Is Tate the new #2?

Submitted by caguab on

After watching both Tate and Devin, I think Tate looks like the more solid choice for #2 (although Devin does throw a nice deep ball).  What do you guys think?  I think Tate should be #2 as the offense seemed to run faster with him in it.  Moreover, considering the game experience Tate has, I feel more confident with him in there if Drob goes down.  

JClay

September 25th, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^

If we need a QB to come in in garbage time, DG all the way. If the game is in doubt, Tate gets the call, for this season, IMO.

Blue boy johnson

September 25th, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^

Sure Tate has been more ready than Devin all season, but RR felt it was best for his program and this team to play Devin ahead of Tate. Many factors go into a coaches decision, this ain't fagacy football.

Ryan

September 25th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^

Not to be an ass, but did you watch the game?  I know Denard spoils us but Devin's running felt like slow-mo, though his passes were frickin' laser beams.  Tate came in and did his usual scramble magic but happened to have a couple of off or slow throws.

I'm not picking on either QB as I thought they both did an excellent job but to me at least, your descriptions are precisely backwards.

maineandblue

September 25th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^

I thought Devin struggled with the zone read (made some mistakes) and was hesitant in hitting a hole when trying to run (his passing really impressed me though). Tate did a much better job with the zone read and picked up good yards with his scrambles.

I'm sure Devin's current limitations are due to being a true frosh and the sky is the limit for him, which is why I'm still hoping he comes down with a sudden hangnail or some other imaginary injury to qualify for a medical redshirt.

Brother Mouzone

September 26th, 2010 at 5:19 AM ^

 

Tate was "outstanding and tremendous" today.  I was thrilled to see his progression since last year.  I want to watch the game again to determine how well he was performing within our offense.

I think Tate gives us our best opportunity to win now when Denard cannot play, and has earned his way to the number two on the depth chart.

I was also very impressed with Devin.  This was really his first opportunity to run a full series.  I agree that he seems slow  That will change as he is able to make his zone reads more effectively and "think" less.  You can almost see him trying to think through everything.   I feel that it is because of his slow zone read - not slow speed

I remember seeing some of this with Denard last year.  It wouldn't even surprise me by the end of the year that Devin's development will take him to a point where he surpasses Tate

Keep some perspective- with Denard as a reference point even Usain Bolt seems like a constipated fat kid running in quicksand.

Let's all enjoy the fact that we can have a happiness problem - quarterback depth

BlockM

September 25th, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^

IME he should be. Played great today and should have that spot locked up. Really impressive especially after all he's been through in the last couple months. Proud of him.

MacombWolverine

September 25th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^

I would love to see Tate as our #2, but that only makes me think about our lost redshirt for Devin. If we had RS Devin, I would have started a "Kennedy for #3" campaign.

Also, who is Jack Kennedy?

In reply to by MacombWolverine

steelymax

September 25th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^

I believe DG can redshirt next year, if it comes to that. If Denard stays amazing and Tate stays only a little less amazing, then it doesn't make sense to waste a year of DG's eligibility.

STAUDACHERBLUE

September 25th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^

I don't think that it was ever in doubt that as we move toward Big 10 play Tate is the one with the experience and the talent to lead this team but Devin earned playing time in camp and these first few games were a great time to give him some experience.  If we were for sure not going to redshirt him due him earning his way onto the field, which RRod preaches to him players and recruits, we did this the correct way.  Now if we need Devin in the Big 10 portion of the season he has seen the field but Tate will be the first one in and I think that that has been the case since camp.

Jensencoach

September 25th, 2010 at 5:26 PM ^

..was only 3rd string to prove a point about working hard out of season and being a leader and what not.  Devin was called in first to play for any shor tperiod of time, but if Denard was out going to be out for any length of time I get the feeling that Tate would be the long term guy.

Michigasling

September 25th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

both Devin and Tate got a chance for real playing time today.  Gives everybody more confidence for the rest of the season.  Tate clearly has the experience and has worked to get back out of the doghouse, and Devin shows that we have lots to look forward to.  That was a gorgeous TD pass that was wiped out by penalty.  (There should be stats for that.) 

Boknowsall

September 25th, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^

I don't think Tate was ever #3 based on talent.  Having those other things out of the way, he is back where he belongs(ahead of a freshman), and looking good.  What a great thing to have.  Devin may be the future, but the indecision is painfully obvious, and Tate gives us a great chance to win.  We have 3, count them, three, options at QB.  It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine.  

 

 

edit: we still may go 1-7 in the Big Ten.

GoPackGo

September 25th, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^

but I feel Devin already brings more to the table...while Tate's running plays were a pleasant surprised with shiftiness and a decent burst, I thought Gardner was still faster and tougher to bring down. In addition, he was throwing the ball accurately all over the field with touch when he needed it or with some zip when he had to...I was especially impressed with Devin going downfield or down the seam, while I still got the feeling Tate does not have the arm to make those throws...

steelymax

September 25th, 2010 at 6:09 PM ^

Because you're wrong.

DG is harder to bring down because of his size, but that size also slows him down. Meanwhile, Tate is faster than DG and threw with more accuracy.

That being said, DG has a WAY higher upside than Tate, but you're not gonna see it come to fruition for two more years.

GoPackGo

September 25th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^

i agree that tate looked better running the ball, but it sure seemed that RR and his staff were trusting Devin with deeper throws than Tate...maybe thats cause the game was out of hand already, but Devin's longer (10-15+) tosses looked crisper and more on target than the 1 or 2 that Tate threw...

Trepps

September 25th, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^

It seems as though RR put Devin ahead of him more as a discipline thing/motivation thing.  RR admitted Devin was as polished out there today.  If there is a game on the line I will be pretty frustrated if Devin goes in before Tate.  We need as many wins as possible and Tate gives us the better chance of getting wins right now.

megalomanick

September 25th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^

I think it all depends on the situation. If Denard is out for a play or two, it's Garnder. If he's out for a week or two, it's Tate. Devin Gardner needs all the experience we can get him, whereas Tate is a known quantity. If a backup has to win a game for us there's no doubt in my mind that Forcier is the one to go to.

tenerson

September 25th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^

I think he always was #2 if the game was on the line. Devin understandably doesn't look as comfortable. On the zone reads he is a touch more tenative. Both Denard and Tate make a decison and go.

Enjoy Life

September 25th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^

I think RR already went to Tate and said you are our #2 guy but, we need to get DG some reps so he will play before you when the game is not in doubt.

Remember QBForce -- I have a secret (or something like that).

I guess I am in the minority but I thought DG looked not good today. I was at the game and most of his throws were underthown by a lot. He looked slow and tentative.

Why do you think RR put Tate in? Because DG was looking so good? No way. It started to get close and RR said (to paraphrase) enough of this -- send in Tate. (If I was Drew Sharp, I would put that in quotes.)

ommeethatsees

September 25th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^

Tate was poised, threw well, made good decisions, played with a quick pace.  Everything #2 needs to be.  Devin #3. 

Tate is only one play away from being the starter for Michigan and I feel totally comfortable with that.

QB is definitely the deepest position at Michigan right now.  Not worried about that.  Now if we could only do the same with the secondary we would be unstoppable.

Tater

September 25th, 2010 at 7:03 PM ^

I would like to answer a question with a question.  If Michigan was four points behind MSU with 1:50 to play and Denard was temporarily indisposed, which QB would you want leading the potential game-winning drive?

MechEng97

September 25th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^

Exactly - Tate for sure.  It was good to see him out there doing his thing.  Seemed to have a lot of zip on the ball, did his favorite roll out and hit receivers on the run...I felt comfortable with him in there.  I was surprised how Devin didn't seem very fast out there, threw a good deep ball though.  He'll be good, but I'll take Tate this year for sure.  

justthinking

September 25th, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^

I was surprised how Devin didn't seem very fast out there,

Denard has burned an impression of FAST onto our retinas that it is hard to compare fast to anyone else at the QB position. Devin "appeared" slower than the other two guys, but in reality he is 6" taller than Tate and Denard - and takes fewer strides when running.

Denard is flat out explosive too, and Tate is always scrambilng his leetle legs around in the backfield - so I think it's a matter of perspective.

Devin will beat you with his legs like Doofus down at tOSU will beat you with his legs, just give him more time for the game speed to slow down and we're in for more thrills.

pullin4blue

September 25th, 2010 at 7:04 PM ^

I think Tate played great. 100% completion rate may be a bit decieving, but there is no doubt about it that he played smart, and he played great. He is not D-Rob, and face it, few if any players are on the same level as he is. For those who say that DG burned his redshirt for no reason, I disagree. I think before the season is over, we will need all three QB's. I have absolutely no concern for our offense, but I still have great concerns for our defense. We still can't tackle.

bronxblue

September 25th, 2010 at 7:06 PM ^

At this point, I don't think it matters who plays behind Denard.  Tate is a good player and would be a starter on a substantial number of D-1 teams, and Devin has great potential.  If the game was on the line, my guess is RR would go with Tate, but in a given context (such as needing a couple of yards on a keeper), I could see Devin.  It is just great to have these many solid options at QB after the past few years.

ND Sux

September 25th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^

Devin is a big guy with great athleticism, but takes several strides to get to full speed, it seems.  Tate's quickness out of the gate is more effective in this offense, IMO.  He was also 12 for 12 passing, although Devin looked good throwing as well (including a sure TD that Hemingway dropped). 

GREAT to see Tate get some PT and get a much deserved ovation.  Let's face it, we have an excellent problem at QB this year...three guys who can move the offense. 

Even Gallon didn't fuck up today!  :)