Denard - Vick comparisons may be inaccurate

I've felt the Vick comparisons were unwarranted...Vick was a much more mature passer as a freshman than Denard was even as a sophomore.  He basically came out of the box ready to run a pass-first/run-when-defense-overcommitted offense.  Denard is someone with massive talent but has to grow into that role, like Troy Smith.  Denard still has a ways to go as a passer...Troy Smith was known for, among other things, not turning the ball over.  Denard is prone to bafflingly bad decisions at times, and you can see his unease in the pocket during many high-pressure passing situations.  This is something he can grow into, though, with the right coaching.  On the other hand, he is a better natural runner than Troy Smith.  By far.  

The problem is, Troy Smith had the Pittman/Wells combo that allowed him to be that QB.  I'd like to think that among our 6 RBs of various talents and durabilities, we might be able to see an effective 2 back combo emerge, like Pittman/Wells.  Maybe Hopkins and Toussaint/Shaw/Hayes?  One for the tough 3-5 yards, the other for the home run.  Without that, we're going to have to rely on Denard's legs too much, and he'll be an injury risk again.  Ideally, I think he runs around 10-15 times per game.  

I mean, I don't think anyone is trying to compare Denard specifically to Vick and Troy, but to compare that ability of Denard to thrive in a new offensive scheme, very similar to the changes that Vick and Troy went through.

I think you have to admit, you can't try to predict this by comparing Denard to say, Tom Brady and hope to really project something reasonable.

Denard is faster than anyone else who will step on the field, that alone makes him incomparable.  But, he can also pass, and he also has things he could improve in his passing.  I'm very excited to see him execute more passing plays, pretty much like he did against Illinois, and then to occasionally run.  I think the Michigan Offensive Staff also has the knowledge and capability to design specific QB runs and install them into their system.  I'm glad to see us drop the run option altogether, because from what I watched as the season progressed, Rich Rodriguez pretty much gave up on the run option and just called a mixture of Denard pass, Denard run, and the Denard run starting getting assistance from Tight Ends who acted like full backs, and full backs who could catch well.

So what I'm guessing I'm going to see happen is no QB run option read, but more advanced route running from 4-6 receivers (count in the RB) and hopefully better long ball accuracy from Denard to stretch the field and open it up for him to just occasionally pull it down and run.  Because if the defender isn't 10 yards up field and within 5 yards of Denard's path, then he isn't going to catch Dilithium.  And certainly no one is coming from behind.

So just chill on the whole, "Denard is Denard" proclamations and let's start discussing what Denard can improve on as he makes his next scheme transformation.