Nice article on Tate's "fresh start" at SJSU

Submitted by robpollard on

While researching Carson Palmer for my fantasy team, I came across this nice article in the (San Jose) Mercury News on Tate Forcier and his new start at San Jose State.  Nothing shocking here, but it's a nice overview of where he is now.

Key quote: "It hurt leaving Michigan. It was a dream come true going there, and I ruined it."

Tate certainly did make his share of mistakes, on and off the field, but that quote shows some nice maturity.  I hope he finds success at SJSU and builds on the talent he showed at Michigan.

http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_19152067

beenplumb

October 20th, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^

and Illinois '10. A lot of people credit that to Denard, and I don't know why. He started the game, but Tate was in for most of the second half. We won that game almost exclusively because of his crazy-ass throws. Kid went nuts. Literally. Half of those throws had me saying, "TATE NOOO DON'T, NOOOOO", only to see Junior Hemingway catch balls bouncing off of defenders, etc.

Hope he settles in and has a great rest of his career with SJSU.

robpollard

October 20th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^

I really just draft the team and let it go. I think I've made one drop/add all season. 

I needed a starter this week as my normal QB (Brady) is on a bye, and I wanted to see if Palmer was starting this week. Supposedly he is, so I figured, "What the hell."

Everyone Murders

October 20th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^

Tate taking full ownership of the situation is terrific and, as the OP states, a sign of maturity.  I hope it works out well for him at SJSU and beyond. 

Thanks for sharing this.

MGo_

October 20th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^

MGoTate, you were really MGofun to MGowatch here at MGoMichigan.  That MGogame against Notre Dame was MGoamazing.  I can't MGoforget the MGogame against Indiana, or the near MGocomeback against MSU, or any of his MGogood MGoshowings last MGoyear.  He'll always be the MGorecord holder for MGocompletion MGopercentage, at least until MGoShoelace, or someone else MGobreaks that MGorecord!

We'll always MGohave Darius Fleming's MGojockstrap...

Magnus

October 20th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^

What a coincidence that the guy who we all compared to Jeff Garcia ends up at...

...San Jose State.

I look forward to watching him play on CBC for the Calgary Stampeders.

BlueGoM

October 20th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^

Good to hear he's on the right track.  He has legit QB skills and I'm sure he'll be successful at SJSU, as long as he has his head on right.

 

griesecheeks

October 20th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^

I could definitely see Tate putting up big-time numbers for SJSU next year. If he can put it all together, the kid has a ton of potential.

I know it's useless now, but how would he have looked in Borges' system? He still wouldn't be the starter, but given what they've done with Devin, I think he already would have made a big contribution.

justingoblue

October 20th, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^

What was the end story with Tate? RR was out, Brandon made the call, but what call did he make? Was Tate permanently off the team before Hoke was in, or was he academically ineligible for a semester before he could get his grades up?

Lionsfan

October 20th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^

Is that a Michigan or Big Ten thing? I know the Big Ten doesn't really do JUCO players as a whole but I wonder about Tate's situation. Do you think it was DB specifically telling him he wasn't welcome back even if he did go to Washtenaw? Or just the school in general making problems difficult; I mean after all a lot of transfers from WCC to Michigan happen, bringing in CC students helps the image after all

jmblue

October 20th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^

Big Ten academic rules require players to be making annual progress toward their degree.  Because Michigan doesn't always accept transfer credit from junior colleges, that might have been impossible for someone in Forcier's situation.  He was in a situation where he needed credit recovery.

Feat of Clay

October 20th, 2011 at 9:18 PM ^

I got the impression that he burned a lot of bridges with the academic folks who had been trying to help him stay (and then get back on) track. I think after you've spurned eleventy million chances to correct your course, the University may not be amenable to a "hey, what about Washtenaw for a term or two?" Hail Mary. I'm glad he's settled in at SJSU and hope his football career there is awesome.

93Grad

October 20th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^

It is really a shame that Tate could not have gotten his head on straight sooner.  He would have been a perfect fit for Borges's offense and it would have allowed us to play Denard as an rb/slot/widlcat QB. 

Look Up_See Blue

October 20th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^

Hopefully he has learned from his mistakes and can move on and make a good career for himself.  I was at the 09 ND game in the south endzone 7th row.  I will never forget that game.  

bacon1431

October 20th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^

Good luck to him. No ill will towards Tate at all. He didn't bash the university on his way out even though it wasn't his call in the end (well, if he would have done what was expected of him, he would have been back).

yoopergoblue

October 20th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^

It's too bad Tate was so immature while at Michigan.  It would be nice to have a little more depth at the QB position this year and next. Sounds like he is figuring it out now which is good.  I bet he is still a Wolverine at heart.

dragonchild

October 20th, 2011 at 6:48 PM ^

I'm embarrassed to admit how much growing up I had to do at his age.  Heck, I really didn't start figuring things out until my late 20s.  And most people I know don't even hold it against me.

These kids (and yes, they're kids, if you're not ready for the real world you're a kid no matter what the law says) are scrutinized even before they graduate high school.  At that age I was playing video games and gawking at low-neckline T-shirts.  Well, OK, I still play video games and gawk at low-neckline T-shirts, but not in ways that embarrass anyone but myself.

I haven't been on here long but people know me to be a pretty harsh judge.  I hate hypocrisy and have little patience for selfishness.  But gosh, who didn't do a crazy thing or two in college?  It's not like he was beating up his girlfriend or shoplifting a small fortune.

M-Dog

October 20th, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^

*Sigh*  What could have been.  He might have played some on Saturday.  We may have even cooked up a special Mad Magicians play with him, Denard, and Devin all in the backfield.

Tater

October 20th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^

Even though his off season training habits might have left a bit to be desired, Forcier gave it his all on the field.  He left with his head up and didn't bitch about the staff on the way out.  When it first became obvious that he was leaving, I hoped he'd find a smaller school where he can play competition that is a notch or two below what he faced at Michigan.  

Now, he has a chance to put up some gaudy stats, have a great time, and build a resume for what is obviously going to be the family business when he graduates: training quarterbacks. Maybe we'll get to see a few SJSU games on ESPN once in awhile.

HAILtoBO

October 20th, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^

Wish the kid and his family the very best. I loved all of his great comebacks and did want him to do well here, but he just never worked out. He seems to have matured a bit and realized his mistake so that's good to hear. I still loved when RR huged him and pulled him in, showed a little sign of the true Michigan family. Best of luck Tate, I hope you see this.

Run Denard Run

October 20th, 2011 at 9:28 PM ^

San Jose State? Wow, this kid really blew a great opportunity. Denard would have still beaten him out for the starting job, but the backup Michigan QB still gets a better education than the San Jose State starting QB. I hope this kid goes to class and completes his homework before he ends up at San Diego Community College

joeysos33

October 20th, 2011 at 9:57 PM ^

Tate is going to do his thing out there. He's in a comfort zone being from Cali and will be playing talent far less superior than what he has. Itll be fun seeing him make plays for them and could very well win some conference ships.