Game Ball - Tate?
Although Denard was D-awesome & D-unstoppable, I'd have to give the game ball to Tate. The game was still in doubt when he came in and he guided the team to TD after TD. Going 12-12 doesn't hurt either. Great team effort and Tate shows that Those Who Stay Will Be Champions!
September 25th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
So good to see Tate play today. I love DRob, but when Tate is in, you just feel like he is in total control of his team. 12/12! Are you kidding?
September 25th, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^
You don't feel like Robinson has control of this team? Are you serious?
September 25th, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
some people stopped watching Michigan football after the Indiana game last year and still think Denard is a slot receiver or something.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
It's just a bit of a change of feeling when Tate is in. I like both for what they bring to the game.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
Denard put up fantastic numbers today for any game... in about 6 minutes of the 1st Quarter.
Sir, you must be out of your mind. It's that simple. I guess I should expect more threads like this now... Jamiemac, what's the O/U on Denard vs Tate threads this week? Whatever it is, i'll take the over.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^
Did anyone see me say Tate should start? I don't think so. If Denard is healthy, he's the guy, no doubt. He can break it on ANY play. I just liked seeing Tate play again.
September 25th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
You didn't, but what else am I to gather from a statement like this:
I love DRob, but when Tate is in, you just feel like he is in total control of his team. 12/12! Are you kidding?
Tate looked comfortable, and I thought that's the value he added. Even Gardner looked great today, he just looked like he was thinking too much (particularly when running.) I think you need to re-watch the ND game (among other games) and re-evaluate your opinion w/r/t being in "control" of the team.
EDIT: And to add, I never brought up starting, you did. I was speaking to Denard vs Tate period... what each bring to the table. And to answer the Q to the OP... the gameball should go to the O-Line.
September 25th, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^
Geez people, lay off the guy. He didn't say anything negative about Denard, yet some people seem to be negging all of his posts, even ones where there is nothing even semi-objectionable. This kind of thing is the most annoying aspect of this board.
September 25th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
Fair enough, he's expressing his opinion and I respect that. I just disagree with the assertion that Tate is in more control of the Offense than Denard is. I think it's just simply incorrect. Plus, how do you even quantify that?
(PS, I wasn't negging.)
September 25th, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^
I guess you have yet to really watch Denard play.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
Dumbest thing I read on the board all day.
September 25th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
September 25th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
I am wondering how stupid you are. Can you please quantify your stupidity by elaborating on your unimaginably stupid comment? It would also help if you used more vague/intangible descriptors in order to cover over your secret preference for white QBs.
P.S. Did you hear our president is actually Kenyan and we have yet to see his birth certificate? OMG!
September 25th, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^
O-Line deserves this one IMO!
September 25th, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^
Have to agree. When you rush for nearly 500 yards and it's spread among a bunch of guys, the O-Line is doing an awesome job.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^
Cosign. O-line.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Yes. The hogmollies up front were the unsung heroes of the day.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:12 PM ^
Tate played well- not saying he didn't. But would you be asking the same question if not for the wingless helmet/towel on head and sulking debacles?
September 25th, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^
I think he probably would have been second string to begin with.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:15 PM ^
This was a team effort. And if we had to give it to the player with the most production it would still go to Denard.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
at the delusional Tate-loving weirdos that still exist soley to neg anything positive about Denard.
September 25th, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
Seriously, did you just respond to your own comment. I admit, there are stupid people that are loving on a 2nd string vs a first string, but give the kid credit for taking a game that was in question and putting it away without assuming that the people supporting him are negative to the starting QB.
September 25th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^
Kid was put in an impossible position. Played pretty well as a true freshman, while hurt for second half of the year. Undeniably would have done well in this offense this year but for the fact that his backup last year morphs into the best player in college football seemingly overnight. That considered even with the sideline antics against uconn he has carried himself pretty well and glad he got to show he is pretty good in his own right. Even if he isn't DENARD
September 25th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^
Tate showed that he is still a very good QB and he can deliver whenever called upon. However, the truth of the matter is that Dernard is quite possibly the most explosive player in college football and I thank god that he is playing for the maize and blue!!!
September 25th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
I was reading through the comments and I said the exact same thing to my drunken self right before I read your comment. Kudos to you, my friend.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
September 25th, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
My game ball goes to QB coach Rod Smith. Unreal performance by all three qb's.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^
I don't doubt that Devin will be a star someday, but at this point in time Tate is far superior as a backup.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
I almost thought we were watching a different game. Look I appreciate the fact that Tate took us on consecutive scoring drives but you have to break everything down. Devin got robbed of two td passes, the first on the Hemingway drop and the second on the Molk penalty.
I thought it was vintage Tate. I know they like to say that DRob simply takes what the defense offers, but all of Tate's passes were 2 yard outs that Roundtree and/our Stonum made look good. He also woefully underthrew that pass interference throw.
I enjoy watching Denard and Devin because it's nice to see Qbs trust their protection and not have to roll out everytime to make a completion.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
Tate getting robbed of at least one on interference? Devin's gonna be good. Tate's still got an edge on him.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
Now that you mention the Molk penalty-what happened on that? I can't recall ever seeing a replay.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
They didn't replay it.
September 25th, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
a great throw by DG and an even better catch by Grady. Too bad that it didn't count.
September 25th, 2010 at 6:59 PM ^
but I really meant how did Molk get the penalty.
September 25th, 2010 at 8:49 PM ^
It was neither shown live nor on replay. It better have been a good call, because Gardner and Grady got screwed out of a great play.
September 25th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^
An erratic freshman who shows flashes of brilliance and big play ability but also prone to poor decisions, or an experienced player who manages the offense well and has a propensity to make things happen even if his overall talent level and long-term ceiling is lower. At this point, I think I give a slight edge to Tate. Devin threw some nice passes but overall I think Tate looked much more comfortable running the offense.
Seriously though, Devin's deep passes made me cackle with knowing glee when thinking about the future.
September 26th, 2010 at 5:47 AM ^
I am really happy Tate came in and played well, but it couldn't be more clear who is better (even though Tate is maybe more comfortable in the offense), Tate showed he really doesn't have the arm strength to challenge downfield.
Basically I break it down this way:
Denard spreads the field out with the mere threat of taking every snap the distance.
Devin isn't there yet with his feet, but he showed he can effortlessly get the ball downfield.
Tate, at best, is a game manager with good short distance accuracy.
Honestly, I am really happy at Tate's performance today, he is showing he is a team player, which I think many of us doubted, but Devin is clearly a more capable player.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
September 25th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
Tate was great, but he still does that thing where he rolls out 5-10 years behind the LOS, which resulted in big losses last year against tough Wisc and OSU defenses. RR will help with that.
September 25th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
he is still a sophmore...two more years and getting better? you kidding me?
September 25th, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
2 more years of having a great backup in tate, and 3 more years after this of Devin as well..
Im pretty sure we will have the best backups in the nation
September 25th, 2010 at 5:26 PM ^
Game Ball goes to the O-line. This is the unit that was under the radar by most "national" experts. Yet us U of M geeks felt that our O-Line was only gelling and getting ready to explode. As they have done so far.
Now, as for young Mr. Tate, this has been a whirlwind of growing pains for him. Most kids (99.9999%) don't have to have every life lesson trial studied under a microscope. We are extremely lucky (I say kudos the RR and his staff for stockpiling) to have:
1) The most explosive football player on our team (Shoelace)
2) A seasoned vetern (say I stand by this claim, 12 starts puts him ahead of many 'back-ups') who not only can handle the offense, but do well. (Tate)
3) A third QB with extremely high expectations and has shown flashes of that talent. (Gardner)
RR has it right, Shoelace is the starter simply because he adds the extra explosiveness. It not a knock on Tate. No one in college football is as explosive. Yet Tate does have a VERY key role on this team. He is our back-up and I would take him over 80% of any other QB on any other team (starter or back up). Make no mistake, there will be a key game later this year when Tate has to come in under pressure and deliver. I feel better now thinking that he can do exectly that.
The Team....The Team.....The Team.....
September 25th, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^
Everything you just said. There, that's less typing for me <smiley emoticon>
September 25th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
*Reports blatant plagiarism*
September 25th, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
thinking "Good for him" as I watched him perform flawlessly in this game. Whatever he went through, self-inflicted or otherwise, it looks like he's come out on the other side better for it. I feel extremely confident that we can win with 3 QBs and that's a great feeling to have. There is no other team in the conference with this kind of depth at QB. Tate looked comfortable and in total command of the offense. Devin looked good too and showed the willingness and ability to throw the deep ball (a little underthrown a few times but that's OK). Denard was his usual awesome self. I'm pretty pumped to see UM vs. IU in person!
September 25th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^
I'm proud that they announced that he received an ovation when he entered the game. He deserved that. The would give hime the game ball. He steadied the offense. I felt that while Devin looked good I wouldn't yet want to rely on him to win the game for us. I think Tate can do that. Maybe not as well as Denard but still...
September 25th, 2010 at 7:14 PM ^
I was happy to see a number of things. I was happy to see Taylor Lewan starting. I was happy that Tate came in and handled the offense with ease. I'm happy that many players saw the field today. As far as a game ball, I would have to go with Tate. When the score was 28-14 and Tate came in, many things could have gone wrong, but they didn't. Was it because of the O-line? In part, yes. In my opinion, it was because of some very smart reads and some great patience on Tate's part. The O-line allowed him to be patient, but in the times he had to scramble, he was still in control, and appeared to have great field vision. Congratulations Tate.
September 25th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
Very proud of Tate after reading his post game comments...
September 25th, 2010 at 7:32 PM ^
all i wanted to see is tate and devin throw well in a good pocket.
and they did.
so.
kewl