psychomatt

September 1st, 2009 at 8:47 PM ^

At the press conference (yesterday?) he said he "anticipates" using all three QBs, but he also said if one is doing well and in a rhythm he would leave that QB in. I think he will start with Sheridan and, if nothing exciting happens the first one or two series, switch to Forcier. Then he will sneak Robinson in for a series somewhere just to see how he does.

Joined: 08/25/2009

MGoPoints: 3425

MGrad

September 1st, 2009 at 8:51 PM ^

Bless his heart and attitude and all that, but if Sheridan takes the first snaps, I will be choking back nervous vomit until I see Tate come in to take over. Tate should know the playbook at this point, and more of the playbook can be opened if he is taking the snaps, in my opinion. The only reason I would see Sheridan start is to let Tate observe the pace, hear the calls going in, and get mentally "there". But, that would be a first series kind of event.

Joined: 08/13/2009

MGoPoints: 428

jrt336

September 1st, 2009 at 8:57 PM ^

He is the "safer" option. Putting a true freshman with no experience more risky than putting in Sheridan. Tate and Denard should be good, but let's remember that Denard completed only about 40% of his passes in high school and Tate sometimes made bad decisions (15 picks). I'm not saying Sheridan is good, because he completed 47% and threw more picks than TDs, but he at least got us one good win last year.

Joined: 01/16/2009

MGoPoints: 4498

TateFTW

September 1st, 2009 at 8:59 PM ^

Sheridan may start, but it won't last long. Unless Tate and Denard both have the flu and are stuck at home....Then we just run fake punts all day.

Joined: 06/30/2009

MGoPoints: 14

MGoEOD

September 1st, 2009 at 9:13 PM ^

I'm still of the opinion that 3 qbs = Sheridan's out. If he has two years in the system (for all intents and purposes) and he's "equal" with two new freshman...that's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Joined: 12/05/2008

MGoPoints: 39

TomVH

September 1st, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^

I'm under the impression (not based off of anything) that Sheridan will start, and play for 2-3 series. The thinking behind it being that those couple series will give Tate and Denard a chance to soak in the atmosphere, the speed of the game, and calm their nerves. After they've had the chance to watch, they'll get their chance to play. Just my opinion...or, I guess, e-pinion.

Joined: 10/21/2008

MGoPoints: 16654

Brick

September 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 AM ^

I think you hit the nail on the head. I will not be surprised to see Nick start, hand off quite a bit and throw a few screen passes. I think we keep it simple the fist few series and settle into the game. Tate will be in toward the end of the first quarter and continue to play unless he starts trying to do too much and throws a bad pick or coughs the ball up trying to make a play. Denard will be in for a few plays here and there and will most probably run a zone read or straight keeper.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 995

Tater

September 1st, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^

UM should be able to beat WMU with a "greatly improved" Sheridan at QB for a majority of the game if they have to. I originally thought that I didn't want Sheridan to be in for more than a play or two of "thank you for taking the blame for last year," but now I don't want ND to get too much of an idea of what parts of the playbook Forcier and Robinson get to run. Sheridan gets a thank you and UM gets an advantage over ND. That would be a great situation if it turned out that way.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

blueloosh

September 1st, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^

i'm not sure he really hinted at Sheridan. I think he feels he could use any of the 3, wanted to say something nice about each, and the only strengths you can attribute to Nick is being safe or experienced. And I love Nick, but calling him either safe or experienced just shows how un-safe and inexperienced this group is. "Safe" truly should be in quotes, since it is a bit laughable if you consider Sheridan's turnovers per snaps thus far. Why do people always talk like he is a manage-the-game Trent Dilfer type? I hope this year he is, but...I saw more up-for-grabs passes last season than I ever hope to see again.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 831

aenima0311

September 1st, 2009 at 10:01 PM ^

So Sheridan hands the ball off twice, then throws a screen on third down and then we punt. We've all seen that movie before. And then Tate comes in and throws for eleventy touchdowns.

Joined: 11/21/2008

MGoPoints: 1054

Maize_and_Drew

September 1st, 2009 at 10:15 PM ^

Didn't RR say if the starter is playing well he'll stick with him? We all know RR wants to get the freshmen in the game, so based on what he said in the presser, I'm thinking Tate will be the starter. If Tate's playing well, he'll stick with him. If Sheridan starts, and manages to play well, we'll still see the freshmen at some point.

Joined: 08/11/2009

MGoPoints: 1571

Refoveo

September 1st, 2009 at 10:22 PM ^

I totally agree; while I like Sheridan, I don’t think my heart can take it simply b/c I’ve seen this guy in action. Even if he does well I will still be on the edge of my seat every play with my heart beating vigorously waiting on him to mess up. I know it seems unfair, but I just rather see Tate start it out because I’m “deathly” afraid of Sheridan playing.

Joined: 06/22/2009

MGoPoints: 74

Captain Obvious

September 1st, 2009 at 10:23 PM ^

We know what Sheridan is capable of. If he is "safer" in the sense that he is the known quantity, that's not necessarily the better option. Why take proven subpar performance/mediocrity when we have 2 QBs that we know are CAPABLE of greatness? The longer we keep them off the field, the longer it will take them to get their bearings and start improving. I know this sounds somewhat harsh, but I have not been able to convince myself that Sheridan seeing the field is a good thing since Tate and Denard signed on the dotted line and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. The memories of last season are still fresh. Ultimately, I have to submit to whatever RR goes with. He has seen their progress on the field and will make the best decision based on that. He is in a much better position to judge these things. I just cannot get excited/rationalize Sheridan seeing any time as our QB barring injuries.

Joined: 03/17/2009

MGoPoints: -465

victors2000

September 2nd, 2009 at 6:26 AM ^

if all the better he's gotten since last year's debacle is "safer", leaving him on the sidelines maybe the safest of all. Tate has been prepped for this moment for a long time, he is ready. HE IS READY. Right on his heels is Denard; in my book, we start Tate and get the show on the road. Intersperse Denard and let him do what he is prepared to do. Don't even start drama by letting Nick have major playing time; Tate and Denard, by all accounts, have the most upside, they are the future starters. They need their reps. If Nick comes in, let it be late in the 4th quarter when it's all wrapped up. No time for sentimentality! GO BLUE!!!

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12857