We've all heard of "My way or the highway", right? This phrase fits Rich Rodriguez perfectly. Listening to a little sports talk radio yesterday, a couple things are certain about Rich.
1. He doesn't care if you don't agree with how he runs his program. Learning that Ryan Mallett was transfering, and that Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham were bolting for the NFL Draft, Rodriguez's response was, "I only care about who will be on Michigan's football team in 2008." In other words, don't let the door hit you on the way out boys.
2. This guy needs to land a certain recruit out of Pennsylvania and he knows it. I am talking of course about Terrelle Pryor. Word is that Mr. Pryor has narrowed it down to either Michigan or Ohio State. One of Rodriguez's first calls when he got the Michigan job was to Pryor. So Pryor erases West Virginia from his list and adds Michigan.
Along these same lines, Rodriguez needs Pryor because........... WELL, THE CUPBOARD IS PRETTY BARE EVERYWHERE ELSE ON THE MICHIGAN ROSTER IN 2008. With the defections of Arrington, Manningham, Mallett and all the seniors, even I've looked at the roster for next year and cringed.
Getting Pryor would:
A. Steal him from Ohio State. Good times.
B. Land Rich that mega recruit that would help bring more top talent to the new system Rodriguez is implementing.
C. Like I said earlier, getting Pryor would give Rodriguez somebody noticeable to put on the field next year.
It's nice Rich has ordered that 95% of the weight room be replaced ( they're selling the old stuff Sunday in the biggest yard sale anyone has ever seen), so his strength and conditioning coach can work his vaunted program.
It's nice Rich has a team first approach. A certain guy named Shembechler preached THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM.
A slight little problem though. It seems Mr. Rodriguez's approach has turned many players away. Mallett was the second rated quarterback last year behind Jimmy Clausen. Manningham and Arrington would have been weapons for whoever ends up as Michigan's quarterback.
Michigan has never had a problem landing recruits. Many have said the similarities between Schembechler and Rodriguez are striking. You might suffer a little in the begining, but it will be worth it in the end.
And it's not like Michigan plays the hardest schedule in 2008. Big Ten foes Wisconsin, Illinois, MSU, Northwestern come to play in the Big House. Michigan travels to PSU, Purdue, Minnesota and Ohio State. Non conference games include Miami-Ohio, Utah and Toledo at home with the annual matchup in South Bend to round out the schedule. So to be generous, 6-6 and a bowl game? I certainly hope so.
Change is well under way in Ann Arbor. Change can sometimes be difficult. And some players may be asking for spare change in a few years to get on I-94 and get the hell out of Ann Arbor if things don't change for the better.
You didn't miss anything bro. Busy during the holidays so I haven't written anything since December. And as you recall, I didn't like Michigan's odds against Tebow and Co.
Great to see Lloyd go out like that. Only in college football can a team lose to the defending 1-AA champs and then beat the 1-A champs.
Hoit,
You beat me to the punch on a "Pryor to Michigan" post... nice work. I honestly still may write something anyway, but it certainly may make some sense for the kid to go "Blue"... though some of the other school options would make sense too. Obviously, I would love for the kid to go to PSU... doubt it though, even though we're still in the running.
Last edited by ksp113 on January 10th at 10:57 AM.
The talk radio I was listening to yesterday pretty much said it's Bucks or Blue kp. Of course it's a local Michigan station, so take that for whatever it's worth.
I just read an article on Pryor in ESPN the Magazine. Kid has a lot of pressure on him, hope he succeeds wherever he goes.
If you write it, I'll read it kp. I've never been that interested in recruiting, but Pryor can't be ignored.
Michigan, down on their knees praying? What has this cruel world come to? lol Here's hoping RR gets his man. I saw there was a mini exodus heading out of Ann Arbor. I'd say that was to be expected.
With all the talent this school and team attracts there just might be a whole team of untested All-Americans right under their noses!
Good scribble hoit. good to see you back as well, hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Ah Michigan and Coach RR should have known some guys couldn't handle the pressure and would bolt. Stupid kids though, they could have played for a great school with a rich tradition and got a good education as well. oh well hope they are happy wherever they decide to transfer to.
I know your not an SEC fan but if you get a chance checkout my latest post on some SEC teams come 2008. Have a great day my friend. Oh by the way I added you to my favs.
RR shouldn't have trouble Dwindy attracting players, very true. It might take a couple of years, so fans like myself might have to live with a mediocre year or two for the greater good of the program down the road.
What's up gamb? Congrats to your Tigers and U of M alum Mr. Miles on the BCS championship.
I guess I understand the guys transfering. They were brought into one system, then have to learn a new one. The next couple of years may be lean in Ann Arbor, but that could result in a mean team in around 2010. I'll check out your post for sure.
hoit, Tranfers are a part of the system of college football so it is to be expected. It actually happens more than we know of. Thx for the Congrats and Miles Coached that game wqith perfection didn't he.Goodluck to U of M in the near future.
hoit, long-time reader and first-time commenter here, and all that jazz, but you bring a certain sense of class to the college football blog scene.
Now, before you get all wispy on me, be warned I'm both a Wolverine and a Buckeye hater. It is amazing but I hate them both with equality - well, maybe "hate" is too strong, let's go with "strong dislike".
With the formalities out of the way, I expect good things from the Wolverines in 2008. Not simply because of Coach R-Rod, but just the climate change with a new staff and new hope and everything that comes with it.
Don't be too surprised if the Maize and Blue are bowling on Jan 1 again next year. Life will be wonderful if they somehow are facing my beloved Arizona Wildcats in a bowl.
Born and raised in the great state of MEE-CHI-GAN. Had a one year stint in Indianapolis where I grew to love all things Hoosier and watched the Colts bring home a Super Bowl trophy. My primary teams remain the Tigers, Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and Wolverines and I wouldn't trade any of them. Still follow NASCAR, but it's not the same without the black number 3. My favorite sport by far is college basketball. I'll watch pretty much any game between November-Febr uary and March is the pinnacle of it all with the MADNESS. It can't be beat.
