Forcier compared to DR, compared to Gardner
Obviously, Forcier was brilliant today. And he will only improve. It obviously isn't his size, or his speed. He is underwhelming in appearance. I wonder if he could make it in the NFL. But he appears to have such strong field sense, make such good judgements, never panicking, that Forcier looks to be the starter, imhe, for four years.
I am most amazed at his ability to hold the ball, scramble, approach the line of scrimmage, get the opposing secondary to bite, and then dart a pass off for a sizable completion. This happened with Hemingway last week, with Stonum this week. But two passes that stand out to me today were made to Odoms and to Koger. The Odoms pass was down near the ground, with the defender hanging on him. The pass was placed where only Odoms could complete it. The Koger pass was actually a miss, where Forcier should have passed to the inside (or Koger should have been looking to the outside.) Regardless, in these kind of situations, Forcier's presence, his calm, cool, in-control demeanor, allows a completion that brings a first down, saves Forcier from being hit, and totally demoralizes the other secondary.
Even though Forcier isn't the burner that DR is, his foot speed seems puts him in a different class then Griese, Brady, Navarre, et. al.
Speaking of foot speed, however, brings DR to mind. I think that DR will need to continue to play as a QB. I think that he is extremely talented. But, I have severe doubts that DR could close out a game as well as Forcier. I am not going to go searching through Forum threads. However, iirc, there have been some in the last few weeks who have said that DR or Gardner are "the man." As gifted as they are, I just don't see that happening. I don't see them supplanting and replacing Forcier, with all three at full health. The only way either DR or DG will start is if Forcier goes down with an injury
Thoughts?
September 13th, 2009 at 1:46 AM ^
I totally agree with you. We will have to see how this plays out in the future.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:49 AM ^
Tate is the guy for the next 3.5 years here.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:50 AM ^
I think it's too early to make a judgment on either Robinson or Gardner, Robinson has had only a few weeks in the offense, and clearly has the legs and the arm to go far with a bit of coaching. I'd be interested in Robinson running a more run-heavy version of the Rodriguez-spread once he gets more reps of the option and zone-read in practice.
As for Gardner, scouting reports show that he's a playmaker, and he's the complete physical package.
Though, the situation for next year hillarious - three excellent QB's each with starting potential, unlike the dark days of 2008.
September 13th, 2009 at 2:05 AM ^
I actually think both DR & Gardner have significant potential, and great raw ability. The problem, as I see it, is that Forcier has such a huge headstart. He has already had a large number of reps with the first team. A game like today only gives him even more, and puts DR further behind. As DR & Gardner learn the system, Forcier won't be sitting still, but will be learning more himself. If he has: better OL protection; better receivers, and the ability to put the ball in the hands of 4 - 5 players on the field; command of the full playbook, it will be wellnigh impossible to replace him with someone else.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:54 AM ^
IMHO, Forcier has shown on the field the past two games that he is the man for the foreseeable future.
We'll need DR to develop as a QB. It's good to have some depth obviously and his play-making talent is tantalizing.
Given Tate has 6 months in the system in front of DR and has played very well, I would not imagine any changes barring injury over the course of this year at least.
September 13th, 2009 at 2:29 AM ^
Why the need to make judgments? Be happy that we can recruit some depth. But we need more depth on d.
And to me, the best thing about TF is comments made by some bucks tonight...liking him better than TP.
Go Blue!
September 13th, 2009 at 2:35 AM ^
forgot about DG reference in your post. He's exciting. Very glad he's coming to M.
IMHO, DG will surely be red-shirted next year. The coaching staff will have the option to bring him along slowly and polish his skills b/c we have Tate and DR. Barring injury, there won't be a need to rush him into things.
There was no such option this year with Tate. To his credit and M fans delight, TF has responded to the opportunities. It's amazing to imagine how good this kid has performed so far. There's no reason to think he won't keep doing well that I can see.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:55 AM ^
but we need to develop Denard these next two games; if Tate gets hurt, offensive production goes out the window if Denard is still a raw freshman. I felt this was how the ND game would work out, that there would be a good time to platoon both the guys and that Tate would get 90% of the reps. Now that we have some 'practice' games coming up, we'll get Denard so good game time.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:07 AM ^
I feel the same way. If Denard can get some good reps the next two games and hopefully make some pass completions, opponents will question whether he is going to run everytime and give him some more room to run. Sorry to bring up the name again, but to me it kind of reminds me of the few time that Feagin saw the field last year. Obviously, Denard is on a different planet in terms of athletic abiliy, though.