Before I continue here, I need to make something clear. It’s July. Early July. If you’re questioning why you’re reading this, you can understand how I question writing this. But sports have run dry like freshwater in Nevada. Anticipation is kicking in, and it got a lot stronger today. When looking for a template to write this, I stumbled upon “memo”. It seemed so fitting, because Donovan Peoples-Jones just put out a memo. This team is different.
By now you’re looking for me to tell you this is it. THIS is team is winning the B1G Championship or beating Ohio State. You won’t hear those from me, because I can’t stand drinking the preseason Kool-Aid. Which makes this so hypocritical… but hear me out:
Donovan Peoples-Jones tweeted last night, “I don’t think y’all understand.. I’ve never been one to say too much but y’all sleeeepinnnnn heavy…”. A few laughing emojis absent, but you get the point.
Why is this important? Players constantly tweet stuff in this fashion, hyping up their current squad. It’s almost a routine. Every player believes they’re going to have a better season than reality typically exposes. But this is different. DPJ’s last tweet was in March. His twitter is active but consists of retweets of Michigan Athletics’ highlights and achievements, and personal interactions with family and friends. He embodies the “Say less, do more” philosophy commonly engrained in athletes. So why is this significant in any way?
He tweeted nothing of this degree two years ago at this time, or any before the season. Not much to mention there, however. A freshman starting your first season? Not really in the pecking order to make bold statements, as compared to earning your snaps on the field. Sophomore year though? DPJ had established himself as a starter. He was an impact player. His new quarterback was a previous 5-star, number one rated positional player in his class. This would’ve been a perfect time to give his followers a taste of a new regime. But he didn’t. This year, 46 days away from game one, he made his statement. Something’s different.
Where can you assume this hit? Possibly the team looking better than ever before. While the tweet obviously makes this a possibility, I don’t find it likely. I think this tweet is exclusive. This tweet is referencing the offense, particularly the passing game. Why would DPJ have tweeted something like this last year? The offense showed zero evidence that anybody was sleeping on anything. Besides their couches in the middle of the third quarter. Peoples-Jones is obviously mentioning himself when claiming there’s a feel of disrespect for this team, or unit. Bleacher Report recently called Michigan the 20th best Wide Receiver unit in the country, which, at the time seemed ridiculously low.
I think DPJ just gave a preview of these receivers. Josh Gattis has been the best Wide Receiver developer for at least 24 straight months. You cannot argue that in any fashion. The captain of the receiving corps seems to be chomping at the bit to reap the rewards Alabama and Penn State had previously enjoyed. Yes, it’s July. But this is worth watching, and interesting, nonetheless. A quick prayer for a fast next six weeks, I can’t watch any more Canadian football.
Michigan Chat 