Michigan Thursday: Shea Gets Cut from The Michigan Panthers

Shea Patterson, the USFL's #1 draft pick got cut late on Wednesday night from the Michigan Panthers.  The Panthers are 1-5 and Shea has the lowest QBR in the league.   Though probably not 100% his fault as the Panthers offensive line and all of its offense is pretty limited to say the least.   Shea threw for 973 yards, sacked 13 times, and ran for 171 yards.  He threw 4 TD's, ran for 2, and threw 5 picks.  

The good news is, he was immediately picked up by the New Orleans Breakers who are 4-2 in the USFL. The Panthers play the Breakers on Saturday night, which is clearly now a Shea Rivalry game. 😀

• I've been trying to watch the NBA Playoffs but they are incredibly boring with lop sided games, injured superstars, and bad offense.  

• Brady has showed social media clips of him hitting baseballs and sinking a golf iron shot from the fairway from a drone camera this week.   His "Brady" Brand clothing line might not be doing as well as other aspects of his life, as the brand-new line is having a 60% off sale already.   I think he might have overshot the market with $100 T-shirts right now. 

• There is some funny business going on with the listing of future Big Ten Football schedules.   I'm sure we will hear soon about the new format that gives Michigan the hardest possible schedule every year.  

• Dante Moore will take a visit to Texas A&M in June.  As we know, there has been a lot of smoke around the Aggies program using NIL to "buy" players.  

Wolverine Wednesday: College Football Changing Fast

Did you ever think Nick Saban would be complaining about another team buying players?  A move he has mastered over the years.  If you think that is incorrect, check Nick's record at MSU and the Miami Dolphins vs. his years at LSU and Alabama.  

With all the cheating now being legal with NIL, the transfer portal, and conference divisions being abolished, college football is changing fast. 

Most of these changes have a negative effect on our beloved Michigan program.  Michigan will do its best with NIL, but they will never incent a player to come to Michigan with money.   Jimmy and Hunter Dickinson have been very clear on that.   

It's no secret the transfer portal does not work in Michigan's favor with Michigan's high standards for admissions.  Being able to flip a roster or even a position group is not really possible in Ann Arbor, like it would be in East Lansing for example.  Getting 1 or 2 guys a year, is really the expected upside per off season.

There is also a ton of rumors floating around that the Big Ten will be doing some type of reorganization in its football divisions.  The PAC 12 is doing it and the SEC is talking about having its own college football playoff system.   It will be interesting to see how this affects Michigan, but I'm strongly against having back-to-back Ohio State games.   Maybe they will do something like they did for the COVID year and have teams that haven't played during the year match-up during the last weekend.  

With all this said, I will continue to stand on my soap box and yell at the clouds, that Michigan's goal every year should be a Big Ten Championship only. 

Here is why I think that:

• Per Jimmy: It's hard to beat the cheaters.  Talent wins and the SEC has been buying (and will continue to buy) all the top players in the country.  

• If you don't have the players, you can now buy them out of the transfer portal.  Top players at smaller NIL schools will now get paid every year in the transfer portal. 

• Rebuilding is now only a transfer portal away.  MSU had a coaching change, a roster devoid of talent, the best way to bounce back quickly is through the transfer portal.   Sparty is doing this at a high level and almost got a Heisman trophy out of this strategy last season.  Is Mel Tucker a good coach or good at buying groceries?

• The playoff system is broken and bowls don't matter.   Would anyone be interested in Michigan vs. ND playoff game last season?  That game might have broken TV viewing records.   The Semi-finals were not competitive and never were.  Still, they won't expand the playoffs.   Like the SEC is thinking about they should just do their own playoff system and save everyone time.  

Michigan for some reason always gets the toughest Big Ten schedule most years.  Wisconsin is in another division but Michigan always seems to get lucky having them on the schedule.   Michigan and Minnesota play for a legendary trophy and many years it's hard to find the Golden Gophers on the schedule.   The Big Ten divisions are not even and with the changing landscape it seems to be more of a disparity each year.   Michigan, OSU, and Penn State clearly out recruit the likes of Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Iowa.   Yes, it's time for a change and hopefully one that will benefit Michigan in the long run. 

Michigan Tuesday: News and Notes

• The NBA Mock drafts after the combine have not been favorable to Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate.  Seems Moussa is not showing up on many (only SI.com at 44) and Caleb is anywhere from 30-46.  I'm a firm believer you don't leave college early to get drafted in the 2nd round and it seems both Wolverines are trending towards Round 2.   Drafting either player is purely on upside and that sounds more like the G-League than the NBA.   I still believe both should come back, but it all depends on the advice they're getting.   If I had to bet, I would bet they both stay in the draft.  

• Gabe Newburg has lost his father.  If you're interested in helping fund the funeral, please find Gabe on IG.  RIP Scott Newburg. Please keep a good thought for Gabe and his family. 

• Michigan's offensive coaches made some strides in the relationship this weekend with Detroit 5-star QB Dante Moore. It seems like there is still a lot of road in his recruitment before he is ready to commit.  

• Thought of the day: If Erick All is healthy next season, is he one of the best TE's in the country?  I seem to forget him when I think about the Wolverines offensive weapons next season.   Erick had one of those season savings plays at Penn State.

Michigan Monday: Juwan Says No to The Lake Show

A few outlets are reporting that the Lakers made a hard run at Juwan Howard to be their next head coach and he turned them down.   As you know, there is a strong Michigan bond between Juwan and former Michigan teammate and current Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.  With Jett and Jace on the team, he isn't going anywhere.  He also has stated he isn't leaving until they hang another National Championship banner in Crisler.   Side note: I didn't know that Rob Pelinka graduated from Michigan's Law School. 

• RIP to former Michigan OC Calvin Magee, who had a heart attack a week ago.  Calvin was RR's OC.  Please keep a good thought for his family and friends. 

• IU's Trace Jackson-Davis has withdrawn from the NBA Draft.  I don't believe we will see any Wolverines making that same decision.  If players are going to "opt out" of the NBA Draft, they need to do so prior to 6/1.

• Jordon Poole is one game away from playing in an NBA Finals

Some PGA Championship thoughts:

I'm a big fan of JT's and loved that he found a way to win at Southern Hills on Sunday.  The joy of seeing him win was only second to the heart break of seeing Mito Pereira fumble away the lead on 18.   I don't know about you, but I could see myself doing the exact same thing on that hole if I was in a similar position.  

Prior to the PGA, I know Tiger said his leg was stronger but I didn't see any proof of that during the week.   The surprising cold conditions and wind on the weekend did not allow his body to finish the tournament.   My guess is Tiger is not interested in embarrassing himself and might not play another tournament this year.   I know St. Andrews is one of his favorite courses but if he isn't healthy, I don't know if he will be up for it.  

Will Zalatoris is going to win a lot of tournaments on the PGA but he will have to figure out the putter if he is going to win majors.  His game is elite and now he just needs a putting stroke to match the rest of his game.