Denard's last week preparing to play in the Big House

I have been carrying around a big ache at the thought that he isn't going to get Pat White's record. 

The POTUS speculation is, of course, apt, but I don't think that Mr. Ford had a patch on Denard, people-skills-wise. 

Denard certainly tops my list. 

All the Seniors should be recognized, of course, on Saturday. They've been through so much and stayed together as a team and that speaks volumes about who they are.

Denard Robinson has been the face of this team through thick and thin over the past few years, and it is not only the on-field talent, but also the character and the leadership that will be missed. As tribute to that character, here is his speech at the BIg Ten Kickoff Luncheon in July:

I think Denard will get at least a few snaps against Iowa even if he isn't really healthy. I expect Hoke will let Denard take the field for the first series and hand the ball off one or two times, then leave the field to his richly deserved ovation.

From the minute he fumbled that snap and ran for a TD against Western to today... wow.  I'm going to miss Denard.

that was taking place during the coaching change and whether Denard was going to stick it out or not. The easy decision, for a lot of reasons, would have been to bolt to another spread type team. Denard sticking to his committment to Michigan reduced what I believe would have been a mass exodus from the program and a much tougher road back.

The kid deserves to be on the field at the Big House one more time, in whatever capacity his health allows him to be.

Why would my co-worker come in here and poke my eyes until they tear up?  WTF?

Gonna miss that kid like none other.  Devin's performance over the last couple weeks have taken the edge off the dread for next year without Denard, but it is still going to suck in many ways.  I have become addicted to looking for the home run every time Denard touches the ball.  I sincerely hope he can leave on the field, not on the bench.  One of Michigan's all time greatest players to ever wear the winged helmet.   

still waiting to see if denard is healthy or not before i buy tickets for my wife and i.

i'm sure i'm not the only one, but denard's last home game is too good to miss.

get healthy man.

I got two section 18 row 2 tickets I want to sell, seat 15 and 16...I'm looking to get 3 tickets together so i can take my kids to their first game! :-D

If the student section is not packed to the top rows for the Senior Day pre-game, to thank Denard, Treezy, Jordan Kovacs and all the rest...

... well, I don't know what.  I haven't thought of an appropriate remedy/sanction.

Please, students.  And everyone else.  Get there in time for the biggest cheer of the year.  This should really go out on every Michigan blog, in every local newspaper, on every radio program.  It is Senior Day.  Your one last chance to say thank you to these kids and their parents.  Get there.

If the Michigan State game was the last glimpse we'll ever get of Denard at Michigan Stadium, at least he'll have gone out on a high note.

He'll go down as all-time great who earned everything. I hope, if nothing else, Denard gets a token QB iso or something against Iowa just to hear the ovation from 111,000. Gonna be a little dusty ...

He said:  "You just became a legend."  As if that didn't happen on the first snap he ever took against WMU!  Such determination.  Reading "3 and Out" you can see how much pride he takes in his work and his team.  Even when he didn't do well, it was always about the team!  True Michigan Man.  Those who stay will be champions!

It reminded me that it's not all about W's and L's (though I like the W's much better!), but also how exciting it has been to watch Denard play for the Maize and Blue.  Hope we get to see him play at least one more time.  

Denard was the shining light in what turned around a dark period of Michigan football.  Granted, he didn’t do anything by himself, but he was a main figure in righting many wrongs in our history that as a fan I was not used to seeing.  He broke a 2 year streak of losing records.  He broke a 3 year streak of losing conference records.  He broke a 2 year bowless streak and a streak that didn’t win a bowl game in 3 years.  He broke a 4 year losing streak to MSU and a 7 year losing streak to Ohio State.  But, the biggest thing is he gave us something to brag about and be proud of during a time when we didn’t have a lot we could hang our hat on.  He did all of this under the tremendous pressure we put on this team and his position.  But, he never fired back at negative questions from reporters or critiques of his throwing ability and he always remained positive and supportive of his teammates.  He never got a big head during his success and was always grateful for his opportunities.  He is one of the most positive and humble guys I can remember from stars of big time athletics.  He will definitely be missed and will go down as an all-time fan favorite in the years to come.

He will take his place in the Pantheon of Heros who have graced the fields of Michigan football. From Willie Heston to Bennie Oosterbaan, Tom Harmon to Bob Chappuis, AC to Howard, and Woodson to Hart...Michigan fans of almost every generation fans have seen greatness on the field.  

We of contemporary times were blessed to have seen yet another example of  greatness clad in the Maize Wings and Blue Helmet.

Blessed with uncommon speed and in possession of  running abiity unseen in this land since Barry Sanders retired,  Denard played in one of the most tumultuous times in Michigan football history. NCAA violations, Freep Jihad, Josh Groban singalongs,losing seasons,a fractured fanbase, and  Spartan dominace on the gridiron..it was all so very surreal. The one program that seemingly had been able to avoid the  Roman-style collapse so many elite programs have undergone, imploded with a rapidity so shocking that some still are not sure if it actually happened.

Denard's time will be missing the championships that a Leach and Griese brought and  the awards of transcendant greatness that Howard and Woodson were given. But Denard did something that may, in retrospect, come to be viewed as great anything achieved by his fellow Michigan greats--redemption.  He slayed the ancient villians, in the process breathing new life into a calcified program so used to winning that it stopped working for victory. He gave Michigan a desperately needed shot of adrenaline. Denard got this program's heart pumping again. It is this, not his spectacular  runs or amazing comebacks, that we must give thanks for having  had this young man on our side. His legacy will not be one of championships or Heismans won, but of spirit renewed.

Denard will  shortly be gone from our view, but  he will never  be absent in our hearts. Godspeed, Shoelace. It's been quite the ride.

I would like to say thank you to Denard, Kovacs, odds are Lewan, Roh, Tree, Gallon, Big Will, Floyd, Vinny Smith, Demens, Mealer, Omameh, and all of the seniors that I am sure I missed.  Thank you for staying.  Enjoy your last time playing in the Big House.

I saw Denard today. Someone asked how his arm was, and he said "it's doing good," but when that person stuck out his hand, Denard couldn't shake it without doing a wincing, dead fish thing. Hopefully he's able to take the field again, but my optimism took a serious hit today.

he's a great cfb player, so exciting to watch and you can just tell he gives his all every play and leaves nothing on the field. And off the field, he does everything right.

I wonder what his major is?

Best Vid Ever!  Going to miss Denard a great deal.

If Denard can't start the game, I damn well hope he can finish it.



Have Devin put the game out of reach at 28-7, and then let Denard in for a final drive or two. Next, hope for an 88 yard Denard run to send the stadium into an uproar.



Shoelaces flapping in the wind, one last time.

What I'll miss is the pics you guys post of Denard at other sporting events cheering the other sports on.  That smile is infectious.

(I will not miss him on the field however, well only against ND).

Whether or not Denard plays the last two games, he has been an amazing player to get to watch. His upbeat demeanor, never-ending smile and leadership has been a blast to experience as a fan. I will miss him a ton, and he might just go down as my favorite in a long list of pretty badass QB's. He and Devin are also probably the last two guys we will see with a winged helmet at QB that can really turn and burn with their legs. I actually prefer the pro-style smashmouth approach, but this veer into the spread has been a rollercoaster ride. Thanks for all the memories, and Go Blue!!! We love you Denard!!!