Tate's sideline behavior today
Anyone else really happy with the way Tate acted today? Starting with the hug with RR during the pregame, and constantly congratulating Denard as he came off of a drive/score, he seemed to handle this week a lot more maturely than the last. I was really pulling for him to get some downs in when Denard came out, especially in light of how he was behaving. I'm assuming either his dad or RR sat him down and told him to act like an adult or he wouldn't see the field, but either way, he seemed like a much better teammate this week. Hopefully he'll get some time to shine in the next few weeks while Denard gets some rest against these cupcakes.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:40 AM ^
The pregame hug seemed extremely scripted to me, but it was good even if it was. It's good to see our entire team acting like Michigan Men again.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:11 AM ^
Tate may have scripted the hug but from the way Coach acted was about as awkward as possible. I'm just glad to see we've gotten rid of the majority of the cancers on the team. A few may remain but we are starting to resemble a brotherhood.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^
To me, it seemed like a joke. People seem to build up these story lines about players and coaches and turn the whole thing into a giant soap opera. The guys who are actually on the inside know the truth to the situation, and from what it looks like to me, there aren't any real problems between Forcier and Rodruiguez. I could be proven wrong if Tate transfers, but hey, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he'll stay and fight for the starting job until that happens
September 12th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
And this one isn't focusing on a towel. {frm the Det. News, which has some spectacular shots of the game}
September 12th, 2010 at 2:48 AM ^
Forcier made sure that all the rumors are now answered concerning his supposed transfer. He was as much of a team player in South Bend as anyone else on the team and he made me happy with his obvious desire to help the team win in any capacity. I trust Rodriguez coaching and I trust his motivational skills because it seems obvious that this team is a very tight knit team.
Tate is a competitor and as someone who understands that kind of personality(since I suffer from the same affliction) I was worried but not freaked out about last weeks behavior. This team will go so far based solely on the strength of the internal relationship. All the obvious "its only the second week of the season" disclaimers still apply but I think the only thing holding this team back from sontending is youth and depth and next year stands to be something very special.
September 12th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
Unfortunately, that is not what Tate is saying in the locker room. I know his father said he is staying but that is PR. I know this, from a very reliable inside source.
Also, RR made the decision before the season started that Tate was #3. He did not go to voluntary practices along with others like JT Floyd. His attitude was bad, basically he thought the #1 spot was his by inheritance from last season, and then Rob & Gardner were better than him and he lost the spot. He is good enough to transfer and start for many schools, he knows it too. I hope he does not, but I'm not holding my breath.
Obviously everyone can tell that Robinson worked his ass off in the off season on his passing. Thats how he got the starter.
Interestingly enough, RR said Gardner was the franchise, this was before the UConn game so maybe things have changed, but Gardner has the best arm of the QB's.
Maybe some of this has changed, haven't talked to my buddy since right before UConn game, but everything he has told me about the team has turned out to be true way before it became public. Just wanted to share with other fans also.
September 12th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
You've been a member for over two years and this little gem is your first ever comment? Maybe you should stick to lurking.
September 13th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
but you know all of this. so a dramatic number of things occurred during pre-season, yet you claim to know what Forcier is saying now (about transferring) while shooting yourself in the foot with honesty later (you couldn't know if he's saying he will since the UConn game). makes zero sense but cool story bro.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:11 AM ^
I heard from a friend who is dating a girl who used to date a reliable sourse that Tate's good conduct was all scripted and that during halftime, he tried to undermine Denard by lacing up his shoes.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:11 AM ^
I really could not agree more, what I saw today from Tate was a great site, all in for the maize and blue!
September 12th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
I like everything you say, and not just because you have a suit, but because you know about business and stuff and you have a tie.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:16 AM ^
I thought last week was blown out of proportion thanks to the tv commentary. His sitting alone on the bench in the 4th quarter under a towel made for irresponsible speculation. No one really can tell what he was thinking/feeling.
I think he probably learned that as long as cameras are around he will be under a microscope. He didn't give the media any reason to question his commitment or loyalty this weekend.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:22 AM ^
This reminds me of a Milhouse quote: "What about all the times I DIDN'T wear a tutu?! Nobody ever brings those up!"
Congrats Tate for supporting your teammates. Also for not wearing a tutu.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:23 AM ^
tate was all in. thats all.
go blue.
sometimes when you're on, you're really fucking on.
September 12th, 2010 at 5:08 AM ^
He also fixed up Stonum's pads on the sideline during the last drive so that he could stay in the game. Wooo all in!
September 12th, 2010 at 7:24 PM ^
That said everything to me, and I loved it.
September 12th, 2010 at 5:26 AM ^
Tate went through all this last year (ups, downs, hype ect....) I was hoping he would kinda be in that mentor role a little. I think if he has a good week, keeps his mouth shut and countinues his "pro team" attitude he will be the second string guy. I hope to see him for the UMASS and BG game.
Season is still young and you just never know.
September 12th, 2010 at 5:49 AM ^
that he's going to get major PT this year. probably the next two weeks. and I can't believe denard can hold up this way for 3 years. Please stay tate. we need you, the team needs you. you need the team. you don't want to follow your brother's examples, transferring didn't work out for them.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:38 AM ^
I don' t know if he is going to see much PT this year. Twice RR has put Gardener in ahead of Tate.
Tate probably at least felt involved in the game since he had a headset on, but let's face it as long as Denard and Devin are around he's not going to see the field.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:52 AM ^
that if denard get hurt and misses a few games tate will be the one in there playing not devin... either way devin and tate are going to play a lot this coming saturday...
September 13th, 2010 at 6:50 PM ^
If we played MSU/Wisky/OSU tomorrow and Denard couldn't play, Tate would likely be the #1 guy. Not Devin, he's the future for sure, but RR isn't going to put the game in his hands at this point. That's my take anyway.
September 12th, 2010 at 6:52 AM ^
thing tate didn't do on the sidelines was find a baby in the crowd and kiss it... i'm glad that he is at least showing that he has his shit together now and wants to be part of the team...
September 12th, 2010 at 6:54 AM ^
I wonder if RR is not playing Tate to save a possible red shirt in case Tate does want to transfer. I hope this isn't the case but if I'm Tate I don't think I could dispute the fact that as long as Denard is healthy he should start.
September 12th, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^
What in the world would that accomplish? You can't sit out at one school and then transfer and play right away.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:28 AM ^
...this went better is because of how RichRod handled the situation in the aftermath of the UConn game. He gave Tate breathing space by saying it was understandable and ok for all the guys who didn't play to be disappointed and upset. Over the course of the week I'm sure the coaches told Tate that that sort of behavior wouldn't be tolerated again, and Tate toed the line. Praise in public, correct in private. Congrats to Tate and RichRod for doing things the right way.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^
Rich seems to be building a reputation among the players for being fair about these competitions. If Devin can work hard and pass Tate on the depth chart, Tate can do the same.
All coaches pay lip service to this idea when recruiting, but if Rodriguez gets a reputation for actually putting it into practice, beyond just talking about it, hello to the most-likely-to-succeed blue chips (i.e., kids who understand you have to actually put in the work to succeed)!
September 12th, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
...the way you think. Great point.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:40 AM ^
Tate's way of saying F U Rothstein.
Of course, Rothstein will likely write and article suggesting that Tate was sending in the wrong plays on purpose to get DR hurt...
September 12th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
It's nearly laughable to see so many people (rightfully) praising Tate's sideline "behavior" yesterday given the way folks on this board ripped into him after the UConn game. He was called a "punk", "jackass", etc.
I don't really get why people (not necessarily you...just thought the comment fits well here), who vehemently defended RR after two terrible, full season can be so harsh on players after doing something in just one game. Maybe the UConn stuff was highlighted by the media, but no one was more critical of Tate than people posting on mgoblog.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^
after Roy went out of bounds on a big hit. That was very impressive of Tate.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^
but I was at the game, and the most impressive thing he did was, on the last drive of the game, there was one play (we were around the ND 45 at the time IIRC) where Stonum was actually uncovered near the sideline before the play, and Tate was going BERSERK jumping up and down to make sure Denard saw him. Not sure if you could see it on Notre Dame TV (I'm guessing no), but I was at the game and was able to see it (albeit from like 87 rows up).
Great example of Tate handling this whole situation like a man and just trying to help the team win anyway he can.
September 12th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
i'm proud of tate for apparently responding to the criticism and being a supportive teammate on the sideline. whenever i saw him he wasn't off being all emo, he was with the starters looking like he was having a good time
September 12th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
it'll be interesting to see how he does in the next few games. i have to assume RR will get him and Devin reps.
September 12th, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^
as for last week, i think it was blown out of proportion. while it looks bad for him to sit and sulk during a victory, anyone who has played a sport knows that it is frustrating when you not in the game and you want to contribute and help your team out. hes 19 or 20 yrs old and hes used to being the guy. now any hopes he had of holding onto the starting spot seem to have been flushed down the drain. and any hopes he had of making it to the nfl took a big hit. without approving it, i think his frustration was understandable. and im sure the fact that the cameras were all up in his grill did not help comfort him.
as for his behavior yesterday, i do think the hug was scripted. but there was one camera shot of him tucking a players shoulder pad back into his jersey after the play. that is something he didnt have to do, and its not something he could have expected to make it on tv.
regardless, i give him props for sticking around despite a somewhat grim looking future, and for putting on a happy face, even if its forced.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
I loved seeing Tate do jump-spins with Denard and the other players each time they came off the field on a touchdown.
Mad props to him.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:21 PM ^
After all the bad press last week about Tate and his pouting, I was very glad to see this thread and hear the fans at the bar recognizing Tate as a team player. Contrived, scripted, planned.... whatever, it was nice to see our starting QB from last year applaud, cheer, support the entire team throughout the ND game. I have to keep reminding myself that these are 18 to 22 year old men that are trying to improve, impress and grow from their successes and failures. I think that during the game, Tate took some steps forward in his journey to becoming a leader, regardless of his status as a starter.