Michigan Friday: Desmond Picks the Wrong Example

I have a ton of respect for Desmond Howard.  He has been successful on the field and off of it.  He has a Heisman Trophy and a Superbowl MVP in his trophy case.   He is a smart man and one I would hope young Wolverines would inspire to be like.  

On Thursday, Desmond (IMO) made a mistake on the example he used in proving his point.  He was speaking at the Black Coaches and Administrators Convention and said this: 

"I was told by a giant, Bo Schembechler, that no one man is bigger than the program. Not even (Schembechler). He was larger than life. For me to sit there and this guy tells me nobody's bigger than Michigan, that's all he had to say."



Howard said the prominent coverage of recruiting has young players in the spotlight before they've accomplished anything significant in college. He said if Bobby Bowden can be forced out as coach at Florida State, why should any player feel irreplaceable?


"I'll give you a perfect example: Michigan fires coach Rich Rodriguez," said Howard, who starred at Michigan from 1989-91. "All the noise in Ann Arbor is, 'Is Denard Robinson going to stay or leave?' I'm like, 'Hey, if the kid wants to go, don't let the door hit you on the way out. You looked fantastic for five games against nobody. That's what you did.' I'm not going to deny his talents, but, 'You ain't won nothing in Ann Arbor, son! Not so much we need to worry about if you're going to be here next year or not.' "

The premise of Desmond's remarks are valid.  There shouldn't be any entitlement to playing at Michigan or any other program.  The mistake he made was using Denard as a possible example.  Denard is one of the finest student athletes at Michigan or any program nationally.   He works hard everyday and has zero sense of entitlement.   If he left Ann Arbor, it would have been for a better fit for his skills.  Just as if Desmond left ESPN for CBS or Fox.   Use Justin Boren or Tate Foricer as an example, not Denard.

I am disappointed in the example Desmond used and my hope he apologizes to Denard, because Denard deserves it.

 

• Wayne Morgan has moved his announcement out a day and now will announce on June 2nd.

• TomVH catches up with Offensive line prospect Joshua Garnett from the State of Washington.

• I'm now officially worried about Tate and his mental state.  He was seen hanging out a window in Grand Rapids at an apartment building where his girl friend lives.  Again, many more questions then answers regarding Tate.

• RJS has been added to the Army All American Game Roster.

Michigan Monday: Woodson Gets His Ring and Other Wolverine News

Charles Woodson had a up and down day yesterday.  Of course, breaking his collarbone before halftime was "the down" and getting his Super Bowl ring was the big "up".  Like I mentioned on Friday, Chuck has had a very nice career with a Heisman, a National Championship, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, and now a Super Bowl Ring.   It doesn't get any better then that.    I hope his collarbone heals quickly.

I didn't see the Tom Harmon Icon special on BTN yesterday and hope to catch a replay.  I wonder if Tom knew that he could have won a Championship with the Green Bay Packers back in the day. Michigan's two other Heisman Trophy winners Desmond Howard and now Charles Woodson both won Championships with the Packers.   (Tom was drafted by the Chicago Bears but elected to play in the AFL with the New York Americans).

On a side note, If you get a chance to see the Lombardi documentary on HBO, I highly recommend it. 

• The Michigan Basketball team had a nice win in Happy Valley yesterday.  When Darius Morris plays well, Michigan is a very competitive team.   I also think Tim Hardaway will be a star in a couple of years. 

• Tom Brady wins the NFL MVP award by sweeping all 50 votes. 

• How about the National Anthem last night?  I thought something didn't sound right.

• MSU lost again last night.  Time for Izzo to go?  Just kidding but we haven't seen a swoon like this from the Spartans in a long time.

• Tate Forcier seems to be down to Kansas State, Miami, Montana, Washington, and Arizona.   He is planning to visit these schools in the next two weeks.   If he wants to play next year he would go to Montana.  If he goes to Washington he will be behind Joe Montana's son (Montana or playing behind Montana?).  Arizona would seem to make sense - (a lot of Michigan QB transfers go to that state to play football).   I worry about Tate in Miami. 

• Michigan's 2012 prospect list are coming out fast.  Here are two recent ones.  I will put up a 2012 watch list this week.

• David Harris is about to get paid!  Sounds like the Jets are about to put the Franchise tag on him.  I wonder how that works without a CBA?

• Michigan plans to announce the hiring today of Curt Mallory, DB coach and Jerry Montgomery to coach the D-line.

• Speaking of Desmond Howard it seems Phil Simms isn't a fan as they got into a confrontation this past week in Dallas.  Phil you are now dead to me.   Phil your in the media, you should be able to take a criticism of your son. 

• Maize N Blue Blood:  Here is an article on Michigan's 2011 walk on full back Joe Kerridge.  (Freep link) 

Wolverine Wednesday: More Recruiting News

The Prince of Ann Arbor?:  It sounds like 3 star Slot WR Prince Holloway has Michigan very high on his list: (freep link) Dallas is my cousin and for a month we planned on committing to Michigan,” Holloway said.


Crawford committed to U-M last month, but Holloway has not had the right opportunity to offer his pledge to the Wolverines. He has yet to visit the Ann Arbor campus, but has been given a preview by his cousin, who took two trips to the school in the last eight months. “He says it is very nice and he loves it up there,” Holloway said. “If he can love it up there, I know I can.”

Michigan recently took the surprise commitment of instate running back Justice Hayes, who many believe was offered as a slot WR.   Does Michigan have room for Prince at this point?  That is a valid question.  I wonder if the Prince can play corner. 

• Do you wonder if Quality Control staff coached players at Michigan before RR got there?  Dave Hutchinson was just hired as Glenville State's head coach.  He was the offensive quality control coach at Michigan under Lloyd Carr in 2007.   On the ironic side of this, RR was the Glenville State head man from 1990 to 1996.   The key words above are that Dave should not have been "coaching" in his QC role at Michigan.

• Desmond Howard and his million dollar smile went into the College Hall of Fame last night!  Congrats Des!

• Dave Molk is a finalist for the 2010 Rimington Trophy for the best center in the country.  It seems Dave will get a free trip Disney World this week to see if he is the winner.    

• It seems the Michigan players will receive a watch, Oakley sunglasses, a leather duffel bag, ring and commemorative football for participating in the Gator Bowl.  The players in the Citrus Bowl get a $420 shopping spree to Best Buy.  Players are allowed $500 in Bowl Gifts from the hosting Bowl.  

• 4 star instate CB/Athlete from Highland Park Raymon Taylor who verbally committed to Indiana is re-thinking his college choice after IU let go the gum throwing Bill Lynch.  He seems to be interested in the Wolverines, but currently doesn't have an offer.   Are the Wolverines interested in this 4 star athlete?  We should know soon. 

• Recruits do read blogs! 4 Star WR Devin Lucien was impressed by the feedback from the readers on Mgoblog on him considering Michigan. 

• Jack Tabb a TE that Michigan is recruiting visited North Carolina last weekend and had a "great time".  He is visiting Arkansas this weekend and has one more visit left.  Maybe to Rutgers or BC.