The media are now kicked out of practice for the rest of the season, maybe forever, thanks to someone who spilled the beans on what they saw during the 30 minute glimpse of practice afforded to the writers on Wednesdays. According to mgoblog: You know, I saw this Daily article detailing this new pitch play Michigan was working on, and I thought "that’s really cool, I wonder why more practice articles aren’t this specific": In a rotation that was repeated about four times, a quarterback and running back lined up to practice a simple outside pitch play. Though the play was basic, the pairings were different than usual. And then Michigan ran that pitch play to pretty good effect against Iowa and then Rodriguez closed practice for the rest of the year. Oh, that’s why. Brian also mentioned that “blogs” might have been mentioned, but don’t look at me, Homes. Unless…Rodriguez got wind of these little plays I showed diagramed on this site last week: If so, 1,000 apologies to RR, Angelique, Wojo and the rest. Related: Angelique talked about her understanding of the rules of what you can report from practices in the wake of the boot on WTKA radio.
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Hello, Angelique (WTKA audio)
The great Angelique Chengelis joined Ira and Sam today on WTKA’s Michigan Insider to talk concussions, Hawkeyes, substitutions, Denard, the media getting the boot from practice (and her understanding of “the rules”) and the Delaware State campus: [display_podcast] . Full podcast and all of the Insider podcasts here.
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Michigan Bowl Projections at the Midway
Photo: readers Amy and Jeff It’s been a while, huh? Where the major sources slot the 4-2 Wolverines in the 2008-09 bowls. Don’t book your flight just yet: College Football News/Scout.com: Insight Bowl 12/31/09 vs. Kansas CBS Sports: Champs Sports Bowl 12/29/09 vs. Wake Forest ESPN (Mark Schlabach): Valero Alamo Bowl 1/2/10 vs. Oklahoma State ESPN (Bruce Feldman): Champs Sports Bowl 12/29/09 vs. North Carolina Related: Consolidated BCS Bowl Projections for 2009-2010
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The Rift Reality, Part II
I see there’s a little bit of a freak out happening on this whole Forcier/Rodriguez rift nonsense. Do I think Forcier did and probably said something that pissed off Rodriguez? Yes, I think so but I think it’s more about what he was doing on the field. TATE!!!! Do I think this will carry over into next week? No, in fact I’m sure it’s already far gone and Rodriguez and Forcier’s coach-player relationship will be better for whatever miscommunication occurred. Do I think Forcier is the absolutely the #1 option at quarterback (despite the depth chart that still lists Sheridan as an “OR” haha)? For sure. Will Robinson get more snaps next game? Sure and I would like to see Robinson get more snaps against Delaware State to get more comfortable. The last pass was horrible but he’s a freshman (look at some of Stanzi’s passes- yikes) and it’s not like Forcier was having success delivering the ball to the wide-outs. I’m not concerned about any of this stuff at quarterback, but I can’t say that about the Boubacar situation, which Ira and I covered with Andy Mignery and Sam Webb on the WTKA pre-game show Saturday. More this morning from the Freep but note this is part reporting, part editorial: CISSOKO OUT? Rodriguez sounded pessimistic about Boubacar Cissoko’s future,…
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Ron Kramer Soars on the Michigan Hardwood (1957)
Hoops season rapidly approaches so next up on eBay Watch we’ve got a beautiful wire photo from 1957 featuring multi-sport letterman Ron Kramer trying to block a shot against Purdue: It’s a wonderful shot and offers a view of basketball inside Yost Field House in the 1950s, with digital scoring?. Michigan defeated the Boilers 66-54 on this February day thanks in large part to captain Kramer’s 17 points. And those hops are not just the result of the camera angle: Kramer was a high jumper on the track team and was known to trot over from the football practice field and smoke fools at the high jump in meets. He finished that basketball season as Michigan’s all-time leading scorer. Kramer is best known for his exploits on the gridiron of course, but I’ve heard that he had an unbelievable gift as a cager. His exploits on and off the field/court/track are chronicled in the book, That’s Just Kramer!
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My Team is on the Field
As Rade gets up to check in the first game after Merle fouls out, even though Coach Dale has benched him. Coach Dale: Where are you going? [Rade, puzzled, looks at him] Sit down. Rade Butcher: You gotta have five out there! Coach Dale: Sit… down. Referee: You need one more, coach. Coach Dale: My team is on the floor. This great movie scene came to mind as Forcier trotted past Rodriguez, trying to put himself back in the game with 1:30 to go. Rodriguez told him to Sit….down, albeit with a helmet love slap: Looking at the tape, I’m not sure exactly sure what Forcier was trying to do beyond demonstrating to Rodriguez who he thought should be taking the snaps. It was clear that Robinson was going to stay in (several guys on defense were pumping up Denard, Sheridan was giving him a few words and the offense huddled with Tate just listening along from the outside). He finally looked like a freshman on the field and with this, acted like one on the sideline. I don’t know what he said or did (beyond the bad decisions with the ball) but it must have been egregious for Rodriguez to put the outcome in the hands of Robinson instead of the guy that’s done it again and again. Sure,…
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Hawkeye Charms
A few thoughts just as the game wrapped up tonight. We lost this game despite all these things you were looking for: Minor busting off sizeable chunks of yards. He looked great and Michigan re-established a running game. Stanzi continuing to throw to “spaz routes” including two directly to Warren resulting in one pick six. Weather not being a factor. Woolfolk showing tight coverage at corner including solid break-ups. Denard (at times) looking like a viable option at quarterback. Progressing on defense despite the first half points surrendered. Rich Rod dressing as though he was off to rediscover the North Pole after the game. And yet, they came up short. Talk now will be on the decision to hold Robinson in the game despite the late game brilliance that is Forcier. I give credit to Denard for getting them back in the game but it’s #5 that has the gift (the “I was born to do this” stuff ceased being silly a couple weeks ago) -and he should have been in there in the last drive. Really no question. Robinson’s last pass was a high school heave. Where to from here? More confusion over where this team sits in the Big Ten. They’re clearly on par with Iowa despite the mistakes, yet could be nipped by the likes of Indiana. …
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Support Phil Brabbs – Now!
Folks, many of you know former Michigan kicker Phil Brabbs is fighting cancer. Click here to visit Phil’s blog that candidly discusses his quest to kick cancer, or better yet, donate a few bucks (even $2 helps) please to support him. I’m in, so should you. They’ll even give you a kick ass bracelet: Questions, comments or what have you? cancerkicker@gmail.com or visit the blog and support the man who gave you this memory (go to 5:20)
