Wolverines hoping QB trio will give offense added depth | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
by Mark Snyder Freep
by Mark Snyder Freep
Michigan quarterbacks coach Rod Smith is not sure who will be the starter after training camp. But he has a good feel for the competitors.
The three most likely options -- returning veteran Nick Sheridan and true freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson -- bring a different set of skills to the competition.
"Ultimately, you want what's best for us," Smith said. "If it's one guy, so be it. If it's two guys, so be it. We want to be able to give our guys the best situation to win. We'll be in a lot better situation than we were last year. Because, let's face it, we weren't very good last year. We have to be better."
Sheridan is the upperclassman who started last season's opener and filled in whenever Steven Threet (now transferred) was repeatedly injured. Sheridan had a highlight game at Minnesota, but was inconsistent overall. He missed the last few weeks of spring practice with a leg fracture.
"(The injury) is not a big deal -- it limited him for spring," Smith said. "Obviously you could use the reps, but he's to the point where he understands what we're doing now. He took a lot of mental reps, and he'll catch up real quick."
Forcier enrolled in January to get a head start. He teased with his accuracy and elusiveness in the spring.
"I was pleased with his progress, (but) he's got a lot more to go," Smith said. "He puts in the extra time. I see him as much as anybody around doing extra, because he needs to."
Robinson didn't arrive in Ann Arbor until June, but spent his spring at home in Florida ripping off stunning track sprint times, reportedly running 100 meters in 10.28 seconds.