Monday, October 12, 2009

Long-term, Robinson Might Be A Better Player Than Forcier

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez's decision not to play Tate Forcier on the Wolverines' final drive Saturday at Iowa became a moot point Monday when it was revealed he had a concussion and shouldn't have been on the field anyway.
Rodriguez said he was unaware of the concussion, though, and would have kept Denard Robinson in the game regardless. Robinson threw an interception. Game ended.
My main point is I don't think Robinson is getting credit. Forcier has played well, particularly at key points in the Notre Dame, Indiana and Michigan State games. But in the long run, is he going to be a better player than Robinson? Late in the Iowa game, it was evident how special a player Robinson might be. He is raw because he played in a relatively unsophisticated offense in high school and didn't enroll until the fall. Forcier played in a more complex offense in high school and was able to enroll in time for spring practice. Forcier has been getting the first-team reps. He is much further along than Robinson, but Robinson is more gifted. He is the fastest QB in the nation. And he is a better thrower than acknowledged. It's just there hasn't been time to refine his passing skills yet.
Running simple single-wing plays with slant or Y blocking, he was getting chunks of yardage on a late scoring drive at Iowa. In that offense, if they are able to get Robinson to the edge in space, it's over. He will break off a long run and score. And he does pass well enough to keep defenses honest.

Random Thoughts

- Baseball does have a problem with the length of its postseason games. They don't enforce what they do during the regular season to speed up the game - and it has to be costing them TV viewers as the games drag on...and on...and on The Phillies-Rockies game took more than four hours. The average time of the three postseason games Sunday was 3:40. None went extra innings. That's ridiculous.

- When Calvin Johnson went out early in Sunday's game against the Steelers, the Lions were forced to play without their three most recent No. 1 draft picks - Matthew Stafford, Johnson and Gosder Cherilus. It'll be very difficult for them to win under those circumstance.

- Who would have thought a couple weeks ago, the Iowa-Michigan State game Oct. 24 might be bigger than the Penn State-Michigan game the same day.


My Column in Monday's Oakland Press about the Lions-Steelers game
http://tinyurl.com/yf7z3ws

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7 Comments:

Blogger D-Krow said...

Love the blog Pat. Excellent work.

4:33 PM 
Blogger D-Krow said...

Love the blog, Pat! Keep up the great work.

4:34 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

D-Krow,
Thanks. It is appreciated.
Caputo

11:46 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In the end you may be right about Denard Robinson, but that could take a couple/few years to see. My question to you is how, after attempting only 15 passes in his college career (with 3 interceptions), can you back up your statement that "he does pass well enough to keep defenses honest"?

2:33 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...That's what I thought... you can't.

1:30 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Anonymous,
Only based on seeing him play a couple in high school this summer CBS's college station showed. Also, there is a lot of Robinson throwing on youtube in his school. Has a strong arm and not bad throwing mechanics. Has made some good passes this season.
Caputo

11:32 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL! High school.... gotcha.

11:12 AM 

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