Denard Robinson: Redshirt?

depth purposes, and what else do we have to lose? If Tate really comes on strong and stays healthy(dear God please), and with DG waiting in the wings, I agree a Percy Harvin type role would be great. It sounds like with his speed, he is too talented to let sit out a year.

Also, assuming his passing ability improves, he'd be a great lateral pass - then down field pass type option threat.

We need to redshirt that font.

With Devin and Cornelius in the fold, I don't think RR wants to redshirt him. He'll use him, even if it's to get his toes wet with gadget plays.

reading that is asking for a headache ...but i did see DRob red-shirt? ... No Way !

although, he is raw, he has only been through 1 practice. See how he improves over the rest of August and even September before making a judgment on whether he redshirts, but even raw, I expect he will see some playing time during at QB during this season.

Not happening. Robinson is a playmaker and needs to get on the field somehow, ala Percy Harvin. I highly doubt we're going to develop Robinson to be a QB for his entire career at Michigan. He'll stay at QB for first 2 years due to depth issues, and then we'll move him to slot or CB.

First off JForce hasn't even been cleared to play yet. What if Tate gets hurt? Do you really want to see Nick Sheridan again. Finally, there will be a package of plays to best utilize DRob's abilities as you really don't want Tate running a ton. IMO, I think they also create a package with both Tate and DRob in the game at the same time.

We need him this year at QB 100%. He should play in some games and be the backup by mid/ end of the year (assuming Tate wins the starting job.

When Gardner and Jones come in next year, Denard could be red-shirted and moved to another position to transition into a slot/ WR/ DB, if Gardner and Jones both pass him on the dept chart after Summer practices.

This might be an oblique statement, but I think Denard is just too fast to redshirt. If you mean we should hold off on naming him Michigan's starting QB, then I agree. But I don't think Michigan can afford to keep track champion legs off the field, especially when early PT delivers that mysterious "experience" which seems to yield higher performance in the future.

Denard has no interest in a redshirt and with his talent I think the coaches will find ways to utilize him. Even if we had depth at QB I don't think Denard would redshirt, he seems like the type of kid that is going to find his way onto the football field one way or t'other.

IF, IF, IF, he redshirts this year then effectively that is the coaching staff's way of pushing out from under center and into either the backfield or out to the slot. No way he redshirts then comes in and competes with TF or DG next year.

For me what makes Denard so intriguing is the unknown. Most everyone was able to see Tate's impressive spring performance and expectations are unrealistic. Denard conversely is mostly noted for his fantastic track exploits, his football skills remain somewhat a mystery. When Denard enters the game under center for the first time , the stadium will be buzzing with anticipation.

I don't particularly care how good or bad he is, he's the only backup other than Sheridan. The guy can't be written off as a redshirt.

I agree with all of you rationale for Denard not really being needed or even ready to play QB. OTOH, why save a year of eligibility when he's got Gardner coming up behind him? Chances are, he and also even Tate may only have a two or three year horizon, cuz that DG guy sounds really good.

Get Denard's speed on the field a la Harvin. Absolutely this year.

I think people are underestimating D-Robs skill set. His speed is an asset. Just bcuz he has speed doesnt mean he doesnt have an arm. Did you watch his high school recruit videos? I honestly thought that he looked as good if not better than Forcier. Ive read several Michigan blogs, and the common theme seems to be that the "fans" have pretty much handed the starting job to Tate bcuz he had a good spring game. Its a good thing that RR doesnt have line of thinking. RR wants a QB competition. Im like RR, i want to see these guys compete to be the starter. Dont get me wrong i love what Forcier brings to the table, but im not ready to hand him the starting job without making him earn it. Having a good spring game doesnt earn you the starting job in my book (or RR book either). Either way im excited that we have two young "players" that actually have some skills and can run RR system. Dont forget about David Gardener who will be competing for the job next year.

check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoZiQtlTauc

You have 1 highly-rated and 1 potentially highly-rated guy coming in next year. You don't need to "save" Denard for the future (especially if you end up wanting to redshirt one of or both 2010 guys). You also need to space out the eligibility of your quarterbacks a bit, so you don't have (potentially) 3 QBs in the 2010 class.

If Denard plays this year, and it looks like he won't be near the top of the QB depth chart next year, you can redshirt him then, or change his position without a redshirt year.

Here's how it is:

We need QB depth this year.

We don't need QB depth next year.

Save his redshirt.

Michigan should not redshirt world-class speed. If we're concerned about his passing abilities then give him the Feagin role (no, not THAT role) of bootlegs only. With the arrival of DG next season, I envision DRob moving away from QB and more into a Percy Harvin type role. Give the kid the ball in space and let him rocket downfield.

Sounds a bit like Justin Feagin last year doesn't it?!? I would bet he has a bit more talent (and not a talent for dealing drugs) than Feagin though

No way he redshirts. Then the depth would be Forcier, DEATH, and Coner, which is downright awful.

SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF FOLKS FORGOT THE PAIN OF LAST YEAR...

Were lucky to have Denard ... use all the weapons you have.
He will develop, give him a chance and peace too for that matter... Coach Rod and team's desire is to win, and to use its talent to best use... I sometimes wonder if Sheridan is writng some of this garbage, because i love coach Rod to death, but we cannot repeat last years performance...

Sheridan = butter knife

Watching video, I just don't think Denard has the mechanics to play QB, and then you couple that with reports that he is very short, I don't see him projecting at QB. For depth this year I think he is in the mix, unless Jason shows the ability to pick up the offense quickly, but starting next year with Devin Gardner on campus I think depth issues will be a thing of the past and if we are going to be able to use the great athleticism of Denard it is going to be playing the slot.

I agree with West Tex and newbie TMorley - Denard needs to practice and prepare to be the QB. He needs to be used as a QB in situations to get PT/experience. He has to be a reasonably seasoned option should an injury occur. Later in the season, we need to start getting him the ball in multiple roles, like voting in Chicago - early and often. This will prepare him for an all-purpose role later that could lead him to greatness at a position to be named later. That is all.

Think of how awful Drew Henson was at football after his return. And Henson was an infinitely more competant college quarterback when he stopped playing than was J. Forcier the elder was not on hand last year to learn this offense, nor has he taken a snap in spring or fall. At this point, simply by nature of the fact that he was playing football last year, I would imagine Robinson a much better option at quarterback than Jason Forcier.

I think it would be great to have both him and Tate on the field at the same time.

I'd have to imagine it would be a nightmare for a defensive coordinator to prep for a guy with Harvin speed and an arm lined up in the slot or backfield.

Has another team ever employed something like this with consistency?

Simply put this will not happen because this guy is way too athletic to be redshirted.