Forcier on the bench is gut wrenching
I know... Denard Robinson is amazing... but don't forget how good Tate really is. Seeing him on the bench, especially in the 4th quarter, was gut wrenching.It really made me sad that the guy who gave us hope and kept us going last year now seemed to be forgotten this year. I was really disappointed to see Rich Rod not playing Forcier in the 4th quarter whena win was a forgone conclusion.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:50 PM ^
1-0. Just repeat that to yourself please.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^
Look..Tate should have been standing up with his teammates. No excuses!
September 4th, 2010 at 7:21 PM ^
Tate's body language sucked, and yes, he was pouting. No matter your disappointment, you have to suck it up and be on the sidelines with your team. How can he be expected to get the respect of his teammates when he acts that way? We will need him this year, and his behavior is making that very difficult.
Having said that, I vehemently disagree with DG playing and burning that redshirt. But Tate's behavior, while understandable for a young guy, is showing us why he is where he is.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^
My gut does not feel wrenched. I hope that Tate gets his head together and remains committed to being a part of this.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^
After a huge win, this is what your thinking of? Coach Rod is doing what he thinks is the best thing to help the team win. No go away and steal someone elses joy.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^
Certainly a concern. When Coach sees that it's sure not to go over well. Like 'here's a ballcap and a clipboard' well.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:20 PM ^
Tate needs to stay focused because with Dlithium taking 30 hits a game and the only other QB a true Freshman I dont see him riding pine all year. However he needed to be standing with his teammates.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^
September 4th, 2010 at 7:24 PM ^
Exactly. Very prima donna-ish behavior. My worries about this relative to Tate, which started with him texting reporters before the Iowa game last year, just keep materializing. It's not good. It's one thing to e disappointed about not playing, another to sit there pouting like a little bitch while ur team is having is getting a huge win.
I have little respect left for Tate at this point. I hope he gets his head on straight and turns things around though.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
I'll take the win. Will be interesting for the rest of the week, but today I will celebrate.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
Just maybe the image of Forcier on the bench is a symbol of his selfishness displayed since last year?
September 4th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
Exactly. Tate needs to stop being all butthurt and go be with this team and celebrate. Get off the bench and support each other. All in for MIchigan.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:46 PM ^
One of the enduring images for me from last year was the jumping chest bump that Tate and Denard had after Denard scored on his first play as quarterback. Tate was the first person from the sideline to congratulate him. At that point in time it seemed like the two could work together in a tandem partnership. But I guess it only works for Tate when he's the starter...
I really wish that he had the maturity and teamwork skills to congratulate his teammates and do his sulking in private.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
If you're really concerned about Forcier, he probably transfers and succeeds somewhere else. I'm baffled by the decision, but we have no fucking clue what RR sees in practice. If he thinks Devin is better then he probably is. RR wants to win and so do I.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
I understand his reaction, he rightfully wants to be playing a part in his team's wins, but you've got to support your teammates even in a big win even if things don't break your way personally.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
But sulking shows his lack of maturity, just what the coach doesn't need to see. It's a tough pill to swallow, but you gotta keep that kind of stuff off the field on game day.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^
One of the upper classmen needed to drag his fucking ass of the bench and tell him stand up, watch and cheer for your teammates. He has no right to sit there and pout. If he wanted to play maybe he should have shown up a little bit more over the summer and put in the work like Denard and Devin did.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:59 PM ^
Listen. Not every game is going to see Michigan's O-Line MAULING the D-Line like that. When that's happening, the running QBs who can also throw make sense. When the O-Line is playing more like human beings, Tate's incredible scrambling and throwing on the run abilities will shine through.
The fact is he has lost out to D-Rob in a fair and square battle in which he had a head start. I don't see any reason to feel bad for him. I do not believe DG would have stayed in all game if D-Rob was really hurt.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
I know DRob awesome, Coach just wants to win etc. but seriously? You have last years good starter replaced by a Freshman as the backup? If DG is really that good and does give us the best chance to win either he needs to start or we need to reserve him for years when tate and Denard are gone. I guess only time will tell, if Tate never sees the field again and DG is the solid backup then fine, but if you intend on playing Forcier as well down the road it made no sense to burn a redshirt.
Good win, just nitpicking but that made me Irate when it happened so I couldn't let it go.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
He made his own grave for himself by skipping out on summer workouts and getting a big head. Rod had to deflate that, and just got surprised with the progress of DRob and Gardner. I am a little unhappy they burned his red shirt on what looked to be just one play, but Rod knows best, and i'm sure Gardner will be better than Tate anyways. Love Tater Tot, and I'm sure he'll get some PT as well.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
So you know for a fact that he never showed up for summer workouts and had a massive ego? I agree that Tate probably acted immature, but can we all stop taking shots at the kid because he is now the "loser?"
September 5th, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^
True, but from what I've seen of him in his career so far, RRod doesn't seem like somebody who would keep Tate out just to be a dick. Either Tate's play has really fallen off or there is something going on internally worthy of a semi-suspension.
September 5th, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^
how much hate Tate is getting. Even if he's not really a kid college football is still an amateur sport, so get off your high horses and cut him some fucking slack. Think about what you'd feel like if you were him- a savior a month into your freshman year, third string a year later after your backup and a true freshman. You're kidding yourself if you think you wouldn't be visibly disapointed. Especially as the cameras constantly look for your face.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:06 PM ^
it's because Tate wasn't standing up with his teammates. There are more ways to contribute than just playing.
I hope he gets off his duff and works hard to improve himself and his teammates (by competition). We may need him at some point this season. He'd better be ready.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:10 PM ^
He is just a kid, like all of them
Tate needs to get his head together. No excuses, i agree. Denard is likely to get temporarily hurt at some point this season...and Tate will be essential.
The kid did not act well today...but he has time to make it up to his teammates. We have a long season ahead.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:45 PM ^
him pout and not cheer on his teammates in this win proves to me that RR knows what he is doing with him. I am pretty disappointed that his pouting took some time away from what Robinson and everyone else did today.
Edit: added "knows what he is doing" so I don't sound so dumb
September 4th, 2010 at 7:15 PM ^
I really did not agree with burning the redshirt. However, don't count Tate out. This kid is still an amazing athlete and has a ton of experience under his belt.
Denard did a great job today. He clearly proved he deserved to start.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
Denard was Tate's biggest cheerleader last year. Denard deserves the same respect.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:23 AM ^
Maybe the guy on the bench just wishes his friends were playing football instead.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^
the sulking could not have helped his case. And we know NOTHING about what's transpiring behind closed doors.
Not many people are taking into account that Gardner just may be our second-best option.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^
That image should make his wall of shame. It is a long season and he will be counted on at some point to produce. He needs to pull his head out of his ass ASAP. Talent is there, maturity not yet.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^
I understand how frustrating it has to be for Tate, going from starter to 3rd string. However, pouting on the end of the bench by yourself is not the way to handle adversity.
RR and teammates called him out for not being a leader and it seems he has not learned. I hope he can shake this off because he is a young kid and has talent.
It just looks like RR made the right decision at QB and this act reinforces his decision. Tate should care about the team over his playing time and should have had a headset on and talking to Denard and Devin and showing leadership when he is not playing.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^
September 4th, 2010 at 7:32 PM ^
I've never understood this reasoning. What makes YOU a better judge of QB play than RR? Are you there watching the QBs at every practice? Have you coached college football?
September 4th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^
It is a prediction. I cannot see the future. However, if we look at Rodriguez's history of quarterback decisions(Sheridan over Threet, asking Denard to go 80 yards in 90 seconds agains Iowa, throwing Gardner in there today when it is obvious to anyone with two eyes he is not ready) there is a good chance it is going to cost Michigan a game or two.
With that said I love watching Denard Robinson and will say a prayer every night that he never has to come out of the game.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
Tate just lost all the respect he gained back as soon as his teammates and coaches see the video. I don't expect him to feel great about losing the job, but his selfish attitude was over the top and ridiculous, especially when the team is winning. This is the last thing the team needs.
September 5th, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
Yeah, but he's just a kid and that fades in time. It sounds like he's got some issues going on off the field so hopefully he gets those together and focuses back on being an athlete.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
The only thing that could have made this shot worse for him is if he had a copy of "Transfering for Dummies". I kid. I hope he gets out of his funk and JOINS the team.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:27 PM ^
Lets face it we were 5-7 with Tate. Lets hope we can be better with Denard. Tate is the third string qb, and Denard had a record making game for the maze and blue. Lets be happy with Denard and stop complaining about the lack of playing time for Tate. Tate sat there on the bench sulking instead of celebrating a win against a team that finished in the top 25 last year.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:29 PM ^
I don't feel sorry for him at all. Last year when D-Rob was in and fumbled and turned a snap into a TD. They did the chest 5. Today he didn't seem at all involved until D-rob got hurt and he put his hat on and started stretching. Then the most disgraceful thing period is when he had the towel on his head and looking like we lost by 30.
What ever happens its time for him to step up and be apart of the team whether he is #1 or #3. The goal of football is to win as "The Team, The Team, The Team". He should apologize to all his team mates.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:30 PM ^
Tate should've been cheering regardless of his own personal feelings. If he really feels he should be playing then he should tear it up and practice this week. This way he gives the coaches something to think about
September 4th, 2010 at 7:36 PM ^
Why are you so upset? Because you dont understand? What makes you think Tate won't start against ND? RR may have a trick or two up his sleeve for the Irish. He knows its a tough game, so why let Kelly see any progress Tate has made in the off season on the field. I think too many people are looking at this starting situation in the wrong way. You're not coaches; youre fans. Dont let your emotions spoil a beautiful win that many haters thought would never happen. We very well may be seeing Tate next weekend...
September 4th, 2010 at 7:48 PM ^
I don't disagree that Tate may end up playing next week, but I don't think it makes much sense to think that RR held him out of the game this week as a part of some ploy. For a kid who apparently hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders in the spring to see his first action of the season in a hostile environment against a rival like ND makes no sense. If RR's plan was to play Tate next weekend without showing ND anything today, he probably still should have trotted him out there today to run a vanilla offensive plan when the game was wrapped up to help him get his game-speed feet back.
September 5th, 2010 at 12:09 AM ^
The guy started all 12 games last year, I think he can handle a "hostile environment".
September 5th, 2010 at 9:50 AM ^
If we're to accept that Robinson is much improved in both ability and confidence from last year, we have to also accept that players can take a step back. Forcier was cocky as all hell last year, and with good reason. The Forcier I saw yesterday and the reports of him in the offseason were NOT that same kid. Has he shown he can handle a hostile environment? Sure. Did he show yesterday that he could handle cameras and questions from folks hoping he'd make a mistake? No. What do you think he's going to see in South Bend?
September 5th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
We'll just have to wait and see.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
I agree.. i remember seeing tate come off the field last year during a touchdown or whatever and denard was right there to congratulate him or ask him questions about the defense. I hope he stays and is playing for michigan and not for himself. But you know those Forciers they do like to transfer alot.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
September 4th, 2010 at 7:41 PM ^
Tate did the right thing. He basically told Coach Rod that he isn't going to sit down and let his chance at the NFL slip away. Tate is not going t let RIch Rod make him his bailout QB. Tate has pride. When Robinson struggles against good teams or gets hurt Gardner will go in and play like a freshman. Rich will then suck up to Tate. FUCK THAT! Tate needs to get out of A2.