The man of the hour and here’s the audio: [display_podcast] The thing about Denard is that he’s highly likeable. He’s clearly humble, there’s a bit of an ‘aw shucks’ thing going on and that huge smile just tops it off. I think that extends outside the Michigan fan base too. As you do, I know quite a few State fans who really couldn’t stand Tate especially after the "I don’t get nervous" comment. I saw it differently of course, but I guess I understand. There were several questions about his workload running the ball, both at Rich Rod and Denard. One interesting fact. He was of course a quarterback in high school but most schools recruited him as a receiver or cornerback but did you know Denard only rushed for 462 yards his senior year at Deerfield Beach (while throwing for 1809)? So he’s just seven yards away (read: 1 carry) from beating his rushing totals from his entire high school senior year. P.S. They handled out an updated copy of the Michigan record book at the press conference today, haha, that’s never a bad thing.
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Rich Rodriguez Full Presser (08-09 audio)
RR: "Have any of you ever kissed a girl?" You know you’re getting old when driving over, the thought enters your mind that this "late" night press conference will be cutting into your precious ‘Antiques Roadshow’ time. Yikes. Full audio from this evening below. Follow MVictors on Twitter for live updates during press conferences this season. [display_podcast] Key takeaways/notes: RR called out "a handful of guys" that aren’t in shape. Wouldn’t name names. He didn’t name anyone beyond the "guys upfront" for being in exceptional shape. Coach Rodriguez wouldn’t comment on the WVU allegations, deferred to his previous statements. First practice in pads is Friday morning "full contact"; two-a-days start Sunday. All the quarterbacks took the first snap together, haha. "All three guys are competing." Said Devin is in "great shape". On the Woolfolk comments and Tate. "I’m glad our seniors are taking some ownership and leadership in this team." … "Tate knows he’s a lot of work to do to prove himself, not only on the field but off the field." On whether Tate is doing the right things to prove himself. "I don’t watch summer practices." Weeee. All the injured players in the from the spring are back 100% except Will Heiniger. Michael Shaw and some other players are still in summer school, into next week.…
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Tom Izzo joins Jim Rome (6-17 audio)
The interview starts off a bit slow but Rome gets into the LeBron questions and Izzo’s future near the end. Izzo normally has a raspy voice but he definitely sounded worn down – no wonder. Of note: It might be a Dumb-and-Dumberesque chance, but when asked, Izzo did leave the door cracked for another look at the NBA. Izzo dropped a U.P. reference in there, which has got to leave JR scratching his head, no? Izzo revealed a big driver to his looks at the NBA is to challenge the notion that college coaches can’t make it in the NBA. His pulse picked up a bit during that discussion. Rome didn’t go into the media/coverage subplot here and I was a little surprised he missed that. In 11 minutes he had room to hit that and usually JR is very in tune with what’s being discussed locally. I was hopeful Izzo would make mention of, “Those nerds on The Red Cedar.” No go. Audio: [display_podcast] Related: