Mailbag question: The "Cupboard was left bare" argument

Mailbag question: The "Cupboard was left bare" argument

GBMW,

I enjoy the site!

I know this subject has been beaten to death, but is it just a
truth/fact that Michigan (past) just didn't do a great job of developing second and third tier players, especially defensive players.

Michigan has always had "star" players, but I can't really remember a "star" player getting hurt, graduating, whatever and someone just as capable was "waiting in the wings" came in and maintained that "star" level performance like at Ala or USC.

Also, do you think Coach Rod is willing to lose some games by not
playing the better talent (freshman to be red-shirted) so he can build up some depth? In other words, is he red-shirting players with the idea that he'll probably lose some games early in his tenure but in the long run these players will be coming back with a year in his system and still have all their eligibility left?

Thanks for the time.
Steve

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Thanks for the question and comments.

We cannot believe Coach Rod would not play guys who would give him the best shot at winning.

There are certain programs that always seem to reload such as USC, Florida, Texas, Ohio State, etc. And yes UM has not been a program of this nature in quite awhile. When injuries happen it hurts the Michigan program, as there is a considerable drop off in performance between starters and substitutes.

Are there certain players that the coaches wish they probably had played this year instead of red-shirting? This is possible but the staff probably thought they could get by with the players they had immediately available and let the younger players develop and along learn the positions manned by the more experienced players.

Remember, getting to six wins was important, not to mention Coach Rod is an extremely proud man who very much wants to win games.

Player development under the old regime was definitely not a program strength. But after two full springs we have not seen great player development happening with the new regime either.

Either way, at some point, the product being put on the field is going to be 100% the work of Coach Rod and staff, so people will, sooner or later, have to stop blaming Coach Carr and the previous staff at some point in time. Well we hope so anyway, but who knows.

Well the cupboard emptied out some after Coach Rod was announced as head coach, compared to what Michigan had on the roster for the Ohio State game before Coach Carr announced he was retiring. Players with eligibility left to come back the next year chose not to return.

Yes, we agree this has been beaten to death and really do wish people would just move on now because it does the current program no good.

At GBMW we worry about what is going to happen this week, and in the future, rather than what has happened in the past, because quite frankly we/fans/players/coaches cannot change what happened previously, but can better control what happens today, tomorrow and the days that follow.

Thanks for stopping by Go Blue Michigan Wolverine
If you have any questions please E-Mail

Written by GBMW -- CoachBt and ErocWolverine