SB Nation Detroit - News And Notes From Big Ten Media Days 2010https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2010-08-05T14:35:03-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13649782010-08-05T14:35:03-04:002010-08-05T14:35:03-04:00Troy Woolfolk: Denard Robinson Outworking Tate Forcier This Offseason
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<p>Michigan cornerback Troy Woolfolk dropped the biggest bomb at Big Ten media days when he started talking about the quarterback competition between Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier. Specifically, <a href="https://www.michigandaily.com/content/woolfolk-quarterback-competition-appears-have-new-leader">Woolfolk made it quite apparent</a> that Robinson has been putting in more work this offseason, and as a result he may have overtaken Forcier as the favorite to start at quarterback.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Denard has been out there through the thick and thin and been out there all the time regardless if he's hurting," Woolfolk said. "And Tate, he tries to come out, but he's not as consistent as Denard is. And that's allowed Denard to jump a little bit ahead of Tate and I think that Tate's going to have to do a lot of work to catch back up to Denard in camp this year."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Woolfolk expanded on what Forcier hasn't done this offseason that has put him behind Robinson.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I personally have a lack of respect for (those who don't show up to voluntary workouts)," Woolfolk said. "The outlook on them is kind of diseased. Like you don't want to be hanging around those people because they have bad work ethic. But at the same time, it's my role to try to persuade them to come out more."</p>
<p>According to Woolfolk, Forcier hasn't shown up to as many workouts as he and the other seniors feel he should have, and Woolfolk said it's hurting his teammates' perception of their signal caller.</p>
<p>"The only reason he's not really labeled as diseased is because of the way he was able to carry the team last year before we started losing. People still trust him a little bit, but he's starting to lose that trust."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Although Woolfolk <a href="http://www.thewolverineblog.com/2010/08/04/woolfolks-quotes-telling-even-with-twitter-retraction/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWolverineBlog+%28The+Wolverine+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">backed off the comments</a> a bit later in the day on Twitter, the general point still stands. Forcier is going to have to work hard to win the starting job at quarterback again, because Robinson has been doing a lot this offseason to get better. That was obvious in the spring, and based on these comments, it's obvious that since the spring Robinson has done a lot more than Forcier.</p>
<p>As many others have already said about this situation, it's likely that both Forcier and Robinson will play in games. In that regard who is the starting quarterback may simply be a case of who leads the first series before the other guy comes in. Many think that is a bad idea because it can complicate things, but Forcier and Robinson are such different kinds of quarterbacks that the opportunity is there for both to play.</p>
<p>Forcier can scramble quite well but was a more accurate passer last year than Robinson. On the other hand, Robinson is very fast and can just run right by the defense for a touchdown. His passing has definitely improved since last season, but Forcier still has the edge with experience.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, this QB situation will sort itself out and I doubt these comments from Woolfolk will cause any problems like some think. If anything, they will make Forcier realize that he needs to get to work if he wants to keep his job as the starting QB, because Robinson is all in.</p>
<p>In other news involving Woolfolk, <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100803/SPORTS06/100803045/1054/rss19">he provided the best quote</a> I saw from Big Ten media days:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It’s that time to get over the hill and end that (OSU) winning streak," he said today. "Everybody on the team, I can see it in their eyes every day when someone mentions Ohio State. Or even just on TV or I just see an O-shaped figure, I just get instantly angry."</p>
<p>O-shaped figure, like Cheerios?</p>
<p>"I don’t eat Cheerios, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, none of that," he said, smiling.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Now that is taking hatred of a rival to a new level.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/5/1607211/troy-woolfolk-tate-forcier-denard-robinson-michigan-quarterbackSean Yuille2010-08-05T13:57:13-04:002010-08-05T13:57:13-04:00Kirk Cousins Grew Up An Iowa Fan
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<p>Quite often a college football player will end up playing for the rival of a school he cheered for as a kid. That happens pretty regularly in the state of Michigan with lots of Wolverines and Spartans fans not always ending up at the school they cheered for growing up. You also hear quite a bit about Ohio State fans coming to play for MSU or even Michigan considering both schools recruit the state of Ohio so much.</p>
<p>As revealed during Big Ten media days, there is one player who <a href="http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080410aab.html">grew up cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes</a> but now is the starting quarterback at Michigan State -- Kirk Cousins.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Absolutely, I was a Hawkeye fan," Cousins says. "I can remember the 2002 season watching Brad Banks' every game and cheering them on and following them to the bowl game against USC and getting my heart broken."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So what is the connection that Cousins, who is from Holland, Michigan, has to Iowa? Cousins' grandfather actually played for Iowa in the 40s, and his mother went there as well. As you can imagine, each year the MSU-Iowa game is something very special for their family.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I actually have a No. 8 Iowa jersey with my name on the back of it that I got when I was younger," Cousins says. "I was a fan for sure, but my allegiances have switched. For me personally, with my family background, (the Michigan State-Iowa game) is one of the most special games for me. Obviously the Michigan game is very, very special, but to be able to go to Kinnick Stadium and play Iowa and the outcome we had last season is only going to add fuel to that fire. It's going to be a great game. I know Kinnick Stadium will be rocking like it always is and we're going to have to come ready to play."</p>
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<p>Cousins will get a chance to go back to Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 30, which is when Michigan State takes on the Hawkeyes.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/5/1607107/kirk-cousins-iowa-fan-michigan-stateSean Yuille2010-08-05T13:20:07-04:002010-08-05T13:20:07-04:00More From Rich Rodriguez At Big Ten Media Days
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<ul>
<li>Darryl Stonum <a href="http://twitter.com/mikerothstein/status/20150393470">isn't going to be punished further</a> for violating probation and having to <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/7/22/1582497/darryl-stonum-did-jail-time-for">spend a few days in jail</a> back in June.</li>
<li>The start of two-a-days for the Wolverines will not be until Aug. 15. Because Michigan has to meet with the NCAA Committee on Infractions on Aug. 14, the <a href="http://twitter.com/davebirkett/status/20150305446">schedule was rearranged</a> so no two-a-days would be missed.</li>
<li>Vincent Smith <a href="http://twitter.com/michdailysports/status/20150835008">should be 100% ready</a> to go when camp gets underway next week. </li>
<li>If Denard Robinson doesn't win the starting quarterback job, <a href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/rich-rodriguez-hallway-presser-transcript">he could play other positions</a>. If Tate Forcier doesn't, he will stay at quarterback no matter what because he is strictly a QB.</li>
<li>Michael Shaw's status academically is <a href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/rich-rodriguez-hallway-presser-transcript">apparently up in the air</a> a bit right now, but Rodriguez didn't say too much when asked about him.</li>
<li>Mike Parrish has <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080410aaa.html">replaced Brad Labadie</a> as Michigan's director of football operations. Labadie <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/7/15/1571091/brad-labadie-michigan-football-resigns-investigation-ncaa-violations">resigned from the job</a> last month to take a job with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.</li>
</ul>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/5/1607051/rich-rodriguez-big-ten-media-daysSean Yuille2010-08-02T15:26:48-04:002010-08-02T15:26:48-04:00Notes From Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany's Press Conference
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<h5>Opening statement:</h5>
<ul>
<li>"Really excited about the bowl partnerships we have."</li>
<li>Five games on New Year's Day will be a competitive lineup for fans.</li>
<li>"Regular season college football is maybe as healthy as it has ever been."</li>
<li>Nebraska brings an iconic brand to the Big Ten.</li>
<li>Expansion went faster than originally anticipated because Nebraska had some decisions to make.</li>
<li>Further expansion is on "pause," but the Big Ten will not turn its back on future changes if they happen.</li>
<li>"We're not actively involved in any expansion initiatives at this point."</li>
</ul>
<h5>Answers to questions:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Time frame on conference expansion was changed when the Big 12 wanted a commitment from its members.<br>
</li>
<li>Expansion studies will continue this fall and Delany will meet with Big Ten presidents to talk about it in December.</li>
<li>"The divisions need to be as balanced as possibly as they can be made."</li>
<li>Competitive fairness has got to be seen in those divisions.</li>
<li>Divisions have got to be constructed in a wise way to preserve traditional rivals.</li>
<li>"We're going to need to do everything we can to preserve rivalries."</li>
<li>"We have to do everything we can to play each other more, not less."</li>
<li>Adding a ninth conference game probably isn't in the immediate future, but eventually the Big Ten will get there.</li>
<li>Right now discussion about divisions is focused on the principles rather than specific plans.</li>
<li>Maintaining rivalries, competitive fairness and geography are the three main principles being considered when creating divisions.</li>
<li>Many data points will be considered when looking at competitive fairness, and the starting point will be 1993 since that's the beginning of the "modern Big Ten."</li>
<li>"There a lot to do over the next 120 days (with transitioning to 2011)."</li>
<li>Not a lot of thought has been given to picking a championship venue yet.</li>
<li>With so much that needs to be done, the Big Ten may pick a site for just the 2011 championship game and then continue to evaluate it before deciding on venues for future games.</li>
<li>"Rather than try to do something in a short time frame without adequate time to study, I think it might make some sense to defer that."</li>
<li>"I'm not sure divisions make sense in basketball."</li>
<li>"I don't think what we decide in football has to be binding for other sports (division-wise)."</li>
<li>"I think the Big Ten is the Big Ten regardless of the number." (In response to a question about changing the conference's name)</li>
<li>"I don't see Notre Dame as a player (in future conference expansion)."</li>
<li>A nine-game conference schedule is likely to happen in no more than four years.</li>
<li>"I expect there to be a championship game in December of 2011."</li>
</ul>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601369/jim-delany-press-conference-big-tenSean Yuille2010-08-02T13:58:49-04:002010-08-02T13:58:49-04:00Video: Mark Dantonio's Press Conference
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<p>From the Big Ten Network:</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601264/mark-dantonio-press-conference-big-ten-media-days-2010-videoSean Yuille2010-08-02T13:38:09-04:002010-08-02T13:38:09-04:00Video: Rich Rodriguez's Press Conference
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<p>From the Big Ten Network:</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601259/rich-rodriguez-press-conference-big-ten-media-days-2010-videoSean Yuille2010-08-02T12:31:53-04:002010-08-02T12:31:53-04:00Notes From Mark Dantonio's Press Conference
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<h5>Opening statement:</h5>
<ul>
<li>"Very, very excited about the leadership displayed."</li>
<li>Greg Jones has a great physical presence on the field and is a guy that can make plays all over the field.</li>
<li>"Eric Gordon comes back as a fourth-year starter (at linebacker)."</li>
<li>"Gotta come up with more turnovers (on defense)." One thing the defense really needs to improve on next season.</li>
<li>"When you have an experienced quarterback, good things can happen for you."</li>
<li>"Keith Nichol returns as an x-factor guy."</li>
<li>Every time Keshawn Martin touches the ball he averages about 18 yards a play.</li>
<li>Offensive line returns three starters and two guys who have had limited starting experience.</li>
<li>About six guys from our recruiting class getting on the field every year.</li>
<li>"33% of (Aaron Bates') punts drop inside the 20."</li>
</ul>
<h5>Answers to questions (after what was probably the longest opening statement in the history of Big Ten Media Days):</h5>
<ul>
<li>Margin of error isn't very big. Have to be right 100% of the time.</li>
<li>"When you look at any conference, you look at the team that's won most consistently in that conference." (Responding to a question about Ohio State)</li>
<li>"Coach Tressel does an outstanding job. I'm sure we all know that."</li>
<li>Looking at the pass rush last year, defense did a good job of getting sacks.</li>
<li>3-4 defense will be part of what they do. On run/pass downs they will transition to that.</li>
<li>"We want to put our best players on the field."</li>
<li>Linebacker is one of the strongest positions.</li>
<li>A 3-4 defense lends to getting the most talented players on the field.</li>
<li>"Thank you very much, Go Green."</li>
</ul>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601020/mark-dantonio-press-conference-big-ten-media-days-2010Sean Yuille2010-08-02T11:58:08-04:002010-08-02T11:58:08-04:00Notes From Rich Rodriguez's Press Conference
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<h5>Opening statement:</h5>
<ul>
<li>"No one is more excited in the country to start coaching football than I am."</li>
<li>Lots of experiences, drama in the last two years. Fun to watch the team grow up with year three now here.</li>
<li>"We have some questions, certainly, on both sides of the ball."</li>
<li>Defense needs to player better.</li>
<li>Lots of guys coming back; team has much more experience now than it has in the past two years.</li>
<li>Proud that the team has stayed focused despite all of the distractions.</li>
</ul>
<h5>Answers to questions:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Wide open competition at quarterback.</li>
<li>Should be able to tell who has progressed since the spring in the first few weeks of practice.</li>
<li>"May take a couple games before somebody clearly separates themselves (at quarterback)."</li>
<li>Craig Roh is close to 240-250 pounds.</li>
<li>Mark Moundros is the starting fullback, but he has also brought a lot to the linebacker position and will compete for a middle linebacker spot this fall.</li>
<li>Asked about who has had a good summer, Rodriguez responded that he doesn't know a lot about what goes on in the summer. Clearly a little bit of a joke about one of the NCAA violations of monitoring things too closely in the offseason.</li>
<li>Seniors were at his house last week and are excited for the season.</li>
<li>All of the outside stuff has brought the team closer together.</li>
<li>"Our fans have been terrific."</li>
<li>"Fans have been overwhelmingly positive."</li>
<li>"Nobody wants to win more than the coaches and players."</li>
<li>"I think it's exciting to have a championship game."</li>
<li>There's pros and cons to championship games, but the Big Ten is so strong right now that it's in a very good spot.</li>
<li>"Don't have a preference on how they split divisions." <br>
</li>
<li>Wants to keep rivalries intact when divisions are created.<br>
</li>
<li>The Big Ten understands rivalries and can figure out how to keep them going.</li>
<li>"When we get better, we'll compete better."</li>
<li>Going back to the Michigan State game last year, Rodriguez wouldn't change his decision to play for overtime instead of going for two and the win.</li>
<li>"We feel really good about Cam Gordon and his role in the secondary."</li>
</ul>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601018/rich-rodriguez-press-conference-big-ten-media-days-2010Sean Yuille