- More Jersey News: Nike has bought the NFL contract away from Reebok/Adidas. Which could mean layoffs in a plant in Indianapolis that produces replica jerseys for NFL teams and of course teams like the University of Michigan. Maybe Adidas can open up the plant to Michigan fans so they can get a "special" jersey's when Michigan is in Indy next year for the Big Ten Championship game.
- If your interested and why wouldn't you be? :) I am again the guest on the Michigan Man Podcast this week, re-capping the MSU loss and previewing the Iowa game. You can find the podcast here or download it on ITunes.
- Fanvision: If you haven't heard, Fanvision is a new held device that you can watch the game, replays, or different camera angles from your seat at the game. Michigan is the only NCAA team that has these devices available. Over 12 NFL teams are piloting them this year. The devices are from a company that Dolphins owner and Michigan grad Stephen Ross owns. The cost is $200 for the device and $5 per game and this guy is a fan. Part of their marketing plan was to send a bunch of these devices out for free to season ticket holders. I wasn't one of the lucky ones. Talking to some of the fans at the Big House, they like it for tailgating before, during, and after the games.
- Chris L. Rucker celebrated his team's win over the Wolverines on Saturday by going out getting drunk and then driving on Sunday morning. He was of course arrested and will be suspended but the MSU coaches expect to have him back playing this year. Chris was charged and is on probation for last years Dorm fight as well. I guess this is strike 2 for Mr. Rucker.
Now on to the Blitz:
-TomVH gives us an update on recruiting visitors expected to attend the Iowa game:
2011
DT Timmy Jernigan - 6'2", 275 lbs, 4 Star, Lake City, Florida
TE Drew Owens - 6'5", 225 lbs, 3 Star, Charlotte, North Carolina
DB Dallas Crawford - 5'10", 185 lbs, 3 Star, Fort Myers, Florida
WR Sammy Watkins - 6'1", 180 lbs, 4 Star, Fort Myers, Florida
WR Hakeem Flowers - 6'2", 175 lbs, 3 Star, Greenville, South Carolina
WR Quinta Funderburk - 6'5", 204 lbs, 3 Star, Chesapeake, Virginia
2012
DE Chris Wormley - 6'4", 255 lbs, Toledo, Ohio
RB Will Mahone - 5'11", 205 lbs, Austintown, Ohio (He confirmed he will be there)
DB Luc Haupt - 6'0", 180 lbs, Austintown, Ohio
DB Chris Davis - 5'10", 183 lbs, Austintown, Ohio
QB Demitrious Davis - 5'10", 183 lbs, Austintown, Ohio
-Avery Walls, a CB that Michigan fans are high on for the 2011 class has recently been to Oregon and CAL and he now tells TomVH this: "I'm going to go to Michigan State, South Carolina, Virginia, and U Conn. Once all my visits are done then I'll decide from there. I don't have a leader right now, because I haven't seen all the schools yet. I'm still evaluating different things about each school." That doesn't sound like the best news for Wolverine fans.
-Dee Hart talks more about Michigan with ESPN: "The Michigan fans are such friendly people, they make you feel comfortable and calm," Hart added. "They want you to enjoy the Michigan experience and take it all in. And the coaches are the same way. They wanted us to be around the team and experience everything first hand."
On RR: "I liked Michigan either way and if he were to leave it wouldn't affect me because I think I can play in any offensive system," Hart said. "So it really wasn't my concern.
"That being said I wanted to make sure everything came together. He's winning ball games right now and the future looks good, so it's coming together."
On Denard: "First of all he's a great person; he's the leading candidate for the Heisman," Hart said. "And he can throw first, he's not limited to just running. They have to check the other guys, like Martavious Odoms and Vincent Smith. The offense tries to get everyone in space, and with him and me in the same backfield it's going to be very fast. Speed kills."
Being sold on the Wolverines: "I was always sold on Michigan because I love what they offer from an educational standpoint," Hart said. "My field of study is going to be business management and I have a great opportunity to see first-hand how everything functions in that program.
"Just getting a four-year degree from a school like Michigan is going to help me have success over a long-term period. Long after football is finished."
As you can tell, Iowa is going to be a big visit game for the Wolverines. The next big game is clearly Wisconsin, which could include Dee Hart and many of his Dr. Phillips teammates, Kris Frost, and 5 star DB Karlos Williams (who could do an un-official and might do his official after the season). Karlos is currently committed to Florida State.
