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.
I love Tate as a ballplayer, but he is not going to be a durable/ breakaway running threat as a ballcarrier......and that threat opens up the passing.
Much as I would like to see Gardner redshirt, he actually has plenty of experience running this type of spread, and he looks as if he runs very well.
he actually has plenty of experience running this type of spread.
I'd encourage you to take a look at the youtube video of Devin's performance in the Spring Game. That game represents his only game experience against anything approaching a college defense. Can you tell me he looked game-ready?
There's a decent chance that they're just trying to light a fire under Tate's ass going into fall practice. Let's not jump out the window just yet.
Even if there's no secretly double-stealth alternative motive, why would anybody jump out a window? The other side of this story that few people here are emphasizing is that Denard is working his ass off and gaining respect.
I, for one, am happy.
Because after the last couple of years, we tend to see even slight signs of adversity as the wrath of Angry Michigan Hating God, which leads to the gnashing of teeth, rending of garments, and flaming of MGoBoards.
I agree that the DRob stuff is extremely encouraging. But even if Denard is turning into the quarterback we all pray he becomes, we still need an effective and prepared Tate for two related reasons:
1) Denard will get dinged up at some point, and we need an effective back-up. We don't want to be a tweaked ankle or jammed finger away from another year of playing a true freshman in meaningful situations.
2) We need two quarterbacks if we're going to redshirt Devin Gardner.
Your theory assumes Tate is going to transfer. He was already BOTH of those things you mentioned last year when healthy. He does not need to IMPROVE to be an effective back up.
Get your mind right, son.
Those are some pretty discouraging quotes regarding Tate. Even if Woolfolk shouldn't be saying anything, the fact that he and others seem to feel that way does not bode well for Forcier in the locker room.
EDIT: Unless what Blue in SB said is correct.....although I wonder if doing it via interview to the school newspaper is the best way to go about it.
RT @TWoolf29 A story was written about me putting Tate in a negative aspect. This was phrased wrongly and is not the truth. (more)
RT @TWoolf29 I think Tate is a greatplayer
Oh boy! Drama! This will help pass the time!
Over/Under on threads over the next 36 hours is 3.5.
Is there a limit as to how much I can bet on the over?
I'll take the over - WAY OVER...
Gotta love media day.
That's it Troy. Genuinely. Get that good stuff out right now and right away
RR didn't want anything like the "diseased" stuff going around. It's All In for the Team, not All In for the Team*
*except Tate
RR should put these two in a bull-in-the-ring drill on the first day of practice. Work it out and get on with it. Everyone on this team is needed*
*especially Tate
Tate and Robinson are encased in bubble wrap right now, along with the starting secondary.
Bull in the ring is just a bad idea.
Swords, then
If TWoolf's comments were out of context/phrased wrongly and he is the leader we all hope he is, then he's already talked to Tate and clarified any misunderstandings. If he is indeed trying to send a message then hopefully it lights a fire under Tate's ass. Tate is going to have to grow up at some point. DRob wants his job, time to step up your game bud. Welcome to the real world.
Was T-Wolf cleared to speak about this topic today? I just feel like with all the media sh*tstorms we've endured over the past two years that they'd have their key messages more buttoned up. I guess that's what I'm getting most hung up on.
The smell of drama in the air is ripe. Football season must be near.
grumble grumble grumble
Whichever QB works his ass off, earns the respect of his teammates, runs the offense efficiently, and gives the coaches confidence will play. And that will most likely be at least Forcier and Robinson, but maybe Gardner as well. Let's just see how it plays out, it is going to be fascinating.
Unless Gardner is ready to take us to the Rose Bowl on his shoulders this year, we really, really shouldn't burn his redshirt.
I dont remember the exact quote but I remember Tate saying after the Ohio State game, something to the effect of "Im going to work my ass off this offseason to get better because I need to get better". Funny now it seems like hes is the one lacking the work ethic. I really like Tate, I think he has a chance to be a good QB. Im still not sure if I trust Drob when it comes to throwing the ball but I definetly think his skill set is a perfect fit for our offense. If hes been working hard and shows the ability to read defenses and make smart decisions, he should be the starter.
...that before he got hurt, Tate was performing well and Michigan was winning. The ND comeback game was a remarkable performance for a freshman QB.
He has ability. Let's just hope he isn't resting on his laurels.
I have watched that WMU run by Denard a lot, and I've played NCAA 2011 a lot. I have never made anything close like that run happen in NCAA 2011.
Denard is a beast. He can throw now. Unless Tate gets his head right - it's over. Denard is our man. Devin is waiting in the wings.
How do we know Denard can throw now? What is that based on?
About a dozen throws in the Spring Game against the second string of one of last season's worst secondaries. There's no reason to be concerned.
Well, based on limited information:
1) The Spring game. I don't care if that was our 2nd string D. Our second string D is way better than Delaware St.'s D. And he looked MUCH better against our second string D than against Delaware St.
2) What has been said in the media the past two days. If in the spring they were neck and neck, and now Denard is slightly ahead (OK the coaches haven't said that yet because they haven't been around), then you have to assume the kid can throw. And in the spring game - he could throw.
I mean, seriously. I know it's not a game setting yet. And it's not even a Big 10 game setting yet. But the writing is slowly forming on the wall.
(not to say that Tate can't ultimately step up and do something about it, and the possibility that the Daily reporter went a little overboard to get his name spread all across the internet - but yeah..)
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^
I have watched that WMU run by Denard a lot, and I've played NCAA 2011 a lot. I have never made anything close like that run happen in NCAA 2011.
Put down the controller and step away from your PS3.
NCAA 2011 is just a game. It is not real.
Littered the comments of that Daily article...Is this a reasonable concern? I personally have heard first hand accounts of his partying and an off-campus living situation from last year, and definitely witnessed a lack of focus / exploding ego developing so these stories seem to be plausible.
I have no first hand knowledge of it at all, so total speculation warning:
1) It's ann arbor
2) He's from Cali
3) He was coached by Todd Marijuanavich's dad
I mean, these are WIDE generalizations. But I figured I would mention them.
Leaders don't make statements like this....it divides teams rather than unites. You lead by example. that is what a real leader does.
What has concerned me is the amount of turnover at mich the past few years. Yes, people say if they are not in, than they shouldn;t stay. Well...yeah...I agree to a certain extent. This is the kind of stuff that may cause Tate to leave.....then what...we start with another new Freshmen QB.
I feel like Mich has been all true freshmen for the last three years. I want them to stay so I can see them grow up into seniors!
Everyone needs to relax and hop onboard the DenardWagon. It's going to be awesome, trust me.
Have we learned nothing from various journalists who shall not be named?
You are taking some very vague comments from one player and spinning the proverbial mountain from a mole hill. Like a college football sewing circle with gossip, gossip, gossip.
So Troy indicated that Tate may have missed some 'voluntary' stuff.....could he have been doing rehab, or directed off of workouts for a bit as part of his shoulder treatment? Would Troy have been in the know on all that, or might he have just sort of made an innocent comment based on an uninformed observation?
Would it be possible that other players might have a different perception?
You guys have turned a speculative statement about not being at a voluntary summer workout, mixed it with pure rumor, and have now labeled forcier as immature, lacking in work ethic and (gulp) a pothead.
If RR made some comments about maturity, please remember that he uses player competition to fuel improvement and please remember that he may just be trying to make sure Tate stays on edge and keep pushing himself...right? It would also be in RR's best interest to present opponents with the possibility that any QB could start to the detriment of their ability to prepare for just one.
Let's all just take a few steps back and not anoint any kings nor brand any fools based on a paucity of evidence. You aren't going to know who is starting the starting QB until the Uconn game, get used to that.
I wasn't aware that the Michigan fanbase consisted of so many gossip/drama queens. I'm sickened by the fact that Woolfolk had to issue a retraction to his comments.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
Why am I beginning to sense that one of the major storylines in the B10 this season is going to be how Denard is upstaging Pryor as the most exciting player in the B10? We all know that Pryor is going to fail to live up to his preseason billing (just like last year), but could it be that Denard will be stealling all the headlines each week and The Game for 2010 turns into a Denard-Pryor celebrity deathmatch?
Denard for president