Rex Hudler

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 27, 2008 -> 11:13 AM) And Boren's statement. The only people speculating its because practice was too hard are the people trying to feel better about their top lineman leaving, and possibly paying his own way to play for their rival, and bringing his little brother with him. This is a kid who was a UM football legacy and was recruited PERSONALLY by Bo. Funny how you know everything. When this news first came out I was a bit skeptical about what was going on, not liking the fact their most experienced offensive lineman was leaving. But I no longer worry about it. Boren simply didn't want to work at it. It sucks because he has talent and his brother is talented also. Maybe some people have different definitions of family values. But from everything I have gathered from practice reports, HS coaches, former players, etc. Rodriguez runs his program completely based on it being a big family. He's hard on the players, no doubt. Michigan before hit very little in the spring and did everything they could not to get their starters hurt. Their S&C program lacked accountability and was practically voluntary. That is no longer the case. They have been going through grueling S&C workouts that the players hate. They are running more than they ever imagined and the linemen hate it. The coaches yell and curse more than the previous regime. But they also give them time for one on one meetings with assistants and position coaches and RRod is available to them. They are hitting in spring practice, including going live with their QB's. They are challenging guys to degrees they have not seen before. On the flip side, they had a scrimmage yesterday where they gave out awards. They invited families of the players to come and watch from the sideline and provide a picnic-like atmosphere. Cuilla was an OL 5th yr SR that wasn't going to play and had not. 5th year guys not coming back for their final season has been common with this program for years, and I assume others as well. Mitchell was considered fat and lazy last year under the old regime. His leaving is not a shock at all. Any time you have a coaching change you are going to see attrition in the first year. Some guys just aren't going to like the new way of doing things. That's okay. I hated to lose Boren, but am okay with it. I'm still not convinced I am going to like the new offense, but am willing to give it time to grow on me. The first year will have some bumps in the road. But nowhere have I gotten any indication that Boren's claims about "family atmosphere" are anything but someone trying to justify their decision. I wish he would have stayed and stuck it out. It would have made him a better, tougher player. Sometimes you have to work through problems rather than run from them. Unfortunately, running is the easier thing to do. This obviously applies to all walks of life, not just Michigan football.

Back after a week off. Didn't post last week because of some funky #'s on the scale (5 lb variations in 3 days). Down to 332 this week. Still have a lot of work to do and have to pick up the pace to hit my June 1 goal of 299.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 12:09 PM) Thanks for the update Rex. What kind of competition is he really playing against? I saw some of his video's and the guys that were guarding him were 6'2 white guys, which left me with a little bit of concern. Scoring 40 and putting up 20 rebounds which he has done several times is a great feat against anyone, and I know he's talented, but I'm just wondering what kind of talent he is playing against. Indiana Class 3A is good competition, not great. Most people they were the best team in the state regardless of class, however. Memorial, who they beat in the regional has Kyle Kuric which is going to Louisville. But they were not tall. They were 6'3, 6'4, 6'5 at best. Zeller also had a 6'10 or 6'11 teammate so they did tower over some teams. I think the biggest thing to take from it is that his team beat the #1, #2, #3 and #6 teams in the state along the way and he had consistently superior performances. He'll win Indiana Mr. Basketball and play on the All-Star team in the annual series against KY.

I was also looking forward to seeing a Georgetown - Wisconsin matchup. I thought their similar styles would make for an interesting battle. Wisky is certainly a dangerous team and one I don't think enough people give them the proper credit due.

palehose, a little update for your boy Ty Zeller. Not that UNC really needs the help, but Mr. Zeller accorded himself quite nicely in the state playoffs. He led Washington to the 3A state title (there isn't much doubt they would have won the 4A crown too, if they played Brownsburg the 4A winner) completely dominating the whole tournament. He set an IHSAA record for points scored in a championship game (any level) with 43 yesterday. Here are his performances beginning with the regional..... Regional - 1st Round Defeated #2 ranked Edgewood scoring 32 points with 20 rebounds Regional Final Defeated #1 Evansville Memorial (my alma mater) scoring 38 points with 16 rebounds Semi-State Defeated #3 Batesville scoring 38 points. Could not find a rebound total, but know it was more than 10 State Championship Defeated #6 Fort Wayne Harding scoring 43 points with 16 rebounds. That is just flat out dominant against the best possible competition in their class.

Here is a piece on Gordon from the blog of Terry Hutchens, the Indianapolis Star's IU beat writer. I think it is fair.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 22, 2008 -> 12:36 PM) Son of a b****. Does anyone know if this is a one or tour hour finale? I watched the most recent episode several days ago and, until now, thought it was possible the show would be extended. I know the sentimental moments with Ulrich's character being interrogated and visited by people in his life is reminiscent of those shows where past characters all seem to make appearances; but the ending with Cheyenne, to me, seemed difficult to wrap up quickly. Just think about it -- somehow Jake and Hawkins are going to avoid capture while traveling to Wyoming, locate the bomb, and disarm or remove it before being captured in ONE episode? Maybe that doesn't happen, who knows. I think it'd be great if the government came though with their wishes and detonated the bomb. No one would expect that ending. Also, what happens with Jericho? It'd be ridiculous to just end it permanently without indicating whether or not the town is ready to move on. You can't cover every character, obviously, but atleast have some closure. I'm betting that there are several things left up in the air at the end, left to our imaginations.......

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 23, 2008 -> 12:10 AM) Wow, im glad i didnt mention that my opinions affect his career more than anything. Phew!!!! I wonder if DickRod liked putting all his eggs in that basket? I wonder how his players felt when they found out that recruits for his next job were more important than they were? I wonder if any recruits wondered what kind of a coach was it that would do such a thing? I wonder if a coaches character ever comes into play during recruiting in a recruit's living room with his family? I wonder if THEIR opinion will affect his career? You are greatly exaggerating what happened. Actually, you might not be, but you are making assumptions that may not be correct at all. Neither of us know exactly what happened. My point is, if that is the only thing you have on him, then I'd say you are making a mountain out of a tiny molehill.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 21, 2008 -> 05:44 PM) I dont really respect a coach that would call a recruit and tell him he's leaving his job before the coach tells his team. Of course its even funnier that said recruit just went to his biggest rival. It's a good thing that it doesn't matter one iota in his career whether he has your respect or not.

Problem is, 101, Gordon was already struggling before he hurt his wrist. I am not goign to bash Gordon, but it's fair to be realistic. Gordon was a very good player and a great freshman. But DJ White was by far the best player on the team. Gordon has lots of talent, but his game is not polished. He is explosive, yet too often reckless and sloppy. He has great range, but is not a consistent shooter and too often forces shots. I'm not sure he has a great feel for what a good shot and what is not sometimes. There were times that he made really bad shots covering up the poor decision making. Gordon has talents and skills few players have and I am confident he will be a great player in the NBA in time. But I simply do not think he is ready right now to step into that league and succeed in a big way right now. I know the money is a draw and he has no clue who the next IU coach will be, but I truly believe he needs another year in college. He's talented enough that he'll get by without it, but another year would allow him to get better at the parts of his game that need improvement. The NBA can take anyone with potential. But I'd like to see him be ready to step into the league as a star and I certainly don't see that right now.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 20, 2008 -> 08:31 PM) You read, right? He's been nothing but shady since he left West Virginia, so for a Michigan fan to call shenanigans towards an Ohio State fan right now is hypocrisy at it's finest. Shady in what way? Continuing to recruit all the way up until signing day like every other coach out there? Do you know how many of Michigan's players were still getting recruited the night before? Hell, Cal told Sam McGuffie that RB Coach Fred Jackson, who McGuffie loved, was leaving for the NFL, which was a lie. Illinois tried to recruit Michigan commits (Cissoko for sure off the top of my head), but they get a pass because our guy didn't change his mind? Joe Tiller can freakin whine all he wants, but that's a bunch of BS. There is nothing he's done at Michigan that's shady at all.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 06:28 PM) lol @ the bitter Michigan fan accusing Ohio State of payout. You do know who your current coach is, right? Well that, and you do know the history of your basketball program, right? What the hell does Michigan's current coach have anything to do with any of this?????

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 12:29 PM) He should already see some playing time next season in the Tebow mold. 6-6 running a sub 4.3 is something to behold. He's not God. And he doesn't run a sub 4.3 either. Unless you are talking about the 30-yard dash maybe. Let's not treat him as such.

Anyone have any experience w/ Gold's Gym? There is a huge brand new one not too far from my house.

Anyone have any experience w/ Gold's Gym? There is a huge brand new one not too far from my house.

Glad to see Amanda go tonight. Her act got old fast for me.

I didn't really like the direction last night's episode took. Maybe they needed to go that way not knowing whether there would be another season or not, but I just wasn't crazy about it.

A few observations.... 1. If I were an Illini fan, NOW is when I would be laughing my ass off @ IU. IU has not played well so they have no one to blame but themselves, but damn that was rough. 2. Is anyone besides me intrigued by a potential matchup between Wisconsin & Georgetown? 3. Tennessee will struggle w/ Butler but still win. 4. The committee should have found a way to get Georgia a Fri/Sun spot. 5. Pitt/Mich St in a 2nd round game is a great matchup. 6. Drake/UConn is interesting too. 7. Pardon my ignorance but what is CBI??

Agreed. Two more episodes is NOT enough.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 14, 2008 -> 11:53 PM) HAHAHA!! Awww, bad night? Well, we'd have to watch you next weekend since you guys won't be playing after that, so enjoy being a 1st or 2nd round exit. As an Illinois fan who has experienced it the last two years, I know it means nothing to get that far. As for b****ing about the refs.....uhh what? Minnesota blew the game, then won on a miracle shot. This is just great though, IU doesn't put a postseason ban on itself like it should have this year, is going to gain no benefit from playing out the year, lost it's coach, lost it's two best recruits, will lose it's two best players, and might get postseason bans and future scholarship losses. You guys may get the joy of losing in the tournament next weekend, but your f***ed for years to come. Should have just taken your medicine and built for as near of a future as possible like Ohio State did. If living in your delusional world gaining your happiness from IU's problems go right ahead. Once again, you amaze me because you sometimes say smart things and other times are just plain idiotic. Actually thinking IU should have self-imposed a post-season ban this year ranks right up with the all-time stupid things you've posted. But hey. if finding misery in others makes you happy since your own team can't provide it, I say go right ahead.

I guess I should come here to eat a little crow. A good lesson for you kids...... Don't post from your phone while drinking at a bar! One thing I find funny though after reading these posts is that Illinois fans can't be happy just b****ing about the officiating, they have to b**** about referees inother games too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend Illini fans. It's the last basketball you'll play this year. Come watch the Hoosiers play next weekend while your team is sitting on their asses at home.

Sweet! IU gets to kick Illinois ass for the 3rd time this season.

Bubbles only pop because other teams succeed. When they all are blowing games, the bubble effect doesn't really come into play. Ultimately, all of those teams will be considered and many will make it. Since few teams seem to be stepping up, then some teams are going to be able to thank other schools for sucking!

Still plugging along. Down 1 pound this week. Today is my birthday and I am going out and plan on drinking beer and eating. Cooking a nice big fat ribeye tomorrow, so we shall see what that does to me next week. So far I have been pretty shaky during the weekends, but pretty good with my food choices during the week. I've changed the types of snacks I am eating and trying not to eat for no freakin reason. I am planning on starting to walk with a friend next week so maybe I can walk off the damage I do this weekend and still come out okay next Friday morning.

I look at things differently than many here. I went to my 5 & 15 yr reunions, but missed the 10 & 20. My class loves a party! At each I had a blast hanging out with old friends and also getting to know some I didn't know well. We had people come to IN from Miami, Texas, DC & Vegas among others. For me, other than drinking beer, it wasn't like HS at all. It was nice to see what people were up to now & there were some interesting stories. There was never any false expectation that we would all become great friends. It was just one night to relax, have fun and learn new things about people. Personally, I made a point to at least say hi to everyone even if I never knew them well. I think everyone enjoyed the experience.