Starting QB Race
Coming from the Michigan Daily and Big 10 Media Day.
http://michigandaily.com/content/woolfolk-quarterback-competition-appea…
Looks like Denard might actually be starting.
Just more of what we already knew, from this site and from the Woolfolk presser. We'll only find out once the season starts.
Tate is Outbreak
Denard is the orange juice
Sorry about the repost from the main page. Just thought the other quotes in there were worth reading.
I agree. I loke Troy's honesty.
I don't really think it's his place to say anything about other position battles (especially offense) during the off-season. When in doubt, keep a lid on it.
Troy is a senior captain. He was chosen by RR to be a media rep at this get-together.
I'm pretty sure he's not saying anything that isn't permitted by RR, given how many times RR has mentioned Tate and his immaturity since the end of the 2009 season.
Just get ready for the Denardening - 2010, and enjoy the ride.
I have been a pretty steadfast supporter of Forcier because I like the "QB sense" he brings to the table. These kinds of quotes are very troubling to me, though. Leadership is one of those intangibles people like me keep spouting off about. QBs are by nature looked at skeptically by the rest of the team because they get special treatment (ie red jerseys) and a lot of press and credit. They need to go above and beyond in everything they do to move past that and earn the respect of the team. I would like to see the QB be able to lead a team like the scene from the program (before they edited it out because dumbass kids were actually doing it) where the team followed the QB into the street. If that guy is Denard and not Tate I will have to start changing my tune. We shall see.
Agree. Sounds to me like this is the Senior captain calling out the Soph "star" (who is rumored to have some "off-field maturity issues", i.e. I'll go to voluntary work-outs when I can make it). Either start showing up and competing for your "righful" spot or get the F off the field. Either way The Team will move on.
senior leadership, Troy sounds like quite an asset to the team. It seems that 'who's gonna start' is a question Troy, Steve, and Mark would be prepared to answer.
I think it is safe to assume that guys have been on Tate to be at all the voluntary workouts throughout the off-season. If he hasn't gotten that he needs to be a leader if he wants to play QB, then hopefully calling him out will give him the attitude adjustment he needs.
Now, Tate can take this two ways. One, he realizes his mistakes and mans up. This benefits the team because now you have two guys working their asses off for the starting QB position, both of whom have the respect of the locker room (after Tate earns it back). Two, he takes it the wrong way and further distances himself from the team. If he isn't mature enough to realize that Troy is saying this for the good of the team, and not for the sake of embarrassing Tate, then honestly, he isn't capable of leading this team. The decision is his, and his alone, the team can only push him in the right direction.
Airing out your team's dirty laundry to the media never goes anywhere good. And it appears Woolfolk is already trying to retract his statements:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/starting-qb-race#comment-569455
Holy crap, did you just link to a comment further on this thread? Mind successfully blown
August 4th, 2010 at 12:11 AM ^
My mind asplodes.
Oh boy, the first team meeting on Sunday sure is going to be interesting.
I had heard the same thing about Tate slacking off with workouts and being around a couple weeks ago but never mentioned anything cuz I didn't want to start a huge uproar. I had heard that Tate hasn't been around the team and working out for about 3 weeks. Like it said that was a about 2 weeks ago I had heard this rumor.
half-assing would be an improvement for Tate in Troy's mind
In reading through the quotes from the players, you can detect a real preference for Denard. Maybe I am reading to much into this, but I hope that Tate has not lost the respect of his teammates, as it appears.
as we win
Harsher words from Woolfolk than had been previously brought up. Wow.
Obviously I hope that Tate works up to his full potential, but I love hearing that Robinson is earning the team's trust. He certainly wasn't lacking confidence last year, and once he gets that zone read down pat, watch out.
...is that we have options. Tate seems to be fairly poised in crucial game situations and delivers the ball pretty well. Conversely, the offensive scheme, like it or hate it, is tailor-made for a guy with Denard's skill set.
The Tate work ethic issue is troubling. The guys clearly want to see him at voluntary workouts. To me, this suggests he is a bit overconfident.
We'll know who is the leader and best QB in: Go Blue!
There's really nothing voluntary about voluntary workouts. If you've got 2 guys that are fairly close to one another skillwise, the coaches are definitely going to go with the guy who's been working harder.
Teammates' collective respect for a player is nothing to underestimate, and it's clear than Denard is winning in that department right now.
Even if you're a RichRod hater and lack confidence in anything else he might do, trust this: his starting quarterback on Sept. 4 will be the player who gives the team the best chance to win that day.
As far as Troy W.'s comments, I don't know what to think. Tate's a gamer, and there are two sides to every story, so I'm not passing judgment other than to say I hope Troy's comments are an exaggeration or an express attempt to light a fire under Tate. Maybe Tate will go public with a response, but I really hope not.
Would rather see him respond by going to practice next week, fighting like hell for his job, and proving Troy wrong.
mass alcohol consumption
picky one
But it's "You're a picky one."
because he finally used the "Reply" button.
Baby steps.
... that "Shoelace" has the job tied-up?
Hardy har har.
For putting the shoe on the other foot.
Is on the other foot Saddam!
I was dreading someone would respond with a bad pun
It's not like he asked Saddam if he wants to hang out for a bit.
He's getting paid a full scholarship to be QB, he'd better step the fuck up. You lost 7 games, kid, get your ass out there to get better.
now please, stop talking for a while.
I see where you're coming from, but the language is pretty harsh. You don't know the full range of circumstances surrounding the situation. If he is in fact loafing off, and skipping practice, then I am right there with you. He may be hurt and too proud to say anything, or may have some extenuating circumstances at home or regarding a relationship with the coaching staff. I'll wait until I hear more from our first weeks of practice and so forth before choosing which side of the fence I'm on. This seems like a sticky situation. On the other hand, I've been hoping that Denard can step up and lead the team since last summer. Would love to see what the kid has to offer once he gets the offense down.
How awesome would it be if Forcier was in on this. "Hey Troy, stir the pot a little bit! See what happens if you tell them everyone on the team thinks I'm a slacker! Give the Freep something to really write about!"
100% pure Colombian.
they will play the guy (or guys) that give us the best chance to win. That Denard is improved a lot over last year is exciting.
That said, I also need to say this. I HATE ND even more than Blow-Hio State. Tate led the team past ND last year, giving me the best thrill as a fan that I've had in the past two years. Whatever happens from here on out, I'll always remember Tate for that. THANKS TATE!!!
Now, may the best man win. I'm optimistic no matter which guy gets the nod.
You hate ND more than OSU? I would have never guessed...
leave. Brace yourself, the Freep has already written the headline.
Tate Forcier Michigan's starting QB transfers, all Rich Rodriguez's fault.
would that be the headline you were looking for?
I echo the sentiment of many MGoFollowers. Whoever has the best talent to lead the team to success at QB should be the starter. Obviously, it would be a shame if Tate is slacking off and not going to workouts. He needs to work out tremendously over the summer. If Denard gets the opening game nod then obviously he is the chosen one. Too bad for Tate. Same goes if it is the other way around.
I wish I could say anything in this article surprised me in the slightest.
not summer workouts, will determine the starter against UConn.
If you want to get better you better jump on the oppurtunity to get better. Whoever puts forth the most effort will win the starting job.
Summer workouts have a strong hand in determining who has a better fall camp. Just sayin'.
Denard seems better suited for the offense, in its current form (though some say Magee favors a move to a more TT-style offense). But if he starts, that means once again having an inexperienced guy out there. Granted, we would have an experienced backup to turn to if need be. In any event, if what Woolfolk says is true, what is wrong with Tate? He's got to get it together. Even if he isn't the opening-game starter, you know at some point we're going to need him.