Camp Barwis

Bruce Feldman from ESPN the Mag did a piece on UM's strength coach, Mike Barwis. The way Feldman paints it, Barwis could be as big a part of future recruiting as anything. I can't disagree. When you've got a horde of NFL guys seeking out your strength coach's program, that's saying something. And the results speak for themselves.

In retrospect, I'm glad he & RichRod were a package deal.

UM Unveils New Football Jerseys

The University of Michigan and adidas today unveiled the new Michigan football jersey. Available in stores August 1, the authentic jersey features custom details celebrating the school's storied history and adidas technologies designed to enhance on-field performance.

The inspirational message "Those who stay will be champions" from the late Bo Schembechler is embroidered along the inside hem of the jersey. Interior shoulder panels feature silicone prints of the 42 Michigan Big Ten championship seasons, reminding players of their role in Michigan football history.

"We have a long tradition of excellence in athletics at Michigan and are proud to be partners with a brand like adidas who understands the importance of honoring that heritage," said Bill Martin, U-M's director of athletics. "With the new adidas football uniforms, our student-athletes will benefit from the quality of the product, and players and fans alike can be proud to wear a jersey that celebrates Michigan football."

The new modernized fit jersey keeps with school tradition in color and style while adding adidas innovations in design, materials and construction.

The authentic adidas jersey will be available at The MDEN and www.mden.com/adidas.com beginning August 1. Additional adidas Michigan products including T-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, jackets, shorts, pants, accessories and other exclusive gear will debut in the weeks leading up to the season. A replica adidas Michigan jersey will be available in store July 15.

The launch of the new Michigan jersey comes in the first year of adidas' multi-year partnership with the University of Michigan.

OSU's Clifford Arraigned On Assault Charges

Ohio State defensive back Eugene Clifford was arraigned Monday on two counts of misdemeanor assault after an early Friday morning incident in Cincinnati in which he is accused of punching two employees of a sports bar.

Clifford, 20, pleaded not guilty to the two counts, and posted $2,000 bond. A court day was set for July 29.

According to multiple Ohio media reports, Clifford was accused of hitting two bar employees who were trying to break up a fight. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that according to police, Clifford also threatened to get a gun and shoot the employees.

Clifford was arrested at 1:29 a.m. Friday.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was informed about Clifford's arrest, but a school spokeswoman on Monday had no comment regarding Clifford's status with the Buckeyes, the Plain Dealer reported.

Clifford played in four games on special teams last season, his first with the Buckeyes, but in December 2007, he was suspended for violating unspecified team rules and banned from playing in the BCS national championship game against LSU.

Clifford also was suspended from spring practice this year; the Buckeyes would not elaborate on the reason.

* * * * *

Wackos, hookers & bar fights, oh my! Those "gentlemen" know how to recruit, don't they?

RichRod Agrees To Pay WVU Buyout

***UPDATE*** Michigan Helps Rodriguez Pay WVU Buyout

AP - Former West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez agreed to pay a $4 million buyout clause and settle a lawsuit that the university filed after he broke his contract in December.

The tentative agreement, which university attorney Tom Flaherty expects will be approved by the WVU Board of Governors later Wednesday, would end a case that had been set for trial this fall. It also may end a bitter public feud.

"It's a case that should have settled a long time ago and could have settled a long time ago. It's in the best interest of everyone to resolve it," Flaherty said.

A call to Ohio attorney Marv Robon, representing Rodriguez, was not immediately returned.

Rodriguez quit the Mountaineers in December for the head coaching job at Michigan, only a year after extending his contract with WVU. He had argued that WVU broke the contract first by failing to honor certain promises -- a charge WVU denied.

Read more...

Autumn Thunder's Big Fat Musical

Go check out this jocular YouTube effort from Autumn Thunder: Really, Really Fat: The Charlie Weis Musical. Just try not to sing the freaking chorus for the rest of the day.

New UM Unis?

With Adidas now the official outfitters of the University of Michigan's athletic teams, we knew the new-look Wolverine football program would have fresh new duds to go along with their fresh new coach & his playbook.

Well, thanks to some snap-happy attendee of this year's UM Women's Football Academy, we have a glimpse (allegedly) of what the new road jerseys will look like. It looks like the home blues will be pretty much the same, with just an Adidas logo in place of the old Nike swoosh. The road whites, however, have the maize striping along the sides (pictured), a minor addition to last year's version.

Maybe it's just me, but do these look similar to anything else you've seen before?

Looks like we can check another item off the list of things to swipe from West Virginia.

Desmond Howard: Boren a 'complainer'

Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News sat down with Desmond Howard, the former Michigan receiver and Heisman Trophy winner who covers college football for ESPN, at last weekend's Griese/Hutchinson charity golf outing. Howard commented on several topics, from how he thinks Michigan will fare this season, to the Les Miles debacle, to his thoughts on turncoat Justin Boren.

On Boren:

At first, I was like, 'Wow, he's talking about family values.' And sometimes you use key words, and I read that, and I was like, 'Damn, this thing is just blowing up.' So I came up here (to Michigan) and I watched them practice. I was in the weight room working out, and two players started talking to me, and in general conversation they said, 'This guy, Desmond, was a complainer. He complained about workouts, he complained about practices.' And this is what they told me: 'Really, we're better without him.' I said, 'Wow, that's a different side of the story I hadn't even thought of.' I knew they were training in a way they've never trained before.

So then he went to Ohio State, and I was like, 'Well, how loyal can this guy be? All the colleges available to him, and he goes to Ohio State?' I talked to Rich, and Rich told me he talked to him, and Rich said (Boren) never was really happy no matter what they did. And Rich said, 'Desmond, I've got to do things my way.'

* * * * *

I think it's great to hear the other players' opinions of Boren, given the 'family values' speech he was sticking to on his way out. Good riddance, as far as I'm concerned.

Edwards: U-M's No. 1 tradition safe

Former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards said the No. 1 jersey tradition at Michigan is safe.

Edwards spoke to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez on Saturday night during the Brian Griese-Steve Hutchinson "Champions for Children's Hearts" dinner gala at Crisler Arena.

"Everything has been taken care of," Edwards said of the tradition of a wide receiver wearing the No. 1 jersey at Michigan since 1979.

Edwards, who endowed a $500,000 scholarship for the player who wears the No. 1, wore the number between 2002-04.

This month, word leaked that an incoming freshman defensive back would wear No. 1 this fall. Michigan officials said at the time they were just starting the process of issuing numbers to freshmen, and nothing had been finalized.

"Hell yeah, it's important," Edwards said of who wears No. 1. "It's important because it's tradition. You don't break tradition. I don't care who you are or what school it is, you don't break tradition.

"You could come in here and completely revamp everything, change the coaching staff, you could change the uniforms, change a lot of stuff,but you don't change tradition. The No. 1 is one of our oldest, most storied traditions here -- don't change it."

Said Rodriguez: "I'm better educated now. I talked to Braylon about it a little bit, told him I wasn't aware of the situation with the jersey and we'll get all that fixed. If I can fix all problems as easily as I fixed that one, we're in a good place."

For the record, no one will wear No. 1 this season, Rodriguez said.

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

New Feature: The Valiant Top Ten

Since it's a Friday and we're always looking to stir up pots, we decided to start (what we hope will become) a recurring feature here at Victors Valiant -- The Valiant Top Ten. The purpose of the Valiant Top Ten is to compile a list of things relevant to the sports news of the hour that might pique one's interest or that one might find amusing (sometimes at our rivals' expense).

So, without further ado, we give you the maiden list: Things you won't find in West Virginia. And away we go....

1. Rich Rodriguez
2. Rich Rodriguez's money
3. A WVU fan who hasn't sent death threats to RichRod's new house
   
4. A full set of teeth
   
5. Real WVU degrees
6. A sober basketball coach
7. A family tree with more branches than you can count on one hand
8. A meal that doesn't include beef jerky and/or Moon Pies
9. A yard without an engine-less car
10. Legal booze

You do it to yourselves, Mountaineer fans. You do it to yourselves.

Weis Explains Anti-Michigan Outburst

Charlie "Chuck Wagon" Weis today attempted to explain the root of his disdainful comments aimed at the Michigan football program during Notre Dame’s Blue & Gold Team Brunch, citing a doctor’s report claiming that his empty stomach was to blame.

“Coach Weis has a rare disorder in which the sustenance levels in his stomach have a direct effect on the activity in his brain,” said Dr. Portly McStout, Weis’ nutritionist. “On an empty stomach, it’s as if he has no brain at all.”

Weis defended his statements, claiming that on game days he stays sharp by downing enough food to satisfy a small army. He claimed he hadn’t yet had time to partake in the brunch buffet due to a hectic schedule, and could therefore not be held responsible for the anti-Wolverine sentiment.

“I realize my statements were dumb now," Weis lamented after an afternoon at a South Bend-area Golden Corral. "Hell, we’re coming off a 3-9 season, we’ve been bitch-slapped by Michigan the past two years, and it’s only May, for chrissakes. You could compare it to a drunk guy singing karaoke. I made a fool of myself, and I don’t remember a damn thing. I just should not speak, especially with a microphone, on an empty tank.”

No word on whether Weis had eaten enough prior to games coached last season.

VALIANT NEWS SERVICES

NFL Draft: Henne Joins Long in Miami

Chad Henne joined University of Michigan teammate and the No. 1 overall pick, left tackle Jake Long, as member of the Miami Dolphins with his selection in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft Saturday at Radio City Music Hall.

Henne was the 57th overall pick of the draft and the fourth quarterback chosen. Henne was drafted behind first-round picks Matt Ryan (third, Atlanta Falcons) and Joe Flacco (18th, Baltimore Ravens), and the player chosen one spot ahead of him, Brian Brohm (56th, Green Bay Packers).

Henne is the third-highest draft pick among U-M quarterbacks all-time. Jim Harbaugh, the 26th pick of the 1987 draft by the Chicago Bears, is the program's lone first-round selection. Todd Collins was a second-round selection as the 45th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1995 draft, and Steve Smith was a second-round choice (33rd overall) in the 1984 supplemental draft by the San Diego Chargers.

The 2008 Capital One Bowl Most Valuable Player, Henne completed 25-of-39 passes for a career-best 373 yards and three touchdown passes against the Florida Gators. He was 162-of-278 passing for 1,938 yards and 17 touchdowns during an injury shortened senior season that netted him All-Big Ten first team honors from the coaches. Henne set Michigan career records by completing 828-of-1387 passes for 9,715 yards and 87 touchdowns.

From mgoblue.com

Newsome to 'Godfather of college football'

Four-star quarterback Kevin Newsome of Chesapeake (Va.), Rivals.com's No. 39 player from the class of 2009, has committed to Michigan.

"We called the coaches this morning and Kevin talked to Coach [Rich] Rodriguez and committed," Kevin Newsome Sr. told Rivals.com's Mike Farrell this morning. "Coach Rodriguez was excited."

**********

Sean over at Michigan Sports Center has a good post about Newsome. It could end up being one of the most important commits of UM's near future, considering the jury's still out on our current QBs (not that I'm doubting you, Steven/Nick/Justin). Sounds like he's got a good head on his shoulders, to boot.

Boren Transfers to Ohio State

Former Michigan offensive lineman Justin Boren, who left Michigan in mid-March citing a "decline of family values" under coach Rich Rodriguez, has transferred to Ohio State. Boren started all of last season at center and left guard for Michigan.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel confirmed the transfer to the Columbus Dispatch for a story in today's edition.

While Boren will have to pay his own way for his final three years -- this season sitting out under transfer rules and his final two years of on-field eligibility -- the most intriguing aspect is the history made.

The Columbus Dispatch consulted an Ohio State football historian, Jack Park, who said this is the first transfer from Michigan to Ohio State since World War II and maybe ever.

He did cite two players who started at Ohio State, fought in World War II then played at Michigan after the war in the Dispatch article.

Park also pointed out how unusual it is because Boren's father Mike played at Michigan under Bo Schembechler.

**********

Welcome to the "Most Hated Men in Ann Arbor" club, Justin. You join Terrelle Pryor as co-Vice President.

And good luck getting any PT after sitting out a year, going up against the current starters & incoming monsters like Mike Adams, Michael Brewster & J.B. Shugarts. And no scholarship? Wow... daddy's really got you by the balls. All because he didn't want to travel to two different schools to rip his kids new ones from the stands. Oh, right -- and you didn't want to get in shape.

Long to be #1 pick

The Miami Dolphins have formally begun contract negotiations with agent Tom Condon about the prospect of selecting former Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as the first overall selection in this year's draft.

Condon, who also represents Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, was in South Florida early this week to negotiate specifically on behalf of Long at the request of the team.

The Dolphins would like to have a contract in place with their first pick before the draft on April 26, which would allow them to avoid a potentially ugly holdout like the one that took place in Oakland last year upon the Raiders' selection of quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

By selecting Jake Long, the Dolphins would fill a gaping hole along their offensive line. Vernon Carey is currently slated as the starter at left tackle, but selecting Jake Long would potentially allow the team to move Carey back to his more natural position on the right side of the line.

UPDATE 4/22/2008: The Miami Dolphins will announce in a Tuesday afternoon press conference that they have reached a contract agreement with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and they will select him with the number 1 overall pick in Saturday's NFL Draft. Only the team with the top pick can negotiate contracts before the draft.

A Look at UM's Florida Recruiting

Sam Webb from the Detroit News takes a look at Michigan's recruiting trail, where things are heating up in the Sunshine State:

One of the most obvious recruiting developments in the brief Rich Rodriguez era is the emphasis placed on Florida. The Wolverines have assigned assistants Greg Frey, Calvin Magee and Rod Smith to recruit the state. Only the state of Michigan, in which six coaches are assigned to recruit, has a greater representation.

As a result, the number of Florida prospects with confirmed offers has spiked this spring, and it is still on the rise.

RB Jaamal Berry, Palmetto High (Miami), 5-11/184/4.31: Berry has been one of the hottest recruits in the country during April. Michigan threw its scholarship hat in the ring on Monday on the heels of an outstanding combine performance. He scorched the 40-yard dash at the Scout.com/Under Armour event a few weeks ago in Miami by running a blistering 4.31 and delivering a 38.5-inch vertical.

Scout.com Florida analyst Mike Bakas was impressed by Berry's showing: "He's plenty big enough and will likely be a 200-plus pound kid in college. He looked like the big-time player we saw on film and continues making a strong case to become a five-star player."

Berry has made it a point to chat with other Florida prospects about attending the same school, including Michigan targets Eugene Smith, Brandon McGee and Frankie Telfort.

CB Brandon McGee, Plantation High, 6-0/180/4.45: McGee is clearly one of the most electrifying prospects in the Sunshine State. He didn't play a down at the position he's being recruited for, but none of the programs pursuing him seem to mind. He's that good.

"My season last year went pretty well," McGee said. "I played seven games and missed three due to a high ankle sprain. I actually played most of my season injured, but it still turned out pretty well.

Colleges aren't recruiting McGee at quarterback, though.

"They want me as a corner," he said. "Cornerback is the position that works to my advantage with my height, my speed, and my size. I'm working on perfecting my cover skills this summer. I'm getting with my trainer and my position coach and I'm trying to become a lockdown corner. I'm playing both ways this year."

DT Antwan Lowery, Christopher Columbus High (Miami), 6-3/336/5.31: Lowery is one of the more recent Michigan offer recipients. Noted for his agility, he will be even more effective once he trims down to his desired playing weight of 300.

One of the major factors in Lowery's college decision will be academics.

"Education is the most important thing in my life," Lowery told Scout.com. "I am looking for a school with a good student-to-teacher ratio and a place where the teachers can help the students."

WR Nu'Keese Richardson, Pahokee High, 5-9/155/4.50: Richardson was the wing man to incoming Michigan freshman Martavious Odoms last year at Pahokee. Now that "Tay" is on his way to Ann Arbor, Richardson is the main man for his squad. Last year he hauled in 26 receptions for 452 yards and six touchdowns. He also racked up 274 yards and four touchdowns passing. His cat-like quickness is tailor-made for the slot receiver position in Michigan's offense.

S Jonathan Scott, Seabreeze High (Daytona Beach), 6-4/195/4.60: The recruiting process is not a foreign experience to Scott. He is the younger brother of former Georgia Tech standout Kenny Scott and Ohio State sophomore corner James Scott.

Now it is Jonathan's turn, and he is slowly but surely becoming a coveted prospect in his own right. He already has eight offers, the most recent from Michigan.

"I'm a big guy that can drop his hips and get loose," Scott said.

The Wolverines currently sit in Scott's top three with LSU and Florida State.

QB Eugene Smith, Miramar High, 6-3/180/4.60: Smith is just the kind dual-threat signal-caller Rich Rodriguez covets. He is a threat to go the distance whenever he scrambles, but is equally dangerous through the air. His passing accuracy and ability to read defenses distinguishes him from the stereotypical "running quarterback."

As a junior he passed for 1,597 yards, completing 70-of-115, with 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He holds offers from all three Florida powers and a host of other big-time programs, but the Wolverines are definitely a factor in the race for his services.

RB Vincent Smith, Pahokee High, 5-8/165/4.60: Also a teammate of Martavious Odoms at Pahokee, Smith is scatback type with outstanding hands. Though not as fast as Nu'Keese Richardson, he too has the open-field ability that translates not only to tailback, but to slot receiver as well.

LB/S Frankie Telfort, Gulliver Prep (Miami), 5-11/197/4.41: Telfort displayed tremendous athleticism at a recent Scout.com/Under Armour combine in Miami, running a blazing 4.41 and turning in a 36-inch vertical. He doesn't have prototypical linebacker size, but he is a ferocious hitter and possesses the kind of inline quickness that allows him to stay with backs in space.

"I have good speed, knowledge and explosiveness," Telfort told Scout.com. "A lot of people say I play like Ray Lewis and go crazy on the field sometimes. I'm also a good leader on the field."

His Michigan recruitment is in its infancy, but he has definite interest.

...........

I like the speedy kids we're going after -- speed is, after all, one of the keys to Rodriguez's offenses. The fact that [current commit] Martavious Odoms has paved a way from Pahokee High to A2 for his other standout h.s. teammates is promising, too. Florida has proven to be one of the hotbeds for football talent, so I'm glad we're hitting it as hard as we are.

UM Spring (Post)Game Sound Bites

Rich Rodriguez met with reporters following Saturday's spring scrimmage about a variety of topics. Here are a few snippets:

Opening statement:

I thought we ran the ball hard, Greg Mathews made some nice catches. There were some mental mistakes today but you know, we made some progress.

On the starting QB:

Steve Threet and Nick Sheridan are competing for the spot right now; they’re smart guys, they’ve learned system -- when they make a mistake they know right away, and that’s the first clue they’re learning the system. We have some work to do, but they have some skills that we can try to enhance and we’ll go from there.

On the defense:

The defense should dominate. If they’re not then we’ve got issues because we’ve got more experience and it’s easier for them to pick up a new system.

On learning the system:

I think they’re probably maybe even ahead mentally than where I hoped we would be, which is an encouraging thing. The guys are pretty sharp guys -- they picked up our system pretty quick. We still, we don’t even have 70 percent of the offense in but we’ve got enough in where we have a base to start in August with.

On Kevin Grady:

He’s had a good spring...he was hobbled a little bit initially but he’s really coming along the last few weeks but he’s really a tough, competitive football player. You can do a lot of different things with Kevin Grady, so I’ve been really pleased with his performance.

On needing a fast QB:

If you have that guy you certainly can utilize him in the offense, but if you have a guy who’s a dropback thrower you can utilize that as well. I’ve always said we’ve got to fit our offensive schemes around the talent of our skill players and I’ve done that for 17 years now. So whatever they do well we’ll try to enhance and we’ll try to build our offense around that.

On the final practice:

Wednesday’s basically a practice for us to show them some things we want them to work on this summer on their own. We’ll get a little group work in as well but it’s going to be a lot of individual work with our guys to see exactly what we expect them to come back in August getting better at.

The practices for coaches are -- even though we may be yelling and running around -- that’s our most enjoyable time. I like seeing the guys compete. I would rather have a regular practice to be honest with you, but this was fun for the guys and it was okay.

............

Redshirt freshman (and favorite for the starting QB slot) Steven Threet also spoke to reporters following last Saturday’s spring game:

On throwing deep:

The deeper timing routes are just something you’ve got to get used to so that’s something we’ll definitely work on in the summer.

On his leg:

It’s getting better. It’s pretty good right now. It was good enough to play with but I don’t know if I’ll say it’s 100%.

On competing for the starting job:

That’s why I came. I didn’t come with the intentions of just sitting on the bench. I came to compete, you know, just like everyone else who comes here. They want to compete, they want to be the guy playing. I don’t think anybody’s going to come and be like I want to come to Michigan to sit on the bench.

On the offense:

I’m just getting used to a different offense, you know, this is the 4th college offense I’ve been on. I’m somewhat comfortable, I’m not totally comfortable yet but I’m getting there.

On the option:

It’s part of the offense so you kind of just run the plays that are called. We have the option in so that’s what we’re going to go with.

On the O-line:

I think they’ve developed well, they’re guys that really work hard. They come out in practice and try and get better every day. It’s something that’s just like any other position, it’s going to take time but they’ve been doing a great job.

On his name preference: Steven or Steve?

Steven.

DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

UM "kind of on track" after Spring game

Rich Rodriguez watched the Michigan offense score three touchdowns and kick three field goals during the public scrimmage at Saline High School Saturday, but said plenty of work lies ahead.

"We're kind of on track," Rodriguez said, "but our guys realize we've got to have a great summer. We've got to be faster. We still have a ways to go."

The offense alternated quarterbacks Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan most of the day and both led early scoring drives, Threet taking the first-string snaps and Sheridan taking reps with the second team. After a field goal on the opening possession, Brandon Minor scored on a short touchdown run. From there, the defense more than held its own.

The unit finished the day with five interceptions and a fumble recovery.

"After the field goal and touchdown, we wanted to make it tougher on them," said safety Stevie Brown, who picked off Threet late in the afternoon. "That’s what (defensive coordinator Scott Shafer) is all about. He really pushes getting out there and getting turnovers."

Saturday's cold, windy and rainy conditions also hampered the Wolverines' passing game. Whatever the reason, Rodriguez said he expected the defense to be the stronger unit.

"The defense came along about how I expected," he said. "The defense should dominate. If they don't, we're going to have some issues."

Rodriguez admitted the coaching staff kept the plays relatively simple for the scrimmage in an attempt to throw off any potential spies in the stands.

"We were pretty generic," Rodriguez said. "I didn't let the defense do too many things. I didn't want the offense to do too many things.

"Why show your hand? There may be folks here you don't want to see."

................

Overall, the attitude seems pretty positive going into the end of Spring practice, despite the players that left and the lack of depth at a couple key positions. I think we'll be in better shape than most people think. Apparently some of our enemies do, too.

Report: "Boron" Visits Tosu Practice

Former Michigan offensive lineman Justin Boren was a visitor at Ohio State spring practice on Tuesday, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Said Ohio State senior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins of Boren's possible transfer: "I really don't mind, as long as he comes with the mind-set he's now Ohio State and he leaves the Michigan stuff at Michigan. If he is going to help us and come into the tradition, then by all means come ahead."

How Did Manningham Fail Two Drug Tests & Keep On Playing?

Mark Snyder will tell ya.

Here's the Cliffs Notes version:
The NCAA started testing for drugs in 2005, and they test on-campus randomly during the year and later at bowls. Those tests can happen any time during the bowl season, but hardly ever happen after the bowl game.

An athlete who fails a drug test given by the NC2A for anything on the banned list gets a yearlong suspension for the first offense, and get caught twice? You're done for good.

So how did Mario keep playing after failing two tests?

Tests given by an individual school are subject only to the punishments in place by that school under its guidelines. And the Big Ten, which started testing in 2007, only tests for "performance-enhancing drugs" -- not the ones that make you sleepy.

Michigan's program focuses mostly on "drugs of abuse," including amphetamines, choke-aine, and merry-juana. Steroids aren't the primary focus, but can be included as part of the testing.

Any athlete who either doesn't show up for a test or refuses a test is immediately suspended. As for punishment, the athlete is usually subjected to any combo of counseling and/or a suspension from practice/games. A second offense brings with it more suspensions, and as it is with many programs, it's "3 strikes, you're out."

The most likely reason Manningham only missed one game for two failed tests is because they were probably spread out over an extended period of time.

Super Mario: Puff, Puff, Pass

Former star wide receiver Mario Manningham has said he failed two drug tests while playing at the University of Michigan, according to a story posted Tuesday by profootballweekly.com.

Manningham, who declared for the NFL draft following the 2007 season, his junior year at Michigan, told NFL executives in a recent letter that he "wasn't straightforward" during team interviews at the league's combine in Indianapolis in February. According to Pro Football Weekly, he initially denied testing positive for marijuana when questioned about it at the combine.

Manningham's letter to NFL executives said he failed two tests at Michigan, PFW reported.

"I don't use marijuana anymore -- and I have passed tests since," Manningham wrote in the letter, obtained by PFW. "I know what is at stake for me and my career. I am learning what it is going to take to be a professional."

......

I doubt this is going to help Manningham's draft position, seeing as how his character has already been in question. But even after his sub-par performance at the NFL combine & all the character flaws he may have, he's still one of the top receivers in the draft. Compared to many of the other WRs in this year's draft class, Mario did in three years what they weren't able to do in four. That's got to count for something.