Ann Arbor News columnist Jim Carty sought out former Michigan QB and new Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh. Carty wanted to give Jimmy a chance to explain his comments that were critical of the Michigan athletic program, and in particular, some of the alleged practices of steering athletes into ‘lighter’ majors and of turning its back on players after they graduate. [Check out mgoblog or The M-Zone for more detail and reaction on Harbaugh’s initial comments.] I heard Carty this Sunday morning with John Bacon and former M star Jamie Morris on WTKA’s ‘Off the Field.’ Carty said he was half expecting Harbaugh to back away or at least explain that those comments as a weak moment. JC explained that not only did Harbaugh not back off; in fact, he stepped it up. Sunday morning’s AA News details the phone interview with Carty and it is pretty shocking stuff. Certainly, check out the entire article but here are a few excerpts: “I would use myself as an example,” Harbaugh said. “I came in there, wanted to be a history major, and I was told early on in my freshman year that I shouldn’t be. That it takes too much time. Too much reading. That I shouldn’t be a history major and play football.” And here’s the stinging analysis from Carty: …when…
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Shand’s Former co-host chimes in
For those following the Dave Shand story, there’s not much going on. No major media source has mentioned the story. Recently Shand’s former co-host on WTKA 1050 Mike Wickett offered a few words on the situation here on MVictors.com. For those not closely monitoring the message board I thought I’d call it out: Sounds like a lot has happened since I’ve been gone. Dave has never been one to pull punches, especially on the air. I also know Dave understood what good radio was, and how close you sometimes needed to come to “that line”. I have no “inside info” on the situation, but I can only hope Dave and WTKA lands on its feet. Cheers from Milwaukee!! – Wickett Wickett left WTKA a few months before Shand’s firing to join former program manager Ryan Maguire in Milwaukee at station WSSP. He currently co-hosts The Doug Russell Show weekday mornings in Brew-town. Wickett and Shand hold the distinction of having the interview with Bo Schembechler just minutes before his death. Here’s all the posts related to the Dave Shand firing on MVictors.com.
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Lloyd Carr Takes up Russell Crowe’s Offer
Looks like Coach Lloyd Carr took Russell Crowe up on his offer to visit his Australian rugby team. Carr even took along former Michigan players Jeremy Van Alstyne and Brian Thompson who trained with Crowe’s team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs or ‘Souths’ for those in the know.
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#1 in Underachievement
In 16 Candles, Anthony Michael Hall summarizes his social status in the suburban high school as “King of the Dipshits”. Molly Ringwald politely suggests that carrying such a title is “kind of cool”. Just so we’re clear, it’s not cool, although the geek jumps up a notch at the end, thanks to Jake’s dad’s ride and Jake’s pickled girlfriend Carolyn: ESPN.com just rated the most underachieving teams in Men’s college basketball over the past decade and it was unanimous: the Wolverines came in number 1. It wasn’t even close. Four of the five experts picked as the distinguished top turd except for Dukie, Amaker-apologist Jay Bilas who didn’t even have the Blue on his list! Here’s the complete vote. Here’s the capsule on the undisputed Dipshits: Is this any surprise? Here’s more on the topic from Doug Gottlieb: Michigan, for example, has been seen as a dog of a program in terms of wins and NCAA tourney appearances recently. When you compare Michigan now to the Michigan with Bill Frieder and Steve Fisher at the helm, there is an obvious drop-off. Add into the mix the Wolverines’ relative lack of facilities and the scarcity of talent that is homegrown in Michigan, sprinkle in the fact that Michigan State has become a power just down the road, and UM has some…
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New MVictors Sponsor
We’re excited to take on a new sponsor this summer, Stucchi’s of Milford. The owners are opening a store right down on beautiful Main Street in Milford, right next to the famous Five Lakes Grill. Anyone who’s had Stucchi’s ice cream in Ann Arbor or at their other new locations knows how great this product is. The Milford store will also feature Chicago style “FatHeads” pizza, premium coffee, Stucchi’s yogurt, soups and more. Doors open in May 2007 so good luck guys and thanks for considering MVictors.com…(it is rumored they chose to advertise MVictors over a 30 second spot during the American Idol finals).
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Michigan 2008 Draft Projections
I’m sure everyone is sick of Mel Kiper & co. about now, but I just took a look at the 2008 draft projections on ESPN.com. [Speaking of Mel Kiper did you see his team-by-teams grades? No team got above a B+, no team got worse than a C. What a jerk.]. Despite Colin Cowherd’s proclamation that Lloyd Carr doesn’t develop players, Michigan football will figure very prominently in the draft next year. With a little luck, at least according to these projections, five (5) Wolverines could land in the first round next season. Here are a few highlights: Long and Henne figured in the Top 10 Overall. I was a little surprised to see Henne. Here’s what they said: 4. Jake Long, OT, Michigan Long could have been a top-10 pick in the 2007 draft but instead elected to return to Ann Arbor for his final season of eligibility. At 6-foot-7, 320 pounds with great experience and quick feet, there’s not many holes to pick in Long’s game. He missed nearly half of the 2005 season with an ankle injury but returned to form as a full-time starter last year. Another healthy and productive campaign in 2007 should land Long a top-10 spot in next year’s draft. 9. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan Henne is an experienced starter with good size…
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Blue to Blame for Brady’s Beantown Betrayal
As Boston is in pure freakout mode over the sight of Tom Brady walking the streets with a Yankee hat, the media has been quick to find a reasonable explanation. The concensus? Blame Ann Arbor! It turns out most folks are pointing to Brady’s ties to Michigan buddy and former pinstriper ‘Super’ Drew Henson, and current Bronx Bomber Derek Jeter. I heard ESPN’s Dan Patrick show mention the link to Henson yesterday on the air and this blurb was posted in the Boston Herald: But avid Brady Bunchers know this isn’t the first time No. 12 has committed the ultimate in homer heresy. We told you way back in 2003 that Tom was sporting a Pinstripes lid when our ever-vigilant spies spotted him fueling up at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Foxboro. At the time, the excuse was that it was a gesture of solidarity with then-Yankees rookie Drew Henson, who, like Tom, is a former quarterback for the University of Michigan. Of course, that lame-o rationalization has gone by the boards now that Henson has ditched MLB for the NFL to play third-string quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings If not Henson, then it must be Jeter, where the NY Post writes: Maybe he’s just friends with Derek Jeter, who frequents the sidelines of Brady’s alma matter, the University of Michigan…
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Football Ticket Applications arrive
No big surprises this year in the M ticket renewals. For the eight home games season ticket holders will pay $400 per ticket, along with whatever donation is required. They are still printing the application on that old computer paper with the dot matrix printer. It’s been this way since I’ve had my non-student tickets (1993 season). Also offered directly on the ticket application were additional tickets for the Appalachian State, Indiana, Nortwestern and Illinois games. Want to see a cool ticket application? Check out this beauty that just sold on eBay from 1933.
