Mailbag question: Tate Forcier on the sidelines

Posted at 8:00am — 9/12/2010

Mailbag question: Tate Forcier on the sidelines

Hey guys,

I know you are probably answering a lot of Tate questions this week and sorry for being so late with this question, but thought somebody else would have asked you guys what are your thoughts about Tate on the sidelines.

I understand after the game he said to a reporter “He was outta here” or something to that effect and people started to think Tate was leaving Michigan.

Then his dad piped in and said Tate wasn’t leaving and trying to shield his son which he should do, but how many times does Tate keep sticking his foot in his mouth or giving people ammo — just as he has done on his web site by putting up articles about the other quarterbacks either on his wall of shame as he did with Devin doing good or when somebody puts up an article thinking that Denard not the right fit for Michigan.

To me his actions speak volumes and I was always raised that your actions speak louder than your words and both aren’t good now.

Tom T.

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Thanks for the question.

Tate Forcier is a competitor, he does not like sitting and watching others play, which is a trait we love in players, but there is a fine line between being a competitor and being a bad team player with your actions on the sidelines.

At this level playing time is as much about attitude and work ethic as talent. All the players have talent, and sooner or later (sooner is preferred) a player must be able to deal with things in a mature/adult-like manner.

Did we like his actions at the UConn game? No, not at all and also we were not enamored by his father’s “explanation” of the situation. Tate’s comments directly after the game to a reporter, if accurate, did not help matters as well. If Tate wasn’t playing college football and was instead on the elementary playgrounds, the current situation would remind people of the poor little rich kid not being picked first on the kickball team, so he is going to pout.

Again we are not saying Tate is a bad player, or that we believe he is not a good teammate, but the perception, especially to a national TV audience, doesn’t look very favorable in our opinion.

Competition, and not winning a starting job (especially after being a starter), is a tough thing for many kids just 19 or 20 years old, especially players who were “stars” on their football team in high school.

Some guys just have trouble adapting or competing against players that are just as good or even better. God given talent is not enough alone.

We can 100% understand a player being unhappy with sitting, Hell we would be upset at any player who was not.

As you said, it is how you deal with not playing that separates the team guys from the rest. Suck it up and bust your tail to win your job back. That is what we want from every UM player, not just the one you brought to our attention.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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