Michigan Monday: Time for the No. 1 Jersey Again

Dear Rich Rodriguez and Braylon Edwards,

These are troubling times for the Maize and Blue. We know change is difficult and can be very frustrating. We have had two losing seasons and due to some sloppiness the Michigan Program may be looking at some major or secondary NCAA violations later this summer.

The spring game is a few weeks away and I believe this is a great opportunity to bring some positive news back to the program by dusting off the No. 1 jersey and giving it to a wide receiver. As all know, the No. 1 jersey became famous when Anthony Carter wore it for Bo Schembechler. Bo was a big fan of running the ball and when Anthony came to Ann Arbor from Florida and became a star WR, many football fans were surprised. How could a WR be so effective in Bo's three-yards-and-a -cloud-of-dust offense?

That tradition has lived on through the years, with the most recent member being Braylon Edwards. Braylon has even set up a "scholarship fund" that goes along with the No. 1 jersey. So even though Braylon doesn't make the final decision on who gets it, he does get to put in his $.02 (or thousands of dollars). Like we all found out when RR was hired and promised the jersey to JT Floyd on the recruiting trail.

Why now? Because Michigan needs it and they haven't had anyone wear it since Braylon was at U of M in 2004.

Is someone ready for that honor? That is a great and fair question. The answer is probably no, but Michigan needs a spark and it's time to have a No. 1 back on the field. This is a make-or-break season for the Wolverines.

Who then?

The Candidates:

No. 1 for No. 1 is Roy Roundtree. Roy was the star of the 2009 Spring Game and didn't see much time in games until mid-to-late season. He still finished as Tate's No. 1 target with 32 catches for 434 yards, a 13.6 yards average, and three touchdowns. Roy is the famous "Snake Oil" recruit and a redshirt sophomore in 2010. Roy has a nice upside and many expect him to have a big year as a regular starter in the slot. If anyone deserves No. 1, it's Roy.

No. 2 Ricardo Miller. What? This guy hasn't even taken a practice snap for the Wolverines yet? Are you crazy, he hasn't earned the right. I agree with you, but hear me out. AC was a guy from Florida that came to Michigan and spread the field with the passing game. Ricardo is a 100 percent Michigan Man already. He was living in Florida and moved up to Ann Arbor before his senior year to be closer to the Big House. He played his final high school year at Pioneer and enrolled early to participate in spring ball. He has already said he is very interested in the No. 1 jersey. If Ricardo doesn't redshirt this year, I think it would be a good investment for the next four years. Yes, it's a long shot, but what an honor it would be for him.

No. 3 Darryl Stonum: Coming into 2008 Darryl was one of the best WR prospects in the country. He has shown flashes in games displaying why he was rated that high and has made a positive impact in the kickoff return game for the Wolverines. Like a lot of young WRs, Darryl has been inconsistent. Many of us expect him to have a big 2010 in catches, yards, and kickoff returns for TDs. DS's numbers in 2009 were 13 catches for 199 yards. Could be a good pick due to his return yards and upside as a WR.

No. 4 Junior Hemingway: Junior has shown to be a deep threat when he is healthy. The problem is, he isn't always healthy. He only played 11 games in 2009 after coming off a medical redshirt in 2008. In 2009, he caught 16 balls for 268 yards (that was a good game for Braylon) and two touchdowns. Junior is a skilled wideout but he needs to stay off the sidelines.

No. 5 Je'Ron Stokes: Was a signing day signature for Rich Rod and staff in the 2009 class. Je'ron was an Army All-American and was ready to make an impact for the Wolverines. He saw a little bit of the field in 2009 in six games with two catches for 16 yards. He could be another good "future" investment for the jersey.

The other receiving yards went to running backs, Odoms, and tight ends. I expect Roundtree to take some time from Odoms in 2010 at the slot position.

So are you buying or selling this? Feel free to vote in this week's poll on who you believe should or should not wear the jersey.