Death by 10,000 paper cuts
That is what this game was. For two weeks in a row we have learned that this is a TEAM sport that requires all 11 guys on the field to be doing what they are supposed to. If ONE messes up, the ship sinks. Our whole offense in the first half, aside from the first drive, was the one man wrecking ball, with each player taking a turn.
Also, Tate earned some more playing time. I had wondered what it would take for RR to pull Robinson. Last year, when Tate was struggling, he got pulled (and pulled fairly frequently). Not so much this year with Robinson. I think that going into the meat of our schedule, Forcier should start, with around 4 series that Robinson comes in, mainly runs the ball with the option to throw.
Part of it is that we were a young dynamic team playing a veteran team. That is true on both sides of the ball. On offense we had young players making mistakes that young players make. We do not even need to talk about defense, although Demens appeared to be a step in the right direction and has earned himself more game time. Not good, but better then Ezeh was doing.
As for the kicking game... RR should banish everything accept punting and XP. If we are inside our own 40, we are going for it. If we score, we onside kick. I would at least tip my hat to the man, instead of watching a walk on kick two KO out of bounds.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
Denard still gives you your best chance to win.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
Tate can make amazing passes but tries too hard to make things happen. 2 INTs today. Thank god for Bye week
October 16th, 2010 at 7:53 PM ^
I think that both of our QBs are susceptible to trying to do too much. Last week against MSU was the perfect case-in-point for Denard. He tried too often to hit the home run when he would have been much better served by hitting his checkdown. Unfortunately, the confidence hit that MSU gave to him is bleeding over and now he is second guessing himself way too much.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:15 PM ^
Remember the situation. By the time Tate was in charge of the offense, it was endzone or bust. When that's what you're handed, you will find yourself in some situations where you have to roll the dice. It seems to me that's where Tate got in trouble today. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until I see more.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
He was trying to lead us back. You're forced to become one dimensional and he did well given what he had.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:36 PM ^
I think both QB's seeing action gives Michigan the best chance to win. Remember that Denard did great against lesser teams last year but struggled against better ones because he didn't get the big plays. When defenses have to worry about covering Denard one series and then Tate is bombing them with passes the next, though, it can totally destroy their rhythm. And that is when big plays, or at least long drives, happen.
Teams have "decoded" Denard a little bit. Iowa "decoded" Tate on the last series. But playing both of them from here on out makes it harder for defenses to play with the correct tempo against both.
Most of all, it looks like most teams will play better against one style or the other. I think both should play and the "hot hand" should finish in the fourth quarter.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:33 PM ^
I think Denard has clearly taken a step back these past two weeks, but how much of it can really be attributed to the increased competition?
His running YPC is down because there haven't been 60 yd touchdowns. Ok, that's to be expected against MSU/Iowa.
His interceptions have basically been mental errors or horrific throws after checking down to his 2nd or 3rd option. Ok, there will be fewer players wide open against these good teams.
He started the double-clutch thing. This is the one that worries me. The double clutch thing is what un-polished quarterbacks do. Yes he is a sophomore. Yes these double clutch things are mostly mental...I'm just concerned that he is starting to regress a bit. I think from a passing standpoint, he is probably where Forcier was last year.
So if we're playing a good defense that will keep Dilithium from busting out 20-80 yard carries, who is the better quarterback right now? I think it's Forcier
October 17th, 2010 at 1:31 AM ^
I don't think you can just guess in advance whether or not Denard will bust a long run against a certain defense. He had about three carries today where there was only one guy who had a chance to bring him down, and that one guy always managed to do so. If he'd played four quarters, I think he probably would have broken one. As it was, he rushed for 105 yards in 2 1/2 quarters.
As for the INTs . . . is Tate really better about avoiding those?
October 16th, 2010 at 7:48 PM ^
I am not in the "Forcier had one good game so lets put him in now" camp. One good game. He might play more, but if you are calling him the better player right now I respectfully disagree. Denard is the perfect type of QB for this offense; Tate is just too slow. Also, if you are looking at his stats and ignoring the 2 int in one game then you should ignore 2 per game from denard as well. Also, RR knows what he is doing. (I'm not backing this up further-you should see the stats). Also, Tate's other good game was against BGSU. Again, BGSU. Also, Denard went intot the game as the leader in yards in the BCS 6 weeks into the season. Also, Denard averaged more rushing yards than Iowa did coming into the game. Also, Denard is the future of the team and he needs more reps. Also...ok, I think you see my point.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:50 PM ^
I don't think that 10,000 paper cuts would kill anybody. They might hurt like a mofo, but I think we'll survive.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^
Michigan currently don't have a QB who have Forcier's accuracy and Denard's leg on the roster. The closest QB who has both is Devin and he's a true freshman. sigh.....
October 16th, 2010 at 8:15 PM ^
I kind of like the idea of bringing Tate in if Denard is struggling for several series. It would be much harder for the other team to prepare if they were expecting both. Iowa seemed baffled at first by Tate and he was very successful. Too bad he made a few very bad passes. Do we know the status of Denard's injury? He seemed eager to get back in.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:18 PM ^
It's much better to have Denard running the ball than Tate fumbling, running around in the backfield, throwing across the field on the run.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^
Having both quarterbacks is going to prove to be a real luxury - they both can play. It would not surprise me if RR finds a way to get them on the field at the same time at some point. You give up a blocker but can create all kinds of problems for the defense.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
Last year there were lots of posts about having both on the field at the same time. I seem to recall that the feeling from some was we increased the risk of injuries if that happened. Certainly RR knew about Denard's speed but they never play ed the same down.
RR does not seem into trickery but maybe with Devin as a third viable QB the idea should be revisited.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
It is apparent that neither Denard nor Tate is the complete package, at least not yet. There is no reason not to start DR (I believe he has earned that right) but to play TF simply to give the defense something else to think about. I'm not suggesting alternate series or quarters but if one qb is faltering, there is no reason not to substitute.
Denard doesn't yet have great touch on his passes and Tate isn't a threat to break huge runs against good teams. Why not take advantage of their respective strengths?
October 17th, 2010 at 12:50 AM ^