I had a totally different blog in mind for this week, but given the recent Barnum and Bailey's Big Top Circus that has rolled into Ann Arbor, I'll save it for another time. Instead, this week, I will address the fiasco that is taking place in one of my favorite places in the entire world. Ann Arbor.
In my best circus announcer voice: "In the far left corner of the circus please feast your eyes upon the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators for the University of Michigan, Greg Mattison and Doug Nussmeier. You will notice that they are amazing recruiters that come with a whole resume full of great talent at previous prestigious positions. Watch closely as they under develop players, have only 10 players on the field at times, and call questionable plays time and time again. This is really something magnificent and mind-boggling to see."
Continuing with my circus announcer voice: "In the far right corner of the circus for your viewing pleasure you will see Head Football Coach Brady Hoke be eaten alive by lions, tigers and bears. Oh my! He will be hung by the trapeze with no safety net below him. He will make unfathomable and dangerous decisions without even knowing it. And he will do all of this with absolutely no preparation. Only the Circus Director (aka David Brandon) will know what is really going to happen, but will not tell Brady. This is an example of complete and utter miscommunication at its finest and quite a sight to see."
"In the center of this amazing and crumbling circus you will see David Brandon. He happens to be wearing an invisibility cloak, because now that the shit has hit the fan he doesn't want to be seen or heard from. He'll let the guys to his left and his right take all the attention away from him, while he tries to some way escape the circus like David Copperfield."
This is my best assessment of what has transpired over the last few days. I hope. And pray. And beg. And plead. Just make it stop. Get it right. And let's get back to playing Michigan Football.
Forever and Always, Go Blue!
~Bekki
My Pick 6 Flubs of the week aside from the abysmal game :
1. NO ONE on the sidelines seeing the hit on Shane Morris
2. Russell Bellomy not being able to find his helmet
3. Shane Morris being put back into the game
4. The Monday press conference that Brady was ill prepared for
5. David Brandon knowing on Sunday that Shane had a concussion and not telling anyone
6. The much delayed and suspicious statement from David Brandon released in the wee hours of the morning
A blog written by two women who share a passion and love for college football needing a place to talk, express, discuss, rant and rave about our favorite sport.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
The Fall Guy
Many people have asked me why I don't write a blog right away after a game. What takes me so long to collect my thoughts and put them into words? Passion. That's the best way I can describe it. I have so much passion for Michigan Football that I want to make sure what I put in writing are my true feelings and not just half-cocked emotions that I end up regretting.
Outside of my family and co-blogger, no one really knows or understands how I feel about The University of Michigan. Especially football. I can't really explain it very well either. It's almost like an extension of my family. You know, it's like, "I can talk trash about them all day, pick apart every minuscule thing, but if anyone else even thinks of muttering a negative word, I'll bite their head off like a momma bear protecting her young cubs." Yea, that's close to how I feel.
So that's why I take some time to digest, reflect, and analyze my thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding my team and the week's game before writing. Then I read articles from reputable sources, gather information, read press conference transcripts and put together my final thoughts into words.
If I had written a blog after the debacle that was Saturday's game it would have read something like this.....Fire Brady Hoke! Fire David Brandon! Bench Devin Gardner! Now! The end.
However, after a couple cooling off days, I've come to the following conclusions.....
1. I think the real problem is David Brandon. From what I've read and been able to gather, he is way too involved with the football program. He watches game film. He sits in on team meetings. He attends and stands in the back of the room during press conferences. He's on the field during games. He has made Brady Hoke a puppet. I equate this to my principal attending everyone of my parent/teacher conferences. Sitting with me while I write my lesson plans. Standing in the back of my classroom during every lesson I teach. This doesn't exactly scream, "I have confidence that you can do your job and do it well. I trust that you know what you are doing and will get the job done." On the contrary, it shouts from the roof tops, "I don't think you have a clue what you're doing and I'm going to micromanage every move you make, because I don't trust you to do it the way I think it should be done......which is obviously the right and only way to do it." So, I ask you, "Would you be able to do your best job under those circumstances?" I think not.
2. These players are putting their all into this. They work their tails off. They are pulled in a million different directions. They have the weight of the university riding on their shoulders. So, I ask you, "At 18-22 years old, would you have been able to handle the pressure?" I think not.
3. Yes, Devin Gardner is a 5th year senior, he is not however, a 5th year starter. He is a guy who has had to learn three, yes THREE, different offenses. He's played wide-receiver in one of those systems, back-up quarterback and starting quarterback. He's a smart guy. He's getting his Master's degree in Social Work from Michigan. He deserves the fans' support. So, I ask you, "How would you feel if he was your son? Would you want a fan base as large as Michigan's to be bashing YOUR son?" I think not.
4. Yes, Brady Hoke seems to be in over his head. It appears that he doesn't know how to coach these kids into their greatest potential, but refer back to point one. I think this is part of the reason for Brady not living up to what he was painted out to be. He has become the Fall Guy for David Brandon. If things don't turn around this season and quickly, I believe that Brady will be fired. Which will result in losing recruits, possible transfers of current players, assistant coaches and coordinators leaving, and then we start all over again. A new coaching search. Trying to salvage a recruiting class. A possible change in offensive and/or defensive schemes. And if this all happens, another 3-4 years of the same thing we've been dealing with for the past 7. So I ask you, "Do you really want to start all over.....again?" I think not.
I want this team and this coaching staff to get it right. Turn it around. Turn on some light bulbs and win some damn games.
My Pick 6 things I'd like to see going forward:
1. Devin Gardner get some confidence back
2. Jake Butt get healthy
3. Jabrill Peppers used more effectively
4. Special teams improvement
5. Defense stop giving up big plays
6. Convert on 3rd down
~Bekki
Go Blue!
Outside of my family and co-blogger, no one really knows or understands how I feel about The University of Michigan. Especially football. I can't really explain it very well either. It's almost like an extension of my family. You know, it's like, "I can talk trash about them all day, pick apart every minuscule thing, but if anyone else even thinks of muttering a negative word, I'll bite their head off like a momma bear protecting her young cubs." Yea, that's close to how I feel.
So that's why I take some time to digest, reflect, and analyze my thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding my team and the week's game before writing. Then I read articles from reputable sources, gather information, read press conference transcripts and put together my final thoughts into words.
If I had written a blog after the debacle that was Saturday's game it would have read something like this.....Fire Brady Hoke! Fire David Brandon! Bench Devin Gardner! Now! The end.
However, after a couple cooling off days, I've come to the following conclusions.....
1. I think the real problem is David Brandon. From what I've read and been able to gather, he is way too involved with the football program. He watches game film. He sits in on team meetings. He attends and stands in the back of the room during press conferences. He's on the field during games. He has made Brady Hoke a puppet. I equate this to my principal attending everyone of my parent/teacher conferences. Sitting with me while I write my lesson plans. Standing in the back of my classroom during every lesson I teach. This doesn't exactly scream, "I have confidence that you can do your job and do it well. I trust that you know what you are doing and will get the job done." On the contrary, it shouts from the roof tops, "I don't think you have a clue what you're doing and I'm going to micromanage every move you make, because I don't trust you to do it the way I think it should be done......which is obviously the right and only way to do it." So, I ask you, "Would you be able to do your best job under those circumstances?" I think not.
2. These players are putting their all into this. They work their tails off. They are pulled in a million different directions. They have the weight of the university riding on their shoulders. So, I ask you, "At 18-22 years old, would you have been able to handle the pressure?" I think not.
3. Yes, Devin Gardner is a 5th year senior, he is not however, a 5th year starter. He is a guy who has had to learn three, yes THREE, different offenses. He's played wide-receiver in one of those systems, back-up quarterback and starting quarterback. He's a smart guy. He's getting his Master's degree in Social Work from Michigan. He deserves the fans' support. So, I ask you, "How would you feel if he was your son? Would you want a fan base as large as Michigan's to be bashing YOUR son?" I think not.
4. Yes, Brady Hoke seems to be in over his head. It appears that he doesn't know how to coach these kids into their greatest potential, but refer back to point one. I think this is part of the reason for Brady not living up to what he was painted out to be. He has become the Fall Guy for David Brandon. If things don't turn around this season and quickly, I believe that Brady will be fired. Which will result in losing recruits, possible transfers of current players, assistant coaches and coordinators leaving, and then we start all over again. A new coaching search. Trying to salvage a recruiting class. A possible change in offensive and/or defensive schemes. And if this all happens, another 3-4 years of the same thing we've been dealing with for the past 7. So I ask you, "Do you really want to start all over.....again?" I think not.
I want this team and this coaching staff to get it right. Turn it around. Turn on some light bulbs and win some damn games.
My Pick 6 things I'd like to see going forward:
1. Devin Gardner get some confidence back
2. Jake Butt get healthy
3. Jabrill Peppers used more effectively
4. Special teams improvement
5. Defense stop giving up big plays
6. Convert on 3rd down
~Bekki
Go Blue!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
The majority of the Michigan fan base are ready to throw Hoke under the Ohio State bus, send Devin Gardner to the Pee Wee league, and compare the Offensive Line to a Kitchen Aid colander (they make holes, but nothing more than water can fit through them). Me however, I'm not quite that down on the team. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not high on them either. I'm just kinda "meh". Meaning, I have no idea what to expect. I was once given advice, something to the effect of, "If you don't expect things, then you won't be disappointed when they don't happen." This advice was given to me as a newlywed, which I didn't take. But, I will put it to use now, the best I can.
After Saturday's game against a pathetic MAC team that hasn't won a game since my youngest daughter has been in school, Michigan looked pretty good. The run game existed. The offense was semi-in sync. The defense forced their first turnover. We won. And that's about all I have to say about that. This game was certainly not enough to wash the awful taste from my mouth that last weekend left. It certainly didn't give me tons of hope for the future. It didn't redeem the coaching staff. It was merely a win. A higher number in the win column than when the game began.
Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't all doom and gloom. There were some bright spots on Saturday. The weather was beautiful. Perfect fall weather for football. We had a great time tailgating. The stadium celebrated the 200th birthday of The American Flag with a flyover during the Star Spangled Banner. The halftime show consisted of many more flyovers and a compilation of several patriotic songs that make you proud to be an American. And, Michigan won. All in all, it was a great day.
My Pick 6 "musts" for a successful season going forward:
1. get key players healthy
2. ball security
3. create turnovers
4. QB confidence
5. establish a consistent run game
6. leadership
~Bekki
Go Blue!
After Saturday's game against a pathetic MAC team that hasn't won a game since my youngest daughter has been in school, Michigan looked pretty good. The run game existed. The offense was semi-in sync. The defense forced their first turnover. We won. And that's about all I have to say about that. This game was certainly not enough to wash the awful taste from my mouth that last weekend left. It certainly didn't give me tons of hope for the future. It didn't redeem the coaching staff. It was merely a win. A higher number in the win column than when the game began.
Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't all doom and gloom. There were some bright spots on Saturday. The weather was beautiful. Perfect fall weather for football. We had a great time tailgating. The stadium celebrated the 200th birthday of The American Flag with a flyover during the Star Spangled Banner. The halftime show consisted of many more flyovers and a compilation of several patriotic songs that make you proud to be an American. And, Michigan won. All in all, it was a great day.
My Pick 6 "musts" for a successful season going forward:
1. get key players healthy
2. ball security
3. create turnovers
4. QB confidence
5. establish a consistent run game
6. leadership
~Bekki
Go Blue!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Michigan
Being that my co-blogger is the biggest U of M fan in the state of Michigan, I'm choosing my words carefully while writing this post. With that said, way to go Irish!!!!! We will take the win, shut out, last game of this long standing rivalry.
I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the game with my co-blogger and best friend Bekki. We anticipated a very different look to this game. We planned on an all out battle like we have observed in many previous seasons. This game looked surprisingly different. Very different. Again, I observed the up tempo pace (despite a time out being called before the first snap on the first possession in the first quarter). Golson appeared to be in complete control and in my opinion this gave other players confidence as well. I look forward to this comfort level growing throughout the season. I was pleasantly surprised with the way the defense attacked and gave their all for 4 quarters. I also think for the most part Brian Kelly looks calm on the sidelines. This is much improved from several years ago. Let's not forget Brain VanGorder's enthusiastic fist pumps! That kind of excitement is contagious!
My Pick 6 players:
1. Amir Carlisle
2. Jaylon Smith
3. Cody Riggs
4. Kyle Brindza
5. Everett Golson
6. William Fuller
Go Irish! Beat Purdue!
-Gretchen
I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the game with my co-blogger and best friend Bekki. We anticipated a very different look to this game. We planned on an all out battle like we have observed in many previous seasons. This game looked surprisingly different. Very different. Again, I observed the up tempo pace (despite a time out being called before the first snap on the first possession in the first quarter). Golson appeared to be in complete control and in my opinion this gave other players confidence as well. I look forward to this comfort level growing throughout the season. I was pleasantly surprised with the way the defense attacked and gave their all for 4 quarters. I also think for the most part Brian Kelly looks calm on the sidelines. This is much improved from several years ago. Let's not forget Brain VanGorder's enthusiastic fist pumps! That kind of excitement is contagious!
My Pick 6 players:
1. Amir Carlisle
2. Jaylon Smith
3. Cody Riggs
4. Kyle Brindza
5. Everett Golson
6. William Fuller
Go Irish! Beat Purdue!
-Gretchen
Monday, September 8, 2014
Jekyll and Hyde
Today, Monday, I find myself lost in my own thoughts, analysis, predictions, and feelings going forward in regards to this team. I am confused, to put it mildly. Depending on what article I read, person I talk to, or tweet I see, I have two completely different and opposing thoughts and views. Much like that of the famous, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I'll do my best to put my own confusion and split-personality into words.
The Team. Dr Jekyll wants to stand behind them, support them, believe in them, cheer for them, be patient with them, grow with them. I firmly believe that they try their best. I don't think they intentionally take the field thinking, "Hmmmm, how can I embarrass my team, my coaches, my parents, my school, and myself today?" I truly believe that they go out there trying to win and do what their coaches have coached them to do. Do they know they will make mistakes, of course, everyone does. But they will learn from their mistakes and come out better next Saturday.
Mr. Hyde, or should it be Mrs. Hyde, well she's not quite so understanding. She wants to wring their neck, grab them by the face-mask and say, "What in the Sam hell are you doing?!?!? I've never played a down of football in my life and I know what you should do in this instance! Why can't you seem to figure it out? You've been playing this game for as long as you can remember and spend hours upon hours practicing for moments like this. Did you forget all techniques and fundamentals when the coin was tossed?!?!?! You must be an idiot, fergodsakes!" Oooo, I must admit, it felt good to type that. Moving right along, lets flip back to the rational Dr. Jekyll.
The Coaches. Dr. Jekyll wants to believe that it takes time to develop players, change offensive and defensive systems, build leadership, and make connections with the players, and we as fans just have to be patient. These are growing pains and unfortunately, part of the process with coaching changes. Also, several of the key positions and players lack starts and game experience. Yes, they may have 4 or 5 stars, but collegiate football is different than high school football. Of course they are going to make mistakes. Mistakes are the only time when true learning takes place. Be patient, they will come around and make you really proud to be a Michigan fan again. Hang in there.
Mrs. Hyde, well she is much more irate at the pathetic display of player development and is utterly ashamed of being completely out-coached on more than one occasion. She wants to light a fire under the arse of the head coach and punch him in face when she sees him clapping and butt slapping after his players have done, well, NOTHING in the instance of the Notre Dame game. There was simply nothing to celebrate, clap hands, or slap butts about on Saturday. That was a complete and total joke of a football game. Ill-prepared. Embarrassed. Pathetic. Never, not one time, did I clap or feel a shred of excitement. Not once.
So, you see my inner struggle? The only thing I know for sure, is that I will continue to be a Michigan fan until my dying day. That has never wavered and never will. I won't give up on them. I won't stop going to games. I won't stop watching on my TV. I won't be ashamed to wear my maize and blue. I won't stop singing Hail To The Victors. And I won't stop being passionate about all things Michigan. It's in my blood and it's not going anywhere.
My Pick 6 hopes for the future of Michigan Football:
1. win games
2. develop players
3. make connections
4. find leadership
5. stay passionate
6. don't settle for mediocre
Go Blue!
~Bekki
The Team. Dr Jekyll wants to stand behind them, support them, believe in them, cheer for them, be patient with them, grow with them. I firmly believe that they try their best. I don't think they intentionally take the field thinking, "Hmmmm, how can I embarrass my team, my coaches, my parents, my school, and myself today?" I truly believe that they go out there trying to win and do what their coaches have coached them to do. Do they know they will make mistakes, of course, everyone does. But they will learn from their mistakes and come out better next Saturday.
Mr. Hyde, or should it be Mrs. Hyde, well she's not quite so understanding. She wants to wring their neck, grab them by the face-mask and say, "What in the Sam hell are you doing?!?!? I've never played a down of football in my life and I know what you should do in this instance! Why can't you seem to figure it out? You've been playing this game for as long as you can remember and spend hours upon hours practicing for moments like this. Did you forget all techniques and fundamentals when the coin was tossed?!?!?! You must be an idiot, fergodsakes!" Oooo, I must admit, it felt good to type that. Moving right along, lets flip back to the rational Dr. Jekyll.
The Coaches. Dr. Jekyll wants to believe that it takes time to develop players, change offensive and defensive systems, build leadership, and make connections with the players, and we as fans just have to be patient. These are growing pains and unfortunately, part of the process with coaching changes. Also, several of the key positions and players lack starts and game experience. Yes, they may have 4 or 5 stars, but collegiate football is different than high school football. Of course they are going to make mistakes. Mistakes are the only time when true learning takes place. Be patient, they will come around and make you really proud to be a Michigan fan again. Hang in there.
Mrs. Hyde, well she is much more irate at the pathetic display of player development and is utterly ashamed of being completely out-coached on more than one occasion. She wants to light a fire under the arse of the head coach and punch him in face when she sees him clapping and butt slapping after his players have done, well, NOTHING in the instance of the Notre Dame game. There was simply nothing to celebrate, clap hands, or slap butts about on Saturday. That was a complete and total joke of a football game. Ill-prepared. Embarrassed. Pathetic. Never, not one time, did I clap or feel a shred of excitement. Not once.
So, you see my inner struggle? The only thing I know for sure, is that I will continue to be a Michigan fan until my dying day. That has never wavered and never will. I won't give up on them. I won't stop going to games. I won't stop watching on my TV. I won't be ashamed to wear my maize and blue. I won't stop singing Hail To The Victors. And I won't stop being passionate about all things Michigan. It's in my blood and it's not going anywhere.
My Pick 6 hopes for the future of Michigan Football:
1. win games
2. develop players
3. make connections
4. find leadership
5. stay passionate
6. don't settle for mediocre
Go Blue!
~Bekki
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Rice
Woot woot!!! College football is back! I love the hype, the excitement, and the hoopla!
Even better, ND won their first game. They were confident, organized, and prepared to beat Rice. I surprised myself because I can honestly say that I missed the natural grass. While I understand the need for field turf, I missed the mud smears and grass stains on the players.
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this game…the Irish have so much new stuff: new offensive coordinator, new defensive coordinator, new field turf, new players, new Under Armor uniforms! Oh, and not too mention the 5 players that are under investigation that are unable to participate in practice or games. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised by the Fighting Irish. ND looked solid with all the new stuff and missing players.
My Pick 6 positives from the game:
1. Everett Golson - just wow!
2. the tempo, pace, cadence - on target
3. clean play - only 2 penalties - 10 yards
4. kick and punt returns - more yards
5. Greg Bryant - he's very exciting to watch
6. Sheldon Day - playmaker
Next week - Michigan! Bekki and I will watch the game together!
Go Irish!
Gretchen
Even better, ND won their first game. They were confident, organized, and prepared to beat Rice. I surprised myself because I can honestly say that I missed the natural grass. While I understand the need for field turf, I missed the mud smears and grass stains on the players.
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this game…the Irish have so much new stuff: new offensive coordinator, new defensive coordinator, new field turf, new players, new Under Armor uniforms! Oh, and not too mention the 5 players that are under investigation that are unable to participate in practice or games. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised by the Fighting Irish. ND looked solid with all the new stuff and missing players.
My Pick 6 positives from the game:
1. Everett Golson - just wow!
2. the tempo, pace, cadence - on target
3. clean play - only 2 penalties - 10 yards
4. kick and punt returns - more yards
5. Greg Bryant - he's very exciting to watch
6. Sheldon Day - playmaker
Next week - Michigan! Bekki and I will watch the game together!
Go Irish!
Gretchen
Monday, September 1, 2014
App St.
As I sit here on Sunday morning in my rocking chair, drinking my coffee, and watching SportsCenterU many thoughts are running through my head.
First, I never, not for even one second, thought that App St. had a chance to win this game. Albeit, I thought this 7 years ago as well, but that was not going to happen again. I just couldn't wait to see my team back out on the field, be in that stadium, hear the band, and get the season underway.
Second, I was worried about the OLine, as was every Michigan fan alive. They didn't look great, but I do think they looked better. Yes, I realize this was App. St. and it's hard to get a good read on how they actually will play against more talented opponents, but they did look better. There were some holes made for the backs, they didn't always hit them, but when they did, it was successful. There was also some pass protection and Devin didn't have to scramble for his life and was able to progress through his reads and make some great passes. He was 13/14 for 173 yds and 3 TD. This is progress.
Third, Peppers is going to have a target on his back all year. Guys are going to be gunning for him, trying to take him out of the game. This happened on the first defensive series of the game. I happened to have my eyes glued on him when he was hit by the receiver. He hobbled off the field gingerly favoring his lower leg/ankle. He did return to play, but was held in the locker room for the entire second half of the game. Word on the street is, he is fine and will be back next week, I hope this isn't a smoke screen and there is more to the injury than they are saying. He's a play-maker, game-changer type of guy that we want, and need, out there every Saturday.....healthy.
Fourth, I'm calling all Michigan fans to come up with some creative name for the Devin to Devin combo, because they are going to be a recurring combination that just needs to have a cool name. Some that I saw on my Twitter feed during the game yesterday were, "A2D2, Dsquared, 98-1", but I think we can come up with something better, more creative, than these.
Finally, it's back. It's here. I couldn't be more excited for college football season to finally be back.
My Pick 6 positives from the game:
1. the O-Line
2. D Funch's hands
3. D Gardner's arm
4. the blocked punt for TD
5. aggressive defensive play
6. better cell reception in the stadium
Go Blue!
~Bekki
First, I never, not for even one second, thought that App St. had a chance to win this game. Albeit, I thought this 7 years ago as well, but that was not going to happen again. I just couldn't wait to see my team back out on the field, be in that stadium, hear the band, and get the season underway.
Second, I was worried about the OLine, as was every Michigan fan alive. They didn't look great, but I do think they looked better. Yes, I realize this was App. St. and it's hard to get a good read on how they actually will play against more talented opponents, but they did look better. There were some holes made for the backs, they didn't always hit them, but when they did, it was successful. There was also some pass protection and Devin didn't have to scramble for his life and was able to progress through his reads and make some great passes. He was 13/14 for 173 yds and 3 TD. This is progress.
Third, Peppers is going to have a target on his back all year. Guys are going to be gunning for him, trying to take him out of the game. This happened on the first defensive series of the game. I happened to have my eyes glued on him when he was hit by the receiver. He hobbled off the field gingerly favoring his lower leg/ankle. He did return to play, but was held in the locker room for the entire second half of the game. Word on the street is, he is fine and will be back next week, I hope this isn't a smoke screen and there is more to the injury than they are saying. He's a play-maker, game-changer type of guy that we want, and need, out there every Saturday.....healthy.
Fourth, I'm calling all Michigan fans to come up with some creative name for the Devin to Devin combo, because they are going to be a recurring combination that just needs to have a cool name. Some that I saw on my Twitter feed during the game yesterday were, "A2D2, Dsquared, 98-1", but I think we can come up with something better, more creative, than these.
Finally, it's back. It's here. I couldn't be more excited for college football season to finally be back.
My Pick 6 positives from the game:
1. the O-Line
2. D Funch's hands
3. D Gardner's arm
4. the blocked punt for TD
5. aggressive defensive play
6. better cell reception in the stadium
Go Blue!
~Bekki
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