Michigan Tuesday: Jersey Patches and Big Ten Media Days

The Big Ten Media Days start today which means we will hear nothing but coach speak and how easy Penn State's schedule is this year.  It's also a sign that the Wolverines will be playing ball soon!  

News breaking this morning is that Ohio State has signed a $17M a year deal with JP Morgan Chase to put their logo on OSU uniforms.  I know Michigan fans hate the idea of a corporate logo on a Michigan jersey, but its only a matter of time now.  Some could argue that Jordan, Nike, and Adidas are all corporate logos that have been on the jersey for many years.   The goal will be to do it with class and not make each player look like a Nascar.  

I would like to see the math where Chase can get $17M worth of exposure a year by putting a patch on a jersey.  I think corporate sponsorships of stadiums and patches on jerseys are not the best marketing opportunities.  I also can see the other side of the argument as OSU (like Michigan) is on TV every week and bring a ton of eye balls to each game.   Still $17M for a patch?  Anyone want to sponsor a BHB patch? 😀

I hope Warde is not negotiating the Michigan deal. 

• There is buzz that the Michigan Regents maybe close to finding a new President for U of M.  First thing he or she will need to do is hire an AD.  

• As a reminder, Bryce, Jordan, and Trey Pierce are attending the Big Ten Media Days with Coach Whitt.  Michigan is planned to hit the stage on Thursday. 

• Bryce was on Rich Eisen yesterday, he is working with Jordan Palmer, QB coach this off season on his fundementals:  "Overall, just simplifying everything, making everything as simple as possible, easy as possible. That's a simple way to put it," Underwood said. "Overall, just making the game way easier, not doing too much, just being calm, relaxed in a pocket, just football."  He is also working on the mental side:"I'd say being mentally stronger," Underwood said. "I feel like last year was more of like, OK, see if I'm physically gifted, and now it's about seeing how mentally strong I can be going throughout the season. Of course, the goal is being 1-0 every single week, but no matter what, being mentally strong every game."

Wolverine Wednesday: Bryce Putting In The Work

As you know, I didn't think Bryce's freshman year was as bad as most people thought.  None of us would've been ready to lead the Michigan Football Team a few days after our 18th birthday.   With that said, I thought his Spring Game performance would be graded as a D.  He got out shined by a fundamentally strong true freshman.  Bryce's fundamentals didn't look better and he looked exactly what we saw last season.

So to recap:

• Bryce is Michigan's highest paid and rated player 
• He has a brand new QB Coach dedicated to make him better 
• He had a true freshman outshine him in the Spring Game 
• He needs to improve over the summer 

Bryce is a smart guy and he knows his earning potential and his playing time could be under attack if he doesn't take a big leap forward next season.  There is nothing wrong struggling as a 18 year old first time starter, there is for a guy with a years playing experience.  We know he has the talent, he just has to clean up his fundamentals and decision making. 

To that end, Bryce is working with Jordan Palmer (brother of Carson) who is an ESPN analyst/famous QB Coach and Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow.  That is a great start and I hope they are able fix some of his QB fundamentals.  If Bryce puts in the work, he will be fine.  He just can't always just rely on his strong arm.