PaladinFan
October 15th, 2009, 11:24 AM
I found this article really interesting. Helped answer a lot of questions Furman fans (and others I would assume) had about the use of #5.
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20091015/SPORTS/910150324/1027/SPORTS0103/Paladins-easing-Forcier-into-action
When sophomore quarterback Chris Forcier arrived at Furman University he was looking for a second start, not to be the second coming.
He did not believe Furman's offense needed a savior, or even another Ingle Martin.
Martin transferred to Furman from the University of Florida in 2004 and proceeded to become the Paladins' all-time leading passer in only two seasons. In his first year, he passed for 2,792 yards and 22 touchdowns, while leading Furman to a 10-3 record and a Southern Conference championship.
The next season, he set the record for most passing yardage in a single season, amassing 2,959. Martin still holds the Furman career records for yardage (5,751), passing touchdowns (42) and total offense (6,277). In 2006, Martin was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
After transferring out of UCLA this summer, Forcier said he was enticed by Martin's success. However, he did not come to Furman in an attempt to immediately duplicate it.
“It is just a different situation,” Forcier said. “His success here definitely factored into my decision to come, but when he came here the job was wide open. There wasn't a starter to compete with. He was also here for a spring versus me coming in the summer and being expected to take the job from a guy who's been here for four years now. That's a little bit tougher to do.”
That incumbent quarterback is fifth-year senior Jordan Sorrells, who has made his mark in the Furman record books as well. Sorrells is third in career passing yardage, sixth in career touchdowns and sixth in total offense.
Upon his arrival, Forcier was heralded for his footspeed, as he was reportedly clocked with a 4.3 40-yard dash. Thus, he was tabbed to work in a two-fold rotation with Sorrells. However, Furman coach Bobby Lamb said Forcier has yet to turn the page on mastering Furman's playbook, and rather than thrust him into action unprepared, he plans to patiently allow Forcier to feel his way through the offense.
“Chris actually went through spring practice at UCLA last year. He played receiver the entire time, so he really hadn't taken any snaps at quarterback,” Lamb said. “It's a very difficult task for a transfer trying to learn our offense.
(2 of 2)
“He's making strides. He's getting better every day. He's getting a lot of reps in practice and that's what we want to see. He's certainly going to be a great player for us.”
Furman has developed a run-heavy Fury package for Forcier, similar to the ever-popular Wildcat formation. Yet, Furman has only utilized the package sparingly. Forcier has appeared in three of Furman's five games. He has yet to attempt a pass but has rushed six times for 43 yards.
“It's there for every gameplan,” Forcier said of the Fury. “It's just up to the coaches and the situation of the game, as to whether they want to use it or not. I'm just trying to stay positive and help any way I can.
I'm watching film every day, and Jordan is teaching me stuff. I'm getting the offense down. I'm getting more reps on the practice field. That definitely helps. You can only learn so much from studying a playbook. It helps when you get reps to learn stuff faster. That's the biggest thing, especially for getting a groove with the other players on your team.”
As Furman prepares for Saturday's game against Samford, Forcier said he will focus only on being ready if or when his number is called, rather than attempting to be like anyone else, including Martin, Sorrells or even his own brother Tate, who has already passed for nine touchdowns this season as a true freshman at the University of Michigan.
“The bottom-line is that if you can play, you can play,” Forcier said. “My little brother is proving that. He's showing that you can lead at any level. I'm looking forward for my opportunity. I don't know when it will come, but I've just got to be prepared for it.”
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20091015/SPORTS/910150324/1027/SPORTS0103/Paladins-easing-Forcier-into-action
When sophomore quarterback Chris Forcier arrived at Furman University he was looking for a second start, not to be the second coming.
He did not believe Furman's offense needed a savior, or even another Ingle Martin.
Martin transferred to Furman from the University of Florida in 2004 and proceeded to become the Paladins' all-time leading passer in only two seasons. In his first year, he passed for 2,792 yards and 22 touchdowns, while leading Furman to a 10-3 record and a Southern Conference championship.
The next season, he set the record for most passing yardage in a single season, amassing 2,959. Martin still holds the Furman career records for yardage (5,751), passing touchdowns (42) and total offense (6,277). In 2006, Martin was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
After transferring out of UCLA this summer, Forcier said he was enticed by Martin's success. However, he did not come to Furman in an attempt to immediately duplicate it.
“It is just a different situation,” Forcier said. “His success here definitely factored into my decision to come, but when he came here the job was wide open. There wasn't a starter to compete with. He was also here for a spring versus me coming in the summer and being expected to take the job from a guy who's been here for four years now. That's a little bit tougher to do.”
That incumbent quarterback is fifth-year senior Jordan Sorrells, who has made his mark in the Furman record books as well. Sorrells is third in career passing yardage, sixth in career touchdowns and sixth in total offense.
Upon his arrival, Forcier was heralded for his footspeed, as he was reportedly clocked with a 4.3 40-yard dash. Thus, he was tabbed to work in a two-fold rotation with Sorrells. However, Furman coach Bobby Lamb said Forcier has yet to turn the page on mastering Furman's playbook, and rather than thrust him into action unprepared, he plans to patiently allow Forcier to feel his way through the offense.
“Chris actually went through spring practice at UCLA last year. He played receiver the entire time, so he really hadn't taken any snaps at quarterback,” Lamb said. “It's a very difficult task for a transfer trying to learn our offense.
(2 of 2)
“He's making strides. He's getting better every day. He's getting a lot of reps in practice and that's what we want to see. He's certainly going to be a great player for us.”
Furman has developed a run-heavy Fury package for Forcier, similar to the ever-popular Wildcat formation. Yet, Furman has only utilized the package sparingly. Forcier has appeared in three of Furman's five games. He has yet to attempt a pass but has rushed six times for 43 yards.
“It's there for every gameplan,” Forcier said of the Fury. “It's just up to the coaches and the situation of the game, as to whether they want to use it or not. I'm just trying to stay positive and help any way I can.
I'm watching film every day, and Jordan is teaching me stuff. I'm getting the offense down. I'm getting more reps on the practice field. That definitely helps. You can only learn so much from studying a playbook. It helps when you get reps to learn stuff faster. That's the biggest thing, especially for getting a groove with the other players on your team.”
As Furman prepares for Saturday's game against Samford, Forcier said he will focus only on being ready if or when his number is called, rather than attempting to be like anyone else, including Martin, Sorrells or even his own brother Tate, who has already passed for nine touchdowns this season as a true freshman at the University of Michigan.
“The bottom-line is that if you can play, you can play,” Forcier said. “My little brother is proving that. He's showing that you can lead at any level. I'm looking forward for my opportunity. I don't know when it will come, but I've just got to be prepared for it.”