Rich Rod Offered Paulus
So I've got Sportscenter on in the background and they just announced that according to Paulus, Rich Rod offered him a scholarship chance to "compete for the starting quarterback job" here at the University of Michigan. He also said that he was considering Syracuse as another possible destination.
*EDIT* Here's a quick link that's already been posted that corroborates what I heard reported on SC.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4073430
Sorry for not getting that earlier. There was no written story when I first posted this. My apologies to Newport Wolverine for a lack of "journalistic integrity". Apparently SI's Dan Patrick ran this as well:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/61842/index.html
Additionally, anyone else amazed by the press this is getting? I mean, seriously, it's unbelievable.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:53 AM ^
This is retarded. He's not going to start...even if he does come.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:00 AM ^
Did one of the coaches tell you that? I'm not saying you're wrong but the worst part about an opinion is when someone states it as a fact. Statements of fact about unknown outcomes is like trying to prove a point by yelling louder than anyone.
Brown, you are in no way the only person who does this but it happens so often it's ridiculous. But a lot of people give reasons for their opinion, so at least do that.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^
the new version of my bad? TAKE THIS GRAMMAR!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:07 AM ^
Common sense told me that. My reason - not playing a sport for 4 years might take a little something off of your game. Normally I wouldn't come out being so sure of something without giving a reason, but come on... Do YOU think he has a chance to start? If he even beats out Sheridan I will be surprised.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^
Talent is talent and I'm not saying he's better than Forcier but I think he's on-par or better than Sheridan. I know what we're getting with Sheridan and though he may be improved, Paulus has more talent, more maturity and more experience whether it's basketball or football. Talent is talent and Sheridan has little compared to Paulus. Again, not saying he will be better but the potential is there with Paulus and I don't think it is with Sheridan.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:27 AM ^
Didn't Sheridan start a few games last year?
Wouldn't that mean he is more experienced in college football than Paulus?
I like that Paulus is coming here. I agree with Paulus having more talent than Sheridan, but not more experience.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
I didn't say football experience, though that argument could be made. In HS he probably played more games by being a 3-4 year starter and the HS all-star games. But, playing at Duke and being hated by every opposing fan gives one a form of experience that Sheridan has none of. So, really he has more experience in athletics and quite possibly in football.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^
KRK has a point. Opposing fans loved Sheridan (with the small exception of Minnesota).
April 16th, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^
he went 6 years in between HS and college football (7 if you count sitting on the bench most of his freshman year)....his first year as a starter (as a soph) he led FSU to a 9-1 record. we would be foolish to turn paulus away..
Remember Drew Henson? He went a couple of years quartbacking Meechigan and decided to skip his senior year.(passing up a potential heisman year and going to play for the empire.) In this case, I mean the Yankees. Then years later he came back to football and wasn't quite the same man. Now, I will give you that Henson jumped from College to the nfl and the two are worlds apart. But that is quite like what Paulus would be doing. He is going from HS football to college D1 football after taking a four year hiatus. This kid has, what, a year of eligibilty left? He will not be football ready. If he does come he'll be the side show. Just imho. Chris Weinke was surrounded by studs on offense and defense. He was playing in FSU's heyday. They were the USC of the early 90's. This is not the same situation. It is far from ideal for him to step into. I would be much more comfortable with the Forcier brothers tagging along for a year. Because, at least, they could play mentor to Tate. This kid has a HUGE learning curve. I am just not thrilled about the move. If you can get the kid to shoot some hoops, now maybe I am getting a lil woody. But throwing the pigskin...nope, notta, just ain't feeling it.
This is just amazing. I'm not saying he'll be successful, but there is literally nothing to be upset about here.
There is NO cost to this experiment. Zero, nothing. There is nothing to criticize here.
there is the actual dollar cost of a scholarship, but aside from that you're right. And, I agree completely with you. Worst case, Michigan just invested the cost of a scholarship in an intelligent young man, who provided a little bit of depth at a position where Michigan is sorely lacking. Best case, he turns out to be better than Forcier(s) or Robinson and wins the job. How is that bad? Forcier will still have three years to play and will probably be better for the experience of sitting a year and learning systems.
If the scholarship didn't go to Paulus, it would go to a walk-on. There isn't even additional monetary cost.
this situation took a very bizarre twist with forcier saying richrod didnt offer the schollie to him.
downside = the developing drama thats circulating?? what if (i understand, big WHAT IF) rr did offer, how would that be a good thing to lie to tates face? can't help with the potential qb of the future......
April 16th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
Well, im 21, and I graduated HS 3 years ago. When I play sports I did in HS, I play to have fun. If Paulus comes here, he will play to have fun, which is what your supposed to do. You got to be kidding me to think Paulus has not thrown a football in 4 years.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^
are you saying that playing NCAA Football for 4 years dont count?
April 16th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
While I agree that evidence needs to be provided to back up an opinion, isn't nearly all of we say on here opinion? I don't think we should feel the need to qualify all of our statements with "I think that...", or "In my opinion..."
April 16th, 2009 at 11:18 AM ^
True, but there are a lot of times when people argue against something even when cold-hard evidence is flying in their face. Also, I was more after the reason why he thinks Paulus won't play. The original comment offered nothing to discussion and that is just a waste of the internet.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
Greg Paulus has thrown about a million more passes in college than Tate Forcier, Denard Robinson, and Nick Sheridan have COMBINED.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:04 AM ^
Unfortunately, bounce passes only count behind the LOS in football.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:03 AM ^
Please refrain from using "retarded." I happen to be highly retarted. Your comments offend me, although I'm so retarded I don't know why.
I would prefer we use the term "gay." This whole Paulus thing is gay, not retarded.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^
Everybody is retarded, it is all just a matter of how much.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:23 AM ^
Whats better than winning a gold medal in the Special Olympics?
Not being retarded!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
I won a bronze in the Drool-a-thon and I felt pretty special.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^
Could it be that the coaches have plans to put this guy elsewhere besides QB?
April 16th, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^
I seriously doubt that, considering he has worked out for some NFL teams as a QB.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
If he wanted to not play QB, he could just play for Duke.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^
I don't get all of the haters, how is Paulus a bad thing. He has to be in way better shape than Forcier, he's already had 4 years of college conditioning and he is 4 years older, both of which make a world of difference, Forcier most likely has a better arm, but it is not that hard to pick back up. Even if he is a backup I would already rather have him than Sheridan.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:20 AM ^
If there's anyone NOT laughing about this, it's probably Nick Sheridan.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:24 AM ^
Arm strength is way more about technique than brute strength. That's why I don't even consider arm strength to be an issue.
Besides that, he has five months from now until the beginning of the season to strengthen his arm/hone his throwing motion. So we should stop talking about arm strength.
*looks around guiltily*
April 16th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
Agree completely...Paulus has been in a college S&C program for 4 years, even if it was tailored to basketball he's got that plus 4 years of college level coaching and competition under his belt.
Rodriguez offered to let him compete for the starting job. If Forcier is better, then Forcier will play. It's also possible Forcier will fall down the stairs or be trampled by a pack of stampeding sorority girls or choke horribly under game pressure or fail to pick up more than a few plays of the offense or be passed out drunk while stopped at a red light or who knows what.
Paulus has 1 year of eligibility and we have an open scholarship, SIGN HIM!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
and basketball conditioning are wildly different so i'm not sure why you would think paulus would be in better shape than t-force.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:09 PM ^
As far as quarterback strength training I would disagree.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:24 AM ^
Sheridan Tate and denard have been playing football nonstop for their whole lives. Paulus hasn't played in four years. If Tate had to adjust to the speed of the college game, what does thatsay for paulus who hasn't played decent organized football in 4 years. This dude is goin to be scout team the whole year.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:27 AM ^
Even though he wasn't playing football, he was playing basketball with elite athletes. He knows how fast they can run and how high they can jump. If he's going to throw a slant, he can probably tell whether the linebacker in the curl zone is going to be able to get there or not. I think the "speed of the game" issue is somewhat negated by playing against elite athletes in the ACC.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:33 AM ^
Speed of the game. Not speed of the athletes. And there is a huge different between basketball and football bro. That's a given. Or atleast I thought it was...
April 16th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
Sorry, bro.
I didn't know there was a difference between football and basketball, bro.
Maybe when I'm coaching my football team in the future, I'll use that oblong, brown thing with the white stripes (what's that called again?) instead of that pumpkin-looking thing.
Thanks for the heads up, bro.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^
No problem =D
April 16th, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^
What's the distinction between the speed of the game and the speed of the atheletes? What, exactly, is moving faster, if not the atheletes? I'm really fucking confused.
that basketball is "faster" than football in the sense of as a point guard, you have nine guys confined in a relatively smaller space. Either way, he was a point guard that had to make good, quick decisions, read defenses..etc..
Bottom line, Michigan has three quarterbacks that are around six feet tall and weigh 180 pounds. Michigan needs as many guys that can contribute as possible because who knows how many could get injured.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
How do we know that Paulus never practiced throwing the rock while at Duke?
Again, as LC likes to say, it's probable that Paulus could become a starter but not necessarily possible. If he comes to UM he will have his chance. I think it all boils down to Paulus just getting all the free protein shakes he can guzzle down at Bar Barwis.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
I agree regarding the S&C program (assuming you were serious). He can come here for a year, gets some football back into his blood, and work out with Barwis, which NFL guys come to do every year anyway. It's not a bad way to change gears and get ready for the 2010 draft even if he's never a serious choice for starter.
I don't love the mercenary-esque, school-pride-be-damned popularity of transfers these days, but it is what it is. He's getting his football Masters.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:27 PM ^
You got it backwards, it's possible he could start, not probable.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
To me, this isn't a big deal. If he applies and gets his eligibility, it's a one year scholarship that they get back for next year. It's the proverbial "taking a flier on a guy." If he comes in and can still play, he's a one year depth option. If he sucks, he's gone after next season.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
There is absolutely no reason he should not join the team. There is no effect on our scholarships for future recruits, as well as an increased competition for the QB spot. Both of which can only help the program. If he turns out to be better then Tate, great! If he stays as a back up, then the competition should only make the starter better. Please point out a downside. BTW, there is no way the Packers or any other Div-I team would bother with this kid if he was absolutely going to suck. Think about it....
April 16th, 2009 at 11:45 AM ^
He wouldn't be eligible to play this season because he is graduating from Duke in May. He'd have to enroll in a graduate program and sit out one year in order to use his last year of eligibility.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^
Not true - NCAA allows you to play immediately after a transfer if you play a different sport. He can play this year.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:49 AM ^
Athletic Scholarship cost $50,000+
Number of months (max) of (possible) football production...Let’s say 4.
So we are willing to bet 50K+ (on a guy that has not played the game in 4 years) to give us 4months of “possible” production.
I just think our scholarships are worth more than that.
I'm finding it hard to see the upside in all of this...
April 16th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
Athletic scholarships might be worth $50,000 to the student they're given to, but that doesn't mean it's costing the school $50,000 to let them take classes and play on the football team. Granted, there's some cost there, but I can't believe it's anywhere close to fifty grand.
Even so, they give scholarships to players that end up sitting the bench for four years... that's $200,000 by your calculation, and we get zero production from them.
The upside is that we MIGHT have a quarterback that can compete for the starting job. Who knows if he'd actually start or even play, but with our depth at quarterback I see no reason not to offer the kid a scholarship under the circumstances. Absolute worst case scenario is that he doesn't play and we get the scholarship back after the season anyway.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^
that is all.