Tate Downfield
Tate really needs to develop as a downfield passer. On that sack he took at the end of the half, Hemmingway was open on the slant, he looked at him, tucked it, and tried to make something happen. Hopefully, the only thing he needs is experience and maturity to fix that problem because he keeps it instead of throwing it too often. He has to keep teams honest vertically for this offense to realize its full potential.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:51 PM ^
I honestly think he's almost rusty, as far as game-situation passing experience goes...
He's looked his best when he's throwing a lot, and that's not the case right now...the running game is carrying us, but I think they ought to try to get Tate more chances to throw the ball...
October 31st, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^
No real need to throw deep balls when Illinois is letting Michigan run all over them and are giving up the short passes.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^
Yeah, he hasn't quite gotten a chance to get into a rhythm with the passing game. He's looked good on a few throws so far though, but our abysmal pass-protection doesn't help the cause either.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^
Tate needs to do a better job of getting rid of the ball. It's great to make a miracle play, but sometimes you need to live to fight another day. That should come with experience though, it'll just be a relief for this fan when that develops.
October 31st, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
Well Tate just shut me up to start the half
October 31st, 2009 at 5:13 PM ^
I think Tate read this thread on his Blackberry at halftime...
October 31st, 2009 at 5:14 PM ^
Erg Double post
October 31st, 2009 at 5:14 PM ^
Speak of the devil, 77 yard Bomb to roundtree
October 31st, 2009 at 5:23 PM ^
76 yds and they couldn't close the deal.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
I'm wondering how knicked up his shoulder still is. Shoulder separations tend to take 3-4 weeks to be solid. We're just at that time frame. He could be still aggravated by it, hence not making such beautiful parabolic deep balls. It would explain shorting the WRs so much.