Top 5 questions Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez will hear at Big Ten media days
Rich Rodriguez should expect to hear a lot of questions about his starting quarterback competition at Big Ten media days, but fans shouldn't expect many answers.
AnnArbor.com file photo
As the Big Ten annual media days prepare to get under way Monday morning in Chicago, AnnArbor.com's Dave Birkett has prepared the Top 5 questions Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is likely to hear over the course of the event.
1. Who starts at quarterback? Denard Robinson made great strides in the spring, but remains raw. Tate Forcier is more polished, but has his own issues. Rodriguez, no doubt, will drag the competition into fall camp, and probably be sick of answering this question by Tuesday afternoon. 2. How many wins will it take to keep his job? Like it or not, Rodriguez is on the hot seat. He knows he needs to show improvement this year to get a fourth season in Ann Arbor, but no one’s defined how much. Don’t expect Rodriguez to, either. 3. Ready for Seattle? Michigan still has that pesky little NCAA investigation thing to deal with, including a hearing Aug. 13-14 in Seattle. NCAA snoops are hanging around West Virginia, checking into Rodriguez’s time there, too. Players may be focused on the season, but NCAA questions will linger until the final punishment is doled out sometime mid-season. 4. Any chance the defense is good? Or even decent? Brandon Graham, Stevie Brown and Donovan Warren, three of Michigan’s most productive players last year, are in the NFL. Mike Martin, Craig Roh and a bunch of question marks are back. Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is hoping his new 3-3-5 works woners. 5. What’s the plan for David Molk and Vincent Smith? Both are doing just fine, by all accounts, but torn ACLs should never be taken lightly. Molk is the anchor of Michigan’s offensive line; Smith the Wolverines’ best running back. It might make sense to ease them into practice and make sure they’re fine for the season.
Comments
Fan
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:34 a.m.
Shock the nation Denard with your talent, leadership and intelligence and in so doing build the confidence of your team and real fans alike! As you did at the 2010 pring Game, bring the media attention BACK to the Big House. Give reason for the nations top student athletes to "fight" to come to Michigan. Fill the Big House with LOUD cheering fans. Have fans standing on their feet every time you touch the ball. Have TV fans glued to their HD TV's taping and replaying your remarkable moves. Leave a "Victors" legacy. Seize THIS moment in Michigan Football history! Exceed beyond others expectations of you. Win!
Jaxon Boyfriend
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 3:11 p.m.
PortageLake....good article. I try to stay positive and get really excited for Blue at this time. Many think Theo212, BlueinSC, Terry Star21, you and others are unrealistic - but many of those naysayers are going by what they have seen the last 2 years. You guys and your comments are very accurate over history time and will be again, very soon. I know speaking for you guys I am right on when I say, UCONN ranked #20, boy I wish it was higher - Michigan football loves a challenge! Go Blue...
Sean T.
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
I'm not sure why being dissatisfied with our current coach is viewed as complaining nor does it mean that you don't support the team. If any of us that don't care for RR display displeasure in the way that he coaches, isn't it our right to say so? I can handle having young players and scheme changes but all the other shenanigans that come with RR has brought on my dislike. It dumbfounds me to see how it is okay to make poems with exaggerated future wolverine scores against opponents but then ridicule someone else for stating their opinion on a future loss. (Though, I think the poems are incredibly creative and funny!) If stating I support RR would make the team win, play recognizable defense, and the staff would follow NCAA rules correctly, I would write a 3-page essay to how I love the current state of the program but it's not. None of our opinions matter to how the program will fare or how they will play each Saturday. I can only judge by what has been done and how I think it will relate to the future.
friend12
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
Here is reality: 1) Robinson couldn't complete a pass under pressure to save his life last year. For him to work he needs to be able to wait for open receivers and complete short/long passes under pressure. He looked good at the spring game, but, what happens when he feels the pressure in a real game. Snap, wait 3 seconds, pressured then just run won't work. In general Robinson and Forcier are actually too short. Maybe we will be surprised by a freshman as the starting QB. 2) Defense is a big issue. Defense looked terrible at the spring game. We need a big surprise in the area or the team will get killed this year. 3) Tater needs to take the blinders off and look at what is really happening. RR is on the hot seat. Bad season, RR is gone period. NCAA penalties are big deal and RR is solely responsible. The reality is the team will move on with or without RR. The team has talent and RR has recruited some really great players. It is time for the coaching to use that talent to its fullest. The team needs to shine and get out of the one dimensional look it has shown the last two years. I for one am hoping to be pleasantly surprised as the fall plays out. I cant wait for the first game.
maizenbluedoc
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
I believe it is prudent to wait until Michigan has played at least half their scheduled games before attempting to tie RR's tenure to W-L records. They cannot afford to start the season on a high note, only to self-destruct in the second half of the season. I haven't the minutia of an idea what Michigan will do this season, but, in my opinion, a winning season with a bowl game is in order for RR to keep his job. He can lo longer make excuses. He must have his players produce. I would like to see RR have a legitimate game plan for the season so everyone could measure the team's progress, or lack thereof. I certainly hope it is the former.
Brad
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.
My questions to those of you claiming that they'll go undefeated in the regular season: -What are you smoking? -Can I get some? If they play football at the level of your denial, they just might have a chance at being undefeated.
wvtroll
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 6:32 a.m.
Preseason polls don't mean squat. You all know that. They're indicative of how well a team finishied last year, coaching changes that might have or have not occurred, and which players are returning. Michigan is in a great position to easily climb the ladder if they do well, especially against UConn. If not, they'll drop like a brick. If all goes well, you'll enjoy the new offense and maybe a little different defense you've not seen before. If UM studders, you'll enjoy a new coach and offense you've not seen before the next year. But UConn shouldn't be taken lightly. I've still got a report back from 2005 about UConn being a pretty good team on the rise, and they've not lost any momentum. Your advantage is one of surprise right now since RR knows the UConn game from his stay in the Big East. UConn knows very little about UM and RR, other than his recent failures there. I see a "shock and awe" game on the horizon - I just don't know who's going to be shocked yet.
RobbiesBoyfriend
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 3:30 a.m.
#20 Uconn is inbetween #19 Penn State and #21 Florida State #41 Michigan is inbetween #40 Rutgers and #40 Air Force
RobbiesBoyfriend
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 1:28 a.m.
Eeek..... Yahoo sports has ranked Ucon at pre season #20. Im not a huge fan of pre season polls, but i do understand that being top 20 pre season means you ended last year pretty well, and there is a good amount of depth and Stability returning. I wasnt aware that Ucon football was that good, theres alot of big name programs ranked behind them.
garrisondyer
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.
Are you serious? Another mention of how "good" Donovan Warren was? I think we've gone over this a million times by now.... There's a reason I stopped breathing for a second every time the ball went his way. With that said, let's go Blue! Let's get back to winning the games! Despite what RR is saying to you, the defense matters! Get it together, and things will start falling into place. As an example of how, please click the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPYzRHc2n1o Go offense, go defense, go special teams, Go Blue!
PortageLkBlu
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
Jaxon5 I'm assuming you are not a Michigan Wolverine football fan and if you are you are a depressing person or you don't like RR which is it? The point is that even if you don't like RR come on man this time of year ya gotta get behind the team and I assume you are a team player?? What Terry Star 21 is doing here is what all fans do especially this time of year which is get excited for ol blu and wish them a winning, healthy, productive year regardless of what you think of RR which by the way you have a right to feel any way you want about RR you certainly have a wide variety of complainers in your corner on this blog. No matter what I will always wish the team the best of luck and health in this sport of entertainment for me and you.
Sean T.
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 7:55 p.m.
Come on guys, the questions are legitmate.
deb
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
is this supposed to be "greg robinson hopes his new 3-3-5 works won[d]ers"?
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 6:40 p.m.
The only question I'm interested in when does practice officially start? While I'm not very optimistic about this coming season, I can't wait for it to get started. Either RichRod gets his crap together and starts winning games or he's on his way out at the end of the year. One or another this needs to get settled.
Jaxon Boyfriend
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 5:46 p.m.
These are 5 tough questions, I'm sure having answered them 1,000 times he should know they are coming. Since this is a Big Ten meeting, why not ask more critical questions; Who will be the OSU QB after the second game of the season? Will the Buckeye fans turn against their coach this year? What will the OSU team and fans do when Michigan hammers them? Will some of the OSU players jump ship? Where will the OSU coach go to vacation in the month of January? My point is, these 5 questions are about as legitimate as the 5 listed in this article. The Michigan coach will start whomever the best QB is Sept. 4, The Coach will win many more games this year, and prove he is legit, Seattle probe will take care of itself, 'Any chance the defense is good'? are you kidding...., 'What's the plan for Molk and Smith', I would think to play football!
BowlForBlue
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
What about the question of security for the team and fans after victories at the BCS and ohio state, those fans, although over history have taken a back seat to Michigan, can be pretty rough on the victors. It appears that the above are questions not accurate or persistent with Michigan's season. I mean, #1 - you do have a Heisman candidate as mentioned in Mr. Robinson, what is the question? #2 - Mr. Rodrigeuz's job is safe, look for big contract renewal. #3 Seattle - is a no story, season will be spectacular. #4 - Defense - best in America. #5 - Molk and Smith - both All-Big Ten
mgobluegold
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
As always, I believe the Michigan Faithful agree with Terry Star21 - the most authoritative and logical person on this site. I hope he gets to answer more questions, like; Will you smoke 12 cigars at the post game barbecue after all 12 regular season wins? How will it feel to have another Heisman trophy winner and yet 'another' NFL QB from UM? Will you sing the Victors song with students after all 5 road victories this year, like the seven home wins? How much pressure will there be on msu, osu and now nebraska next season to have to take a back seat to Michigan in the Big 10? Where are you planning to vacation after 12 straight victories and a bowl win in 2010, Disneyland? That's my legitimate 5.
Jaxon5
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 12:21 p.m.
Responding to T-Starr's 5 questions: 1. Will you give Media access to Heisman candidate and future NFL QB Denard Robinson? Answer: Yes, in the next fantasy football league. 2. Will you allow players to plant flag at mid-field after victory over ohio state? Answer: Yes, in 2030, during OSU's re-building year. 3. After UM's undefeated season, what if two other undefeated teams play BCS championship? Answer: UM Tennis team does not play in BCS championships - that's for football. 4. When Michigan offers 20 year contract, will you chose for 10 or 15? Answer: To whom? 5. Where will they find room for the new Rodrigeuz Hall on campus? Answer: I believe he lives off campus and that's the only place you'll find a hall with his name on it right now. There is the front hall leading to the kitchen and the back hall leading to the garage.
Terry Star21
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
Nope, top 5 questions: 1. Will you give Media access to Heisman candidate and future NFL QB Denard Robinson? 2. Will you allow players to plant flag at mid-field after victory over ohio state? 3. After UM's undefeated season, what if two other undefeated teams play BCS championship? 4. When Michigan offers 20 year contract, will you chose for 10 or 15? 5. Where will they find room for the new Rodrigeuz Hall on campus? Lets not play games, and get to the real truth of this season.
azwolverine
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.
The 'hotseat' is dead only in that nothing will be done about it right now. However, RR's career at Michigan almost surely depends on some form of improvement this season, although none of us knows exactly what defines that improvement. In that respect, it is surely not a 'dead horse' but a very live one, as are the results of the NCAA investigation. And while I agree that they may be silly questions to ask right now when no one knows the answers, they will certainly be issues that most everyone will be looking very closely at to be answered during the course of the season, anti-RR/UM agenda or not.
PortageLkBlu
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 7:26 a.m.
Good stuff coldtoes your on the money. Tater, you get so wound up with your own rhetoric I'm afraid your going to burst take a chill pill Tater. Look, the first game is in a few weeks, RR will examine his choice of QB's on the playing field and win or lose we will all including RR see what we have here.
coldtoes
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 6:45 a.m.
Tater do you suggest that we act like this whole NCAA investigation is not happening? When you played hide and go seek as a child did you just cover your face with your hands and stand there thinking you were in stealth mode? Get over it. The newspaper made a huge deal out of something to create buzz to sell newspapers, the fact remains that the nameless, faceless, hypocrites that rule our beloved sport of college football could jam UM. So it is a big deal, although I agree that nothing will be asked that hasn't already (dead horse), however a lot of people will eat this story up so get use to it. The whore media will continue to go to their slam dunk.
Evergreen
Sun, Aug 1, 2010 : 5:41 a.m.
UofM has a very interesting possibility. They have 3 quarterbacks who can run and pass. Why not line up all three at quaterback and running backs. Any one could run/pass from each of the three locations to each other or receivers.
deb
Sat, Jul 31, 2010 : 11:20 p.m.
3-3-5 works won[d]ers?
deb
Sat, Jul 31, 2010 : 11:20 p.m.
3-3-5 works won[d]ers?