Michigantailgate.net

The All-Access Michigan video from ESPN this weekend . . .

Here is my periodic photo update on the construction at Michigan Stadium, also known as the monster being constructed around The Big House.

First, you see the progress on the east side of the stadium. If you look closely in the second picture, you can see steelwork has started at the north end of this structure.

Next we have the north side of stadium where the new bathrooms and M-Den will be. In the second picture, you can see the brickwork has started on the structures closest to Main St. The second picture is fairly artistic, probably worthy of some type of elementary school art award–maybe more.

Construction on the west (press box) side of the stadium shows below. In comparison to the east side, this side is much more advanced. The first picture is my most artistic contribution of the bunch today. I hope you enjoy the way I’ve let the sun shine into the picture, giving a “touched by God” effect. In fact, when I look at it, I just can’t help feeling like yelling “MORE COWBELL!” The second picture shows the TOWER at the north end of the new press box. Last, you can see the old “mini” pressbox inside the steel girders of the new structure. It looks really small in comparison.

Last we see the construction from afar. The first selection is right from Tailgate Central, while the second is from the Maynard St. parking structure. Both shots, I think, show well that this construction is no tweak to The Big House. It really will be a different stadium all together.

This AM, ESPN aired an “all-access Michigan” segment that started with how the #1 jersey at UM had been given to a freshman–a full four days after I first heard about the situation.  After that first airing (which was on WTKA), I hoped that the issue would be taken care of quietly inside Schembechler Hall and without fanfare.  It would just go away.

Apparently, given this morning’s ESPN segment, it is not to be.

Check out the piece below from MVictors.com.  It is pretty interesting.  I’m watching RR because I, for one, am not at all for a new fight song, new helmet, new entry to the stadium . . . I like the feel of tradition.

Let Rodriguez Speak | MVictors.com: Michigan Football Blog
This one cuts right into everyone’s fears. Ignoring the tradition and more recently, the scholarship, tied to the #1 jersey would be a blunder. If Rodriguez did know about it and ignored it, I think that would be a foolish thing to do. I mean, what’s he got to gain by disregarding this? A chance to remind everyone who’s in charge? That’s a huge price to pay: alienation of fans, former players, M tradition and potentially a scholarship? It doesn’t make any sense.

The media is lining up to bash him on this, I’ve already gave you the Jim Rome audio. Check out what the folks in West Virginia have written on this:

You may recall that when Rodriguez coached at West Virginia, very little from the past was left untouched. He needed new uniforms, a smoking helmet, a new offense, a new defense, a new introduction into the stadium. If they huddled in the past, he didn’t huddle. He had a new offense, a new defense.

He controlled everything, except the line of scrimmage against Pitt.

Now he’s at Michigan and nothing’s changed with him, although you expect everything to change with Michigan.

It has begun already as he has already begun messing with tradition and, in the process, teed off not only one of the school’s all-time great players, but one who is the anti-Pac-Man.

And bloggers get crap for not being responsible. How about Rich Rod’s side of the story? Who’s confirmed that he even gave the jersey to the defensive back? Do coaches even officially assign jersey numbers to people in the spring anyway?

If he didn’t know or wasn’t clear on it, then I think he gets a pass. The guy has a lot on his plate. Either way, don’t you think Rodriguez deserves a chance to address this just like everything else that has come up?

Charlie Weis is at it again - The Diag - MLive.com
“I’ve always been one never to make excuses and not blow hot air and [believe] you back your words by your performance on the field,” the Notre Dame head coach said at what appeared to be an alumni reception before or after the April 19 Notre Dame Blue - Gold game. “I think that’s the message our team is going to [follow] on September 6 with San Diego State. I think the first opportunity we’ll have to make a statement is that day.

“Then we’ll listen to Michigan have all their excuses as they come running in saying how they have a new coaching staff and those changes. To hell with Michigan.”

Ypsi City Desk: 2008 Michigan Football Schedule
After Charlie Front Butt Weis comments yesterday from the depths of South Bend we realized its never too early to plan those tailgate parties. Michigan is facing a little bit of an uphill climb this year. You can see they dropped Eastern Michigan after last years 33-22 game ;

Aug. 30 Utah
Sept. 6 Miami OH.
Sept. 13 at Notre Dame
Sept. 27 Wisconsin #15
Oct. 4 Illinois #12
Oct. 11 Toledo
Oct. 18 at Penn State
Oct. 25 Michigan State #23
Nov. 1 at Purdue
Nov. 8 at Minnesota
Nov. 15 Northwestern
Nov. 22 at Ohio State #1

Rome Rips Rodriguez over #1-gate | MVictors.com: Michigan Football Blog
Rome Rips Rodriguez over #1-gate

Garrison ‘Moving Forward | The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
West Virginia University’s Faculty Senate had a clear and resounding message for President Mike Garrison: It’s time to do what’s right for the school’s reputation and resign.

Garrison, dogged for months by a degree scandal involving the governor’s daughter, respectfully disagrees.

I hate to say it, but the monstrosity is growing. Oh well, we’ll have to learn to live with it because, unlike the “halo” it isn’t coming down. Here is what things look liked today:

First, here we are on the east side of the stadium by Crisler Arena;

Now we look at the buildings on the north end and the new press box;

Finally, we look at the stadium construction from State Street (first photo) and the practice facility construction by Schembechler Hall

.

It is all going to be very different than we’ve seen it before.

by Justin D. Anderson
Daily Mail Capitol Reporter

Rich Rodriguez’s lawyer believes the ongoing degree flap at West Virginia University has given the coach ammunition to attack the credibility of WVU President Mike Garrison.

Marv Robon of Maumee, Ohio is representing Rodriguez in his dispute with WVU.

Rodriguez contends Garrison promised to help him find a way out of paying the university $4 million if he left his contracted position early. Garrison says he never made that promise.

Robon said if Garrison makes that denial in his upcoming deposition, Garrison’s role in the scandal over top WVU officials giving Gov. Joe Manchin’s daughter a master’s degree she didn’t earn would become relevant in a trial setting.

The date of Garrison’s deposition has not been set. His lawyers have suggested several dates, with the latest in mid-June.

“It depends on what (Garrison) says in his deposition,” said Robon. “The question is: Is he going to deny the promises that he made?

“Any good trial lawyer would look into his credibility.”

Garrison denies any direct involvement in granting Heather Bresch an executive master’s of business administration degree.

Bresch is a longtime friend and associate of Garrison.

According to a report on the investigation into the degree, Garrison’s office was the first place Bresch called after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette told her the university’s records didn’t show she had earned an executive master’s of business administration degree.

It’s not clear whether or not Bresch spoke directly to Garrison, as WVU has refused to make his telephone and e-mail records public.

From the DetNews:

In another delay to the Rich Rodriguez lawsuit, a key deposition — West Virginia University president Mike Garrison — has been postponed to June 12.

The university’s tactics are “dodge and delay,” Rodriguez’s attorney, Marv Robon of Maumee, Ohio, said Wednesday.

Robon also confirmed Rodriguez will issue a letter Monday denouncing a former colleague, West Virginia University fundraiser Larry Aschebrook, for a sworn affidavit that contained “over 20″ lies, according to Rodriguez.

Aschebrook alleged in the March 25 affidavit that Rodriguez and one of his top assistants, Calvin Magee, invented a career-threatening allegation of racism against him to discredit the university while it is suing Rodriguez to enforce a $4 million buyout clause.

Rodriguez then offered him a job at Michigan in exchange for his silence, Aschebrook said.

On Monday, Rodriguez’s lawyers formally will demand an apology and retraction from Aschebrook.

“There were over 20 statements in Larry’s affidavit that were lies, and he knows it,” the Associated Press quoted Rodriguez as saying. “I did tell him I would try to help him get a job somewhere, but I did not guarantee him a job anywhere. I’m not an athletic director.

“Normally, you wouldn’t want to respond to such ridiculous statements and lies. But I’m not going to let someone attack my reputation and those of my assistant coaches.”