BuckeyeTillIDie
The North Remembers
gah, why can't the game be this week? mid 60s for the weekend!
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Wolverines
TRICK OR TREAT? Carr can put on a good face, too
November 8, 2006
BY MARK SNYDER
Occasionally, Michigan's Chris Graham does research on his own team. The junior linebacker flips on his television to watch the Michigan coach's show and is surprised when he sees his coach, Lloyd Carr.
"I watch 'Michigan Replay,' " Graham said. "That ain't coach Carr -- he looks tired."
To many Michigan football observers, that's the Carr they see: reserved, focused and, on the sidelines, agitated.
As one national expert wrote last week about U-M's 10-0 start, "Michigan's run is defined by Lloyd Carr's perpetual scowl."
But ask his players, their parents and those who know Carr, and that's about as far from reality as they could imagine.
In case the players forgot, the coach gave them a quick reminder last week of how much he enjoys his job.
The Wolverines were about to start a team meeting. Carr always walks in the same door at the bottom of the auditorium. When a U-M staffer entered, the players thought nothing of it.
Then Carr sneaked down the aisle from behind, wearing a Halloween mask, and scared the wits out of offensive lineman Rueben Riley and safety B.J. Opong-Owusu.
"B.J. didn't see him -- he came up from behind and jumped in his face," said Graham, who told the story Monday. "It was really funny."
Such enjoyment can get lost during the intensity of a football season, especially one like last year's, when the 7-5 record took its toll on the coach.
He was so intent on correcting the problems, assuming so much of the personal burden, that he showed less connection with his players' off-field lives.
"Now he's always asking me about the farm, how are the cows doing?" said center Mark Bihl, whom Carr watched milk cows on his recruiting trip to Ohio. "Last year, he was more focused on staying together with football."
This year has been bliss for Carr. And for all the ribbing he gives his players, the veterans have learned to return the favor.
"He told us (before Northwestern) it was going to be cold outside," Bihl recalled, laughing. "And I said, 'Coach, you're lying to me, it's not cold out here.' He said, 'Yeah, I hear you.' Yet there he was, bundled up in his gloves, his hat, snot coming out of his nose. Here I am, no long sleeves, just socks, and he's the one talking about the cold."
The players do their best to get him back. They'll switch seats in meetings to throw him off and wear masks to mimic Carr's favorite Lone Ranger mask from a few years ago.
But when it's time to work, the Wolverines are prepared because Carr demands it. On the field, he walks through a drill showing a player how his steps are wrong or explaining how he needs to be better positioned.
"That's the competitiveness you see in him -- he'll always let you know," safety Jamar Adams said. "Every meeting room, he's sitting there making comments. I don't know how old he is -- 61 or something -- but you can tell the fire for the game is still there. He absolutely loves the game, and I love him as a coach."
Off the field, Carr's personality is in the big dictionary outside his office, the one from which players must pick a new word before entering for a meeting with the coach.
Monday, Carr was asked about the grind of the non-stop, 12-game season and the toll it has taken on his team.
"I feel like a 20-year-old," he said, waiting for the media's laughter, his face creasing and his eyes lighting up.
Just two weeks before the Ohio State game, likely a career-defining afternoon, it almost looked like a smile.
NOTEBOOK: Chad Henne is among 18 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top quarterback. ... Defensive end LaMarr Woodley is one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, presented to the college lineman -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. ... Cornerback Leon Hall is one of 11 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top collegiate defensive back for on-field performance, athletic ability and character.
Wolverines
TRICK OR TREAT? Carr can put on a good face, too
November 8, 2006
BY MARK SNYDER
Occasionally, Michigan's Chris Graham does research on his own team. The junior linebacker flips on his television to watch the Michigan coach's show and is surprised when he sees his coach, Lloyd Carr.
"I watch 'Michigan Replay,' " Graham said. "That ain't coach Carr -- he looks tired."
To many Michigan football observers, that's the Carr they see: reserved, focused and, on the sidelines, agitated.
As one national expert wrote last week about U-M's 10-0 start, "Michigan's run is defined by Lloyd Carr's perpetual scowl."
But ask his players, their parents and those who know Carr, and that's about as far from reality as they could imagine.
In case the players forgot, the coach gave them a quick reminder last week of how much he enjoys his job.
The Wolverines were about to start a team meeting. Carr always walks in the same door at the bottom of the auditorium. When a U-M staffer entered, the players thought nothing of it.
Then Carr sneaked down the aisle from behind, wearing a Halloween mask, and scared the wits out of offensive lineman Rueben Riley and safety B.J. Opong-Owusu.
"B.J. didn't see him -- he came up from behind and jumped in his face," said Graham, who told the story Monday. "It was really funny."
Such enjoyment can get lost during the intensity of a football season, especially one like last year's, when the 7-5 record took its toll on the coach.
He was so intent on correcting the problems, assuming so much of the personal burden, that he showed less connection with his players' off-field lives.
"Now he's always asking me about the farm, how are the cows doing?" said center Mark Bihl, whom Carr watched milk cows on his recruiting trip to Ohio. "Last year, he was more focused on staying together with football."
This year has been bliss for Carr. And for all the ribbing he gives his players, the veterans have learned to return the favor.
"He told us (before Northwestern) it was going to be cold outside," Bihl recalled, laughing. "And I said, 'Coach, you're lying to me, it's not cold out here.' He said, 'Yeah, I hear you.' Yet there he was, bundled up in his gloves, his hat, snot coming out of his nose. Here I am, no long sleeves, just socks, and he's the one talking about the cold."
The players do their best to get him back. They'll switch seats in meetings to throw him off and wear masks to mimic Carr's favorite Lone Ranger mask from a few years ago.
But when it's time to work, the Wolverines are prepared because Carr demands it. On the field, he walks through a drill showing a player how his steps are wrong or explaining how he needs to be better positioned.
"That's the competitiveness you see in him -- he'll always let you know," safety Jamar Adams said. "Every meeting room, he's sitting there making comments. I don't know how old he is -- 61 or something -- but you can tell the fire for the game is still there. He absolutely loves the game, and I love him as a coach."
Off the field, Carr's personality is in the big dictionary outside his office, the one from which players must pick a new word before entering for a meeting with the coach.
Monday, Carr was asked about the grind of the non-stop, 12-game season and the toll it has taken on his team.
"I feel like a 20-year-old," he said, waiting for the media's laughter, his face creasing and his eyes lighting up.
Just two weeks before the Ohio State game, likely a career-defining afternoon, it almost looked like a smile.
NOTEBOOK: Chad Henne is among 18 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top quarterback. ... Defensive end LaMarr Woodley is one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, presented to the college lineman -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. ... Cornerback Leon Hall is one of 11 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top collegiate defensive back for on-field performance, athletic ability and character.
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Long time coming
BY MIKE LARSON
SPORTS EDITOR
It's only about 75 miles from Lapeer to Ann Arbor, but according to former Lapeer East graduate and current University of Michigan football star Jake Long, it might as well be in a different universe."It's like a different world out here when it comes to football," the offensive tackle said.
Despite the differences, Long has adjusted well.
The former Eagle, who is one of the Wolverines' captains this year, is silently helping the team make its way into position to compete for a national championship.
As of Tuesday, the Wolverines were ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Ohio State, and at 10-0, were one of just five undefeated teams left in Division 1 football.
The others are Ohio State (10-0), Louisville (8-0), Boise State (9-0) and Rutgers (8-0).
The offensive lineman said that this year's season was a breath of fresh air after finishing last season at 7-5.
Despite the fact that the team finished two games over .500 in 2005, Long said that the Wolverines didn't feel like winners.
"We felt like we had a losing season last year," Long said Saturday after a 34-26 victory over Ball State. "So it's much more fun to know you are competing at a very high level."
In addition to being part of a winning team, Long has been doing quite a bit of good work individually as well.
In the spring, he was awarded the Frederick Matthaei Award as a player who exhibits leadership, drive and achievement on the athletic field as well as in the classroom.
Long is also a candidate for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football, and the Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the college football lineman who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best shows the discipline of famed football coach Vince Lombardi.
While Long said that he appreciates the accolades, he said the awards are not what defines him as a football player.
"It's nice to be recognized," he said. "But awards aren't what it's all about. We are a committed football team with a lot of great athletes. Football is a team game, and I would much rather have the support and respect of my team than any individual award."
Regardless of his modesty, his coaches know that he is the real deal.
"Jake is a tremendous athlete," Michigan's offensive line coach Andy Moeller said. "He has the ability and leadership to drive this team. You could definitely see him playing on Sundays someday."
But Long doesn't like to look that far ahead into the future.
"I still have one more full season left," he said. "But I try not even to look forward to that."
Long said that there is still plenty to focus on this season.
"Our whole thing this year is to not look ahead," he said of his team. "We have too much at stake to not stay focused and committed."
The Lapeer native and the rest of his team will begin the rest of their season on Saturday, when they travel to Indiana to take on the Hoosiers.
Then, the following week, the Wolverines will travel to Columbus for their final Big Ten game of the season versus hated-rival, Ohio State.
If the Wolverines can manage to get through Indiana unscathed, and Ohio State can beat Northwestern on Saturday, both teams will be undefeated, and most likely be the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country when they face each other on Nov. 18.
The winner of that game would pretty much be guaranteed a spot in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Championship game, which will be played on Jan. 1 of 2007.
Long time coming
BY MIKE LARSON
SPORTS EDITOR
It's only about 75 miles from Lapeer to Ann Arbor, but according to former Lapeer East graduate and current University of Michigan football star Jake Long, it might as well be in a different universe."It's like a different world out here when it comes to football," the offensive tackle said.
Despite the differences, Long has adjusted well.
The former Eagle, who is one of the Wolverines' captains this year, is silently helping the team make its way into position to compete for a national championship.
As of Tuesday, the Wolverines were ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Ohio State, and at 10-0, were one of just five undefeated teams left in Division 1 football.
The others are Ohio State (10-0), Louisville (8-0), Boise State (9-0) and Rutgers (8-0).
The offensive lineman said that this year's season was a breath of fresh air after finishing last season at 7-5.
Despite the fact that the team finished two games over .500 in 2005, Long said that the Wolverines didn't feel like winners.
"We felt like we had a losing season last year," Long said Saturday after a 34-26 victory over Ball State. "So it's much more fun to know you are competing at a very high level."
In addition to being part of a winning team, Long has been doing quite a bit of good work individually as well.
In the spring, he was awarded the Frederick Matthaei Award as a player who exhibits leadership, drive and achievement on the athletic field as well as in the classroom.
Long is also a candidate for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football, and the Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the college football lineman who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best shows the discipline of famed football coach Vince Lombardi.
While Long said that he appreciates the accolades, he said the awards are not what defines him as a football player.
"It's nice to be recognized," he said. "But awards aren't what it's all about. We are a committed football team with a lot of great athletes. Football is a team game, and I would much rather have the support and respect of my team than any individual award."
Regardless of his modesty, his coaches know that he is the real deal.
"Jake is a tremendous athlete," Michigan's offensive line coach Andy Moeller said. "He has the ability and leadership to drive this team. You could definitely see him playing on Sundays someday."
But Long doesn't like to look that far ahead into the future.
"I still have one more full season left," he said. "But I try not even to look forward to that."
Long said that there is still plenty to focus on this season.
"Our whole thing this year is to not look ahead," he said of his team. "We have too much at stake to not stay focused and committed."
The Lapeer native and the rest of his team will begin the rest of their season on Saturday, when they travel to Indiana to take on the Hoosiers.
Then, the following week, the Wolverines will travel to Columbus for their final Big Ten game of the season versus hated-rival, Ohio State.
If the Wolverines can manage to get through Indiana unscathed, and Ohio State can beat Northwestern on Saturday, both teams will be undefeated, and most likely be the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country when they face each other on Nov. 18.
The winner of that game would pretty much be guaranteed a spot in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Championship game, which will be played on Jan. 1 of 2007.
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osugrad21;655646; said:
On November 18th, I expect the players from TSUN will play as well as any team of theirs has played in nearly a decade. That bodes well for Carr. But I don't envy any man facing a "career-defining" afternoon against the best football team that Jim Tressel has ever had.
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Well, if Musburger calls The Game, we win...we're 3-0 in The Game under Tressel when Musburger is the play-by-play guy (2002, 2004, 2005). Keith Jackson was the play-by-play guy in 2003 and I don't remember who was in 2001.
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MililaniBuckeye;655922; said:
It was the ABC JV in 2001. No idea who the fuck they were but they weren't horrible as I recall.
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Jaxbuck;655927; said:
Tressel's first year: 3rd tier regional coverage
.
.
.
Tressel's sixth year: Arguably the most hyped regular season game of all time.
I'm just sayin'...
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sandgk
Watson, Crick & A Twist
ABC Coverage in 2001 - play-by-play was called by Terry Gannon and David Norrie - Official Site Source
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Musburger, Davie, and Herbstreit are scheduled to call The Game, I have overheard them mentioning it during other broadcasts.MililaniBuckeye;655922; said:
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