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Posted on Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 4:51 p.m.
Live chat: Illinois 38, Michigan 13 (final)
By Pete Bigelow
Comments
Maddoggie
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 9:13 p.m.
We don't lack athletes. We lack athletes that want to play football. It's not as if the entire cupboard was bare last year. I can understand the issues on Offense since we are forcing a system on the players w/o have all of the pieces to execute. We've had O-line issues off an on for a few years now so that's not something new. However, the Defense is unexplicable. We certainly are tentative, particularly in the play of our LB's and DB's. The D-line is not the issue but we are asking them to do too much. Double team at the point of attack and the fullback has nobody to block? I don't understand that scheme. The offense will take time to gell with this system so the focus must be on the defense if this team is to survive this year and next. RR did not inherit a terrible defensive team but we obviously do not have much of a focus on this most important area. If our O has the ball enough they will score. It is sad to say that this team lacks a football mindset and mental toughness. This is a problem that is not fixed by more practice time or work in the weight room.
Salinegoblue
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 8:32 p.m.
Fans need to be patient, why do you think Martin announced his retirement two days before the NCAA sent the letter? He knew the letter was coming and the writing on the wall. All MSC has to do is wait for the completion of the investigation and the findings which will come out prior to December 31, 2009. Then she can fire RR with cause and not have to pay the 4 mil bailout. I have never met MSC and do not personally know her but I do know business, she has a plan. Just grin and bear it for now, a new coach is coming by the end of this year.
Dick Freeman
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.
I grew up in the late 50's on Michigan football. Parked cars in the front yard, walked to games. Watch Bo ressurect a program. This program is now worse than it was prior to Bo. The president of the university should resign in disgrace. She tolerated a terrible basketball program (while living off football revenues)for over a decade, allowed the A.D. to let Les Miles get away and hired this loser. It is time the alumni let their dollars speak and forced a wholesale change. Or this program will go the way of SMU. Any hope for a future is with the alumni. Will you step up and do it?
Diane
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 7:24 p.m.
Is there any hope for Michigan? Oh never mind I forgot who I was talking about.What a digrace you call yourselves Woverines you all need to take those Uniforms off and give them to someone who respects and honors their school not let them down and as far as RR he need to start packing, we could bring in a High School coach and he could do better!!!!!
devildog
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 7:03 p.m.
This is sad and also a disgrace - this cannot continue, fire the coach today. The players, students, alumni, fans deserve better. This coach is a punk and he showed us that before the first ball was snapped. He does not honor contracts, does not pay his bills, does not honor the tradition of this university. He must go. I say the AD and President along with him, guess if AD already is leaving - that leaves the Pres - but most important - please make a change today.
GettingBluer
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.
Rich Rod if you read this: I've offered before and the offer is still good. I WILL HELP YOU PACK. Think it over. Wouldn't you be happier back in WV? Oh, wait, you burned those bridges and they are doing fine without you.
Duston
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:45 p.m.
These players are good athletes. They are just not being coached well. If you tell a kid, HOLD ONTO THE BALL, and he doesn't..sit him down. This is a coaching staff problem. I see these defensive players sitting back on their heels...the coaches are not telling them to be agressive enough. This may sound a bit contradictory to my previous statement, but the big ten is obviously much harder to navigate than Rich Rod thought. His speed teams are not the key...this is tough physical football. Michigan had a beautiful program, but there was a few things that needed to be tweaked for a national title caliber team. Not a total bombing of the program. Rich Rod is a scheme coach, not a football coach. His scheme is not working, now he is having trouble adapting to Big Ten ball. This is almost like the scenario I have long wished for. Having a team that runs a speed based game having to play in the big ten for an entire season rather than just one bowl game. I knew they would get whacked; I just didn't think it was going to be Michigan that was the team
BIGBLUFOREVER
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:11 p.m.
I have been a Michigan Football fan since 1964. Can you say Bob Timberlake? Never have I seen a such an inept display. Congrats RR, you have sucseeded in trashing the most storied program in the history of collegiate sports in two short years. Your team has no dicipline, no character and no heart. They don't know how to tackle, and don't know how to hang on to the ball. The things I just mentioned are what teams are built on. Not flashy offensive schemes. Its time to talk to Brian Kelly or Les Miles, or Urban Meyer. This is THE UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN. Give him his money and send him packing. And make sure he takes the defensive coordinator with him.
Matt The Saline Wolverine
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:04 p.m.
I have been trying to be patient with this coach. Knowing of the change of culture, the lack of talent for this system, ect.ect. This is embarrasing, this is the most elite name in college football, or at least it was. This team is quitting on the field, no improvement whatsoever.THIS COACH NEEDS TO BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!He doesn't understand the Big Ten. Tressel does, Dantonio does, he does not and never will. I was really trying to support him but this is the last straw. It has been one thing after another and all bad, I hope they find he violated the rules so they have a reason to can him. This program has not been the same since Bo passed away.I am heart broken to see what is happening to this great program, sorry RR you don't belong here...Matt The Saline Wolverine
barnz378
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:03 p.m.
I think RR is overmatched. He is way in over his head. I am sick of watching our players get pushed around. Defensive Ends. What the hell is up? Our corners are too weak. They come down and try to play in the linebacker pos. I barely know our linebackers. Brandon G. Steve Schilling. Mike M. Thumbs up. Evrybody els. need work. I say this and I loved RR. We need a back and a line that can pound. Start watching film and emulate guys like Glen Steel, Jake Long, Steve Hut. Jay R. Chris P. I can not sit around and watch 140 lb highschoolers play football in the Big House. I can speak for a lot of friends who I call up and quit watching UM football the last 2 years. We unfortunatly we need a change.
Duston
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6 p.m.
It's simple, if Michigan would get back to fundamentals like holding onto the ball, this team is bowl eligable already. But instead Rich Rod has focused on making sure our team moves faster pre-snap than any other team. He has focused on making sure we play all of our offensive players at some point during the game. He has focused on making sure he has absolutely destroyed this program. He has to go!
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:51 p.m.
I'm sure Alabama fans are smiling from ear to ear that RR did not go there.
wondering
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:50 p.m.
No more Rod. We have been very patient. Take the 4mil loss along with the big ten loss and call it quits!
WolverinePride
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:49 p.m.
I feel like my heart's just ripped out. I'm def not wasting my time by investing in any more of wolverine fball. I don't think i can call myself a fan anymore, if ever.
John Galt
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
Hail to Victors, valiant.....oh, wait....
Fresh121
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
What do you do with a team with barley any D talent and a true freshman at the most importan spot on the field..everyone new ill had talent not showing up and they did against our D that makes everyone look like tom brady...are D is kinda be 1 of the worst ever..most of these kids on a real team would be on the pine.
Detroitrocks
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:44 p.m.
When you get absolutely punked by the worst team in the Big 10, you are now the worst team in the Big 10. Thank god for those big victories over EMU, DSU, Indiana, and WMU. Should the last place Big 10 team even be in bowl game discussion?
st.julian
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:30 p.m.
Any one have Les Miles telephone number? Send it to the AD. Perhaps we can trade.
michboy40
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:25 p.m.
Congrats Coach Rod and the team. You are officially the worst team in the history of Michigan football. I am not watching you any more this year. What a pathetic waste of time waiting around the house to see us become bowl eligible against the worst team in the big ten. The joke is on us fans, the Illini got off the snyde against the "real" worst team in the big ten. We have the worst leadership of anyone in the big ten, we have the worst defense in the big ten.
Detroitrocks
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:15 p.m.
Can't win on the road, can't win in the Big 10. Last place again!
kerch65
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.
Thats it im stating it right now no longer can i sit and watch what was once a storied tradition football team go down against a 1 and 6 team GET RID OF THIS GARBAGE COACH AND HIRE BRIAN KELLY NOW NOW NOW I LOVED THIS TEAM NOW I HATE THEM I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE FIRE RR FIRE RR FIRE RR I WANT BRIAN KELLY NOW
Comments
Maddoggie
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 9:13 p.m.
We don't lack athletes. We lack athletes that want to play football. It's not as if the entire cupboard was bare last year. I can understand the issues on Offense since we are forcing a system on the players w/o have all of the pieces to execute. We've had O-line issues off an on for a few years now so that's not something new. However, the Defense is unexplicable. We certainly are tentative, particularly in the play of our LB's and DB's. The D-line is not the issue but we are asking them to do too much. Double team at the point of attack and the fullback has nobody to block? I don't understand that scheme. The offense will take time to gell with this system so the focus must be on the defense if this team is to survive this year and next. RR did not inherit a terrible defensive team but we obviously do not have much of a focus on this most important area. If our O has the ball enough they will score. It is sad to say that this team lacks a football mindset and mental toughness. This is a problem that is not fixed by more practice time or work in the weight room.
Salinegoblue
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 8:32 p.m.
Fans need to be patient, why do you think Martin announced his retirement two days before the NCAA sent the letter? He knew the letter was coming and the writing on the wall. All MSC has to do is wait for the completion of the investigation and the findings which will come out prior to December 31, 2009. Then she can fire RR with cause and not have to pay the 4 mil bailout. I have never met MSC and do not personally know her but I do know business, she has a plan. Just grin and bear it for now, a new coach is coming by the end of this year.
Dick Freeman
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.
I grew up in the late 50's on Michigan football. Parked cars in the front yard, walked to games. Watch Bo ressurect a program. This program is now worse than it was prior to Bo. The president of the university should resign in disgrace. She tolerated a terrible basketball program (while living off football revenues)for over a decade, allowed the A.D. to let Les Miles get away and hired this loser. It is time the alumni let their dollars speak and forced a wholesale change. Or this program will go the way of SMU. Any hope for a future is with the alumni. Will you step up and do it?
Diane
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 7:24 p.m.
Is there any hope for Michigan? Oh never mind I forgot who I was talking about.What a digrace you call yourselves Woverines you all need to take those Uniforms off and give them to someone who respects and honors their school not let them down and as far as RR he need to start packing, we could bring in a High School coach and he could do better!!!!!
devildog
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 7:03 p.m.
This is sad and also a disgrace - this cannot continue, fire the coach today. The players, students, alumni, fans deserve better. This coach is a punk and he showed us that before the first ball was snapped. He does not honor contracts, does not pay his bills, does not honor the tradition of this university. He must go. I say the AD and President along with him, guess if AD already is leaving - that leaves the Pres - but most important - please make a change today.
GettingBluer
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.
Rich Rod if you read this: I've offered before and the offer is still good. I WILL HELP YOU PACK. Think it over. Wouldn't you be happier back in WV? Oh, wait, you burned those bridges and they are doing fine without you.
Duston
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:45 p.m.
These players are good athletes. They are just not being coached well. If you tell a kid, HOLD ONTO THE BALL, and he doesn't..sit him down. This is a coaching staff problem. I see these defensive players sitting back on their heels...the coaches are not telling them to be agressive enough. This may sound a bit contradictory to my previous statement, but the big ten is obviously much harder to navigate than Rich Rod thought. His speed teams are not the key...this is tough physical football. Michigan had a beautiful program, but there was a few things that needed to be tweaked for a national title caliber team. Not a total bombing of the program. Rich Rod is a scheme coach, not a football coach. His scheme is not working, now he is having trouble adapting to Big Ten ball. This is almost like the scenario I have long wished for. Having a team that runs a speed based game having to play in the big ten for an entire season rather than just one bowl game. I knew they would get whacked; I just didn't think it was going to be Michigan that was the team
BIGBLUFOREVER
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:11 p.m.
I have been a Michigan Football fan since 1964. Can you say Bob Timberlake? Never have I seen a such an inept display. Congrats RR, you have sucseeded in trashing the most storied program in the history of collegiate sports in two short years. Your team has no dicipline, no character and no heart. They don't know how to tackle, and don't know how to hang on to the ball. The things I just mentioned are what teams are built on. Not flashy offensive schemes. Its time to talk to Brian Kelly or Les Miles, or Urban Meyer. This is THE UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN. Give him his money and send him packing. And make sure he takes the defensive coordinator with him.
Matt The Saline Wolverine
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:04 p.m.
I have been trying to be patient with this coach. Knowing of the change of culture, the lack of talent for this system, ect.ect. This is embarrasing, this is the most elite name in college football, or at least it was. This team is quitting on the field, no improvement whatsoever.THIS COACH NEEDS TO BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!He doesn't understand the Big Ten. Tressel does, Dantonio does, he does not and never will. I was really trying to support him but this is the last straw. It has been one thing after another and all bad, I hope they find he violated the rules so they have a reason to can him. This program has not been the same since Bo passed away.I am heart broken to see what is happening to this great program, sorry RR you don't belong here...Matt The Saline Wolverine
barnz378
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6:03 p.m.
I think RR is overmatched. He is way in over his head. I am sick of watching our players get pushed around. Defensive Ends. What the hell is up? Our corners are too weak. They come down and try to play in the linebacker pos. I barely know our linebackers. Brandon G. Steve Schilling. Mike M. Thumbs up. Evrybody els. need work. I say this and I loved RR. We need a back and a line that can pound. Start watching film and emulate guys like Glen Steel, Jake Long, Steve Hut. Jay R. Chris P. I can not sit around and watch 140 lb highschoolers play football in the Big House. I can speak for a lot of friends who I call up and quit watching UM football the last 2 years. We unfortunatly we need a change.
Duston
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 6 p.m.
It's simple, if Michigan would get back to fundamentals like holding onto the ball, this team is bowl eligable already. But instead Rich Rod has focused on making sure our team moves faster pre-snap than any other team. He has focused on making sure we play all of our offensive players at some point during the game. He has focused on making sure he has absolutely destroyed this program. He has to go!
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:51 p.m.
I'm sure Alabama fans are smiling from ear to ear that RR did not go there.
wondering
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:50 p.m.
No more Rod. We have been very patient. Take the 4mil loss along with the big ten loss and call it quits!
WolverinePride
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:49 p.m.
I feel like my heart's just ripped out. I'm def not wasting my time by investing in any more of wolverine fball. I don't think i can call myself a fan anymore, if ever.
John Galt
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
Hail to Victors, valiant.....oh, wait....
Fresh121
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
What do you do with a team with barley any D talent and a true freshman at the most importan spot on the field..everyone new ill had talent not showing up and they did against our D that makes everyone look like tom brady...are D is kinda be 1 of the worst ever..most of these kids on a real team would be on the pine.
Detroitrocks
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:44 p.m.
When you get absolutely punked by the worst team in the Big 10, you are now the worst team in the Big 10. Thank god for those big victories over EMU, DSU, Indiana, and WMU. Should the last place Big 10 team even be in bowl game discussion?
st.julian
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:30 p.m.
Any one have Les Miles telephone number? Send it to the AD. Perhaps we can trade.
michboy40
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:25 p.m.
Congrats Coach Rod and the team. You are officially the worst team in the history of Michigan football. I am not watching you any more this year. What a pathetic waste of time waiting around the house to see us become bowl eligible against the worst team in the big ten. The joke is on us fans, the Illini got off the snyde against the "real" worst team in the big ten. We have the worst leadership of anyone in the big ten, we have the worst defense in the big ten.
Detroitrocks
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:15 p.m.
Can't win on the road, can't win in the Big 10. Last place again!
kerch65
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.
Thats it im stating it right now no longer can i sit and watch what was once a storied tradition football team go down against a 1 and 6 team GET RID OF THIS GARBAGE COACH AND HIRE BRIAN KELLY NOW NOW NOW I LOVED THIS TEAM NOW I HATE THEM I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE FIRE RR FIRE RR FIRE RR I WANT BRIAN KELLY NOW