Rich Rodriguez still mum on Michigan's starting quarterback
Michigan’s starting quarterback will be … revealed to the team sometime Thursday or Friday.
In between questions about alleged NCAA violations in his football program, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday he still hasn’t decided on a starter for Saturday’s season-opener against Western Michigan.
The candidates remain the same - Tate Forcier, Nick Sheridan and Denard Robinson; listed in that order, with “or” between their names, on Michigan’s first official depth chart - and Rodriguez said he intends to play all three against the Broncos.
“I’ve never been in this situation with three,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve had two several times, but three is a little different, so we’re working through that. But it’s worked well in practice. Had it not worked well in practice I would be a little leery, but because it’s worked so well in practice I feel pretty good about it.”
Rodriguez said each quarterback will have a unique set of plays tailored to his talents in Saturday's game plan. Sheridan has the most thorough understanding of the playbook, while Forcier and Robinson offer more improvisational ability.
“I don’t imagine us having a preset series of this guy goes in, that guy goes in,” Rodriguez said. “It may be more by feel and more by game situation. OK, we want to try these three plays or these four plays and which guy does that better, put him in there.”
At this point, it seems likely either Forcier or Sheridan will start. They've taken more first-team reps and are more well-rounded options.
But linebacker Stevie Brown said the ultra-athletic Robinson had the most eye-catching play of camp, an 80-yard touchdown run through the heart of the defense.
“When Denard opens up and runs there’s nobody catching him,” Brown said. “I think he hit a little seam, we lost contain on him, and I think he probably hit 80 yards in it felt like five seconds.”
Asked if anybody could catch Robinson in the Big Ten, Brown said, “I can’t say that. I don’t know really how fast everybody is, but I doubt it.”
Injury update Running back Brandon Minor was limited throughout camp with an ankle injury and post-concussion symptoms, but Rodriguez said Minor, who sat out both of Michigan’s fall scrimmages, “should be able to go on Saturday.”
Backup offensive lineman Tim McAvoy is out several weeks with a knee injury, and true freshman running back Fitzgerald Toussaint hasn’t practiced since the start of camp because of a broken collarbone.
Dave Birkett covers the University of Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com
Comments
caughtbetween
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 7:12 p.m.
I have seen this time and time again with RR. First off, I'm from MI and bleed blue, have lived in Wv since 89 and loved RR when he was here. But let me explain what is possibly happening. I have watched RR evaluate talent and firmly belive he has been very lucky in how the chips fell, two examples of this are Adam Bednarik and Pat White. AB was put in as the starter and maybe still would have been 4 years later if AB didnt get hurt and PW gets in. PW makes RR look like he knows whats up. Also, one season a guy named steve slaton is number 5, yes thats number five on the depth chart until a string of injuries get him in the game. Im sure RR knows how lucky these things fell into place and wants to se where the chips fall as each plays. I also believe that he cannot afford another transfer and it is forcing him to not name a starter for fear of departure. Hoping that play on the field will answer these questions for him in the kids eyes themselves. I have a hard time believing sheridan could play at the mac level and be successful. Not being mean but he's not Div 1 material. I firmy believe that RR can build a foundation in a couple of years that will alleviate all this other crap he's dealing with now. Only 15% of these guys are his recruits, wait til that number nears one hundred and see the buy in. I hope he gets the chance. Then those who come, not stay, will be champions!
Txmaizenblue
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 8:31 a.m.
I'm not seeing the benefit of this strategy? Is it not a strategy that telegraphs the play call to the defense? "Sheridan is in - it's going to be a run play!" "Forcier is in - they're going to the air!" Robinson is in - watch out he's going to be running!" As opposed to having one guy in on every snap that is capable to doing all phases of the games, and therefore you do not know what Michigan is going to do and when. That's why I think Tate is the best choice, because he can throw better than any of the quarterbacks and he can run much better than Sheridan. I'd throw Denard in for 10-12 plays to keep the defense guessing. And I would definitely have a package that features both Tate and Denard.