Lloyd Carr Told Ryan Mallett To Leave Michigan

Up here in Michigan country, Wolverine fans figured Ryan Mallett to be kind of jerky. But as long as he was going to lead Big Blue to a bunch of wins fans would've looked past whatever misgivings he may have had in Ann Arbor. 

Mallett's stay in Ann Arbor didn't last long, and what it seemed everyone knew was true. New coach Rich Rodriguez didn't want Mallett. What no one knew was that outgoing coach Lloyd Carr told Jim Mallett, Ryan's father, that Mallett should leave.

Jim went into detail about Mallett's Michigan exit and choice of going to play for Bobby Petrino at Arkansas in a story in the Boston Herald.

“At the Capital One Bowl, we were trying to smooth things out, and we talked to Coach Carr,” Jim Mallett, Ryan’s dad, said. “I asked him, ‘Coach, next to my dad, you’re the classiest person I’ve ever been around. What would you do if Ryan was your son? He said, ‘If I was in that situation, with a different offense, he needs to leave.’ ”



“Ryan’s the one who called (Rich Rod),” Jim Mallett continued. “He said, “Can I talk about the offense?’ And then he told me, ‘Daddy, (Rodriguez) never looked me in the eye.’ He never visited with the family, he didn’t talk to us. I never met the man. But hey, it wasn’t a fit. Let’s move on.”

“Bobby Petrino was the polar opposite of Lloyd Carr, who is the warmest, sweetest man,” Debbie Mallett said. “Petrino was all business. That was a turn-off for me. I was used to Coach Carr. I knew Ryan wanted to be there, but I was opposed to Coach Petrino. So, I said, “Get me Brian Brohm’s parents’ phone number (because he played for Petrino at Louisville). So, I explained who I was and said, ‘If you had to do it over again, would you want your son to play for Bobby Petrino?’ (Brohn’s parent) said, ‘Hell, yeah. If you got soft ears, you’ll hear some ugly words. But we were actually pissed he wasn’t staying Atlanta (so Brohn could play for him).’ I said, ‘What else can I say?’ After the season, I wrote (Petrino) a note and said, ‘If any parent wants my phone number, feel free to give it to them.’

We all know how everything turned out. Rodriguez had three uneventful seasons at Michigan, Mallett is going to the NFL, and Carr and Petrino look pretty good in this whole mess. 

Vikings' Jared Allen Disappointed With Incoming Rookies

To sum up the Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen, all he wants to do is play football. He wants a fair shake, but he just wants to play. He's not about the money or fancy things that go with it.

That's why he's disappointed with the NFL incoming rookies spending money they haven't earned yet. I myself don't understand that one myself. I know there are going to be some future earnings involved, but with this economy and the current lockout they should be thinking of ways to save money instead of blowing it right away.

In an interview with KTAR in Phoenix, Allen lets the listeners know how he feels about it. He also clues in on other things like the lockout and players that were drafted ahead of him.

“I don’t like anybody who was drafted ahead of me. Kind of pisses me off. You know it did. I honestly think it would’ve been cool to see none or all of the players elect to not show up. I think that would’ve given a really big sign to the NFL. You want us to appease you guys by coming to this show, because that’s what the NFL Draft is on TV, it’s a show for their fans and a show for the league, you want us to do that than let’s get this deal done, let’s quit locking us out, and let’s get back to work. I think the bigger disappointment was to see the jewelry on these kids’ arms and ears. Are you kidding me? You haven’t played a down in the league yet and thousands and thousands of dollars on these kids arms and I’m like you guys understand you’re getting drafted into a lockout where you don’t know what rules you’re playing under or how much money you possibly might get.”


I have to agree with Allen. I know the agents are fronting you with money and you want to look good on draft night, but they know the situation, keep that money. Buy a nice suit or whatever but stop with some of the unnecessary expenses.  


  

A Full Moon

Saturday night Evander Holyfield will be taking on Danish heavyweight Brian Nielsen in Germany. The same night Manny Pacquiao will be taking on Shane Mosley. Guess which fight most will be watching.

There's nothing good coming out of that fight between the two aging fighters that probably shouldn't be setting foot in any kind of ring. What I call a stunt to try to sell the fight Nielsen thought it would be a good idea to 'moon' the audience at the weigh-in. I guess any interest in this fight is good since no one really cares about it. You know the question, "If a tree falls in a forest?"     

That's probably the last we'll hear anything about this fight.