NHL & NHLPA: What the Puck?!

As you may have guessed, this picture to the left is the face of the NHL's fearless leader, Gary Bettman, superimposed on the body of the Grinch since myself and fellow hockey fans view him as the NHL's Grinch.  I would go as far as to call him hockey's Grim Reaper but whatever.  You get the point. 

My opinion has not wavered in that he is the biggest reason for this lockout mess.  Three lockouts in 18 years (two in eight years) and the possibility of canceling yet another entire season tells me that he is more than the owner's errand boy.  But he and Bill Daly (his version of the Simpsons Smithers, Mr. Burns' lemming) are not completely to blame.  No sir.  Don Fehr and the NHLPA are just as stubborn, greedy, and disconnected from what is really important...the fans.  I'm not going to get into all the dollars and cents, big issues, how far apart they are, and certainly I am not going to touch the latest legal proceedings from each side or the "disinterest" fiasco.  Why?  Because it's all rhetoric and nonsense.  A urination contest if you will.  All at the expense of the fans.

For a league that was so "savvy" to walk away from ESPN to be on the Home Shopping Network, they sure don't have the ability to look beyond their pointless labor war to see the erosion of the level of give-a-crapness the league is suffering in the eyes of the media, the fans, or their sponsors.  Or, they simply don't care.  Either way, for a league struggling for recognition and growth of any significance in the U.S. markets, they sure are going about it in a rather unorthodox way.  Dare I say in a stupid way?  I'm sure cities like Raleigh, Columbus, Nashville, and Miami really miss their hockey right about now (insert fart noise).

I have always been one to defend the NHL to those who bash it.  Heck, my father is the man who introduced me to the sport and made me the fan I am today and even he has lost interest in recent years.  Now, he could care less.  This is the same man that would allow me to stay up late with him to watch the late West Coast Red Wings playoff games and endure OT thrillers into the wee hours of the morning.  I used to give him reasons to care and try to convince him why he should remain a fan.  I no longer will do such a thing nor will I defend this Mickey Mouse league to anyone who either is no longer a fan or never was.  What has transpired in the last 20 years, and more so in the last decade, is indefensible.  Will I stay a fan?  Yep.  That's just the way I am wired.  Will I question anyone who bags on the NHL or no longer supports it?  Can't do it.  They have every reason to spend their free time and especially their entertainment dollars elsewhere.


I read an alarming stat the other day.  In a poll taken in Canada, 58% of the fans don't even care if the lockout is settled.  Apathy and disgust has now found its way to the country that claims hockey as their game.  It's one thing to see that in the U.S. but CANADA?  Wow.  That's the equivalent of the majority of sports fans in America losing interest in the NFL.  Nice job fellas.  Nice job indeed. 

Maybe Mike Babcock was spot on when he said the NHL and hockey is in danger of becoming as popular as pro bowling.  Some would argue it's already there.  If growth is what you seek, Mr. Bettman, you're going in the wrong direction. 

ESPN, which is the largest sports network in the universe, doesn't even give more than a line on the bottom ticker towards covering this childish lockout.  Bettman's lovechild, NBC Sports Network, is showing MAC college basketball and rodeos in the time slots that were supposed to be hockey.  I'm sure they're real thrilled.  Unfortunately, they may be the only people that actually care.

So, NHL and NHLPA, when you have the Canadian Prime Minister and the President of the United States of America publicly calling you out for this meaningless cat fight and telling you to do the right thing for the fans (remember us?) while you continue to do nothing but spew rhetoric and show no urgency to return to the bargaining table, I have to ask you a simple question:  What the PUCK are you thinking?!  If the growth of the league, fan support, media coverage, sponsorships, and MONEY (something that may actually make sense to you) are what matters to you then I would ask you to make your case that you are thinking rationally at all.  I'm waiting...

Personally, I get the suspicion that it is no longer about any of those things mentioned.  Not even money.  It's simply about who "wins."  Who can stick their chest out when this is all over.  If that is the case then shame on you.  If that is the case, I do hope that if and when you return, half-empty arenas are the norm, sponsors pull out, and fans do to you what you have done to us.  Give you the ever-famous one-fingered salute.  I ain't talking about the pinkie.

Yes, myself and a majority of the die-hard fans will return.  But, I will be very surprised if any of the new casual fans that were gained since the last lockout do the same.  I think it will be very eye-opening.  If this is indeed the case, Mr. Bettman and Mr. Fehr, you have nobody to blame but yourselves and your petty egos.  I hope this is all worth it.

The Most Annoying/Overplayed Current Sports Stories

Well, the "BIG NEWS" dropped yesterday.  No, the economy has not been saved.  No, World War III has not began.  And of course, Al Qaeda has not turned into a fun-loving philanthropic organization.  Nope, something much more earth-shattering and extraordinary broke on Monday, December 4, 2012.  That's right, Kate Middleton and Prince William are expecting a child.  According to every media outlet on the planet, this is of utmost importance.  I am thrilled for the happy couple but the constant media coverage (that will certainly continue for the next 9-12 months) is unnecessary.  Especially for something that is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things regarding true world news.

In honor of this latest display of media drivel, I have decided to put together a list (in no particular order) of the most current annoying and largely pointless sports stories that, in most cases, are replayed ad nauseam.  Enjoy.

1.) NEW YORK JETS/REX RYAN/TIM TEBOW/MARK SANCHEZ

Ah yes, the for-letter-network's (ESPN) favorite team.  The New York Jets.  It all started when they traded, for reasons that really made zero football sense, for Tim Tebow.  It was on from there.  We got the works: Rex Ryan guaranteeing Super Bowls while charting his weight loss, constant coverage of training camp in which ESPN felt it was necessary to show a Fabio-like montage of Tebow running shirtless, and now the inevitable QB controversy in which the highly overrated Sanchez has crumbled (shocker) and Tebow has been passed over for the 3rd stringer.  It's a circus.

Here's a newsflash: Sanchez is a bad QB, Tebow is not an NFL QB in any capacity, and the New York Jets are a bad football team.  Bad football teams should not headline SportCenter every single day.  Enough.  Cover good football teams please.

2.) MANTI TE'O

Manti Te'o is a great football player who not only led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a #1 ranking and a chance to play for a national title, but he overcame the personal tragedies of losing both his grandmother and girlfriend.  I commend him, it's a great story, and it's touching.  I get it.  But I think by now it has been well documented and a little overplayed.  As good of a player as he is, the Irish have 10 other players on that vaunted defense and some offensive players that had a big hand in the success.  However, it has been all Te'o, all day.  It was getting stale back in October.  Time for some new material.

3.) THE NBA

I could, and have, written an entire piece as to why I think the NBA is a terrible league.  I am not going to do that here.  I am also not suggesting that there should be no coverage because that would be silly.  However, besides the highlights, ESPN has to have constant discussion, "analysis," TMZ-like coverage of the off-the-court shenanigans (Dwight Howard, Kobe firing coaches, etc.) so on and so forth. 

All of that is for not.  Why?  Because, I hate to ruin the surprise, but the Miami Heat will beat whichever of the three possible teams make it out of the Western Conference in the finals.  That's how David Stern has constructed this league.  Therefore,  the regular season (especially for our lovable junior varsity Pistons) and majority of the playoffs is meaningless.  No analysis, dissecting of the other filler teams, or heated discussions are needed.  Sorry, it's a farce.  But hey, they wear really cool glasses without lenses!! 

A little less of the NBA spoon-feeding would do a lot of good.

4.) LEBRON "KING" JAMES

This feeds off of #3 on the list.

I understand the NBA is built around its stars.  One could argue that it is built to ensure their biggest star (LeBron James) wins.  I digress.  However, the media (ESPN the main culprit once again) has made it a point to cover every single thing "King" James does.  We get the luxury of knowing whether he he had Cocoa Puffs or Fruit Loops for breakfast, how many bowel movements he had in a day, what his stance is on world hunger, etc. before we even see once of his highlights of the previous night.  Add in the infamous (and completely unnecessary) "Decision" and the little dance party he and his Miami Heat teammates had before they even had their first practice and you get OVERKILL.

Here's the truth his fans refuse to acknowledge: He flipped the bird to his hometown team to conspire with other stars to sign as free agents with the same team (Heat) to finally get a title because he was afraid to build a team of his own.  He's no Jordan.  Sorry.  Maybe when he wins "not one...not two...not three..not four..." he can earn the "King" moniker and all the air time.  Until then, can we scale back on the LeBron media gluttony?  Please and thank you.

5.) THE NHL LOCKOUT

Now, this may not be getting as much mainstream coverage as everything else (or none on ESPN since they don't acknowledge the NHL) but Twitter peeps, fellow bloggers, and, though it is their job, the hockey writers can stop writing the same exact thing day in and day out about the NHL lockout.  No progress, the season is doomed, now there's optimism, the NHL is dying, the quotes of the rhetoric and finger-pointing from the owners and NHLPA, Bettman sucks, Fehr is the problem blah blah blah.  Enough.

I am saying this as a big fan of hockey: I don't care.  Until there is something substantial to report such as the season is cancelled or a new CBA has been agreed upon go away.  We've heard all the opinions.  We know all of the pressing issues.  We know the two sides are idiots.  No need to recycle everyone else's stories.  Besides, the NHL is killing itself and doesn't deserve the attention or the satisfaction.

6.) CALLING FOR JIM SCHWARTZ AND/OR MARTIN MAYHEW TO BE FIRED

As we know, things are back to normal in Detroit and the Lions are a terrible football team again.  Yippee.  This has incited discussions on the local radio and talks amongst the media and fans that coach Jim Schwartz and/or GM Martin Mayhew should be fired.  Whether or not they should be is inconsequential because it ain't happenin' folks.  Save your breath and your ink.  As long as William Clay Ford, the same man who kept Wayne Fontes and Matt Millen around for so many years, owns the team we won't see the quick hook for either of these men.  There is a good chance we're stuck with the both of them for at least another 3-5 years so might as well get used to it as well as the "Same Ol' Lions."

I am sure there are other stories that annoy many of you that I have forgotten.  Those were just the ones that were top of mind.

With that I say enjoy the sports equivalents to the Royal Family nonsense the likes of ESPN will continue to subject us all to.  Maybe it's time we all start reading more books and watching less TV.

Time to Hold Al Borges Accountable

Another ugly display of offensive ineptitude resulting in another road loss for the Wolverines against a quality opponent... 

Yes, Saturday in Columbus might as well have been Groundhog Day.  We've seen this movie a few times in the last two seasons where the Michigan offense falls flat on its face away from Ann Arbor in a big game. 

Many have tried to spin it multiple ways and insist that the struggles are due to the fact that offensive coordinator Al Borges does not have "his guys" to run his offense.  Well, Greg Mattison does not have "his guys" either and he is making it work.  He's making it work quite well.  Enough with that nonsense.  Truly good coaches take what they have and make it work.

The bottom line is that an offensive coordinator's job is to come up with schemes/game plans that work with the team's strengths and work around its deficiencies and also, maybe most important, to make in-game adjustments to to help win games.  I'm sorry guys but I can't tow the company line here and say that Borges is doing a good job here.  If you think I am being a fair weather fan and want to make excuses for him you are living in a fantasy land and need to take off the Maize and Blue homer glasses.  He's racked up points on teams with inferior talent and has fizzeld against those who don't.

If you are being honest with yourself you will admit that many times in his tenure he has been stubborn (Alabama and ND), incredibly predictable and unimaginative (MSU), and unable to make quality in-game adjustments to attack defenses' weak points (many games but OSU the most glaring example).  These blunders were key contributors to at least two losses this season and, as a TRUE FAN (not a homer/slappy) that can think objectively, I think it's time to take a serious look as to what exactly Al Borges brings to the table.  If you can't think objectively or will blindly support anything that this coaching staff does then stop reading because this is not for you.

Forget last year, let's just look at a few games this year where this Al Borges-led offense cost Team 133.  And yes, I'll throw out the Alabama game because we weren't beating Alabama this year.  Sorry it wasn't happening.

I think one of the biggest blunders was the Notre Dame game in which UM lost 13-6 to the supposed #1 team in America.  A game in which the defense played their a***s off and gave the team a chance to win on the road.  Why didn't they win?  Because the offense had a gazillion turnovers including four Denard Robinson INTs primarily because Al Borges asked him to play the role of Tom Brady and sit in the pocket and throw the ball down field 30 times.  Also, at a time when the offense was steadily moving on the stout ND defense and knocking on the door inside the 10 yard line in a scoreless game early, Borges dials up a halfback pass with a 5'7" Vincent Smith only to see it get intercepted and destroy momentum.  Not going to go into any further detail but if you watched that game you saw the offense cost that team a W.  No two ways about it.

Nebraska was a different avenue for ineptitude.  Yes, Denard got hurt.  Tough blow.  But how in the world is Russell Bellomy not at least adequately prepared to resemble a functional QB?  I don't want to hear it was a tough spot blah blah blah.  Yeah, it was a tough spot.  But it's on the coaches to make sure he is at least serviceable.  No excuses.  The staff was ill prepared to deal with the possibility of Robinson going down.  And who is ultimately responsible for the offense?  Al Borges.

I won't even touch on the fact that it's hard to believe that Borges truly felt that Bellomy was going to be the better option to back up Robinson in the event of an injury.  Forget the fact that Gardner is an athlete and was a decent WR.  His ability at QB is a heck of a lot higher than Bellomy's and I find it hard to believe the coaches didn't see that in the spring or the summer.  Gardner may have even been the team's BEST option at QB and it's also hard for me to not at least entertain that idea.  Not after what we have watched since the Minnesota game.

Even though the Wolverines beat MSU, they failed to score an offensive TD in that game.  A combination of a completely horrendous Spartan offense and a pretty darn good defensive effort by Mattison's boys enabled Michigan to escape with a 2-point win after only mustering four FGs.  Why did Michigan only score 12 points?  Partly because MSU has a very good defense, but a big part also had to do with the fact the offense was beyond predictable.  Denard run left.  Denard run right.  Denard run center.  Maybe a tailback carry in the same fashion.  Failure to convert red zone trips to TDs.  They didn't even attempt to outscheme that tough Spartan defense.  A win is a win but that is a game that very well could've or should've been won 24-10 or something along those lines.  Thank God for Greg Mattison.

Now the most recent example of terrible offensive coaching leading to a loss was the disaster in Columbus on Saturday against the Buckeyes.  The offense looked pretty good in the first half scoring 21 points and heading into the halftime with a 1-point lead.  It had appeared we would see more of the Devin/Denard backfield that worked wonders the previous week.  So what happened in the second half?  Well, Gardener would throw a 1st down pass for six to eight yards only to be taken out to line Robinson at QB for designed runs.  OSU knew he couldn't throw so it was as easy as stacking the box to stop the run.  It worked.  Shocker. 

Not only did the constant QB shuffle kill Gardner's rhythm, it essentially telegraphed what play they would run.  If Gardner was in it would likey be a pass.  If Denard was in it was certainly a run.  Basically, Borges took all of the possible creative ways he could have them both on the field and keep the defense off balance and disregarded all of it.  At least when Robinson had his QB runs in the first half they attacked the edge of the defense where they were struggling without one of their best players.  In the second half they decided to attack the Buckeyes' strength (and the UM weakness all season) the interior.  It's one thing to try that with Robinson who can make plays on his own, but to constantly run a 5'7" 180 lbs. Smith on a power iso play on 3rd and short yardage was inexcusable.  How did this make any sense?  Someone please explain this to me?

Where were the Gardner rollouts (maybe even with a misdirection play action to Robinson) with a run/pass option that worked so well?  Where were the bubble screens to Denard?  Heck, try an option with Gardner and Robinson.  Where was the creativity we had seen in previous weeks?  I'll tell you why we didn't see it.  The plays were called to not lose.  They were not called to win. And, once it was painfully obvious OSU was not going to allow Denard to burn them again on QB runs, Borges kept dialing them up.  By the time they stuck with Devin at QB and didn't even put Denard in the game for what seemed to be most of the fourth quarter, the offense was so out of sync it was hopeless.  They didn't even cross the 50 yard line in the half.  There is no defending Borges for what transpired on Saturday. 

No imagination.  No threat of a pass with Gardner out.  No moving Denard around even as a decoy.  This amounted to no win.  The end.

Those are just a few examples of the ineptitude we have seen this season from Al Borges.  And if you can't see how they greatly contributed to losses then I want some of what you're on.

You can point to the fact that the running game was putrid or rehash that Borges didn't have "his guys."  I'll give you a response of a fart noise.  Michigan has one of the most dynamic players in Denard Robinson at their disposal and also what appears to be a darn good dual-threat QB in Devin Gardner.  A coach that has been touted an offensive genius and is "well-respected" in the college football ranks should be able to do wonders with that.  Many coordinators are able to do a lot more with a lot less.  I have a very difficult time defending Al Borges after this year and would not argue with anyone who would think that he held the team back in the win column this year.  The numbers and the facts are right there in black and white.  The argument can be made.

I am not one of those saying Hoke should be fired.  That's goofy talk.  I think he is the right guy for the job.  Am I a little concerned about some of his game management at times along with his 3-13 road record in his last four seasons against winning teams?  A little.  But I think the good he has done as whole has far outweighed those things and I can look passed those for the time being.

However, I am seriously wondering if we have the right guy in Al Borges to run this offense in the future.  I am concerned that it is entirely possible that his stubbornness, questionable play calling, propensity to get cute at the wrong times, his inability to make sound in-game adjustments, and his inability up to this point to outscheme any truly good defense could hold Michigan back from winning anything significant.  It think it may have done just that this year.  I am not saying this will 100% be the case moving forward but if you can't say the thought hasn't even crossed your mind you're crazy and probably delusional.  I have seen enough in the last two seasons to at least be concerned.

I hope I am wrong about Borges.  I hope he makes those of us who question his abilities look like imbeciles by directing juggernaut offenses.  We'll see.  But starting next season he won't have to "figure out" how to adequately use Robinson, he will have a QB capable of making the throws needed for his offense, and will have two years of recruiting "his guys."  All of those crutches he has used to stand on will be gone and, at least for me, he is now on the clock.  No more excuses. 

Sorry for the rant.  Losing to OSU in a game that was very winnable will do that. 

GO BLUE!!

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **

QB Controversy at U-M? NO, STOP IT!

ATTENTION ARMCHAIR QBS, COACHES, ATHLETIC DIRECTORS, ETC:  There is no quarterback controversy at the University of Michigan!

Please take the time to read that once more, and maybe a few more times to let it sink in.  I'm serious.  Read it as many times as it takes for you to fully grasp those words that are written clearly and concisely in the English Language.  It is the only language I am capable of speaking and writing in (even though I know very basic Spanish and some cuss words in Italian) so there should be no confusion here.

Okay, if you're still puzzled let me spell it out further.  Ready?

For the remainder of the 2012 season, when Michigan's senior quarterback, Denard Robinson, is healthy enough to play he will be, and SHOULD BE, the starting quarterback for the Wolverines, and Devin Gardner will remain the backup.  There is no controversy, discussion, second-guessing, wiggle room, ambiguity, or two ways about it.  Enough.  Stop with the nonsense.

Yes, Devin Gardner was a 5-star recruit and the #1 dual-threat QB coming out of high school and he sure looked the part on Saturday.  Not to diminish Gardner's accomplishments on Saturday but they did play the Minnesota Golden Gophers who don't exactly tout a defense that draws comparisons to the '85 Bears.

And yes, Hoke said in his Monday presser that the offense we saw on Saturday was more of the pro-style Al Borges will run starting next year and Gardner ran it well.  He appears to be more of the "traditional QB" mold and a better passer than Robinson.

All that is great, but Denard will still be the starter for the rest of the season as he should be.  This supposed "QB controversy" is simply another case of the backup QB, goalie, etc. being the most popular guy in town and fans overreacting to the point of ridiculousness.

Robinson may not be the ideal QB that everyone, including the coaching staff, wants to see under center for U-M.  However, the fact remains that he is still one of the, if not the, most dangerous player in all of college football.  He has not put up the gaudy statistics, broken records, led dramatic comebacks, etc. by luck.  He is a very good football player who makes plays and knows how to win football games.  Oh yeah, he has also started every game the last three years up until Saturday.  One good performance by Gardner is not enough to wipe that away nor should it blind us all as to how special of a player Denard Robinson truly is.

Let's not overlook the fact that Robinson IS the Michigan rushing attack which is why he accounts for over 75% of the team's offense.  He's accomplished that by playing QB, not RB, WR, or anything else. 

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the RBs and the OL are struggling and Robinson is the only ball carrier who has proven that he can overcome those shortcomings.  With that said, stop and think before you speak when you suggest he should be moved to RB or WR for the rest of his college career.  If that move was to be made it would've been done either before last season or before this season at the latest.  You don't make drastic position changes like that nine games into the season unless your team is desperate and does not have anything left to play for.  Michigan is not one of those teams.  Enough with the charade.

Look, what Devin Gardner did on Saturday was very encouraging and comforting for the future.  If Denard is held out of games at any point during the rest of the season we now know that Team 133 has a very capable backup.  That is a complete 180-degree turnaround from the sentiment we all felt after the Nebraska debacle.  But that is as far as it goes, at least for the 2012 season.

As for next year, the optimism is completely different.  Denard Robinson, for better or for worse depending on which fan(s) you speak to, will have graduated.  Now you can talk all day about Devin Gardner being your starting quarterback.  After Saturday's performance you would have to believe it may very well be his job to lose.  He has the size, the arm strength, and overall ability to be very effective in a pro-style offense and he certainly can make things happen with his feet if things break down in the pocket.  Saturday may have been a bit of a glimpse of what 2013 will look like and that is very exciting.

Notice I did not mention incoming 5-star recruit Shane Morris as being thought about as next year's starter.  That is because if you think that is a good idea you really don't know much about football.  Not trying to be a (insert expletive-filled insult here) but it's the truth.  You do not start a true freshman at QB at a program that has championship aspirations unless you either have no other feasible option or said freshman completely blows away the other candidates. 

For every Chad Henne there are about a gazillion Jimmy Clausens.  Keep in mind Henne had Edwards, Avant, and Breaston to throw to, Hart in the backfield, and a very talented and experienced OL.  Morris will not have those luxuries.  Let the senior Gardner lead the team for a year, Bellomy play the role of backup, and let the talented 18-year old redshirt and learn for a year. 

Don't agree with me, go back and watch some Jimmy Clausen highlights (if there even is any) from his freshman year at Notre Dame.  He was the top QB recruit and looked like a deer in headlights all season long.  Not pretty.  Basically, chill out with the Morris for Heisman 2013 campaign.  This is not Xbox. 

To get back on track, the moral of the story is that if you are one of those fans that have been screaming from the mountain tops since around 3:00 PM on Saturday that Devin Gardner should start over Denard Robinson save your breath.  It ain't happening.  The coaches have said as much and they are right.  Michigan will be just fine with "Shoelace" under center and will more than likely be fine next year with Gardner, not Morris, as the man.  Enjoy the rest of the season and the rest of Denard Robinson's last year at Michigan...as the starting quarterback.

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **

Bellomy Should Not Be Judged By Nebraska Game

There is no denying that Team 133 will only go as far as a healthy Denard Robinson will take them. That was made perfectly clear after "Shoelace" was knocked out of the game in the 2nd quarter of Michigan's loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday with a nerve injury to his throwing elbow.

Enter 2nd string QB, and possible 2013 starter, Russell Bellomy...a redshirt freshman...in Lincoln Nebraska...under the lights...in a crucial divisional matchup.

In a situation like this as a fan you take a big gulp and know disaster lies ahead. Bellomy's final numbers were of Armageddon proportions:

• PASSING ACCURACY - 3/16
• PASSING YARDS - 38
• INT - 3
• TD - 0
• RUSHING YARDS - 0 (Multiple sacks nullified the yardage he gained on 5 carries)

He didn't have have much help as his receivers dropped a handful of passes, he was under duress by the Nebraska pass rush, and the RBs continued to contribute next to nothing, but the numbers are still ghastly no matter how you slice it. Subsequently U-M suffered a 23-9 defeat and failed to score an offensive TD for the 2nd straight week.

There is always doom and gloom after a Wolverine loss but this week was a little different.

"Russell Bellomy is a terrible QB!"

"We're screwed next year because we have no QB!"

"Shane Morris is going to have to start as a true freshman!"

"Fire Al Borges!"

"FIRE BRADY HOKE! (Yes, I did indeed see this on Twitter)

Look, I was just as angry and frustrated as anyone and entertained some doom and gloom myself...FOR THIS SEASON.

Once I had the opportunity to cheer myself up by watching some Seinfeld and think logically, I was able to put things in the proper perspective. Bellomy is a redshirt freshman with minimal game experience who was thrown into a snake pit and asked to win a crucial game with very little help. I am not sure what everyone was expecting. I would think that nine out of ten QBs would struggle in that scenario. Give the kid a break.

Was I a little shocked that he wasn't a little more game ready?

Yep.

Do I think some of it falls on Al Borges and the offensive coaches to ensure that they have a QB ready to go in and at least be serviceable?

Since they have a running QB who gets pounded every game and has a history of getting banged up you're darn tootin' I do.

But let's get things straight, this was a kid thrown into a situation where the odds were severely against him. His future career at U-M should not be judged or speculated upon based off of one underwhelming performance in which he was asked to do the unthinkable. People who think his career will be defined by what happened on Saturday need to scale back on the caffeine and/or narcotics a smidge.

Once the season is finished his mindset, as well as the mindset of the coaches, will completely change. He will be preparing, mentally and physically, to be the starting QB at the University of Michigan. Not the backup. He will be prepared by the coaching staff, mentally and physically, to be the starting QB at the University of Michigan, or at least compete for the spot. Not to be the backup. The offense will shift from the spread to more of a pro-style, Al Borges' preference, to adhere to his skill set. He will be more equipped to be a serviceable, and who knows, maybe even a pretty good starting signal-caller for the Wolverines.

I don't have a crystal ball but I am pretty certain that given the reps and the opportunity next season, he will prove that he is not nearly as bad as he appeared in Lincoln. He would not have been recruited by the coaching staff if he was and there is a reason he is #2 on the depth chart. They are the same coaches that get praised daily for their recruiting prowess so I think we can safely say Bellomy was not brought in by throwing darts at a dartboard. Chill out people.

Also, those of you who think Shane Morris is going to come in as an 18-year old freshman and take the starting spot are nuts. I can't put it any other way. You saw what happens on Saturday when you put a kid in at QB before he's ready...disaster. As talented as Morris may be he will still be a freshman.

You don't start a frosh at QB unless you absolutely have to. And if that is indeed the case you'd be extremely naive and borderline crazy to think Morris will come in and be lights out and lead Team 134 to a B1G title. This ain't the MAC or Conference USA. It's the B1G and you don't ask a kid to lead a big time program into places like East Lansing and Iowa City. At least at Michigan you don't. Chad Henne was the exception not the rule. He also had Braylon Edwards, Steve Breaston, and Jason Avant to throw to and Mike Hart in the backfield. Enough with the Shane Morris talk people. At least until 2014.

If you want to worry about what might happen this season if Denard Robinson can't stay healthy then fine. Believe me, I'm right there with you. But when it comes to next season let's all just relax and trust the coaches to have the starting QB, presumably Russell Bellomy, ready to run the offense smoothly. Give a very good staff the benefit of the doubt and step away from the ledge.

Team 133 is in the middle of a battle for a division title. They are undoubtedly focused on just that and not next season. I suggest the fans follow suit.

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **

Tigers MUST Win It This Time

The stage is set.  The opponent is determined.  The champagne is dry and the hangovers (hopefully) are a thing of the past.  The celebration is now over (hopefully only temporarily) and it's time to, in the words of Slim Shady, snap back to reality.  Back-patting time is over for the Tigers and tomorrow they return to playing ball...for all of the marbles.  This time they must win the whole thing.  No excuses.

I can hear all the Tigers homers now:

"Here comes that big meanie Deebo raining on our parade!"

"He's not a true fan because he talks bad about our Tigers!"

"He's a fair-weather fan!"

WRONG!

I am a fan that expects victories from my teams and does not settle for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or whatever.  Therefore, I have made it my personal duty to aid those who are unable to take off the rose-colored glasses and see the reality of our beloved sports teams. 

The reality now with the Detroit Tigers is that they are in the World Series, heavy favorites might I add, and anything other than beating the Giants four times in the Fall Classic is unacceptable.  If you can't face this reality or think I am being unfair to our lovable AL Champs then cry me a river.  Go read "Bless You Boys" cover-to-cover to feel warm and fuzzy.

Look, this isn't 2006 anymore.  The Tigers didn't come from the abyss to surprise the baseball world and make a magical run to baseball relevance.  Quite the contrary. 

They are a team with a payroll north of $100 million with the game's best pitcher (Verlander) and hitter (Cabrera).  Oh, and they have possibly the best starting rotation in the bigs and broke the bank to bring in some guy named Prince in the offseason.  You think they spent all that money to be the bridesmaids again?  Nope.  You think they shipped out two of their best prospects in July for a 2B and a pitcher to raise an AL Central banner and call it a day?  Um no.  They expect to be champions and us fans should too.  Settling for 2nd place is not an option.  Not this time.

In 2006 the Tigers threw away, literally and figuratively, their chance to be champions for the first time since 1984 by losing to the Cardinals in a heartbreaking choke job.  Subsequently it has taken them six years to get another crack at it.  World Series appearances do not happen every year.  Just because you get there once does not guarantee you will get back anytime soon. 

Don't believe me just look at the uber-talented Rangers who, after losing in the dance two years in a row, were favored by many if not by most to finally win it all only to fall flat on their faces and miss the playoffs all together.  Their team may be broken up in the offseason.  I'm sorry but I can't fathom being content with that feeling.  If you can then really what is the point of being a fan?  I'll tell you what the point is.  It's to see your team win...not to finish second.

I am very happy the Tigers have clawed (no pun intended I swear) their way back to the World Series.  I was choked up watching Illitch, Dombrowski, and Leyland hoist that trophy last week.  But I am far from satisfied.  I was just a little tot in 1984 when they sat on top of the baseball world so naturally I don't really have a recollection of that euphoria and pride.  In my lifetime I have actually seen a lot of horrible baseball from our Tigers, and now that six years after they gagged away their chance at supremacy they get another shot at it, I will be disappointed in the 2012 season if it doesn't end in a championship.  I won't be doing the "just happy they got there" song and dance.  This is the major leagues not the Babe Ruth League.  Winning equals success.  Losing does not no matter what point of the season it occurs.

This is not a parade monsoon.  This is not a Negative Nancy routine.  I am just saying that it has been 28 long and agonizing years since our baseball team has been champs.  We saw in 2006 how easily opportunities can be wasted.  We don't know when the next opportunity will come or if there ever will be another one.  It's time to stop settling for second best and go be champions.  It's time to show the Giants and everyone else that the city of Detroit is the home of the world's best baseball team.  That is the EXACT reason Illitch opened the pocket book for Dombrowski to bring Cabrera and ultimately Fielder to The D.  He didn't spend that cash to fail.  If the Tigers do not beat the Giants that is exactly what it will be...failure.  Don't kid yourself.

With all of that said my gut says they will get it done.  The pitching is too strong and the bats are too big not to.

GO TIGERS!!!

Pay No Attention to the Spread

Revenge.  Redemption.  Payback.  Paul Bunyan.  Those are the words that are on the minds of the Wolverines and their fans as THE RIVALRY WEEK is upon us.  Those words seem like a very possible reality for Team 133 as the two teams that will square off on Saturday appear to be heading in different directions. 

The Spartans (4-3, 1-2 B1G) appear to be crumbling as they suffered a heart-breaking loss to a putrid Iowa team at home on Saturday.  Add the fact that the week before they barely squeaked out a victory against Indiana and struggled against EMU a few weeks prior and you have a floundering football team.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines (4-2, 2-0 B1G) put a gigantic maize and blue boot in the behinds of a not-so-great Illinois squad to the tune of a 45-0 massacre after "shocking the world" (or at least Kirk Herbstreit) by embarrassing Purdue on the road the week before.  They are hitting their stride and booming with confidence at the right time.

As a result, Michigan opened up the week as a huge 11.5 point favorite for Saturday's game.  The spread has now dropped to 10 which, in my opinion, is still way too high.  Wolverine Nation should not buy into this absurd line...mentally or monetarily.  Let me explain.

First and foremost, let's all remember who coaches the Michigan State Spartans.  Yes, the man with the biggest maize and blue chip on his shoulder...Mark "The Red A**" Dantonio.  He has a complete and utter disdain for Michigan.  Hate is definitely not a strong enough word to describe his anti-love for the Wolverines.  As a result, he puts quite an emphasis on this game every year and thus has them uber prepared and fired up for this contest...every...single...year.  I expect nothing less this year nor should anyone else.  Especially after they were embarrassed on Saturday by Iowa at home.  He will have the Spartans, angry, determined, and desperate knowing a win against their arch rival is key to salvaging their disappointing season.  They will be coming out swinging...count on it.

Second, Michigan State still has a very formidable defense.  The group is number one in all major defensive categories in the B1G.  It is also a defense that for the past three years has completely shut down Denard Robinson and the Michigan offense. 

I am not going to waste my time throwing out the blatant statistics.  Anyone who has watched the last few games in the rivalry knows that defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi's "Spartan Dawgs" have lined up and punched the Wolverines' offense in the mouth.  It has looked like full grown Pitt Bulls against Shih Tzu puppies.  It is THE team that has mapped out the blueprint on how to stop "Shoelace."  Many of the players who effectively stymied his play previously will be taking the field on Saturday.  It will be up to Denard and Al Borges to prove they can figure out how to bite back.  I truly believe Robinson will be incredibly focused on beating the Spartans in his final try and will play his heart out.  We'll see if he can keep calm and play within himself and not try to do too much.

The Spartans are the inverse of the Wolverines of the Rich Rod Era.  While they tout an incredibly stingy defense, their offense is pretty pedestrian (I am being P.C.).  They're pretty bad.  No, I am not being a Michigan slappy or a "Walmart Wolverine," that moniker still holds no water to any intelligent sports fan but I digress, I am calling it like it is. 

Anybody who has watched the Spartans in the last few weeks will tell you they are anemic offensively.  Once again I am not going to throw out the glaringly supportive statistics, I am simply going with the eyeball test.  Their receivers are young and drop a ton of balls, Maxwell is still fairly inexperienced and makes some questionable decisions, their offensive line is banged up, and they live and die with LeVeon Bell.  With that said, Maxwell, statistics aside, has shown he has the potential and physical tools to get the job done and Bell is an absolute horse.  With a struggling air attack, they will feed Bell the rock constantly and force the Michigan defense to match their physicality and stop it.  While the UM defense has dramatically improved in recent weeks, they have yet to step up to the Spartans' challenge in recent years.  It will be up to them to keep that struggling Spartan offense from breaking out and give their own offense as many possessions as possible.

Don't think I am being a Negative Nancy and thinking the Wolverines will lose the game.  Quite the opposite.  I fully believe the Wolverines will play inspired football in front of their home crowd and break "The Streak."  They look like the more complete team and are motivated to get the MSU monkey off of their backs.  However, I am not buying the huge spread that Vegas is selling, nor am I jumping on the Train of Overconfidence that many fans are currently riding.  This is a rivalry game, and in the past, no matter how good or bad the teams have been, it is typically a close, hard-fought game.  I expect nothing different here. 

The Paul Bunyan Trophy has made a home in East Lansing for four years now.  It basically has changed its area code to 517.  Its keepers, the Michigan State Spartans, a.k.a. "Spartan Dawgs," will be rabid, desperate, angry, and foaming at the mouth to ruin Michigan's chances at a division championship.  Dantonio, Narduzzi, and Co. will see to it that MSU gives Team 133 all it can handle on Saturday.  Buckle up for another exciting chapter of this civil war because bringing Mr. Bunyan back to the 734 area code will not be easy.

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **

Now THAT is a Road Win!

The Wolverines exorcised a demon on Saturday in West Lafayette.  You know, the one that normally has Denard Robinson's head spinning like Linda Blair's in the 1973 horror classic (minus the pea soup puke of course).  That's right.  We're talking road games against a decent opponent.

It has been no secret that away from Ann Arbor in the Brady Hoke Era Michigan has struggled against quality competition.  They may have hushed some of the critics with their 44-13 suplexing of the Purdue Boilermakers.  The offense was kept simple and was efficient, the defense was aggressive and opportunistic, and the team didn't kill themselves with bad penalties or ill-timed turnovers.  It was maybe the perfect road game.

First and foremost, it appears Al Borges FINALLY swallowed his pride and had a game plan that put Denard and the offense in the best position to succeed.  Robinson was not asked to sling it all over the yard (only 16 attempts), the routes were those of the high-percentage, short to intermediate variety, his legs were utilized (24 carries for 235 yards), and drives were not stalled with goofy gadget plays or formations.  The result was 37 points (the defense added a score), 409 total yards, roughly 13 minutes time of possession advantage, and only one turnover when the game was, for all intents and purposes, over.  And this was done against one of the better defensive lines in the B1G. 

It is clear that when the offense is kept simple and Denard is allowed to be himself, especially on the road, Team 133 will score points.  This was a masterful day in the booth for Borges.  I would imagine he now sees the blueprint for this team to succeed offensively and I would expect to see a similar attack moving forward.

How about that defense eh?

If Greg Mattison has shown one thing so far in his tenure at Michigan it is that his defense will improve as the season progresses.  This year they have gone from a perceived weakness to a strength.  They are one of the best pass defenses in the league and nation, they are starting to create turnovers, the young players are becoming difference-makers (see the monster also known as Jake Ryan), they are aggressive, and they seem to be developing a swagger.

On Saturday they faced a Purdue team that was averaging around 500 yards per game and could score in bunches.  Michigan held them to 213 yards (157 passing and 56 rushing) and 13 points.  The Wolverines also forced the Boilermakers' offense to cough up the ball three times, held them to one 3rd down conversion, and recorded two sacks.  They completely shut down the high-powered Purdue offense.  If this is a sign of the things to come, Mattison's boys will give Michigan a chance to win every game they play from here on out.

Also, Michigan played a clean game.  They only had one turnover (AND IT WAS NOT AN INTERCEPTION...YAY!!) and they only had one penalty all afternoon (false start).  They kept their cool in an important road game, remained poised, and played physical within the rules.  That same cleanliness will be needed when they take the field in Lincoln and Columbus, but for now, bravo boys.  Bravo.

All in all, Team 133 played the closest thing to a perfect road game as possible.  They imposed their will on offense, kept it simple, managed the clock, played shut-down defense, and didn't shoot themselves in the foot.  They walked into Purdue's house and punched them square in the teeth.  This also may have been the best game they have played this season regardless of venue.  If "Big Blue" can stick with this basic formula for the remainder of the season they can very well win every game whether it be at the "Big House," "The Shoe," or the moon.  Maybe, just maybe, they can make a stop in Indianapolis before they conquer space travel.

 

 

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **

R.I.P. NHL

Fair warning:  This will not be be an eloquent, thought-provoking, literary masterpiece.  This is a full blown (OK maybe a little scaled-back) rant from a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan and one angry, irritated, annoyed, jaded, nauseous, infuriated, and ticked off fan of the NHL.  Cigarettes have their warning labels...this is mine.  Whether you heed to it is up to you.

After the NHL and the NHLPA (the two most inept groups of people not only in professional sports, but in all of business in the free world) met today and AGAIN reported "no progress," I think it is safe to say the 2012 season is on life support.  I'm just going to assume that Gary Bettman and his band of minions will continue to play hard ball in this lockout until they drop the hammer and cancel the entire season...AGAIN.  With that said, let me be the first to declare the NHL dead...that's right...D-E-A-D dead.  May you forever rest in piece.  Think I am being too presumptuous?  Well, then take a look at today's comments from Bettman's Tweedledum to his Tweedledee (NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly):

"Unless they (NHLPA) show some willingness to compromise, I don't know how we get this done."

Ahem, I believe it is your group, dear sir, that seems unwilling to compromise which is hilarious since your league brought in around $3 billion in revenue last year.

Add the fact that Daly said no other meetings are scheduled but they would "stay in touch," and I have now completely given up on the fallacy that the NHL gives a damn about the fans.  I am now convinced they are truly stubborn, arrogant, and short-sighted enough to put a bullet in the upcoming season. 

"Stay in touch?!"  This isn't a breakup of a junior high spin-the-bottle-spawned fling!  We're talking about the future of what we are led to believe is a major professional sports league worth billions of dollars!  We're talking about the real possibility of the cancellation of an entire season for the second time in less than a decade!! 

But have no fear, the Commissioner Bettman says the fans will come back because hockey has the "greatest fans in the world."  Give me a break.  If we're so great then why do you treat us like Naomi Campbell treats her assistants?  Answer that ol' wise one.

Mr. Bettman, if you cancel this entire season, or a big chunk of it, you can kiss any casual fan you worked to get goodbye.  You can probably also count on some of the biggest fans flipping you and your Mickey Mouse league the bird.  In words that you and your owners can understand, that means less money.  Isn't that all you really care about anyway?  You are running this league into the ground and you deserve all of the consequences that come from this recent muscle-flexing contest you have provoked.  Rest assured if this continues there will be plenty.

As a life-long fan, I will say that if the entire season is lost I almost hope that NONE of the fans come back when the league resumes and it goes the way of the Dodo bird.  Subsequently, I hope that King Bettman, in search of a job, goes crawling back to his pal David Stern (NBA Commish) in search of employment and Stern either kicks him to the curb or laughs and gives him a job as a towel boy for the Charlotte Bobcats.  Then this man can feel what it's like to be shunned by those you trust.  Maybe then he will have some sympathy for us fans that have been forced to swallow down the crap and the rhetoric he has continued to feed us in his 20-year tenure of "excellence."

Maybe I am just a little too heated at the moment.  Maybe it is still early and the season will be salvaged.  I probably am jumping to conclusions a little too early.  Fine.  But I will not waiver in my opinion that if the entire 2012 season is lost than the NHL is dead.  They barely survived the last time and were just starting to recover.  This would be a death blow.  We'll see what happens, but right now I am not confident that the greed and the incompetence of the men who's hands hold the fate of the season will allow them to do what is right. 

Congratulations, NHL, you are now on the brink of becoming soccer in the United States.

Lions Look Flat, Lack Attitude

After a 2011 season that provided 10 wins, a playoff birth, optimism, fun, and excitement, the 2012 campaign for the Detroit Lions thus far has produced a 1-3 record and a team that looks like it lacks energy, a sense of urgency, and most importantly, attitude from the opening kick until the final tick.  Apparently it has been so uninspiring that I am bustin' rhymes in my blog posts...good grief.  Could it be that they are working too hard to clean up their image as the "Bad Boys" of the NFL and thus losing their edge?  I think it is a question worth asking at this point.

Last year, the Lions were being labeled as a dirty team.  They were the "Bad Boys" of the NFL.  They ranked among the worst in the league, 30th, in penalties against and were a personal foul waiting to happen.  At times it appeared that the refs were making calls against them due to their reputation.  It was well documented in the media that the Lions appeared to be an undisciplined football team.

The penalty parade continued into the offseason, not on the field, but in the legal system.  It wasn't flags being thrown, it was handcuffs being clicked and players being thrown in the slammer.  Alcohol, drugs (some being mistaken for a tasty salad), reckless driving, and guns were among the problems that ailed a handful of Lions players leading up to this season.  The holier than thou members of the media pointed their fingers and told the world that "those Lions sure are bad fellers."

Of course the penalties were frustrating.  The "Stomp Heard 'Round the World" was embarrassing.  Nobody likes when players get arrested.  But on the field, these hooligans had an attitude.  A mean streak.  A giant chip on their shoulders that made them play hard and maybe bend the rules here and there.  They had tenacity, a fire, a swagger.  Penalties be damned, they were winning games and turning heads.  The Lions were becoming the team that nobody wanted to face.

This year, they have cleaned up their act a little.  They are middle of the pack in terms of penalties.  I believe they rank 17th.  The legal troubles have ceased and they have kept their emotions in check.  In turn, they look lifeless.  There is now zero emotion in their game.  There is no fire, no sense of urgency, no attitude...and you can forget swagger...Bubbles (the cuddly Lions mascot) has shown more swag than the Lions have on Sundays.  As a result, the Leos have a 1-3 record and a season that is almost on the brink.

My opinion is that maybe they have been worrying about their image a little too much and, in turn, they have lost that attitude that made them the surprise team in the NFL a year ago.  They have gone from being a team that gets a little too emotional to a team that doesn't show signs of having a pulse until they are losing in the 4th quarter.  The defense gets punched in the mouth repeatedly, the offense has become extremely predictable and, dare I say, boring, the tackling is poor, the defensive line continues to be paper champions, and the special teams...let's not even go there.  The Lions are now dull, vanilla, listless, lifeless, and just another team that is tossed in with the pile of misfit toys.  They look dead...like walking corpses draped in Honolulu Blue and silver (with black trim) death shrouds.

I am not saying they need to go out in their remaining games and turn them into WWE fiascoes.  I am not suggesting that they start committing ill-advised personal fouls that cripple the team.  No way should they make it a point to go out and get drunk and act a fool.  I am simply saying that they need to get back to being mean and nasty between the lines.  They need to show some emotion and some fire at the BEGINNING of games until they are over.  The Lions need to get that chip squarely back on their shoulders and play with a swagger again. They need to get back to being the "Bad Boys," because as we know, nice guys finish last.

Is Al Borges Outsmarting Himself?

The dead horse regarding Denard Robinson's disastrous performance in Michigan's 13-6 gagfest on Saturday against Notre Dame has had the crap kicked out of it in the media, watering holes, and water coolers since the clock read 0:00 in South Bend to the point PETA may need to step in.  He was terrible indeed.  He looked more like a frightened freshman than a senior QB in his third year as a starter.  The finger should be pointed at him (and his 5 turnovers) as the biggest reason ON THE FIELD that the Wolverines lost the game.  But maybe another finger needs to be pointed at someone else as well.  That somebody is offensive coordinator Al Borges, and not just for the latest offensive clunker "Big Blue" displayed against the Irish.  In his 16 games calling the plays and developing the offensive game plans for the Maize and Blue, he's left me scratching my head on many occasions.

Let me introduce Exhibit A:  The Vincent Smith Interception.

I have no choice but to ask: Why?  Actually, what I would really like to ask is WHAT THE @#%$ WAS THAT?!?!?!?! 

You mean to tell me that after failing to capitalize on a huge early ND turnover in which you found yourself in a 1st and goal the previous drive (Missed a long FG after Denard was pulverized by sacks), the best option on the next possession on a 1st and goal is to run a halfback pass with a 5'6" RB on a short field?  Talk about a momentum swing.  Especially when the offense was humming along seeing Robinson go 5 for 6 to get them 70 yards down the field.  Why take the ball out of a hot hand 10 yards from pay dirt and destroy the offense's rhythm?  After missing out on at least 3 points minutes earlier, why not see if you can get close on a running play or a screen on 1st down then take a shot with a safe pass in the end zone?  You don't get in, you get a chip shot FG and seize momentum and the lead on the road and quiet the crowd.  Instead, a possible 14-0 lead early is 0-0 and the home team knows they just dodged 2 huge bullets.  I love Vincent Smith, nice player, but can you really expect him to make a touch pass in tight quarters that some QBs struggle with?  I know Brady Hoke defended the call but did you really expect him to say "my offensive coordinator made a bonehead call?"  I am sure the thought crossed his mind.  Funny how after that drive Denard and the offense never got that rhythm back and scored a meager 6 points the entire game.  As the kids say: "just sayin'."

This instance is scary similar to those we have seen previously from this offense.  I remember screaming multiple times at my TV last season when Denard and the offense's rhythm was interrupted and drives were stalled when Borges would decide to bring out the vaunted "Deuce Package" (Iowa) or run a reverse in the red zone and lose a big chunk of yards (Illinois) and miss golden opportunities.  This is not Tecmo Bowl!  If your offense is working stick with it!!  Stop being cute especially on the road in big games!  It is crippling your quarterback and the offense!

May I present to you Exhibit B: Tying Together "Shoelace's" Shoelaces.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Al Borges continues to make Denard Robinson a pocket passer and it just is not working.  When is he going to figure this out?  After the offense crumbles for a 5th straight time against the Michigan State defense?  Will that be enough to convince him that he has a QB that has a certain skill set and being a drop back passer who throws the ball down field 30 times per game is not it?  That approach didn't work again against ND, just like it didn't work against Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, VT, MSU, etc., etc., etc.  Teams are not going to let him run all over them.  Fine.  But where are the roll out passes?  Where are the short to intermediate passes that build confidence and move the chains?  Where are the throwback screens, the bubble screens, the QB draws?  When Denard runs this simplified attack he succeeds.  Borges figured that out against Nebraska and Ohio State last year and "Shoelace" ran a very efficient and explosive offense.  They won those games.  When he has been handcuffed as a pocket passer and forced to make decisions against a pass rush in the games aforementioned, he has continued to make poor decisions, take sacks, miss receivers, and turn the ball over.  He doesn't know when to take a sack.  He doesn't know when to throw the ball away.  He doesn't know when to simply tuck it and run.  If he doesn't know this now he never will.  It is not an indictment on him it is just not what he does or what type of quarterback he is.  Why force it?

You want to actually win a meaningful road game this year against a good defense?  You want to beat MSU and have a shot at a B1G title?  If your answer is yes, Mr. Borges, then I suggest you come to grips with the type of QB you have and run the plays and schemes where he can succeed.  If you continue to be stubborn, and try to make him the QB you wish you had then you can forget all of those goals because he just cannot be that type of QB.  If you are hellbent on installing your offense that's fine too, just come out and say it.  Or, if you want a better passing QB, start Bellomy.  Just don't insult the intelligence of the fans.  We want to see you win games...not experiment.  Enough is enough.  Stop putting this kid in positions in which he will fail.  He deserves better as do the fans.

Al Borges is regarded as a very smart offensive coordinator.  An offensive guru if you will.  I am sure he has forgotten more Xs and Os and offensive plays that I could ever fathom.  I fully expect that in 2-3 years when he has his ideal QB/WRs/RBs at his disposal he will have the Wolverines among the best in the nation offensively.  However, in the here and now, he needs to take a step back and simplify things to adhere to his personnel, particularly Denard Robinson.  I understand these are not the players he recruited but if the goal is to win football games he has to suck it up and run plays that can maximize their skill sets.  I think he has a tendency to get too cute and it costs the team.  He must keep it simple and let his athletes make plays.  He has to stop confusing them with goofy formations, poorly-timed gadget plays, and complex passing schemes.  It's not in their DNA.  I just hope that he realizes that B1G play starts now and it is not the time to be cute, experiment, or over-think.  He is a smart offensive mind, maybe too smart, and if things don't change, he will think Team 133 into a mediocre 2012 season. 

GO BLUE!!

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **

Play Time Over For UM..Here Comes ND...Answers

"I want the truth!"

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!"

If that describes you as a Michigan Football fan then the upcoming road test against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame is not for you.  That is because Team 133 and us fans will find out for the first time this season how good Brady Hoke's team truly is in 2012.  The gray areas will be painted in black and white for the entire nation to see.  Is the offense a one-man show that can slowed to a halt like we saw vs. Alabama or is it the well-oiled, multi-faceted arsenal we saw against UMass?  Is the defense really as shaky as many feared it to be after getting bludgeoned by the Crimson Tide and dazzled by Air Force, or is it an improving group that simply is in the process of coming together as suggested by the performance against the Minutemen?  Contenders or pretenders?  Can they win on the road?  We've been asking these questions since the season started and, ready or not, here comes Notre Dame more than willing to provide us all with the answers in South Bend under the lights.

We all know how amazing Denard Robinson can be.  We also know the criticisms.  He wins the "September Heisman," he folds in big games, he can't win on the road, he can't throw the ball with consistency, he is ineffective against good defenses, he is Michigan's only offense, among others.  So far in his senior season, those perceptions have not changed.  I am not going to get geeky with statistics.  I am going to just lay it out there on the table in plain and simple English.  He's faced one very good (maybe the nation's best) defense against Alabama and was, well, not good.  He was Clark Kent.  As expected, the Michigan and Denard detractors, both local and national, came out in full force on TV, radio, Twitter, the press, etc.  In the last two weeks he has faced defenses with obvious inferior talent and he had his Superman cape flowing behind him as he flew to the end zone and delivered TD passes at will.  That was "proof" to the naysayers that "Shoelace" was all the offense Michigan has.  Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press went as far as labeling the Wolverines "The University of Denard Robinson."

Notre Dame will provide the perfect opportunity for Denard and the offense to quiet their critics.  The Irish are 3-0 and coming off a very impressive 20-3 undressing of MSU in Spartan Stadium.  Their front seven proved to be legit by completely shutting down the Spartans' vaunted running game (50 total yards) and forcing Maxwell and his inexperienced receivers to beat them through the air which they were unable to do.  Well, that exact game plan is the same one that has been implemented successfully against Denard and the Wolverines by Alabama, MSU, Illinois, and VT.  It's the type of defense that supposedly exposes the UM offense as a one-man crew incapable of beating a team by passing the football.  Well, here's a chance to prove everyone wrong because the Irish will be stacking the box and forcing Robinson to beat them with his arm.  We'll see if he has truly grown as Quarterback after Saturday. 

Notre Dame is not very strong in the secondary.  Even more so after losing yet another starter in senior safety Jamoris Slaughter for the season with an injured Achilles.  A converted red shirt WR will be taking his place in an already injury-plagued secondary.  It will be up to Denard to make the right reads and find the open receivers and not to force throws into coverage.  It will also be on the receivers to get open which is something the Spartan receivers could not do.  It will take a team effort offensively to score points in South Bend, not just the heroics of "Shoelace" and his world class speed.  One thing is for certain, the ND defense will be looking to get in his face all game.  Just ask Andrew Maxwell who was sacked 4 times and seemingly running for his life every time he dropped back.  Denard's decision-making, the play of the offensive line, and the ability for the receivers to find the open areas will be under a microscope Saturday night.

The Michigan defense, particularly the defensive line, has looked to be the team's weakest link thus far.  We knew this may be the case with the departures of seniors Martin, Van Bergen, and Heineger.  They were manhandled by Alabama's mammoth offensive line, did not get very much push vs. Air Force, and were not able to completely dominate an inferior UMass offensive line.  Brady Hoke called this group out every week, especially Will Campbell.  There is no need to rehash "Big Will's" career struggles at UM.  It's been talked about ad nauseu.  But he is being looked upon to finally live up to his potential as a senior and provide a consistent presence in the middle.  So far he has been inconsistent.  He and his mates will need to play a lot better against ND to win this game. 

Frank Clark, however, has been the the one constant horse since returning from suspension against Air Force.  He was a MONSTER against UMass by practically living in the Minutemen backfield, providing pressure, batting passes, etc.  The Wolverines will need him to provide pressure on Golson and contain the outside.  He could really have a massive national coming out party with a big game against ND.

The big uglies for Notre Dame were outstanding against MSU's supposed world-beater defense.  They provided protection for Golson allowing him to pass for 178 yards without a sack, paved the way for 123 yards rushing, and helped put up a 20-spot on one of the nation's best defenses.  We are going to find out exactly how good or bad this Wolverine Defense is on Saturday.  If they resemble the defense we saw against Alabama or Air Force, the one that was out of position, constantly blown off the ball on the line, missing tackles, and blowing coverages, it is going to be a long and ugly night in South Bend.  Greg Mattison has been saying that as long as they play with great technique consistently they will be just fine.  There would be no better time than Saturday for that to start happening.

Saturday will also be Team 133's first road test of the season, and it's a doozey.  Last year they finished 2-2 away from the Big House dropping their biggest tests against Iowa and Michigan State.  Denard has not had his best games on the road either.  They don't get a warm up here.  They will be thrown right into the fire against a very formidable foe.  It will be interesting to see if they can go on the road and beat a quality opponent under the lights with the nation watching.

I think the point has been made pretty clear that after Saturday, we will know a lot more about the 2012 Michigan Wolverines.  We will see if this offense can score points on a big and athletic defense.  We will see if this defense has enough play makers and enough on the line to make enough stops against an offense that can score on the ground and through the air.  We will see if Team 133 has the intestinal fortitude and the leadership to go on the road, in a hostile environment, under the lights, against a highly-ranked team and pull out a W.  Are they tough enough?  Are they technically sound enough?  Are they strong enough?  Are they contenders or pretenders?  After Saturday, we won't have to ask those questions anymore...the answers will be presented on the national stage for us all to observe.  It won't be for the weak-hearted so if you can't handle it, I suggest you either stay away from a TV on Saturday night or watch reruns of Seinfeld.  It's gut check time!  GO BLUE!!!

**This blog can also be found at www.thebighousereport.com. If you are a fan of the Wolverines, The Big House Report is a MUST-READ. GO BLUE!! **