mcfors

April 14th, 2009 at 11:05 PM ^

Does he not have to sit out a year because he'd be switching sports? Is he just being signed for depth, or do you think Rich Rod actually plans on him starting? I can't imagine he'd be much different from a freshman, besides being more physically and emotionally mature.

Real Tackles Wear 77

April 14th, 2009 at 11:25 PM ^

This could only be a good thing, sure he would be raw but his production in high school does not lie, even if for only one year it would create some competition and hopefully bring out the best in all our QBs

MichiganStudent

April 14th, 2009 at 11:28 PM ^

Weird. Even if he did come here would he actually be good enough to play?

I would have to put him behind Forcier by a long ways and also a little behind Robinson. BBall is a much different game than football.

los barcos

April 14th, 2009 at 11:36 PM ^

i saw something about this on pti today. it said that he was thinking about notre dame for football or duke for basketball. what kind of talented kid is this who can go to 2 of the top schools for the 2 biggest sports in college football? that is beyond impressive, i might say

house of pain

April 14th, 2009 at 11:40 PM ^

Hes probably thinking about his football career a little more seriously now, so he probably wants to get a little college football under his belt if he plans to take on the NFL

Plegerize

April 14th, 2009 at 11:44 PM ^

At this point I would just consider him if not just to add depth to the QB position.

Yeah he might not be polished but right now at this point we're looking at two freshman, a former walk-on junior, and a guy who, we of MgoBlog culture know, is the myspace video second coming of an Eminem.

It's not even really a risk because he only has one year of eligibility, he could provide some competition and depth for a season and then make way for the new kids on the block.

Go21Blue

April 14th, 2009 at 11:47 PM ^

I have no problem with it, the guy is only going to play if RR thinks he will help win games. There is especially no problem creating depth at that position in this offense.

los barcos

April 14th, 2009 at 11:49 PM ^

i dont really see it happening. he's doing this because he wants to get a look from nfl teams. i dont see him coming here when hes not guaranteed a starting spot. and he definitely would not come to ride the bench. its just hard for me to see a kid who hasnt played organized football for 4 years wining the position outright.

FredBird83

April 14th, 2009 at 11:55 PM ^

This would be a great "get" for Michigan as it means Sheridan aka DEATH would never have to see the field.

And by never, I mean, if we are down to our 4th string QB due to injuries, we all might as well give up on 2009.

And... Is he better than Forcier at this point? Probably not, but his creds coming out of HS were definitely better, so what is the downside here???

los barcos

April 15th, 2009 at 12:03 AM ^

scout only had him listed as a four star, so his credentials are not THAT much better than tates. and remember, that was four years ago.

as far as the downside, paulaus would have to be heads and shoulders better than tate. even if they are even, or if paulaus was only slightly better, i think you still have to go with tate (or, DR). tate (or DR) would presumably be our starter for the next 4 years and theres something to be gained for giving them experience now. paulaus would be one and done and do nothing for the future of michigan.

FredBird83

April 15th, 2009 at 1:27 AM ^

Yeah I agree - I was going off memory (not great) and back then I looked at ESPN and thought of him as a 5-star, top 3 QB sort of talent.

Still, why would anyone not want this kid? Obviously a good kid (benched his senior year at Duke and didn't complain), would be miles better than Sheridan and possibly beat out DR for our 2nd string position.

FabFiver5

April 15th, 2009 at 12:03 AM ^

The kid put up impressive numbers in high school, but he played in New York...not exactly fertile recruiting ground. I, for one, don't really want him because I think he'd be a huge distraction for the team and it's widely known that he has a MAJOR attitude problem. For chrissake's, he got benched in basketball this year for a freshman.

No thanks.

R_mahorn1974

April 15th, 2009 at 12:11 AM ^

Player A) Ok QB in texas/cali/fl putting up OK stats
Player B) QB in new york puttng up crazy numbers

I'd pick player B. It shows he has the confidence and he doesn't stoop down to opponents levels. Shows he knows how to put up big numbers too.

daveheal

April 15th, 2009 at 12:34 AM ^

He got benched b/c Nolan Smith was not a liability on defense against quicker guards, not b/c of an attitude problem. In fact, most articles that talk about Paulus's benching talk about how well he handled losing his starting job in his senior season.

Got any support for his 'widely known' attitude problem?

ETA: This from the recent ESPN article about Paulus working out for the Packers:

He earned widespread praise, however, for his conduct and demeanor after losing the starting job, giving guidance to the younger players and never showing outward disgruntlement.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=4067162

FabFiver5

April 15th, 2009 at 1:11 AM ^

Yes, I do have support...

One of my best friends works as a tutor for basketball and football players at both UNC and Duke. She is extremely close with many of them and has said on numerous occasions that Paulus is not respected in (and out) of the program because he's extremely immature, whines and is generally not a good teammate.

That pretty much sums up the definition of an attitude problem.

daveheal

April 15th, 2009 at 1:46 AM ^

I'm sure you're not lying, but seeing as how that's the exact opposite impression of everybody else who's weighed in on the matter, I'm going to guess you're getting a skewed story. Those sorts of issues almost always have a way of leaking out, and your friend's secondhand knowledge of players' opinions isn't exactly the 'widely known' fact that you claimed it was. In fact, even if true, it seems to be the opposite of widely known.

Jay

April 15th, 2009 at 12:20 AM ^

I'm fine with Paulus coming here. I think we now can understand better what RR was talking about when he said a couple of weeks ago that we might be adding another scholarship player or two to the roster.

Clarence Beeks

April 15th, 2009 at 12:39 AM ^

Yeah, that's the first thing that crossed my mind, but I don't know if the timing works out on this. The article said that Paulus hadn't thought about it until he was contacted by the Packers after the Villanova loss. It could be though.

The interesting thing to me is that 6 NFL teams contacted a kid who hasn't played football in 4 years. That's just insane and speaks an incredible amount about the flat out athletic ability that this kid must have. I had the doubt that some here expressed that he'd have to be awfully, awfully raw, but the fact that he's been contacted by 6 NFL teams really says something.

Go21Blue

April 15th, 2009 at 12:39 AM ^

It's not like he is going to play no matter what if he comes here. The guy is only going to play if he is our best option, I don't understand why people would not want him here. I also can't believe people would think this would hurt the future of the program. I think having another losing season would hurt the future of the program more than adding QB depth. I say take him if he wants to be a Wolverine.

mblood7

April 15th, 2009 at 12:43 AM ^

I read this and think if paulus came to mich he'd be a backup at most. So i doubt he'd come if he wants to play in the NFL. The most shocking thing i read though was a Duke fan blasting a UNC fan about not being man enough to talk about football.

"this is above you tarheels to fathom since all you know is michael jordans n-u--t-s and gay blue colors. go back to your b ball this is man talk. football" ~Duke fan~

I'm sorry but since when can a Duke fan talk about anything other than basketball. You can make a case for Lacrosse, but if I were them i'd be reluctant because all the impending jokes about rapping strippers. Just a Question way off topic but was Duke ever good at anything other than Basketball. At least UNC has Peppers And Curry with a few others currently and soon to be Nix. And I believe 2 in the HALL. Duke has none of Significance currently and maybe someone in the hall?

Edit: Sonny Jurgensen!

Zone Read Left

April 15th, 2009 at 12:52 AM ^

Quick google search says Paulus is a polisci major. Michigan has the #3 political science graduate program in the country according to US news and World Report. Maybe Paulus doesn't care if he's a backup, he just wants a scholarship to attend a great grad school.

ShockFX

April 15th, 2009 at 1:27 AM ^

This is 100 kinds of awesome. Because people don't hate Duke and Michigan enough, this will be fantastic.

tricks574

April 15th, 2009 at 1:44 AM ^

If for nothing other than it is just a cool story. I don't think he'd start, but I also don't think he would hurt the team, and any depth at QB helps. Plus its not like we would waste a scholarship on him, he would be gone at the end of the year and we have 3 to give from last years class. Even if he does have an attitude problem, Rodriguez is a good enough coach to not let that infect the locker room. I really see this as a win win, and also, an incredibly interesting story.

The Original Seth

April 15th, 2009 at 7:29 AM ^

Though they just brought this up on Mike and Mike as well, I doubt this story will make for much more than a few headlines and an MGoblog meme when all is said and done.

Nevertheless, would the Packers work-out complicate his ability to play as an amateur student-athlete? I remember that with Corey Surrency (FSU), some bizarro rule about playing for a pro team after your 21st birthday counting against your eligibility meant that he was declared ineligible and barred from receiving further athletic scholarships.

Obviously Paulus hasn't actually played for Green Bay, but it seems that when it comes to contact with pro teams, the NCAA doesn't really have a sense of humor.