Chris Graham’s sister tragically dies in a house fire. Jacqueline Love was a single mother, and donation information to support her daughter can be found in the article.

Rich Rod’s Morgantown digs up for sale.

By the way, since I hadn’t said this yet, the Yost series has been condensed to 5 parts, not 8.

Posted under Blog News, Personnel

I don’t intend for this blog to become a link factory, but I think this is an important read.

It sounds like Boren has huge issues with the new coaching staff.

Posted under Personnel

So what does the grand exit of Justin Boren mean to the team? Well, the best offensive lineman is now gone, and one of the two starters who was returning from a talented-but-underachieving 2007 group. Jake Long and Adam Kraus graduated, and Alex Mitchell left the program (he would likely have not made it through spring conditioning, and may have seen the writing on the wall). Now, only Steve Schilling is back for Michigan’s o-line. The reason I only planned for pre-spring and post-spring depth charts (until fall camp, of course), is because of the unpredictability of events like this. A lot of freshmen will likely have to play in the fall.

Unless Rich Rodriguez is able to work some magic and bring Boren back to the team, the unit will be very shaky in 2008. However, given the language Rodriguez used when speaking about Boren (or avoiding speaking about him), it is unlikely that we will see Justin back. This also means that his younger brother Zach is probably out of the picture for the 2009 recruiting class. Boren’s departure will also affect the 209 recruiting class by forcing Rodriguez to take a second very large class of offensive linemen. If they can get production out of the younger players, there will be a very experienced line in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting

Ending two days of speculation, Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed at his press conference today that Justin Boren has left the Michigan football team. Boren was projected as a starter at one of the guard positions in the fall, and was likely the best lineman on the team. This defection leaves the team dangerously thin along the line. Boren’s father, Mike, played for Bo in the early 80s, and his brother Zach is a 2009 defensive end/fullback/nose guard prospect.

Justin Boren

Boren is the latest in a long line of players leaving the Michigan program since Rodriguez was announced as head coach. Wide receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington opted to forgo their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft. Quarterback Ryan Mallett transfered to Arkansas, and linemen Alex Mitchell and Jeremy Cuilla left for personal reasons.

Posted under Personnel

Coach Beilein has dismissed Jerret Smith from the Michigan basketball team. This makes 3 players that have left the program since Beilein became coach. K’Len Morris and Kendric Price left for personal reasons.

Posting on football pending when I have time to sit down for a minute and do it.

Posted under Basketball

As someone who wasn’t a Michigan fan until I stepped foot on campus in fall 204, Braylon Edwards will always be one of my favorite Wolverines. I missed the attitude problems prior to his junior and senior years, and showed up just in time for the classic Edwards performance of MSU ’04, and many other great plays he made on the way to the Biletnikoff Award.

I have been cheering for Braylon since he was drafted by the Browns, and I have been glad to see that heis not only coming into his own as an NFLer this year, but has been a class act his entire time in the league. Now, Braylon has dedicated the Browns’ win on Sunday to Denzel Douglas. Hats off to you, Mr. Edwards.

Posted under Personnel

You may remember this spring, when various reports indicated that Mario Manningham and Johnny Sears, Jr. were involved in a traffic stop that resulted in their being arrested for possession.

With Johnny Sears dismissed from the team, his status is no longer relevant to the Wolverines, but Mario Manningham will not be charged in the incident.

Now that the legal situation is cleared up, more details are available. Manningham was essentially arrested in a situation that he should not have, according to legal experts familiar with the case, and Manningham’s family.

Posted under Personnel

Johnny Sears removed from the eligibility chart, as he has been removed from the team, per Lloyd’s Monday press conference. In all honesty, Sears was a pretty bad corner anyway, so if this affects the team, it will be in a positive way, by giving Donovan Warren more playing time. Sears had all the physical tools, but couldn’t put the game together mentally, likely because he killed half of his brain cells doing drugs. This video was made in honor of his shitty performance in the App. State game, but now I think it applies in even more contexts.

The number of scholarships for the 2008 recruiting class grows larger once more in this, the year of infinite attrition.

Posted under Personnel

Hate to spread rumors if they’re unfounded, but the word on the street is that Johnny Sears has been removed from the Michigan football team.

Sears, a (really bad) redshirt sophomore corner, did not play against Notre Dame.

Posted under Personnel

A couple quick things, and I’ll post a bunch of pictures tomorrow. I took 400, so after paring it down there should still be plenty.

• Brandon Graham lost a bunch of weight this summer. He looks to be in really good shape to play at the defensive end.
• Marques Slocum worked out with various other athletes while he wasn’t eligible to join the team – including Michael Phelps. Slocum is a huge guy, and it seems like he’ll be a major factor on the DL. Also, he said the reason he persisted to become a Wolverine was: “I didn’t give up on them because Coach Carr never gave up on me.”
• Manningham said his knee was fine, and he could have participated in spring drills, but didn’t as a precaution. He spent all spring watching film instead.
• Bryan Wright will kick off, and various players pegged him as the favorite to win the PK job.
• Greg Mathews expects to play a big role in the offense this year, especially with UM losing its leading receiver in Steve Breaston.
• Speaking of Breaston, he speaks to his cousin, incoming freshman Toney Clemons, every day on the phone. He is practicing well, but Arizona is too hot this time of year (hear that, recruits looking at southern schools because of the weather?).

Photo album tomorrow, and maybe some interview clips coming on the next slow news day.

Posted under Personnel