Fanblogs.com: Who needs a life: Rich Rod or Michigan fans?
Diggs_the_Mountie
· 1 year ago
LMAO when I read this earlier today.
wvu
· 1 year ago
Hey Rich... What are you doing for the Holidays? Going home? Oh that's right your not wanted there.. i mean you are a wanted man there. Maybe you can take your wife with the hillbilly hair bowling at skytop lanes... I know not the type of bowling you were used to but then you didn't coach a bowl last year ether. GO Buckeyes this year and ever year until they run you out of Michigan. You had it made.. but had to have more...
Diggs_the_Mountie
· 1 year ago
It couldn't happen to a more deserving Dick.
Yeah, I know: The "estranged EX bit", right guys?
Truth is: It's never Dickies fault. Anyone elses but his.....
Tyler_Tech
· 1 year ago
I think Rich does not appreciate the tradition of Michigan football. I have friends who live in Michigan and attend the University. All the fans of Michigan football want is a coach who loves Michigan, and hates Ohio State. I guess he did not get the memo. Fans are going to be furious over this one. "Get a life" wow. He has alot of nerve. He posts the worst record in the history of the school in one of the most historic football programs in the country. What he should be doing is hyping up this game vs. Ohio State, and treating it for what it is. The biggest game every year for this program. Personally I would get away from this chump as quick as possible. Michigan always has great recruiting classes, they will be back as always. They need to hire a coach who doesn't have a huge ego and has been affiliated with the university for a long time. Fans need to get a life!?!?!?!?!? Now that is rich RICH!
USC1801
· 1 year ago
You have to forgive a tired RichyRod - he just got off the plane from a seminar on "How to Win Friends and Influence People."
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
LOL!
Mr2Bits
· 1 year ago
Great book, have it in my office and just loaned it to my boss for him to brush up on his skills.
Ramblin' Gator
· 1 year ago
Rich Rod is a good (great?) coach, but this is a really stupid move on his part. Once you start maligning your own fans, you're on Ron Zook Road and driving in the wrong direction.
Kevin's right, too. You have to be a pretty big hypocrite to benefit from the loyalty of your fans and then criticize them for their loyalty.
They must be laughing in Morgantown tonight.
shiguy
· 1 year ago
BAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Coaches read blogs and message boards?
Really?
Yea, not really a bright move on RR's part. Nothing says interloper like a statement like that...
Excuse me while I laugh my arse off................BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
I love RichRod!
Ben Prather
· 1 year ago
1st) As a football fans without a life, I take offense at a jab by a coach with out a bowl. At least I can blog endlessly about nothing, and that is all anyone expects from me. I am getting my job done.
2nd) Bloggers are paid far less to voice their perception of the state of a team than coaches get for leading the team.
3rd) Bloggers buy the merchandise/tickets and watch the TV's to make the million dollar coaching pay checks possible. They also provide cheep advertizements and grass roots support for a team.
4th) Unless you are the next young Joe Paterno or Bobie Bowden, bloggers will be around far longer than a coach. Especially a loser at Michigan.
wvumike
· 1 year ago
After the "ENROD" situation happened at WVU tricky dick showed his true colors. Now Mich fans are supprised. WTF..... Great coach or Avg coach with some luck? Remember Pat White did not have the starting job at WVU until a battlefield promotion due to injury. Calvin Magee makes him look good and will continue to do so. In the back of Rich's mind he will always know he was NOT Michigan's first choice!!
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
I think he's right. We do need to get a life. I love college football, but this berating of another human being because he didn't win enough ball games to bring joy and fulfillment into fans lives is insanity!
Ben Prather
· 1 year ago
And earning multi million dollars to coach young adults to play a kids game is sanity?
I love college football, but really now...
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
Overpaying people to coach football is one thing, but being civil to other human beings does not go away just because someone makes a lot of money.
Ben Prather
· 1 year ago
I agree, but civility does appear to be diminished on the internet in general.
Head Coach at Michigan is a possition with high visability and expectations. Did he not know this going in? Is that not what drew him to the possition? Or did he not do his research on the possition he was applying for?
Certainly some fans go overboard. That is the world we live in, and I am not going to defend their actions. As a coach at Michigan Rodriques needs to be above that. What bloggers say about him should not even really be a concern for him. Maybe an occational constructive criticism, but he needs to be able to ignore the riff raff or avoid the dialog in question altogether.
Making a blanket attacking on bloggers is not a politically sound move for anyone.
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
I did not see this event. Did he go on and on about it? Did he go on a tirade berating people that were overreacting to their record this year. As far as i know he said "get a life." Three words. In my book that's not spending a lot of time on something. If fact, it has the same amount of syllables as "no comment".
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
Three rather insulting, condescending words, sprayed rather indescretely over a very wide array of people, many of whom may have been potential allies.
He is head FB coach of the winningest program in CFB; he's a multi-millionaire....he oughtn't be concerned with what a bunch of disgruntled fans say. If he is, that speaks volumes of his current futility.
Not only was it unwise--it was IMMATURE.
That fat salary comes with strings, like: long hours, expectations, accountability....SCRUTINY...
GO GATORS!!
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
So because he makes a lot of money, he should put up with whatever someone else wants to say, but when he says "GET A LIFE" it's insulting and condescending? I have to tell you, I don't see where those two fit together.
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
You've got the causal relationship confused.
Not because he makes a lot of money--but because the money he does make, comes with strings--scrutiny comes with the territory. He should be above this pettiness--and I base that on his conspicous position--not his salary.
RR calling out fans for being fans, just reaks of Britney Spears and all these celebs, constantly whining about the "Paparazzi." You want a low profile? GTFO of Hollywood.
Likewise, if RR doesn't want bloggers taking personal shots at him....GTFO of CFB--go be a coordinator, or assistant coach, or a HS coach....
GO GATORS!!
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
I don't disagree with you. It's part of the job.....to a certain extent, BUT I don't agree saying "get a life" is an insulting or inappropriate response to these kind of statements. To me, by saying what he said, he's saying it's not worth my time, and stating how he feels about it in a quick comment, then moving on with life & football
Ben Prather
· 1 year ago
I must admit he did direct the "get a life" at those bloggers who cross the line and make personal attacks at coaches/players.
And this is exactly the kind of reaction those making such comments would love to have, plus acknolegement that they are actually being heard.
This post is making much out of little, but Rodriques made a little out of nothing.
jake
· 1 year ago
I may be the only person who agrees with you. Ok, WE CAN ALL AGREE that saying "get a life" was politically incorrect. However, can you blame the guy for being a bit irritated? It's like IU hoops fans expecting Tom Crean to bring at least a .500 season this year.
Rich Rod may be an arrogant coach but nonetheless he has proven himself in previous coaching posts. Everyone knew this would be a rebuilding/revamping year for the Wolverines. UM hired a guy to turn around UM football and if fans wanted someone that would do this in one season then they should have lobbied for a different coach. There are plenty of "high profile" coaches that could win with UM's current players. Could those coaches win championships? Probably not.
Ultimately, Rich Rod was chosen for a reason: because UM fans expect great things from their program. But to expect a spread offense to be injected into this team and work automatically is just crazy. UM fans need to "get a life" and start facing reality. If they don't want to, fire Rich Rod and begin the coaching carousel of disappointment. That's what they've been doing in nearby South Bend for over a decade and look how it's worked out for them!
jake
· 1 year ago
PS: I want to highlight to all fans, UM and the rest, that if you are unhappy with your coach just consider this: would you be TRULY better off if you fired the current coach? ie: can your coach even get another coach to do a better job?
So many programs are humbled when great coaches refuse to leave their current programs to go to "high profile" programs (eg: Jim Grobe). These coaches know that they are appreciated at lesser BCS programs, while they could be under fire within a half season at a top program.
wvumike
· 1 year ago
"Leave it to the University of Michigan to hire a brand new coach less popular than Gonorrhea"
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
If you watched the press conference (which I have every Monday), he was talking about those of you who are getting personal, and taking your passionate anger outside of football. Those that attack players and coaches personally, DO need to get a life. As soon as I heard him say what he said, I KNEW some in the blood thirsty, sleaze-bag media would take what was said out of context, and blow it out of proportion. What a joke. I am a rabid Wolverines fan, and I am also pissed about the horrendous season, but I think if you aren't a complete moron, you need to realize that it isn't going to get perfect in one season, or even two. It is unfair to claim you know Rodriguez will be/is a bad coach until he has a chance to prove otherwise. One season? Gimme a break. Rumor has it he did pretty well at WVU. Just not in the first season. If we don't go bowling again next year, I will humbly stand corrected. Until then - GET A LIFE!
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Don't confuse 'media' with the blogosphere. I think RR's comments were directed at blogs and I think blogs are who you feared would take it out of context--especially tOSU blogs...
There's more than enough venom being spewed about on CFB blogs, but at least here at Fanblogs, it's mostly commenter-driven, as opposed to most of the homer blogs, where the staff directs the show and proffers most of the opinion...
Some people will jump on this thread to take a shot at RR, others will be neutral, and still some will defend the situation, as you have. It's what makes our little world go 'round...
USC1801
· 1 year ago
TD:
No one is saying he doesn't have the right to free speech. Nor are they intimating he was unethical in his approach. He can say what he wants about his critics. What we are saying is it was a STUPID move to attack his own fan base. Try being critical of your wife in front of a group of people sometime. You'll see what I mean. You'll say to yourself, "Now that was STUPID of me!"
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
I agree, but I gathered he was only saying that of those critics who are so wrapped up in a game, that they lose their sanity and sense of propriety by directing insults at the program and its amateur players that have nothing to do with football itself. I think he knows full well that the true Michigan fan is angry and dissapointed, but still knows not to cross the line between criticism and personal attack. Those fans (and I've met a few) are the type that say Rich Rod should be fired, yet know absolutley nothing about football and its processes. After 2 or 3 years of the same problems, then maybe, But after his first season? C'mon.
I saw this when it first came out, and I wasn't commenting as much as I do now at the time...I'd love to excoriate this guy now, but it wouldn't be a timely response.
Just remember this...BULLFEATHERS!
USC1801
· 1 year ago
I found it interesting that the gentleman in the video gave his viewpoint (without any interaction, I might add) in an electronic format. What's the difference between his video and a message board when you get right down to it? He provide us with his opinion; bloggers do the same. The problem isn't the mode of communication, it's with the person behind the offensive message.
Of course, this is off-topic somewhat, so I should let it drop I guess.
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
I read BT quite often because I read The Oklahoman. I have commented to him through e-mail and he has written back every time. I can tell you this he has nothing to do with the message board portion on NewsOK.com, and has stated that he never reads the comments either. He is a sportswriter (and a pretty good one with well thought out view points) who works for a paper moving into this millineum, which means he does video and blog comments. He puts his viewpoint out there, but I have never got the idea that what he says or the formant in which it is communicated is hypocritical. I think what he has a problem with is not people giving opinions, he has a problem with people making unfounded claims or outright madeup lies as though they are factual.
USC1801
· 1 year ago
"ANYONE who frequents a message board is an accomplice to this crime" "Maybe you don't talk smack, maybe you don't toss out wild accusations, maybe you don't make outrageous claims, it DOESN"T MATTER! "Message boards are a weapon."
Listen again to what he says. He is not just against people who make unfounded claims or lies, he is saying that one form of communication is "bad" (my quotes). My point is that he is hypocritical in doing so. He uses video, and I assume, newsprint, as his forum. What makes his form of communication so pure and righteous? Is he trying to tell me that tv, video, and newspapers have never been used for lying or evil? Would he lump all journalist together as evil simply because they use one of these forms of communication? Why does he lump everyone who uses message boards together with the perpetrator? His argument doesn't pan out and is a weak philisophical position.
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
Michigan and RRod'z deserve each other. ;)
I also think Les saw this coming; that's why he recommended him; it's SO MUCH easier coming in after say a Ron Zook, than a Steve Spurrier...
Miles to Michigan, by 2011.
GO GATORS!!
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
Are you still bitter because the Michigan team that got beat by App. State beat you in your bowl game this January? Hmmmm??? Or maybe because you're 0-2 against the Wolverines? Maybe one of these days... (I guess that is if we ever get to a bowl again.) Heheheh.....
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
How do you figure "bitter"?
...and I see you're still savoring that extraordianary Cap One Win...conveniently neglecting what that season looked like going in.
b/t/w: How's the weather up there?
GO GATORS!!
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
1. I will continue to savor that victory (especially because of this season). 2. Preseason rankings in college football is silly. (See: this year) 3. re: The weather - It's man's weather.
GO BLUE!
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
Well played.
...and welcome aboard!
GO GATORS!!
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Yea, point for Dan on the weather comment...
:-)
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
I second TampaGator. Welcome aboard. Alright, enough Mr. Nice Guy, it's the biggest week of the year...
GO BUCKS!!! BEAT MICHIGAN!!!
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
It would certainly be more exciting if we had a better team, but oh well. And yes, I know you are still a tad bit worried. Any given Saturday... GO BLUE! BEAT THE BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Come on, Tom! It's a 19 point spread!!! Quit being Mr. Nice Guy, like you usually are...
(Tom Blogical is 50% more reasonable than your average Buckeye fan and college football fans in general...)
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
Oh, I'm not worried about the outcome. There's no doubt in my mind who'll win, but you have to understand. I endured the John Cooper era, who had a 2-10-1 record against TSUN. I know what Michigan fans are going through in spades. As a CFB fan, I learned what humility means and what the rivalry means. That, and I have a brother-in-law and a nephew who went to Michigan.
ToledoDan seems to be a reasonable fan. I usually let the other guys throw the first insult. Then all bets are off, of course. :-)
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
Tom:
Good to see that you've finally snapped back into reality. See, the Bucks finishing out at 10-2, isn't quite so bad - is it? You're probably gonna get a BCS invite if Oregon State will just go and lose another game. Your lookin' pretty good going into next year. A couple of months ago you were ready to hang yourself. Look at you now. But, you've had plenty of time to look at Michigan, haven't you? Now, that's the end of the world. But, as usual, I did predict that RichRod wasn't gonna be able to pull "that shit" off in the Big 10. No surprise to me. I think that I had actually predicted the 3-9 season. This guy needs to be fired for what he has done to Michigan football. And, I got some news for those die hards, who still think that Michigan is gonna be back next year. MICHIGAN IS NOT COMING BACK UNTIL THIS GUY IS GONE! And, that will be at the end of next season, after another 3-9 debacle. Oh well.
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
"Good to see that you've finally snapped back into reality."
As soon as the sun comes up the next day, I'm over it, win or lose. You can't dwell on the past, you have to keep getting better. I'm paraphrasing someone (gee, I wonder who?) popular, but it's close enough. We'll see what happens with Michigan next year, but with all their de-commitments and transfers, it looks very likely they'll repeat this year's debacle.
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
They'll console themselves with the fact that they are on a collission course with becoming just the 2nd team to win two BCS Trophies...
After LSU, of course...
(Hey...Gotta have pride)
PittsburghTiger
· 1 year ago
The economy is not so troubling when you have wealthy boosters to pay a good chunk of your buyout!
Rich Rod is a jerk.
Heavy D
· 1 year ago
From a Spartan alum to all you UM'ers - welcome to reality
PrinceMarko
· 1 year ago
RichRod was 3-9 during his first year at WVU. It takes time to learn a system from scratch. I'm not worried as long as i see progression.
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
Amen, brother. I'm expecting at minimum an 8-4 next season next year. (Although I might just be able to live with 7-5). I won't be truly happy until we spank another SEC team in a Jan. 1 bowl. And to that effect, a Jan. 7th or 8th bowl every 5 or 6 years would be swell, too. But I need to stay realistic.
Bama_DevilDog
· 1 year ago
Am I the only one that feels that Michgan fans absoultly hates the SEC?
Why the hatred?
Porcine
· 1 year ago
Didn't ToledoDan's team get spanked by umm, Toledo? They suffer from _____ envy.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Toledo Dan fully disclosed that potential conflict of interest in his Fanblogs' application, Porky.
I ran it by legal. He's okay...
Porcine
· 1 year ago
Are you bragging about what he is envious of?
PittsburghTiger
· 1 year ago
Because SEC country has also stolen a lot of their "auto" jobs from the craphole that is the state of Michigan!
ToledoDan
· 1 year ago
Alright, I need to clarify. I really don't have an all-encompassing disdain for the SEC, just generally for that flacid, dangling state below Georgia and Alabama. I have yet to meet a Florida fan who won't shut up about how awesome they are regardless of whether they get beat by an unranked team (see: Ole Miss), or a sub-par Big Ten team (see: 0-2 against Michigan). And regarding the comment about Toledo: Yeah, we won't ever be able to forget that one. Thanks anyway, Mr. Obvious. I was at that game, and I can't tell you when I've been in a quieter Big House. At least it wasn't Eastern Michigan...
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
See Danny T's post above; I think that tells it all. It's a profound disdain born of a deep seeded ENVY of...the FLORIDA GATORS!
...probably something to due with bieng passed over (exposed) in '06, and not getting to play OSU again. They viewed it as their birthright, citing such unbiased authorities, as Big 10 product Kirk Herbstriet, and conveniently neglecting the way that whole thing played out--you know, with Michigan and OSU getting almost simultaneously embarrassed by teams from both coasts....
...that's why they jump at any chance they get, to brag on that Cap One Bowl win this past January--again, conveniently neglecting the part where UF had a ridiculouly young, inexperienced, and pourous D, as they were rebuilding--while Michigan had a senior laden team with NC aspirations going in....all meaningless details.
The important thing for all to remember, is that Michigan beat UF (in the Cap One/Citrus Bowl)....all hail Michigan! Go Blue!.... [NOT]
GO GATORS!!
Nick
· 1 year ago
Read the full quote or don't blog about it:
"Do you read the horrible things written about you on the internet?" Rodriguez responds:
"This is a public position. It's not like a politician, I'm not running for office. I mean, God bless them. They choose to have that public scrutiny. As coaches, we know it's part of the job, but we don't choose to have it. Most of us would rather not.
But the biggest thing that is disappointing is when somebody, not necessarily the media, but when a fan or somebody would make it personal to your coach or to your players. Especially to the players, because those guys are amateurs. When they would make a personal comment or say something that's not related to coaching or not related to playing.
I don't get on message boards. I don't think anybody, any of our players or family should. But it's amazing some of the things that people would say or amazing things people will yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them get a life. I mean, there's a whole lot bigger problems. You lose a ballgame, and then you look at the economy or after every game I usually get to meet one of our veterans or somebody. You know, to take it personal on a coach or player to me, I don't think it's ever right.
But I'm glad fans have passion, but it's still kind of I guess a lot more bolder. You all would know. It's a lot more bolder what people would say and write. Not you all, but bloggers or whatever, than it used to be. We've seen it coming for a few years."
TheMayor
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the full text. I wish I would have read that first, would saved myself the trouble of reading all of these reactionary entries.
"You almost want to tell them get a life" is pretty tame. No story here. These bloggers are probably the same guys that boo their own team at the game.
VerySad
· 1 year ago
hes not responding to the loyal uofm fans but the ones who in online blogs are criticizing the players for their efforts and to allo west virgina fans of a team who was supposed to be in national championship contention this year enjoy the 6 and 3 record especially without a ranked team on your schedule; also Bobby Petrino and Nick Saban are much larger d-bags than Rich Rod
"BC"
· 1 year ago
i'm guessing you think Nick Saban is a "d-bag" because he said he wouldn't be coaching at alabama at a time when he had not been contacted about the job? and he was really just snapping at a nagging reporter. is that why nick saban is a "d-bag?"
ask anyone who's played for nick saban, past and present, they will all say he affected their life in a positive way, they respect him, and that he is a great coach.
he didn't hop a midnight train and bail on his team like Bobby Petrino did. Nick Saban would NEVER do that.
oh, and since you probably also think that he "follows the money," let me inform you: he makes $1.25 million less per year than he did at miami... he took a pay-cut because he loved the college game.
oh, also, nick saban is the HC for the #1 team in the country right now. im sure any fan, of any school, would rather have Nick Saban as their coach than whoever they have (except maybe florida and georgia fans).
ask yourselves: "if my coach got fired tonight, and replaced by nick saban, would i be upset at all?" nobody can honestly answer yes to that. which means: he is the best coach in the country.
Porcine
· 1 year ago
You do realize the vast majority of what you said can be applied to Petrino.
"BC"
· 1 year ago
except, petrino bailed on his team in the middle of a season and didn't even have the decency to tell them. all of this after the entire organization said they supported him despite his bad season. he turned around and stabbed them in the back. that says something about a man's character. actions speak louder than words. he is a coward, and i will never respect him.
Porcine
· 1 year ago
"except, petrino bailed on his team in the middle of a season" So did Bobby Knight, but people weren't on his case, besides they had already bailed on him "didn't even have the decency to tell them." Yeah, sure he didn't. "all of this after the entire organization said they supported him despite his bad season." What else were they going to say, "Your Fired!" Oh wait they already did that to Dan Reeves. They got what they deserved. "he turned around and stabbed them in the back. that says something about a man's character." No that was Vick sparing the dog laying in the pit from more suffering. "actions speak louder than words. he is a coward, and i will never respect him." He had a window to get his family and himself out of a situation that they didn't want to be in. He knew he was going to get heat from the media by doing so. He knew he would have to explain himself to recruits, parents, colleagues, etc. Yeah, he definately took the easy way out.
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
Don't bother him with facts...He's got a shrine in his room to this man...
He's got a whole case of Forbes' magazine with Saban on the cover...The first few are so crusty and the pages near the article so stuck together, he had to throw them out...
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
I can...
Our entire Athletic Department staff and personnel, from trainers, S&C, & our SID, Communications, and Marketing, as well as most of our booster groups, would summarily either resign or stop contributing to the Athletic Department.
You going to tell us that Nick didn't say multiple times he wasn't coaching at Alabama? The context you speak of cuts off at the point you think it paints him in a positive light. The REAL, ENTIRE context is that he said it multiple times to multiple folks, over and over, and not just to one person...To entire groups of media.
A man as intelligent as him realizes that when he's answering one person in front of the cameras, he's answering many...So to say that he snapped to answer "one" reporter is to infer the man is unintelligent, and you'd never do that, so cut the illogical slant, BC...
I can name you MULTIPLE PLAYERS that hate Nick Saban...
Kyle Williams - $30 million dollar man for the Buffalo Bills, despises him...
Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Brandon LaFell, and even LaRon Landry were going to transfer if Saban returned after 2004.
Nick Saban screwed Frank Wilson of O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans out of a job on his staff after Wilson steered three of his kids to LSU on the promise that he'd be there...Donavan Grayson, Craig Davis-a future 1st round NFL draft pick-and another kid...Once he got their commitments, he cut Wilson loose, and Wilson had already announced he was leaving O. Perry Walker...
A great high school coach that had opened up a pipeline to LSU got jerked around in the name of three recruits...Yeah, go ask Frank Wilson-late of Ole Miss, currently with Southern Miss-and his players how "positively" Nick Saban affected their lives...
You're so full of bullsh!t it's unreal...No wonder so many of the unintelligent masses in your fanbase drink and gulp the Kool-Aid and still regale folks with talks of that drunkard from the past wearing the Houndstooth...
Your hyperbole is so ridiculously ill-informed and untrue, it makes me itch...
But, don't mind me, BC...Or the facts...They've never seemed to get in the way of your ramblings...
"BC"
· 1 year ago
so uh...... Les Miles or Nick Saban? take your pick
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
so uh......
You want to admit you're a complete douchebag for making all that crap up just now?
LES MILES, Bleed_Crimson_Kotex...and nice job of ignoring the utter demolition of your entire post up there...
Zac
· 1 year ago
Amazing, here we have a thread about comments taken out of context made by one of my favorite coaches in the world, and it turns into a Miles Vs. Saban debate. Well, that's freedom of speech for ya; which has also come under debate in this thread.
The one thing we didn't have early on were all the facts. Shame on ya, Kev. But, fear not. You're still right in a lot of ways. So, no, I'm not about to laud this man just because he has the same rights as the rest of us, whose words were perhaps unfairly taken advantage of. Though he is without a doubt a good (arguably great) coach, he's hardly one of man-kind's crowning achievements.
Now, I warned many a MI fan, and many who aren't, not to expect much from Coach Rod in his 1st year at MI. We all know he only won 3 games in his 1st year at WVU. We all know that all too often the introduction of a new coach to a team doesn't meet with success right away, let alone a new coach with a new system. We all know he has introduced a new system of offense to his players, and that he & his staff have to recruit the right players to that system, in addition to teaching many of the (arguably) wrong players to play within that system.
When I suggested the Wolverines would likely not see much more success in RR's 1st year at WVU, the most reasonable MI fan said (See if any of you recognize this one.) "…uh, no." I, myself, predicted that MI would only win 6 games, but at least would be bowl eligible. I thought they would beat ND, lose to WI, and beat Toledo. Well, that's why I don't make any money at doing this. The good news: Things will get better. RR won 9 games in his 2nd year at WVU.
Fans will be fans. That doesn't make everything they say right, but there's no accounting for idiots, either. When WVU lost to Pitt last year, there were alleged fans calling for the heads of many a WVU player, especially kicker, Pat McAfee. Some were saying the most outlandish BS about Pat White. Some even talked about shunning the team; not even holding doors open for any of them, even threatening bodily harm. Our free press, fairly or unfairly, has certainly displayed harsh criticism to more than one athlete on more than one occasion. In return, they may say, "Get a life". I say, "Get over it!" If I made that kind of money I would certainly have grown a lot more deaf, not to mention thicker skin. AND, oh by the way, athletes aren't the only one's getting it. Consider all those banking and auto execs who cried for aid, only to travel in luxury. Yes, expect me to be civil, courteous, & fair. Don't you dare expect me to be kind.
Finally, let's not forget, Rich Rodriguez left his "home", his "dream job", for a "chance of a lifetime" job. He also claimed to have done it because WVU's Admin wouldn't hold to promises he claims they made. How easily he forgets a promise he made, to maintain Don Nehlan's staff, only to fire them all within a week of his having been hired. Well, at least, in time, he can develop a winner. Maybe in time, we'll forget about the rest.
Huge M Fan
· 1 year ago
I'm a huge Michigan fan and have to say that it's poor play calling that's killing the Wolverines. The first three plays of the game were predictable and even I called them. Option goes up the middle, quarterback keeper, fade pass to the end zone. Crappy predictable calls. Tell me why the quarterback and running back are looking to the sideline before the cadence on the first series??? Shouldn't they be focused on getting into the end zone and pretty much have the play called or have the own audible prepared on the first series. Be prepared before the game and play the game while time to play. Why not blitz a freshman quarterback as often as you can...you're three touchdown underdogs and he's a freshman...I say play to win! It's your last game of the season! Rich, good luck to you
Zac
· 1 year ago
Huge M Fan, you've been hearing primarily the bad news. It gets back to the complexity of Rich Rod's system. It takes an entire season for the line to learn & get used to the blocking schemes. It takes the same period of time for the receivers to learn their routes and blocking schemes. It takes the same period of time for the backfield to learn where the holes and lanes are formed as a result of the blocking schemes, which means they have to learn it all too; not to mention, they too have to block; not to mention, the QB has to be versatile and swift.
It also takes time to recruit to the system, which RR is going to have to do. Given his success at WVU, and given MI's storied history, that shouldn't be a problem. There's the good news; not to mention, the dividends will begin to pay off during the 2nd season, where RR won 9 regular season games at WVU. Trust me; and sadly for the rest of the Big Televen, it'll cook. You'll see; it'll cook. (For $2.5M/year, it had darn well better.)
Porcine
· 1 year ago
Whoa, it's like looking into a mirror.
Diggs_the_Mountie
· 1 year ago
28-21 and 32-5
Anyone care to take a stab at what those numbers represent?
Diggs_the_Mountie
· 1 year ago
*
Diggs_the_Mountie
· 1 year ago
Well, I guess not. Anyway, the 28-21 = Product Rodriguez's record Pre-Pat White
I'll let you figure out the second stat on your own. "Pat Whites" don't come along very often and it gets mighty cold in Ann Arbor from what I hear.
Zac
· 1 year ago
Diggs, I think WVU could have won w/Adam Dednarik. Pat White certainly deserves all the accolades, awards, and props he's been given (earned, actually), because he works hard; in fact, his work ethic is considered next to none. Still, I think Bednarik would have worked out in time, had he not been injured.
Consider his very 1st game against Syracuse in 2005. He completed almost 67% of his passes (14/21) for 102 yards: stats very similar to those of Pat White in his early years. Speaking of Pat White, during the same game he completed only 50% of his passes (3/6) for 62 yards.
Now, consider the rushing stats. Bednarik: 12 attempts, 72 yards; White: 6 attempts, 20 yards. The only real difference was their style of running. White, as we all know, is a cutter/slasher with blinding speed. The 225 lb Bednarik was a scaled down version of Owen Schmidt, one who wasn't afraid to lower his head and shoulders, as opposed to sliding.
While the 1st year may not have been as good as it was, given what White accomplished following Bednarik's injury, I thin the rest would have been OK, except, WVU would have seen more passing yardage out of Bednarik. Of course, that means we would have been deprived of watching Pat White work. That, like Bednarik's injury which made it happen, would have been a crying shame.
Diggs_the_Mountie
· 1 year ago
While this debate is in a different world all together than the one I mentioned about Dickies record simply because you can't debate what if's..... I still have to disagree with you Zac. You talk about their stats in the Syracuse game as if to you're trying to compare their respective abilities but fail to mention the Louisville game in 05' where we are down 24-7 and all of the sudden Pat comes in to lead us to a 46-44 victory triple overtime victory. That sure wasn't happening with Bednarik in there (no harm meant to him).
There's little doubt in Mountaineer Fan minds everywhere that Pat White and Steve Slaton coupled with Rick Trickett "made" Dickie in just a couple of seasons. Hell, that's exactly when others such as Bama came calling. We're gonna struggle without PW next year Zac. The only thing helping us out is the fact that Mullen has implemented the forward pass in this Offense and we're actually recruiting absolute stud WR's and Slot guys to go out there and run patterns instead of blocking on every down.
I'm actually quite stunned that you'd even attempt to try present that argument to me Zac;)
I have a hard time believing that anyone would disagree that due to Adam's misfortunes WVU prospered. Strange things do happen and for a reason.
Zac
· 1 year ago
I'm with you there, Diggs. There's no accounting for "what if's", and things do happen for a reason. By the way, I didn't completely discount the Louisville game. After all, it was during that game that Adam Bednarick was injured, giving Pat White the opportunity to show his stuff; an opportunity he took to great heights. I certainly wasn't trying to take anything away from Pat White. As I stated; through hard work and an irrefutable work ethic, he's earned his place. That said, in my opinion, WVU would have been OK, had Bednarick not been injured. WVU may not have beaten Louisville that day, but I think they would have been OK, overall.
As for next year, I really think Jerrett Brown will finally have his day in the sun. Like LSU's, Matt Flynn, like Cinci's, Tony Pike (to name a few), he's paid his dues waiting in the wings for his chance. Now, he has it. Next year's team is his to lose. He's taller, stronger, and arguably better passer, and considered to be just about as fast as Pat White. Because he hasn't played a lot, that will be telling in the first few games. Once he gets going, look out.
(By the way, the replay officials got the call right regarding Noel Devine being down before getting the ball across the end-zone. It was the play prior that the officiating screwed up. Given the best team won, it really doesn't matter.)
Happy thanksgiving, my friend. Always good to see you on here.
All Comments
Yeah, I know: The "estranged EX bit", right guys?
Truth is: It's never Dickies fault. Anyone elses but his.....
Kevin's right, too. You have to be a pretty big hypocrite to benefit from the loyalty of your fans and then criticize them for their loyalty.
They must be laughing in Morgantown tonight.
Really?
Yea, not really a bright move on RR's part. Nothing says interloper like a statement like that...
http://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?alb...
I love RichRod!
2nd) Bloggers are paid far less to voice their perception of the state of a team than coaches get for leading the team.
3rd) Bloggers buy the merchandise/tickets and watch the TV's to make the million dollar coaching pay checks possible. They also provide cheep advertizements and grass roots support for a team.
4th) Unless you are the next young Joe Paterno or Bobie Bowden, bloggers will be around far longer than a coach. Especially a loser at Michigan.
I love college football, but really now...
Head Coach at Michigan is a possition with high visability and expectations. Did he not know this going in? Is that not what drew him to the possition? Or did he not do his research on the possition he was applying for?
Certainly some fans go overboard. That is the world we live in, and I am not going to defend their actions. As a coach at Michigan Rodriques needs to be above that. What bloggers say about him should not even really be a concern for him. Maybe an occational constructive criticism, but he needs to be able to ignore the riff raff or avoid the dialog in question altogether.
Making a blanket attacking on bloggers is not a politically sound move for anyone.
He is head FB coach of the winningest program in CFB; he's a multi-millionaire....he oughtn't be concerned with what a bunch of disgruntled fans say. If he is, that speaks volumes of his current futility.
Not only was it unwise--it was IMMATURE.
That fat salary comes with strings, like: long hours, expectations, accountability....SCRUTINY...
GO GATORS!!
Not because he makes a lot of money--but because the money he does make, comes with strings--scrutiny comes with the territory. He should be above this pettiness--and I base that on his conspicous position--not his salary.
RR calling out fans for being fans, just reaks of Britney Spears and all these celebs, constantly whining about the "Paparazzi." You want a low profile? GTFO of Hollywood.
Likewise, if RR doesn't want bloggers taking personal shots at him....GTFO of CFB--go be a coordinator, or assistant coach, or a HS coach....
GO GATORS!!
And this is exactly the kind of reaction those making such comments would love to have, plus acknolegement that they are actually being heard.
This post is making much out of little, but Rodriques made a little out of nothing.
Rich Rod may be an arrogant coach but nonetheless he has proven himself in previous coaching posts. Everyone knew this would be a rebuilding/revamping year for the Wolverines. UM hired a guy to turn around UM football and if fans wanted someone that would do this in one season then they should have lobbied for a different coach. There are plenty of "high profile" coaches that could win with UM's current players. Could those coaches win championships? Probably not.
Ultimately, Rich Rod was chosen for a reason: because UM fans expect great things from their program. But to expect a spread offense to be injected into this team and work automatically is just crazy. UM fans need to "get a life" and start facing reality. If they don't want to, fire Rich Rod and begin the coaching carousel of disappointment. That's what they've been doing in nearby South Bend for over a decade and look how it's worked out for them!
So many programs are humbled when great coaches refuse to leave their current programs to go to "high profile" programs (eg: Jim Grobe). These coaches know that they are appreciated at lesser BCS programs, while they could be under fire within a half season at a top program.
I am a rabid Wolverines fan, and I am also pissed about the horrendous season, but I think if you aren't a complete moron, you need to realize that it isn't going to get perfect in one season, or even two. It is unfair to claim you know Rodriguez will be/is a bad coach until he has a chance to prove otherwise. One season? Gimme a break. Rumor has it he did pretty well at WVU. Just not in the first season.
If we don't go bowling again next year, I will humbly stand corrected. Until then - GET A LIFE!
There's more than enough venom being spewed about on CFB blogs, but at least here at Fanblogs, it's mostly commenter-driven, as opposed to most of the homer blogs, where the staff directs the show and proffers most of the opinion...
Some people will jump on this thread to take a shot at RR, others will be neutral, and still some will defend the situation, as you have. It's what makes our little world go 'round...
No one is saying he doesn't have the right to free speech. Nor are they intimating he was unethical in his approach. He can say what he wants about his critics. What we are saying is it was a STUPID move to attack his own fan base. Try being critical of your wife in front of a group of people sometime. You'll see what I mean. You'll say to yourself, "Now that was STUPID of me!"
I think he knows full well that the true Michigan fan is angry and dissapointed, but still knows not to cross the line between criticism and personal attack.
Those fans (and I've met a few) are the type that say Rich Rod should be fired, yet know absolutley nothing about football and its processes. After 2 or 3 years of the same problems, then maybe, But after his first season? C'mon.
I saw this when it first came out, and I wasn't commenting as much as I do now at the time...I'd love to excoriate this guy now, but it wouldn't be a timely response.
Just remember this...BULLFEATHERS!
Of course, this is off-topic somewhat, so I should let it drop I guess.
I think what he has a problem with is not people giving opinions, he has a problem with people making unfounded claims or outright madeup lies as though they are factual.
"Maybe you don't talk smack, maybe you don't toss out wild accusations, maybe you don't make outrageous claims, it DOESN"T MATTER!
"Message boards are a weapon."
Listen again to what he says. He is not just against people who make unfounded claims or lies, he is saying that one form of communication is "bad" (my quotes). My point is that he is hypocritical in doing so. He uses video, and I assume, newsprint, as his forum. What makes his form of communication so pure and righteous? Is he trying to tell me that tv, video, and newspapers have never been used for lying or evil? Would he lump all journalist together as evil simply because they use one of these forms of communication? Why does he lump everyone who uses message boards together with the perpetrator? His argument doesn't pan out and is a weak philisophical position.
I also think Les saw this coming; that's why he recommended him; it's SO MUCH easier coming in after say a Ron Zook, than a Steve Spurrier...
Miles to Michigan, by 2011.
GO GATORS!!
Hmmmm???
Or maybe because you're 0-2 against the Wolverines? Maybe one of these days...
(I guess that is if we ever get to a bowl again.)
Heheheh.....
...and I see you're still savoring that extraordianary Cap One Win...conveniently neglecting what that season looked like going in.
b/t/w: How's the weather up there?
GO GATORS!!
2. Preseason rankings in college football is silly. (See: this year)
3. re: The weather - It's man's weather.
GO BLUE!
...and welcome aboard!
GO GATORS!!
:-)
GO BUCKS!!! BEAT MICHIGAN!!!
GO BLUE! BEAT THE BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!
(Tom Blogical is 50% more reasonable than your average Buckeye fan and college football fans in general...)
ToledoDan seems to be a reasonable fan. I usually let the other guys throw the first insult. Then all bets are off, of course. :-)
Good to see that you've finally snapped back into reality. See, the Bucks finishing out at 10-2, isn't quite so bad - is it? You're probably gonna get a BCS invite if Oregon State will just go and lose another game. Your lookin' pretty good going into next year. A couple of months ago you were ready to hang yourself. Look at you now. But, you've had plenty of time to look at Michigan, haven't you? Now, that's the end of the world. But, as usual, I did predict that RichRod wasn't gonna be able to pull "that shit" off in the Big 10. No surprise to me. I think that I had actually predicted the 3-9 season. This guy needs to be fired for what he has done to Michigan football. And, I got some news for those die hards, who still think that Michigan is gonna be back next year. MICHIGAN IS NOT COMING BACK UNTIL THIS GUY IS GONE! And, that will be at the end of next season, after another 3-9 debacle. Oh well.
As soon as the sun comes up the next day, I'm over it, win or lose. You can't dwell on the past, you have to keep getting better. I'm paraphrasing someone (gee, I wonder who?) popular, but it's close enough. We'll see what happens with Michigan next year, but with all their de-commitments and transfers, it looks very likely they'll repeat this year's debacle.
After LSU, of course...
(Hey...Gotta have pride)
Rich Rod is a jerk.
I'm expecting at minimum an 8-4 next season next year. (Although I might just be able to live with 7-5).
I won't be truly happy until we spank another SEC team in a Jan. 1 bowl.
And to that effect, a Jan. 7th or 8th bowl every 5 or 6 years would be swell, too. But I need to stay realistic.
Why the hatred?
They suffer from _____ envy.
I ran it by legal. He's okay...
And regarding the comment about Toledo: Yeah, we won't ever be able to forget that one. Thanks anyway, Mr. Obvious. I was at that game, and I can't tell you when I've been in a quieter Big House. At least it wasn't Eastern Michigan...
...probably something to due with bieng passed over (exposed) in '06, and not getting to play OSU again. They viewed it as their birthright, citing such unbiased authorities, as Big 10 product Kirk Herbstriet, and conveniently neglecting the way that whole thing played out--you know, with Michigan and OSU getting almost simultaneously embarrassed by teams from both coasts....
...that's why they jump at any chance they get, to brag on that Cap One Bowl win this past January--again, conveniently neglecting the part where UF had a ridiculouly young, inexperienced, and pourous D, as they were rebuilding--while Michigan had a senior laden team with NC aspirations going in....all meaningless details.
The important thing for all to remember, is that Michigan beat UF (in the Cap One/Citrus Bowl)....all hail Michigan! Go Blue!.... [NOT]
GO GATORS!!
"Do you read the horrible things written about you on the internet?" Rodriguez responds:
"This is a public position. It's not like a politician, I'm not running for office. I mean, God bless them. They choose to have that public scrutiny. As coaches, we know it's part of the job, but we don't choose to have it. Most of us would rather not.
But the biggest thing that is disappointing is when somebody, not necessarily the media, but when a fan or somebody would make it personal to your coach or to your players. Especially to the players, because those guys are amateurs. When they would make a personal comment or say something that's not related to coaching or not related to playing.
I don't get on message boards. I don't think anybody, any of our players or family should. But it's amazing some of the things that people would say or amazing things people will yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them get a life. I mean, there's a whole lot bigger problems. You lose a ballgame, and then you look at the economy or after every game I usually get to meet one of our veterans or somebody. You know, to take it personal on a coach or player to me, I don't think it's ever right.
But I'm glad fans have passion, but it's still kind of I guess a lot more bolder. You all would know. It's a lot more bolder what people would say and write. Not you all, but bloggers or whatever, than it used to be. We've seen it coming for a few years."
"You almost want to tell them get a life" is pretty tame. No story here. These bloggers are probably the same guys that boo their own team at the game.
is that why nick saban is a "d-bag?"
ask anyone who's played for nick saban, past and present, they will all say he affected their life in a positive way, they respect him, and that he is a great coach.
he didn't hop a midnight train and bail on his team like Bobby Petrino did.
Nick Saban would NEVER do that.
oh, and since you probably also think that he "follows the money," let me inform you:
he makes $1.25 million less per year than he did at miami...
he took a pay-cut because he loved the college game.
oh, also, nick saban is the HC for the #1 team in the country right now.
im sure any fan, of any school, would rather have Nick Saban as their coach than whoever they have (except maybe florida and georgia fans).
ask yourselves: "if my coach got fired tonight, and replaced by nick saban, would i be upset at all?"
nobody can honestly answer yes to that.
which means: he is the best coach in the country.
all of this after the entire organization said they supported him despite his bad season.
he turned around and stabbed them in the back. that says something about a man's character.
actions speak louder than words.
he is a coward, and i will never respect him.
So did Bobby Knight, but people weren't on his case, besides they had already bailed on him
"didn't even have the decency to tell them."
Yeah, sure he didn't.
"all of this after the entire organization said they supported him despite his bad season." What else were they going to say, "Your Fired!" Oh wait they already did that to Dan Reeves. They got what they deserved.
"he turned around and stabbed them in the back. that says something about a man's character." No that was Vick sparing the dog laying in the pit from more suffering.
"actions speak louder than words. he is a coward, and i will never respect him."
He had a window to get his family and himself out of a situation that they didn't want to be in. He knew he was going to get heat from the media by doing so. He knew he would have to explain himself to recruits, parents, colleagues, etc. Yeah, he definately took the easy way out.
He's got a whole case of Forbes' magazine with Saban on the cover...The first few are so crusty and the pages near the article so stuck together, he had to throw them out...
Our entire Athletic Department staff and personnel, from trainers, S&C, & our SID, Communications, and Marketing, as well as most of our booster groups, would summarily either resign or stop contributing to the Athletic Department.
You going to tell us that Nick didn't say multiple times he wasn't coaching at Alabama? The context you speak of cuts off at the point you think it paints him in a positive light. The REAL, ENTIRE context is that he said it multiple times to multiple folks, over and over, and not just to one person...To entire groups of media.
A man as intelligent as him realizes that when he's answering one person in front of the cameras, he's answering many...So to say that he snapped to answer "one" reporter is to infer the man is unintelligent, and you'd never do that, so cut the illogical slant, BC...
I can name you MULTIPLE PLAYERS that hate Nick Saban...
Kyle Williams - $30 million dollar man for the Buffalo Bills, despises him...
Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Brandon LaFell, and even LaRon Landry were going to transfer if Saban returned after 2004.
Nick Saban screwed Frank Wilson of O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans out of a job on his staff after Wilson steered three of his kids to LSU on the promise that he'd be there...Donavan Grayson, Craig Davis-a future 1st round NFL draft pick-and another kid...Once he got their commitments, he cut Wilson loose, and Wilson had already announced he was leaving O. Perry Walker...
A great high school coach that had opened up a pipeline to LSU got jerked around in the name of three recruits...Yeah, go ask Frank Wilson-late of Ole Miss, currently with Southern Miss-and his players how "positively" Nick Saban affected their lives...
You're so full of bullsh!t it's unreal...No wonder so many of the unintelligent masses in your fanbase drink and gulp the Kool-Aid and still regale folks with talks of that drunkard from the past wearing the Houndstooth...
Your hyperbole is so ridiculously ill-informed and untrue, it makes me itch...
But, don't mind me, BC...Or the facts...They've never seemed to get in the way of your ramblings...
Les Miles or Nick Saban?
take your pick
You want to admit you're a complete douchebag for making all that crap up just now?
LES MILES, Bleed_Crimson_Kotex...and nice job of ignoring the utter demolition of your entire post up there...
The one thing we didn't have early on were all the facts. Shame on ya, Kev. But, fear not. You're still right in a lot of ways. So, no, I'm not about to laud this man just because he has the same rights as the rest of us, whose words were perhaps unfairly taken advantage of. Though he is without a doubt a good (arguably great) coach, he's hardly one of man-kind's crowning achievements.
Now, I warned many a MI fan, and many who aren't, not to expect much from Coach Rod in his 1st year at MI. We all know he only won 3 games in his 1st year at WVU. We all know that all too often the introduction of a new coach to a team doesn't meet with success right away, let alone a new coach with a new system. We all know he has introduced a new system of offense to his players, and that he & his staff have to recruit the right players to that system, in addition to teaching many of the (arguably) wrong players to play within that system.
When I suggested the Wolverines would likely not see much more success in RR's 1st year at WVU, the most reasonable MI fan said (See if any of you recognize this one.) "…uh, no." I, myself, predicted that MI would only win 6 games, but at least would be bowl eligible. I thought they would beat ND, lose to WI, and beat Toledo. Well, that's why I don't make any money at doing this. The good news: Things will get better. RR won 9 games in his 2nd year at WVU.
Fans will be fans. That doesn't make everything they say right, but there's no accounting for idiots, either. When WVU lost to Pitt last year, there were alleged fans calling for the heads of many a WVU player, especially kicker, Pat McAfee. Some were saying the most outlandish BS about Pat White. Some even talked about shunning the team; not even holding doors open for any of them, even threatening bodily harm. Our free press, fairly or unfairly, has certainly displayed harsh criticism to more than one athlete on more than one occasion. In return, they may say, "Get a life". I say, "Get over it!" If I made that kind of money I would certainly have grown a lot more deaf, not to mention thicker skin. AND, oh by the way, athletes aren't the only one's getting it. Consider all those banking and auto execs who cried for aid, only to travel in luxury. Yes, expect me to be civil, courteous, & fair. Don't you dare expect me to be kind.
Finally, let's not forget, Rich Rodriguez left his "home", his "dream job", for a "chance of a lifetime" job. He also claimed to have done it because WVU's Admin wouldn't hold to promises he claims they made. How easily he forgets a promise he made, to maintain Don Nehlan's staff, only to fire them all within a week of his having been hired. Well, at least, in time, he can develop a winner. Maybe in time, we'll forget about the rest.
It also takes time to recruit to the system, which RR is going to have to do. Given his success at WVU, and given MI's storied history, that shouldn't be a problem. There's the good news; not to mention, the dividends will begin to pay off during the 2nd season, where RR won 9 regular season games at WVU. Trust me; and sadly for the rest of the Big Televen, it'll cook. You'll see; it'll cook. (For $2.5M/year, it had darn well better.)
Anyone care to take a stab at what those numbers represent?
I'll let you figure out the second stat on your own. "Pat Whites" don't come along very often and it gets mighty cold in Ann Arbor from what I hear.
Consider his very 1st game against Syracuse in 2005. He completed almost 67% of his passes (14/21) for 102 yards: stats very similar to those of Pat White in his early years. Speaking of Pat White, during the same game he completed only 50% of his passes (3/6) for 62 yards.
Now, consider the rushing stats. Bednarik: 12 attempts, 72 yards; White: 6 attempts, 20 yards. The only real difference was their style of running. White, as we all know, is a cutter/slasher with blinding speed. The 225 lb Bednarik was a scaled down version of Owen Schmidt, one who wasn't afraid to lower his head and shoulders, as opposed to sliding.
While the 1st year may not have been as good as it was, given what White accomplished following Bednarik's injury, I thin the rest would have been OK, except, WVU would have seen more passing yardage out of Bednarik. Of course, that means we would have been deprived of watching Pat White work. That, like Bednarik's injury which made it happen, would have been a crying shame.
There's little doubt in Mountaineer Fan minds everywhere that Pat White and Steve Slaton coupled with Rick Trickett "made" Dickie in just a couple of seasons. Hell, that's exactly when others such as Bama came calling. We're gonna struggle without PW next year Zac. The only thing helping us out is the fact that Mullen has implemented the forward pass in this Offense and we're actually recruiting absolute stud WR's and Slot guys to go out there and run patterns instead of blocking on every down.
I'm actually quite stunned that you'd even attempt to try present that argument to me Zac;)
I have a hard time believing that anyone would disagree that due to Adam's misfortunes WVU prospered. Strange things do happen and for a reason.
As for next year, I really think Jerrett Brown will finally have his day in the sun. Like LSU's, Matt Flynn, like Cinci's, Tony Pike (to name a few), he's paid his dues waiting in the wings for his chance. Now, he has it. Next year's team is his to lose. He's taller, stronger, and arguably better passer, and considered to be just about as fast as Pat White. Because he hasn't played a lot, that will be telling in the first few games. Once he gets going, look out.
(By the way, the replay officials got the call right regarding Noel Devine being down before getting the ball across the end-zone. It was the play prior that the officiating screwed up. Given the best team won, it really doesn't matter.)
Happy thanksgiving, my friend. Always good to see you on here.