Don't Panic

"In many of the more relaxed civilizations on the Outer Eastern Rim of the Galaxy, the Hitch Hiker's Guide has already supplanted the great Encyclopedia Galactica as the standard repository of all knowledge and wisdom, for though it has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least wildly inaccurate, it scores over the older, more pedestrian work in two important respects.

First, it is slightly cheaper; and secondly it has the words Don't Panic inscribed in large friendly letters on its cover"

This is what you wanted, right? You there, I'm talking to you. Yes, you - the one with the maize and blue on. This is what you wanted for the past three seasons while you wailed from your (seated) position at the Big House for Carr to just retire already, right? That's what I thought.

And yet - here we are - with you saying things like "inexcusable" when talking about the very change that you wanted to see. Change that YOU called for, Mr. Michigan fan.

I know what you're going to say. You're going to ask me if it's ok to be mediocre; if it's ok to have lowered expectations; if it's ok to no longer be the leaders and best. No. It's not - and I don't think that anyone is suggesting that it is. In fact, the very people who are steering this ship are the people most upset. But here are the facts:

Your offensive line can't block
Your quarterback can't throw

When these things work in concert, these things happen:

Your bowl streak will, in all likelihood, end this season
You will, in all likelihood, lose to Ohio State again
You lose to a MAC team for the first time ever

And you know what? None of these things matter in the slightest. Oh sure, they'll go down on the record books, and Michigan FANS will lose bragging rights over other FANS, but since when does the fate of a program rest upon accolades that only FANS care about? It doesn't.

There is no offense that adapts to inaccuracy from a QB.
There is no offense that neutralizes a bad offensive line.

Rodriguez knows this. That's why he's running the damn zone-read so often. It's why he's forcing his system on these players who aren't adapted to run it. I-form slams into the line aren't going to work with this team - they're missing too many FUNDAMENTAL skills. Any attempt at making Michigan a competent offensive team this year will do two things:

1) It will fail
2) It will retard the improvement in the offense that Rodriguez was hired to run.

You want to know what happens when a coach is brought in to run a specific system, and not everyone buys in? Look at Auburn. Tony Franklin was brought in to run a system that had success at every level. When the coaching staff didn't buy into the program, the offense was not only a spectacular failure, but one in which there was no discernible reason for the failure.

I'll put it this way:

Michigan's offense is failing, but in so doing, they are gaining valuable experience for the future, because this offense IS Michigan's future. Auburn ran/is running a bastardized version of the Air Raid that sucks, and won't lend itself to ANY future improvements.

If failing truly gives you the opportunity to learn, then at least Michigan is learning something that will help them in the future. Auburn doesn't have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, because they won't be running the Franklin/Tuberville bastard offense in the future. Their failures were for naught.

Rodriguez has jumped blindfolded and headfirst into shallow shark-infested waters. When he comes out the other side - and all evidence supports that he will - his team will be ready to fight. But right now, he - and all of us - are still in those waters, fighting for our lives.

So stop it, sir. Stop booing, stop stomping your feet like a petulant child calling things inexcusable and unacceptable. You wanted this change; you got this change.

"Those who stay will be champions" is bullshit and not applicable here. Those who stay will be pained, elated, tearful, truthful, ecstatic, angry, and joyful. There are no guarantees in life, and even less in sports. For myself, and Champ, I think we'll stick around to see how this ends, and not be such insufferable twits. For those inclined to call things unacceptable, boo 19-23 year old kids, or start raving about a lack of offensive direction or the deterioration of the entire program, I will not care if you cease to breathe.*



*Not applicable in real life

Michigan to Wreck Kid's Dreams; Ophans and Kittens Scheduled for Destruction as Well

Michigan fans are detestable. I know; I'm one of them. They walk around like that rich kid in school who didn't care what you thought of him because, dude, he's got tons more money than you do. It pisses you off even more that he doesn't care about your attitude, and gives you the cold indifference of the privileged when you pass him in the hall. As a Michigan fan, it used to be like that. Simply put, we were better than you, and we didn't care how much you whined for your spot in the sun. The entire conference, hell, the entire nation was our little brother.

Was.

Now, I find myself being more "apologist" than "arrogant asshole fan." I don't like it. Especially after reading stuff like this.

The upshot:

Michigan players won't be able to attend a golf fundraiser for kids because of mandatory workouts. In July. In the past, U of M, along with MSU, have sent 20 football players to play golf, sign autographs, and generally have a good time with kids. Now? Not so much.

I'm not an Ohio State fan, so I'm not predisposed to Rich Rod bashing, but dude, WTF? You're going to tell me that an S&C workout in July is more important than allowing some of your athletes to go golf for kids? Michigan State is now going to send extra athletes to cover, and you can't spare one? Oh - the AD approved 3 (3?!?!) athletes can attend from the women's gymnastics team, and from the women's basketball team. Way to turn on that PR juice, UM.

It very well could be that, as a first year coach, Rodriguez had no idea that this is something that his players are supposed to attend, and as such, scheduled an uber-important S&C workout. It was also somewhat irresponsible of the Michigan player liason for the even (former running back Jamie Morris, who I've met and enjoyed speaking with) to not notify the coaching staff until a few days before the event. HOWEVER, with all the negatives flying around the Michigan program as of late, you would have thought that the smart (and right!) thing to do would be to let 20 of your athletes go brighten someone's day.

Rodriguez had better win a hell of a lot of football games, because he's sure not making friends anywhere else.