Michigan Needs to be Patient with Tate Forcier

Before reading this article, check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh13WiJZ7MM

I am not going to lie—Tate Forcier was very impressive.

His 11-for-13 and five total TDs speak for themselves. Ever since Rich Rodriguez came to Michigan, he has been looking for a quarterback who is made for his system. It looks like he finally has his guy.

The only variables Michigan fans and coaches need are time and patience. How many times do you see a rookie quarterback in the NFL look great in the preseason and then come back to earth when the regular season begins? It is quite common.

In college football, the spring game is sort of like a preseason game. Everybody plays. Units are mixed. Often times, the regulars don't play as much. The big thing is that defenses hold back. I don't mean that the players don't try hard. It just means that the defense generally keeps it basic.

In the NFL, defensive coordinators don't want to show their hand in the preseason. It is a similar concept in the spring for colleges. Defensive coordinators are generally concerned about establishing their base. That means that there is a lot less blitzing.

In Michigan's case, they probably held back even more on defense. Rodriguez wanted Forcier to look good so he had confidence heading into camp. If you watch the video, he really only had to evade a rush a couple of times. Also, the defense didn't look like they sent complicated blitz packages at him.

When the regular season starts, defenses will be sending everything and the kitchen sink at Forcier. Their first two games are against Western Michigan and Notre Dame. Western did beat Illinois last year. I am not sure who Western has coming back this year on defense, so it is uncertain what kind of pressure they can bring to Forcier.

Then, in Week Two against Notre Dame, Forcier will be baptized by fire. All these players that have taken poundings on and off the field these last two years are now seasoned veterans. They are tired of losing. The additions of Manti Te'o and Tyler Stockton make the defense even hungrier.

John Tenuta is the type of defensive coordinator who smells blood when he sees a freshman quarterback. He will send blitzes at Forcier from all angles. That will be Tenuta's way of welcoming him to college football.

The point is that as fans, we need to be patient with the new quarterback. He will probably look really good in spots this year. However, we have to remember that he is a freshman and will go through growing pains. 

Anybody who thinks otherwise is not being practical.