tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.comments2022-03-27T04:43:44.283-04:00Holdin' The RopeFouad Egbariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00646678266652106016noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-64107998361023801082018-03-13T14:14:55.543-04:002018-03-13T14:14:55.543-04:00Hello there, Anonymous (clearly you couldn't b...Hello there, Anonymous (clearly you couldn't be bothered to attach a name to your silly comment). I rarely check the comments here, but it is more than a little ironic that you are telling me, a fan, what to do while telling me not to tell other fans how to act (which is a pretty disingenuous interpretation of what I wrote, but whatever). This is, if course, ignoring the fact that the thrust of what I wrote was all of us should strive to "be better" (also known as "don't be an insufferable jerk") — hardly a controversial idea, let alone one I would need to "parrot" from Brian or anyone else. As for being "above it all," if being level-headed and not personally attacking college athletes — often anonymously, much like your inane comment — or not raging about a season that was supposed to be a rebuild means I am "above it all," then I'll take that. <br /><br />Also, thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt regarding my Michigan degree. All this time I was waiting for your seal of approval. By the way, if you're going to suggest someone is "pretending to be a writer," perhaps you should proofread your own commentary (a charitable term for what you wrote). Fouad Egbariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00646678266652106016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-80638958890876269362018-01-23T11:44:27.855-05:002018-01-23T11:44:27.855-05:00I love how you parrot Brian's end of the seaso...I love how you parrot Brian's end of the season piece which chastised all the so-called "negative fans" I think it's quite the opposite: The Michigan brand is, and always has been overblown.<br />First, the 90's, with the exception of 1997, were just another decade of mediocrity. The only thing that saved Michigan from becoming irrelevant that far back was somehow being able to stumble into the Ohio State game with the usual 2-4 looses, then upset them.<br />Michigan fans were fooled by those games--fooled into thinking the program, the PROGRAM was better than OSU and elite. Not so. All OSU had to do was--well, we all know what they had to do because the DID it.<br />And when Michigan did what it had to do--it was after two failed experiments and a ton of program malaise and infighting.<br />So now when the negativity far outweighs the rose colored glasses kool aid crowd, you, Brian, and the other parrots are so above it all.<br />Quit trying to tell people how to be fans. You know why? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and play along that you atually went to Michigan.<br />But probably 98% of those who pretend to have gone there, and create an internet identity based on that, and base their identity on football teams--well they're the reason the negativity is so vociferous and so loud now. THEIR team is letting them down, and their false identity is suffering. They've tried so hard--googling campus life, Ann Arbor life, quads, pretending to have met athletes and coaches, pretending to have met recruits, etc--and all while sitting in their basement tucked behind a computer, going nowhere that UM football doesn't take them.<br />You nor Brian are above anything. You guys started up blogs and pretend to be writers. UM football, this blog, it is about you and Brian--not about football. That's how above it all you guys are.<br />Fans will root how and when they want--telling people to be better, all while they are pretending to be someone and something they're not--is fruitless and hypocritical.<br />And I think one thing else is to be considered--there is probably not any more negativity than ever--but their is certainly more people who get their feathers ruffled by it. But that's because, again, they have the internet to create a false identity and pretend to be something other than what they are--and that is a sensitivity to tough to handle.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-87712624099606036932017-08-29T23:03:17.960-04:002017-08-29T23:03:17.960-04:00Love this. You're such a talented writer and ...Love this. You're such a talented writer and quite the knowledgeable UM fan/alum Megnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-20547519874923392992017-06-20T15:02:49.066-04:002017-06-20T15:02:49.066-04:00Much appreciated. I will drink to this great succ...Much appreciated. I will drink to this great success.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03830746543313279009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-75008646334521838852017-06-16T09:01:27.591-04:002017-06-16T09:01:27.591-04:002.5...ouch.. got roethlisberger, the 3 metals, and...2.5...ouch.. got roethlisberger, the 3 metals, and keith jackson...maybe I can blame it on my age...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-81885630035722245572017-06-15T13:54:22.247-04:002017-06-15T13:54:22.247-04:00Well, on second thought, a sword is not a metal in...Well, on second thought, a sword is not a metal in and of itself (I was not a materials engineer, you see), so that one was a little misleading. You have my permission to give yourself the point for that one. Fouad Egbariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00646678266652106016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-86060176958020971872017-06-15T12:50:47.797-04:002017-06-15T12:50:47.797-04:0011. I completely forgot about Bell's spongy p...11. I completely forgot about Bell's spongy pizza, and had exorcised Pop Evil from memory. I got Gold, Steele, and Irons...but alas, Sam Sword, who saved the 97 season with the pick against Iowa, was forgotten. No chance with Grapentine, although I know he did classical music.Sam Dodgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-2332579402444275952016-05-12T13:14:43.604-04:002016-05-12T13:14:43.604-04:00Your writing intimated in me that spirit, that nos...Your writing intimated in me that spirit, that nostalgia, that makes Ann Arbor so special. I know exactly how you feel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10755081551005313509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-78152076642626650522016-04-28T20:22:13.270-04:002016-04-28T20:22:13.270-04:00Great work. Sadly, it is all noise. And disruption...Great work. Sadly, it is all noise. And disruption. Rather than discourse and connecting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10755081551005313509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-31653190480239303952016-01-06T07:33:05.790-05:002016-01-06T07:33:05.790-05:00Nice article, but the 10 win season thing is overb...Nice article, but the 10 win season thing is overblown in today's world. Almost any decent team will play 13 games in a season. In the 1960's and before, you played 10 games or less and maybe a bowl game, so you could only lose one game maximum to hit 10 wins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-39881000563216125482016-01-05T21:55:40.188-05:002016-01-05T21:55:40.188-05:00enjoyed the piece!enjoyed the piece!JeffreyGTChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18097760566504369886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-10261169744555690152015-10-13T15:39:45.280-04:002015-10-13T15:39:45.280-04:00That was an amazing game, surely we cannot hope fo...That was an amazing game, surely we cannot hope for a repeat performance? Is our team really that good? Since game one the team has improved, how long can this continue? Just as mind-boggling is what does the future hold since we are only half-way through Coach Harbaugh's first season? This has been an amazing year and I'm thinking the amazement is far from over.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349701672492965094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-61078907961823741012015-09-03T12:55:07.058-04:002015-09-03T12:55:07.058-04:00welcome back, you have been missed welcome back, you have been missed Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-73191986575167517832015-09-03T12:54:41.597-04:002015-09-03T12:54:41.597-04:00couldnt have said it better myself, thank you couldnt have said it better myself, thank you Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-26624538948477852602015-09-01T02:15:01.635-04:002015-09-01T02:15:01.635-04:00Well said, sir, well said.Well said, sir, well said.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04035622207399375201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-70164137233886290802013-03-09T21:38:36.736-05:002013-03-09T21:38:36.736-05:00My name is Courtney Morgan. I am Charles High Scho...My name is Courtney Morgan. I am Charles High School and College teammate. I just read this post and i had tears coming down my face the whole time. I try to get people to understand how special Michigan is, but some will never know. This post is example of why Michigan is so special. Thanks for posting this about my brother.....GO BLUEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-85733596456898158602012-10-20T00:24:16.139-04:002012-10-20T00:24:16.139-04:00MSU beat Georgia in a bowl game last yearMSU beat Georgia in a bowl game last yearAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-59296665893969323412012-10-19T13:35:14.486-04:002012-10-19T13:35:14.486-04:00MSU won its bowl game last year against UGA.MSU won its bowl game last year against UGA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-91965766923530560322012-09-21T18:41:33.691-04:002012-09-21T18:41:33.691-04:00Sorry, I gotta nitpick here. I'm not a domer ...Sorry, I gotta nitpick here. I'm not a domer by any means, but I at least know Notre Dame stadium is by no means the home of Touchdown Jesus. The Hesburgh library is, and it just so happens that one of endzones of Notre Dame stadium looks out on said library.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-41531273478423914752012-09-05T23:04:40.126-04:002012-09-05T23:04:40.126-04:00This.This.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-63736153492855211032012-08-28T15:18:13.618-04:002012-08-28T15:18:13.618-04:00Again...these grades are non-scientific and not th...Again...these grades are non-scientific and not that important. But, since you asked, off the top of my head I'd probably say UGA, Michigan State, Stanford, and maybe Penn State (if Mauti has recovered from his knee injury decently enough) are probably at or near that level. <br /><br />Listen, I get that Alabama fans are excited about the next wave of highly rated guys who set to take over for Upshaw, Hightower, and Harris, but you seriously cannot expect me to speak about this group without inserting even a single iota of criticism. Come on. Anyway, I said this group could be an "A based on talent alone." <br /><br />In any case, this ignores the fact that this silly grade doesn't mean that Alabama won't end up being better...these grades are just offseason predictions based on returning talent AND experience. That's all it is, really. Fouad Egbariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00646678266652106016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-60876451371397468862012-08-28T14:41:55.657-04:002012-08-28T14:41:55.657-04:00Just curious, if Alabama's linebackers get a B...Just curious, if Alabama's linebackers get a B, what linebacking unit in the entire country could score an A?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-76922598043292134822012-08-24T21:48:14.161-04:002012-08-24T21:48:14.161-04:00Definitely agree about Hopkins. I love the idea o...Definitely agree about Hopkins. I love the idea of Denard headed for the edge when they rush the A gaps, but then I think about Rush and Gholston and I know why Narduzzi feels so comfortable with that particular blitz. In terms of Alabama, I don't think we have a shot unless Denard can come out slinging. My wildest dream is to see Borges and Hoke come out passing on first downs and all but abandoning the run until they back off their damn safeties. I think our best bet is to show them a gameplan that they wouldn't see in the film of any of our games last year. Kinda like OSU did when they threw the ball more against us last year than they did in their first 11 games?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-12339268695782916132012-08-24T18:41:03.392-04:002012-08-24T18:41:03.392-04:00Funny you mention that, because I've long thou...Funny you mention that, because I've long thought that for us to have any real offensive success against Alabama--or MSU--Hopkins and Smith need to be big contributors. I haven't yet given up on Hopkins's potential to be a player that can make a real offensive impact (outside of being a standard blocking fullback with a few carries here and there). Smith is also an interesting weapon. I have to think that if Denard can successfully find him out of the backfield a few times, it could give him enough space to operate. I won't pretend to be an Xs and Os guru here, but I'm fairly confident that those two will have a large role in Borges's gameplan, whether Toussaint plays or not. <br /><br />As was mentioned in the linked post, yeah...going max protect, clogging the gaps with blockers and then eventually sending the back out is one option. Also, getting the snap and attacking the edge ASAP is another. Jet sweeps, standard Denard off tackles, speed options...just gotta go where they're not. That said, half the battle is knowing when the blitz is coming and from where. Another problem is, of course, the snap count issue. I'm not sure why that's still an issue for us, but if MSU took advantage of it, Alabama almost certainly will as well. If the opponent knows exactly when you're going to snap it, very little of this discussion ends up even matters. <br /><br />At the end of the day, however, no matter what we do schematically...guys just need to block and the receivers absolutely have to beat single coverage (if not, we're pretty much dead in the water). <br /><br />Alabama's defense isn't exactly like MSU's (scheme or talent-wise), but there are some definitely similarities, and we'll get a decent preview of what may or may not work against their talented, aggressive D (MSU's, that is). <br /><br />Of course, it goes without saying that a lot of this is a guessing game. Sometimes they'll blitz and we'll "lose" a play no matter what happens. The battle is in winning more often than losing (duh), but also not making egregious mistakes (pick 6, sacks, etc.) when it does go poorly. Fouad Egbariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00646678266652106016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755312034018153584.post-83594967418144582672012-08-23T21:28:50.761-04:002012-08-23T21:28:50.761-04:00Fouad, what do you think the odds are we see a lot...Fouad, what do you think the odds are we see a lot more of Stephen Hopkins or Vince Smith this year lined up in the backfield with Denard and Fitz (split backs in the shotgun?) in order to combat this exact blitz? Tell them to hold for a two count to judge whether the blitz is coming, and then go out on a delayed route to the flat? I just don't think we have the personnel to line up in a power I or with two or three TE's in order to combat this blitz, but we cannot continue to just ignore it's efficacy, can we?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com