Recuiting News and Notes

In a week where Michigan gained two commitments, IN LB Jordan Barnes and TX WR DeWayne Peace, Michigan still needs to address some needs at Defensive End and on the Offensive line. With most likely less then 20 spots open next year (Michigan took 25 last year and has 12 verbals this year, OSU has already 23 verbally committed for the class of 09), Michigan needs to focus on only elite skill players, Offensive Line, and Defensive Ends/Line.

What's the deal with Tate Forcier? (pictured above) Does Michigan really need 3: 4 and 5 star QB's in this class? With Kevin Newsome and The Beaver verbally committed to the Wolverines, Tate Forcier is still considering Michigan and has the Wolverines in his final/Top 10. He also attended Michigan's camp a couple of weeks ago. Maybe he is waiting to see if Kevin bails on his Michigan commitment before making a decision. The good news is he doesn't seem to be in a rush to make a decision. My best guess is that Michigan takes two QB's either Newsome or Forcier and The Beaver. Here is Matt Hayes from the Sporting News take:

Rich Rodriguez continues to recruit quarterbacks to Michigan despite oral commitments from two of the nation's top dual-threat players: Kevin Newsome and Shavodrick Beaver. Dual-threat stars Tate Forcier and Eugene Smith have Michigan high on their lists. If incoming freshman QB Justin Feagin doesn't win the job this fall or struggles to pick up the system, Rodriguez will sign three quarterbacks in February. . .

• Michigan loses a punter to NC State. I can't believe we are losing top rated punters to the ACC! Ok, just a little over reaction on a slow news day for the Wolverines. Chris Ward a punter who averaged 41 yards last year picked NC State over Michigan and others yesterday.


• Craig Roh a 4 star Scottsdale DE visits Ann Arbor during his family vacation to Northern Michigan.

No go for Michigan Football Survivor

Do you think Big Ten coaches get to relax and watch a little Prime Time TV with their families? I doubt it. In fact, I'm not sure the former Michigan coaching staff even watched other football games.

The Big Ten Network in all it's glory needs to fill in a ton of air time during the week and at night. They need fresh new ideas and what's selling these days? Reality TV.

Can you imagine it now? Zook vs RR in Fear Factor or behind the scenes cameras at Tressel's home (I'm sure he would be more entertaining then Ozzy!, I can hear it now, where is my gray vest! I need my gray vest!). What about the comedy styling's of Joe Tiller? How about a TV show called, "Where the hell is the remote" starring the absent minded professor JoPa.

These ideas are network TV gold and I can't think of any better people to put on camera then Big Ten Coaches. They are the most lovable people on earth.

Well, the BTN shot down my ideas and went for a behind the scenes look at the Illinois football program with Ron Zook. It's going to be called: Illinois Football: The Journey and it will air for 10-13 episodes starting on September 2nd. RR had a chance to do the show and turned it down. I was told by a insider that Barwis training methods were deemed not appropriate for Prime Time viewers.

Look for Journey shows titled: No I'm the Juice not OJ, Pete Carroll is a genius, How did we make it to the Rose Bowl?, We beat the Buckeyes did you?, We can teach RR about the spread! We are part of the Zook Nation, and I bet Florida wishes I was still their head coach!

Got to love the BTN! Coming to a Comcast Cable box near you!

The Bobby Abrams Story: Michigan Football to the NFL to High School Principal

One of Bo's principal goals was to prepare his team of men to have a life after football. We know every Wolverine that walks into the BigHouse wants to play in the NFL. Some do but many don't. Even if you do get a shot at the NFL, the average career is only a couple of years at best.

Enter Bobby Abrams an Outside Linebacker from Henry Ford in Detroit played for Michigan from 1986 - 1989. He letter all those years and played in 3 straight Rose Bowls. Bob entered the NFL in 1990 as a non-drafted Free Agent and signed with the LB heavy NY Giants. He had a pretty good run in the NFL playing for Giants from 1990-91 then also playing for Cleveland, Dallas, and New England before hanging it up in 1995. Bobby played in 73 NFL games and even has a Super Bowl Ring from 1991. Bobby also had the rare opportunity to play for three hall of fame coaches: Bob Schembecler, Bill Parcells and Jimmy Johnson.

For most that is a pretty good run, making it to the NFL and living your dream. But Bobby had other plans and other goals, just like Bo would have wanted him to. Bob keeps a copy of an article from the New York Times that states: 'Abrams the Giant's free agent linebacker for Michigan plans to be a teacher and school administrator when his playing days are over. I got this on my desk to remind me that seven years of playing professional football wasn't my life. My life is what I'm doing now. I'm living my dream now."

When Montgomery schools open their doors on August 11th, there will be a new face to greet the students at Lanier High School. A new principal was appointed Tuesday night. That new Principal is Bobby Abrams.

Every Wolverine that walks into the BigHouse could learn something from Bobby Abrams.

Will the schedule force Time Warner's hand?

So the last "Big" Cable company to not have a deal with the Big Ten Network is Time Warner. TWC had the same complaints/positions as Comcast did but a deal doesn't seem to be imminent. Why? you ask. There are other things going on at TWC. Time Warner Cable is on the "blocks" and could be sold at any time. Comcast are your interested? You have about 2 months to purchase them and get them integrated. Ok, that won't happen.

So what's next? Time Warner holds the most cable boxes in Mid-Southern Ohio. Which means there are going to be a lot of angry Buckeye fans if a deal isn't done before the end of August.

So what would motivate Time Warner to get a deal done soon? Customers complaining didn't seem to help last year. Maybe loss of revenue will do the trick. If a deal isn't done soon, Time Warner will lose a ton of households in Ohio to one of the dish providers.

The reason they will move? This little tidbit from the Mark Silverman, President of The Big Ten Network:

Silverman said the first three weekends of this season's football schedule should be announced sometime after July 1. Each of the 11 teams is guaranteed to be on the Big Ten Network at least once for a non-conference game and once for a conference match up.

Meaning football fans in Ohio will know two months in advance if their favorite Big Ten team falls on the network early in the season. They will also know that the rules state they have to be on during the Big Ten campaign as well. Two months advance = plenty of time to change providers. TWC is going to be sold anyway, why stick it out with them?

Good Luck Time Warner, the clock is ticking.......

Newsome Update from the Elite 11 Camp

Kevin Newsome news has been swirling around lately like a hurricane. Here are some of the story lines just from the last couple of months:

• Kevin commits to Michigan and may enroll early
• Michigan continues to recruit QB's and gets a commitment from the "Beaver" while other QB's are still considering Michigan (Forcier and Smith)


• Kevin doesn't preform well at a Nike Camp at Penn State (maybe better suited at WR or DB)


• Kevin might be a soft recruit as VTech and others continue to recruit him hard


• Kevin is running track and wins the State championship in the 110-meter hurdles.


• Kevin changes High Schools and his former coach doesn't like the Michigan choice.

Now ESPN has done a long article on him at the Elite 11 Camp. Here are some of Kevin's thoughts and some insight from former Tennessee QB Tee Martin.

"People think because you come out a week after you're done with track and not throw the ball well that you're not a good football player," Newsome said. "Even if I am not throwing the ball well, I just need a chance. You can't be perfect at everything. So I am giving up track and going to stick with my love -- and that's playing football."

Newsome, in contrast with most of his rail-thin peers at the Vegas combine, has a body more like Walter Payton's than Peyton Manning's. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder who recently won the Virginia state championship in the 110-meter hurdles has skills that could translate to his lining up at wide receiver on offense or possibly in the defensive backfield.

"I am going to be a quarterback," he said. And, according to Newsome, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez agrees.

The athletic quarterback quandary is one that Tee Martin, the former University of Tennessee standout who now coaches at the Elite 11 camps, knows plenty about.

"When I was in high school I remember being a guy who was very talented and athletic, and no one had really honed my QB skills until I got to college," said Martin, who spent a week working with Newsome this past spring.

"I think it will be a good fit for him at Michigan with what Coach Rodriguez is doing," Martin said. "I think it will be a great opportunity for him to go in there and get a system that will fit his skills."

Tom Luginbill, the national director of recruiting for Scouts Inc., said Newsome needs to refine some his fundamental quarterbacking skills.

"He needs to settle in as a passer, develop patience and discipline and work through progressions with speed and timing, yet play under control," Luginbill said. "He has a tendency with his strong arm to spray the ball around, and his improved footwork will help sharpen his accuracy."

"In Michigan's offense the quarterback just needs adequate arm strength but must have a very good sense of timing and accuracy in the short and intermediate ranges and must show they can throw when on the move," he said.

_____________________________

With him changing schools, working at camps like this, and dedicating himself to football I believe he will have proper skills coming into Michigan to play QB. If he enrolls early that will only help those skills develop faster.

Two for Tuesday: DeWayne Peace Commits as well.

It's a good day when the Wolverines can get two verbal commits on the same day. The second commit is athlete DeWayne Peace from Texas. Dwyane plays both WR and DB, I expect him to be a DB recruit for the Wolverines. Here is what D-Peace had to say: "I committed to Michigan," Peace told TheWolverine.com. "I'm kind of glad the recruiting process is over with. Now I can focus on my senior year of football. My family is happy for me and everybody is happy with the decision."

Here is VB's take on DP:

Peace (6-0, 178, 4.68) is a DB/WR from South Grand Prairie HS in Texas. He becomes the 12th player in the 2009 class.

Commitment Notes: Peace was a somewhat under-the-radar prospect through much of his recruitment. Until early June, he favored the Texas A&M Aggies and the Kansas Jayhawks. That all changed with a visit to the Rich Rodriguez Football Camp, however. Peace and Michigan were mutually impressed, and upon Peace's return, A&M was out of the picture, and Michigan was in the top 2 with Kansas. DeWayne decided to end his recruitment shortly thereafter, and gave his word to become a Michigan Wolverine.

Player Notes: Peace has been impressive at both wideout and corner, and is known for good quickness and fluid hips. He moves in and out of breaks cleanly, and uses good routes to get open. At Michigan, it is unclear whether he will be a defensive back or wideout/slot.

As predicted: Jordan Barnes Commits

Michigan picked up it's 11th verbal this afternoon for the class of 2009.


Player Info Per (recruiting guru) Varsity Blue:

Jordan Barnes, a three-star linebacker from Fort Wayne, IN, has given his word to become a Michigan Wolverine. The 6-0, 225 pound product of Homestead Senior High School, picked Michigan over Auburn and Alabama.

Recruiting Notes:
Barnes grew up in the state of Alabama, and made it clear that the two in-state schools were his favorites early in the process. However, after attending the BBQ at the Big House, Michigan started making inroads. When he announced his intentions to have a press conference, it was clear that the Wolverines were in the running along with the two 'bama schools. Before he could get to a press conference, however, Barnes committed to the maize and blue.

Player notes:
Barnes is a quick linebacker, and he uses his speed to make plays. His combination of good speed and slightly shorter stature make him a fit to end up on the weakside in college. His film shows that he could also move to the offensive side of the ball, where he could be a big, quick FB (MAX in the Rich Rodriguez system).

Recruiting News and Notes

The Blogoshere is buzzing that Michigan should pick up a couple of commits this week. The mostly likely candidates are Texas WR/DB DeWayne Peace (most likely a DB recruit) and Indiana LB Jordan Barnes. Both are close to a decision and have Michigan in their top two or three. There is also a good chance that PA OL Adam Gress a camp attendee will commit to the Wolverines in a couple of weeks.


Other news and notes:

• These guys are not coming to Ann Arbor but headed to OSU: Corey Brown a DB from PA (Michigan offer) and local C-BUS DB Bradley McDougald (no Michigan offer). OSU has an impressive list of 22 recruits and it's not even July yet. RR has only beat the Vest on one head to head recruit so far in this class (Justin Turner). Hopefully they will run out of scholarships soon.
• Easy come easy go for OSU QB's: Sound familiar? Quarterback Antonio Henton transferred from OSU and enrolled in classes at Georgia Southern on Monday. He'll have three years of eligibility left. I guess one new scholarship just opened up. That is two QB's transfers for the Buckeyes this year. That never happens at Michigan.
• Demontre Hurst, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound three-star cornerback from Texas has Michigan offer and had this to say about the Wolverines: Another big-time program that may make Hurst's final cut is Michigan. "I haven't really talked with the new coaches yet," he admitted. "I've really only heard from their defensive back coach and I'm just hoping to learn more about them and get to know them better."
• Dumars kid picks USF over Michigan for basketball. Really?
• Is Time Warner next on the BTN bandwagon: Mary Jo Green, the vice president of public affairs for Time Warner, said that the deal brokered between Comcast and the BTN is a good sign.
  "I think the fact that the Big Ten Network and Comcast came to an agreement is very encouraging and is a positive development," Green said. "I think the fact that Comcast had similar concerns that we do, and that they were able to come to an agreement is encouraging."
• Remember when we said Mike Shaw is fast. Well he really is fast. He has been very busy this off season ripping up the track and is now in A2 preparing for the football season. We could see big things out of this guy this year. I really going to enjoy seeing speed in Ann Arbor.
• Will they play golf or just party for 5 hours? Kid Rock and John Daly are playing together at Wednesday's Buick Open Pro-AM. In a related story, all the beer in The Greater Flint Area is reported to be in short supply. Diet Coke, Gambling, and Weed had no comment.

Looks like I picked the wrong week (or day) to stop sniffing glue: Kevin Newsome News and Good Bye to the Mzone

As you know, I'm just back from a long golf weekend in Northern Michigan. For those of you worried about the Michigan economy and gas prices, you should be. TreeTops and other top resorts were noticeably not busy. That's a very bad sign for late June. I'm hoping they can maintain in this down economy, because Northern Michigan is just too good of a golf venue.

I roll in a few minutes ago to see there is a lot happening in the world of Michigan sports and Blogs.

Happy Trails to the MZone. One of the first few blogs I read. They were all about the comedy and Michigan sports. They ended their run today as life just got in the way as it usually does. Good luck and farewell to the Buckstache.

Excuse me, are your donuts made fresh everyday?

Kevin Newsome is transferring High Schools and a family friend doesn't like his Michigan commit.

Western Branch will be without its star quarterback this fall, as Kevin Newsome plans to play his senior season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham. His father, Kevin Sr., confirmed the move this afternoon, saying his son wanted to "continue to improve at quarterback so he'll be in a better position to step in and help somebody as soon as possible when he gets to college."

Former Bruins coach Lew Johnston, a close family friend of the Newsomes, said colleges have continued to recruit the talented quarterback even after his Michigan commitment. Virginia Tech, a team Newsome grew up rooting for, is among those suitors. "I thought when he picked Michigan, he jumped the gun a little bit, and I was disappointed," Johnston said. "I told him that."

Johnston is not a big fan of Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez, who told Newsome he was "their guy" and then continued to recruit several other top quarterbacks. Michigan received a second QB commitment just days after Newsome's pledge. "We're very close, and I've told him I'd like to see him stay closer to home," Johnston said. "I'm not going to push it, but there's something about playing in your home state." Johnston said Newsome was enamored of former Tech quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers, now with the Minnesota Vikings, and likely would've chosen the Hokies if Rogers were still in Blacksburg.

Neither Newsome nor his father wanted to comment on any potential re-opening of his recruitment.

As you might expect, this isn't great news for The Wolverines and gives some credibility to the rumors that Kevin has re-opened his recruitment.

Don't you hate when your cable company is the last to the party

Comcast and the Big Ten Network have had a very public battle for over a year. That battle ended Thursday as the largest Cable Company in the US and The Big Ten Network came together for an new agreement. The BTN will be included in Comcast's expanded basic tier cable package. In Spring 2009, Comcast may elect to move the network to a broadly distributed digital level of service in most of its systems.

What a huge win for the Big Ten Network and a successful compromise by both sides. These states will see the BTN starting on 8/15: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The biggest cable company now to not have The Big Ten Network is also the one with the largest footprint in Ohio: Time Warner Cable. I'm pretty sure Columbus and the rest of the Ohio Buckeye Nation will not stand for TWC not having the BTN much longer.

Here's to Big Ten Football for the masses!

Now word on The NFL Network.

Michigan Football Tickets available with a catch!

• Programing note: Heading to the basement for a couple of days, so I can play golf at Northern Michigan finest golf courses. I will do my best to keep the info updated

• Here is a Q&A with a the head coach of PA OT Adam Gress. Adam was a recent Wolverine camper and was offered at that camp. He attended Pitt's camp and heading to Penn State and WVU. Adam is a 6"7 295 pound Offensive Tackle. Exactly the type of guy we need in the maize and blue.
• Pretty good Michigan 2008 preview from the Bleacher Report.
• Michigan is in the running for 5 star running back from Oklahoma David Oku. David is 5-10, 185-pound, the No. 5 running back nationally, and the No. 36 prospect overall for Scout.
• Get your Michigan football tickets here: The catch: You have ties to The University of Toledo or your disabled with a wheel chair.
• Mogblog has a Comcast - BTN update. What about a BTN - Time Warner update? :-(

more of Schofield

Michigan's first Offensive lineman recruit has a lot of postives. Let's take a look at a few quotes from a recent article in the Chicago Sun Times:

“He’s the first good catch for Michigan out of Chicago in some time,” recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. “In one or two years, he can really develop into an All-American. He has a lot of potential.”

“[Michigan is] going to be in a spread offense and they are going to need offensive tackles that can move a little,” said Schofield, who now throws the discus and the shot put for the Eagles. “They said I’m a really good fit for them. They really liked my athleticism.”

“Ever since I was little kid, I always wanted to play Big Ten football. That was always my dream,” Schofield said. “It feels really good. Michigan is the perfect fit of football and academics.”

Big House Construction Photo's

via mgoblog

Northwestern Spygate,TP Fall out, and Brewster's Son is Transferring

• The Freep has an article today about Northwestern stealing Michigan's signals in thier National Championship year of 1997. It was all foiled by some "smart thinking" football managers. On a side note, who hasn't been able to predict Michigan's offensive plays in the last 10 years?
• Here is a story about the fall out of the Terrelle Pryor saga this Spring: How two HS quarterbacks missed out on offers from Michigan and PSU because TP waited so long to make a decision. One decided to take an offer from William and Mary and the other decided to walk on at PSU.
• Shaw leaving Ohio on Monday to head for Ann Arbor for Summer drills.
• Tim Brewster's son is transferring from Minnesota. Not sure I have ever seen a head coaches son transfer schools like this. Sort of sad for all involved.
• OSU picks up 100th recruit this summer. Adam Bellamy verbally commits to "the vest".

Finally a Offensive Lineman Commit!

Michigan has been filling up the skill positions fast while they continue to wait to fill their two biggest needs on the offensive line and at defensive end. Last night they received their first verbal commit on the offensive line from Michael Schofield of Orland Park (Ill.) Sandburg. Michael weighs in at 276 pounds and is 6 feet 7 inches tall.

He choose Michigan over ND, Miami, Oregon, and most Big Ten Schools. Scout ranks him the #47 tackle in the country and providing only three stars; Rivals says #18 with 4 stars.

This from VB: Player Notes: Schofield is a tall, nimble lineman. He has very good height (listed anywhere between 6-5 and 6-7) and will likely end up as a tackle in college, though it remains to be seen if he has the skill set to protect the quarterback's blind side.

Side Notes: Michael is a hurdler on his high school track team and throws the discus. He sounds very athletic for a big man!

Those are expensive Cupcakes as OSU pays Navy $1.4M

The BCS bowl system has created the pre-conference cupcake schedule. Big time schools are bringing in very beat-able opponents in late August and early September to increase their records to look better to the Bowl committees. If you have noticed the MAC and the Big Ten have pretty much the equivalent to the NCAA Basketball Big Ten/ACC Match up. But in this case the MAC plays for a payday and The Big Ten gets their much needed wins.

Well, these cupcakes have caught on and are now getting paid. The Ohio State University is paying $1.4 Million to Navy for a trip to "the Shoe" next year. Yes, that's right $1.4M. I assume you can't write that off your taxes? (Maybe they will name a aircraft carrier after OSU: The SS Vest, The SS Pryor, The SS C-BUS, The SS tOSU, or UOS) Many programs are asking for over $800,000+ to travel to other Big Time Programs stadiums when the payout were in the $300,000 - $400,000 range less then 5 years ago.

These amounts are close to or over Bowl Payouts. Now some opponents are pulling out of contracts, so they can get "paid" at other schools. That is why OSU is paying Navy $1.4M. A team pulled out on them and they needed a replacement and are paying Navy through the nose so they can change their own schedule.

Is this a good practice? Is this what college football is all about? Probably not, but how can you blame these smaller programs by scheduling a Michigan or OSU and getting paid so their Softball Team can have new uniforms and they can pay their assistant swimming coach a salary? You can't. The lesson: If you going to schedule a Cup Cake you better be prepared to pay for Kobe Beef! (BTW: If you going to schedule a cupcake, also make sure they are a cupcake and don't come in and upset you on opening day)

Also there is no word on how much Ohio State is willing to pay The University of Cincinnati to start their brand new instate rivalry.

Michigan Camp News and a Big Ten Network Update

• Here is a recap from Scouts Michigan Camp Report: Mississippi DT Josh Boyd preformed on Sunday and showed a ton of quickness. Getting a Boyd commit would be huge for RR and Staff since DT and DE is a huge current need, current verbal commit JT Turner also was in camp on Sunday and looked thin and showed a lot of speed. Looks like the question for JT is whether he is a better fit at corner or Safety, Michigan HS running back Zurelon Tipton seemed to have caught the eye of RR but is considered a sleeper for an offer, coming in today is Safety Dennis Thames the cousin of Tiger outfielder Marcus Thames. Guys that came in before camp include: The Beaver: Texas QB commit Shavodrick Beaver , Vegas DE Keenan Graham (6-4, 215), Indianapolis OL Zack Martin (6-5, 280) , and Ill. OT Michael Schofield (6-6, 275). There is also some news on some underclassmen preforming well if your interested in the entire article.
• The Chicago Tribune is reporting that The Big Ten Network and Comcast are very close to settling their impasse and adding the BTN to their lineup. The BTN would end up in an expanded digital tier and include Standard Def and High Def channels.

  "For all intents and purposes, it's done," The Tribune quotes one source as saying.

  No news on the status of the BTN coming to the "for sale" TimeWarner Cable.

I know many of you don't read this blog for Golf updates, but we truly have a win/win situation today at the US Open. Tiger Woods one of (if not the) greatest golfers of all time vs Rocco Mediate one of the great guys of all time. Golf fans hopefully will be treated to a bonus day of great theater that couldn't possibly top the weekend. Tiger Woods basically on one leg willing himself to win, while the "happy to be here" Rocco is playing golf like it should be and savoring every moment. If you get a chance today, set your DVR or turn your TV on at work and watch as this real life Joe vs The Pro as it plays out on live TV. It all starts at noon on ESPN then is picked up by NBC on the back nine. No matter what happens, the winner will deserve it and it will go down as a legendary US Open. Enjoy!

Michael Shaw named MVP for Ohio in the BIG 33 Classic

Many of you might not know that for 51 years Ohio and PA High School Seniors face off in the BIG 33 Football Classic. This years game which didn't include TP (see below) was a blow out by the Pennsylvania all-stars 31-16. Michigan commit and former PSU verbal commit Michael Shaw had a pretty good game:

The Ohio all-stars would get a break in the third quarter when Steve Gardiner intercepted a tipped pass thrown by John Laub of PA. Nine plays later, Zac Dysert hit Michael Shaw, a Michigan recruit, for the seven-yard touchdown pass. The PA all-stars led 24-7. Shaw ended up being Ohio's most valuable player.

Snake Oil Alert and Pryor doesn't RSVP

Recruiting News:

• Snake oil Alert: Arkansas cornerback Darius Winston withdrew his commitment to Arkansas on Friday and announced Michigan as his leader. Darius is 6-0, 175 lbs. and runs a 4.38 40. He verbally committed to the Razorbacks in February.
• Michigan is showing strong interest in Jayron Hosely a 5-10, 175-pound defensive back that runs a 4.49-second 40-yard dash. Jayron is from Palm Beach County in Florida.
• Louisiana LB/DE/TE/WR Barkevious Mingo has Michigan in his top 5 but his coach thinks he most likely will stay close to home so his parents can see him play: Coach Shows: “Yeah, it probably will be when all said and done. His family isn't rich, and it might be a real strain on them to be able to see him play in person along with him being able to come home to visit.”
• Nyshier Oliver NJ DB picks Tenn. over OSU and Michigan.

More News:

• Terrelle Pryor snubs the historic Big 33 game in PA. This game which has featured PA High School stars like Marino, Nammath, Kelly, Hostetler, Ditka, and many more (including Steve Breaston) didn't receive an accept or decline to the invitation they sent Mr. Pryor. Not real classy TP.
• Justin Hicks goes from the #1 spot in the US Open to an 80 on the second day. The good news is he made the cut and is in 61st place.

Russell Crowe buys another sports franchise and a Michigan Man leads the Open

• Michigan Man Justin Hicks is tied for the lead at the US Open. It will be short lived but what an honor to be tied for the lead after Day 1. Good Luck Justin.


• Eugene Smith, a dual threat QB on Michigan's radar is heading to the Elite 11 QB camp.


• Lloyd Carr's Friend and famous actor Russell Crowe is about to buy an Indian Cricket team in India. Lloyd is not interested in the head coaching job.
• RR says that Bill Stewart wanted a gig at Michigan. I think he found a job somewhere in The Big East.
• Ekpe picks Baylor. I guess that will valut him right to the NBA. I wonder if he will look back at this decision in 10 years and wish he had a Michigan degree?

Mike DeBord's Comedy Stylings #2

Mike DeBord is not a bad coach. He had a very successful career at U of M and not so successful stint has the head coach of Central Michigan. After coach Rod came in, Mike took an assistant Offensive Line coach job with the NFL Seahawks. Yes, Mike will be getting two pay checks this year, one for the final year of his contract at Michigan and at his new gig with the Seahawks.

With all that said, he has had some very funny stuff written about him in this long off season. This recent linked article has this gem:

DeBord was a candidate to replace Lloyd Carr as the head coach at the University of Michigan, and when that did not pan out, he opted to take a job as assistant offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Sorry Mike, you had very little chance at being the next Head Coach of the Wolverines. I also hope Mike understands that he is working for another Head Coach that will be retiring next year. Either way, I do enjoy the comedy!

• Here is a good story on 5 Star verbal commitment: William Campbell. Many have questioned if Will is a Michigan lock because he is visiting other schools. Will had this to say:

  "I am solid with Michigan," said Campbell. "I am going to Michigan. I'm just going around to see (other schools). I just want to travel."

• ND Football is no where to be found on local South Bend radio stations. The rumors that Charlie at all the stations were reported to be un-true.

Big Ten Round Up - Recruiting Style

• OSU lands 17th verbal and snatches up a Defensive Line prospect before he visits Ann Arbor. Adam Bellamy is a 6 feet 4, 278 pounds DL that just finished his camp at OSU when "The Vest" called and offered. Adam was planning to visit A2 this weekend. Adam's offers were mostly from MAC schools including Northwestern, MSU and Cincinnati. Michigan and OSU started to show interest lately. Michigan did not have an offer out to Adam.
• The Golden Gophers top recruit has a serious heart condition that needs surgery. Sam Maresh's football career could be over before it's started, as this young man heads into open heart surgery in the next two weeks. Here at BHB we wish him him good luck with his surgery and hopefully he can play football again someday.
• Dave Curtis an Orlando columnist says Mike Barwis is one of the best S&C coaches in the country. Really? I didn't know that. He also reported that Orlando is hot in the summer.
• Chad Bumphis is a 5"10, 193 lbs. 3 star WR from Mississippi is really considering attending an SEC school next year, has offers from LSU, Florida, and Miss. State along with 12 others. There is one school he is considering outside the SEC:

The lone non-SEC school in Bumphis' top six is Michigan. "I love the tradition there. I like coach Rich Rodriguez a lot and think he's really going to help them out..."

• MSU loses a tight end recruit Perry Hall to Maryland. Arseno Hall did not return messages.
• Inside linebacker prospect Adam Burton picked Mizzu over Michigan and MSU. The Burton Snowboard company didn't care about his choice in schools.
• 6-3, 219 pound 4 star receiver Alshon Jeffery chooses USC over every other big program in the country including the Wolverines.

Wilson said Southern Cal was Jeffery’s “dream school.”

• Clayton Richard former Wolverine Baseball and Football player is called up to Triple A in the White Sox organization.
• Miramar's Eugene Smith, South Florida's top quarterback prospect, said he is considering five schools -- FSU, USF, LSU, Louisville and Michigan. UM (Miami) deep in young QBs, hasn't offered.

Will Michigan Football live on the Big Ten Network this year?

ESPN and ABC recently released their "early look" at their football schedule for this year. A couple of things jumped out at me. Michigan is on the schedule once and Saturday Night Football is not what it used to be. Besides a few "big" games the ABC night schedule is average at best (but Big Ten heavy). With so few Michigan games scheduled to be on the ESPN Family of networks (of course they can pick up games weeks in advance) it looks like Comcast and Time Warner better get off their *ss and work our a deal for the BTN soon or Direct TV here I come. OSU and PSU seem to be "primetime favorites" next year. I'm sure they moved the Michigan game to 4:30 so PSU wouldn't have 3 8:00 games in a row or 4 out of 5.

Here is a look at some of the "night" games:

All 8:00 ABC games:

8/30: Alabama vs Clemson and MSU vs CAL
9/13: OSU vs USC
9/27: Illinois vs PSU
10/4: OSU vs Wisconsin or Oregon vs USC
10/11: PSU vs Wisconsin
10/18: Michigan vs PSU : 4:30 start
10/25: PSU vs OSU or ND vs Washington
11/8: CAL vs USC
11/29: ND vs USC

Toussaint has a Bad Hammy

• Fitzgerald Toussaint, a crazy-quick running back who recently committed to Michigan, would have been one of the favorites to win a state title in the 100-meter dash. Instead, he was slowed all season by a bum hamstring. He actually qualified for the regional meet in the 100, but his time (11.40, far off his regional-championship time of 10.74 from last year) and his injury kept him sidelined. This year’s state-championship time in Div. II was 11.03. Toussaint had offers from most schools in the Big Ten, but once Rich Rodriguez was hired in Ann Arbor, Michigan became the front-runner. Rodriguez’s spread option offense puts a premium on speed and is more run-oriented than most spread offenses. “It’s Michigan,” said Toussaint, who was recruited by assistant head coach Tony Gibson. “I grew up watching Michigan when I was young, I really just never thought about playing at Michigan.
• Michigan is hosting an OL today: (info in header) OT Michael Schofield (6-6, 275) from Orland Park Sandberg is Scout.com's #46 Midwest and will visit Michigan again today. Michael also visited during the Big House BBQ. (Big House Blog was not the official sponsor of the BBQ and wasn't invited for any corn on the cob or BBQ chicken)

Cell Block Monday Morning

• ESPN/Scout's Tom Luginbill likes Michigan and OSU 2099 class. He has both classes ranked in the the top 10. OSU is #4, while Michigan is ranked at #9. In somewhat of a surprise ranking and recent late charger up the rankings has to be PSU at #10. Here is what he had to say about Michigan's 2009 class:

Michigan is here at No. 9 because recruiting is not only about getting the best players, but also about the right ones. You can already see the transformation taking shape in terms of where this roster is headed. The one question is which athlete/quarterback will be moved to another position -- Shavodrick Beaver (Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider) or Kevin Newsome (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch)? The addition of WR Bryce McNeal (Minneapolis/Breck School) is huge.

• MSU finally goes out of state for a recruit by getting the verbal from Ohio WR Patrick White of Pickerington Central High. White had offers from Oregon, Louisville, Kansas, Indiana and Cincinnati. Lorenzo White (no relation) had no comment on the commitment.
• Shavodrick Beaver is this year’s “Gholson Awards” winner as the city's boys athlete of the year. Thank goodness OSU's Vernon Gholston won't be around to do a formal introduction when The Beaver gets to Ann Arbor.
• Kevin Newsome is a track star. He wins a lot of awards.

Michigan Picks Up 9th Commitment

Does it seem like Michigan is just recruiting small slot guys? Well, you might be right. But these guys fit RR's system perfectly and Michigan has just landed another. FL receiver Jeremy Gallon just committed today.

From Varsity Blue:

Gallon is a small and speedy player (5-9, 175, 4.5) in the mold of Martavious Odoms or Terrance Robinson.

Player Notes: Gallon is small, shifty, and speedy. This is clearly a skill set that Rich Rodriguez covets, and Gallon will likely play the slot position once he dons the winged helmet. He was a high school QB, but much like Terrance Robinson, this was a matter of putting an athlete, rather than a passer, under center. Rivals has a much higher opinion of Gallon than does Scout, ranking him the #5 athlete, and placing him within their top 100.

Poll Results: Michigan's record next year

I'm a little bit surprised of the last survey most of you participated in on BHB.

My question was, what did you think Michigan's record would be next year? The choices were:

11-1 (4%)
10-2 (9%)
9-3 (25%)
8-4 (32%)
Even Worse (27%)

So 84% of you feel that Michigan will have a record somewhere between 9-3 and 7-5. That is pretty scary. Let's take a look at the schedule and see where the possible 4-5 trips up are.

Game 1: Utah at home. This will be one of the most anticipated home openers in many years as The Rich Rod experience begins. I expect the Wolverines to be flying high and win an ugly game.

Game 2: Miami (OH). Let's just mark this as a W and go on.

Game 3: at ND: This is a toss up in my mind. ND was pretty much close to the worst D1 football team last year and yes, I know Michigan lost to the best D1a team last year as well. So this game is hard to call with not really seeing Michigan yet and not knowing what turn around "Good Time Charlie" has in store for us. I say ND has a slight edge with the home field.
(toss up/L)

Game 4: Wisconsin at home: Let's face it Wisconsin never plays Michigan well and not sure they are ready to play against a spread offense with 3 games under their belt. Of course Wisconsin will eat through their non-conference schedule and be favored in this game. I believe Michigan gets the W at home.

Game 5: Illinois at home. The Juice gets loose in the big house. No more Henne running from the locker room to save the team. Spread vs Spread and experience wins. L

Game 6: Toledo: MAC = W

Game 7: at PSU: PSU will have a new QB as well and this game will be played in Prime Time. Lots of hype to see if PSU can stop the 10 year bleed. PSU is due and we will return the favor next year when Schiano is the head coach. L

Game 8: MSU: The Big Brother game. I'm know everyone thinks this is MSU year to stop the Big Blue. They have count down clocks and get mad at Michigan running backs, but man for man - Michigan still has better athletes. Michigan wins and wins easily.

Game 9: at Purdue: This could be a good game and right at the time Purdue likes to do it's late season pack up job. There is some bad blood between Tiller and Coach Rod from the "snake oil comment. I think the Wolverines will be ready to play in this one. W

Game 10: at Minnesota. The Metro Dome has been a house of horrors for the Wolverines lately. But this is a new year, new team, and Minnesota is still pretty poor. Another road W.

Game 11: Northwestern at Home. Will be a better match-up then years past, but a pretty safe W.

Game 12: at OSU. I know, maybe next year. L

I say 9-3. The toss up games are ND, Wisconsin, and maybe Purdue on the road.

Don't Eat AstroTurf! and Ted Sr's Magic Bus ride is over

• Conelius Jones hasn’t played a down for the Spartanburg Vikings varsity football team yet, but Michigan has seen enough to offer him a scholarship. The junior quarterback received his first offer Tuesday, after Vikings coach Freddie Brown sent the Big Ten school a five-minute video of Jones from a scrimmage. He is fast, but may come with some baggage.

  Jones hasn’t played football in the Spartanburg system for a couple of years after he got into some trouble, he said.

  Maybe Coach Rod should have taken a pass on Mr. Jones. This sounds more like a WVU recruit then a Michigan recruit.
• The Ted Ginn Sr. Summer Tour Bus has ended. For those that don't' know Ted Sr. would pack up some of his players and other HS football players around Cleveland and take them to University Camps so they could showcase their talents. He has been doing this since 2001 and was the reason Pierre Woods was signed by Michigan. The tour trip has a $50,000 budget where the kids pay $400 and Ted Sr. provides $10,000 out of his pocket. The rest comes from donations. I guess his former NFL players are not pitching in as much as he had hoped.

They should know what to do, he said. As a result, the only former player who has offered financial assistance is his son, Ted Ginn Jr., a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2007. "It goes back to what I feel is important," Ginn said. "You need to give back."

• Astroturf does not have a ton of lead in it. But if your a 50 pound child, you should not eat 23 pounds of Astroturf. Because if you did you would reach the federal minimum threshold of elevated blood lead, assuming a bioavailability level of 50 percent. If that child eats closer to 100 pounds of synthetic turf he or she would have elevated blood lead levels. On a side note, if your child is eating 23-100 pounds of Astroturf they have other problems!
• Fluff on incoming Freshmen JT. Floyd.
• ND assistant, Bernie Parmalee has this to say: "

I guarantee you (Irish fans) that you won't be disappointed this season. Mark it down, we're on a mission," Bernie Parmalee, tight ends coach, told members of the Notre Dame Club of Northwest Indiana in St. Patrick's church hall.

• Is being the AD at Duke a better job then being the AD at Notre Dame? I think not, my feeling is Kevin White was on the way out and if "Good time Charlie" throws another losing season up in South Bend, he would have been looking for work. At Duke the football team doesn't have any expectations and he is pretty safe with Coach K.
  

Michigan's 3rd String FB Transfers and Other Weird Stuff

• Quintin Patilla from Flint and current 3rd string FB decided to pack it in and head to Grand Valley State. Patilla has been dealing with some asthma issues lately and also had a run in with the law last August but was cleared of all charges. Quintin was recruited as a LB out of Flint and was moved to FB. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) on how this transfer affects the Wolverines. The answer is 1.
• Former Wolverine and NFL DE Josh Williams joins the business world. He joins the Welbourne company. Trip had no comment. :-)
• Michigan offers a guy off his performance on video.

Charles Rogers and Peter Warrick on the same team?

Rewind about 5 or 6 years ago, which NFL team wouldn't wanted the combo receiver core of Charles Rogers and Peter Warrick? Both high #1 draft picks for the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals respectfully.

Both had very good college careers, I can remember watching the Sugar Bowl, when Peter turned to his Florida State team-mates and said, "Are you ready for me to end this?". Meaning he was about to finish the game against Virgina Tech with a long touchdown. That's exactly what he did.

Charles was a very athletic receiver from Michigan State that sort of had and up and down career at MSU, but did win the 2002 Biletnikoff Award. His size and speed had NFL scouts drooling and Charles became the 2nd pick in the draft by the offense hungry Detroit Lions.

Boy times have changed, Peter is now 30 and after getting cut by Bengals and the Seahawks is now looking for work. Charles who got cut by Detroit after continuing to use drugs is in a very expensive court battle with the Lions over $10 million of his $14M signing bonus. Neither player has seen a football field since 2006.

But there is a chance they could play again and play together for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes. You might remember the Alouettes gave Lawrence Phillips a second chance at football as well. Peter is in the Alouettes training camp complaining he should have won the Heisman and was a good receiver in the NFL. Charles verbally agreed to a contract but has not contacted the team in a couple of weeks and hasn't shown for the camp yet.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Good luck boys at your last chance at football glory.

Should Universities be punished when athlethes take the cash and run?

Ed Martin ruined Michigan Basketball. OJ Mayo and Reggie Bush might destroy USC Basketball and Football.

These are three high exposure examples of guys with little to no ties to the University getting close to star players and making sure their college experience comes with a scholarship and thousands of extra dollars.

Things have changed. Back in the day, boosters would make sure high profile recruits would pick their school, by giving their parents a new SUV or many $100 handshakes. Now the offenders are different, they are guys wanting the star athlete to sign with them or owe them a huge favor when they sign their professional contracts. Ed Martin was a former outworker turned bookie, who wanted to get close to The FAB 5 and was looking for payback when they signed their NBA contracts. OJ Mayo and Reggie Bush cases are examples of guys "paying early" so they will sign with them as their agents at the next level.

So who's to blame? Should the Universities be punished for these relationships?

We all know the argument on whether the NCAA should pay athletes. That they sell thousands of Reggie Bush jersey's and he doesn't see a red cent. So who should be left holding the ball when these kids bolt to the NBA or NFL and these infractions come out?

The NCAA likes to punish schools and use terms like "Lack of Institutional Control". Let's be honest here, how can you stop this type of behavior? You can educate the kids, not to have any contact with agents, don't accept money from anyone, be careful who you "run" with, and be sure your Team and University comes first. Those meetings go out the window, when you don't have an Ipod or need some new gear to impress the ladies. Back when I got out of school, I was in Ann Arbor near North Campus at a Wendy's grabbing some lunch. There was a Michigan Football player (he was dressed in his Nike Michigan Football gear) there putting together dimes and nickels trying to get enough money for a value meal. I told him not to worry about it and I would cover the rest. Guess what, that was an NCAA violation. But it's also an example of what these kids go through everyday. Sure they might have school and board paid for, but that's it. How would you feel going to college and not having some extra money to buy a beer?

I don't want to start any rumors here, but mega recruit Terrelle Pryor just attended an exclusive QB camp that cost $6000 for 3 days. Now, I have no idea what TP's financial situation at home is, but $6000 in a down economy is a lot of money to most people.

Are these examples the Universities fault? They can't patrol the kids 24x7, they can only do it's best effort to educate and tell them what's wrong and right. Should USC lose a National Championship or have their basketball team forfeit games this year?

I say no, you can't stop these kids from making the wrong decisions and you can't stop them from wanting new clothes or a better car when there is a guy throwing money at them. The NCAA is at a cross roads with these cases, because OJ Mayo and Reggie Bush are not the only college athletes doing this and it's only going to get worse. All it takes is one guy in the inter- circle to get mad or feel like they are not "getting theirs" and bang their on ESPN or Real Sports telling the world how Reggie had this or OJ got that.

The upside is they lose a couple scholarships the downside is Michigan Basketball.