August 21st, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
Stoney is getting ripped apart on twitter right now for his tweets
August 21st, 2010 at 5:38 PM ^
August 21st, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
strategy and play breakdowns are the likely concerns, not "oh he just scored." pictures are another thing bc they capture formations, especially with the defense.
August 21st, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
According to stoney
I heard that Austin white quit team or was booted
August 21st, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^
He started out on WTKA back in the mid-90s, and back then (as now with Webb & Co) provided the absolute best in UM football coverage of anyone in Detroit-area broadcast sports media. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he went to MSU, but his loyalty to UM was absolutely clear even back then.
August 21st, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^
...impressions:
aceanbender Denard, Grady, Hopkins, Moundros, V. Smith, Jerald Robinson, and Jibreel Black all impressed me today. Didn't see Austin White in uniform...
aceanbender Concerns about the secondary are very much warranted, however. Played pretty soft and paid for it a lot of the time.
Those of you who were there, did Kelvin get any carries, or did he impress with receptions?
August 21st, 2010 at 6:02 PM ^
RR did say he was going to keep things pretty vanilla, and maybe he meant on both sides of the ball. That's what I'm telling myself... I think we're looking at a lot of 42-39 games this year. It'll be "exciting."
August 21st, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
...football. Essentially what you see on Tue/Wed night college football games.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
As long as it's 2009 UM-ND exciting, and not 2009 UM-MSU exciting, I think I am ok with that.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
As long as we improve enough from last year to turn those close losses into close victories, I'm completely fine with it for 2010.
Just finish with a 8-5 or 7-6 ish record, keep your job, and get ready to unleash hell in 2011 with all that experience on offense. Please, for the love of all things maize and blue, rich, please.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
Now that we seem to have a 3rd servicable QB, I still wouldn't mind seeing Denard in the slot on occasion. Double passes from the slot to WRs who 'miss' their blocks could be fun.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
I have ever seen so many people give up/jump off the bandwagon as fast as some people have with Tate. I realize that Denard is an athletic specimen, but Tate showed some serious passing skills (skills I can't imagine Denard has yet), not to mention I thought he showed some guts on numerous occasions. The team's inability to get to a bowl was due to the defense, not Tate. Obviously, he has had an "interesting" off-season, but the kid is 20 - I think it is way too early to write-off his ability to help the team in the coming years.
A question to anyone who was there - did Denard pass the ball well beyond short range? Did Tate look anything like he did at the beginning of last year?
August 21st, 2010 at 6:15 PM ^
I do think it's too early to give up on him. I remember a guy who admitted that he played four years at Michigan without putting in the amount of committment it takes to be a champion, but decided to come back for a fifth year. I think it worked out pretty well for both him and the team, and I think you may have heard of him: Brian Griese.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
We heard all this same stuff last year. How the QB was a real battle. And, we all know what happened. Denard just didn't play very much because he wasn't very productive.
BTW, RR said the QBs would NOT be live for the scrimmage. So, that means it is hard to tell about running plays because the D is not going full tilt at the QB.
August 21st, 2010 at 11:39 PM ^
Remember that fake insider last year who kept guaranteeing that Nick Sheridan would start? I don't miss him either.
August 21st, 2010 at 8:06 PM ^
I actually haven't heard hardly anyone write off Forcier. But I also haven't heard anyone say Forcier looks better than Denard since last Fall. Of course we won't know if Denard's improvement is the real deal for another two weeks, but his approbations have been consistent since the start of spring camp. Just because people think (or hope) he is going to start vs. UCONN doesn't mean people are writing off Tate.
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^
I agree with most of what you say. However, to say that Tate didn't cost us a single game (see: OSU), is incorrect.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^
I'm not jumping off of the Tate bandwagon. But I want a guy that's going to show up and give everything he's got and be a leader. Not showing up for voluntary workouts is unaccepable and definitely not something a leader does. It's my understanding that Denard didn't miss a single one. His obvious talent in the running game is something that Michigan has never had before. Couple that with the fact that he obviously has improved his passing game and there is a specimen that can beat you in many more ways then Tate can. We can win with either one. But we can shredddd with shoelace
August 21st, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^
I agree but let us not forget the heart Tate showed on field last year.
August 22nd, 2010 at 2:10 AM ^
"Heart" doesn't matter if you haven't had the will to prepare.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
and I'll show you someone who is ready for a beating...
One of the best lines from Million Dollar Baby. Seriously though, Tate will eliminate what attitude issues he may have soon (if he hasn't already) and he will compete for playing time. His heart will be backed up with preparation.
August 21st, 2010 at 7:56 PM ^
let's not cannonize DRob yet as the best runner ever at UM. UM had plenty of great running QBs in the past. you must be too young to remember. i do, however, like what i'm hearing though.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
True too but I don't remember any of them being that fast or able to make DRob's moves. He is like genetically morphing Tyrone Wheatley with a great throwing arm. If Drob has better passing than last year, he's going to be pigskin death to the opposition. And if he's not and Tate steps into the starting position, he's also faster and a better runner than our previous running QB's but unlike QB's like Demetrius Brown, this kid can throw.
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:41 AM ^
Tyrone Wheatley was 6'1", 235
Denard is listed at 6'0", 193.
And while I love his running ability . . . we've had some great ones. All of Bo's QBs in the '70s were terrific runners.
August 21st, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^
...impression from Ace Anbender:
aceanbender One last note: Gardner had some great moments, but makes some poor decisions -- freshman mistakes. Threw 1 very bad pick. 1 yr away, IMO.
August 21st, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
August 21st, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^
Thats my photo. What the hell? Acebender you bastard, you stole my photo off of Twitter. @MichiganStudent.
This is actually quite comical to me...oh well
August 21st, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
I look forward to the season. Michigan will crush all.
August 21st, 2010 at 8:04 PM ^
Tate is seasoned and has seen so much that Denard hasn't. Plus he can run and throw. Don't count him out.
August 21st, 2010 at 8:07 PM ^
...that means he has earned it. And that would be great. The competition will make all three better. Last year, Forcier had little or no competition (Sheridan? Please...). Pushing Tate will make him better, and vice versa....which is good for everyone involved.
August 21st, 2010 at 8:26 PM ^
That is a point that can't be stressed enough about not only Tate but the rest of the team. Because Rodriguez came in and declared the whole thing open for whoever earned it in open competition, the level of individual improvement from year to year is hard to quantify.
Frankly, most programs don't operate the way Rodriguez operates his. He counts on guys taking quantum leaps throughout their time in the program because of the existence of the ceaseless pressure to compete.
I said it before and know I won't get snickered at on this blog of the unbelievably wise and learned: it is the system and method of operation used by Pete Carroll at USC. The sort of improvements it creates in individual players are often hard to predict.
So only a fool would look at the roster and simply say that it can't achieve a certan win total.
August 21st, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
I am excited for a new season and I am tired of hearing the hoopla over Tate. Last year was last year he had four good games. I'm tired of hearing the injury report on him obviously his injury wasnt bad enough for him not to play so in my opinion its an excuse for poor play. Excuses get coaches fired. Now if Tate performs well and gets the job im all in but until that happens he is still unproven. four games hardly classifies you as the next year starter. I am glad to see him having to work hard this should be a lesson to all athletes and kids who have a sense of entitlement. At some points he behaved immaturely and didnt go to class and argued with the coach he got away with it because he was the only option. Year two rolls around we have depth now the coaches dont have to put up with your attitude because your replaceable. this is a humbling lesson for him. im excited to see him progress im excited for denard and devin
go blue
August 21st, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
A little advice for you, if you don't mind my sayin' ....
This subject has been beaten to a bloody pulp on this site for the past year, and longer. But just like Dracula, (dead and loving it!) unless it gets a stake in the heart, it keeps coming back.
Do yourself a favor, and spend some time searching the archives, (note there is a very good search function) for Brian's UFRs from the games last year. You'll note that not only was Tate's shoulder injury important to his throwing accuracy, it was probably the #2 most critical injury last season, (#1 was the loss of Molk at Center). This is also the kid, by the way, who played his heart out at MSU and almost single-handedly gave us a chance to win at the end. Sure, he threw the interception in overtime, but it was through his efforts that we even got that close.
There is no evidence that Tate has a sense of entitlement. What "evidence" we have is purely circumstantial. Why was he not a gym rat this summer? Perhaps he had classes, other injuries, illness, etc. You don't know, and neither do I.
Finally, no one on this team is "replaceable", least of all a returning starter who last year, as a true freshman, arguably gave Coach Rod his best win at Michigan.
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:44 AM ^
true indeed that this subject has been drawn out for far too long I dont need a search engine or archive to see that I also dont need sarcasm from a complete stranger who feels witty behind his computer. dont mean to assume but thats the way your response reads. The only reason why I brought up the issue was in general response to comments made about the scrimmage and excuses that are everywhere. I am not new to this blog site I just choose not to blog. the issue of entitlement wow you must not work or deal with kids now a days. no evidence hmm lets take a look at it per reports not going to class hmm not showing up for voluntary workouts thinking he is still going to be the man hmmm if that isn't entitlement than im not sure what is. He doesnt have to be a "gym rat" as you put it but he does have to be dedicated just like the rest of his team. according to how you come off practice and workouts are not important if thats the case i vote allen iverson next president "practice". There where other key injuries that in my opinion where bigger than Tates lets see Brandon Minor Carlos Brown because we had no running game Tate was exposed a bit more. Yes everyone is replaceable this is competetive sports my friend thats why we recruit year in and year out. Finally I applaud Tates toughness for sticking it out but poor play is poor play point blank period and I am sorry but Notre Dame was not that big of a win on the national level. it was a big win against a rival but in the grand scheme of things they where'nt a very good team. lets just be honest. for the results that we got the last 8 games we where better off playing sheridan or robinson we would have got the same results which is losses. Im sorry but a torn acl is way different then a partially torn labrum. one is debilitating the other nagging. I dont want to argue with anyone over my opinion besides im rooting for the same team. Didnt mean to be sarcastic "I" felt that your response was a bit condescending.
Anyhow blessings
Go Blue
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:06 PM ^
You've come to the wrong place.
And if you want your opinion to be taken seriously, brush up on caps, paragraphs, and spelling. Otherwise you're going to earn the condescension.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 PM ^
Certainly your right my fine fellow. I don't care if my opinion is challenged thats perfectly fine. Its one thing to challenge but its another to be condescending. By the way who cares if my caps aren't right and my paragraphs are fragmented my points are valid. I'm glad journalism is your strong point and M.L.S style writing. you can be the worlds best writer but have no knowledge of football. so please don't base credibility on grammar I am sure your better than that. My point is I don't care who you are condescending is not acceptable.
Blessings
Go Blue
August 24th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^
If you can't write, no one will take your knowledge of football seriously. And a little snark is meant in jest around here. Probably safe to get used to it.
August 21st, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
Tate's not proven because he only played well 4 games, (nevermind that pesky shoulder injury, not possibly a factor for a quarterback...) but his struggling backup who looks kinda good in the spring game and practice, and a true freshman are certainly much better options.
I don't think Forcier's skillset really shows thru in practice. Give him some reps at live game speed and I won't be surprised if he wins he starting job back from Denard after a couple games. And I still think Gardner redshirts. Just sayin...
August 21st, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
I think you are vastly undervaluing the importance to this offense of making the proper reads on the zone read. The quarterback who does that better should start, no matter which one is the better passer.
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 AM ^
Its obvious thatTate is your prefered starter no matter what facts or stats that are presented you feel the way you feel and im fine with that. However you play how you practice. sunday through Fridays are where champions are made where film is watched. If Tate doesnt perfrom well in practice honestly how do you expect him to take us to a national title . im fine with who ever starts I just expect a little more I dont know about you but I want those young men to win im tired of excuses. just it remember its rare for anyone to go through an entire season without getting banged up but champions make it happen. thats just the way I feel
August 21st, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
stoney is a uofm guy. loves boseason ticket holder...enough of the media hates uofm on here. yes hes on the ticket now but wdfn folded not his fault.
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
The more i see of Josh, the more i get excited. This kid has a solid head on his shoulders.
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
But this may be a more appropriate place:
In the video, the only guy I saw making a serious attempt to conceal his handoffs was Forcier. This is something that has been missing BIG TIME from the offense. I don't care how fast you are as a QB, if it's obvious EVERY TIME that you've kept the ball instead of handing it off, you're not going to have a ton of success.
Did anybody notice if either of the other QB's were trying to conceal at all?