Denard Robinson Transfer Update: Probably Not?
Via Joe Schad's twitter feed, here's a brief conversation with Denard's high school coach on the topic du jour. Denard, unsurprisingly, is supposed to meet with Brady Hoke individually today. Voltron tweets:
"I think if the right things are said at Michigan, I think he wants to stay. Will they put you on the edge and roll you out? Denard does not want to sit out a year."
Taylor told Denard to ask: "What offense do you run and where do I fit in?" He heard Borges can run a spread.
Taylor said coaches from around country have called re: Denard. "I take three batteries with me everywhere for my cell phone."
If Michigan hadn't recruited Denard, Taylor said he probably would have gone to UCF—the guy wants to play quarterback.
January 12th, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^
After seeing his enthusiasm at the basketball game in person, I would be shocked if he transferred.
January 13th, 2011 at 12:11 AM ^
He hung in there, and I really hope he stays. I can't wait for next season
January 13th, 2011 at 1:10 AM ^
I have never seen someone so loved by everyone around him. And, honestly I think his reaction made me feel so much better about the situation.
"His smile is like a fantastical parade of pearly white unicorns frolicking around together with beams of sunshine bestowing itself upon the herd. " - I was sitting next to Fred Jackson. This is how he narrated the scene at the time.
But in all seriousness, that is a kid that truly loves where he is as well as the people around him. I know that he is hurt, and must feel as if he is somewhat betraying the man (RR) who found him if he at least does show some disdain. But that is a boy who loves Michigan. I for one, am not worried.
January 13th, 2011 at 12:50 AM ^
http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201101/tom-bradys-guru
Excellent article about Greg Harden and his impact on the program, don't know if this guy has been mentioned before but he should. It does give some insight to why some alums didn't like RR, and how to inspire greatness.
January 13th, 2011 at 8:39 AM ^
Srsly..its been on the board 3 seperate times
January 13th, 2011 at 7:39 AM ^
In my opinion Denard will stay, and like so many other people have already said, will be a threat in whatever offense we decide to run. I agree especially with what everyone is saying about Michael Vick. He was a prolific runner at the college level and did not run the spread. Va Tech ran a lot of I-formation, Vick under center type stuff and that didn't seem to get in his way. The most important thing then is to get Denard comfortable under center. This only comes with time but if you recall throughout the season, he never really looked like he was used to getting under center. Like I said, that is an obstacle that he can overcome, but just something to keep in mind.
January 13th, 2011 at 9:53 AM ^
Even in college, Vick was a single read maybe two then run guy. His default is to run, not pass which doesn't make a good Qb at the next level where everyone is fast and big. Same with Vince Young.
Denard's default, to the lament of some, is to remain a Qb and pass the ball after his reads. This lead to him trying to force the ball at times instead of making an easy run. I think that he will only benefit from having a OC that actually is pass oriented.
January 13th, 2011 at 8:40 AM ^
on 97.1 this morning with Stoney and BH. Brady said in the interview that Denard is the starting QB and he will remain there. If Brady offers him the QB job, I highly doubt he would transfer.
January 13th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
I heard Hoke say he wants him as a QB so I think that settles it.
I really would like to see Denard improve his ability to operate in the pocket as a more traditional QB. Make his reads, check down the routes, and most importantly, take off and run when the defense gives it to him. He was missing that this past season. Many times I watched him try and force a throw when the space was there to take off and run. I know he's trying to limit his carries so he can take less hits and stay on the field. But as he matures and improves his football IQ the ability to make those decisions will come.
If he learns to manage the game and take what the defense gives him I believe he can be even more dangerous (and stay on the field).
January 13th, 2011 at 10:21 AM ^
was that Denard was concentrating so much on not making mistakes in the passing game that he wasn't seeing the openings to run from the pocket. I'd rather have him missing opportunities to run than throwing picks, so I was okay with that. It will change as he gets more comfortable in his second year starting -- the improvement should be breathtaking.
On another topic -- there's no reason not to keep some of those zone-read-option plays in the book -- it's not like Borges has to teach this offense how to run them -- they already know. That's the beauty of having so many returning starters. The unpredictability quotient will be off the charts next year.
January 13th, 2011 at 10:05 AM ^
It's time for all parties involved to mentally drop the "athlete" tag on Denard and start thinking of him as a regular (although extremely mobile) QB.
Does that mean he should be a John Navarre under-center pocket passer? No, that would be a misuse of his skills. But he can be a "real" QB that doesn't throw just to keep you off balance.
The million dollar question is, can Hoke and Borges find a creative way to use Denard at QB without the extremes of the under-center pocket passer Pro I which they want to run in their heart of hearts, and the RR zone read option spread which I am not convinced they can really run well or want to run?
Any compelling video out there of Hoke running something other that the Pro I that may fit the ticket? I have not really seen anything.
BTW, like him or not, this kind of adaptation is something Tressel has been pretty good at.
January 13th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
is that Borges ran "wide-open" offenses at Portland State (Division II) and Boise State (Division I-AA at the time). Video could be tough to find, but likely the 1994 I-AA national-championship game versus Tressel and Youngstown State is out there somewhere, or could be.
January 13th, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
As a DVD at NCAA on Demand for $25:
http://www.ncaaondemand.com/clips/30699001_0577
There is a clip at the link, but I'm still waiting for it to load -- not sure if it ever will.
January 13th, 2011 at 9:01 AM ^
I have to think that Denard will hang around just based on the sole fact he's willing to be instructed and change. Just look between his freshman and sophmore years. Compared to playing time vs. run/pass, from Fr to So years it's what like a 500:1 pass:run ratio improvement? I think Denard will want to prove that he can adapt, learn, grow and play at the pro level.
January 13th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^
It is encouraging to read that Mike Vick was used in a pro style offense. Keeping Denard has to be priority one for coach Hoke.
January 13th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
I believe Denard will stay and excel in whatever offense is installed. As competitive of an athlete he is, I think he will embrace the challenge of becoming more of a "pro style" QB.
I aslo think he will prove all the naysayers and haters wrong and make another giant step as a passer this year.
This has me very, very excited.
Go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!
January 13th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^
Is it just me or should Denard scramble more. He's dangerous on zone reads and and QB keeper play, but it never seemed like he scrambled a la Mike Vick.
<br>
<br>Drop back to pass from the pocket, then if no ones open, take off running. I'd like to see more of that.
January 13th, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^
Vick was a one trick pony in college, and that is from watching him in person over a dozen times.
January 13th, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^
I don't know if I buy the one trick pony idea... He certainly could have been better, by his own admission even. He didn't study film, he was lazy in the weight room and in practice, But you cannot deny that Mike Vick had then and has now huge talent?!? When his game was clicking he could drop the ball on a dime from 60 yards out and he outran more defenses than, dare I say it, Denard Robinson.
Granted, he was in a weaker division, but that doesn't take away from his raw talent.
January 13th, 2011 at 11:57 AM ^
no, I in no way deny his talent, but like you said... you could tell on the field by his own admission that he "could" have done a lot more and put a lot more in. The trick pony statement is just meaning that due to his lack of attempting to read the defense and see what was there he limited himself a lot, and that was probably due to his own devices. From being in the stands and seeing and watching everyone else yelling at him with 2 open receivers time and time again then he just pulls and runs....
January 13th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
After the reports of Denard having a great time at teh BB game last night, I would be stunned if he up and left.
January 13th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^
Hate bringing that name up on a Michigan blog but...
He was about the same size as Denard, 6'1 vs 6'0 and weighed more but Denard still has some growing to do. I think Denard is a much better athlete. Stewart played Qb on a power football team in the pros, and I don't think Colorado under McCartney ran a spread but that was a long time ago.
I think that with the right tutelage, Denard could flourish and surpass Stewart's numbers. He's already a better passer as a sophomore and MUCH faster/quicker.
Passing
|
Year |
Lge |
Team |
Age |
# |
GP |
Comp |
Att |
% |
Yds |
TD |
INT |
TD% |
INT% |
Y/G |
Y/A |
RAT
|
|
1993 |
NCAA |
21 |
|
11 |
157 |
294 |
53.4 |
2299 |
11 |
7 |
3.7 |
2.4 |
209.0 |
7.8 |
126.7 |
|
|
1994 |
NCAA |
22 |
|
11 |
147 |
237 |
62.0 |
2071 |
10 |
3 |
4.2 |
1.3 |
188.3 |
8.7 |
146.8 |
|
1996 |
NFL |
24 |
|
16 |
11 |
30 |
36.7 |
100 |
0 |
2 |
0.0 |
6.7 |
6.3 |
3.3 |
18.8 |
|
|
1997 |
NFL |
25 |
|
16 |
236 |
440 |
53.6 |
3020 |
21 |
17 |
4.8 |
3.9 |
188.8 |
6.9 |
75.2 |
|
|
1998 |
NFL |
26 |
|
16 |
252 |
458 |
55.0 |
2560 |
11 |
18 |
2.4 |
3.9 |
160.0 |
5.6 |
62.9 |
|
|
1999 |
NFL |
27 |
|
16 |
160 |
275 |
58.2 |
1464 |
6 |
10 |
2.2 |
3.6 |
91.5 |
5.3 |
64.9 |
|
|
2000 |
NFL |
28 |
|
16 |
151 |
289 |
52.2 |
1860 |
11 |
8 |
3.8 |
2.8 |
116.3 |
6.4 |
73.6 |
|
|
2001 |
NFL |
29 |
|
16 |
266 |
442 |
60.2 |
3109 |
14 |
11 |
3.2 |
2.5 |
194.3 |
7.0 |
81.7 |
Rushing
|
1993 |
NCAA |
21 |
|
11 |
102 |
524 |
6 |
5.1 |
47.6 |
|
|
|
1994 |
NCAA |
22 |
|
11 |
122 |
639 |
7 |
5.2 |
58.1 |
|
|
1996 |
NFL |
24 |
|
16 |
39 |
171 |
5 |
4.4 |
10.7 |
|
|
|
1997 |
NFL |
25 |
|
16 |
88 |
476 |
11 |
5.4 |
29.8 |
|
|
|
1998 |
NFL |
26 |
|
16 |
81 |
406 |
2 |
5.0 |
25.4 |
|
|
|
1999 |
NFL |
27 |
|
16 |
56 |
258 |
2 |
4.6 |
16.1 |
|
|
|
2000 |
NFL |
28 |
|
16 |
78 |
436 |
7 |
5.6 |
27.3 |
|
|
|
2001 |
NFL |
29 |
|
16 |
96 |
537 |
5 |
5.6 |
33.6 |
|
Edit: Sorry for the hosed formatting. C&P isn't cooperating
January 13th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
When would a transfer disenroll from the University? I would think that I would want to leave ASAP to get involved in my new team. For some reason I don't remember when guys like Mallett and Threet left.
Anyway, just saw Denard at Ulrichs Bookstore, it would be odd to buy (err... pick up for free) books for this semester if he were not going to be a student here this semester. So if my conjecture is correct then this would suggest he is staying staying.
January 13th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
I would assume book getting would be a good thing unless your new university happens to use the same books... so another possible +1. GO BLUE!!
Comments