A Case for Devin Gardners Success @ WR

Submitted by brewandbluesaturdays on

Save, the DL I think we would all agree that WR is the biggest concern and that this concern specifically, lies on the shoulders of backup QB Devin Gardner's ability to transition to WR. Well, I played WR in college and like to think I have somewhat of a decent opinion on the position. One thing I learned/witnessed, is that usually big, tall, fast guys, with big hands  tend to do well at the position. I do think there is something to be said about timing and learning how to run routes, but from someone who's played the position,  I truly believe Devin Gardner has the athleticisim to make an immediate big time impact. Charles Woodson didn't know the offensive play book and still was a serviceable WR option from time to time. Devin Gardner knows where he's supposed to be and when the ball is supposed to be coming from his time at QB which, just knowing a playbook (taken from my personal experience) will greatly help him transition. 

A couple more recent transitions I can think of to help prove this point is Ryan Tannehill and Michael Crabtree. Tannehill practiced at QB and redshirted as a freshman. His (RS) freshman year he went all through camp before moving to WR, and by his 5th game went 12 for 210 yds, the rest of his career has been talked about on this blog so I won't drag into it.

Crabtree was a high school dual-threat QB in a similar mold to Gardner. In his first game at the receiver postion a 49-9 victory over SMU, Crabtree had 12 catches for 106 yds and 3 TD's. The rest is history.

I think we all for the most part expect Gardner to be decent to good at WR. I expect him to be great and as Brian would say "undeniable" at the WR position. Just one man's thoughts and opinions, can't wait for tomorrow. Go Blue!

WolvinLA2

August 31st, 2012 at 3:50 PM ^

I agree that Devin will be good at WR.  WR, moreso than any other position, relies heavily on being bigger and/or more athletic than your opponent.  Sure, there's a mental aspect to it, but you don't need to find a whole, memorize blocking schemes, read the Guard, RB or QB.  So much of what you do is be big, be fast, and catch the ball when it comes to you.  I think DG can do all of thos things well, so he should be a successful WR.

BornInAA

August 31st, 2012 at 3:52 PM ^

He also could be good for a decoy play.

He comes in wide, defense reacts "he's gonna get the pass cuz he came in and coach talked about him and ESPN did too" then he draws the safetys over and instead we throw over the middle into a now abandoned area to a Gallon slant. Toot Bo "George Patton" Schembechler horn 15 times!

Mr. Rager

August 31st, 2012 at 3:57 PM ^

What was the case that he won't succeed?  I never got that memo.  

[BTW - super weak to lock the Grantland piece thread.  It is essentially saying "Michigan is back baby!" with a Rich Rod intro.  I think it's a great piece.  We should be able to discuss it.]

JHendo

August 31st, 2012 at 4:05 PM ^

My, and probably a lot of other people's, irrationally powerful urge to respond to you with some sort of cliche anti-RR rant (which I'm fortunately controlling myself from doing) probably has a lot to do with it.  But yes, Michigan is back and hopefully Devin can add himself to the list of great U of M wide receivers.

BursleysFinest

August 31st, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^

You may be right, but my hope for this unit is that 1 of the Darboh/Chesson/Jackson unit becomes that elIte downfield threat, so that Devin can focus on being our QB next year....if that happens then maybe you stIll trot DevIn out In a red zone package w/ the other 6" and up receivers and throw all the fades!!

brewandbluesaturdays

August 31st, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^

I completely agree, I'd love to see that from one of those 3 in a perfect world. But I believe if Gardner gets enough reps early in the season he will prove to be undeniable and a significant step up from those other 3 you mentioned and Borges may be forced to let it ride.

switch26

August 31st, 2012 at 4:21 PM ^

well you can count jackson out of being elite..  the kid has great hands, but is incredibly slow. Don't see him ever having a big impact at WR.

 

Hoping Darboh can make a big splash based on what reports have said out of him.  We need our own sammy watkins

WolvinLA2

August 31st, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^

Off topic for this thread but hardly worth its own:  CMU running back Zurlon Tipton, who we recruited but never offered, ran for 180 yards on 17 carries last night.  He's a junior, and is 6'1" 222.  He'd be a great back up this year, had we offered him.   

gforsyth4

August 31st, 2012 at 5:16 PM ^

 

DG will be fine. He has good hands/size/speed and can take a hit. It's much like when Carr would throw Woodson in as WR... You want the talent on the field. Denard is the QB and Devin in at WR is only increasiing our options. Also, I believe in the coaching staff of this football team. Al Borges is going to do what he does and that tends to work. 

DeepBlue83

August 31st, 2012 at 5:20 PM ^

make a lot of catches to have an impact, especially if he's also blocking well. If other teams perceive him as a threat, just having him on the field will open things up for guys like Darboh and Gallon (who I expect to be better at WR in the long run).

Most people remember Woodson as having a big impact at WR in 1997, but he actually only had 12 catches all season. A lot of them were big plays, though, and whenever he was on the field, they had to worry about him. If I were Borges, I would run as many plays as possible the first 3 games to get the ball to DG deep, and get defenses worrying about him the rest of the year.

GoBlueInIowa

August 31st, 2012 at 7:17 PM ^

Going out on a limb there aren't ya?



One thing I learned/witnessed, is that usually big, tall, fast guys, with big hands tend to do well at the position.



Just kidding, I am excited to see how he plays tomorrow night. I think that he is going to be pretty good, could be great by the back end of the schedule.