Devin should start at QB
I know this is sacriledge in these parts, but I will go forth anyhow. An analysis of why we need a qb change. This is not out of panic mode as many will attest, but instead from watching our offense struggle the past two years whenever facing a top 25 defense that stacks the box.
1) Denard is not a qb unless he is in a spread option attack
Denard is an amazing athlete that needs to be on the field all the time. I totally agree with that. He is also a great kid and leader on this team. However, trying to run a hybrid offense with him simply won't work. As a drop back passer he does not look the part. You can say, "new system", "needs time", etc, but nobody can deny that Devin look the part as a passer. Sure he is not there yet, but he stands in and throws bullets....not always to the right man yet unfortunately. Some of Denard's thows are just mind boggling punt looking ducks. He is not that accurate and has to think about his footwork. There is reason other schools did not recruit him as a qb. Even in RRs system we struggled against good d-lines because if you make an offense one dimensional (in our case force Denard to throw), then you are predictable and play into the defense's hands. I love Denard and he should still be in on every play on offense, and we need to run a bunch of plays where he is the centerpiece, but if the run is being taken away we need our most accurate passer under center. He is not that guy...even Coach Hoke said so yesterday.
2) Don't delay the inevitable
Denard will not be a qb in the NFL and it is very likely Devin would start over him next year. Devin has already closed ground on him in terms of playing time and it is clear as we transition back to a more pro-style balanced attack that Gardner fits the mold. Denard is not Michael Vick....Vick is taller and was always more accurate, even as a freshman in college. It is a disservice to Denard to not train him for his future in the NFL as a slot man / return man. It is also a disservice to Gardener to not have him get the qb training under center he deserves. Gardner plays a very similar game as one Vince Young....except he has much better mechanics and accuracy. Also, the Shane Morris era is around the corner, and Devin probably should get 2-3 full years as starter befor Shane takes over in his sophomore year. Let the natural qb play qb, and let the most athletic player on our team stand next to him as a qb/rb/wr hybrid in the backfield.
3) Spread has not worked against one good Big 10 defense in two years
For those of you who wish to cry heresy, "how could I throw such a great kid under the bus" etc, please realize none of this is personal. It's about the team. I love Denard, and he needs to be on the field. This is just a realistic assessment of his abilities and what we have seen the past couple years. As a passer, his deep throws are jump balls, he struggles to set his feet, and he is innacurrate on out patterns. His best throw are laser slant throws, but he often makes the wrong reads on blitzes, especially on obvious passing downs. Gardner on the other hand, does not have happy feet, looks the part of a division 1 qb, and has had much less playing time and opportunity than Denard. We will continue to rack up yards against the Minnesotas and Purdues of the world, but we will not improve for the future or be able to consistently beat solid big 10 defenses with a gimmick offense.
OK, go ahead and rip me a new one with the usual...."stop your panic", "one bad game with wind", "Borges called a bad game", etc. But realize this assessment is from observing the last two years, not just yesterday.
On a positive not....Greg Mattison is a freaking genius. While a couple of the missed tackles yesterday were sadly reminicent of the RR era, what that man has done with the defense in one year is nothing short of magical. All this in spite of a slew of injuries on that side of the ball.
Go Blue
October 16th, 2011 at 7:11 PM ^
And suggested this last December. Start Devin. I can sum up why in 6 words:
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<br>The Team
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<br>The Team
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<br>The Team.
October 16th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
I just don't get how people completely dismiss the fact that Denard is in a different offense and has different expectations from the coaches. We knew that there would be growing pains, and frankly there have been far fewer than expected. I still believe that Denard gives us the best chance to win week in and week out based on his big play potential and elusiveness. MSU's defense is great. They completely confused Denard and outcoached our coaches. Devin has serious potential, but the players believe in and trust Denard. I don't think you mess with that right now.
October 16th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
I agree with the initial post 100 %
bravo !
October 16th, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
No one is "hacking your account." Your MGoPoints aren't actually worth anything on the black market.
It's a new rule: call someone a f*cker, or tell them to go f*ck themselves, you get to spend some time sharing the wonders of the Disney Princesses.
October 16th, 2011 at 10:59 PM ^
It's a new rule: call someone a f*cker, or tell them to go f*ck themselves, you get to spend some time sharing the wonders of the Disney Princesses.You can always just ask to have an entertaining signature line added for you.
October 18th, 2011 at 8:07 AM ^
Mine better have Mulan, too.
And what's up with the fancy font in this thread?
October 17th, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^
I remember when completing 45% ( v. Notre Dame) and 37% (v. MSU) of your passes against two rivals would have gotten you benched at Michigan.
Had Henne or Navarre done that, wouldn't we at least have given the guy in waiting a shot to show what he can do?
October 17th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^
It is not fair to Denard to change the OC & schemes, etc., and expect him to master it all this year. I believe that Borges is correct when he says, in so many words, "Calm down. I've done this before. Denard will have passing down by the end of the season."
Now, I believe that Borges is correct, and that Denard will be lights out next year, both passing and running.
HOWEVER . . . hedging bets a bit, I believe that Spring Ball & Fall Practice will be the time to truly assess whether Denard is done throwing off his back foot or not, and whether he has figured out when to take off instead of being stubborn. If, by the end of the season, and Spring Ball, and Fall Practice, Borges sees that Denard has reached his ceiling and his limitations, well, then make the change. but we're not at that point. I'd also like to see how the team reacts to this loss and does in November before making this kind of change.
October 17th, 2011 at 7:27 PM ^
he shouldn't. Just look at the missed touchdown when Hopkins was running up the field WIDE OPEN.
October 18th, 2011 at 8:45 AM ^
I agree with the "denard does not fit the offense". but lets not jump the gun just yet. if we lose to another B1G opponent, and its from denards lack of ability to run the offense with efficiency. then we should think about moving to different sets with devin as a primary QB. denard is a great athlete and should be on the field at all times. we all know he will NOT go to the NFL for QB. maybe returner or slot. He has one more year. after that devin will be more ready for the offense and we will acually have a stellar defense to back him up. and lets not forget about Shane Morris. We have to use devin while we can. We might redshirt morris because devin will be a senior when shane is a Frosh. with that being said it is a good idea for devin to get more reps. but lets not get antsy because Drob has not been producing in the pass game.
October 22nd, 2011 at 4:16 PM ^
October 22nd, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^