Tate Forcier has arms that rival my shoe strings. Oh, and he's a frosh.
Nick Sheridan is a mess when he's healthy, and he's not.
Denard Robinson is at his senior prom as we speak.
Mallet, Threet, and everyone else transferred.
So what's a skunkbear to do?
Go get a second-string Duke point guard to play QB.
"There has been an opportunity given [at Skunkbear Central]," Paulus said Thursday morning on a conference call with reporters. "I thought it was a really good visit. It was really helpful to get to be on a campus and meet with coach [Rich] Rodriguez and see the system and understand what types of opportunities are out there."
"The chance to compete for a starting job is important," Paulus said. "With me only having an opportunity to play for one year, the chance and the opportunity to compete at a high level is important. There is an opportunity to do that at Michigan."
This is still all very up in the air, but the 'bears seem to be the most likely destination at this point. Seems like Forcier better get those wet noodle arms in shape, so he can fight to win the starting QB spot at Michigan (sucks), so he can be pummelled into oblivion all season long by the Irish and a weak Big Televen on the way to 4-8.
By san diego irish April 16, 2009 - 1:02 pm
Nice post. I was wondering if anyone else was following this trainwreck waiting to happen. Paulus hasn’t played qb in four years, he’s charitably listed at 6-1 180 and was a passing qb in high school. And he only has one year of eligibility. If Rich Rod is seriously considering this it tells you a lot about how desperate they are. Jimmy was a passing QB, 3 inches taller and about 25 or 30 pounds heavier and he couldn’t hold up physically for an entire season. Christ is just starting to get the ND offense down after a full year plus a spring in the system. I can’t imagine that either Forcier or Paulus stand any chance of succeeding next year as complete newbies, not to mention undersized and planning to run the ball several times a game. Ouch. At least you have to give these kids credit for having the huevos to give it a shot.
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By The Biscuit April 16, 2009 - 1:28 pm
It took God’s Only Son a full year plus Spring in the system to get it? Man, CW must be throwing some crazy stuff at them for 1/3 of the God Triumvirate to struggle. Maybe he should call in the Holy Ghost!
Just messing with you. Agree on all fronts. Train wreck, but a fun one for me.
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By domer.mq April 16, 2009 - 1:37 pm
Pretty sure this is all just an attempt to remain relevant in the football world by Michigan (sucks!). It’s about the only way they can get anyone to talk about them anymore.
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By DeepTeaKup April 16, 2009 - 1:40 pm
I was starting to wonder what was taking you so long to post about this. Personally I think this is a bad idea but if he adds some depth for a year it’s not so bad.
Who the f*** am I kidding, I don’t want any part of Duke b-ball. I really hate this. If there is one college sports program I would say I hate, it’s Duke b-ball (maybe OSU FB too). He would pretty much have to win the Heisman or a MNC next year for me to accept this.
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By san diego irish April 16, 2009 - 1:58 pm
haha. I thought that looked funny when I wrote Christ, but I couldn’t remember how to spell his name and figured you know who I was talking about.
DTK–I would feel the same way if some Dukie tried to associate himself with ND. It’s bad enough that our hoops team is coached by a former Dukie. Michigan hoops had the same problem once upon a time.
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By Mark April 16, 2009 - 5:05 pm
Sh*t’s weak
Seriously WEAK.
Do this. Google image Greg Paulus. Google image Taylor Mays. One of the teams on ND’s schedule is intimidating… one is Michigan.
Truly though, can we not all agree that we wanted to see Greg be the next great Paulus?
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By trey April 16, 2009 - 5:05 pm
San Diego, maybe you should have just written “krist” instead. You would have been ridiculed for your spelling, but the insults from Biscuit would have probably been less severe.
Speaking of Biscuit…I think you’re being AWFULLY generous giving em 4-8 with that cheerleading squad they’re trotting out there under the guise of a football team.
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By The Biscuit April 16, 2009 - 7:16 pm
Trey, to clarify, those weren’t insults – they were friendly jokes at a regulars’ expense. You’ll know when I’m insulting people. Yes, you will know.
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By DeepTeaKup April 16, 2009 - 7:56 pm
sd,
That is one of the primary reasons I loathe Duke b-ball, the mediocre stench of Tommy “turtleneck” Amaker. What good can come of this? I see no upside here.
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By TBoneND April 16, 2009 - 8:31 pm
ESPN 360 reported about an hour ago that uM (sucks) would have to apply for a waiver for Paulus to play. He played BBall for 4 years at that D_ _ _ school.
My nephew a corn and blue addict was bragging about “Little Tate” passing for 4 TD’s and running for another during the spring fiasco.
Sporting News wrote about the skunkie’s spring game. The writer mentioned that “Little Tate” was going up against 2nd and 3rd string players who would have a difficult time making the High School team across town.
Can’t wait have a conversation with the nephew.
I feel like a copy and paste and e-mail is in order!!
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By san diego irish April 16, 2009 - 10:27 pm
DTK–I’m a west coast guy, so I don’t have the same disdain for UM that some of my Irish brethren do (I save it for the Trojans). So looking at it analytically, and objectively, I just can’t see any upside either. Except maybe just depth and RR’s recognition that Little Man Tate and the other freshman might not be the answer, even for next year. Better to have a plan A, B, and C rather than just A & B. I would like to see the SD kid do well (when not playing ND of course) but I don’t see it happening. I think he is smaller than his two older brothers, who were both also heavily recruited, and neither of them have ever cracked the starting lineup anywhere. Chris Forcier just got moved to receiver after almost leaving UCLA for lack of any hope of playing at QB. I think UM is in for some rough years on offense as long as they run an offense dependent on the QB making plays. Maybe the other freshman kid will turn out to be good, but he probably won’t be ready right away either.
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By DeepTeaKup April 16, 2009 - 10:55 pm
SD, I actually think UM can go 7-5 or 8-4 with Tate and/or Denard. There is enough talent at RB at TE to help out the young QB. UM’s schedule is not entirely unfavorable (two tough road games) so who knows. Question though, aren’t all offenses dependent on the QB making plays? Plus, based purely on lineage you would have to think Claussen would end up a bust too right. Another interesting piece of the puzzle, apparently Jason Forcier is trying to get a waiver to play next year too, trying to transfer back to UM (after transferring to Stanford from UM).
TboneND,
Spring game performances should be taken with a jar of salt. Most times QB’s are not live and the defenses are more vanilla than Jim Tressel. UM was also missing 5 D starters too. I think they did have to get some of the HS kids to fill out the 3rd team.
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By san diego irish April 16, 2009 - 11:13 pm
DTK–In terms of QBs making plays, I was thinking about Michigan pre-RR which seemed to rely on a power running game more than a QB centric run game. I don’t mean this as an insult to UM, but I can’t remember any of their QBs really carrying the team with outstanding solo performances, ala Pat White at West VA.
As far a Clausen goes, Casey was pretty damn good at Tennessee in my recollection. And Casey would be the first to say that Jimmy is the most talented Clausen. I don’t think the Forcier boys would say the same about Little Man Tate.
In terms of UM this year, I can’t seem them winning 8 games, but I don’t really have an educated opinion because other than QB I’m not that familiar with their personnel. Didn’t they have some defections on the O Line also? And that D wasn’t looking great last year either, at least in the games I watched (Utah, ND). But you’re right about the schedule. Other than Ohio State, ND, Penn St. and Wisconsin the rest of the schedule doesn’t look too scary.
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By DeepTeaKup April 17, 2009 - 12:35 am
SD,
Actually the RR version of the spread is based on a power running game, yes it’s out of the spread but this is not supposed to be a finesse team. He used Pat White as a primary running threat because well, Pat White is a danged good running QB.
In terms of Tate, apparently he may not be the most physically dominant of the the 3 but he may be the best pure QB, if that makes sense.
In terms of UM this year, rookie QB and lack of depth on D are the biggest worries. TO be fair though, not many teams looked good on D against Utah last year. The OL is all back and should be a strength, RB, TE, and WR should also be a strength. For those reasons (and the so-so schedule) I see 8-4 or 7-5. including a home win over ND (but then I always pick that).
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By san diego irish April 17, 2009 - 9:36 am
DTK–what about the ND game makes you think the Skunkbears will prevail? Of course I’m biased, but based on what I saw last year, I’ve got to believe ND wins again this year. ND is deeper and more experienced at almost every position compared to ND 08. Home field advantage? Big improvement by UM? Where are the points coming from for UM this year?
Based on watching Clausen and Quinn before him, ND fans know painfully well how long it takes a good young quarterback to figure out what he’s doing.
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By san diego irish April 17, 2009 - 9:39 am
Also, if you predict 4 or 5 losses for UM, but a win over ND. Which 4 or 5 teams on UM’s slate are you expecting to be tougher than ND this year?
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By DeepTeaKup April 17, 2009 - 10:40 am
SD,
Just remember, I will never predict a UM loss to ND, ever. I can’t bring myself to admit I think UM can or will ever lose to ND.
In terms of next year, I this the following games are real chances for UM losses: at Iowa, PSU, at Ill, OSU. In terms of where the offense is coming from, I think teh depth at Rb is great and the OL is much improved. That will be the focus.
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By The Biscuit April 17, 2009 - 11:49 am
DTK, still drinking the kool-aid. you’re like the ND fans that thought we should win 10 games last year, after being 3-9 the prior year. you will be luck to be .500 brother. lucky.
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By san diego irish April 17, 2009 - 2:07 pm
DTK–I have to agree with the Biscuit. UM is about where ND was last year, except you don’t have Clausen, or any other QB who had a full year and a spring to learn your offense. And while your running game may give you hope, you’ll be facing a whole lot of 8 man fronts until Little Man Tate proves he can make adjustments at the line and hit open receivers. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but based on ND’s recent experience, I’d say the odds are not in your favor.
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By DeepTeaKup April 17, 2009 - 2:52 pm
Biscuit & SD, I actually accept buy the “one year lagging” ND premise. The main reason I say 7-5 or 8-4 is that I really think UM’s schedule is a bit easier than ND’s was last year. PSU & MSU lose a lot from last year, Ill is goingto be zooked at some point. Even OSU looks beatable (if I’ve had enough beer). Who knows, still 4.5 months away, I reserve the right to chnage my mind.
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By The Biscuit April 17, 2009 - 3:48 pm
heh. PSU loses a lot, but you guys already SUCKED. MSU loses their 2 playmakers, but you already SUCKED. OSU didn’t suck, and won’t suck, and you already SUCKED. You dont have a prayer. UM (s!) not losing a lot (except your only decent QB) doesnt help you, it hurts you. You’re exactly like the foolish ND fans that were shocked when we were mediocre last year. It’s your right, and I appreciate the homerism as I’m a big fan of doing that for ND, but man you are off.
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By DeepTeaKup April 17, 2009 - 4:07 pm
Biscuit, so we should expect no improvement? Another 3-9 season? You guys went 7-6 last year and sucked as much as UM did the year before. How am I so far off? I’m calling for roughly the same record as ND had last year.
Nice of you to call Threet decent, outside of immediate family members I’m not sure anyone else would have.
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By san diego irish April 17, 2009 - 4:59 pm
DTK–I think the Skunbears will be better, but 8 wins is a stretch. As I see it, the biggest problem you had last year was no QB and while I’m no Threet booster, I don’t see either of your freshman or the boy wonder from Duke playing any better. I think a respectably defense, good running game, and no QB should be good for 5 or 6 wins.
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By san diego irish April 17, 2009 - 5:04 pm
Biscuit–how many wins did you predict for ND last year?
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By The Biscuit April 17, 2009 - 5:29 pm
7-5, bad luck 6-6, good luck 8-4. I was close.
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By The Biscuit April 17, 2009 - 5:38 pm
correction – i said 9-3 if we’re lucky. but netted at 7-5. here’s my post. i didnt call ‘cuse obviously.
http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2008/08/08/hls-your-guess-is-as-good-as-mine-but-you-read-the-blog-so-you-get-to-read-my-guess-pre-season-predictions/#comments
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By san diego irish April 17, 2009 - 6:15 pm
Pretty good. I was picking 8-4 ish until they started 4-1 and then I got greedy and became one of those clowns calling for 10 wins.
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By trey April 18, 2009 - 4:25 pm
scUM is 5-7 on the top end, most likely 3-9 again though.
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