Tate Forcier feeling good, looking forward to playing Penn State
Tate Forcier is healthy and ready to play Saturday against Penn State (3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN).
In a teleconference Tuesday, Forcier said his sprained right shoulder “feels great” and he has no ill effects from the concussion he suffered in his final snap against Iowa two weeks ago.
"My arm, my head, everything’s great,” Forcier said. “I finally got to practice on a Monday. It’s been a while. I’m having a full week of practice, I have full range on (my shoulder). I can actually snap my arm down on some of my passes. I’m happy to have it back.”Forcier hurt his throwing shoulder in the fourth quarter of Michigan’s Big Ten opener against Indiana.
He stayed in and led the Wolverines (5-2, 1-2) on a late game-winning drive, nearly repeated the feat in an overtime loss to Michigan State the following week, then was benched for the final two series in a 30-28 loss at Iowa.
Forcier, who played just one series last week against Delaware State for precautionary reasons, said he didn’t have a problem with Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez’s decision to play Denard Robinson in the final minutes against Iowa.
“I didn’t even question it,” Forcier said. “It was his decision to put him in and like I said I supported it. He thought Denard was playing well and Denard kind of had a thing going with them. He drove them down on the series before. Like I said, I didn’t even question it. He’s the coach. I let him make the decision."
After a roaring start to his college career, including a memorable comeback against Notre Dame, Forcier has looked like a freshman in recent weeks.
He had 69 yards of total offense through three quarters against MSU, finished 8-of-19 passing for 94 yards against Iowa, and has four turnovers in Michigan’s last four games.
Offensive tackle Mark Ortmann said Forcier and Robinson “are the reason that we are sitting at 5-2 right now.” But he also said the freshmen “need to learn to understand that it is a team game and the two of them aren’t the reason that we win and lose a game alone.”
“It’s tough for a freshman to understand that is a team game, especially to be on the streak that both of them have been and how dominant they’ve been in the game thus far,” Ortmann said. "It's understandable. They are the quarterback and they’re supposed to be leader of the offense, but they’re so young and the older guys, especially the offensive line, have to step up and try to explain that to them.
“There’s some pass players where Tate needs to just understand that he doesn’t need to scramble, he can sit in the pocket and he’ll be fine. I think that’ll come with time.”
Rodriguez said Forcier’s learning curve has been slowed by his lack of practice time in recent weeks.
Since injuring his shoulder, Forcier has missed most Monday and Tuesday practices.
He returned without limitations this week and should start Saturday against the Nittany Lions (6-1, 2-1).
"It’s unbelievable,” Forcier said. “Just how much more preparation you can do, getting different looks from the defense and our scout team’s doing a great job with that. I’m excited to play them this week."
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
KeepingItReal
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 4:36 a.m.
It's good to see that Tater is feeling much better now and I hope this bodes well for the team. However, a note of caution. RR will limit Tater in his effort to run the ball due to the probability of him getting hurt. Teams will be able to adjust to this change and will focus on his passing efforts. With that said, with Tater in the game, M's offense will be come quite predictable and less threathening and the opposing teams will capitalize on this. My prediction is that Tater will try to take the game into his own hands at some point and will expose himself to injuries. He already has shown that he cannot take big hits continuously.
Txmaizenblue
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 7:59 p.m.
I don't understand the overkill of comments made about Forcier now "looking like a true freshman". I think someone said that after the Iowa game and it keeps getting regurgitated by writers. The guy has been hurt for crying out loud! What's he supposed to look like - Superman? And actually, the "looked bad" assessment is a little overstated. If you take away the int & the fumble Tate did not have that bad of a game against Iowa. In fact, had Michigan pulled out the win you would have never even heard such words. Now, its like everyone's favorite commentary when talking about Forcier's game. I fully expect the same guy this Saturday. He'll show sparks here and there during the first three quarters, and then when it matters he'll once again demonstrate the stud that he is...
gershonpsu
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 6:51 p.m.
Had TP listened to his father and gone to Penn State, JoePa would have red-shirted him last year and this year he'd be learning the position, maturing, and earning the respect and confidence of his teammates. Next year, he'd be ready to lead the team with three years of eligibility ahead of him. If Forcier and chosen Penn State he'd be a backup this year and Kevin Newsome would probably have gone elsewhere (maybe to Michigan). In any case, it will be interesting to watch these three young talents develop under the different coaching philosophies. Let's hope they help bring the conference back into the national prominence it has traditionally held. As for this Saturday, GO STATE!
Ralph
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 6:38 p.m.
Sure hope Forcier doesn't have problems later in life with the head injury.
rensational
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 3:46 p.m.
I don't think it's that simple--I think there are other reasons why TP going elsewhere is good for Michigan, although Michigan probably would have been better for TP than Ohio State is. Michigan would have made a bowl last year, coaching also isn't the kid's only problem. The biggest difference I see between Pryor and Forcier is Forcier has had years...and years...and years of prep to be where he is. No college coach is going to cover that ground. RR also seems to be unwilling to work around player's strengths/weaknesses (hence last year, in part), which is something Pryor needs right now at OSU and would need at Michigan, obviously. RR expects players to come in and fit what he wants, not to say that's wrong...but it wouldn't help Pryor develop. Pryor and Forcier also just have personality differences that affect how they approach crucial portions of games--in a nutshell, Forcier is calm, cool and collected no matter what on the field...Pryor panics and makes the wrong decisions. Some of that goes back to Forcier's training, but it's also partially an innate personality thing. Ortmann is right on more than just TD (but more Tate) being why we're 5-2. Forcier does need to scramble less, and Michigan didn't lose those two games just because of QB mistakes.
jeremy
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 2:28 p.m.
As easily as being 7-0, they could also be 3-5 just as easy. Glad to see some of the breaks going blue's way this year. As far as Pryor goes....richrod would have him rolling since rich doesnt limit what his qb can do....He would have lived up to the hype if he had come here.
NCMaize&Blue
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 12:57 p.m.
After reading a few of the commentaries on Terrelle Prior, the best thing that's happened to Michigan is TP going to OSU. Otherwise we probably would not have Tate and Denard. I think that will be demonstrated dramatically later in November. Let's make a statement this week at the expense of Penn State! Go Blue!
Fan
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 12:47 p.m.
It is great to have Tate healthy and mentally ready to compete. Mark Ortmann calls it right, it is because both Tate and Denard that Mich is 5-2 and had not the two freshmen thrown the two interceptions, the record could be 7-0. Thanks RichRod, it has been an entertaining and rejuvenating year. We have every reason to believe that TD (Tate and Denard) can win the Big Ten; leaders at best. Come on defense! Make a name for yourselves.