Wolverine Wednesday: Thank Goodness That is Over

In one of the strangest recruitments ever, Malik McDowell sent in his LOI to MSU last night.   I wish him good luck but his college career sure has gotten off to a strange start. 

• Mlive's Nick Baumgardner tweeted out that Freddy Canteen is running with the one's during practice.  He also quoted Freddy as saying he might be the fastest player on the team.  Freddy was known as a great route runner but not exactly a speed guy, so hearing he is fast is a nice upside.  I take this news a little differently then the Mason Cole news from yesterday, WR's can make an impact as a freshman and should if they are very talented.   I guess we have a couple more reasons to watch the Spring Game on Saturday.

• Northville's QB/Safety Joey Hewlett has agreed to walk-on to the Wolverines this fall.  

• Desmond and the photographer who took the "Hello Heisman" photo finally reached an agreement on how to handle the copyright.

• Hagerup talks about his suspension and being back with the team: “I think of it as a part of me growing up,” Hagerup said on his suspension. “I think everybody goes through, especially a time like this when you’re in college you go through ups and downs. For me it just so happen to be more public, but I am proud of what I accomplished on the field. I’m not proud of some of things I have done off the field. But I think both were necessary to bring me to where I am today.”

• MSU's opener against Jacksonville State has been moved to Friday Night Aug.29.  Jacksonville State finished ranked 10th in the FCS last year.  

Michigan Monday: Number Changes

We are starting to see what Big AL has cooking for next year in some number changes that were just announced. 

Roy Roundtree will reverse his number from #12 to #21.  As you know, #21 is one of the Wolverines Legendary numbers since former Heisman Trophy Winner Desmond Howard wore that number.   Last year, Sugar Bowl MVP Junior Hemingway wore #21 as well.  

Devin Gardner is also changing and you guessed it, he will move from #7 to #12.   Both of these numbers have a long heritage at QB at Michigan.  Of course #7 was worn by Rick Leach and #12 was worn by Tom Brady.   It seems moving Devin to #12 gives Big Al the flexibility to move Devin to WR for some snaps or play QB if needed. 

I don't now the NCAA number rules but I'm guessing #7 is a primary QB number and #12 gives you more flexibility.  

• 4 star DB Leon McQuay III and his father visited Ann Arbor for two days this weekend.  He is visiting a number of schools and they stopped by Michigan to check out the Wolverines.  Leon and his father came away impressed with the visit and Leon has moved the Wolverines up to his top 5.   Leon is planning to enroll in January and still wants to visit some other schools.  Academics, tradition and best fit are the decision criteria for Leon and his father.  Weather and being close to home is not a factor.   They are serious about academics and considering schools like Vandy, Duke and Stanford as well.  The one thing that seemed to stand out to Leon and his father was the chance to wear former Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson's number.  

• 4 Star RB Jordan Wilkins is planning on camping at Michigan this summer.

• The Charles Woodson, Steve Hutchinson and Brian Griese Golf Outing this past weekend raised $1.3M for Mott Hospital.

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.

Michigan Friday: #21 Makes it to the Hall

#21 in your program and one of Michigan's most dynamic play makers ever, Desmond Howard was voted into the College Hall of Fame yesterday.  As we all know, Desmond won the Heisman Trophy in 1991 when he was basically a human highlight reel.

As I think back on that season, it seems like he did something special pretty much every week.  Clearly, the highlights were his diving catch against ND and his famous Heisman pose after returning a punt against Ohio State.  Where we heard Keith Jackson's famous call, "Good Bye and Hello Heisman!".

I know Michigan runs a ton of WR screens these days, but there was nobody better at running those then Desmond Howard.  I remember a game against Indiana or something, watching him run those and thinking, "that play just isn't fair, they can't stop it!".

I know there is a debate on whether numbers should be retired or not.  (Some folks are in the camp that: Yes we should do it - Others say it's huge for recruiting if a guy has a chance to wear #1, #2, #7, or #21).  Either way, Michigan needs to do something to recognize our great players of the past.   Wall of Fame, Ring of Honor, something.

After Michigan, Desmond went on to have a 10 year NFL career with 6 different teams.   He was drafted #4 overall to the Washington Redskins and finished his career with the Detroit Lions.   The highlight of his professional career was of course his MVP in the Super Bowl during the 1996 season when he took a second half kick off 99 yards for a touchdown.

Desmond after football has also found success as a college football analysts on ESPN's College Game Day and even assisted the Bill Martin and the University of Michigan in finding a new football coach after Lloyd Carr retired.

Desmond is a class act and this is a well deserved honor.   Not bad for a kid from Cleveland, that took a chance on heading North for his education and wearing the Maize and Blue.   Go Blue!

Wednesday Wolverine News and Notes

• Ryan Mallett's punishment will be: "He'll be in shape, that's for sure," Petrino added. He's going to get up at six o'clock in the morning every day," Petrino continued. "We'll have an eleven o'clock curfew for him for the rest of the semester and then there's going to be some community service involved in it."
  


• Red Berenson, Michigan's Hockey Coach gets a 1 year extension. Red is considering retiring but doesn't know when.
  


• Hockey at the Big House? It might happen after the renovations are completed. A mgoblog reader suggested the idea of a double header with the Red Wings. Sounds like a great idea!

• Michigan's Junior Day will be March 13 and has been named "The Night of Champions". In-state prospects planning to attend include: Detroit Southeastern defensive end William Gholston, Detroit Cass Tech cornerback Dior Mathis, Inkster quarterback Devin Gardner, Warren Fitzgerald linebacker Austin Gray, Charlevoix offensive lineman Bill Ivan and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s quarterback Robert Bolden. Out of State prospect hoping to attend include: Spartanburg, S.C., quarterback Cornelius Jones (6-2, 197 pounds) is and Flower Mound (Tex.) Marcus running back Stephen Hopkins (6-0, 220). Spring practice starts the next day, March 14th.

• Desmond Howard, Michigan Wide Receiver (1989-91) is on the ballot for nomination to the College Football Hall of Fame. This picture alone should get him into the hall.

• ESPN 's Bruce Feldman's Blog on Intriguing new assistant coaches: has #1 Scot Loeffler the former U of M QB coach that is now at Florida to work with Tim Tebow and #2 is Michigan's new defensive coordinator, Greg Robinson.

• Ed Hightower did the Iowa - Ohio State game on The Big Ten Network last night.