A look back at this special week in our lives.  A photo essay, if you will:

FEED ME! What?…..We’re done?  :( OK, assuming Sam Webb’s correct, the prospect of Greg Paulus coming to Ann Arbor is gone.  There’s not a whole lot to doubt Webb, who must have access to folks close to the program to get the info he needs, and recall that Webb was the main guy telling everyone to chill when Will Campbell said Michigan was off his list. What I still haven’t heard is who nixed Paulus’ plans to consider Michigan?  Was it Paulus or Rodriguez?  If Paulus, that’s one thing.  But if it was Michigan I guess I’d like to know what changed. Or should we just forget this ever happened? Fine.  Now I’m done. Can anyone tell me where I can get some of that Leopold Bros. gin?

Michigan insider Sam Webb of gobluewolverine.com just relayed a message to WTKA 1050AM’s Ben Holden that the Greg Paulus story is over.   Per Webb, who called into show minutes after sending the message to Holden: “The latest with Paulus is there is no more Paulus.” “I always thought it was a look and see situation.” “It was more of an insurance policy and one at this point, Michigan has turned the page on.” “It officially ends their courtship of Greg Paulus.” Webb thought it was “possible” but not “probable” that Paulus would come to Michigan before he learned today that it won’t happen. “I don’t care how good he was coming out of high school, that is something that’s tough to overcome.” “No one said he had a good workout with the Packers.” I know Webb has folks very close to the program, but he never explained how he confirmed this information. Update: OK, Webb’s website simply says “Sources indicated late Friday afternoon that the Michigan football program is no longer exploring the possibility of adding former Duke PG Greg Paulus to its fall roster.”

Goodness gracious.  I just caught this and unfortunately the auction is up in a few hours.  For sale on eBay is Charles White’s Heisman Trophy, won in 1979: Michigan fans know White for his phantom touchdown in the 1979 Rose Bowl, one of the worst calls ever. Shipping?  Just $5!  Dude, might want to add the optional insurance. The auction ends Friday evening – hurry!

Press conference question Fake Rodriguez answer What did you offer to Greg Paulus? I offered him a chance to join our team, work-out with our players this summer, and a chance to compete.    And I know you guys don’t like to talk about it, but the young man genuinely wants to continue his education and what a better place to do that than here at Michigan Did you discuss the possibility of playing time on the 2009 team? We discussed the opportunity to play for Michigan.  I told him he’ll have the opportunity to compete for playing time like anyone else. By the way,  I reminded him he’d be joining us a little late in the game so he’s got his work cut out for him. What did you tell Tate Forcier, Nick Sheridan and the rest of the quarterbacks? The same thing I told them when I recruited them and when we’re recruiting other quarterbacks.  I’m offering people a chance to compete and ultimately players earn their playing time.  I’m not handing out any free passes for playing time.  We’re never really going to stop looking for new players, we can’t, and they understand that.  If they don’t they shouldn’t have come to a school like Michigan. Tate Forcier spoke to the Daily and indicated he was in the…

A lot has changed in the 15+ years since I was graduated and became an official season ticket holder.  One thing that hasn’t is the yellow envelope with the dot matrix printed, tear-away renewal form that arrives each year about this time. Tickets as previously announced are $400/seat.  You can also buy additional individual seats to the Western Michigan, EMU and Delaware State games.  Also available are road tickets to the Iowa (up to 8, wow!), and Illinois (up to 2) games. The last few years the athletic department has offered some deal to incent you to pay by eCheck, to avoid the fees of Visa/MC and the handling of standard checks.    Typically it’s been a DVD of a game or season highlights, this year you get a 10% discount from the official Michigan online store. Please note that the email address of the Victors club is “mvictors @ umich.edu”, and this site is NOT affiliated with the Victors Club despite the implied endorsement (smiley face).  Yes, I’m a Victors Club member coincidently.

Here’s Greg Paulus on with ESPN‘s Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon: [display_podcast] Notes: How serious are you?  “It’s definitely something I’m considering…I’m definitely taking a look…I’m throwing every day.” On the Michigan opp: “It was a really good visit…it’s an opportunity to compete and find a good situation.” He’s “also running and lifting.” Yes or no, will we see you at Michigan?  “It is an option I’m looking into….I had a good visit…there’s also some other schools and some interest in the NFL…I can’t give you a real yes or no.” You can access all of the PTI podcasts here. Update 8pm: Mark Snyder of the Free Press reports on an official NCAA statement on the situation, which explains why Paulus keeps talking about the opportunity for grad school at Michigan when asked about the opportunity: “Mr. Paulus has expressed an interest in competing in a second sport at another Division I school after earning an undergraduate degree at Duke University and competing on the men’s basketball team. The NCAA encourages and applauds academic achievement and realizes this is an unique situation and opportunity for Mr. Paulus. Student-athletes seldom have the opportunity to transfer late in their college careers and compete in a second sport after four seasons of competition. The NCAA established a “students first” waiver process to address…

Via a tweet from UM Hoops.  So here’s the transcript of Tate Forcier’s comments on Greg Paulus as prepared by Michael Eisenstein in the Michigan Daily: From what I’ve heard, I’ve been talking to coaches all morning, my position coach, Coach (Rod) Smith, he told me specifically that they have not offered him. They don’t know why he would lie. They don’t know the kid. They haven’t offered them. They said we’ll let you’ll know what’s up, because right now, their specific words were, they haven’t offered them. I want to believe my coaches, I committed (to) them. Why would a kid like him lie to national media? So to me it’s still up in the air. “I want to believe my coaches.”  Getting ugly.  More: His quotes saying they offered him, I woke up and it was on TV. My coaches were calling me, they called me like three times this morning before I even saw it, but I don’t know if they saw it on TV before I did and just wanted to tell me the truth. It’s hard. I can’t give you a word on it. I’m not worried about it, a kid like that was good in high school, but it’s nearly impossible to come back to this level and play. It might be possible, but…