• Letter to Mitch Albom: Willingham Dismissal was Just

    Rambo fires back at Mitch By Mike Kennedy DETROIT, MICHIGAN DECEMBER 9, 2004 [Editor’s note: This is a letter to Detroit Press sports writer and author Mitch Albom in response to Albom’s December 1, 2004 column criticizing Notre Dame for firing coach Tyrone Willingham. You can read Albom’s column Here] Mitch, I read with great interest your column in the Free Press with regard to the Tyrone Willingham firing. While I commend you for not playing the obligatory race card like most other pundits, I must take issue with the general premise of your article. You call the move coldhearted, but if you have followed the Notre Dame Football program closely during this tenure, you would notice some glaring problems that resulted in Notre Dame’s program slipping to mediocrity, with no tangible evidence of recovering. Sub-par recruiting efforts, horrible overall technique exhibited by the players, lack of player development, a general lack of game preparedness, and non-existent game day adjustments are but a few of the problems that have led to the regression of this program and the subsequent firing. Further, a multimillion dollar buyout is hardly the coldhearted equivalent of Joe Six Pack getting a pink slip from the mill. If the acceptance of mediocrity at a program as storied as Notre Dame is your idea of normal, then…

  • Wolverines Bully Illini, Reviewing the Big Ten Race

    Michigan forced to comeback again, escapes Champagne SALINE, MICHIGAN OCTOBER 16, 2004 No, this won’t be remembered as a classic weekend of Michigan football. It is just another game that M was supposed to win and did win. Perhaps not as easy as Coach Lloyd Carr would like. What he definitely likes is the remarkable performance of his true freshman, bite size Mike Hart, who ran for a remarkable 234 yards. He made both extra-effort type yards (scoring a touchdown with an incredible stretch), and nifty jukes and cuts and acceleration down the sidelines. The running game that was such a concern at the beginning of the year appears to be one of the most solid facets of M’s game. Not only for this season, but for the next few! The other freshman and USA Today story-boy Chad Henne did not impress this week, but again, got it done. He threw a few bad passes and made some big mistakes that killed drives for the Wolverines. Overall the game was similar to last week’s comeback over Minnesota Golden Gophers. Michigan was clearly the better team on offense and defense, but made some untimely mistakes (interceptions) that made the game close. Illinois just didn’t have enough to stop Hart. Big Ten Shaking Out in 2004, Here’s an analysis of team’s that…

  • Michigan Retains Jug in Thriller 2004

    Michigan wins thriller, takes Little Brown jug home another year SALINE, MICHIGAN OCTOBER 8, 2004 As I like to do, I brieftly visited Mr. and Mrs. Crouse on the way into section 22. I cheerily offered to Mr. Crouse that it was a beautiful day for a game. Mr. Crouse quickly replied, “Aren’t they all?”. Indeed they are. But some football Saturdays inside Michigan Stadium are better than others. You can go ahead put this version of the brawl for the Brown Jug right up there with the greatest I’ve ever seen. Exhausted of all timeouts, 87 yards away and needing nothing less than a touchdown, led by a true freshman QB. And what did they do? You know darn well what they did, but it was something to experience. They actually showed the highlight (along with Bob Ufer’s call) of the Johnny Wangler to Anthony Carter on the scoreboard during the game, reminding the crowd of great homecoming finishes. Obviously this win pales in comparison to the Wangler to Carter play, which is probably the greatest single play in 125 glorious years of Michigan football. [Side note: As the started the film of this highlight, the guy sitting next to me in the stands said to his buddy “I’ve seen this play before”. No kidding man – I’ve only…

  • Big Blue Thug: Michigan Dominates Brown Jug Series

    Little Brown Jug owned by Ann Arbor crew SALINE, MICHIGAN OCTOBER 7, 2004 It was November 15, 1986. The Wolverines, led by All-American quarterback Jim Harbaugh, were undefeated heading into the final home game of the season. Blue was ranked 2nd in the country and looking ahead to a possible national championship for coach Bo. The Golden Gophers shocked the Wolverines 20-17 in front of 104,864 cold and bitter M fans, and then took the Little Brown Jug home to Minnesota. The stunning upset remains one of the biggest games in Minnesota football history; to Michigan it is just another hiccup that denied Bo Schembechler a national title. The next year Big Blue took the Jug back, and back it’s been since. Michigan has won 15 straight games against the Gophers, who have not found their form since the 1980s. Of course last year’s miracle win for Michigan was the closest the Gophers have come – and they’re still probably stinging from giving up 31 fourth quarter points to the John Navarre-led Big Ten Champions. Saturday Minnesota comes back into Ann Arbor, hoping to take home the Jug and add this game as a defining moment in their modern football history. Michigan enters the game a 4 point favorite, with the #1 rushing defense in the country which will be…

  • Irish Expose Michigan in 2004

    Notre Dame shows Michigan where it hurts SOUTH BEND, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 I arrived home late Saturday night, threw down my bags and dug into my pockets where I found the crumpled ticket stub. I looked at it a moment then tossed it into the trash. Another great trip to South Bend that goes unfulfilled, another Michigan loss with a team that looks as though is has more talent than the Irish but doesn’t get it done. Hmm. Even Timmy Adams (left, with throwback jersey) could help us out. So what did Michigan do well on Saturday? Tackling: I can’t recall a game where we tackled better. The Wolverines made several open field tackles on defense and on special teams. Overall I thought the defense played well – good enough to win. ND started several possessions in Michigan territory in the second half. Rivas: The Michigan place kicker got it done. What more can you ask of this guy? – he nailed 4 field goals in the game off the grass. Henne: While he didn’t do enough to move the ball, the guy showed he’s a warrior and will stand in there when it is tough. They are doing things they couldn’t do with John Navarre, things such as rolling out and throwing on the run. I think that…

  • Michigan Football 2004 Preview

    What you need to know about the 2004 Wolverines SALINE, MICHIGAN AUGUST 15, 2004 Update for you 8/31/04 – As predicted here (see below), Carr confirmed that Matt Gutierrez will indeed take the first snap at quarterback this year. Other tidbits – CB Marlin Jackson will be on the depth chart as kickoff returner, and Lloyd advised that high school standout Mike Hart will not be redshirted, and will get some carries. Unknowns right now – who is the back-up? Clayton Richard or Chad Henne? Will Henne be redshirted?? Stay tuned. Ah yes – it is that time of year. Here’s an insider’s look at the season: Marketing- This year’s theme is Michigan’s 125th Season. The tickets are adorned with M players throughout history. Tom Brady is notably displayed on one of the tickets. Despite an average QB career at Michigan, I guess two Super Bowl rings and pop-icon status will take you off the back page of the media guide right onto the ticket next to ‘ol 98 Tommy Harmon. (more info can be found on mgoblue.com – Michigan’s official site). QBs in NFL – With Drew Henson now a Dallas Cowboy, Michigan has sent its last 7 starting quarterbacks into the NFL. Navarre Gone – Everyone’s favorite excuse, John Navarre, is gone to the NFL. So to all…

  • Hippies Displace Michigan Hoops Team

    SALINE, MICHIGAN MAY 31, 2004 The Wednesday May 26 issue of the Ann Arbor News had a piece on the disturbing state of Michigan’s basketball facility. Check out this excerpt: “At the center of Michigan’s issue is a practice facility. The men’s and women’s teams share the Crisler arena court with each other – and whatever other events are scheduled. Before leaving for the NIT tournament last March, Michigan was forced to practice at the IM building because of the 32nd annual Dance for Mother Earth PowWow at Crisler Arena.” Are you kidding me? This is the state of Michigan basketball?

  • It’s Official: Required Donations for Big House Tickets

    Beginning in 2005, premium seat holders will pay $115-$500 per ticket SALINE, MICHIGAN MARCH 1, 2004 In what is being called a “preferred seating program”, starting in 2005 the M will start peppering folks with premium seats with up to $500 per seat. Even Endzone seats will be required to fork over $50 per ticket. This is expected to raise an additional $9.5 million each year. Athletic director claimed that if they didn’t institute the required donation they’d have to cut eight sports (right). Folks who don’t want to pay the donation will have the option to move their seats to a place where they aren’t required to plunk so much cash. 80% of the “donation” will be tax deductible.