Hello, Michigan football beat; now where to start?
Fresh starts and new beginnings seem to be the theme this season for a Michigan football program and Big Ten Conference known so long for their equability.
I suppose this is as good a time as any to join the mix.
On that note: Hello.
Nebraska's move to the Big Ten Conference is just one of many reasons this will be an interesting college football season in Ann Arbor.
Associated Press
I began work this week as AnnArbor.com’s Michigan football beat reporter. I come by way of The Grand Rapids Press, where I was a general assignment reporter and copy editor for the past four years. I covered nearly all of this state’s professional and major-college teams, with my work appearing in eight newspapers throughout Michigan and on MLive.com.
But this is a whole new challenge, and it’s hard to imagine it coming at a more dynamic time in this town, in this conference, in this sport.
Michigan has hired Brady Hoke, a new coach with an old-school philosophy, and will play its first night game in the 84-year history of Michigan Stadium.
Midwest football power Nebraska has joined the fray, expanding the Big Ten to an all-time high 12 teams and kindling what could become a rivalry between the Cornhuskers and Wolverines, who shared the 1997 national championship.
There are Leaders and Legends and a championship game — argot never before employed in 115 years of Big Ten play.Perennial contender Ohio State — “that school in Ohio,” as Hoke so affectionately puts it — has lost its head coach and starting quarterback and could be facing major NCAA violations, a tumult that already has caused ripples in the recruiting landscape.
Compelling stuff.
Sports writers like to say they don’t root for a team, they root for a story. We want to be a part of something different — perhaps because, in the end, we are an extension of that history being written. I still consider the night Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga pitched his “28-out perfect game” to be the greatest night of my career.
And I’ve written far better stories.
But to be in that umpires’ room with Jim Joyce, asking him what it feels like to make one of the worst calls in baseball history, was to have a small hand in baseball history.
To be at the epicenter of shifting tides is what writers dream of.
There will be no shortage of those in what surely will be an unprecedented Big Ten season.
But how exactly should AnnArbor.com cover it? What stories should we tell? Who or what is getting lost in the current of all this change? What do you like, and what could you do without?
We’ll continue to provide the latest news, both in short-form briefs and long-form features. Between live chats and a stream of content on our website, as well as constant updates and analysis on Twitter, I’ll always be easy to find.
I will do my best to cover this program with a fair yet indefatigable spirit, but I’m interested to hear from you, dear reader, what you would like to see from us in the coming months.
We can only hope our coverage will be as compelling as what transpires between the white lines.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, via email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Larry Weisenthal
Sat, Jul 16, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.
I'd like to get to know a little more about the student-athletes as people. I feel as if I know all about Denard Robinson, but I don't know Denard Robinson, other than the few words he has spoken in brief interview clips. In professional sports, I mainly root for the uniform color, in this era of free agency and revolving doors. Michigan men are forever, however, as we can deduce from the recent comments on this blog, from Desmond Howard and others. So it's worth some investment in time to get to know them a little better.
uminks
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.
Hi Kyle, I would like to get more recruiting news this time of year. Also as others have said, more reporting on late summer practice and practice news through the season. May be some interviews with the coaches. Even the position coaches would be nice to hear from. See how the players are developing. The biggest complaint of RR I had was his lack of concern about the defense when he was first hired. Getting a failing grade on defense cost him the job. Realistically, how much improvement can we see in the defense this season? I think we have raw talent on Defense, but I'm hoping better coaching may take us from being the 105th defense in division 1A to possibly the 60th best defense this season? Any thoughts about the defense for 2011?
Mick
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 12:24 a.m.
Welcome Kyle, I already enjoy your writing and the use of your vernacular, very nice article with a lot of info, thank you for that. I also would like to see a little more leeway in comments not getting deleted so quickly, I know that's the moderators job, but just please have some input with them about it. Many of us lead busy lives and we take the time to write something heartfelt, we just ask for more understanding. I'm looking forward to reading your insight and general coverage of the program as well, good luck to you and hopefully you'll be covering a very successful program, making your job more fun.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
Just avoid the cliches, please. If you make an assertion about the history of football strategy, back it up. Stay away from the irrational exuberance many feel in October when their team plays a back-loaded schedule (see Michigan, 2010, as a reference). You know what I'd like to see? A Michigan Stadium seating chart post-renovation. It used to be that the bowl went up to row 89 pretty much everywhere. Now we have row numbers in the 90s. Where? How high does it go now?
Hailmary
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
Bogie, unless your native American your not technically from Ohio. Actually, Coach Hoke comes to coach Michigan by way of San Diego. Now Bo came to us from ohio just as, Craig what's his name that QB'd your national championship came from Michigan to you. It all gets a littlle crazy at times but to me it's just apples and oranges. Take for instance Boren, technically he came to you from the Michigan Wolverines, your welcome.
Terry Star21
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
Welcome Kyle.....as you know, the Michigan Football Faithful will welcome and read your reports with much excitement and anticipation. On the other hand beware, as the Michigan 'fans' (you know those people who call themselves the biggest M fans) can turn on you in a second. Fortunately here - the vast majority are the Michigan Football Faithful. I myself, just like my attitude toward Michigan Football - will listen to and take anything you give us and enjoy the full story. MgoBlueForTiM...........and a hearty welcome to Mr. Kyle Meinke :-)
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
Terry, thanks for the support. It's appreciated! I know some days I'll get blasted -- fair or not -- and some days I'll be lauded -- fair or not -- and most days I'll be somewhere in between. It comes with the territory, and is something I'm used to. My philosophy is this: Turn the constructive comments (good or bad) into a means for self-betterment, and ignore the rest. Responding to flaming only encourages more flaming, I think. And before you know it, you have a fire. No thanks.
Bogie
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
Hey Kyle, Don't worry, this is just like a Notre Dame job. People talking about the great moments of the past (most of them before they were born). They talk about all the National Championships (again, most of them before they were born, and when people traveled by horse and carriage to games). But again, it might be interesting this year. UofM does have another "Michigan Man" from Ohioi! LOL! GO BUCKS!!!
BornInA2
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.
1. Give us news, info, facts, etc. and less opinion. Opinion is a condiment, not a main course. 2. We don't need any updates on the nameless former coach who ran the ship aground. 3. How about bringing back the "Dump the Dope" contest? Welcome aboard. My first ever job was as a paper carrier for the Ann Arbor News in the late 70s.
BornInA2
Thu, Jul 21, 2011 : 5:17 a.m.
I bet Jeff Mortimer could give you some tips on how to clothe the entire town in "I Dumped the Dope" t-shirts :-)
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
BorninA2, I never was a paper carrier myself, but my father was for a long time, and I've also seen what the carriers at The Grand Rapids Press have to go through to get the paper out daily. As for "Dump the Dope," we are in talks about bringing it back in some form, although we may change its name. We'll see. Either way, it's a fun contest, and I'm certain no one can pick games better than myself. No one. Yes, this is a challenge.
bigblue
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
I was wondering if there is any talk of a possible QB controversy this year.
heartbreakM
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
Yeah, the controversy will be whether DR will win the Heisman after the second or third game :)
treetowncartel
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
Get a subscription to XM radio and check out Bill King in the morning and Finebaum later in the day. Jack and Mike are not too bad to listen to either. It would be nice to have the pulse of the whole NCAA intertwined with the local coverage.
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
treetowncartel, we really do hope to broaden our scope this year to at least the Big Ten level, and perhaps the NCAA level as well, when it's appropriate. Although, one man can do only so much, so our focus will be on Michigan and the Big Ten first and foremost.
Blu-dogg97
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
Welcome Kyle.. have you been eaves dropping on this site in the past ? You do know what your getting into right ? grins.. To others seeking info on practices,They begin Aug 8th ! For past few yrs Mgoblue.com has done a pretty good job following up on practices with the likes of video of practice,players and coaches interviews,and pre and post game interviews with the coaches,you often will learn things that you might not have known etc. Also Kyle do you know if they are planning the tv show with Brandy and coach Hoke "inside Michigan Football" again this yr ? I enjoyed it much..
aawolve
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
I would like to see more detailed breakdowns of X's and O's than we usually get, and not just regurgitated from ESPN. Welcome, good luck, go blue.
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
aawolve and DonAZ, as I mentioned above to Gary, I'll do what I can. I agree entirely that the practice experience is paramount to what happens on gamedays -- yet you can't see them. I'll do all I can to get than info out. Of course, it's in Hoke and Co.'s best interest to keep as much as they can under wraps, and that is understandable. But I'll do what I can ...
DonAZ
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
Yes, agree ... and tie to what Gary Hann wrote above about tying game day results back to practices and strategies as we know them. To the degree you can get it, report on what the coaches are saying went right and went wrong in a game and what practice corrections are planned. That kind of insider stuff would be gold.
Jake Manne
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
Congrats on the job Kyle. Sweet to see you doing so well.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
Welcome to A2, Kyle. As others have said, call 'em like you see 'em (unless you ARE Jim Joyce). You'll never make everyone happy, but that's what makes lively discussion, and it's why we love sports. Good Night and Good Luck
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
Edward, rest assured, I'm not Jim Joyce. Don't feel bad, though. It's a common mistake. And you're spot-on, you know. I think, sometimes, the disagreements about sports are more fascinating than the sports themselves. Sometimes. Of course, you can't have one without the other, but it's safe to say sport would be a lot less compelling if it was always clear who's best, who's worst and everyone agreed on everything.
collstuntman
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 12:24 p.m.
i likes my bukeyes and coach rod dum
golfer
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
we do not need a "homer" call it like it is. a michigan person wants to hear good stuff. i say call it like you see it. NO HOMER STUFF. ok just a little.
Mich Res and Alum
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
So could you care less, or couldn't you care less? Sorry, couldn't resist. But, I mean you write for a living, right?
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
I'm still young enough, Mort, that my style is evolving all the time. But if there's one thing I'm not, it's a homer. I could care less who wins or loses. (Or ties. OK, that's kind of a cheap shot, with Nebraska in town now.) I just write what I see and what I'm told about these guys, and there's not much more to it than that. OK, just a little ...
semperveritas
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.
may have to ferret out my copy of merriam webster---- epicenter / tumult / ARGOT / indefatigable----all in one opening piece. holy perspicacious, writer man !
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
KM Welcome to the meatgrinder. Since you are an experienced reporter your skin is already thick so you should be fine. You will be the second most critizied person on this site, after Coach Hoke of course, but you will soon learn who has an agenda and who has an agenda and a brain. What I would like to see is less deleting of those posts that bring the interest level up. I understand about language having to be kept in line but if someone gets a little more intense with their reply, don't be so quick to block them because it does add to the enjoyment of the site. Bruised egos are acceptable and that's a part of the game. It's like a good clean hit on the field, it's why we watch. TiM Go Blue!
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
heartbreakM, like I mentioned to Blu n Tpa, if comments are focused and clean, they'll be safe. I don't handle which comments are removed and which stay -- that's handled by in-house moderators -- but that's what I can tell you. I replaced Pete Bigelow, who now is over at NPR's Changing Gears. He's very talented. Check him out, if you're curious how he's doing.
heartbreakM
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
Welcome Mr. Meinke. I second this point about deleting of posts. Sometimes discussions meander from the original article subject (and often go back to that former coach LOL), but it seems that A2.com is quick to pull the trigger. I call for a more free floating discussion, respectful though vigorous. Good luck to you and have fun covering the best sport in the nation if not the world (and hopefully the best team). Who did you replace?
Kyle Meinke
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
Blue n Tpa, are you insinuating I'll be more criticized than that school in Ohio? OK, seriously though, I expect to hear feedback -- some good, and mostly bad, and I'm cool with that. If it's constructive, I'll use it to make our product better. If it's not, it doesn't bother me. It's as simple as that. As for the deleting of posts, there are certain to which we have to adhere. Most of them are pretty obvious (don't curse, don't insult, etc.). Keep posts on point and clean, and they're sure to stay up. Thanks for the feedback.
Hailmary
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:44 a.m.
Let's see, you want to hear what I have to say, well now that's a story unto itself, not what I have to say but that you as a reporter want to listen to what I have to say. I want to hear the nitty gritty. For instance, did anyone in authority challenge RR as to why he didn't play to Mich. strengths the first year he coached. I would liked to have known the truth about Gary Moeller rather than hear pages of gossip on this site, I liked Gary and thought he was a pretty darn good coach and he was Bo's choice to succeed Bo. Kyle, I think you know what I'm getting at. Any reporter can tell the truth and state facts, hell I can do that, I want to hear the nitty gritty about Michigan Wolverine football.
downtown
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
With regard to all things Rich Rod, there's a book coming out this fall that might answer some of your questions.