ToB on the QB Situation

Nice to hear perspective from someone who seems to have good information and insight.  I hope Tate realizes that he is still very much needed by this team, and that if he can continue to compete he will get another shot at some point.

My reading of RR's coaching personality is that, as a walk-on who presumably wasn't recruited and wasn't regarded as particularly talented as a collegiate player, he knows he achieved whatever success he had through nothing other than relentless hard work and total dedication to the team. I would bet this attitude was also coupled with outright disdain for other players who might have been more talented but who were either lazier by comparison or entitled-acting. This mindset would of course continue into his coaching days, and I suspect that he sees the latter attributes in TF and much more of his own work ethic exhibited by DR and DG. Tate's decision to take it a bit easy in summer workouts was about the worst thing he could have done, especially when Denard and I gather Gardner were going about things the right way. Sitting on the bench the way he was during the game and appearing to pout just compounds the negatives already sticking to him. I really hope that Tate grows up in a hurry and that he can somehow come to terms with RR's expectations, and that the staff in turn doesn't overtly assist him out the door. We're a better team with an engaged and committed TF on the sidelines and in the game when called upon.

Nice post, and I agree with the sentiment.  Clearly, DR and DG were more prepared coming into the season and, in the case of Robinson, earned the starting position.  Yes, it sounds like Tate had some humility issues, but at the same time all people talked about last year was how great he was, how he oozed moxie and confidence, how he had one of the more impressive freshmen campaigns in UM history.  So yeah, it went to his head a bit, as it probably would have to anybody else in that position.  

But not two weeks ago, everyone who watched the fall practices said that Tate was the clear #2, that Gardner just was too raw and lost out there, that his accuracy was still lacking and his decision making was still in question, which is totally understandable considering he is a true freshman.  But then Gardner strolls in for two plays, clearly looks somewhat overwhelmed, and everyone comes out of the woodworks to say that Gardner has passed Tate because he is just "better."  Well, I don't believe it; I find it far more believable that, according to Tate's own father, that Tate was being punished, and that while Gardner may one day eclipse both of the other QBs on the roster, he is not ready yet and that this decision was a message to Tate, not a promotion for Gardner.  

I probably have an irrational fandom for Tate because he led some great comebacks last year, but no matter how much he slacked off in the offseason (and despite veiled references to various misdeeds, none apparently rose to the level that it set the interwebs on fire) it is hard to believe that the accuracy, the command of the offense, and his toughness disappeared over the last 9 months.

And, thanks, ToB. That was a magnificent read. Go Blue!

Denard will have off games.  Everyone does.  When that happens Tate will be able to step in and contribute.  It has to be hard for him.  Last year he was being put on ESPN and blogs and national news and was the second coming of Joe Montana and now he's riding the pine.  Just keep remembering he's only a kid.  He will act like a kid at times.  He'll get through it.

Maybe this is crazy but if Tate really is the #3 maybe we should redshirt him (assuming no injuries to Denard and Devin).  Gives him an extra year of eligibility where he could potentially be the starter.  I mean he probably doesn't beat out Gardner after Denard is gone but you never know how players develop

Those two are working hard and pushing themselves and not hating.  IMO, the whole Devin RS burning is a non-issue.  Popular and unpopular sentiment has RR on the hottest seat in college FB.  Brandon said his job is safe this year and for this season, so he fully supports RR now but nothing has been said or promised for the future.  Every question Brandon gets is how many wins does RR need etc. 

RR has to win now and he knows it.  As we saw Saturday (and prior years) a QB makes or breaks RR's offense.  If RR's head is on the block, why should he be saving a RS for a QB when that QB is competent enough to lead the team?  If he had some job security, maybe he would put the RS on Devin, but if RR thinks it could be his last year and Tate is stuck in some kind of Inception dream within a dream vacation, then put Devin in the game, coach him up to be ready.

Thanks a bunch for those links to the QB fragility series.