Forcier, Robinson, Sheridan battling to start at quarterback
CHICAGO - Rich Rodriguez has a pretty good idea what to expect from Michigan’s quarterback position this year - a protracted battle.
“I’d like to have somebody separate so you know” who the starter is, Rodriguez said Tuesday at Big Ten football media day. “But I don’t envision that happening until the week of the first game.”
For now, three players are in the mix to start when the Wolverines open the season Sept. 5 against Western Michigan.
Tate Forcier is the betting man’s favorite, a true freshman who gave up the end of his senior year of high school to spend spring practice with the Wolverines.
Denard Robinson is the darkhorse, another first-year player whose athleticism is unmatched and who just might surprise as a passer.
And Nick Sheridan is the former walk-on turned incumbent, a junior who has experience but little else working in his favor. Sheridan was one of only two Big Ten quarterbacks - Indiana’s Kellen Lewis was the other - to attempt at least 50 passes and throw more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (two) last year.
Rodriguez said all three will get heavy repetitions when camp begins, and it’s possible more than one could play early.
VIDEO: TATE FORCIER
“I want them to feel it’s wide open because that’s what we said and we’re going to follow through on that,” Rodriguez said.
If Forcier or Robinson starts, it will mark the second time Rodriguez has turned his team over to a freshman this decade.
In 2005, a redshirt freshman named Pat White started most of the season at West Virginia. The Mountaineers went 11-1 and beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
For Michigan, Chad Henne started 12 games as a true freshman in 2004. The Wolverines tied for the Big Ten title and lost to Texas in the Rose Bowl.
No one’s predicting that kind of success this year, but offensive lineman Mark Ortmann said both freshmen have impressed in summer workouts.
“It was unfortunate Nick got injured in spring ball,” Ortmann said. “But Tate came in and showed a confidence that we didn’t expect to see out of him. I think that confidence helped the rest of the offense build as well.
“I’ve seen (Denard) throw a ball a few times and run a few rollouts. You get him out in the open, I don’t know if you’re going to catch him.”
Rodriguez admits he was impressed with Forcier’s moxie this spring, when the 6-foot, 180-pounder took the bulk of the No. 1 snaps after Sheridan broke his right leg.
Still, he said it’ll be weeks before he decides on a starter.
“You get nervous as a coach when you talk about possibly playing true freshmen anywhere, particularly at quarterback,” Rodriguez said. “But I have all the confidence in the world that our coaches and Tate will put the work in to get ready.”
Dave Birkett covers the University of Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com
Comments
UMthicknthin
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 9:22 p.m.
Let's hope that extra semester gave Tate the edge, Denard is a highly talented young man, as well, to consider Nick at the starting position would require some real improvement over last years' output. I'll state that the guys at AA.com are some industrious journalists, we've had a drought of info and suddenly we're getting the goods. Great!! Any positive info on our beloved Wolverines is good, isn't that right, collstaman?
tater
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 8:49 p.m.
Robinson will get plenty of chances to shine, this season as a QB and maybe another position next year if QB doesn't work out. I personally think that he will be gradually fed wildcat plays, with more added as he gains experience. Hopefully, by the OSU game, RR and UM will have two QB's who can execute the full offense.
Man in the Mirror
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 11:13 a.m.
Last paragraph RR spilled the beans. Forcier is the starting QB! Robinson should have forgone his senior year of high school to get into this business, especially with the Forcier's making their moves. Robinson will have only memories of his awesome senior high school track career as he watches Forcier shine.
Goblue#1
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 10:42 a.m.
Lets not forget Devin Gardner is also on his way. Kids a beast! Go Blue!!!
tater
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
I would like to take a moment to thank Dave and everyone at A2.com for excellent UM coverage. I know A2.com is looked at as a laboratory experiment by many across the country, and many are waiting to see if it fulfills its potential in both a journalistic and financial sense. I also know the sports section is seen as the "toy store," but this toy store is definitely doing a great job of covering the local university so far. This kind of coverage is what I had hoped for when I read the A2 News was going to be replaced by A2.com. To me, this looks like a very streamlined operation with more of what Ann Arbor people want covered and less of what everyone else is already covering. A2.com is off to a great start.
azwolverine
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 10:30 a.m.
It's nice to have two young guns who fit the system and a third who's got some experience under his belt coming back. I like our situation at QB a whole lot better than I did last season. Pair that with 10 starters coming back with a year in the system, and Michigan's offense should be far more potent than last year. Michigan just may surprise some people this season.
tater
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 10:28 a.m.
It will be great to see what UM does with a competent QB this year. I hope both Forcier and D Rob see a lot of action. I also hope Sheridan is allowed to get a head start on his coaching career and that his appearances are limited to being a "human victory cigar." As for bringing Pryor into the discussion, I see both Forcier and Robinson as having much more upside than Pryor because Pryor is a prototypical spread option QB who is being miscast as a "pocket QB." Pryor got the first laugh last year, but I think he will eventually see what a mistake he made taking OSU's money over a chance to play in an offense that is made for his talents. Meanwhile, Forcier and Robinson get to play in an offense that highlights their talents, creates mismatches, and should allow them to have fun playing.
maizenbluenc
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 : 9:46 a.m.
Try Chad Henne as a true freshman almost beat a (Junior) Vince Young led Texas in the Rose Bowl. Of course Chad had a lot more depth of experience on the field with him. I think we're still a year out, but just because Tate and Denard are Freshman, doesn't mean we can't win on any given Saturday. As Rich says: execution is key. Go Blue, go execute!