Friday Fun (2013)

For 2013, the "Friday Roughs" series, named for its quick and often less polished imagery in 2012, was reborn as "Friday Fun," mostly because I dropped the hasty process in lieu of some more painstaking and elaborate pieces.  But they have been fun, and the results are below:

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SEPT 20, 2013

After a tough l-- err, win against Akron last week, Michigan looks to bounce back against UConn at a small Rentschler Field that may very well be decidedly maize and blue despite being deep in the heart of enemy territory.  I look for this man, the unflinching Jeremy Gallon, to have another strong game.

SEPT 13, 2013

Last week during ESPN's College Gameday from Ann Arbor, Samantha Ponder ran a segment with Devin about his love for cartoons, and his wish to, well, be one. On behalf of the Blockhams, his wish was granted, with a little help from a famous Great Dane:

SEPT 6, 2013

Notre Dame rolls into Ann Arbor for Under the Lights 2... But after being branded chickens this offseason by Coach Hoke and then suffering the humiliation of an unflattering typo in their own concession cups in South Bend, I thought it was only proper to update their famous wall signage as such.  VERY pumped to be going out to witness this game in person!!

AUG 30, 2013

Season 134 of Michigan Football resumes this Saturday, and with the amazing Denard Robinson in Jacksonville, the offense will be unquestionably led by the arm and legs of this man, Mr. Devin Jaymes Gardner.  GO BLUE!

JULY 26, 2013

It seems that our talented quarterback Devin Gardner also enjoys creating graphics and edits in his Instagram account, and one of his most popular works involved merging his face with that of a proud, fierce lion.  Today's Friday Fun is dedicated to him, and his unveil his second, beastly side:

JUNE 14, 2013

In a series of ill-timed and borderline comments designed to poke simple fun at Notre Dame, OSU President Gordon Gee has finally managed to wear out his welcome in Columbus by offending Catholics across the country. As far as I'm concerned, this is just one of many rats in the nest.

MAY 31, 2013

Jake Ryan, sidelined with a knee injury, is making terrific progress in his rehabilitation.  Perhaps it's the work of Michigan's famed Robotics Lab?

MAY 24, 2013

Coveted Paramus Catholic NJ recruit Jabrill Peppers makes his announcement tomorrow.  I think I know what will be the difference...

MAY 10, 2013

Denard.  In different colors, a different helmet, even a different number.  The show must go on.

APRIL 26, 2013

Jordan Kovacs, once a simple college student with a dream, looks to fulfill that dream this weekend at the NFL Draft. (Yes, in truth he was not drafted, but signed as a Free Agent and secured a spot with the Miami Dolphins practice squad, with lots of rumors of being activated for special teams as well.)  This one was a letter of thanks to one of Michigan's greatest stories.

APRIL 19, 2013

Taylor Lewan was recently seen at the Spring Game sporting quite the dapper mustache. Perhaps it's for his upcoming new show on the BTN?  (No, not really)

APRIL 12, 2013

Plenty of confusion leading into Saturday's spring game as QB Devin Gardner was recently seen wearing an ORANGE OREGON STATE JERSEY as a no-touch practice shirt? What's up with that?

APRIL 5, 2013

Ladies & gentlemen, Mr. Trey Burke, frozen in a moment none of us will soon forget.

MARCH 29, 2013

Dare to say the word.  Dare to believe that Michigan can win it all.

MARCH 22, 2013

First round of the Final Four down.  The Wolverines feasted on SD St Jackrabbit at a nearby swanky establishment known as the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Who's next??

MARCH 15, 2013

Okay, so UM did not win the Big Ten. What's their leader going to say to motivate his troops?  This piece went on to become famously known as the "Bravelein."

MARCH 1, 2013

With a tight circle of social media connections and a clever T-shirt project, UM 2014 football commits Wilton Speight and Michael Ferns have done quite a job of drawing in big names to "Team 135."  Friday Fun salutes their efforts with this piece:

FEBRUARY 22, 2013

Somedays, I said on the Twitter release of this Friday Fun job, I just want to draw Desmond Howard. As Batman. Ultimately this drawing would end up in the hands of Number 21 himself, and I had the distinct pleasure of interacting with him on its delivery. Thanks Des!

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Fergodsakes. I never knew how much I enjoyed saying it until that fateful day in January 2011.

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

With all apologies to Marcus Ray, of course.

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

The Future of Michigan. Note that, at this point, Shane Morris was contemplating his future number as a Wolverine.  I remember him telling me that he was really up in the air about it-- and in the end it wouldn't matter, as Big Jon Falk just threw a #7 at him and told him to get to practice.

JANUARY 25, 2013

This was a banner day for Friday Roughs/Friday Fun... as not one, but two, but THREE separate pieces were prepared for the busy Michigan sports weekend. First, there was this, as Michigan Basketball found itself shifting into high gear:

Then we were off to the Senior Bowl, where our own beloved Shoelace found himself not throwing the ball but rather receiving it as he prepared for the upcoming NFL Draft:

And finally we travelled to Virginia, where #1 Running Back recruit Derrick Green was slated to choose between Auburn, Michigan, and Tennessee.  Oddly enough, for a day in which we addressed the present (UM Basketball), the past (graduated legend Denard), and the future (Green), this was the runaway hit in terms of social media response.  And, for the record, he made the right choice:

JANUARY 18, 2013

Lennay Kekua, the tragic girlfriend of Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o, who leveraged this story of grief and sorrow into an invitation to the Downtown Athletic Club, never existed.  Weak sauce, ND.

JANUARY 11, 2013

Michigan LT Taylor Lewan shocked the football world by announcing he would not accept a likely first-round ticket to the NFL and would indeed stay at Michigan.  And the angels blared trumpets, and the sun shone happily, and the people sang glorious hymns of victory and honey and splendor , and all was well in Ann Arbor.

JANUARY 4, 2013

Easily the most popular piece of the Friday series, over 200 Michigan men and women re-tweeted, favorited, like, and/or passed this along in a request to 'Sign' this as a gesture of thanks for everything Denard Xavier Robinson gave during his stay in Michigan. Thanks for everything Shoelace!!