QB Conundrum for this Fall
I've been considering our QB situation for this Fall. I'm sure we're all anticipating improved play at this position.
My question for you learned colleagues: With Tate completing the year with a 128.15 QB rating having completed over 61% of his passes (much of this while injured), what do we do with Denard? He could be a dynamic "Percy Harvin" type threat that defenses would have to account for every time he's on the field. It would be a shame to relegate him to backup QB status seeing occasional touches where 80% of the time defenses can stack the line against him since he's likely to run it.
I understand that a quality backup is needed in case of injury, but with Devin Gardner coming in, couldn't D-Rob be better utilized? Do you think D-Rob would mind being on the field more, but not necessarily always at QB?
One final thought... Is there an option package that RichRod has installed in the offense? How would Denard work in that type of scheme?
Your thoughts are appreciated, folks.
January 25th, 2010 at 7:29 PM ^
The reality of the situation is that RichRod realizes he needs to show vast improvement in Year 3. His offense is so QB-dependent (DeathKitten anyone?), that he's going to play the best QB who emerges from spring/fall practices.
January 25th, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
This conversation will occur 1,000 times before the start of next season for the simple reason that all of us diehard Wolverine football fans day dream everyday about next season. It's okay that, as fans, we are anticipating next season even though it's January and we enjoy talking about it regardless if we know who the likely starter at Qb is.
January 25th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
IT'S ALL ABOUT DENARD.
January 25th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
I think with Denard getting his first spring practices, RR will be able to create plays that will utilize his abilites. Last year he was just taught the basic plays at QB and didn't have alot of time to learn other positions, but we should see Denard getting some oprotunities at WR and RB where he can run in the open and probably more trick plays. I think with Denard's further understanding of the offense RR will definately use him more.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
We put Tate at rb/wr and Denard at qb?!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
Genius!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
What if Tate was at center, snaps the ball to Stonum, who hands the ball to Roundtree, who throws it to Molk?!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
I think we could really surprise our opponent!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
We should have them switch jerseys so they'll be eligible. Somebody getting these details to RR?
January 25th, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
I firmly believe Spencer Brinton will be the starter next year. He's still on the team right?
January 26th, 2010 at 3:08 AM ^
Tate probably has the advantage due to his overall passing accuracy. DROB would probably have to really improve his passing game leading up to the season to challenge Tate. Hopefully, Tate will hold on to the ball better next season because that is one way he could find his way to the bench! Even if Tate wins out the starting spot, we'll see DROB used in the offense time to time and I hope he improves so that we can red shirt Gardner.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:53 AM ^
I read every one of these posts to see if anything had changed since the last time this topic was brought up.........Damn!
January 26th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
Who says Denard can just step into a "Percy Harvin role"? I'm not bashing Denard (and he's my favorite player on the team), but the times he took a handoff around the outside (against Wiscy) and was thrown to on a go route (vs. OSU) he was not successful (although it can be argued that these are anecdotal and that there was pass interference on that pass play...but still). I think with some time in spring practice, Denard can develop into a usable QB with a threat to throw.
If you watch the QB practice from last summer on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njFgXk-6Les), Rod Smith pulls Denard aside to work on his throwing mechanics. You can see that Denard came in throwing from his hip (ala Leftwich) instead of keeping the ball at his shoulder/ear level. Then you see him go out onto the field and toss a mostly inaccurate ball due to the new motion. If he didn't have sound mechanics coming in and was learning a new method of throwing, how could he possibly be accurate a few weeks later when the season started?
Give the guy some time. He's unquestionably explosive, but let him be a QB first.