Denard to start?
It's behind a paywall and I have to go to school so I don't have time to link, but there are rumblings from some of the "knowledgeable" posters on Scout that are saying Denard will start/see a much greater roll Saturday. This corroborates well with what we've read from Tate's Facebook yesterday.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:00 AM ^
travesty
travesty
November 12th, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^
Yeah, kinda weird huh? Denard hasn't seen the field in a while and i thought that Tate played well against Purdue. Denard is a good change of pase though.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:08 PM ^
pase - a maneuver with the cape in bullfighting, the purpose of which is to get the bull's attention
pace - the speed or rate at which something happens, changes, or develops
Actually, both words are fitting, for Denard is our beloved torero.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:05 AM ^
That seems like a strange decision. Tate played pretty well against Purdue.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:05 AM ^
I was going to ask this same thing. There's a poster over at Hailvictors that was reporting this, too.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:07 AM ^
This sounds crazy. Unless DRob is starting on Defense.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:08 AM ^
Do we know why Denard would get the start over Tate? Did he further injure his shoulder last Saturday? He took a couple of pretty good shots against Purdue.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:09 AM ^
see's something in the Wisky D that they feel Denard can best exploit.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
I can't say I understand this decision. Tate played well last week. Good luck to Denard if true though. Let's hope he can make a few decent passes to at least keep the defense somewhat honest.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:13 AM ^
1st play of the game. 80-yd play action bomb for a TD. Everyone thinks run. DRob pulls up and bombs a strike to Stonum.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^
reads this, you have ruined the element of surprise.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:47 AM ^
too late. it was David Cone's facebook status for the past hour.
David Cone gunna luv that shit wen RObinson bombs my man Stonum like Febreeze does stank. Febreeeeeeeeeeze.
2 hours ago · Comment · Like
November 12th, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^
I wonder if this is the reason why people are saying TF's dad is upset with RR.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:23 AM ^
Um, who said that? Link?
November 12th, 2009 at 10:12 AM ^
Sometimes RR makes crazy personnel decisions.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:56 AM ^
We probably have about 1 % of the information that the coaches have on the QB's, so perhaps we should give them the benefit of the doubt?
November 12th, 2009 at 11:48 AM ^
my other 99% comes from my cousin's eskimo brother's janitor friend who works in kinesiology and reads Cone's post-practice raps. they reveal EVERYTHING
November 12th, 2009 at 10:12 AM ^
Practice! We talking about PRACTICE!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^
we retire the practice thing?
November 12th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
We did. About 9 years ago.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:13 AM ^
My guess is that Denard may start, but Tate is going to see a lot of 2nd and 3rd down plays. Who knows, if Denard turns the ball over, it may be Tate from there on out. Or, if UM gets down, Tate's getting the call...
November 12th, 2009 at 10:14 AM ^
...RR could be resting Forcier for OSU. I think the odds of winning at Camp Randall are pretty slim, and that giving Forcier a week off to heal and watch from the sidelines might be enough to pull off possibly the biggest upset in the rivalry. Besides, we really don't know how much Forcier does or doesn't hurt, but I am in the corner of those who think he has been playing over a lot of pain.
Getting DRob some experience against a ranked team can't hurt, either. There is also the chance that RR feels that Wisky lacks team speed and that this is the one game where DRob could make a difference.
I just wish it wasn't on BTN.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:27 PM ^
I know it sounds crazy but I (almost) like the idea of resting the injured players and assuming that wisconsin is a loss*. let everything ride on the osu game. it's cliche to say that if beating rival is only win all year then that's a good year...curious to see if true in practice.
*hell, big 10 is crazy enough this year that maybe our second string beats wisconsin anyways. we somehow beat them last with minimal talent.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
soooooooo with your logic, RR has already excepted defeat and is starting Denard in an attempt to give him extra "practice" time. Sounds logical. Except for the fact that we are on the verge of bowl eligibility and need a win to move on to post season play. That may be the most insane assumption of all time. Im pretty sure RR will do whatever it takes to give his team the best shot of winning against Wisco, especially considering the heat hes taking right now. Thank you Come Again!
November 12th, 2009 at 10:14 AM ^
worry about Moo Cows. Let us be the Dong punchee for a change...
November 12th, 2009 at 10:56 AM ^
Dong Punchor...we have been the punchee a few times already.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:07 AM ^
The searing pain from last weeks dong punch has impaired by writing abilities.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
Maybe RR is trying to light a fire in Tate? He seemed to play with more passion and excitement early on in the year. Whatever the reason is, I sure hope it works.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^
According to Tom Beaver there are rumblings that Denard will start with Tate being the change of pace QB. Tom speculates that because Denard has gotten less and less playing plus the addition of Gardner next year, if Denard doesnt see playing time and is buried even further in the depth chart we might lose him.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:07 AM ^
Well, I would think, and I'm 100% sure, that Rod really wants and needs that 6th win. Based off Robinson's QB play this year, I don't really see it as giving us the best chance to win against Wisconsin. Sacrificing a chance at winning in exchange for placating certain players sounds like the coaches are throwing up the white flag for rest of the year.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:22 AM ^
Not saying I agree with the speculation. From everything Ive read it sounds like Denard is All in. There havent been any grumbles of unhappiness from him, that I know of.
I agree with you. However, I dont think the coaches are sacrificing wins in order to please one player. Tate has been good for games and bad in others. His play has been inconsistent enough, in my opinion, where you can make the case for giving Denard the start to see what he can do if/when he gets into a good rhythm. Denard has not started a game this year and I think its time to see what he can do. I mean honestly, nobody is picking us to win these next two games. You might as well see what he can do and if he plays horribly you can put Tate in. I see it as a win-win. If Denard plays well and you win, RR will look good. If Denard plays horribly at least you know where he is at for sure.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^
this could be a classic disinformation ploy. It seems to me as the season has progressed, teams have had more and more info on what Forcier is able to do and the defenses have been making more and more adjustments. If it leaks that DRob's starting, Wisconsin has to plan for both qbs and may not be quite as prepared for either?
November 12th, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
Especially if Tate is banged up. He may want to see what Robinson can do when left in for several series to start the game rather than coming off the bench because things are not going well. Kind of like a pitcher starting a game as opposed to coming in with no outs and the bases loaded.
Who knows, just a thought.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:03 AM ^
I am just going to trust the coaching staff on this decision if it is true. Especially since they get paid the big bucks to make these decisions. Maybe Tate is having a bad week of practice or maybe Wisconsin's D is a little slower than other defenses we have played and the coaches think Shoelace could find a couple creases and be off to the races.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:09 AM ^
I really would, but if this is true it seems like an extremely weird decision at least.
Wisconsin's pass defense is mediocre (mid 60s rank in pass efficiency, even worse in PassYds/Attempt) and their run defense is top 20 in terms of yards per carry against (3.1, 3.9 with sacks taken out).
It seems like taking the air out the ball plays to the strength of their defense.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:05 AM ^
Denard to start and Forcier to sit? My bullshit detector is going off big time.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:05 AM ^
What does starting truly signify? So if Denard "starts" and plays the first series of the game, and no others, is this any different or any more significant than Denard playing 1 series later in the game? Tate will still take the majority of snaps (unless he is injured).
November 12th, 2009 at 11:31 AM ^
It's difficult to imagine Denard taking the majority of the snaps. Then again, Sheridan started over a healthy Threet at times last year.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:07 AM ^
We should start Drupal on defense, if he can shut down mgoblog he should be able to put Wisconsin on lockdown.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:15 AM ^
My hat is off to you.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:15 AM ^
Got to hold the Drupal defense in reserve for tOSU.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:39 PM ^
Stop discussing plays we are running in closed practices!!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^
Wasn't Sheridan playing with the first team in practice a couple weeks ago? I'll be excited to see what happens with this one, although it'll be tough to find a TV in Montreal this weekend showing BTN.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
this was reported as similar information, and may have been true (he may have been practicing with the 1st team for some time.) However, this was completely not true in the game.
This speculation needs to stop. It's ridiculous that if I use words like "if", "may", "potentially"... that I can pretty much say whatever I want, since it's presented as a rumor.
This is precisely why I will not join a paysite. That is all they do.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^
Denard happy. All this talk about slot receive and wildcat packages may not match his dreams of being the QB.
RR gives him a start and he's placated, Tate's pissed. Man, I hope this is all it is.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:37 PM ^
I hope this is not the reason (if he does start). RichRod has given Denard a very fair shot.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:45 PM ^
We, the fanbase, are the only ones talking about wildcat packages, moving him to slot, etc...
November 12th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
I don't care who starts, as long as they stop giving Denard complete series like they have been and start using him more situationally like they did at the start of the season.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:29 AM ^
1. It may not be true.
2. Tate may be injured.
3. Tate could have a behavioral problem.
Off the top of my head, these are entirely plausible reasons why Tate may not start that would stop people from "WHY ISN'T TATE STARTING DENARD CAN'T THROW!!!" rants.