Article on Denard
Article on Denard in today's Chicago Tribune, including his first sight of snow in Ann Arbor:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^
Setting aside his speed, arm strength and unlimited potential, this kid is just the most likeable player that I can remember. He has as much natural ability as any kid in the nation, without a shred of the ego / arrogance that usually accompanies such talent.
Also, while many poke fun at RR's "quirky" personality (Football Bust), I think that it was pretty awesome that he got down in the snow and made snow angels with Denard. What an awesome guy. Whether he stays or goes, and whether he was a good fit for Michigan or not, it is hard not to really just like Coach Rod.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
RR is the type of guy that makes you feel like family, whether you play for him or watch the team on Saturdays. He is a Michigan Man and I can't think of a better guy to lead our program.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:25 AM ^
Totally agree. I love his charm, he may not be polished, but definitely genuine . I love the way he says Ms. Rita. Going to start calling my fiance, Ms. Jennifer.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^
I'd probably do the same thing If my fiancée wasn't named Cleo.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
You don't want to know your fortune or future?
December 8th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
I hadn't caught that, thanks for pointing it out. I will be following suit haha
December 8th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
The vile hatered people spew at rich make me scratch my head. Guy has always come off as a genuine, likable, guy. Don't get it.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
In Soviet Russia, snow angels make Denards.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^
Robinson never had seen snow, let alone someone flap his wings in the stuff.
"So I got on the ground and started making a snow angel," Rodriguez recalled.
Robinson said he also remembers picking up some snow, playfully chucking it at Rodriguez, "and then running pretty fast after that."
Robinson also packed snow into a plastic bag for his return flight.
"Melted on the plane," he said.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:26 AM ^
So that is how to get liquids on a plane. What genius!
December 8th, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^
Very nice story. I'm starting to think that it's harder to get positive press in the MSM (you have to have an unprecedented season offensively) than negative (you have to play a cheesy song at a banquet).
Oh well. Here's to two more years of Denard housing fools.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
Unfortunately, it's harder to sell newspapers with positive stuff. Stories like this are a dyin' breed.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^
On the day he committed, Robinson told reporters: "'I want to be the face of Michigan."
Has he done that?
"Not yet," he said. "I haven't proved myself. I still want to make my name like Des (Howard) and Charles Woodson and Tom Brady."
He is getting there. But we all know that he will always be one of the best that played at Michigan and will always be one of the most liked. We all love ya Denard, keep on being yourself and working hard.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^
I thought this was a very telling comment by Denard. He recognizes that he walks in the footsteps of many great Wolverines and is working to live up to those standards. I don't think Rodriguez or the rest of the coaching staff could ask for anything more from a young man.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^
That an interesting, positive, compelling human interest story on the Michigan Wolverines, Rich Rodriguez and one of the team's star players would appear in a newspaper...
...in Chicago.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^
Positive press is still positive press.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
I emailed Freep to let them know that this is the type of article that Michigan fans want to see. I brought up this point as well.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^
it wouldn't fit in on the Freep sports page
December 8th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
December 8th, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
Before the end of the day today, I predict that at least one person will assert that the reason the Cleveland papers are saying nice things about RR is because we can't beat OSU.
Or maybe Rosenberg will write it.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
favorite part:
On the day he committed, Robinson told reporters: "'I want to be the face of Michigan."
Has he done that?
"Not yet," he said. "I haven't proved myself. I still want to make my name like Des (Howard) and Charles Woodson and Tom Brady."
as RR says in the article, he's not even close to hitting his ceiling. His ceiling is scary-good
December 8th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^
...of the 2010 team. Ever since the UConn game, it's been almost impossible to read an article or hear a story about UM football in which Denard is not mentioned. As regards a longer term impact, if he stays healthy for two more years in this system we may be talking (favorably) about this kid for a long time to come. He is truly a gifted athlete and a fine reflection on both the team and the University.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
Denard's ceiling is so high, the apex of Zoltan's punts barely graze it.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
I thought the apex of Zoltan's punts was sort of like the temperature "absolute zero," sound in theory but never directly observed?
I always assumed Zoltan's punts returned back down to Earth because he LET'S them. I think if he ever kicked at 100% power, the ball would slip into another dimension.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
Yea, but Zoltan might very well be punting into the dimension where Denard is originally from.
Must be a hell of a dimension.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:25 AM ^
It's things like this that make me realize it's impossible to not love this kid!
And the fact that he put snow in a bag to take home to Florida is hilarious.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^
.....our own Denard Robinson, and those other QBs of questionable character.
Denard: "I want to be the face of Michigan"
Pryor: "I'm just biding my time here until I can hit the big payday. Anyone want to go kill someone? Come on, you know you really want to!"
Newton: "I want to be the most expensive college player, ever. My daddy says he's got that covered."
Denard(very humble, I might add): "I haven't proved myself yet"
Pryor: "Is it gonna be 2012 yet? I needs my bennies now."
Newton: "$180k? Hah! Just wait til' they find out how much Auburn ponied up!"
Ok, ok. I know Pryor and Newton didn't really say those things, but it isn't that big a leap to imagine that they have. I'll take Denard over those two clowns anyday.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
I love these threads... they make everything seem bright and happy. Posbangs for all! Happy ChristmasHannukahKwanzEtc!
December 8th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^
Our helmets have wings and we can make snow angels together! How many other programs can say that? Maybe we need to bring Dee up when it snows and let him make snow angels with Denard and Richrod.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
What a great picture.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
This pic makes me smile, ear to ear! I REALLY want to see two more years' worth of pics like this!
And Coach doing snow angels with Denard - I wish there was video!
December 8th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
But seriously... we can't give enough accolades to this kid. He's a class act on and off the field. The team loves and looks up to him, a true leader. He is always the first to acknowledge that his teammates are the reason he's accomplished so much this season and that he is always trying to improve.
You want to be the face of Michigan? You got it.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
Enough Fred Jackson hyperboles to describe the awesomeness that is Denard's smile.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
on his visit.
"Is getting into a snowball fight with a quarterback made of dilithium a bad idea?"
December 8th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
Rosenburg and Snyder will call it to the NCAA's attention just in case it's not allowed.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^
I'm worried that this article doesn't have a HARD EDGE.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
like Denard even more than I already did. Is it even possible?
December 8th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
"...for a recruiting visit on the second weekend in January 2009." He committed on 2/4/09
Late in the recruiting process by most accounts. Wonder what gem(s) RR will bring in January 2011
December 8th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
RR has a knack for finishing strong in recruiting. Landed Barum, Roundtree, Denard and Dorsey in Janurary and signing day. However, his future is in a limbo that it's hard for RR to recruit as well as he normally does.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
That there are still people in the media (even if it is in Chicago) that realize there is more to a person than wins and losses and their song choices at banquets. I think people fail to get past the title of "Coach" when the think about Rodriguez, thus neglecting that oh so important fact that he is a human being who loves, cries, feels and cares just like the rest of us.
Regardless of what people feel about his tenure as a coach at Michigan, I'd argue until my voice is gone against anyone that says this guy doesn't have the character or the passion that a Michigan Man needs. I hope people don't let their opinions about the CC muddy the fact that Rich Rodriguez truly cares about what he does and the kids he coaches. He's successfully molding boys into men, and that's a hell of a lot tougher job than winning football games, IMO.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
I agree with your sentiment there, but for a guy like RR, I think that the mentoring and caring comes naturally. Those are two necessary qualities of a great leader IMO.
Another one is the ability to make difficult decisions, in ambiguous circumstances. RR does have some difficult decisions to make regarding his coaching staff if you ask me.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
Such a winner. My biggest fear of the possible coaching change is losing him. The domino effect of losing a leader like him would be catastrophic.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
Mike Downey left the Free Press for Chicago years ago. One continued on the path to having its greatest value as a liner for bird cages at Grandmas house, and the other is still viable though I think Downey kept going "West young man"
December 8th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
I like how last year all anyone could talk about were the shoelaces. Heck, even to start this season it was all about the shoes. Now that the country has learned the true character and abilities of this great kid, they have more of a story than just the footwear.
Of course the over/under on shoelace references by the Gator bowl tv crew must be +/- 5.