Congrats to BG.  Via U-M Media Relations this evening: Graham Shares Chicago Tribune Silver Football with Penn State’s Daryll Clark CHICAGO, Ill. – University of Michigan senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) became the 16th player in school history to be awarded the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, sharing the honor as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player with Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark. Voted upon by the league’s coaches, it’s the first time the conference’s top honor has been awarded to co-recipients. The Chicago Tribune Silver Football has been presented to the best player in the Big Ten annually since 1924. Graham is the seventh defensive player in Big Ten history to receive the Silver Football. He joins former Wolverine and 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson as the only defensive players to win the award in the past 25 years. The only other defensive players to win the award were Illinois defensive tackle Don Thorp (1983), Michigan State defensive tackle Larry Bethea (1977), Illinois linebacker/center Dick Butkus (1963), Illinois middle guard Bill Burrell (1959) and Wisconsin defensive end Dave Schreiner (1942). Graham is believed to be the first player in Big Ten history to post 20 or more tackles for loss in league play. He led the conference with 21 tackles for loss in eight league…

Debbie Williams-Hoak’s wonderful Ann Arbor Adopt-A-Family program was kicked into high gear this morning as WTKA 1050AM broadcast from the new Wal-Mart in Saline to support the charity.   Hosts Ira Weintraub and Sam Webb helped designate donors to provide gifts for nearly 50 local families, and raised nearly $2,000 in cash donations.  Well done! WTKA has dedicated this entire week to the program and initially set a goal of supporting 50 families which will surely be surpassed by this afternoon’s Big Show.  MVictors supported the program last winter and sponsored a hole at Williams-Hoak’s golf tourney this summer, and I’ll doing something again this week.  Here some of last year’s loot that was distributed, wow! You can dial-up WTKA from 6-10am this week at 734-998-1050, email: studio @ wtka.com or support Debbie and crew at the gift wrapping at the M golf course club house next Tuesday 12/15. Related: * More info on the program from WTKA * Photos from the gift wrapping event in 2008

Via a tweet from Jay at The Wiz of Odds, a weird shot across the wire by a departing Charlie Weis over to rival Pete Carroll: Weis held an exit interview Saturday with five reporters and threw a zinger in Carroll’s direction. He was asked, "Is it frustrating to you Pete Carroll, for example, portrayed in one way…" Weis responded: "Let me ask you this question: You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news. "He’s doing it in Malibu and it’s not national news. What’s the difference? I don’t understand. Why is it okay for one guy to do things like that, but for me, I’m scrutinized when I swear. I’m sorry for swearing; absolve my sins. Ahh, I’m trying to determine the most bizarre thing about this comment and it’s not that Carroll might have a piece on the side.  Is it Weis slinging this gossip (matter-of-factly) on his way out the door?  Maybe it’s the image of Weis seducing then living with a grad student on campus?   I understand his point about the difference between…

“Quit option on three.  Ready, Quit.”

A repost, the seller informs me he still has some in stock. A one of a kind gift for the holidays, drop me a note or comment below if you are interested: Very cool item for this edition of eBay Watch.  Thanks to reader Dan for spotting these beauties, it’s a bunch of pre-locker room renovation lockers removed from Schembechler Hall.  Check it out: A must have for any man cave, Michigan shrine, office, garage and/or living room (if you aren’t married).  Details: Full size locker, WITH COMBINATION!!  We have proof of authenticity, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the ultimate Michigan Football memorabilia collector. It could be a very long time before they change lockers again.  Locker numbers still on them. Dimensions:  36″ wide x 24″ deep x 74-3/4″ tall Weight: About 200 lbs – costs about $250 to ship or free pick-up in Detroit It seems a local demolition company cleaned out the locker room and was granted rights to take away the lockers.  Get this—they actually crushed one of them before someone came to their senses.  The company is based in Detroit and they’ve got a few left to sell. How much?  The seller told me asking around $700 and willing to negotiate from there, especially if you are looking for a particular locker…

Had a very nice time at the Michigan football bust.  Wasn’t sure what to expect, but it moved quickly, the food was excellent and I enjoyed the speeches.   It’s a well run event all told.  Pre-Event Notes: The media got to ask a few questions of RR before the event.  He mentioned that Vincent Smith will be out through the spring with a torn ACL from the Ohio State game, and that he’s chatted with Donovan Warren about the NFL draft.  Later, I believe it was Mark Snyder of the Freep, got a quote from Warren saying he was “leaning heavily” toward the NFL. Brandon Graham will graduate in May and will work out in Ann Arbor with Barwis.  Said something like, ‘my agent will bring everything to me.’ Saw B Minor walking to the autograph room.  Looks like his shoulder is still bugging him. Notes from the Event: Attendance-wise, it was my first time at a Bust, but I thought it was pretty solid crowd.  John Borton of The Wolverine told me he’s seen much larger crowds but said it was still a good crowd (especially given the season). Derrick Walker was the MC for the event and did a fine job, primarily focused on keeping things moving which is appreciated. D-Walk brought up the first game of 1989,…

OK, a the first (and last) ever live chat covering a football bust: [ A LIVE CHAT USED TO BE HERE and it changed lives. .]

I’ll be up at the Football Bust tonight, not sure what to expect.   Along with the typical team awards, speeches, and M ring presentations, they’ll be honoring the 1989 Wolverines which should be nice.   I might do some kind of live update or chat if anyone is interested.  They’re serving cocktails beforehand so you might want to tune in. ‘89 was not only my first year on campus, it was of course Bo Schembechler last as coach.  The team was phenomenal suffering only bookend losses to Notre Dame and The Rocket, and got screwed in the Rose Bowl (Bentley): Busts have supplied some cool moments, and thanks to eBay we know that the 1954 edition provided quite a list of legends.  In May 2008, someone hocked their program which was signed by a plethora of legends, including these gents:   More info on the Bust here.  If you are up there stop by and say hi, I’ll be at the media table.