One of the perks of posting on this site, after you filter through all the spam, is occasionally you get offered free stuff folks want you to promote. Some of the stuff is a little weird but every once in a while you get something pretty cool. I was contacted a little while ago about a DVD on Bo Schembechler coming out later this month and of course agreed to take a look. I’m glad I did. Bo Schembechler’s Michigan Wolverines overcomes its vanilla title with a strong collection of interviews and vintage clips on Bo. If you liked HBO’s The Rivalry from last year, you’ll like this. It follows the same format where they rolled through Bo’s career with video clips and some narration, and they mix in interviews with journalists, coaches and former players. Here’s a few notes: * The DVD features interviews with Bo’s Lasting Lessons author John Bacon, Mitch Albom, Lloyd Carr, Jamie Morris, Michael Rosenberg, Jim Brandstatter, former AD Don Canham, equipment manager Jon Falk and more. * Extra features in DVD’s usually kind of suck, these are outstanding. It includes a 10 minute or so discussion with Bo and Woody Hayes on a couch in some living room. They talk about the rivalry, their mutual respect, the Rose Bowl, the meaning of ‘The Game’…
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More feats of heroism, strength
From Angelique’s practice notes this morning, good news on KC Lopata: According to a practice recap on the Michigan athletic program’s Web site, MGoBlue.com, there was a field-goal kicking challenge at the conclusion of Thursday’s practice. K.C. Lopata made a 40-yard field goal to keep the entire team from running sprints. Lopata also kicked a 56-yarder during Friday’s first full-contact scrimmage.
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Rome Rips Trent’s 4.13 (audio)
Ahh the internet. After Adam Rittenberg in his ESPN blog posted some of the stats inside Michigan’s weight room, word rolled through the blogosphere to the desk of Jim Rome, who took a chance to rip on Morgan Trent’s alleged 4.13 in the 40-yard-dash: Of course a few people have commented that this time wasn’t for a 40; it was actually a shuttle drill. It’s a little nuts that an alleged statistic inside a weight room is a topic on a internationally syndicated sports talk show, but that’s the power of Barwis Obama.
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eBay Watch: Blue Get Bombed in the Bronx
1950 was a special season in Michigan football history. Many M historians know this is the year that the Wolverines defeated Ohio State 9-3 in the epic Snow Bowl. That classic win earned the Blue a trip to Pasadena where they defeated Cal 14-6 on two late touchdowns. All’s well that ends well, but things didn’t start well and included a trip to New York. The next edition of eBay Watch features this ticket stub from the Army-Michigan game held October 14, 1950 at Yankee Stadium: You can see the full auction here. Army was riding a twenty-two game winning streak heading into the game and dropped the Wolverines 27-6 in front of 67,076 fans including General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Gazing soley at the boxscore you might have figured the Victors prevailed or at least kept the score respectable: The New York Times commended the Wolverines effort that day and reported that Oosterbaan’s men put a bit of a scare into the Black Knights, scoring early and threatening often. In the end Army was too tough, capitalizing when they needed to pull safely away. Army’s streak eventually ended later that season in a 14-2 loss to Navy. While the football squad took a bit of a beating in a hard fought battle, the Michigan Marching Band made a few headlines…
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Barwis Obama
From Adam Rittenberg’s ESPN.com’s Big Ten blog, ‘Mailbag’ edition: John from Milwaukee writes: Michigan’s team did lose some talent. But they’ve got 7 returners on defense, and they’ve had Top 10 or Top 12 recruiting classes the last two years. I think the biggest factor, which people are missing, is Mike Barwis, the new trainer. Adam Rittenberg writes: You’re right about the young talent being there, especially at the skill positions. And I don’t think anyone is overlooking Barwis, who gets as much publicity as Barack Obama. . Yes. Full article here.
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Boren Expecting
Thanks to Brian who sent this over. It’s Justin Boren caught on film at a Buckeye practice: Uncle Mike still messing with JB Not sure when he’s due. If he can’t get with the family atmosphere at Michigan, he’s doing the right thing by starting a family of his own. Update: I think Brian found the pic (prior to my tweaks) on Michigan Against the World.
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2008 Fan Day August 17th
Via Michigan Sports Center. Details: …Sunday, Aug. 17, at Oosterbaan Fieldhouse and the adjacent practice field behind Schembechler Hall. The autograph session and opportunity to meet the 2008 Wolverine team will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. EDT. The event is free and open to the public. Fans will be allowed to enter the autograph area starting at 12:30 p.m. More details at mgoblue.com. Will Barwis be signing? Related: Fan Day 2007: Mallett Mayhem
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Rittenberg on today’s practice
Excellent observations from today’s practice from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg [who’s got a bit of Jared from Subway in his blood] on his blog post here. He notes that Kevin Grady practiced with the team and here are a few more highlights: * Feagin’s speed is immediately noticeable, and he looked comfortable running some of the basic option pitches and throws in the spread offense. My guess is he’ll be used to run some option this fall. * Freshman Michael Shaw seemed to be getting a lot of work at wide receiver. It’s a little weird to see No. 20 in maize and blue who isn’t Mike Hart. * Walking through Michigan’s weight room on the way out, I stopped to check out the team-high totals for several categories. Johnson tops the bench-press chart at 500 pounds, Taylor squatted a team-best 625 pounds and cornerback Morgan Trent ran a 4.13 in the 40-yard dash. There was also a Barwis mention of course. Look dudes, I realize that all the attention is great for the program and recruiting and all, and it’s cool to have this guy here. And I’m as guilty as anyone for deifying Barwis, I even followed him around at the spring game in Saline (it was awesome). I’m glad to see I’m not the only one getting a…