BAD TIMING FOR WHINERS TO WHINE

Posted by bigD | August 31, 2009 .

The University of Michigan said Sunday that it will investigate allegations by current and/or (alleged) former players that the football program violated NCAA rules. As expected, a full NCAA investigation will also follow. These rules govern both off-season and in-season workouts and also mandatory summer activities. Ever since the Rich Rodriguez regime hit the University, there has been more negative publicity then positive and complaints are now at the forefront. What do you expect to come from a 3-9 season out of the winningest college football program on the face of the Earth? Positive publicity? Nah, positive publicity is too difficult. Negative reporting is easiest so WHY NOT?

These allegations were first reported by Michael Rosenberg (OH YEAH…YOU’RE A REAL HERO) of the Detroit Free Press after numerous ex and current Michigan players told the Free Press about this ridiculous issue. As reported by some of the players from both the 2008 and 09 teams, Michigan training and practice sessions far exceeded the time limit rulings set by the NCAA which govern college athletics. OH BOO FREAKING HOO! Cry me a river, you whiners. I am surprised ex-Michigan Head Coach, Lloyd Carr didn’t bring a diaper to his practices so that if any player was overworked they could wear the diaper and go cry in the locker room because it’s obvious under this new regime that’s exactly what they need. Maybe RichRod will start bringing soothers to his practices for the current players who might have complained. Who went to Rosenberg with these complaints? Justin Boren? Are they feasible? Are they even accurate at all? Regardless of what you believe and how much truth there is to any of this, if current players really did go to the Free Press about this, I AM SHOCKED. As a recruit, don’t you want to be worked hard? Don’t you want to be over-prepared for your NFL possibilities? I just don’t understand what is going through the heads of these kids or even of Rosenberg to report this crap NOW of all times. On game week. Coming off a 3 win season. Yeah that’s it. Pick on a struggling football program when it’s down.

These NCAA rules are first and foremost designed to protect a player’s well-being, ensure that each player has enough time for studying and obviously to prevent certain schools from getting a competitive advantage over the competition. The players didn’t want to be identified in fear of being punished by the coaching staff. Although at today’s Press Conference, Richrod basically hinted that what his current players said wasn’t intentionally negative, it just perhaps came out that way and as Richrod claimed, “two freshman” came into his office and felt very guilty about making comments but clearly meant nothing by them. Again this is an attempt by The Detroit Free Press to bust something wide open at what clearly is the wrong time to do so to this program. Congratulations. You woke up a sleeping giant and there can be nothing positive that comes from this. Maybe the odd player will thank you for it in the end (most will probably end up feeling guilty) but when it comes to the University, sticks and stones, gentlemen. Whether or not you believe Rodriguez, (claims innocence) there is notably a lot of pressure on him to win this season and after the worst season in Michigan history, why wouldn’t there be? If the NCAA does investigate and does conclude that U-M willfully and repeatedly broke these rules, the NCAA could find major violations which could lead to probation, loss of scholarships and even practice time.

In looking at the future for Richrod and this program, before this happened I couldn’t believe there was talk of firing Rodriguez should he have another rough season. It just doesn’t make sense. Has he truly had enough time yet to completely turn around a program that had none of the talent he desires when he took over? It was all the Carr – spoiled brat, slow, power types before. Richrod gets the speedy types, workhorses and desires a strict workout program – TEN TIMES MORE STRICT THEN CARR. I truly do believe Rodriguez is now in danger of losing his program should these allegations prove true and if there are penalties for them. More importantly, if Michigan has another rough season record wise combined with the NCAA cracking down, this could all but end Richrod’s time at Michigan very quickly despite the fact that he doesn’t deserve an exit. What I want to know is this? I know Carr was a well respected man and head coach at Michigan but it seems like since his arrival, Richrod has dealt with more problems then he deserves. He’s been ridiculed, investigated and come down on by fans, media, players and now the NCAA. The man doesn’t deserve it and anyone who is honestly believing he should lose his job, you’re being ridiculous. So he goes against traditions at times. He isn’t from here. Forgive the guy for wanting to start some of his traditions. College football of nowadays is not as much tradition any longer as it is simply about winning and believe me, Michigan has the right man for the job no matter what is said. Who the hell else is there to hire? What do you want to do? Do you want to go back to the pro set style of offense and the old game-plans and be left behind in the dust while others are adapting to football OF THE NOW?

So what will the penalty be should the NCAA investigation find Michigan guilty? I know this is an NCAA ruling but in reality WHO CARES? So what if Michigan broke these rules in the big picture? So what if a kid worked harder then allowed. Let the results speak in both the classroom (where Richrod claims grades are at an all time high) and on the field. Like I said, Rodriguez and his staff work hard (apparently extra hard) and I love his attitude, his work ethic and anyone who doesn’t, there is a simple, obvious answer for all of you – become Justin Boren and transfer because if all there is going to be is whining and complaining, MICHIGAN DOESN’T WANT YOU ANYWAY.

Again. what this all comes down to the most is record. If Michigan would have won more then 3 games last season this wouldn’t matter as much and it might not even have been reported at all. As I said though, with negativity comes negative reporting. I have extreme faith that this university will bounce back stronger then ever despite this. The bottom line is this is the most broken rule in college sports. Do you investigate all the other teams? Of course not. Forgive Coach Rich Rodriguez for trying to get the upper hand (if he even did this) with hard work that WILL PAY OFF IN THE END. With all the pressure that he is under and the no lose attitude that this university has, if you were the Head Football Coach at Michigan, maybe you would too. THINK ABOUT IT…MAYBE YOU WOULD TOO.

Posted under Michigan Wolverines | Like this article? Subscribe to our RSS feed

If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.

BAD TIMING FOR WHINERS TO WHINE

Leave a Comment

Recent Articles

Topics

Blogroll

Archives