Mailbag question: What’s the real story about Forcier being 3rd string quarterback?
Posted at 12:00pm — 9/7/2010
Mailbag question: What’s the real story about Forcier being 3rd string quarterback?
What’s the real story about Forcier being 3rd string quarterback? Yes, I understand how Robinson and Gardner are better suited with their skill set to play in RR’s offense. Nonetheless, Forcier has proven he has the nerve to orchestrate last minute comebacks — something you can’t teach — and he has much more experience than Gardner.
There must be something that happened between him and RR that we, the public, do not know about. If not, then I cannot blame him if he does want to transfer, because on the face of it, he seems to be getting a raw deal.
— Q
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Thanks for the inquiry.
In the Michigan as the world turns mode, it is hard to go one week without something of this nature coming down the turnpike. This is clearly the question of the week Q and a question that is almost impossible to answer unless one is on the team or the staff. There are some tealeaves that are becoming visible.
And so, will give it a try.
Coach Rod is adamant about the importance of off-season conditioning. He cannot make it mandatory, especially in light of the recent NCAA snafus, but coach can use this (working out) as criteria for playing time. GBMWolverine has documented Coach Rod’s philosophy (shared by every big time program) in the past when our staff members have spoken to Coach Rod or heard him speak at clinics. He stated, now famously, that voluntary workouts are not mandatory, but neither is a player’s playing time.
The problem with the comment about “game experience” and Tate having proven he has the nerve to orchestrate last minute comebacks is we did not see this quality manifest itself this spring or during the fall practices. Tate does have 12 game starts, which is more than Drew Henson ever had while wearing a Michigan uniform. But this advantage did not show when it counted, namely off-season work. Last year became last year and precious few poker chips can be garnered to parlay into next year’s quarterback derby by a starter on a 5-7 team that fell apart in the second half of many games. Tate opened the door for the other quarterbacks, both with significant athletic ability, and they simply pushed through and past Tate.
With all the extra experience we did not see a player that took control in the spring and push himself way ahead of the other quarterbacks, almost the opposite actually. There were concerns about arm health, but by the end of spring such a concern seemed ready to be dismissed. During the practices we attended this spring Tate was better in one of seven practices — just one. That is equal to Devin, who we thought was best in practice one time. Denard was clearly the best on the other days and when he was not the best he was the second best.
Rewarding kids who show the most dedication is a common thing in athletics. Being part of the “team” in the off-season also helps develop camaraderie with teammates and makes it easier to be in charge in the huddle and on the sidelines.
Players will respect a teammate more and support that teammate more so if the teammate undertakes the same battles and challenges that every other player chose to endure in the off-season.
Could Coach Rod be sending Tate a message? Sure he could be, but GBMWolverine is of the opinion that if Tate was the best quarterback, or the second best quarterback, he would have played Saturday.
There are no free rides being issued, everything must be earned through performance. Who you were does not appear to be trumping what you now are, and that is how it is done in big time athletics. It is not a world that undergoes daily serendipity sessions.
The only person responsible for Tate not starting is Tate. Well, we could throw in Denard Robinson as a factor as well.
We have stated consistently this spring, summer, and early fall that Denard has clearly looked the best and to not count out Devin Gardner. He has really improved, but the biggest challenges for Devin this year will be learning the offense completely and also learning how to read defenses.
The team has seemed to really rally around Denard. Such a bond is strong and a team with confidence in a leader is a better team.
And so as somewhat of a summary the two biggest factors for Denard being the starter for UConn remain:
1) Denard Robinson flat out won the job!
2) His skills, especially his running ability, are a better fit for Coach Rod’s quarterback-read option in the spread.
Do we believe Tate is getting a raw deal? No, Tate simply got beat out!
Some doubted our assessment this spring about how good Denard looked in the off-season. Saturday against UConn demonstrated how far Denard has come and how his talents can help Michigan improve.
One particular source in the spring attempted, with what appeared to be intentional malice, to discredit the GBMWolverine commentary about Denard Robinson’s status. The comments concerning Denard have been borne out and Tate was not just resting his arm or sitting out to give Denard more snaps to be an accomplished backup.
Denard practiced to win the job and so far it is his. There will be tougher times for Denard ahead, not every team will be as generous as UConn by providing conditions that custom fit his package. But the guy has earned everything he now has at Michigan. His biggest challenge will be another guy whose first name also starts with a capitol D.
About Tate, we will see, maybe sooner than later. Personally, dealing with a situation like this could be a golden opportunity to prepare for the world. The formula goes thusly: adversity-stop seeking sympathy- formulate a plan- dedicate-achieve-overcome adversity- find a way to be a success. The fuel for such a formula is work, hard work, maybe the hardest work of a lifetime.
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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