Michigan's success may hinge on better quarterback play this season
Whether it's Tate Forcier, Denard Robinson or Nick Sheridan, one thing is certain: Michigan needs better play out of its quarterbacks this year.
"We have no chance - no team will have a chance to have success if you don’t get solid play out of the quarterback," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday at Big Ten football media day. "We’re better if we just don’t turn the ball over. We’ll win more games just by taking care of the ball. And that’s all positions."
Sheridan and the since-departed Steven Threet split the starting quarterback duties last year, but neither fit in Rodriguez's spread offense. They accounted for 16 turnovers (four fumbles, 12 interceptions) and 11 touchdown passes.
Rodriguez said Sheridan remains in the starting mix this year, but Forcier and Robinson appear to be the favorites entering fall camp.
"They’re going to be competitive," Rodriguez said. "It’s going to be fun to watch."
While Forcier took part in spring practice, Robinson has been on campus for only about a month. Already, he's turning heads with his speed.
Director of strength and conditioning Mike Barwis "said he’s fast, which I figured," Rodriguez said. "Now I obviously haven’t seen him throw or anything like that, so I’ll have to wait until practice starts to see how quickly he’ll pick up the system and how he throws."
Comments
wolverine73
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 10:53 p.m.
Forcier and/or Robinson are the best hope Michigan has to improve this year. Quarterback play last year was poor at best and terrible at times. It all starts in the quarterbacks' hands - he has to be a vital productive part of the scheme. Sheridan is not an option.
richagain
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 7:20 p.m.
Yeah heres a idea Send Threat,Sheridan, and Feagin to Buckeyes this year for the meating in AA. Probably would be same outcome UM 42 OSU 0
Greg Dooley
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 7:15 p.m.
"Michigan's success may hinge on better quarterback play this season." This also in: Water is wet. On a serious note, did Rodriguez indicate that Forcier and Robinson were the favorites, or is that just your sense?
tater
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 6:49 p.m.
I'm guessing Forcier 1, Robinson 2, and Sheridan 3 on the depth chart, and maybe Gallon getting a little wildcat action as a change-of-pace. Gallon would be pretty funny as a wildcat. He isn't as fast as Robinson, but he probably changes directions a little faster and is certainly harder to find. Here's hoping Sheridan gets a head start on the fast track to being a GA, and eventually a head coach.
friend12
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 1:38 p.m.
Sheridan has gotten more playing time at UM than he ever should have. I believe he got shutout badly at his last regular game at Saline High. I think that was against South Lyon? If he is the hope of this team, we are doomed.