Tate's Mom's twitter and the Forcier/Roundtree connection*
*Yes, Tate's Mom has the twitter, yes, I found a wi-fi hotspot down by the river in my van and read every word of it, and no, that is not the main subject of this post.
I was reading the ESPN recruiting article linked to in this thread which had a link to the Forcier brothers' (mildly creepy?) self-promotion site. It's a site I've visited before, more out of my curiosity about what offer letters look like than for perusing their family pictures (although I did look at those too).
Anyway, I was scrolling though a bunch of stuff about Chris and Furman when I saw Tate picking up Roy Roundtree at San Diego Airport and then off to a beach house in Carlsbad for a barbeque. That made me think about the chemistry those two seemed to have on the field in the spring game and wonder why QBs have favorite receivers and if their off the field relationships ever affect that. I assume Henne favored Braylon in 2004 because he was a human TD machine, and it may just be that the slot is the first person Tate looks at as he goes through his progressions on most pass plays (maybe someone who knows more about RR's offense can confirm that). But does anyone else feel like Roundtree may be the #1 slot as of right now despite Tay Odoms stats?
QBForce.com would be super creepy if it weren't the homepage of our quarterback.
Given that, I just spent 15 minutes browsing through it and then followed QBForce on Twitter. I'm so lame.
Yeah, I know and I kinda hesitated to comment on the creepiness since it could be perceived by some as being critical of our savior. But maybe it's not his parents being creepy as much as them knowing that we're creepy.
If you read what his mom wrote " and then...." it seems like a teaser... so is Jason going to be a backup QB on the squad this year? It sure may help with depth at that position if he does.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Roundtree this year. I'm sad that he doesn't get more consideration around here. For example, I was appalled in Varsity Blue's Heisman Campaign that Roundtree was a 6 seed and Terrance Robinson was a 4 seed. I know that T-Rob has gotten more hype from practice performances, but Roundtree was great in the spring game and he seems to have the best hands of our receivers. I'm rooting for him to have a big year.
I agree, I see Roundtree as having a breakout season this year. He underperformed last year due to his eyes not being corrected yet, and now that they are, we all saw his performance in the spring game. He looked great, and I think Tate and him are best friends off the field. I'm excited to see that on Saturdays.
I hate it when redshirts underperform. You mean in practice?
Touche.
Haha walked right into that one, but at least you took it in stride.
How much of a difference will the contacts actually make? I mean it's not like he was a blind buffoon throughout high school; he did get an offers from Michigan, Purdue and Illinois after all. I mean I hope that improved sight will lead to a stellar season, but I don't want to have too high of hope for a kid who hasn't yet taken a snap in a real college game.
The word is that his eyesight had gotten suddenly a lot worse, to the point that he was squinting to recognize people, and he didn't realize it.
I found that to be one of the funniest and strangest things I have heard in sports. He couldn't catch a ball because he couldn't see, didn't notice he couldn't see, coaches didn't notice he couldn't see or realize he was dropping balls because of it. Then he gets some contacts and BAM! he is a stud. To me, Roundtree is Wild Thing! I'll be singing that song in my head everytime he catches the ball this year.
There was an interview done were he said that once he put them in he realized how bad his vision was. I wish that Tate would have been the one to recommend the contacts to him, because then we could have said "SEE HE IS OUR SAVIOR! HE MAKES BLIND MEN SEE!" But alas, twas not to be.
Let's go back to MySpace and you can Twitter all over my Facebook.
Ewwww...
I think you'll see Roundtee on the field along with Odoms (and other slots) often in the next couple years.
I think RR is going to start using an "Inside" WR along with the traditional WR and Slot Receiver.
Roundtree and Stokes (and Williamson) seem to have the speed and body for inside slants (think Breaston-like) with the ability to to turn blown coverage into deep throws.
Slot will be Odoms, Robinson, Grady, Gallon types that will receive in space as we saw last year (albeit, with Odoms as the only option).
WRs like Matthews, Hemmingway, Miller, Stonum will be utilized with their out-routes, out-jumping CBs, fades, with decent speed in a more traditionaly wide set.
Throw in the use of TE and TBs receiving out of the backfield and we'll have 5 specific skill sets on the field at once to throw to, with a pass-first, run-second qb this should be fun to watch.
RR never had this many options or this much variance in skill sets at WV, but when he had Henry he threw down-field "often." And that was with a single "great" WR, a TB, and running QB.
I made a post about this yesterday, but you said it a lot better (and longer). I very much agree with your point.
RR also turned Shaun King into a passing machine at Tulane. From wiki:
"King played college football at Tulane University from 1995 to 1998,[1] leading Tulane to an undefeated season and a win over Brigham Young University in the Liberty Bowl, in the process setting the single-season NCAA Division I-A record for passing efficiency in 1998 of 183.3. In the same year he became the first player in NCAA history to both pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game against Army on November 14....... His quarterback coach was Rich Rodriguez..."
King could move, but definitely could not be called "fast."
I agree with the numerous posters the last few months who have pointed out that RR probably isn't amassing all of those WR's and slots so he can use a "run-first" offense.
At any rate, I am looking forward to all of the mismatches that will be created in the secondary by the spread. It will be nice to see the easy TD's go UM's way for a change.
it'll be interesting to see who gets the playing time. it's heavy competition.
Great post. I couldn't agree more and am very excited to see this offense running on all cylinders in the near future. I think we will be pleasently surprised with our offensive production this year. We may not see our offensive juggernaut in full force this year, but I think we will see glimpses of greatness.
The van you apparently live in? Shucks, that internet shore is cool.
If you're asking whether or not the QBs relationship with a WR or TE, or really anyone on offense off the field means, well it's that the QB is likely to have more trust in that player (meaning that player will probably get the ball more). I noticed that happened with Henne at times (which is by no means a bad thing).
See Tony Romo only throwing to Jason Witten and not T.O. (oh wait.. T.O. was wrong about that one too)
I agree that the QB feels a lot more comfortable throwing to that person, especially in crunch time.
I think a lot of QBs have their favorite WRs. Although it is very encouraging that they are hanging out with each other outside of football.
I seem to recall back in the day an article about Drew Henson and David Terrell throwing a football around in Central Park.
We are scary loaded with talented WR's and RB's. Hopefully we can say the same about the QB's this year.
for the rub. I think there's room for both Odoms and Roundtree to have 50 catches this year. Longer possessions, better QB, we'll see. At least 30 for each, which would be an improvement over slot production from last year. And I'm not even mentioning Feagin, T-Rob, Stokes, Kelvin Grady and Gallon.
50 is a LOT of catches. In fact, in 2006 and 2007, we only had 3 receivers with over 30 receptions, and in 2005, we only had 1 receiver with over 30 receptions. So, unless Michigan is going to throw the the ball around like, whoa, or if you think that Roundtree and Odoms are going to be our leading receivers (which is a possibility), then I doubt that both of them will get to 30 receptions this year, let alone 50.
We just don't know how ready Tate or Denard will be to throw to outside receivers, so it's tough to judge who will lead the team in catches, but I would guess that Matthews and one of either Roundtree or Odoms will be our leading receivers this season. Some people also think that Koger is in for a good year, so we'll have to wait and see
Rich Rodriguez only runs the ball. Why would you even consider us passing the ball?! All jokes aside, I totally agree with your post. Especially considering how strong our running game is. I think that RRod will shuffle his plethora of WR's in and out to keep the position fresh and keeps its dynamic/big play ability intact throughout the game.
What's the latest on Jason? Will he be allowed to play for Michigan this year? If so, does he have a chance of threatening his brother et al for playing time?
Another question I had is if he has to sit out a year or does the rule for grad students transferring still apply?
Nope, since he graduated from Stanford, he does not have to sit out the requisite year.
he'll be able to come to Michigan, but I think I saw something that said he isn't in a big rush to transfer. But no, he will just be there to help Tate.
crazy parents.....holy crap that site is creepy....
I was under the impression that roundtree is not a slot reciever at all, just a small wr, like purdue always used to use.
Any word on Justin Feagin? Is he playing slot? QB? DB? I have no idea, just haven't heard the name in a while.
Love the name. That's at least in my all time mgoblog top ten.
not sure if you should be looking at Mrs. Forcier's twat
Tate and Denard should fuck each other's mothers.
Wow, just wow. I think that's crossing the line.
Yeah, you're right. Referencing popular SNL sketches is so far over the line. Please forgive me West Texas Blue :(
I'm just baffled at the context. There's like one statement about Denard's passing ability, and then all of a sudden you use Denard's mom to make a joke about the "I'm a mother lover" song? Where the hell did that come from?
Why does there need to be context for a joke to be made? The thread is titled Tate's Mom's Twitter and the Roundtree Connection... maybe if I said Roundtree instead of Denard?
You seem very defensive lately.
A lot people seem to have a stick up their asses about simple jokes here lately.
FTR I didn't get it, but still thought it was funny for some reason.
Congratulations. You're the official MGoBoard comedian. Keep up your super insightful, fine contributions to the discussions on these boards.
I have no interest in taking Dex's job... there are enough unemployed people in Jackson as it is. ZING
NEGGED
You son of a bitch. :(
This would have been a bit less left fieldy. On the bright side, it did make me imagine Tate and Denard in vintage Color Me Badd/NKOTB facial hair and fashions. Hee hee.
Yeah, where did that come from?
edit: I guess it's an SNL reference.
Why did I get negative points for that?
edit: Why the change of heart?
edit: What the fuck!