Finally, the reclusive UM running back, who quietly assumed the title of "all time rushing leader" his senior season, has spoken out. Well known for his humble attitude, and attention shunning demeanor, the soft spoken Mike Hart was interviewed in today's Free Press about the NFL, and his combine performance.
/opposite day.
Shocking, I know. It's mostly fluff, because if you know Mike Hart, you already know what he's going to say. Here are the more interesting tidbits:
"I think I'm one of the best running backs in the country. I don't think anybody is better than me," Hart said. "As a running back, that's how you have to think."
Again - shocking. Mike's always thought he was the best, and has backed it up. If he was healthy last season, and if Michigan didn't implode, he'd have won the Heisman going away. Of course, "if's" don't count for much do they? Besides, name one successful NFL player who doesn't think he's pretty damned good.
"If you hear things about me, my 40 time didn't surprise me," he said. "They're not saying Mike Hart is slow; they already knew what I was going to run when I was there. ... If they're interested in me, they're interested in me because of my game film, not because I was going to the combine and run a 4.2 or anything like that."
If you know Mike Hart, you already know this. It's nice to see him acknowledge it, but come on, he's not going to dazzle you with anything except maybe those blingin' sunglasses he likes to wear. Here's where fans are separated from casual observers. Unless you've watched Mike from his first hand off to his last carry, you don't know. You won't realize what he means to his team. The NFL - being full of self ritous, self proclaimed geniuses - will naturally have watched his film - from start to finish, and will evaluate as such. Mike's 40 time sucks. His leadership rocks.
Hart made sure to ask Mundy about the new U-M coaching staff, most of which was hired away from West Virginia.
"He said they're going to do good things, their system's great, they're going to put a lot of points on the board," Hart said. "The coaches are real cool, and it's a real family experience. ... It's a whole different system, so I think it might take time for players to learn it. After one to two years, it'll start to work."
Hart said at the combine that he had not talked with coach Rich Rodriguez, but he will when he trains at U-M.
"I have a lot of respect for him," he said. "I think he's a great hire, and I think he's going to do great things for the program."
Mike thinks the Rich Rodriquez hire is good. And that should be enough for Michigan fans. I'm sure that - if polled - most Michigan fans would have been happy to hand Mike Hart the clipboard as soon as he was done playing. So his endorsement should mean a lot.
If you're an NFL GM, you know you're getting a fighter in Mike Hart. For as much grief as he gets on opposing fan's message boards, the kid's a gamer. I, being one who has watched him his entire career, am glad to see that the confidence reserves are still tapped and flowing in Mike Hart.
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