QVIST

May 13th, 2011 at 9:36 AM ^

My prediction is he will go to GRCC to be with the no fly zone himself, then go to GVSU. Okay, maybe not, but I wish.

Tater

May 13th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^

He belongs at a smaller school.  He is just a little small and a little weak-armed for an elite-level, D-1 team,.  He has all of the skills, though, and could dominate in a smaller conference or a lower division.  Then, when he graduates, he could help his family do a QB school correctly.  

Section 1

May 13th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^

Remember that one?  Where Mark Snyder predicted that an in-turmoil Michigan would lose at home to Western Michigan and their NFL-ready QB?  There was of course the maiden voyage of the Starship Denard in that game (fumble, pick it up, run for TD in that order), but I still think that the play of that game was Tate's east-sideline improv for Michigan's first touchdown in what started out as one of the most nervous, high-tension games in my lifetime of watching Michigan football.  (Just six days post-Freep jihad.)

And Illinois '10.  I know a lot of people despised that game.  A lot of people are completely stupid.  They proved it that day; as I drove home from one of the most gorgeous weather days at the Big House in years, and a thrilling Triple OT win with more points scored than most Big Ten basketball games -- a win that clearly had our players fired up -- I was treated to the radio mouth-breathers wondering if a win was really a good thing for Michigan, because it might prolong the tenure of Rich Rodriguez.

jmblue

May 13th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^

Forcier's a talented player; I don't think anyone really disputes that.  But he is also a headcase.  I don't think that can be disputed, either.  He became a major distraction to the program and many of his own teammates were getting tired of it.

I guess to be fair to him, his father may be the real culprit for sending his boys to work with Marv Marinovich and putting delusions of grandeur in their minds.  Some parents need to stop living vicariously through their kids.

 

Soulfire21

May 13th, 2011 at 6:21 PM ^

Source:  Those of us not living under a rock, oblivious to the world around them.

Even Tate himself admitted that, after seeing himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated, he got really cocky and didn't treat the team or coaches very well.  I suppose you also remember his lack of wings last offseason, I doubt it was for good behavior.

JohnnyBlue

May 13th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^

its really a shame for tate, if he kept his shit together he would of been prolly a fine qb for us, hell I bet if he applied himself he would of started last year. I love Denard and glad he is our starter but tate had potential

Salinger

May 13th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^

what he was trying to say was that, based on Tate's previous season, he seemed like he could have still been a solid option at the QB position.  I'm glad we went w/ Denard, that was by far the most exciting Michigan QB I've ever seen, but I think there are only a few people who would have predicted that he'd have that kind of a blow out year.  

 

Don't get me wrong, Denard should have been the QB, there is no disputing that.  But if Tate would have kept it together and worked as hard as he should have, he would have certainly contended for the position.  Instead, Denard outworked him, won the starting slot and made history.  Not a bad way to go.

funkywolve

May 13th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^

I think both Denard and Tate are quite talented.  The catch is Denard's skill set was a better fit for RR wanted - a QB with speed who can keep defenses honest with his arm.

I'd love to see what Tate could do in a Northwestern style offense.  Maybe I'm off base but I've looked at NU's offense the last few years as one that relies on a QB to throw a decent amount (but doesn't necessarily require a rocket for an arm) but also has good mobility and can use his feet to keep the chains moving.

Sopwith

May 13th, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^

Tate might just be the perfect guy for a system like Northwestern, at least I would not look forward to playing against him.

On the other hand, the academic standards at Northwestern would probably not be the best fit for him... but I still root for the kid.  He won me over with that last drive against MSU in '09.  Still maybe the guttiest thing I've seen from a Michigan QB ever, much less for a true frosh.

Beavis

May 13th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^

Whatever, bro.

Denard was the one with potential.  Tate was the one that had been coached up his entire life, and had really gotten most everything he could out of his smallish frame. 

Even if Tate worked his ass off last offseason, he wasn't going to beat out Denard.  Period.

fleetwoodzback

May 13th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

i always thought that with all the prep work tate did to become a top qb he may have been pretty close to his ceiling as a freshman while denard was so raw his ceiling was so far away. tate was as good as you could have expected as a true freshman but maybe there just wasn't that much room for improvement as far as his capabilities. i still wish the kid well though.

WestSider

May 13th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^

Of course there was room for improvement inTate's game. Jesus, some of the decisions he made to throw certain balls, trying to make something where there was nothing, took me right out of my easy chair. His propensity to run around was at times productive, and at other times disastrous. And yet he could create more than alot of Div. 1 QB's.

I agree with most of you who say he has some family history scripting issues, and he clearly did not make the grades. However, he gutted out alot of games with heart, even when injured. He needs some maturing, what kid doesn't, especially those 'groomed' for 'certain' success. I think "head case" is a little strong. He has no criminal history, he's done nothing terribly embarrassing to himself or the UM. He loafed during practice and RR disciplined him for it. He lost his starting status and moped a little bit. He responded as best he could when entering games due to DR's injuries, etc. I wish him well. Cocky? whatever..We all can appreciate Denard's class, enthusiam, work ethic, etc., but I wish Tate was there with Gardner still.

Zone Left

May 13th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^

QBForce doesn't have a long Twitter rant about this, but it still proudly recalls the family moving their kids around to different Pop Warner leagues so everyone could play QB. How could anything have gone wrong?

CincyBlue

May 13th, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^

Could his grades not be good enough to transfer?

I just remember his electric start at Michigan and him being mentioned early on as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

In retrospect, that was the worst thing that could of happened to him. It seems that the hype went to his head and things like "going to class" were no longer important.

Tate and Denard both in the same class and complete opposite personalities.