The best (in-game) player will play?

IIRC, Threet's TD throw was to Hemingway. But I think by the time the we start our Big Ten schedule, our starter will be decided or say Tate starting, and Denard coming in for for a fair amount of plays each game as a wrinkle.

I don't think anyone wants Sheridan to play. Hopefully it's not more than a series. I guess Sheridan must have improved significantly to be able to play.

I'm not sure RR has much of a choice. He HAS to see them all in live game action, otherwise he really only has practice to draw from, which doesn't tell him everything he needs to know. I won't freak out to see Sheridan on the field to start. We do need a leader, but we need a leader on the field. I am not nearly concerned with who takes the actual 'first snaps' start at WMU as I am with establishing a clear QB scheme over the first 2-3 games upon which the team can establish some sort of rythm. I can see the wisdom of putting the most experienced QB on the field for the first set of reps in game one. Sheridan is less likely to experience jitters, mistakes, etc. than a freshman stepping onto the field in front of 110,000 fans for the first time ever. I can see letting Tate and Denard spend a series or two getting acclimated on the ssideline and preparing mentally to step onto the field and pick up after the offense has settled in. Remember that the first series and game for these freshman is very, very key. As a coach, I would want to give them the absolute best chance at a succesful first series as I could, because it will mean so much mentally to them in terms of development and attitude. If Tate (or Denard, who knows, but not likely) takes the field for snap one and goes three and out, that can be a bit of a mental hole to get out of when he next takes the field, especially if he doesn't get back on for a series or two. A turnover would be worse. To me, the optimal scenario would be the following: Drive 1. Sheridan starts and takes the offense down the field and employs a wide range of new playbook items/looks to get the offense warmed up. Say what you want, but Sheridan has the most comprehensive knowledge of formations/assignments and execution of the QBs, just based on time in the system, not to mention actual game experience. The offense would hopefully score a TD on that possession, but being realistic I would hope for a 40-50 yard drive with some good long-gain plays that involve good execution, before perhaps a few mistakes in a row result in field goal or decent punt out situation and at least decent field position for the D. Sheridan in the game will keep the likelyhood of a turnover as low as possible, which would be a worst case scenario for both the O and the D. Drive 2. Sheridan again, same as above with play calling tweaked based on drive one. If we are up 14-0 at this point, the world is your oyster Mister Rodriguez. Dog willing ;)(If we are behind at this point, then Tate comes in as an improvement and if not then put on your foul weather gear, because the shizzle is going to fly and we are in for a long season, or two). Drive 3. Tate steps in with hopefully some form of a lead to take his first snap. The offense has had some success and is clicking and Tate integrates himself nicelt and creates a positive, mistake free drive that goes 40-50 yards and a few first downs. Yay. If he scores, gravy. I think from there, it would look like Tate taking the rest of the first half, assuming it isn't a catastrophe, or at least going with whatever QB looks optimal in the game. If we get up by a few TDs, i can see dropping Denard into a series or two as well. Second half is all going to be results driven. If we are inm a fight with WM, then you stick with whatever QB has the best drives. If neither Sheridan or Tate is moving the sticks, I would definitely drop Denard in for a series or two to see if that gets something going, but talent aside, he only has a few weeks in the system and couldn't possibly have an in-depth knowledge of the playbook sufficient to present a lot of variety. If it works, keep using it until it WM adjusts. If not, back to the better of sheridan/Tate. Again, I'm not going to freak out and read too much into which QB actually takes the first snaps in the game. I am going be looking for a game long strategy of testing the QBs in a live situation that will drive a clear, game results oriented approach for the next week. Regardless of WM results, I could still see dropping Sheridan in for the first few reps there as well, for much the same reasoning. ND is a major step up as an opponent and dropping a freshman in aginst that could freak them out a bit also and rattle them.

I think this all highlights some differences in the philosophy of RR vs. others, Lloyd perhaps included. At least from many of his statements, RR seems to value competition for playing time at all times. I.e., no starters are "annointed," and no one's job is safe ever. In terms of the freshmen, I don't think he wants them to "go through the gauntlet to gain experience" if he thinks he has someone on the bench who could play better. So, if Tate is playing the best, I don't see him getting yanked just to give Shoelace and Sheridan "some reps." If he has some plays he thinks will work with the other two, well then he'll put them in for that. Conversely, if Tate is struggling, I don't see him leaving him in there just so he can work through it. Same with the others. I'm not totally sure I like this philosophy, though there are some appealing aspects to it--nothing is granted; everything is earned--but I think that's what we may have to get used to.

Call me crazy, but... I think this "3 person roation" in the first game is RR's way of saying "we are going to use both Tate and Denard, and if one of them sucks, we'll throw in Sheridan because he has looked a lot better over the last month". In no way is he thinking Sheridan is going to give us the best chance to win, but because of his improvement, he deserves a chance if one of our two true frosh disappoint.

because although Denard and Tate will spread the defense a bit wider with their ability to run, all we're going to need is hand the ball to Minor, Brown, et al for the first few series.

I think I am in denial, I'm thinking our Freshman QB's are not going to make poor decisions, say like Matthew Stafford did last night. The major step up in competion is not going to matter that much, they are going to be ok. If I am truly in denial and our young QB's are going to struggle and throw off their back foot into coverage, I think we will see quite a bit of Denard this year. Simply put he is going to be our best running QB. As Bo said, when you pass the ball 3 things can happen and 2 of them are bad. This may be doubly true for true freshman and triply true for scramblers. It is going to be exciting but it is also going to be exasperating at times. Not for the faint of heart, will this brand of football be.