Denard named AT&T All American

Submitted by M. Stansfield on
Just saw that Denard was named an AT&T All American as an "Offensive Back". They are changing categories for him., LaMichael James was the other back, and Kellen Moore was picked at QB. Interesting that Cam Newton was nowhere to be found on the team. Carry On...

GoBlueinMN

December 11th, 2010 at 4:03 PM ^

Just because he has the running ability of a running back does not make him not a QB. Glad he is getting recognition as a great player, but he is a great QB, not just a great player.

Derek

December 12th, 2010 at 6:30 AM ^

From that link: "And finally, the committee chose to go with two designated offensive backs after the selecting Boise State's Kellen Moore as its quarterback. One of the offensive backs, Denard Robinson of Michigan, was as much a ball carrier as he was a thrower at his position. In the modern era (since 1967), this marks the just the second time two quarterbacks have been named to the team. In 1990, BYU's Ty Detmer and Virginia's Shawn Moore both earned All-America honors."

Basically, they bent their own rules for the second time in 43 years because they wanted to include Denard on the list. That's not a mark against him. That's an honor.

_DG7_goblue

December 11th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^

Denard would be picking up the heisman if we went 10-2, but it was great to see him make the All American team. Although don't agree with Moore over luck or newton at qb, And I can't believe Pryor didn't make it I thought he dominates NCAA football, beats me?

Mfan1974

December 11th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^

loved to seen TPs face when this was announced. The kid must be saying  WTF do I have to do to get some recognition ! 

sooooo happy he didn't come here.

MaizeyBlue

December 11th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^

Interesting facts:



All the offensive skill positions didn't have a senior, while the Offensive line and all of the defense were all upper classmen, but one LB!

 

Congrats Denard!

_DG7_goblue

December 11th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^

I really wonder what he's saying, he went 11-1 and is getting absolutely no national recognition, this is amusing if we went 11-1 Denard would be collecting almost every award out there

Clarence Beeks

December 11th, 2010 at 7:03 PM ^

It's funny that Pryor got all kinds of national recognition preseason without doing anything and then didn't get any recognition once the season was actually played.  I'll be curious to see if the hype machine gets itself worked up again over the offseason or whether the media will actually remember how stupid they he ended up making them look this year.

Section 7

December 11th, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^

I have no problem with "Offensive Back", they wanted to recognize him as a great player, but they felt there were better QBs. I think it's more of an honor since they made a spot just to point out how good he is.

Go Blue Beau

December 11th, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^

I think all the drops this year hurt Denards stats more than people think. Make those easy catches and who knows how good the stats could be. Glad he was at the big chill tonight for recognition...he deserves it!

trueblueintexas

December 11th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^

Glad to see Denard getting the recognition he deserves for such a great season personally.  Next year he will have the team record to back up all the stats as well.  Big Congrat's!

tybert

December 11th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^

That guy (Boren) may be a decent OL for the Big10, but nothing like those two powerhouse guys on Wisky who bowled over just about everyone. Molk should make 1st team next year. He's a far better C than Boren is a G.

FWAA wanted to show that two great QBs, playing different styles, were worthy of recognition. Other than James, there wasn't really another GREAT RB out there. Sure Wisky had the three-headed monster, but they divided the ball up well.

After watching several Oregon games this season and seeing the impact of James with their QB, it will be great to get a star RB (Dee Hart, I hope) in the backfield next year to give D's more to worry about. That addition, plus Roundtree and company getting past the critical dropsies will make us a good chance to average 45+ pts per game.

griesecheeks

December 11th, 2010 at 7:17 PM ^

Denard's 2011 Heisman campaign will kick off in Jacksonville in a few weeks. I think he's going to have a huge day.

It's kinda funny, because I personally doubt denard will surpass 1500 yards again in his career, yet he's going to get more attention as he puts up smaller numbers.

(of course, this banks on other runners picking up the slack, which, I am confident that will happen).

Cut the turnovers & drops by half next year, and Denard probably is staring at top 10 in efficiency, and as a team, we're looking at double-digit wins. Barring injury, this off-season could be quite a great time for Denard to improve immensely in the pass game.

_DG7_goblue

December 11th, 2010 at 7:39 PM ^

A lot of the young players have fixable mistakes like Denard improved a lot from last year to this year, I'm confident he'll do the same again, and roundtree should be able to fix all his dropping issues as well

dnak438

December 11th, 2010 at 8:11 PM ^

here.  His concluding paragraphs:

 

It's not like these lines haven't been blurred before. The same writers were comfortable enough voting run-heavy, option-based signal-callers Tommie Frazier in 1995 and Antwaan Randle El in 2001 to the team as quarterbacks, neither of whom was nearly the passer Robinson is on paper. Neither was former All-America QB Eric Crouch, who completed less than 50 percent of his passes as a junior, had a negative touchdown-interception ratio as a senior and finished his Heisman season in 2001 with 1,300 fewer total yards – about 100 yards per game less – than Robinson racked up this year.

My suggestion: In response to the growing ubiquity of the shotgun runner, create a position called "Omniback" for prolific dual-threat types like Robinson, Newton, Nevada's Colin Kaepernick, Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor and Nebraska's Taylor Martinez, guys who – like Vince Young, Pat White and Tim Tebow before them – are all on pace to rewrite at least their schools' record books for all-purpose heroics. If they don't precisely fit in the old boxes, maybe it's time to consider creating a new box.

I disagree with Dr Sat.  Denard plays QB, put him in at QB.  Omniback doesn't mean anything.

Irish

December 11th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^

Its not denard's passing ability that sets him apart on the field.  They seem to view the QB position as someone who is a great passer which shows with the selection of Moore.  For them to select him at all is a great compliment, this shouldn't be something to complain about.