Michigan Football's Possible Practice Violations

"Practice? Are we talking about practice?"

Yes, that was the famous Allen Iverson line about missing a practice.

It's also what the Detroit Free Press has alleged in its recent article that is making the rounds in national news today.

To net it out for you, current and former Wolverines—none of which would share their identity—said that Michigan broke NCAA rules by making voluntary workouts with Mike Barwis mandatory.

There were some other mentions of practice being too long, and some administrative staff being at the seven-on-seven practices that the players arrange.

My Take: First off, you have to play by the rules. It's not correct to ever break NCAA rules, no mater if it's a major violation or a minor one.

With that said, my next statements should speak for themselves:

Record of 3-9. Rose Bowl losses to USC, Appalachian State, The Vest, and Ohio State.

Being a true blue Michigan fan, I'm tired of the above statements. I am very tired of it. Michigan—nor any other Big Ten team—can play with USC or the elite SEC schools any longer. I am tired of it.

Michigan needed huge change, and that change came with the name Rich Rodriguez.

Your're damn right voluntary workouts became mandatory. The only thing voluntary at Michigan right now should be your decision to be on the team or not.

If Michigan wants to be a top-five team again and start playing SEC or USC football, it needs to make major changes.

So yes, that means working hard in the offseason. Yes, it means not coming in 40 pounds over weight to fall camp. Yes, it means getting up early and working out and practicing hard.

Lloyd Carr was a good man. He followed the rules to the letter. He ran a different program that was heading in the wrong direction from an elite program stand point.

Change is hard, folks. Very hard.

Change means 3-9.

Change means seeing coach Barwis more than you see your roommate, girlfriend, or your family.

Change means your're going to lose players to other programs that may even complain to the "Free Press" about being tired and overworked. Change is difficult, and if Michigan wants to make a change to become a top-five team again, change is necessary.

Do I think the accusations are accurate?

I do—to some extent.

I know Michael Rosenberg hasn't written a positive article about Rodriguez since he landed in Ann Arbor. I know Rodriguez and his staff expect Michigan to work hard, very hard.

I also know the war stories about Barwis and how the players have changed their bodies in a positive way.

I also know what played at WVU makes national news at Michigan. Nobody cares how hard West Virgina players work out. It won't make ESPN, but if you push a few Wolverines, it's in every major paper today.

Last but not least, RR and his staff know the rules on practice and workouts. It's not like they are new to this. So, if they stepped over the line, they should get a slap on the wrist, but I have a feeling they know exactly what they are doing.

How do you determine if something is voluntary vs. mandatory? It's really a level of gray. Can the NCAA figure it out? I doubt it.

Here is what I know: everyone in that locker room wants to win, be a top-five team, win a Big Ten championship, contend for national championships, and play professional football. There isn't an athlete in Division I football that doesn't think they can play at the next level.

So why not work hard? What do you have to lose?

This team was 3-9 last year. They'll have a good year if they're able to make a bowl game. The players should be working their asses off every day.

Another point that was brought up in the article was that the workouts were having an effect in the classroom, though I missed the point in the article where the Michigan football team had it's highest GPA ever in the spring term. Funny how that wasn't in there.

The bottom line is this program will continue to have articles written like this until they win. A record of 3-9 is not acceptable at Michigan, and Rosenberg is trying to make a living.

Remember that big story in the Ann Arbor News a couple years ago about the Michigan program and how the classes were too easy? Nothing ever came of that, and now the Ann Arbor News is history.

The Free Press is trying to hold on and trying to write articles that sell papers. This story was about a program making a big change, working hard, and some players not wanting to do it.

That isn't news.

If Michigan broke an NCAA rule, it should be punished. If you have a problem with the workouts, talk to your coach, talk to Michigan's NCAA compliance officer, talk to Michigan's Athletic Director Bill Martin.

Don't talk to the Free Press, and don't sign a waiver that says just the opposite. I wouldn't have given my identity either.

By the way, Mark Snyder also contributed to the Free Press article with Rosenberg.