Michigan spring football practice: Denard Robinson pushing Tate Forcier for starting QB job
Michigan quarterbacks Denard Robinson, left, and Tate Forcier rifle passes to their respective receivers during Tuesday afternoon, March 23rd's practice at Michigan's outdoor practice field outside Schembechler Hall.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Denard Robinson is pushing Tate Forcier for the starting quarterback job and he expects that race "to continue throughout spring and probably through August camp as well."
Forcier started all 12 games as a true freshman last year and led Michigan to a 4-0 start before slumping over the final two months.
Robinson got one start at running back and played as a Wildcat quarterback, but was far less advanced in the offense. He finished 14 of 31 passing with four interceptions. Most of this plays at quarterback were designed runs.
Rodriguez said Robinson has made strides understanding the offense and reading defenses.
More notes from Tuesday
• Backup defensive lineman Will Heininger tore his ACL in practice last week and might miss the 2010 season.
• Receiver JeRon Stokes, out most of the spring with an ankle injury, could return full go next week.
• Michigan has its second of three spring scrimmages on Saturday. Rodriguez said this one is "more important than the spring game."
• Rodriguez declined comment on cornerback recruit Demar Dorsey, who signed a letter of intent with a junior college in case he does not get admitted to Michigan. "If anything changes with any of our signees, I'll let y'all know," Rodriguez said.
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
townie54
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.
I'm NOT AGAINST Rich Rod LIKE SOME NON FANS HERE or the person(s) that paid Rosenberg of the free press enquirer but I think MICHIGAN will be 5-7 or 6-6 and Harbaugh will be here next year.It will take him a couple years to get set up so we will probably suck next year too.Dave Brandon has no ties and he wont wait to fire him
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 9:22 p.m.
Agree with 81wolverine... mostly. Tate starts the season, Robinson will get QB playing time and his chance - he needs to win that position in a game, not by practice. Gardner, I see a great future at UM, with NFL projections... it will be very hard to give him playing time unless,..... well - I don't want to go there..... You want to start the season solid and Tate will be that leader, no doubt Robinson is improving and learning the playbook, but it's April (gotta love RichRod's enthusiasm though)... come mid-august we'll have a starting team - with Tate leading.
DwightSchrute
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.
Where's Devin Gardner in the mix?
azwolverine
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 7:43 p.m.
Agree with 81...Tate is the QB. Denard is being touted as a threat just to make sure Tate keeps working hard and progressing.
81wolverine
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 6:29 p.m.
Coach RR will say this of course. But, it's Tate's job to lose really. Coach wants to make sure Tate doesn't think he has been anointed as Michigan's QB - at least until Devin Gardner has things figured out!
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.
I highly favor the wildcat offense as it bodes especially well with Tate and Denard... it has several options as an offensive lineman can be added to create unbalance, and although Tate not real big, can be more involved in a 11 on 11 attack setup - in particular if one of them splits out wide. If they go shotgun with a man in motion this forces defenses to respect the outside game and opens up the middle. The potential confusion this brings and the variety of options, in particular when defenses know Tate is going to pass and Denard is going to run mostly, has success and defensive mismatches - didn't have great success last year when used sparingly. Certainly hope this is being worked on this spring, another year of experience - this is a great option to have. Competition in spring practice - nothing better..... Wildcat Offense - All In for Michigan
Lokalisierung
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.
Robinson can't be pushing him in anything to do with passing I wouldn't think.