Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez won't tip hand on quarterback battle at start of camp
Four quarterbacks simultaneously lined up under four centers. They received snaps at the exact same moment in perfect synchronicity, no one ahead of the other by even an inch.
That’s how Rich Rodriguez tells it, anyway.
“They all took the first snap together,” he said with a smirk.
Suffice to say, the Michigan football coach had no intention of discussing the pertinent details of the Wolverines’ quarterback competition after the first official practice of the summer Monday.
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed Monday that the Wolverines' quarterback competition is wide open.
By Rodriguez’s account, incumbent Tate Forcier, spring-game standout Denard Robinson and true freshman Devin Gardner enter the competition on equal footing. He’s not listing anyone as the early first-team player on the depth chart.
On the first day of camp, he liked what he saw.
“You can see obviously that Tate and Denard have some experience with the offense, because things are smoother for them,” Rodriguez said. “But Devin is a real, real competitive guy and he looks like he’s in great shape. It will be fun to watch.
“The hard part for us is to limit their contact, because we don’t want to get them beat up in August.”
Forcier got beat up throughout the 2009 season. He played through an assortment of injuries, including a concussion, a staph infection in his knee and a torn labrum in his right shoulder that dogged him throughout the final two months of the season.
Although Forcier is the returning starter, Robinson raised plenty of eyebrows after leading Michigan to touchdowns on five of six possessions during the team’s annual spring game in April.
More eyebrows were raised last week during Big Ten media days, when senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk said the quarterback battle had tipped in Robinson’s favor, in part because Forcier had been an inconsistent participant in voluntary off-season workouts.
Rodriguez addressed Woolfolk’s comments Monday.
“I’m glad our seniors are taking some ownership and leadership of this team, Rodriguez said. “They want everybody to work as hard as they are going to, and I don’t blame him for that.
“Tate knows he’s got a lot do to prove himself not only on the field, but off the field as well.”
Forcier will have plenty of chances in the coming weeks. Michigan will continue its non-contact practices until Friday, when the team conducts its first full-contact session. Two-a-days begin Sunday.
Rodriguez said if a clear-cut starter emerged at quarterback, he wouldn’t hesitate to name a starter even if it’s weeks before the season’s Sept. 4 opener against Connecticut.
Until then, he’s not saying much about the competition. When it came to who really took the first-team snaps Monday, he wouldn’t handicap the race, but he finally gave the best answer he could.
“It’s a secret,” he said.
Comments
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 7:58 p.m.
Chris Leak was the starter in camp that one and only season that he and Tebow played together. Nice try though. And it still doesn't answer the question that I posed.
willievrine
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
GoblueinNE_ PA; Honestly, I can't for the life of me figure out why he won't name a starter. This is his 3rd year and he's yet to make the decision in any season. I believe the old adage of "if you have 2 QB's, you really have none" is true. Tell that to Urban Meyer, Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. Floridas two QBs only netted the Gators a BCS National Championship in 2007.
Sean T.
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 7:01 a.m.
Nathan, I'd like to know the article that states RR taught Urban Meyer his spread scheme. I know that Urban Meyer visited RR at WV as he visited many other spread version coaches. Also, though I've never coached a D-1 program, I've been part of 2 area high school programs for a total of 11 years 1994-2005 and have been to countless football camps (mostly 7 on 7's) held by major universities at EMU, MSU, TOL, UofM, CMU and CIN. I've been grateful to be around some pretty good coaches and players and I've learned a few things during my time. This doesn't make me an expert but at least I'm somewhat knowledgeable of the game.
nathan
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 11:36 p.m.
actually look it up texas runs a form of the spread too they just pass more.....Urban Meyer even claims in SI that he learned the spread from RR.All facts.my point is every coach out there everyone thinks is better RR has beaten them on the field with his scheme.Did i like Loydd Carr,yes I did but he knew it was time and second half the people here complaining about RR prob complained about Carr's 9 and 10 win ceiling teams on these blogs too and your feelings where hurt when miles didnt come.And half the people here think they know coaching or how football works cause they watch espn all day and there paying to be an insider and they have May on speed dial from espn.Coaches know criticism comes with the job.My point if you know coaching at the D1 level go do it cause its easy right and second if your a fair weather fan we dont need you says the 110,000 plus at every home game.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 10:55 p.m.
It's great to be a Wolves fan this time of year with a great coach at the helm. I'm so happy that we've got our coach for the future. I was thinking boys and girls maybe RR knows at this point he has no choice but to run the 2 QB system. I think this year will be the deciding factor for next year as to who will QB the team. We may have a point man but the wear and tear will require a 2 QB system. Why should RR tell any of us what he's doing, if he picks Tate the complainers and haters will come out of the woodwork and the same would happen if he announced Denard. Our coach is using his head unlike a lot of the complainers on this blog. Try to remember Wolverine players and RR supporters that the hate generated on this blog is not the popular opinion. Most tru Mich. fans support RR and understand what he is doing. We have a group of haters and complainers that really don't like the Wolves and that's okay it's a free country I've read other sites although I don't comment on other sites it's none of my business and it would be pointless to spread hate but I remember when the haters wanted Jo Pa's head and the haters wanted Tressels head after Maurice. The complainers and haters actually make RR's position stronger as the future coach of Mich. Most real Mich. fans see through all the non constructive complaining and it really does have no bearing on RR's job security. RR is a good man and well liked at Mich. and contrary to the haters most fans are patient that RR will do a fine job. RR kind of represents the Michigan nation right now and people understand that the whole country is struggling so most people are actually sympathetic to RR's situation and the pointless haters only strengthen the resolve of the Mich nation to stick with RR through this difficult time which RR acknowledges it is but RR is showing a lot of resolve to turn this thing around, good job RR, Go Blue!
eric
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 10:45 p.m.
AZWolverine, Harbaugh ran some option. Wangler, in between Leach and Smith, did not run the option. Bo tried every option QB on his roster before playing Wangler -- Hewlett, Dickey, etc.. Grbac redshirted Bo's last year and started for Mo.
azwolverine
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:05 p.m.
A lot of top teams are now going away from the spread, Texas being a leading example. Offensive schemes come and go (wing, T, I, West Coast, etc) due to defenses becoming familiar with the scheme and developing ways to stop it. Great coaches know how to coach regardless of scheme and are not wed to any one scheme. Look at Tressel at OSU, Paterno at PSU...heck, even Bo at Michigan. Those guys evolved scheme wise when it was dictated by changing defenses and by the talent on hand. Bo went from a total option offense run by Rick Leach and Steve Smith to a pro-style offense run by Jim Harbaugh and Elvis Grbac. Great coaches coach football, NOT SCHEMES...Schemes generally don't define the coach. It remains to be seen what RR's scheme may or may not be capable of in the B10, but what he has proven is that he will live or die with that scheme regardless of outcome because that scheme defines his coaching.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 6:43 p.m.
I would imagine that every team in the FBS, save for Navy, has spread-concept plays in the playbook. That doesn't mean they run 20-25 zone-read quarterback runs per game. It's not the same offense.
nathan
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 6:37 p.m.
Macabre every team that has a nc the past 4 years runs a form of the spread....so look behind you i think something is stuck.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
Ryan, there are many, many variations on the spread concept. The (coach who cannot be named as it violates guidelines)'s variation is a gimmick and easily handled in the Big Ten. The only reason it worked in the Big East is that it's a less physical conference (still some gas left for the bowl wins) and he had Pat White, who is a phenomenal running back with a decent arm and was lucky enough to avoid injury in his college career. White would have been watching half of Michigan's games from a hospital bed had he played full-time in the Big Ten.
Sean T.
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 12:44 p.m.
Florida and Texas do not run a similar offense! They have a traditional spread, built around passing the ball but they happened to have large, physical mobile QB's. They were still pass-first offenses that come from the same coaching tree as John L. Smith and Joe Tiller. RR uses the same scheme as your average option offenses, it's just out of the shotgun. It's faulty because it asks for the QB to take a beating by being a naked runner by way of the scheme of the offense. Troy State and Oregon are similar and has had success but they boast most of their running by the RB's. I don't believe this will work in the Big Ten but maybe it has a chance.
GoblueinNE_PA
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
Honestly, I can't for the life of me figure out why he won't name a starter. This is his 3rd year and he's yet to make the decision in any season. I believe the old adage of "if you have 2 QB's, you really have none" is true. Some one needs to be ID'd as the starter so that person can take the reigns and lead the team. No one can really step up and take that role if they think they may be on the bench. And everyone else on the team knows that too. If they truly are the same, good or bad, it doesn't hurt you to name a starter. Their performance would be, basically, identical. So, what is the reason for not naming someone? I can think of a few reasons. One, he's afraid that naming the person he thinks should start would cause an upheaval in the team. Maybe it's Tate really does have everyone PO'd at him or Denard isn't ready or Devin being the 3rd freshman in a row starting. Two, the guy he wants to start can't beat out the other guys. I've felt for a while that Denard is his guy, but he couldn't commit to him because of his liabilities throwing the ball. Three, he just can't make a decision. Or four, he just doesn't like any of them and is waiting till the end to make the best of a bad decision. I don't know, it just doesn't make any sense to me.
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
@Forever27: No one is as big of supporter to the program as I am. I am not a troll, I wish to speak the truth based on facts. So, let's play YOUR game. Here is the meat and potatoes of your post: @Forever27: "You have said nothing new in the past year." -OK, so please, in YOUR own, educated words, please tell us ALL something NEW about U of M Football that we do not already know? Do not come back and state the obvious either. @Forever27: "Every article gets the same responses out of you; "RR is a horrible person." -Prove all of us, otherwise. Proof. Not rhetoric. @Forever27, nice name, is that the men's version of "Forever 21"?
81wolverine
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:45 a.m.
I've said this before, but when the smoke clears, Devin Gardner is going to be "The Man" at QB. It may not be this season, but by next fall, he's going to be the starter. Other than Denard's speed, he is more skilled in all other aspects of being QB than the other two. I like his size a lot better too - both from taking hits and from seeing the field better. And from what I've read, he has the successful QB work ethic and attitude. Still, having 3 guys that can come in and play competently is critical in this offense. So, I hope all of them do well and improve.
umgoblue47
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.
if gardner was the starting qb you would be slamming him to... maybe he has small feet... (stay tuned) for more of as "the bowl" turns...
Forever27
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.
It wouldn't be an article about Michigan football without the usual trolls on here spewing hatred for RR. RedCeder, Nobowl4blue, Macrabesunset...You have said nothing new in the past year. Every article gets the same responses out of you; "RR is a horrible person." "His offense is a gimmick." "Michigan is mediocre." blah blah blah. Get in as much as you can because after this season we won't be hearing a peep from any of you.
Buur
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 7:45 a.m.
So a smart move would be to rush in a freshman QB when you have 2 sophomores with game experience? One who happened to play fantastic the first quarter of the season before he got hurt and got the dropsies? Brilliant.
NoBowl4Blue
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 7:01 a.m.
If Rich Rod was smart Gardner would be the man. Unfortunately all Rich Rod has done is taint the program and rendered it meaningless in the Big Ten. Bye Bye Rich Rod
MikeB
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 4:30 a.m.
JadedBalckDeaeth, Wow, what an insightful comment. I can only speculate that you are the head coach at a prestigious program, who is disguising himself as a common hater who just spews invective. Am I close? Your insights into the offenses of major college programs is the kind of analysis I would expect from someone who has spent years on the sideline and hour after hour in the film room. C'mon you can tell us all, were friends.
JadedBlackDepth
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 2:20 a.m.
Gotta love the arrogance of UM fans. Mediocrity defined is always being almost good enough, then barely getting to share a title. The supposed hero Bo NEVER won a championship. Since the NC(national championship) ere began in 1945 all UM did was got lucky and SHARED a title. And all you can do now is go knock on a school that has won FOUR national titles in that era? Is that the extent to your character? Seriously? How about this, look at your own team. And honestly, you think florida and texas ran the SAME form of spread as RR? Texas DID when Vince Young played for them, but not after he left. Don't lie to feel better about what you have in AA. I am not saying it is a gimmick offense like Macabre Sunset is, but until you get a Pat White quality QB to run it, you are in trouble, and NONE of the current QBs are Pat White quality.
Ryan
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 1:19 a.m.
Macabre Sunset,a gimmick offense? Florida and Texas won national titls with similiar offenses. RichRod's system also defeated Georgia and Oklahoma in BCS bowls. Are you saying that Big Ten teams are better than USC,Georgia, and OU? RedCeder, your attempt at a flame falls flat. Henne left after the 07' season. So if Gardner were to start it would be the thirs s straight season a frosh would start. MSU went 6-7 in Dantonio's third year. His career record is barely only a few games over.500. How can you talk smack when your program--which has won 10 once on 40 years and no Big Ten title since 1990--is mediocrity personified?
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 10:07 p.m.
It doesn't matter, Richie. It's a gimmick offense, and all your secrecy does is make the other coaches in the Big Ten giggle. It's like deciding between the $5 Wal-Mart plastic Batman costume and the $5 Wal-Mart plastic Superman costume for your entry in the annual Halloween costume contest.