M-Live Piece on Devin Gardner
Interesting piece on Devin.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/08/devin_gardner_michiga…
But before the world met the Devin Gardner who starred at Inkster High School and quarterbacked Brady Hoke’s Wolverines, there was just Devin Gardner the kid.
A kid who could have fell off his path. He had so much energy, his Kindergarten teachers thought he may be learning disabled. His siblings understood this, and worked to guide him beyond Detroit’s pitfalls.
A kid who grew into an adult who desperately wants to help others, and a person who struggles with the idea of trying to be everything for everyone all at once.
“People who have known him since he was 5 or 6 understand,” says Turner, her laugh turning solemn. “People who just know him in passing really don’t understand.
“They don’t understand who he is.”
August 25th, 2014 at 7:18 AM ^
While some fluff, it also gives insight into who Devin is and what makes him tick.
August 25th, 2014 at 7:29 AM ^
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August 25th, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 9:49 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 7:38 AM ^
My admiration for DG greatly increased after hearing his interviews during B1G Media Daze. This supplements that admiration.
August 25th, 2014 at 7:49 AM ^
It is obvious that DG is a great guy and his latest efforts in the community have been applaudable...
I just feel like hes an athlete thrust into a QB job...his instincts seem to be biased towards athleticism rather than a cold, methodical QB...
It seems like hes gonna play on Sundays but not as a QB ...any which way hes gonna have a good future ....go Devin
August 25th, 2014 at 8:35 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
makes up for it, and Devin blossoms this year.
As I read the article, I could totaly see the Devin trying too hard. We could see it in 2012, but he was lucky. In 2013 it came out to bite him. I am hoping in 2014 we see a wiser Devin.
August 25th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
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August 25th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
that was the case last season. for all the issues on the offensive line, it was devins decision making that made the akron and uconn games close. northwestern dropped at least 4 gift wrapped INT's from bad throws/decisions by devin.
obviously he is a great kid but he has to eliminate the 'what are you thinking' throw if this offense wants to be successful.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:47 AM ^
He was also the only reason UM kept it close against OSU and beat ND. And for all the complaints about his performance against Akron and UConn, he had no running game (I mean, he recorded 103 yards of UM's total of 177 against Akron), was under pressure because the line couldn't block, and last I checked wasn't the reason Akron racked up 418 yards on offense. He didn't have a great year overall, but so much of that was due to the whole team being bad that to point at him and say it was his fault is just silly.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^
Oddly enough, when you take out the non-conference games, his numbers look pretty damn good. He had a rough start, but he locked it down decently as the year progressed.
I'm with you on this. Seems like some folks are trying to dig up any excuse they can to disparage Gardner.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:06 AM ^
You must be one of those people who places all the blame on the QB. I think it's odd that you blame Devin only for the close wins against Akron and UConn when the offensive line was doing a terrible job of blocking for the running game (not to mention the passing game).
August 25th, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^
and watch akron and uconn. devin made terrible throws without pressure. he made bad decisions. that was all i said. he improved as the year went on but his bad decison making early in the year was not the lines fault.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:42 AM ^
You mean, like every QB? Chad Henne struggled under pressure, and he had a great line and talent at the skill positions. Peyton Manning was MVP last year and had a HORRIBLE performance in the Super Bowl because the Seahawks were able to pressure him all day.
I hate this mindless argument that when a QB struggles it is because of some moral or intellectual failure and not, you know, part of the game of football where the defense tries to screw up the offense. I mean, UM plays defense; do you think every INT and fumble caused by the defense is because the opposing team is full of idiots who cower under their seats and can't "handle the pressure"?
August 25th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
Ya that Peyton Manning guy is a real boner to. Making mistakes sometimes when he is pressured. What a loser!
Edit: Beaten to the punch by Bronx.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:16 AM ^
We have officially jumped the shark.
Bringing blitzes does not always equal quarterback mistakes; otherwise, defense would be so simple. Blitz the quarterback and he will throw interceptions directly to defensive linemen standing in the endzone. Easy!
My point is that Devin needs to be a better game manager (a point Nussmeier has made several times this offseason). But, I guess our offensive coordinator is just a big idiot blaming Devin for problems with the offense that rest solely on the offensive line.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
"Bringing blitzes does not always equal quarterback mistakes; otherwise, defense would be so simple. "
Again, you're not looking at the big picture. You're right that a blitz doesn't automatically equal a sack or interception or fumble. A huge factor - that you have not mentioned at all, I believe - is that the offensive line and running backs couldn't block the blitzers. How does that fit into your analysis?
August 25th, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
The bandwagon for "Blame the Offensive Line for Everything" was full, so I decided to take a more nuanced approach.
There is enough fault to go around, and Devin deserves some. That should not be a controversial statement to anybody that watched last year's games.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
There's no doub that DG deserves some of the blame for the struggles last year -- and he admits to such. I am not going to make excuses for the guy, but I love watching him play. I think, in addition to the OL struggles, his biggest issue was trying to do too much. I don't blame him for that. He's the QB, the leader of the offense and he's trying hard to win for his teammates and for Michigan. I think Coach Hoke called it trying to be "Superman" on the field. In HS, that worked, but it doesn't work too well (sometimes) at the next level(s). It was his first chance to start all season and it was obvious (like Denard) he desperately wanted to perform and leave his mark on the program. I think we've all experienced times when our desire to succeed has pushed us too far and caused some failures. Such is life.
The good news is that he's now a season older, as is the OL, and he's got a far better QB coach helping him hone his decision-making skills.
I guess I am just a bit confused as to what case you're trying to make. If it's that he shouldn't be starting, well I think you're going to have a hard time winning that one. For what it's worth, I saw the "Who will have the best QB play this season" poll on BTN and it was pretty heavily in favor or Michigan with DG. Not that that is definitive in any way, but it seems that everyone who is looking at our QB situation is pretty high on DG.
Maybe you know something everyone else doesn't.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:39 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 10:51 AM ^
we are trying to compare the two quarterbacks, we are trying to say that pressure, when applied to the level that it was against DG, can cause even great QB's like Peyton to make mistakes. As the season went on, he did better, sure he makes some mistakes, but he also makes great decisions, and he got better as the season progressed (specifically the OSU game). I understand you need to point the finger at someone here, but the nuanced argument of blaming one guy on a team, is truly not very nuanced.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
I think what you mean is that you saw that in the first half of the 2013 season. You did not see it in the second half of the year, with the exception of the Northwestern game in which the Wildcats failed to capitalize, and Michigan still won the game.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^
Though I place SOME of the blame for the abysmal rushing numbers in the second half of the year on his shoulders, as well.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
What seems to be lacking in the conversation is that last year was the first full year as the starting QB. Sure, Devin played a handful of games the year before when Denard went down at Nebraska, but when you look at his experience level, the number of sacks, the lack of a running game, he had a solid year. Most of those INT's that people talk about were in the first half of the season.
Devin had 1 INT over the last six games and 3 INT's over the last 8 games. That there weren't a few more picks in that damp, windy Norhwestern game was a bit lucky, but 3 INT's TOTAL for all eight conference games is pretty damn good.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/501543/devin-gardner&nb…;
August 25th, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^
I don't think he will be our starting QB come B1G season conclusion. Morris looked way better in the last scrimmage. Our coaches are too old school to pull a st QB.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
you underestimate the power of experience.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^
This is precisely why I'm still upset at the people who shat all over Brian back in spring when he railed a bit against the "start Morris" crowd. He was accused of tilting at windmills.
Windmill this.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
The OC has had a great deal of experience working with mobile QBs throughout his various coaching tenures, and they all seemed to benefit from him. The only "old school" argument I hear from people are those who (as you noted about yourself) don't like Gardner at QB because he doesn't fit their ideal starter at UM, not because he is somehow a worse QB than similar players in the past.
Morris isn't ready, and while he should be a nice backup him looking okay in a contrived practice scenario against large swaths of the second unit should in no way diminish the fact that Devin Gardner led the conference in passing last year and had, statistically, one of the more impressive seasons in UM history.
If Morris is starting by the end of the B1G season and it isn't because Gardner is injured, UM is in trouble.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
is starting by the start of the BIG season, it will only mean that DG is hurt. Plain and simple...
August 25th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
I want to reply scathingly, but I've learned some lessons about assuming intent.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 10:32 AM ^
Here comes the race card.
August 25th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
Usually I'm not a fan of the race card being pulled...but if DG was white he would probably be enshrined in a mythical Michigan hall of fame for his 'gritty' performance against OSU last year as well as for his 'deceptive speed'
Gardner's a great QB. His OL sucked last year. Was 2008 really so long ago? Did we lose sight of what bad QB play looks like already?
August 25th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
Who knows whether such an enshrinement would be the case or not. Further, I don't like the "race card" either, but there is something odd about everyone around the nation loving the kid, expecting big things from him, and yet there is still a simmering pot of negativity around the kid from Michigan fans.
All he's done is wait his turn, change positions when asked to do so, and lead the team as best he can (which is pretty dogone good). Sure, he's made some mistakes, and will make more this season too. But, if there is anyone who doubts his heart, determination, and work ethic they obviously don't know what they're looking at.
August 25th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
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August 25th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
Simply don't understand this insistence on believing one's own negativity despite evidence to the contrary.
I'll leave out my addendum about wanting to cast him as the star of a movie I'm not qualified to write. Besides his talents in football, he has the charisma (and looks) to be a star both on and off the field, and something more important for film: there's always something going on behind the eyes. Intelligence, humor, and holding back as much as he reveals. Of course it'll be easier for him to get that second career after his stardom as a QB. And I trust he will reach his own personal goals before I subject him to mine.
August 25th, 2014 at 8:33 AM ^
“It seems like (I’ve been here) a long time, but this is only a small chunk of my life,” Gardner says. “When you come to college, it’s not just to play football. You come to college to become a better man.
Devin Gardner always struck me as someone who had an excellent perspective on his college experience and what he wanted out of it, and indeed, here is someone who seems bound for excellent things both on the field and off it even once he leaves here.
This does provide some great insight into Devin Gardner and underscores just how much he embodies many of the values that I think most of us what the program to hold dear. Thanks for sharing this, OP.
August 25th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
And saying something about it. This wasn't even a quote or from a reliance on spell-check, this wasn't a post on a blog where people are in haste and/or texting, simply having a conversation. This is from a supposed journalist. But how are kids supposed to learn when they're raised reading as many errors as hearing them?
I despair. Yeah, I'm an old get-off-my-typewriter old fogey. [And yeah, I used "old" twice.] But maybe they'll listen to you.
August 25th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
It seems like Baumgardner's editor took a vacation day. He also felt the need to capitalize "kindergarten" for some reason.
August 25th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
I suspect publishers think we don't need editors anymore and that software will solve all their problems. Why I know Ph.D. editors who are out of work.
August 25th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
<blockquote>He watched as a bystander on Michigan’s 2011 Sugar Bowl team. He considered transferring because of it. He opted to stay, to remain close to his family and friends, only to be pushed to wide receiver for a brief stint the next season. And then, in 2013, when everything seemed like it was going to fall into place – nothing did.
...
So Gardner did what he’s done his whole life. He leaned on his mother and siblings for support. He also spoke with an old friend, who reminded him that he didn’t need to be anyone but himself.
“Devin’s one of the toughest guys I know,” former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson said. “Devin’s had three coordinators. He’s had injuries. That’s a lot.
“But that’s life, and that’s what I tried to tell him. How a man reacts when adversity hits (makes you who) you are. He’s handled it well and I always say, my hat goes off to him for that.”
Devin Gardner, simply, needed to get back to being Devin again.</blockquote>
Assuming that this is true, has any single player done more for the University of Michigan's football program than Denard Robinson?
August 25th, 2014 at 11:30 AM ^
August 25th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
Devin is going to have a special year, and he will lead Team 135 to a special season. All the doubters and naysayers will be silenced. I agree that it's baffling that people doubt this guy and make foolish statements about him. He's a gifted athlete, and an even better human being and I am very proud of the way he represents Michigan.
GO BLUE!