The Crier

Football Players are Bigger in Person

The future looks bright for Blue

Lloyd Cargo · Sport · Oct 23, 2007

When ABC showed Chad Henne heading to the locker room early in the second quarter after what looked like a separated shoulder, I cursed and yelled (and drank another beer). Michigan’s chances of winning, on the road, at night, against a tough team drop precipitously when we go from Senior QB to Freshman. That may have more to do with the play-calling than the experience (or certainly the talent), but the reality is simple: Henne out, conservative play calling in.

That feeling of gloom lasted all of 30 seconds (as did that can of PBR). Seeing Ryan Mallett run out onto the field had me more excited than Jesse Spano on caffeine pills. The feeling of “I’m so excited, I’m so exciiiiiiited… I’m so scared” had less to do with above-noted reality, but my somewhat random encounter with Mallett last Thursday night.

I say somewhat random, because the story begins with one of these: My girlfriend’s roommate dates an Aerospace Engineer, Kiko, who lives next door to Mallett’s girlfriend. So, on occasion, Big Tex drops by to hang out (as does Mario Manningham, who I will also do my very best to meet) and on this night, to get interviewed for a paper Kiko was writing about kids who leave High School for early college enrollment, and how it effects their development.

Kiko, knowing and understanding my nerdy passion for U of M football was kind enough to give me a heads up, so I could “randomly” drop by. I arrived to find Mallett sitting down, looking relaxed while freshman running back Avery Horn (and his gigantic biceps) loomed nearby. I introduced myself and sat back, trying to play it cool while we watched Sam McGuffie (get excited about him Wolverine Nation) play on ESPN2. My nerves subsided pretty quickly after I had a seemingly obvious revelation: Ryan Mallett is a freshman!

The first thing you notice about him is his size, the kid is huge, and his hands are like baseball mitts. I’m not exactly tiny at 6’3”, but he absolutely dwarfs me. The second thing you notice is that Texas drawl, an accent that belies his confidence. He comes off as unassuming, if not a bit arrogant (how could you not be?) but above all naïve and a bit immature. Which brings me back to my epiphany: he’s a freshman!

Who am I? I’m some kid he’s never met before, a veritable nobody, but I still commanded his respect for the simple fact I’m a senior – so that was nice. As we talked a bit, about McGuffie, about running ala Tim Tebow (the coaches discourage it) academics (to say football is the priority might be a bit of an understatement, but he “gets his work done”) I became more and more convinced that Mallett has what it takes to lead this team to a level of greatness that has eluded Henne. That is, if he can remember the rules apply to him to.

I can’t over emphasize the cult of celebrity that is bestowed upon these players, something I myself am certainly not innocent of. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to have all of your split second decisions second guessed and analyzed on Sportscenter, to have all of that attention heaped upon you (not to mention the “jersey-chasers”) and to walk into a room and immediately command everyone’s respect and attention. And to have all of this at 18 years old? It’s no wonder that so many talented kids end up blowing their career over a poor decision – and as easy as it is for those of us who watch the games from the stands or on TV, to say “why would you risk losing such a great thing by doing something stupid,” it’s even easier to forget how much we allow and even encourage that sort of behavior by worshiping the players we love to watch. I’m not suggesting Mallett is doing anything he shouldn’t be, more than anything, I’m marveling at his restraint when 95 percent of the time normal laws don’t apply to him.

Which reminds me, I think there was a game this weekend. Oh yeah, and we won. Without Mike Hart. With a gimpy (and gutsy) Henne and a fiery Mario Manningham. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was enough. It seemed like when Michigan wanted to move the ball, they did, and when they needed a big stop, they were able to get it.

Runs up the middle continue to shred us, and the linebacker play definitely took a step backward this week, but after a hot start, Juice Williams looked human – quite a feat for a mobile quarterback in the spread option against our team. Zoltan was incredible, the lone bright spot on Special Teams. Shawn Crable deserves props, as do the entire D-line and the secondary. There were a few instances of blown assignments, but if anything this game made me even more optimistic about the next few. We should be able to handle Minnesota, State and Wiscy – setting the Wolverines up for what might be the most bipolar season ever: Opening with a loss to Appalachian State and ending with a win over (if they keep winning) number one Ohio State.

And not only am I optimistic for the rest of this year, but I think Michigan’s extended future looks pretty bright too. We got a brief preview with Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor and Greg Matthews playing well, not to mention Mallett and the in-coming McGuffie inspired performances – all of which bodes well for ’08 and beyond. Until then, I wouldn’t mind continuing to watch Mallett and company develop in non-stressful situations while Henne leads the team towards redemption. Above all, I look forward to a healthy Hart returning next weekend and continuing his Heisman push and his quest towards immortality.