Denard's last week preparing to play in the Big House
I was feeling a little verklempt this morning, thinking about Denard's final two games, and hoping he gets to play his last one in the Big House this weekend. I found this video on Youtube, and it's all Denard. If someone wants to embed this, that would be great.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
I'm gonna miss Denard more than anyone else to ever wear the winged helmet. Cot damn I hope he gets to play.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
Let's remember it's for all the seniors, not just Denard. Kenny Demens, Roy Roundtree, Elliott Mealer, Ricky Barnum...all these boys deserve recognition
November 12th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
Absolutely. The team, the team, the team. But Denard was the brightest spot in some very dark days.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:20 PM ^
When Denard and Brady embrace, it is going to be another one of those moments when someone is peeling onions.
They are all great kids who gave a lot to Michigan, but Denard being a quiet, humble gentleman just makes him special.
I don't know if anyone noticed, but at the ovetime coin flip, Denard gave all of the captains on Northwestern a man hug. That's just Denard being Denard.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
Kind of poetic that Denard had to carry the team for the last 2.67 years, and now the team may have to carry him the last .33. Obviously, I hope that doesn't happen.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^
I think that he will play if reasonably healthy, due in part to the way that he played last year against Ohio State. That was arguably the best game of his career, and I just don't see us beating OSU in the shoe with Devin playing. He has been impressive, but the shoe is going to be a pressure-cooker, and Denard's experience will be incredibly valauble. If Denard is heatlhy, or almost healthy, or not-healthly-but-can't-get-any-worse, I think he will at least split time on Saturday.
If he can be ready, I want Denard under/behind center for The Game.
November 12th, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^
I'm not a doctor, and I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but if playing Denard puts his elbow at undue risk, then Hoke should/will do the right thing and protect Denard's career.
I have no medical insight, but when something's "day-to-day' for two weeks, be it an injury or a project completion, then it's not at all unlikely that it will be "day-to-day" for four weeks. :(
November 12th, 2012 at 1:41 PM ^
That would be the best option for Denard if they really thought he had no chance of playing again. Which is why I think we will see him play at least one more.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:01 PM ^
What makes you think that there is a question of surgery in Denard's case, that is just being delayed at this point? Just as a general matter, not every football injury gets repaired via surgery. I'm very slightly acquainted with ulnar nerve injuries, and I'm honestly not aware of a whole lot of surgical options in most cases. There are some, to be sure. But I haven't heard anything about surgery in Denard's case...
Edit. - Weeeeelll; I see my question got answered just below. lol. Still, I'm not aware of such a diagnosis (ulnar nerve displacement) in Denard's case and it seems others aren't either. I'm pretty sure that a minority of entrapments (as opposed to displacements) merit surgery. But your point is well-taken. So now the interwebz have more stuff to speculate about...
November 12th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
Upvoting because your comment didn't make me want to downvote you (for once).
November 12th, 2012 at 2:27 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^
Just personally, my view on this thing would be a lot different, and would have been much more concerned much earlier, but for having been there at the Illinois game to see with my own eyes what the tv cameras probably weren't showing much of.
Denard crouching in pain/discomfort; holding his hand like it was going to fall off; grimacing; walking away from the field in a sort of daze and looking very bad...
...and then coming back a couple of series later and throwing a td pass.
It gave me the impression that it was an intermittent thing; at least to that extent. No basis, obviously, for anybody to make a diagnosis. Other than being a confirmed booboo.
November 12th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
you all would agree, would you not, that it is now Denard v. Devin - Game On for who gives Michigan the best chance to win, correct? My statement above hoping for Denard to play, if healthy, was to mean that there is at least a question at this point, right? I mean, I love me some Denard, and like I said above, at this point I think he is the move assuming he can play, but Gardner what not just, like, acceptable on Saturday, he was flat out good, kind of brilliant, take away one throw. We have to face it at this point that there is rightly a controversy, right. Right! RIGHT? I think Gardner has shown enough that he should be considered even with a healthy Denard if, ya know, Sound Bendish things start to occur.
November 12th, 2012 at 3:47 PM ^
If and when Denard is healthy enough to play, the coaches will make that call. From what I have seen from Hoke, there is no controversy in his mind, which is all that really matters right? Denard is the starter and has earned that right IMO. Is it great having a solid backup who can step in if need be? Absolutely. But I still think Denard gives us our best chance in these last 2/3/4(?) games.
November 12th, 2012 at 5:42 PM ^
too. But he Gardner did put up 38, I guess it is not 45, but..... In any case, I think if Denard is healthy he should play, but I think it is only rational and deserving that Hoke has his finger near the Devin trigger at all times. He made some throws on Saturday that Denard cannot make, and I love everything that Denard has meant to this program, but if not a controversy there is at least a discussion and I think it is one that the coaches may want to have if need be.
November 12th, 2012 at 7:34 PM ^
We have no QB controversy. We have Devin Gardner starting right now, and I am glad of it, because for all I know, Denard Robinson is injured, or has been injured for a couple of weeks and has been unable to practice. He can't be sharp. And Russell Bellomy is officially injured. And there's The President, Jack Kennedy.
Michigan's problem is not two or three guys battling for the starting QB job. We'd be lucky if we got to that point. Our problem is making sure that we have at least one good body ready to run the offense.
November 12th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
It's been a matter of not being able to grip the ball tight enough to throw accurately, any chance they let him run kickoffs or play running back? It's his last two games, and he's healthy. Plus, he's 305 yards away from the NCAA qb rushing record
November 12th, 2012 at 12:12 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
Wow, this is fantastic. Thank you for posting. And thank you Denard. I will never be more sad to see a player go.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
We've got a lot of things going on, family/holiday things like everyone does, stuff we probably shouldn't miss. But my wife has been adamant at every turn - no matter what someone plans or schedules that day, we will not miss Denard's last game in the Big House.
November 12th, 2012 at 5:41 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
Man, what a fantastic video. It's such a flood of emotions watching that, especially since my 2 best friends and I finally got season tickets Denard's freshman year. I'm so thankful to have spent all those games with my buddies and that Denard was there the whole time.
What a tremendous young man Denard is. So so much charachter, class, heart - the list goes on and on.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
Ironically enough my company sells a medical device that surgeons use to repair ulnar nerve injuries and one of our chief medical advisors is here in the office right now for a technology conference. He is a very prominent elbow surgeon from NYC so I asked him what he thought of Denard's injury and the probability he would play on Saturday.
He said that if Denard truly has an ulnar nerve displacement it is highly unlikely he would get better and return to anything close to normal without surgery. He then offered the standard medical disclaimer that without examination and proper diagnosis he couldnt say for sure what will happen.
But for what it's worth he sure didnt make me very optimistic about us seeing Denard on the field again.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
This is the first I've heard that Denard might have a displacement, so I'm not sure how useful your question was.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
I will be absolutely devastated if he can't play against Iowa this weekend. Not only is this his last game in the Big House, but these last two games are must wins and there is no one that I would rather have at the helm. Moreover, I know we haven't forgotten Nard's performance against Ohio last year...
After all that he's done for us throughout one of the most timultuous stretches of our program's history, I feel that he is surprisingly underappreciated. I sometimes think that people forget how much of a class act this guy is. Never gets down on himself or his team, takes shot after shot and plays through pain, and has grown ten fold as a team leader since his sophomore season.
Granted, I am excited about Michigan's future as this and last year's recruiting classes get on campus and come to fruition. I'm sure that Devin will be fantastic leading the team next year and possibly the year after. However (and as Devin said), this is Denard's team and he has earned that right. As one of the most prolific offensive players in our storied program's history, Denard will be sorely missed...whether or not we think so right now.
Get well, Nard.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
K-STATE?!? They could have had Collin Klein AND Denard?!? Wow
November 12th, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^
Also think of Oregon and the potential they'd have this season (and into the future) if Manziel had stuck with his commitment to the Ducks - getting to choose between Mariota (who's quitely having an absolutely incredible season) and Johnny Football is a pretty enviable situation.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
As much as I want to see him play against Iowa and Ohio, he needs the bowl game (& practices) and following Senior bowls (and practices) to help him show his skills at other positions and raise his draft stock. Let him heal up and be healthy for that if that what it comes down to. For all we know he is practicing at other positions and will play those positions against Ohio.
November 12th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
Denard plays in the senior bowl, but decides that it is best to play another position that would boost his draft status. WR/KR/PR , and he takes 2 or 3 returns to the house........I'd be happy for him, but man it would be tough to watch without thinking "what if?"
November 12th, 2012 at 1:19 PM ^
It has been a roller coaster ride watching you the past three years. I really hope you come out of the tunnel with your helmet on and your chin strap done up ready to go Saturday. It would be a shame not to see you play again in the Big House one more time. Go BLue!
November 12th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^
That this was Denards team? I know DG has looked really good, but man after everything that this young man has done for MICH, if he's healthy you play him.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
That was such an unsatisfying neg.
I wish I could neg the shit out of you.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
S/he does not deserve to e-exist.
November 12th, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^
Bo's ghost is urinating in your gas tank at this very moment, and he's got a very full bladder. Might be an hour or more before he's done.
November 12th, 2012 at 1:12 PM ^
I guess this post is really about what Denard has done for his team over the past four years. How unselfish he's been. How he stayed, even with the uncertainty of a new coach and system. How he (as one poster said) carried the team in many games. I love Devin Gardner, and want him to realize his dream of playing quarterback for the University of Michigan, especially after what he's sacrificed for the team. This post was meant to thank Denard for the past four years of incredibly hard work, dedication, and just UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE AWESOMENESS. As for the future, I'll just quote Doris Day: Que Sera, Sera. What will be, will be.
November 12th, 2012 at 1:26 PM ^
Be sure to board your plane on time for your trip to............beautiful La Paz, Bolivia!
November 12th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
So Gardner beats a shitty Minnesota team and pulls out a miracle against Northwestern and you're ready to throw Denard onto the scrap heap?
You're a goddamn genius. Do you host any seminars I could attend?
November 12th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
Denard joins Gerald Robinson as former MICH footbaw players who became POTUS
November 12th, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^
Is that why he hasn't been good in games? Spending too much time campaigning when he should be practicing?
November 12th, 2012 at 1:32 PM ^
Gerald Ford, I'm sorry its Monday and I'm way e-slow today.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
Senator, I saw Jerald Robinson. And Gerald Ford. And Senator, they're no Jack Kennedy. And of course, Jack Kennedy is no Denard Robinson.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:26 PM ^
...I upvoted a Section 1 comment!
November 12th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^
That's what everybody says.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
I'll miss not only Denard but all the other seniors too. Smith, Roundtree, Kovacs, Omameh, Roh, just to name a few. Those Gritty McGritensteins were shepards for the program over the course of their time here. I'm looking forward to saying my goodbyes in person on Saturday.
November 12th, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
...that's a new one. New word or autocorrect going crazy?
November 12th, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^