MLive: U-M athletes return wallaby to breeder after PETA investigation

Rich Rodriguez had Stretchgate. Brady Hoke had Concussiongate. Now Jim Harbaugh has Wallabygate (LINK). Every coach needs a controversy, I guess.

Hit the jump for various women dressed up for Independence Day, including Candice Swanepoel and Emma Glover.

Tracking the underclassmen: Close to 40% go undrafted

This article mentions Nick Saban. so be prepared to feel pangs of anger. But it does reveal that close to 40% of the players who left school early did not get drafted, which leaves them in limbo of perhaps not even getting a tryout from NFL teams. Nobody from the current Big Ten is included, although Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman is on the list.

Hit the jump for Candice Swanepoel, especially picture #2.

MLive: Roy Manning a big factor in recruiting

Nick Baumgardner put together a piece on Michigan's jack-of-all-trades Roy Manning, who has helped to coach the offensive line, linebackers, and now cornerbacks at Michigan.

Hit the jump for Candice Swanepoel at the beach. (The third picture is glorious.)

Rookie Scouting Portfolio: The Disconnect Between Scouting and Drafting Talent

Candice Swanepoel

Matt Waldman discusses why being a good scout and being a good drafter are not the same thing.

Grantland: The Niners are Running Wild

Candice Swanepoel

Grantland  discusses how the San Francisco 49ers (coached by former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh) are having success on offense this season.

I'm back...

My wife

I have returned from vacation.  It was excellent, thanks for asking.

Obviously, there's a lot that happened while I was gone (commitments, departures, etc.).  Please bear with me while I catch up.

Thanks for all the comments and well wishes!

Out of the Office

There seems to be a trend going around the Michigan blogosphere, and that's . . . marriage.

Yours truly will be enjoying Bahamian beaches for the last ten days of July.

The 2011 Season Countdown will continue as scheduled, but if any news breaks . . . I don't really care.

Candice and I will see you when we get back.