Video: Rich Rodriguez talks about Tate Forcier's health, playing Denard Robinson vs. Iowa

I like that little flash of fire from RR when the reporter was trying to get some controversy out of him. I think RR gets every bit as angry as Bo used to, but hides it a lot better. I sure wish they had the internet and this kind of media coverage when Bo was around.

Tater, you hit it on the head - AGAIN!

I too think that, on average, I enjoy RR's press conferences a lot more than I did LC's. I love Coach Carr because he was always a man of character who cared deeply about his players and about Michigan. But there were times when he'd go into shut-down mode in press conferences and it made him look bad. RR is always pretty relaxed even when he's mad. And he's prepared to slough off those "inquiring minds want to know" questions by the press.

Having said that, isn't anyone noticing the revelation about Forcier's concussion? Geez, I thought news like that would ignite (at least) a bunch of "I told you so" posts by the people who say TF is too small to play in the Big 10.

Lets just hope that there aren't too many more concussions in Forcier's future. No matter how big they are (like Tebow), a series of concussions can end a career.

trublue,
You're right about the concussions. That actually worries me because, unlike Tebow, Tate is only 6 games into his college career with a long way to go (hopefully). Let's hope it doesn't become a recurring thing like with McGuffie last season because, unlike McGuffie, we actually need Tate.

I don't understand why RR doesn't just come out and say what we all know is the truth. He was all over Tate, and Tate finally had enough, so he got benched. The reporter also asks about Tate trying to go back on to the field for the last drive and RR pulled him back. I saw that and RR says it did not happen. Same thing happened with the Mouton punch.
Frankly, I felt like RR's laid back demeanor and willingness to talk to the media was very refreshing, but I'm starting to question whether its the right thing to do. Maybe LC was on to something after all. I hate the boring, mundain LC pressor as much as the next guy, but if you are just going to sit there and lie about the obvious, then what is the point.
If you are going to stand in front of the media, and claim to run an "open" program, then at least give honest answers, otherwise, just say "no comment".

Rich,
Watching you on the side line you and your coaches looked so uptight I couldn't help but wonder why?
Michigan actually out played Iowa overall and played a tight game in spite of (5) turnovers. I think you and your staff are the best thing to happen to the Michigan football program in a long time. Your fresh. QB's can't take anymore stress and fear than they already face from the media, opposing teams amd themselves. Lighten up and let the guys play without internal fear. I think your demeanor and relationship with the players was less hostile and more supportive during the first (4) games. You smiled alot on the field and the players responded with heart and skill. They are going to make mistakes and you and your staff have to work harder to COACH them through the mistakes. I see the light at the end of the tunnel for Michigan Football. You have the next Tim Tebow running your offense give him his head.
From Georgia

Why is RR lying on camera? He absolutely grabbed Tate back. Does he think we're all mindless drones listening to the game on the radio? Just admit it and move on. Lying like that makes him look utterly ridiculous. Come on now Rich.

I find his pressors very entertaining as well. If Slick Ritchy says we did not see Tate try to go back in the game, then that's what we saw period. And he could tell Tate got "dinged pretty good" by looking at him, but he had no idea he got hit until after the game. all in the same sentence!

The only one more enjoyable is Barwis. Interesting to know what kind of amphetimines he's on.

Way to throw Mcguffie under the bus AZ Wovlerine. He was your best RB last year as a true freshman and jepordized his future u-m. Imagine what a little depth could do this year. Brown and Minor were 4 and 5 star recuits who could not crack the lineup until they were 5th yr seniors. Next year all you'll have is Shaw and some 3 star redshirts. Then again, there may be some 5 star masochists out there chomping at the bit.

When will Coach Rod start using Denard Robinson like Charlie Weis uses Golden Tate? Robinson needs to be on the field all the time with Forcier at QB.

RR will lose the respect of his players for two primary reasons. He is a liar and will demonstrate he has no creditability. He didn't see a punch by Mouton, the first time in the history of the Big Ten the conference imposed a disciplinary action on a player that had not been punished by the school. Tate wasn't going back in, the whole nation saw RR grab him. One can't ignore the way he got to Mich, the law suits, the defaulting on a financial obligation and most importantly, he can't take the pressure. If he is not rational on the sideline and loses control, his players will tense up and become the same way. Mercy, I'm gonna hate to see him on TV during the Ohio State game.

Before you even consider RR's response to the question -- does it matter whether or not Tate wanted to go back into the game and was grabbed back? Of course Tate wanted to play. Why wouldn't he? RR put Denard in because he moved the offense well. Tate sat. Michigan lost. What else do you want him to say?

Truebluefan, I want him to say, "Yea Tate wanted to get in there, but I stopped him. I wanted to go with DRob in that situation, end of story." That would at least be plausable, even if the decision is the wrong one.
I have supporrted RR on a lot of topics that were questioned by the haters, from the lawsuit, to the paper shredding, to the real estate, etc... But I have to admit that watching him deny things that are blatently obvious to the fans and other on-lookers does not sit well with me. If he is going to put himself in front of the camera's and claim to be "open" about the program, then he needs to get a lot better at answering the tough questions, because right now he is just bad at it.
All of that said, I still like the guy a lot! I like where he is taking the program, and I support him...but I expect him to improve his performance along with the rest of the program.

What he should have said was at the beginning of the last series of downs there was some confusion regarding which QB was going back in the game and I accept full responsibility for that. Tate wanted back in but Denard had just took the team down the field and scored and I decided to go with Tate. Believe me, parents out there that have always taught their kids to do the right thing, be truthful and honest are watching RR and his lies. If you were one of those parents would you support your son's decision to go to mich? In the future he is going to hurt us much more than people realize.

Im real tired of everyone BLASTING Coach Lloyd Carr!!I mean,He is all we knew for what,12 years,and now everyone acts like he is the Antichrist!!I don't understand it.He is TRUE BLUE Michigan Man.Bleeds Maize and Blue and because his coaching style didn't garner 50 National Championships or b/c he wasn't OPEN to the media(like RR really is "OPEN" to the media!)he gets treated like a suckeye!!It's not right and it's not fair.I appreciate ALL that Lloyd Carr did for Michigan.In hind site,yeah,we can all say what we would do better but during the heat of battle,while things are going crazy,he coached and handled our football program with dignity.Coach Carr learned or knew that THE MEDIA IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!!And RR will learn that SOON.I support RR(not yet sold on his coaching)but that's why he is here to EARN our support by turning our program in NC during his stay here.Don't GIVE anyone nothing,I would rather they earn it and I think RR feels the same way.Lets act like CLASS ACTS and respect and honor the Michigan Men that just joined us and the ones who paved the way for us from the past.Don't forget the past(good and bad)but LEARN FROM PAST!!GO BLUE!!!

Hey BRAYLON99 and everyone else whining about coaches being not sensitive enough for you. I watched the incident over several times. Tate wasn't going on the field because he thought he was going in on that series. He was yelling encouragement to his fellow players. Which was great to see btw. And RR did not grab or pull him back. He did pat him on the head as he came back toward the sideline. Which was good to see. Know what your talking about before you make your womanly complaints.