Streets Leads U-M Receivers into the 1998 Season
9/12/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Heading into last season, Tai Streets was on everyone's list as one of the top wide receivers in the nation. He had just come off a sophomore year in which he caught 44 passes for 730 yards and was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. A 1997 preseason nomination for the Biletnikoff award -- given each year to the best receiver in the nation -- seemed well-deserved for the up and coming Streets.
At the start of this season, Streets has received far less hype and has been left off many of the same preseason award lists he occupied a year ago.
Streets' receiving numbers from the 1997 season -- 28 catches for 476 yards -- seemed to suggest that the Michigan wide-out might have lost a step, explaining the decline in media recognition. However, as is so often the case, numbers can lie, and when it comes to Tai Streets they certainly do.
As a member of Michigan's 1997 National Championship team, Streets embodied the team philosophy that proved so successful for the Wolverines. In some games, such as Penn State and Ohio State, Streets was held without a catch, not exactly what you would expect from a preseason All-American candidate. And yet, like the entire Michigan team, Streets defied expectations.
With Michigan running an offense that spread the ball out to several key players, the deep threat Streets didn't need to be an option on every down. Instead, he worked hard and made big plays when he was called on, such as his five-catch, 108-yard, one touchdown performance on the road against Wisconsin or his four receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. Without his big play-making ability in the Rose Bowl, Michigan may not have been so successful.
This year, Michigan should expect to see major contributions from most of the wideouts. Not only do the Wolverines return Streets, but they also expect significant help from juniors Marcus Knight and Kevin Bryant, as well as converted defensive back DiAllo Johnson and freshmen sensations David Terrell and Marquise Walker. In addition, the return of All-American tight end Jerame Tuman insures that there will be plenty of Wolverines sharing center stage.
For many athletes, shifting in and out of the spotlight so much could get a bit frustrating, but for the humble Streets, individual recognition is nowhere near as important as team success. "As long as we win, it doesn't matter what kind of stats I have," says Streets. "We're just trying to have fun and win, we don't care who gets the spotlight."
Within every team unit, leaders must emerge and as Streets enters his final U-M season, he takes on more responsibility than ever before. He now has three years of Big Ten experience to share with the younger receivers, as well as a knowledge of what it takes to perform in the big games.
"I've taken on more of a leadership role," says Streets. "When the other guys need help, I try to help them out. When you become a senior, you have to take on that leadership role. I want to help the young guys learn the position, because it's tough moving from high school to college."
The other Michigan receivers have been learning a lot from the soft-spoken Streets, particularly Johnson, who made the switch to wide receiver over the off season. After a whole summer working with Streets, Johnson believes he has the skills needed to compete in the Big Ten.
"Tai's helped me out a lot," he said. "We're good friends, and we both like to compete, so he helps me compete by making sure that I'm doing things right. I'm much better because of Tai."
Streets' positive influence has rubbed off on Knight also, who echoes Johnson's sentiments.
"Tai is a great guy and you learn a lot by just watching him play," said Knight. "The heart that he has, the desire he shows, how he competes to be the very best player he can, and nothing less."
Last season, Streets demonstrated that tremendous heart and desire. Despite playing much of the season with broken fingers, he continually pressed on, rebounding from games in which he was held without a catch by coming up big the following week. Nonetheless, Streets is rarely concerned about himself. He is a individual who understands selflessness, and practices it.
"I always want to be there for somebody," says Streets, "on the field and off. I want to be a person that you can count on. Off the field, if somebody needs help, I want to be there for them. I want to be there whenever necessary, especially on the football field. When the coach calls on me to catch the ball, I want to catch it, to help this team win. That's the kind of person I try to be."
Streets' efforts have been noticed, especially by the coaching staff, who plan on calling his number more this year than ever before.
"Tai is a very coachable player," said wide receivers coach Erik Campbell. "He is thirsty to learn anything he can to help the team. Compared to his freshman year, he knows the entire offense, rather than just one position. He could play any position on the field if he had to."
While Streets probably won't be taking any snaps at quarterback, it is certain that a number of balls will be thrown his way this season.
"Tai has shown that he can make big plays in big games," says Campbell. "In order for this team to be successful this year, we are going to depend on Tai to make those big plays and have big games, especially in his senior season.
"Tai is 100 percent healthy. He's also much bigger and stronger than he has ever been. I wouldn't hesitate to call him one of the very best receivers in the country."
The expectations are high and the pressure is intense, but Streets insists that he will approach this season just like the last, regardless of the titles Michigan is defending or the fact that this is his last year in a maize and blue uniform.
"There's pressure, of course there's pressure, but you can't focus on it," says Streets. "If you do, that's when you start making mistakes. I try not to think about it, and just try to have fun. I look to Michael Jordan and how he handles pressure -- he always keeps his cool. That's how I try to perform, on and off the field."
It's not surprising that Streets looks up to Jordan, as he was born just south of Chicago in Matteson, Ill. According to Streets, it was the city of Chicago that helped him become the person and player he is today.
"I basically grew up in the city," he said. "My grandmother lived there, so I spent most of the time at her house. I learned most of my life lessons in the city of Chicago. It was a great experience for me, trying to grow up and deal with so many different kinds of people. It really forced me to grow up, and it also got me into sports. That's all we did -- play football and basketball."
Streets knows that he will be depended on to make big plays in big games this season, but he also knows that he doesn't have to shoulder the entire burden. Johnson, Knight and Bryant are all prepared to step-up to the challenge, as are the two freshmen.
"We have the attitude that we are all prime time receivers," said Johnson. "And if coach calls our play, we're going to catch the ball. That's our job."
So, while some of the critics leave Streets off of their preseason All-America lists and his coach calls him one of the very best in the nation, Streets stays focused on the team. With a selfless attitude and improvement in his game, Streets is the worthy leader of a very capable squad of receivers. Primed to make an impact on the football field at any moment, it is certain that when his number is called, great things will happen.
