Morning Roundup: August 14, 2019

Morning Roundup: August 14, 2019


August 14, 2019
Ambry Thomas (image via MLive)

Former Ohio State player and coach Luke Fickell apparently thinks Michigan is blocking James Hudson’s immediate eligibility:

It finally became public that Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas’s “issue” is colitis (LINK).

Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead (the former OC at Penn State) says Josh Gattis is ready to be a play-caller (LINK).

Much like The Blair Witch Project, this video made me sick. But it’s still cool that Hunter Renfrow strapped on a camera to run some routes:

13 comments

  1. Comments: 276
    Joined: 2/6/2018
    17years
    Aug 14, 2019 at 7:45 AM

    It seems a lot of Michigan fans became very worried about the defensive backfield when they heard Ambry Thomas is out. I don’t know why. Ambry Thomas hasn’t done anything really of note when he’s played at DB. Is there really going to be a bad drop off to the next man up?

    • Comments: 1364
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      WindyCityBlue
      Aug 14, 2019 at 10:00 AM

      Well, mostly because the people we have to replace him have done even less, and have shown less talent.

  2. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Aug 14, 2019 at 10:26 AM

    I won’t pretend to know much about waiver process but these complaints against Harbaugh seem wacky. Why is his position switch relevant? How come some schools control where people go and are reported to ‘release’ players? I find it confusing.

    • Comments: 1364
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      WindyCityBlue
      Aug 14, 2019 at 11:06 AM

      Yeah, it’s not like he’s wanting to transfer because Michigan isn’t using the position he wants to play.

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Aug 14, 2019 at 12:33 PM

      All of which is to say Harbaugh overall point – free transfers for all – is a far more liberal perspective and would do away with all of this nonsense. I don’t understand why that isn’t the bigger story.

      • Comments: 1364
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        WindyCityBlue
        Aug 15, 2019 at 7:19 AM

        The problem with totally free transfers and no waiting period is that there would be a tendency for stronger programs to use weaker programs as farm teams, and poach their best players. Think about it…if you’re in the playoffs, but have an injury to a key guy or two, you could just lure the best replacement you can find at the last minute from a team whose season is over, enroll them in winter term, and you’re good to go. Just seems like that has the potential for a lot of chaos.

        • Comments: 3844
          Joined: 7/13/2015
          Aug 15, 2019 at 7:37 AM

          Wow. I think that’s a really overblown argument as being “the problem.” The NCAA could easily say that those players aren’t eligible to participate in that season’s bowl games/playoffs. And even if you are a really good player, you’re unlikely to be very effective having just one week to learn that team’s system and develop a relationship with those other players. I don’t think your issue is an issue at all.

        • Comments: 6285
          Joined: 8/11/2015
          Lanknows
          Aug 15, 2019 at 9:26 AM

          I agree with both of you. I don’t think the bowl game example is relevant but I agree that big programs absolutely would use smaller schools as farm teams. There would be a lot more of a free agency vibe to college football.

          Would that ‘chaos’ be bad for players/students? Or fans? I’m not sure it would be bad for either, but it would be different for sure.

          • Comments: 6285
            Joined: 8/11/2015
            Lanknows
            Aug 15, 2019 at 9:34 AM

            I think Harbaugh’s rule change should be introduced in conjunction with ending the annual total 85 scholarship limit.

            Instead give each teams 24 new scholarships each year. They can use them on recruits or transfers, however they want. But they don’t get that scholarship back if that guy doesn’t play for them.

            This would give incentive to teams for holding on to the people they bring in. Focus on retention and health, aligning player and program interests.

            We don’t need college teams operating like pro teams and cutting people.

            This would crank down the grad transfer situation since a team would in effect be choosing between a 4 or 5-year prospect vs a 1-year rental. Might be useful for a QB but would be a tough sell at schools that can choose to recruit 4-stars instead.

  3. Comments: 400
    Joined: 12/24/2016
    INTJohn
    Aug 14, 2019 at 3:51 PM

    Yeah; no one is paying me to understand the waiver process or a lot of other things re college football, in general. I just want to see Michigan beat OSU & win a B10 East championship……. nuthin tooo uppity.

    Re Fickell; he’s in a no lose position by shooting off his mouth and spinning stuff if in fact that is what he’s doing and it appears that that may in fact be the case. IDK. But I’ll always believe while he’s at Cincy that he’s trying to stay relevent in terms of anti-Michigan publicity should an opportunity ever arise for him to get back to OSU………..

    Given that I’ll continue to wish him well if he can undercut MSU’s Ohio recruiting, which apparently there is some evidence for this.

    Overall, tho I don’t recall so much verbal sparring tween coaches as what now seems to occur but maybe I’m not in tune; but I don’t recall it going on “back in the day”;
    but maybe I’m suffrin ole man dementia………..intjohn

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Aug 14, 2019 at 8:26 PM

      I agree regarding Fickell. He’s got nothing to lose. You know Ohio State/Cincinnati people are saying, “Get ‘im, Luke!” even if he has no real ground to stand on. Fickell is a douche. We’ve known that for a long time. This is just more evidence.

  4. Comments: 400
    Joined: 12/24/2016
    INTJohn
    Aug 14, 2019 at 4:11 PM

    Also, I think its comical that Miss St HC Moorhead is giving his blessing re Gattis’ play calling ability. Who cares about it? Who needs his pat on the back? Fuk Moreheads support – meaningless.

    Only support & opinion that matters is Harbaugh believing in him to perform the job………
    And then him doing it!………..intjohn

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Aug 14, 2019 at 8:25 PM

      Eh, who cares about most stuff that gets talked about in the off-season? It’s just a way to pass the time until we see real football.

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