Michigan and Michigan State 2016

[garbear]

Guess I'll just let the late great Bob Ufer and the Michigan Band take it away!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmlhHlG0T4Y

[Denny]

Well it looks like MSU could not beat the best team that money can buy today as Michigan beat them along with 7 million dollars that they invested upon to hire Jim Harbaugh! I would say now that so far at least, it has paid off with U of M winning 32-23 today and are now at 8-0 on the season. Okay so I admit that they still have a tough road yet to climb with one big game at least at Iowa City in the next few weeks and of course the big one at the Horseshoe and Ohio State. Time will tell as far as how much longer they can keep up the win streak and undefeated streak as well. I am also glad to see Michigan beat State not so much for the hype stuff but, a dear friend of mine once rooted for Michigan from Saginaw and next weekend will be four years that he passed on. I hereby say that this game and win is for you Dick McNeil. Go Michigan and Go Blue!

[Guest]

Go M S U. Beat the best team that money can buy !

[Denny]

For both tugboathunter and garbear, I have seen and read both of your comments and you are both right about the talent or the lack of talent whichever you look at that the Lions have had over the years along with all of the QBs they've had as well. The last time the Lions probably had a QB as good as Stafford was back in the Glory Days of Bobby Layne as that is when I think they won most of their titles was with him in the 1950s. For tugboathunter yes you are correct about Dan Marino only playing in the one SB and never winning one, yet he has thrown and passed with many records a few of which have since been broken. Another QB to add to the list that I thought of last night is Jim Kelly who played for the Bills and went to four SBs losing all of them. Add this to the list and look at Dan Fouts remember him? He played for San Diego and had tons of passing records yet he never went to an SB and even won one. As far as the talent for the Lions go, they once drafted Billy Sims and Barry Sanders two of the best runners of all time. They came here to the Lions and neither went to an SB or won it. To me it was just "wasted talent on the Lions' part." One can only dream of if they had played for somebody else, how many Super Bowls they might have gone to and possibly had won in both of their careers?

[Denny]

Hey garbear I've read your comments and while I agree with you as far as his passing records and some of his other records that he has achieved at a fast pace clip and at a young age, I still do not agree sorry to say he is an elite QB inspite of what many have said. Yes, you are correct about the others that have won SBs such as Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer and you are correct about the talent and that it takes more than just a QB to win games. As I mentioned earlier, many higher ups and experts in the NFL base a QBs record on how many winning and losing seasons they have along with Playoffs and Super Bowl appearances and some may even suggest the MVP of the league as well. Stafford is in his eighth year with the Lions now from their website. In his eight years, the Lions have only been to the playoffs twice and lost each time in the first round. First in 2011-12 by the Saints and then in 2014-15 by the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions need to find ways to be a better team and to beat the elite teams both at home and on the road and also need to make the playoffs and win their division. Both the Vikings and Pack have all won the North Division along with Chicago a few times I think? The Lions have yet to ever win so far the North Division. Just my thoughts and opinions only on this.

[tugboathunter]

Keep in mind that Dan Marino, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time as you know, never won a Super Bowl. Brady has four rings to his name, but Bill Belichick is certainly the best coach in NFL history, and Brady didn't really start playing at a truly elite level until he was in his thirties- well after his first three Super Bowl wins.

One can only hope that Stafford will get there someday, because there are those who judge quarterbacks solely on Super Bowls rather than the quality of their play throughout their careers. But the Lions have probably never had a quarterback this good, maybe ever.

[garbear]

A quarterback alone is not going to win a Super Bowl. What did Brees, Brady, and Manning have that Stafford doesn't have? It's talent. Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson also won Super Bowls. Does that make them better quarterbacks than Matt Stafford? I don't think so.
One of the main reasons Calvin Johnson retired is the lack of playoff appearances by the Lions.
Here' a few "Stafford Stats:"
One of 4 quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season.
The fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 25,000 career yards. He's now at 27,890 yards.
He ranks in the Top 50 of all time in career passing yards and touchdown passes. He's also only 28 years old.
I've watched the Lions since the 60s and for the most part they've been a talentless team. Not to say they haven't had talent, but not enough at the same time. Also, look at his numbers this year. Great numbers.
Yes, he is an elite qb!

[Mike]

$ 9,000,000.00 dollars per year for a 46 and 24 lifetime college record -- that's highway robbery at it's best at U of M !

[Denny]

Well as usual it seems that some disagree with me on the Stafford stuff with the Lions. No problem folks as I respect your views and opinions here and that is your public right. However, let's also not forget "Has Stafford ever been to or played in a Super Game like Drew Brees and Tom Brady have?" Each of those QBs Brees, Brady and Manning have all been to Super Bowls and won and yeah I know that they have also lost a few but my point is that Stafford has not been to a Super Bowl yet and won one. So, until the Lions get over the hump and get to the Super Bowl and Win I am not yet sold on Stafford being an elite QB in the NFL just yet and I am sure that there are some that will agree with me on my comments here. Also, don't forget that someday Brady and Manning are both sure locks for the Hall of Fame. Many folks in the NFL base a player's career on wins and losses and Super Bowl appearances and wins in a Super Bowl. Sorry to say but, Stafford is not with that class yet!

[Mike]

I have always enjoyed this game. it's sure to be a 'blood and guts' game. I enjoy watching Jim pull his hat down over his eyes and strut around on the side lines like a banty rooster when the calls go against U of M. that right there is worth the price of admission !

[tugboathunter]

Stafford actually doesn't get enough credit for what he's done. He hasn't missed a game since his second season and has been arguably the best passer in the NFL since they changed offensive coordinators last season. He's on pace to shatter almost every career passing record (mostly held by Brees and Peyton Manning) by the time he retires assuming he stays healthy.

Plus he runs the ball and shows a lot of toughness in doing so, and has that clutch factor with his ability to lead game-winning drives in the fourth quarter (leads the league this season).

I would take him over any QB in the NFL right now except for Brady and Brees, but of course they're both in their late thirties now and Stafford isn't even 30 yet. My only fear is that he won't have any chance of playoff success with the Lions' current coaching staff and management in place.

[AZ MEL]

Matthew Stafford is an elite QB, no doubt about it!

Go Wolverines!

[Guest]

Sorry folks - I was wrong - Jim Harbaugh is paid 9 million dollars per year with his new insurance policy. Harbaugh's total college record stands at 46 wins and 24 losses during the regular season and 2 wins and 1 loss in bowl games. Nick Saban is paid 7.1 million a year and has a total college record of 204 wins and 60 losses, 10 wins and 8 losses in bowl games. Urban Meyer is paid 6.1 million dollars per year and has a total college record of 160 wins and 28 losses, 10 wins and 2 losses in bowl games. Mark Dantonio is paid 4.3 million dollars per year and has a total college record of 107 wins and 55 losses, 5 bowl wins and 3 losses. U of M must be 'in a hurt'en' way' to pay this much money for such a weak college record.

[Denny]

I would like to add a little bit to the Guest's comments about what he had to say as far as "Let's see what 7 million dollars can do as far as if Harbaugh and U of M can beat MSU on Saturday." This is sort off subject and sorry if it is but, just trying to make a point is all it's about. Take in the NFL Brock Osweiller didn't want to be in Denver and so he signs with the Texans for 70 some million and now look at that the way he's playing in Houston? He stunk on Monday night when they played at Denver! I'll bet Bronco fans are more than happy he left town as Brock got booed big time and the fans in Denver hate him big time. Also look out in San Francisco as Colin Kaepernick was signed to a huge contract and what is going on out there? The 49ers stink as they are in last place and at the bottom and Kap has only started twice for them and stunk each time he's played. Maybe if he would stop his protest he might be a better QB for the 49ers? Goes to show you pay these guys big bucks and look what happens? Last word, the Lions have gone on to win 3 straight yet they think Matthew Stafford now is one of the elite QBs in the NFL! Give me a break as he isn't even close to that.

[garbear]

U of M football is 7 and 2 when they play MSU. harbaugh lost last years game. let's see what 7 million dollars can buy this year !

I just read yesterday that it's 9 million dollars.

[Mike]

I like Harbaugh's new glasses but, a Woody Hayes he aint !

[Guest]

U of M football is 7 and 2 when they play MSU. harbaugh lost last years game. let's see what 7 million dollars can buy this year !

[garbear]

I started following the U of M in the early to mid-60's and have been a fan ever since. The Wolverines should be able to beat Sparty, but it's one of those rivalry games that no matter what the opposing teams' records are, it's always a battle.
I can see M having issues playing at Iowa City in a couple weeks and then the big game Thanksgiving weekend. Playing at "The Horseshoe" will be a huge challenge. GO BLUE!!

[Denny]

Well we are vastly approaching the yearly rivalry of both of the two Michigan universities Michigan State vs Michigan this weekend on Saturday afternoon. Wow what a difference a year can make sorry to say that State fans but, two teams in totally different directions as U of M is 7-0 and ranked near the top of the polls while MSU is headed in the opposite direction having dropped four or five in a row now. It wasn't that long ago I recall where most of the State fans here "were bashing the Wolverines and Harbaugh last year." Well what do you think of the job that Harbaugh has done so far now in only his second season with UM? Okay I know and admit that he hasn't beaten MSU or Ohio State just yet since he took over the program last year and hasn't won the NCAA title either with UM so far. I say give it time and let's see what develops here. Not trying to upset the apple cart here, just making a point is all. The UM vs Ohio State game will be a true classic IMO just like the days of Woody Hayes vs Bo when they meet at the end of the year. Can't wait to watch that game. Michigan Football is fun and back!