Five things to take from this: Scoreboard.
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This isn't going to be as complete a thought process as what I usually post. I missed the second half sitting in the emergency room with a ruptured tendon in my finger. I'm told that it is "Mallet Finger" which, for 1000 words worth of picture, looks like so:
http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6565/mallet_finger_injuries.html
This obviously makes typing inconvenient, what with this splint on my finger and all. But the show must go on.
Michigan left me a little worried leaving at half time. It was a relief indeed to see the score for the good guys climb with each pass of the ESPN bottom line ticker while waiting at the ER.
Five Things:
As I said above, this is a team that can outscore most of it's opponents left on the schedule. Assuming a steady, if slow progression by the O-line and the continued health of Mr. Forcier, we may well keep our PPG above 30. I think we all should take a moment to savor just how different this year feels compared to last. As we enter the B10 slate, already having as many wins as last season, we should thank our lucky stars that RR landed in our laps. We have seen just how bare the cupboard actually was when Carr retired and I don't think that there are many coaches out there that could have turned the ship around this quickly.
At this point I am seeing 8-4 or 9-3 and maybe the Outback Bowl. That sure sounds nice. I think that we will almost undoubtedly defeat Indiana, Purdue, and Del. State. I see us taking 2-3 of Illinois, Sparty, Wisky, and Iowa. Then we have both Penn St and O$U at home so maybe a 25% chance of taking one of those. If we can win one of those two I think we make the Citrus Bowl.
I hope that everyone was able to enjoy this game and that everyone made it home safe and sound. Have a great week.
Edit: It appears that everybody want to concentrate on my #2 observations and opinions. So let me clarify:
http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6565/mallet_finger_injuries.html
This obviously makes typing inconvenient, what with this splint on my finger and all. But the show must go on.
Michigan left me a little worried leaving at half time. It was a relief indeed to see the score for the good guys climb with each pass of the ESPN bottom line ticker while waiting at the ER.
Five Things:
- Michigan looked shaky, yes, but in the end put the wood to their over-matched opponent. We are going to win a lot of games by simply outscoring our opponents and I am cool with that. It seems we have the ability to score on any play, from anywhere on the field. I don't think we have ever had a more loaded stable of running backs, a nice thing to have with a set of freshman QBs.
- D-Rob has a lot of raw ability but I don't see him ever becoming a pass first QB after this performance. With no completed passes and two picks, it might be time for us to realize that the fortunes of this team rest solely on the shoulders of Mr. Forcier. If forced to insert D-Rob as the starter, this offense will quickly resort to a Pat White run/pass ratio. This isn't the end of the world, but won't win us as many games IME. Those running touchdowns won't come as easily against B10 defenses, or if the offense becomes one-dimensional.
- There appears to be a rather large drop-off at linebacker behind Mouton. From what I saw, and remember that I missed the entire second half, Eastern ran right at where Mouton would have been with a great deal of success. Who was that guy that replaced him? I can't say that I had ever heard of him. Red rover, red rover, let the highly touted linebacker recruits come over.
- English impressed me with his game-plan and by keeping the score close in the first half. He is going to get Eastern some respect in coming years I think. While time of possession is an overrated statistic, a 2:1 ratio is eye-opening. I wish him all the best.
- This coaching staff again made great half time adjustments, or at least it seems so. Missing the second half of this one sucks, as I don't have any real idea of what kept Eastern off the scoreboard. Maybe someone can enlighten me?
As I said above, this is a team that can outscore most of it's opponents left on the schedule. Assuming a steady, if slow progression by the O-line and the continued health of Mr. Forcier, we may well keep our PPG above 30. I think we all should take a moment to savor just how different this year feels compared to last. As we enter the B10 slate, already having as many wins as last season, we should thank our lucky stars that RR landed in our laps. We have seen just how bare the cupboard actually was when Carr retired and I don't think that there are many coaches out there that could have turned the ship around this quickly.
At this point I am seeing 8-4 or 9-3 and maybe the Outback Bowl. That sure sounds nice. I think that we will almost undoubtedly defeat Indiana, Purdue, and Del. State. I see us taking 2-3 of Illinois, Sparty, Wisky, and Iowa. Then we have both Penn St and O$U at home so maybe a 25% chance of taking one of those. If we can win one of those two I think we make the Citrus Bowl.
I hope that everyone was able to enjoy this game and that everyone made it home safe and sound. Have a great week.
Edit: It appears that everybody want to concentrate on my #2 observations and opinions. So let me clarify:
- There is nothing wrong with a run-first QB and yes Pat White won many games.
- D-Rob may or may not be as good a QB as White, I have made the comparison but that doesn't mean D-Rob=Pat White.
- I merely think that D-Rob would not lead us to as many wins as Tate as a starter this season.
- Yes, I don't see D-Rob as the Michigan QB of the future. I agree it is too soon to tell. I just don't see anything yet that would make me think he is better suited to QB than RB or Slot Receiver.
- Please realize that these are just opinions from one fan (by no means expert) and try not to get too offended when they differ from your opinions (expert or I suspect mostly not).
how DR is gonna fit in the offense...remember he's a frosh in his third game of collegiate experience.
To completely blow him off as a passing QB is absurd this early in the season much less his career. Though IMO, it's gonna take a monumental effort to knock of Forcier from start or (god help us) an injury.
Let's just wait and see how RR will use him cause that guy is waaaay to fast to not be getting his share of time on the field in some capacity
is the faster, better throwing motion version of Pat White. If you remember, Pat didn't start throwing well until his redshirt junior year. That is quite a while from today, and D-Rob has a myraid of skills that can't be taught. Reading defensive coverages IS something that you can learn, and that will come with study and experience. I didn't like the two QB's thing at first, but as soon as Tate went down in the EMU game I found myself happy that D-Rob wasn't stepping onto the field for the first time. Vincent Smith & Mike Cox looked really good in limited action, and it shows that RR is an excellent recruiter. We just need more studs on defense...
Perm how did you F-up your finger like that?
I'm not quite sure how it happened. I was out on the disc golf course with my dog, Zoe, and she made as is to go after this other dog. I grabbed her collar and she did a flip on her back and twist around move to try and get away. After I had her secured I thought my finger felt weird and looked down to see that my finger had issues. It actually looked worse than the picture above.
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
Is it legal to catch your own pass? If so, D-Rob can (a) launch the mother of all hail marys, (b) sprint 60 yards in 2.5 seconds, (c) outleap the dumb-struck secondary for an epic TD.
Not a troll
Playing 3rd base in '85, I took a bad hop ground ball right into the top of the first finger on my right hand. I wore the splint and the finger looks exactly like the picture 24 years later. Enjoy.
I got mallet finger playing catch with a buddy I RV'ed across the country with at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena...by one of those stupid rubber footballs. Took a funny bounce off the turf in front of me and straight into my index finger. I didn't even know it happened until I went to throw the ball and it came out all cockeyed. I was thinking, 'that's funny, why can't i grip the ball right?'
So yea, I got mallet finger at the Rose Bowl, before the game. Went to the medic for a splint, watched the game, and had my buddy drive me to the nearest hospital for a better splint. When I got back to school, the awesome docs at Michigan Hospital re-splinted it again and years later you'd never tell I ruptured the tendon.
Just make sure you keep your finger immobilized in a finger-specific splint; don't fuss with it, and keep the finger clean once a week.
Definitely a common malady for baseball players; I had only heard it called 'baseball finger' before I saw the doctor with mine.
E to the S
Go Blue, Class of '04
Thanks for the advice, I will try to do as you say. That is pretty much what I read online. Full function would be nice but I realize that anything close would be a blessing.
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
"We have seen just how bare the cupboard actually was when Carr retired and I don't think that there are many coaches out there that could have turned the ship around this quickly."
I think that it's time to put an end to the myth that Carr left the cupboard bare when here retired. Here's a look at the projected offensive starting line-up with players that Carr left behind (ratings by Scout):
QB - Mallet 5 Star Junior
RB - Brown 4 Star Senior
RB - Minor 4 Star Senior
WR - Mathews 3 Star Senior
WR - Hemingway 4 Star RS Sophomore
WR - Stonum 4 Star Sophomore
TE - Webb 4 Star Junior
OL - Boren 5 Star Senior
OL - Schilling 5 Star RS Junior
OL - Ortmann 3 Star RS Senior
OL - Moosman 4 Star RS Senior
OL - Molk 4 Star RS Sophomore
Not a bad lineup, huh?
I won't take the time to go through the defense but I'm pretty sure that UM had eight starters (or regular time players) in 2008 that came back from a team that beat Florida (and beat the crap out of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow in the process) in the Capital One Bowl.
2008 is behind us and so is the 3-9 record. It's time to move forward...... but the "bare cupboard" theory is pretty lame.
3-9 is not acceptable (under any circumstances)
I live 16 miles from the stadium.
Themaizepage-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
I tore the ligament in my left hand ring finger a week ago playing football. I thought it was jammed badly at first, but it became pretty apparent it was 'Mallett' finger after it wouldn't straighten out. The splint sucks... typing is difficult. I thought it funny I knew what the injury was through reading this blog after Ryan Mallett did the same to one of his receivers in HS.
Cissoko seems to be a competitive, cocky SOB. I wish he had Woodson's talent to back it up, but the swagger of this team is a good thing.
Accelerate Your Life
FLY NAVY
I am so excited that you called it the citrus bowl. I hate bowls named after a sponsor.
I just hope that people give him a full winter and spring of those extra long practices before becoming so sure that he is not a qb.
Go Blue
- Dutch
we are 3-0 and peoples is nutting up over some very silly junk. Look, the D has played good enough to win, and they could keep on doing that. The O is playing good enough to win and there is no reason to believe they won't keep on doing it. Remember last year?
Come on...let's just enjoy this little run. We could very well be 4-0 after next saturday.
Go Blue. Hail to the Victors!
Skunkbears rule!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwGXMryTbwE
I'm sorry, but I have a real problem with posts like this. I'm glad that you're enjoying this season and that you act on that by being optimistic and doing whatever else. I'm enjoying the season very much, as well (I was "tickled to death" after the ND win!), but it's when I'm truly engaged with the team that I take pleasure in analyzing it and thinking about how it could be better. That's a major purpose for a forum like this: to explore ideas about the team, ask what-ifs, be critical, and share stories. If everyone just posted "Go Blue!" I, personally, wouldn't be nearly as interested in reading this blog. There's a place for criticism here and a place for disagreement. We're all of us thrilled to be 3-0, especially after last year!
"I, Bo, ROFL for Obi."
+1
The Dalai Lama: "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun". (May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times)
...DRob did not look good throwing the ball. But he should have had one completion. Tay juggled the ball and went out of bounds. I still thought he gained control in time. BUt anyway, that one was on him, not Denard. Still, 1-4 with 2 picks is pretty bad anyway.
BooBoo sucks...I hope we're recruiting some good d-backs for next season.
What I hate most about him is, he gets beat on that short endzone route (turns the wrong way?!), gets lucky (receiver drops it) and he stands over the guy waving "no way" like he just did something. He does it all the time. I FUCKING HATE THAT! Cissoko Sissucks!
He WILL cost us a game before this season is over.
The Dalai Lama: "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun". (May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times)
@Buccaneer_9
Go away. Forever.
Why, so you can keep telling yourself that he's any good. He is NOT playing well after over a year in the system. Warren's been good ever since he stepped on the field...Cissoko...not so much.
Pull your head out and really take a look at his play this season.
P.S. Not going anywhere Chachi.
The Dalai Lama: "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun". (May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times)
Give him time. Not everyone can be Tate.
You know what else sucks? Your commenting.
wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog
I sorry massa....ise didn't know we couldn't say no bad words 'bout dem Michigan players.
Ise be be quiet from now on when I see shitty cornerback play for two weeks straight.
The Dalai Lama: "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun". (May 15, 2001, The Seattle Times)
[Comment Redacted]
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
Edit: Too slow at typing when hungover
My scorn was directed at the "Cissoko sucks" guy, not you. I have scorn for you in a different thread.
wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog
Yeah, I noticed where the scorn was directed and redacted my comment. Thanks for the scorn elsewhere, anything to brighten chitown's day ;)
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
Whoah there Bucco. Aren't you being a little harsh here? Why don't we try to dwell a bit more on the positive? Cissoko will improve, as will the rest of this team. You, on the other hand, will remain miserable with this kind of attitude.
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
Complain about the hurts on their bodies. Typing a diary is really not like you are making any great sacrifices, and the fishing for sympathy because you have an owie on your finger is definitely not Michigan Man material.
Play through the pain. Don't whine about the pain. Or, go play with Barbie dolls.
That being said, it is what it is.
I don't want sympathy and know better than to look for it here in any case. I was explaining why I didn't get to see the second half. Plus I certainly don't care for those that think they know what makes for Michigan Man material. I would opine that your handle makes you Sparty material.
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
I would love to see a formation where we line up D-Rob and Minor in the backfield as twin backs with Forcier taking the snap from the shotgun.
Think how many options there are with that:
1. send D-Rob on a route, Minor pass block, Forcier chuck it
2. hand off to MINOR-RAGE UP THE MIDDLE
3. hand off to D-Rob who can:
a) turn on the jets
b) chuck it
c) run a bit to the right, chuck it back to Forcier who was running left, who then chucks it deep (woo gadget!)
!!!
I feel this formation could give defensive coordinators nightmares since there are so many options it gives us to attack defenses. Just identify the soft spot and go gettim. If we just gave Tate the option to call one of these variations based on his read of the defense...yeah...sweeet sweeet jebus.
um, course, I'm not like a coach or anything, but I DO play lots of NCAA 10...y'know, just for the record ;)
However, let's ratchet it up a notch or two.
If D-Rob is the fastest guy on the team, Rich Rod should put him in on a fly route. How lovely would it look to find him five steps past the safety?
Those who stay will beat up champions.
On one play is that you'll need an offensive line that can sustain blocks for about 8 minutes while they all get figured out.
That being said, it is what it is.
not enjoy the humor of these comments?
heh, well, actually no - you run just one of those variations. Tate reads the defense and makes the play-call *before* the snap, of course. So the "option" is pre-snap audible at the line of scrimmage, not while guys are running around :)
Another thing I took away is that Tate is actually human and will make mistakes. That fumble was a bit irresponsible. And he really can't be taking hits like he did on that one play where he got the wind knocked out of him, esp against Big10 folks...get rid of the ball! But hey, he will only get better from here on out and those are things he won't be doing in his future.
Say that again. Don't compare him to Tate, who has had years of quality QB instruction.
DRob is a true freshman. He's going to make throwing decisions like a true freshman. That's why true freshman rarely play.
DRob won't be a true freshman next year, or the next.
They are both true freshmen. Tate is just better at this point.
"DRob won't be a true freshman next year, or the next."
Did you come up with that all on your own? Thank you Captain Obvious.
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
While D-Rob is a true Freshman, Forcier is technically a "first year Freshman" since he enrolled early.
Merely semantics. Agreed. As fans we look at it in terms of these two guys played high school football this time last year. They're Freshmen.
Those who stay will beat up champions.
Well, its not a Pink Slip Diary, but its good to see some lively UM chatter on a Sunday morning.
Robinson's stat line yesterday is the most bizarre from a UM QB I have ever seen. Maybe something from Rick Leach's freshmen season would compare.
www.justcoverblog.com
God Bless Your Cotton Pickin' Maize & Blue Hearts
What is a "Pink Slip Diary"?
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
I guess it's an inside joke, refering to Magnus' Pink Slip diaries from last season when he did his schtick of player who should keep his job and player who should not keep his job.
I generally liked them and they were good reads even when I disagreed. But many people flipped out and it seemed like every Sunday was highly entertaining reading people's reactions and what not. Oh there would have been some serious neg-banging going on.
So. Anyway. I read your Diary and saw the comments going back and forth on your assertion and I had a flashback......and if I keep prodding, perhaps, maybe, hopefully we'll get another Pink Slip Diary.
www.justcoverblog.com
God Bless Your Cotton Pickin' Maize & Blue Hearts
Thanks for the explanation. I remember those diaries now, I recall staying away from the fiery discussions they produced.
Michigan fans surely do get hot and bothered about their team. Every week I try to lay out a fair and balanced opinion of the state of the team and every week some part of it gets crucified.
I don't even pretend to have the level of expertise needed to make a "Pink Slip Diary." Who am I to say who should and shouldn't keep their starting position?
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
fucking bathwater is dirty...tosss that babby right out with it.
Reminds me of the Dallas Cowboys and Troy Aikman. They should have fired his ass after that first season. Not good enough.
potato salad
caw
Skunkbears rule!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwGXMryTbwE
D-Rob has a lot of raw ability but I don't see him ever becoming a pass first QB after this performance. With no completed passes and two picks, it might be time for us to realize that the fortunes of this team rest solely on the shoulders of Mr. Forcier. If forced to insert D-Rob as the starter, this offense will quickly resort to a Pat White run/pass ratio. This isn't the end of the world, but won't win us as many games IME. Those running touchdowns won't come as easily against B10 defenses, or if the offense becomes one-dimensional.
Because Pat White didn't win many games. Against real competition. No, he definitely never did that. FAIL.
Robinson's picks weren't a result of a lack of physical ability - they were a result of poor judgement. He's been on campus for about 6 weeks. That will improve. And, uh...if you can run like him, WHY WOULD YOU BE A PASS FIRST QUARTERBACK.
wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog
Chitown, I agree with what you have to say here for the most part. I didn't say that there is anything wrong with being a run first QB, I just don't think that we will win as many games this season without the passing threat Forcier provides. D-Rob may or may not be as good as Pat White. We have zero evidence that he can throw when needed (yes, decision making is just as important as mechanics and strength) and IME, the fortunes of this team rely on the health of Tate.
"If left isn't right, then right is all you have left. Right?" - Beagly Beagly to the Great Grape Ape /
www.seaandlearn.org
Everyone has to remember that the last thing we wanted to do in this game is tip our hand and show off something new, give an opponent video that they can prep for. I didn't see any new offensive plays in this game, and I feel like Rich Rod played this one with only the basic Rock Paper and Scissors, and left out any of his Candle plays so as not to tip his hand. This was Rich Rod's impression of Bo Ball, and it did what it had to do - let the vastly superior team win. I feel like the Indiana game is going to go very similarly, with us not showing off anything new and just playing things we already have had installed since ND. Anything new that the coaches have developed will not see the field unless it needs to until Penn State, in all likelihood. Maybe a couple of new things against MSU, but the way that they have been playing I don't think it will be necessary.
The first interception should never have happened, he threw a strike to a man on the sidelines a play earlier and he bobbled it and the refs called it an inc (originally a catch but reviewed and overturned), which would have a given Michigan a first down. Instead it was third and long, which led to that first pick
I believe in RichRod!
One thing I haven't heard much mention of is conditioning. While the coaching staff undoubtedly made halftime adjustments, our defense didn't get THAT much better during the 20 minute rest. It seems clear that the Barwis effect is in full swing this year. Rather than completely shutting down in the 2nd half like we did in every game last year (with the one Wisconsin exception), we seem to be turning up the heat this year. I don't think we can overestimate the impact of conditioning on being able to close out games.
... is right now trying to figure out a way to get D-Rob and Tate on the field at the same time more.
How explosive would that be?
Hail, hail!