Rich Rod to Clemson - no

Look at me! Look at me! I'm talking now. I don't know what I'm talking about, nor do I care. I just have to talk to fill this empty void! But here's a catchy headline sure to turn some heads, right? RichRod to Clemson! Look at me! Wheeeeee!

In a word: no.

No, no, no no no.

Did you see what I just did there? I put up a headline that is catchy enough to get your attention. You see - you just clicked on my site, which would have paid me more, if I were being paid at all. Tricking your readers isn't really the best idea for gaining a consistant readership, but I do so to make a point: This is where the internets get the reputation for baseless rumor-mongering and vitriol. And it's that easy. And many sites are doing it right now regarding this rumor. It has no legs, makes no sense, and is insulting to anyone with half a brain.

New Michigan Workouts

Every once in awhile while walking the merciless streets of message boards, we happen upon something truly interesting. This time it comes from umgoblue.com. Take the following letter - from a poster named "yellowandblue" with a large grain of salt. While the letter itself isn't dropping bombs on anyone (read: fairly tame), the poster has accumulated 5 posts, and managed to get the school colors wrong in his username. It should be noted that he does have several things going for him in the credibility department - namely the fact that he doesn't seem to care how much you read into it - a friend who is close to the program just sort of gave it to him. Sooooo...right...lots of salt. The letter, in its entirety:

Hello UM fans
Now that recruiting is over we can not concentrate on existing team.
Team is 2 weeks into off-season workouts. Keep in mind that in the past
3 years workouts until the 2nd week of February were basically
voluntary---this team is light years ahead in terms of conditioning.
Some random observations:
1) Are the workouts tougher than in past years? I have been to 2
workouts-one on a Tues. and one on a Wed. Monday, Wednesday, and
Fridays are basically lifting days-while Tues. and Thurs. are
conditioning and speed training days. It should be noted that even on
lifting days-the kids run. The overall workouts are longer, more
intense, more organized, (there is constant monitoring of every drill
and every player)--. The workouts are structured to have as much
competition as possible---either you are competing to increase your own
numbers---our your group in which you are assigned are competing against
other groups. Kids understand and are told what expectations are for
that particular workout and almost daily there are new exercises added.
2) The running is what seems to be getting to some kids. It's
almost never ending. And to make sure the kids don't loaf during
running drills-they are placed in groups---(let's say they have to run
20 sets of 40 yd dashes)---each group is assigned a time---and if every
player is not under that time-the whole group does not get credit for
that set. Needless to say---the kids are making sure their teammates
finish within the allotted time.
3) Coaches seem to very sensitive towards the players and the
"newness" or the issues associated with the coaching transition. To
deal with this---position coaches are now meeting individually with each
player every other Friday. During these sessions-coaches review their
development and performance in workouts-but more so discuss any issues
or negative feelings the kids have about new coaches or schemes. They
are bending over backwards to make sure each kid feels they will fit
in---and most importantly have made it clear to every kid that everyone
starts out new. All positions will have open competition---every player
must compete-no matter how experienced the player is---whether he is an
upperclassman. This has really been a positive development for the
kids. They all feel like they will be given a fair shot---and everyone
is required to do the same tough workouts----no slackers.
4) Early ( I stress early) players who have stood out.
Grady. Probably the most intense player on the team right
now. Trying very hard to show coaches he not only can fit in to new
system-but he wants to play more than anyone. He is fully healthy and
has really bought into the new workouts
Boren. The kid is just a monster in terms of willingness
to push himself. Has to be considered one of the leaders of the team.
He has trimmed down noticeably already---(Boren actually started
workouts immediately after bowl game)---and actually enjoys the running
part. Boren is also pushing the other OL's---one of whom is Schilling
who looks to be in great shape.
Ezeh. He just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.
And is quickly becoming the leader of the defense. No doubt he is most
athletic defensive player (for his size)---and has really performed well
in all the new drills. Barring injury---I look for him to have an AA
type yr.
Woolfork---keep your eye on him. Great kid with great
work ethic. Very fast---really standing out in speed drills. Gaining
weight and strength---a kid who most forget about-could make an impact
next yr. Some believe Boo-boo will be our #3 CB---(I think he has a
hard time beating out Woolfork)
R Van Bergen. Don't see him moving to OT any longer.
He really is a work-out warrior---Johnson along with Van Bergen easily
the top DL's in terms of performance on DL's in workouts.
Stonum. Quiet kid-at least around other teammates---and
has shown some great quickness and speed. Right now---is probably the
fastest WR on the team. Runs very smoothly-almost effortlessly---seems
to be making transition to college and Michiganweather nicely.
Zirbel. I bring his name up because at one time-thought
he was a candidate for transferring. And he may eventually do just
that. But last year-Zirbel felt he was not given a fair shot by old
staff. He developed a big attitude toward Moeller and coaches.
Basically quit competing. Well-at least early on-Zirbel seems to have
found a renewed passion for football-and has done quite well in
workouts. No doubt the kid has some talent---he will be one to watch
this spring.
Threet. Have no idea if Threet will be the starting QB
next year. But the kid is going to make it hard for RR or any QB to
beat him out. He has taken a leadership role on this team---very
vocal---works as hard as anyone---is constantly asking WR to stay extra
time to work on passing drills. So far it's hard for him to get any
takers-since kids are pretty worn out after workouts. So Threet is
meeting them on weekends to work out. I know Threet has never played a
down---but UM fans are going to really like this kid and his attitude
and approach. Great kid---I am really pulling for him.
TT To say he has struggled is an understatement. Decided
to stay in school---and he understands it was the right decision. But
these workouts are a huge culture shock to TT-(especially the running).
Overheard him say "practices are going to be crazy---someone is going to
have to pay for all this crazy stuff". For those going to the spring
game-TT is one you will see a big difference in. If he keeps it up---he
is going to be special next yr.
Helmuth. Going to be hard to keep him off the field. He is a
better athlete than people think. He is the leader of his group and
pushes them very hard. I look at him as a potential captain down the
road and a solid FB and contributor on special teams.
Rogers. Another top athlete who seems to enjoy the new
workouts. Question is-what position will he play? If RR is set on
getting best athletes on the field---Rogers is clearly one of them.
Just a matter of him developing football skills---but a very nice kid
-(sleeper from last yrs class)-who will make an impact somewhere for UM
next yr.
Kates----Has Kates left the program? Or has he changed his mind?
Is he OK academically? Don't know-but I do know he is showing up for
workouts (at least he has been to at least 2 that I know of). Stay
tuned on this new development.
Criswell---for those who have received my e-mails-one of my favorite
kids. Unlike some kids from PSL-Criswell has been a model student and
athlete. Contributor on special teams-but is seemingly a man without a
position. He has asked the coaches to let him try DE or OLB this spring
and coaches have agreed as of now. Criswell is really pushing himself
in workouts to get ready.
Molk---the new offense fits him perfectly and looks to be a
candidate for OC. He needs to work on his shotgun snapping---at times
struggled with that aspect of his game last fall. Has been practicing
(bowl practices)-at both OC and OG---I still look for a battle between
Molk and McAvoy as to who will start at OC. Molk has been a great kid
at UM and work ethic has never been an issue.
Stewart---Will he be the next Mundy (ala WVA). He is hoping so.
There was some question as to whether he would put forth the effort if
he did not see himself as a candidate for starting position. But
coaches have told everyone positions are completely open-and Stewart has
been our most physical safety---and of course a huge contributor on
special teams. Coaches have had numerous conversations with
Stewart---encouraging him to put forth max effort and then compete in
spring. So far-he has answered the challenge.
C.Brown. Again, for those who have followed the info in
e-mails-C.Brown has been one who has a tendency to tone down his
intensity if things are not going his way. Coaches have talked to him
about multiple positions in spring-(including running some QB). Brown
-at least early on-has kept up with workouts. C. Brown is another one
(ala Butler)-that coaches seem to be pushing extra hard.
B. Graham. One coach in particular believes UM's defense will be as
good as the progress of Graham and Jamison in the off-season. Unlike
Jamison who is a very quiet kid---Graham is much more vocal. Graham is
being pushed very hard-coaches have drilled in him that he will be one
of the centerpieces of next yrs defense and therefore he needs to start
showing some leadership abilities. It's interesting to note that Graham
was Perry's host---and one of Perry's issues with UM was that the
players seem to have a different version of what defenses were going to
be run vs. his conversations with the coaches. In any event---Graham
seems to be one who complains quite a bit about being sore---but has
been at every workout and is starting to like the progress he sees in
his quickness. Graham is one of the kids who have visible toned down
his weight and expects to play the entire yr at DE. Graham really likes
the way the coaches reach out to the kids and really likes Tall. Shafer
seems to have taken some extra time with both Jamison and Graham.




Some other tidbits:
1) Easiest coach to talk to Hopson. Players say he is always
assessable and will talk to the kids as long as they want about
anything.
2) Most hated drill Just the running. Kids say it's never ending and
they are basically running with "rubber legs"---and are constantly sore.
3) What do players like the most?---Behind the scenes they will tell you
they love the way Barwis and staff almost know who top players are---and
are harder on them than the rest. Perfect example-Butler-they seem to
be relentless on the kid. Players say its sends the right
message---NOBODY SKATES ON NEW PROGRAM
5) OL going into spring just has 9 schollie players on the roster.
RR likes to scrimmage quite a bit---likes the #1 O vs. #2 D-and vice
versa. We have a couple walk-ons who can play---(walk-ons work just as
hard as everyone else)---but we are very thin on OL. Despite the low
numbers---RR still will have physical practices.
6) Players favorite day (besides weekends)---easy-it's Wednesday.
The one day workouts are cut back about an hour-and very little running.
7) Patilla---still have not seen him yet
8) Jake Long was workout out with kids the day I was there.
9) Shafer sits in on all defensive position coaches meetings with
individual players. He has watched film on every kid---and believes the
key to next yrs D will be the development of Jamison and Graham at
DE-along with RVB and Patterson. Patterson -he simply has been a
disappointment up to now---has really struggled with new "leg
exercises"---was very underdeveloped in that area. He is a big key in
terms of depth for next yr.
10) Just a personal opinion on this yrs class
Most underrated player
Shaw
Highest draft pick in this class
O'Neil
Most likely to play next yr
Shaw, T-rob (slot receivers)
McGuffie (RB)---although he is going to be
shocked by the level of comp.
Stonum (WR)
Fitz (LB)
Boo-Boo (CB #4)
Feagin (2-QB system)
Recruit who could be a big surprise in 3 yrs
Rocco Khoury (may be a future OC)
Biggest position need in next yr's class
QB and DE
How many instate kids will get UM offers
At least 8

What I will be watching during spring practices:
1) Overall practice structure and differences in program. How much
more physical will it be?
2) Individual players. Patterson, Mouten, S. Brown, the whole OL,
Webb, and of course Threet are the ones I am most interested to see the
development.
3) RR. Here is my biggest question. Is he accurate when he says
he can adapt the spread offense to personnel? Can his offense be run by
someone like Threet? This is a huge question IMO. There is a part of
me who really wants a dual qB---but wants that dual QB to be a passer
first. If RR is as innovative as he claims---then he could really be
tough to defend or scheme against if his offenses can pass as well as it
can run. With Threet and Cone the only QB's---spring practice will have
to emphasize their strengths. I am sure someone on the roster will take
snaps at QB-whether it is C.Brown or Hemmingway---but cannot see a
scenario that UM goes into 2008 without Threet as its starter. Threet
simply (right now at least) gives UM the best chance to win.

If you can ignore the formatting, I'd appreciate it.

So - this guy seems pretty close to the program, or at least enough so that I think I'm willing to play along for a bit. What he offers is encouraging to most Wolverine fans. It sounds to me like the whole team is in good shape, and that the coaching staff is really pushing the players to shed the extra pounds, and get lean. Please note that this is not a slam on the "HIT" program that Michigan has run in the past. Rather, it is a departure from it to a weight program that seems to emphasize speed and quickness over raw power. Note that almost every player mentioned seemed happy with how quick he was becoming - not how much his lifts have improved.

As far as the individual player rundown, certain things stand out. First and foremost, it sounds like Threet is settling into the idea that he's going to be the starter next year. The fact that he's developed some leadership towards his team is encouraging. Also encouraging is Grady's attitude towards the new program and staff. It is looking like he is doing everything asked of him. What's most exciting about this is the fact that Grady was an absolute beast of a recruit - and has the potential to be a game breaker. If he has a monster year, that would solve the very large question mark that Mike Hart has left behind.

On the defensive side, it sounds like Ezah - whose play last year elicited a collective...meh...from the Wolverines - is slated to have a monster year. The improvements shown in Ezah and Graham will make that front seven - already pretty good - great.

Finally, it looks like the coaching staff is placing a high emphasis on the "we don't care who you are, you're going to work" route. The final few paragraphs of the letter is fairly speculative (as if the rest isn't...) but it sounds like the coaches (if this guy is to be believed) is leaning towards a two QB system with Threet as the main starter, and Feagin coming in for a change of pace.

Again...lots of salt here.

OMG recruit update II - late night edition

So. Um. I try to go to bed right? And I decide to check some things, you know, real quick like. Of course I stumble upon this, from Bucknuts. The pertinent info for those disinclined to link out:

"Terrelle Pryor just called me a few minutes ago and said he's now not signing tomorrow. He said he's 100-percent sure he's not signing. He said he's going to take an official visit to Penn State for sure, hopefully a weekend visit, and might visit Oregon. He said he is just not sure of his choice as of right now.

He has had numerous discussions with his father who really likes the way Penn State has recruited Terrelle. Penn State has been to Terrelle's father's house numerous times and had done a good job making him feel comfortable that PSU is the right place for his son.

So as of now it's OSU, Michigan, PSU and Oregon for his services with no signing date set. He could change his mind again when he wakes up, so I am simply reporting what he's telling me.

Trust me, he is not doing this for the attention, this kid sounds as torn up about a decision as any I've covered. And he is aware of the reputation that some folks are pinning on him and to that he told me he has to do what is right for him and can't worry about public opinion. He and his family come first and this is an important decision that he's not going to rush for anyone.

Good news for PSU fans here no doubt."

How reliable are we? Well, according to the thread, Rivals is reporting it, so it at least has a shred of believability. FWIW, the guy posting this isn't the guy talking to Pryor, he's linking premium info. Shady? Probably. Do I feel bad about this? Not really.

What happens from here is anyone's guess. If Terrelle doesn't sign tomorrow, expect a collective "aaaarrrrrrrghhhghhhhhhhh blech" from both Columbus and Ann Arbor, marking the first time in decades that the two cities have been able to agree on something. U-N-I-T-Y baby, that's how you spell it, and that's how Terrelle rolls.

UPDATE: The guy talking to Pryor in question is Rivals.com analyst Mike Farrell, so that clears that up. Also, cruise over to umgoblue.com's beautiful new message board for more verification/retching.

OMG Recruit Alert!!

Pryor will announce tomorrow per mgoblog. Yaaay.

I'm a trained professional right? I mean - I troll these internets with the wary eye of a stone-cold killer. I ain't never dropped a fool who wasn't in the game, mind you, but these internets are tough. That's why I don't recommend you troll the message boards alone. Leave that to men like me.

But, if you're the type who looks danger in the eye and makes it blink, you've probably noticed that Ohio State message boards (most notably Bucknuts) have been awash in "insiders" claiming that Pryor will be theirs. Don't worry, be happy Ohio State fans. Combine these insiders with speculation from coaches close to Pryor, and you've got the following equation: Pryor = Ohio State.

Today, we get our first rumblings that this may not be the case. Witness the offspring of ProFootballTalk, CollegeFootballTalk complete with large headline saying "Michigan thinks they have Pryor."

Then, a few moments later, this from a message board, which once again, I cannot recommend you take seriously in any way shape of form. Seriously. Leave the message boarding to professionals like me.

I just flew back from Pittsburg and guess who sat nect to me on the flight. Jerome Bettis. I sat and talked football with him for about 2 hours. Guess what he told me. Terrell Pryor is going to Michigan. Was never a doubt in his mind after the official visit. This was passed onto him from Charlie Batch who he had just been out with the night prior to his flight with me. As a Buckeye fan I'm crushed, and don't want to believe it. It even took away from the fact that I was sitting next to an NFL future HOF player and talking with him. I can furnish a photo upon request of myself and "The Bus" if needed. I hate when Darth Rodruigez and the evil empire wins.

My guess? Pot stirring. Your guess can be anything - but these are the first rumblings that Pryor may be headed for a future in blue rather than scarlet.

OMG! Pryor! Check out mgoblog if you want more analysis than I've provided. I, frankly, won't care until tomorrow when I know where he'll be playing.