SpencerGoBlue

November 18th, 2012 at 12:32 PM ^

Although It's going to be weird without Denard on the field, Devin brings the same type of excitement to the game. I understand Borges wants a statue with a laser for an arm behind center but IMO duel threat is the way to go. I wonder if they will recruite more "Devin" type guys in the future.

ShadowStorm33

November 18th, 2012 at 1:32 PM ^

That's a common misconception, that Borges or other non-spread OC's want a statuesque quarterback. I'm pretty sure that every coach in the country would prefer a more mobile quarterback if everything else were equal (passing ability, decision making, etc). It's just really hard to find solid quarterbacks who can run (there aren't many RGIII's out there), and more often than not the duel threat quarterbacks are more running backs who can throw than quarterbacks who can run.

Borges wants a quarterback who can throw, but the more mobile the better...

Ron Utah

November 19th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^

Not sure where you got the statue idea, but it's just not true.  Bellomy and Morris were both recruited in part because of their mobility.  Expect Borges and Hoke to continue to recruit guys with good arms, but also good mobility.  This is not the Lloyd Carr QB.

The West Coast QB's success is largely determined by his footwork.  You don't necessarily need to be fast to have good footwork, but it helps to be athletic.  Also, the WCO uses lots of play action and bootlegs--mobility helps with these as well.

WolverineHistorian

November 18th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^

Incredible protection all day by the offensive line to give Gardner plenty of time to throw.

And although the coaches probably don't like him running very much, I like that Gardner has some mobility.  Not Denard's of course, but more than your typical UM quarterbacks like Griese, Henne, Grbac, Brady and Navarre. 

madmaxweb

November 18th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^

At 4:04 Elliot Mealer gets put on his ass and gets lucky not being called for Holding. He needs to play better next week, gets a little inconsitent as the game goes on.

BrownJuggernaut

November 18th, 2012 at 10:52 PM ^

I love Gardner in goal line situations. The roll out, the little stutter to throw off the linebacker, and the stroll into the end zone was my favorite play. I'm loving his play more and more every time I see him out there.

Ron Utah

November 19th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^

Assuming Devin makes use of the off-season as the #1 QB and takes his game up a level before next season, we are going to be very hard to beat.  We'll have a young, inexperienced O-line and a new left tackle (Lewan will almost certainly go pro), but the talent level will be up a notch at almost every position:

  • RB - Toussaint, Rawls, Hayes will all be a year better and playing in a conventional offense
  • WR - Losing Roy, but Gallon will be a year better, and Darboh and Chesson should actually play some.  Treadwell would be a HUGE upgrade, and potentially our #1 WR
  • TE - Funchess with an off-season?  Yes please.  Moore isn't playing even though he's healthy, and AJ Williams should be able to provide the blocking that Kwiatkowski has given us this season.  Butt and Hill could play too; we'll definitely be deeper and better here.
  • FB - Hopkins and Kerridge are back, and Houma will have had an off-season of work.
  • O-Line - the inexperience scares me and might hold us back, esp. early in the season, but Kalis, Magnuson, and Bars are all talented kids, and Bryant, Byrzinski, and Miller will have another year under their belt--competition will be fierce for a spot on the 2013 OL

We'll learn an awful lot about DG this week.  Can he continue to shine on the road in The Game?