stay tuned! It's me Super Mario!

and a pic of Yao for good measure..

Tommy Brady

2007-05-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

Enjoy all, we have the Michigan legend Here.

More Comics

2007-04-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well since the first three comic style sold so well, we made three new ones. Enjoy!

BAM CRACK !BOOM!

2007-04-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

The new comic book style shirts are here! Get them while they last. Theses are a very hot item. Produced by Meents(writer). Pick from Hart,Henne and Manningham. We have a few diffrent styles, one with the a bigger pic on the shirt and ones with smaller ones. You can't find these shirts anywhere else but here. Only at aMAIZEing Ts. Thanks for the support and GO BLUE!

New New New!

2007-04-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting, but the off season is boring me to death. I hope some good things come from the spring game. Anyway, here are a few new shirts to tide people over for awhile. You can find all of these in the link above in the store.

Bitter? Yes. Funny? Yes.

Spring Sale! & New Mike Hart Shirt!

2007-03-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well Spring Practice is apon us and what better way to celebrate this then to have a spring sale! We got some great shirts on sale in the "aMAIZEing SALE" Section of the store. We also have a a brand new spankin Mike Hart shirt. "Hart is my Homeboy". Enjoy and the store link is above.

TA going going Gone!!!

2007-03-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

Well it's finally happened. The gods have listened and Michigan Basketball has a chance. Lets just hire the right guy.. Who? I dunno, many if the coach's out there have pros and cons. I like tubby if Ken dumped him but he has struggled to recruit. That brings up another issue, will our big guns Many and Legion stick this out? If they don't it just says didn't love Michigan and we don't want them anyway(I might have just lied). I know coaching changes aren't easy but this is for the better. I have heard rumors of Sims and Edue..Eudu.. how ever you spell his name maybe wanting to transfer. Lets just hope these guys hang on and the recruits don't jump... Michigan basketball is going up starting today!

Scout.com Pro aMAIZEing Ts

2007-03-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

Just surfin the boards and noticed a few members on the scout.com board givng aMAIZEing Ts some props! The thread is HERE. Here are a few nice quotes.

I just stumbled across this earlier and they have some darn good t shirts.

I'm not so keen on shirts for individual players, but I'll admit I got a kick out of Blue Eggs & Manningham.

Then there were the not so nice quotes.. Gave me a good giggle though.

Check out this shirt. Ouch.

Don't know why it didn't work before. Anyhow, that shirt seems like it should be availible on an OSU site, not a Michigan site. I can't see it as anything other than making fun of M basketball.

I can see where he is comming from, it's not nice and sure maybe it would be a on a pro OSU site but I am so fed up with the basketball program.. I just can't help myself. I am not the only one.

I would rock the michigan shirt(nit shirt)...funny cause its true

Who buys something like this???

And I love the replys he got..

I would so rock that OSU shirt!!!!!!!!!

I'll take three!

Just wanna say thinks for the props and knocks, aMAIZEing Ts gets bigger and better everyday and were gonna keep bringing the best Michigan Ts to the public.

Video Updates

2007-03-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Updated some of the videos I made with some new music, check them out and let me know what you think.

While I am at it, here is the two OSU ones I made after the game.

New Shirts and NIT

2007-03-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Some new shirts to get you ready for the upcomming season! Just to also let you know that we will be having a Spring cleaning sale comming up. Heres the New Ts!

All these shirts come in verious sizes and colors and styles. Check them out at the store(Link above).

Michigan Won it's NIT opener, who cares.. I fell a sleep.

Cheaper Get Loud T-Shirt!

2007-03-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Well I figured why not make a the shirt but without the names on the back. It makes it alot cheaper and you can still show you're passion to make the Big House louder! It's only 19.99+S&H and can be a bit cheaper if you go with the "White" and not the Blue. I have been thinking of setting up a tailgate of some sort for a Michigan home game where the GLC could meet and hangout and either go to the game or watch it. Leave me a comment about what you all think or message me on the amazieing ts myspace.

No Show Senior Day

2007-03-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

Well the game came and went and I must say they made it a great effort but a few seniors made their more than common "No Show". You just can't turn the ball over 15+ times and have Harris shot 1-13. I mean one should have gone in out of luck alone. I just wanna get the season over with and get onto the new class. Sims didn't do much, he was beat to hell by Oden all day(Can't blame him). Lester had a good game for once. At least he showed up and Peyway does what he always has, dunk and reb. It was a Tommy team out there and ESPN showed a Nice little graphic of Tommy's Tourney numbers and in his ten years of coaching he has been ONCE! Yeah and we still keep him around. We won't be any better next year(I hope I am wrong) and once again be on a NIT road. I say fire Tommy 5 games in so the new recruits can't go anywhere. We have some nice new talent coming with Harris and Legion but they wont get any better under Tommy, I mean all our seniors are the same players they were 4 years ago! Well onto the NIT, if I had tickets I wouldn't show up to support the NIT juggernaut we have become. Unless I'm sporting my NIT shirt of course...

Choking is for Kids

2007-03-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

Yup *cough* *Cough*.. sorry I choked a bit. Choking is for kids, freshmen ect. Not for Seniors. Our guys played such a great game. OSU did not deserve to win that game. But when seniors miss dunks and miss free throws then yeah you are gonna lose. We didn't score one point for like what? 5 mins? For the last 5mins of the game we might as well have layed down on the court and took a nap. I mean seriosley. Smith did well until he went back to his old self and turned the ball over late in the game. This team has had it's chances this year and failed. How lucky are we that we get Minn and then OSU? in the Big Ten Tour. Another shot, someone above wants us to make it to the big dance. The bigger question is will we beat Minn? Last year we should have been a lock for that game and we didn't show up. I will say this, the team seems to be playing with more heart as of late and TA even got a T whitch is great for once, since it got the guys going. Some points I would like to make.
>Sims is finally gone, I will only spend a few more games throwing objects at my TV.
>I am ready to move on. I like Harris and I like Petway but I am very glad to get a clean start with some nice freshmen comming in.
>TA should be gone but won't be... One more year or I won't pay a cent to Michigan basketball until he is gone.
>I feel for Petway and Harris, those two deserved more. Abrum and Sims..BAH!

I felt like Michigan basketball was back for a 3Q's the other night and the air was taken out with the choking that went down. Will we get back? or lay down?

SIMS You're Missed Dunk ECHOED you're WHOLE CAREER

This pic says soft all over it. When he blew that dunk, he echoed his whole time here at Michigan. He was soft, up and down and the same guy he was when he was a freshmen. Good bye and have fun playing in the NDBL.

Petways head was awesome, thanks for the Memories

What ever happens, NIT or NCAA or whatever I will be doing a awards show for the team. Stay tuned!

Just another Sad PSU Fan v.05

2007-02-26T23:47:00.000-08:00

Stumbled on this. Just another sad Penn State fan who has been owned by UM. He's drunk and he uses lots of curse words. So if you have young ones around, may want to slip on the head phones. It's very funny to see what the aftermath was after Mario catches the winning TD. I won't forget that night nor the game. This tool won't either.. WE OWN PSU!

Problem!

2007-02-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a slow off-season thus far. What better way then to pass time then to make some new shirts! Here we have some great shirts, made my PNUT(a writer). We got Edwards,Henne,Woodson and Hart. Enjoy! You can buy these shirts at our store(top link on the right) or just go HERE.

*UPDATE* These are not on sale right now. We had a problem with copy right issues. We are trying very hard to get these back out. Sorry in the mean time...

Thanks for the support! GO BLUE!

The Dude abids

2007-02-21T22:03:00.000-08:00

Michigan beats Indi.. Michigan loses to Ill and not one player scores in double figures. Harris goes 1-10. That is all... Here is a pic from one of my fav movies.. It cheers me up.

These Cats are playing D1?

2007-02-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

Well after another great showing by our JV Wolverine basketball team, I figured I would put these players in there place. Half this Team should be playing D2 or lower.
First and for most I won't throw the Freshmen under the bus because they have been a small bright spot in this nasty season. So who do I think she being playing for a team like Ferris State?
The Ferris State Bulldogs

Ferris state is a small D2..or D3? college up in Big Rapids Michigan. The Wolverines have a number of players who should be balling here and not in the big ten.
Courtney Sims

The picture says it all. He probably got the ball knocked away and then lost it to the opponent and then fouled him at half court. Just one of the many reasons he should be playing for Ferris or some other D2 school. I never seen a player get worse every year. Part of the blame I put on TA but the rest on C.Sims. He's weak and sad. He's about as intense as Eeyore

Jerret Smith

This where smith should be most of the time, if not all of the time. He down right awful. He wearing NBA gear in this pic and that's joke right? He couldn't even hack it at PSU if he was playing there and so I put him in his place. With the Ferris State Bulldogs. I'm not sure if he could even get time there. I never thought I would see a PG who dribbles and passes worse than Avery Queen

but Smith came to Michigan and prove it can be done. I wouldn't pick this kid at the park.. but some how he plays for us.

Ron Coleman

Well I had hope for Ron early on but now is all lost as he is like Sims in that he just gets worse and not better at all(like most the team). He got a nice jumper but He D is down right awful and couldn't guard Lil Penny

If he had had to. He got a D2 shot but D3 D and thus should be playing for FSU.

Lester Abram

Wow what happened to Lester? I know the cat has been hurt but he's been slow and ZZZzzzzZZ at best. What he is like 29! years old now and still can't ball with the Big Ten? After getting hurt he should have left the team for Ferris. At least he could have made a all D2 Team.. That's a maybe. Then again he should have quit after got better cause if he keeps going he may look like this

by the age of 35.

Jevohn Shepherd, Dion Harris,and Brent Petway get away this time but only for these reasons.
Jevohn-Plays hard.. that's it.
Harris-The only one with D1 Talent when he shows up.
Petway-Has passion at least and looks like he gives a crap. Still the same player he was 4 years ago...

This maybe Harsh but I can't stand this team anymore. I also got the great news TA will be with us another year. This great in the sense we don't lose our good recruits(yeah I know a shocker, we have good guys coming in!) but bad cause TA can't develop any body. So I hope he's fired by mid season. Probably not.. He should be coaching here

Michigan vs MSU

2007-02-13T16:09:00.000-08:00

Well, its been awhile. Been busy with new the new job and what not. I did how ever get a chance to watch the UM vs Minn game and I didn't see the same team I saw at the OSU game. But that's what we come to expect. One night a solid team and the next night a JV basketball team. C.Sims seems to becoming around but he's soft as hell and still makes me nervous when he touches the ball. Tonight is it for Michigan. If they when we can hang onto that glimmer of hope for the big dance, a lose=NIT. Even if we do find a way to win this game then we still have to beat them again and beat OSU and make a good run in the Big Ten tourney. That's my feeling. Can they win this game? Yes. Will they show up? I'll say there is a 39% chance this team shows up and win. Good luck...

ROJO Who?

2007-02-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday came and went and we lost NOJO and got a better at CB for 08. We picked up Boubacar Cissoko. From what I hear he was a stud at Army All-American Bowl and maybe better than NOJO. It seems he can come in and make a impact right away. We just won't see the kid until 08, that seems like forever. So yesterday was not a bad day at all to me. We got a 08 Stud corner and still got Warren, so we traded with USC and we got a more pure corner. We got guys already that can "make things happen". So I don't see the NOJO lost as a major one. We needed a pure corner and got one and picked up another in the process for 08. GO BLUE!

Quick Hits!

2007-02-02T21:31:00.001-08:00

Donovan Warren is Ours!
This makes me a feel a bit better about Rojo.. A great steal, since he's been a USC Lock since Day one. He will help us so much, maybe give Trent a pointer or two.

ROJO Lotto!

Michigan 8%

Gators $$$

OSU $$

MSU $

You get the point..

I had a 12 hour day, so not much time. Look for some more tomorrow and so more later on in the week from Kate.

What does it mean to be a fan?

2007-01-31T18:50:00.000-08:00

Forgive me for not being an avid M poster in the past few weeks-- I guess this makes me a crappy fan. Sorry! So, I guess this is going to be my topic for tonight.

I work at this place with a few receptionists. One started back in September and when she found out that I was a Michigan fan, she went on and on about how she was a HUUUGGGEEEE Michigan fan. Yet, every Friday, she'd ask who Michigan was playing this weekend and on Monday she'd ask who won. AHHHH!!!! I can't stand these "fans" (disclaimer: she's now one of my best friends, but that's beside the point). I walk into public places and see people wearing Michigan stuff so I shout out "GO BLUE!" and I get weird looks .... This week, I picked up my brand new Mercury Mariner and before I drove off the lot, the Mich license plate frame and two chrome decals were positoned perfectly on the car. My salesman goes on and on how he LOVES Michigan, yet asked me who the coach was. DORK!

Now, do I have a right to judge? You bet your ass I do! Granted, I didn't go to Michigan, so there are many people who feel I don't have the "right" to be the kind of fan I am. But damnit, I drive from Rochester, New York to Ann Arbor every cotton-pickin' home-game weekend, I was in Columbus this year, have been to the Rose Bowl in past years, the Gator Bowl and .... My family has had season tickets at UofM for 27 years, I have a block M tattoo, I know our coaches name, and I know who wins each weekend. I own 467 things that have maize and blue on it ...

I'm not looking for a pat on the back, but where do we draw the line on what a "fan" is and who shouldn't be one? Does anyone else get peeved by people who wear Michigan because they "like the colors" or is it just me?

ROJO Out? In? MADNESS!

2007-01-31T15:12:00.000-08:00

Well the shit got knocked off the table so to speak with Rojo rumors running ramped. When I say ramped... I mean ramped! I have heard crazy stuff, from his mom getting a job with the Gators to Tressell pushing the Johnson's away from Michigan. I just did some ROJO Lotto yesterday and maybe I was dead wrong? Maybe this is all complete BS. Here is the popular Rumor

Back in 2005 when Ronald Johnson blew out his ACl all the big time programs stopped sending mail and didn't offer...Except Michigan Michigan (carr) invited Ronald to a game in 2005 when no on else would talk to him. Ronald gave us a verbal that day....but soon after returning home is mother made him take it back. During the next few months Ronald told Mallett and Terrance Taylor he was going to Michigan. (that exlains why Mallett came out on rivlas.cmand spilled the beans...So he wasn't lying its just that Ronald didn't want everyone to know yet) Ronalds Mom wanted him to keep everything hush hush. During RoJos recruitment his High school coaches were whispered to be keeping mail and phone calls not Michigan related from RoJo....His family heard these rumors and the relationship was damaged severely between RoJo and his high school coaching staff. During his official visit on December RoJo gave a second verbal to English in the UM weight room in front of many defensive players... but told everyone to keep it from public knowledge. Terrance Taylor made sure to tell RoJo on his official visit to take all of his visits. Ronald had no interest in taking more visits because he was set on his school he would go to. What seems to have pushed it over the edge was the Florida visit.Ronald was...and I quote "Blown away" from the visit... Yesterday at Muskegon high school rojo was visibly upset...and told his muskegon coaches that he had to talk to them...(FYI if you havent picked up by now his high school coaches are pro michigan)... His mother showed up and wouldn't let the coaches peak directly with RoJo during which time she told them that Michigan was out of contention with Ronald....A small verbal war soon happened between the Johnsons and the coaching staff. Later on yesterday Johnsons mother went to a Muskegon udge (family friend) and had him call the Michigan coaching staff that Ronald was done with Michigan and they had no chance in getting him.... The Johnsons also had cut off all contact with Michigan and cancelled all visits with the coaching staff.....They refuse to talk to anyone with Michigans staff and remain that Ronald is done with them. It's clear that the rumor of the muskegon high school coaches holding back info from ronald info (which was rumored) had an impact in Mrs Johnson feeling betrayed. PS. Ronalds mom called Michigan a few days ago and led them to believe her son was still very interested.....so either she was telling the truth and Michigan was still in the lead at that point are she was lying to them to set them up for this great fall. English and Carr are now in Cali and even though they cannot speak with the Warrens they feel the presence could help in getting him...

I guess take this for what it is. I always thought he was solid UM but his mom may have other plans. I have a bad bad feeling that $$$ is involed. If so this is very sad, I wouldn't be surprised if Urben is dirty, we know his "by any means necessary" ways. I feel bad for ROJO more then anything. It seems it's out of his hands and in his mothers hands... I'm not sure if I buy this but if it's true.... Just WOW.

The Offical NIT Basketball Shirt!

2007-01-30T15:40:00.000-08:00

I guess you could say that aMAIZEing Ts is getting a head start on college basketball post season play. I suspect Michigan will be running and gunning as always in the NIT so heres the shirt! Show your support for sub par Tommy basketball!
You can get you're shirt HERE!

ROJO Lotto

2007-01-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

The latest edition of ROJO Lotto is here. Now we are a week away from the big day. Everyone will know Sunday after church where he will let the cat out of the bag. It seems he will be getting a bunch of in home visits from a number of coach's. Mlive talks about the Carroll visit. It looks like English and Carr will be the last visit this Thursday. I feel it's good to get the last word in and plant that last seed. I think Michigan is setting great to get this kid. I know there were some net rumblings about him committing to the gators but I think it was purely Internet BS. We will know the winner of the lotto this Sunday. Here our my %

Michigan 58%

Gators 25%

MSU 11%

OSU 6%

That's where I see the Lotto.. Lets hope Michigan has the winning numbers.

Michigan JVs get schooled by Hoosiers

2007-01-27T12:47:00.000-08:00

Just another road loss for Tommy and the team. I only caught the 2nd half but it wasn't pretty. From Petways missed dunk to our awful D. I heard we haven't won in that gym since 1995...Just wow. How much longer can I take watching this crap? I really don't even know why I want anymore. I rather go watch my local High school JV team. At least they play with some heart. Our guys look lost, they look like..well crap. I don't like calling for peoples heads but it's time for a change. NIT is not cutting it. He had his time to make this happen and he has failed. We got some nice recruits coming in next year and I don't want to waste anymore talent. They just don't get any better under Tommy. All the players are the same since they got here, Petway,Sims,Harris ect. The coach doesn't make anyone better. Its time for a change.

Michigan Get blown off the court..Whats New?

2007-01-25T16:50:00.000-08:00

I didn't get a chance to watch the game cause I live IN MICHIGAN and I guess I am not close enough to watch it. Instead I was treated to MSU vs MINN... Instead of watching UM getting it's ass kicked, I had to watch Minn. Anyway I don't have much to say, I expected us to no show. Its typical Tommy. Back to JV pics, since I don't have a pic of last nights game no re do they deserve it.

Michigan Basketball has a future..maybe.. and we beat PSU.

2007-01-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

I got a chance to check out Alex Legion the other night on ESPN. He looked great. He went for 23 and had a nice stroke. He makes me feel good about the future of Michigan Basketball. If he's a MacDonald's All-American than he would be the first one we got since... since.. Mo Taylor? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. This team maybe young next year but at least there is a future.. maybe? Also getting some buzz is Grady and Harris. Harris seems to score at will. He put up 45 points on one night and Grady who I have seen play in person plays great D and shows flashes of a great shot. Michigan basketball has a chance!

Okay they earned a pic that doesn't show a a JV basketball game since they didn't play like JV's. But I'm not that happy. I man its PSU, Tommy and Michigan never loses to them. We should pound them. I want a good WIN! Beat Purdue! Beat the Hoosiers! Give Wiss and OSU a fight. I can live that. Show me something! Sims I still think you are like Dakota Fanning. So help me, if you guys comes out like JVs again... I will put the pics back up to represent you. Don't make me!

Who did what..
Harris: Played well, shot well
Coleman: Shoot well again, played better D
Sims: Still soft, I can see the team doesn't even look for him anymore.
Smith: Didn't look like the Ferris State player I claimed him to be.
Freshmen: Solid, I'm starting to really like these guys better than the Seniors.
Petway: Heart, Charge!
Abrum: Looks like he maybe coming around... lets hope.

Pardon the Maize

2007-01-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

So, I (Kate the Wolverine) got this terrific intro but enough with the lovely dovey stuff ... We've got Michigan to talk ... So, REV1 brought on the topic of Carr. Yeah yeah, it's probably been beaten into the ground, but this is our blog, and we'll talk Carr if we want to. So on Carr,

REV 1 writes:
I say in, I know his record as of late is not good when facing the big boys but lets look at what hes done. Won a few Big Tens, a NC and handles the team with alot of class, More than I can say for the coach down south.

Kate:Now what I think ... let me start by saying 1) remember that this blog is my opinion so if you think it's stupid, I don't care and 2) I'm going to admit that I am not the best at pulling up stats like how many rushing yards we had in the 2002 game against Ohio State. I don't care nor does it matter.

In the grand scheme of things, Carr has done an amazing job as head coach at Michigan. I stand behind him all the way. He has lead a team of leaders to many victories and few losses (let's forget about our 5-loss season last year) ... but remember, in Carr's first year as head coach, he proved what he was made of-- a Big Ten Championship and a National Title. And let's also take into consideration that, and might I be cliche, there is no "I" in "TEAM" so Carr does not 100% make or break a team. He's like the GM of a corporation-- he's in charge of managing managers who will coach the team to victory. If a business goes down the tubes, a new GM is not always the answer. Ron English, for example, was a great change/addition to our staff! And maybe there are some other kinks to work out. Yes, we need to find a way to defeat Ohio State ... maybe Urban Meyer can quit his girly whining and give us some pointers (take out Ginn)? Did you hear he's taking his political debate tactics and running for president?

I digress. Well, I will say it again, I stand behind Coach Carr, BO stood behind Carr-- he loved Carr! and from what I've heard, the entire athletic department is proud at what he's done and continues to do with the program. No one, internally, has announced any plans to do away with Carr.

What do you think?

1 REV: You and I agree pretty much on this. This is a no brainier to me but other Michigan fans like to praise you when you are up and stomp you when your down. I didn't hear a peep out of anyone when we were 10-0. We lose some big games and whats that I hear?

FIRE CARR! AHHHH!

I'm more sick of the The cry baby fans than I am of Carr's coaching. Sure the Offense is a bit bland and our big games haven't turned out wins but I can't stand to hear our "Great Fan" base bitch and call for Carr's head when he's got us Big 10 titles and a NC. Learn to deal that he is not going anywhere and he does his best year in and year out. This whole team does. I say we are lucky to have such a great history and school. What if you were MSU? I'm so proud of Michigan and it's history. It's to bad our bitching fan base dosn't know anything about history or what its like to be proud.

We were so close this year to winning a NC, 3 points away in OSU(The Michigan team I saw during the Rose Bowl wasn't the same team). I feel if we win that OSU game, we win it all. Or at least but a fight up.. So all you so called "Michigan Fans"..
SHUT UP! Be glad you are not state!

Welcome Kate The Wolverine!

2007-01-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

I would like to welcome kate the wolverine to the blog! She will be a new writer for the blog and she is the biggest Michigan fan I have came across. She even once gave me a great deal on some michigan vs NW tickets this past season. It was nasty out but we had fun. She hails from the state of NY and has Michigan season tickets and drives to A2 for every home game. So yea.. SHES HARDCORE! Maybe we should start calling her HARDCORE Kate.. wait maybe not. Don't want people to think she is a porn star. I've rambled enough.. Welcome Kate!

Jerimy Finch Dreams of Playing in Papajohns.com Bowl

2007-01-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

We lost a huge recurit we needed very bad.. Jerimy Finch. Now headed to Indi to be a hoosier..sigh.. Rough month. I'm hoping the Michigan coaching staff can save him. But it looks bleek. I' dont even want to talk about it. The kid must dream of playing in Papajohns.com Bowl and not Rose bowls. Or playing for NCs.. Like I said I don't even want to talk about it. Just gets me down.. Michigan Sports Center had more energy than I did to show his anger. Whos next? O yeah.. Maze...

ROJO Lotto

2007-01-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

Well after the Rose bowl mess I fugured ROJO was as good as gone. Thus far alot say thats not the case. Not sure if I buy that or not but thats good news. Some say he just going for free visits, to have a good time. I guess I would to if I had my mind made up. On the other hand I don't really buy that. I say its Michigan or USC or even MSU? That would be so sad. Either way alot is in the air. It seems he had a good time at OSU but I just can't see him ending up there. So as of right now I will put our chances of winning the ROJO Lotto at...

%55

More Lotto numbers after he visits...Gulp.. the Gators.

The good old days..

2007-01-14T15:55:00.000-08:00

Ahh the good days when we were feared and cheating.. I miss these days. Michigan basketball has been dead since 1998. I may throw a few more old basketball pics up here from the good old days of NCAA NCs and Dont F*%K with us mind sets. This pic was edited by PNUT.

Amaizeing Ts

Midnight Maize 42

New Diggs

11 Years: From Sadness to Madness

When it Rains... It Pours..

Bj Mullens is classy

baby it's cold outside

Thus God gave us youtube!!

Hawkeye's handled

Holy Indiana!

Changes

It's been awhile...

Stumped by the basketball guru...

Message Board Idiocy

Trick ... or... Treat?

The Streak Continues.

Message Board Idiocy

How about running a 2 quarterback system?

Sheridan

The 2005 Class.. v1.YIKES

Patience is required.

"You" Michigan People

UM loses, but we still have a blast

Project Michigan Helmet

Homecoming Horror Show

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly (in reverse)

Thats a-Maize-ing news paper

Hate of the Month: Mark May is a D-Bag!

Turnovers, Tempers, and Big Ten play

Reviewing Miami (OH)

Jimmy Clausen Hair Tips

Reviewing Utah

Odds & Ends & Toes

KICKOFF! 2008 Michigan Football Live Blog!

The "Preview"

Lloyd Tribute

Live Blog Test, Join me!

Live Blog! Come one come all!

The shirts! GLC!

Get Loud Shirts and Live Blog!

Sneak Peek at Get Loud Shirts

Drama.. and more.

Gone for a few days

Last Day!

Get Loud Crew 08-09

Fight Club

The Passion

In with the New...

The Search for the chosen One's begins..

Major Update

Grady+Beer=Bad

Mail Bag!

Gator Chopped!

BEST BUY!!! .. and Football.

Big Break Over

The 43rd Turkey Bowl

New R&R! We talk Carr and the % Game

New R&R Show! Smack Sparty!

R&R Show 7 and Cross Bones!

Fresh Baked R&R Show and some AA

R&R Show 5 and H4H.com and AT become friends

R&R Bye Week and Hart Breakers

R&R Show 4! Trashing BTN! Wanna Host?

Number 1 in the BCS!

R&R Show 3 and New Ts!

The R&R Show EPS 2.. ND and New Joe Pa Shirt!

The R&R Show Eps 1

Podcasting and Losing

The Sky is Falling

Wolverine! Slash Slash!

Prints for sale!

It's that time again!

Tommy Brady

More Comics

*BAM* *CRACK* !BOOM!

New New New!

Spring Sale! & New Mike Hart Shirt!

TA going going Gone!!!

Scout.com Pro aMAIZEing Ts

Video Updates

BAM CRACK !BOOM!