Drew Tate comparison needs to be shelved
Yes, I get it. They look the same and play the same. I have even been guilty of it myself, but I cringe a bit when I hear the Force being compared to Drew Tate. My reasoning is from what most people don't remember about Drew Tate.
What we often recall is a scrambling playmaker pulling out a bowl win over LSU in route to a 10-2 season as a sophomore. What we don't remember is his trajectory moving downward along with the team record of 7-5 and 6-7 as a senior. His final year was particularly bad due to yelling matches on the sideline with teammates, questionable decision making and audible calls from the stands during many games for his replacement as he had simply worn out his welcome with his diva act (some of our fans also wanted Henne replaced by Mallett, yikes).
No, I don't have a better proxy, but man I cringe when the two are placed next to each other since I would hate for Tate to trace that arc since I witnessed the downfall. Almost feels like tempting fate.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:45 PM ^
I have hated the Drew Tate comparisons from day 1 for the same reasons. I know when Brian does it he means that they have a similar build and similar skill set, but every time I hear Drew Tate I think overhyped, downward spiral, unfulfilled potential. I hope our Tate's career is nothing like the others.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:47 PM ^
Drew Brees is a happier comparison. People forget that Brees was a very good running QB in college -- ran for over 500 yards his senior year. Both Brees and Forcier are none for their accuracy and being undersized. It's still very, very early, but Forcier has already shown that he's a special talent.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:15 PM ^
That sounds better, at least to me. My lasting memory of Drew Tate was him running around against OSU or PSU and just throwing up ducks that were picked off. He was a decent QB, but i think Forcier has a bit more to work with both on this team and via his skill-set than Tate.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:53 PM ^
Did you actually misspell "known" as "none?"
September 18th, 2009 at 2:52 PM ^
Joe Montana-supreme accuarcy with decpetive mobility and he was as cool and clutch as they come. Best line ever comes from the Super Bowl before he took em 92 yds for the game winning touchdown. Everyone is in the huddle waiting for the ref to let them begin after the time out, everyone getting jacked in the huddle going nuts. Joe looks over at Randy Cross and says hey there's John Candy in the front row eating popcorn.
Tate=Joe Cool
September 18th, 2009 at 3:02 PM ^
Tate can't be compared to anyone but God, and that is cutting it close.
EDIT: Tate for Mich, not the other Tate
September 18th, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^
FWIW, Tate never had the talent at Iowa to succeed like Forcier presumably will have. Tate also had a knee injury that severely affected his play making ability. Losing took it's toll on the whole Iowa program. They just started to come out of that recession of sorts last year.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^
When Drew Tate had a competent offensive line, he was good (2004 season). Iowa's OL was really shitty in Drew's upperclassmen years and there were few playmakers at RB and WR, so he struggled. When he had good protection, Drew Tate was able to sit in the pocket and make plays, and if he had to buy time, he could move with his feet. He made really good throws for being a sophomore. I don't put all the blame on him for Iowa's poor seasons in '05 and '06; it was more of a product of very bad OL and dearth of playmakers.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
Often when quarterbacks take a step back it's because of line play. Looking strictly at a team's W-L record doesn't take into account changes at other positions. Chad Henne's statistics in the 2005 season weren't significantly different from the preceding or following seasons, but the W-L records are night and day.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:05 PM ^
That 2006 OL had Olsen, Jones and Yanda who were all drafted with 5* Doering and Richardson on the bench as So. Brodell torched UT in the bowl game at WR with Sims/Young at the TB position. The defense was decent and that team had considerably higher expectations going into that year (at least locally). It was terrible chemistry on the team with much directed at Tate. There was only an early concussion in the second game with no other injuries.
I like Daniel, McCoy, etc a bit better.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:05 PM ^
Or does this board not like that comparison?
September 18th, 2009 at 4:18 PM ^
I have used this comparison since day 1. Anytime this offseason when other fans would ask about our QB I would tell them we have a kid that reminds me a lot of Colt. I always followed that up with , not saying he is as good, but their styles are VERY similar.
I'm starting to think he is as good though.
BTW, R Kelly IS THE KING OF R & B. People around me know when I make a new CD that Kells is on there somewhere.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
If your metric is "number of times described using the term 'moxie'" then Chase Daniel seems an appropriate comparison.
Add to it that Daniel was generously listed as 6'1 or 6'0, could burn you on the ground, and seemed to will the Tigers to more wins than expected... it's perfect.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
Drew Tate was a bust and no one will ever hear about what he is up to again (unless he gets elected to congress or something) so yeah, i want that one to go away too.. our Tate is better than Drew Tate.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:46 PM ^
Why does it matter who he's compared to? Just because someone says "he's like drew tate", it doesn't make him Drew Tate. Just like saying "he's like a marshmallow" won't make him one. Hopefully.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:44 PM ^
If this is the case, let's compare him to chocolate and peanut butter. Delicious chocolate and peanut butter.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:43 PM ^
In that case, Denard is jelly. And when our offense goes on the field, it's peanut butter jelly time.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:05 PM ^
I thought either someone is talking about a former Iowa QB or they are unveiling an MS Paint of our glorious #5, made just minutes ago. Unfortunatly, it was not the ladder.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:35 PM ^
From Michigan Monday: "He’s like an even-keeled, non-tantrum-throwing Drew Tate with talent."
September 18th, 2009 at 9:37 PM ^
At this point? I can't find any comparisons. What he's done as a frosh is not registering on my brain.
I'm done saying, "OK now, it's just two games." Instead, I'm saying, "FUCK! It's just two games!"
A healthy Forcier over four years will equal the best quarterback UM has ever seen.