Devin Gardner Appreciation Thread

Submitted by MGoManBall on

I was pretty bummed after the game on Saturday. But before anything else came to my mind, my first reaction was a feeling of sympathy for Devin Gardner. I can't harken back to a time where a QB has received as much punishment as Gardner did in East Lansing. Yet, despite getting hit on almost every throw he made, he continued to fight through the punishment and try to lead the team. Sometimes it looks like he's the only one out there trying.

The offensive line should be embarrassed for allowing him to get hit as many times as they did. Sure, MSU's defense is one of the best they will ever face in their careers at Michigan, but there has to come a time in a game where they say enough is enough and hold themselves to a higher standard in protecting one of their teammates.. with or without proper coaching. Thank goodness the coaches pulled him at the end of the game. The last thing they needed is for Gardner to take more punishment in a hopeless situation.

I know that Gardner isn't a world-beating QB. But given time to throw, he can be a very good QB. I don't know many QBs that could take the punishment that Gardner has taken and continue to play. Even with the struggles this season, Gardner is the man that gives Michigan a chance to win every game that they have left on the schedule because I know he's going to get back up and play against Nebraska where he'll probably take another beating. Beating Ohio is a long shot... but Gardner gives them a chance. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad Gardner is out there leading the team and I have no doubt he'll keep playing despite the beatings he'll receive. This team needs him.

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Tomcat Six

November 4th, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^

Last time I saw a quarterback beaten up like that was John Hessler in the Colorado game in 1997. UM just lived in his backfield- blitzes coming every which way and/or linemen giving him about 2 seconds to throw. By the end of the game he was throwing it away after counting to 2 potatoes just so he wouldn't get hit anymore.

I felt bad for him and obviously worse for Gardner on Saturday.

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saveferris

November 4th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^

I know that Gardner isn't a world-beating QB.
I'm still not ready to make that claim. I don't see a huge difference in ability between Devin and Braxton Miller. The big difference between the two is that Miller has more support around him. If Devin had a more seasoned offensive line in front of him, doubts would be less. Our underclassmen OL personnel are getting a baptism by fire this season, but it's going to serve them well in the future. The OL as a unit is going to improve next season folks. This isn't over, not by a long shot.

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natesezgoblue

November 4th, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^

I love DG.  However a few of those sacks were on him.  There were a few times that he got outside pressure ,had a lane to step up bur tried to spin out and got sacked. a time or two he over ran the pocket and got sacked. 

Joined: 05/24/2010

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chatster

November 4th, 2013 at 12:12 PM ^

After suffering through the 2008 season with one starting quarterback who had come to Michigan to learn how to become a football coach while spending his time holding a clipboard on the sidelines and learning how to prepare a scout team, and another starting quarterback who had come to Michigan because he couldn’t get playing time at Georgia Tech, expectations were high for the quarterbacks expected to start for the Wolverines during the 2009 season.
 
Tate Forcier was the polished, ready-to-start quarterback who could be cocky and erratic, but who knew how to win.  Denard Robinson was the super athlete, the likes of which Michigan football may not see again for a long time, but who wasn’t expected to supplant Forcier as the starting QB.
 
And then came Devin Gardner who was expected to be the combination of Forcier and Shoelace and become Michigan’s next superstar.
 
Through hard work and dedication, Gardner completed his baccalaureate degree requirements in three years, sacrificed his own development as a quarterback to work as a wide receiver while Russell Bellomy was being groomed to succeed Denard Robinson as Michigan’s starting quarterback . . . and then was handed the starting QB job in what now is being viewed as one of the worst seasons in Michigan football history, despite the 6-2 record.
 
Expectations can be a burden.  After drawing raves for his skills at the Manning Passing Academy last summer, I suspect that Devin Gardner has not been sleeping well this season and that, no matter how harshly he will be treated in the media and on MGoBlog, he probably will be his own worst critic.  This season’s not completely lost, despite Brady Hoke’s mantra that anything short of a Big Ten Championship is failure.  Here’s hoping that better days are ahead for Devin Gardner and Michigan Team 134.

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rosepetalmichigan

November 4th, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^

Fully agree on this.Devin got beat up because of that line.He really is a warrior and fought to the end. Its a shame that was Michigan football on Saturday. I really hope the coaches get their heads out of their rears this week!!! O how I love Michigan but am truly disappointed by the showing on the field. Its not pretty.

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LSAClassOf2000

November 4th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^

Devin Gardner really is a bright spot this season. It may not have looked pretty at points, but being 121 for 202 for 1,989 yards, 13 TDs and 11 INTs gets you a 153 rating and makes you a top 25 quarterback among qualifiers in Division I. That's not bad comapny at all. Since last year's game at Minnesota, he is 196 for 328 (59.76%) for 3,208 yards with 24 TDs and 16 INTs, which altogether is a 156.30 rating and again puts him in some good company. He is achieving at a high level in that respect. Well done, sir. 

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JohnnyV123

November 4th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^

I thought he showed heart by gutting it out and playing the rest of the game when he probably didn't really want to. I like that he apparently showed some fire talking to the offensive line about showing some pride. I also liked that one play where he scrambled and no one was open and he immediately threw it away.

I'm not sure whether to blame him or Borges with how long he holds onto the ball. It's really been a problem all season. Even though a lot of times it has led to a completed pass it's too long to be holding onto it. MSU gameplan should have been quick short passes combined with occasional bombs. It still probably wouldn't have won us the game but it would have been more competitive than what we saw.

Joined: 04/08/2011

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An Angelo's Addict

November 4th, 2013 at 12:57 PM ^

I am very proud of Devin as well as the rest of the team. Of course we want them to execute better but I will always support and appreciate any player that dons the winged helmet and represents our school

Joined: 07/12/2011

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Cold War

November 4th, 2013 at 1:02 PM ^

Proud of Devin and he'll have a special place in my Michigan football heart for that performance.

Thanks for the thread.

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Wendyk5

November 4th, 2013 at 1:33 PM ^

He's not in a great situation but he gives everything he's got every Saturday. I have nothing but respect for him. And he's a really nice guy, having met him. 

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Lac55

November 4th, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^

Some of you in here throwing slights at this young man need to go kick rocks up the freeway. Besides him all we have on offense is Gallon and Funchess. And people are asking for Shane? He would get killed out there and our record would be awful. DG is 13 starts in as a qb. That's a full season with a bowl game. Relax and support this man. Hell, he's about all we have.

Joined: 01/18/2011

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goblue20111

November 4th, 2013 at 1:52 PM ^

I asked this in a different thread yesterday and didn't get an answer so since this is a Devin specific question in a new Devin specific thread, I'll ask it again:

hy hasn't Devin's tendency to turn his back to the play and scramble not been fixed or addressed? I rarely read the pressers or listen to the interviews but has this come up in them? If he's going to scramble go forward not backward. Is this coming from the coaches telling him to make a play with his arm or throw it away unless you have clear path? Just curious as to how this QB mechanic issue is still happening now. Is it just habit that cannot be broken?

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Search4Meaning

November 4th, 2013 at 7:33 PM ^

I believe that most any QB can pick a defense apart if given enough time, Devon is no exception.  He adds an elusiveness and running ability that is worth it's weight in gold.

We have a poor O line.  Period.  He does not have the time.

As far as the O Coordinator, I'm as lost as everyone.  BUT, I know this guy sees where our talent is and isn't a lot more than we do.  He has already forgotten (possible probem) more than we know.

So why don't we run more screens?  Perhaps it doesn't work in practice, so we don't try it at gametime.  I don't know - but I do know that the coaches know a Hell of a lot more than we do.  If there's a reason we're not doing something - it's because they see something we don't (or they're blind.)  

Obviously they're not going to share our weaknesses with the world, but try to cover them.  I just can't find a different explanation: except that I'm as frustrtrated as everyone else.  

One thing I do know is that I don't have any answers, and we're not going to get any.

 

 

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