Troy Woolfolk's a leader for Michigan football, plus championship talk and the handsome Will Campbell
Linebacker Mark Moundros and offensive lineman Steve Schilling were selected as captains for the Michigan football team Tuesday night.
A third name should appear on the list.
Selected or not, senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk has stepped into a leadership role. He did so by calling out quarterback Tate Forcier for his lackluster participation in off-season workouts.
Cornerback Troy Woolfolk (29) makes a tackle against Notre Dame last season. Woolfolk, a senior, appears to be a leader on and off the field.
File photo
Forcier hasn’t shown up to as many off-season workouts as his teammates feel he should have, Woolfolk told Joe Stapleton of The Michigan Daily last week, and it’s hurt Forcier’s credibility in the locker room.
“The only reason he’s not really labeled as diseased is because of the way he was able to carry the team last year before we started losing,” Woolfolk told The Daily. “People still trust him a little bit, but he’s starting to lose that trust.”
On most college football teams, criticizing the quarterback is taboo. But on most college football teams, the quarterback’s an automatic leader.
If that’s not the case at Michigan, if Forcier displayed a lackluster work ethic as alleged, then Woolfolk walked a tightrope by making his blunt comments. He also filled a thirst for leadership.
He caught a lot of flak in the immediate aftermath, but leadership isn’t always about coloring within the lines or reciting vanilla, inoffensive platitudes.
Given the opportunity to refute Woolfolk’s comments Monday night, Rich Rodriguez, without going into specifics, essentially confirmed them.
“I’m glad our seniors are taking some ownership and leadership in this team, and they want everybody to work as hard as they have or are going to,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t blame them for that. … Tate knows he’s got a lot to do to prove himself, not just on the field but off the field.”
Moundros and Schilling will make fine captains this season. Title or not, so will Woolfolk.
INDIANAPOLIS LOOKS LIKE RIGHT CALL
Count me among those who’d like to see the Big Ten championship game played in an outdoor venue, in the elements, the way football is supposed to be played.
That said, it’s hard to argue with the selection of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as the site of the inaugural Big Ten championship game in 2011.
Sixteen months doesn’t leave a lot of prep time for the game next December. So playing it safe this time around makes sense.
Having held its basketball tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse in six of the past nine seasons, the Big Ten already has a relationship with the Indiana Sports Corporation, already knows Indianapolis has the infrastructure to handle 63,000 to 70,000 fans and already has the benefit of the city sitting in decent proximity to the geographical center of the conference.
Conference commissioner Jim Delany indicated he’s open to playing the championship game at different venues in the future. In 2011, Indianapolis sounds right.
Soldier Field in Chicago sounds perfect for 2012.
GRAHAM OFF TO FAST START WITH EAGLES
Philadelphia is a town notorious for being tough on its sports stars. (Ask Donovan McNabb). But in the early going, first-round Eagles draft pick Brandon Graham is delighting fans.
Geoff Mosher, my friend and colleague at the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal, reports that Graham has lived up to enormous expectations after the team traded up in the NFL Draft to grab him.
“The daily highlight of camp is watching him go hand-to-hand with RT Winston Justice on every snap,” Mosher said. “Justice thinks the world of him. Other teammates keep singing his praises. …
“The other day, he sniffed out a screen, tipped the pass from Kevin Kolb and then picked it off deep in the offense’s territory. Probably would have been a touchdown.”
Graham, the former Wolverine, has been working at left defensive end, getting the occasional first-team snaps while chasing incumbent Juqua Parker for the starting job. If Graham doesn’t win it by opening day, he’ll likely rotate in plenty of Philly’s nickel schemes.
“It feels really good to go against the first-team offense, because that’s the real work right there,” he told Mosher. “If you beat those guys, then you know you’re doing something right.”
Graham signed a five-year contract, $22 million contract with $14 million guaranteed on July 30.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
“JT Turner leaves Michigan football team. Maybe Michigan should just go without a secondary this season and blitz 5 guys every down?” - LostLettermen, after Michigan announced its promising defensive back had asked for and received his release Tuesday.
THE HANDSOME WILL CAMPBELL
On Monday night, Rodriguez said a handful of players had shown up out of shape for summer camp. Conditioning was again a topic of conversation when defensive coordinator Greg Robinson spoke Wednesday.
Asked specifically if any of his defenders were among the flabby team members Rodriguez mentioned, Robinson said, “There isn’t much of that. Mnnn. Nnnnn.”
The very next question was about defensive lineman Will Campbell, who had grown from 6-foot-5, 324 pounds in the spring to 6-5, 333 in the summer.
“He’s very handsome,” Robinson quipped.
UCONN A FORMIDABLE CHALLENGE
Sporting News has counted down its preseason top 100 college football programs throughout the summer. Last Friday, it reached No. 28 on its list, the UConn Huskies.
Matt Hayes writes: “The Huskies got two program-defining wins late last year - Notre Dame and South Carolina - that have fueled offseason work. This team knows how to win, and now has the confidence to do so in critical spots.”
Could one of those spots be Michigan Stadium, where the Huskies open the season on Sept. 4?
No predictions here yet, given the game’s still four weeks away. By comparison, though, Sporting News ranks the Wolverines 71st in the nation.
Have questions about the Michigan football team? Email AnnArbor.com beat reporter Pete Bigelow at petebigelow@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
Kubrick66
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 : 3:01 a.m.
redceder1... Thank you for your continuous support and interest in all things Michigan. Without people like you Michigan would be... well - MSU. Go Blue 2010!
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 1 a.m.
I won't be surprised if UCon beats us and then again, I won't be surprised if we beat UCon.
scotty
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.
used to be us wolverine fans were nervous about opening games against the powerhouses....now we get flustered about UConn??? oh how the times have changed....Heres hopin' RR has got a D together and an offense that lights it up...think we gonna need it...
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.
It's all fun boys and girls and anyways the truth and facts will appear shortly regardless of what we want or don't want. Their just kids to me and a little berating by his peers probably won't hurt in fact could help it will be a brutal season for young Mr Tate. He's shortly going to be hit with a lot more than criticism. Ah I can see those winged helmets running out under the banner that first game. I go to some USC games but there's nothing like watching our Mich. Wolverines run out on that field.
saginaw
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
Funny about UConn; they are way overrated, but still tough at the same time. My view is that Michigan wins this emotional opening game at home -- last year we started very strong. Beating Notre Dame on the road will be even tougher.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
I'm puzzled why Pete feels Woolfolk is showing leadership by throwing his quarterback under the proverbial bus in front of the media. That's the kind of statement that, in context, may show leadership within the locker room. But calling Forcier out in public is childish and demonstrates a poor attitude. Coaches, on rare occasions, may call out a player in the media. Other players do not. Meanwhile, 71st is about right for this team based on last year's performance and returning players. That's what they've shown. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I think we're headed for 3-9 or 4-8 and the end of Rodriguez's tenure.
rensational
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.
Normally I like azwolverine's comments, but I do think...well, let's put it this way. Conn is better than Indiana, a team that Michigan struggled to beat when Forcier actually was on fire and might not have beaten had it not been for a call that went our way. The point is not Conn is this amazing team. I don't think they should be ranked #28 in any poll. It's just a sign of how lowly people, including a lot of our own fans, think of Michigan right now. Michigan may or may not be really good on offense, but I think the defense is in trouble. If I remember correctly, Conn's offense was good, even when they had to go to the backup QB--their defense just also seemed to suck. Michigan's defense has been such the past two years that even teams that do not have good offenses looked like NC contenders against us, ehem Illinois. Michigan-Conn could turn out to be a shootout and it can go either way, but it is definitely a game I worry about. And I never complained about Michigan opening against Conn because Conn is weak...in 2009 I did starting at some point because I thought they might be a tad too challenging for Michigan. I might be alone on this, but the thought of Michigan playing challenging teams OOC makes me cringe, especially when people were saying we should get Boise State as an opener and this talk about Michigan playing Alabama in Texas (all we need is more "Big Ten can't beat the SEC" crap even though that's generally not true, especially for Michigan). We have enough challenges in the Big Ten, in bowl games (when we used to go) and ND pre-2007 (or at least 2005, 2006)/whenever ND gets back to being ND. I'm not saying the sched needs to be SEC-watered down OOC, but right now...schitt, Michigan couldn't beat probably even Tulsa, Southern Miss, SMU, Wyoming, Idaho...(and don't argue if you haven't seen these teams play, because I have seen them all and their offenses would rip Michigan up).
Sean T.
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 6:47 a.m.
UCONN can pound the rock guys and they have the O-line to do it, all game long. They are set at all positions with the exception of QB and they have considerable talent on the team. Even lowly Bowling Green may give us a problem if we let them hang around too long but we'll have to wait and see!
rightmind250
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 5:27 a.m.
Tater, You love the fact UM is #71? 70 div 1 teams are rated higher than UM?
saginaw
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 9:25 p.m.
"Gentleman's Bet", says both Michigan and Michigan State are better than the Sporting News is predicting. My gosh, look at high ND is ranked and most of their 2009 offense is in the NFL. Nothing will be better than both State of Michigan B10 teams playing very well in 2010. Although, I do agree that UConn is not an easy opening game.
amaizenblueballs
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 9:19 p.m.
Saginaw - that sure would be great. In the mean time, perhaps we hire a model and have a photo shoot in the locker room like UCF did to build team spirit. Check out Fox sports on MSN.
saginaw
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
Can we please return to the days of Butch W?
amaizenblueballs
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 8:51 p.m.
Sean T. - I admire Troy Woolfolk's leadership and have no problem with him calling out Tate Forcier. Someone needs to build character and Michigan men. I would prefer the coaches do it behind the scenes and RR avoiding comment. Tate is clearly young. I winced after the Ohio State game in his interview on how hard he would work this summer - it sounded weak. How I miss the silent toughness of Chad Henne. Tate showed a lot of immaturity before the Iowa game with that cell phone interview from the sideline. I hope time builds character. Skill might bring a strong start and give him time to rebuild leadership. If it does he will have strong character for it. This all said, perhaps the fact Tate is not working hard with the team this past summer means he already has concluded he has lost the starting job? Love the calling out. Now I have someone to cheer for on the team in Troy Woolfolk. I always liked his Dad. Leaders develop leaders.
azwolverine
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
I think UConn is being overrated on the "strength" of their OT win over a 6-6 ND team that Michigan also beat as well as their bowl win over South Carolina which has never been a pillar of strength, even with Spurrier there (or Holtz, for that matter). Two years ago everyone was crying about such a weak team (UConn) as our home opener for the new stadium, now they are being discussed as this ultra-tough team that will give Michigan fits. Come on, they're ranked 28th, for goodness sake, and lost 5 games last season. Michigan, with 7+ starters back on offense and 8 on defense should hammer UConn into oblivion. And no, I haven't sipped the Kool-Aid and suddenly think UM is B10 or NC title contenders, it's just that I think UConn is far too highly rated (even at #28) and despite the lousy finishes, RR's teams have played competitively over the first four games in his two seasons.
Sean T.
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 5:15 p.m.
Them calling out Tate Forcier should've been done "in house" because it will be disruptive to the team by going public. Do you guys really think that Shoelace can carry this team like Tate did for us last year? Only miracles can give us a 8-4/9-3 season in 2010 and losing talented players only burden the coaching staff further. Also, we have no gimme's on our schedule since we are not set at key positions of our own. I truly hope Shoelace has grown significantly over the past year!
GoblueinNE_PA
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
How far have we fallen? 71st!?! The sum of Carr's ranking during the 2000's probably doesn't even equal 71. Here's hoping that the Sporting News is wrong.
81wolverine
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
Ref: "The very next question was about defensive lineman Will Campbell, who had grown from 6-foot-5, 324 pounds in the spring to 6-5, 333 in the summer." I don't care if he weighs a metric ton. As long as he's on the field making good defensive plays, who cares?
Kubrick66
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
MetricSU... Justify it anyway you want - in the end it all adds up to the same... You are all obsessed with Michigan. An occasional comment here and there is one thing, but every article, everyday, 24/7... It really is amazing. So again, on behalf of myself, UM, and I'm sure AA.com... Thank you for your continued interest in everything Michigan Football. Go Blue 2010!
MetricSU
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
Forever27, Kubrik: You two don't know much about human nature, I guess. The reason people like Yelmonian and I like to read about UM football is because we are mesmerized with what is happening in AA. In 2007, what probability would you have put on an 8-16 overall, 3-13 Big Ten record under RR? I would guess almost zero. Lots of people publicly predicted 9-3 for RR's first year. There's lots of talk about bouncing back this year, but the unbiased Sporting News doesn't really see it. Given the tradition and resources of UM football, it's almost impossible that anyone could bring it down for very long. It would have to take exactly the wrong hire. Most MSU fans are realistic and know UM will bounce back, probably rather quickly. But we are enjoying the uncertainty until that happens. Maybe exactly the wrong hire did occur.
Kubrick66
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.
Yelmonian... Nice try, but no one is buying what you're selling. Forever27 is dead on! And I like the fact that players are calling-out Tate. Now it's time for him to prove them all wrong.
Yelmonian
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:15 p.m.
Forever27, OK... a lot of people watch the Kardashians. Do you think people really care about them, or do you think that the crash and burn of it all is just too fun to miss?
Forever27
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
Clever Sparty. It never ceases to amaze me how much you guys care about UM football. That's just terrific. Why don't you read articles about your football team? Oh that's right, there's nothing to brag about when you celebrate a losing record like you have somehow stolen the mantle of the premier team in the state. I hope you enjoyed the previous two years because it is all over now.
meathead
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.
1st, i love U of M 2nd, if we lose the first game, which i really think we may, i see this team as a 5-7 team. win the first one and i see our confidence rising to an 8-4 team. the team is so young and has so many camps a lose early could really split them up.