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Game Thread THE GAME: #1 Ohio State 42, #2 Michigan 39 (11/18/06)

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An extra boost

Michigan motivated by worst season in two decades

By Larry Lage the associated press


ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Chad Henne and Mike Hart chose to play at Michigan because they wanted to enjoy team success, not just personal accolades.
As freshmen two years ago, the quarterback and running back led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl.
The duo, their teammates and Michigan's many fans were jolted last year by the worst season for college football's winningest program in more than two decades.
"We all came here because none of us like losing," Hart said. "After a 7-5 year, if that doesn't motivate you, something is wrong."
The Wolverines dedicated their summer to making last season an aberration.
They ran a lot — on the golf course and up steps in the stadium. They got out of bed to lift weights. They resisted the temptation of eating pizza and playing video games all night.
Whenever incentive was necessary, just thinking about last year's record provided an extra boost. Michigan was unranked in the final Associated Press poll for the first time since finishing .500 in 1984 — before Henne and Hart were born.
"Whenever you would feel yourself slacking or saw a teammate slacking, you would say, 'We don't want to be where we were last year!'" Hart recalled. "That would help you finish a workout, or get to one."
After his 11th season as coach and 27th on Michigan's staff, Lloyd Carr analyzed what went wrong last year and determined getting in better shape could help his team close games better.
The Wolverines lost to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State and Nebraska by an average of four points. In each setback, they couldn't make key stops on defense or control the clock with a consistent running game on offense in the final minutes.
They did win three close games: Michigan State and Iowa in overtime and against Penn State on the final play.
The Wolverines hope to start and finish the season strong for a change.
Since winning a national championship in 1997, they have made it through September undefeated only once and have lost their first road game in seven of the last eight years.
"If you look at the profile of championship teams, the great percentage of times they get off to a fast start," Carr said.
After home tuneups against Vanderbilt and Central Michigan, Michigan plays at Notre Dame — where Carr hasn't won since he became head coach in 1995.
The 12-game regular season, without a bye week, ends Nov. 18 at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won four of the last five games in the rivalry.
"Ohio State determines our season," senior linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. "So, going in there and getting a win would do a lot for our season like it does whenever we win that game."
Michigan has lost to Ohio State and its bowl opponents in each of the last two years.
The Wolverines are ranked No. 14 in The Associated Press preseason poll.
"We're going to prove people wrong that think Michigan is down," Woodley said.
Henne and Hart lead an offense with six returning starters. Receiver Steve Breaston will get a chance to be a No. 1 receiver for the first time, and will be complemented by receiver Mario Manningham and tight end Tyler Ecker. Standout tackle Jake Long has been shifted from right to left tackle on an inexperienced line.
"Moving him to left tackle, where he really belongs, will really help us out on the backside and in the running game," Henne said.
Eight starters are back on defense, a unit led by Woodley, cornerback Leon Hall and defensive tackle Alan Branch.
Hall said he's going to need to be the best cornerback in the country because he has to face Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and six Big Ten teams with veteran leadership at the most important position on the field.
"I'm definitely going to be tested because we're going against some great quarterbacks this year," he said.
Carr promoted Mike DeBord to offensive coordinator and Ron English to defensive coordinator after Terry Malone and Jim Herrmann took NFL coaching assignments during the offseason. DeBord hopes to make Michigan's running game more efficient while English wants the defense to attack, though he doesn't plan to blitz on every down.
The kicking game should help Michigan win games with kicker Garrett Rivas and punter Ross Ryan back along with Breaston as a returner.
Between Michigan's key games at Notre Dame and Ohio State, the Wolverines host Wisconsin, Michigan State and Iowa and play at Minnesota and Penn State.
"Some mountains are higher than others," Carr said. "Certainly, when you look at our schedule, it's a challenging schedule."
 
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Bud Light presents Real Men of Genius

(Reaaaaal Men Of Genius)

Today we salute you, Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan (Mr. Delusional Michigan Faaaaaan!)

Season after season, year after year, you try to justify your absurdly high preseason ranking (clutching at straws!)

Season after season, year after year, you scramble to make futile attempts at damage control when the Wolverines lose to a grossly inferior opponent (How'd Northwestern score fifty fouuuuuur?)

Inevitably, you'll bring up the past, and boast of National Championships won 40 years before you born (those were the daaaaaays!)

You will point out that you have more wins than any other program as though that is relevant to the current season (been playing since the 1870s!)

Go on, ignore that home loss to your arch rivals in the regular season finale and continue to believe that you'll defeat your bowl opponent with striking ease (we'll win by thirteeeeeeey!)

So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, oh Emperor of Excuses, and take comfort knowing that when you finish ranked number twenty, you'll be back to number three when the preseason polls come out next year (Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan!)"

<!-- end of AOLMsgPart_2_8401ab0a-720f-450d-acb5-698f40723eca -->
 
Upvote 0
Bud Light presents Real Men of Genius

(Reaaaaal Men Of Genius)

Today we salute you, Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan (Mr. Delusional Michigan Faaaaaan!)

Season after season, year after year, you try to justify your absurdly high preseason ranking (clutching at straws!)

Season after season, year after year, you scramble to make futile attempts at damage control when the Wolverines lose to a grossly inferior opponent (How'd Northwestern score fifty fouuuuuur?)

Inevitably, you'll bring up the past, and boast of National Championships won 40 years before you born (those were the daaaaaays!)

You will point out that you have more wins than any other program as though that is relevant to the current season (been playing since the 1870s!)

Go on, ignore that home loss to your arch rivals in the regular season finale and continue to believe that you'll defeat your bowl opponent with striking ease (we'll win by thirteeeeeeey!)

So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, oh Emperor of Excuses, and take comfort knowing that when you finish ranked number twenty, you'll be back to number three when the preseason polls come out next year (Mr. Delusional Michigan Fan!)"

<!-- end of AOLMsgPart_2_8401ab0a-720f-450d-acb5-698f40723eca -->

Awesom I just heard a Bud Light commercial, that will get you some greenies
 
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http://www.michiganzone.blogspot.com/

I once met an Auburn fan at a sports bar where I had gone to watch the Michigan game not long after moving out west. Talking college football, he mentioned that he always wanted to go to a game in Ann Arbor saying, "Must be crazy there, 100,000 fans in the stadium going nuts each weekend."

When I told him that actually, during big -- or "key" -- plays, Michigan fans whip out their key chains and "jangle" them, he thought I was joking. When I told him I wasn't, first he laughed, then he called one of his fellow SEC buddies over and said, "Tell him what you just told me."

After explaining Michigan's key play "tradition" once more, the other Auburn alum asked, "Does it ever get loud there?"

"Truth is," I said, "not really." I told him that about the only time you hear a Michigan fan in the alumni section scream is when he yells "Down in front!" at one of the few truly vocal Wolverine supporters in Michigan Stadium (I think I even said that chant should replace the more famous "Let's Go Blue!" cheer as it's probably uttered more during games).

The Tiger/War Eagle/Make Up Your Mind fans were shocked. And I almost felt embarrassed. Like I had just revealed some awkward family secret. But it's time to face reality:

Michigan fans are some of the worst fans in the country.

There, I said it. And I feel better having gotten it off my chest as this post/column/rant/soon-to-be-diatribe has been building in me since I first traveled to watch Michigan play on the road when I was 14 years old and saw for myself what a true home field advantage really is. Or more to the point, I HEARD what good fans "sound" like. And they don't sound like The Big (Quiet) House which is quite possibly the lamest home field advantage in all of college football.

Am I wrong? Was I exaggerating to the Tiger/War Eagle/Make Up Your Mind fans above? Take a look at the picture: Hands raised, keys out, mouths...shut! Wow. How intimidating. Must be so hard to audible when the car key clangs against the house key like that. Or maybe the reflection is supposed to blind the QB.

And the most pathetic part? If you're familiar with Michigan Stadium then you know that this picture was taken IN THE STUDENT SECTION!

Sweet Mother of Ufer! How sad. And that's the "rowdy" section of Michigan Stadium.

Unfortunately, those that attend Michigan games seem to confuse merely showing up at the games with being great fans. But I don't give a rat's cornhole that we've had over 100,000 at every home game since 1975. Playing at home should provide the home team with an advantage. And in football, the way to do that is to be LOUD! To keep the other team from being able to change plays at the line. To keep them from getting in a rhythm. To keep them from hearing the snap count. And not just for a handful of plays one or two games a year!

Now before someone out there even says it, before Mr. Down In Front even opens his mouth to utter The Big Excuse for The Big (Quiet) House, shut your pie hole and listen:

IT'S NOT THE SHAPE OF THE DAMN STADIUM!

We've all heard that crap, right? "But the open bowl doesn't trap the sound."

Bullsh*t! I am so sick and tired of hearing that excuse.

Look at the picture again! It's not the shape of the stadium. It's the shape of the mouths of the fans in the stands: CLOSED!

I've traveled to away games at places like Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Oregon (half the size, twice the noise) -- as well as numerous bowl games -- and Michigan fans are by far the quietest fans around. Period.

Sure, we throw great tailgates. We buy lots of maize and blue paraphernalia. We pack the stadium each Saturday. But we don't give our team a home field advantage worth a damn!

So folks have to stop "blaming" the shape of the stadium. The problem is the fans. If you put 100,000 people on a flat, open field and they're all screaming, guess what? It's going to be loud -- that is if everyone opens their mouths and not their pockets and purses to pull out their &^%$ keys!

Bottom line, we need to turn The Big House into the most intimidating home field advantage in all of college football. A place that, due to the constant noise level, is the most difficult place to play for an opposing team -- from the first snap until the final gun. A place so thunderous that the Michigan student section keeps track of false start penalties and delay of game infractions caused by noise, like baseball fans who mark off strike outs using "K" signs hanging over the outfield wall.

So next time you see a guy take out his keys before a crucial play, tell him to put the damn keys away and GET LOUD.

Next time someone behind you yells "Down in front!" during the opponent's drive toward our endzone, tell him to turn that energy toward the field to help his team.

Next time a cheerleader holds up a "Key Play" sign on the field, throw her a Sharpie and tell her to write "MAKE NOISE!"

And most of all, you -- you reading this column/post/rant -- MAKE SOME NOISE next time you're in A2 for a game.

You know, I may not bring about world peace. Or cure a deadly disease. But if I can somehow spur Michigan fans to make The Big House into the biggest home field advantage in America, if I can help turn Michigan Stadium into the most intimidating place to play in college football, I will have accomplished a feat some say is tougher to achieve than the first two.

If you disagree with this column, post away. But for the love of Schembechler, if you agree with this in any way, shape or form, please pass this on to five or six Michigan fans. I figure if chain emails about Bill Gates giving away money can circle the globe every three months, we can reach 100,000 season ticket holders no sweat. Help turn The Big House into The Loud(est) House.
Begging their own fans to be "loud".

:slappy:
 
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8/27/06

THE BIG ONE: Wolverines know how important beating Buckeyes is


Michigan seeks Carr tune-up against OSU
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 08/27/06

BY JON SPENCER
GANNETT NEW SERVICE
<!-- STORY TEXT --><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->COLUMBUS, Ohio — By now, even the most casual Ohio State football fan knows what kind of car coach Jim Tressel owns.
Cue the laugh track.
It's a Lloyd Carr.
You'll have to excuse the Michigan faithful if they don't see the humor. After years of reliable, sometimes even exemplary service, they're ready to put this Carr on the scrap heap, partly because the Wolverines haven't sniffed a national championship since winning it in 1997, partly because they've lost at least three games in each of the last six years and partly because they haven't won a major bowl game since 1999 and only one bowl game of any kind in the last five years.
But mostly it's Carr's 1-4 record against Tressel. Losing to Ohio State is a cardinal sin. Losing an undisputed Big Ten crown at the hands of the Buckeyes (see 2004) is devastating. Blowing a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead at home to the Buckeyes (see 2005) is unforgivable.
So Lloyd's gotta go, say the restless. Never mind the national title, Michigan's five Big Ten crowns in the last nine years, his .750 winning percentage or the back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances as recently as 2003 and 2004.
Wolverine fans are seeing red, too much red in a scarlet hue.
"That's why it's the biggest rivalry in college football," Michigan tailback Mike Hart said. "You could win all your games and then lose to Ohio State two years in a row. People are going to want your coach fired. It comes with the territory."
Carr turns to his colleagues and friends for critiques, not the newspapers.
"What I do during the course of the season is read a couple of substantial papers on Sunday so I know what's going on in the world," he said. "I'm not going to say you ignore criticism. You can learn from it. But it's a tough balancing act. Personally, I just focus on what I want to do."
What makes losing consistently to OSU so traumatic for Michiganders is that not so long ago they were guffawing because John Cooper was in Carr's shoes. Cooper, Tressel's predecessor, couldn't beat Michigan (he was 1-5 against Carr and 2-10-1 in the series) the way Carr suddenly can't beat Tressel.
Michigan fans feel helpless because their favorite whipping boy with the Tennessee twang is gone, so they take out their frustration on Carr.
"It's a big deal to beat Ohio State," Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley said. "But coach can't take all the heat.
"We didn't finish last year, we didn't do what we were coached to do. When you don't do that, you give up big plays."
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith kept plays alive with his arm and feet, leading the Buckeyes to a pair of touchdowns in the final eight minutes. The 25-21 victory gave OSU a share of the Big Ten title with Penn State.
It was the second victory over Michigan orchestrated by Smith in as many years. He was carried off the field on the shoulders of teammates and fans after accounting for three touchdowns and 386 yards in a 37-21 win in 2004.
Hart is anxious for another crack at the Buckeyes, hoping to recapture the form that led to 1,455 yards rushing and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2004.
"We want to beat Ohio State for Michigan, period — for our fans, coaches and teammates," he said. "That's what we should be thinking, not that if we lose the game coach Carr is going to get fired. We've got to aspire to win that game no matter what."
When Michigan failed to have a player selected on the first day of this year's NFL draft, that was more fodder for the critics who believe the school no longer deserves to be ranked among the elite. Michigan has produced only three No. 1 picks in the last five years. OSU had five first-rounders this year alone.
"If we're so bad, how did we go to two Rose Bowls in a row? How do you explain that?" Hart said. "Yeah, we had a bad year last year but that makes us more determined to come out there this year and prove the critics wrong, so they can say Michigan is back."
 
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
U-M: On a mission
Promoted to defensive coordinator, English seeks toughness, consistency from Wolverines
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
<!-- EDITORIAL: end headline area --><!-- ALL: Begin main story well --> <!-- ALL: begin inside right column for poster ad, photos, related links --> <!-- ADVERTISING: begin poster area --><!-- EDITORIAL: end get email headlines --> <!-- EDITORIAL: begin photos and related links --> <!-- EDITORIAL: begin first photo and fact box -->
John T. Greilick/The Detroit News
Ron English coached Michigan's secondary before becoming defensive coordinator. See full image

RON ENGLISH
Age: 38
Hometown: Pomona, Calif.
College: California
Coaching experience: Michigan secondary, 2003-05; Arizona State secondary, 1998-2002; San Diego State secondary 1996-97; Arizona State graduate assistant 1994-95; Mt. San Antonio, Calif., defensive backs, 1993.
Personal: Wife Sophia; children Simon, Sydney and Seth. <!-- EDITORIAL: end first photo and fact box --> <!-- EDITORIAL: begin related items --> GAME-BY-GAME BREAKDOWN
Detroit News Michigan writer Angelique S. Chengelis sees the Wolverines going 10-2 in the regular season.
Sept. 2, Vanderbilt, noon, ESPN
The Commodores return 13 starters but are without a veteran quarterback now that Jay Cutler is gone. Vanderbilt is solid at linebacker but the defensive line is suspect, and Michigan will run the ball effectively.
Sept. 9, Central Michigan, noon, Ch. 7
Defensive end and pass-rusher extraordinaire Daniel Bazuin is the highlight reel of the Chippewas and was second nationally last year with 16 sacks. He won't have enough help in this one, though.
Sept. 16, at Notre Dame, 3:30, NBC
Much has been made of the potent Irish offense, but the defense is where the Irish need consistency. The Wolverines have played tight at South Bend and must come out fast to have a chance.
Sept. 23, Wisconsin, time and TV TBA
Three starters are gone from the offensive line, as is TB Brian Calhoun. QB John Stocco is efficient, so Michigan will need to rattle him early and often. Wisconsin boasts a strong defense, but Michigan will grind it out on the ground.
Sept. 30, at Minnesota, 8, TV TBA
QB Bryan Cupito could set several school records this fall, but Laurence Maroney is gone, and that is leaves an enormous hole in the backfield. Minnesota's defense is weak.
Oct. 7, Michigan State, 4:30, ESPN
The Wolverines have struggled against mobile quarterbacks, and even though they are familiar with Drew Stanton, it will be difficult to stop this offense. But Michigan should be able to take advantage of a suspect secondary if Chad Henne gets protection.
Oct. 14, at Penn State, 8, ABC
The most challenging aspect for Michigan in this one is the starting time -- 8 p.m. in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions' fans are guaranteed to play a huge role. That said, Penn State might already be worn down after September games at Notre Dame and at Ohio State.
Oct. 21, Iowa, time and TV TBA
Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge are gone, leaving significant holes at linebacker. But there is plenty to like about the Hawkeyes, particularly QB Drew Tate and three talented tight ends. The defensive line returns, and Kyle Schlicher could be the best kicker in the Big Ten.
Oct. 28, Northwestern, noon, TV TBA
There are only 12 seniors and first-year coach Pat Fitzgerald, at 31, is barely older than that group. Fitzgerald adds toughness and enthusiasm, but unless he has a year of eligibility, this defense will struggle.
Nov. 4, Ball State, time and TV TBA
There will be familiar faces on the Ball State sideline. The Cardinals coach is former Wolverines defensive line coach Brady Hoke, and their offensive coordinator is former quarterbacks coach Stan Parrish. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr will call off the dogs before halftime.
Nov. 11, at Indiana, time and TV TBA
Indiana will use a spread offense with multiple receivers, but the Hoosiers lack talent. This will be a nice boost to the Wolverines' confidence before they head to Columbus.
Nov. 18, at Ohio State, 3:30, ABC
The Buckeyes are loaded offensively and will be showing off gaudy statistics all season. Assuming neither team suffers a catastrophic injury, this has the makings of a classic, with the Wolverines getting their revenge.
All games on CKLW 800 and WOMC 104.3 Related Articles
<!-- EDITORIAL: end rest of pix and print, comment, email, subscribe links -->
<!-- EDITORIAL: end photos and related links -->
<!-- end inside right column --> <!-- EDITORIAL: begin body of the story --> ANN ARBOR -- Ron English was a four-year letterman at safety for the California Golden Bears.
He knows how to play defense.
Since 1993, when English became a college football assistant, he has worked with every defensive position group.
He knows how to coach defense.
English, Michigan's first-year defensive coordinator, understands the nature of that side of the ball.
"Defense is a different breed of cat," said English, 38.
Coming off a disappointing 7-5 season, during which the Michigan defense was prone to late-game fades, English, who coached the Wolverines' secondary the last three seasons, is clear in his demands of the players this fall.
"If you coach them to do the things they're supposed to do every day, then you're going to have a chance to have a defense that can win championships," English said. "You can make that statement, but if they haven't prepared, it doesn't matter what you're saying."
"Those are the types of things we say to them. 'You said you want to be this, you said you want to do this.' It's an everyday thing. That's the point I'm making."
The point is English, a fit, tough and intimidating man, never lets up. And if he is to be measured as a coach and a teacher, he said, it will be in how his players respond to his message.
Finishing touch
Much has been made of the considerable weight loss among the offensive players this offseason. The defensive players have matched that training regimen and are leaner and better prepared to perform during an entire game. That was the rub a year ago -- the Wolverines could not finish. The players would say it repeatedly, 'We need to learn to finish,' but more often than not, they failed.
What English hopes he has brought to the Michigan defense is a toughness that wasn't there before.
"You have to be consistent with what you're demanding them to do," English said. "You have to consistently demand them to do it when they don't want to do it, when they don't feel like doing it. Consistency, in my opinion, is the truest measure of toughness.
"You're only going to get what you emphasize. You have to make decisions on what you want to be. I remember we played Miami when I was playing, and they played one front and one coverage the whole season and kicked the crap out of everybody, because they executed it. But more than that, they played so damn fast, they intimidated everybody.
"With the ability we have, if we can play fast and if we can be tough, we're going to be pretty good."
By fast, English does, indeed, mean playing with speed. But he also means playing efficiently and effectively with no wasted effort. He means being explosive on every play.
"Knowing what you're supposed to do and doing it now," English said. "One way I measure that is how many guys get to the football each play. Are we knocking the ball carrier backward? We don't want him falling forward.
"If you have a defense that's playing fast, that means they understand exactly what they're doing. That means they understand why it is that they're supposed to play fast. They just really understand it."
Punish the offense
English admires boxers. They are in peak physical condition, and not only can they take punches, but the good ones also deliver as they go for the knockout. If the Wolverines are to be winners in English's book, the defensive players are going to have to be there until the end, awaiting the opportunity to put the opponent away.
"Let's say I'm coaching a guy, and I say, 'OK, I want you to get to the ball and knock the crap out of the guy, knock him backward,' " English said. "Some kids do not understand the psychological effects of playing football. But I always go back to Chris Perry. When we played Michigan State at State (in 2003 in East Lansing), he carried the ball 51 times. They were beat up, he wasn't.
"If we play a great back and we allow him to run the ball and not get punished, then we have problems. If you're playing a great offensive player, you've got to physically punish him. That's your edge. That's what we're trying to get across."
English deflects the considerable praise he has received from the Michigan players since the spring, when he coached for the first time as the defensive coordinator. He is a no-nonsense guy who does not see the sense in worrying about whether players like him.
"Really, you can only measure yourself by, 'Is their performance good?' " English said. "The test is on Saturday, it's not on spring ball. It's going to get harder and then we'll know where we are.
"I always say, 'Can you get them to do the things they need to do on Saturday?' That's the important thing."
Positive reviews
Already, it seems, English has brought a change in personality to the defense.
"He's a good guy, but if you do something wrong, you're going to know about it," said LaMarr Woodley, Michigan's senior defensive captain and lineman.
Linebacker Shawn Crable said English's passion is contagious.
"Coach English is exciting," Crable said. "When you look over and see your coach is excited, it's good. It doesn't bother him if we're talking trash, because we're backing it up. It's an attitude. They want us to have a swagger. They want us to know we can compete with anybody."
And if English has his way, the Wolverines will also know they can deliver the knockout
 
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U-M's Crable answers challenge

September 1, 2006
BY MARK SNYDER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
<!--ADDITIONAL FACTS-->
Every life starts somewhere.
Shawn Crable found his footing on a central Ohio basketball court more than a decade ago.
That's when Ella Kirkland, the mother that matters to him, walked up and posed the question that would change his life.
"Do you want to come live with me?" Kirkland asked, looking at the gangly 11-year-old.
"Sure," he said, hoping, but never realizing, how his life would change.
Crable, a junior linebacker for Michigan, now stands 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. But back then he was just another skinny kid.
He had spent the previous few days in what Kirkland described as an "emergency" foster care situation, staying with a family for a few days until something more permanent was found.
Kirkland, who was a friend of Crable's temporary guardian, became the permanent family.
Over the next six years, they formed an intense bond in Massillon, Ohio, where Crable starred at Washington High School.
Crable embraced her discipline -- "If I had to, I would have stood on the table," Kirkland said, "But I never had to" -- and she hung on his desire to be loved.
"He is very trusting but he hasn't always been that way," Kirkland said this week. "Being in the foster care system, he had a very hard life. Many of those kids have a bounce-around around life. He has learned to trust where there wasn't a lot of trust before. Good bad or different, he's going to let you know where he's coming from."
Maybe that's why he was able to understand U-M coach Lloyd Carr's challenge.
This week Crable told a story about sitting in Carr's office and facing transfer papers, used by the coach as motivation.
Crable understood Carr's plan. Former defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann was tougher to read when Crable asked for a sit down.
"It was like you were one of his guys he thought he could depend on or you weren't one of them," Crable said. "Going into the meeting it was pretty much up to me. We talked. It wasn't just like a coach-player meeting. We actually talked about what he thought of me and the things I needed to work on just to get on the field. I think it helped me a lot. I took what he said and it got me on the field. That was the best part. He kept his word."
In the last five games of 2005, Crable got on the field during crunch time. He made 12 of his 14 tackles and had three sacks.
Crable dominated in the spring and fall, earning his first career start this Saturday against Vanderbilt.
"Shawn Crable, as I've mentioned, I think his upside is his ability and now the knowledge that he has obtained and the confidence that he has," Carr said. "He's a big guy, extremely athletic, probably one of the faster linebackers we've had at Michigan."
Blessed with massive talent, bridging the gap between potential and reality has always been Crable's problem.
The life responsibilities came from Kirkland, who made him learn to cook, clean, make his bed and do household chores.
Now, he's using them, living with his girlfriend off campus and helping raise their two children -- 2-year-old Jayvian and nearly 10-day-old Tayten.
It's not easy, especially with Tayten still in the hospital early this week, battling lung problems. But that just reminds Crable to stay focused.
"My incentive is outside of football," Crable said. "I have a son and I go home with him and chill with him and I chill with my girl.
"I've got to try to create a better life for them, whether it's by getting my degree, playing football, whatever. I've got to ensure that their lives are OK. I can't cheat them out of it just because I decided not to work hard."
 
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Nov. 18, at Ohio State, 3:30, ABC
The Buckeyes are loaded offensively and will be showing off gaudy statistics all season. Assuming neither team suffers a catastrophic injury, this has the makings of a classic, with the Wolverines getting their revenge.
Ah, you gotta love the hope of life at the beginning of a season only to see it come crashing down after another season-ending beatdown. :biggrin:

:scum4:
 
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CPD

Weekly Wolverine Watch



Monday, September 04, 2006

Searching for a comparison with Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe before Saturday's game, Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock came up with Michigan running back Mike Hart. While Wolfe was a one-man offense against the Buckeyes on Saturday, Hart was getting back to his old self in a new way in Ann Arbor, Mich.
After missing all or parts of seven games last season, Hart carried 31 times for 149 yards in Michigan's 27-7 win over Vanderbilt. It was the sixth time in his career he'd rushed more than 30 times in a game - a little much for Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr, though fine with Hart.
"I feel great," he said. "I'm in the best shape of my life."
He's one of many Wolverines who shed weight in off-season conditioning to stay fresher through the fourth quarter. But the biggest change came in how he ran. Michigan has switched to a zone-blocking scheme - like Minnesota and Northern Illinois - that allows Hart to pick his holes and find cutback opportunities. It's a little less power, a little more slip and slide, and the junior was raving about it.
The passing game didn't do much. Chad Henne was 10-of-22 for 135 yards. However, a healthy, happy Hart - with a whole lot of holes to choose from - is more than enough for an offense to build on.
- Doug Lesmerises
 
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I watched the Central Michigan at Michigan game Saturday while I was recording it for my co-worker...I was not impressed. Henne hasn't changed one iota. Their defense is somewhat faster, but nowhere near as fast as many Michigan fans are claiming they are. Hart is still a solid back, but is no better than when he was a freshman. Breaston is Breaston. Even Manningham was not super impressive. I don't think they'll beat Notre Dame...
 
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WoodyHayes1951;602613; said:
If M!ch!g@n can beat ND this week I really think you will see two 12-0 teams in Columbus in november.

Ohio State tough games-Iowa(A),MSU(A)

M!ch!g@n tough games-ND(A),Iowa(H),MSU(H)
They will have atleast two losses coming into C-Bus...mark my words. We will then allow them to meet their 3 loss quota. I've seen a good bit of their first two games (all of the Vandy game), and despite all the chest thumping about new coordinators, not much has changed. The D has improved somewhat, but they haven't played anyone...and they actually STILL looked quite vulnerable to a mobile QB vs. Vandy, unfortunately Vandy's QB was just unable to read a defense. Offense is bland still. Henne has never impressed me, and still doesn't. Hart's gotten a ton of yards...but against Vandy and CMU. This is still a 3-4 loss team.
 
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Although the final score against CMU was 41-17, CMU dropped sure TD pass and threw a pass right into a LBs hand at their own 10 for a quick freebie TD. The score should've been more like 34-24, and that's against a mid-level MAC team (which lost at home to Indiana last year).
 
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MililaniBuckeye;602639; said:
Although the final score against CMU was 41-17, CMU dropped sure TD pass and threw a pass right into a LBs hand at their own 10 for a quick freebie TD. The score should've been more like 34-24, and that's against a mid-level MAC team (which lost at home to Indiana last year).
Exactly. If I'm a scUM fan, besides shooting myself, I'm not encouraged after two basically powderpuff games. It took them until midway through the 4th quarter to put away a Vanderbilt team that went 5-6 with Jay Cutler as their QB last year. Their QB this year (can't remember his name, Nickson?) got outside the pocket several times and was in a position to make a play, but he just couldn't make his reads when there were recievers open downfield multiple times. With Troy, thats atleast a big completion...possibly 6 on the scoreboard. They may improve as the season goes on, but how many years have people been waiting for that? Just another LLLoyd special I suspect.
 
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