Has Braylon made it impossible for someone to earn the #1 jersey?

Submitted by Communist Football on

This article suggests that RR was rather scarred by the outcry from Braylon et al. Quoth RR:

"Roy likes the No. 12 and I think he'd be good just staying in that," Rodriguez told Ryan Terpstra on ESPN 96.1..."We haven't talked about (Roundtree’s number preference) at all, Rodriguez said. I've dealt with that thing a couple of years ago, so we've really tried to put that issue to bed."

Whether any of our current receivers deserve the #1 is something people can honestly debate. But it would be a shame if RR felt like he didn't have the authority to offer it to a deserving receiver. The J.T. Floyd incident in 2008 was an innocent mistake, and it sounds like RR doesn't want to give it to anyone now because he doesn't want to deal with the political outcry from Braylon et al. should he give it to someone they don't approve of.

Once RR was educated about the tradition, surely we can trust him to apply it appropriately.

willywill9

November 10th, 2010 at 9:57 AM ^

While I love Roundtree... I have to agree with this.  But perhaps this is the very reason why he doesn't want to talk about giving it out.  Each receiver has a something different to offer, and each could be a gamechanger.  You could argue M's always had multiple, great receivers... but IMO, Stonum, Roundtree, and Junior are all in the same ballpark of performance.

Either way, I'm glad RR is back to addressing these types of questions.

profitgoblue

November 10th, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^

Do you believe that there should be someone wearing the #1 every year (as in the best receiver on the team)?  If not, how do you believe the decision should be made?  I would submit that a #1-worthly receiver should be a once-a-decade kind of player (or something like that) in order wearing the #1 a significant honor.

caup

November 10th, 2010 at 11:11 AM ^

Goal and rewards, I get all that. BUT what do you think the MSM will do if the next #1-wearer drops a few big passes?

"That shouldn't happen!"

"Maybe so-and-so shouldn't be wearing the #1 jersey!"

Who needs that kind of bullshit.

PitchAndCatch

November 10th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^

If that player is someone who is deserving of the #1, he will probably be one of the best players on the team anyways.  I think people will say that about the best player dropping some passes regardless of what number that player is wearing.  I REALLY have a hard time believing that if Roundtree or Hemingway put on that #1, their world would be rocked and they'll start playing tight, etc.  

 

It's an honor to get the #1, but at the end of the day it's another number.  I think if anything it will give the player wearing it even more confidence because he's "the man", and players who play with confidence perform better.

VamosAzul

November 10th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^

Id much rather the #1 be given to a once-a-decade type guy. That is the only way the #1 will keep its ora about it. The company that you are in when you put that #1 is legendary and It should stay that way. I'm not saying that Roundtree doesnt deserve it necessarily, but It shouldnt be given out lightly. If Arnett goes Blue tonight (Knock on wood), IMO he could definitely develop into a "#1" guy with his crazy smooth route running and sure hands. 

MichiganExile

November 10th, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^

You have Arnett who has never played a down of college ball and may not even end up at Michigan pegged as a guy that could definitely develop into the #1 guy. Our current best receiver that just lit up the scoreboard and Michigan record boooks, however, may not be good enough yet?

I don't know if Roundtree is deserving of the #1 yet but he is having a phenomenal year and is probably the best candidate. I don't think you can base giving the #1 jersey to a guy off of whether or not a better candidate may show up later.

GeoTracker

November 10th, 2010 at 1:20 PM ^

He more than qualifies. I think all year we've seen Roy do his business and keep improving. Plus he's still motivated to be even better. He wants to bulk up further.

What's bigger than Roy Roundtree? A bigger and stronger Roy Roundtree.

Give him #1

BlueArcflash

November 10th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^

i have to believe that shattering a michigan record, something that neither carter or edwards really came close to, has to qualify for the #1. it should probably wait until next season but the record should be a deciding factor and roy has probably as much expectation going into next season as any receiver had going into their #1 season. It seems ignorant to attach the jersey to unreachable stats.

profitgoblue

November 10th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^

I do not think you can base the decision simply on breaking a record.  If you do, then it plays right into what Don mentions below:

. . . it gives special attention to one player over others . . .

Stats should simply be one consideration and maybe not even the most important consideration.  That's my humble opinion.

SC Wolverine

November 10th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^

With all the fuss Braylon has made over the #1 jersey, I think it would more likely cause team chemistry problems than add anything positive.  Doesn't this now elevate one guy over his peers?  I suppose if you had a true mind-blowing standout -- like Anthony Carter was (and Braylon, for that matter) -- then it might make sense.  But with the team-first and stable of receivers approach we are taking now, I think it would be better to avoid the subject.  Also, this idea of Braylon having a say in who gets it is totally bogus.  If the guy wants to donate money to UM that is great, but it needs to be without strings attached.  I think the whole thing is now a hassle to Rich Rod and he will completely avoid it.

Old School Wolverine

November 10th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^

I guess it is disappointing to think that it had to take a public outcry by Edwards to squash the 1 jersey going to Floyd.  Where were those in the Athletic Dept knowledgable to mention this tradition, or even the trainer Jon Falk?  Maybe nobody wanted to step on the coaches toes or whatnot, but I still do not understand how it could get to that point.

johnvand

November 10th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^

The fact that somebody has to "earn" it is preposterous.

Just because Braylon was a complete jackoff his first two years and Lloyd had to use it as a motivational tool doesn't mean that it needs to be done with every wearer from here on.  It was a good move by Lloyd, which has been verified by Braylon's behavior since he left Michigan.

Give it to Roy, or use it as a recruiting tool.

Yes, it should only go to WRs.  Trying to give it to a CB was a mistake, but not big enough to warrant the backlash that came.

Braylon is the only person who had to "earn" it.  If his schollarship is structured in any way that somebody has to "earn" it or Braylon has some kind of say in who gets it.  Tell him thanks for the cash, but no thanks.  It isn't worth it.

tubauberalles

November 10th, 2010 at 4:03 PM ^

Braylon's stone-fingered drop of the 3rd down screen pass at the crucial moment of UM's comeback attempt against OSU (whichever year that was).  I can't help but remember that one as the valley to his MSU OT game Everest.

Sigh.

Schmoe

November 10th, 2010 at 12:32 PM ^

I don't believe that Terrell started with the #1.  he got it after a year or two.  Does anyone remember this?

We used it as a recruiting tool many times though.  I agree with you.  And maybe just maybe Terrell had the #1 dangled as a carrot for future eyars (if I am right).

1464

November 10th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^

I disagree.  I love the tradition behind giving it only to electric receivers.  I'm glad a guy like Doug Dutch didn't wear it.  Nothing against him, but there is a certain regality to the number.  It carries cache.  I love that.  I want all our number 1 receivers to earn the jersey.

Rashman

November 10th, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^

We have a LOT of great traditions here at Michigan, and I'm proud of that.  But Coach Rod has had to deal with enough adversity already in his career that I don't blame him one bit for not wanting to get involved with yet another potential controversy.  Once bitten, twice shy.

Derek

November 10th, 2010 at 9:39 AM ^

New idea: ask Lloyd to pick. He's ... oh, wait, he retired this summer. Still, Lloyd could be the Special Attaché for the Education of Rich Rod about the Tradition of the #1. Or something.

Erik_in_Dayton

November 10th, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^

I appreciate everything Edwards did for U of M, but as johnvand suggests, I don't like him having a say in who gets the jersey number.  It's just an extra layer of trouble that the coaches shouldn't have to deal with.